"I entirely abandoned the study of letters. Resolving to seek no knowledge other than that of which could be found in myself or else in the great book of the world, I spent the rest of my youth traveling, visiting courts and armies, mixing with people of diverse temperaments and ranks, gathering various experiences, testing myself in the situations which fortune offered me, and at all times reflecting upon whatever came my way so as to derive some profit from it." - Descartes (Discourse of the method,1637)
It's amazing how much I can relate to those words. It is the hunger of knowledge and the aspiration to utilize it that drives me. Some of the things we learn can be sub-conscious. I wanna bring more of it to the conscious level. But it takes time. The time that I have done traveling, soul-searching and getting back in shape. Both physically and mentally. That is the obvious groundwork that one has to lay before the talent himself can reach it's full potential. It'll pay dividends soon. It's within reach, but I still want to emphasize that even when I'd think I had arrived, I probably didn't. Therefore, stay cautious and curious. And keep working.
I'd like to think of myself as an artist, scientist and a sportsman at the same time. Pool has all these elements and more. Descartes was a great philosopher and the craved for complete knowledge and answers. Things, whatever they were, had to be defined. He was another great man ahead of his time. I think there is a great deal we can learn from philosophy. I want to use this great example of his to be able to challenge myself more and more.
off we go, searching answers....
Mika Immonen
2 X World Champion
2 X USOPEN Champion
Rakkaat Suomalaiset,
3 comments:
roll the dice if you’re going to try, go all the way. otherwise, don’t even start. if you’re going to try, go all the way. this could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, jobs and maybe your mind. go all the way. it could mean not eating for 3 or 4 days. it could mean freezing on a park bench. it could mean jail, it could mean derision, mockery, isolation. isolation is the gift, all the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. and you’ll do it despite rejection and the worst odds and it will be better than anything else you can imagine. if you’re going to try, go all the way. there is no other feeling like that. you will be alone with the gods and the nights will flame with fire. do it, do it, do it. do it. all the way all the way. you will ride life straight to perfect laughter, its the only good fight there is. ~Charles Bukowski
I love this approach to pool and life. I think you might like my podcast and blog at www.BilliardsBiohacker.com
where I explore ways to hack my mind, body and pool game.
Cheers,
Skippy
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