Tag: passion

Don’t do what you love… Love what you do

Published August 26, 2021 by V

When is the last time you genuinely enjoyed yourself?

I used to cheat my own life, imagining some distant call to adventure– some fantasy, where a series of unlikely events would scoop me from this reality and throw me into action.

I was always bored, and I thought this was some deep truth of mine. I thought that somehow my internal dissatisfaction came from my connection to a higher calling, my fate, LOL.

Now I can laugh at that.

Never did it occur to me, that I was bored because I didn’t focus on the present or that rather than deep dive into all the things I had going for me, I kept mentally toying with bullshit.

My misery wasn’t a result of my station in life, rather it was a practice I’d unknowingly developed.

Fact is, I wasn’t happy with my life because I wasn’t practicing happiness.

It’s never life, it’s not where you are– it’s just how you decide to approach it all.

I say this like it didn’t take me years to discover, when in reality it did. When you can finally dedicate yourself to enjoying your life, it all starts to feel like pure ecstasy, it starts to feel like your own movie– which it is.

So I started this experiment– sort of a reframe that I could use in every situation. At first it was casual, but I’m getting better at it and having directly felt the positive results, I’m doing it more often.

Anytime I was about to do something, especially if I hated it or didn’t want to do it, rather than disengage and fantasize– I leaned in.

I brought the play.

I’d ask questions, try to get inside the world as deep as possible, connect to each and every individual and of course, I joked around and took everything lightly.

And the result? Pure awesomeness.

Meetings that would have otherwise went nowhere turned into fun group collaborations. People I’d otherwise judge and write off, ended up actually being cool and fun to work with.

By bringing the play, I gained an unusual superpower. Firstly, my life instantly became awesome. I no longer fantasized because I was really enjoying myself in the moment, but by bringing this attitude people responded differently to me.

Everyone connected, not just me. By opening up to them, they opened up to me. I don’t mean sharing your deep secrets, just being engaged and genuinely listening.

Most people fade into the background of their own lives, and this happens because they’re too busy hating all of it. That’s the secret.

Make yourself in awe of every moment, bring the play– joke around, be light, shine. This is your movie, and by doing this, I promise you it will be the most enriching experience you’ll ever have.

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Don’t Abandon Ship: When to see things through

Published August 25, 2021 by V

I don’t know if this advice is mainstream-guru approved, but normally I don’t give a shit to see things through– and I’m not talking about my own goals.

I’m talking about giving it your all in your current role… which, I never did.

This attitude has helped me stay fluid, move about freely and explore– and eventually led to me finding the right role. It also nearly caused me to leave the right role, because the habit of abandoning ship was over-developed.

I never understood this.

Why give it your all in a place that doesn’t give you its all?

And the answer eventually came to me…

…We’re all in a game of momentum. Objects in motion, stay in motion and if you’re always engaged and moving, you’ll eventually progress into something better but the opposite holds true too.

Keep jumping around, and you’ll have nothing to show for it.

In my role as a writer, I was eventually given the opportunity to direct. This came from me over-involving myself in the entire project, and taking a hands on approach.

I’ve since learned something about freedom– it isn’t what you imagine. That fantasy in your mind of all those things you’ll do when you quit all the things you hate, it isn’t real. I’ve left jobs so swiftly in the past and can tell you, unless you’re being abused or bullied by your 9-5, freedom doesn’t come from leaving.

It comes from submitting.

That is the irony.

Those that constantly abandon ship end up in a perpetual state of starting. They then have to find a new ship to board, and thanks to their unconscious philosophy, without fail they’ll jump ship and repeat the entire process over and over again.

By fully engaging in what’s in front of you, you’ll not only level up– you’ll turn your current role into a fulfilling promotion.

Because it’s not the job you’re committing to or the ship, it’s yourself.

-Fool Forward

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Get Moving

Published August 24, 2021 by V

Reaching your goals isn’t all that hard once you get started, and yeah, that’s an oversimplification.

