May 24, 2023·edited May 24, 2023Liked by Brad Montague
Not only did I enjoy the journey of your work, but the expressed feelings along the way…this all resonated so much. I thought I could never be unhappy again after I finally found a literary agent, then an editor, and then wow - a published book! And then slowly, the goal post moved. We are enough before and after everything, it’s just so easy to forget. Thank you 🙏
"My identity is not wrapped in what I accomplish, but who I am. I will not mistake my goals or roles for my soul." Beautiful, timely, important. Thank you Brad!
I so needed this Brad. In fact, I need it as my ringtone, my screensaver, printed on the back of cereal boxes!
I have accomplished more than I ever thought possible in one lifetime. I am living a life that surpasses the dreams I held for myself in so many ways so it’s utterly confusing (and humbling and disorienting and frustrating) to wake up and realize, wait, I’m still not satisfied? I’m still not “done”? I’m still yearning and longing and wanting and wondering will I ever reach the point where I feel like THERE, I did the thing that mattered and now I can sit back and enjoy my life. But it seems that the “there” I’m looking for is a mirage. Thanks to consumerism and materialism I think we’ve all been brainwashed into thinking that when X happens I’ll finally feel content, but I’m learning (slowly?!) that contentment is something I need to foster with every miracle moment I have on this earth.
I do think our end products matter but I think HOW we create them matters even more. Everything you’ve made is brimming with heart and humor, integrity and boundless creativity. I know firsthand how you effortlessly ensure that those you work alongside feel seen and special. There may be no “awards” for that (yet) in our culture, no Cannes for kindness, but if we are gonna feel satisfied about anything let it be the WAY we lived, not just our portfolios.
Reading this with my morning coffee in a cafe in Bangkok. Tears! It's been 5 years since we've moved here from Copenhagen and 5 years since I've had a "real job". I can't work with how our life is at the moment and I miss working. I miss having an identity in a title. I miss achieving. I miss having a career. I thought I would get work here, I didn't, but I get to be here! I get to love on the people I meet. I get to volunteer and I get to sit with people I meet, listen and see them. I did a session on the topic loneliness with some High Schoolers and we hung up your cat poster at the school. It was amazing! "I thought it would work out this way, but then it worked out that way." Thank you for always pointing us to what matters, Brad. The point is what we are being and it really is enough.
It’s easy to see the outward reality of others and think - they’re successful and happy, they ‘made’ it, without seeing the context, inner and ‘real’ reality that you share here. I loved reading this, as with all your writing, thank you for your words. It reminds me a little of the book ‘The Happiness Advantage’ by Shawn Achor where he talks about how we all think that happiness is on the other side of success, instead of realising that being happy first, inherently means we are and can be more successful
Feeling this so deeply! Really thought going to grad school would change everything, but alas, I just graduated and... it did not. 🫠 Thank for you being you.
“I thought it would work out this way but then it worked out that way” applies not only to the relative success or happiness of an individual but also to their views of a better life for others.
Aside from that inevitability - money - every well meaning intention of individuals, whether it be a guaranteed hourly wage, ‘sensible’ education, space voyages, mask mandates or the quest for more oil leads to unexpected and deleterious results.
Higher wages, rather than resulting in better living standards, contributes to higher costs. “Sensible” education leads to censorship and mistrust. Space voyages often become more vanity projects than actual discoveries, leading to ever higher cost overruns. Mask mandates encourage the already disassociative aspects of interpersonal relationships begun with phones. The quest for more oil stampedes into increased environmental degradation.
This part made me literally laugh out loud: When the show ended, so did my desire to be on camera. I was deeply embarrassed. It felt like a failure (and a public one at that). Loved ones would remind me the show was not a public failure as it’d really just been seen by only dozens of people. This did not help.
But really I relate to this on so many levels. Thank you for sharing! I believe that you MAKE JESUS HAPPY. And that is enough. :)
Not only did I enjoy the journey of your work, but the expressed feelings along the way…this all resonated so much. I thought I could never be unhappy again after I finally found a literary agent, then an editor, and then wow - a published book! And then slowly, the goal post moved. We are enough before and after everything, it’s just so easy to forget. Thank you 🙏
"My identity is not wrapped in what I accomplish, but who I am. I will not mistake my goals or roles for my soul." Beautiful, timely, important. Thank you Brad!
