Random Walk Newsletter, Issue 09#
Observations & Insights#
- It has been two weeks since I last wrote. If I don't write something soon, I might not be able to continue. So this week, I want to write something.
- The reason for the hiatus is mainly due to my mindset. From my perspective, I felt that I was being treated unfairly. The secondary reason is that I chose to join a new business line, and there is a lot to familiarize myself with. Therefore, I really didn't have time to write the newsletter.
- Recently, some colleagues have left, especially during the promotion and salary adjustment window. The results were not ideal, and there may be personnel changes. So I spent a lot of time chatting with colleagues whom I was not very familiar with before. Sometimes, with people I'm not familiar with, I can express myself more freely. Does that sound strange? But that's how it is. At least that's how it is for me.
- Actually, I have already made some adjustments last week. During the process of adjusting my mindset, I read a lot of books. They were very helpful while I was reading them, but after finishing them, it felt like the effect wore off. The books mentioned that, but whether I can actually do it or not, it still depends on myself.
- I want to make a change, but I'm not so certain. All choices come with risks, I know, but right now I seem to be more averse to risks. However, I still desire change. Sometimes, when you can't make a decision, it's better to hand over the decision-making power to fate and luck.
Audiobooks & Reading#
Rational Emotions
As mentioned above, I have been facing emotional issues recently. The first thing that came to mind was to find answers in books. This book hits the nail on the head, stating clearly, "We cannot live in a world where everything always goes our way. In life, there will always be many disappointments, and we must learn to unconditionally accept this reality."
Well said, but after thinking about it, I realized that I already knew this. But it's not that easy, right? I just can't let go, or rather, I can't easily let go. Moreover, negative stimuli always seem stronger than positive ones. Well, I'm being irrational again. Don't worry, let's keep reading. "Emotions are self-created, so they can be completely controlled by us. The author asserts that no matter how bad your situation is or how serious your setbacks are, you always have the ability to control and change your emotions, reduce them, and ultimately overcome your negative emotions."
Well, another profound statement. If it's not enough, there's also this, "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." Adler also said that what determines our current situation is not what we have experienced, but how we perceive those experiences. Because the experiences have already happened and cannot be changed, but our perception of them can be changed. We always have the power to do so.
Well, I feel much better now. There's still one thing I can't understand, or rather, one thing I find difficult to accept. Is there anything that can convince me? The last sentence, "Before solving real-life problems, solve your emotional problems first." This statement is irrefutable. If you don't solve your emotional problems, you won't be able to solve real-life problems. Decisions made with emotions are easily misguided. This guidance is even more explicit, and I agree with it. So, do I want to solve problems? Then let's solve the emotional problems first!
Discrepancy
Another book I read during this period is another book about regulating emotions. It actually has many similarities to "Rational Emotions." For example, "We are rarely affected by the things themselves, but by the feelings they bring." However, this book provides more practical guidelines. It has been verified that the two parts of the brain responsible for rationality and emotions cannot work at the same time. So what should we do? If we feel that we are facing emotional problems, we should deliberately make ourselves think, for example, by doing exercises or solving problems. This way, we can avoid being influenced by emotions.
Freeing the Brain
Since my physical examination last year, I started running to solve my heart rate problem. It should have started in June last year, and it has been 10 months now. I am very glad that I have been consistent. Currently, I run twice a week. This book also suggests running twice a week for 30 minutes each time, which is very beneficial for the brain. "Exercise can help us grow new capillaries and increase the width of blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more smoothly. This can provide more oxygen and glucose to various organs. Glucose brings energy, and oxygen removes waste. The overall functioning of the body, including the brain, naturally improves."
So, the conclusion is, the more you exercise, the smarter you become. Of course, there are more ways than just running, but this is the easiest one to implement. Actually, I really want to swim, but due to time constraints, especially the availability of swimming pools, I can only settle for running.
That's all for this issue of the newsletter. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. Thank you for reading.