What do you Expect to GET, if You Don't DO Anything?
Cause and Effect.
Action and Reaction.
Choices have Consequences.
Apples ripening on our tree!
Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I was raised and became an adult — and then lived by the idea that if you wanted something, or had an idea, you had to DO something to get there.
Whereas I certainly believe in the basic premise that we can "create our own reality" and "thoughts become things," sometimes the whole New Age Woo-Woo industry goes a little over the top.
Or, at least, it undersells the reality that "manifesting $1000 for my student loan payment" does not mean $100 bills will magically rain from the sky; they have to come from somewhere, and that somewhere is typically related not just to your thoughts, but to your actions.
The Universe Will Provide...
Well actually... no.
What "the Universe" will provide is a pathway for your focus, and openings for you to walk through.
Leaf in the sun
"But I needed $1000 to keep my student loans from going into default, and they got paid!"
It's a matter of perspective. "The Universe" didn't pay your student loans, your Uncle Chuck did, and Uncle Chuck went to work and "did something" in order to have that $1000, and then he determined that your life would be massively screwed up by the loan default so paying $1000 was an investment in not listening to you bellyache in the future about your endless debt and messed up credit.
Cause... and effect.
Trust me, I believe in the power of positive visualization as much as the next person (yeah, that shit really DOES work!), but let's call things what they really are... rather than invent fairy tales to describe everyday events.
It's More Than Just TALK...
Some years back, there was a movie/books about something called "The Secret." Which was basically about manifestation and the power of positive focused intention.
Rain. Tree. Sun.
Which, in turn, was just old ideas... repackaged.
Unfortunately, it was somewhat misappropriated by popular media and culture... the emphasis was placed of what you could "get," while conveniently glossing over the "supporting action."
I remember watching a video clip that was an interview with "Secret" co-creator Jack Canfield, a few months after the movie and books hit the world, and everyone (even Oprah) was wrapped up in "Secret Fever." Canfield lamented that most people sadly were missing the point... that point being that you need to TAKE ACTION in support of your positive visualization.
The Rolls Royce doesn't just magically appear in your driveway just because you think about it. You have to DO something.
Lack of Personal Accountability
I'm not entirely sure what the underlying issue is, but the world seems to move more and more in a direction where people shirk personal accountability for their lives and actions.
Calendula in bloom
In the Alternative Healing field, this tends to run somewhat rampant... and it's almost like a variation on the old "Fastest Gun in the West" trick.
Now, understand that I am not knocking "Alternative Healers" here, because some of that shit does work! What I'm knocking is the ethics of lacking accountability.
Let's say someone goes to an alternative healer with back pain and someone "gives them a healing" that might involve crystals and sound.
If the pain goes away, then the healer was really good at what they did. But if the pain DOESN'T go away, the client "wasn't open to the healing."
See the problem? The possibility "it didn't work" is not part of the equation. The practitioner is — by definition — never the failed link. Zero accountability.
If You Want the Result, You Gotta do the Work!
Across almost all walks of life it seems more and more like people expect to get "something for nothing."
Summer view of the bay
Whether it's exercises in positive visualization, climbing the ladder to success or blogging on Steemit, it feels like the world's expectations are changing: We seem to "expect more" and yet are willing to "pay less" to get it.
And yet?
Most of the things people purport to want are quite tangible. And you can't just "wish your way" to them. You have to get off your ass and do something!
Not long ago, someone wanted to know what my "formula" was for getting so many comments on pretty much all my posts. My "secret."
Well, mostly because I post pretty much every day, interact with the people who leave me comments, and engage with other bloggers. Every. Single. Day.
Cause and Effect.
It's pretty simple, really...
Thanks for reading!
How about You? A you a believer in "cause and effect?" Do you think there IS such a thing as a "free lunch?" Or are we ultimately making choices NOW, that will lead to consequences LATER? Do you think a lot of people try to avoid personal accountability for their own actions and choices? Leave a comment-- share your experiences-- be part of the conversation!
created by @zord189
(As always, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for Steemit)
Created at 180815 16:49 PDT
I want the world. Gimme! No, I don't need to do anything, that's why you all exist to do it for me. The state gives me my hand out each month :P
I dislike handouts/free lunches given on a regular basis, while people just go on with that and don't do things themselves to earn what they get. On Steem, someone told me a month ago that they were goign to need to go on welfare because they couldn't survive from steem alone... I told them to get a job, it's not up to others to pay for your survival, it's your responsibility. He didn't like that much :P
This post was partly inspired by someone's post earlier today, in which they were basically moaning and groaning about "having to do certain things" to collect welfare... and yes, much the same as you describe, this person was also having a small shit fit over the declining price of Steem and how he could no longer make enough money to live (while evidently NOT reporting it as "income" so he could still collect welfare) and would boo-hoo-hoo have to look for a part time job.
