Introduction
This is the first essay I’m writing to explain how I work.
I debated with the idea of ever writing one of these because even though I think it would be much more fun to let you derive it for yourself and save all of my valuable secrets and knowledge for only the smartest ones who are able to connect the dots on their own.. but we are still in the infancy of our relationship (if you have been reading my writings from front to back as it suggests in my NEW? START HERE! page) and I would like to make sure as many people as possible are able to understand how I use my words so that they may hopefully understand me better.
But then the other voice weighed in again, “I have more important things to do than sit down and explain myself”. As much as I would like to do that, it feels like a much more pressing matter to write about all of my other ideas. I’m going to be straight with you, as one of the first generations to be raised with a keyboard from the start of public school it’s extremely likely (unless I’ve underestimated the body’s true ability to adapt under stress [which is entirely possible]) that I am going to get early onset arthritis. Every letter brought into existence could have been used on more pressing matters.
Ultimately, it was deciding whether I wanted more reach or more quality. Was it more important to me that I could make sure enough people understood, or was it more important to me to use that time to continue writing and not explain myself and rely upon those few who can/are more apt to learn and retain what it is I’m bringing for everyone?
Really, I was already ahead of myself since I know myself so well and already knew that I do my best to never make compromises and most of the time, while it takes extra tribute/effort/sacrifice, you can almost always have everything you would like. Barring a particularly compelling reason (which one would need to mine deep for and likely still produce nothing of value especially when trying to compel me), there is no reason why you can’t have everything that you want (so long as what you want doesn’t infringe on the life, health, freedom, liberty, or pursuit of happiness of another being). This logic has driven me my whole life. The logic that I always use when I know exactly what it is I would like, and I will do anything/everything to obtain it.
To me, it is worth it to expend as much energy on you as necessary. That, paired with the fact that each and every single one of you whom that resonates/benefits is worth it to reach. Since you are all so valuable, I am taking the responsibility upon myself (even though you are doing so of your own accord) to help as many people as possible. Not only that but I would like to make sure all of you also have the greatest chance of understanding what I present before you today.
As much as I would like to slack, this approach allows for the greatest result and as such, is worth slowing down to explain myself despite my inclination to forge ahead and let nature take its course because, as it often goes, the ones who have the most initial struggles will fly the highest– I want all of you to fly as high as possible.
Please also consider this a gift of thanks to you for you even taking the time to grace my thoughts with your eyes in the first place, I appreciate you being here so, thank you.
So who do I mean by “you”, if I don’t mean “you”?
By “you”, I almost always mean “the one that this applies to“.
This is the issue with writing and attempting to disseminate helpful information throughout the world, you never know who it is that will be coming across your writings. You can have a good inkling of course, depending on the content of your writing and your intention, you can plan this.
You could certainly write a book about bees and know that there will be some bee keepers out there who will buy it. However since bee keepers are already largely already experts in bees, I would say that it’s more likely that they would not be reading books on bees, they already know about bees, if you’re reading a book (or anything for that matter) it’s likely to learn about something you didn’t know beforehand.
Remember why I write, and who I’m writing to
As I’ve said before, I am not writing to a specific group or for a specific purpose, or at least a purpose that is specific enough for me to target properly because there is no use in me doing so. It may be tricky to understand, I don’t really have any specific goal– I’m writing to the wind, to the birds, to the sound of the rain. I’m writing to give back to the world. I’m putting it out here and whatever impact it has, it has. While I would like this to benefit as many people as possible, I have complete faith in that whoever needs to read this, reads it. Should only one single individual find this, and it being exactly what they needed, even if it is just one person, is infinitely more valuable to me and I would be completely satisfied should that be the extent of my impact.
My writings come to me as I experience the world. What happens is, I have some sort of observance or encounter that causes a slippery slope of thoughts and this causes me to have commentary. This commentary strictly only applies to the specific situation and person in that particular setting. As such, it is nowhere near anything encompassing and completely one-sided.
I think you have seen (if this isn’t my first article you’re reading), that I prefer to write in a conversational tone. This is due to personal preference and because as one reads text on a page, it is easier to follow along. When alone we speak to ourselves in this manner, so it only makes sense to write in this way as it’s not really me talking to you, it’s really you talking to yourself as me and if you’re going to have a conversation with yourself, you may as well be relaxed and comfortable.
Who are “you” anyway?
While I am writing to “you”, I don’t actually know who you are. I would like you to know that I know that it’s completely possible that in other circumstances I could be completely off. I know that it’s totally possible that you already know this or utilize this in your life. I write this because you may read my writings and think, “this isn’t true to my situation”, “I don’t see the value in this”, “come on, I’m not an idiot, this is simple stuff”, you may end up thinking that I think that you’re dumber than you are. I would like to avoid this, and as I’ve said before in other words– I don’t think any person is dumb, I think everyone is very very smart. I just think that there are things that you (someone) hasn’t seen or viewpoints that you may have not considered. I bring these things to you in a manner reminiscent of a childhood friend bringing a toy/book/cool thing and saying “Hey have you ever seen this before? It’s so cool! Here, come check it out!”.
Should you have any feelings similar to any of the thoughts listed above I would like you to remember that everyone is in different places. Not everyone knows what you know. What I say here, are some peoples’ first time hearing these conceptions. While what I write about may be common sense to you, what I write about may very well be something that someone has never even considered.
So when you read my articles and you see me say “you”, I don’t mean “you”. It’s your responsibility to find the value in my writings for yourself or realize that there is nothing here that you need or is new to you. If for some reason, my article is not for you then do yourself a favor and move on with your valuable time elsewhere, you will eventually find something better suited to you should you keep looking.
Theoretically, you should have been able to make this distinction for yourself without me having done it for you. The ones who were the brightest students in school know this, for they often told the teacher, “Hey teacher, I already know/understand this”, and the teacher would say, “I am teaching everyone, not just you. Some people need a little more time to come to things. When I tell you something you already know/understand I am not talking to you, I am talking to the ones that need it. Ok? So be patient and we will get to more in-depth and interesting material.” I know this, for I was one of these students.
If what I’m writing truly doesn’t apply to you, there should be no emotional reaction.
If you are a mature adult, you should be able to read something, and with no emotional reaction say “I don’t need this” or “this does not apply to me” or even “this is garbage” and move on.
Clarification:
I am not saying that you are not allowed to have emotional reactions. You are entitled to any emotion you feel and your emotions are valid.
If you end up having some sort of reaction I ask you to please consider where that feeling is coming from? Is it because you feel defensive or under attack? Likely, while there are other things it could stem from I’m not able to think of anything at this time. If you feel defensive, under attack, or some rush of emotion– why is that? Perhaps it is because you know it to be true? Perhaps it is a misunderstanding? Why are you so invested? It could certainly be because my ideas and writings don’t harmonize with yours and you think I’m full of shit (literally valid at the time of writing this as I haven’t seen any man about any dog today but I’m sure they’ll come about when the time is right).
While you’re always allowed to have whatever emotional reaction you have, now that you have read this, you’re no longer allowed to misunderstand me going forward. I’ve explained this once, I will not explain it again, it is your responsibility to remember it.
So once more, with feeling, please know going forward that I don’t mean “you”, I mean, “the person this applies to”– if that’s not you, carry on and be well.
All the best,
FCP 🙃
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