Contents:

1. Essay on Viktor Frankl book «Man’s Search for Meaning». 5 Key takeaways

2. How to make it as an artist: 5 things that 99% of artists lack in the Web3 art space

3. A thought to think about

For better experience, listen to the following soundtracks:

1. For part 1 of the Contents: “Scheming ace savage” - instrumental looped (slowed/reverb).

I have always been interested in the philosophy of Stoicism and how it can help us find meaning and strength in difficult times.

According to Stoicism, we may not be able to control external circumstances, but we can choose how we respond to them, and this choice ultimately affects our internal state.

In fact, Stoics believe that "radical acceptance" removes all mental walls and allows us to find meaning in suffering.

Let’s explore the implementations of Stoic principles in the book of Viktor Frankl.

"Man's Search for Meaning" - Viktor Frankl

While Viktor Frankl book, "Man's Search for Meaning," is not specifically about Stoicism, it does explore how a person can find meaning even in the most depressing circumstances. As a famous psychotherapist and prisoner of Auschwitz, Viktor provides specific examples of how he and others found meaning in their suffering.

For instance, in the book, Viktor describes how he found meaning in the simple act of giving a fellow prisoner a piece of bread.
This act of kindness, however small, gave Viktor a sense of purpose and made him feel human again. Similarly, the author found meaning in the idea of reuniting with his wife. This hope gave him the strength to endure the hardships of Auschwitz and to continue living.

This book emphasizes the importance of finding meaning in suffering, not just for the sake of hope for the future but also to find a way out of the current situation.
He believes that having a sense of meaning can give a person the strength to overcome anything. Viktor's own experiences in Auschwitz provide powerful examples of this.

At the beginning of the book, Viktor finds a small bundle with the main prayer of the Jews, in a jacket inherited from another prisoner who was sent to the gas chamber.

This discovery becomes a symbol of hope and purpose for the author, reminding him of his faith and giving him the strength to endure the horrors of Auschwitz. Moreover, Viktor’s book also emphasizes the importance of our attitude towards life.

He argues that suffering does not necessarily equal pain, and that our attitude towards our suffering can make all the difference.
In the book, he describes how he and other prisoners found meaning in the most mundane tasks, such as cleaning their quarters or doing manual labor.
By finding meaning in these tasks, they were able to transcend their circumstances and find hope and purpose.

Overall, Viktor's book is a powerful testament to the importance of finding meaning in suffering. His own experiences in Auschwitz provide concrete examples of how this can be done, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

What principles of Stoicism Viktor shares in his book?

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Finding meaning in suffering is essential to our well-being: 
   
   Viktor's experiences in Auschwitz taught him that finding meaning in suffering is essential to our well-being.
   
   He believes that having a sense of purpose can help us endure even the most difficult of circumstances. "The salvation of man is through love and in love," he writes. "I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world still may know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of his beloved."
   

2. Our attitude towards life can make all the difference: 
   
   Viktor argues that our attitude towards life is more important than our circumstances.
   
   He writes, "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
   
   Even in the most mundane tasks, like cleaning the barracks, prisoners were able to find meaning by focusing on the positive aspects of their situation.
   

3. We can find meaning in the most unexpected places: 
   
   Viktor's experiences taught him that meaning can be found in the most unexpected places.
   
   For example, he found meaning in the act of giving a piece of bread to a fellow prisoner, which reminded him of his own humanity. "We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread,".
   
   “They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
   

4. Love is a powerful force: 
   
   Viktor writes extensively about the power of love in his book.
   He believes that love can transcend even the most difficult of circumstances, and that it is through love that we find our deepest sense of meaning.
   
   He writes, "Love is the only way to grasp another human being in the innermost core of his personality.
   
   No one can become fully aware of the very essence of another human being unless he loves him."
   

5. Life is inherently meaningful: 
   
   Finally, the author believes that life is inherently meaningful, and that it is our responsibility to find that meaning for ourselves.
   He writes, "What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment."
   
   By focusing on our own individual meaning, we can find purpose even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Hope you enjoyed the first part of the newsletter.
Always happy to receive feedback from you. Feel free to DM me on Twitter.

Now, to the second part

How to make it as an artist: 5 things that 99% of artists lack in the Web3 art space.

After posting this tweet several times, I’ve noticed that a lot of artists have to improve some basics.
By following these tips, you will get better at “the art game”.

Let’s dive into it!

1.  Proof-of-Art: PoA
   

   It is essential in the digital era. By putting things out there, consistently, you can form a relationship with your viewers - and potential customers.
   
