Finished the book last night.
A very powerful read, from his camp experience to the psychoanalyst portions in the back half demonstrating the importance of MEANING in one's life.
I thought the existential vacuum that modern society is now dealing with was spot on. It explains depression, addiction, drug use, and stupid allegiances to stupid entertainment like sports and HBO dramas -- people are simply searching for MEANING in their tired little existential vacuum of meaningless.
Some notable things for me...
The idea of marching ten miles in blizzard conditions with no shoes and tattered rags for clothing was unbearable for me. I can't imagine such horror. The great detail on how the prisoners would vie for an INTERIOR space in the march just to be shielded from the weather elements and maybe grab a degree or two of increased temperature.
The story about the grieving widow who missed his spouse... when the widow realized that his suffering spared his wife from suffering the same grief, his suffering diminished. By giving meaning to the suffering, he reduced it.
Paradoxical intention -- doing the opposite of what you're trying to accomplish. The story of the boy who stuttered and the only time he did NOT stutter was when he TRIED to stutter. Interesting! This parallels how when we try to fall asleep we often can't -- our intention forces anxiety. Yet, if we try to stay awake, we might be better inclined to sleep because the anxiety is lessened and our intention isn't forcing the issue.
The story about his camp friend who was near death and had a dream they would be liberated by X date. That guy survived up until that DATE and died a day later. This was a powerful demonstration on how important it is to have a HOPE, a VISION, and MEANING for living.
This book hardened my confirmation bias for my own work where I preach the importance of having a MEANING and PURPOSE (and entire section in Unscripted ) and that even in failure, striving for something better than a mundane pencil-pushing existence can bring meaning to one's life.
For instance, DeMarco's selling a dream is often a negative critique for anyone who writes books about living extraordinarily.
What those critics fail to understand is that HAVING A DREAM and actively PURSUING it, is the DREAM itself.
It is the MEANING.
It is the PURPOSE.
All things in life can having MEANING and our minds are the conductor.
It is only when life loses its meaning is when depression and escapes are sought.
I thought the book gave a powerful reflection in today's culture, from how most people live meaningless lives and can't see the joy in anything -- art, nature, a hot shower, a kiss from a loved one. Instead, they're on the internet losing their minds that Game of Thrones Season 8 sucked.
I can't imagine my life being so empty that the best use of my time is crying about a baseball game.
Anyhow, a great book -- even if you don't agree with the meaning aspect of it, read it to grab some perspective on how GREAT you have it.
This synopsis is so so so damn good that I am going far above just liking it (I actually put love on it).
I'm printing this out and including it in the books that I will buy and gift.
I have not read the book yet - but I will. And I know a few people that need this book and it will change their lives.
I don't know where MJ got his writing ability - but I'll say this much. It will live on for many years as an insert in this book, and who knows how many people it will help!
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