The Freedom Of Contempt

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Today’s episode is about seeing things as they truly are—not as we wish they were, or as others tell us they should be. Inspired by a brutally honest passage from Marcus Aurelius, I explore how stripping away illusion can lead to a kind of freedom—a freedom from being ruled by our desires, impulses, and false impressions. 

Over the past week, I’ve been wrestling with distractions, slipping into old habits like doom scrolling and losing sight of my priorities. It's easy to fall into self-criticism when I realize how often I let myself drift, but I'm reminding myself that this is part of the work. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about waking up, seeing clearly, and choosing better, even if it’s just one small step at a time. 

I talk candidly about feeling stuck in a job that drains me, missing someone I deeply loved, and the struggle to stay mindful when my heart and mind want to wander. I share my reflections on how easy it is to slip into judgment and self-flagellation, and how vital it is to instead aim for awareness and compassion, both toward myself and the reality I’m trying to navigate. 

At its core, this episode is a reminder that our minds are our own—and that caring for them means guarding against illusions, attachments, and the stories that don't serve us. True strength isn’t about becoming numb to life’s hardships or heartaches; it's about staying clear-eyed and open-hearted, even when it’s uncomfortable. 

We don’t gain freedom by rejecting joy, beauty, or hope—we gain freedom by seeing them as they really are, without being trapped by them. This is the path I'm trying to walk: one of clarity, consciousness, and continuous effort toward the person I want to become. 

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!

Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

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