In and out like a flash ⚡
In and out like a flash ⚡
#46 - Results Day!
Hi there,
With 10 days to go to the start of Year 12, we had our GCSE Results Day on Thursday. I’m pleased to report that I got 9 Grade 9s and one Grade 8, a touch under my performance in the mock exams but still a set of results I am very happy with. Congratulations to readers Dom and Viraj for their home run of all 9s along with all my other friends reading this for their own achievement - everyone has scored fantastically.
The past few days saw this along with lots of instrument practice, working through my summer work and rejoicing over India’s tight win over Pakistan in yesterday’s Asia Cup match.
Highlight of the week: Results Day of course. Albeit it was a seesaw between joy + pride and disappointment, all teachers at school were uplifting and implored me to fight against the negativity bias and instead, celebrate the success.
Last week, I shared my story of regret at not seizing the chance to take a picture with an Indian cricketer.
On the plane from Chennai to Dubai, between films, there were fleeting feelings of sadness, especially after our failed attempt to sneak into First Class.
When I sat back down, I tell my sister followed by my mum why really we shouldn’t feel so bad about it.
Say hello to ‘Adi’s Apple Pie Rule’ 👋. One day, after a visit to the town centre, Mum bought home an apple pie and pain au chocolat (a chocolate bun) for me and my sister respectively.
She told me to go downstairs to eat my apple pie. In a delayed response, I finished whatever I was doing (this happened a while back) and walked downstairs, only to discover that my sister had eaten nearly all of the apple pie.
“I didn’t know it was for you.”
I was frustrated. I love apple pie - the delicious Bramley Apples smothered in cinnamon, enveloped in soft yet crunchy pastry. I can hear you lick your lips 😋
I walk away and comfort myself, “It’s ok. It’s only an apple pie”. The specific way I pacified myself is with an idea I’ve ever since repeated to myself in similar (utterly heartbreaking) occasions.
It only existed a few minutes ago. So it’s not worth worrying about.
This is the 5x5 rule, only advanced. I didn’t know about the apple pie and its existence until a few minutes ago. It hadn’t entered my world, I knew nothing about it. Hence does it deserve to be ruminated on and rued? No.
This is the approach I took the missed chance of the cricketer Dinesh Karthik. It wasn’t a wish of mine a few hours ago. So, should I really become miserable about it?
On the other hand, if it’s something like not getting all 9s, a desire and dream for 3 years, then I allowed myself to feel grief and bitterness at, as the cliché goes, being so near yet so far (I am just 2 marks away though, waiting on a review 🤞)
Let me know what you think about this. Just a thought of mine that I’ve used as a principle, not been repackaged from anywhere or anyone.
When you’re about to feel disappointment over something, consider whether it warrants disappointment - using the 5x5 rule or the (unquestionably better) Adi’s Apple Pie rule. If it doesn’t, march on soldier. If it does, don’t suppress your emotions. Let them out, and keep marching on.
Book of the week 📖
I pressed the ‘Try Harder’ button, introduced me to me here, on The Price of Everything: The True Cost of Living by trying to slog through a bit more. It’s gotten a bit dry, Dad said it isn’t suited for my age and I stopped getting excited to read it, my key indicator about whether I’m enjoying a book1.
So I’m leaving it there and moving on to How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Interesting title I know but wherever I come across this book, the advice is always “Forget about the title, great book”. 🤷
Podcast of the week🎙️
The Daily Stoic: The Power of Courage
The man championing stoicism in the 21st century describes the importance of bravery and determination.
Article of the week📰
Shortest day in history: Earth completes fastest rotation ever on June 29
The days are getting shorter, the nights are longer, the world is closer to ending. On June 29, mankind gasped in unison at the news that Earth sped up by a groundbreaking 1.59ms.
Quote of the week💬
Don't let the fear of losing be greater than the excitement of winning” - Robert Kiyosaki
Enjoy your last week of summer
Adi
For example, with Atomic Habits, I couldn’t wait to grab the book every evening and have a read. Not the case with this book.