Epictetus once said that we ought to stand up to our equals, defer to our superiors and act with moderation towards our inferiors. I’m not sure I agree with that.

In fact, I think I’d change it to learn from your inferiors, ignore your equals and spar with you superiors — parry but be ok with losing. It’s certainly harder and will tie your stomach in knots but the best part of waking up sore and stiff, I’ve found, is knowing that the quickest way to loosen up is to do it some more.

Try spending the day listening to an iPod as you go about your business. How much more important it all seems. Put your hands in your pockets and start walking down the street. It’s you, oh fearless warrior, and your battle against the world.

Welcome to the narrative fallacy.

God forbid you should ever have one with you when you’re running and it begins to rain. If you don’t have a shirt on, it’s over. Out of the corner of your eye, you’ll swear that trees are bowing as you pass.

Welcome to the “movie about your life.”

Dr. Rob interviewed me.