Join Me, & Together We Will...
... Launch a new podcast + Perspective from Gladiator + LOTR
Hello there!
TLDR: I’m launching a nerdy self-improvement podcast with Stephen Kent and we need your help! If you’re in, be among the 1st to join our pre-launch community Discord!
We’ll be collaborating on the launch of the podcast and building a community of fans who want “Blow up your Death Star.” You’ll not only be the 1st to get behind-the-scenes updates, but you’ll also help us shape the direction of the show. Join us.
More on the future of this newsletter and deets on the podcast below the jump.
Let’s talk about one of my favorite films of all time, Gladiator. (A partial inspiration for my only tattoo, story for another time) Today, I want to share a moment from a recent Daily Stoic video, which centers on the power of perspective. The source: the opening of Ridley Scott's masterpiece.
In this opening scene, Russell Crowe's character, Maximus, is walking through a field. It's a seemingly serene moment as he watches a small bird take flight, appreciating the simple beauty of nature. But as the camera pans out, we see that he is actually amidst the chaos of a war zone.
This scene, according to Scott and Crowe, was an improvised moment of connection between the actor and the director. Yet, it serves as a poignant embodiment of a key Stoic lesson.
My guy Ryan Holiday observes that the Stoic philosopher Epictetus said that every situation has two handles, and we choose which one we grab. The same goes for our perspectives on life. In the Gladiator scene, Maximus first focuses on the beautiful, then zooms out to see the harsh reality. It's a metaphor for the human ability to see light, beauty, and wonder amidst darkness and adversity.
Stoicism teaches us that our lives are dyed by the color of our thoughts. The lens through which we view the world shapes how we perceive it and, consequently, how we feel. This is a power we often underestimate. We get to choose our perspective, whether we're facing a global pandemic, political strife, or being stationed in Korea.
Marcus Aurelius, a famous Stoic and the Roman Emperor during the Marcomannic Wars depicted in Gladiator exemplifies this principle in his writings. Despite living through plague, personal loss, betrayal, and natural disasters, he maintained gratitude for life and a sense of wonder.
The choice of perspective is a power we all possess. It's a tool the Stoics constantly strived to sharpen, and we would do well to do the same. This perspective shift is found in the film The Two Towers. Samwise Gamgee, the steadfast hobbit companion to Frodo Baggins, delivers an inspiring speech that resonates with the theme of finding beauty in the midst of darkness - of choosing your perspective. As Frodo begins to lose hope and succumb to the burden of the One Ring, Sam, ever the hopeful, encourages Frodo. In a heartfelt moment, Sam reflects on the beauty of their world and the importance of holding onto hope, even in the face of overwhelming darkness.
Frodo: “I can't do this, Sam.”
Sam: “I know. It's all wrong. By rights, we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass."
Sam's words convey his unwavering belief in the resilience of light and hope. His speech captures the essence of finding beauty and solace amidst the most challenging circumstances, emphasizing the power of optimism, determination, and the human spirit. Remember, the perspective we choose is everything.
Still here?
ok, let’s talk about the future! So in the near future, I’ll be writing more, a lot more just like this over at Stephen Kent 's This Is The Way Substack. What's happening to Riley Writes? It'll stay here and serve as a personal journal/musings and update you on future Riley projects.
Current Riley Writes subscribers (You!) can expect to be added to This Is The Way .
"But Riley," (you may say) "why add me to this new Substack?"
Ultimately, because I’m hyped for this new project.
This is the Way is moving to a weekly column AND video podcast that's all about applying the best lessons on living from film, TV, and literature with IRL philosophy and faith - And yes, Star Wars. We're going to navigate the challenges of adulthood and find purpose and meaning in life.
I’m asking you to be among the 1st to join our pre-launch community Discord! We’ll be collaborating with you to get feedback on show topics, help launch the podcast and build a community of fans who want “Blow up your Death Star.” join us.
We'll be exploring the intersection of Star Wars and Stoicism and providing a unique approach to personal development that (hopefully) speaks directly to you.
Easter Egg Link:
Virtūs et Honos
-Riley