I lived in Hillsboro for a couple of years back when it was still mostly farm land. That’s way out west of Portland. I got tired of the constantly gray skies. But that was Sept-April. This time of year is gorgeous up there.

I think people are basically good. It helps a lot if you’re attractive and have a pretty smile. But generally speaking, if you can get people to listen to what you have to say, they tend to be quite open and friendly. And it’s often easier when you’re traveling, because people love sharing about their town.

-David

Okay, emailing you soon. Stoked to meet you!

JZ made th blog… nice!

Tajwar – Agreed! =)

Jaime – I KNOW… I never would’ve believed it either. You have been absolutely invaluable to me. I love you so freaking much!!!

Rebecca – You’re in Portland!? I didn’t know that for some reason… always think of you in Japan, even though you twittered me about the road trip. LET’S DO IT!!! I’m here till the 22nd and would absolutely ADORE getting together. =)

You’ve helped me grow and see so much as well.

And I love the copywriting style. Your message is so authentic it doesn’t take away from it at all.

Glad to see your trip is going well:-)

I dig the copywriting style….it doesn’t phase the message at all:-)

As far as the self-help thing goes I agree and disagree..but also agree.
Many self help books are very well meaning but many times leave out main points that people NEED.
LIKE TAKING ACTION!!!!

Later!

Taj

Thanks for the insightful comment.

You’re right, of course – some self help books are good. I mean really, it’s hard for me to say anything’s BAD – it all depends on how you interpret anything.

I just feel like most people don’t interpret those books in a way that I support.

As far as the whole “self improvement” thing – ie “do i need to improve” – sure, everyone can always better themselves, I think. Life’s all about improving. But like you said – people take it as they’re “bad” – and then it goes back to the whole interpretation thing.

Interesting that you came here to the USA because of that attitude. Even more interesting that you made a website on it.

And the flood story – I LOVE IT! Thank you for sharing. =)

But overall, I love them, just because even the presence of the bad ones help create and reinforce that genre that has brought about so much helpful stuff. And even the not so hot ones often have valuable morsels of helpful info. One day, I’ll dig through all the books on my shelves and find that info and put it in one big new book (best of…).

And then, of course, there’s that issue about what exactly IS self-help and what does it mean. Some people equate it with self-improvement, which implies there’s a “need” to improve, i.e., they are bad.

I take it to mean something more in line of self empowerment and even self-discovery.

Having come to the U.S. as a grad student, I was so enchanted with that “can do” and, yeah, even that “be all you can be” attitude that was/is so pervasive here and that was so glaringly absent where I came from, that I just HAD to stay, and so here I am.

One more thing your post made me think of:

That story or parable about the guy in a big flood, who rejected offers of help one after the other, first a boat, then another boat, then a helicopter, as he was sitting on the roof of his house to escape the water, telling everybody, “God will save me.”

And then, he drowns. When he gets to heaven, he asks God why he wasn’t saved. And God said, “I sent you TWO boats AND a helicopter!”

Elisabeth

http://www.myfavoriteselfhelpstuff.com