======================= VOTT IF ... you could get a short, humorous, informative e-mail each week that was insightful and meaningful to your life? ======================= Valuing Ourselves One of the more profound stories in Greek mythology tells about Pandora's Box. Pandora was given a beautiful box by the gods, but told not to open it. They knew she couldn't resist the temptation and she did not disappoint them. It was a rather dirty trick by the deities, for as soon as she opened it for a peek, all these 'nasties' started coming out like hate, jealousy, greed, fear etc etc and went on to populate the world and make people's lives miserable for thousands of years afterwards (in fact, they are still floating around). Pandora, of course, felt really bad about this whole thing because not only had she let all this out into the world, but she would be cursed throughout time as the 'one who did it'. But then something happened that changed everything. From the bottom of the box after all had left, out came an angelic being of great beauty. She called out to Pandora and told her not to grieve, for She was Hope. Throughout time, She would exist, despite the worst monstrosities conceivable, in the hearts of all humanity. While we may 'lock up' Hope in some box underneath those 'nasties' we carry around, Hope will always be with us. No matter the horror, Hope can not be extinguished. As written in The Magnificent Seven, "Not all the darkness in the world can put out the light of even one small candle." So let's set things straight. Pandora didn't really do such a bad thing after all - in fact, we all got a pretty good deal out of it. The 'nasties' fly here and there, troubling this and that, then move on. Hope stays with us eternally and enables us to be human, and most important, humane. She will inevitably shape our evolutionary destiny. Time Tippies Argument is one of the most useless timewasters around. People make such a deal about needing to 'convince' others to their point of view. They will spend hours, days and even lifetimes trying to 'win' the argument. There are two issues at stake here. One is whether it makes any difference that you chalk up another victory. The second is whether that victory is a worthy one to achieve. The answer to the first is rather simple - no. it doesn't make any difference. There is little point in winning another 'convert' through argument, because that person may change his or her mind tomorrow. To acquire a real convert necessitates that we do not argue, that we align ourselves and our actions with things that really are worthy - only then will we inspire others to join us. Which brings us to the second point. Is what you are arguing about worth winning? It may be trivial or it may be something you're better off not winning - for your and humanity's sake. Anyone can win an argumentative battle, but the war we may lose as a result can waste much more than just our time. Inspiration Victor Hugo (1802-1885) was a poet, novelist, dramatist and leader of the romantic movement in France. He believed in the innate goodness of man and revered nature. He played an active part in political life to try to effect change. His love of liberty and his hopes for mankind were regarded, however, as a poet's dream. What he lacked in political influence, he gained with his writings. In 19th century French literature, his influence was unrivalled. Not bound by conventions, Hugo experimented with language and rhythm in poetry. He asserted the playwright's independence from the rigid rules of classical literature. His novels revealed a humanitarian interest in the problems and suffering of the common man. Among these were Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. We salute this leader in literature who stayed true to his ideals and changed the world for the better through his beautiful words. Funecdotes James Joyce (1882-1941), Irish novelist, was quite impoverished in his youth. While applying for a job at a bank he was grilled by the intimidating manager: "Do you smoke?" roared his prospective employer. "No sir." replied the young Joyce. "Do you drink?" "No sir." "Do you go with girls?" "No sir," finished Joyce breathing a sigh of relief. The manager was unimpressed. "Away with you! he cried, "You'd probably rob the bank!" ... with you on your journey Towards Freedom mailto:about@towardsfreedom.com (autoresponder) http://www.towardsfreedom.com (website) information, imagination, inspiration - truly a site for soaring I's ======================= If you ever wish to unsubscribe just do so at http://towardsfreedom.com/suvottif.html#subscription_handling =======================