It has been the weirdest year. Covid and the fear, uncertainty, social isolation, economic upheaval and all the unprecedented confusion it has brought us, has shaken our inner core, questioned beliefs, norms, habits and all those things we have been taking for granted.
Yet the blue melancholy that has sipped into my own life, serendipitously transformed into something different a few days before Christmas – the weirdest and unlikeliest Christmas of all times. Maria Popova’s Brain Pickings, for me one of the greatest sources of inspiration, reflection and pondering in my life, did its miracle: It touched me in a peculiarly profound way.
Just see this:
Simple? Yes and no… Each one of us will take some of these principles, dismiss others – and like we do with everything, we will make our own choice on how to live our lives.
The condensed version of these sort of “commandments” is below.
- Allow yourself the uncomfortable luxury of changing your mind.
- Do nothing for prestige or status or money or approval alone.
- Be generous with your time and your resources and with giving credit and, especially, with your words.
- Build pockets of stillness into your life. Meditate. Go for walks. Ride your bike going nowhere in particular.
- When people tell you who they are, Maya Angelou famously advised, believe them. However, when people try to tell you who you are, don’t believe them.
- “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” Presence is far more rewarding an art than productivity.
- “Expect anything worthwhile to take a long time.”
- Who are the people, ideas, and books that magnify your spirit? Find them, hold on to them, and visit them often.
- Don’t be afraid to be an idealist.
- Don’t just resist cynicism — fight it actively.
- Question your maps and models of the universe, both inner and outer, and continually test them against the raw input of reality.
- There are infinitely many kinds of beautiful lives.
- In any bond of depth and significance, forgive, forgive, forgive. And then forgive again.
For those who want to dig deeper, see Maria’s wonderfully uplifting original post.
What interests me is helping sharp, intelligently curious people overcome barriers that may be keeping them from achieving more. Passion and boldness can make the art and science of leading easier to navigate. So, have fire; feel with your brain; don't be afraid.
