What I’ve been reading:
"The Art of Loving" by Erich Fromm
This one probably comes as no surprise since I gave you a hint with last week’s essay, "The Art of Loving: Why Most Relationships Fail."
If you haven’t already, I recommend you read it because this essay will give you an introduction to the core ideas of this book.
Here are some of them that I believe are different from how most people view love:
-Before we are capable of truly loving someone, we must learn to be okay with being alone.
-Love isn’t just a feeling. It is also a choice and a commitment we make.
-Love doesn’t just happen to us. It requires effort.
-Love is an art. It needs to be learned and perfected every single day.
You can look forward to Part 2 of the "Art of Loving" essay series, which will be published tomorrow.
What I’ve listened to:
Chris Williamson on the Power Project podcast
Chris Williamson is the host of Modern Wisdom, one of the few podcasts that I listen to on a regular basis. I’ve already recommended a couple of Modern Wisdom episodes in this section of Existential Espresso. He is also the first person with such a big platform to recognize my work and show me support while I had around 3 thousand people following me on instagram.
Power Project is also a podcast that I’ve recommended multiple times here and that is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Mostly because of how open the hosts are to new ideas. Whatever the topic, you can be 100% sure that you will hear a healthy, nuanced conversation on every episode of the Power Project.
And, in this episode, they briefly mention me. I still cannot believe that what I’m writing is true.
But besides this episode giving me one of the coolest moments I’ve ever experienced, it is a genuinely interesting conversation which revolves a lot about male self-improvement but from a perspective that is useful for ladies to hear it as well.
You can listen/watch here or on any other podcast streaming platform.
(If you want a timestamp, I am mentioned around the 49:00 mark.)
What I’ve been thinking about:
"I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything other than my abilities prevented me from pursuing my top choice."
This is a quote from a manga that I’m reading called Blue Period.
The character who is saying this quote wants to apply to the art school with the most difficult entrance exam and lowest acceptance rate in his country. Naturally, a lot of people around him believe that he should choose a "safer" or "smarter" path. But this is his top choice. This is his dream. And he knows that choosing anything else would be betraying himself.
But here is what I find particularly interesting:
He says that he doesn’t want anything external to prevent him from "pursuing," not "reaching" or "achieving."
The reality is that there are a lot of things that have nothing to do with your abilities that can prevent you from achieving your dreams and goals.
But if you don’t even pursue them, that's all on you.
Thank you for reading.
Stay strong, love life, and never feel sorry for yourself.
If you are interested in a free ebook that I wrote for you, “The Lost Art of Reading,” you can download it here.
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The I-Ching frequently mentions this idea of "furthering", similar to that idea you mention of "pursuing". This constant state of motion, rather than reaching an end and then remaining static. Still studying the Book of Changes, but it's been a fascinating journey.
Thank you for the continued content!
Love is an art. I loved this reflection. Let´s not forget that. Thanks for the wisdom, friend.
Stay Happy =)