“No matter how mundane some action might appear, keep at it long enough and it becomes a contemplative, even meditative act.”
Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
In the memoir What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, Haruki Murakami compiles a series of essays about running and how it influenced his writing. The book started as a journal the famous novelist kept while training for the New York City Marathon. The fascinating part about the memoir is that its recollections are incredibly vivid and philosophical in ways that anyone who’s obsessed with a solitary activity can relate to.
After reading the memoir, it’s no surprise that Murakami became a famous writer and a runner. As Aristotle said, “We are what we do repeatedly.” That’s the power of habits and why they’re so important. Whenever I think about habits, the first thing that comes to mind is James Clear’s Atomic Habits. The book provides a detailed framework of how habits work and how you can use them to change your life for the better.
The book also paints the picture of someone who’s content and fulfilled. This reminds me of a quote by Benjamin Disraeli which says “Action may not always bring happiness, but there’s no happiness without action.” Whatever it is that you’re thinking about doing, do it. It’s always tricky to navigate a landscape that might be new to you. Nevertheless, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you need to know more about a topic before starting. Start and figure everything else along the way. Whether you want to start a YouTube channel, learn a new language, or practice an instrument, remember that there’s no one way to learn that skill. You’ll always have time to make adjustments later on. Remember, above all, try something.
Despite what people think, happiness doesn’t come from doing nothing. Blaise Pascal famously said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” Happiness comes from the struggle that comes from doing something. You’ll make mistakes along the way, but again, there’s no happiness without action.