It was frustrating because I didn't want to take any responsibilty for the hard times I was going through. I wanted to hate my boss and loathe my sister. I wanted to feel sorry for myself because I thought that was the easiest way.
But once the tears ebbed and I started to absorb this truth, I started to become free. My job wasn't abusing me. Sure there are jobs with better benefits and different leadership styles, but it wasn't abusive. I had the choice to stay or leave. I was making the choice to stay and I was making the choice to fight my supervisors decisions every single step. And through that choice, I (not him) was making my job miserable. My sister and I have always been different. But I was chosing to ignore and make scathing comments just as much as she was. I had to let that go and once I did, my relationship with her healed almost immediately. I had made the choice to gain so much weight and quit running. Through that choice, I obtained several injuries that made it harder to get back into shape. I fell into the excuses and stopped caring for myself. This didn't just happen to me, it came out of a series of choices.
Well, The Buck Stops Here. I chose to stay at my job and because of this choice, I get the best benefit I could possibly get... a check that allows me to pay the mortgage, put food on the table and take my oldest son to see Mythbusters on Tour in Spokane. I chose to work on my relationship with my sister and treat her with kindness and because of that, I get to have a relationship with her. I chose to start following a diet and do exercise and through that I am able to get back to running again.
This principle when put together with Anne Franks' princple (to come later in the book) completely changed my life for the better and I have seen amazing changes that have led to many successes.
The Buck Stops Here.
Read chapters 4 and 5 and comment below on the following questions:
1) King Solomon says, “We, as humans, are always in a process of change. Therefore, we
might as well guide the direction in which we change.” How will the decision to “seek wisdom”
help you guide the direction in which you change?
2) What point is King Solomon making when he directs David to understand that “serving is
a way we can place value on one another”? He says, “A wise man is a server.” Why?
3) The book opens with a quotation by Joshua Chamberlain, an obscure figure in American
history. How does this quote set the stage for the book?
4) Why do you think Andrews chose to begin with a quote by Chamberlain instead of one by
the other historical characters in the book?
1) Making the decision to seek wisdom will help you guide the direction in which you change by assisting you on your way to change. The more you learn, the more you can change your ways based on what you have learned and the wisdom you have gained. We cannot guide the direction in which we change without learning how to.
ReplyDelete3) This quote set the stage for the book because it refers to dreams and the power of vision which describes these visions or dreams David is having and the powerful effect they have on him and anyone who reads this book.
ReplyDeleteI believe Anderson chose to use a quote by Chamberlain because he is an obscure figure in American history like you said in question number three. This book forces you to open your mind to possibilites and a different way to learn to better yourself. It is not your average self help book but it definitely will make you a better person if you take even half of the advice given in these letters.
ReplyDeleteresponse to question 4)
DeleteLearning about Chamberlain made me realize that every common person has the ability to change the world. If not for this man, we'd be 2 separate nations instead of a UNITED States of America.
DeleteI'm glad you are enjoying the book.
2) David was surprised because King Solomon held the curtain open for him but King Solomon wanted to make it clear he is a King but he is humble and respects and cares for others. I beleive he meant by caring for others you show them they are worthy or your care and show them respect. I want to say it has to do with karma in a way, if you help others it will come back to you others will help you or good will come in to your life so be smart and do good deeds, serve others "A wise man is a server."
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