Of conversation and metal

Listening to: The Fray
“They say the best way out, is through.”

In keeping with a resolution I made not too long, I have pledged to broaden my musical, creative and intellectual knowledge by reading a new book of any genre a month (and by new I mean, previously unread) and exploring different alternative music at least fortnightly.

In order to remain unbiased and to withdraw from making the same stilted choices (i.e. by always picking chick literature or listening to the Foo Fighters) I have resolved to pick an artist randomly and with no regard for music type, and to pick books not just based on what I know I would enjoy but by what I can potentially learn from it.

Currently, I am attempting a read of Edward Bono’s How to Have A Beautiful Mind.

Now I have never heard of this man but he is apparently a bestselling author of two other books that encourage and herald creativity, Lateral Thinking and Six Thinking Hats.

I seldom read self-help books but this one caught my attention because of his introduction of what a beautiful mind is. The following is just a part of that introduction.

“Beauty is something that can be appreciated by others…The beauty of your mind should show in your conversation. Just as people can look at your physical beauty they can listen to the beauty of your mind.

It is not a matter of innate intelligence or great knowledge. It is how you use your mind that matters. That is exactly what this book is about.”

The man speaks a truth that society rarely acknowledges. We are entirely ready to enhance our physical beauty and fitness, we barrel through every conversation with our tired opinions and overused arguments that we tend to lose sight of the fine art of conversation. For people to listen to you is one thing, to be able to say something and have them sit up and hear you, is another.

I am barely halfway through the book and though some of the earlier chapters tend to be a little repetitive, it does drive his key points home. Some of his key chapters are How to Respond, How to Differ, How to be Interesting, Opinions, Attitude and How to Listen.

You might be interested in this book if learning the art of conversation and expand your creativity is right up your alley.

Although I have such a short attention span that if this one doesn’t grab my attention automatically I mught just revert to another book.

Anyhoo lunch time!