Time goes in one way, so life is just a series of NOWs. At some point they all pass, and are all in the past. So though the past does create you,
Author: Dave
As soon as you have something or someone valuable in your life, prepare to lose them. Because you will, you have to, but that’s a healthy thing.As soon as you have something or someone valuable in your life, prepare to lose them. Because you will, you have to, but that’s a healthy thing.
Epictetus once placed an iron lamp in his home next to his household gods (valuables). He heard a noise at the door and next thing it was gone. He reflected
Here’s my review of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations (and Stoicism): Just look at the state of the book. [+ The philosophy of: Marcus Aurelius]Here’s my review of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations (and Stoicism): Just look at the state of the book. [+ The philosophy of: Marcus Aurelius]
6 weeks ago, my copy of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations looked like this: And yesterday, after consciously taking my time to read as little of it every day as possible (so as
Emotions are a choiceEmotions are a choice
Once dismiss the view you take, and you are out of danger. Who, then, is hindering such a dismissal? – Marcus Aurelius, from Meditations 12:25 What if instead of saying ‘I’m
Why you do it: Handwriting and sending letters overseas like it’s 1997Why you do it: Handwriting and sending letters overseas like it’s 1997
Socrates said that an unexamined life is not worth living. And as is one without purpose. A purpose for everything we do. When’s the last time you handwrote a letter and
The philosophy of: The Mighty Boosh Moon (aka Noel Fielding)The philosophy of: The Mighty Boosh Moon (aka Noel Fielding)
This is Noel Fielding as Vince Noir in the brilliant, mid-2000s British comedy, The Mighty Boosh. Is he the coolest character ever on the tellee? You decide… (I say yes)¹:
‘It can’t be done.’… Hang on, wait, why the fuck not? [+ the first day of learning 2 languages at once]‘It can’t be done.’… Hang on, wait, why the fuck not? [+ the first day of learning 2 languages at once]
This guy probably got told ‘You won’t be able to do it’ or heard people say ‘No way. It’s impossible’: Pretty much anything is possible. Well, if you jump off the
Who or what do you ACTUALLY need?Who or what do you ACTUALLY need?
Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison. And even then, after the government had decided to let him out, he still tried to get more time (so people outside could
Everything is exactly as it should beEverything is exactly as it should be
Going through adversity? Good. Embrace it, pay close attention to it, how you feel during it, learn from it and it’ll make you tougher. Going through a favourable period? Also
Did Marcus Aurelius steal my idea (1800-1900 years ago)?Did Marcus Aurelius steal my idea (1800-1900 years ago)?
This is what my site’s about: And this is what Marcus wrote in Meditations (10:37): At every action, no matter by whom performed, make it a practice to ask yourself, ‘What is
The philosophy of: Sigur RósThe philosophy of: Sigur Rós
God damn it. This was going to be about how Sigur Rós can make any tiny, bullshit thing seem profound. But damn, this homeboy’s already on to it… If you
The philosophy of: Amuro NamieThe philosophy of: Amuro Namie
I crap on about positivity a lot. But it’s not about thinking: ‘Wow, everything is wonderful I’m so happy, I’m so happy I’m so happy hey look everyone at how
One word changes everythingOne word changes everything
A friend wrote to me today telling me it’s been an ‘interesting’ time for me lately. Now, you don’t need to know what ‘interesting’ means in this case, but interesting is the
The difficult path’s the right oneThe difficult path’s the right one
If you find yourself thinking, ‘This is really hard…’ it’s a sign that you’re probably on the right track. Any progress, any learning, growth, improvement or mastery comes not as
The philosophy of: Some little girl at the local $2 shopThe philosophy of: Some little girl at the local $2 shop
There was a dad with his two kids browsing the toy aisle of the $2 shop at the local shopping centre yesterday. And when it was time to go, he
The philosophy of: Vanilla SkyThe philosophy of: Vanilla Sky
The past doesn’t define you – it’s not who you are. And neither do your future plans, which are not only reliant on things out of your control, but are
Everything and everyone ever you know of is nothing more than a tiny pale blue dotEverything and everyone ever you know of is nothing more than a tiny pale blue dot
If you drop your phone and the screen breaks, or you have to pay a late fee on your credit card repayment, your car breaks down, or you miss the
The philosophy of: William ShakespeareThe philosophy of: William Shakespeare
The aphoristic, short, sharp and punchy style of writing that makes so much of Shakespeare’s writing meaningful and powerful is something he shared with the Stoics, Marcus Aurelius and Seneca.
You are one of 7 billion nobodies (and somebodies)You are one of 7 billion nobodies (and somebodies)
Have you ever heard someone say this: ‘He’s a nobody’ ‘What’s she done with her life?’ ‘He’s no one. At least I’m someone.’ In Reality Bites,Winona Ryder’s character, Lalaina is
‘What if I did the opposite?’ [On: revenge for shitty acts]‘What if I did the opposite?’ [On: revenge for shitty acts]
To refrain from imitation is the best revenge. – Marcus Aurelius from Meditations If someone pisses you off, upsets you, even disappoints you, you have two options: 1. Do exactly the