It's fascinating to hear about your approach to learning and time management, especially your preference for books over the internet. I'd love to understand more about how you prioritize which books to read and what specific benefits you gain from reading extensively.
One of the benefits of being online in the early days is seeing its progression. I discovered the necessity of finding kindred spirits. You can scratch the surface of a topic in a general population but when you want to go deeper you have to find people doing the things you're interested in.
Your gleanings will always be a combination of what to do and what not to do. I was fortunate to find them during a period when hunger and thirst were plentiful. We devoured our interests and shared our highs and lows and it was magical. We communicated on private mailing lists, channels and forums. It was a cornucopia of learning that was both instructive and supportive.
When you said you liked something or wanted to learn in those circles there was a quiet expectation you'd follow suit. People wanted to hear from you. What you knew and learned etc. We shared resources but application was valued. Reading is easy but doing is harder and we respected that. The quest for kindred spirits always resulted in experiences and they're the ones I attracted.
There was a point in that period of self-discovery when I visualized the woman I wanted to become and made a conscious effort to work towards it. I drafted a personal development plan that covered everything. It was holistically balanced. Body, mind, soul and spirit. And I got to work.
As the years passed I was checking things off and making progress. I heard a message from a well-known personality that addressed 'the gonna' and dismantled it. I'd had something on my to-do list for ages. I wanted to complete a classics reading challenge but I kept putting it off. That needed to change and I knew it. While reading a book I saw a line that's etched in my conscience.
They said only 5% of population sets goals and 3% achieve them and I ran the numbers. That's your 1%.
The new year came and I set a ridiculous reading goal of 150 books and started the classics challenge. I finished the year with 350 under my belt and it changed me. I heard a second message from the same individual that revolutionized my life.
He said, when Amazon was founded Whole Foods was valued at $220 million dollars. But Amazon bought Whole Foods. The message was reminding you that you can catch up. I was standing outside when I heard it and started screaming yes! Because I got it. And I quickened my pace.
I share that to illustrate that no one wakes up like this. There's nuances to our becoming including our upbringing and early influences. My parents instilled in me the importance of working to my capacity. Gifts and talents were meant to be used and should be fed. I grew up in an environment where learning was prized and effort was praised. We were consistently told we could accomplish anything we put our mind to.
That's going to have a significant impact on your life. You won't be afraid to try or fail because you know you can try again. They impressed the necessity of dancing to your own drummer and ignoring naysayers. Everyone has an opinion but we determine the impact they'll have on us. It made us strong and tough minded. We were reared to be leaders and examples. We weren't permitted to follow the crowd. They may lead you astray.
Everything I do is the result of becoming. It's a never-ending process of growth and sanctification. The books are one element of a multi-layered process. My initial selections were the result of personal interest or desired insight. Now I've woven in spiritual components and narrowed my focus and paired them to my primary intention for the year that's reinforced through my selections.
For example, if my primary intention is discipline, I'll devise a strategy to address it through habits, instruction, and accountability. If discipline is my aim I have to modify my behavior to accommodate the shift and reinforce it in my interests. And I have to check-in with myself to see how I'm progressing.
Additionally, could you share some insights into how your experiences in finance have influenced your reading habits and goals?
I learned how the world works. How it really works. They saved me a lot of grief and delusion. On the other hand, it's exceedingly evil and I never forget that. You have to filter the things you see and hear through your spirit. You can't copy everything.
Goal wise, it sharpened my willingness to take risks and refusal to quit. I like to be challenged and stretched. It deepened my confidence and appreciation for legacy. Not only through making your mark on the world but leaving it bettered by your presence. That's on all levels beyond wealth. Spiritual legacy is the greatest.
I think more about my bloodline than myself. I'm laying a foundation on behalf of others that will aid them in doing the Lord's work with fewer hindrances. Which may include purchasing real estate that will accommodate multiple homes so they don't have to buy one. It remains in the family and solves the issue with children and elders. It means building a business you can pass on and funding the future. That's how I think.
Lastly, it's intriguing that you mention being in an "end time season" and buying up moments strategically. Could you elaborate on what you mean by this phrase, and how it influences your approach to reading and learning?
Life is like a chessboard. As you watch the pieces move here and there you can't ignore what you're witnessing. That requires a willingness to tell the truth whether your observations reflect your hopes or not. By doing so you can adjust your response and anticipate moves before they occur. Or at the very least you know they're coming.
Positioning requires attentiveness and a willingness to strategize. As the bible says, work while the day is here because night is coming when none can work. Whether you do or not your enemy is working and doesn't stop. The bigger question is what can you live with?
As believers we're trusting God and I'm mindful of the question. My efforts are freeing up things down the road. What's possible now may be challenging later and I'm putting things in place to address them. Not only in respect to calling. But loved ones, community and the church as well.
My approach to the end times is practical and shrewd. We have stores that don't accept cash. Some that allow you to scan your hand for payment. Some that require you to scan something for entry. I ask myself, what would you do if you couldn't comply? What alternatives do you have in place to compensate?
When I'm contemplating solutions I'm doing it in light of several factors. Most notably, how the world works and what's permissible. No's in some places are yeses elsewhere and knowing the difference is a must.
I make sure I'm conversant in everything related to the yes and its risks. If I decided to grow my own food in response to the problem at the store my first question is how will you protect it from poachers. That isn't raised when the purchase is made. I'll tackle it upfront because the solution influences the purchase not the other way around.
We hear the term elite this and elite that but the majority don't realize how they think. Once you do life gets easier. You can spot the lies and focus on more important stuff. Their number one weapon against the world is distraction. They're meant to draw you from your priorities and create future hardships.
They tell you to retire in your sixties although we're living longer and they keep working. Do as I say not as I do. It's all a game and I'm willing to play.
~bella
