Help Helpers

There are a lot of “self-help” books out there. These days, there are even more “self-help” gurus. Around every internet corner, there is someone who has set up shop as a “life coach” or some such wonder guide.

However, before I utter another word, let me say this. I truly think parts of this industry are completely legitimate. There are multitudes of tools out there which have helped multi, multi, multitudes of people. I am not nay-saying one little nay bit.

But.

A brief interjection. Have you ever noticed I use “but” a lot around here? I don’t know if it is the fact that a take great measures to “premise” things with a backyard explanation. And then, I finally get around to saying what was on my mind in the first place. But. There is always a but.

Anyway, the Helper Bees. The Gurus. The Light Leaders, and Guidance Counselors. I was reading an email “ad” for one of them this morning. And I noticed a common thread. They all say one thing, frequently.

“Live life to the fullest.”

Now, I don’t know about the rest of you, but that doesn’t seem to be my problem. My life seems pretty dang full as it is. And I don’t even have a 9 to 5 job. Yet, I am on the go from the time I get up in the morning, until the time I finally let myself go horizontal at night.

Some days, it seems, I even have to remind myself to breathe. So things in this neck of the woods already feel extremely full. And this Self-Helpster is telling me there is even more?

Of course, I know they are indicating that I am doing it wrong. That my life feels jammed-packed and busy and moving right by me, and that is the big problem-o. They suggest that somewhere along the line, I lost the Manual that was given to me at birth, by the great Grand Poobah. Otherwise, I wouldn’t feel this displaced, and anxious all the time. Yes. I understand this is NOT what they mean by “fullest.”

But.

But.

There it is again. The But.
I almost feel guilty writing it yet another time.

Great.

Now I feel anxious, displaced, AND guilty.

Well here is the thing.  I would hire one of those Gurus to help me with my Self Help Program, but then it would not really be “self” help. 

 

All joking aside, things are just fine.  And.  I may be taking a short break. So if I don’t see you very soon, I’ll see you eventually soon.

 


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“Pointing to another world will never stop vice among us; shedding light over this world can alone help us.”
― Walt Whitman

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“One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.”
― Shannon L. Alder

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“If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

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