Adler says, “You are not living to satisfy other people’s expectations.” And further, “Other people are not living to satisfy your expectations.” Don’t be afraid of who might be watching; don’t pay attention to other people’s judgment; and don’t seek recognition from oth- ers. Just choose the path that is best for you, and that you believe in. Furthermore, you must not intervene in other people’s tasks, and you must not allow others to intervene in your tasks either. To those who are new to Adlerian psychology, this is a concept that has a great impact.

Quote #1

The objective of education, in a word, is self-reliance.

Quote #2

There are two objectives for behavior:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">To be self-reliant.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">To live in harmony with society.</li></ul>And there are two objectives for the psychology that sup- ports these behaviors:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">The consciousness that I have the ability.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The consciousness that people are my comrades.</li></ul>

Quote #3

Educators and leaders must ascertain the children’s goals instead of focusing only on their actions.

Quote #4

Youth: But if you don’t praise them at that point, they’ll lose their drive and turn into children who don’t do anything at all. And in some cases, they’ll start engaging in improper behavior, won’t they?Philosopher: No. You teach them continually that they have worth, even if they are not “special,” by showing them respect.Youth: Concretely speaking, how do you do that?Philosopher: Instead of focusing on whenever a child does some “good thing,” turn your attention to the smaller everyday details of their words and actions. And then focus on and sympathize with that person’s concerns.

Quote #5

Philosopher: The fifth stage of problem behavior is “proof of incompetence.”Youth: Proof of incompetence?Philosopher: That’s right. Here, please try to think about it as if it were you yourself. Though you have taken all sorts of steps to ensure that you will be treated as a “special being,” none of them is going as planned. Your parents and teachers, and even your classmates, are not hating you as you wish them to. You cannot find a “place to be” in either the classroom or at home.

Quote #6

The objective of education is “self-reliance.” And the educator is a “counselor.”

Quote #7

Youth: A sickness of the entire classroom?Philosopher: Yes, it is a disease called the principle of competition. What is needed of educators is to look at the community in which the problem behavior is occurring, not at the individual who is engaging in it. And then, instead of attempting to treat the individual, to go about treating the community itself.

Quote #8

Adlerian psychology is a horizontal relationship–based “psychology of democracy.”

Quote #9

By saving another person, one tries to be saved oneself. By passing oneself off as a kind of savior, one attempts to realize one’s own worth. This is one form of the superiority complex that people who cannot dispel their feelings of inferiority often fall into, and is generally referred to as a “messiah complex.” It is a mental perversion of wanting to be a messiah, a savior of others.

Quote #10

Philosopher: Being self-centered does not mean looking only at oneself because one “likes oneself.” In actuality, the opposite is the case, and it is because one is unable to accept oneself as one is, and because one is constantly beset with anxiety, that one has concern only for oneself.Youth: So, you’re saying that because I “hate myself,” I look only at myself!?Philosopher: Yes, that’s right.

Quote #11

Philosopher: Self-reliance is “breaking away from self- centeredness.”Youth: … !!Philosopher: This is why Adler called community feeling “social interest,” and also referred to it as concern for soci- ety and concern for others. We have to get past our obsti- nate self-centeredness and stop trying to be the center of the world. One has to break away from “me.” One has to break away from one’s pampered childhood lifestyle.

Quote #12

Philosopher: Marriage is not a matter of choosing a “target.” It is a matter of choosing one’s way of living.Youth: Choosing a way of living! Then, the “target” can be anyone?Philosopher: Ultimately, yes.Youth: Don’t mess around!! Who would ever recognize such a statement? Retract that, retract it right away!!Philosopher: I recognize that this is a view that is met with a great deal of opposition. But we are able to love anyone.

Quote #13

Of course, there are many people who felt “destiny” on meeting someone and decided to get married in accordance with that intuition. But that is not a previously established destiny. It is only that one decided to believe it was destiny. As Fromm remarked, “Loving someone is not simply an intense emotion. It is a decision, it is a judgment, it is a promise.” It doesn’t matter how the meeting happens, if one makes the firm decision to build real love from that point, and one confronts the “task accomplished by two people.” Love is possible with any partner.

