Month: August 2021

Human beings are all too good at rationalizing, and as we get older– we become even better at it.

This doesn’t make us any more rational, just explaining machines.

The problem with it is we don’t always know why we’re doing the things we do, and we often get caught in our own mind loops– doing this, to get that, to then go here….

….we get stuck chasing/doing things we never really wanted.

When true fulfillment and success come from a different attitude, and it isn’t one of explaining. It’s asking questions, because you’re genuinely curious.

Being a learner is fulfilling. Dedicating yourself to a craft, subject, or field– because you genuinely enjoy it is worth everything.

The human mind thrives on this, and yet most of us shy away from this type of commitment, myself included.

Ironic.

You’re putting off living in hopes of something one day intervening and bringing life into your life… it doesn’t work like that.

You have to bring the fun to everything you do, and with such a fluid approach, you’ll be able to pivot through different interests until you settle on one or few.

To be curious, you’ll have to go back to your childlike approach– where you actually gave a shit to even ask the question. The problem is, when we hit 30 (some even sooner), we default to the attitude of “knowing what we need to.”

It’s a miserable existence to have to be right, to take life seriously, to not play.

There is no wisdom or coolness behind that approach, it’s just a pathetic way of hiding deeply seated fears and insecurities.

That’s coming from the once “cool and aloof” kid.

You’re looking for “that thing” –we all are. A book won’t point you there, a mentor can’t advise you, this is only found through exploration.

Something we were all born to do, but haven’t been conditioned to practice.

Want to fight old age, live longer, happier and healthier, while enjoying every bit of life? Let’s return to our roots, quit trying to be right and be curious.

#play

Oftentimes, it’s the overused “timeless” phrases that actually hold the answers you’re looking for.

Unfortunately we’re so familiar with them, that we don’t really consider it– at least not on any meaningful level.

Know Thyself.

We’ve all heard the expression– and when you tell someone this, they immediately nod back and flash a peace sign, “wurd.”

The vast majority seem to think they’re born knowing themselves. They never question why they do what they do, or why they believe the things they do, but somehow– they’re experts in the field of their wiring??

I think people live shit lives because they DON’T know themselves, and they’re too willfully ignorant to uncover more.

Knowing yourself is a developed skill, not a born trait. It takes time, it’s hard, and it should be uncomfortable.

….in truth, you probably suck. Sure, there are things that are awesome too, but all of us suck to some degree.

Everyone wants to be special in their own story.

I guess growth is when you lose that need to maintain your own delusion. Today, I see myself as far less “chosen” and far more just here figuring it out and that doesn’t hurt me.

I’m free of myself, because I know myself. I spent my entire life not knowing– so I chased random ideas, businesses, paths, none of which fit me or my character.

But thanks to my relentless pursuit for truth, I found myself in the end. That led to a life that suited me, and as I continue to strengthen my relationship with who I am, my life continues to improve in every way.

If you want to keep losing at the game of life, then continue taking yourself seriously. Before you can ever succeed, you need the right attitude… which most people can’t even get to this step.

Being afraid to introspect, not being able to laugh at yourself, that’s a super shitty life. When you can accept everything about you– the good and the bad, then you can start to fully live.

Until then, you insecurely chafe against the world and put yourself in depressive experiences because you think it all means more than it does.

Sit for a second, imagine you’ll lose everyone you love… what if you got that call today? Was acting all serious and stuck up worth it?

Did it matter in the end?

We’re all dying and nothing clears the mind like death.

If you want to succeed, which I define as living life in a fulfilling way unique to you, you need to get real…. get real and let go.

#FoolAround

The other day I found myself thinking new for the first time.

No anger, no emotional turmoil, no delusional dreaming— just pure acceptance for everything in my life.

This is different for me, very different.

I used to be someone who wanted to change everything, and all the time. I’d drive myself miserable seeing the worst in people, comparing myself to others, and constantly wishing to be something else.

But lately, I haven’t been thinking like that.

For someone who has always been emotionally intense, yesterday I felt strength for the first time.

The storm came like it always does, but this time it did not move me.

All those years of experimenting, of constantly learning and trying to be more, failing and starting over– none were wasted. It compounded, and that’s what I wanted to pass onto you.

Don’t ever stop. Even if it looks like nothing is helping you, it will in the long run.

Back then, I wondered how I’d use all the useless shit I learned. I read, I practiced new disciplines, but still I’d fall back into my own weak-habits. The difference for me was I never stopped. I never wrote myself off– despite how much I failed, I just kept moving.

One day you’ll see it.

Everything you’re doing will all of a sudden compound, and you’ll be far better for it. You’ll be stronger, composed, wiser, and more fulfilled.

It’s not like I have everything figured out all of a sudden, but this feeling, where I am right now, is worth everything to me.

This isn’t temporary happiness, this isn’t circumstantial.

This is character.

Compounded from trial and failure.

For the first time, I’ve let go of my own prison. All the things that used to have a hold on me– don’t.

Through understanding, we end suffering.

I didn’t until now.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, continue no matter what. Push forward, and endure.

You’ll eventually meet your own potential.

#AlwaysForward

Occasionally I’ll still have days where I relapse into my old mindset– that internal voice that assures me I’m better than my responsibilities.

It took me learning one major lesson to finally understand this, I was never going to find freedom.

What I really wanted was freedom from myself and that comes from surrender, total submission to the path itself.

The more you chase freedom (new experiences, relationships, places, careers, etc.) the less you’ll have it. All chasing does is open more doors, and that’s the irony. Those that constantly start anew, never reach it.

Submitting to a practice, being totally engaged in all before you– this is what frees you. When I stopped chasing ideas, I started building my own life and as a result, became more free.

Free of delusion.

It’s not enough to focus on goals, you’ve got to create a different dynamic with your own life. This is as much of an attitude and approach as it is a philosophy. Just yesterday, when I was feeling complain-y because I was randomly assigned a bunch of shit I didn’t want to do, I stopped and reframed.

If I’ve got to do this, I’m going all out.

I bring the play. It doesn’t come to you.

You’re an amateur at the game of life if fun is selective. You bring the fun. This has been a huge game changer for me.

There’s a bunch of things I don’t want to do, but since I’ve got to– might as well go all the way out and embrace it.

LEAN IN.

Freedom is a mindset, an attitude, and an approach– NOT a destination.

If you want to be free, let go.

It was always right in front of you.

#StayIntheNow