When you are feeling upset, angry, or sad, don’t blame another for your state of mind. Your condition is the result of your own opinions and interpretations.
Epictetus, Handbook (Sam Torode version), 5
Embrace your weird, says Chris Williamson. I don’t want to, says me, because I’m afraid of what they think. Whoever “they” are.
The inner governor. That’s what David Goggins calls it.
The Chris Williamson/Jordan Peterson interview has Peterson saying this inner voice is the distilled average of all societal norms, implanted in you — plus the feedback loop of your own inner, personal, ideals.
The societal norm is to enforce the tall poppy rule. Strive toward the mean. Be the best normal of all of the normals. So that’s going on in my head all the time. Conform. It’s ok to strive and dream, but for the right things, accomplished in the right way. No room for embracing your weird here.
My inner ideals draw me toward my true desire. The other anti-tall poppy “fit in” attitudes push me away.
I don’t really know what I would be if I just let go and went for it. And what is “it”?
I feel as though I am trudging with 1,000 lbs in my backpack. I’m slowly reaching in and tossing baggage aside. Will I ever move with speed, light on my feet?
Drop the rock.
Remember SB. He gave the following to my brain as a seed. I have carried this thought seed for decades. By now I’m sure he is dead and I never met him or talked to him but . . . he improved my life with this little example.
You’re swimming, holding a big rock. It’s your rock. Your own special rock.
You are tired and will soon drown. A boat comes alongside and the people say “swim over here and jump in, we will take you to shore.”
You say “I can’t. My rock is too heavy.” And you continue to suffer, exhausted.
“Drop the rock,” say the people in the boat.
SB, on a recording heard long ago and far away.
That’s my mantra for the day. Drop the rock. On that path I will find my own weird to embrace.