The Fritz Letter: November 10, 2024
Choose Peace & Serve Others
What’s On My Mind This Week
This week, many Americans got good news, and many got bad news. Many spirits were lifted, and many hearts were broken.
At times like this, it is important to remember our duty.
No matter who holds power, no matter how the world around us changes, we must remain focused on becoming who we are and serving others as best we can.
When we attach ourselves to externals, we position ourselves to face disappointment, anxiety, anger, and despair.
It’s not only negative feelings that we need to watch out for, though.
Even excitement can sweep us away. It can lead us to gloating, bullying, and cruelty.
Politics tend to divide us, but they don’t have to.
We are all humans.
We are here for each other.
We are strong together, and weak divided.
So, no matter how you feel about the election, remember to focus on what really matters:
Be kind to others
Steward your home and tend to your responsibilities
Spend time with friends and family
Keep working towards your goals
Take care of your mind
Do things you love
Peace is a choice.
Yeehamaste, folks 🤠
Quote Of The Week
“The first thing to do — don’t get worked up. For everything happens according to the nature of all things, and in a short time you’ll be nobody and nowhere, even as the great emperors Hadrian and Augustus are now. The next thing to do — consider carefully the task at hand for what it is, while remembering that your purpose is to be a good human being. Get straight to doing what nature requires of you, and speak as you see most just and fitting — with kindness, modesty, and sincerity.”
— Marcus Aurelius
What I’m Working On This Week
This week’s announcement is pretty big: I’m sunsetting my Patreon and moving my paid content and community to Substack. Out of a desire for simplicity and scale, I feel this is the best choice.
What does this mean?
Most of what I publish on Substack will continue to be free; however, for $5 per month, paid subscribers will get some fun bonuses.
What You’ll Get For Free
Fritz Letters: Weekly Fritz Letters with short musings, announcements, and fun stuff
Original Fiction: Weekly Original Fiction
Soulosophy 101: Weekly Soulosophy 101 posts, delivered in two 16-week semesters each year and focused on specific thinkers, schools, or works. The first semester will cover Stoicism and start in Spring 2025, and I plan on covering Bushido in Fall 2025.
Interdisciplinary Essays: Quarterly Interdisciplinary Essays that dive deep into original philosophy and new ideas. This section will also be open to guest posts.
Art of Living: Occasional Art of Living posts. I’ll experiment with this section the most. I’ll also open this section to guest posts.
What You’ll Get For $5 Per Month
Get Free eBooks: I’m researching and drafting larger works of fiction and nonfiction which I’ll publish as both digital and physical books. As a paid subscriber, you’ll get these ebooks for free.
Behind the Scenes Content: As I do research and work on drafts, I’ll share my works-in-progress, worldbuilding notes, and discoveries with you.
Get Exclusive Audio: I plan to start recording audio versions of my more substantial work, including Soulosophy 101, Interdisciplinary Essays, and Original Fiction. As a paid subscriber, you’ll get exclusive access to these recordings.
AMAs and Video Hangouts: I’ll roll out monthly threads where you can Ask Me Anything, and I’ll also jump on a group video call to hangout, answer questions, and even offer a bit of coaching and guidance for your creative projects.
Shape The Magazine & Community: I’ll offer monthly-ish polls where you can share what you’d like me to research and write about, what fiction stories you’re interested in reading, and what additionally community features you’d like me to build.
Access the Archive: All Fritz Letters and most Original Fiction will be archived after 3 months or so, but as a paid subscriber, you’ll retain access to these posts.
If you want to claim these bonuses, or you just want to support my work, upgrade to paid today!
What I’m Listening To This Week
I recently finished building this playlist of ethereal jazz and groovy blues, and I’ve been working to it all week.
Upgrade To Paid
Unlock free ebooks, exclusive content, community perks, and my full post archive for only $5 per month.
That’s cheaper than a decent beer, a nice coffee, or a fancy candy bar, and it lasts way longer.
Helpful Links: Official Website | YouTube | Podcast | LinkedIn
Beautifully put and a very important message.
I’ve been thinking along these lines for a while. We construct our entire lives around myths, whether science, religion/spirituality or politics.
Whether or not these myths are True is unimportant. The world as presented by our senses is too complex to navigate without them.
I’m very pleased to find more and more people who are on the same frequency, because in the final balance I do care deeply about people and want to serve them as best I can. Thoughts and ideas expressed well can make a difference.
I’m putting a link to a piece I wrote that you might like. I feel it might be helpful to some people who are struggling right now.
https://benjaminsharp.substack.com/p/love-is-my-responsibility