Links:

* Jonathan Haidt afterbabel.com

* Nobody but You, by Charles Bukowski https://wordsfortheyear.com/2014/06/22/nobody-but-you-by-charles-bukowski/

* The Obstacle is the Way, by Ryan Holiday https://www.amazon.com/Obstacle-Way-Timeless-Turning-Triumph/dp/1591846358

* Tim Ferriss interviews Rich Roll https://tim.blog/2022/01/04/rich-roll/

* Winning the Battle Against Social Anxiety

https://getbettersoon.substack.com/p/winning-the-battle-against-social

INTRO

* 7 key principles for living a meaningful, fulfilling life

* Principles balance personal growth, relationships, and long-term happiness

* Emphasize taking control of your own story while accepting life's realities

PRINCIPLE 1: BECOME THE PROTAGONIST OF YOUR OWN STORY

* Focus on what YOU can control; accept what you can't change

* View life as a game: you can't change the rules, but can change how you play

* Where possible, work to change systems (vote, protest, join committees)

* Remember: as an adult, no heroes are coming to save you

* Only you can be the master of your destiny

* Reference: Charles Bukowski poem "nobody but you"

PRINCIPLE 2: DISCOVER YOUR TALENTS WHILE SECURING YOUR FUTURE

* Try many things when young, especially activities outside your comfort zone

* When you find something you love, double down on it

* Balance passion with practicality – money matters

* Find the intersection between:

* Your skills

* Your interests

* What earns a living you're comfortable with

* It's perfectly fine if your passion becomes a hobby while your career provides stability

PRINCIPLE 3: DEVELOP RESILIENCE AND WORK ETHIC

* Life is hard; rejection and failure are inevitable

* Learn to get back up, dust yourself off, and continue

* Use setbacks as springboards to success

* Ask for help when needed

* Remember: "Discomfort is the price we pay to grow"

* Things most worth achieving rarely come easy

PRINCIPLE 4: CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNITY

* These people support you when life takes difficult turns

* Nurture family bonds, even with imperfect families

* Develop in-person communities (more valuable than online ones)

* Build friendships and romantic relationships based on:

* Trust

* Mutual understanding

* Shared experiences and interests

* Consider marriage/children as one path to built-in purpose and connection

* Think about long-term happiness, not just immediate satisfaction

PRINCIPLE 5: FIND PURPOSE IN A MISSION OR JOURNEY

* Aim sights at larger purpose beyond day-to-day living

* Being entertained ≠ being happy long-term

* Examples of missions: writing a novel, learning new skills, travel goals

* Without a mission: addiction, anxiety, depression find their opening

* Key question to ask yourself: "Who am I becoming?"

* Most meaningful missions involve serving others or contributing to something larger

PRINCIPLE 6: PRIORITIZE PHYSICAL HEALTH

* You only get one body – treat it with respect

* Focus on sleep, nutrition, exercise, and preventative healthcare

* Physical wellbeing directly impacts mental health and productivity

* Small, consistent habits yield better results than periodic extreme efforts

PRINCIPLE 7: EMBRACE GRATITUDE AND SPIRITUALITY

* Develop connection with the majesty of life

* Remember our smallness in the grand scheme

* Practice gratitude regularly (journaling, mindful moments)

* It's okay to pray even if you're atheist

* Sometimes it feels good to speak desires into existence

CLOSING THOUGHTS

* These principles work together to create a foundation for fulfillment

* Balance between what we can control and accepting what we can't

* Life requires both personal ambition and connection to something greater

* Focus on becoming protagonist of your own story while recognizing you're part of something larger

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