Summary

The article compiles ten thought-provoking quotes from various Medium writers that offer profound insights into mindfulness, existence, happiness, and personal growth.

Abstract

The article on Medium showcases ten impactful quotes from different authors that challenge readers to rethink their perspectives on life. These quotes cover themes such as the importance of mindfulness and being present, the pursuit of intense experiences versus appreciating the small joys, the dangers of constantly seeking the next destination for happiness, and the significance of listening to one's inner feelings rather than societal expectations. The piece encourages introspection and self-discovery, emphasizing that life is a journey of understanding oneself and embracing the present moment. It also touches on the role of relationships in personal development and the necessity of overcoming obstacles to truly want something.

Opinions

Darius Foroux suggests that mindfulness can be achieved by asking oneself simple questions and observing the answers, akin to recognizing whether one is dreaming.
Ivy Kwong shares the profound realization of simply being and feeling alive, especially when engaging with nature, which is often overlooked in the hustle of life.
Kwong also advises against the relentless pursuit of highs, advocating for the appreciation of everyday emotions and experiences.
Kathryn Yates warns of 'destination addiction,' the belief that happiness lies in the next place or achievement, which can lead to a constant state of dissatisfaction and the inability to enjoy the present.
Sergey Faldin emphasizes the importance of listening to one's feelings rather than overthinking or adhering to external shoulds, as a guide to making life decisions.
Tom Stevenson and Mark Manson promote the idea that one should only engage in activities or opportunities that elicit a strong, positive response, otherwise known as the 'Fuck yes' principle.
Richie Crowley views obstacles as tests of one's commitment and determination, suggesting they serve to strengthen one's resolve.
Lindsie Scott offers a practical method to overcome procrastination by using a countdown technique to push oneself into action.
Tara Blair Ball highlights the reflective nature of relationships, which can reveal one's deepest character traits and areas for growth.
Sergey Faldin, reflecting on Kevin Kelly's teachings, concludes that life's primary pursuit is self-discovery, and achieving clarity about one's identity is a worthy life goal.

10 Quotes From Medium Writers That Will Change the Way You Think

How engaging with my fellow writers changed my thinking.

Medium is an incredible platform, with incredibly talented people on it. After several months of reading, I took a look at everything I had highlighted. And even if I only highlight what puts sparks in my stomach, there is a lot.

Some of these quotes are so life-changing that I thought it would be great to share. Just click on the name of each author to find the related post.

#1: About mindfulness

Let’s start with the one that made me stop in the middle of my reading.

I love exploring the feeling of not being fully conscious. As if a veil was obstructing my sight. I’m constantly chasing consciousness, and trying to find ways to feel life.

Darius Foroux provided a big part of the answer.

“Waking up is very simple. When you start asking yourself questions and simply observe your answers, you know you’re awake. It’s just like that in your dreams. Have you ever experienced that?”

“Ask yourself this right now: Am I dreaming? You’re awake now. Keep questioning everything so you stay awake.”

Since then, I’ve been frequently asking myself this question. Am I awake? And every single time, it has created some sort of spark in my body, as if my energies were suddenly rising.

#2: About being

Ivy Kwong took part in an incredible, life-changing experience: a 10-Day silent meditation retreat. These tough but special days taught her a lot. I recommend her article, as it provides full-detailed feedback loaded with mind-blowing realizations.

Here is one of my favorites:

“Hey look, I’m being!”

Simple. Straight-forward. But so true. We often forget that. But we are alive. Do you sometimes have this intense feeling of being alive? As if suddenly, you were taking the measure of this incredible experience? Ivy Kwong did while looking at the night sky.

#3: About chasing highs

In the same article, Ivy Kwong adds, about feelings:

“All are real, all are valid, and I don’t need to go chasing intense highs to feel something. I’m always feeling something, I just have to take the time and make the effort to notice it.”

We’re constantly seeking intensity, depth. A bit further each time. It’s a vicious circle, which can only be broken by paying attention to the little, simple things. If we keep chasing intense highs, we can’t see the tiny joys anymore. That’s a shame because the tiny ones are infinitely more powerful than the huge ones.

