“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” ~F. Scott Fitzgerald
Today’s episode is about a rare kind of peace—the kind that arises not from resolution, but from accepting contradiction and choosing to live within it.
Not by picking sides.
Not by attempting to make the tension disappear.
The other day I was working with a guy—frustrated, spinning.
First, he says, “Man, I don’t get it… sometimes I’m such an idiot.”
Later, without a blink: “But other times, I feel like a genius.”
“It’s both…”
I assured him with a chuckle, “You’re a genius and an idiot. So am I.”
So are you, dear reader.
Life is fluid, context-dependent, and full of contradiction.
Exhibit A: Elon Musk.
One minute he’s launching rockets into space— the next, he’s firing off a drunk tweet at 2 a.m. and tanking his company’s stock.
Genius? Yes.
Idiot? Yes.
Both? Yes! 🙌🏻
Resisting?
Western culture has wired us to live according to either/or:
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Peace of Mind
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You are BOTH.
» Don’t Die with Your Music Still In You Launches April 15, 2025!
Today’s episode is about a rare kind of peace—the kind that arises not from resolution, but from accepting contradiction and choosing to live within it.
Not by picking sides.
Not by attempting to make the tension disappear.
The other day I was working with a guy—frustrated, spinning.
First, he says, “Man, I don’t get it… sometimes I’m such an idiot.”
Later, without a blink: “But other times, I feel like a genius.”
“It’s both…”
I assured him with a chuckle, “You’re a genius and an idiot. So am I.”
So are you, dear reader.
Life is fluid, context-dependent, and full of contradiction.
Exhibit A: Elon Musk.
One minute he’s launching rockets into space— the next, he’s firing off a drunk tweet at 2 a.m. and tanking his company’s stock.
Genius? Yes.
Idiot? Yes.
Both? Yes! 🙌🏻
Resisting?
Western culture has wired us to live according to either/or:
Good OR bad.
Right OR wrong.
Success OR failure.
Right wing vs. left wing.
Real life?
Real life is the WHOLE BIRD.
Real life is BOTH…AND.
Hence, The Pressure Paradox™ (2015)—even its name—attempts to capture this TRUTH:
Pressure isn’t good or bad. It’s BOTH good and bad.
It’s fuel and friction.
Same goes for HABIT.
Same goes for YOU.
Much of WHO you become is forged within the tension.
The sooner you stop resisting and trying to fit in an impossible box, the more at peace you’ll be.
Recall The Guru Dilemma and how “The best heroes and philosophers are dead.”
Why?
Because they can no longer contradict themselves.
It’s ALL highlight reels—clean, curated, canonized from the grave.
Living? Messy. Contradictory.
WHOLE.
Unfortunately, even the Gooroos tend to miss this.
One recently wrote:
Respectfully...
Guru Dass is HALF-RIGHT.
YES, you’re a speck of sand.
AND—while you’re alive, breathing, capable—you are the center of YOUR universe.
In this life. NOW.
For your kids. Your partner. Your team.
Your mission.
You are BOTH.
Nothingness and EVERYTHING.
Insignificant and essential.
That’s where peace of mind lives.
Not in perfection. But in embracing paradox.
This is RIGHT VIEW.
That field of peace?
It’s much tougher to find when you’re choosing sides.
Keep on trackin’ ✅
~mg.
You don’t need more time.
» Don’t Die with Your Music Still In You.
Keep on trackin’ ✅
~mg
To listen to this episode:
https://habits2goals.substack.com/p/skeh-wee-to
Chances are, you know someone who needs a little H2G!
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