On 66-94

Instead of a long, wordy paragraph, I want to bring up 10 points and comments I had on this chapter.

1) It is important to understand that other people think differently. I know, it sounds cliche, but if we project our paradigms onto other people's actions, we're asking for misunderstandings. This kind of relates to empathy. (pg. 67)

2) There is a difference between freedom and liberty. How many luxuries do you turn into necessities? Do those "necessities" enslave you? How about your cell phone? Wouldn't it be kind of freeing if you didn't have to constantly check it and worry about people getting a hold of you? (pg. 69)

3) Proactivity=function of our decisions, not our conditions. It's choices, not feelings. You don't fall in love with someone, you choose to love him or her. (pg. 71&80)

4) "Use your R & I!" Oh my gosh, this made me cringe, and it made me greatly appreciate my parents. (pg. 75).

5) A lot of this chapter seemed annoyingly obvious. Covey acts like being proactive is such a novel concept; well, yeah, you're more likely to get what you want if you go for it. My nine-year-old brother could have told the MS1 and MS2 classes that. (pg. 76).

6) See the business scenario on page 77. By reading this, I learned that I have a reactive mindset. After Covey explains the situation, he says, "Now what would a reactive mind say to that? Oh come on. Face facts. You can only carry this positive thinking and self-psych approach so far. Sooner or later you have to face reality." This is exactly what I was thinking. That is bad.

7) On the circles of concern and influence--In my CSEM this semester, we read the Enchiridion by Epictetus. Epictetus says that true happiness comes from acting on those things you can control, and accepting peacefully those things you cannot. We even read the serenity prayer in class (pg. 86). I tend to worry about thing I cannot control, or things that are already in the past. That is bad.

8) See the comments on the story of Joseph in the Bible on page 89. 2LT Janke, who we all know (or at least have heard about) and love has a Arabic tattoo of this story. :)

9) There is a lot of similarity in this chapter to the Be. Know. Do. philosophy.

10) Keep your committments. I read the 4 Agreements over break, and one of the "agreements" Ruiz talks about is being impeccable with you word--meaning if you say something, mean it. Life is better for you and those you interact with. (pg. 92).