Matt Hogan's Blog

Knowledge Ungrasped

Published on August 27, 2021

The best teacher in life is experience.

…Wrong.

The best teacher in life is, and can only ever be, you.

Experience is merely newly presented knowledge. Just like a simple Google search.

And having knowledge in front of you (or at your finger tips) has no impact on the mind.

Knowledge ungrasped is the same as knowledge unknown.

The best teacher is the curious mind—the undeniable force that actively grasps the surrounding knowledge and infuses it with the mind.

Without that force, the talents of the teacher are irrelevant; experiences are irrelevant; access to the internet is irrelevant.

Because having access to knowledge was never the issue in the connection age.

It’s the lack of curiosity that only ever holds us back.

Can You Balance A Stick On Your Finger?

Published on August 25, 2021

If I wanted to balance a long stick on just one finger, I would use trial and error.

I would guess and place my finger at a center point, catch it when (if) it tipped, readjust my finger, and repeat until I had it.

If you want to maintain your emotional center, following the same, simple formula might help.

First, get a gauge on which emotional direction you’re tipping. Then, identify the emotional opposite. And, like when you’re trying to balance a long stick on your finger, adjust until you find equilibrium. Some examples:

When you find yourself tipping towards anger, balance yourself out with good humor.
When you’re tipping towards frustration, balance in sources of satisfaction.
When you’re feeling sad and gloomy, incorporate some sources of joy and good cheer.

But, not too much of the opposite, of course, because then you’ll tip in that direction instead.

Having too much of a good thing can cause you to emotionally lose balance all the same.

As Aristotle famously suggested, shoot for the mean between extremes.

Where you’re neither overly sensitive nor senseless, but aligned, aware, and at peace.

Update And Expand

Published on August 24, 2021

Applications will only do what they’re programmed to do.

A dictionary application that’s programmed to pull up a certain word when it’s searched for—will only do that.

And so it is with your mind.

A mindset that’s programmed to pull up a certain response when it’s presented with a certain problem—will only do that.

This is why language is essential—it is literally the means through which programs are updated. Both in applications and the mind.

HTML, for example, is a language used by developers to design how web page elements (hyperlinks, text, media, etc) are displayed on a computer browser.

Imagine if the first iteration of the language—that was developed and released in 1991—was still the language we used today?

Can you remember what web pages looked like from the 1990’s?

Well guess what? That’s what your mindset looks like when you never update your thinking language either.

Sick of thinking about a problem the same way over and over? Stop using the same language to try and solve it.

Update and expand.

Unplugged or Plugged In?

Published on August 23, 2021

When your device is unplugged, the battery will drain. Plug it in and it’ll charge.

The opposite seems to be true for the mind.

When your mind is unplugged—from devices, work, drama—the battery recharges.

Plug it in to one of those things, however, and the battery will drain.

If you find your mind in a nonfunctional state, maybe it’s not because you’ve been plugged in too long—but, because you haven’t been unplugged enough.

Turning 32

Published on August 23, 2021

This year was all about refinement.

Less stuff; more space.
Less clutter; more clarity.
Less noise; more harmony.

Even in (especially in) my writing.

The 31 year old me would have probably tried to compile 32 life lessons learned in 32 years.

But, that didn’t feel appropriate for this year.

This year has been all about saying less, while simultaneously, learning how to say more.

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes.

Sending love and light to you all.

7 Things You Can Learn From Flying

Published on August 21, 2021

Cruising > Accelerating—Accelerating from 0-250mph feels more invigorating than cruising at 500mph. But cruising at 500mph will get you WAY further than constantly accelerating 0-250mph.
Get The Design Right First—When the design is right, all that’s needed is forward momentum. With that and the right fuel source, planes glide. So can you. And gliding is better than having to constantly flap, flap, flap like a bird.
Perspective Matters—Life can feel awfully small when you’re constantly zoomed in on your world. Zooming out reminds you that what can feel huge, really is quite small when the rest of the world comes into perspective.
Direction Matters—Clouds won’t stop a flight. If you know the direction you need to head, but you temporarily lose sight, don’t let it stop you either. This is why knowing your direction is so important. Don’t take off until you do.
Rise Above The Storms—What’s true for clouds is true for minor storms, too. If the day needs to be picture perfect for you to fly, you’ll rarely fly. If you can fly out and rise above the resistance that comes with minor storms; do that.
Take Calculated Risks, Not Unnecessary Ones—When the weather gets bad, however, know when to stay grounded. Letting intense storms pass or settle is always a much better solution than taking unnecessary risks. Some storms simply shouldn’t be flown into.
Ego Check—You’re not the only aircraft in the sky. In order for flying to work, there has to be cooperation and clear communication with the other planes. Don’t wait for them to talk to you, reach out to them! Organize, align, mobilize, and enjoy the open sky.

Roots