Book: 20260713 to 20260730, "Life Is What You Make It" by Peter Buffett

 

20260714 - 1 • Normal is what you’re used to

How do we repay the gifts that came to us unbidden and more or less at random? p5
The real question is, how do we know what is right and what is wrong?
We need to optimize our perception of the world, in our whole life.

Those are the things that no one can take away from us. p24
Reward/money is not that important as it's external stuff, which belongs to "environment".
Environment, Behaviour, Capabilities, Beliefs, Identity, and Purpose(Meaning and Mission).

20260715 - 2 • No one deserves anything

On the other hand, if we acknowledge the issue of gift guilt, we can deal with it head-on and find ways to overcome it. p42
Gift guilt could be a problem to many wealthy people, and a lot of people when UHI is implemented.

20260715 - 3 • The myth of the level playing eld

The first and most important premise is that people are equal. p48
Strongly disagree with this one. People are not equal, on all sides.
But it's critical to set up fair rules which allow people study hard, work hard and with talent to rise.

20260715 - 4 • The (mixed) blessing of choice

Doctor or lawyer? Of all the possible things you could be, you're supposed to pick between two? p71
Most likely it doesn't matter what you choose, even if you can choose among 1000 things. The important thing is what you do with your choice.
Peter Buffett got a lot of things wrong.

20260726 - 5 • The mystery of vocation

The Eastern philosophies encourage people to pursue happiness, the Western traditions emphasize more on achievement.
Which one suits me better? It seems it's the Eastern one. At least it seems easier. What will I feel about it in my last days?

Peter Buffett's advice is not going to work for most of people, unless their parents are quite wealthy and wise. I think it's better to avoid the vocations you hate, then choose one from others which bring back decent salary. Most of people don't have the strong urge.

20260726 - 6 • Buying time

Pay attention to something meaningful. Don't waste time.

20260727 - 7 • Don’t just find your bliss — do your bliss

Achievement is always part of team work.
It's critical to learn how to cooperate with others. That's not "compromise".

20260727 - 8 • Portals of discovery

Some mistakes are very expensive. So expensive it's going to cost us many years of hard work.
Need to prepare buffer for mistakes, and prepare buffer for unlucky events.

20260803 - 9 • Be careful what you wish for …

What is really important to us?
Health and Money are only part of them.
Are we growing?

202600804 - 10 • What we mean when we say “success”

If we don't regret our lives before dying, we are success.
Once pass some threshold, money is not that important anymore.

20260804 - 11 • The perils of prosperity

"I realized that the measure of my legitimacy was not what I did but how I did it." p211
This is same to everyone. Well said.

20260804 - 12 • The gentle art of giving back

20260804 - Epilogue: Begin it now

Action is critical.
How about Zen master?
Zen masters don't just sit and meditate. They act, although may only on daily activites.
Our lives are fulfilled through actions.