5 Comments
User's avatar
Sophie Clayton's avatar

This was great. Thanks! I just became a paying subscriber on the basis of this post (although I've been reading your freebies for a while), because I've never seen anyone else reference Games People Play! This was a favorite book of my mother's when I was growing up; she was always up for a spot of transactional analysis during dinner.

I also really enjoy The Meditations. Something very helpful to me that the greatest man in the world of his time still sometimes had to talk himself into getting out of bed in the morning.

I've ordered a copy of Vital Nourishment (will probably try the Courage one too, but need to pace myself!) It looks fascinating. Thanks for the recommendations! And thanks for all the writing. I really enjoy it - as well as the pod you and Jamelle Bouie are doing. Great work. Cheers!

Expand full comment
Alex E's avatar

Thanks for the recommendations, I ordered a copy of Vital Nourishment!

I think you might vibe with Camus's Myth of Sisyphus as well. The subject of the book is precisely about "when we turn the corner in a particularly dark period in our lives and decide to continue on despite". Camus believes faith is not necessary to do this, and he includes a blistering critique of Christian existentialism.

Expand full comment
Adam Gurri's avatar

To this I would add Happiness for Human by the philosopher Daniel Russell.

Expand full comment
Rodney's avatar

Intriguing stuff. I’m kinda partial to mulling on the soothing relentlessness of the leveller and destroyer of all things - the humble fungi underworld (sorry Shiva). Invisible mycelium networks. The solace - and stimulus to find worthwhile struggles in the here and now - of universal, godless, magnificently banal composting. To each his own fire escape.

Expand full comment
SM's avatar

You may enjoy the works of Rollo May.

Expand full comment