Maybe you want to go to space and be the first person to live on mars… in which case, you’ve got bigger problems.

But for most of us, our goals aren’t anything out-of-this-world.

Assuming you’re looking for passion, wealth, and financial freedom– the task before you is one of overcoming inertia. The thing that consumes most of our years, causes us to waste life, and eats away at our confidence is lack of movement.

Doing nothing.

Not starting.

Movement is life.

It’s through movement we gain momentum, which brings about direction, then confidence and then the casual development of a better life.

So many people are afraid of making the wrong choice or moving in the wrong direction, but that doesn’t exist. There is no wrong movement, only not moving.

You should be terrified of hesitating, standing still, debating, all these things envelop you in smoke and cause you to lose touch with reality.

Our values and actions lead to our personal fulfillment– living out who we are despite it being hard is how you become what you’re supposed to become.

Whatever ideas you’ve got, you don’t have to commit immediately– experiment, play, 30-day-trial all your potential dreams.

Just keep moving.

Momentum will takes you across the finish line.

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Brain Storm: How my mind pulls me away from the shore

Published August 21, 2021 by V

We all have our battles but we’re never taught how to identify them. It’s assumed we know what stops us, what we’re fighting and will continue to fight, it’s assumed we can see the actual problem.

But I don’t think we can.

The way we’re wired, our brains, like a Machiavellian magician, cloak our recurring inner conflicts.

We think our struggles are something else, we think the problem is circumstantial or maybe it’s just environmental or relational.

But your saboteur isn’t fate, it’s the captain of your ship…

For a long time I suffered from my own imagination, and I really suffered. To be fair, my inner magician was skilled– and delusion was disguised as fate and destiny.

This resulted with an arrogant child who believed he was born to some grandiose purpose– which resulted in me taking everything far too seriously. I believed I was above everyday life and all the duties that came with it.

And then followed the consequences of this thinking: The Gap.

The gap between what I saw and actual reality grew, and I became more deeply entrenched in my own mind. Now the storms pulled me farther into sea, and I couldn’t see the shore.

To the outsiders, this would look like strange discontent inside an individual. They’re never present, they have a distracted look in their eyes, they’re not there… they’re not with you.

It’s hard to describe, but it’s like something in your brain fogs your own vision and for the life you– you can’t get clear on what you have, where you are, and how to move forward.

It took years for me to get clear.

I was unemployed for years, skill-less for years, and self-isolating.

All as a result of believing there must be something to this feeling. I didn’t even know it was a storm, that’s the greatest trick the magician pulls– he makes you believe him.

I made my life, I got out of the sea, only when I realized I’m a shitty captain. When I stopped listening to my north star and started charting a course to shore– I got out.

What this means is this, after being tired of being depressed, delusional, and isolated– I purposely got practical. I distrusted my mind, got outside help and got better of it.

My brain still has the very same climate it always had, but I am a far better sailor.

You can’t stop the storm, but you can sail our quicker.

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Win Before Winning

Published August 18, 2021 by V

You’ve probably heard this corny law of attraction-y advice: Step into it.

Well, regardless of what you worship (the stars, tarot cards, religion, or your badge of lazy atheism) this will only help you.

I didn’t understand this, at least, not fully.

What the hell does it mean to step into success, before seeing/experiencing it?

Try this exercise: think of all the times in your life where you were at your best, the times you were on top, won, felt most alive. How did you feel? How did you act? How did you approach the world?

How is winner-you different from this you? I believe we are who we are when we’re at our best, and our day-to-day defaults are our lowest, socialized, programmed selves.

A strange cheat code to the human experience is learning you can manufacture winning at any time, and by doing so, you create the very same dynamic.

Only now, you don’t depend on external circumstances.

You can and need to– step into winning you.

It sounds stupid, and it’ll make you feel like an imposter at first. But you’re not faking it, rather you’re showing faith by embracing the world– regardless of what life serves you with.

