Benefits of Failure, Strength of Human Spirit, and Champion's Fear
Existential Espresso Vol. 40
What I’ve been reading:
Rereading J.K. Rowling’s Harvard commencement speech
This is a speech that I already recommended on Existential Espresso last year.
I returned to remind myself of the two things Rowling decided to talk about in this speech: the benefits of failure and the importance of imagination.
A masterful storyteller whose life story is a testament of perseverance, I believe you should pay close attention to any advice she has to share.
You can read (or watch) the full speech here.
What I’ve been listening to:
Josh Dubing and Bruce Bryan on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast
Josh Dubin is a criminal justice reform advocate who has already been a guest on the JRE podcast. Bruce Bryan is a man who was wrongfully convicted and has spent almost 30 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
30 years. Let that sink in.
At the time this podcast was recorded, it had been just a couple of weeks since Bruce Bryan was released.
Easily one of the most impressive life stories and one of the most admirable human beings I’ve had the chance to listen to.
“You can become bitter, or you can become better.” - Bruce Bryan
If you think you have an excuse to complain about your life or if you are interested in the strength and beauty of the human spirit, please listen to this.
What I’ve been thinking about:
Embracing fear
I was reading an article about a young judo champion. He was talking about the fear he experienced when he first started competing.
"I was shaking before my first match 8 years ago," he says.
"8 years later, I am still shaking before every match. But now I know that’s good."
Fear is a sign that you are challenging yourself. If you are not even slightly afraid about something you are about to attempt or a path that you are going to take, it means you are staying inside your comfort zone.
It’s okay to be afraid. Even champions shake with fear.
Thank you for reading.
Stay strong, love life, and never feel sorry for yourself.
Free Resources:
My free ebook: The Lost Art of Reading
Paid Resources:
The Art of Showing Up: A Clear and Practical Method for Mastering Consistency
The Gold Pill: Timeless Ideas for a Life Worth Living
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Needed this, been failing recently in my side hustle venture and I’ve been trying my best at learning at what I do wrong. It’s never easy at first!!
Thank you for this. I needed this today. Stepping outside my comfort zone more and more.