🧠 TIL

Today I Learned

🧠💡 A collection of quick notes and insightful discoveries from my recent readings.

API Superpowers: Plug Your App into the Universe

#apis
#tech
#til

APIs are the passport to everywhere. With a few lines of code, your app stops being an island and hops onto a jet—grabbing live weather, trending memes, random trivia, new music releases, or even your own private database in real time. The world is packed with open APIs for every obsession (news, books, games, money, fitness). One smart fetch and your app grows from static to supercharged. Examples: - Show tomorrow's forecast with a weather API. - Render GIFs from Giphy for chat app fun. - Pull in finance, sports, or even Pokémon data for dashboards! - Or use the OpenAI/Google/Microsoft APIs to analyze, smart-search, or answer anything—instantly. With APIs, your imagination is the real limit. If you can dream it, you can probably find an endpoint for it 🚀

Atomic Habits: Start with identity, not outcomes

#books
#habits
#self-development

Behavior sticks when it expresses who you believe you are. Instead of chasing a goal like "run a marathon," become "the kind of person who doesn't miss workouts." Identity makes habits durable.

The Comfort Book: Gentle routines beat heroic sprints

#books
#mental health
#habits

On hard days, the smallest stable routine is a lifeline. A five-minute breath, a walk, or writing two sentences keeps continuity—and continuity keeps hope.

Mindset: Effort is information, not indictment

#books
#psychology
#growth-mindset

Struggle isn't proof you're lacking; it's feedback about strategy and skills. Reframing effort as data unlocks persistence without shame.

Deep Work: Train attention like a muscle

#books
#focus
#self-development

Attention residue ruins clarity. Protect 90-minute blocks, shut doors (physical and digital), and end with a quick "next-step" note to re-enter flow faster.

The Power of Habit: Cue–routine–reward made practical

#books
#habits
#behavior

Keep the cue and reward, swap the routine. If the 3pm slump triggers snacks for a dopamine bump, try a brisk walk with music—same reward, better routine.

Thinking, Fast and Slow: Name the bias, cut the drag

#books
#psychology
#decision-making

Labeling anchoring, availability, or sunk cost at the moment of choice disrupts autopilot. A two-minute "bias check" before committing saves months later.

Essentialism: Do less, but better

#books
#prioritization
#self-development

Trade-offs are features, not bugs. Saying "no" clearly protects the few things that actually compound. Schedule space or others will schedule it for you.

Tiny Habits: Make it so small it's laughable

#books
#habits
#behavior

Attach a single push-up to brushing teeth. Celebrate the micro-win. Emotion wires habits faster than willpower tries to.

The Comfort Book: Self-kindness fuels consistency

#books
#self-compassion
#habits

Perfectionism breaks streaks; compassion restores them. "Begin again" is a habit tool, not a moral verdict.

Make Time: Name your daily highlight

#books
#time-management
#focus

Pick one meaningful win per day and guard it. Momentum is built by repeated finishes, not scattered starts.

Peak: Practice should be purposeful

#books
#psychology
#learning

Deliberate practice = clear target, immediate feedback, adjusted next rep. Random repetition cements errors; feedback upgrades the loop.

The Practicing Mind: Build the skill of staying with the process

#books
#mindfulness
#habits

Place attention inside the current rep. Goals orient you, but peace lives in the practice.

Dopamine Nation: Manage the balance, don't chase the spike

#books
#psychology
#habits

Repeated highs lower the baseline. Build habits that produce steady satisfaction: movement, sleep, connection, meaningful work.

Ultralearning: Learn in projects, not puddles

#books
#learning
#self-development

Define a scope, set a deadline, simulate real use, and ship something. Projects generate skills—consumption alone doesn't.

Stillness Is the Key: Calm is a competitive advantage

#books
#mental health
#focus

Stillness isn't idleness; it's undistracted presence. Cut inputs to hear the signal you've been missing.

The War of Art: Respect resistance

#books
#creative-habits
#self-discipline

The force that blocks the important work shows you where to go. Treat it like weather—expect it, gear up, proceed.

Indistractable: Make pacts with your future self

#books
#focus
#habits

Effort pacts (work in public), price pacts (small penalties), and identity pacts (I'm a finisher) reduce in-the-moment negotiation.

Why We Sleep: Protect the 90 minutes before midnight

#books
#health
#recovery

Deep sleep early in the night handles memory consolidation and hormonal repair. Treat bedtime like a meeting with tomorrow's self.

The Psychology of Money: Temper beats IQ

#books
#psychology
#behavior

Consistency, humility, and long horizons usually outperform cleverness. Systems > swings.

Digital Minimalism: Rebuild your relationship with tools

#books
#focus
#habits

Use technology for chosen values, not default addictions. Perform a 30-day digital declutter; reintroduce only what you can justify.

The Comfort Book: Permission to be unfinished

#books
#self-compassion
#mental health

Growth is lumpy. Celebrate partial progress so you don't abandon the path.

