Through the Abyss: What We Fear and What We Become
March 15, 2025 | Issue #05 | What We Fear
In this week's edition we’ll unpack:
Facing the Abyss: A Light Dive into Nietzsche’s Wisdom – [pronounced “nee·chuh”] We’ll begin with a journey into the dark side of the human experience, exploring Friedrich Nietzsche’s powerful concept of "monsters" and the importance of not becoming what we fight against.
Wu Wei: Taoism in Action – [pronounce “woo·way”] How we can use it to achieve a sense of balance in our chaotic, modern world. Learn how embracing flow and allowing things to unfold naturally can reduce stress and lead to more peaceful and purposeful living
The 5% Rule: Small Steps, Big Change– Life can feel overwhelming when we try to make huge changes all at once. Instead, we’ll explore the 5% Rule—a practical approach to improving your life, by focusing on small, incremental progress.
May these words find you well, as we untangle our thoughts and explore new ideas…
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
Through the Abyss: What We Fear and What We Become
The show must go on—we must keep walking boldly forward into that dark night.
It’s all too easy to lose your way—fumbling, stumbling—beneath the heavy canopy of your own thoughts, feelings, and opinions. But layer that with the dense undergrowth of the world’s relentless noise—breaking headlines, destruction and chaos, the hottest trends, devastating weather—
And suddenly, the night grows darker still, full of terror.
We could dissociate. Avoid. Turn our gaze and hope the shadows never notice. But the world—and all the things that go bump in that dark night—march on, with or without our attention.
So, perhaps, the better choice is to move forward, venturesomely—into the black air that swallows all we can see.
Because truth be told, the monsters we feared lurking in the dark—They’ve always been us. Humans. You. Me.
In Beyond Good and Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future, published in 1886, Friedrich Nietzsche challenges the idea that morality is simply black and white. He argues that the traditional ideas surrounding "good" and "evil" are too simplistic and often used to control people.
Instead of blindly accepting moral rules, Nietzsche encourages us to question where these ideas come from and to think for ourselves. He believed true strength lies in creating our own values rather than following what society tells us is right or wrong.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
What’s he saying here? When we confront darkness, whether in the world or within ourselves—it can change us if we’re not careful. If you spend too much time battling what you hate, you risk becoming just like it. It’s a reminder to stay self-aware and not lose your humanity while fighting the good fight.
Fun Takeaway: Nietzsche’s not saying “ignore the bad stuff.” He’s saying: Face the tough stuff, but don’t let it swallow you whole. Keep your integrity while challenging the world’s narrative.
Philosophy of the Week:
Wu Wei and The Flow of Life
An introduction to the Taoist concept of effortless action and how it applies to modern living. But don’t let the phrase fool you—Wu Wei, pronounced “woo-way”, isn’t about being lazy or doing nothing. It’s about moving in harmony with the natural flow of life instead of forcing things to happen.
Imagine a river: It doesn’t struggle to flow—it just moves effortlessly around obstacles, shaping the landscape over time. Wu Wei invites us to do the same. Instead of pushing against the current of life, it encourages us to align with it, trusting that things will unfold as they’re meant to.
How Does Wu Wei Apply to Modern Life?
In a world obsessed with hustle culture and constant striving, Wu Wei is a breath of fresh air. Here’s how you can apply it:
Let Go of Over-Control – Not everything needs to be micromanaged. Sometimes, stepping back allows things to fall into place naturally.
Trust the Process – Just like the seasons change without force, trust that life’s rhythm will guide you where you need to be.
Flow, Don’t Force – Instead of burning out trying to "make things happen," notice where energy is already moving and follow that path.
Life isn’t meant to be a constant uphill battle. Wu Wei reminds us that by flowing with life rather than against it, we often find greater ease, joy, and even better outcomes. Sometimes, the most powerful action is knowing when to let things be.
Day2Day Survival Tip:
The “5% Rule” —
This might not seem like much in the short term, but over time, these small efforts add up to big results. This can be applied to life, hair and so much more.
Instead of overwhelming yourself with massive change, focus on improving just 5% each day. It’s all about embracing small, consistent improvements.
Focus on Small, Consistent Improvements - In hair, it might mean adding a subtle color shift or a slight tweak with the way you style it—small touches that make a big difference over time. We often get caught up in the big picture, when what really matters are the small details we can improve.
Compounding Effect - Just like with interest in a bank account, small improvements made consistently over time compound, leading to exponential growth. Even the smallest of improvements, when compounded, can lead to significant results over months and years.
Focus on Systems, Not Goals - building systems instead of focusing solely on goals. While goals are important, systems are what keep you moving forward. The 5% rule is a system of continuous improvement—small, daily habits that align with your values and long-term vision.
By applying the 5% rule, you’re building habits that compound over time, creating lasting change in a sustainable, stress-free way. It’s about showing up every day, focusing on small improvements, and trusting that the process will lead to something much bigger and so transformative.
Words Of Wisdom:
At the heart of it all, we are both the light and the shadow—the ones who create the chaos and the ones who hold the power to ease it. Yes, the world can feel heavy, and the darkness within and around us is real. It’s in the small kindnesses, the quiet courage, and the choice to keep going, to become just a little better, day by day. And perhaps, in acknowledging both our flaws and our capacity for good, we find the clearest path forward.
As Jane Goodall, reminds us:
“It is these undeniable qualities of human love and compassion and self-sacrifice that give me hope for the future. We are, indeed, often cruel and evil. Nobody can deny this. We gang up on each one another, we torture each other, with words as well as deeds, we fight, we kill. But we are also capable of the most noble, generous, and heroic behavior.”
Thanks for reading!
Until next time, Guthrie
P.s. If you want to dive a little deeper in some of these topics, here’s some of my resources and materials you may find helpful:
The Portable Nietzsche translated by Walter Kaufmann
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Tao: The Watercourse Way by Alan Watts
Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey by Jane Goodall
