Huge respect for the integrity of your decisions Jack. You do not need to write often or especially eloquently for the inspiration of your example to be received. I'll always been in your court, cheering you on, whether you're posting an essay or learning how not to get thrown off a jiu-jitsu mat. Best to you friend.
Rick, your words here have filled me with warmth. Thank you truly. Above everything, the greatest gift writing has given me is the amazing people, like you, I have had the privilege of meeting. Happy Holidays, my friend. I hope the New Year delivers everything you seek.
Jack - pure delight to see a missive from you pop up this morning. What a profile in authenticity, wisdom, and stand-taking you are.
One of the best questions we can continually ask ourselves is: “What is it time for, now?” The choices you are making in your life reflect answers of integrity.
James, sorry for my great delay in responding to this lovely comment. I’ve always been one for adding without ever taking away, so this has been a great exercise for me. Doing good writing is really hard work and certainly not worth pursuing if you cannot pour 100% of yourself into every word you publish. “Less but better” is the maxim I have long been telling myself but am only now starting to follow, though not always consistently as most weeks I aim for 5-6 workouts and 7 BJJ classes (like I said… thick skull).
Hope you are well, my friend. Always a pleasure to hear from you.
Thanks so much for being here, Sean. The journey is indeed exciting, as I hope yours is too. Wishing a happy holidays, Merry Christmas, and a bountiful New Year to you.
Jack, I so appreciated this post. Refreshing! Congratulations on finding your new rhythm. Sounds like you are thriving. There is so much to read these days; none of us can keep up.An occasional post is, oddly, more attention-getting and interesting than weekly posts. (Something I want to think about more too....)
Brianne, thanks so much for this lovely comment! I agree with you, quality will beat quantity over the long run. I hope 2025 is off to a great start for you. Sending all my best.
Love this, Jack. The lesson about subtracting is so good. The frustration is palpable of trying to continually juggle more balls. And the joy of simplicity, of doing two things instead of ten, is real abundance.
Because you prioritized writing for so many hours, for so many years, you've built this skill (like riding a bike) that will not go away.
Thanks pal, these words mean a great deal to me. You said it so well. Simplicity is real abundance and beauty. There’s something so attractive to having a focused life of less. Appreciate you taking the time to read and leave words here. Lots of love.
Indeed they are! I’ve since transitioned to 6:30am workouts which have their own benefits. Hope things are working out for you as planned, Niall. All my best.
“living minute by minute” are words I need to drive into my head every minute of every day to have even the slightest chance of not getting too far ahead of myself, lost in daydreams of the future. Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment, Donna :)
Great to see an update from you jack. Glad you found a job - hopefully one you enjoy and are fulfilled by. I had a teacher who used to say "life is just as much about choosing what you want to suck at as it is choosing what to be good at". I like your wording of addition and subtraction better. Either way, the scales have to balance. Best of luck!
Great to hear from you, Stephen. Life and work is good — I’m learning that fulfillment, joy, happiness, and internal peace have far less to do with reality than how we choose to interpret and assign meaning to that reality. In each moment of every day, we get to make that choice. I hope your family is well and your business venture is prosperous. All my best.
I will be the one getting beat up for a long, long time. But that is The Path, and I shall do my best to stay on it. Hope you are enjoying Vietnam — I look forward to hearing of your adventures.
Hey man, so happy to see you here—and even happier to read this update. A new job, new city, and new sport are more than enough. Training combat sports has always been one of my favorite things in life, so I'm glad you're digging into BJJ. The writing will be there, always and whenever. Like Rick, I'm thrilled to cheer you on in this next chapter, always in your corner.
Thanks so much for this comment, Rob. Your words always bring me hope, joy, and good feeling. BJJ is a wonderful ego-removing tool and a delightful opportunity to be a beginner all over again. I hope you are well, finding ways to enjoy these cold and dark winter days.
props to you Jack. sometimes even good habits, when they become unconscious, or too time consuming, can become detrimental. hope life has been treating you well. and looking forward to your sporadic essays. i know theyll always be worth checking out.
Huge respect for the integrity of your decisions Jack. You do not need to write often or especially eloquently for the inspiration of your example to be received. I'll always been in your court, cheering you on, whether you're posting an essay or learning how not to get thrown off a jiu-jitsu mat. Best to you friend.
Rick, your words here have filled me with warmth. Thank you truly. Above everything, the greatest gift writing has given me is the amazing people, like you, I have had the privilege of meeting. Happy Holidays, my friend. I hope the New Year delivers everything you seek.
Jack - pure delight to see a missive from you pop up this morning. What a profile in authenticity, wisdom, and stand-taking you are.
