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We are concerned with exceptionalism as a society because we want to benefit from the exceptional person. We tell people it is better to be great than happy and assign all sorts of value judgments around that.

We as a society have collectively forgotten how to be present, mindful, and enjoy this moment. To do so would be to miss achieving our absolute highest and best social purpose.



I would posit that much of this drive has little to do with that and more to do with anxiety about the child's future earning potential.


People think that the happiness (in the way society thinks about it) is a given. It is not.

There’s a lot that goes into you being able to “do nothing” / be present / mindful / enjoy the moment.

Many exceptional people sacrificed their happiness to build the world that you can enjoy. And if you want that to continue, many more will have to do the same.


> Many exceptional people sacrificed their happiness to build the world that you can enjoy.

On the other hand, many exceptional people sacrificed your happiness to build the world they they can enjoy.


We’ve lost track of the best parts of being alive.




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