
Discover more from The Invitation π‘
7.5, Be like water
βDonβt fear failure. Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail.β Bruce Lee
Friends:
Where I live, the cherry blossoms have bloomed, and are now in their last glorious riot of color. The weather is getting warmer and the sun is still out after 5 p.m. I hope you all get the chance to go outside and be part of the world.
I published book notes on Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. To be honest, I came into the book with fairly low expectations (celebrity memoirs can be dubious territory), but it turned out to be surprisingly very good.
McConaughey has been keeping a diary for the past thirty years, and Greenlights is a reflection and review of his upbringing, his actions and motivations. Heβs a great storyteller and (semi-accidental?) philosopher.
Anyways, on with the links!
The Rundown
Bruce Leeβs Profound Philosophy of Life
I havenβt finished reading βTao Te Chingβ by Lao Tzu, but Bruce Leeβs advice to βbe like waterβ is incredibly similar to the advice in βThe Art of Warβ by Sun Tzu.
such incredible charisma
The woman who builds the worldβs most unique Airbnbs
Over the past decade, Wolfe has built some of the most popular and unique vacation rentals on the platform... Less than a decade ago, Wolfe was making $13/hr working odd jobs. Today, her properties gross hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. How did a potato factory worker from Idaho become one of the most influential Airbnb proprietors in the world?
Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio (43:42)
This is an animated video from billionaire investor and hedge fund manager, Ray Dalio (Bridgewater Associates). He argues that there are 8 key metrics (education, technology, competitiveness, economic output, world trade, military strength, financial center, and reserve currency) we can use to estimate a countryβs total power, and that by studying history and cycles in tandem with these metrics, you can predict the rise and fall of empires.
One takeaway is that, on the basis of these metrics, the US is in worrying condition. (Itβs also currently in the βprinting money and creditβ phase of the big cycle) Since we are currently in the American world order, this has global implications. Thereβs still time to course correct and buy some time.
The Time Hack Everyone Should Know
I donβt think youβll be too surprised what weβre doing with those 5.5 hours.
According to [theΒ Bureau of Labor Statistics] 2020 findings, the average American has enough leisure time to fit in lots of healthy and life-enriching activities: 5.5 hours per day to be exact.
Discover Whether You're a Flexible Thinker With the βThink in Colorβ Questionnaire
This questionnaire helps you understand how black and white you think by answering a set of 15 questions. FWIW, here were my scores:
Curiosity: 89.75%
Flexibility: 51.25%
Open-Mindedness: 63.67%
Empathy: 82.50%
Turns out I'm a pretty curious person. (it even says so right on this newsletterβs logo!)
Below the Fold π
π₯’ Japan invents βelectricβ chopsticks that make food seem more salty
π¦ How TikTok heartthrob William Whiteβs thirsty fandom turned toxic
π¨The Transgenerational Cost of Fear
π€ Your Zoom mic is probably still recording on mute
π΅ Why We Remember Music and Forget Everything Else
Tweet of the Week π βοΈ

Okay, folks! Be your best selves.Β Best of wishes for a great week ahead!Β Thanks for reading!
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