Released in September 2016, this book is an excellent culmination of the direct but sincere, honest but motivational writing style Manson has established in his nearly decade long blogging career. Here are the highlights of his message, and my take on them:
Pursuing the positive is a negative experience, while accepting the negative is a positive experience.
Manson asserts that, ironically, a constant emphasis on self-improvement creates a feeling that one isn’t good enough. By “visualizing the ideal life,” you’re telling yourself that your current life isn’t good enough. By trying to make more money, you’re telling yourself that your current income isn’t good enough.
It’s not that you want to stop growing. But by coming to deeply feel and accept your less-than-perfect situation, your shortcomings, your dissatisfaction, you can befriend yourself, let go, and actually allow contentment to resonate. Ironically, authentic self-acceptance puts you in position to grow.
You are responsible for your situation
Manson carefully articulates the difference between responsibility and fault. You are always responsible for how you interact with your circumstances. If you are rear-ended by a careless driver, or your house is broken into, you are not to blame, but you are still responsible for how you choose to react and move forward from the incident. And if you choose to deny your responsibility, you are still responsible for your denial.
Embracing self-responsibility can be tough. You just want someone else to take care of things, especially when they suck. But no one is coming to wash your problems away. And, ultimately, embracing unfavorable realities will leverage your self-confidence.
Not giving a f*ck actually means to care
Manson’s core message is to define your values. When you care about authenticity, you don’t give a f*ck if other people get annoyed when expressing yourself. When you value your time, you don’t give a f*ck about people who flake out on you. When you identify what makes you really come alive, you don’t give a f*ck about any distractions.
You only give a f*ck about what really matters.
JB
