Photo taken in the United Arab Emirates posted courtesy of Akhilesh Sharma
June 2, 2002
"Naturalness is the easiest thing in the world to acquire, if you will forget yourself--forget about the impression you are trying to make"....Dale Carnegie.
Naturalness is the easiest thing in the world to acquire??? If it's natural, do we need to acquire it??? I thought natural just "is"??? Whatever!!! I am learning that it is very difficult to forget about yourself....I have no problem with the impression part. I have always tried to be "unnoticeable"....I actually "do things" to be unnoticed :-)
The following is taken from Dale Carnegie's Scrapbook....
"Do you feel that you are superior to the Japanese? The truth is that the Japanese consider themselves far superior to you. A conservative Japanese, for example, is infuriated at the sight of a white man dancing with a Japanese lady. Do you consider yourself superior to the Hindus in India? That is your privilege; but a million Hindus feel so infinitely superior to you that they wouldn't befoul themselves by condescending to touch food that your heathen shadow had fallen across and contaminated. Do you feel you are superior to the Eskimos? Again, that is your privilege; but would you really like to know what the Eskimo thinks of you? Well, there are a few native hobos among the Eskimos, worthless bums who refuse to work. The Eskimos call them "white men"--that being their utmost term of contempt. Each nation feels superior to other nations. That breeds patriotism--and wars. The unvarnished truth is that almost every man you meet feels himself superior to you in some way; and a sure way to his heart is to let him realize in some subtle way that you recognize his importance in his little world, and recognize it sincerely"....Dale Carnegie.
Well, I am reminded of not so much nationalities as religions here. I have grown up in a Christian environment and well, some people would call it a sheltered environment. However, instead of making me feel superior to anyone, it has made me feel different. I always attended a Christian school which meant I didn't live next door or even down the street from a classmate. It didn't really seem to make a difference until junior high. When socializing really became important, I turned to my computer. Now, I still feel different....but it's a wonderful feeling. I am usually treated like a daughter or kid sister....sorta protected. That gives me the feeling that other people are superior to me, because they are sorta trying to take care of me....even strangers. Somehow, this causes me to give them my utmost respect, and somehow we are comfortable together. I am reminded of the words of Paul Valery....."We are enriched by our reciprocate differences"....
song playing....Heaven Is a Place on Earth