@Al Voss ...“Check is in the mail…”

Such an excellent and intriguing dialogue, and as it was intended to stir a spirited debate, it so succeeded – job well done. In reading the “Quote of the Day”, I am reminded of a statement by Marcus Aurelius: “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” Taking this quote at face value, we might agree that it can be broken down into three facets: The Sea; The Dark and The Gentlemen. (“Three fellows go walking into a bar” …what could possibly go wrong with this analogy…but I digress…). The Sea is an entity that obeys the laws of physics and the better one understands those laws the better one’s probable outcomes might be. Likewise, “The Land” is an entity that obeys the laws of physics, but operating outdoors, absent the sun or the moon, drastically limits visual information required to minimize risk and maximize goals. The “Proper” Gentlemen is an entity that (generally) obeys the laws of Etiquette, Ethics and Cultural Morals. Each of these entities has with it a level of predictability, enabling the considerate individual the opportunity to gain a semblance of understanding as to what to expect should he encounter any or all of the above. My take on “The Anger” bit, would be less of the potential kinetic repercussions, (Gentlemen’s Duel – Pistols at Dawn), but rather, the assessment of an “objective viewpoint”, in the mind of a potentially “like-minded” individual, in terms of “Wisdom” and “Gentlemanly Behavior”. The common denominator of the three entities might be “a well-advised Apprehension of the Unknown”; ergo, preparing oneself with an equal measure of reconnaissance to the perceived level of threat, and preparation to face the ultimate consequences, and taking accountability for one’s actions. With all due respect for the author of the “Quote of the Day”, I would “tweak” it just a bit by replacing “Fears” with “Have a healthy level of apprehension for”, and “Gentleman's Anger” with “Gentlemen's Disapproval or Condemnation”- out of respect for the “Objective Viewpoint” of another…just my thoughts…

Aiden, your assessment/introspections might suggest there is a resignation to the “Forces” of the “Why-Not”, before you have given yourself the chance to solve for “Why”, (The “Forces of the Compelling Event”). Logic would dictate that ahead of the machinations of Why-Not, we much first solve for Why - in the first place, otherwise, the ruminations (Read: Pros & Cons) of the Why-Not, are an exercise in utter futility. If we were to break down this model into the Conscious and the Subconscious/Unconscious, the Conscious realm is where your realization/epiphany might be residing, whereas the roots of the original desire might be residing in the subconscious. These “roots” are a common denominator in many of your/our aspirations, and would be best considered and identified with as much granularity as possible. Once you’ve/we come to master the ability for such reconnaissance, you/we garner a greater governance over our individual and collective outcomes. Your last name may be an indication of Celtic DNA…if so, that’s a “double-edged sword”; the potential adverse elements might include melancholy, propensity for addiction and other mood disorders. (And welcome to the club; those of us in it, each and all, strive to maximize our plight…it’s the Irish way I guess…). It is obvious to the casual reader that you have done a consummate job of managing your condition, to date. You’ve likely incorporated a very healthy and sustainable regimen of diet, physical exercise and mental improvement – Keep up the great work. A key element of this regimen would include continuous improvement, which leads to the aspect of education/training. Your pursuits in this manner will result in the honing of your skill-sets which will make you all the more valuable in the market place; to others that you meet, and most importantly, to yourself, (Read: Self-Esteem). Your proclivity for helping others may be an indication of “The Empath”. Your translation of your proclivity to teaching others, in person, may be an indication of “External Locus of Validation”. If the term “Temet Nosce” were to be applied, then by meditating about your subconscious aspirations, in concert with your identified psychological “subroutines”; and parlay both into with the refinement of your skill-sets, would drive positive outcomes for yourself and those around you, on a daily basis. Best wishes…

@Al Voss "Just take two "Relaxatives -TM" in the evening...and call the plumber in the morning..."

Extrapolating from the "transformation" premise of "goals", if the ultimate goal is to create value in each and every event and for each and every person one encounters, on a daily basis, then the "value creation" aspect becomes the goal, in and of itself, and the benefits derived from actions taken to generate value become priceless perks for the masses.

@Al Voss ...Does that make me "the jerk", then...?...Oh well, I've been called worse...

James, welcome to the coterie, with well wishes for an enlightening and enjoyable stay.

I am reminded of an old adage that goes something like: "The Fool never learns; the Smart learns from their own mistakes and the Wise learn from the mistakes of others". It is incumbent upon us to strive to occupy the realm of the wise as often as possible.

@Al Voss Schadenfreude, much?!...