The Song That Made Me See Life Differently
Books that changed my thinking, my behaviors, and my life
Hello,
Sometimes, the best life advice doesn’t come from a book, a mentor, or a grand experience—it comes from a song.
For me, that song is Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen), a spoken-word masterpiece I first heard in 1999. It didn’t start as a song, though. In 1997, Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich wrote an essay titled “Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young.” It was imagined as a commencement speech, packed with life lessons that were funny, practical, and painfully true, all anchored by one memorable instruction: “Wear sunscreen.”
The piece quickly went viral—but not in the way Schmich expected. It began circulating online, misattributed to none other than Kurt Vonnegut as a supposed MIT graduation speech. The misattribution added to its mystique, and even today, some still think Vonnegut wrote it. Then, in 1998, Baz Luhrmann discovered Schmich’s essay and turned it into a song. That’s when I found it—and it’s been my life anthem ever since.
What makes this song extraordinary isn’t just its wit or wisdom—it’s how it distills the complexity of living into something beautifully simple. In a world that thrives on overcomplicating everything (intermittent fasting, 10-step morning routines, tracking your sleep down to the second), Schmich’s advice cuts through the noise. It’s about slowing down, paying attention, and appreciating life for what it is, not what you’re constantly chasing.
What strikes me most, though, is how this song grows with you. When I first heard it, some lines felt like riddles I wasn’t ready to solve. They floated over my head, waiting patiently for me to catch up. Now, twenty years later, those same lines feel like old friends, offering clarity I didn’t know I needed:
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth… Oh, never mind.
You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth
Until they’ve faded. But trust me, in 20 years,
You’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall, in a way
You can’t grasp now, how much possibility lay before you
And how fabulous you really looked.
Whenever I need to recalibrate—when life feels too loud or too complicated—I hit play on that song (here are the lyrics). It’s my North Star, a reminder that the best advice is often the simplest. Maybe you decide to play this song around the dinner table tonight.
Welcome to this week’s Three Book Thursday (and Happy Thanksgiving).
1. Philosophy
On the Shortness of Life
Summary
On the Shortness of Life by Seneca is a timeless call to reclaim what matters most: time. Written over 2,000 years ago, its insights feel strikingly modern—a sharp reminder that while life may seem long, it’s only as meaningful as the moments we consciously choose to live. Seneca urges us to confront the uncomfortable truth: we waste our days on distractions, trivial pursuits, and obligations that take us further from what truly matters. Time, not wealth or fame, is our most precious resource, and yet we let it slip away.
What sets this work apart is Seneca’s unflinching honesty about human nature. He challenges us to let go of busyness, to focus on relationships, learning, and reflection, and to live with deliberate purpose. His straightforward style is both inspiring and practical, offering a blueprint for turning fleeting moments into lasting meaning. On the Shortness of Life is more than philosophy—it’s a guide to living fully, a reminder that time is the ultimate currency, and the only way to truly extend life is to make each moment count.
Favorite Quote, Insight, & Principle
Quote: It takes an entire lifetime to learn how to live.
Insight: While we are postponing, life speeds by.
Principle: You act like mortals in all that you fear, and like immortals in all that you desire.
Author: Seneca
Themes: Philosophy, Stoicism, Living a full life
2. Personal development
The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety
Summary
The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts is a transformative guide to embracing the present moment. Watts dismantles our obsession with seeking security—be it financial, emotional, or existential—and reveals how this pursuit often leads us further from the peace and fulfillment we crave. He reminds us that life’s beauty isn’t found in controlling the future but in surrendering to the uncertainty of the present. This isn’t abstract philosophy; it’s a deeply practical reminder that our resistance to change and our need for guarantees only amplify anxiety and disconnect us from life’s richness.
Watts invites us to release the constant chase for happiness as a fixed state and instead experience life in all its unpredictable wonder. He argues that true freedom lies in accepting life’s ebb and flow, finding joy not in what’s promised but in what’s unfolding right now. The Wisdom of Insecurity is a call to let go of the illusion of control and, in doing so, unlock the profound contentment that comes with simply being present. For anyone yearning to live more authentically, more grounded, and more connected to the here and now, Watts offers timeless insights that feel especially urgent in today’s fast-paced, uncertain world.
Favorite Quote, Insight, & Principle
Quote: When we stop fighting the waves, we learn to float.
Insight: Life is not a problem to be solved but an experience to be lived.
Principle: People sometimes fail to live because they are always preparing to live.
