The World is Grey

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If you have been following my blog lately, you must have come across the name “David Goggins” from the book “Can’t Hurt Me.” The tough guy wrote a follow-up to that book, giving more recent updates from his life in his 2022 book called “Never Finished.”

Like the first book, this one continues to offer tips, tricks, and techniques on how to become mentally strong.

First, let me be honest about this guy — his story moved me. I mean, I think I was regular at the gym for over a month — lost 4 kg.

But I was also exploring other books, and there was this one called “Light From Many Lamps” — which was teaching almost the antithesis of what Goggins was trying to preach.

And as I sit down to think about the two books, trying to settle myself, I realize that maybe neither book is wrong — just right in different contexts. Like Newton’s Laws of Motion and Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.

“Light From Many Lamps” by Lillian Watson teaches about happiness and enjoyment, faith in God, courage and fear, among other things.

I feel you need Goggins’ book in the morning — when you need motivation to get out of your warm, comfortable bed — and Lillian’s at night — when you want the storm of thoughts about events and people to settle down, when you want to soothe your soul to sleep.

I feel you need Goggins’ book when you are leading people in a professional or academic space — and Lillian’s book when you are leading or guiding people in your relationships.

I feel you need Goggins’ book when you want to go to war with yourself — and Lillian’s book when you want to make peace with yourself.

Personally, I feel Goggins’ book has helped me a lot — no pain, no gain — but yes, at the same time, I need Lillian’s teachings — about happiness, about contentment, about faith, about the good in the world — when I am in bed at night, trying to fall asleep.