Life Is What Happens to You While You’re Busy Making Other Plans - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement

Life Is What Happens to You While You’re Busy Making Other Plans - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement

"Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans." This famous quote by John Lennon encapsulates the essence of living in the present moment. Many of us spend our time making future plans or dwelling on past hurts, but Lennon reminds us that the true experience of being alive is beyond those plans. Life "happens" to us, and to truly live, we must trust, live in the present, and let go of fear.

At first glance, this notion may seem to negate personal will and agency. It suggests that the answer to life is to embrace it instead of trying to control or direct it. However, perhaps the key is redirecting our free will from the content of our lives to our approach to life. Instead of using our free will solely to decide what should come next, we can choose between ego and letting go, between a life ruled by our minds or a life in tune with a higher intelligence.

The ego-mind always fights to take the director's seat, reverting to its lower patterns as soon as it feels threatened by change. Completely getting rid of the ego is impossible, but we can put it in service of this higher intelligence. Trust is the first step in this process. By trusting in something unknown, limitless, and wise, we transcend the self-imposed limitations of the mind. This trust opens the door to higher guidance and purpose.

Living in the present is a necessary condition for this higher intelligence to manifest. To live in the present means to not resist life's experiences, even the painful ones. As we cultivate a simple awareness of the present moment and the willingness to experience life without the veil of the mind, our fears gradually evaporate. We learn to embrace the flow of life and trust that it will guide us to where we need to be.

Now let's shift our focus to another perspective on human behavior and social networks. Eugene Wei's concept of "Status-as-a-Service" provides a unique framework for understanding social networks' strength. Wei argues that people are inherently status-seeking monkeys who seek out the most efficient path to maximizing social capital.

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, align with Wei's framework for successful social networks. They are starting to resemble a new kind of social network that exists above other networks and communities. NFTs blend the lines between social and financial capital. While some may view buying digital artwork for exorbitant prices as irrational, they fail to recognize the importance of social capital.

Social capital plays a crucial role in the success of social networks. Metcalfe's Law, which states that a network's value is proportional to the square of its users, doesn't fully capture the dynamics of real-world social networks. Wei argues that new social networks function similarly to Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) in four ways: issuing a new form of social capital, requiring proof of work to earn tokens, creating built-in scarcity, and facing skepticism from certain demographics.

Wei categorizes social networks based on their balance of utility and social capital. Some networks prioritize utility and later incorporate social capital, while others focus on social capital before utility. The ideal scenario is a network that balances both from the beginning. NFTs excel in this regard, offering high social capital and utility simultaneously.

NFTs possess social capital as investment-as-a-status. Owning a valuable NFT signifies a certain status and becomes a form of self-expression. Additionally, NFTs offer utility as investments, access passes to exclusive groups, and visually appealing digital assets. They also provide entertainment value as people engage in bidding wars and create online personas centered around their NFT collections.

One of the advantages of NFTs is their compatibility with existing social networks. NFT owners can proudly display their digital assets on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, spreading awareness and fostering engagement. NFTs function as a social network that transcends individual platforms and can thrive regardless of which platforms rise or fall.

In conclusion, life is a journey that unfolds while we make plans, but true living lies in embracing the present moment and letting go of fear. Trusting in a higher intelligence and living in the present allows us to navigate life's challenges and find purpose. On the other hand, NFTs represent a new kind of social network that combines social and financial capital. They offer both social capital and utility, creating a unique space for self-expression and investment.

Actionable Advice:

1. Embrace the present moment: Practice mindfulness and cultivate awareness of the present moment. Let go of past hurts and future worries, and fully engage with what is happening right now.
2. Trust the process: Develop trust in something greater than yourself. Let go of the need to control every aspect of your life and have faith that everything is unfolding as it should.
3. Explore the world of NFTs: Consider exploring the world of NFTs and their potential as a social network. Engage with the community, learn about different projects, and identify opportunities for investment or self-expression.

Remember, life is meant to be experienced, and every moment is an opportunity for growth and connection. Embrace the journey, trust in the unknown, and find joy in the present.