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Question #1:

Need some self improvement advice??? please?

I want to start improving my life and my way of thinking.
I have so many ideas and things I want to do with my life but can't seem to get past the thought of it and not actually going through with it. I am extremely lazy, and want to motivate myself to get fit, physically. Go back to school, and I know this sounds dumb but soak up all the knowledge I can. I want to be motivated all the time.
How can I train myself to get to where I want to be? Keep in mind the laziness factor on my part. How do I change my way of thinking?
I have the want just not the motivation to do it.
Any advice is and will be most helpful. Thank you!!

Question #2:

extreme self improvement?

I'm looking for ways to improve myself to near super human levels. Things like:
require <4hr sleep per night.
be able to hold breath for 4+ minutes
do complex calculations without paper in a few seconds or less.
photographic memory and rapid memory recall.
control dreams
Analyse a persons state of mind/ thought process/ motivation through their actions body language.
count to 1023 on your fingers.
etc.

do you know any tutorials for things similar to this?

Question #3:

Are there any good self improvement books for teenagers?

They need motivation to be more responsible! I know they are "teenagers," but they could use a perspective that doesn't come from a mother!

Question #4:

Need help editing/writing re-admission letter to university?

Hi, I was required to withdraw from my university last year and I've applied for re-admission but I have to send a formal letter to my university. I wrote a letter but my english/grammar sucks and I'm not sure what to write about. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.
Here's what I wrote so far:

I am writing to request readmission to the ___________. I am currently a fourth year student in the _____________________________________. In the winter session of ________, my academic performance was poor and I was losing confidence in my abilities. I lacked the motivation to study and attend class. Since my average for that session was too low, I had to withdraw from the university for one year. Before the withdrawal, I took three summer courses to make up for my failure in the previous terms. I studied hard to pass all my courses and saw improvements in my grades. I have realised that class attendance and studying regularly is a key component to success in academics. During the time off, I had a full-time job and was re-evaulating my goals in life. By working full-time during this past year, I have realised that I need to take responsiblity for where it is needed, and that is finishing my education at _______. As a result of self-evuation and taking time off to think about my future, I am confident that I will be more successful. I am missing _ credits to complete my degree and I would like to re-enroll for the winter session of ______.

Question #5:

A Reflective Self-Evaluation - Academic Engagement?

Hey all! :)

I am in University this year, and,
I am very stuck on what I am meant to be writing about in this reflective self-evaluation I need to do :S
Do you talk about the key skills and how you're doing in them? (organization, prioritization,motivation, time management, concentration)?
Or do you like...think of how well you did, how bad you did, etc? :S
I've no idea what I'm meant to be doing here :(

The criteria is:
A reflective evaluation of your own strengths and areas for improvement for academic engagement.
(worth 10 marks)

Thank you so much if you answer! :D I'll be over the moon to be honest to kindly receive help! :)

Question #6:

I'm unaware of my thoughts.?

I have no motivation at all to lose weight. I used to care about losing weight, never gave up and maintained it between a 10 pound range.But I realize what's the point anymore. Why do I fret so much about my weight. So lately, I wasn't checking my habits, didn't care much about what I'm putting in, and it went increasingly over. People used to treat me badly so I started to lose weight. Now, I don't receive it so much now that I am older. But i still want to lose weight because I want to feel beautiful, I want to feel free that I can do anything in this world without the burden thought of my fatness that impedes me from it. I'm afraid of being thin. I'm afraid that once I become thin, I'll be this mean girl who thinks she's so beautiful and have so much pride in herself and will look down and compare herself to other girls. I'm afraid guys will start checking me out more just because I'm beautiful.

I'm very aware the mind is powerful and it is how we perceive things to be. I'm wondering if my thinking is all wrong.Do I need a change of mind?

