Recognize that the knowledge of your own mortality is the greatest force for meaning and purpose in life, bringing focus and intensity to cherish every moment and act productively.
Approach disagreements with intellectual and emotional humility, recognizing that your own viewpoint might be wrong and being receptive to learning, rather than solely defending your initial position.
Actively question your own ideas and assumptions, seeking out others to critically evaluate your viewpoints and point out errors, similar to a mini peer review process.
When making decisions or adopting behaviors, thoroughly think through all elements and consequences, using objective truths as a foundation, rather than relying on feelings or incomplete ideas.
Do not be dissuaded by hopelessness or the apparent impossibility of a challenge; give yourself credit for ingenuity and actively work to change things that need changing.
When forming opinions, calibrate them against objective truths to avoid holding strongly held opinions with no foundation, fostering more productive conversations.
Use a cosmic perspective to make a more accurate measurement of daily annoyances, stepping back to consider the broader context and prevent emotional distress.
Be self-aware of your actions and their implications, especially when your choices prioritize one group or cause over another, and be informed about your motivations.
When observing regressive or negative behavior in others, consider their upbringing and lack of exposure to different perspectives, which can open the door for conversation rather than conflict.
Instead of letting regressive human conduct affect you emotionally, log it as an observation of human capability to inform and strategize for future interactions with people.
Recognize that hope implies a lack of control over an outcome; instead of merely hoping or praying for change, actively control and work towards desired outcomes where possible.
Avoid mindlessly wasting time; if you’re doing nothing, engage in deep thoughts, or if you’re seeking entertainment, choose activities that bring joy or serve a purpose, rather than passive non-engagement.
Actively work to be more productive or improved today than you were yesterday, using any metric that helps you achieve personal growth.
To reset from life’s complexities and find comfort, engage in a personal practice like stargazing with a telescope, allowing for quiet reflection and a reconnection with the universe.
Read old books to understand past ways of thinking, compare them to present understanding, and cultivate humility by recognizing that current scientific frontiers might be viewed as quaint in the future.
Watch movies or engage with storytelling (novels, etc.) with family to step into others’ lives, see the world through different lenses, and fulfill the human need for entertainment and connection.
When facing current societal divisions or conflicts, quantify them and compare them to historical data to gain perspective and recognize that things may be improving by objective measures.