quote Ted, it is good to see you here! I see you on the local freethought list regularly. Perhaps you can make an Objectivist meeting some time.
I plan to, I'm not sure when. I am working a lot of hours at my job and have been busy with many things.
EDIT: What does Glasser say about self-esteem and reason? I see from the link that he claims most problems stem from relationship problems. Does he recognize the role of one's good relationship with one's own Self, i.e., high self-esteem, as the key to good living?
Yes. That's basically what the book is about. "The only person whose behavior we can control is our own". However, at the same time, you need to recognize that the other people in your life are there to meet THEIR needs, not yours. The world does not revolve around you, and the sooner you recognize this the better off you will be.
Therefore, in dealing with others, do so from the point of view that anything another person does is something they choose to do because they want their needs met, not yours. Do not try to get them to put your happiness above theirs, this attempt will result in a lot of unhappiness for both of you. At the same time, don't put someone elses happiness above yours either, same result. Instead, find a way to meet your needs and meet their needs at the same time.
To do this, replace:
Seven Deadly Habits
Criticizing
Blaming
Complaining
Nagging
Threatening
Punishing
Bribing or rewarding to control
with:
Seven Caring Habits
Supporting
Encouraging
Listening
Accepting
Trusting
Respecting
Negotiating differences
Also, don't make the assumption that they have the same needs that you have. Everybody is a unique individual with their own unique combination of needs.
About halfway through this book, I realized that this sounded a lot like objectivism. As far as I can tell, it IS objectivism. However, objectivism is not mentioned in the book anywhere. Neither is Rand or any of her followers. He seems to have come up with this on his own.
Ted
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