This: "There actually are things I enjoy not knowing because not knowing those things makes room for what I do enjoy. Or that I want to know."
Made me think of this:
"Keep constant guard over your perceptions, for it is no small thing you are protecting, but your respect, trustworthiness and steadiness, peace of mind, freedom from pain and fear, in a word your freedom. For what would you sell these things?" --Epictetus
Which also reminds me of one of my favorite things to do: mind my business lol
I think what you describe here is the natural result of authenticity, which is one your core virtues as a person and as a writer. When a person is authentic, they feel that they are just being themselves, with no big effort required. But the telling result is that their "throw-away" lines have lasting impact and value. I resonate with so much in this issue. The joy of things I remain intentionally ignorant of — like how AI works — and also the delight of making things last a long time. (I have a perfect desk chair and a bathroom towel, both of which are over 30 years old, made by companies that had the integrity to manufacture that way.)
That phrase is a tiny slice of wisdom. The more you disassemble it, the deeper and more profound it gets.
Together - the still lake, the description of jealousy for ambition and this coined phrase - this is among one of my favourite editions of your newsletter.
Thank you so much, Karena! That means a lot, because I almost didn’t send it. As I was about to publish it, I read the whole thing through and felt disappointed in how it had turned out. I’m glad I went through with it 😊
Hey Randy, you can probably guess that I relate strongly to the ‘things I enjoy not knowing’ outlook ;) I would even argue that by having that as your mantra, you’re making the world a better place.
By not contributing to the hysteria and not ‘clicking the click-bait’, you effectively keep the attention and focus on them as low as possible. The more people would do that, the less chance these nonsensical things will have to ‘trend’.
And about the jealousy. It seems to me that you’re using these emotions like they should be used, as antennas that point to deep needs you have and the future you’d like to build based on those.
Rik - super profound. These negative emotions are only negative so much as we give ourselves over to them.
Your comment here strikes of awareness. You don’t give yourself over to it if you’re aware of it:
“It seems to me that you’re using these emotions like they should be used, as antennas that point to deep needs you have and the future you’d like to build based on those.”
Thank you both!
Randy my world is a better place with you contributing to it.
This: "There actually are things I enjoy not knowing because not knowing those things makes room for what I do enjoy. Or that I want to know."
Made me think of this:
"Keep constant guard over your perceptions, for it is no small thing you are protecting, but your respect, trustworthiness and steadiness, peace of mind, freedom from pain and fear, in a word your freedom. For what would you sell these things?" --Epictetus
Which also reminds me of one of my favorite things to do: mind my business lol
P.S. that's a perfect view in that photo.
Loved this Randy. The greatest addition comes from subtraction. ‘Nuff said. Best, Drake
That's a great way to put it, Drake. Thanks for reading!
“No thanks, electrical work is one of those things I enjoy not knowing.”
I'm stealing this phrase as well. Period.
Lol. It’s all yours
I think what you describe here is the natural result of authenticity, which is one your core virtues as a person and as a writer. When a person is authentic, they feel that they are just being themselves, with no big effort required. But the telling result is that their "throw-away" lines have lasting impact and value. I resonate with so much in this issue. The joy of things I remain intentionally ignorant of — like how AI works — and also the delight of making things last a long time. (I have a perfect desk chair and a bathroom towel, both of which are over 30 years old, made by companies that had the integrity to manufacture that way.)
Thank you, Rick! I almost didn’t publish this because I didn’t feel satisfied with it. I’m glad to hear so much of it resonated with you.
That phrase is a tiny slice of wisdom. The more you disassemble it, the deeper and more profound it gets.
Together - the still lake, the description of jealousy for ambition and this coined phrase - this is among one of my favourite editions of your newsletter.
Thank you so much, Karena! That means a lot, because I almost didn’t send it. As I was about to publish it, I read the whole thing through and felt disappointed in how it had turned out. I’m glad I went through with it 😊
Hey Randy, you can probably guess that I relate strongly to the ‘things I enjoy not knowing’ outlook ;) I would even argue that by having that as your mantra, you’re making the world a better place.
By not contributing to the hysteria and not ‘clicking the click-bait’, you effectively keep the attention and focus on them as low as possible. The more people would do that, the less chance these nonsensical things will have to ‘trend’.
And about the jealousy. It seems to me that you’re using these emotions like they should be used, as antennas that point to deep needs you have and the future you’d like to build based on those.
There’s definitely something to these thoughts.
Thanks for the feedback, Rik! Not surprisingly, your take on this is even deeper than I was probably thinking (and better.)
Rik - super profound. These negative emotions are only negative so much as we give ourselves over to them.
Your comment here strikes of awareness. You don’t give yourself over to it if you’re aware of it:
“It seems to me that you’re using these emotions like they should be used, as antennas that point to deep needs you have and the future you’d like to build based on those.”
Thank you both!
Randy my world is a better place with you contributing to it.
Thanks, James! Your kind words are greatly appreciated!