I think this is the greatest achievement we can have. To own every single experience we have and to fully embrace it, that’s true power.

And if that wasn’t enough, doing this will lead to an awesome life.

You’ll play the game without holding back. You’ll play with the fearlessness needed to win, and you’ll win.

Try it.

Win before winning.

–Fool

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No More Normal

Published August 17, 2021 by V

There’s no happiness to be had engaging in things you don’t value.

I’ve thought about it, tried it, deeply engaged with it– and I can tell you that if you don’t care about the thing you won’t suddenly change in the future.

I never wanted a normal and balanced life, but I did suddenly reach a point where because I was unhappy for many years, I tried doing the “normal” things.

I experimented and don’t get me wrong, I’m happy I did.

But, now I know not to even bother with those things because I always feel shitty engaging with them.

Here’s what I mean: If you value eating clean, you’ll feel shitty every time you don’t. If you value being active, you’ll feel unhappy lounging around.

The point is: LIVE your values.

I know, I know.

I’ve preached that so much and even myself, I’ve broken the rules more than enough times. I guess I just had to be certain, and now I am.

I DON’T value normal.

I never did.

At first, I looked back and saw that as a waste of life. I thought maybe I was cheating myself by not at least trying those things, so I did.

But now I can tell you, those things aren’t how I want to spend my time.

Find your own code, and never ease off it.

Learn what makes you feel great and what doesn’t– and ruthlessly follow it.

STOP aiming to change yourself, change your environment instead.

I never wanted normal.

I want success, ambition, building, being active, disciplined… I want a life of mastery.

That’s where you’ll find me.

-Luka

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Time Travel To Break Free

Published August 11, 2021 by V

If you could go back in time to any given moment and start life from that point on, would you change anything?

I used to think the things that’d bring me true joy were my own victories, accomplishments, and desires but luckily I was able to wake up… and did so just in time to make the rest of my life awesome.

My life sucked because I never lived it.

It’s ironic. I wanted more life, richness, fulfilling experiences, but I resisted life at every moment.

Yesterday, I realized the thing I truly wanted out of my own life was in front of me all this time and I just hadn’t seen it.

It was at my muay thai class, I saw this friend group, comprised of kids, who are always doing dorky fun kid stuff while there.

It took me back to what I was like as a kid: Lame.

I was the all-too-serious serious, Light Yagami type kid– who, while popular, was too concerned with his own destiny to deeply connect with anyone else.

I guess I thought I was above ordinary things– but the truth is, you’re human. The ordinary things are what make life rich.

On our death beds, we won’t be thinking about our individual accomplishments, we’ll be thinking about our journey– the people we’ve met, played the game with, and memories we’ve created.

That’s the funny part. If I went back– the only thing I’d have changed is my own attitude towards the game and how I played.

I’d tell younger me to ease up, enjoy every moment, be a kid and quit taking yourself so seriously dammit.

And this is important because moving forward with the rest of my life, this is still the advice.

You don’t need to move anywhere, or be special, or discover whatever… you just need to embrace your own path by leaning in.

And that’s what I’ll do every single day of my life.

I’ll connect with others, connect with the present, and live now.

Worrying about purpose, calling, destiny, and achievements is a supreme waste of time and spitting in the face of life itself.

I’m not saying don’t create, I’m saying quit thinking about it.

No one advances dreaming about dreaming.

Creation is play. Life is play.

So, what advice could younger you give future you?

You’ve got the answers you’re looking for.

#TimeTravler

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Follow Your Genuine Curiosity

Published August 9, 2021 by V

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

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Reach Peak Success through Authenticity

Published August 8, 2021 by V

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

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Compounding Character

Published August 7, 2021 by V

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

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Sharing Single Player Games

Published August 6, 2021 by V

Forget goal setting.

As an ex-miserable setter, I used to live for my future desires which ironically meant, putting off to live til I achieved them.

I’m living now more than I ever have, seeing success, and I’m honestly enjoying my life.

