Remember To Dream, Vol. 20
“To come back from the brink of no return to get back to the top of the world, that is gonna be a statement for mental health itself.” - Tyson Fury
Profiles In Dreaming
Every week, I profile someone that has fulfilled their dream against the odds and highlight three lessons from their journey.
The Gypsy King
If Rocky had been written today, it would have been inspired by Tyson Fury. The man at the center of the greatest comeback in the history of sport. From world champion to drunk, drugged out, depressed, and obese - back to world champion, in a sport that offers no margin for error. A man that got up from one of the most powerful combinations in boxing. A man now dubbed "The People's Champion" for all the work he does around mental health issues. His story is as inspirational as it is surprising. A testament to the power of the human spirit in the face of the greatest demons.
Ponder This
“If I can show the world that you can come back from [depression], and get back in shape and to the top, then anybody can do it.”
- Tyson Fury
Practice This
This is an exercise, called ‘Self Compassionate Letter,’ courtesy of the University of California, Berkeley. It’s designed to reduce feelings of shame and self-criticism.
Start by identifying something about yourself that makes you feel ashamed, insecure, or not good enough. Write it down and describe how it makes you feel.
Now, write a letter to yourself expressing compassion, understanding, and acceptance for the part of yourself that you dislike.
As you write, follow these guidelines:
What would a loved one say to you about this part of yourself?
Remind yourself that many other people in the world are struggling with the same thing.
Consider the ways in which events that have happened in your life, the family environment you grew up in, or even your genes may have contributed to this negative aspect of yourself.
What can you do to improve or better cope with this negative aspect?
Play This
Every week, I share some of the music I listen to when I write. Studies have shown that playing a song or short playlist on repeat helps put you into a state of flow, which is optimal for creativity. The choice of music is up to you. I choose music that reflects the energy I want to infuse in my work. Most of the time, this means dreamy, melodic deep house. But sometimes, when I’m writing about something raw, I go with old school hip hop.
Here’s a link to a master playlist of all the songs I’ve shared so far.
I’d love to hear your feedback or connect with you. Email me at omar@omarfarha.com.