II. Embrace the Learning Curve
Start again.
"Not to feel exasperated, or defeated, or despondent because your days aren't packed with wise and moral actions. But to get back up when you fail, to celebrate behaving like a human—however imperfectly—and fully embrace the pursuit that you've embarked on." —Marcus Aurelius
It's frustrating to learn something new, isn’t it?
You feel dumb. You can't seem to stop making errors.
You want to shout. Punch a wall. Cry.
Others are doing well.
"It can't be that difficult," you think to yourself.
Discouraged, you're close to giving up. Or have already given up.
Realize this. Everything in nature is born weak, but has a capacity for growth.
It's not your fault you were born this way. But it's shameful if you persist in that primordial form.
Purity of being and skill is the ideal to aim at because that's what brings the ultimate satisfaction and what the Stoics call preferred indifferents like wealth, reputation and respect.
It's wise to believe you were born for a purpose and important you don't underestimate your ability to learn.
There's a lot the mind can integrate if you practice with intent and don't give up on yourself. If you notice mistakes instead of reacting to them. If you have a model of what the ideal should look and feel like.
This works if you want to improve your character, get a stronger body, control your emotions, start a business, build relationships, lead, or master a craft.
You'll soon develop the confidence to try out more. To learn. Move a bit further. Improve other areas of your life.
That's how you'll become a great person and fulfill all the promises you've made yourself.
Start again. Embrace the learning curve.
Today's task:
Pick up a habit you had given up on, remind yourself why it's important and recommit.
See you tomorrow. xo
A.V