Mindful Matter
How we learn.
I love this quote from Confucius: “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; andThird by experience, which is the bitterest.” It reinforces a recent realization I had about learning from our mistakes. When we make a single mistake, the cost or pain caused by it is usually pretty small. It’s only when we don’t reflect on and learn from that mistake that the damage adds up. That mistake when repeated can multiply, leaving a lasting impact on our lives. Or, we can learn from the mistake — and hopefully grow wiser in the process. Dave RadparvarCo-Founder, Holstee P.S. Our Digital Resilience Guide is full of resources that can help you grow through setbacks.
Learn moreWhy do we procrastinate? (Part III - From Planning to Doing)
In the past few emails, we talked about why we procrastinate and how effective planning is one part of the solution. Now onto the second phase: doing. Tim has come up with a handful of clever names for the places our mind wanders and where it wants to go. This image helps us in
Learn moreWhy do we procrastinate? (Part II - A Solution)
So how do we tame the Instant Gratification Monkey and fight the Resistance? Yesterday we shared Tim’s breakdown of what happens in the mind when we procrastinate. I can attest that for me, the struggle with my internal Instant Gratification Monkey is real. Thinking back to Steven Pressfield's War of Art that I mentioned a few weeks ago, it feels like the monkey is a
Learn moreWhy do we procrastinate? (Part I - The Problem)
Cecilia in Buenos Aires, Argentina recently replied to our 'Ask Us Anything' prompt with the following question: “I was just wondering about why we procrastinate our important goals. Is it self sabotage? Not being really honest about what we want?” Tim Urban, one of my favorite minds — and a legendary procrastinator — tackled this question in
Learn moreLet her speak.
A post first appeared in my Facebook newsfeed a while ago, and it recently came to mind again. I searched for it and re-read it and got goosebumps again just as I did the first time I encountered it. I recommend reading the full story from Marilee Talkington here. Talkington shares an experience she had at the
Learn moreLove and power.
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." - Jimi Hendrix Sending you lots of love and compassion today.
Learn moreDignity for the dying.
“I wanted to do my bit to change things around, to win back some dignity for the dying, because I don’t think silence serves the interests of any of us.” - Cory Taylor I recently read a powerful piece in The New Yorker by author Cory Taylor. It was an excerpt from her book “Dying: A Memoir” and in it, Taylor reflects on
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Kintsugi
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. It can also be viewed as a philosophy for life. The cracks in the piece of pottery are part of its story. And the gold used to repair the pottery becomes a natural extension of it. The kintsugi approach highlights the pottery’s unique history, rather than hiding it. It’s the idea that our past and our pains do not need to leave us broken in pieces. Rather, we can fill in the gaps with beauty and be strengthened through them. Our scars can become a gilded reminder of our resilience.
Learn moreBlack Mirror.
I know, I know… “If you don’t have enough time stop watching TV.” But I would be missing something if in all these emails on influences that have changed my perspective, I didn’t mention Black Mirror. This British science fiction series, picked up by Netflix, is a
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