Total Read Time: 5 Minutes
I recently heard Tim Ferris’s interview of Brene Brown (Episode #409 – The Tim Ferriss Show) where they discussed relationships. As with most of his podcasts, Tim discussed ways of self betterment. He and Brene reach a topic that I in particular can relate and empathize with: the topic of self acceptance.
“There is a fine line between self acceptance and complacency.”
Let’s bring in a money analogy. When have you made enough money? If your goal is to “make more,” then what does it take to get you off that path? When do you realize you’re trapped in a never ending goal?
It looks like two outcomes really: You make more or you don’t. If you get what you want, it isn’t enough. If you aren’t making “more” money, then you’ll have to reconsider everything.
Money is really easy to understand.
It’s just a number. If you want it to grow, you have to define the goal number. The same principal has to be applied to your self acceptance.
How do you measure your self worth?
Now there’s a touchy topic. I’ve gone through months of trauma work and just scratched the surface. Trauma is everywhere and we have to make eye contact with it. I highly recommend Mastin Kipp as a start to learning about yourself. Below I’ll add recommended books etc.
You have to measure yourself based on who you are now, not who you want to be now. Speculation of your future self is bullshit. I’m sorry, but you don’t know what tomorrow looks like. For that reason, stop worrying about yourself. Today and right now are all that matters.
Step One
Accept does not mean like. You don’t have to like who you are right now, but you have to accept it. It’s done. Accept who you are right now.
Step Two
Accept all the things you can not change. If you don’t accept them, you’re stuck on repeat. “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein.
Step Three
Avoid complacency by being critical of the things you CAN change. Begin with things that are going well. Start with one thing and ask, “how can I be more intentional with the thing I love about myself?”
This is not something you want to eliminate. Remember, change does not have to be scary. Change can mean better. It should mean better. If you’ve been given the gift of beautiful hair, and you love that about yourself, how can you change to be more mindful, or twice as intentional with your hair?
Intention is the Key to Everything
I hate to be needlessly repetitive, but intention is my catch phrase. Jocko has “discipline” and “dichotomy.” I have “intention.”
I argue that intention is the solution for all of your problems. When you are intentional, it means you are in control. Control leads to easier solutions, because you have no one to blame and everything to change for the better.
Love Yourself
If you start being intentional with loving yourself I am sure you’ll have less time to wallow.
Displacement Strategy
You’re too busy loving yourself to hate yourself.
Or how about this.
You’re too busy improving the things you can, to be worried about the things you can’t.
Okay one more.
You stop noticing pebbles on the ground when you’re running.
Vacuum Strategy
Displacement is avoiding the formation of clutter in your living room (clothes, bags, useless garbage) by putting a couch there instead.
The vacuum is formed when you take out something you’re used to being there; your bed for example. It feels extra empty. The space is a vacuum for new things to fill it.
Take unwanted habits, bad role models, malevolent influences, and toxic environments out of your life. The vacuum that is created by that can only be filled with love. Love yourself first and your intention will naturally show you what is toxic and what is pure.
It’s like eating something out of a garden. You don’t grab the dirt. You just know what’s good for you. It looks so fresh and healthy. You don’t have to like it, but you have to accept it. You can be someone who hates fruits and vegetables, but you can’t deny that they are good for you.
Recipe for Life
Have you ever baked a cake? Baking is something I’ve never been able to do because the core construct involves trusting you’ve done everything correctly. You mix all the ingredients, then it’s out of your hands. You put it in the oven and pray.
The cooking I like to do involves tasting as you go. Adding additional salt, pepper, lemon, garlic. Giving each step thought and intention. Every ingredient serves a purpose and without each other, the dish is missing something.
Life should be a harmony of intentional steps forward. Life has no recipe where you do all the right things and come out risen and enlightened.
Life is today. Life is right now. You have the choice to carry yourself the way YOU intend. The one thing no one can ever take from you, is how you react. So react with intention. Give everything that deserves thought your loving intention. Let everything else stay in the past.
Thank YOU
For your time, your attention, your support, your kindness, your love
Andrey Starostin
Email
(Yes, I respond and read every one)
Andrey@andreystarostin.com
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Recommended
The Tim Ferriss Show: For those with a commute. Music lets you think. Podcasts tell you what to think.
Mastin Kipp: Claim Your Power – This book changed the way I see myself. It really put me on the path.
Jocko Willink: Speaking of “the path,” Jocko is responsible for hours of my time and interest in getting my mental state battle ready. From war novels to Jiu Jitsu, Jocko covers all things to get you on the path to your best self. Discipline Equals Freedom is the book I started with. Review coming of his latest book, Leadership Strategy and Tactics.
STAROSTIN FILM 