Craig, this resonates A LOT. I spent years feeling empty despite being "busy". Law degree, restaurant work, full schedule. The problem wasn't lack of movement. It was movement in directions I'd defaulted into.
I picked law because I had to choose something when I didn't know what I wanted. Restaurant work was circumstance. I was climbing mountains, but mountains I'd randomly picked or fell into. (not ones I actually chose after asking what I wanted). The shift: recognizing the gap between who I was being and who I could be. Then asking "what percentage of my potential am I willing to accept?" That's when movement became meaningful.
Not because I found the "right" mountain, but because I finally chose my mountain after honest self-negotiation about what I actually wanted. Your penguin didn't need certainty about the destination. He needed courage to choose his own direction instead of accepting the default. The struggle is the goal, but only when it's struggle toward something you actually chose.
Just out of Curiousity: when did you realize you were climbing your own mountain vs. one that was assigned to you?
I am inspired by the story Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach,I see Jonathan in that penguin,on his way to achieve or experience something unimaginable.
“The power of embracing uncertainty comes from the fact that it holds everything you could be” this just hit me. I needed to read it. You write amazing, I hope you grow a lot man
This really lands, Craig. The idea that happiness comes from movement, not certainty, feels spot on, and the mountain metaphor is hard to shake. It’s a good reminder that choosing a direction matters more than getting it right.
This resonates so deeply. I actually just got started on substack and wrote exactly about this. Stuff which was holding me back. Pls read if you get a chance.
I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious. - Albert Einstein
Love it! Thanks for reading Xian!
Craig, this resonates A LOT. I spent years feeling empty despite being "busy". Law degree, restaurant work, full schedule. The problem wasn't lack of movement. It was movement in directions I'd defaulted into.
I picked law because I had to choose something when I didn't know what I wanted. Restaurant work was circumstance. I was climbing mountains, but mountains I'd randomly picked or fell into. (not ones I actually chose after asking what I wanted). The shift: recognizing the gap between who I was being and who I could be. Then asking "what percentage of my potential am I willing to accept?" That's when movement became meaningful.
Not because I found the "right" mountain, but because I finally chose my mountain after honest self-negotiation about what I actually wanted. Your penguin didn't need certainty about the destination. He needed courage to choose his own direction instead of accepting the default. The struggle is the goal, but only when it's struggle toward something you actually chose.
Just out of Curiousity: when did you realize you were climbing your own mountain vs. one that was assigned to you?
Starting this newsletter was the big mountain for me!
Love it 🤩
Thanks for reading!
This was very insightful.
As always amazing.
🙌🔥
I am inspired by the story Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach,I see Jonathan in that penguin,on his way to achieve or experience something unimaginable.
Must read.
This was very insightful Craig, Thanks.
Thank you for sharing!
Woah man
I have a feeling I'll be returning to this post many more times.
Thanks for reading Daniel, I hope you’ve found it helpful in some way :)
“The power of embracing uncertainty comes from the fact that it holds everything you could be” this just hit me. I needed to read it. You write amazing, I hope you grow a lot man
Thank you Joaquin, love the profile pic!
This perfectly summed up everything I’ve been going through for a year now, and I’m glad I’m not alone with it anymore. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for sharing Noha :)
Thank you for writing this. I really needed that!🫶🏻
Thanks for reading Ashi, I hope you enjoyed it :)
B.A.R.S❤️
Thank you Chichi!
This really lands, Craig. The idea that happiness comes from movement, not certainty, feels spot on, and the mountain metaphor is hard to shake. It’s a good reminder that choosing a direction matters more than getting it right.
This resonates so deeply. I actually just got started on substack and wrote exactly about this. Stuff which was holding me back. Pls read if you get a chance.
https://open.substack.com/pub/betweenmeetingsandmeaning/p/the-voice-in-your-head-isnt-you-its?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2d3ngc