On Traveling Through Life

According to Theodore Zeldin, there are 6 ways a person can travel through life:

1) to OBEY, defer to the wisdom of others, accept life as it is. No need to take responsibility for one's acts. The majority of people fit in this category. Upside: reassurance of being in harmony with one's neighbour, peace of mind, no need to try to understand complicated things about the world, illusion of settling all problems by making one big decision (to follow), certainty and illusion as security. Downside: perception that things can't change, immobility;

2) to NEGOTIATE, bargain to get the best possible deal out of life. Upside: Anyone can get anywhere. Downside: there is no certainty or security, the competitive feeling that one could always achieve more, anxiety;

3) to concentrate on one's PRIVATE LIFE, to cultivate one's garden. Upside: no competition. Downside: live for the offspring (if applies) and not for the world; apolitical life;

4) to search KNOWLEDGE. Upside: fomenting new ideas. Downside: being an outsider, not fitting in.

5) to TALK, to pour out one's opinion in search of validation. Narcissism. Upside: getting confirmation from others. Downside: no learning occurs.

6) to BE CREATIVE, to invent ways of living, to innovate. Upside: freedom. Downside: uncertainty, possible exclusion. The geniuses of the past invariably suffered in their own lifetime.