Wanderers, Travelers, & Free Spirits

two decades & a hundred books finding joy & direction.
Just sharing what I’ve learned, 100+ articles.

(126 readers)

meditating on a mountain


I used to be pretty lost in life. Didn’t know where to go or what to do. I didn’t know how to be happy.

I didn’t want to work a normal 9-5. 6+ years later I’ve got some direction. And I’m a hell of a lot happier.

I used to be pretty anxious, lost, jealous and… overall felt pretty worthless. I questioned it all and didn’t see the point. Growing up, I felt like an outsider.

I didn’t know how to be happy. Some people are born with a high Happiness baseline. I wasn’t. Fortunately, humans have pondered this Life thing for thousands of years. There’s no magic formula… but there is a recipe.

I’d rather enjoy life. And I refuse to die with that same regret. So here’s a bit of what I’ve found so far:

1. Community

Far and away the largest contributing factor to happiness. Three generations from now we’ll all be dead anyways, might as well enjoy it.

85 Years on Happy, by Harvard (13 mins)
2. Meaningful Work

“Humans function like a bicycle unless you move up and forward towards the target, you will stagger and fall”

John D. Rockefeller, wealthiest man in the world 1937

We need purpose. That Japanese even have a term we’ve adopted: “Ikigai”

3. Gratitude (Mindset)

Any research on positive psychology comes up with gratitude.


K, but money?

“If you want to make money, you’ve got to provide value”

Alan Watts sounds good…but sometimes there’s other shtuff we struggle with:

  • Good Sleep
  • Good Food
  • Self-Doubt
  • Shit Boss
  • And yeah…making money

4 Most Compelling

“Aimlessness is the breeding ground of despair”

Dr. Jordan Peterson

  1. (13 min) Video: Harvard Happiness Study
  2. (5 mins) Article: The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying
  3. (20 min) How to Find Your Purpose Dr. Andrew Huberman | Robert Greene
  4. Podcast, 2 Hours: Happiness is Direction Dr. Arthur Brooks | Rich Roll
Some travels & things learned

Panama


Community

Japan


Vitality

Colorado


Adventure

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Weekly Wanderings:

Every Tuesday I share 4 ideas that have helped me live a more enjoyable life

On a journey to live happier, more exciting, more connected, and more fulfilled
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