Virtus 👊 #002: Hiking to the Heart, Red Book Revelations, Kipling's Call, Men setting a party in 3.5 steps

Another very, very cool newsletter for humans.

Oct 19, 2024

In this newsletter:

Discover the Power of Self-Love: Uncover Josh's inspiring journey from loneliness to self-acceptance in our feature story.
Unlock Ancient Wisdom: Explore how Carl Jung's mysterious Red Book can guide your path to self-discovery and wholeness.
Master the Art of Eudaimonia: Learn about this Greek concept of deep fulfillment and how it can revolutionize your approach to happiness.
Poetry for the Soul: Reflect on timeless verses that speak to the core of masculine strength and resilience.
Laugh Your Way to Wisdom: Find out why a $500 carry-on might just be the secret to travel enlightenment (or at least a good chuckle).

MAIN ARTICLE

Timeless Truths About Life: The Journey of Self-Discovery

Photo by cottonbro studio

Life's big questions have puzzled humans for generations. Why is life so hard? What's my purpose? Why is this happening to me? We keep asking, searching, and struggling to find answers.

Religious texts and philosophy books claim to have the answers. But somehow, we don't fully grasp them. Why? Because true understanding comes from within. It's part of life's journey to discover our own version of these truths.

For thousands of years, we've known that finding fulfillment means aligning our actions with our values. But knowing this doesn't magically reveal our life's purpose. We must dig deep, think hard, and try new things. Our purpose is hidden in the details of our experiences – the small moments of joy scattered throughout our lives like breadcrumbs.

There are people who can guide us. But often, we ignore them. Not because we don't trust them but because the best guides know they can't give us all the answers. They understand that we need to figure things out for ourselves. Only then will the lessons stick.

The most powerful answers are the ones we rediscover in our own way. Just as our DNA is unique, so too are the answers we seek. They're tailored to our individual experiences and perspectives.

So, how do we find our own answers? Here are some timeless truths to guide you:

Embrace the journey: The search for meaning is as important as the answers you find.
Pay attention to joy: Those small moments of happiness are clues to your purpose.
Learn from others, but find your own path: Mentors can point the way, but you must walk the road yourself.
Trust your intuition: Deep down, you often know the right answer. Listen to that inner voice.
Be patient: Understanding life's big questions takes time. Don't rush the process.
Stay open-minded: Your answers may come from unexpected places.
Reflect often: Take time to think about your experiences and what they mean to you.
Act on your insights: Knowledge without action is just information. Use what you learn to shape your life.

Remember, the goal isn't to find perfect answers but to keep growing and learning. Your understanding will deepen over time, just as generations before you have gradually uncovered life's timeless truths.

So, next time you're wrestling with a big life question, take a deep breath. Know that you're part of a long human tradition of seeking answers. Trust in your ability to find your own unique truth. The journey of self-discovery is one of life's greatest adventures – embrace it.

The Harmony of Self-Love

Photo by Ruvim Miksanskiy

Josh leaned against a weathered oak tree, his breath forming small clouds in the crisp autumn air. The Appalachian trail stretched before him, a ribbon of earth winding through the vibrant reds and golds of the forest. At 30, he felt more at home here, among the whispering leaves and chattering streams, than he ever had in the bustling cities where he'd spent his twenties.

He pulled out his journal, its pages filled with thoughts, sketches of native plants, and memories of past hikes. But lately, a new theme had emerged in his writings - loneliness.

Josh loved the solitude of nature, the way it allowed him to hear his own thoughts and feel the rhythm of his breath. Yet, increasingly, he found himself wishing for someone to share these moments with. Someone who would appreciate the way the morning light filtered through the canopy, or the thrill of spotting a rare bird.

As he scribbled in his journal, his mind wandered to his college days. He'd had no shortage of relationships then, each one intense and full of promise. But they all seemed to follow the same pattern - initial excitement fading into disappointment and, eventually, separation.

"Maybe I've been doing it wrong all along," Josh muttered to himself, his pen pausing mid-sentence.

He thought about Sarah, his last girlfriend. He'd loved her fiercely, planning elaborate dates and surprising her with thoughtful gifts. But when she didn't reciprocate in the same way, he'd felt betrayed, unappreciated. The relationship had crumbled under the weight of his expectations.

A red-tailed hawk soared overhead, its cry echoing through the valley. Josh watched its graceful flight, envying its freedom. Then, a thought struck him, as clear and piercing as the hawk's call:

"I've been expecting love to come from outside, when it needs to start from within."

The realization hit him like a gust of wind, rustling the pages of his journal. He'd been so focused on finding someone to love him, he'd neglected to fully love himself.

Josh closed his eyes, letting the sounds and smells of the forest wash over him. He thought about all the things he loved about himself - his passion for nature, his curiosity, his resilience. For the first time, he allowed himself to feel proud of these qualities, to truly appreciate who he was.

As the day wore on, Josh hiked deeper into the woods, his steps lighter, his mind clearer. He began to see his solitude not as a lack of companionship, but as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.