If I continue my eating habits, I'm afraid I would be obese, unable to fit into my clothes, low energy. But I haven't gotten up there yet. So if I aim for fatness, I might feel so miserable that I would start to lose weight again. But I'm also thinking, if I should prevent it before it happens so my health won't decline. However, I have no motivation to do so. I want self-improvement for my health yet I have no motivation to do so. I don't care about guys and I don't care if I die. Is there something I can do? I don't understand my mind.

Question #7:

What should I do if I took a ADD test, tested negitive but feel I still have a problem focusing?

just a bit about myself. I will admitt I take amphetemine salts under the counter and I am not perscribed. I buy 5 25mg adderall xr that lasts me the week in school. I started every since the start of school this year, and I have found nothing but improvement in my focusing, school work, and a bit of my social status as well. Honestly, on a personal note this is really helping me in school and other activities as well. But my test for ADD or AD/HD was negitive and was diagnosed with a learning disorder. I feel this isn't right because I know my self best and I've always maintained average grades sometimes a B but most C's and D's. This semester is B's and A's and was bumped up to AP physics as well as CAT( colleg algebra trig). What should I do? This helps me concentrate and I don't abuse it. I've never had a withdrawl, yes I have gone a couple weeks with out and felt nothing, other than my normal self just with a bit of a focusing issue like normal and maybe a bit of lack of motivation but i've had that all my life in school pretty much. As for the pill it self i've never broke it open snorted, mixed the beads with caffine, or have done it recreationally, because that is when it is no longer medication, it becomes a recreational drug. (personal note to my self). Also, I would to tell my parents that this really helps me, but I take it from a parents perspective if they hear this I can expect some seriouse consequences and my car taken away. How can I explain to them the benefits im getting out of this. Because this is illegal what I am doing and I am very aware. But its also illegal not to stop a stop sign yet people roll right through it. I understand what im doing isn't okay and doesn't make it right. But I feel im doing my self a favor because I know my body best, and I know how my mind works. We all do on a personal note, but I need some help and advice.
Prior to me taking adderall AND during I am 5'8 170, and I have a very healthy diet. I maintain my greens proteins etc. I maintain on average about of 8-9 hours per night. Proven even in a sleep study test I took prior to my ADD test recommended by my regular go to doctor who I talked to first about my symptoms

Question #8:

As a male or female, what is your primary motivation going forward in life?

What is driving you MOST on your life path--decide only one (if more than one, list in priority).

examples:

glory (attention and praise),
social competition ("I wanted to be the first kid on my block to get a confirmed kill"),
wealth and its materials and advantages (houses, vehicles, clothes, vacations, private schools, etc.)
power (def. the ability to effect your will),
vice (thrill of sex, drugs, crime),
family sustainment (your spouse and kids)
family pressure or appeasement (dad would be disappointed otherwise),
spousal pressure or appeasement (spouse "),
avoidance of skid row (ghetto dodging Mac-10 shots; or the van down by the river),
intrinsic satisfaction (self actualization or improvement),
nothing, etc.

Question #9:

Guidance in Life Please?

Dear Advisor,
I am in a bit of a squeeze, and need some guidance. I am in my 3rd semester of college, and have shown no improvement in my grades or work ethic. I seem to have to take things 2 times in order to pass them. I don't enjoy it at all. I can take the full blame for not getting the grades I need to achieve my former goal here at SPSU. The more and more I look at my situation the more and more depressed I get about it.
I look at myself and say, "I’m 19, what am I doing? Where is my motivation?" Two questions I can’t answer because I don't know what motivates me. It’s hard for me to even grasp what I'm saying to myself. Maybe it’s because for quite some time I have been trying to escape the pain of reality instead of facing up to it. I don't know. Maybe I should tell you why I try and escape reality, well mostly on a more recent basis; my parents are going through a divorce, that pretty much it. I watch from this campus as my family tears it’s self apart from the very grounds it was made. It’s very difficult for me to go home now, as that I stay on campus and have so many mixed feelings about what to do, and how to react. But anyway back to what you can help me with.
I now realized that robotics no longer interests me, analysis and deeper math concepts are so far from what I want to do its unbelievable how I could change my mind. Coming into college I was ecstatic and ready to do what it took to become a Mechatronics engineer. Now I looked at MET, again no, way too much math for my taste. So I went online and did a search on car designing, and found out that I do not need an Engineering degree to do this, now I need an Art degree... Well SCAD is a Private college costing nearly 20K a year, wow that’s a big goal, but this is what I want to do, at least I hope it is. Now I want to go down this path, but I don’t even know what 1st steps to take.
My 1st idea is to take a semester off. Work, get my nerves strait. Take some peace and quiet time. Then move on to a smaller school to begin what I need to accomplish this mighty task of becoming a Car Designer, but to be honest with you, I don't know if this is a good idea. I know I want to become a car designer of some kind. Whether it is threw after market modifications, or the actual factory line production of the car. So now I look to you for further guidance.

