I loved the part about competition! All the world is constructed so we would compare ourselves with others (in school with grading system, competitons at getting a job, social media perfectness, etc). And there will always be people who are doing better and who are doing worse than you. But it is so easy to fall into a trap of comparing yourself with those who do better and that makes me feel bad. Comparing with myself is so much better, but it needs to be very conscious!
Comparing oneself to others seems to go against originality. Others can lead the way or give examples. Yet in the long run we have to find our own way.
Okay, this wasn’t a blog post. This was a full-on Stoic exorcism. Virgin Monk Boy had to pause, breathe through one nostril, and slap his third eye awake.
“Carry yourself like a winner” nearly knocked the incense off my altar. And “be ready before the big moment” is what I whisper to my reflection every time I’m about to walk into a Whole Foods wearing sandals and shame.
This whole piece is a sacred roast of hustle culture. No fluff. No dopamine hacks. Just relentless devotion to the boring stuff that builds empires and good posture.
The part about luck made me chuckle like an enlightened hyena. If you're still relying on luck at this stage, you're not spiritual, you're just gambling in a robe.
Honestly, I want this carved into the monastery walls. Or tattooed across the lower back of every “just go with the flow” guru who's never met a deadline.
More of this. Less vibes, more virtue. Enlightenment starts with showing up and washing your damn bowl.
The quote about taking time to feel your failures. Automatons don’t feel, and don’t learn. Pain is a biological necessity as is depression. Depression can drive.
But yes, not spending too long reflecting on it - a mistake I’ve made recently.
I couldn't agree more with competing. My whole attitude changed and I had more job satisfaction when I stopped trying to be the best and instead focused on being my best.
2 Failure. What helps me not dwell on shortcomings is seeing them as outcomes of the system we’re all part of. Sometimes, how people act toward us isn’t personal but it’s shaped by the structure they’re operating within.
Other ways I’ve heard these points made that resonate with me and I hope close:
1-the ‘dollar cost averaging’ approach of whatever endeavor you are speaking about
6-what’s your ‘why’ for living ?
7-I think it was Hemingway who said “there’s no nobility in being superior to your fellow man. True nobility is found in being superior to your prior self’
I loved the part about competition! All the world is constructed so we would compare ourselves with others (in school with grading system, competitons at getting a job, social media perfectness, etc). And there will always be people who are doing better and who are doing worse than you. But it is so easy to fall into a trap of comparing yourself with those who do better and that makes me feel bad. Comparing with myself is so much better, but it needs to be very conscious!
I like the part of the article you noticed.
Comparing oneself to others seems to go against originality. Others can lead the way or give examples. Yet in the long run we have to find our own way.
practical wisdom wrapped in elegant prose
This post is profoundly written. The last part is so relatable to me.
You can’t just decide to try harder, or be calm and condident, and then win games, or deliver good results in life. It doesn’t work like that.
It’s the extremly hard work putting into preparation, practice, training that make your thinking, actions, reflections, etc. become second nature.
It hits hard, because we all know this, but rarely think deeply or have the discipline to follow to this simple but powerful rule :)
✨🤓👏
I see that sneaky Tyler Durden reference🗿
Okay, this wasn’t a blog post. This was a full-on Stoic exorcism. Virgin Monk Boy had to pause, breathe through one nostril, and slap his third eye awake.
“Carry yourself like a winner” nearly knocked the incense off my altar. And “be ready before the big moment” is what I whisper to my reflection every time I’m about to walk into a Whole Foods wearing sandals and shame.
This whole piece is a sacred roast of hustle culture. No fluff. No dopamine hacks. Just relentless devotion to the boring stuff that builds empires and good posture.
The part about luck made me chuckle like an enlightened hyena. If you're still relying on luck at this stage, you're not spiritual, you're just gambling in a robe.
Honestly, I want this carved into the monastery walls. Or tattooed across the lower back of every “just go with the flow” guru who's never met a deadline.
More of this. Less vibes, more virtue. Enlightenment starts with showing up and washing your damn bowl.
The quote about taking time to feel your failures. Automatons don’t feel, and don’t learn. Pain is a biological necessity as is depression. Depression can drive.
But yes, not spending too long reflecting on it - a mistake I’ve made recently.
I will be so busy trying to master all the concepts, I will have no fun to dance in the sunshine with sand in my toes, Party on skipper😎
I couldn't agree more with competing. My whole attitude changed and I had more job satisfaction when I stopped trying to be the best and instead focused on being my best.
This lays it on the line. Be smart. Pay attention. In it -to win it. Great great post. I’m psyched just reading it. My core sat me up straighter.
2 Failure. What helps me not dwell on shortcomings is seeing them as outcomes of the system we’re all part of. Sometimes, how people act toward us isn’t personal but it’s shaped by the structure they’re operating within.
I love this and the strength it imparts.
Other ways I’ve heard these points made that resonate with me and I hope close:
1-the ‘dollar cost averaging’ approach of whatever endeavor you are speaking about
6-what’s your ‘why’ for living ?
7-I think it was Hemingway who said “there’s no nobility in being superior to your fellow man. True nobility is found in being superior to your prior self’
Thanks so much
I have a classic conundrum it seems.
I was vaguely aware, but just harshly reminded of Aurelius’ quote about what might be done with books.
My Dad is an 87 year old philosophy major, currently re-reading some of his extensive book collection in the autumn of his years.
And I’ve long had Meditations on my reading list…
And it’s getting closer to the theoretical top of the stack.
What to do…🤔😎
https://substack.com/@egretlane/note/p-166593988?r=5ezmlv&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action