Step away from comfort-driven communities and stop self-censorship.

In the times we are facing, we need to be as pragmatic as possible: accept reality as it is, not as you want it to be. Evaluate yourself and recognize that which creates chaos, inconvenience, or pain for others or yourself. Stop self-censorship. In order to solve problems and fix situations that require immediate attention from all involved parties, we need to speak the truth and face it with real virtue, using proper tools and responsible, coherent behavior. To see the truth—no matter how painful it sometimes is—opens our eyes to the solution. Reality by nature has no obligation to be kind or gentle; reality is the simple truth, and it simply is what it is. If you are facing hard times, be ready to be efficient with no excuses. “Because when things get heavy, we should not wait for the weight to be carried; we must carry the weight.” It is the only way.

“If anyone can refute me, show me I’m making a mistake or looking at things from the wrong perspective, I’ll gladly change. It’s the truth I’m after, and the truth never harmed anyone.”
— Marcus Aurelius (Meditations, 6.21)

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
— John 8:32 (NKJV)

Do not be afraid if your acceptance of truth pushes people away

Sometimes that separation is part of the solution. We cannot solve a problem as a group with people who are not willing to do what is needed; sometimes we must let go and not worry too much about it. Popularity does not pay for your supermarket, your house, your rent, or any of your bills. Popularity is only a facade.

If you are going to get involved with people, get involved with those who hold good values, whose presence pushes you forward. This influence is easy to see because you will be healthy, you will not be drunk, you will not be high, your bills will be paid, and you will find yourself doing productive and creative things. Reality will feel good and in order.

“The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.”
— Epictetus

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
— Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

The silliest thing I have ever heard is: “You are perfect the way you are.”

Let’s add to that the phrase, “Your defects make you perfect.” These are the most senseless and ridiculous things I have ever heard. Because if we are perfect, why do we have debt? Why are we in school? Why are you in university? Why are you unhealthy? Why do you feel pain and worry? Why are you not accepted everywhere, and why do you suffer?…

These are not complaints; they are just a call to get your feet on the ground and get back to reality. Be careful of the people who surround you and make you believe you are perfect; who knows what they want or expect from you, or what their reason or intentions are to keep your eyes blind to reality. Instead of saying “You are perfect the way you are,” you should say to yourself: “I am of great potential.” Accept the hard work and challenges, and carry yourself toward a better version of you.

You have the moral obligation to build something good out of yourself with the time God and life give you. From the good you build, you will know who you truly are, and maybe your good life trajectory will even make other people’s lives better. Keep in mind that the most important things built by humans—those things that give health, housing, food, and opportunity to people; things that will make humanity prevail through centuries or millennia—are not made by people who are in love with themselves.  The truly valuable things in history: nations, big cities, inventions that make society’s life better, have never been built by people in a romantic relationship with themselves. The good and important things in the world have been built by people who embraced responsibility, who loved their families, their country, and people who were of service—people who are useful and who have encrypted virtues within themselves with the time life has given to them.

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”
— Philippians 3:12 (NKJV)

“No man was ever wise by chance.”
— Seneca (Implying that wisdom and virtue require deliberate effort, not just accepting oneself as is.)

To the text above, I can add that if you want to outperform your own self of today, you need a clear mind and a healthy body.

Therefore, if you want to be a person of high performance, you will need to leave behind alcohol, drugs, comfort-driven communities, partying, and any form of lie you tell yourself. Trust me, the highest performers in this world and in history do not do drugs, do not party like fools, and do accept the challenges and disciplines required to keep the healthy mind and body needed to become a better version of themselves. This, beyond your own well-being, will impact your future and those you love.

“Drunkenness is nothing but voluntary madness.”
— Seneca (Moral Letters to Lucilius)

“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
— 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV)

Written by: Rhet A. Marini