This week has been a continuation of a grind. It’s been a lot of highs and lows. Dealing with frustration and then reminding myself to practice gratitude. I’m always amazed how easily I fall into the trap of frustration and discontent. I keep going back to last week’s reflection on there is no suffering without desire. I’ve also been so wrapped up in my own frustration that it’s inhibited me from being a source of support for those that I love. I’m about to deal with the third grandparent dying in the past year. It’s been one of the most interesting declines that I’ve seen. She essentially made the decision that she was going to die and is on the path that will likely lead to her demise in the next week. I really have struggled with the role of not just being a family member going through the death process, but being asked to be involved with the care. I feel the separation of the roles is much easier than doing both.
Source: The Rational Optimist – Matt Ridley
Lesson: The value of trade
Reflection: This book reminds me of Steven Pinker’s Enlightenment Now. I started this book after completing Naval’s Almanack and electing to work through many of his recommended books. The whole book is talking about how awesome it is to be alive now and the hope for the future. This mindset reflects Stephen Pinker’s statements about how our mindset is to focus on the negative, but things are globally going really well. I can’t remember the source, but an argument I heard recently was the American people have generally had similar qualities of life. There was not that much separating the rich from the middle class. Now with social media there appears to be a difference in lifestyle between the rich with their travel and experiences and the rest of people. The importance of markets has been continually stressed thus far.
Source: Self Compassion – Kristin Neff
Lesson: I’m biased against infidelity
Reflection: This book was recommended going through the Precision Nutrition curriculum. It was a skill that we were to work on for a couple weeks. I really struggled working through this book. It was a lot of personal anecdotes and I struggled to find an application. It was to stop when arguments arise and take breaks. When she discusses her infidelity and compares it to her father’s abandonment of her family, I realized that I was turned off from much of the novel.
Source: The Knowledge Project – Chamath Palihapitiya
Lesson: Think Long Term
Reflection: I thought the most insightful comment was on how focused we are on the short term. We don’t have confidence in things overtime. This goes into the psychology of money, below, and in most things. I personally am struggling with this. It comes down to grinding day after day and believing in the plan that things will work out over time.
Sources: Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
Lesson: Your money habits matter
Reflection: I loved this book. I will have to go back and relisten. I felt like my notes were really lacking on this. What was interesting was that the time you’re born will greatly impact your thoughts on the market. Another interesting concept was that some people are great at making money, but they aren’t good at keeping it. Modern financial planning is relatively new. I think the biggest take away from all of these readings is perspective and compounding. Put in the work over time. Invest consistently in yourself, your family, and your finances over time. It will continue to work out well. It will all work out – over time.
Seeking Progress 