Thought

If you live long enough, I promise you one thing:

Sooner or later, you will face a catastrophe that will bring you to your knees.

Many seem to believe that life is meant to be happy. When I look around, I don’t see this in reality. As they say, Jesus was never seen laughing, but often found weeping.

Happiness is like a fickle friend who is the life of the party when they deign to show up, but not to be counted on when the shit hits the fan.

We should appreciate the happy moments, but always remember, they come and go at their own whim.

In my experience, happiness isn’t the core of life.

Life is struggle.

It’s only through the struggle that you can uncover your true Self.

Self with a capital “S” to denote your highest, ultimate version.

Men are born to strive for excellence and no one ever achieved excellence by smoking weed and playing video games on mom’s couch.

There’s a major distinction to be drawn between being and becoming.

The road of becoming is filled with danger and failure, but ultimately ends in victory and glory.

This is why “just be yourself” is terrible advice, you can’t just up and decide one day to be yourself. You probably don’t even know who you are yet. If you’re already good as is, what’s the point of this thing?

“Just be yourself” robs you of the hero’s journey that is the birthright of every man.

You need a dragon to slay.

When all the dragons are dead, the story ends.

If I continued to “just be myself” from who I thought I was at 18, I would’ve never accomplished anything. In fact, I’d be a complete loser. Even 5 years ago, I wasn’t nearly as close to my Self as I am today.

Many of the things I thought were “me” simply weren’t. Until you face the fire of reality, it’s all theoretical.

I can only imagine how much more this process will continue over the course of my life. I know there are dragons lurking around the next twist on the path.

The frame is this:

Becoming your Self is the great adventure of your life.

So, how do find your Self?

Instead of endlessly chasing happiness, you’re better off pursuing meaning.

Meaning doesn’t care if life is easy or hard. If anything, meaning only increases in value in the face of hardship.

Learning how to engage the inevitable hardships nimbly and resolutely is the secret to not squandering your life.

The dragon appears in many guises. Time and again, you must confront him, do battle and win.

In slaying the dragon, you reveal your Self.

This is the path all Kings must tread.

Tactic

In ancient Rome, there was a concept called Dignitas.

To have dignitas, one had to possess a high moral character, behave in a dignified manner and maintain his personal reputation.

Ultimately, it was a man’s claim on respect.

Respect is the most valuable currency on Earth.

If you spent your entire life optimizing for respect, it would be a life well spent.

One way men lose respect is with poor behavior in the face of a crisis. They react and get emotional. They make rash decisions and break with their honor code. They do things that later fill them with regret.

This is not the way.

You may be asking yourself, what is the way then?

I’ll tell you:

When engulfed in flames, make dignity your lodestar.

“I wish I’d been less dignified,” said no man ever.

Dignity is an impenetrable fortress. No man ever regretted his dignified conduct.

Dignity is calm, dispassionate and thoughtful.

A dignified man remembers that one day he will die and the only thing that matters at the end is his character.

A dignified man is an honorable man.

Honor is eternal.

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Tome

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I hope this week’s 5 T’s have your T levels surging!

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In Victory,

Alexander