Plus: How to choose your life’s philosophy

The only way to take control of your life, raise your standard of living and move beyond merely surviving is to create your own unique product or service that you offer to increasing numbers of people in exchange for the things of value that you desire. This simple formula applies to countries as well as people. A self-sufficient economy has its own products or services of value to export to the world. Similarly, a self-sufficient individual has something of value to exchange in the global marketplace. That thing of value is based on your natural talent, skill, or interest—in other words, your passion!

[B]PART I: Prediction Update: [/B]

The business of making predictions requires a slightly uncomfortable amount of self-aggrandizement. Once you make a prediction say, in a newspaper, it then becomes your job to remind people what your predictions were, how many came true, and to reinforce your own accuracy rate. Few people will actually keep track on their own, and write you to say you were wrong, and fewer still will write you to say you were right! You have to do your own promotion, because, quite frankly, no one cares…unless you start predicting natural disasters, deaths and lottery numbers!

Now, you may argue that some of these “predictions” were simply obvious inevitabilities that didn’t require psychic or prescient abilities to foretell, but since I’m doing the calculations, here, I’ve got my accuracy rate at 100%!

With that said, ahem, and as a self-serving reminder, let it be noted that on October 15, 2008, “we” (that would be the royal “we) predicted:

1. Barack Obama would be president, 34 days before the election took place;

2. The auto industry would continue its decline, two months before the bailout;

3. The last garment factory would close, 93 days before Uno Moda’s now official scheduled closure on Jan. 15 [[*one other factory remains in a state of suspension until further notice], and in breaking news,

4. The Mariana Monument would be signed into existence, 84 days before today.

That’s right, it’s official. According to our on-the-scene roving reporter, Angelo Villagomez: “the MARIANAS MARINE NATIONAL MONUMENT is going to be 95,000 square miles. It includes the waters around the three northern islands in the original proposal, the entire trench, and 21 different seamounts, some off the coast of Saipan and Rota.”

If I’m correct, that makes it the second or third largest of its kind. And, for those who successfully lobbied on behalf of the Monument, congratulations. It’s now time to take…

[B]The next leap of faith[/B] [I]The goal is one step closer
Well done! but don’t stop there
The moment that you took it
it became a conquered fear

The field has now been altered
the rules have now been changed
The dreams you set your sights upon
are now within your range

You’re now a different person
new dreams new comfort zone
You’re likely to regress
without some brand new skills to hone

So revel in your victory
But please don’t rest too long
Without new heights to soar to
pampered wings grow weak not strong

There is no end to striving
For that’s the game we play
And men need dreams to test their skills
like dragons knights need slay[/I] [B]PART II: How I Choose My Philosophy of Life[/B]

As you set your goals for the next new challenge, or plan your life for the new year, I’d like to share a little excerpt from a short story about a man who is challenged about how he lives his life. The following is a brief excerpt of a public speech in explanation of his life’s choices.

‘I don’t necessarily agree…’

“Ladies and gentlemen. So that you will all understand me and my choices, let me tell you a story.

A few years ago, I met a young lady who became my girlfriend. She would visit my house on occasion and, at the time, as I was living in a tropical island, there would be the occasional fly, mosquito, lizard, and ant roaming through my apartment.

On the first of many such occasions, my girlfriend, upon seeing the ants in my apartment, started to make moves to kill them. She asked me if I had some spray. I told her no. I also asked her not to kill them. Just let them be, I asked. She thought I was crazy. When I have flies in my apartment, I open the door and guide them to it and let them out. I catch the annoying lizards and toss them out into the front yard. The reason I don’t kill those living things, my friends, even though it’s not against the law, and presumably no court would fault me for killing ants, is because I’ve decided that it’s inconsistent with my philosophy of life. Regardless of what is “allowed” by society, I make my own decisions as to what my philosophy will be.

The reason I don’ kill people, my friends, is not because it’s against the law. It’s because it’s inconsistent with my chosen philosophy.

As a free human being, I reserve the right to choose my philosophy and act according to it.

Now, I’m not naive, nor am I a rebel for rebelliousness’ sake. I understand that societies survive when people agree to adhere to certain codes—certain moral codes. And, for the record, for those who might not know, a moral code is any behavior that the society deems is necessary for its overall survival.

And I also understand that, ostensibly, laws are put in place to safeguard the rights, safety and survival of others. So, while I might like to drive 90 miles an hour, I also choose not to, because it puts me and others at risk, and it’s a law that makes sense. So I follow the law because it makes sense to do so, not because police officers will give me a ticket.

So, having said all that, my friends, I befriend whom I wish because I choose to do so. I give to whom I wish because I have the unalienable right to do so. I live the lifestyle I do because I can. I share my lifestyle and knowledge with those who request. I make no apologies, I ask no permission, and I have no guilt or remorse for having done so.

My actions are not dictated by a fear of the consequences of externally imposed philosophies and laws. I do what makes sense given my ideals and worldview. I do what aids the survival of the whole according to how I see things. I do what makes me happy without infringing on the rights and freedoms of others. So, I may not always do what the masses do.

At the same time, I drive on the right side of the road, just like the masses do, because I recognize it’s silly and unsafe not to. However, I don’t eat meat, despite what the masses do, because I recognize it’s silly and unsafe to do so. My actions are not dictated by a fear of the consequences of externally imposed philosophies, nor the judgment of other men. I choose my philosophy, according to how I see the world, and I live by it.

The philosophy I live by, therefore, is a simple one. I’ve decided that my beliefs and actions will be guided by the following ideals:

I do what is consistent with natural law as much as is practical.

I honor the law of cause and effect.

I strive to honor the rights and freedoms of others in all that I do.

I assist others whenever and wherever possible as long as their own ideals are consistent with the above and do not require that I compromise my own.

Some people choose what is accepted. Some people choose what is easy. Some people choose what is expedient. Some people choose what is profitable. Some people choose what they can get away with. Some people choose only what is within another’s prescribed lines of behavior. I choose what suits me, because, my friends, I don’t necessarily agree….

[B][I]To be continued.[/I][/B]

Note: For more tips on overcoming your fears, acting on your ideas, changing the game, and creating a passion-centered lifestyle, visit www.passionprofit.com!

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Until next week, remember, success is a journey, not a destination!

[I]Walt F.J. Goodridge is author of 12 books including Turn Your Passion Into Profit. Walt offers coaching and workshops to help people pursue and profit from their passions. Originally from the island of Jamaica, Walt has grown several successful businesses in the US, and now makes his home here in Saipan. To learn more about the Saipanpreneur Project and Walt’s philosophy and formula visit www.saipanpreneur.com and www.passionprofit.com[/I]