Flow: Match challenge to skill

#books
#psychology
#focus

Too easy = boredom; too hard = anxiety. Adjust scope until attention locks and time dilates.

Drive: Autonomy, mastery, purpose

#books
#motivation
#self-development

Motivation survives when the work lets you choose, improve, and matter. Optimize for AMP.

The Power of Now: Attention is relief

#books
#mindfulness
#mental health

Return attention to the present sensation. Rumination dissolves when you stop feeding it minutes.

The Willpower Instinct: Surf the urge

#books
#self-control
#habits

Urges crest and fall like waves. Notice, breathe, and ride it out for 90 seconds instead of reacting.

Emotional Agility: Values-based tiny moves

#books
#psychology
#resilience

Unhook from unhelpful stories by naming them ("I'm noticing the 'not good enough' story") and take one small action toward a value.

The Comfort Book: Rest as responsible maintenance

#books
#recovery
#mental health

Fatigue isn't a character flaw. Schedule rest like training—because it is.

The 7 Habits: Begin with the end in mind, daily

#books
#habits
#self-development

Write a two-line "end-state" for the day each morning. Decisions align faster when the destination is visible.

Grit: Passion needs polishing by perseverance

#books
#psychology
#resilience

Show up, improve the process, and lengthen the horizon. Grit is built, not found.

Quiet: Honor your energy economics

#books
#psychology
#self-awareness

For introverts, recovery time is non-negotiable. Design work and social rhythms that let you bring your best attention.

The Comfort Book: The kindness you give yourself returns as strength

#books
#mental health
#self-compassion

A gentle reminder from the book: being kind to yourself is not indulgence, it's maintenance. That compassion becomes resilience later—especially on days when resolve alone would fail.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 35 – Master the timing

#books
#power
#strategy

The book stresses that even the right move fails when mistimed. Waiting not passively but purposefully—until the mood, audience, and stakes align—often determines whether influence lands or fizzles.

Gifts Differing: Miscommunication is often preference, not opposition

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

A sensing preference asks for concrete details; an intuition preference seeks patterns and implications. Recognizing the lens reduces friction and turns "you're wrong" into "we're seeing different slices."

Awe: Why It Matters: Wonder shrinks the ego and expands care

#books
#awe
#humility

Genuine awe makes personal urgency feel smaller and our connection to others larger. The shift from self-focus to gratitude is a practical route to steadier joy.

Gifts Differing: Auxiliary functions are the balancing force

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

The book shows how the auxiliary preference stabilizes the dominant one—giving breadth to depth, or structure to possibilities. Growth often means nurturing that supportive mode.

The Comfort Book: Small hopes are powerful anchors

#books
#mental health
#hope

A single reliable ritual—a walk, a page, a prayer—can hold a day together. The book reframes hope as something you practice, not something you wait for.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 13 – Appeal to self-interest

#books
#power
#persuasion

The lesson: people move faster when they see themselves in the outcome. Frame requests so the other party's wins are vivid and near.

Gifts Differing: Best-fit type over blind test results

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

The book encourages choosing the description that resonates most after reflection. Tests start the conversation; self-knowledge finishes it.

The Comfort Book: Ordinary moments carry extraordinary meaning

#books
#gratitude
#presence

The text returns to a quiet theme: noticing the day you're in. Attention turns the mundane into nourishment.

Awe: Why It Matters: Real wonder clarifies, not confuses

#books
#awe
#perspective

The book suggests awe cuts through noise: the larger the horizon, the saner our priorities become. Wonder can be practical wisdom.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 34 - Act Like a Big Deal to Be Treated Like One

#books
#power
#strategy

This law from the book pretty much says that how you act really changes how people see you. If you carry yourself with confidence and act like you're important, folks will naturally respect you. But if you act shy or just like anyone else, they might not take you seriously. So, the big takeaway is that pretending you're already powerful and in charge can actually help you get there.

Gifts Differing: What Happens When You're Really Stressed Out

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

The book talks about your 'inferior function,' which is basically the part of your personality that's least developed and can cause trouble, especially when you're super stressed. For example, if you're usually a logical person, you might suddenly get really emotional under pressure. Knowing this can help you understand why you act weird sometimes and how to handle tough situations better.

Awe: Why It Matters: Don't Be Too Into Yourself

#books
#awe
#humility

A big idea from this book is that being too impressed with yourself (like, "self-awe") is a bad thing. When you're obsessed with your own looks, smarts, or achievements, it can make you stuck-up and lonely. The book says this kind of self-awe actually stops you from finding real happiness and understanding your true place in the world.

Gifts Differing: How Different Personalities Handle Pressure Decisions

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

This book points out that your personality type really changes how you make decisions, especially when things are tough. Someone who's a 'Thinker' might stick to facts and logic, even if they seem a bit cold. A 'Feeler' might care more about how people are impacted and try to get everyone to agree. Knowing these differences can help groups work better together during tricky times and understand why others act the way they do.

The Comfort Book: "Hope isn't just wishing, it's doing."

