Here are 5 interesting ideas to spark your curiosity heading into the weekend.
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Today at a Glance:
Question: Tiny things to be thankful for
Quote: Embracing the work
Framework: Allegory of the Cave
Passage: Small things become big things
Article: Stay in the game
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In 1998, Kurt Vonnegut gave the commencement speech at Rice University.
One passage that I'll never forget:
Up to this point this speech has been new stuff, written for this place and this occasion. But every graduation address I've delivered has ended, and this one will, too, with old stuff about my Uncle Alex, my father's kid brother.
A Harvard graduate, Alex Vonnegut was locally useful in Indianapolis as an honest insurance agent. He was also well-read and wise. One thing which Uncle Alex found objectionable about human beings was that they seldom took time out to notice when they were happy.
He himself did his best to acknowledge it when times were sweet. We could be drinking lemonade in the shade of an apple tree in the summertime, and he would interrupt the conversation to say, "If this isn't nice, what is?"
So, I hope that you Adams and Eves in front of me will do the same for the rest of your lives. When things are going sweetly and peacefully, please pause a moment, and then say out loud: "If this isn't nice, what is?"
There are a lot of tiny beauties in life that are easy to miss if you're moving too fast to appreciate them.
When we lean into gratitude for these moments, feelings, and people, we find new joy and happiness in our lives.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, my hope is that we can all slow down and embrace those tiny beauties, today and all days.
So, what are a few tiny things you're thankful for?
Quote on working in the dark:
"The fight is won or lost far away from the witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights." – Muhammad Ali
To shine in the light you have to embrace the work in the dark.
Plato's famous Allegory of the Cave tells the story of a group of prisoners who have been chained in a dark cave, facing a wall, their entire lives.
Behind them, a fire casts light onto the wall, with shadows created by a set of objects moving in that light.
The prisoners believe that the shadows represent reality, simply because it is all they've ever seen.
One day, a prisoner breaks free and climbs out of the cave into the light of the world. It is shocking and disorienting at first, but he soon adjusts to the light, discovers the vivid nature of reality, and returns to the cave to share the discovery with the others.
Upon returning, he struggles to adjust to the darkness, and the remaining prisoners believe he has gone crazy, resisting the idea that there is a more vivid reality beyond their current confines.
I first read this story as a teenager, but only recently began to contemplate its powerful relevance as a metaphor for personal growth, transformation, and change.
The story offers an accurate representation of your journey:
Act 1: Your life in the cave. You live in the dark, but are almost entirely unaware of that fact. You accept self-limiting beliefs, the original stories you tell yourself, and mindsets that may not serve you.
Act 2: Your escape from the cave. You question all of the beliefs, mindsets, and stories that were holding you back. You are blinded by the light of the new reality that you now experience. It's disorienting and scary, but energizing.
Act 3: Your return to the cave. You want to share your excitement about this new reality with others, but find it challenging to do so. You are no longer speaking the same language as the people you used to surround yourself with. You experience a period of loneliness.
Act 4: Your life in the light. You have embraced the vivid reality that is made possible by a growth mindset and limitless beliefs. You find your new people in that reality. You shine in the light.
Wherever you find yourself on that journey today, recognize that your future is bright, but only if you embrace it.
Only if you have the courage to leave the cave.
Short passage that changed my life:
This short passage from C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity is a masterclass:
Your entire life will change when you realize that everything matters. Every single thing. You don't get to pick and choose when to show up, because the world will ignore your best and judge you for your worst. If you want to win, your responsibility is to show up with energy and enthusiasm for the little things just as much as you do for the big things.
I've written in the past about the fact that you're never out of the fight in life. You alone get to choose whether to keep moving forward.
You get to choose to stay in the game.
Simply put, this is one of the best articles you'll read this year. It's a true emotional roller coaster that will make you think deeply about your daily actions and relationships. Plus, it has a Hollywood twist that you really have to read to believe.
Well worth the 5 minutes of your time this weekend.
In Case You Missed It:
In Wednesday's issue, I shared the Wealth Score Quiz, a new way to measure what matters and build across the five key pillars that define a truly wealthy existence.
Time Wealth: Freedom to choose how to spend your time.
Social Wealth: Connection to others.
Mental Wealth: Purpose, growth, space.
Physical Wealth: Health and vitality.
Financial Wealth: Money (and an awareness of enough).
Take the Wealth Score Quiz today. It takes 3-5 minutes to complete. This baseline will be what you measure your progress against as you build and balance your life across the seasons to come.
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I get asked about my morning routine all the time. It changes from time to time, but AG1 has been the one constant since 2011. I drink it with a big glass of water every single morning to start my day on a positive tone.
It replaced an entire cabinet of supplements for me in one daily scoop—seriously, its latest iteration covers a multivitamin, multi-mineral, prebiotics, probiotics, adaptogens, greens, and more. It keeps me feeling healthy and strong throughout the year, even when I'm traveling (thanks to the travel packs).
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