I Discovered (Or Re-Discovered) These 5 Things About Myself In 2022

Here Are The Books That Inspired Them

December has always been a good month for self-reflection as the end of the year rapidly approaches. That has been particularly true for me in exploring some of the fresh perspectives I’ve acquired from the books I’ve read in 2022

Here are just a few of the deeper awarenesses I’ve unearthed from my reading journey. As you are working your way through these, I’d love for you to join me by reflecting on the impact that books have had on your own life this year. I invite you to share these in the comment section below. 

Insight #1: Stay “Inner Purpose” Directed

Creating and embodying world class book experiences featuring nonfiction authors and book enthusiasts is the raison dêtre that guides my work. This is guided by my larger set of personal values comprised of expansion, connection, and freedom.

Over the years, I have historically found myself overwhelmed by outer distraction which can easily knock me off course. Regrettably, these periods have had a chilling effect on the aims I’ve sought to achieve. 

With respect to this, I was struck by the words of David Deida in his epic read “The Way of the Superior Man: A Spiritual Guide to Mastering the Challenges of Women, Work, and Sexual Desire,” a book I read yearly:

“The core of your life is your purpose. Everything in your life, from your diet to your career, must be aligned with your purpose if you are to act with coherence and integrity in the world. If you know your purpose, your deepest desire, then the secret of success is to discipline your life so that you support your deepest purpose and minimize distractions and detours.”

Insight #2: Question Everything

More than anything, Covid-19 and the pandemic taught me that most of the narratives being spewed out by the media are not to be trusted. Sadly, many of us have become so enslaved in supposed “facts” and “science” that we’ve lost our will to critically think and question. In large part, I blame news and social media for the cultivation of this. 

In “Trust Me I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator,” Ryan Holiday wrote: 

“If you were being kind, you would say my job is in marketing and public relations, or online strategy and advertising. But that’s a polite veneer to hide the harsh truth. I am, to put it bluntly, a media manipulator—I’m paid to deceive. My job is to lie to the media so they can lie to you. I cheat, bribe, and connive for bestselling authors and billion-dollar brands and abuse my understanding of the internet to do it.” 

I believe there has never been a more important time than now to engage in critical thinking as a part of questioning prevailing narratives eschewed by herd consciousness. Achieving this I believe begins when we acknowledge that what we see on news and social media is often biased and doesn’t have our best interest at hand. 

Insight #3: Nomadism Is Oxygen To My Being

Those who know me are aware of my natural proclivities to wander, explore, and experience new things. Whenever this nomadic mindset is not a part of my regular routine , I become stagnant. 

During my lifetime, I have spent an appreciable amount of time in 46 of the 50 states and have lived in 9 cities. Yet this life flow came to a screeching halt as the pandemic slowed my roll,  knocked me off my rhythm, and disrupted my game. 

As we headed into 2023, I’ve been reflecting on the words of Parag Khanna, author of the book “Move: The Forces Uprooting Us” by Parag Khanna;

“Movement may become an end in itself: One won’t just move; one will always be moving. But perhaps, as we move, we will rediscover what it means to be human.”

My takeaway: “Get back out there in 2023

Insight #4: Ice Cold Showers Are A Game Changer

At the beginning of this year, I adopted the Wim Hof cold shower method. And now looking back I must say that it’s been life-altering. From mental focus, to smoother, tightened skin, to my immune system, it has been a journey worth embracing.

As noted in “The Wim Hof Method: Activate Your Full Human Potential:” 

“Take a cold shower. Do the breathing. Activate your vascular system. Change your biochemistry. Follow the breath. Lean into it. The breath goes everywhere, and it will lead you where you need to go. Let go of your ego and instead reflect that which connects us, which is love. Let go of your thoughts and your stress and open up to your heart. It is only when you let go that you will truly be able to reconnect with the universe, with nature buried deep within your cells. Let go and allow your soul to rise in your consciousness. The soul is eternal, indestructible, and perhaps most importantly, incorruptible. Let go and become the king or queen you were meant to be. I know you can do it. I believe in you.” 

Insight #5: Life Is A Process of Dying Daily

Our lives are about things dying off: people, material objects, memories, friendships. Given this, I am generally comfortable in confronting my own mortality and have committed myself to reflecting on death every day.

Out of all of this the reminder for me is to enjoy every moment, have fun, and not worry about the things going astray, which they often do. For me, life is about controlling what I can control while living each day as though it were my last and I want to be remembered for it.

It’s here where I’m inspired by an excerpt from The 50th Law, a book that noted music mogul 50 Cent co-wrote with acclaimed author Robert Greene. 

“In the face of our inevitable mortality we can do one of two things. We can attempt to avoid the thought at all costs, clinging to the illusion that we have all the time in the world. Or we can confront this reality, accept and even embrace it, converting our consciousness of death into something positive and active. In adopting such a fearless philosophy, we gain a sense of proportion, become able to separate what is petty from what is truly important. Knowing our days to be numbered, we have a sense of urgency and mission. We can appreciate life all the more for its impermanence. If we can overcome the fear of death, there is nothing left to fear.”