Between Losing Yourself in the News and Finding Yourself
Instead of a question in this post, I want to explore something deeper. I want to look at the connection between getting lost in the national agenda and self-actualization. There’s a story I love that perfectly captures this idea.
In 1933, a young musician from Munich wrote a letter to Einstein, expressing his worries about the future. Einstein’s response is beautifully simple. You can read it here, or look up the original online.
In short, Einstein tells him: Read the classics. Return to nature. Focus on your inner self. The rest doesn’t matter as much.
In other words: Nurture yourself emotionally, physically, and mentally.
What It Means to “Find Yourself”
This is really what self-actualization is about—boosting your sense of satisfaction regardless of external chaos. And the way to do that? Becoming aware of:
- What you have and what you don’t
- What you can and cannot influence
- What you’re doing now and what you’re capable of
- And most importantly, how to make the most of the present moment
Being Turkish in Turkey: Advantage or Disadvantage?
Growing up and living in Turkey has its unique advantages, just like this era we’re living in. And yes, it comes with plenty of disadvantages too.
But you could have grown up in the middle of drug wars in South America. Or in the harshest conditions in parts of Africa—wondering whether you’d step on a mine or be hit by rocket fire on your way to school.
When you look at it this way, you start to realize: you’re more fortunate than you think. So why not make the most of that fortune?
Of course, maybe in another life you could have been running through alpine meadows with Heidi, enjoying unlimited freedom, fun, and access to everything you dreamed of. And that’s fine to imagine too.
But here’s the thing:
What are your real priorities? What’s your reality?
If those dreams truly matter to you, then ask yourself: How can I get there?
Also, take a moment to question the dream itself. Is it based on reality—or is it an exaggerated fantasy? Will everything really be perfect if you get there?
Politics Will Never End — But Your Time Will
In a country like Turkey, politics is never-ending. One leader leaves, another arrives, but the arguments continue. Sometimes it gets heated, sometimes things feel just like you imagined your ideal country would be.
But politics never stops.
The real question is:
Where do you stand in all this?
If you’re spending your time arguing every day, caught up in the same debates, you’re just using up your own life.
You might know 1 unit of information—while there are a million units of complexity behind the scenes that you’ll never be aware of. So why become emotionally entangled in an ever-shifting agenda?
The same goes for idolizing people, declaring ideas sacred, or treating anything as untouchable—it only limits your own perspective.
This is true no matter where you live in the world.
What Really Matters
What matters is doing your part as a responsible citizen in the smartest and most reasonable way. Beyond that, your influence is the same whether you live in New York, Nairobi, or Istanbul.
Every thought, debate, or action based on assumptions and things you can’t change is just time stolen from your life.
So What Should You Do?
Enjoy life.
Read more.
Think deeper.
Expand your awareness.
Travel.
Connect with people.
Read novels and nourish your emotional world.
Push your limits. Go beyond not only your country’s borders but also your mental ones.
Set goals. Ask yourself every day:
How can I be better than I was yesterday?
When you start living like this, you’ll see that the news, the country, and your surroundings aren’t as important as they seemed.
bahadirhancicek 
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