Thank You,

Question #10:

How can I love my body, help please?

I really hate it. I work out every day, although I've been losing motivation since I haven't seen improvement. I usually do 30 minutes of elliptical every day.

Anyway, most of the time I feel ok in my body. But whenever I'm out (especially at uni) and I see smaller, skinnier girls with bigger boobs in cleavagey tops I feel bad. Guys like them better. I have small boobs, and big hips. I'm not fat, but there's some flab I'd like to lose. However these girls flaunt their assets and I wish I looked like them! Guys can't take their eyes off them, I feel so invisible.

I have a boyfriend and when we go to the beach (weather is hot year round here) I always feel so self conscious because these smaller girls look much better in a bikini. They also have virtually no cellulite. And I know my boyfriend likes big boobs which I don't have.

I know this may sound stupid and vain to some, but I genuinely feel bad sometimes. I wish I was shorter, had a smaller frame, bigger boobs, etc. I just don't like my pear shaped body and I don't think I ever will. It's just not what I find appealing.

Question #11:

How to change my attitude in order to prepare?

I am soon going to join the army, but a psychic told me that she didn't think I would 'get on' in the army. My mum thinks it's my attitude.
Basically, I am quite sensitive, and get upset rather easily over negative comments, and am occasionally reduced to tears when my parents shout at me.I am fully aware that I will get pushed around and screamed at/insulted a great deal, and I know this is becasue they break you down and then build you up again. however I wish to save myself the embbarrasment of crying over a sgt./cpl or whatvers insults.
I also need to improve my self-motivation and discipline. I am desperate to join the army it's what I have wanted for so long and I am willing to do anything to do it, and I realise that means i need to change some things about myself. One good thing about me is that I do have a good amount of determination and willpower when I want something. So at least thats one thing, but I need the others too :)
but can anyone help me as to how to do these improvements? to make it that little bit easier to 'get on' there?

how do I become less sensitive/ more mentally tough?
how do I improve my self-motivation and discipline?

thank you, I really appreciate it.
x

Question #12:

Tinnitus is so hard to over come, Fighting for a cure, Input welcome?

I developed a ringing/buzzing noise in my right ear on aug 22nd 2009. After a trauma due to slap to the ear that burst my eardrum. The ENT thinks the slap also caused slight nerve damage. So ever since that day it's been 24/7 ringing.

Some people can live with it like it's not even a issue, but as far for me it's really effected my physiology. Sometimes people will come back with "It's not life threaten and atleast you do not have cancer or any missing limbs" which it 100% true and my heart goes out to anyone that has gone threw this. Yet many times the person that is saying this has not gone threw the torment of tinnitus.

Many times All I hear is no cure/no hope when it comes to Tinnitus. Yet I'm fighting this tinnitus as hard as I can. The doctor gave me prednisone which is a steroid that promotes healing. I workout 20-60 min cardio and some weightlifting to de-stress my body 5 days out of the week. I quit smoking, cut back on my drinking, very light not daily. It's not as loud but doesn't mean its not as annoying. I often get discouraged when I don't see improvement in the ringing after many, many lifestyle changes. That is the battle I'm going through. I wanna work toward the goal of banishing tinnitus but if I see no improvement. What's the motivation to do better? I try to avoid loud places like sporting events and concerts things I ENJOYED dearly before the tinnitus. I am thankful that I do not notice my tinnitus in my daily life as much, i'm a full time student and whenever I'm outside for whatever reason the ringing is not there. So I can feel blessed in that regard.

