- Alternatives to Arrogance
We all get above ourselves, sometimes. We think we're pretty smart, pretty important, but as one successful entrepreneur likes to say, really we're just 'insignificant worms'. Actually, as the author of this article points out, we're lower than that, really a lot lower, which makes for humility maybe and a greater sense of perspective. After all, it's a big universe, isn't it? - Alternatives to being natural
Smallpox is 'natural', it's just one of the things we don't really like in the world. But if it's yoghurt or blueberries, then the more 'natural' the better, apparently. We all love those 'natural' things. That must make them unique. In most people's lives, from the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed, practically everything we touch, use or make, is completely 'unnatural'. Is that so hard to appreciate? - Alternatives to being rescued by dolphins
Scientists are funny people. They're not content with knowing what they can see with their own eyes: they want to know 'why'. That's great, it's the foundation of modern civilisation, but not so helpful if you're in the sea, surrounded by sharks. And most of us are, aren't we? - Alternatives to being the best
Every day is an adventure and every road we go down gives us a choice, which way to go next. What would you choose, good or bad, right or wrong, the worst or the best. Let's look at a few examples and see how frail and stupid we can all be, if we're determined and really put our minds to it. The alternative, of course, is always better, but how many of us can choose that route? - Alternatives to conflict
Argue? Moi? Yes, well, the problem is that some people have opinions, which mean that if you ever bother to say what you think, (and you might not), then bet on it, someone out there is going to disagree with you. And why shouldn't they? But why shouldn't you, say what you mean? Is everyone right? Are we all wrong? Or would it be better if we could just figure a way to get along? Wanna try it? - Alternatives to drugs
'Advice for parents'? Who needs it? But author Mike Scantlebury is reassuring when it comes to thinking about the lessons that wise elders are sharing with the young, like 'Study hard' and 'Work for tomorrow'. It may not be fashionable but the alternative 'philosophy' is based on a lie, says Mike, exposing the sham justifications that allow young people to pollute their bodies, crash their minds, and hock their future. - Alternatives to emotions
There's a mountain of books out there that will encourage you to 'listen to your heart' and 'go with your gut'. Mike Scantlebury, ever helpful, swims against the tide as usual and urges caution. Just because you feel something inside, it doesn't mean that it's going to help you with your life. It might just be indigestion. Or it might be an innate fear. Fine, but if you want to move forward, you need more than that. - Alternatives to excuses
Trying to get out of bed in the morning? It might be helpful to think about what's going through your head. Mike Scantlebury, Internet Author and creator of many self-help books and articles, looks at a few examples and asks some hard questions. Most important, if you aren't fooling anyone else, why go on trying to fool yourself? - Alternatives to good ideas
All you need is a good idea, right? Well, no, because there's always the problem of other people. Some of them, out there, seem determined and doomed to mess things up. Watch out, in case they get in your way, and let Mike Scantlebury show you the real road to where you want to go. - Alternatives to great riches
You wanna be rich? But what is 'rich'? If it's so important then why is rich publisher Felix Dennis giving away ninety per cent of what he's got? Is there anything else in life? More important, is there something for you? What do you want? Join Mike Scantlebury in the discussion and think about making plans. - Alternatives to Heroes
Nobody said that life was easy, but why try and pretend that those who make a go of it are somehow superhuman? Because it excuses the rest of us. It can't be that we're laid back, lazy, lackadaisical and lecherous. No, it can't be. The few who achieve great things, we say, are somehow 'heroes', the rest of us aren't. Or aren't yet. Who knows, maybe we'll get the hint eventually. - Alternatives to leading a double life
Every one of us is a superhero. You may not see that, because most of us spend more time living as Clark Kent, mild mannered reporter, than we do as Superman. Unfortunately, keeping such secrets is hard work and uses most of our energy. We don't have much thought and inspiration left to perform super deeds, when we're pre-occupied hiding. Why not make a change? Dash into that phonebox now. Get changed. - Alternatives to Making Do
Why prepare? After all, a lot of famous people are renowned for being able to 'wing it', coming up with the goods off the top of their heads. Isn't it good to be spontaneous? Why not copy the rich and famous? Yeah, good, if you can. On the other hand, it might be better to make that all important first impression by knowing what you're talking about. Yep, that's an alternative. - Alternatives to morality
Some people say 'If it ain't against the law, then why can't we do it?' but there is more to life than that. There's morality. People might disagree on the details but discussing 'right and wrong' is topical in any culture. What works now? Join Mike Scantlebury in thinking about consequences. - Alternatives to positive thinking
What's all this 'positive' stuff? Why do we have to keep smiling? What's this obsession with always looking on the bright side. Maybe there are other world views, and this article points you in that direction, out there in the world, maybe China. Find out more about being positive where it counts, in planning and doing. After all, the question is, where are you - now and in the future - not what you can say about it.
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