When I first read The Laws of Human Nature– I immediately knew this was all I wanted.
I wanted a better version of myself.
One that could find joy in every moment, optimize their brain for living fully, and most importantly– play while still being purposeful.
Who the hell wouldn’t want that?
So I got busy.
I went about change in every possible way I could think up.
I took inventory of my strengths and weaknesses, did the whole “imagine the best you” and then tried to play that role— I think they called it living-as-if, it sounded real convincing.
Did any of it work? Is it that black and white– could change really be as simple as shifting into a make believe identity?
Well…. you tell me.
Because when I let this “higher self” drive, I definitely had a better attitude. I, even if only temporarily, was definitely more open to experiences, and overall I felt more relaxed– almost as if I knew everything was going to be okay.
But the watcher was still there.
You know, the person narrating your movie in real time.
And he’s an asshole.
No matter which character I let drive the wheel– the narrator remained unchanged. On top of that, all these make-believe better selves liked the guy. Yeah, he’s an asshole, but he’s perceptive, and understands human nature, and he’s what kept you safe all these years (the real answer).
For some reason, all these idiots inside me didn’t understand compromise (maybe still don’t).
We seem to be under the impression that if we’re happy or joyful, we’ll lose who we are!? Sounds insane coming out of my mind, but it’s true.
And here lies the problem for all of us struggling to reinvent ourselves: We’re in love with suffering.
You may not agree, but ask yourself– during the process of change, which part always stops you from fully crossing?
It’s because your identity is tied to that inner storm– part of you loves the intensity, because a part of you is that.
However, life is phases.
My narrator is great for survival, but useless for building. Useless for living joyfully, creating new experiences, and fulfilling my purpose.
This is where most of us will get stuck.
Remaking ourselves isn’t about aiming at some fictional bullshit wannabe superhero and dawning the cape.
You can’t pretend to be changed.
You have to actually change– and the only way to do that is to LET GO.
LET GO of the narrator, forget the voice, try to approach things without their advice and see what happens.
You’ll always hear them, they are a part of you– but stop letting them drive. Try to do the opposite, prove to yourself you can.
This isn’t about trying to be better– this is about living.
And if you want to live fully, change the genre of your movie, then you need to unlearn their ways and familiarize yourself with the more silent type within.
Because it isn’t the narrator who brought you to this post.
It’s the third viewer– your potential.
And they hunger to be brought out.
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