I have NO issue with appropriately given free lunches; say, a mother and her two young kids move out of a domestic abuse situation and need shelter and support. Hells, yeah. Food stamps for single parents who could otherwise ONLY support and feed their families by working 70 hours a week... shouldn't have to do that; shitty environment in which to raise kids.
But these are "temporary hands up," not invitations to entitlement and expected to get something for nothing.
I recently had to remove Steemit from my ongoing projects as a "viable source of income" and just move it over into the "hobby" pile. Only makes a difference to how much time I can spend doing this; other things will fill that gap. Not going to rage quit OR have an emotional meltdown over it...
Yes, yes, and yes.
Yes!
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Yes, indeed.
It's like there are certain privately based models for "universal basic income." You invest into a system, and contribute goods, services and time to it, and the collective benefit is that you get back a small stipend... and it's somewhat of a meritocracy, too.
But again, it's "something for something," not "something for nothing."
One interesting fact that I read about student loans is that you are far more likely do be in default if you never graduated with a degree (well duh, but still, it makes you think). Kind of goes hand in hand with your "personal responsibility" theory.
Source
What makes student loans worse in the US is the debt remains even if the debtor declares bankruptcy. This is only for student loans, not other types of debt.
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Yep, it’s a strange carve-out in the bankruptcy law. Not sure what the original rationale was on that one. You can discharge gambling debt (more voluntary) and medical debt (less voluntary) so student debt being excluded makes no sense to me.
Shades of the whole "entitlement" thing. "School failed to give me an education, so I don't see why I should pay these loans. I didn't GET anything."
It's a mindset that goes with the greater "story arc" that life is supposed to have some kind of "easy button." Which — of course — it doesn't.
howdy sir denmarkguy! I think almost EVERYONE wants a free lunch. After talking to businessmen all the time in our real estate business they all said the same thing: the younger generation has no work ethic and expects you to pay them top dollar just for hanging out there! I hope there are alot of exceptions to that rule because it's scary to think who are leaders of tomorrow are! very thought-provoking post sir! I'm sorry I'm charging my vote for a couple of days, it was about 40% this morning.
Young leader here. Anyone, young or old, who wants to get paid for hanging out isn’t going to get very far.
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howdy young leader torrey.blog! well I am very impressed by many Millennials as far as their tech savvy and smarts, much smarter than my generation but their expectations and work ethic in a large percentage has been significantly off but I have reason to believe they will come around.
What is your impression? Are we older people out of touch, is it our fault for raising the younger generation improperly? are you surrounded by hard working, responsible, realistic Millennials similar to yourself?
Excellent questions, really got me thinking, @janton!
“All generalizations are false.” We should all push past stereotypes and live life on their own terms. Age is not a good excuse (young or old).
I wouldn’t say I’m surrounded by hardworking millennials. But I try to set a great example, to not compare myself to others, and to compete against myself.
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You touch on something really important there @torrey.blog, and it's applicable to all age groups, actually: Don't compare yourself to others; compare yourself to yourself... and ask whether you're being your BEST self, or at least the "self" you visualize.
yes sir denmarkguy... you are correct sir! lol. isn't that what Ed McMann used to say to Johnny Carson when he was mind-reading those cards in that silly skit or is that before your time?
yes sir I love that philosophy and can tell that you are going to be very successful! God bless you!
Greetings @janton; no need for apologies here... I already know you're one of Steemit's most active people!
You and I have both been self-employed for a large part of our lives, so we're pretty well versed in the reality that "Action A results in outcome B." And "outcome B" just isn't going to come flying in by itself on a cloud of rainbow unicorn sparkles.
Now, I cut younger generations SOME slack... in the sense that they often are who they are as a result of the parental model they had. A lot of these kids had parents who busted their butts with two jobs... and wished for their children "To not have to work so hard." On paper, that might be a noble idea, but in practice is means that these children were taught that things CAN be easier because "mom and dad will provide." Then they get out in the world... and it's a rude awakening.
Friend of mine works in human resources and says she gets lot of very bright young millennials who are quite hard working... the problem is in their expectations. "I've been working really hard here for six months, and have been getting stellar job reviews... but I'm not division manager yet. I think I'm going to quit, because there's clearly no future for me with this company."
SIX MONTHS? Try six years...
hahha! good morning sir denmarkguy! those are great points about the Millennials and their expectations. I think they are setting records for the number of them who have moved back with their parents? I think I read that. sounds logical.
Yes, they are amazingly technical and bright so perhaps it will just take a little more experience. Although they don't have much time to get it together, don't their ages run up to 39 years old? we're not talking kids here.
