We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
A funny-sounding word, almost as if it were the opposite of paranoia (which entails projecting one's bad stuff into the outside world.) Metanoia is usually used for spiritually-based internal changes based on a deep and ruthless personal review, followed by penitence and/or confession. In fact, tenets of AA are based on the concept of metanoia.
In a more secular context (despite just coming off of Lent), it is never a bad idea, however unpleasant, to fearlessly do an honest review of one's character flaws and weaknesses, covert malevolences, selfishness, evil thoughts, unhelpful impulses, life errors, failures, ignorances, etc. etc. It's assumed that everybody is a mess or insufficient in some way, or in many ways. It takes great courage to review one's terrible shortcomings, and not one of us is all we can be.
I generally advise people to appraise their strengths, competencies, potentials, and virtues at the same time. Still, it's the flaws that need attention.
I learned the term from this wonderful and wide-ranging (including God and Jesus, free speech, and lots of history) conversation between Prof. Peterson and the thoughtful Australian politician John Anderson. An intellectual treat:
While not exactly the same thing, I like to learn from others. That is there are really good people who I like and look up to who perform selfless acts or work/volunteer to do things for people because it is the right thing. Sometimes it's simple things and sometimes it is more complex such as the person's persona that is worth. I don't think I can ever be as "good" as some of the people I look up to, I'm too cynical and not naturally trusting or open. But I'm persisting.
If you attend an Orthodox Christian Church this word is drummed into you everyday. “Repent” says Jesus, John the Baptist, and the Apostles. In English the normal translation is repent, but the original word in scripture and the tradition of the church is metanoia, it’s the call to turn your mind - Christian theology at its most basic.
Being able to improve one's cognitive, psychological, and physical performance is always a good thing. Preventing or inhibiting a possible open unlimited future is not.
