What I’ve been reading:
"Jung and Frodo: 7 Paths of Individuation in the Lord of the Rings" by Robin Robertson
This is partly a reread and partly a catch-up. I started reading "Jung and Frodo" in March of this year, but I never finished it for some reason. Probably because I was already reading a couple of highly interesting books at the same time. But getting back to this book is one of the best reading decisions I’ve made in a while.
"Jung and Frodo: 7 Paths of Individuation in the Lord of the Rings" explores Carl Jung’s idea of individuation by looking at the hero’s journey of different characters in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
You don’t need to be a "Lord of the Rings" fan in order to appreciate and enjoy this book. You just need to be open to the idea that fictional stories can sometimes hold more wisdom than the most complex philosophical system.
Highly recommended read for anyone interested in the work of Carl Jung or the concept of "hero’s journey."
What I’ve listened to:
Heroic Chat with Mark Divine on the Brian Johnson YouTube channel
Mark Divine is a former Navy SEAL Commander, author, and human performance expert. However, if you didn’t know about his military background and the fact that he is a lifelong martial artist, listening to him would make you think that he is a monk. On the way to high performance and mental toughness, Mr. Divine puts a great, if not the biggest, emphasis on meditative and spiritual practices. That’s why this conversation actually starts with a breathing exercise guided by him. If you’re not going to listen to the full interview, I suggest you at least do the breathing exercise.
What I’ve been thinking about:
It took me almost 4 full years of sharing my thoughts in the form of writing online every single day, often multiple times a day, to gather the courage and finally share some of them by talking to the camera.
This hopefully shows you that I am with you in the trenches of self-doubt and fear. When I talk about these things, I am neither talking from the position of a guru nor am I talking about them because I think they will get me views and likes. We are on the same journey.
What I already knew has been confirmed; I just never experienced it with this intensity: the difference in difficulty between the first and second reps of something you’re afraid to do cannot be compared. Almost all the fear and doubt disappear after the first rep. Almost all.
I hope this urges you to make that first rep. Just don’t wait four years like I did.
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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