Navigating a Whackadoodle World: Guidepost Eight, or the Power of Responsibility
Past and present links to our episodes on Guidepost Eight: The Power of Responsibility
“I kind of like that story you wrote about soapboxes,” she informed me. “I think that for this guidepost, we should just quote it and get on with our other links.”
“So we can get off our soapbox?” I teased, while doing exactly what she suggested.
I pass a lot of people riding soapboxes down the river. Do you know about soapboxes? They’re the boxes people stand on to get your attention, so they can tell you everything that they think you ought to know.
One soapbox rider I passed felt that it was his duty to point out every terror on the river. So I wouldn’t be afraid of the unexpected, I guess. Another soapbox rider kept pointing out what I was doing wrong. So I could fix myself up, no doubt. Still another soapbox rider kept shouting about how nobody was doing anything about all the problems on the river. Judging by him, I guess he was right.
Soapbox riders are easy to spot. They hang around the shallows using language like: “I can’t,” “You should,” “If only,” “I had no choice,” “I’ve tried everything,” “He started it,” “I wish,” “I blame,” “Do something.” Soapbox riders often claim that the river is an uncaring place because the river doesn’t seem to care about everything they think they know.
I like to spot soapbox riders as soon as possible, so I can give them a wide berth. I don’t like how they waste my time with nonsense. Besides, I can’t really see why anyone would want to ride a soapbox. They make terrible boats. I mean, you can’t accomplish much standing on some stupid lid talking at people who don’t need your advice. Oh sure, soapbox riders are great at spotting problems and defending points of views, but the river needs more people who can discover solutions and embrace new points of views. I think the most annoying thing about soapbox riders is that even when they do make good points, they never use those points to get anything done. I have yet to see a soapbox rider accomplish anything worthwhile on the river.
Source: Amazon.com: A River Worth Riding: Fourteen Rules for Navigating Life: 9781973283485: Sager, Lynn Marie: Books
Navigating a Whackadoodle World: Episode Eight
"Just like with personality, people fall along a spectrum when it comes to how the little or how much they take control of and responsibility for their lives," I explained one more time. "Unlike with personality, which is innate, control is a mindset that can be changed."
Navigating a Whackadoodle World: Episode 22, or Why does it matter how I phrase my goals?
“I still don’t get how the whole MASTERing your goals works. I’m not even sure why it matters,” she muttered under her breath. I sighed, and tried to explain again, “It’s about setting goals you can actually keep, and not making unrealistic promises to yourself.”
For those of you who have already read the above episodes, here is a link to our newest episode on the Power of Responsibility.
Navigating a Whackadoodle World: Episode 37, or Truth tellers work softly, while liars won’t shut up.
Click here if you would like to view Navigating a Whackadoodle World’s Table of Contents “Why did you decide to go with that photo?” she asked, surprised. “Because I like it,” I replied. “It’s a beautiful flower growing between a rock and a hard place. I thought it might inspire me.”
“Links done,” she said. “Now we remind people that if they know someone who could use the guideposts, they can share this post with a friend.”
“What do you want to do for our quick fun post?” I asked.
“I’m thinking a song,” she replied. “Maybe Under Pressure, I love that song.
“Sounds good to me,” I said, and added it. “We should always give love another chance.”