Loved reading this. As of now I’m struggling with beginning to write publicly, and reading your perspective was very comforting. Thanks for putting it out!
I had thought of starting with engineering blogs or about startups in general, but now I don’t feel like keeping a theme. I’ll write about writing maybe :)
That's a great idea! I ended up doing a similar thing where I thought I'd be writing about tech and startups, and ended up writing about creativity, writing, etc. Def let yourself write about whatever at first, you can always focus later. (Had a thread on this a while back actually: https://twitter.com/daretorant/status/1273707293830377472)
Apr 19, 2022·edited Apr 19, 2022Liked by Salman Ansari
Good stuff! I struggle to write vulnerably, but I think the best stories come out and we connect more with people when we share the deep stuff. Love what you shared about the intersection of curiosity and joy. Here's to becoming a more curious and joyful human.
Thanks Makaylah! I totally agree that the most powerful stories come when we are vulnerable in sharing them.
I also think we all struggle to share the deep stuff for good reason—it’s kinda scary! 😅 Sometimes we worry about how it might be received. But I try to focus on the person that needs to hear it, the person that needs your story to help them move forward. Another angle I think about is reducing the visibility of what we share, so we can elevate vulnerability: https://letter.salman.io/p/-low-stakes-strong-takes
Great to hear from you! Thank you for your comment and for your joyful curiosity :)
"There is gold to be found in the hills of the unknown. The problem is most of us don’t have the the space let it in. We’re too busy carrying around all of our existing thoughts, worries, and work. The backpack of our mind is too full—we simply don’t have the space for anything new."
I like this framing and the backpack metaphor resonated. I had always thought about "space" as a woowoo concept but I like how tangible and physical you made it. And if we aren't inviting the unknown it's cause we didn't physically let it.
I suspect some of this is because people are more comfortable with what's already in their backpack, even if they don't like what they're carrying.
I think you’re totally right that there is comfort in the current state. That can be a good thing, if what we have now is fulfilling, and we are happy with what’s in it. If not, it is painful, because we have a sense there is more out there, but can’t experience it.
A flip side to that is recognizing importance of Noticing—the pieces are there waiting, but they do not see them, because they are not looking. Life can be lost or found in noticing. All the hidden ideas, inspirations, opportunities in the leaves of every tree, and we walk right by them. Until one day, something happens that *forces* us to notice. A trigger event.
I’ve been reading a book by Michael Meade, and his words reminded me of how my burnout “woke me up” to start noticing life differently:
“Something inside the soul knows the true aim and purpose of our lives; yet we must become lost in order to find it.”
Thanks friend! :) Means a lot to hear that, especially on my writing being art. Nate Kadlac & I were just talking about the term "artist"—I mentioned how I now think of myself as an artist, not just because I draw but also because of my writing. And then I ran into this Bruce Lee quote which made me realize that it can apply to everything, not just the "content":
"I have always been a martial artist by choice. An actor by profession. But above all I’m actualizing myself to be an artist of life."
Looking forward to the workshop!
Excited to have you! What are you most excited to learn / level up with drawing?
Just more on Procreate. Have it, just haven't used it enough yet.
Got it. Thank you!
Loved reading this. As of now I’m struggling with beginning to write publicly, and reading your perspective was very comforting. Thanks for putting it out!
I’m so glad to hear it, Sanskar!
It’s always tough to get started, but I promise it’ll get easier after you put out a few pieces :) What are you thinking of writing about?
I had thought of starting with engineering blogs or about startups in general, but now I don’t feel like keeping a theme. I’ll write about writing maybe :)
That's a great idea! I ended up doing a similar thing where I thought I'd be writing about tech and startups, and ended up writing about creativity, writing, etc. Def let yourself write about whatever at first, you can always focus later. (Had a thread on this a while back actually: https://twitter.com/daretorant/status/1273707293830377472)
Good stuff! I struggle to write vulnerably, but I think the best stories come out and we connect more with people when we share the deep stuff. Love what you shared about the intersection of curiosity and joy. Here's to becoming a more curious and joyful human.
Thanks Makaylah! I totally agree that the most powerful stories come when we are vulnerable in sharing them.
I also think we all struggle to share the deep stuff for good reason—it’s kinda scary! 😅 Sometimes we worry about how it might be received. But I try to focus on the person that needs to hear it, the person that needs your story to help them move forward. Another angle I think about is reducing the visibility of what we share, so we can elevate vulnerability: https://letter.salman.io/p/-low-stakes-strong-takes
Great to hear from you! Thank you for your comment and for your joyful curiosity :)
"There is gold to be found in the hills of the unknown. The problem is most of us don’t have the the space let it in. We’re too busy carrying around all of our existing thoughts, worries, and work. The backpack of our mind is too full—we simply don’t have the space for anything new."
I like this framing and the backpack metaphor resonated. I had always thought about "space" as a woowoo concept but I like how tangible and physical you made it. And if we aren't inviting the unknown it's cause we didn't physically let it.
I suspect some of this is because people are more comfortable with what's already in their backpack, even if they don't like what they're carrying.
Glad the framing resonated! 😊
I think you’re totally right that there is comfort in the current state. That can be a good thing, if what we have now is fulfilling, and we are happy with what’s in it. If not, it is painful, because we have a sense there is more out there, but can’t experience it.
A flip side to that is recognizing importance of Noticing—the pieces are there waiting, but they do not see them, because they are not looking. Life can be lost or found in noticing. All the hidden ideas, inspirations, opportunities in the leaves of every tree, and we walk right by them. Until one day, something happens that *forces* us to notice. A trigger event.
I’ve been reading a book by Michael Meade, and his words reminded me of how my burnout “woke me up” to start noticing life differently:
“Something inside the soul knows the true aim and purpose of our lives; yet we must become lost in order to find it.”
75 is phenomenal Salman, congrats 🥂
Love this: You can’t be curious and angry at the same time - great reframe in the context of writing!
Look forward to what you share in your course. Your sessions were a lot of fun 😁
Thanks Adi! Your feedback & energy were a huge part of the fun :)
Beautiful art inside this letter—the written and the drawn.
Thanks friend! :) Means a lot to hear that, especially on my writing being art. Nate Kadlac & I were just talking about the term "artist"—I mentioned how I now think of myself as an artist, not just because I draw but also because of my writing. And then I ran into this Bruce Lee quote which made me realize that it can apply to everything, not just the "content":
"I have always been a martial artist by choice. An actor by profession. But above all I’m actualizing myself to be an artist of life."
It sounds like my comment came at an appropriate time :)
So glad it resonates! Mystery is fun :D