When stuck in fear or worry, remind yourself of your mortality by thinking “and then you die” to gain perspective, remove the need for control, and lighten up, allowing you to enjoy the present moment.
View each moment as “your life” and a gift, prompting you to wake up, pay attention, enjoy it, and express gratitude, rather than living unconsciously or in fear.
Actively “chase joy” by cultivating deep, visceral love in your relationships, recognizing it as a “heaven on earth” experience that requires continuous hard work, honesty, and authenticity.
Design your life around being useful to other people, as this is the highest form of selfishness because it ultimately leads to your own happiness and joy.
Instead of preparing for decline in old age, strive to remain “ferociously alive” by actively seeking to make a difference, be kind, and nurture others, inspired by role models who embody this approach.
Seek professional therapy to gain self-awareness and navigate personal change, especially when your brain’s protective mechanisms might hinder growth or when dealing with difficult truths about yourself.
Acknowledge and deal with your “dark negative” emotions (e.g., anger, jealousy) rather than bypassing them with forced positivity, as this leads to more genuine self-awareness and healthier relationships.
Engage with a trusted partner who loves you, has a good sense of humor, and can provide an accurate, kind, yet honest reflection of your behavior to help ground you when you’re stressed or spinning out.
Understand that strong relationships require continuous effort and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths and admit when you are wrong, rather than expecting perfection.
Foster relationships with partners who are willing to engage in self-examination, as this reciprocal honesty builds trust and allows for deeper vulnerability and growth.
Strive for continuous self-improvement by waking up each day with the intention to “be a little better” and consciously examining the purposefulness of your daily actions.
Cultivate gratitude, especially when feeling fearful or angry, as a way to regain humility and grounding, which can help you move forward with joy.
Practice informal mindfulness by trying to silence your mind and be present in the moment, using whatever tools are available (e.g., breathing, conversation with a trusted person).
Recognize when you are acting from a place of fear (“small Ted”) and consciously choose to act from love instead, as every moment is either love or fear.
Develop a sense of humor about yourself, finding joy in your silliness while acknowledging your depth, as this can be a grounding and resilient practice, especially as you age.
Embrace new opportunities and say “yes” to things outside your comfort zone or “wheelhouse,” as this can lead to unexpected and deeply enjoyable experiences and personal growth.
Cultivate deep curiosity about others by asking open-ended questions like “What’s it like to be you?” to understand their life experiences and personal development, fostering fascinating connections.
Adopt an “actor’s mindset” by focusing intently on others, allowing their words and actions to genuinely inform your responses, which can lead to more successful interactions and a better life for all.
Recognize life as a gift, fostering gratitude, productivity, kindness, and nurturing behavior, with the purpose of alleviating suffering and making others feel better about themselves.
When receiving external validation (compliments) or criticism, recognize that it often reflects the giver’s perspective; accept positive feedback with gratitude and evaluate negative feedback for potential learning, without letting either define your self-worth.
Practice humility and self-awareness to avoid spiritual bypass or pride, recognizing that excessive self-importance can lead to a downfall.
Engage in activities like content creation or deep conversations that force you to regularly confront and discuss “interesting, important stuff,” as this acts as a powerful reminder to stay present and avoid falling into fear or distraction.
Align your professional skills and work with a grander purpose of being useful to others, as contributing positively to the world can be a source of immense happiness and joy.
Exercise extreme caution and choose appropriate settings for drug use, as improper context or preparation can lead to highly negative and traumatic experiences, such as the described ’nightmare’ on a rocking boat.