Quote #14

Youth: Love and marriage are the dance that two people make together. Philosopher: You are standing now at the edge of the dance floor of life and watching other people dance. You are assuming that “there couldn’t be anyone who would dance with someone like me,” while in your heart you are waiting impatiently for your “destined one” to reach their hand out to you. You are doing everything you can to endure and to protect yourself, so that you do not feel any more miserable than you do already, and so that you do not begin to dislike yourself.

Quote #15

There is one thing that you should do. Take the hand of the person beside you and try to do the best dance that you can possibly do in that moment. Your destiny will start from there.

Quote #16

A single book can change your life. Already an enormous bestseller in Asia, with more than 3 million copies sold, The Courage to be Disliked demonstrates how to unlock the power within yourself to be the person you truly want to be. Using the theories of Alfred Adler, one of the three giants of 19th century psychology alongside Freud and Jung, it follows an illuminating conversation between a philosopher and a young man. The philosopher explains to his pupil how each of us is able to determine our own lives, free of the shackles of past experiences, doubts and the expectations of others. It's a way of thinking that's deeply liberating, allowing us to develop the courage to change, and to ignore the limitations that we and those around us can place on ourselves. The result is a book that is both highly accessible and profound in its importance. Millions have already read and benefited from its wisdom. Now that The Courage to be Disliked has been published for the first time in English, so can you

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

philosophy

Philosophy

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

books

Books

Ichiro KISHIMI Philosopher, Adlerian psychologist and translator of English and German languages. Born in 1956.M.A.in philosophy from Kyoto University. Director of the Japanese Society of Adlerian psychology. Former counselor at Maeda Clinic in Kyoto and has taught philosophy and ancient Greek at various institutions such as Kyoto University of Education and Nara Women's University. He presently teaches educational psychology and clinical psychology at Meiji School of Oriental Medicine in Suita, Osaka. Kishimi now has his own private counseling office in Kameoka, Kyoto, and devotes his time to giving lectures on Adlerian Psychology and child education.

Ichiro Kishimi

Fumitake Koga is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Fumitake Koga has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Fumitake Koga's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Fumitake Koga

The Courage to Be Disliked

Following the brief period in philosophy known as “The Enlightenment”, skepticism brought down the credibility of the Metaphysics. Whilst praised and encouraged by Great Minds such as Plato and Aristotle, and brought forth in a theological context by Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, the resulting Thomist schools were left to fend for themselves. Every philosopher had his own understanding of Metaphysical laws and principals. Little to no one could agree on anything, and the philosophical halt led many falling under such suspicion of the metaphysic’s credibility, as to reject them completely.

Post-Enlightenment

Nietzsche’s philosophy of the will and his implementation into philosophic culture at the turn of the 20th century is one of the most hard hitting, and sharp breaks in philosophic development. His Anti-Metaphysics and counter to socratic ideals set up for many to fall under his umbrella. He promoted ideas that while not sourcing, are often used in the Atheistic argument. He worked to discredit Socrates, and the Greek philosophers as being the biggest mistake in all of philosophy. Nietzsche’s philosophy of the will asked us to pursue happiness, and we will eventually know our virtues.

Friedrich Nietzsche’s Anti-Metaphysical Followup.

“The church always arrives on the scene a little breathless and a little late.”

Heavily inspired off of Hans-Georg Gadamer’s Hermeneutical Circle of Understanding, Lonergan proposed to reverse the philosophical approach to questions, as to bring to light the importance and power of a well formed Theology.The Ancient Greeks wanted to promote the Metaphysics by Ordering their Philosophy as:<ol><li>Metaphysics</li><li>Epistemology</li><li>Ethics</li></ol>Lonergan found that one could not rely on the ever changing (yet helpful) metaphysical laws as grounding or as a basis, and how we must instead focus on the operations of the mind. He proposes a new order:<ol><li>Cognitional Theory</li><li>Epistemology</li><li>Metaphysics</li><li>Ethics</li></ol>

Lonergan And The Hermeneutical Approach To The Metaphysics

DIAGRAM OF THE HERMENEUTIC CIRCLE

Lonergan’s Theory is meant to represent the operative faculties that occur in the human mind, and explain how we come to know and understand things. As we progress, we can address specific issues in a given level.<ol><li>Experience: The Data we work with, either by the senses or the imagination</li><li>Understanding: How we, ourselves, understand the data. We ask questions, and we update our understanding</li><li>Judgements: Our affirmation, whether our understanding of something is enough to us to say that it is true.</li><li>Decision: We must make a choice, how do we act based on our understanding and judgements?</li></ol>

