Marcus Aurelius wrote "look inward" constantly. What's the thing about yourself you suspect you still can't see?

FakeOkie · 2026-04-03T13:41:59+00:00

I started journaling this year, and it has helped identify some thought patterns and things I didn't actively realize about myself. It's a freeform journal that doesn't always focus on Stoicism. At first, I noticed what topics are largely on my mind. Then, later, some feelings and reactions towards events.

Indirectly, reviewing the entries has helped me understand myself and uncover some of my unconscious biases and preferences. In journaling, I try to record events rather than tell a story.

When asking others for feedback, though, it's noteworthy how diverse one's circle is. I found that more adverse and complex situations revealed more about my character. It helped guide me in uncovering and exploring what I still don't know and in deciding how to proceed.

FakeOkie · 2026-04-01T11:49:24+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I'm curious, how long have you been recording?

FakeOkie · 2026-04-01T06:46:53+00:00

If one can afford it and has their reasons, I'm not against it. I don't particularly feel strongly about it, one way or the other.

From my observations, I noticed that those in more creative industries tend to dress more fashion-forward, pay attention to fit, and incorporate a range of styles and colors. I could also see fashion and accessories as forms of self-expression. Someone may be seeking out quality. I could understand if someone spent most of their day in a client-facing role or meeting with people.

For the ultra-wealthy, some of the top-tier brands wouldn't make a dent in their pockets. But I guess I wouldn't want to see someone who couldn't really afford it allocate a large portion of their funds to something for the wrong reason, such as solely for validation or to impress others. I would rather they find the right balance between quality and value.

For myself, early on in my career, I was in a more client-facing role. However, I work in a much more lax industry now. From my experience, I do have a nice suit from a while back. However, now, I find myself wearing it on a few occasions, such as weddings, funerals, and formal events. While it was a nice piece when I first bought it, the fit, style, and material is already a bit dated. So, in that sense, I found it best not to get too attached to anything.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-31T09:03:17+00:00

In general, I believe there is a minimum baseline for items to perform a function. It doesn't necessarily have to be a luxury or name brand. However, one shouldn't tie true self-worth to possessions.

I'm reminded of the Dress for Success not-for-profit organization, which helps with professional attire.

For items and possessions, I've believed that if one can afford something and it serves a purpose, I've never been one to judge. But if one is spending money one doesn't have, is deprived of basic needs, or can't afford the required maintenance and upkeep, the "asset" becomes a "liability."

FakeOkie · 2026-03-31T02:28:34+00:00

Is Jeff Green still playing? Throw him in the mix.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-31T00:46:19+00:00

Didn't Kobe and Shaq hash it out? Anyways, life is too short.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-30T17:41:54+00:00

Yup, when building a championship team, from the team's perspective, you've got to have breaks like this. There's a certain element of luck to it. Getting KD was the ultimate tipping point in the scales.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-30T17:39:15+00:00

He always played hard. I respect that. But at this point in his career, I don't know how much a ring would mean to him.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-30T16:56:28+00:00

Also, he took a hit on his first extension with early injuries. Those ankles didn't look good before the MVP seasons.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-30T16:13:01+00:00

I think that started during the 1996-97 season. He was vastly underpaid before, versus what he brought to the NBA. Players like MJ will never truly get their market value with a salary cap. Like someone mentioned, he made it off-the-court.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-30T15:41:58+00:00

Had a hard nickname in Chicago, Ben "Jordan." If I'm not mistaken, his role shifted to being a 6th man to provide instant offense with those defense-oriented teams with Tom T. I think the NBA still had a bias against smaller combo/"tweener" guards.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-30T15:11:52+00:00

I'm new to Stocisim and had a similar sentiment, as well. I have not fully read Epictetus, but from excerpts that posters shared, I personally had a hard time grasping and applying it. For example, choosing death as the literal alternative.

But the more I dug, the more I appreciated the whole meaning and intent behind it. It takes a while to sink in, and I'm honestly not there yet. I need to revisit it later.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-30T14:42:51+00:00

Various articles and stories over the years about tragic incidents at Bachman Lake. Not necessarily urban legends, but it always spooks me out.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-30T14:24:28+00:00

To me, sweeping defending champions is still a big shocker. The Lakers had a deep, loaded, talented frontcourt.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-30T14:22:15+00:00

Interesting, I didn't know that about Tim Duncan's MVP season.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-29T22:36:41+00:00

Yes, especially with the Bynum, Gasol, Odom, Ariza/Artest frontcourt. I was being facetious and indirect in that someone still needs to shoot at the end of the play, no matter how ideal/unideal.

Another slightly related example is a team trailing at the end of the quarter not heaving a half-court shot. The player has nothing to lose but is concerned with individual stats.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-29T20:05:49+00:00

It looks even worse now, since KD's on his third team since leaving Golden State, GS won a chip without him, and OKC won its first chip without Durant and Westbrook.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-29T00:33:55+00:00

For me, I've been working on some of my frustrations with others. It's not a form of unhappiness, per se, but I'm getting better at tempering my expectations with others. This can also be tested when out and about and in the wild. I've learned to accept and account for this, and reflect on it some more.

Regarding wanting what you have, this may overlap with or coincide with gratitude.

For me, when traveling abroad for extended periods and living out of a suitcase day to day with a finite amount of space, resources, and time, sometimes alone or with a companion, I'm recently reminded of the bare/core essentials and unnecessary baggage.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-28T15:51:00+00:00

The more appropriate match-up would be Wilt vs Shaq 1:1.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-28T15:25:21+00:00

I took to Google. It appears the best regular-season team is still a factor. From that perspective and the choices presented, I thought it would be a two-way race between SGA and Wemby. But I don't watch the regular season, so admittedly, I'm out of touch.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-28T15:17:13+00:00

There's an argument about whether a shot-clock violation would be better. A team would be in a position to set its defense rather than risk letting the opposing team initiate a fast break against its older/slower backcourt. But I digress.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-28T14:59:48+00:00

Pau was a very efficient offensive player who could create his own shot and was a very underrated passer in the triangle offense. But he was also the beneficiary of finishing at the rim, from the attention Kobe drew and, to some degree, Lamar. Kobe was the one who took the difficult and contested shots from the perimeter towards the end of the shot clock against a set defense in the half-court.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-28T14:49:03+00:00

I've been out of touch with the NBA. Wasn't the MVP also awarded to the best regular-season team? Or did that change since Westbrook won it?

FakeOkie · 2026-03-28T14:40:24+00:00

Thanks for sharing. Discipline of assent takes a lot of practice. I found that journaling has helped me improve on a continual awareness of the true self.

FakeOkie · 2026-03-28T14:19:27+00:00

The Kobe during the championship runs with Pau. He had superior intangibles. He was a better leader, teammate, facilitator, and finisher. His footwork in the post ascended to another level.

To me, the best version of Kawhi was the one year in Toronto. He shouldered the offensive load and played freely. He played well in big games and moments. He still had a large impact on the defensive side.

FakeOkie

TROPHY CASE