The past week has been a little more challenging with an overall lack of sleep. My focus has continued to be on hedging and ensuring I have multiple exit plans. At times I feel like this is inhibiting my focus. This leads to my next point of making sure that the foundation is laid every day. For me this is reading and writing. As long as I’m getting in time for learning and reflection, I feel certain that growth will come with time. Dan John always says that 99% of life is showing up. I think this is true with the little things. It’s just doing the basics. That could be showing up at the gym, your desk to read and write, your dinner table to spend time with your family, the park to connect with nature. Just having a plan and a routine can lead to consistent progress. Having a way to make this flexible is important as well. I found that the pandemic made me have to reinvent my routine and habits. For myself this ended up being beneficial, but for others it made them fall into traps of being sedentary.
Source: Will to Power – Audible Great Course
Lesson: The military way of discipline is how we should live
I continue to think that I personally identify with the philosophy of Nietche. This at times concerns me given what I personally consider radical views. I think the overall philosophy was on not being a slave to the influences of society. It’s freeing your mind from the masses and living the life that you want to live. This comes down to discipline. Having the discipline to do what you want to do. I personally find time doing this through routines. I think Jocko has spoken at lengths about this. I often would get concerned that I wasn’t where my mentors are in their intellect. I think this is the naive understanding that they are who they are as the result of decades of reading, experimenting and work. I think there is great benefit in having a community of people that you surround yourself with that share similar principles of personal growth and improvement. The areas of growth in which we should focus are the ones which we choose to improve.
Source: Jesuit Decision making
Lesson: Imagine a friend comes to you with the same problems that you’re having. What would you advise them? Imagine that you’re on your deathbed looking back at your life, what would you do? Imagine a conversation with the divine, what do they say about the options?
This lesson really hit home for me. I’ve had a lot of struggle in my relationships with my family. I have a lot of perfectionist tendencies that lead to disappointment and resentment. I get really frustrated with friends, family and patients who are living actions that will undoubtedly lead them to pain and suffering. The problem, however, often isn’t with them. It’s my approach and thoughts about the situation. I’ve been responding to them with anger and contempt. I feel that the root is because I love these people and I want them to be ok. The way that I’m expressing my thoughts is stunted. I’ve continued to find that my anger is blunting relationships with my family.
Source: Drive Podcast with Terry Real
Lesson: “Family pathology rules from generation to generation. Makes a fire in the woods taking down everything in its path until one person and one generation has the courage to turn and face the flames. The person brings peace to his ancestors and spares the children that follow.”
Violence, despair and suffering are passed down from generation to generation. This is continuing to be evident in my own life. My goal is to correct a much of my own shortcomings prior to having children so that the cycle of disconnect dies. The concern that I have is the passing of anger. While I think the first step is identifying gaps in our connectedness, there needs to be a plan to correct the issue. Practicing love, patience, and kindness continue to be something that I need to work on to be the person I want to become.
Album of the week – Dua Lipa – Dua Lipa
Seeking Progress 