In my progress report a few days ago, I wrote about the plans I have for the next few weeks as I continue towards my goal of writing for 30 days straight.
But I’m calling an audible.
Last night, after enjoying a beer under the palms of Palm Springs and reflecting on some beautifully honest feedback from a friend, I had a realization.
The topics I’ve been writing about this past week—while topics I’ve deeply contemplated—don’t fully align with what I want Soul Mana to be.
I started this project to explore life beyond just “work” or “business”. I want to write about things that carry deeper meaning. Things that are closer to the soul.
Lesson learned.
The more you do, the more you learn
Kind of a beautiful concept.
The only thing standing between us and greater knowledge, experience, and perspective is inaction. Also beautiful, that this is something we have full control over.
Some of the most profound lessons I’ve learned in my relatively short life, didn’t come from waiting for the river of time to pass me by. They came from jumping in—frolicking like a child on a blistering June afternoon.
We all learn differently, but it’s universal that the best way to learn about things as abstract and grandiose as life is by doing it. Living it.
This isn’t a novel concept. Famous thinkers have been talking about it for millennia.
“Only action matters. Everything else is just excuses and rationalizations.” - Ryan Holiday
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin
“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” - Aristotle
And yet, it’s a lesson that I consistently need reinforced to practice it. I often find myself….
Stuck in the Comfort
Just yesterday, a friend brought up this topic.
He sent me this verse:
“And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed. “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted. But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!” - Numbers 11: 4-6
His takeaway floored me.
“Life has a million things cluttering it that we have deemed necessary. Money, things, titles…always wanting more meat. When the reality is, manna can sustain us forever.”
The things we place the most importance on are often the things that bring us the most comfort.
It’s the warmest, relaxing, most deceptive trap of all time.
Especially in today’s world, where technology makes easier many of the hardships our ancestors had to face.
“Mass of Men Lead Lives of Quiet Desperation”
Henry David Thoreau said it best in his book, Walden.
The comforts awarded to us by modern life—while miraculous—also keep us in place. They lull us into inaction. They keep us from pursuing the things that truly fulfill us.
Many realize this the hard way. I know I sure did.
But once understood, we can take back the reigns.
Pull back the veil.
Call your audible.
And march on towards the things that fill our lives with the most joy, the most purpose, the most light.
Those things are out there, waiting for you to find them.
Go.
With deep love and appreciation,
Brady