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Street View, Baru (2025)

19/04/2025

THE aphorism, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he,” not only embraces the whole of a man’s being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.
As the plant springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of a man springs from the hidden seeds of thought, and could not have appeared without them. This applies equally to those acts called “spontaneous” and “unpremeditated” as to those, which are deliberately executed.
Act is the blossom of thought, and joy and suffering are its fruits; thus does a man garner in the sweet and bitter fruitage of his own husbandry.
James Allen, As a man thinketh.

“As a Man Thinketh” is a classic self-help book that explores the power of thoughts and their influence on our lives. The central idea is that our thoughts shape our reality, and by changing our thought patterns, we can change our circumstances.
The book emphasises the importance of cultivating positive and constructive thoughts, as these will lead to positive outcomes in our lives. It encourages readers to take responsibility for their thoughts and to consciously choose to focus on uplifting and empowering ideas.
One of the key principles in the book aligns with Stoic philosophy – the idea that we cannot control external events, but we can control our reactions and responses to those events. Our thoughts determine our emotions and actions, which in turn shape our experiences.
The book also highlights the importance of perseverance, discipline, and self-mastery in shaping our thought patterns. It suggests that by consistently focusing on positive and productive thoughts, we can overcome obstacles and achieve our goals.
Overall, “As a Man Thinketh” offers a practical and inspiring message that encourages readers to take responsibility for their mindset and to use the power of their thoughts to create a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Have you read the book?

19/04/2025

“The secret of being a bore is to tell everything.”
Voltaire
The quote essentially highlights the virtue of being concise and thoughtful with one’s words. In our age of oversharing and constant streams of information, it serves as a reminder to be mindful of what we choose to express and how we express it.
From a Stoic perspective, the ability to filter one’s thoughts and speech is a mark of self-discipline and wisdom. The Stoics valued clear and purposeful communication, avoiding unnecessary verbosity or idle chatter. By “telling everything,” one risks saturating their audience with excessive and often trivial details, effectively becoming a “bore.”
The quote encourages us to be discerning about what we share, focusing on what is truly meaningful and relevant. It’s about cultivating the ability to listen more than we speak, and to speak with intention when we do. By being more selective and thoughtful with our words, we not only avoid boring others, but we also foster deeper connections and more engaging conversations.

19/04/2025

“If you fight with all your might, there is a chance of life; where as death is certain if you cling to your corner?”
Sun Tzu, The art of War

Do you agree with Sun Tzu?

19/04/2025

William James once said, “The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.”
In our constantly connected world, it’s easy to get caught up in every little thing. The petty dramas, negative comments, and small frustrations can quickly overwhelm us.
But what if we learned to overlook the trivial things that don’t really matter?
True wisdom is knowing what to let go of and what to give your attention to.
By cultivating the mindfulness to observe without getting caught up, we can find greater peace and focus on what truly matters.
Develop the art of overlooking the insignificant, and you’ll master the art of being truly wise.

19/04/2025

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson
Enthusiasm is the spark that ignites greatness. Without genuine passion and excitement for what you’re pursuing, even the most ambitious goals will feel like uphill battles. Enthusiasm provides the energy, focus, and determination to power through obstacles. It helps you find joy in the journey and inspires others around you.
Emerson’s words remind us that remarkable achievements aren’t possible without that burning enthusiasm driving us forward. Cultivate your passion, let it fuel your ambitions, and watch as enthusiasm propels you towards greatness in whatever you endeavour.

19/04/2025

What is the first business of one who practices philosophy? To get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows.
Epictetus

19/04/2025

“The secret of happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage.”

[Funeral Oration of Pericles]
― Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War

True happiness comes from having the freedom to live life on your own terms, without being constrained by fears, expectations of others, or artificial limitations you place on yourself. When you are free to pursue your authentic goals and express who you truly are, that’s when you find the path to genuine contentment.
But freedom isn’t free. It takes bravery to break away from the herd mentality, to challenge the status quo, and to boldly walk your own path. Freedom requires mustering the inner courage to make difficult choices, face uncertainties, and remain true to yourself even when it’s the road less travelled.
True freedom is an inside job - it starts by having the courage to listen to your heart’s calling, rather than being imprisoned by outside voices or “shoulds.” With courage, you liberate yourself from self-limiting beliefs and societal pressures that try to keep you caged.
You must fight your fears and remain unshaken in doing what you believe is right for you. Happiness and freedom are intertwined, with courage being the key that unlocks the door to both.

19/04/2025

“Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle”
Napoleon Hill

Do you agree?