Lonergan’s Cognitional Theory

Insights are immediate acts of understand that occur when we actively work through something and try to understand it.”Eureka!!”, shouted Archimedes upon his discoveryThat’s an insight. It’s a sudden clarity that organizes information, and prompts deeper thinking. It allows us to go forward to judgement, providing us answers to the intended questions we ask. Sometimes insights are so strong and particular, that they have no further relavent questions result from them. We call these invulnerable insights. Lonergan went into excruciating detail on the idea in his predating Magnum Opus ‘Insight’.

The Nature of Insights

Judgment is both a level and a distinct act. It allows us to act on certain notions, and reflect. Different judgements result from different objects and questions.Types of Judgments: <ul><li>Judgments of Fact: An assertion of existence (e.g., "It is raining").</li><li>Judgments of Value: An assessment of personal significance (e.g., "This artwork is beautiful").</li><li>Judgments of Preference: Expressing Inclinations (e.g., "I prefer tea over coffee").</li></ul>Lonergan wants us to judge objects and notions beyond ourselves (transient), and pursue such notions as to avoid bias and pursue something that we find good.

The Notion of Judgements

Lonergan wants us to be better. To put it bluntly. Just as being Selfless, is the most redeeming quality one could have, considering and judging based off of ideas and objects beyond our selves and our biases (referred to as Transcendental Notions), can help us determine what is important and good for us.Lonergan calls these particular goods. And as a part of our gregarious nature, lonergan finds that as we pursue out particular goods, we take on roles, that let us incidentally and purposefully contribute to our communities and what he calls the Good of Order .

Lonergan’s Good & Transcendental Notions

As we pursue these particular goods, and work to understand more notions, and judge more values, and act, and authentically question and improve ourselves, we work towards Lonergan’s True Idea of Good, Self-Transcendence.We transcend, go beyond our previous selves. We get better, understand faster, it is a never ending, cumulative and progressive cycle. As we change (convert), we improve ourselves, reform ourselves. As we accept new values, we undergo Moral Conversion, from Satisfactions to Well-Judged and good values.In our endless pursuit, our capacity for truth, and ourselves, expand.

Self Transcendence & Coversion

“Faith ... is a conscious apprehension of something inevident, something which unlike this desk and this chair is not seen to be there, even if it enters into the fabric of our personal relations to reality with at least as much force, relevance, and moment as things which are seen to be there.”

In this idea of Self-Transcendence, and the beauty of the pursuit, and love we have, does religion come into play. Religion not only asks, but it requires the user to Self-Transcend. To consider ideas, a love, a God, one has to move beyond themselves. The rest of his ‘Method in Theology’, pursues the cognitional theory in the context of theological inquiry, and the understandings that must be undertaken if we wish to convey and interpret scripture and doctrines appropriatelyI invite you to take a read, go past these fundamental beliefs, and explore Lonergan’s brilliant mind and love for God.

Theology & The Method

This is a ‘brief’ introduction to  Bernard Lonergan’s ‘Method in Theology’; where we touch on the importance of a Cognitional theory prior to a Metaphysics, Lonergan’s approach towards the post-enlightenment philosophy, and the importance/necessity of a theology and religion.

Method in Theology stands with Insight as Bernard Lonergan's most important work. It is Lonergan's answer to those who would argue that in this time of cultural change and dissolution, the believer is afloat on a sea of multiplying theologies, without rudder or compass. Lonergan was resolute in his refusal to be defeatist on this point. While agreeing that theology must continually change to mediate between religion and culture, he worked out an integral method to guide and control this ongoing process. Method in Theology is the fruit of this labour. This critical edition has benefited from extensive research into Lonergan's typescripts and from consulting the recordings from several institutes where he lectured over the course of the work's development. Lonergan's intention was to provide a set of methods that would guide a collaborative community in the ongoing construction of a theology that would move from recovery of the data through resolution of conflicts to contemporary formulations and applications. With this work, the cognitional theory of Insight: A Study of Human Understanding underwent a surprising set of developments in the form of what he calls functional specialization.

