Tag: inspiration

I understand why people don’t want to examine the evidence and be honest about their failings—it hurts.  But if that behavior propagates, it’s one of the surest ways to remain weak. (Which, ironically, devalues their original intent behind not admitting failure, which is to feel/appear strong).

There are some [profession]s who can do any job in the world, and some [profession]s who can’t do anything but be a [profession].   Personally, I think the first possibility is cooler.

Success doesn’t guarantee fulfillment, as you can clearly see in multiple anecdotes concerning celebrity and power.  Work hard, aim to produce, hold yourself accountable by being strategic/effectiveness-oriented, and take joy in the struggle.  This is a hard thing to accept, as it doesn’t fit into the transactional, tit-for-tat paradigm most of us have been inundated…

I think being able to have fun (or at least laugh) in whatever circumstance you find yourself in—whether it’s one of suffering, mundanity, excitement, ambiguity—is the ultimate super power.   When you can pull this off, the tricky part is hiding it from others; they get bent out of shape when they don’t think you’re…

Writing requires a strange mix of sensitivity (to detect possibility, and to be able to honestly critique your own material) and brutishness (to sit down day after day and plink out words, and to not get hung up on every obstacle/criticism).  Perhaps there’s some deep metaphor/analogue in there, but I’m simply grateful that I can…

Fighting is cool—everyone should be able to do it—but it’s really only a sub-set of a greater strategy/skill:  problem-solving.

There are plenty of examples where success has failed to secure happiness.  I think PURPOSE is more important.  Specifically, a purpose that makes the inevitable suffering of life worth bearing.  Then the question becomes:  how do I create purpose?  That’s where all those unsexy basics—discipline, attention to detail, being honest with yourself—become relevant.  I believe…

I believe being able to summon intensity/commitment without relying on the crutch of an ideology/cause is akin to a superpower.  Necessity will reliably force us to act or perish, while proactive deeds—WITHOUT the incentive of immediate gratification—allow us to take full advantage of our humanity.  Discipline and critical thinking are the keys to this capability,…

I’ve found it’s possible to generate energy/purpose through a serious and grim mindset…but I believe there are better ways.  Not only that, but I believe that taking myself too seriously negates the possibility of connecting with that laughing, magical absurdity that lies at the heart of existence.  Sure—sometimes I gotta look super-serious for others’ sake…but…

You’ll make mistakes and so will your enemies.  I believe that to benefit from these mistakes, one should refrain from vilifying oneself AND their enemies—even when it’s your job to hurt them—because vilification interferes with the ability to perceive nuance.   And once you can navigate nuance, you become more capable, more formidable, and you will…