I ordered this book a while back and it has been sitting in my stack of to-read books. I have no doubt that God, the Universe, whatever you believe in, has a way of putting things in your lap when you need them and this book for me, was one of those things.

This book is letters written to a fellow Navy Seal that has been going through some hard times. It is about resilience and how to work through the hard times and keep going. If you are into philosophy, he shares a ton of additional books to read (which have all been added to my running list of books to read ;).

“Resilience is the virtue that enables people to move through hardship and become better” After reading this line, I knew there was a reason I was reading this book at this time. Hardship is not supposed to hinder but only make us better, it all comes down to perspective and how you look at things.

“Don’t expect a time in your life when you’ll be free from change, free from struggle, free from worry.” I needed this line. For so long, I had thought, okay if I can just make it to here, things will be better. If I can just do this, I won’t struggle as much. Knowing that there will always be some kind of struggle, some kind of worry almost eases the pressure. Allows you to be more in the moment and to keep creating the life you envisioned for yourself.

“The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken place” – Hemingway

“Wonder at what you don’t know is the source of the wisdom you might achieve one day” I loved this, learning for me is something I never stop doing. From books I read, to podcasts I listen to, to courses I take. I never want to stop learning.

“Start copying what you love. Copy, copy, copy, copy. At the end of the copy you will find yourself” – Yohji Yamamoto

For someone who is starting something new and doesn’t know where to start. Start by finding someone in the same field you admire. Copy their work, do what they do, and before you know it, you will have put your own spin on it and “you will find yourself”.

“If you want to live a purposeful life, you have to create your purpose” This part of the book was a little mind blowing for me. I have read books and listened to podcasts on finding your purpose. What is your why? I always wondered, how do you find your purpose? Is this just something you are born knowing? Eric put a different spin on this, instead of finding your purpose, he said create your purpose. Reading it from this perspective, it was almost like a lightbulb going off. Create your purpose.

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how” – Nietzsche

“With the right reflection we learn to turn our experience into wisdom that shapes how we live. The way you see the world is shaped by the reflection you are willing to do”

There is not a single hardship that we as humans have faced that has not been faced before. It is what you do with that hardship that determines how your life will go. Are you reflecting on it, are you growing from it or are you wallowing in it? You will get knocked down, time and time again, but will you keep standing up?

Reflection has been good for me this year, the hardship chapters have closed and this new phase of finding myself has emerged. Become a resilient person, you never know what kind of life is waiting on the other side.

Share some love, we could all use a little more love
XOXOXO
Casey