KB19 - The Friday 4 - The Truman Show

Read Time: 6 Minutes

Today's issue is sponsored by Discipline Clothing

I’m excited to launch the first two signature t-shirts of my brand-new clothing range Discipline.

My motto has always been “Hard Things, Easy Life, Easy Things, Hard Life"

And what this clothing line represents is the daily struggle that we all face to do the things we know we need to do even though we don’t want to do them.

To celebrate the launch, every person that buys a T-Shirt this month will be put into a draw to win a Year Membership To My Mindset with Muscle Academy in July.

To grab yourself a Discipline T-Shirt Click Here

And by Pliability.

In the past, I had struggled to get into a daily stretching routine even though I understand how important it is to help reduce stress levels and the risk of injuries in the gym.

I then stumbled upon Pliability, and for the last 18 months, I've barely missed a day, and I feel awesome!

To check it out and, most importantly, to grab your free 14-Day Trial, Click Here

#1 - Wabi Sabi

Wabi-Sabi is an age-old Japanese aesthetic concept deeply embedded in their culture and arguably the backbone of their appreciation of beauty.

Wabi-Sabi is the art of finding beauty in imperfection and accepting the natural cycle of growth, decay, and death.

It embodies principles that can profoundly influence how we live and perceive the world around us.

It encourages us to embrace our flaws rather than stressing over an impossible pursuit of perfection.

We’re all wonderfully imperfect creatures, and learning to appreciate those quirks and 'blemishes' can make us more accepting of ourselves and others.

Remember when you were obsessing over a tiny mistake you made in a presentation that no one else noticed?

That's where Wabi-Sabi comes in, reminding us to appreciate our unique, imperfect journey.

So, next time you find yourself battling for perfection, or hanging onto something past its time, remember Wabi-Sabi.

Embrace your imperfections, appreciate the beauty of fleeting moments, and recognise the exquisite charm in the modest and humble.

#2 - You Can’t Change The People Around You

Let's delve into a quote that might seem like it's tripping over its own feet, but trust me; it’s a gem of wisdom.

Here it is:

"You can't change the people around you, but you can change the people around you."

Sounds a bit bonkers, doesn't it?

Let’s break it down, shall we?

Now, I’m sure we’ve all tried to change someone at some point, be it a significant other, a stubborn mate, or even a rowdy co-worker.

I mean, come on, wouldn't life be simpler if people just listened to our grand plans for them?

If they just fixed that one annoying habit, they'd be perfect, right?

Wrong.

Here’s the harsh truth, folks - you can’t change people.

Everyone has their unique quirks, values, and perceptions, just like you do.

Trying to mould someone into your ideal version is a losing battle and, it's exhausting.

Not just for you, but for them too.

So that's the first part of our little puzzle.

Moving on to the second bit. Now, while you can't change the people around you, what you can do is change the people you choose to surround yourself with.

And trust me, that makes a world of difference.

Life's too short to spend around people who bring you down or suck the joy out of your days.

Instead, why not hang out with those who inspire you, challenge you, and make you want to be a better version of yourself?

It’s about surrounding yourself with a positive, supportive tribe that vibes with your values and goals.

Remember though, this isn't a one-way street.

While you're busy finding your tribe, ensure that you're also the kind of person someone would love to have in their corner.

It's not about being perfect (remember Wabi Sabi)

It's about being real, being kind, and being someone who lifts others up.

#3 - The Truman Show

Do you remember that Jim Carrey classic, "The Truman Show"?

Where he discovers his entire life is actually a televised show.

You've probably had one of those moments where you feel like the universe is solely concentrated on your actions, right?

Like you're on stage, under the spotlight, with the world watching your every move.

Some days it feels like even the birds are extras in the grand production that is your life.

Sound familiar?

Here's the funny part - we all feel like that.

Every one of us believes we're the star of our own film.

And guess what, in this grand narrative, everyone else just becomes the supporting cast, or even extras in some scenes.

Now, before you start worrying about hidden cameras in your ceiling, let's set the record straight.

This isn't about fostering paranoia; instead, it's about realising that everyone is the protagonist in their own life, just like you are in yours.

Everyone around you is living their own version of "The Truman Show."

They're navigating their storylines, facing their unique challenges, celebrating their victories.

They’re not just background characters; they have their own spotlight, just like you do.

Recognising this shared experience can help us build deeper connections with people.

It can make us more empathetic, more understanding. After all, we're all trying to make sense of our own shows, right?

Remember, just like in the movie, there's a whole wide world outside our self-crafted shows.

The world doesn't revolve around any single one of us, and that’s a beautiful thing.

It means we can choose to be more than just passive actors.

We can step out of our bubble, interact with other "Trumans" and enrich our own stories.

So, next time you feel like you're on the Truman boat, remember everyone else is sailing their own.

Try to see beyond your script and take a peek at others'.

You might just discover that their shows are as fascinating, complex, and beautifully imperfect as yours.

#4 - Birds Finding Shelter

I’ve got another cracker of a quote for you this week which we’re going to break down…

"All Birds find shelter during rain. But Eagles avoid rain by flying above the Clouds. Problems are common, but attitude makes the difference." -Abdul Kalam

Imagine this - a storm's brewing and all the birds are flapping off in a frenzy to find shelter.

All, except one, that is. The eagle.

This magnificent creature, instead of hiding, soars above the storm.

Now, before you rush off to buy an eagle mask, let's see what Abdul really means…

See, in this analogy, the rain represents the problems we all face.

Just like those pesky showers, problems are a universal experience.

They're a part of life, whether we like it or not.

But here's where the eagle comes in.

Instead of looking for a place to hide from the storm, the eagle uses the wind to rise above it.

It changes its perspective, literally rising above the problem.

And that's exactly what Abdul wants us to do.

When we encounter a problem, we have two choices -

be like the other birds and seek shelter, or be like the eagle and rise above.

It's not about ignoring the problem, it's about changing our viewpoint to find a solution.

This shift in attitude can turn a challenge into an opportunity.

A chance to learn, to grow, to soar. It's about facing the storm head-on and emerging stronger on the other side.

So, next time you find yourself in a downpour, remember to channel your inner eagle.

Problems are common, but your attitude? That's what makes the difference.

TL:DR

👉 Wabi Sabi -We’re all wonderfully imperfect creatures and learning to appreciate those quirks and 'blemishes' can make us more accepting of ourselves and others.

👉 You Can’t Change People and life's too short to spend around people who bring you down or suck the joy out of your days.

👉 We are all stars of our movies, and everyone else is just extras. Try to see beyond your script and take a peek at others.

👉 Be an Eagle. Life is about facing the storm head-on and emerging stronger on the other side.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s Friday Four, and I’ll see you next week for another Instalment.

Jay Alderton