"I’ve never seen a single person become happier by spending more time following politics or the news."
I remember seeing an interview with Prince. He started crying when he was talking about the violence we are exposed to through the news and tv in general. He said humans shouldn't be exposed to it. I *felt* that.
Excellent reflections my friend. Obviously you know I love this point you made about living in alignment and inviting serendipity:
"There is a state of alignment you can reach in which magical things will start happening to you. I would have rolled my eyes at this ten years ago but now I have fun thinking about how to continue inviting this kind of serendipity into my life."
Reminds me of this great Charles Bukowski quote - "The free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it – basically because you feel good when you’re with them."
As a young dude in my mid 20's, it's really interesting to read your life reflections at 40. I've been lucky enough to live in 4 different countries during my 20's, so it was also validating to hear you say that's something you'd recommend for younger people. Looking forward to reading more of your work Paul!
Happy birthday, Paul. Thank you for being inspiring as you are and very persuasive in convincing others to blow up their own lives (to varying degrees). Hope to see you some time this year on this part of the world!
Happy birthday! Thank you for sharing so much of your journey for us. #12 resonated deeply with me - I was stuck in the "good life on paper" trap and now am a bit more "pathless." Soul work is much more fulfilling for me!
Thank you! I like this article and i think i will read it again. And i have read The Pathless Path and i am surprised to find that i am also on this road. It helped me a lot to figure out my feeling. Keep writing!
On Work section was so dense, loooooved it! It’s a pretty good signal when the reader (me) wants to immediately dive into action upon reading this. BRB.
"You can't escape work, you can only transcend it" may be the wisest thing of all the wise things you've ever written.
For those who haven't found their person yet, from someone who has, I'd add Date all you can, with an open heart and in good faith. Do what it takes to do that. The problem isn't finding the person. It's *recognizing* the person when they show up. IYKYK...
This was really good Paul. Your reflection on the sense of achievement from writing your book made me reflect on those things I have done that brought great satisfaction ... but it also made me realize that at age 60, I still have plenty of time to do more. The danger of saying you're "retired" is that you can fool yourself into thinking you no longer have to chase ambitious goals. I can't fool myself this way!
You are a source of so much wisdom. I'm a year and a half further along than you and, like you, also sense that I'm in a liminal stage in life. I appreciate the feeling of walking through this part of life with you through your writing. Please keep going. You have given me so much to think about and encouraged me to chuck my own inherited scripts and pursue the grand adventure I'm now on. I'm grateful to you for that. Happy birthday, Paul!
I have just shared this with a bunch of people who are talking about quitting their day jobs and not quite there yet. Once again, bang on the money Paul. Thanks for these useful reflections!
"I’ve never seen a single person become happier by spending more time following politics or the news."
I remember seeing an interview with Prince. He started crying when he was talking about the violence we are exposed to through the news and tv in general. He said humans shouldn't be exposed to it. I *felt* that.
spot on
Excellent reflections my friend. Obviously you know I love this point you made about living in alignment and inviting serendipity:
"There is a state of alignment you can reach in which magical things will start happening to you. I would have rolled my eyes at this ten years ago but now I have fun thinking about how to continue inviting this kind of serendipity into my life."
Reminds me of this great Charles Bukowski quote - "The free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it – basically because you feel good when you’re with them."
Money
As a young dude in my mid 20's, it's really interesting to read your life reflections at 40. I've been lucky enough to live in 4 different countries during my 20's, so it was also validating to hear you say that's something you'd recommend for younger people. Looking forward to reading more of your work Paul!
Happy birthday, Paul. Thank you for being inspiring as you are and very persuasive in convincing others to blow up their own lives (to varying degrees). Hope to see you some time this year on this part of the world!
Happy birthday! Thank you for sharing so much of your journey for us. #12 resonated deeply with me - I was stuck in the "good life on paper" trap and now am a bit more "pathless." Soul work is much more fulfilling for me!
Thank you! I like this article and i think i will read it again. And i have read The Pathless Path and i am surprised to find that i am also on this road. It helped me a lot to figure out my feeling. Keep writing!
On Work section was so dense, loooooved it! It’s a pretty good signal when the reader (me) wants to immediately dive into action upon reading this. BRB.
Thank you Paul! So much wisdom here. Your writing has helped transform how I think about work.
beautiful! mostly because i know your boys will reap the rewards
"You can't escape work, you can only transcend it" may be the wisest thing of all the wise things you've ever written.
For those who haven't found their person yet, from someone who has, I'd add Date all you can, with an open heart and in good faith. Do what it takes to do that. The problem isn't finding the person. It's *recognizing* the person when they show up. IYKYK...
for sure - i have mostly forgotten about dating because i am truly retired from that game hah
thank you for sharing the insights came across this article through sahils newsletter !
ah nice - didnt know he shared it!
Yeah the whole nervous system rewiring thing is like way longer than I think most would like
What accelerates this?
Less emotional avoidance in Joe Hudson’s terms
So much wisdom in this post, it reminds me of why I enjoyed your books so much. Congratulations on turning 40 and thank you for the good work you do!
appreciate that! need to write another one
Thanks for the reminder to write one of my own of these. Just turned 40 6 months ago.
do it!
This was really good Paul. Your reflection on the sense of achievement from writing your book made me reflect on those things I have done that brought great satisfaction ... but it also made me realize that at age 60, I still have plenty of time to do more. The danger of saying you're "retired" is that you can fool yourself into thinking you no longer have to chase ambitious goals. I can't fool myself this way!
You are a source of so much wisdom. I'm a year and a half further along than you and, like you, also sense that I'm in a liminal stage in life. I appreciate the feeling of walking through this part of life with you through your writing. Please keep going. You have given me so much to think about and encouraged me to chuck my own inherited scripts and pursue the grand adventure I'm now on. I'm grateful to you for that. Happy birthday, Paul!
appreciate this! yes its a long weird, winding journey!
I have just shared this with a bunch of people who are talking about quitting their day jobs and not quite there yet. Once again, bang on the money Paul. Thanks for these useful reflections!