"flying in by itself on a cloud of rainbow unicorn sparkles." hahaha! great writing sir!
Well, we've had two of our three move back home for various periods of time after they "became adults." Our 29-year old son lived in the basement for four months, just this winter/spring. Our daughter (now 27) lived with us once for about 18 months, first when she decided law school really was NOT for her so she became a hotel receptionist for a while... then went to film school but didn't like "the attitude" so moved back home for six months, then went to massage school and graduated... and now works as an executive assistant at an investment management firm.
I think the start date for Millennials is generally born from 1982-83 onwards.
wow sir denmarkguy it's a good thing you were there so the kids could come back and regroup for awhile. Did you charge them rent? lol. some parents would say "never!" and some would say "of course!"
Good post - I found a book by Wayne Dyer called the power of intention - it turned my life around and explained so many aspects of connecting with the universe. However, the important thing is to work towards your goal with absolute faith that you will achieve it - doors will open to you and people will come into your life that can help you - you must be open and tuned in so that you recognise these things - and most of all be grateful for everything that comes your way.
I do like Wayne Dyer's books and wisdom... he was talking about the power of intention long before all the New Age hoopla arose. And yes, gratitude is an important part of moving towards your goals... remember to never take anything for granted!
Indeed
I tend to believe more in science than "woo woo" lol. What does irk me is the faith healers (especially the TV variety) that say you are healed of cancer, but when you are NOT healed, it is due to a lack of faith. Bollocks I say.
It IS bollocks, indeed... and it's an approach practiced by many supposedly legitimate practitioners and healers, as well. It's "no fault." The whole "you weren't open to the teaching" thing has never flown with me... at least a few of these people are accountable enough to start their presentation with "This will work for a LOT of people, but not for everyone." Fine. If I like the odds, I may still go with it, and I'll be prepared to deal with possible disappointment.
Like meditating to lower my blood pressure. I was like "Yeah, whatever..." but I did try it for two months and it did do something... significant.
I couldn't agree more with this article.
If more people were willing to put in the work, they would see drastic and positive changes in their lives.
Being able to come back every day and chip away at a project isn't always easy. If one sticks to the process however, the result is almost always a lasting success.
Thank you for your insights, I look forward to reading your work!
You're exactly right. Alas, we seem to live increasingly in the age of the "lottery effect;" people all have expectations of "the big score" and underrate the value of "chipping away at it," as you said.
Consistency will actually get you remarkably far.
Oh, and welcome to Steemit @livetorise!
Definitely, people seem to expect a great deal without having to put in time or effort.
Thank you!
Another way of saying it is “make your own luck”
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Well put!
No such thing as a free lunch. Everything in life I get because I work for it. Nothing comes on a silver platter. I don't believe in giving a free lunch to my kids or grandkids either.
man I bet cecicastor is a task master! trains em to be tough so they won't be crybabies!
No whiners or crybabies in my family! All are good providers for their families.
I can believe that cecicastor! great job of raising them.
Complaining is worse than entitlement.
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oh howdy there torrey.blog on this fine Thursday! yes I believe it is. I wouldn't try to complain in cecicastors house!
Howdy @janton! Good morning. It’s a beautiful day in California. No whining here.
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haha! I'm sorry if I gave the impression that all Millennials are whiners, it's just the ones I've met except a few but probably none on this platform!
There really isn't such a thing as a free lunch. And even when we have moments of good fortune where something seemingly random happens to us at little expense, there was invariably someone, somewhere who served as the initial catalyst and was responsible for the energy/funding that was needed to get that ball rolling.
I like what Manoj Bhargava (5 hour energy founder) said when asked why he pledged to give most of his fortune to charities. Paraphrased “I had 2 choices: I could ruin my sons life, or give away the money”
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It seems 'self affirmations' always seem to not be followed by real life actions to help them along. Who knows what people believe anymore, it's a mish mash of changing ideas and beliefs. It's a wonder people believe anything today, other than in themselves :)
I guess the thing that increasingly grinds my gears is that more and more people (it seems) take the approach that "if they wish it, it will happen."
And then they get all butthurt when it doesn't. I mean, if we could all "wish" $100 bills out of thin air, nobody'd be working.
Yes, it seems 'wishing' has replaced, 'visualizing a want then a goal' then working to make said goal come to fruition. But, the more we move into a digital life the more 'reality' seems to blur. Oh well.
great time to be posting this.
I agree my friend. I follow you anyway just putting hashtag so you know we are in the same group.
#steemitbloggers
Thanks for visiting @rebeccabe; yes I recognize you from SteemitBloggers!
I just think people need to be a little more responsible for the outcomes of their lives.
yes... cause and effect
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