Since the accident I'm on Valium and Lexapro not just because of my tinnitus but it was a major reason I sought out help. I do suffer from depression and anxiety, I used to get high and I wont lie getting high is pleasant but if I could pick drugs or a sober happy, peaceful life I would pick sober. I regret getting wasted in my past. I should of got help with my depression and not self medicate with alcohol and drugs.

And got out of the abusive relationship with a female that cause the damage in the first place. People think it's funny or doesn't happen but men can be victims of domestic abuse as well as women.

I just want a second chance at life. Has tinnitus effecting anyone else life this deeply? What are some useful tips/drugs? Should I keep fighting for the cure?

Question #13:

What antidepressants gave you motivation?

I have been depressed for several years now. Diagnosed recently as clinical major depression. I was put on Luvox as my SSRI antidepressant. Mainly because I had been placed on Luvox several years before and I "tolerated" it well.

When I take this medication I can't 'feel' any different. If I had to exaggerate some feelings I would say that it might calm me some (not a totally good thing)... and it seems to make my stuttering nearly non existent. Which is odd, but that is good.

The thing is, this isn't enough. I feel blah, no energy, no motivation to do anything. No interest in doing anything. Regardless of if it is 'fun'. I don't want to go out to see a movie, nor do I want to go to work. Thing is I don't want to do either equally. I am forcing myself to do things more (get out of the house) as I've isolated alot and my therapist recommends it. She says over time it will make everything all better. I, being negative, have a hard time believing that but am trying. I don't allow myself to stay in the house all day any day since I've started treatment. Which was about a month ago.

I didn't have a job before this, and now I do. Which is an improvement of course,.. and I live with my parents. Something that makes me very self conscious and ashamed.. but I must take one step at a time and help myself to get out on my own, and so forth. I want to finish college, etc.

Enough about my situation -- The main reason for this question was what antidpressants have you personally taken or know to be more 'motivating',.. to give one more 'energy'. Not the jitty , anxious kind, but normal -- ok I should get up and mow the grass , here I go type of energy. Or it would be nice to see X movie, I'll call a friend and we'll go see it. Simply things, not asking for miracles.

I've taken Luvox, and Lexapro. Neither have seemed to done the trick for me. The Lexapro I took for 1 month, but it (at the time) wasn't doing it for me. The Luvox I have taken for 6 weeks now, and well I am under-whelmed with its performance.. but have also taken it for years at a time in the past.

I was just curious at your thoughts on various medications and even the situation in general.

Thank you

Question #14:

How do you motivate yourself to get fit?

I am thin but I am also not in good shape.. I am physically weak, I am not flexible at all, and I have an extremely weak cardiovascular system. I feel that it is time for self improvement while I am still young but I need motivation in order to stick with it. To people who have made progress in getting fit, how did you motivate yourself to do so?

Question #15:

How can I motivate him to fight for our relationship after I've hurt him? I NEED GUYS' ADVICE!?

My boyfriend and I are crazy in love. We've been together for 10 months but 2 months ago he got really upset and he said that I don't take any responsibility in the relationship, that I never admit when I'm wrong and that I'm too stubborn and argue all the time.
Since then he's been really cold and I feel he doesn't want me like before.
I apologized a lot and I promised I'd do my best. I know I need to do much better. I'm really trying hard but it's so hard to fix myself. So first, how can I change? How can I stop RUNNING AWAY FROM MYSELF? I really love him so much and I need to fix this. Advice on self-improvement please!
He's been so down that he wanted to break up lately but we decided that I'd try a little harder. I'm trying to create some motivation for him to make him want to fight for us but I can't figure out anything.
So, HOW can I motivate him?

