Jesse Moore & Raschel Manzykis




Life Plan

Something we all aspire to. Also a myth. A life plan is the say that we lay out the objectives we intend to accomplish, and the expected results. A life plan takes us someplace. Having a life plan means that we don't have to decide from minute to minute whether to stay or walk away, since the small decisions are inconsequential; they are subordinated to the strategy we have created, and that we are in the process of actualizing.

Places to be

Every thing is some place. You just can't be without a place to be. But do you know where you are and where to be and how to get there and how to know when you're there and how to enjoy the right there when you're there? The place really isn't the thing . . . It's the enjoyment. To some that comes anyplace; and to some, that comes noplace.

Places Questions

For you, where's the best place to be? How do you know it is? Is it because of how you feel when you're there? Or whenever you do get there? How will you feel when you get there; can you imagine that? If you can imagine how you will feel when you're at that perfect place, can you imagine that feeling and Not be at that perfect place? Why not feel that way right now?

Hidey Place

Anywhere, any state of mind, which constitutes a way to escape from those things which concern or scare us, even for a while. In fact, a place to hide is almost by definition not a place of refuge. That's because we know that it is temporary, and how temporary we do not know. Now, in our minds, we may not recognize that the hidey place is temporary. We may fool ourselves into thinking it's permanent, or a refuge.

Hiding Place Question 1

Where do you go to hide? Do you ever go there to hide from things "permanently"?

Hiding Place Question 2

What are some general places that people in your Living Group (see "life raft" Why do I cry in the middle of the day? Compass question: Living Group to find out about living groups) go to hide? Are there any places the average UniStatsian goes to hide?

Mess

This word probably has more euphemisms than almost any in our language, including many that are unprintable (in nice UniStatsian society, anyhow). More of our life experiences are spent in avoiding, escaping, or hiding from messes than adhering to a Life Plan, regrettably. And much of society, news reports, television entertainment, daily conversations, is spent on discussing messes.

Mess Question 1

What mess is currently at the top of your list? Is it transitory or sort of permanently part of your life?

Mess Question 2

When was the last time you discussed your Life Plan with anybody, or thought about it in depth? When was the last time discussing or thinking about a mess?

UniStatsian, UniStatsian Male

A person living in the United States. Formerly known, in more isolated and parochial times, as "American.". The UniStatsian has wants. The Unistatsian has a belief in possibilities. The Unistatsian desires beneficial change in his or her life. These attributes make Unistatsians hungry, greedy, fearful. We have motives, and expectations.

Man

Male. Euphemism for an officer of the law. In context of this UniStatsian society, one who has to control force in order to control those who would use force. He is the on-the-scene balance of power. Ultimately, he decides who will retain liberty "real time" in any situation where he (could be she as well) is present.

Solutions

To everyone, certain icons represent a safe harbor. It may be a home of your own, a bank account, the job you cling to each working day, or the opportunity to steal from a place with relative high reward considering the risks.

Solutions Questions

Can you think of five solutions in your own life? What is the most important solution for your nearest loved one? What about for somebody you don't like? Can you think of any "universal" solutions which apply to many people in your reference group (see "life raft" Why do I cry in the middle of the day? Compass question: reference group to find out about reference groups).

Time Out

Time out is given to school kids when they are bad, to hockey players who fight, and to criminals who are caught and convicted. Somehow, we universally understand the removing of certain liberties as a punishment. Now in this UniStatsian society, we look at somebody who gets three time outs as somebody who needs a really long time out, and that society needs a longer time out from that individual. An out can be considered to be a hiding place or a permanent way to escape a situation.

Time Out Question 1

What is the worst time out you could be given?

Motive Question 2

What if you were in a meeting or at a party, and you were told to take a time out from the affair? Would you be embarrassed?

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