John Vespasian

Why does rationality have such a positive influence on our lives? Why should you make the effort of acquiring knowledge and leading a thoughtful life? Why can you not get away with drifting from day to day, oblivious to logic and principles? The case for rationality rests on powerful justifications.

At the time of this writing, newspaper headlines are all tremendously negative. However, if you look beyond the obvious, you will be able to see the seeds of the accelerated economic growth that will take place in the next years.

Failure and hesitation, instead of being the inhibitors of human success, should be viewed as the harbingers, almost the prerequisites of any substantial achievement. Although failure is disruptive and scary, we can only appreciate its meaning when we place it in a long-term context.

Neither problems should be magnified beyond reason nor opportunities forgotten. Whatever challenges you are facing, it is good to keep in mind all factors that play in your favour. Make the list of your personal assets and let it shed a reassuring light on your plans for the future. With time and perspective, most of today's adversities might be remembered, if at all, as minor inconveniences.

Experience shows that the best way to move someone to our views is to let our actions speak for themselves. The most effective use of our resources seldom comes from following other people's agendas. To accomplish our chosen work and goals, that's what we are in this world for. As Confucius put it so well, "teachings are worthless without personal example."

The great majority of the population cannot afford devoting hours on end to following the markets. What many of us want is to achieve reasonably good results with a minimum of involvement, but without relinquishing control of our assets.

When someone says that you have no choice, give yourself a break. Look hard at your situation and question why, when and how. Once you decide to replace a failed relationship with a better future, your eyes will begin to detect opportunities that you had never seen before.

Maintaining an optimal level of vitality should be one of the main priorities in life, but unfortunately, for many people, it is not. Too much is taken for granted and, after irreversible damage has occurred, little can be done beyond reducing the pain. Prevention is better than cure, in particular, low-cost prevention.

Lack of trust in the future is originated by the conviction that nothing can be done to improve one's situation. The size of problems and obstacles is exaggerated. Opportunities are overlooked and alternatives are not explored. The opposite process takes place when we acquire a healthy, rational view of the world.

In the face of catastrophe, the only way to overcome doubt is to extend our range of vision. The law of cause and effect always works, even though its results may be slower than we wish. Great victories are always won at the margin, through consistent application of fundamental principles. Do not desert your convictions when short-term events turn against them.