One of the best questions we can continually ask ourselves is: “What is it time for, now?” The choices you are making in your life reflect answers of integrity.
You’re a wonderful example for us all.
PS: I hope your job is going well.
James, sorry for my great delay in responding to this lovely comment. I’ve always been one for adding without ever taking away, so this has been a great exercise for me. Doing good writing is really hard work and certainly not worth pursuing if you cannot pour 100% of yourself into every word you publish. “Less but better” is the maxim I have long been telling myself but am only now starting to follow, though not always consistently as most weeks I aim for 5-6 workouts and 7 BJJ classes (like I said… thick skull).
Hope you are well, my friend. Always a pleasure to hear from you.
Great stuff Jack. The journey of life . Sounds exciting
Thanks so much for being here, Sean. The journey is indeed exciting, as I hope yours is too. Wishing a happy holidays, Merry Christmas, and a bountiful New Year to you.
Thanks and to you as well
Jack, I so appreciated this post. Refreshing! Congratulations on finding your new rhythm. Sounds like you are thriving. There is so much to read these days; none of us can keep up.An occasional post is, oddly, more attention-getting and interesting than weekly posts. (Something I want to think about more too....)
Brianne, thanks so much for this lovely comment! I agree with you, quality will beat quantity over the long run. I hope 2025 is off to a great start for you. Sending all my best.
Love this, Jack. The lesson about subtracting is so good. The frustration is palpable of trying to continually juggle more balls. And the joy of simplicity, of doing two things instead of ten, is real abundance.
Because you prioritized writing for so many hours, for so many years, you've built this skill (like riding a bike) that will not go away.
Love you buddy
Thanks pal, these words mean a great deal to me. You said it so well. Simplicity is real abundance and beauty. There’s something so attractive to having a focused life of less. Appreciate you taking the time to read and leave words here. Lots of love.
11am workouts are the GOAT. Like you, I’m gonna have to give them up some time soon unless something magic happens.
Indeed they are! I’ve since transitioned to 6:30am workouts which have their own benefits. Hope things are working out for you as planned, Niall. All my best.
Jack! So glad to see you back! Love your phrasing of Via Negativa.
I hope you enjoyed your time away, become a menace at BJJ, and are loving your new job by day!
Zan! Thanks very much pal. All is good and I cannot complain. Hope life is well for you too and 2025 realizes your wildest hopes/dreams/prayers.
Love this - time millionaire, brilliant.
thank you.
Thanks so much for reading and showing up in the comments, Chrissi :)
A pleasure. I really enjoy your posts.
living minute by minute and very much enjoyed reading this
“living minute by minute” are words I need to drive into my head every minute of every day to have even the slightest chance of not getting too far ahead of myself, lost in daydreams of the future. Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment, Donna :)
Jack, fully and throughly invested in these kinds of stories and conversation. Keep it up ~ Donna C.
Great to see an update from you jack. Glad you found a job - hopefully one you enjoy and are fulfilled by. I had a teacher who used to say "life is just as much about choosing what you want to suck at as it is choosing what to be good at". I like your wording of addition and subtraction better. Either way, the scales have to balance. Best of luck!
Great to hear from you, Stephen. Life and work is good — I’m learning that fulfillment, joy, happiness, and internal peace have far less to do with reality than how we choose to interpret and assign meaning to that reality. In each moment of every day, we get to make that choice. I hope your family is well and your business venture is prosperous. All my best.
Sounds great, brother. Hopefully you're beating someone up in BJJ instead of reading my silly comment here. Godspeed.
I will be the one getting beat up for a long, long time. But that is The Path, and I shall do my best to stay on it. Hope you are enjoying Vietnam — I look forward to hearing of your adventures.
Hey man, so happy to see you here—and even happier to read this update. A new job, new city, and new sport are more than enough. Training combat sports has always been one of my favorite things in life, so I'm glad you're digging into BJJ. The writing will be there, always and whenever. Like Rick, I'm thrilled to cheer you on in this next chapter, always in your corner.
Thanks so much for this comment, Rob. Your words always bring me hope, joy, and good feeling. BJJ is a wonderful ego-removing tool and a delightful opportunity to be a beginner all over again. I hope you are well, finding ways to enjoy these cold and dark winter days.
props to you Jack. sometimes even good habits, when they become unconscious, or too time consuming, can become detrimental. hope life has been treating you well. and looking forward to your sporadic essays. i know theyll always be worth checking out.
So great to hear from you, Arman. You said it better than I. Hope life is treating you well too and that 2025 brings you what you are seeking.
…keep enjoying your journey jack…
Thanks CansaFis, hope you are doing well friend.