Being a battery by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Unreasonable Criticism
My favourite psychological aphorism and a mental model of how criticism should function in society.
Hey everyone, it has been a week that I have experienced burnout without actually doing anything strenuous. I don’t know if that’s common.
Here’s something I noticed in the last 4 days.
I had hectic days at work which kept me from keeping my routine but one evening, I told myself — let me just start doing things which I was supposed to do today, and I did, I did them all.
I completed my whole day, even after starting at 8:00 PM.
Larry King, an icon of radio and TV, left us yesterday. May his soul rest in peace.
Larry was a LEGEND who interviewed legends, who were honoured to be interviewed by Larry.
He understood the value of leaning forward, listening intently to his guests, and rarely interrupting.
"I've never learned anything," he said, "while I was talking."
#1 Unreasonable Criticism
Criticism is a testament that you’re doing something different.
Putting yourself out there means being yourself.
Taking reasonable criticism is a good source of information.
Unreasonable criticism? I take it as entertainment.
If I worry about the opinion of others I use my 5, 20, 100 mental models:
5 years most people have forgotten about it.
20 years I can barely even remember what happened.
100 years everyone involved is most likely dead.
The temporary nature of our existence brings me peace.
When I notice myself worrying about “what other people will think” I find I’m usually not worried about any single person’s opinion. If I pick a specific person, I‘m rarely concerned about what they will think. What I fear is the collective opinion in my head. It’s imaginary. - James Clear
I always go back to this statement: “People are doing the best they can at any given time considering their perception of their circumstances.”
Knowing this frees you of the judgment of people and easier to appreciate their uniqueness.
#2 Be a Battery
This quote by one of the most brilliant minds encapsulates philosophy for me:
“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function." - F. Scott Fitzgerald
One should...be able to see...things are hopeless yet be determined to make them otherwise.
Like a battery, a single cell within which 2 opposing forces— a +ve and a -ve —sit together to create power. So, like a battery, I approach life.
Considering one without the balance of the other results in either apathy. because nothing matters or concern, because everything matters.
Belief in only one is paralysing.
Belief in both is freedom.
ENDNOTE: Superpowers
Superpowers you can have:
- Ability to change yourself & your mind
- Not taking things personally
- Not needing to prove you're right
- Careful selection of all relationships
- Ability to wait and be calm about it
- Being alone without being lonely
- Being fine with being uncomfortable
- Thinking for oneself
Until next week,
Darshil
👋 The End
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