Blind can't lead Blind!

In Matthew Chapter 15, Jesus said: "If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." I don't know if Jesus could have been more direct or blunt than that. However, the initial interpretations don't do the quote any justice. A number of simple profound truths are represented in that passage.

1. Who to trust
In the case of this bible passage, Jesus was referring to the Pharisees as people who didn't really know what they were doing. By following them, as Jesus describes, you would fall into a pit. What Jesus didn't say was who to trust. Typically in life there are 3 types of people giving advice. Those that haven't tried it, those who tried and failed, and those who have tried and succeed. As a college student the simplest example of these types of people would be asking friends how a particular class went. Since courses are graded on a curve, clearly some will fail while others will thrive. If you asked someone who never took the course they could only repeat what they have heard from others, who may be unreliable sources. If you asked the one who failed they may cry bloody-murder and explain the impossibility of the course. But if you asked the A student, he or she could explain the proper things to do to succeed in the class. The same is with life. If you truly want to know if something is possible, ask the one who did it. Then they can tell you how and give you proper recommendations if you choose that course.

2. Know your stuff; you can't give what you don't have.
A few years ago when I first started learning about personal development philosophies and ideas, I didn't have any personal experience applying the principles. However, I preached and talked about it to whoever would listen despite the fact that my own actions frequently didn't line up with what I talked about! That is a major problem. It is truly impossible to teach people or give what you don't have. You can't help other people solve problems that you haven't solved yourself! For example, if someone comes to you who is struggling with self-confidence, you can't make them feel confident in themselves if you likewise struggle in the same area. There isn't any personal examples that you can give of your conquest over poor self-worth if you don't have any! That is one of the reasons why I've been trying to identify the addictions or subconscious worries or negative patterns of thinking or habitual critiques I have of other people. For it is only in conquering my own struggles that I will be truly able to help others.

This information can be taken two ways, as I have discussed it from two sides of the same coin. Trust people who have done it, give advice from experience. This is how you can become an expert or seek an expert. Although I'd suggest you choose both. Don't follow a blind person expecting to get to your destination, but also don't be the blind person leading people!

I love my life! :)