Author: Alan Watts
Themes: Personal development, Living a full life, Health and wellness
3. Biography
A Mirror for Greatness: Six Americans
Summary
This book was my constant companion during a two-month backpacking trip across Europe in 1998, and it’s etched into my memory not just for its content but for the time in my life when I read it. While it may not be Pulitzer material, A Mirror for Greatness is deeply meaningful to me—a book that perfectly complemented a transformative period. It’s a must-read for high school and college students, offering more than just a history lesson. It’s a journey into the lives and legacies of six extraordinary Americans—Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Sojourner Truth, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau—whose contributions shaped the nation and continue to inspire generations.
Bliven’s writing feels personal and conversational, capturing the essence of what made each figure great. He doesn’t just recount their achievements; he explores their struggles, principles, and the values that defined their lives. Franklin’s boundless curiosity, Adams’ unwavering dedication, Jefferson’s visionary ideals, Truth’s unbreakable courage, Emerson’s philosophical wisdom, and Thoreau’s deliberate pursuit of simplicity—all come alive in ways that resonate beyond history. This book isn’t just about looking back; it’s about moving forward. It’s a call to action, a reminder that greatness isn’t reserved for historical icons—it’s within reach for anyone willing to embrace curiosity, conviction, and purpose. Bliven’s work inspires us to see the extraordinary in ourselves and pursue it with courage and intent.
Favorite Quotes, Insights, & Principles
Quote: Greatness is not bestowed; it is carved out in the face of resistance and doubt.
Insight: Courage is knowing what not to fear and standing firm when fear presses hardest.
Principle: Greatness is a lifelong pursuit, born not of talent alone but of resilience and relentless commitment.
Author: Bruce Bliven
Themes: Biography, History
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On the Shortness of Life
The Value of Time
“Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes and denies us the present by promising the future.”
“Everyone sets a greater value on his own property than on his time, yet time is the one thing that it is a virtue to be greedy of.”
Reflection: Seneca cuts right to the truth here—time is our most valuable resource, yet it’s the one we’re most careless with. We protect our money, our possessions, but how often do we let hours slip by without a thought? Time is the only asset that, once gone, is gone forever. We’re wealthy with it now, but we’re spending it every day, and the trick is to make sure those withdrawals lead to something meaningful. Let this be a reminder to value time like the precious resource it is and spend it on the things that truly matter.
Living in the Present
“Most people ebb and flow in wretchedness between the fear of death and the hardships of life; they are unwilling to live, and yet they do not know how to die.”
“Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes and denies us the present by promising the future.”
Reflection: We spend so much time planning, worrying, or dwelling that we forget the present moment is all we actually have. Seneca warns us about this constant pull between anxiety over the future and regrets from the past. Life is right now—this day, this moment. Rather than letting our thoughts be pulled in a thousand directions, what if we rooted ourselves firmly in the present? Enjoy the experience of today because that’s what real living is about.
The Importance of Inner Peace
“Nothing, to my way of thinking, is a better proof of a well-ordered mind than a man’s ability to stop just where he is and pass some time in his own company.”
“It is a great man who can treat his fleeting life as if it were forever, and who can use his life as if he were aware that he is mortal.”
Reflection: Seneca’s wisdom here is both simple and profound. So many of us rush through our days, filling every quiet moment with noise or distraction. But being able to sit with ourselves—without needing constant stimulation—is a sign of a mind at peace. This isn’t about isolation; it’s about finding comfort in your own presence, in knowing that every day is a gift and that real strength comes from making peace with the impermanence of life.
Avoiding Regret
“The part of life we really live is small. For all the rest of existence is not life, but merely time.”
“You act like mortals in all that you fear, and like immortals in all that you desire.”
Reflection: Seneca warns us that if we’re not careful, life will pass by as mere “time”—empty hours with no depth or purpose. We act as though we have forever, avoiding the things that scare us, yet chasing every fleeting desire as if it will bring us lasting satisfaction. The key is to live deliberately. Be brave enough to chase meaningful goals, and know that every moment counts. Don’t let a single day slip by without making it count in some small way.
The Courage to Live Fully
“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.”
“You will hear many people saying: ‘When I am fifty I shall retire into leisure; when I am sixty I shall give up public duties.’ And what guarantee do you have that your life will last longer?”
Reflection: Seneca reminds us that life’s length isn’t the issue—it’s how we use it. We can’t wait until “the right time” to start living the life we want. So many of us say, “One day, I’ll finally do what I love,” or “Once I reach a certain age, I’ll be able to slow down.” But we have no guarantees. Life isn’t in the future; it’s happening right now. Be bold enough to live fully in the present, embracing each day as the gift that it is.
