The Initial Findings of a Self-Proclaimed “Student of Life"
I’ve spent the past eight months with the self-given full time job title of student of life, gifting myself a period of time wholly dedicated to learning, curiosity, growth, and discovery.
Spending weeks at time in an array of cities around the world, I’ve gotten lost in countless hours of exploration — my heart fully immersed in conversations with strangers, colleagues, and loved ones about what life is all about; my nose deep in books, papers, and coursework questioning and unpacking ancient and modern philosophies on life and the nature of the human experience; my mind a sponge, observing the ways in which we each move, speak, and express ourselves as we navigate the twists and turns of our lives.
It’s been the most beautiful, awe-inspiring, transformational chapter of my life thus far.
Here’s what I’ve found, distilled into three succinct observations:
The human experience is both unbearably complex and shockingly simple. So much of life lies outside of our control. But goddamn — so much lies within it. The things that happen to us are mere variables in the equations of our lives. How we perceive and react to these things is where the real magic lies. And we have significantly more power in dictating our perceptions than we’re often aware of. You hold the keys to your own happiness.
When you’re onto something good, you know it. Our beings are full of indicator lights, firing on all cylinders at all times. Each of us is wired differently, triggered differently. Inspiration, dread, excitement, disgust, love — these emotions and countless others light up within us in different moments, triggered by our own unique sets of values, interests, passions. By learning to truly listen, to give these indicator lights the attention they call for, we uncover our unique paths that will lead us to fulfilling lives. And when you’re on the right track, you’ll feel it in your bones.
The most profound gift we can give ourselves is that of curiosity, inquiry, and self-discovery. Perhaps Socrates was onto something when he proclaimed that, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” After all, inquiry is an inherent prerequisite for expansion, wisdom, and knowledge; if the question has never been asked, the space has not been created for the answer to reside within. Each of us is the keeper of a rolodex of intrinsic wisdom, answers as individualized as the curves on the pads of our fingers. And only we can uncover them from within ourselves. Don’t do yourself the disservice of neglecting to look.
So I invite you to wonder: are you giving yourself the gift of a fulfilling life?
Opportunity to make your life richer, more meaningful, and more beautiful is ripe in each and every moment. In fact, I’m serving you one on a silver platter right now.
Give it some thought. And hey, if you want someone to share in your inquiry, give me a call — I live for these conversations. How am I so sure? I can feel it in my bones.
