Continuing our discussion of “Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Cast the bantling on the rocks, Suckle him with the she-wolf’s teat; Wintered with the hawk and fox, Power and speed be hands and feet. I had to look up what a bantling was. It’s “a very young child.” Emerson wants us to throw this child on the…
Acceptance : Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson : 001
[Just joining the discussion? Feel free to check out the introductory post.] “Man is his own star; and the soul that can Render an honest and a perfect man, Commands all light, all influence, all fate; Nothing to him falls early or too late. Our acts our angels are, or good or ill, Our fatal…
Seek Inside Yourself : Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson : 000
“Do not seek outside yourself.” That’s the opening line of “Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. In the work itself it’s in Latin and in quotes; I don’t know why, and it’s not important right now. I finally read the full essay over the past week or so, and I’m kicking myself for not putting in the time…
Voting For Yourself (like you live in Chicago)
For a few months now, I’ve been using an app called “Randomly RemindMe.” I’ve set it up so that, up to 20 times a day, my phone will pop a message up containing a short, useful bit of wisdom. Here are some examples of short phrases I’ve used: Forward Into Growth Good Bring It On!…
Obligatory New Year’s Day Post
Blah blah blah full of promise. Blah blah blah anything is possible. Blah blah blah you can do it! … No. Being jaded isn’t any more helpful than being unrealistic. It’s just as much of a shield for our stupid little egos as Pollyannaism. Every time someone says “I’m going to [insert creating a better…
You *Can’t* Do Whatever You Set Your Mind To
This message is sponsored by Reality. You can’t do whatever you set your mind to. You don’t have “infinite potential”. You aren’t going to be successful at whatever you try. Can’t, Don’t, and Aren’t (Oh My!) Them’s some dirty words among personal development gurus. But here’s a little more from our friend Reality. Your potential may…
Grow or Deteriorate
“When you are uncertain whether you should do something or not, just think whether doing it you will grow or deteriorate, and act accordingly.” — Theron Q. Dumont OK, so I know I’ve been on a bit of Brian Johnson kick lately… but there is a way to get me to stop. Just tell him to…
Calluses of the Mind
Something else I’ve picked up from David Goggins, and another reason that we should follow the path of most resistance, is to build up “callus our mind”. Our bodies are amazing things, fragile as hell yet able to toughen themselves as need be. Calluses develop on our skin (mainly our hands and feet) when it…
Bring It On!
That’s a Facebook post I made about a year and a half ago. Sometimes I’m wrong. It’s not that I’m going to join Goop or start trying every snake oil product that Dr. Oz shills for. But I was (mostly) wrong about the product that I’m referring to above: The Tools: 5 Tools to Help…
Who The Fuck Are You?
“No, really, Lyman. Who the fuck are you to be writing this shit?” “What qualifies you to write about Stoicism, ACT, Mental Health, or any of the other bullshit that you spout.” I’m drawn to this stuff. Whatever the reason, I’m pulled toward expressing my ideas on personal development and how people can create better…