Smile or Die

I can also suggest “Smile or Die: How Positive Thinking Fooled America and the World” by Barbara Ehrenreich. This book takes a scientific look at “positive thinking” showing what is true and what is total nonsense. This book is a must for anyone who ever suspected that just maybe everything isn’t possible.

Motivation without compassion is destructive. Motivation with compassion can change the world.

Ultimately we are all responsible for our own destiny. That doesn’t mean that we aren’t allowed to give or accept help. We are allowed to cooperate and try to make things easier for each other. I can take complete responsibility for my life and still accept a helping hand from time to time.

Life isn’t about every man for himself and to hell with everyone else. If you and I want to share our good fortune by using tax money to help give unfortunate children a better start in life we can vote for the right politicians and get it done. If we want to pool our resources to make sure that if any of us fall on hard times our children won’t go hungry we can. These common decisions are not abdicating responsibility, they are in fact taking responsibility.