How to...

The self-improvement section in my local Barnes and Noble is large – quite large. One can learn how to improve one’s mental ability, diagnose one’s ailments, or become clairvoyant (really). These subjects, plus many, many more, fill the pressed wood shelves to capacity. This “how to be a better you” section does not, however, contain all the “how-to” wisdom that is in printed and bound form. Oh, no, it cannot be limited to one measly little bookcase; instead, it is filtered throughout the store by subject.

Go ahead, peruse the subject specific sections and you’ll find the how to on that topic next to the masters. It makes sense of course. If a person were in dire need to know how to make the ultimate cookie, he or she wouldn’t begin in self-improvement. Although it is a bit interesting to see a coffee table book on the Renaissance masters propped up next to basic acrylic painting 1-2-3 type manuals. I almost expect to see a paint by numbers replica of the Sistine Chapel to be found inside.

Although the ‘how to’ options in any bookstore are abundant, they are the proverbial tip of the instructional iceberg; simply Google a project or interest and viola, you are given a plethora of sites that will guide you.  Some would say that this golden age of instruction can only be beneficial, but isn’t that a bit presumptuous?

It seems as though we are on a “how to” overload. A fun combination of inspiration and pressure. We are handed ways to better ourselves, both physically and mentally. Where is the learning curve or the agony and joy of having to figure things out on our own? Don’t get me wrong, I have no desire to reinvent the wheel, but does every single life experience need a For Dummies? It just seems that we are so busy collecting these “how to” steps that we, well, don’t.

For fun, you may want to see for yourself some of the more interesting how-to's on Amazon.