I so needed this Brad. In fact, I need it as my ringtone, my screensaver, printed on the back of cereal boxes!
I have accomplished more than I ever thought possible in one lifetime. I am living a life that surpasses the dreams I held for myself in so many ways so it’s utterly confusing (and humbling and disorienting and frustrating) to wake up and realize, wait, I’m still not satisfied? I’m still not “done”? I’m still yearning and longing and wanting and wondering will I ever reach the point where I feel like THERE, I did the thing that mattered and now I can sit back and enjoy my life. But it seems that the “there” I’m looking for is a mirage. Thanks to consumerism and materialism I think we’ve all been brainwashed into thinking that when X happens I’ll finally feel content, but I’m learning (slowly?!) that contentment is something I need to foster with every miracle moment I have on this earth.
I do think our end products matter but I think HOW we create them matters even more. Everything you’ve made is brimming with heart and humor, integrity and boundless creativity. I know firsthand how you effortlessly ensure that those you work alongside feel seen and special. There may be no “awards” for that (yet) in our culture, no Cannes for kindness, but if we are gonna feel satisfied about anything let it be the WAY we lived, not just our portfolios.
❤️❤️❤️
"Because then I would be enough."
Wow. I feel that.
Reading this with my morning coffee in a cafe in Bangkok. Tears! It's been 5 years since we've moved here from Copenhagen and 5 years since I've had a "real job". I can't work with how our life is at the moment and I miss working. I miss having an identity in a title. I miss achieving. I miss having a career. I thought I would get work here, I didn't, but I get to be here! I get to love on the people I meet. I get to volunteer and I get to sit with people I meet, listen and see them. I did a session on the topic loneliness with some High Schoolers and we hung up your cat poster at the school. It was amazing! "I thought it would work out this way, but then it worked out that way." Thank you for always pointing us to what matters, Brad. The point is what we are being and it really is enough.
It’s easy to see the outward reality of others and think - they’re successful and happy, they ‘made’ it, without seeing the context, inner and ‘real’ reality that you share here. I loved reading this, as with all your writing, thank you for your words. It reminds me a little of the book ‘The Happiness Advantage’ by Shawn Achor where he talks about how we all think that happiness is on the other side of success, instead of realising that being happy first, inherently means we are and can be more successful
Feeling this so deeply! Really thought going to grad school would change everything, but alas, I just graduated and... it did not. 🫠 Thank for you being you.
Great read. Thank you for that.
Love everything you are doing - such a beautiful thing! Also - excited to see the show <3
❤️
I needed this today, friend ❤️
“I thought it would work out this way but then it worked out that way” applies not only to the relative success or happiness of an individual but also to their views of a better life for others.
Aside from that inevitability - money - every well meaning intention of individuals, whether it be a guaranteed hourly wage, ‘sensible’ education, space voyages, mask mandates or the quest for more oil leads to unexpected and deleterious results.
Higher wages, rather than resulting in better living standards, contributes to higher costs. “Sensible” education leads to censorship and mistrust. Space voyages often become more vanity projects than actual discoveries, leading to ever higher cost overruns. Mask mandates encourage the already disassociative aspects of interpersonal relationships begun with phones. The quest for more oil stampedes into increased environmental degradation.
I adore this essay. You’re also good at essays. 😊❤️
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece. It resonated with me strongly. Thank you
You are enough. And I’m so glad you exist at the same time I do. You’re a huge inspiration for me.
Not for nothing, comedian Steven Wright built a career on non-sequitors.
This part made me literally laugh out loud: When the show ended, so did my desire to be on camera. I was deeply embarrassed. It felt like a failure (and a public one at that). Loved ones would remind me the show was not a public failure as it’d really just been seen by only dozens of people. This did not help.
But really I relate to this on so many levels. Thank you for sharing! I believe that you MAKE JESUS HAPPY. And that is enough. :)
So much love to you and Kristi and your kids!