JORGE RODRIGUES SIMÃO

According to Samuel Johnson, "most people spend parts of their lives in attempts to display qualities they don't have." Indeed, motivated by the desire to be popular, many human beings go out of their way to impress the world with their nonexistent qualities. They may use expensive clothing, flashy cars, big houses, the latest fads, name-dropping, and past achievements in attempts to claim attention from other individuals. Because we are social animals, the desire to be liked and respected is natural.

"No one from the beginning of time has had security," proclaimed American diplomat and writer Eleanor Roosevelt. Her words are ones to ponder carefully. Security is one of those things most - if not all- people strive for all of their lives. The dark side of security, however, is that it is an illusion at best. Too much safety, in fact, is dangerous for your well-being. In more cases than you can ever imagine, the bigger risk is in not taking the risk.

Un pájaro herido no puede volar, pero un pájaro que se apega a una rama de árbol, tampoco. Dice el proverbio hindú: "El agua se purifica fluyendo; el hombre, avanzando". El mundo está lleno de sufrimiento; la raíz del sufrimiento es el apego; la supresión del sufrimiento significa la eliminación, el abandono de los apegos. Hay un deseo común, que es el cumplimiento de lo que se cree que va a dar felicidad al yo, al ego. Ese deseo es apego, porque ponemos en él la seguridad, la certeza de la felicidad.

It's somewhat of an understatement when I say that many people love to argue, that arguing is their favorite pastime. These neurotics are willing to partake in any dispute. By engaging you in a verbal battle, they get a chance to discredit your ideas and beliefs. Some desperate people will even argue about absolutely nothing just for the sake of arguing and trying to win a debate. At some point - likely much too late - you will realize how unreasonable these people are if you take their bait. Fact is, argumentative people will run you completely off your rails if you allow them.