The Trap

Become good enough at a skill and join a nice company. Exercise your talents but don’t forget to be a sycophant … it is equally necessary! But please continue to produce lest you’re axed. Remember, you’re replaceable. You’re good, but everyone is good. So keep performing the performance. Your mortgage depends on it.

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Being “good at” something is the most common thing there is. And everyone eventually realizes this.

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Now, there is also great.

But you’d know if you’re great — great at coding, figure skating, understanding financial statements, or playing any other game. You’d likely be somewhat famous, but at the very least, you’d be head and shoulders above the others in your field.

Your name would be written about, perhaps even in your very own Wikipedia page. In either case, your greatness would be obvious both to you and to others.

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I can write some code, but I’m not a great programmer.

I’m not a great programmer because I haven’t built what the best programmers have built. It’s that simple. There are people out there who can code circles around me with their eyes closed. They think like a computer and they spill secure, efficient, and scalable software from their fingertips.

I admire the greats in all crafts because they care enough about something other than news/politics/institution to devote their entire life to. This creates a kind of vision that a locked-in eagle must have, eyes on its prey, totally in the moment, free and expressive.

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Human greatness, to me, however, pales in comparison to the perfection that is nature.

Nature is an integrated system, a flawless turnover, whole, and with no waste. Its laws apply cosmically, personally, and practically. And that is the standard for living life. Nothing out of place, no chores, no alarm clock, total immersion, sheer effectiveness, no trade-offs, great health, clear perception, good taste.

There is no shortage of games to play. Some are fun, but anchoring essence to any is a trap.

The idea of life’s work — one that of course includes but is not limited to retaining every ounce of freedom and vitality — the greats have caught glimpses of it — I vibe with this idea.

And I believe the ultimate life’s work is becoming nature.

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