religionandspirituality

Religion & Spirituality

Bernard Lonergan

Method in Theology

““Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭25‬ ‭

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭26‬

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭27‬-‭29‬

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭30‬-‭32‬ ‭

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭

““Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭34‬

““Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭2‬

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬-‭5‬

““Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭6‬ ‭

““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬-‭8‬

“Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬-‭11‬

““So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭12‬

““Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬-‭14‬

““Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭15‬-‭16‬

“So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭17‬-‭20

““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭21‬-‭23‬

““Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭25‬

“And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.””‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭

“And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬

“But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”he then said to the paralytic”Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭4‬-‭8‬

The next drop, Part Two in this Series, “The Words of Christ” involves 20 MORE Quotes equalling out to 43 Verses out of the Book of Mathew.

mindfulness

Mindfulness

Words of Christ (Part Two)

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses, and those of your opponent, is essential to victory. If you know both well, you won't fear the outcome of many battles.

1. Know Yourself and Your Enemy

The highest form of strategy is to win without engaging in battle by outsmarting your opponent and avoiding unnecessary conflict.

2. The Best Victory is to Win Without Fighting

Success comes to those who plan carefully and consider all possible outcomes before acting. Preparation reduces risks and increases chances of victory.

3. Prepare and Plan Meticulously

Flexibility is key. The ability to quickly adjust tactics based on new information or changing situations keeps you ahead of your opponent.

4. Adapt to Changing Circumstances

By creating ambiguity and misleading your opponent, you gain an advantage and can control the battlefield without direct confrontation.

5. Use Deception to Confuse the Enemy

Identify vulnerable points in your opponent's strategy or resources and direct your efforts there for maximum effect.

6. Exploit Your Enemy’s Weakness

Acting swiftly and unexpectedly keeps your enemy off balance, allowing you to dictate the pace of engagement.

7. Speed and Surprise are Powerful Tools

A confident leader inspires loyalty and strength within their group, which is vital to overcoming challenges and adversity.

8. Maintain Strong Leadership and Morale

Know the environment well and use it to your advantage. Favorable terrain can strengthen your position and weaken the enemy’s.

9. Control the Terrain

Wise commanders avoid wasting their forces and energy on unnecessary battles or overly risky decisions.

10. Preserve Your Resources

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

Insights from Sun Tzu’s ancient strategy guide, explained simply for modern understanding.

"There's not a dated maxim or vague prescription in it." — Newsweek Regarded as the world's oldest military treatise, this compact volume has instructed officers and tacticians for more than 2,000 years. From its origins in China, The Art of War traveled the world to inform the strategies of Napoleon and World War II generals. More recently, it has taken on a new life as a guide to competing successfully in business, law, and sports. All of The Art of War's concepts retain their value to modern readers, from the prudence of circumventing a strong opponent and taking advantage of a weak one to the wisdom of preparedness and flexibility. Other topics include strategy, tactics, maneuvering, communications, the treatment of soldiers, and the worth of well-trained officers. History enthusiasts, business thought leaders, and anyone intrigued by competition and rivalry will appreciate this elegant edition of the classic work.

humanresources

Human Resources

Sun Tzu (孫子; pinyin: Sūnzǐ) is a honorific title bestowed upon Sūn Wu (孫武 c. 544-496 BC), the author of The Art of War (孫子兵法), an immensely influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy. Sun Tzu believed in the use of the military sciences to effect outcomes that would result in peace.In the author's name, Sūn Wu, the character wu, meaning "military", is the same as the character in wu shu, or martial art. Sun Wu also has a courtesy name, Chang Qing (Cháng Qīng).

Sun Tzu

The Art of War

"The meaning of life is that it stops."

"I never wish to be easily defined."

"I write differently from what I speak, I speak differently from what I think, I think differently from the way I ought to think, and so it all proceeds into deepest darkness.

"A first sign of the beginning of understanding is the wish to die."

"There are times when I am convinced I am unfit for any human relationship.

"There is hope. But not for us."

For all those who wish to be understood...

writing

Reading & Writing

FRANZ KAFKA 

One morning, as Gregor Samsa was waking up from anxious dreams, he discovered that in bed he had been changed into a monstrous vermin.