Embracing Mortality
“There is nothing the busy man is less busied with than living; there is nothing that is harder to learn.”
“Death is not in itself an evil. The evil is in our fear of it.”
Reflection: Mortality isn’t something to shy away from but something to embrace. Knowing that life is finite can actually deepen our appreciation for it, pushing us to live with more intention. When we’re constantly busy, wrapped up in routine, we can forget we’re here for a limited time. Seneca teaches us to release the fear of death, which only holds us back, and instead focus on the quality of our lives. Use this understanding of life’s brevity as fuel to live more purposefully, more boldly.
Seneca’s insights in On the Shortness of Life challenge us to examine how we spend our days, what we value, and whether we’re truly living or just marking time. Let this wisdom guide us to live each moment with intention, courage, and a deep appreciation for the time we’ve been given.
The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety
The Illusion of Control
“Life is not a problem to be solved, but an experience to be had.”
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
“The more a thing tends to be permanent, the more it tends to be lifeless.”
Reflection: Watts makes it clear that life’s unpredictability is part of its essence, not something to be fixed. Too often, we treat life like a puzzle we need to solve, believing that control will bring peace. But by trying to fix everything into place, we risk draining life of its spontaneity and wonder. Embracing change—not just tolerating it but fully engaging with it—keeps us grounded in the present, alive to the possibilities unfolding around us. Watts calls us to let go of the need for certainty, reminding us that a truly lived life is one that flows, adapts, and experiences each moment fully.
The Power of Presence
“It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life.”
“To put it still more plainly: the desire for security and the feeling of insecurity are the same thing.”
“To understand that there is no security is to feel insecure, but it is also to know freedom.”
Reflection: Seeking security, Watts suggests, paradoxically reinforces our sense of insecurity. We build layers of protection around ourselves—whether it’s material security, emotional safeguards, or rigid routines—thinking they’ll keep us safe. Yet, by doing so, we only deepen our fear of what lies outside those boundaries. True freedom, he argues, begins with surrendering this desire for control and recognizing that life doesn’t come with guarantees. When we can accept that there’s no absolute safety net, we open ourselves up to a deeper, more authentic way of being. Instead of hiding from discomfort, we step into it, finding strength in our vulnerability.
Living in the Now
“Hurrying and delaying are alike ways of trying to resist the present.”
“The present is the only place where life exists.”
“To remain uncertain is to grow; to step forward into the unknown is to move forward with life.”
Reflection: Watts emphasizes that life only happens in the present. But how often do we actually live here? We spend so much time regretting the past or worrying about the future that we miss what’s right in front of us. Both rushing forward and holding back are ways of resisting the present, clinging to an illusion of control over time. Watts invites us to stop bracing ourselves and start fully experiencing the now. This isn’t just a mindset—it’s a practice of actively grounding ourselves in each moment, trusting that even in uncertainty, there’s beauty, connection, and meaning to be found.
Embracing Uncertainty
“The more we struggle for life as pleasure, the more we are actually killing what we love.”
“There is nothing more futile or stressful than trying to act confidently when you feel insecure.”
“To understand the truth of insecurity is to find peace with it.”
Reflection: In a world that prizes confidence and stability, Watts’ message is a revelation: insecurity is part of being alive. We’re often taught to present an image of assurance, to fight against doubt and fear as if they were enemies. But Watts suggests that true strength comes from acknowledging our insecurity and making peace with it. It’s not about banishing fear but learning to coexist with it. By understanding that insecurity is simply part of the human experience, we free ourselves from the exhausting need to appear perfect. Accepting our vulnerability allows us to step into life more fully, without the pressure of maintaining a façade.
The Beauty of Letting Go
“To have faith is to trust yourself to the water.”
“It is in failing to hold on, in realizing the impossibility of clinging, that we find real peace.”
“We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain.”
Reflection: At the heart of Watts’ philosophy is the art of letting go. Life, he argues, is like water—we’re meant to float with its currents, not fight against them. When we try to hold on too tightly—to people, to things, to moments—we end up creating stress and suffering for ourselves. Letting go isn’t about giving up; it’s about embracing life’s natural ebb and flow. Just as pleasure and pain are intertwined, so too are security and insecurity, joy and sorrow. When we release our grip and allow life to be what it is, we discover a profound peace and an openness to life’s richest experiences.
A Mirror for Greatness: Six Americans
Legacy and the Measure of Greatness
“Greatness is a lifelong pursuit, born not of talent alone but of resilience and relentless commitment.”
“The measure of greatness is not in personal gain but in what one leaves behind for others to build upon.”
“The truest legacy is the spirit of inquiry left in others, sparking them to question, challenge, and create.”
