Dear Next Generation: ‘Self-Confidence Comes From Accomplishment’
At the age of 97, I still remember how all through high school I believed I wasn’t smart enough to go to college. Before I had time to seriously consider it, World War II came along, and there I was, in the Army.
The sudden change was my first major “culture shock,” which dramatically impacted my normal, youthful low self-esteem. Suddenly, I was surrounded by men from 18 to their 30s who ranged from smarter than I to what I perceived as “ dumb.”
These comments are not to belittle the incompetent or “unqualified” as much as to help you rid yourself of any possible negatives you might have concerning yourself. You must charge ahead in your dream or ambition, which means collecting the essential keys, the “magical” tools (training, degrees, certificates, and work experience) to open the door to accomplishing your goal.
Dear Next Generation: ‘All of Life Is a Ceremony’
Join the Social Game!
Many believe we should be frank and outspoken, to get right to the point without phoniness or too much “bull.” In the real world, however, this can be a problem when we need to win over another’s respect, whether a customer, girlfriend or boyfriend, and so on. That is when no matter how we really feel at the moment, we should put on that happy, friendly face.
One word for this response is “ceremony.” Ceremony is very important in our dealings with people. We can’t isolate ourselves from the world although we’d often like to. Ceremony is shaping an “atmosphere,” as when dating a girl bringing flowers, or being especially charming and protective.