The ideas that make up the foundation of our character are worth repeatedly revisiting as a reminder to continue to live them. For it is not enough to know the concepts and ideas of a philosophy, one must embody them. This is why Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations borders on repetitive, because he was reminding himself of…… Continue reading Foundations
Category: General
Gambles
Usually what gamblers regret the most isn’t the loss of their money so much as the loss of their insane hopes.”- Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea We like to dream. To fantasize about a life where we have no worries, no stress, where we can do whatever we want. To be free in…… Continue reading Gambles
Our Future Selves
It is easy to get wrapped up in the image of our future selves. To think of all the things we’re going to do, all the money we’re going to make, the trips we’re going to take, the kind of person we’re going to become. We think the problem—or problems—plaguing us at this very moment…… Continue reading Our Future Selves
Confidence
We as a species like confidence. We want solid, concrete, unshakeable answers to our questions, and if we don’t have such answers, then we’ll seek out those who do. And if those we find can make us believe they’re right, then, by God, they’re right. Coaches, CEOs, cult leaders, these folks radiate confidence. They give…… Continue reading Confidence
Comfort
To paraphrase Bill Hicks, “You can tell a lot about a country by the drugs it uses.” America, and Western civilization for the most part, is addicted to alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol to help us forget our misery every night, and coffee to wake us up so that we may continue to toil away at…… Continue reading Comfort
Titles
We are a culture that is wrapped up in words, names, and titles. We like them. In school we are taught to memorize definitions. To read a book is in itself an exercise in brilliance, or so it seems. We can read all the books we want, claim all the titles we want, name all…… Continue reading Titles
Our Only Resource
We only have so much time on this planet, and yet so much of it is squandered. We replay the events of the day in our minds and build them into something they are not, which is, anything other than a fleeting moment in time. How many opportunities to be present, to experience joy, are…… Continue reading Our Only Resource
Face the Music
There comes a time in all of our lives when we are forced to face the music. To not only hear, but feel, experience, that which we have been dreading. It can come in many different shapes and forms. A lie exposed, a mistake uncovered, even an honest effort that missed it’s mark, it doesn’t…… Continue reading Face the Music
Knowledge and Wisdom
“Do the knowledge son, before you do the wisdom” – RZA The above quote plays in my head anytime I try to talk myself out of reading a book. It confirms that if I am ever going to be wise, I must do the research. I must study what those before me already know. But…… Continue reading Knowledge and Wisdom
Growth
To fear anything is to fear life itself. We are here to experience this life and all that it brings us. We must grow and expand. And yet so many of us fear what change may do to our current state, which is why there is so much complacency in the world. We are inherently…… Continue reading Growth
scott ironmonger 