#books
#mental health
#hope

This great thought from the book changes how we think about hope. It's not just sitting around wishing for things to get better; it's about actually working for it. Even small steps, if you're hoping for something good, can make a big difference. It's about being an active part of making your future better.

Awe: Why It Matters: Seeing Things Clearly with Awe

#books
#awe
#perspective

The book says that feeling real awe helps you see the world more clearly. It's like it cuts through all the noise and shows you a bigger, deeper truth about life. This helps you understand where you fit in, makes your own problems feel a bit smaller, and gives you a more grounded view of everything.

The 48 Laws of Power: Don't Fall for Free Stuff

#books
#power
#strategy

This law from the book tells you to be wary of anything that seems free. It usually comes with hidden costs, strings attached, or someone trying to pull a fast one on you. By not taking the "free lunch," you stay independent and safe from people trying to trick you. The lesson is to be self-reliant and a little suspicious of things that look too good to be true.

The Comfort Book: "Sometimes you need to ditch who you've been and find who you're supposed to be."

#books
#mental health
#authenticity

This deep thought from the book pushes you to look inside and get back to your real self, especially if you feel lost. It hints that life's pressures can pull you away from who you truly are. The cool part is that finding your core values and passions, without worrying about what others expect, is a powerful way to feel good and truly free.

Gifts Differing: It's About Finding Your "Best Fit"

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

Even though the book talks about clear personality types, it really pushes the idea that the MBTI is a tool to learn about yourself, not just a label. The "best-fit type" idea means you should look at the descriptions and pick the one that feels most like you, rather than just trusting a test result. It's all about looking inward to understand your own mind.

Awe: Why It Matters: Awe Makes You More Giving and Caring

#books
#awe
#empathy

The book suggests that truly feeling awe, especially when it's about something good and powerful, makes you want to be more generous and kind to others. When you really get how big and amazing things are, it makes you feel thankful and humble, which then makes you want to share and care for people around you. It's like awe just opens up your heart.

The 48 Laws of Power: Make People Believe What You Want Them To

#books
#power
#strategy

This law from the book talks about using people's need to believe in things to get them on your side, almost like starting a cult. By giving them something to believe in—a cause, a dream, whatever—you can get a super loyal group following you. The trick is to be a bit vague so they can fill in the blanks, but also inspiring enough to get them excited. It's all about tapping into what people want to believe to gain major influence.

The Comfort Book: "It's totally fine to be a mess."

#books
#mental health
#self-acceptance

This super simple but powerful line from the book gives you a huge break from feeling like you always have to have it together. It says it's normal to feel overwhelmed or messy sometimes, and that's okay. The big idea here is that accepting yourself, even when you're struggling, is a key step to feeling better and finding comfort.

Gifts Differing: What "Extraverted Intuition" Means

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

The book explains specific ways our brains work, like "Extraverted Intuition" (Ne), which is common in personality types like ENTPs and ENFPs. This is about how you look for new ideas and possibilities outside yourself, connecting different thoughts, and brainstorming. People with strong Ne are often curious, love new things, and are always looking for new patterns. Knowing these details helps you really dig into what makes each type tick.

The 48 Laws of Power: Keep Everyone Guessing

#books
#power
#strategy

This law from the book tells you to mix things up and be unpredictable to keep people on their toes. If you're too easy to figure out, you're easy to attack. By acting in surprising ways, you create fear and uncertainty, so rivals can't plan against you. The takeaway is that being a bit unpredictable can be a powerful way to scare people off and stay in control.

The Comfort Book: "The miracle isn't walking on water. It's walking on earth."

#books
#mental health
#gratitude

This beautiful line from the book shifts our focus from crazy, impossible feats to the amazing wonder of just being alive every day. It makes you really appreciate the simple things like breathing and experiencing the world. The lesson is that real comfort and happiness come from the small, everyday moments, not from chasing some huge, far-off thing.

Awe: Why It Matters: Feeling Awe Helps You Chill Out

#books
#awe
#peace

The book suggests that feeling real awe can help you calm down and feel more peaceful. When you're truly blown away by something big and amazing, your own little worries seem smaller. It's like, once you get how huge and steady the world is, your own anxieties kinda shrink, helping you find a sense of inner calm.

Gifts Differing: Are You an Extrovert or an Introvert? (It's About Energy!)

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

From this book, I learned that being an Introvert or Extrovert isn't just about being shy or outgoing; it's about where you get your energy from. Extroverts get pumped up by being around people and talking things out loud. Introverts recharge by spending time alone, thinking quietly, and too much social stuff can really drain them. This difference totally shapes how people like to hang out and talk.

