18 Comments
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Treasa's avatar

Really engaging newsletter. I'm less embarrassed about things now in my 40's but still cringe reading my own writing. I might be proud of it in another 40 years.

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Arman Khodadoost's avatar

Thank you Treasa!

Oh I can't bare to read my early writing. But I think if you aren't embarrassed about who you were and what you did in the past then you aren't really growing.

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Patrick Muindi's avatar

A thought-provoking reflection Arman, shows things and attributes are largely neutral, and they only become "good" or "bad" in reference to something else.

We should just be ourselves. At any given time, someone will find a reason - their reason - to like or hate it.

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Arman Khodadoost's avatar

Thank you Patrick!

It's funny how worked up we can get about totally neutral things.

None of us will ever be for everyone. And that's ok :)

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Lesley Cheung's avatar

reminds me of the Serenity prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.

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Arman Khodadoost's avatar

you're right. I hadn't thought about that. the wisdom to know the difference is the tricky part :)

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Rick Lewis's avatar

"Have you ever been embarrassed about something you were later proud of? Or worse, proud of something you were later embarrassed of?" I think most of what I've written falls into one of these two categories.

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Arman Khodadoost's avatar

Haha you are right! The two seedlings of any good story.

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The School of Knowledge's avatar

Charlie Munger has famed the liking-loving and disliking-hating tendency we humans tend to fall for. I know this and can’t help but fall for this time and again myself.

Influence from mere association can also unfortunately be a powerful bias. Especially for narrow minded or stupid people!

Great article.

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Arman Khodadoost's avatar

Munger was such a legend. I'm grateful we were blessed with his fascinating insights for almost a hundred years.

Glad you enjoyed it Karl!

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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

We are guilty of this often trading our individuality to blend in.

Embracing our unique background ultimately becomes a source of strength and individuality. Authenticity allows people to stand out positively, leveraging our distinctive experiences and traits to create meaningful connections and opportunities. I wrote a similar essay earlier this year.

https://tinashendhlovu.substack.com/p/are-you-being-true-to-yourself-or?r=2gr13b

I enjoyed your perspective Arman.

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Arman Khodadoost's avatar

Seems like our minds came to similar conclusions! Great essay Tinashe!

It used to make sense for us to blend in to the tribes we lived in thousands of years ago. But now that couldn't be further from the truth.

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Jace's avatar

Apple pie disgusting?!?!?

U are a terrorist

🙃

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Arman Khodadoost's avatar

Lol apple pie is the worst American dessert of all time. Please try to change my mind :)

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Jace's avatar

I don't negotiate with terrorists

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Arman Khodadoost's avatar

Fair enough.

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David Perlmutter's avatar

When you get praise for something that you weren't sure deserved it, that is being embarrassed about something to proud of.

As a Canadian, I have an inferiority complex a mile long, knowing how difficult it is to get attention when you live with an egomaniacal and over-influential nation to the south of you that dominates conversations constantly. How can we take pride in what we have when they shout us down?

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Arman Khodadoost's avatar

That's a good point David.

I'm fascinated by the relationship between Canadians and Americans. I think we (Americans) could learn a lot from you all :)

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