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The Xenophile Historian





THE HOLY BOOK OF UNIVERSAL TRUTHS,
K. U. P.


(Kimball's Unauthorized Perversion)





Expect to Go Alone



When you discover something that you think is really great, who do you tell first? Your family and friends, right? Well, the folks who know you best are often the least receptive to anything new you might have to share with them. If your behavior has changed, they may wonder what you're smoking, or they may say:
"[insert your name here] is doing it again."

Don't quit because your loved ones said "no"; make your desire to prove them wrong a reason to succeed! They may come around to your point of view later, when they see your discovery or venture working for you, but expect to go without them--for a while. Conversely, a stranger may be more receptive to what you have to say, especially if you can look/sound professional. Maybe that's why I got a good-paying job in Kentucky, a state where most people are expected to be poor, but not in Florida, where I lived for four decades.

(Speaking of Florida and Kentucky, the state you are in doesn't matter, but your state of mind does.)

In the New Testament, Jesus said, "No prophet is accepted in his own country" (Luke 4:24). Boy, isn't that the truth! Consider the track record of success among religious leaders. Later on, Jesus lamented that cities in the Galilee region, like Chorazin and Bethsaida, did not listen to His teachings, though He grew up nearby (Luke 10:8-14). Moreover, His message found more acceptance among non-Jews than they did among Jews, and after Islam conquered the Middle East, Christianity was seen as a European/Western religion, rather than a Middle Eastern one. Likewise, Buddha lived in India, but while Buddhism exists all over east Asia today, you will only find a few Buddhists in the land where it got started. Zoroaster was rejected in his Iranian homeland, but found acceptance in Afghanistan, and Mohammed's fortunes did not improve until he fled from Mecca to Medina (the Hegira).

You may have heard the expression "familiarity breeds contempt." Lionel Richie told about his experience with that. In an interview, the famous singer said [I don't know if these are his exact words]: "You know you're home when people aren't impressed by your success. Here I am, been all over the world, a top entertainer. I went home to visit my Grandmother. When I walked in, she said, 'Lionel! Oh, it's so good to see you! Can you take this garbage out?' That's when you know you are home."


The inevitables of success.



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