I have been working on a project, and have not written a blog entry with "Life" title. So here it is.
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There are Self-serving agendas and sincere advice. They are everywhere in the web and in real life.
How do you distinguish them, and listen only to sincere advice?
First, I'll check who is speaking, then simulate what happens if I listen to him and his advice. Is he going to benefit from the advice?
If he does, I'll proceed with caution, or at least keep it in mind. If he does not directly benefit from it, the advice may not directly be "self-serving", at least.
Second, I'll simulate the consequences. If I listen to the advice, will it benefit me in the long run?
By definition, sincere advice aim at serving and benefiting the recipient of the advice.
Here I added another layer of judgement; Time. In many cases, advice with short term scope, "Give them fish"-kind of advice, do not benefit the recipient well. Short term scope advice often keep the recipient weak and dependent, although they may be easy on ears.
In the long run, "teach them how to fish" kind usually wins. I value these advice highly, even if they sound tough now.
One way or another, advice are spoken with love. Where the love is pointing toward, the recipient or the speaker, is the key to distinguish self-serving agendas and sincere advice.
Emotions do not recognize time or logic. Emotions only know present. That is why you can jump on to any advice when you are emotional. You don't meet an emotional and wise man.
Listen to sincere advice that serve you in the long run. Such sincere advice can serve you like a beacon in the dark ocean.
