Philosophies

by CARLOS MICELI

These are a set of philosophies that I (try to) follow to live my life. I wrote this page for the selfish purpose of externalizing my definitions of said philosophies, but I thought they did better being published instead of staying hidden in some lost folder of my computer. This list will be in permanent beta: there will never be a definite version.

These understandings of my life and the world are the result of my personal experiences, and as such, they are bound to change as I grow. Let me clarify that they may not be suitable for you. However, I invite you to read them. Hopefully, they will provide a new insight or perspective for you to consider for your own life.
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On past opinions and mistakes

“The only thing I regret about my past is the length of it. If I had to live my life again, I’d make the same mistakes, only sooner.” – Tallulah Bankhead

Everything that I’ve done or said in the past, I acknowledge. My mistakes don’t evoke pride nor fear. They are just decisions to learn from.

A good example of this is my previous blog, OwlSparks. When I was doing the transition of written content to this site, I realized that I didn’t agree with 80-90% of what I said, or the way I said it. Instead of rejecting it, I’ve found more valuable to look back and try to understand why I had those opinions or manners. I’ve found that honest retrospection is more fruitful than dismissal.

From high-school embarrassments, to years of unfulfilling work or relationships, I see my past as my best teacher. Even if sometimes, still, I fail to listen.

On quality and quantity

“It is quality rather than quantity that matters.” – Seneca

I strive for my best, although not for perfection. The latter is unreachable, but the former is not. While sometimes I do err on the slow side of creation, I rarely create something I’m not confident it was made with my best efforts.

I admit that I do wish more people would follow this rule. If there’s one common trait in the people I look up to, is an economy of words, products or ideas. The waiting may be painful, but they rarely fail to deliver something that expresses dedication. These people I try to emulate.

On the contrary, the discomfort I have every time I think someone could have worked harder (which is, sadly, many times more common), is something I try with my utmost devotion to avoid others.

On prompting and judging others

“So much bitterness would be removed if one trusted that people behave as they do not from spite or evil, but because they have no choice.” – Alain de Botton

I believe everyone does the best they can. Everyone does what they know. If people act in improper ways is not because of a flaw in their spirit, but due to lack of information and clarity of incentives. That is why I try hard not to judge others, or tell them what to do. I understand that everyone sees a different piece of the puzzle. Any sort of hierarchy of messages is the wrong approach to inspire improvement.

The only philosophy that I let myself suggest others is to encourage self-exploration. I believe that the best prompt one can put out there is “get to know yourself.” This is a long, hard, fulfilling process that I believe leads to a life of moral excellence. This is the best spark I can provide to ignite improvement in others, without asserting my own hierarchy of values.

On misrelating

“Apathy on the individual level translates into insanity at the mass level.” – Douglas Hofstadter

I believe misrelating, that is, the misunderstanding of other’s values, backgrounds and ideas, is the biggest problem in the world. Misrelating is the one ubiquitous element in every conflict of humanity. Therefore, I strive to put myself in other people’s shoes constantly, to refrain judgement and achieve real communication. This is the only way to see every conflict of interests end positively for humanity

This is the key reason to travel, the one lesson every traveler should come home with (though few do): to relate to different sets of values and ideologies, to see the similarities between people everywhere, and to bring differences together. It’s my mission in life to help people understand each other, and I must play this role in the most effective way the universe allows me.

As Mark Twain once said: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”