Gifts Differing: How You Take In Information (Sensing vs. Intuition)

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

The book points out that Sensing and Intuition describe how you take in and handle information. Sensing types focus on concrete facts, details, and what's real right now – they use their five senses. Intuitive types are all about patterns, possibilities, big ideas, and what might happen in the future – they often trust their gut feelings. This basic difference changes how people learn, solve problems, and communicate.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 3 - Keep Your Plans Secret

#books
#power
#strategy

This law from the book is all about hiding what you're really up to. If you don't let others know your true goals, they can't see you coming or prepare to stop you. This lets you trick them and makes it tough for them to fight back until it's too late. The big lesson here is that being easy to predict makes you weak, but being mysterious keeps your rivals on their toes.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 15 - Finish Off Your Enemies Completely

#books
#power
#strategy

Law 15 from the book stresses that you should totally destroy anyone who's against you. It argues that if you only half-beat an enemy, they'll just get back up and try to get even later. To stay safe and make sure there are no future threats, you need to make sure they can't come back, leaving no doubt or leftover opposition.

The Comfort Book: "Things are always ending and always starting over."

#books
#mental health
#hope

This idea from the book gives you a cool way to look at change and getting through tough times. It reminds us that even when things feel like they're falling apart, there's always a chance for something new to begin. This cycle of life gives us hope, suggesting that bad times don't last forever and new starts are just part of how things work. It's a comforting thought when you're trying to push through.

The Comfort Book: "You're a person, not a machine."

#books
#mental health
#self-compassion

A super important message in this book is that it's okay to not be perfect and that you don't have to be productive all the time. This phrase reminds us that it's cool to have limits, to feel things, and to rest. It encourages you to be kind to yourself and understands that being human means you're sometimes vulnerable and complicated, which is different from always having to perform like a machine.

Awe: Why It Matters: Everyone Can Feel Awe

#books
#awe
#spirituality

From this book, I learned that all humans are basically wired to feel awe. It says our hearts are always looking for something amazing to be totally captivated by, whether it's a huge natural wonder, an awesome piece of art, or a big moment in life. This natural ability to feel awe is a core part of being human and it shapes what we want and how we see the world.

Awe: Why It Matters: Don't Worship the Creation, Worship the Creator

#books
#awe
#idolatry

A key idea from this book is that it's wrong to put our awe in the wrong place. It argues that if we stop at being amazed by things that are made (like money, fame, or beauty) instead of letting that wonder lead us to something bigger, it's like worshipping false idols. This can make you unhappy and worried, because nothing that's made can truly satisfy that deep craving for real awe.

Gifts Differing: How Personality Types Handle Fights

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

The book gives cool tips on how different MBTI types deal with disagreements. For example, a 'Thinking' type might want to debate things logically, while a 'Feeling' type might try to keep the peace and avoid conflict. Knowing these natural differences can help people handle arguments better, understand others, and avoid misunderstandings, because you realize their reaction comes from who they are, not necessarily from trying to be difficult.

Gifts Differing: Your Main and Backup Brain Modes

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

Besides your main personality 'function,' the book explains your 'auxiliary function,' which is like your backup brain mode that supports your main one. For instance, an ENFP (whose main mode is figuring out new ideas) would use Introverted Feeling (inner values) as their backup, which gives them a strong sense of what's right. The book also mentions a 'tertiary function,' which isn't as strong but still plays a part, showing how all these parts of your mind work together.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 10 - Stay Away From Gloomy People

#books
#power
#strategy

Law 10 warns that bad vibes and bad luck can spread like a cold. The book argues that being around folks who are always down or having bad luck can drag you down and hurt your own reputation. The lesson is to pick your friends wisely, hanging out with people who are positive, doing well, and can help lift you up.

The Comfort Book: "You are not your worries."

#books
#mental health
#mindfulness

A big idea in the book is to separate yourself from your negative thoughts. It says that thoughts often come and go and don't actually define who you are. This idea is super comforting, especially if you're dealing with anxiety or annoying thoughts, because it gives you a way to watch your thoughts without letting them take over, which helps you feel calmer and more in control.

Awe: Why It Matters: Awe Helps You Grow Spiritually

#books
#awe
#faith

The book suggests that real awe isn't just a feeling; it's a huge boost for your spiritual journey. When you're truly amazed by something grand and worthy, it changes what you want, what you choose, and what you do. This big shift makes you less self-centered and helps you live a life with more purpose and joy. It shows that awe is super important for a strong spiritual life or just finding deep meaning.

Gifts Differing: Why Knowing Your Personality Type Matters

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

A main point from the book is that understanding your own MBTI type is huge for knowing yourself. By seeing your natural strengths, what you prefer, and where you might have blind spots, you can better get why you react to things the way you do and what motivates you. This self-knowledge helps you make smarter choices about your job, relationships, and how you grow as a person, leading to a happier life.

Gifts Differing: How Your Personality Grows Over Time

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

The book dives into how the different parts of your personality work together, creating what makes each of the 16 types unique. Understanding these connections gives you a roadmap for getting better as a person. It often means developing the parts of yourself you don't use as much, which helps you become more balanced and able to handle different situations.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 28 - Act Boldly!

#books
#power
#strategy

Law 28 tells you to just go for it with confidence. The book argues that if you hesitate or act unsure, people will see that as a weakness, which invites trouble and makes you look less in charge. Being bold, even if you're not totally sure, makes you seem powerful and strong, often scaring off rivals and getting people to support you. The takeaway is that being confident in what you do can be more important than having the perfect plan.

