Judgemental Parents

People who grew up with judgmental parents often have a very distorted view of reality; they think the whole world is out there trying to get them, when it’s clear that everyone is focused on their own problems and that no one cares.

Adult friendships

Long-lasting adult friendships mostly happen between high-energy people because most other people are too tired to bother keeping in touch over the years.

The best goal in life

The best goal in life is actually something that you never fully reach, although the attempts alone will make you grow into who you want to be, and before you know it, you will also be surrounded by the people you wanted to be with.

The power of sport

Sports are really honest because you can’t lie to yourself. As far as trusting yourself, the power of sport is unparalleled because it is evidence over affirmation. You don’t tell yourself, ‘Oh, I can handle the pressure. Oh, I’m so great.’ You do it time and time again.

What you did contribute

When you don't contribute in the way you wanted, you stop seeing all the ways you did contribute. You measure what happened against what you imagined would happen. The letdown isn't really about how much you contributed. It's about how far reality differed from the version you'd imagined. The lesson here isn't to stop wanting to make a bigger contribution, but rather to make an honest account of what you did contribute. When you feel like your contribution didn't matter, ask yourself what you're really measuring against.

Where is your energy better spent right now?

If you want a plant to grow, you can fuss over it every day, watering, weeding, and moving it toward the sun. Or you can place it in the right soil and let nature do most of the work. A seed planted in the right spot often thrives on its own. Life is much the same. Progress is not only about how hard you work, but also about where you decide to work. Where is your energy better spent right now: pushing harder or planting yourself in better ground?

A master in the art of living

A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between work and play; labor and leisure; mind and body; education and recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.