Do you think of Eminem as a philosopher?

Do you think of Julia Butterfly Hill, environmental activist who lived at top of a massive tree for two years, as a philosopher?

Do you think of Rush Limbaugh as a philosopher?

Well, they do think. They do question. They provoke discussion and argument, and they are passionate about their ideas. That makes them a lot like Socrates.

Who inspires you today? Which thinkers make you think?

What is it about them that appeals to you? Is it their ideas or way they are presented?

We've become quite savvy about packaging. We expect professional presentation. We discount ideas of those who don't look part of a thinker. Of course, there are exceptions. Albert Einstein could pull off that wild-haired look. Bill Gates isn't known for his sartorial splendor. Some might argue that Stephen Hawking is actually more compelling and impressive because of his physical challenges.

Whether we admit it or not, we each have our own biases about appearance, age, sex, nationality, or religion of thinkers of today. What are yours?

I'm afraid Socrates would need a good public relations team in order to be heard amidst cacophony of thought-mongers today. The prescribed process for publicizing your ideas now goes something like this: write a book, get a publisher, do tons of interviews and book signings and readings, and cash in. It helps immensely if you appeal to mainstream culture, or if your book manages to stir up a bit of controversy. Creating buzz is what gets thinkers noticed today.

Socrates was good at creating buzz, but he would face a lot of competition in 21st century thinkers market. I like to think that he would find a way to be who he was and that we would appreciate his gifts.

Think about what you read, what you listen to, and what you consider worthy of your attention. As you do so, remember Socrates.

There are loads of passionate thinkers in our world today. Look for ones who aren't shouting from rooftops, and consider those who turn you off completely. Expand your view of what a philosopher is. In process, you'll become a better one yourself.

Try As You May!

It all started with forming a habit. The addiction to substance did not happen first time they used it. The addiction happened over a period of time of use. Can anyone become addicted to any substance if they never touched it? I don't think so!

This makes me give some thought to mind set of people who perpetrated 9/11. Somewhere in lives of those terrorists habit of hate was formed. And, I think we, at least I think, we can say they are addicted to hate. Maybe they think it's in name of love, who knows?

To you and me this is insane. To them it's as natural as falling off a log. In their mind, they have to kill; "they can't not kill." Even killing can become a habit and more it is done it will feed go-power to fuel that habit; An insane world!

Blind Leading The Blind!

They have convinced themselves that they are doing world a favor by killing. Again, you and I think this is insane. But, it goes to show force of go-power present in an individual whom has programmed his self with an undesirable habit.

Personally, I think we should call it brain washed rather than programming, but fact remains, that an insane habit can be as strong as any habit that later became an addiction to drugs or alcohol.

So, how should a sane person live in an environment where insane killing and mayhem are running rampant? Here, I believe, is most important thing we can do! At all costs avoid developing habit of hating people responsible.

Hate is a poison. If you feel you can hate selectively, you're playing with dynamite and hate is going to have last laugh. You're placing yourself in a position where go-power in hate can rise at any given moment and be directed toward anyone at anytime.

It Goes Without Saying!

You may feel confident that all hate is directed to certain people. But, just having hate for one person or organization of people, makes you vulnerable to exercise it toward anyone at anytime. Remember, it can become a habit just like any other undesirable emotion.

Hate is a deceiver and will cause you health problems. You will become slave of person you hate. They are all you will be able to think about. Instead, what should we do is, form habit of love for sake of our own health.

Even if you feel you can't love someone who has really hurt you, try this; don't focus your ability to love on person you dislike. Don't even think about that person. Just focus on your ability to be a loving person.

Keep Camp Fires Burning!

Just do "actions" that are loving, even if you do them to yourself. In doing so, you will become healthier, wealthier, and wiser in an insane world. Richard Vegas © Richard Vegas is a popular recording artist and internet marketing professional. He invites you to subscribe to his FREE weekly ezine "Wing-Tips" Teaching The Success System That Never Fails, at: http://www.1-work-at-home-based-business-opportunities.com You may also hear some of Richard's free music at: http://www.richardvegas.com