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The Great Victory of the Japanese Navy off Haiyang Island (First Sino-Japanese War) by Nakamura Shūkō

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The plan is to MOVE. Move out. Move on. Move forward. Move up. Move smarter

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Snow Storm: Hannibal and his Army Crossing the Alps by J. M. W. Turner

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cultivate your attention

be conscious of your sense impressions, your thoughts, your impulses

observe discomfort and expand in it

notice unease, the sense of misalignment, correct accordingly

establish rituals that remind you of your higher self

do not shy away from difficulty

let joy enter you

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We often expect others to take care of us while we cavil against the inadequacies of our affiliations and wonder why our roles alone fail to confirm our maturity and provide continuing satisfaction. From this gap between the expectations of our projections and transferences, we may, from time to time, come to realize that we are accountable for how things are playing out. When that realization occurs, a heroic summons follows. What am l asking of the other that I am not addressing myself? I suspect that all of us have a sneaking suspicion that we are deferring this question, this responsibility, and have done so for a long time. This question is heroic because it embodies a shift in our center of gravity from the "other" out there, to the other within. In other words, something in each of us always knows when we are shirking, avoiding, procrastinating, or rationalizing. Sometimes, we are obliged to face these uncomfortable facts when our plans, relationships, and expectations of others collapse, and we are left holding the bag of consequences. Sometimes others get in our face and demand we deal with what we have avoided. Sometimes, we have interruptive symptoms, troubling dreams, and meetings with ourselves in dark hours, and then we must face the fugitive life we are perpetuating.

Living an Examined Life

James Hollis

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Men don't build anything anymore, knowing that it will serve mankind for centuries to come. Beautiful creations once upon a time, now lost to Legoland garbage. We once created civilizations. Now we just consume. And that makes me sad.

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~ from pinterest

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"Remember how long you've been putting this off, how many extensions the gods gave you, and you didn't use them. At some point you have to recognize what world it is that you belong to; what power rules it and from what source you spring; that there is a limit to the time assigned you, and if you don't use it to free yourself it will be gone and will never return."

Marcus Aurelius - Meditations, Book 2, 4.

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The world is rich if you open yourself to it: seek knowledge and have it be your currency in life. surround yourself with people of all ages, every decade carries its own invaluable richness. seek wisdom from all walks of life, there are infinite lessons to uncover. read books from across the globe and authors of diverse perspectives. learn multiple languages to expand your mind beyond a single language system, it will bring nuance, depth and a broader perception of the world. be curious about history, discover the patterns and connections that have shaped humanity, most answers are already there waiting for you. practice gratitude and humility and find beauty in the smallest things. spend time in nature and draw inspiration from its endless wonder and beauty. quiet the noise within you and listen more to understand. explore art in all its forms and create or build something by yourself. stay open to change because growth often lies in the unknown.

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“People don’t understand the word ruthless. They think it means ‘mean.’ It’s not about being mean. It’s about seeing the bright, clear line that leads from A to B. The line that goes from motive to means. Beginning to end. It’s about seeing that bright, clear line and not caring about anything but the beautiful fact that you can see the solution. Not caring about anything else but the perfection of it.”

- Marco, Book #30: The Reunion, pg. 71 (by K.A. Applegate)

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Title: A Young Woman Holding a Distaff Before a Lit Candle Artist: Adam de Coster (Flemish, ca. 1586-1643) Date: unknown Genre: portraiture Period: Baroque Movement: Antwerp Caravaggisti; Tenebrism Medium: oil on canvas Dimensions: 134 cm (52.7 in) high x 94.9 cm (37.3 in) wide Location: private collection

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prettybadco

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A Rough Sea, by Jean Baptiste Henri Durand-Brager (1814–1879)

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They look down on you because you practice delayed gratification, because you don’t live solely in the moment but plan for the future. They dislike you because you refuse to follow the crowd, and your choices remind them of their own shortcomings. Understanding this will help you stop questioning why people go against you when you haven’t wronged them and keep you from expecting others to understand your lifestyle and viewpoints. Their disapproval should never derail you from your path. Your consistency and perseverance will, in due time, lead to a plentiful harvest—one they won’t have the privilege to share.