Brain Bits (the birth of my newsletter) [for web]

Hello there,

If you’re getting this email, it means you’re subscribed to my website Skyward Thoughts. For that, I thank you, and am surprised I haven’t scared you away yet with my meandering philosophical word splatter… but then again, I have plenty left in the tank, so perhaps the time will come. Anyways, this is my first newsletter, and there will be plenty more in the future.

Newsletter Intentions

I'm starting this newsletter because I want to build an online community consisting of people who enjoy, or simply appreciate, introspecting about life. Additionally, I’ve always had little ideas I want to share, on a consistent basis, with people interested in listening. If you’re subscribed, I’m making a wild assumption that you might be one of these people. My current plan is to send out a newsletter every-other-week. I will share 4 brain bits: containing anything from topics/ideas I’ve been pondering, quotes I‘m loving, books I’m reading, context behind specific articles (+ article updates), products I find awesome, heart-filled messages… etc. So without further ado, lets jump into some bits.

Topic I’ve been pondering: Non-neediness

I’ve recently been gobbling up the book Models: Attracting Women Through Honesty by Mark Manson. Unlike most male dating advice out there, his philosophy takes a very emotionally mature, yet straight forward, approach to dating & sexuality. The main idea of the book, is that a man’s perceived level of attractiveness is inversely proportional to how needy he is. In his own words:

How attractive you are is based on your lack of neediness. Your non-neediness is based on how vulnerable you’re able to make yourself. And how vulnerable you’re able to make yourself is based on how honest you are to yourself and others.

I believe this advice applies to more than just men, and most of our relationships, whether romantic or platonic. He later splits the book into actionable steps around improving your lifestyle, your ability to take action and weather rejection (with a mature mindset), and finally to improve your communication skills (socially, emotionally, and sexually). So far, the book has put words to the feelings I’ve had around dating for some time now, while also providing an actionable framework. I’m really looking forward to chewing on all the goodies I’m learning from this book.

A book that has revived my hope in humanity

A Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, might be THE ONE book I wish everybody in the world would read. It’s a book that explores the depths of the human condition. Peck explores the patterns he has identified in individual and collective psyche’s through his practice as a psychotherapist. He philosophizes about religion & science (which he considers a religion according to his own wholistic definition), the evolution of the human condition, grace, the purpose of life, and much much more. I could probably write a book about this book because it’s so good. I’ve never before seen a better definition of love, or experienced such a balanced analysis of science & religion, until this book. It’s a must read, and definitely a book I’m going to regularly return to.

From the heart

I wanted to end this first newsletter on a heart-filled note: meant just as much for myself as for others. And that note is this: all of us have so much love to give and receive. We underestimate how much love there is within, and outside of ourselves. So share as much as you can, with yourself, and with others. Whether that be a tiny little conversation with a barista that’s filled with joy, genuinely complementing a friend, helping out a family member with chores, treating yourself to a hot bath, or pushing yourself to run the extra distance.

Oh and a final extra bit

I released an article over a week ago that I forgot to share via email (Overcoming Intellectual Melancholy: Reducing FOMO & perceived high opportunity cost of intellectual pursuits). It’s a bit of a brain twister, but you might very well enjoy it. Additionally, I should be releasing Part II of my loneliness series sometime today or this weekend.

Best wishes in the coming weeks,

Alex