Reflection: Bliven shows us that greatness isn’t something you can measure in wealth or accolades. It’s about resilience, about the quiet, relentless pursuit of something bigger than oneself. Each of these figures—Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Truth, Emerson, and Thoreau—left behind a legacy of ideas, reforms, and inspiration that continues to shape our world. The impact they’ve had is proof that true greatness is measured by what lives on in others long after we’re gone. It’s about sparking curiosity, instilling courage, and empowering others to step up and question the status quo.
Courage and Conviction
“Courage is knowing what not to fear and standing firm when fear presses hardest.”
“Freedom demands more than words; it demands action, sacrifice, and a willingness to stand alone.”
“In times of injustice, silence becomes complicity; to speak truth is to spark the first step to change.”
Reflection: Each figure in Bliven’s profiles understood courage at a fundamental level. They weren’t fearless; they knew exactly what was worth standing up for and what battles to fight. Whether it was Sojourner Truth defying the conventions of her time, or John Adams fighting for independence, each displayed courage in their commitment to what they believed was just and necessary. This courage wasn’t about grand gestures but about refusing to stay silent in the face of injustice, about being willing to stand alone if that’s what it took to make a difference. Courage, in their lives, was simply about doing what was right, even when it demanded everything.
The Purpose of Leadership
“There is no nobler purpose than to serve the people with honesty and conviction.”
“The heart of a leader beats not for applause but for the quiet satisfaction of doing what is right.”
“Great leaders don’t seek perfection; they seek improvement in themselves and their world.”
Reflection: Bliven’s portrayal of these six Americans shows that true leadership is rooted in purpose. Franklin, Adams, and Jefferson weren’t seeking admiration; they were after real progress, personal growth, and the improvement of society. They knew that perfection was a mirage but that every action, no matter how small, could help lead to a better world. It’s this dedication to honest service—putting the needs of others above personal gain—that marks a great leader. Their leadership wasn’t about grandstanding but about genuine, meaningful work.
Change and the Role of Reformers
“To challenge the status quo, one must first understand it deeply, then move with purpose to reshape it.”
“True reformers are not the loudest; they are the most relentless in their quiet pursuit of change.”
“If one’s life is lived without principle, greatness remains just beyond the reach.”
Reflection: The drive for change, as seen in the lives of these Americans, starts with a deep understanding of the world as it is. These weren’t people rushing to change things without thought—they were observers, thinkers, and, ultimately, doers who acted with purpose. Bliven captures how they quietly, persistently chipped away at systems and ideas that no longer served justice. Reform isn’t always loud; often, it’s the quiet determination to do better, to live by a principle so deeply that others are moved to change too.
Self-Knowledge and Reflection
“A life without self-reflection is a life spent in the shadow of one’s true potential.”
“To know oneself is to understand the path to one’s own greatness.”
“Greatness is not bestowed; it is carved out in the face of resistance and doubt.”
Reflection: Bliven emphasizes that the greatness of Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Truth, Emerson, and Thoreau was as much a journey within as it was a pursuit of external goals. They didn’t achieve what they did by accident; they constantly questioned themselves and their purpose. Self-reflection, for them, was a discipline, a necessary act of understanding their values, strengths, and weaknesses. This inner journey enabled them to carve out lives of purpose even when the path was uncertain. True greatness, Bliven seems to remind us, starts with knowing who we are and what we stand for, and then carrying that understanding through every challenge.
At the heart of this special Thanksgiving edition of Three Book Thursday lies a thread that connects all these insights and lessons: the power of presence, purpose, and the courage to live fully. From Seneca’s reminder that time is our most precious resource to Alan Watts’ invitation to embrace life’s uncertainties and Bruce Bliven’s portraits of greatness born through resilience and conviction, the message is clear: life’s richness isn’t found in waiting for the “right time” or chasing perfection. It’s in how we choose to engage with the now.
As you reflect on these ideas, consider how they can shape your own journey. Are you guarding your time like the treasure it is? Are you willing to let go of the illusion of control and instead trust the flow of life? And are you ready to align your daily actions with a greater purpose, carving out a legacy of impact and meaning? These aren’t just abstract concepts—they’re calls to action, challenges to live more deliberately, more authentically, and with a deeper sense of gratitude for the moments we have.
This Thanksgiving, let these lessons serve as a gentle nudge to pause, take stock, and step forward with clarity and intention. Whether it’s finding inspiration in a timeless piece of wisdom, embracing the power of simplicity, or daring to carve your own path, the impact is in your hands. Make today—and every day—count.
Best,
Adam