PLEASE ANY ADVICE FROM MEN!

Question #16:

How can I motivate him to fight for our relationship after I've hurt him? BOYS I NEED HELP!?

Question #17:

I NEED MOTIVATION TO ACHIEVE MY GOAL (dieting) ?

Hi, im 18 years old. im a pretty big guy, I have a lot of muscle but a lot of fat as well.

people tell me im not fat at all, that im just muscular...

but im not going to lie to my self and believe that all my extra weight is just muscular weight...

SO i started a die about a month and a halve ago ( a whole lot of exercises and water, of better eating) Im still drinking a whole gallon of water a day but my eating is getting bad... im starting to eat junk food again and i don't feel as motivated as i used to feel when i started, i used to be 300 pounds and now im 268,, i know is a great improvement and im proud of my self, but i need motivation to keep it up,, any advise will be very appreciated...

Thanks for your time

Question #18:

All dummies to the front of the line. What do you think America?

BREAKING NEWS !!!

LEGISLATIVE ALERT !!!

The Americans With No Abilities Act

Washington , DC - (Dateline February 18, 2009)

President Barack Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress are considering sweeping legislation that will provide new benefits for many Americans. The Americans With No Abilities Act (AWNAA) is being hailed as a major legislative goal by advocates of the millions of Americans who lack any real skills, knowledge or ambition.

"Roughly 50 percent of Americans do not possess the intelligence, competence and drive necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in society," said California Senator Barbara Boxer - Democrat. "We can no longer stand by and allow People of Inability
(POI) to be ridiculed, passed over for promotions, or even worse - fired - for no reason except for their lack of any ability or motivation to do any given job. With this legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors to a small group of workers, simply because they have some idea of what they are doing or a willingness to learn it."

In a Capitol Hill press conference, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - Democrat, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid - Democrat - pointed to the success of the U.S. Postal Service, which has a long-standing policy of providing opportunity without regard to performance.

Approximately 74 percent of postal employees lack any job skills, making this agency the single largest U.S. employer of Persons of Inability. Harry Reid pointed also to the public school system as another long-time leader in the field of providing secure employment opportunities to POI.

Private-sector industries with good records of non-discrimination against POI include retail sales (72%), the airline industry (68%), and home improvement warehouse stores (65%). At the state government level, highway public works departments, and the Department of Motor Vehicles both have excellent records of hiring Persons of Inability (93%).

Under AWNAA, more than 25 million mid-level positions will be created, with important-sounding titles but little real responsibility, thus providing an illusory sense of purpose and performance while building self-esteem and providing more candidates who will eventually be promoted into actual senior management positions with even higher salaries and even fewer actual responsibilities.

Mandatory non-performance-based raises and promotions will be given so as to guarantee upward mobility for even the most unremarkable or unproductive employees. The legislation provides substantial tax breaks to corporations that promote a significant number of Persons of Inability into middle-management positions, and gives a tax credit to other businesses that agree to hire one clueless worker for every two talented hires. Utility and cable companies, followed closely by computer customer support departments, are lobbying to have past such hires become eligible for these tax incentives.

Finally, the AWNAA contains tough new measures to make it more difficult to discriminate against the non-abled, banning, for example, such blatantly discriminatory interview questions such as, "Do you have any particular skills, knowledge or experience that relate to this job?"

"As a Non-abled person, I can't be expected to keep up with people who have something going for them,"said Mary Lou Gertz, who lost her position as a lug-nut twister at the GM plant in Flint, Michigan, due to her chronic inability to remember "rightey tightey, lefty loosey." Gertz added, "I shouldn't have to be a rocket scientist to keep my job and this new law should be real good for people like me." With the passage of this bill, Gertz and millions of other untalented citizens will finally see a light at the end of the tunnel and be able to secure well-paying, tenured jobs just like other people who simply are more motivated and productive but otherwise identical to workers such as Gertz.

