Great article, Arman. We live in the most comfortable and advanced times in history. All our basic needs are met at every corner. We have such easy access to food, one of our biggest problems is people eat TOO MUCH. We live an incredibly great life with such easy access to anything we could ever need. Sometimes the hardest part is knowing how much more there could be, and we constantly want more. Trying to joy in what I have has been a big focus for me the last few months! Still working on it :)
Thats a good question and one i dont have an answer for. I think all we can do is what we think is the right thing to do in each moment. And be willing to accept the outcome with grace.
So well put, Arman! There is goodness in every day, in our lives despite our different challenges. When we open our eyes and acknowledge it, we see a cup full.
When discussing switching places with a legendary historical figure, is the presumption that you’d acquire all of their skills and competence? If so, in what sense are you still yourself? If not, presumably you’d just fail in some historically epic way since, ya know, they lived through immense challenges (hence the renown) and, well, you’re not them...
This is an honest question. It seems to me that switching places with someone who lived to be historically significant is generally going to be a difficult, unpleasant existence that almost any reasonable person would turn down. Unless you’re pre-guaranteed the same outcome as them in which case why bother? It’s not really the same experience in any meaningful sense.
That's an interesting point. I think what I was getting at was that no matter how glorious their lives were at the time, they didn't have so many of the simple benefits of modern existence that we overlook.
Thank you Ian. Im always trying to make my writing snappier :) indoor plumbing is nice to have but i must admit i enjoy a good pee in the woods every once in a while
Great article, Arman. We live in the most comfortable and advanced times in history. All our basic needs are met at every corner. We have such easy access to food, one of our biggest problems is people eat TOO MUCH. We live an incredibly great life with such easy access to anything we could ever need. Sometimes the hardest part is knowing how much more there could be, and we constantly want more. Trying to joy in what I have has been a big focus for me the last few months! Still working on it :)
You and me both Jacob. Why is it so hard to simply want what we already have?
I ask myself this all the time!
That's the most we can do
Everything is a mess, and everything is perfect
So, what do we do? 🤔
Thats a good question and one i dont have an answer for. I think all we can do is what we think is the right thing to do in each moment. And be willing to accept the outcome with grace.
So well put, Arman! There is goodness in every day, in our lives despite our different challenges. When we open our eyes and acknowledge it, we see a cup full.
Thank you Nadia. I mainly wrote this as a reminder to myself to realize my cup is so much fuller than I care to admit.
Well said!
How does denial work for the eminent climate extinction events?
When discussing switching places with a legendary historical figure, is the presumption that you’d acquire all of their skills and competence? If so, in what sense are you still yourself? If not, presumably you’d just fail in some historically epic way since, ya know, they lived through immense challenges (hence the renown) and, well, you’re not them...
This is an honest question. It seems to me that switching places with someone who lived to be historically significant is generally going to be a difficult, unpleasant existence that almost any reasonable person would turn down. Unless you’re pre-guaranteed the same outcome as them in which case why bother? It’s not really the same experience in any meaningful sense.
That's an interesting point. I think what I was getting at was that no matter how glorious their lives were at the time, they didn't have so many of the simple benefits of modern existence that we overlook.
okay!! i love the CTA at the end: “I’m not accepting any new subscribers at this time so please don’t even try.”
amma steal
that! 😂😂😂😂😂😂
haha what's mine is yours. it didnt work by the way...
what do you define as “work”
people ignored my plea and still subscribed...
😂
Everything is a mess, but all is well - might be my new favorite quote.
same! i wish i could take credit for it but its a slight variation i stole from anthony de mello: "though everything is a mess, all is well"
...what a mess!...
gotta replace my rug now
I don't know if I'm ready to take advice from someone who has elected to pair a new rug with dog ownership.
if it were up to me we wouldnt even own a rug. but my wife is in charge of interior design :)
And if it were up to her you might not own a dog?
Agreed. Great piece. It’s got snap. The only way is through and indoor plumbing really is great right? Pessimism simply damps your enjoyment of life!
Thank you Ian. Im always trying to make my writing snappier :) indoor plumbing is nice to have but i must admit i enjoy a good pee in the woods every once in a while
Our current model of waste disposal is the most resource wasteful dynamic in history.
Agreed 👍
Always been a half-full-glass-type-of-person. I got that from my mama.
Another great piece Arman!
my mama is the same so i guess i got it from my dad haha. but i wrote this mainly as a note to self! thank you Marie i appreciate you.
Love this. Yes indeed.
thank you Ros. did anything specific stick with you?
All about perspective
absolutely. it helps to zoom out and realize how lucky we are to be here.