Mindful Matter
Nothing need be done.
I need to do the laundry. I need to go to work. I need to finish this project. I need to do this, I need to do that. I need to do this, I need to do that. I always feel like I need to do so, so much. A few years ago, I came across
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Better together.
For better or worse, I have always been a very independent person. In fact, it’s often my default mindset. Doing something alone can be faster. It’s usually less complicated, and it allows you full control. Mike is often the one to remind me of the importance of togetherness, of collaboration, even of friendship. And he is right. Something special happens when you
Learn moreState of mind.
“Attaining lasting happiness requires that we enjoy the journey on our way toward a destination we deem valuable. Happiness, therefore, is not about making it to the peak of the mountain, nor is it about climbing aimlessly around the mountain: happiness is the experience of climbing toward the peak.” - Tal Ben-Shahar Harvard professor Tal Ben-Shahar taught
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The pendulum of perspective.
Two years ago, I wrote down this aphorism on a sticky note: “Accept more, expect less.” At the time, it was a reminder to seek peace — especially with things I could not control — and appreciate what I had in front of me. Now when I read that quote, I wonder how it could have ever served as an inspiration to me. The words haven’t changed, but clearly I have. The shift may have happened for a combination of personal, professional, and maybe even political reasons. I don’t want to just accept the status quo — I want to create positive change. I don’t want to expect less — I want to take matters into my own hands and make things happen. But as the pendulum of perspective swings, I wouldn’t be surprised if in another two years time, my view of life and of that quote once again shifts. This tension relates to a question that Mike and I keep coming back to: Is it better for us to want and expect a better future for ourselves (ambition)? Or to be satisfied and enjoy where we are with what we have (contentment)? If we were not ambitious people, we probably would have never left our jobs or started Holstee back in 2009. On the other hand, if we’re always thinking of a desired outcome, that’s a sure way to live only in the future and not appreciate the present. For a long time, we saw these two perspectives as polar opposites. But more recently, we’ve come to a different conclusion. Through our work at Holstee, our mission is to explore what it means to live both fully and mindfully. In that pursuit of knowledge and experience, it’s become clear that both contentment and ambition are needed. Over the years, we have seen each other move between both ends of the spectrum. And when the pendulum swings too far in one direction, we inevitably begin to feel a pull in the opposite direction. As the world around us shifts and our personal needs evolve, what we need to feel centered and fulfilled will also change. Finding balance is not an end goal but a practice. Dave RadparvarCo-Founder, Holstee P.S. The reflection questions in each of our guides help you better understand and connect to where you are in life, so you can take steps towards bringing more balance to your everyday. Learn more about becoming a Holstee Member →
Learn morePain ≠ Suffering
"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way." - Viktor Frankl And Frankl should know. In his book Man’s Search for Meaning, he describes the experience of
Learn moreIt’s not personal.
Last week my bike was stolen, which is apparently a very common thing here in Amsterdam. But I couldn’t help but take it personally. Why me? Why my bike? There are 847,000 bikes in Amsterdam (fun fact: that is nearly
Learn moreMind your temple.
I was fortunate enough to travel to Bali recently. During my time there, I came to love so much about the local culture and traditions. In particular, I was amazed at the dedication that each person gave to their family temple. In Bali, most Hindu families have
Learn moreThe soul is dyed the color of its thoughts.
“The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you do is who you become. Your integrity is your destiny — it is the light that guides your way.” I love this quote by Greek philosopher Heraclitus (c. 535 – c. 475 BC). In fact, it was the inspiration for
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