8.22.20: It’s Inevitable. Change, Death & Taxes... 3 Beautiful Things.
Quick Thoughts, Brain Food & Podcasts to Peep...
I've been thinking about the inevitable lately.
Not for doom and gloom reasons but instead I’ve been using it as a compass to direct my focus away from what I can't control and point me closer towards the things that I can.
Personally, that's where a majority of my stress comes from.
Randomly throwing myself against problems and situations I have no control over, letting the failure replay in my brain, all while ignoring all the controllable things that could actually help.
After some recent digging and meditation, I’ve realized my battle against randomness is futile, we’re designed to thrive from ancient patterns.
So I explored the 3 ancient things that are for certain in this world and wanted to drop some beautiful gems in your inbox to feed your brain and guide your focus when you explore them for yourself.
1. Change
Things to Watch…
I had no clue who Isaac Azimov was before I came across this clip.
Using Science Fiction as a start point, he articulates the beauty of change and how it intertwines between the genre and real-life so effectively, I had to look him up.
His life, like many other prolific writers, is stranger than fiction but I think this Interview with Letterman gives a ton of insight on the kind person, writer, and thinker he was.
The clip is a time capsule in itself but if you're feeling extra nerdy and a fan of short stories, check out one of his most famous works, The Last Question. It’s guaranteed to throw your brain for a loop.
2. Death
Things to read…
Memento Mori = “Remember You Must Die.”
If we could only remember that at the end of all this, it’s over. We’d risk more to live. But that’s just an uglier version of what Ryan Holiday has been repeating for years.
Stoicism is a beautiful philosophy that should be explored from its core, in books like Meditations & Letters from a Stoic, but Holiday has done all of the hard work for us and modernized an ancient way of thinking in 3 books that feel tailor-made for today’s crazy world.
They’re must-reads for anyone looking to sharpen their mind. You can buy it as a pack but i’m pretty sure you can get them cheaper individually. — Especially if you look on kindle.
On a lighter note…
Things I’m playing…
Dying in-game has never been more fun.
If you own a PS4 and haven't played this yet, go download this ASAP while it's still the free game of the month.
This brings me back to the N64 days when controls were simple and the thrill of competing was just as fun as actually winning.
Find me online so I can laugh at you...I mean with you 😅
PSN: SlimDjango8
3. Taxes
My Roni work vacation is coming to an end and based on how my bank account is set up, its time to get my ass back to work.
I can’t lie though, all this time stuck inside has changed me forever, so I don't have it in me to jump back on the same 9- 5 hamster wheel. Scary thing is, that damn Hamster wheel might not even exist anymore.
So what now? Bills & Taxes are still due.
We all need to find our own answer but long story short, for me, it’s officially time to pursue a career in Tech & solidify my entrepreneurship swag.
I’ll spare you the details on how, for now, but learning from failure will be one of the keys.
Found this gem from @Stunlikes on Twitter. He sporadically drops dope stuff like this on the regular…
Music Video of The Week…
Another key tactic needed to break free from the hamster wheel altogether is to align our habits and values with what the market values, so we can exchange our role as consumers and workers for being valuable thinkers and producers.
Sounds complicated but thank god for music…
Podcast to Peep…
Here are two beautiful conversations that encompass this week’s theme and raises it to another level.
We all have questions about the future and it’s only natural to look ahead but the answers we’re looking for are in our history and programmed in our head already.
Long AF but more than worth it.
I admit the title has a little bit of clickbait syndrome but this guy’s story is guaranteed to change how you look at your brain and career.
RIP MAMBA
Last but not least…
I’ve been trying to piece together this newsletter for a while but since it’s finally dropping on Mama Day, I had to pay homage.
RIP to an Icon. His energy, work ethic, and magic on the court will touch lives for eternity.
If you enjoyed anything, please share with someone you know or click that heart — both if you love me.
It helps out a lot.
Till next time.
Keep surviving & thriving