There isn’t anything to complain about and that’s from the compound interest of me refusing to accept the defaults of my mind and constantly seeking to maximize my environment.

There’s some value in that “make yourself at home.”

Not in the sense of comfort, but more so not being afraid to move things around to better suit you.

This is key to life and should be applied to everything.

The mindset I’m constantly forcing myself to practice is this: There are a ton of things I don’t like and don’t want to do, but since I have to do it– F**K IT, I’ll go all out and bring the fun.

Play brings success.

Life is largely a single player game, and you’re responsible for your own happiness. But most of us are shit at this.

We tie our fulfillment to future destinations that may or may not happen, that we may or may not want, and then find ourselves feeling uninspired to move towards those very things because each day feels lifeless.

Maximize the game itself or rather, “make yourself at home.”

Too often, we’re mentally cheating reality to dream up some dumb world where we’re inspired and fulfilled 24/7. What in life actually works like that?

Even the things you enjoy took developing.

The more you do something, the more you find joy in doing it.

I’m not saying don’t dream and don’t aspire for more– rather, practice being happily dissatisfied.

No matter what, I’ll play this game while still being ambitious and moving towards more.

The difference here is I’m not waiting or fantasizing, just maximizing what I can.

Live today.

#FoolsGold

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Wanna be Free? Find Where To Submit

Published August 5, 2021 by V

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

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Walking Dead Mirage: If you’re like this, you can’t succeed

Published August 4, 2021 by V

You know what’s unbelievable to me? How little we actually change.

Don’t think so?

Keep a private journal for over a year– and watch. Those thoughts, complaints, desires, they almost never change. Even when you finally are able to pull yourself out of the loop, it’ll always be your soft spot in the brain– one you’ll forever need to guard against.

So this selfish post, not unlike all my others, is a letter/reminder to future me.

The reason you don’t get to pursue that all or nothing passion and desire– is because it doesn’t exist for you (STOP COMPARING YOUR PATH TO OTHERS).

Love never motivated you, so why would passion?

When I read those journals and see where I’m coming from, it’s gross. Destiny, purpose, I need, I want, my calling…. bitchin’ bitchin’ bitchin’.

You threw away every single day whining about some imaginary desire that if you somehow lucked into and got– you wouldn’t know it. What a complete waste of life, and to be fair– you’ve been doing well.

For the last year, you’ve not only managed to pull away from this behavior, but to deepen your relationship with reality.

I immediately saw success when I leaned into the present moment. (LAW #1).

It turns out, mastery fulfills me far more than anything imaginary ever did– and so everything in front of me will receive total commitment.

I’ve lost my need to chase false dreams. It’s just some flaw in my wiring that constantly seeks Neverland.

Being practical, being ruthlessly rational, has cured my life of every detractor– including and especially, me.

This post is a note to self, the most important one knowing my weakness, never walk through the mirage.

When you start dancing with devils, you can’t see what’s important.

Stay Practical, Stay Present, F**k Fantasy.

#FoolForward

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Illuminate Your Dark Spots: Don’t Get Swept Up

Published August 2, 2021 by V

It’s hard to give good advice here, since most people don’t have a solid support network.

So regardless of how you do it, the advice is this: Don’t get swept up by your own tendencies. The reason I bring up a support network or friends, is because I regularly use them as an easy cheat code to balance my mind.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US has blind spots– areas in life where we become aggressive, completely irrational, paranoid, and all around unreasonable.

For whatever reason, this is our own distorted desert– we just aren’t clear when we wonder here.

You see this throughout the pandemic with BOTH sides.

There are those that think the virus is the end of the world and those that think it’s a completely fake disease.

To both of these extreme ends, these feelings and beliefs are real.

This is what I’m talking about. Before I had friends with opposite weaknesses from my own, a little isolation made for a nice paranoid scheming session. If left alone long enough, my critical thinking skills would eat themselves– and I’d start making wild connections that really had nothing to do with anything.

