This aint Sunday School

I had an interesting moment with friends of mine earlier this week as we were discussing an audio book, The Four Agreements, by don Miguel Ruiz, we've agreed to listen to and chat about when I mentioned It's not something I particularly care for. They couldn't understand why I found it displeasing to my literary palate and I tried my best to answer the question, much to their dissatisfaction. In fact, I, myself, was unhappy with my inadequate attempt at explaining my feelings on the subject.  

Now that I've had time to organize my thoughts, if it ever comes up again, but mainly just to satisfy my own urge to know why I think this way, I can venture to put it to rest and join in a friendly discussion with my friends without being off-putting.

Last night I was reading a book on creative writing and chapter 9 was about the rules of writing. Rule number 2, Select the Specific and Discard the General and this, I discovered, is the best explanation which describes my feelings about The Four Agreements. 

In writing, an author is to show the reader something, not just tell them. For example, a tree is very general because there are many types of trees but to be more specific a tree can be described as an oak tree. Even within that context, one can get more specific because there are classes of oak trees such as live oaks, black oaks or post oaks. An effective author gets specific like that.

Interestingly enough, the same can be applied to drawing which I've taught in classes. Start with the general and gradually add more and more detail.

The Four Agreements is a general book. It gives few specific tactics I can use in this stage of my life and career. It is an appropriate book for someone just starting out but for my own applications there are many books I've consumed which is solid food to my needs. Books like Grit by Angela Duckworth, Late Bloomers by Rich Karlgaard, Personality isn't Permanent by Dr. Benjamin Hardy, The Now Habit by Dr. Neil Fiore and so many more.

I cant forget the enthralling biographies about people who inherently apply qualities in their life without much rumination over it. Chares Schultz, Dan Rooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Vince Lombardi, Walt Disney, Franklin Roosevelt and the list goes on. 

 Out of respect to my friends and in the name of esprit de corps I will continue in the discussion but that's that.