Epictetus Nails It

“If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.”

So true. A character in the film, Serendipity, used that quote to explain why calling the leading man a jackass was meant as a compliment ~ awe that someone would be willing to risk being thought foolish attempting to realize a dream.

Fact ~ the older I get, the more willing I am to be considered a jackass.

Consider another spot-on quote from Epictetus ~ "First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”

In my case, that translates into reaching out for help. Sure, I know there were people who were confused, even bothered by my 2011 State of the Human letter/energy boost request. Can't imagine what they'd think about my seeking help from mere acquaintances & utter strangers in underwriting the next year, helping me out so I can help out the Church & Academy. No one sets about asking for money like that - flat out & up front. Well, I do because it's the only option I have. And I know that 99.9% of people asked won't be able or interested in helping out. All I can say is that for those few (if any) that can & want to, it's not a tax-deductible investment, but it could easily be invaluable.

See, if I am going to set about helping forge connections - natural, simple, low- to no-cost - between the organizations and flesh & blood people, I need to raise money to cover my current mundane expenses - especially 2010 & 2011 school tax bills - that threaten to leave me mute & motionless. Wouldn't the powers ranged against the church & school delight in that!

Yes, it sounds pretty cocky to say, "The powers of darkness would surely count THAT as a major victory!!". Well, it's not mere puffery, just the plain, unvarnished truth.

The fact of the matter is that I never learned effective - aka diplomatic - conventional communication styles. In fact, it took me decades to realize that my family's incongruent way of speaking & sharing ideas was NOT the norm, and even more decades working to improve. Come far, but I'll always be at least a tad off kilter. And I've learned to make that a good thing.

My communication style may seem offbeat to some - okay, to many - but it's my style. And it's a large reason why it would NEVER work to be a GC or ANC employee - my outspoken ways would ruffle someone's feathers. Much better to make a success of Cyber Access for the Technically Timid so that the monies made from my worthy vocation can, year after year, help underwrite my higher-calling avocation.


"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” I know, deep within me, that I'm the right person in the right place to help the organizations to which I own my love & loyalty.

So, I will screw my courage to the sticking place, reaching out to potential cheerleaders, supporters, even underwriters. I will do what I have to do, however much a jackass I might seem.