If I didn’t have my journals I wouldn’t believe I did this…. but looking back it’s eye-opening.

And it always makes me wonder what other areas in my life am I so completely delusional in? This isn’t about you being right or wrong– it’s about not suffering from a wildly untamed mind.

See, it’s a double-sided coin.

Through empathy we can experience deep connection with others and the world, but through delusion– we will experience disconnection, dissatisfaction, and the ultimate isolation.

One of my close friends is very clear thinking. He values and practices rationality and ruthless objectivity– and thus, I completely trust him. So when I feel myself participating in my paranoid parade– I meet up with him and we talk about it.

Seeing and hearing rationality is contagious, and I’ve found it to be the ultimate vaccine to my overactive imagination.

Almost instantly, I return to the land of the practical where things make sense.

This is your battle, this is everyones battle. When you get to know someone, you’ll see their dark spots and this is a very real struggle in human nature.

For some, it has to do with their relationships, others it has to do with control or lack of it, but nonetheless we all have them.

Figure out a way to crawl out of these spirals when you get in them.

This will help you level up and it’ll end your constant suffering.

#FoolsGold

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Understanding > Consuming: Why I’m Reading Less

Published July 31, 2021 by V

Hey Fool.

By nature, I’m not a reader.

Sitting alone with nothing but a book to delight me isn’t something I ever wanted to do. But as I got older, I gradually discovered the non-fiction section of the book store.

Suddenly, those once-worthless-paperbacks were now seen as human brain upgrades– the ultimate tool for me to get ahead and strengthen my weaknesses.

Now, I could “hack” my way to success.

And with this seed planted, I became a “reader.” I went through every imaginable self help book, when it comes to approach and niche– none were off limits. It didn’t matter to me if the strategies were proven scientifically– or if they were total spiritual gobbledygook. All I cared about was could I use this immediately to advance towards my goals?

Enter the apprentice phase.

This part of my life is interesting. For years, all I did was consume. Non-stop content on what you should do, how you should think, disciplines to practice, habits to hold, etc.

Reading led to more reading.

It felt like I couldn’t get the information as quickly as needed. But then years passed, and I made very little improvements…. worst of all, I felt disconnected.

YOU DISCOVER YOUR PATH.

There is no book, course, mentor, or whatever that can recommend how to move forward. You need to do it blindly, that’s part of the game and whatever happens, happens.

We’re meant to do it for the first time, to do it on our own. And really, I mean think about– how can someone who isn’t you tell you to live your life?

It doesn’t make sense.

If you can read and apply systems loosely, then it’s worth it. But if you’re struggling like I did with the distance part, and end up intensely worshipping all of it– drop the book.

You can’t read your way there, you need understanding.

Reflecting through journaling will yield more results than just reading one book to the next.

Authenticity is the key to success, which means figuring out yourself and nature and then applying it appropriately.

Input does equal output, so careful what you consume.

#Fool

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Too Adult For The Sandbox

Published July 30, 2021 by V

Hey Fool.

It’s no easy task to live fully, at the same time I liken it to falling asleep– more effort, equates to more difficulty.

The other day I wrote about identity and how carefully crafting yours based on reality will help you achieve fulfillment.

But today the thing most on my mind is playing with the toys you have.

To quote Captain Jack Sparrow, “The problem is not the problem, the problem is your attitude about the problem.

Why do we lose our sense of play? Why do we take ourselves so seriously?

Have you ever noticed how much easier life is when we roll with it? When we’re in a state of play our stiffness is replaced with fluidity, and most of our problems slide rather than stick.

I think it’s a quote from Alan Watts that went something like, “We suffer because we take serious what the Gods made for fun.”

It’s funny. I won’t speak for you, but I think a lot of us somehow got the idea that the ironic and cynical attitude is cool. The cold and aloof person– they somehow possess intelligence and power, when in fact it’s the opposite.

Optimism takes strength, especially today.

