People
How people influenced me in ways I didn't realize.
People, there are good people everywhere but it’s harder to find. I also feel like the people you are around probably matters more than your work ethic, just because you’ll pick things up.
I went to a normal high school, played sports and did all the things an average highschooler would do. All my friends did the same.
Never thought about what I was doing whether it was ethical or not. No one really cared and it was fun. Now I’m in University and my friends that I see everyday are all Muslim, and they practice restraint by eating Halal, praying 5 times a day and so on. This forced me to take a look at myself unconsciously and now I pray a lot more and I’m more invested in my spiritual side as well as being a better person. Not by increasing money or faith but through practice of virtues like truth, honesty, temperance and courage.
I didn’t plan to be more truthful or constantly be nicer to people, but arguably this is the most important thing in my life. You could say that I would have gotten to this stage without any friends through introspection and you are right. Man is a social creature. I would have had to fight to my some of friends on not listening to bad music and following virtue whereas my current friends that’s the default state.
Now my epiphany is that you should always try to find the best people to be around. I used the word “best” so the reader can define the best for themselves. I do want to point out that this can lead to silos in your thinking. In order to be opened minded. I should read more especially authors that I don’t agree with and spend still amount of time with everyone although the core group of people is crucial.
Not everyone needs to have a front row seat in your life - Joyce (my friend’s mom)
Though it’s been 3 years since she said I’m only beginning to understand it now.
Not only the the core group of people, but also the authors that you read. I idolize Benjamin Franklin, and even though I can’t spend time with him. I can read his biography, thereby knowing him as a close friend.
What actions going forward
Be conscious of people you are around, you don’t have to cut anyone off but give everyone what everyone is due. Friendships like wine only sweeten with age, so I want to keep as many long term friends as possible.
Try to find people that you want to be like and be around them more. This should be effortful like planning workouts with people that have common goals. ( Reach out to me if you are interested in entrepreneurship)
This week I’m going to Edmonton Unlimited to learn more about the startup community.
Someone I admire
Adven Villa, this guy might be the most committed guy on the planet, in all my friends, including myself. He’s been making videos for 2 years now and his podcast is at 182 episodes. Take that in 182 episodes, he’s found so many people to interview. This guy has 1.3k videos which is a testament to his conviction, like he just keeps going. I sent him a text the other day about this and he says “I do it for the love of the game”. Love it, he’s gonna be successful no matter what and yeah .
Let’s goo Adven.
