We will begin with a scene from Oliver Stone’s masterpiece, Wall Street. Gordon Gekko (the master investor) is explaining The Truth to his protégé and neophyte broker (Bud Fox). Bud asks Gordon, “What about hard work?” This is Gordon’s response: “What about it? I bet you stayed up all night analyzing that dog shit stock […]
My almost five decades of existence has culminated in this moment. In which I sit and write this letter to myself. For much of my life I have been enamored by the ascetics of my native land who retreated into the seclusion of the Himalayas. For much of that time, although I was fascinated by […]
An Olympic runner spends years preparing for a 100 meter sprint that lasts for 10 Seconds or less. If he wins, he stands on the podium with a gold medal around him, for a few Minutes. Jeremy Jones spends years planning a trip to remote Himalayan Peaks. He spends months traveling. He spends weeks acclimatizing. […]
Life is short. And it is long. For the one who has found his Element, it is short. For the one who has not, it is long. Ernest Shackleton led three expeditions to the Antarctic. It’s said that when he was away from his expeditions, Shackleton’s life was “restless and unfulfilled.” In January of […]
There are many routines in the life of a societal human being. There are many distractions. There are untold numbers of chores. There are responsibilities. There are obligations. There are things that must be done. There are things that must be tended to. And each of these things is an interference with the way that […]
There is something better than being The Best. Something that the hearts of men cannot help but Revere. Better and best do have their day in the limelight. But the one who achieves a special significance of this one thing has a special place in history reserved only for them. Being the best is certainly […]
Imagine you were sitting in front of a window, looking across a meadow. And imagine that you weren’t told what day it was. Imagine that you sat there for a few weeks. If at any moment someone asked you what day it was, you would have no way of knowing. Because from the standpoint of […]
Master (M). Student (S). M: You must open your eyes. S: My eyes are open, Master. M: If only this were true. S: I do not understand. M: Do you see the wind? S: How can one see wind? M: Do you see what you have done? S: What is it I have done? M: […]
Let me tell you a little secret. And as always, I will tell you The Truth. Life doesn’t give a damn about you. Or me. Life doesn’t give a damn about anyone. And neither does Nature. When it rolls, it just rolls. It never eases up. It never gives anyone “a break.” Why? Because in […]
When he was a boy, Aristotle Onasis’ father said to him, “Carry a notepad with you wherever you go. And when you meet a man, write down how much time he is worth.” From now until the day you die, be anything you wish, my friend. But never insult the hand of nature that bore […]