The Self Help Trap

On Belief

On March 5th, 1995, the most important basketball game in history took place.

At halftime, Michael Jordan and the Tune Squad were behind 66-18 to the Monstars.

In the locker room, Porky Pig was telling his teammates they should forfeit.

And despite the best efforts of Michael Jordan to get the team together,
all felt lost.

But in the background, Bugs Bunny was preparing the one thing they needed to succeed.

Michael Jordan’s secret sauce.

What was it that Michael had that everyone around him didn’t?

And how do we take it from him

and give it to everyone?

Of course,

There are always detractors

Daffy Duck points out:

“You know, this goes against everything they taught me in health class.”

But I’m sure you understand how the story ends.

Tune Squad 78, Monstars 77

Since that important game 30 years ago,

There have been countless humans who have presented themselves as the solution to every problem we have.

But where is the secret sauce that Bugs brought to the team?

The modern world has no panacea,

Our solutions are as unique as we are.

Self-improvement has its merits.

Functional stability.

Confidence in narrative,

in process.

Our journeys take many forms,

but our destinations are the same.

If you’ve been to the studio this month, you’ve likely already seen these hiding in the library.

It’s my way of saying what I want to say about self-help.

I’ll be releasing it over the next few weeks

I don’t like the cover.

Maybe that means it’s right.

But the contents are solved.

There are only seven words inside.

Four heavier than our friend Bugs.

It's the right amount.

Whether you read them is up to you.

Poets Corner

Untitled Belief

eyes closed from tiredness of seeing
and the rushing along to a new day
imagining a meaning of being
in one's own company being enough
to board up the windows, the draught
and the door, behind the lids
connected for a moment to everything
there is and that will ever be, shivering
on a rocking chair beneath a shawl
and a clock ticking with a crowd of people
shouting for peace, spoiling
the silent submission to nothing at all

- Thomas May

Final Words

I’m going to give away 10 this week

If you want to see what’s inside first

Reply to this email and CC a friend

I’ll send you both one to say thanks

Love you loads

- Russ x