The sister whispered, "Gregor, open the door—I beg you." Gregor had no intention of opening the door, but congratulated himself on his precaution, acquired from traveling, of locking all doors during the night, even at home.

And for a little while longer he lay quietly with weak breathing, as if perhaps waiting for normal and natural conditions to re-emerge out of the complete stillness.

All right, people did not understand his words any more, although they seemed clear enough to him, clearer than previously, perhaps because his ears had gotten used to them. But at least people now thought that things were not all right with him and were prepared to help him. The confidence and assurance with which the first arrangements had been carried out made him feel good. He felt himself included once again in the circle of humanity and was expecting from both the doctor and the locksmith, without differentiating between them with any real precision, splendid and surprising results.

Imagining that all his efforts were being followed with suspense, he bit down frantically on the key with all the force he could muster. As the key turned more, he danced around the lock.

Gregor was now shut off from his mother, who was perhaps near death, thanks to him. He could not open the door, and he did not want to chase away his sister who had to remain with her mother. At this point he has nothing to do but wait, and overwhelmed with self-reproach and worry, he began to creep and crawl over everything.

It was clear to Gregor that his father had badly misunderstood Grete's short message and was assuming that Gregor had committed some violent crime or other.

As her hands reached to the back of his father's head and she begged him to spare Gregor's life.

He did not wish to let her go from his room any more, at least not as long he lived. his frightening appearance would for the first time become useful for him. He wanted to be at all the doors of his room simultaneously and snarl back at the attackers. However, his sister should not be compelled but would remain with him voluntarily.

Then the door of the bed room opened, and Mr. Samsa appeared in his uniform, with his wife on one arm and his daughter on the other. All were a little tear stained. Now and then Grete pressed her face onto her father's arm.

Growing more silent and almost unconsciously understanding each other in their glances, they thought that the time was now at hand to seek out a good honest man for her.

The Metamorphosis (German: Die Verwandlung, also sometimes translated as The Transformation) is a novella by Franz Kafka, first published in 1915. It has been called one of the seminal works of fiction of the 20th century and is studied in colleges and universities across the Western world. The story begins with a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, waking to find himself transformed (metamorphosed) into a large, monstrous insect-like creature. The cause of Gregor's transformation is never revealed, and Kafka himself never gave an explanation. The rest of Kafka's novella deals with Gregor's attempts to adjust to his new condition as he deals with being burdensome to his parents and sister, who are repelled by the horrible, verminous creature Gregor has become.

career

Career

mentalhealth

Mental Health

artsandculture

Society, Arts & Culture

Franz Kafka

Metamorphosis

The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga offers a transformative perspective on happiness and self-empowerment.Through a philosophical dialogue, the book challenges the conventional belief that our happiness depends on others' approval or past experiences.Instead, it emphasizes the importance of living authentically, making conscious choices, and taking responsibility for our own lives.It inspires readers to embrace their true selves and live with courage, free from societal pressures and limiting beliefs.

Introduction

Many of us believe we are the result of our past. We say things like, “I’m like this because of what happened to me.” But in The Courage to Be Disliked, the authors challenge this idea.They say: you are not determined by your past. You are shaped by the choices you make now.Yes, the past may have left scars. Yes, it influenced how you think and feel. But it doesn’t have the power to decide your future unless you let it.You are not your mistakes.You are not your pain.You are not stuck.

Change yourself to be happy

Imagine carrying around a heavy bag filled with all your old stories—failures, regrets, disappointments. You’ve gotten used to the weight. But what if you could put that bag down? What if you could say, “That was part of my journey, but it’s not the whole story”?Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting. It means choosing to move forward. It means saying, “I get to decide who I become.”You can’t change the past, but you can change the meaning you give it. And with that, you can change your life.

Imagine standing at the edge of a cliff. Below is deep, cool water. Part of you wants to leap. But another part holds back. Fear whispers, What if I fall? That moment of hesitation—stuck between safety and possibility—is exactly how we often let emotions control our lives.Emotions matter. They help us understand what we need and what we care about. But problems begin when we let feelings decide everything. “I’m too scared.” “I’m still hurt.” “What if I fail?” These thoughts feel real—but they can become excuses that keep us stuck.

