Say Hello to Swindling Sam
I've seen Swindling Sam destroy many people's lives. The time has come that we expose this lowly swindler. He tells us that we lack the "in" thing, or...
We continue with the Ten Lessons of the Flakefoot Falcon as we learn how to acquire the art of being at peace with ourselves.
Lesson Number one: Look for your good points
Lesson Number two: Separate your weak points
Lesson Number three/four: The weaknesses are a blessing
Lesson Number four: To judge yourself fairly
Lesson Number five/six: Utilize your talents
Lesson Number Seven: Live your own life! Don't live according to society's expectations of you; in other words, don't play the world's game. Play your own game! Avoid competing with others and concentrate on competing with yourself.
Say Hello to Swindling Sam
Without our realizing, society, advertising, and the media are constantly bombarding our brains with absolute rubbish. Swindling SAM (initials of s'ociety, a'dvertising, m'edia) constantly connives to convince us that we're deficient in many areas. He's a liar.
We all need to improve, and we all need to tap the wonderful resources that the Almighty has given us. Yet, we're not deficient the way Swindling Sam says we are. Actually, we can all blossom a lot faster without the garbage that Swindling Sam constantly tries to force down our throats.
I've seen Swindling Sam destroy many people's lives. The time has come that we expose this lowly swindler. What does he steal? Our inner peace; happiness depends on our being satisfied with what we have[1]. Swindling Sam tells us that we lack the "in" thing, or that we never have enough.
Let's examine some classic Swindling Sam ploys, and examples of how you should answer him:
Swindling Sam: He flashes you a picture of a burly mustached cowboy on a shiny Palomino riding into the sunset. Really, the cowboy is an agency model, who probably can't tell the difference between a horse and a mule. He looks over his shoulder, and lights his favorite brand of cigarette, trying to convince you that you can't be a man if you don't smoke his brand.
You: No thanks, Sammy boy. You can be the macho of the lung cancer or the emphysema ward, not me. You can walk around with a yellow-stained mustache, stained fingers, horrendous breath, and a chronic whooping cough, but not me. Why don't we jog together for a few miles, and see who the real hero is?
Swindling Sam: He now flaunts a stunning young lady in evening attire; she's waiting for her suave Prince Dreamboat to open the door of that stylish $150,000 imported car. For only a dollar down and a dollar a week, you can be the Prince with the stunning young lady on your arm…
You: Get out of my face, Sam. I don't need an imported sports car, and I'm doing fine on public transportation. I don't owe anybody a cent, and I sleep wonderfully at nights. By the way, does that empty-headed model on your arm know how to make Lasagna? You bet she doesn't. Let's see if she knows how to spell her name…
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Does your father want you to go out for the wrestling team, while you prefer to play classic piano music? Does your family urge you to be an accountant, when you have a passion for art? Are your girlfriends trying to convince you that marriage is old-fashioned, when your heart's wish is to raise eight children? Politely tell everyone – including well-meaning loved ones – to please have the courtesy of allowing you live your own life, so you can cultivate the wonderful talents that God gave you.
Don't try to suppress your dreams and desires in life. Your aspirations are Divine gifts that are designed to help you discover and implement your talents. Don't ever surrender your dreams to please other people – go for 'em![2]
Fighting or suppressing your own aspirations for the sake of pleasing others is a guaranteed formula for frustration, anger, inner turbulence, and failure. To paraphrase Henry David Thoreau: Dance to the beat of your own drummer.
A good ploy in developing freedom and independence of thought is to get off the train of competition. Compete against yourself. Don't ever be angry about losing to another person. Is a beautiful young deer at fault if it loses to a wolf? A deer is a deer and a wolf is a wolf – nobody in the world expects them to compete. Why should you be expected to compete against others? Work with yourself, and develop your own qualities to the hilt.
Personal sports as jogging, hiking, or weight training give you the chance of competing against yourself. Personal activities – like the abovementioned sports, art, music, writing, or handicraft – are great for concentration and inner peace. You'll be amazed how you'll love the time you spend alone with yourself. Concentrate on playing your own game, and not Swindling Sam's game. Be yourself: If you succeed, you'll be right on the trail to tranquility.
Being yourself is the key to personal freedom. Don't let the Swindling Sams of the world lock you in a ball and chain of needless and detrimental conformity, dictated by people who are in no position to say what's best for you.
To be continued . . .
(The Trail to Tranquility is available in the Breslev Store.)
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[1] Being satisfied with what you have doesn't mean complacency, or failing to strive for new heights. It means that once you've exerted your best effort, you're content with what God gives you.
[2] Keep in mind though, what we learned in Lesson Number Five: Utilize your talents for the good. Therefore, instead of fulfilling a dream to be a master bank robber, I'd suggest that you channel your talents into becoming a master locksmith. That way you can break open safes for the good of society, and get paid quite well while providing a service that you enjoy.
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