Said Senator Dick Durbin (Democrat-IL), "As a Senator with no abilities, I believe the same privileges and benefits that elected officials enjoy ought to be extended to every other American with no abilities. It is our duty as lawmakers to provide each and every American citizen, regardless of his or her inadequacy, with some sort of space to take up in this great nation and a good salary for doing so."

"You're supposed to sit on your *** and nod at stupid things.
Man, that's hard to do."

Question #19:

All Dummies to the front of the line. What do you think america?

BREAKING NEWS !!!

LEGISLATIVE ALERT !!!

The Americans With No Abilities Act

Washington , DC - (Dateline February 18, 2009)

President Barack Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress are considering sweeping legislation that will provide new benefits for many Americans. The Americans With No Abilities Act (AWNAA) is being hailed as a major legislative goal by advocates of the millions of Americans who lack any real skills, knowledge or ambition.

"Roughly 50 percent of Americans do not possess the intelligence, competence and drive necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in society," said California Senator Barbara Boxer - Democrat. "We can no longer stand by and allow People of Inability

(POI) to be ridiculed, passed over for promotions, or even worse - fired - for no reason except for their lack of any ability or motivation to do any given job. With this legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors to a small group of workers, simply because they have some idea of what they are doing or a willingness to learn it."

In a Capitol Hill press conference, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - Democrat, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid - Democrat - pointed to the success of the U.S. Postal Service, which has a long-standing

policy of providing opportunity without regard to performance.

Approximately 74 percent of postal employees lack any job skills, making this agency the single largest U.S. employer of Persons of Inability. Harry Reid pointed also to the public school system as another long-time leader in the field of providing secure employment opportunities to POI.

Private-sector industries with good records of non-discrimination against POI include retail sales (72%), the airline industry (68%), and home improvement warehouse stores (65%). At the state government level, highway public works departments, and the Department of Motor Vehicles both have excellent records of hiring Persons of Inability (93%).

Under AWNAA, more than 25 million mid-level positions will be created, with important-sounding titles but little real responsibility, thus providing an illusory sense of purpose and performance while building self-esteem and providing more candidates who will eventually be promoted into actual senior management positions with even higher salaries and even fewer actual responsibilities.

Mandatory non-performance-based raises and promotions will be given so as to guarantee upward mobility for even the most unremarkable or unproductive employees. The legislation provides substantial tax breaks to corporations that promote a significant number of Persons of Inability into middle-management positions, and gives a tax credit to other businesses that agree to hire one clueless worker for every two talented hires. Utility and cable companies, followed closely by computer customer support departments, are lobbying to have past such hires become eligible for these tax incentives.

Finally, the AWNAA contains tough new measures to make it more difficult to discriminate against the non-abled, banning, for example, such blatantly discriminatory interview questions such as, "Do you have any particular skills, knowledge or experience that relate to this job?"

"As a Non-abled person, I can't be expected to keep up with people who have something going for them,"said Mary Lou Gertz, who lost her position as a lug-nut twister at the GM plant in Flint, Michigan, due to her chronic inability to remember "rightey tightey, lefty loosey." Gertz added, "I shouldn't have to be a rocket scientist to keep my job and this new law should be real good for people like me." With the passage of this bill, Gertz and millions of other untalented citizens will finally see a light at the end of the tunnel and be able to secure well-paying, tenured jobs just like other people who simply are more motivated and productive but otherwise identical to workers such as Gertz.

Said Senator Dick Durbin (Democrat-IL), "As a Senator with no abilities, I believe the same privileges and benefits that elected officials enjoy ought to be extended to every other American with no abilities. It is our duty as lawmakers to provide each and every American citizen, regardless of his or her inadequacy, with some sort of space to take up in this great nation and a good salary for doing so."

"You're supposed to sit on your ass and nod at stupid things.
Man, that's hard to do."

Question #20:

The Human condition... What do you think?

