Hi everyone,
Please enjoy this week’s 4 points!
1) Did you do your best?
In 1952, Jimmy Carter secured the opportunity of a lifetime: an interview with Admiral Hyman Rickover for a chance to join the nuclear submarine program.
Admiral Rickover, the father of the nuclear Navy, was not just one of history’s most brilliant minds, he was also one of history’s most hands-on leaders. He interviewed every single candidate for the submarine service himself, including the future president. These were long interviews. For two to three hours, Rickover asked Carter about strategy, tactics, physics, literature, and history. Carter had prepared for days, weeks even, and the interview seemed to be going well when Rickover asked, “Where were you ranked in your class at the Naval Academy?” Now, it’s only going to get better, Carter must have thought as he swelled up with pride, “I was ranked 59th in a class of 840 sir.” Carter would recall the surprise of not receiving congratulations, but instead another question:
“Did you always do your best?”
Carter began to instinctively answer that of course he always did his best, but something inside of him caused him to pause. “I recalled several of the many times at the Academy when I could have learned more about our allies, our enemies, weapons, strategy, and so forth,” Carter would say. So he was honest, “No, sir, I didn’t always do my best.” Rickover didn’t say anything and just looked at Carter for a long time before asking one final question “Why not?” Then he stood up and walked out of the room.
Source: Daily Stoic
2) Gratitute
Actress and singer Dolly Parton on gratitude:
I make a point to appreciate all the little things in my life, because I learned early that if you don't, you get disappointed a lot. If you do, you might be pleasantly surprised quite often.
I go out and smell the air after a good, hard rain. I re-read passages from my favorite books. I hold the little treasures that somebody special gave me. By keeping my eyes open for unexpected joys, I find the world gives back more than we sometimes think.
3) Why philosophy?
Philosophers such as Piper (1989) have argued that philosophy is concerned with asking the big questions about what we are why we exist. In contrast, psychology is more interested in how to, rather than what for, and therefore is oriented towards action and change. However, without an awareness of the philosophical position accompanying this focus on actions, we will run the risk of pursuing a goal (means) whose final outcome (ends) is undesirable.
- Mark Nesti in Existential Psychology and Sport
4) Quote of the week
“Every thought a person dwells upon, whether he expresses it or not, either damages or improves his life.”
- Writer and spirtualist, Lucy Malory
Thank you for your time and attention this week!
Much love,
Kyle
Excellent wisdom