Jswizzle
Active Member
Sunday, March 6th, 2022
Day 78 no porn
Day 5 no MO
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March 6th DON’T TELL YOURSELF STORIES
Modern philosopher Nassim Taleb has warned of the “narrative fallacy”—the tendency to assemble unrelated events of the past into stories. These stories, however gratifying to create, are inherently misleading. They lead to a sense of cohesion and certainty that isn’t real. If that’s too heady, remember that as Epictetus points out, there is another reason not to tell stories about your past. It’s boring, annoying, and self-absorbed. It might make you feel good to dominate the conversation and make it all about you, but how do you think it is for everyone else? Do you think people are really enjoying the highlights of your high school football days? Is this really the time for another exaggerated tale of your sexual prowess? Try your best not to create this fantasy bubble—live in what’s real. Listen and connect with people, don’t perform for them.
Holliday, Ryan., Hanselman, Stephen. (2016). The Daily Stoic stoic : 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living. (Kindle Edition).
-This writing reminds me that I need to strive to not be self seeking. Upon thinking deeply into this writing, I realize that I often encompass a "victims mentality," when I relate to others about my past. I do this as an attempt to foster sympathy from others under the guise of being able to relate to their experiences, which I believe during this time of disillusionment creates a emotionally intimate connection.
Being vulnerable is a good thing, but can be utilized as a form of emotional manipulation. Essentially "one-upping" the other person or party I'm trying to relate to through the embellished personal historical narrative of who has had it worse. Or, as in many cases how I have had it better.
Reflecting on this, at this time and in this light is the ultimate form of self deception.
Countless times in the past I have disillusioned myself by justifying my use of pornography to others with such thoughts as:
"Well, at least I'm not really stepping out on my wife with other women."
"At least I'm not drinking or popping pills anymore."
"Pornography is healthy as I'm exploring my sexual nature."
"Masturbation is healthy."
"Every man masturbates and or uses pornography and the men who say they don't are lying."
I endavor to be more mindful of this character defect moving forward to become a genuine and more authentic version of myself in the future.
Day 78 no porn
Day 5 no MO
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
March 6th DON’T TELL YOURSELF STORIES
Modern philosopher Nassim Taleb has warned of the “narrative fallacy”—the tendency to assemble unrelated events of the past into stories. These stories, however gratifying to create, are inherently misleading. They lead to a sense of cohesion and certainty that isn’t real. If that’s too heady, remember that as Epictetus points out, there is another reason not to tell stories about your past. It’s boring, annoying, and self-absorbed. It might make you feel good to dominate the conversation and make it all about you, but how do you think it is for everyone else? Do you think people are really enjoying the highlights of your high school football days? Is this really the time for another exaggerated tale of your sexual prowess? Try your best not to create this fantasy bubble—live in what’s real. Listen and connect with people, don’t perform for them.
Holliday, Ryan., Hanselman, Stephen. (2016). The Daily Stoic stoic : 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living. (Kindle Edition).
-This writing reminds me that I need to strive to not be self seeking. Upon thinking deeply into this writing, I realize that I often encompass a "victims mentality," when I relate to others about my past. I do this as an attempt to foster sympathy from others under the guise of being able to relate to their experiences, which I believe during this time of disillusionment creates a emotionally intimate connection.
Being vulnerable is a good thing, but can be utilized as a form of emotional manipulation. Essentially "one-upping" the other person or party I'm trying to relate to through the embellished personal historical narrative of who has had it worse. Or, as in many cases how I have had it better.
Reflecting on this, at this time and in this light is the ultimate form of self deception.
Countless times in the past I have disillusioned myself by justifying my use of pornography to others with such thoughts as:
"Well, at least I'm not really stepping out on my wife with other women."
"At least I'm not drinking or popping pills anymore."
"Pornography is healthy as I'm exploring my sexual nature."
"Masturbation is healthy."
"Every man masturbates and or uses pornography and the men who say they don't are lying."
I endavor to be more mindful of this character defect moving forward to become a genuine and more authentic version of myself in the future.
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and hopefully I can be on the same road soon!