--- I think we live in one of the most beautiful places in the universe, just statistically earth is an unfathomable gift to humanity, yet I feel we also squander it. Particularly with neoliberalist thought and the commoditization of humanity, causing the degradation and homogenization of culture, leading to a loss of identity and narrative. I feel as if we, as in "most people," fear putting things into words, the act of dictation, the act of asserting will into words, and the act of narration, the assertion of perspective. My [[Barriers to Self-Actualization|advice to a younger self]], would be to build the sense of security you need, in order to take risk. The most valuable thing a young person possess is a youthful spirit, innocent soul, and a sea of possibility. However, if you don't build that sense of security, you rob yourself of beauty, and you eyes grow dead. If your world is covered in darkness, how can you ever have faith to take a step in the void? Whether through friends, parents, experience, ideals, or truth, you must build the basis, a foundation for you to take risk. The earlier you do this, the more you will have to reach out into the void, the more isolated you will seem. As an early realization of direction, a light, is akin to entering the process of maturation early, meaning you've entered the process of becoming...being an exception. A path which by definition is lonely, difficult, brutal, but necessary. As we all follow the same path of becoming, only for some the discomfort leads to stagnation, never being. This idea of being and becoming will seem abstract, but it's the process of growth, something that will be know with time. When you are in your early years, this process of growth is implicit, time itself forces growth onto you biologically. You are also in vulnerable state, and as such, rely on the signals from your surrounding to form your identity, to be. However, as this process slows, the growth you once found implicit must become explicit, and the identity you once had must be reforged. This is the metaphorical death of ego, of self, the process of maturation, the path through fire. Very simply, [[The Nature of Chaos, Order, & Emergence|the path]] forwards is: > **Creation** $\rightarrow$ **Dialogue** $\rightarrow$ **Collaboration** $\rightarrow$ **Creation** **Creation** -> learn to visualize, to be inspired, and most importantly, to translate / manifest vision into reality. This is the essence of creation, it will teach you the important of perspective, but to also have pride and confidence in your own view. It will teach you that anyone can critique, but few can truly create. For what good is the most elaborate idea, if it cannot be spoken into reality? **Dialogue** -> Learn how to speak, to be articulate, to not say "uhm" or "ah," to get your point across while remaining courteous, to find interest in the seemingly uninteresting, to spark conversation with people who don't know or care about you--until you introduce yourself. For what good is most beautiful creation if it cannot be communicated. **Collaboration** -> Learn how to align incentives, to communicate to different parties, and most importantly, to create your own opportunities. For no man is perfect, for Rome wasn't built in a day, for what good are the greatest joys if they cannot be shared? **Creation** -> Learn to Aspire to Inspire those who Inspire you. --- ![[Illustration of the hero's journey.png]]