by Owen | Jun 28, 2020 | Uncategorized
What I’m excited for: New Opporunities
The wake of COVID-19 has completely changed my outlook for the next year I had planned to move states, start a new freelance life, and leave this one behind. Instead, I now have an opportunity to really take stock and work within the boundaries of our new normal. It’s intimidating having to shift every expectation I set up for myself, but further limitations mean new opportunities. Now I am looking forwards to living with friends, exploring my creativity in new ways, and having a chance at a life I never thought I would want.
by Owen | Jun 14, 2020 | Uncategorized
What I’m Reading: Manifesto For a Moral Revolution by Jacqueline Novogratz
I rarely read a new book so soon after its release. I usually like to watch how it trends for a bit and see what comes out of the word-works and what kinds of recommendations it draws. But Novogratz’s book hit my desk fast, loaded with suggestions form some of the people I respect most. To make it even better, I chose this book along with a friend as a starting point for a new book club. It couldn’t;t have come at a better time, amid the protests and calls for change. Novogratz’s manifesto is a brilliant handbook for anyone looking to break conformity and make real change in the world. Backed with stories from her time at her Non-Profit, Acumen, Novogratz brings true wisdom to a time rife with reform. While the book focuses on change via investment and business, the lessons within are applicable to any individual looking to be a force for change.
by Owen | Jun 1, 2020 | Uncategorized
What I’m Reading: That One Should Disdain Hardships by Musonius Rufus
I’ve been waiting a long time to get my hands on this one. If you’re familiar with Stoicism you will usually recall the three pillars, Marcus, Seneca, and Epictetus. Apart from these 3, Stoic literature is very disparate. That’s why I was so glad to find a new edition of the discourses of Musonius Rufus. If you are looking to expand your philosophy palette in a more academic way I would recommend it. Musionius served as Epictetus’ teacher and the lines of influence are very clear. A must-read fo the budding Stoic.
by Owen | May 18, 2020 | Uncategorized
What I’m Coming to Terms With: A New Plan
As the lockdown extends across the country our future plans begin to fray more and more. While We have all dealt with this in the short term, we are learning to let go of things far further ahead than we would have guessed. And in this mass rewriting of the future we are being forced into situations we never would have predicted, or worse, feared. For me, my plan has always been New York, Its where, at least for the time being, my career is pushing me towards. Pre-pandemic I had planned to make the jump in the early fall and hit the ground running. Now, of course, as the pandemic progresses, the ideal has shifted. Instead, I am faced with the risk of falling headfirst into a chaotic new life in the city or biding my time until things seem “safe” again. It’s a tough position to be in, but one a lot of us are facing, especially as college graduates. And while there is never an easy choice, we can all help ourselves by stepping back and realizing we never had any certainty in the first place and may never have it at all. It’s the hardest thing to do in life, become comfortable in uncertainty. But when we realize things will always be uncertain, we can take solace in the things we do have, and make the best of them. The answer is never in the future, but in how we address the present. A plan is never solid, but our outlook on the future can be.
An aphorism that’s been playing in my head:
Awards are best kept in the bottom drawer
by Owen | May 11, 2020 | Uncategorized
What I Accomplished: Graduating College
As I thought, it was anti-climactic. I did, however, think there would be more to say about it, and as much as I’m trying to come up with something worth saying I don’t really know what there is to say. I’ve never been especially fixated on big events or lifechanging moments. As far as I can tell I live in a kind of liminal place at all times which makes moments like this a little lackluster for me. Perhaps its something I’ve learned working in theater or maybe that’s just me. Or, maybe without a clear next phase in sight I simply haven’t registered any meaningful impact yet. In any case, I’m sure whatever is around the corner will be just as exciting.
My New Practice: Running
This is something I never expected to have a passion for. I absolutely hate running, or “hated” I suppose. In lieu of a gym and cardio equipment, I made the change to *shudder* running outdoors at the start of lockdown. A month in and suddenly I’ve found a passion for it. I’ve become one of those people obsessed with times and paces, measuring everything and every other annoying athletic habit you can think of. I’m sure this one is just a phase but for all intents and purposes its a good thing to get under my belt. I doubt It’ll ever become a lifelong obsession but who knows, at the very least its something to work towards right now.
by Owen | Apr 27, 2020 | Uncategorized
What I’m Re-Reading: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Last week I promised myself I’d pick up this book again. And so I have, but this time around I’m trying to be more deliberate about my read through. I’m taking the emperor’s journals on my daily walks. Reading a section or two a day and putting it aside to think on its contents. I first read this stoic handbook a little less than a year ago. I picked it up mostly out of curiosity and a few recommendations. At the time I had no idea what Stoicism really was. I blazed through it on the 4-hour train ride from New York to Boston and stuffed it away with my other books. But over time the book kept sneaking up on me and Stoicism became more and more apparent as a personal philosophy. Eventually, I picked up Seneca and Epictetus and I was floored by its relevance. Reading it back now its a world of change. Things that seemed esoteric now seem absolutely vital to its importance. As Heraclitus says, and Aurelius quotes: “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”
What I’m Sprinting Towards: Graduation
It’s just around the corner. Although not physically graduating, I’m finished with my 4 years this coming Thursday. As with all hyped societal events it feels a little anti-climactic, but maybe that’s the pandemic’s fault. At this point, it feels more like dull anticipation, exciting, but muddled with “let’s just get this over with already.” While things aren’t exactly set in stone for the “after” everyone wants to know about, I’m not blind either. Its a little shaky but the future looks good or fun at the very least. That being said there’s only so many times I’m going to answer the question “what now?” in the next two weeks so get your tickets in now.