At a crystal-clear stream, he paused to refill his water bottle. Catching his reflection in the rippling water, he smiled. "I love you," he whispered to himself, feeling a bit silly but also strangely liberated.

That night, as he set up camp under a canopy of stars, Josh felt a sense of peace he hadn't experienced in years. He realized that loving himself didn't mean he had to be alone forever. Instead, it meant that when he did find someone to share his life with, he wouldn't be looking to them to fill a void.

He imagined two people, each whole and content in themselves, coming together not out of need but out of a desire to share their already abundant love. Like two wildflowers basking side by side in the sunlight, neither dependent on the other for growth, but both made more beautiful by their proximity.

As he drifted off to sleep, the gentle rustle of leaves his lullaby, Josh felt a new chapter of his life beginning. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew that by learning to truly love himself, he was opening his heart to endless possibilities.

In the morning, he'd continue his hike, but he was no longer searching for something external. Instead, he was on a journey to nurture the love within himself, ready to share it with the world - and maybe, someday, with someone special who was on the same path.

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Jung's Red Book: A Curious Dive into the Male Psyche

Buy it if you want from Jeff

Imagine a book so personal, so filled with wild visions and deep insights, that its author kept it hidden for nearly a century. That's the story of Carl Jung's "Red Book," a tome that's part diary, part artwork, and part exploration of the human mind.

What's the Red Book?

The Red Book is Jung's record of his "confrontation with the unconscious." For 16 years, Jung wrote and illustrated this leather-bound book (which was black, if I’m not wrong - ha, ha), filling it with vivid paintings and cryptic writings. It's like peeking into the dream journal of one of history's greatest psychologists!

Why Should Men Care?

It's a Man's Journey: Jung's Red Book is essentially the story of a man grappling with his inner world. It's raw, it's real, and it's relatable.
Embracing the Shadow: Jung dives deep into the concept of the "shadow" - those parts of ourselves we'd rather not admit to. For men, acknowledging these aspects can be a powerful step towards wholeness.
Creativity as Therapy: The Red Book shows how creative expression can be a tool for understanding ourselves. Who says journaling and art are just for kids?
Myths and Meaning: Jung explores how ancient myths can help us understand our modern lives. It's like finding life advice in your favorite epic tales!
Individuation: This is Jung's fancy term for becoming your true self. The Red Book is all about this journey - perfect for men looking to define their own path.

Fun Facts to Drop at Your Next BBQ

The actual Red Book is huge - about 12 inches wide and 15.5 inches tall.
Jung's family kept it locked in a bank vault for decades after his death.
It wasn't published until 2009, causing a stir in the psychology world.

Why It Matters Now

In a world where men are redefining what masculinity means, Jung's Red Book offers a roadmap for self-exploration. It's a reminder that even the greatest minds have inner struggles, and that facing these challenges head-on can lead to profound personal growth.

So, gentlemen, ready to take a page from Jung's book? Your own "Red Book" journey might just be the adventure your psyche's been waiting for!

WORD OF THE WEEK

"Eudaimonia"

Pronunciation: /juːdaɪˈmoʊniə/

Definition:

Eudaimonia is a Greek word commonly translated as "happiness" or "welfare." However, it refers to a deeper concept of human flourishing or prosperity. It encompasses the notion of living in accordance with one's true self and realizing one's full potential.

In the context of men's personal growth:

Eudaimonia represents the idea that true happiness comes not just from pleasure or material success, but from living a life of virtue, meaning, and purpose. It encourages men to focus on personal development, ethical behavior, and the pursuit of their highest aspirations.

Using it in a sentence:

"Through mindfulness and self-reflection, Josh was able to move beyond mere satisfaction and achieve a state of eudaimonia, feeling truly fulfilled in his life and relationships."

POETRY IS COOL

If—

By Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
    If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
   And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
    And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
    And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
    And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
    To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
    Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
    Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
    If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
    With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
    And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Watch how this was drawn by Dare To Be Witty

“STOP BUYING SH*T YOU DON’T NEED.” (MEL ROBBINS) 😉

mixi Carry On Luggage

Why spend $415 on a carry-on with a phone and cup holder?

Well, my friend, here's why:

Because nothing says "I've got my life together" like a suitcase that's smarter than some people you know.
It's the perfect way to say, "I'm too fancy for airport floor germs on my phone or spillable drinks."
You'll finally have a place to put your $7 airport coffee that isn't on your lap or the stranger next to you.
It's like having a personal assistant minus the judgmental looks when you pack your lucky underwear.
When you're sprinting to catch your flight, your phone and drink will be having the smoothest ride of their lives.
It's the closest you'll get to feeling like James Bond at the airport without risking arrest.
You can finally stop using your stomach as a table while trying to text and sip simultaneously.

Remember, it's not just luggage - it's a status symbol with wheels (ha, ha).
Who needs food for a month when you can have the fanciest drink-holding, phone-cradling suitcase in the terminal?

Amazon link - we won’t judge!

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Thanks for being part of our journey. Let's grow this thing!

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