Lucky To Be All In: JB's Monday Momentum #29
Why Living All-In Makes Life Worthwhile
Estimated reading time: five minutes
Welcome to Monday Momentum, the weekly newsletter where I discuss practical wisdom, uncovering insights to enhance our lives one thoughtful moment at a time. While I have confidence in the ideas I write about, I am still learning them. I acknowledge that what works for me may not work for everyone. Take each idea as you see fit and let me know what you think!
Hello friend,
2024 has truly been a year to remember. In this week's letter, I'll reflect on the year through a philosophical lens, exploring how fortunate we are to be living our lives. I'll expand on themes from previous letters—embracing adversity, staying present, and taking action—three principles that have shaped my year for the better.
If you missed the last edition— “Building Momentum”—you can click here to check it out.
A Question I am Contemplating:
How lucky are we, really?
2024 has been a year of ups and downs, and as I reflect on it, I realize how much each of those moments has shaped the year into something truly meaningful. I’ve had my share of great experiences: making lifelong friends, getting closer with my family, traveling to 14 countries, starting a newsletter, reading 20 books. But I’ve also faced some challenges: Moving away from lifelong friends, receiving rejections, experiencing moments of sadness and uncertainty.
Yet, when I look back at this year, I can say with certainty that it has been the most fulfilling of my life. It’s not just the good that makes it so. The challenges, the regular moments, and the unexpected bumps along the way are just as significant.1
Some of my most cherished memories aren’t the grand adventures or the big accomplishments, but the quiet, everyday moments—nights spent in my garage with close friends, talking about everything and nothing—that are as vivid as watching two lions fight in the Serengeti. In their own way, those “smaller” moments are just as impactful as the highlights.
Life is all in. Every moment, whether good or bad, contributes to the full experience. But ultimately, the choice is still yours, whether to embrace an “all in” life or not. This year has been so fulfilling because I have embraced it all—the highs, the lows, everything in between. One reason I started this newsletter is because I realized that if I truly wanted to live all-in, I couldn’t keep waiting for the “perfect time.” I told a friend I was going to start it, and that night, I did it. No more overthinking, no more delays, just taking action. When you approach life like this, you learn to look at everything—not just the wins, but the struggles and the regular—and think, “How lucky am I to experience all of this?” Because it’s all part of the journey, and in the end, that’s what makes life so beautiful.
It’s not about ignoring the tough times or pretending that everything is perfect. It’s about recognizing that everything we go through—good or bad—is part of the bigger picture that makes life meaningful. The challenges we face don’t make us weaker; they shape us into who we are and make the good moments even more rewarding.
The odds of being born are 1 in 400 quadrillion2, making every moment of your life an extraordinary gift—a rare miracle to cherish and fully experience. That fact alone is reason enough to feel lucky for all your experiences. As I reflect on 2024, I can confidently say I pushed all my chips to the middle, and the bet paid off … BIG.
Quote on being all in:
"The other thing that's so interesting about being alive is that you're all in. No matter what you do, you're all in. This is gonna kill you. So I think you might as well play the most magnificent game you can while you're waiting. Because do you have anything better to do?" — Jordan Peterson
Goal for the Week:
Lay foundation for next year
Building a solid foundation for what I want 2025 to look like is my top priority this week. This includes focusing on my health, academic goals, hobbies, and other key habits.
Golden Son — Pierce Brown
What I finished Reading:
Kitchen Confidential — Anthony Bourdain3
Kitchen Confidential is an eye-opening read that pulls you into the chaotic world of professional kitchens. I loved the way Bourdain told the story—his voice is so vivid, it feels like he’s speaking directly to you. There was a blend of humor and showing both the raw realities and the absurdity of the industry. The book also taught me to appreciate the hard work that makes everything run smoothly in the kitchen, which was more complex than I ever imagined. After reading it, my view of the restaurant world has completely changed. The number of moving parts that make it all work is mind-blowing. It’s a must-read for anyone curious about what goes on behind the kitchen doors or Bourdain’s life. I give Kitchen Confidential an 8.0/10.
Favorite quote: “I have no wish to die, nor do I have some unhealthy fondness for dysentery. If I know you're storing your squid at room temperature next to a cat box, I'll get my squid from down the street, thank you very much. I will continue to do my seafood eating on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, because I know better, because I can wait. But if I have one chance at a full-blown dinner on blowfish gizzard—even if I've not been properly introduced to the chef—and I'm in a strange, Far Eastern city, and my plane leaves tomorrow? I'm going for it. You only go around once.”
Red Rising — Pierce Brown
Red Rising by Pierce Brown is nothing short of phenomenal, and I loved every aspect of it. I flew through the pages, finishing it in just four days because there was never a dull moment. The story is packed with action, twists, and turns that I couldn't predict, making it impossible to put down. Brown creates a narrative full of political intrigue, personal sacrifice, and intense rivalries, all while keeping the tension high. This book stands as one of the most exhilarating novels I’ve ever read, and now I can’t help but dive into the rest of the series. The novel is like a blend of the Hunger Games, the Matrix, and The City of Ember. I give Red Rising an 8.9/10.
Favorite quote: “The measure of a man is what he does when he has power.”4
What I’m listening to (one podcast, one artist, one song):
Joe Rogan Experience #2210 - Calley Means & Casey Means, MD5
Josh Groban
“Live Forever” — Billy Joe Shaver
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated for the next edition and feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Thank you for an incredible year,
James
An idea expressed in letter #14, “Grateful Living.”
Approximately the volume of the Atlantic Ocean in cubic meters. Check out this fun article that shows how big 400 quadrillion really is.
The documentary, Roadrunner, about Bourdain’s life is also very good.
In the novel, there’s a moment where both Plato (this is a quote from Plato) and Cicero are referenced, which I really appreciated as a “philosophy guy.”
This podcast will blow your mind on the health and wellness of our society. It is a much-needed wake-up call we all need to hear.
Very insightful piece James. I love your comparison of your garage to watching lions fight. Wish we could have linked up this summer. Quite unfortunate.