   It allows them to see the person behind the art.
   
   Audiences not only want to stumble across great work, but they, too, long to be creative and part of the creative process.

   By sharing day-to-day process—the thing an artist really cares about— an artist can form a unique bond with an audience.
   
   You can do PoA in 2 WAYS:
   
   •Sending a short Video of the creative process;
   •Sending your sketches;

   By letting go of our egos and sharing our process, we allow for the possibility of people having an ongoing connection with us and our work, which helps you move more of our art.

2. Human beings are interested in other human beings and what other human beings do:
   

   What are your interests? What do you like doing in real-life? Your passions? Your hobbies?
   
   It is essential to let people have a general idea of WHO YOU are. People are willing to get acquainted with someone, who share same interests.
   
   In this regard, you really want to tell stories about yourself.

   What is the main strategy, to consistently tell stories about your life?

   • Journaling:
     

   Use twitter as your diary. There is a BIG BUT: You are picking and choosing every single word. Use every single word WISELY.

   Share only what you're ready for the whole world to see online. Ideally you want it to be copied and spread everywhere.

   Once again, Let go of your EGO.

   Have some thoughts? Good. Hit this "tweet" button.

3. Share Your Vision and Aims:
   
   It's important to be transparent about your goals and future plans.

   Some collectors view art as an investment. yes, it is a thing. 
   They want to know where you're headed, what your plans are for the future.
    
   •How you intend to execute them?
   •What to expect of you?
   
   By keeping your audience informed, you can build trust and attract more buyers.
   
   So, make sure to be clear about your aims and share them consistently.
   YES, it is a thing
   

4. Networking is crucial in the Web3 art scene:

   By building relationships with other artists, collectors and platforms in the space, you can gain valuable insights and exposure to new opportunities.

   You may ask: "How to network"?
   
   It is easier than you might think:

   •Attend online events/spaces

   •Collaborate with other artists
   •Engage with others on social media
   

   There are a lot of ways to build your network and strengthen your presence in the web3 art community, but One Way, which almost feels like hacking - is..
   
   A genuine compliment of other person’s work, tweet, art piece. If you like what you see - go and hit that DM.
   
   Say what you like about an art piece:
   •Color palette
   •Composition
   •Style
   •Idea
   
   It can be pretty much anything. The KEY is to make a compliment on what you Truly liked. That simple.
   

5. Finding Your Niche and Developing Your Style:

   In the crowded world of digital art, it's important to stand out from the crowd. One way to do this is by finding a specific niche that speaks to you and developing a style that is unique to you. This will help you become more recognizable and memorable in the eyes of your audience.

   Ask yourself:

   •What makes my work stand out?

   •What unique perspective do I bring to the table?

   •How can I improve my style and make it my own?

   Remember, no one wants to see another copycat NFT or generic digital art. No one wants to see another Ape derivative.

   Focus on creating something that is truly your own and that reflects your individuality and creativity.
   

6. Other questions to consider might include:

   •Who is your target audience?

   •What emotions or reactions do you want your art to evoke?

   •How can you stay true to your artistic vision while also meeting the demands of the market?

   Sometimes it is really hard to find answers to these questions.

   But essentially, this is how you break through.

A thought to think about:

The quote by Alan Watts, "What was it like to wake up after never going to sleep?" is a thought-provoking question that touches on the nature of consciousness and existence.

Alan Watts was known for his interest in Eastern philosophy, particularly Zen Buddhism - and this quote reflects that interest.

In Zen teachings, there is an emphasis on the idea of "awakening" or becoming aware of the true nature of reality.

One interpretation of Watts' quote is that it invites us to consider the possibility that our experience of life is like being in a dream. Waking up from this dream is a kind of spiritual awakening.

In other words, it invites us to question the nature of reality itself, in some sense, Watts speculates on the possibility that what we take to be real is actually an illusion.

At a deeper level, the quote might also be seen as a reminder to be present in the moment and to appreciate the beauty of life as it unfolds.

By reflecting on what it might be like to wake up from a dream, we can begin to see our lives with fresh eyes and appreciate the richness and complexity of our experiences.

What is the meaning of the quote for you?

Hey, thanks for reading! Always looking forward to hearing your feedback.

Will be happy to hear your feedback!

I’ve got a question for you: What would you like to see more in my newsletter? Feel free to DM me anytime. Will be happy to chat.

Till next time!

Preview of the contents of the third letter:

1. Negative visualization.

2. Zen Koan.

3. …