38 lessons from 38 years
Photo by sergey Svechnikov on Unsplash
Community is life affirming
True friends are really hard to come by but really hard to lose
The still small voice of calm is the most important voice of all
Being “busy” is the worst place to hide
Managing my energy levels is the key to productivity and outlook
Low and slow can get the job done i.e. The slow cooker effect!
Afternoon naps are the new caffeine
Writing brings a ruler to my thoughts
Practical Philosophy should be taught as a subject in schools
Doing the hard stuff makes life easier in the long run
There is no such thing as 100%
“It might not work” and “this isn’t for everyone” are life changing ideas (Thanks Seth!)
Ditto for the questions “who is it for” and “what is it for”
Choosing the right partner is one of the most important decisions you will ever make
Hangovers only get worse with age
Don’t believe everything you think
It’s not survival of the fittest, it’s survival of the most adaptable
Focus is the new IQ (thanks to Cal Newport for that one!)
Working with your hands is one of the best ways to learn how to think
At some stage of your life, everyone should work a job that involves extended periods of manual labour
Sigur Ros might be the best band on earth when it comes to delivering the “chills” to listeners
When was the last time you spoke to your parents?
“Darling, reach out” is the best lyric ever invented for someone in times of personal need or psychological anguish
Sitting around an open fire is one of the most enjoyable experiences there is
There is always room for kindness. Always.
Tears don’t always come in moments of sadness. Feeling immense gratitude or a deep connection to others can bring tears on a standard Tuesday afternoon
The memory of a good laugh with a friend will Velcro itself to your mind
The downsides of being a parent are tangible. The upsides are intangible.
The simplest way to write is to write what’s real
Service to others is the easiest path to creating the best version of yourself
Money is emotional, and money is a skill
Attitude is everything (thanks again Seth!)
‘Food is music to the body, music is food to the heart.’ (thanks Gregory David Roberts)
If you hold on to anything too hard, you will break it
The spaces between words, sentences and conversations are the perfect places for understanding
There is nothing quite like the feel of new socks
“Anything is possible in the right pair of shoes” — Kelli Wood
When people ask “what do you do?”, you don’t have to give a job description. They are looking for connection, so take the opportunity to give them what they want.
