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Ramiro Benavides

Teacher - AP Calculus, Universidad Central del Ecuador

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Do you think that there is a revelation for everyone, a sort of a guideline for (re)designing our lives?

Sometimes, individuals feel that they need some kind of guidelines for continuing with their lives. Several reasons establish an stagnation-like way of living. Maybe you and I were in this situation in any time. It were hard to find a person who really understands our feelings and thoughts about a certain matter. So, we were forced to take crucial decisions by ourselves. But, in some cases, we realized that decisions taken this way were not the ones we should take. Then, we ask to ourselves: "Could we get some kind of revelation in order to feel we are doing 'the right thing' from now on?" What is the nature of this source of revelation? Can we trust this source of revelation? How can we be sure of the value and scope of revelations given? Are revelations only possible inside a theological framework?

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Topics: advice better life crossroads decision making revelation trascendental
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    Lejan . 30+

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    TED Translator
    Aug 2 2012: Hello Ramiro,

    forgive me, but to me this sounds a bit like 'I wan't to swim, but I don't wan't to get wet... '.

    Part of life is making mistakes, so you could learn from those to make it better next time. But what do you need a guideline for, but the one already echoing in yourself? If a given life situation, for what ever reason, does not suit you, go change it as soon as possible. There is no guarantee it will become better, but there is a chance in it, that it will. Without a change there is no such chance and that is for sure. So if you follow your inner voice you will see up's and down's in your life, but the good thing is, that the only one you could ever blame is yourself and nobody else. This, to me, is a huge advantage and part of my personal freedom.
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      Ramiro Benavides

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      Aug 2 2012: Thanks, Jan-Bernd. Your point of view is like fallen from heaven or come from other dimension. I mean, your words are very sound and similar to others said by some existentialist gurus. I have to say, without any risk, that your words sound to me like a true revelation. Maybe reality has nothing to do with "true" or "false", but with chances taken or not. But there is a personal constraint here that prevents to me executing your strategy. I usually take into account the "beauty" or "responsiveness" (say causing minimum or no pain to others) for decisions I will take. And I feel that if I apply some changes "as soon as possible", some people will not understand the movement and might configure a reality other than what I thought of. It's a hard question. I thank you again for your experienced comments.
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        Lejan . 30+

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        TED Translator
        Aug 2 2012: Causing minimum or no pain to others is honourable of you, but be aware that this doesn't form as an excuse not to change for a better for yourself. Change can be frightened and it is a natural reflex to hide from it if the circumstances aren't worse enough to face it openly. Discontentment can sum up over time and if it summes up slowly, it may become to late for a change because age or the 'inner settlement' or, even worse, resignation took place already.

        What may help not to shock the ones you like to protect is talking with them about what's pressing on your mind. Maybe this way they can also become part of the change and will benefit as well from it if the change turned out well for yourself.

        On the long run an ''unfulfilled' or 'unhappy' life may cause more damage to the ones you wish to protect, because a constant unhappiness will effect anybody in a negative way and therfore most likely the interaction to others as well.

        So as soon you can identify for yourself what you like to change in your life to make it a better one, talk about it with those people you wish them to be part of your 'new one' as well. Usually this helps to get the 'pressure' of the soul and to keep this energy free for the change itself.
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          Ramiro Benavides

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          Aug 3 2012: Thanks for your great ideas. You explained it clearly. I will take it into account for improving my decision making processes. You have much experience and you show it in an easy form. Thanks again, Jan-Bernd.

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