Don't let your emotions rule you

Some people live inside their past wounds. They say, “Because I was hurt before, I can’t move forward.” But healing doesn’t mean forgetting—it means choosing to grow anyway.We all have a comfort zone. It feels safe, predictable. But true growth only happens when we step beyond it. Yes, it’s uncomfortable. Yes, it’s risky. But that’s where the magic is—where we meet our courage, our potential, our joy.The key is balance. Feel your emotions, don’t fight them—but don’t hand them the steering wheel. You are more than your fear, and your past.Take a leap to become who you truly want to be!

Picture a young man trying to please everyone—his parents, teachers, friends. He pushes himself to be the best, constantly comparing, constantly feeling not enough. The pressure is crushing, and joy feels out of reach.But what if he stopped chasing approval and started living for himself? This doesn’t mean ignoring others or being selfishIt means setting his own goals, choosing his own path, and deciding what success means on his own terms.You don’t have to compete with anyone. You don’t need to meet society’s idea of “perfect.”You just need to be you!

Live for yourself to find happiness

Often, we chase an ideal version of ourselves—flawless, successful, admired. But that version doesn’t exist.When we fall short, we feel like failures. But real peace comes from accepting who we are now—strengths, flaws, and all—and growing in ways that truly matter to us.You are not here to impress. You are here to live.When you let go of comparison and choose to grow for your own sake, that’s when happiness begins.

Imagine a friend criticizes your choices. It stings—you start doubting yourself.But what if you didn’t have to let their words control how you feel? What if their opinion was just that—an opinion—and not a verdict on your worth?This doesn’t mean ignoring feedback. It means recognizing that you choose how much power others’ words have over you. Criticism can break you—or it can help you grow. You decide.

You decide how much people affect you

Having the courage to be disliked is about staying true to yourself, even when others don’t approve. You don’t need to twist yourself into who they want you to be.Love painting, even if your friends don’t get it? Keep painting. Their raised eyebrows aren’t your problem.When you dare to be real, you attract real connections—people who accept you for you. That’s where true happiness lives.Remember, you can’t please everyone. But you can choose to please yourself, live honestly, and grow stronger every time you do.

We’re wired for connection. It’s through relationships—family, friends, even brief encounters—that we find joy, purpose, and meaning.So how do we build deep, fulfilling bonds? Start with three simple habits:1. Embrace yourself: Don’t hide your flaws out of fear. We’re all imperfect—and that’s human. When you accept yourself as you are and keep growing, confidence follows. And confidence invites connection.

Good relationships are key to a good life

2. Choose to trust: Fear of betrayal is real, but so is the power of trust. Believe in people’s goodness until proven otherwise. Trust opens doors; fear keeps them shut.3. Give generously: True fulfillment isn’t just in what we receive, but in what we give. A kind word, a helping hand, or just being present can change someone’s day—and your own.Great relationships start with you. Accept yourself, trust a little more, and give with heart. That’s how we build a life full of connection and happiness.

Imagine living in a world where society tells you what job to have, how to look, and even how to act. It's like wearing a mask that others gave you.Over time, you forget who you truly are and what you really want. This often leads to dissatisfaction, because you're not being your authentic self.But what if you had the courage to take off that mask and be you?Being true to yourself means accepting who you are, flaws and all, and chasing your dreams—even if they don't fit into society's expectations.

Be yourself and follow your dreams for fulfillment

Imagine always wanting to be a painter, but staying in a corporate job because it’s seen as “successful.” You might never feel fulfilled. But by following your passion, you might discover joy you never knew was possible.Real happiness isn’t just about chasing goals; it’s about enjoying the present moment too. Yes, keep working toward your dreams, but don’t forget to appreciate where you are today.So, the secret to fulfillment? Be yourself, pursue your dreams, and embrace the present. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. A life lived authentically is a life full of joy and meaning.

Happiness is a state of being, not a destination.It comes from being true to yourself and living by your values, not seeking approval from others.The key is choice—you can choose your attitude, actions, and how you respond to life. The courage to be disliked is about embracing authenticity, rejecting societal pressures, and living for yourself.It’s not always easy, but with self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-improvement, you can live a life full of purpose, meaning, and true happiness.

Conclusion

Explore a revolutionary Japanese philosophy that guides you how to break free the chains of societal expectations, embrace your individuality, and find true happiness.

“It is more random than we think, and we are less smart than we think.”

