Per Aspera Ad Astra
This issue is about the illusion of privilege, forms of government, and the fighter’s mindset.
In this issue we’re learning about different forms of government, having Admiral McRaven teach us his ten lessons from basic SEAL training, and we’re learning why things seem to always be so complicated. And finally, in a new article we’re exploring how responsibility is our gateway to freedom and why it should be claimed at all times.
✨ Sparks
🤓 Encyclopedia: Ochlocracy
Ancient Greek term describing one of the three “bad” forms of government—as opposed to the three “good” forms of government—in which a mass of people that intimidates legitimate authorities selfishly enforces its political decisions as a majority or by violence. “Good” and “bad” refers to whether the government form would act in the interest of the whole community (“good”) or in the exclusive interests of a group or individual at the expense of justice (“bad”).
An example would be violent activist groups that harm other people or their statutory rights, e.g. property or freedom of speech.
📝 Article: How It All Works (A Few Short Stories)
Lighthearted collection of small life lessons that spark your thinking.
Morgan Housel
🎬 YouTube Video: Admiral McRaven addresses the University of Texas
Discover how to change the world by changing peoples’ lives and learn from Admiral McRaven his ten lessons from basic SEAL training. If you want to change the world, ...
- ...start off by making your bed
- ...find someone to help you paddle
- ...measure a person by the size of their heart, not by the size of their flippers
- ...get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward
- …don’t be afraid of the circuses
- ...sometimes you have to slide down the obstacles head first
- …don’t back down from the sharks
- ...you must be your very best in the darkest moments
- ...start singing when you’re up to your neck in mud
- …don’t ever, ever ring the bell
🆕 New Content
📝 Article: Dump Privilege, Embrace Responsibility
If you believe in the modern concept of privilege, you can’t live a self-determined life. Learn to assume responsibility at all times and liberate yourself from external manipulation.
Ferdinand Kutschker
🙏🏻 Gratitude Journal
One of the most powerful daily practices to liberate yourself from mental downward spirals is to bring the things to your attention that you are grateful for.
- I am grateful for the human noise that helps me to appreciate silence
- I am grateful for the invention of music
- I am grateful for my body constantly repairing and rebuilding itself
What are you grateful for?
💡 This Week’s Wisdom
“Why do they make things so complicated?” he asked the Englishman one night. The boy had noticed that the Englishman was irritable, and missed his books.
“So that those who have the responsibility for understanding can understand,” he said. “Imagine if everyone went around transforming lead into gold. Gold would lose its value. It’s only those who are persistent, and willing to study things deeply, who achieve the Master Work. [...]”
From The Alchemist by PAULO COELHO.
Captured and resurfaced using the phenomenal Kindle reader.
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