If you look at life through a telescope, you will see one dimension. If you use a microscope, you’ll see another one. It’s just a matter of choice. You can’t have both at the same time.

#4: About the meaning of our trips

For as long as she can remember, Kathryn Yates has always been a traveler. A wanderer. An explorer. But one day, as she was sitting on a beach on the southeastern coast of Vietnam, she questioned this perpetual quest.

She quotes Robert Holden, Ph.D.:

“Destination addiction is “a preoccupation with the idea that happiness is somewhere else. We suffer, literally, from the pursuit of happiness. We are always on the run, on the move, and on the go. Our goal is not to enjoy the day, it is to get through the day.”

She adds:

“Destination addiction is like a form of FOBO. It’s a traveler’s way of always looking ahead, always on the go, lest there is something better we are missing out on. There’s always a better destination, a more beautiful beach, or a more pleasant experience waiting for us.”

A few months ago, before the Coronavirus Pandemic, I had planned to embark on a digital nomad lifestyle. Now that it’s all been canceled, I’m not sure I want to anymore. I’m not even sure I wanted it in the first place. Why? What for?

#5: About life’s tough questions

It’s simple, after all. The key is to listen to your tiny voice, whispering deep down in your body — I first wanted to write “chest” but found it limiting.

“I’ve discovered that the key to answering life’s tough questions is to focus on the feelings instead of thinking your way to the right answer. Your feelings never lie.”

This is what Sergey Faldin says about it. He adds:

“Forget about what you “think.” Forget about what’s “right.” Don’t mind what you “should” — at least for a minute. What feels, right?”

We always know the answer to our questions. We can hear it. Feel it. The real choice comes afterward: listening to what feels right or listening to what seems right?

The second is a product of the mind. I prefer the first one.

#6: About life opportunities

This comes from an article by Tom Stevenson, about 11 realizations that changed his life. He starts #9 with an anonymous quote:

“ If you’re not doing what you love, you’re wasting your time.” — Unknown

Then, he introduces Mark Manson about the ‘Fuck yes’ concept, which says:

“If you wouldn’t say ‘Fuck yes’ to an opportunity in life, don’t do it.”

You know this feeling. When your whole being vibrates with just a single idea, a single perspective. Quite an effective life compass, isn’t it?

#7: About harder times

Every project, every journey has its difficult moments. Moments when things go wrong, or when doubt pervades everything.

That’s called obstacles. And you know what they’re for? Richie Crowley does:

“Obstacles are meant to determine how bad we want something. If we become deterred by adversity, then we either didn’t want it bad enough, or we weren’t equipped to overcome it.”

With every obstacle you overcome, you grow stronger. Keep that in mind.

#8: About the inner chatter

Sometimes, we know what’s right but can’t get our asses off the couch.

I wish I would have known that trick sooner.

“You can also use this process in anything you don’t want to do. Feel yourself justifying not doing something? Interrupt it by saying “5, 4, 3, 2,1” then just DOING it.”

Thanks, Lindsie Scott!

#9: About relationships

Tara Blair Ball is one of my favorites writers on relationships. She always provides meaningful insights and provokes deep realizations in my mind.

“I was told by a friend once, “Want to know what your character defects are? Get in a relationship.”

It resonated deep inside me.

Relationships don’t only bring out the best part of us. Relationships bring out the deepest part of us. The most absolute. It’s a mirror of ourselves. Love intensifies every aspect of our being. All we have to do is watch.

#10: About life

That’s a question most of us wonder about frequently. What is this all about? What’s the goal?

In another quality piece, Sergey Faldin writes about 10 lessons he learned from Kevin Kelly, founder of Wired Magazine and author of bestselling books on technology.

There are many, many, deep insights in this article, but here is one of my favorites:

“Kevin Kelly teaches us that life is about figuring out who you are. That’s all life is about. If all you do in life is to figure out who you are, that’s already good enough.”

I’ll leave you with this one.

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