The Comfort Book: "It's totally fine to be a mess."

#books
#mental health
#acceptance

This simple but powerful statement from the book is a huge relief from feeling like you always have to have it all together. It makes it normal to feel overwhelmed or messy sometimes, showing that it's just part of being human. The main idea is that accepting yourself, even when you're not perfect, is a big step toward healing and finding comfort.

Awe: Why It Matters: Awe Helps You Feel Less Grumpy

#books
#awe
#gratitude

The book suggests that not feeling much awe often leads to being unhappy and always wanting more stuff. When your heart is truly captured by something amazing and truly valuable, it helps you see money and achievements in the right way. This change in perspective makes you feel more thankful and happy with what you have, which is a great way to fight off that common feeling of always wanting more.

Gifts Differing: MBTI and Working Better in Teams

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

The book shows how knowing MBTI types can really make teams work better together. By understanding that everyone has different strengths and ways of doing things (like a detail-focused person working with someone who sees the big picture), teams can use everyone's talents smarter. This also helps avoid fights that come from different work styles, making projects smoother and happier.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 4 - Talk Less

#books
#power
#strategy

Law 4 advises: "Always Say Less Than Necessary." The book argues that the more you talk, the more likely you are to say something dumb, give away too much, or lose control of what you're saying. Being quiet or saying very little makes you seem powerful and mysterious. It also makes others nervous and eager to fill the silence, often spilling their own secrets. The lesson is that keeping your mouth shut is a powerful way to influence people.

The Comfort Book: "The future hasn't been written yet."

#books
#mental health
#optimism

This comforting thought from the book highlights that the future is wide open, giving you a sense of possibilities and freedom from past burdens. It suggests that even though the past is set, the future can still be changed and is full of chances for new stories and fresh starts. This idea makes you feel hopeful and in control, reminding you that you can shape your tomorrows, even if today feels rough.

Awe: Why It Matters: Awe Makes You Live Better

#books
#awe
#ethics

The book says that what you truly feel awe for really sets the stage for everything you want, think, choose, and do. If your awe is pointed at something truly good and worthy, it makes you want to live in ways that are honorable, leading to good behavior, helping others, and seeking what's right and true. But if your awe is misplaced, it can lead to bad choices, showing how much awe impacts your inner compass.

Gifts Differing: The Not-So-Great Side of Each Personality Type

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

The book quietly talks about the "shadow" or less developed parts of each personality type. While it focuses on your strong points, it also admits that relying too much on your main strengths can make you ignore other parts of yourself, which can cause problems or blind spots. For instance, someone who's super logical might struggle with emotions, while a very emotional person might avoid needed logical discussions. The lesson is that being truly healthy means recognizing and working on these weaker areas too.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 36 - Ignore What You Can't Have – It's the Best Revenge

#books
#power
#strategy

Law 36 teaches you the power of just not caring. It argues that if you show you want something you can't have, or react to it, you just give it power over you. By acting like you couldn't care less, you make it seem worthless and annoy anyone trying to get a rise out of you. The lesson is that keeping your emotions out of it and ignoring things strategically can be a powerful way to stay in control and protect yourself.

The Comfort Book: "You're not alone, even if you feel like it."

#books
#mental health
#connection

This comforting message from the book talks about that feeling of being all by yourself that many people get during tough times. It highlights how we all go through struggles and how, deep down, we're all connected, even when we're not physically together. The insight is that understanding and caring can bridge distances, reminding us that our personal battles are often shared by others, and help is usually closer than we think.

Awe: Why It Matters: Awe Gives You True Peace and Safety

#books
#awe
#peace

The book argues that only a deep sense of awe can truly satisfy your soul and give you lasting peace and security. It suggests that if you put your awe in temporary things, you'll always feel restless and unsafe because those things can't last. But when your awe is aimed at something huge and unchanging, you find a rock-solid foundation for your life, which leads to a deep calm inside.

Gifts Differing: Why Different Personalities Make Society Better

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

A core idea of the book is how incredibly valuable it is to have all sorts of personality types in society. It argues that a good society needs every type because each one brings unique ways of looking at things, different skills, and special contributions. For example, a super organized person helps balance out a creative visionary. The lesson is that accepting and valuing these differences makes everyone stronger and more flexible as a whole.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 48 - Be Like Water

#books
#power
#strategy

The last law in the book tells you not to be predictable or stuck in your ways: "Assume Formlessness." It says that being able to change and adapt makes you hard to catch and hard to attack. By not having a clear routine or pattern, you become a moving target, always surprising your rivals and making it impossible for them to plan against you. The big idea is that being flexible and unexpected are the ultimate ways to have power and protect yourself.

The Comfort Book: "It's okay to feel whatever you're feeling."

#books
#mental health
#emotional validation

This simple but deep statement from the book gives you much-needed permission to just feel your feelings. In a world that often tells you to bottle up tough emotions, this message lets you experience and acknowledge what you're truly feeling without judging yourself. The insight is that really dealing with your emotions is super important for feeling good mentally, and it's a strength, not a weakness.

