Pre-Introducción

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Think about this - the universe is super big. It's so big that it would take light 93 billion years to travel from one end to the other. And it's filled with about 100 billion galaxies, each with millions and millions of stars and planets. Our Earth is just one of about 100 billion planets in our own galaxy (The Milky Way). Even though Earth is pretty small compared to all of that — only about 12,742 kilometers across - it's our home, a tiny blue dot in the giant universe. We know this, and we have a reminder every single time we look at the sky; we understand that it is bigger than us. Homo sapiens (wise men) know this; we are aware that this is true; this is a self-evident truth. But here's the funny part - even though we're just a tiny part of the universe, we humans consistently think we're the most important thing in it. That even God (him or herself) created this entire universe around, about, and for us. Yes, all these Real State are totally unused for us.

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Let's dive right in. Picture this: 7.9 billion people and counting, yet every morning, we bolt awake, living life like we're the star of the show. We know it's not the case. A glance around, a stroll down the street, a gaze at the starlit sky - it's clear we're not the center. But hey, doesn't stop us from acting like we are, does it?

That's where our story starts; For us, the "wise men," we can think and act extremely stupid despite all the facts. Why? There are many reasons, but if we need to point at one, it is the foundation on which is perspective or lack thereof.

 

So here is the first lesson:

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Lesson #1 - Make it a daily habit to get some fucking perspective!

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Yeahp! this lesson is one of the three foundational lessons to understand the context of this book, how and why it was written, and the fundamental reasons why even when we are the "wises" of our genus, proven by being the only remaining species of our genus, we often do foolish things.

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(let me guess, are you still thinking about the curse word in the title of this lesson? I will talk about that later in the book. In the meantime, how do you know it's a curse word? And hold that thought.)

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Returning to lesson #1 - Make it a daily habit to get a fucking perspective! Now, I know what you're thinking. That's a bit harsh, isn't it? But let me tell you, my friend, sometimes we need that harshness. We need that jolt, that shock to the system, to wake us up from our self-centered slumbers.

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Alright, here we go. Picture us humans, often lost in our own bubbles. Sweating over problems, chasing desires, fueling ambitions. We're so wrapped up in our stories that we miss the grand canvas. Billions of galaxies, stars, planets - a cosmic spectacle, and here we are, a mere blip. But do we admit, "I JUST DON'T KNOW"? Nope. We spin tales, buy into them, and hand them down. Not as possibilities, but as the ultimate, unchanging truth.

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And that's where perspective comes in. Perspective is seeing things in their true relation or relative importance. It's the ability to step back from our lives and look at them differently. It's seeing our problems not as insurmountable obstacles but as challenges to be overcome. It's the capacity to see our desires not as the be-all and end-all of our existence but as part of a larger journey toward self-fulfillment. It's perceiving our ambitions not as the sole measure of our worth but as one aspect of our multifaceted identities.

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So, how do we foster this perspective daily? It's simple: mindfulness.  Each day, take a moment to pause, reflect on our cosmic insignificance, and remember our minuscule place in the grand universe. Recognize that our problems and desires are just tiny blips in the cosmic timeline. And more importantly, no matter what it is, perspective will remind you that billions of people have come before you, and billions probably will come after you; you are not the only person with that gift or that particular problem. 

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But don't stop there. Perspective is about balancing our insignificance with our significance. Yes, we're tiny in the universe, but we can make a big splash in our own lives and others'. Our problems and desires may seem small in the cosmic scale, but they matter to us. That's the crux. Many of our smart yet foolish actions stem from a narrow perspective, even when tackling big, collective issues.

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Alright, let's hit the ground running. Every day, grab a hefty dose of perspective. Know your cosmic address. Mull over your issues, wants, dreams. Grasp your insignificance and your importance. And remember, no matter your size in this cosmic dance, you've got the power to shake things up - in your life, in others' lives. All it takes is the right perspective.

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On A Bumper Sticker - 

"Universe Called: You're Not the Center, Get Perspective!"

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Lesson #2 - We know how the story ends. We all die, so never take things too seriously!

 

Now, I can almost hear you saying, "Well, that's a bit morbid, isn't it?" But stick with me here. This isn't about dwelling on the inevitability of death. It's about embracing the certainty of it to live a fuller, more meaningful life. This lesson is reasonably connected to lesson #1; while staying alive (surviving) and becoming the best version of yourself (thriving) are serious business, remember it's all risky, and no matter what we do, we are not coming out alive.

