I am checking in from the Forest of Enlightenment with my yearly birthday video.
Nine years in a row now.
Good stuff.
Good stuff indeed.
Now I thought to share some insights from my past year.
This is actually the first time in many years that I actually am somewhat excited to turn a year older and that is because I haven't had the best of years.
But it's actually a good year, a good productive year either way and I will explain why in a moment.
So basically when I say it's been a bad year, it has been nothing dramatic, more so a constant downpour of unpleasant and bad news.
But when I calculate the balance of wins versus losses, two great wins, they far out outweigh the losses and problems.
Of course, I'm talking about, first and foremost, the birth of our lovely second daughter, and now she's gotten to a stage where she always laughs and smiles at me, and that is yeah, it's truly great, it's something, something special having a an unreasonably cute baby girl smiling at you when she sees you.
It's uh yeah, it's great.
I can't explain with words, but it feels feels, absolutely amazing.
The second win is that I have written my second book.
Initially, I had hoped to publish it, release it on this fine day as a birthday present to myself, but I exercised some low time preference, so it will be out in a few weeks.
Instead, I wanted to give it some more time.
I did not want to rush it.
I did not want to repeat my mistake I did with the first edition of Dauntless in 2019, which was somewhat rushed, so I took some extra time with this one, so that the book is perfect upon its first release, and I do hope that it will be a popular and well loved book for many years to come.
So the point being is the following, that you have to put your wins and losses against each other and make sure that your wins, that they weigh heavier than your losses.
Now there is a popular inspirational quote which I sort of like myself, but I would like to caution against it as well.
So it's from one of the Rocky films, and I do like the Rocky films.
I found them very inspirational in my youth when I watched them.
So basically, Rocky says something along the lines of, it is not how hard you can hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.
And of course this it's a boxing film, so he's talking also about boxing, the sport of boxing, but it's a metaphor for life, Many hardships you can push through.
So, it's a good attitude to have, but it's not enough because you also need to punch hard.
You also need to be able to dish out some damage in a fight.
If we're talking about actual martial arts, of course, you have to be able to deal some damage as well.
You can't only focus on your defense.
And when it comes to life, you can't only weather the storm, you also have to make things happen, even though you're getting hammered with bad news.
And if you can withstand the storm, so to speak, or is the drizzle of rain pouring down upon you, and you can be productive at the same time, it will yield a win.
So, what you don't want to do is you don't want to put yourself in a state where you are constantly on the defensive.
You also have to go on the offensive and the metaphor.
We're talking about life here, we're not talking about martial arts, but the two are often quite similar: life and martial arts.
So, you can view yourself as fighting against life itself.
And of course, you love life, it's a complicated relationship to have with life.
Either way, you have to go on the offensive as well.
Otherwise, yeah, you won't when you balance the losses and wins.
If you don't stack up some great W's in the win column, then yeah, then things will not be good.
So, you have to work continuously.
And if you do feel demoralized when bad things are happening, you can at least think to yourself that if I keep working towards my goals, the achievement of those goals, those wins, will far outweigh the bad stuff.
So, that's a good way for you to cope.
Actually, it's a coping mechanism in a way to work hard.
It's a coping mechanism.
So, a good way for you to cope with hardships and problems and setbacks is to work towards your goals because then you know that at least if I continue along this course of action, even though it might not be a pleasant time, but if I do continue to push forward to my goals, then when I reach those goals, the bad energies of the problems will be mugged, so to speak, by the positive energies of the wins.
So, those were my thoughts for this yearly birthday video.
I hope it makes sense.
At least I am happy and I'm happy for many things.
So, these other problems get mugged by the good stuff.
So, I work hard to achieve my goals, and my goals mug the problems that are constantly being thrown my way.
So, I'm happy and optimistic, regardless.
So, yeah, to conclude, do work towards your goals.
And if you feel a bit demotivated from time to time, just keep that in mind.
That once you reach your goals, that will that will heal your tormented spirit if you have been under stress and stuff like that.
So, yeah, something to keep in mind.
Now, I will eat some cake.
I believe this is the only reasonable course of action.
Do check out all links in the description box below.
Do read Dauntless if you haven't already.
You can read it before you read Demigod Mentality, which will be out in, yeah, as I said, in a few weeks.
I'll make a video on it when it's out.
And make sure to subscribe to the greatest podcast.
I release two episodes a month now.
I have some more time since I'm done with the book.
Good stuff, good stuff indeed.
Now, thank you for watching, and thank you for your continued support.