Awe: Why It Matters: Awe is the Root of True Devotion

#books
#awe
#worship

The book argues that true worship or deep devotion comes from a heart full of awe. It emphasizes that worship isn't just something you do, but how your heart responds to the amazing greatness of something truly grand. Without real awe, devotion can feel boring or fake. It makes it clear that a deep sense of wonder and respect is key for a real, profound experience.

Gifts Differing: How Personality Type Affects How You Learn

#books
#psychology
#MBTI

The book looks at how your MBTI preferences change the way you learn. For example, Sensing types often like learning by doing, with clear steps and real results. Intuitive types do best with big ideas, talking about theories, and exploring possibilities. Knowing these differences can help teachers teach better and help you figure out the best ways for you to learn.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 30 - Make It Look Easy

#books
#power
#strategy

Law 30 says: "Make Your Accomplishments Seem Effortless." The book suggests that by hiding all the hard work and tricks behind your successes, you make it look like you're just naturally brilliant and things come easily to you. This makes you seem more impressive and makes rivals not even want to try to compete. The lesson is that looking like you effortlessly master things is way more powerful than showing how much you struggled.

The Comfort Book: "The world is bigger than your pain."

#books
#mental health
#perspective

A powerful insight from the book is this reminder to get some perspective when things feel overwhelming. It encourages you to step back from intense personal suffering and remember how vast and ongoing life is beyond your immediate pain. This doesn't make your pain disappear, but it gives you a comforting feeling that your struggle is just one part of a bigger story, and that life keeps going with its own beauty and chances.

Awe: Why It Matters: Awe Helps You See Clearly

#books
#awe
#spiritual insight

The book talks about "awe amnesia" or being blind to amazing things, where people stop noticing the incredible stuff around them. It says that things can dull our hearts and make us miss out on real wonder. The book suggests actively trying to get that sense of awe back, stressing that truly seeing and appreciating things is a gift you have to work at to fully experience the richness of life.

Gifts Differing: Dealing With Your Weak Spots

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#psychology
#MBTI

The book brings up your "inferior function," which is the part of your personality that's least developed and often causes the most trouble. It's usually the exact opposite of your strongest trait. For example, if you're really good at logical thinking, then dealing with deep feelings might be your weak spot. The book hints that even though it's hard, working on these weaker areas is super important for becoming a well-rounded person and growing throughout your life.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 7 - Let Others Do the Hard Work, Then Take the Credit

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#power
#strategy

Law 7 is a tough but practical lesson: "Get Others to Do the Work for You, but Always Take the Credit." The book suggests that by using other people's skills and effort, you save your own energy and time, while still looking super efficient and smart. This helps you build a rep for being fast and effective without actually putting in all the personal grind. The lesson is about smart delegating and making sure you get noticed for the results.

The Comfort Book: "It's okay to just stop."

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#mental health
#rest

This simple yet deep statement from the book challenges that endless pressure to always be busy, achieving, or pushing yourself. It gives you permission to pause, rest, and just step back when you need to, saying that taking breaks isn't a sign of weakness, but a crucial part of staying healthy. The insight is that true progress often comes after periods of quiet and recovery, and that stopping can actually be a strong act of self-care.

Awe: Why It Matters: Awe in Everyday Life

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#awe
#creation

The book points out that there are tons of awesome things all around us, every single day. From a beautiful sunset to the amazing complexity of life itself, the world is full of planned reminders meant to make us feel wonder. The lesson is to get into the habit of really looking at and appreciating these everyday wonders, letting them shift our focus to how amazing everything really is.

Gifts Differing: How Your Personality Reacts to Stress

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#psychology
#MBTI

The book gives hints about how different MBTI types act when they're stressed out. Under extreme pressure, people often rely on their least developed personality traits, leading to strange and often unhelpful behaviors. For example, someone who's usually super logical might get really emotional, or a spontaneous person might become super controlling. Knowing these stress reactions can help you spot your own patterns and find healthier ways to cope.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 11 - Make People Need You

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#power
#strategy

Law 11 is "Learn to Keep People Dependent on You." The book argues that real power comes from making yourself essential. By making sure others rely on your skills, smarts, or even just your presence, you secure your spot and make it hard for them to get rid of you. The lesson is to build unique talents or control important things, making your absence way more painful than having you around.

The Comfort Book: "Sometimes the only way out is just to go through it."

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#mental health
#resilience

This powerful line from the book talks about how you sometimes just have to face tough feelings and experiences head-on instead of trying to avoid them. It suggests that real healing and progress often mean getting uncomfortable. The insight is that pushing through pain, rather than trying to skirt around it, is often the fastest way to get better and build inner strength.

Awe: Why It Matters: Awe Helps You Stop Being So Selfish

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#awe
#humility

The book argues that truly feeling awe for something much bigger than yourself helps shrink your own ego. When you really get how huge and awesome something is, your own problems and how important you think you are kinda fade away. This leads to a healthy sense of humility, freeing you from being obsessed with yourself and letting you focus more on others and the world around you.

