Welcome to the 2nd season of The Nomad Show.

In this episode, I interview a long term friend Chinedu Akunne, PharmD of @immvestor and https://www.facebook.com/immvestor/ as he shares his story and his thoughts on open mindedness and self confidence. I am excited for you to listen.

“When jarred, unavoidably, by circumstance, revert at once to yourself, and don’t lose the rhythm more than you can help. You’ll have a better group of harmony if you keep on going back to it.”

-Marcus Aurelius

This is a practice that required deliberate effort. its not just about meditation, although that helps. I find it more helpful to anchor your thoughts in the present, constantly bringing yourself back to the moment whenever you find yourself worrying about the past or dreaming about the future.

Individuals with narcissistic and echoistic tendencies are often drawn to one another because they provide psychological needs.

The narcissistic need for attention, affection, and adoration; coupled with the echoistic need for structure, charisma and self assuredness.

We live in a consumerist culture where we think that more is better. More likes, more followers, more food, more money, more cars, more shoes, more clothes, more jewelry. It is easy to fall in the trap of more, the trappings of easily available items that provide fleeting joy.

We seek a “new high”- the internal excitement that comes with novelty, the dopamine rush that is associated with constant stimulation. Once that sensation wears off, the dissatisfaction ensues, and the cycle begins again.

If one is to be empathetic, one has to be the non judgmental watcher of the other; understanding another person’s thoughts, feelings and emotions from their point of view without preconceptions and judgment.

Self improvement is the ultimate form of self acceptance. We want to be the best version of ourselves, we also want to be ok with who we are. For one to truly grow, we have to accept the current state- with all its flaws and imperfections. Self acceptance does not mean wallowing in shame, or living in denial. It involves knowing the difference between what you can and cannot change; and having the fortitude to make massive change in the areas that you can affect.

It is the true path to serenity.

Is self doubt a normal response to being an outsider and not a sign of lack of ability?

Is it a typical feeling of a nomad, as opposed to an evidence of inability?

Have you been domesticated to think the world should be a certain way?

Do you expect your future to be aligned in such a specific way that you have difficulty accepting the present that is right in front of you?

Have you surrendered to the beliefs of your parents, society, popular culture, childhood dreams and desires so much so that you just want to be yourself but dont know how?