It’s easy to be cynical. It’s easy to be a pessimist. It takes ZERO effort and ZERO courage. In a way, it’s a result of having given up on life itself.

The hardest thing in the world is to stay positive surrounded by cheap default negativity. This is what I’ve decided to make my way.

My way and my approach to life will be a willful optimism. I’m naturally skeptical and harsh by nature, I can’t pretend that away.

But I’ll choose to shift my perspective.

Willpower is necessary to start, and I’ll use all of mine to live a fulfilling life.

Wherever you are– play.

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Building Your Human: The Promethean Task of Identity

Published July 29, 2021 by V

The greatest determining factor of what kind of life you’ll live and what you’ll achieve is identity.

A lot of us misinterpret what this actually means.

I mean, we are who we are and we are how we are, so what is there to do? While it’s true that your personality is set, your identity is different.

Identity is made up of values, beliefs, and personality. While you can’t change the last, the first two are very much upgrade-able.

My conflict has always been this– I want to be who I truly am underneath, but I also want to be better than I am. How can you be more and be the same?

Well, I think I’ve got it.

Your nature is unchangeable. I’ve tried everything in the book, all the lessons from all the masters, and can tell you it’s pointless and depressing to attempt to pretend away your core.

It doesn’t work and serves to make you delusional and even worse, disconnected.

The way to evolve is to take that unique core, figure it out as much as possible, study yourself like a scientist and then find areas in life to better channel it.

If I naturally have a highly charged emotional nature, the flip side of that coin might be a creative mind– choose a skill that can better channel this and to ensure you dominate the skill and stay the course start saying I AM THE PERSON WHO…. (fill in the blank).

(Why dominate the skill? Because it takes total commitment to the path for you to fully evolve. I wish it didn’t… but it does).

The catch here, you have to choose something you care about, something you actually want to learn and have an interest in, and once chosen that little I AM statement will ensure you re-configure your identity to constantly embrace that task.

Here are some examples of things I’m learning that I use I AM statements to better build myself and ensure I keep the focus on learning:

I AM A MARTIAL ARTIST.

I AM A WRITER /DIRECTOR.

I AM A STUDENT OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR.

What is the point of doing this? It might seem affirmational, quirky, or law of attraction-y but it isn’t.

This is psychology.

For whatever reason, each of us is bound by social contracts– even to ourselves. The brain upgrades software through consistency, knowing this feature, you can leverage it to your advantage.

So, you should be who you truly are.

That’s what destiny is.

It’s you uncovering what you are to the core, what makes you unique and living that out– AT THE SAME TIME, when you know your uniqueness intimately, you can better channel it to build yourself into something more.

Enjoy re-discovering yourself.

Play, in truth this entire process should be nothing more than play, which is brought about by genuine curiosity.

#PlayFoolish

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Yours Is The Only Path: There are no forks, turns, twists, and dwarfs

Published July 28, 2021 by V

You know, I look back at all these posts and I sound like a broken record player. I guess, each of us just circles our own wounds, tracing the length with our tongues– constantly talking around the same thing.

How I’m not sick of regurgitating the same topics is a mystery to me?

But I guess hurt people hurt… and confused people teach.

Anyways, I want to talk about “The Path.” It’s far more simple than I thought it was but there is a barrier to entry.

For whatever reason, I finally reached a point in my life where it’s about the work. I want to work and I want to do good work.

This might not sound all that revolutionary, but hear me out. The more I dive in, the more engaged I become, the more my mind focuses on everything in front of me, and I find myself fulfilled. The alternative to this– was me constantly comparing myself to others, wanting cheap success (fame and fortune) and being followed closely by an inescapable misery.

The alternative was being possessed by restless imagination, which serves to drive you completely insane running bullshit simulatory dreams on what life should be, robbing the present of meaning and fulfillment.

Play the game of fantasy and you’ll forever be disconnected.

But you know what, in the last year my inescapable shadow has lightened. I might still be a “difficult” person, but I suffer FAR LESS from this false world and I attribute that to the work.

