The Key to Unshakeable Confidence
You're made of the stardust composing the sun, moon, rest of the universe
"You are part of nature, and no one can prevent you from speaking and acting in harmony with it, always." — Marcus Aurelius
"Not showing off your obedience to the logos, but resting in it. Remember: philosophy requires only what your nature already demands." — Marcus Aurelius
Character equalizes men. It's the quality making the lesser ones in status, power and material gain greater than those with abundance. With hard work, time, consistency and a little bit of luck, one soon transcends their worldy weaknesses and taps into the life force of abundance.
Abraham Lincoln’s rise from the shackles of poverty as an autodidact, avid storyteller, and a determined lawyer who went above and beyond to master his craft and soon became one of the most revered presidents is a great exemplar of this idea. His character propelled him to the top despite the circumstances he was born into and the hydra of challenges he faced.
And this is why with a high leverage skill, good work ethic, confidence, grace and a noble demeanour you too can get into any room, win the trust of people in superior positions, and secure cool opportunities.
Nature, in her generosity, already equipped you with the primordial factor you need to get going. It's why if you possess a disposition full of love, compassion, wisdom, determination, and courage, but you're yet to succeed materially, you should know it's just a matter of time. Or, at least, like a shark tasting a diver’s blood in the ocean, it’ll get you started before you start playing the game at a higher level by seizing the opportunities that come your way.
Sadly, character is the most important factor people neglect when they go after a goal. Blinded by desire, they see the results of artful living, not the person’s personality rendering him capable of such achievement.
This poor pattern of living leads to failure because these people don't practice the needful wisdom to dream of a project that could take years and see how daily progress can help them accomplish it.
They lack the courage to work hard and commit to their purpose. They're deficient of the discipline requisite to be consistent with smashing their objectives. And others lack compassion and justice to work on what could help others, instead opting for selfishness and appeasing their ego, oblivious to the infinite upside of selflessness. Oblivious to their agency.
Some of the well-off are unable to maintain success because they think themselves already better. Abound with riches, they think it translates to good character. Caged in their reputation of perfection, why would they want to distort people’s perception of them through hard work?
They don't understand their wealth is neither good nor bad, that it’s them, through their actions, who can make it so. That agency, an active life with good intentions, is what creates a good life. Not sitting in sloth all day, consuming entertainment, being happened to.
Nature made you capable of fending for yourself. And learning how to assert your essence and your abilities is the key to flourishing. To being free. To forging ahead to accomplish your goals. To love. To be loved.
All you have to do is rest in this natural power, trust it and let go of too much control, for wherever she flungs you is an opportunity to get stronger, healthier, smarter — more fulfilled.
The prize is power and strength to take care of yourself and others, the freedom to do what you want, be with who makes you feel loved and valued, perform your craft at the highest level conceivable and overall, be happy and peaceful, for you're not tethered to anything outside of you. Anyone, regardless of their net worth, can enjoy these goods.
You're made of the stardust composing the sun, moon, rest of the universe. Like it, you can radiate your essence and give life for it's who you fundamentally are. This is your true nature.
And since you're a social being, you may get some or more of what you give away in return in the spirit of mutual concord, depending on the way, scale and niche you give it. Sometimes you won’t. So you shouldn’t expect it.
No one, regardless of their station in life can put you down, make you feel lesser, or hijack your intentions any more than they can throw you out of earth.