Open minded, or just too impressionable?

Being able, and willing, to take new ideas and concepts on board is admirable, but what happens when people take it too far?

These days there are courses and seminars galore that swear blind that they can help people to change their lives. Positive thinking, utilising of assets... common sense really. People continue to sign up for these things, hoping that it will help them to make a difference. Why do people do this? Have we become so brainwashed by modern media that we're becoming incapable of independent thought? Are we really so awash in a morass of apathy and confusion that we don't know what we want anymore? Have we really lost the ability to find our own way? It's certainly starting to look that way.

Ok, so a seminar that encourages people to find happiness and to discover their true self isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the trouble starts when people don't get the results they want. If someone you know has undergone a profound change after attending a course or seminar, it doesn't mean that you will. Everyone is different, everyone is unique. Don't make the mistake of thinking that the same formula will work for everyone, or you may well end up disappointed.

I can't imagine going to one of these things, but then I consider myself able to work out what needs changing, or left alone, all by myself. I neither want nor require someone to tell me what my assets are - and at the end of the day, isn't it better to figure it out for yourself? I'm not condemning those who do gain from such things, but I do advise caution. Don't get your hopes up, at the end of the day we're the ones who can help ourselves. Organisations may say that they're just opening the door for you, but you should be the only one holding a key.

So what are my words of wisdom? Don't expect too much, and don't believe implicitly in what they tell you. If your life-changing course doesn't work, don't immediately leap into another one.

Take a few steps back, take a look at yourself and see if you can be the one to change your life.

10/06/2004 ©