Random Musings 😏, Part-5
Soul Letter #22
Hi folks, Shubham here.
I am back with another edition of Random Musings.
Why do I still feel like a kid?
I started reading Shoe Dog. It is a memoir by Nike co-founder Phil Knight.
The book starts on a gripping note. It’s early dawn when Phil is on one of his runs. There isn’t a moving soul in sight which makes it eerily quiet. It’s only Phil and his thoughts.
He forces himself to run faster and faster like he’s chasing something and being chased at the same time.
A little backstory.
The year is 1962. Phil is 24 years old and recently moved back to his hometown after seven years. He feels strange living with his family once again.
He graduated from the University of Oregon. Earned a Master’s from a top business school—Stanford. Survived a yearlong hitch in the U.S. Army.
Quite a feat for any youngster.
He made a presentation for a project at Stanford on how selling Japanese shoes in the USA can change the industry which no one paid attention to and it was tagged as the Crazy Idea.
During the run, he asks himself, “why do I still feel like a kid?”
He ponders maybe because he still hasn’t experienced the temptations and excitements of life. He hadn’t smoked a cigarette, experimented with drugs, or been with a woman.
He wants to be successful. But what is success?
Money? Family? Wife? House?
A part of him wants those things, yet deep down he was looking for something more. A purpose. Something creative and meaningful. He wants to leave a mark on the world.
There’s a kind of exuberant clarity in that pulsing half second before winning and losing are decided. I wanted that, whatever that was, to be my life, my daily life.
-Phil Knight, Shoe Dog
Out of the blue, he starts reflecting on his Crazy Idea.
For that matter, few ideas are as crazy as my favorite thing, running. It’s hard. It’s painful. It’s risky. The rewards are few and far from guaranteed. When you run around an oval track, or down an empty road, you have no real destination. At least, none that can fully justify the effort. The act itself becomes the destination. It’s not just that there’s no finish line; it’s that you define the finish line. Whatever pleasures or gains you derive from the act of running, you must find them within. It’s all in how you frame it, how you sell it to yourself.
Every runner knows this. You run and run, mile after mile, and you never quite know why. You tell yourself that you’re running toward some goal, chasing some rush, but really you run because the alternative, stopping, scares you to death.
-Phil Knight, Shoe Dog
Finally that morning in 1962 he convinces himself: “Let everyone else call your idea crazy . . . just keep going. Don’t stop. Don’t even think about stopping until you get there, and don’t give much thought to where “there” is. Whatever comes, just don’t stop.”
Till today he believes it’s the best advice anyone of us should ever give.
Now I assume most of us are confused twenty years old. We too want to be successful, leave a mark on this world but I doubt anyone of us have a Crazy Idea like Phil.
Even if we do, are we crazy enough to believe in ourselves?
The point of writing this piece is to highlight every person goes through these conundrums, even someone as enlightened as Phil. Fortunately for him, he went on to make a name for himself but there are numerous Phils who didn’t and probably ended up living a decent life.
Once again I am not encouraging mediocrity (nope), you should definitely have big goals, but at the same time don’t demean yourself unnecessarily.
People Sense Your Vibe
I used to judge people who posted their workout photos or videos on social media, considering them to be narcissists.
However, I have changed my opinion lately.
I feel everyone is smart enough to sense your vibe.
They know when you are sharing a workout pic that you are really proud of, and when you are doing it to flaunt your opulent gyms, expensive accessories, or the elusive six-packs.
Trust me, all your friends can gauge the authenticity.
If you keep posting photos of your exotic vacations, branded clothes, or exhibiting your perfect relationships, we know the ulterior motive.
The same goes for content creators and influencers. Many of them lose followers after a specific photo/video.
WHY?
Because people are smart enough to acknowledge their insincerity.
On the other hand, some creators keep thriving because they grow organically.
One of the reasons I quit Instagram was because I started posting things to boast about my healthy lifestyle. Sharing book quotes, workout stats, witty remarks, and other stuff just to look good.
But, Soul Letter runs on a totally different vibe. I genuinely enjoy writing this and I know you guys can sense it
The Amount of Energy People Waste on Implying Their Political Beliefs Is Ludicrous
As a child, I always wondered why are adults so engrossed in politics.
Fast forward 10 years and now everyone has a political stance.
It's no mystery with each day we are growing polar opposite, thanks to social media algorithms.
The problem is no one is ready to have a rational discussion.
Everyone believes they know the absolute truth. Every opposer is automatically deemed wrong.
Frankly, I believe we are overly invested in politics.
People have integrated it as a part of their identity. They are spending a considerable amount of their time and energy in futile talks.
Instead, if they invest it in their career or well-being, I bet they can transform their lives.
I don't think political discussions are wrong, but one needs to have healthy debates.
Taking stands and arguing on WhatsApp groups or social media posts can't be approved as rational negotiations.
There's no use in these pointless battles.
Take my advice, use your resources in developing yourself.
Build some hobbies, spend quality time with loved ones, or work on your goals.
Bro, we are just pawns in the grand scheme of things.
I have barely seen any smart person wasting their time on such trivial stuff.
You want to express your opinions do it by casting your vote.
Final Words
I would have liked to touch upon the Facebook outage, but today’s newsletter is already too long. I will talk about it next weekend.
I am back on Instagram, let’s call it Letter Call Soul Season-2. I intend to manage it with minimal effort and hope it doesn’t feel like a chore.
Have a rocking weekend.
Until next time, Houdoe! 🙋♂️