Let Your Mortality Be Your Ally

I recently heard someone discussing a documentary they'd seen about the history of our planet. To illustrate mankind's relationship to the overall existence of the earth the filmmaker framed time as walking from San Diego to New York City, or 14.6 million steps. Our history would span a mere 3 steps out the Empire State Building. (And remember, that's just the planet earth. It's not even taking into account the infinite number of galaxies) In any event, it's a very humbling explanation.

As far as I can tell, there are two ways to interpret this information. We can either be discouraged, or liberated. We can feel insignificant, that what we do is trivial, and that we're a mere speck of dust just passing by. 

OR, we can learn to not take ourselves so seriously and allow the fact we won't be here very long to propel us to do the things we find important. The latter seems like a much more appealing option.

Actor and producer Keanu Reeves once said, "You're doing to die. Make stuff." Having a close, but healthy relationship with your own mortality can drive you to see, learn, listen, and say the things you feel are of value. Mortality can teach us the importance of being bold, but not reckless and learning to go to the fear.

When you truly appreciate your time's finite nature you begin to protect it in a way you never have before. An awakening to your potential arises, you suddenly feel less fatigued, and you find creative ways to "make each day a masterpiece."

Keep Mining Your Weird

According to Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power, Mastery, and The Art of Seduction one of the single biggest killers of living a bold and unique life is we stop "mining for weird."

As cliche as it sounds, there is absolutely nobody on the planet like you. And not just in a spiritual or divine sort of way. Literally and biochemically nobody has your exact DNA coding and no one ever will. And as a result, we are all unique and "weird" in the most profound ways.

What happens as we get older though is we conform. We take the type of jobs everyone else has, do the things we're told we're supposed to do, and as a result we stop searching and cultivating those very qualities that set us apart.

Get back in touch with your inner weirdness and live as boldly as you thought possible when you were a kid.