Outlook

The Sexual Revolution of the 1960s-1970s in the U.S. opened the minds of many in the society to expansive outlooks on self-development, identity formation and interaction with reality. Self-help became a regular mainstay of the American lexicon. Gurus, many of whom were simply self-appointed hucksters, peddled all forms of composite philosophy and practice in books, lectures and retreats at trendy spas. Some of the more successful gurus ended up living on lovely properties in Hawaii or Northern California.

An intelligent, literate person does not need a trendy guru to develop a more constructive outlook on life. There is a mountain of useful information behind every type-pad or keyboard. Part of my humanist practice is using information to balance and re-frame my outlook on the world and on my own life. This is education. No tuition or fees required, other than the price of an Internet connection.

Whenever I feel stuck with a problem or a blue mood, I look to information to open a window. A wonder of this information age is the search engine. By knowing the question to ask, I can usually plow through and garner enough information to improve my outlook. I am not a groupie. I go to vastly different sources of information on a particular issue or problem. This helps me stay on a Middle Path with my adjusted outlook.

"You are what you eat." is a common adage. I support that notion. I also support another notion: "You experience what you choose to see." Outlook is part circumstance and part choice. Reshaping my outlook often takes work, but that work is always worthwhile.