Thanks for Being Mean To Me
A letter to fate
In 1914, a great fire gutted the lab and factory of the famous inventor, Thomas Edison. He was 67 years old.
When his son recounted the events of that night about 50 years later, one thing that stuck with him was his father’s response. His father had approached him that fateful blazing night and said ‘Go get your mother and all her friends. They will never see a fire like this again’.
The fact the fire did not affect Thomas Edison’s resolve is evident by accounts from reporters who said Mr Edison simply told them that night, that he was ready to start over again tomorrow.
Start over? At 67?
But he did and went on to make 10 million dollars in revenue that year.
Now, you might admire him for succeeding despite this calamity.
But what if his success was not despite the calamity but because of the calamity?
Listening to Ryan Holiday’s book, The Obstacle is the way, he spoke of an intriguing concept. Amor fati — love of fate.
Hindsight
Have you ever looked back and been grateful in hindsight for something you initially thought was negative when it first occurred?
- Think of your first breakup and how much it must…
