171–180 of 197 posts
don't ignore your dreams: build yourself in new ways that initially seem wrong or stupid.
don't work too much: be less materialistic but push your limit.
say what you think: don't take shit, ask questions, think what you do.
cultivate friendships: real bridges don't burn and avoid schadenfreude.
be happy: be prepared to let go of what you know to be true and strive for health.
When I first saw the title of this essay, I thought I already knew what I was going to say... Something about how my own todo this now has only one item on it, the single most important thing to do next. I gravitated to this based on the great quote by chess master Jose Capablanca: [When asked how many moves ahead he looked while playing]: "Only one, but it's always the right one." (from http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
In some ways being a european cog is better than being an american cog. I wish Geneva, Brugge, Rejkjavik, and Madrid were weekend destinations for me! I also wish I had a european-cog vacation allotment!
I'm an Australian who's visited both a few times, including 15 countries in Europe and 10 states of the US last year. Now, Europe is very diverse and a great place to be, but the US is full of awesome stuff. Sometimes I wonder how many locals appreciate what they have.
When I first saw the title of this essay, I thought I already knew what I was going to say... Something about how my own todo this now has only one item on it, the single most important thing to do next. I gravitated to this based on the great quote by chess master Jose Capablanca: [When asked how many moves ahead he looked while playing]: "Only one, but it's always the right one." (from http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
No, that's a good question. I can do whatever I want. But doing things one wants at large scale often entails not doing it on a smaller scale. As for the more general question, overall it was certainly worth it. If I were in the same situation again, I would do the same thing.
Can you clarify, perhaps with some examples, of doing something one might want at large scale and not doing it on a smaller scale? Thanks
When I first saw the title of this essay, I thought I already knew what I was going to say... Something about how my own todo this now has only one item on it, the single most important thing to do next. I gravitated to this based on the great quote by chess master Jose Capablanca: [When asked how many moves ahead he looked while playing]: "Only one, but it's always the right one." (from http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/…
As the of hagakure put it (cited from my memory and translated twice...): treat important thing lightly and treat unimprtant ones with all the seriousness you have.
It took me some hard decissions and situations to slowly get this and it seems like death is best teacher for that you can imagine. So we all should learn from other peoples mistakes and lessons, espacially if it's almost impossible to make them by yourself.
Don't ignore your dreams => Live your dreams
Don't work too much => Have fun
Say what you think
Cultivate friendships
Be happy.
I'd rework Paul Graham's list a little, as the first two items are phrased in negative terms (it's easier to do stuff than to not do stuff). " Follow your dreams; take a break; say what you think; cultivate friendships; be happy." The idea of putting them at the top of your todo list is interesting. At the moment I organise myself with Trello, one list per project, and at the top of each list I have a card that remin…
I didn't phrase them that way by accident. "Follow your dreams" is too strong. I wrote about that here: http://www.paulgraham.com/hs.html . "Don't work too much" is phrased that way because it really is a matter of avoiding something.
I'd also rephrase "be happier", as modern research also suggests that striving to be happy does not work for some people. If you look at the writer original #5 statement, it's "I wish I'd let myself be happier" which is not exactly the same... Admittedly it's a bit of nitpicking.
Nice essay
When I first saw the title of this essay, I thought I already knew what I was going to say... Something about how my own todo this now has only one item on it, the single most important thing to do next. I gravitated to this based on the great quote by chess master Jose Capablanca: [When asked how many moves ahead he looked while playing]: "Only one, but it's always the right one." (from http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/…
Brilliant, always do the right thing. So catchy and yet so utterly useless at the same time. You sound just like the 'seduction' experts, 'confidence, that's what gets the girl'. My mum had an episode where she quite literally went mad. We spent a couple of weeks visiting her every day as she was confused, scared and angry. At some point I turned to my sister and said 'we have to go home, our lives have to go on'. Th…
In essence, your main argument is: "Here is how I see it". Well guess what, that's the same argument that the guy you're replying to made, so it might help to be a little more humble about it.
Arguing with others is only a tiny bit representing your own viewpoint. It's mainly about then figuring out where the person you're talking to stands on this and finally negotiating a path for the other person between the two points.
Your main point seems to be portraying the hurt that you've experienced and how you dealt with it when your mother had her "episode" (does she still have it? It was never resolved to us) while reminding us (rightfully, I think) that having a core priority is all fine and well, but (especially at times of distress) it might not get you through the endless sea of small challenges. A fair point that is not particularly nuanced, but that always makes for a good discussion. What came out of your mouth (fig.) was basically "you're an idiot, I see this differently. Also, while I'm at it, let me curse some more". (Not that I particularly mind expletives, but in your comment, I was tired of them the third time around already.)
Not very persuasive.