Success in finance often looks like brilliance—but randomness loves to wear a suit. Many top performers are just beneficiaries of probability. The scary part? They don’t even know it. And neither do we.

Did You Win… or Did You Just Get Lucky?

We see the winners, not the thousands who tried and vanished. Books, media, markets—all glorify survivors. But the silent graveyard of failures carries the real story: randomness devours most.

Where Are the Failures?

Our brains crave patterns and meaning. We invent neat stories after the fact, even if the outcome was pure chance. It comforts us—but misleads us. Reality rarely fits into clean plots.

The Storytelling Trap

“Heroes are heroes because they are heroic in behavior, not because they won or lost.”

Most of what moves markets is invisible noise dressed as signal. We think we’re reacting to skill or trend, but often we’re just dancing to chaos. And mistaking it for music.

The Enemy You Can’t See

The confident trader who’s “always right” might just be riding a lucky streak. Overconfidence + randomness = explosive risk. The worst part? He might actually believe he’s in control.

The Most Dangerous Person in the Room

Accept that you don’t know. Respect randomness. Make decisions that survive the unexpected. True wisdom is less about being right, more about not being ruined when you’re wrong.

How to Play the Game Without Being Played

Mild success can be explainable by skills and labor. Wild success is attributable to variance.

Once you see randomness for what it is, everything changes. You stop worshipping false gods. You start asking better questions. And most importantly, you stop mistaking luck for destiny.

Seeing the Matrix

Fooled by Randomness is a standalone book in Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s landmark Incerto series, an investigation of opacity, luck, uncertainty, probability, human error, risk, and decision-making in a world we don’t understand. The other books in the series are The Black Swan, Antifragile, Skin in the Game, and The Bed of Procrustes. Fooled by Randomness is the word-of-mouth sensation that will change the way you think about business and the world. Nassim Nicholas Taleb–veteran trader, renowned risk expert, polymathic scholar, erudite raconteur, and New York Times bestselling author of The Black Swan–has written a modern classic that turns on its head what we believe about luck and skill. This book is about luck–or more precisely, about how we perceive and deal with luck in life and business. Set against the backdrop of the most conspicuous forum in which luck is mistaken for skill–the world of trading–Fooled by Randomness provides captivating insight into one of the least understood factors in all our lives. Writing in an entertaining narrative style, the author tackles major intellectual issues related to the underestimation of the influence of happenstance on our lives. The book is populated with an array of characters, some of whom have grasped, in their own way, the significance of chance: the baseball legend Yogi Berra; the philosopher of knowledge Karl Popper; the ancient world’s wisest man, Solon; the modern financier George Soros; and the Greek voyager Odysseus. We also meet the fictional Nero, who seems to understand the role of randomness in his professional life but falls victim to his own superstitious foolishness. However, the most recognizable character of all remains unnamed–the lucky fool who happens to be in the right place at the right time–he embodies the “survival of the least fit.” Such individuals attract devoted followers who believe in their guru’s insights and methods. But no one can replicate what is obtained by chance. Are we capable of distinguishing the fortunate charlatan from the genuine visionary? Must we always try to uncover nonexistent messages in random events? It may be impossible to guard ourselves against the vagaries of the goddess Fortuna, but after reading Fooled by Randomness we can be a little better prepared. Named by Fortune One of the Smartest Books of All Time A Financial Times Best Business Book of the Year

moneyandinvestments

Money & Investments

Fooled by Randomness

Find 100+ Philosophy Ideas, Insights & Facts - Curated from popular Videos, Podcasts, Books & Articles - Genuine Insights from like-minded Users like You!

The Courage to Be Disliked

Method in Theology

Words of Christ (Part Two)

The Art of War

FRANZ KAFKA

Metamorphosis

The Courage to Be Disliked

Fooled by Randomness

12 Pieces Of Japanese Wisdom To Master Your Money & Life

Philosophy

It's time to
Read like a Pro.

The Courage to Be Disliked

Method in Theology

Words of Christ (Part Two)

The Art of War

FRANZ KAFKA

Metamorphosis

The Courage to Be Disliked

Fooled by Randomness

12 Pieces Of Japanese Wisdom To Master Your Money & Life

Philosophy

It's time to Read like a Pro.

It's time to
Read like a Pro.