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 in the past two weeks. 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 are many things 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. It is very likely that there will be personnel changes. So recently, I have spent a lot of time chatting with colleagues whom I was not very familiar with before. Sometimes, with people I am not familiar with, I can express myself more freely. Does that sound strange? But that's how it is in reality. At least that's how it is for me.
- In fact, I have already made some adjustments last week. During the process of adjusting my mindset, I read a lot of books. I found them very useful while reading, but after finishing them, it seemed like the effect wore off. The books said so, but whether I can follow them or not, it still depends on myself.
- I want to make a change, but I'm not so sure about it. All choices involve risks, I know, but now I seem to dislike risks even more. However, I still desire change. Sometimes, when you can't make a decision, just 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 as we wish. 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 the truth, but it's not that easy, is it? I just can't let go, or rather, I can't let go easily. Moreover, negative stimuli are always stronger than positive ones. Well, I'm being irrational again. Don't worry, let's continue 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 actually always have the ability to control and change your emotions, reduce them, and ultimately overcome your negative emotions."
Well, another profound statement. If there is not enough weight, what else is there? "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 is still one point that I can't understand, or rather, one point that is difficult to accept. Is there any advice that can persuade me? The last sentence, "Before solving real-life problems, solve your emotional problems first," is irrefutable. If you don't solve your emotional problems, you won't be able to solve real-life problems. Decisions made with emotions can easily go astray. This guidance is more specific and I agree with it. So, do I want to solve problems? Then let's solve emotions 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 issues, we should deliberately make ourselves think, for example, by doing exercises? Haha, this way we can avoid being influenced by emotions.
Freeing the Brain
Since my physical examination last year, I have started running to solve my heart rate problem. It should have started in June last year, and now it has been 10 months. I am very glad that I have been persisting. Currently, I run twice a week. After reading this book, the author also suggests running twice a week for 30 minutes each time, which is very beneficial to 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 takes away waste. The overall performance of the body, including the brain, naturally improves a lot."
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 I am limited by time, especially the availability of swimming pools. So 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.