Nothing is "Good" or "Bad"

Our mind plays tricks

5 minutes to slow down, laugh, and share something in common. Every Thursday.

Today’s Setlist

🎩 One Theme → Nothing is "Good" or "Bad"

😄 Funny Business → Elite reflexes

📊 Community Poll → We let people keep talking away

🌒 Tonight → YOGA: Digesting Life BREATHWORK: Heart Opening Journey (join here) Earth’s moon is currently waxing crescent, a time for outward expansion.

Now, a word from our fake sponsor…

This newsletter is brought to you by Build-A-Candidate!

Tired of the same old choices every election cycle? Welcome to Build-A-Candidate, where you can assemble a presidential candidate who is an actual human being!

Create your human with essential core features like ‘Self-Respect’, ‘Love & Kindness’, and ‘Non-Bullying’ to craft a candidate who’s not just a politician but a functioning adult.

Whether you want a leader with a heart of gold or a brain for strategy, we have all the traits you need to build a presidential candidate that won’t make you say “FUCK WHAT THE FUCK AGHGHKHKDGHSKFHLDJH!” And that’s our gurantee.

Premium Subscribers to Doug’s Newsletter receive a cute hat for their candidate.

Nothing is "Good" or "Bad"

Emotions are running high this week. It’s easy to get swept up in it—feeling like certain things are absolutely, undoubtedly “good” or “bad.”

But nothing is black and white.

Our mind loves to constantly try to sort everything into neat little buckets.

It’s times like this that I like to remember the Farmer.

A farmer had a beloved horse that helped him with his work. One day, the horse ran away. His neighbors came by and said, “Oh, how terrible!”

The farmer simply replied, “Maybe.”

A few days later, the horse returned, bringing with it several wild horses. The neighbors came by again, saying, “How wonderful!”

The farmer replied, “Maybe.”

Soon after, the farmer’s son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown off, and broke his leg. The neighbors sympathized, “How awful!”

The farmer replied, “Maybe.”

A week later, soldiers came to the village, drafting all able-bodied young men into the army. Because of his broken leg, the farmer’s son was spared. The neighbors exclaimed, “How fortunate!”

And, of course, the farmer said, “Maybe.”

Subscribe to Doug’s Newsletter to get the good stuff delivered to your inbox.

This story reminds us that we often don’t know the full picture. The mind wants to label events as “good” or “bad,” but sometimes what looks negative today is a blessing tomorrow—or vice versa. It’s our own interpretation that creates judgment, often far ahead of (and detached from) the reality.

Instead of rushing to label things, what if we took a step back and allowed things to unfold? Practicing this kind of open-mindedness gives us room to see a situation in its entirety—letting us avoid snap judgments and stay more at ease.

Next time you find yourself reacting strongly, try to remember the farmer’s “Maybe.” Maybe it’s good. Maybe it’s bad. Maybe it just is.

P.S. I shared a version of this on the Slow The Fuck Down Instagram today.

P.P.S. If you’re looking for open mindedness with the holidays around the corner, join us Sunday to prepare for the holiday season!

😄 Funny Business

📊 Community Poll

Results for last week’s question: What do you do when someone just keeps talking and doesn’t pick up the cues to stop?

Surprised I’m the only one who finds the first chance to jump in and end it! I feel the pain of those who let them keep talking…not fun.

One way to gracefully handle it…

Yeah this is better. Love it, J.

And two clever ways to respond…

Maybe even give them a demo by sticking it on their mouth?

Lol

On to this week’s question…

How I can help you:

🐢

Slow your self

🔬

Grow your business

🧑‍🎨

Tell me what could help

Begin and end with love,

Founder of Slow The Fuck Down

Did a cool person forward you this email?

Remember, it is not the events themselves that disturb people, but only their judgments about them. — Epictetus