Living The Dream, Adam Sandler & Originality

Hi friend,

10 years ago, author John Green was living the dream.

His book, The Fault In Our Stars, was named book of the year by Time magazine.

The movie adaptation was about to come out.

He was friends with a bunch of movie stars and was constantly invited to fancy parties.

Luxury brands would gift him expensive suits and watches.

It was fun. It was exciting.

Most people would give anything for a life like that.

But despite the money, success, fame, and glamour, he wasn’t satisfied. And it was because he realized he was living THE dream, not HIS dream.

His dream had nothing to do with Hollywood parties or A-list celebrities. His dream, in fact, took place in Indianapolis with his wife and children - whom, ironically, he spent a ton of time away from while he was out living THE dream.

Now, some people may call John Green weird or lame for thinking this, but he has a great point.

We think we want to live the dream because it’s what we’re told we want.

Open your Instagram explore page and you’ll come across 15 influencers living the exact same life.

Travelling the world in a private jet. Sailing on a yacht in all white attire. Driving a yellow Lamborghini. Constantly making phone calls (for some reason I’ll never quite understand).

But do they actually want that, or have they just been told that’s what they want?

I won’t lie, I’m intrigued by the money and the cars and the unlimited international minutes from AT&T. But when I think about what I really want, it’s none of that.

What I really want is complete control over my calendar. Family and friends to spend time with. A small, cozy home in a quiet area. Good books and a nice room to read them in. My health. Coffee.

Not glamorous by any means, but honest.

So, ask yourself, what do you want? Like…actually want?

It’s probably nothing like what you’ve been told to want. And that’s okay.

Because what you actually want out of life is much more important than what you are told to want out of life.

So please, don’t live THE dream. Live YOUR dream. Whatever that may be.

Hit reply to this email and let me know a few things that are a part of YOUR dream (bonus points if they are extra weird).

A BEAUTIFULLY WEIRD MOVIE

Have you guys seen Punch Drunk Love?

I ended up watching it because Paul Thomas Anderson - supposedly one of the greatest directors of our time - directed it and I wanted to see what all the hype was about.

And I gotta say, Adam Sandler is a very solid dramatic actor.

I loved him in Uncut Gems and Hustle, but this sealed the deal for me.

It’s one of those movies where you don’t quite know what’s going on, but when the credits roll, you can’t help but feel…something.

I don’t know what. But something. And that’s more than I can say for most movies.

Plus, if you’ve ever suffered from social anxiety, his character will be painfully relatable.

Worth a watch, in my opinion.

Let me know what you think.

A QUOTE

A VIDEO THAT ALWAYS CRACKS ME UP

The algorithm suggests this video every few years and every single time it gets me.

I’m so grateful this was caught on live television.

Until next time, try not to take life too seriously.

Talk soon,

Devin