Gifts Differing: How Your Personality Changes as You Grow Up

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#psychology
#MBTI

The book suggests that while your basic personality type is something you're born with, how it shows up and develops changes throughout your life. Early on, your strongest traits get developed, then your backup ones, and later, you start to actively use your less preferred traits. This lifelong process helps you become a more mature and well-rounded person, making the personality framework a cool tool for always learning about yourself.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 21 - Act Dumb to Catch a Sucker

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#power
#strategy

Law 21 advises: "Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker – Seem Dumber Than Your Mark." The book suggests that if you act less smart or capable than your target, you make them feel superior and drop their guard. This makes them underestimate you and possibly reveal their own weaknesses or plans, making it easier for you to trick them. The lesson is that pretending to be clueless can be a super powerful trick.

The Comfort Book: "The good times will come back."

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#mental health
#hope

This simple, comforting phrase from the book offers a deep message of hope during dark or hopeless times. It's like the natural cycle of day and night, reassuring you that just as dawn follows darkness, tough times will eventually lead to brighter ones. The insight is a strong reminder that suffering doesn't last forever and new beginnings are always coming.

Awe: Why It Matters: Awe Helps with Worry and Fear

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#awe
#peace

The book suggests that a lot of our worries and fears come from either thinking we're in more control than we are, or not recognizing truly powerful forces. When you're truly amazed by something incredibly powerful and understand its influence, your fears get smaller. Knowing that there's a bigger power in charge can give you a deep sense of peace and security, taking away the pressure of trying to control everything yourself.

Gifts Differing: Are You a Planner or a Go-with-the-Flow Person?

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#psychology
#MBTI

From this book, I learned that being a Judging (J) or Perceiving (P) type describes how you like to live your daily life. Judging types tend to be organized, planned, and like to get things decided. Perceiving types, on the other hand, prefer to be flexible, spontaneous, and keep their options open, ready to adapt to new info. This difference really affects daily habits, like how you handle deadlines or keep your space tidy, and it's all about how you prefer to deal with the outside world.

The Comfort Book: "Life's not a straight line, even if we want it to be."

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#mental health
#perspective

A touching thought from this book is this idea about how life doesn't go in a straight line. It reminds us that making progress isn't always obvious or direct, and hitting bumps in the road is just part of any journey. This thought offers comfort by saying that the often twisty and unpredictable path of growing and healing isn't a failure, but just how living works.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 41 - Don't Try to Fill Someone Else's Big Shoes

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#power
#strategy

Law 41 advises: "Avoid Stepping into a Great Man's Shoes." The book argues it's super hard to take over for someone who was really famous and loved. People will always compare you to their past successes, which sets an impossible bar. Instead, it's smarter to make your own way, build your own reputation, and be unique, rather than living in someone else's shadow.

Gifts Differing: How You Make Decisions (Logic vs. Feelings)

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#psychology
#MBTI

The book goes into detail about the Thinking (T) and Feeling (F) preferences, which are all about how people make decisions. Thinking types usually decide based on logic, facts, and what's fair, often weighing pros and cons without emotion. Feeling types, on the other hand, care more about values, keeping harmony, and how their decisions affect people, often trying to make everyone happy. This difference shows the different ways people look at situations and come to conclusions.

The Comfort Book: "Life isn't a competition."

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#mental health
#self-worth

A powerful line of comfort from the book reminds us: "The world is not a competition." This simple statement goes against all that pressure to compare ourselves to others, whether it's about what we've done, what we own, or how happy we are. It encourages us to focus on our own growth and being content, which frees us from that tiring and often self-defeating cycle of needing others to approve of us. The lesson is about finding peace in your own journey, separate from everyone else's.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 33 - Find Everyone's Weak Spot

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#power
#strategy

Law 33 details how to "Discover Each Man's Thumbscrew." The book tells you how to uncover unique weaknesses, secret insecurities, or unfulfilled desires that you can use to influence someone. It's not about being forceful, but about subtle mind games, finding that one point of weakness or ambition that, once you know it, can give you a lot of control over what someone does.

Gifts Differing: Your Main and Supporting Personality Sides

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#psychology
#MBTI

Beyond the basic differences, the book dives into Carl Jung's idea of how we think and judge. It talks about your 'dominant function' – the strongest and most used way you take in info or make choices. For example, an ENFJ's main way is Extraverted Feeling (being outwardly caring), while an ISTP's is Introverted Thinking (inner logic). Knowing these main ways, plus your supporting ones, helps you really get your natural strengths and how you like to do things, which affects everything from talking to solving problems.

The Comfort Book: It's Okay to Be Imperfect

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#mental health
#self-help

The book quietly, but powerfully, tells you it's okay to not be perfect. It often talks about how useless it is to try for some ideal happiness or success, and instead tells readers to accept their flaws, mistakes, and how things are right now. This lesson is super comforting because it frees you from that endless chase for perfection, helping you be kinder and more forgiving to yourself, which is key for staying mentally strong.

