451. Rich Reflections 83: The Return, Self-Doubt in Society, Gratitude, & Carthusian Monks

Rich Reflections returns around a campfire. After spending more time than he’d like in front of a computer, Rich heads outside, lights a fire, and creates space to breathe, think, and reconnect. Beginning with five minutes of intentional breathing, this session explores where we are right now—and where we might want to go next. Rich reflects on the prevalence of self-doubt and anxiety he noticed during a recent trip to New York and asks how we can better understand our own relationship with uncertainty. From there, the conversation moves into gratitude—not only for what we have today, but for the decisions and work of our former selves that made our present lives possible. Around the fire, Rich considers what history can teach us, drawing inspiration from the unusual devotion and independence of the Carthusian monks. He explores his own “full throttle or idle” approach to life, reflects on the summer that is coming to an end, and shares his excitement surrounding Blue Byron Books and the expanding Gate of Clouds universe. The episode ultimately turns outward: How can we participate more in the world? How can we be useful to the people and communities around us? And instead of waiting for some distant transformation, what is one action we can take today to make life better? A reflection on stillness and action, solitude and participation, gratitude and growth—and the value of occasionally sitting beside a fire and thinking about what it means to be alive. Questions in this session: How are we feeling right now? What is our relationship with self-doubt right now? What are we grateful for? What are we grateful our former self did for us? What source from history can we draw inspiration from right now? When are we at our very best? What kind of lifestyle and approach to living brings that out of us? How did our summer go? Was it everything we hoped it would be? What’s coming up that energizes us? What project is really energizing us right now? What are we curious about recently? What would participating more in the world and our community look like for us? How can we be of service to others? What is one action we can take today that will make our life better and move us in a positive direction?