November 19, 2004

How to keep on keepin' on

I saw a snippet on Fox News tonight about the Clinton Presidential Library opening. They discussed how Clinton never acknowledged he did anything wrong. He considers himself a victim of those rascally Republicans. Their conclusion, now remember these were pundits not reporters, was Clinton was fooling himself.

While I agree with them to a point, I also consider a different angle. Had he acknowledged how badly he acted, I think it would have been difficult for him to continue. But by framing his situation as a victim and feeling that he was assaulted by bad people, he kept his cool and carried on.

From time-to-time, we all face challenges. How we respond to those challenges depends on how we frame them in our minds. I will give the devil, Clinton, his due. I don’t consider some of the things he did as moral, but I somewhat admire his ability to frame the situation in his own mind so that he could continue.

On the same vein, I also admire con men. What they do is wrong. But I admire their ability to live on just their wits alone.

I wish I had more of that ability in myself.

Posted by Ted at November 19, 2004 9:18 PM