 

You see, we humans have this peculiar habit of taking ourselves and our lives incredibly seriously. We stress over deadlines; we fret over perceived slights. We agonize over decisions. We build up these walls of worry and fear around us, and we let them dictate our actions, our thoughts, and our feelings.

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But here's the thing - at the end of the day, we all know how the story ends. We're all heading towards the same destination. And that destination isn't a promotion, or a bigger house, or a fancier car. It's not the approval of others or the achievement of some arbitrary societal standard of success. No, my friends, that destination is death.

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Now, I'm not saying this to depress you or to instill a sense of nihilism. Quite the opposite, in fact. I'm saying this to liberate you. To free you from the shackles of unnecessary seriousness. Because when you truly grasp the fact that we all end up in the same place, no matter what we do, it puts things into perspective. It makes you realize that many of the things we worry about, a lot of the things we take so seriously, are ultimately inconsequential.

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So, what does this mean for you? It means that you have permission to lighten up. To laugh in the face of adversity. To dance in the rain of uncertainty. To love with all your heart, even if it might get broken. To pursue your dreams, even if you might fail. Because in the grand scheme of things, none of the risks we take, the mistakes we make, or the failures we experience are that serious.

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So, go out there and live your life with a sense of lightness, a sense of joy, a sense of humor. Take risks, make mistakes, learn, grow, love, and laugh. Because we all know how the story ends, so why not make the journey as enjoyable as possible?

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Remember, my friends, life is too important to be taken seriously. So, never take things too seriously. Live, laugh, love, and when the time comes, leave with a smile on your face, knowing that you've lived a life worth living.

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On A Bumper Sticker - 

"We All Die, So Live Lightly and Laugh Loudly!"

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Lesson #3 - Confidence is a double-edged sword; wield it wisely! 

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Now, let's delve into the realm of confidence - that potent force that propels us toward our dreams, the invisible wings that allow us to soar above our fears, the spark that sets our ambitions ablaze. It emboldens us to venture into the unknown, to step beyond our comfort zones, to reach for the stars. Yet, like any potent force, it can be a double-edged sword; like any tool, it can be misused. And when it is, the consequences can be disastrous.

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A study conducted by Albert Mannes of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Don Moore of the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, as reported on the National Council on Strength and Fitness website, sheds light on an intriguing phenomenon. It appears that we, especially professionals in the United States, often fall prey to an overconfidence in our abilities and knowledge. This overconfidence, while seemingly a strength, can lead us down a perilous path. It can make us hasty in our judgments, resistant to differing perspectives, and even lead us to engage in risky behaviors in the pursuit of our objectives.

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The research suggests that we often underestimate the extent of our ignorance and overestimate our knowledge. This 'over-precision', as the researchers term it, can have grave implications, particularly in fields like health and fitness where misguided advice or overzealous training can lead to serious consequences.

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Take the Titanic tragedies, for instance. Over a century apart, yet eerily similar in their origins. Both were born out of an unshakeable belief in human infallibility, a blind faith in our own abilities, and an underestimation of the forces of nature. Both were the result of overconfidence, of thinking too highly of ourselves, and of forgetting our place in the grand scheme of things.

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So, my friends, while confidence is indeed a formidable ally, it's crucial to wield it with wisdom and humility. It's essential to continuously evaluate our skills and knowledge, to remain open to feedback, and to safeguard ourselves from the potential pitfalls of overconfidence. Remember, a touch of humility can ensure that our confidence serves as a stepping stone, not a stumbling block, on our path to success.

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So, what's the takeaway here? Should we abandon confidence altogether? Of course not. Confidence is crucial. It's what allows us to strive, to grow, to achieve. But it needs to be tempered with humility, with respect for the forces beyond our control, with an understanding of our own limitations.

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So, be confident, but also be humble. Believe in your abilities, but also acknowledge your weaknesses. Strive for greatness, but also respect the unpredictability of life. Because confidence, when wielded wisely, can help you reach unimaginable heights. But when wielded recklessly, it can lead to your downfall.

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In the end, it's not just about being confident, but about being confidently right. And to be confidently right, we must first acknowledge the possibility of being wrong. So, let's embrace the journey of continuous learning, let's celebrate the wisdom in humility, and let's strive to wield our confidence wisely. After all, it's not the confident who succeed, but those who succeed with confidence.

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On A Bumper Sticker - 

"Overconfidence Sinks Ships, Balance is Key!"