Gifts Differing: MBTI Makes Talking Easier in Relationships

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#psychology
#MBTI

The book explains how understanding MBTI types can really help you talk better and fight less in your personal and work relationships. By seeing that people handle info, make choices, and interact differently, you can change how you talk to better connect with them. For instance, knowing a partner prefers 'Thinking' over 'Feeling' can help you present logical points instead of focusing on emotions, leading to better and more understanding chats.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 18 - Don't Isolate Yourself – It's Dangerous

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#power
#strategy

Law 18 warns against being alone: "Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself – Isolation is Dangerous." While it might feel safe to hide from trouble, the book argues that being alone cuts you off from important info and friends, making you an easier and more obvious target. Real power comes from being around people, getting info, and making needed connections, rather than trying to completely shield yourself from the world.

The Comfort Book: How Connecting with Others Helps

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#mental health
#self-help

Beyond just feeling good by yourself, the book quietly emphasizes how incredibly powerful human connection and empathy are for comfort. Through stories and thoughts, it shows how sharing experiences, listening, and understanding can bring huge relief and help you bounce back. It suggests that while you can find comfort within yourself, it often grows stronger and lasts longer when you have real connections with others, showing how important it is to deal with life's challenges together.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 6 - Get Noticed No Matter What

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#power
#strategy

Law 6 is "Court Attention at All Costs." The book argues that in a world where appearances really count, being ignored is bad for gaining influence. Whether it's by causing a stir, being a bit weird, or just being bold, it's crucial to stand out from the crowd. It suggests that it's better to be attacked or hated than to be ignored, because any kind of attention can be turned into power.

The Comfort Book: Dealing with Worries and Bad Thoughts

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#mental health
#self-help

A big theme in the book is changing how you look at anxiety and negative thinking. It shares personal tips and bigger ideas to help readers see their struggles not as impossible problems, but as temporary feelings or even signals that you can understand and manage. It gives gentle reminders to question bad thoughts and try to see things differently, helping you feel more in control of your own mind.

The 48 Laws of Power: Law 1 - Don't Outshine Your Boss

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#power
#strategy

One of the main laws in the book is Law 1: "Never Outshine the Master." This rule tells you to make your superiors feel smarter and better than you. The book argues that trying too hard to impress them or looking more talented can make them scared and jealous, which will lead them to try and get rid of you. Instead, being subtly complimentary and making your boss look even more brilliant can make your position and influence stronger.

The Comfort Book: Just Be in the Moment

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#mental health
#self-help

Even though it's not a mindfulness guide, the book strongly suggests being present. It often comes back to the idea that worrying about the past or future usually makes you stressed, while focusing on right now can bring calm and perspective. Its short, thoughtful parts often gently nudge you to appreciate the 'now,' helping you feel grounded when life feels overwhelming.

Gifts Differing: MBTI and Picking Your Job

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#psychology
#MBTI

The book really highlights how useful understanding MBTI types can be, especially for choosing a career. It suggests that matching your natural preferences (what your type shows you're good at) with your job leads to more happiness, efficiency, and success. The book talks about how different personality types naturally lean towards certain jobs and do well in roles that use their main strengths, meaning that knowing yourself through MBTI can help you find a job you truly love.

The 48 Laws of Power: Learning to Win and Stay on Top

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#power
#strategy

This book takes thousands of years of human history and breaks it down into 48 straightforward, sometimes shocking, rules. These rules are meant to help you understand and handle how power works. It gives you tips on getting power, watching out for others who want power, and protecting yourself. The main lesson is that power is like a game with its own rules, and if you know them, you're more likely to succeed in different parts of life.

The Comfort Book: Finding Light in the Dark

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#mental health
#self-help

This book is a collection of short notes, lists, and stories that just make you feel warm and safe, especially if you're looking for hope or a clearer path in life. It uses ideas from history, science, and personal struggles with mental health. The book gently tells you to slow down, appreciate being alive, and find peace during tough times, emphasizing that "a small hope that doesn't give up is the strongest thing there is."

Gifts Differing: Getting Your Head Around Personality Types

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#psychology
#personality

This book explores the idea of psychological types and how it's used in the MBTI. It explains how four main differences—like if you're an Extrovert or an Introvert, or if you focus on Sensing or Intuition—change how people see the world and how they act. It suggests that knowing these differences helps you really appreciate why people are different and can be used to make relationships better, improve how you learn, and even help you find a more satisfying job.

Awe: Why It Matters for Everything We Think, Say, and Do: Awe Is Key to Everything

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#awe
#philosophy

This book says that what truly makes us feel awe shapes every single part of our lives – how we think, what we say, and what we do. It suggests that everyone is built to feel awe, and this natural ability is always looking for something to be amazed by. The main idea is that whether we feel awe for something small and temporary or something huge and never-ending really decides how good and meaningful our lives are, influencing our happiness, contentment, and who we become.