So this is something I wrote in my first year of uni... the essay was simple... study what other think the human condition is and use this as research and than come to your own idea's of what the human condition is... this is what I wrote I would really love to hear what you think of this and what your opinion is on "The human condition"

THE HUMAN CONDITION

‘The human condition is that of a glorious mind trapped in the body of a dying animal.’ (SanPasquale, Helium, 2007). I found this quote in an article written by Sofia San Pasquale, a 19 year old English literature student in the US.

But what is the human condition? Who defines it and what does it encompass? If we look at the dictionary, ‘it defines “human” as a “bipedal primate mammal, or Homo-sapien” and defines “condition” as “a state of being, that exists” (Merriam-Webste, 2007-2008). From this can we now conclude that the “human condition” is a Homo-sapien that exists? I think the human condition is made up of all the experiences of being human including our consciousness of our own demise.

The level of our preoccupation or interest in the human condition can be related directly to where we sit on the ladder of the hierarchy of needs. Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs is a five-tiered structure in which Maslow asserts that in order for one to focus on the ultimate goal or the apex of the pyramid i.e. Self-Actualization; one must first fulfill the needs of the lower levels of more basic human needs i.e. Physiological Needs, food, water, oxygen etc. (Simons, Irwin, & Drinnien, 1987).

Our motivation to consider “what the human condition is” would be somewhat diminished or perhaps even non-existent if we lived in a third world country; ergo ‘We see people and things not as they are, but as we are’ (de Mello, 2007). This quote by Anthony de Mello; an Indian Catholic spiritual leader, suggests that we see the world through our own filters and our own prejudices and this affects our perception and interpretation of the world around us. De Mello had a unique take on the human condition; focusing mostly on the idea of “waking” people up to the world and to themselves, ‘They need to wake up, open up their eyes, see what is real, both inside and outside of themselves. The greatest human gift is to be aware, to be in touch with oneself, one's body, mind, feelings, thoughts, and sensations.’ (Anthony De Mello SJ, 2002). The Jesuit priest also spent a lot of his time talking about God’s goodness and counseling people to enjoy life and therefore rather than focusing on the negative side of life and the struggles with “good” and “evil”. (Anthony De Mello SJ, 2002).

De Mello’s idea on the human condition and “human nature” differs greatly to the work of Jeremy Griffith who insists that ‘This duality of ‘good’ and ‘evil’, which is the essence of the human condition’ (Griffith, 2006). Throughout Griffiths bestselling books and articles he often refers back to how he believes that humans are wonderful creatures in that we are the only known species who have developed the fully conscious ability to question and reflect upon our own existence, but he is also concerned that with this innate “consciousness”, it has also brought terrible things to the world and to our human nature including, genocide, terrorism, mass displacement of peoples, starvation, runaway diseases etc’ which Jeremy believes ‘Every day brings with it startling evidence of the turmoil of the human situation’ (Griffith, 2006).

Griffith focuses on trying to answer questions such as ‘are humans essentially ‘good’ and if so, what is the cause of our ‘evil’, destructive, insensitive and cruel side? The eternal question has been why ‘evil’?’ (Griffith, 2006). As a priest de Mello looked at the human condition from both a religious and a self improvement perspective, and whilst I agree that the human condition is about self betterment, I do not agree the human condition is anything to do with “God’s goodness” as I do not believe there is sufficient evidence to suggest that God exists.

However I do believe that the reasons that humans “idolize” Gods or “created” a God in the first place is very much an element of the human condition. Was it a protective factor or was it simply so society could explain the unexplainable. Or as Nietzsche stated ‘Is man one of God's blunders? Or is God one of man's blunders?’ (Nietzsche, 1974). Nietzsche was not rational, but was, from the beginning of philosophical study; deeply attracted to non-rational elements of reality (Gordeeva, 2007); his ideas about the human condition came out in many of his verses in his books including “The Gay Science”. ‘Nietzsche often talks about “the herd instinct” and my understanding of this theory is that humans can’t cope with standing alone and that mortality trains the individual to be a function of the herd and to ascribe value to himself only as a function. (Nietzsche, 1974).

Much like Griffiths; Kenan Malik expl

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