The answer is not to desire nothing, but desire the path you are already on. Don’t wish for changing lanes, wish to drive this out.

It isn’t hokey, it’s fulfilling.

Our path is the only path. There is nothing else, nothing other than where we are and who we are.

Go all in and what’s before you, and you will find yourself living a far greater life.

#FoolsGold

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It’s Not Always What You Love… Passionately Against IT

Published July 26, 2021 by V

Just about every book that I’ve come across talks about doing what inspires you. You’ve got to love it, blah blah blah– because then you can do it long enough to succeed.

Personally, I was never motivated by love so why would that change when it comes to career?

My purpose isn’t spiritual. It’s materialistic BUT this is far more real to me than anything I’ve tried to love.

I don’t know about love, but nothing lights me up more than dependence. I PASSIONATELY CAN’T STAND IT!

So my “why” has become a semi anti-social one, but as authentic as possible. I refuse to be in situations where others decision making impacts me.

I’m after true independence. Independence from the economy, from inconveniences, from friends and family, from it all… this is freedom. I exist for FREEDOM.

For the first time in my life, I’m not trying to convince myself. See, that’s the problem with the human animal. We’re thinking beings– overthinking, convincing ourselves of what we *should love and what we *could do.

Wisdom comes from realizing what type of animal you are, and EMBRACING IT. Instead, we need to make the most of what we are– not pretend to be something we’re not.

I’m not in love with creation, art, and all the beautiful things the world has to offer. You can call me cynical and nihilistic, but to be completely honest— I am underimpressed.

I can’t believe it took me this long to realize, I guess I thought it had to be mystical which I’ll chop up to advertising.

Turns out, my problems and goals are all perfectly interconnected.

I’m after one thing and I’m passionate about solving for one problem– that is all. My advice for you?

Can’t find what you love? Maybe it’s in what you hate….

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Don’t Get Sucked In: Your Blindspots are Blackholes

Published July 25, 2021 by V

Hey Fool.

Is there anything *supposedly* good for you, that makes you feel like shit? If that thing is remotely related to your genetic blind spots, don’t attack it directly.

For most people, having purpose and direction is incredibly important. It’s uplifting and provides a greater resilience…. but for me, who has craved an all consuming reason for existence since my inception, it’s a blackhole.

Blackholes are the areas of our lives that we want more than anything, where we’re delusional, unreasonable, childlike… for whatever reason, we’re always drawn to this area but reality is distorted here.

Everyone has their own blackholes.

Moving towards them directly never leads to any good– you’ll get sucked in and spit out. A lot of us won’t ever learn, we just keep repeating the cycle (think the person who wants to be a singer, but can’t hear how awful they sound– and pursue it forever).

Anytime I’ve chased my delusional dreams– fantasies, the thing I think I want for no apparent reason, my life becomes complete chaos. I lose my progress, stability, and end up having to start over.

The result of you believing in your magic, in these fantasies, is being stuck in a spiral of never getting ahead.

Ruthless practicality is the only way to become a better astronaut.

Once you’re more skilled, then maybe you can see the blackhole for what it is and possibly navigate it, if that’s still the goal.

But all of us share the same first step– we have to see our blindspots and then get better of them.

I suffered from imagination (and still do) and always will. That sounds spiritual, but what it looks like is my mind constantly craving the world, achievement on the biggest stage, accolades and success, and my life to have ZERO dull or boring moments…. is that really a lot to ask for?

What I came to realize is my mind is wrong in this area. When it comes to career and purpose, I don’t trust it. This is how I got ahead.

Knowing that reality is distorted for me here, I instead went practical. I considered my skills, my temperament and natural inclinations, and started there.

That’s how I began a new career, got financially ahead, and started building a life I enjoy.

Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t resemble the craving blackhole at all. But who cares, now I have a life.

Waiting for those fantasies robs you.

FUCK desire. What can you build?

Stop wanting. Start small.

#FoolForward

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