19/04/2025

“If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is: infinite.”
William Blake

The quote by William Blake points to a profound truth about human perception that aligns with Stoic philosophy. We often view the world through the lens of our own biases, fears, and desires. It’s as if the “doors” through which we perceive reality are tainted and obscured.
Blake quote suggests that if we could somehow cleanse those doors of perception – stripping away the distortions caused by our preconceptions and limited perspectives – we would be able to see everything as it truly is: interconnected and infinite in its vastness.
This idea resonates with the Stoic belief in living according to reason and accepting the natural order of the universe. The Stoics encouraged cultivating an objective understanding of reality, free from the delusions that often cloud our judgment.
In our daily lives, we get caught up in superficial concerns, fleeting desires, and societal noise that can distort our perceptions. Blake’s quote serves as a reminder to pause, reflect, and strive to perceive the world with greater clarity.
When we let go of our preconceived notions and open ourselves to reality’s true nature, we can appreciate the awe-inspiring complexity and interconnectedness of all things. We are not separate from the infinite cycles of nature but an integral part of a vast, marvellous whole.

19/04/2025

“It is best to endure what you cannot change.”
Seneca, Letters from a Stoic, Letter CVII: On Obedience to the Universal Will

We all face situations in life that are out of our control - maybe it’s a job loss, the end of a relationship, or just bad traffic making you late. The Stoic philosopher Seneca reminds us that in those moments, it’s best to endure and accept what we cannot change with patience and resilience.
Getting angry, upset or wishing things were different rarely improves the situation. In fact, it only causes us more inner turmoil and suffering. The Stoics taught that the path to peace of mind lies in focusing our energy on the things within our control - our actions, attitudes and responses.
For the frustrations and curveballs that life throws our way that we can’t avoid or prevent, we’re better off taking a deep breath and rolling with the punches. Railing against an unchangeable reality is just wasted effort. The wise move is to endure it mindfully, adapt ourselves to the situation, and keep moving forward with grit and grace.
It’s not always easy, but cultivating the ability to endure difficulties with equanimity rather than anguish is incredibly empowering. It’s how we maintain our composure and inner calm amid the chaos. And that’s something worth working towards.

19/04/2025

“It is imperative to master the principles of the art of war and learn to be unmoved in mind even in the heat of the battle.”

Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings

The quote is saying that it’s really important to learn and deeply understand the strategies and tactics of dealing with difficult conflicts or challenges in life. Musashi refers to this as mastering “the art of war.”
However, just as crucial as having that knowledge is being able to stay calm, focused, and in control of your emotions and mental state when you’re right in the middle of those challenging situations. It’s easy to get anxious or lose control when things get heated and intense. But the quote is advising that you need to train yourself to remain unmoved mentally, even when metaphorically in “the heat of battle.”
Don’t just try to intellectually prepare for life’s difficulties by learning strategies. Also work on developing an unshakable mindset and emotional discipline. That way, when you inevitably face stressful situations, crises, conflicts or obstacles, you can keep your head and respond from a centred, grounded place rather than getting thrown off by the intensity of the moment.
It’s about combining two things - arming yourself with wisdom and tactics, but also training an almost zen-like ability to not be mentally rattled no matter how crazy things get around you. Master the head and the heart essentially.
Prepare the plans, but guard the calm within. Study strategy, but master your mind - stay unshaken amidst the storm. Know your tactics, control your reactions.

19/04/2025

“Remember that to change your course and to follow someone who puts you right is not to be less free. For the change is your own action, proceeding according to your own impulse and decision, and indeed according to your mind.”
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations VIII.16

Essentially, what Marcus Aurelius is saying is that changing your path or listening to someone who helps you correct your course isn’t a loss of freedom or a sign of weakness. Instead, it’s an act of self-empowerment and autonomy.
Think about it like this: we all have moments where we get a little off track or lose our way, whether it’s with our goals, our values, or just living the life we want to live. In those times, having someone point us in the right direction – a mentor, a friend, a book, whatever – isn’t them taking away our freedom. It’s us exercising our freedom to make a conscious choice to change course.
The key phrase is “according to your own impulse and decision, and indeed according to your mind.” When you decide to follow guidance that helps realign you, it’s still fully your own choice. You’re not being forced or coerced. You’re simply using your free will and reasoning mind to say “You know what, I need to make an adjustment here.”
It’s kind of like using a GPS when you’re driving and get off route. The GPS doesn’t force you to follow it – it just provides information to help you get back on track if you want to. And re-routing is still your own decision as the driver.
So in the end, Marcus is reminding us that course-correcting isn’t losing freedom – it’s an expression of your freedom to think critically and make positive changes in your life.

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