Author William Martin on the wonders of ordinary life:

"Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. Such striving may seem admirable, but it is the way of foolishness. Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life. Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples and pears. Show them how to cry when pets and people die. Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand. And make the ordinary come alive for them. The extraordinary will take care of itself."

Source: The Parent's Tao Te Ching

via: https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/november-2-2023

The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom

- Isaac Asimov

There can be no positive experiences if there are no experiences at all. That is, if there is no consciousness. Without consciousness there can be no happiness, goodness, beauty, meaning, purpose …. When people ask about the meaning of life, they’re getting it backward. It’s not our universe giving meaning to conscious beings, but conscious beings giving meaning to our universe.

Life3.0 - Tegmark (physicist)

- Farnham Street

Why we rave: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-29600-1

Let me get going. Am I being useful? It’s the only question I have to ask. Stay busy, be useful. - Arnie

Via Quora Human Mind Readers

Entrepreneur and creative director Andrew Anabi on how to cherish life:

"When life changes, you will probably miss the way it was. You may miss those long morning drives or walks to the office, or those hectic family gatherings. You may miss them because those moments are finite — you will only travel those streets and see those people a certain amount of times.

Every time you do something that is one less time you do it. One day you will do something the final time and you will rarely know when that day comes.

For all you know, today might be the last time you walk in a particular neighborhood. Or it might be the last time you smile at a particular someone. To think otherwise, would be foolish. Nothing is guaranteed, except this moment. Your only real choice is to cherish every exchange like it is your last — because it very well might be.

Therefore, the best way to cherish life is to remind yourself of life's impermanence. It is to remember that every time you see someone that is one less time you see them. It is to remember that every time you go somewhere that is one less time you visit. By doing this, you naturally slow down. Almost like a reflex, you start to truly live."

Via - James Clear 1-2-3

Source: How to Cherish Life (hat tip to Gaby Goldberg)​

- via James Clear 3-2-1 newsletter