Transformative Insights from Classics: Embracing Change and Self-Discovery

Classics inspire self-reflection, guiding individuals to ask meaningful questions and live authentically.

### Transforming Lives Through Classics: Insights from Author Ko Myung-won
* 📈 The Positive Academy has seen a remarkable transformation, with franchises achieving sales from **thousands to hundreds of billions**, culminating in the discovery of a **broth factory**.
* 📚 Author Ko Myung-won is set to release his fifth book, "The Classics Responded: About the Life We Should Live," in August 2024, aiming to **inspire readers to engage with classic literature**.
* 💭 After a life-altering car accident, Ko reflects on his past and emphasizes that **facing death clarified his understanding of life and its true priorities**.
* 🔍 He encourages readers to ask profound questions about their lives, noting that the act of questioning can lead to **self-discovery and a clearer path forward**.
* 💡 Ko highlights the importance of reframing negative questions into positive ones, such as shifting from **"Why am I so depressed?"** to **"How can I ignite my passion?"**
* 📈 He shares his journey of positivity over the past **999 days**, attributing his success as a bestselling author and entrepreneur to **consistent affirmations and self-reflection**.
* 🌊 Through reading classics, Ko has developed a nuanced understanding of money, viewing it as a **tool rather than a goal**, which has led to a **more fulfilling life**.
* 📖 Ultimately, Ko believes that engaging with classic literature can **unlock personal growth** and help individuals **navigate their unique paths in life**.

I now write down the changes in the Positive Academy in the sales area. So, when I see those changes, I notice that franchises have gone from thousands to hundreds of billions in sales, and eventually, they found a broth factory. This is the change that has occurred. My dream is not shrinking, everyone; your dreams are becoming clearer. At first, we do not know our exact dreams. I didn't know either. But the problem arises when we do a lot of it.

Hello, nice to meet you. How many books have you published? This is my fifth. Yes, this is the fifth book by author Ko Myung-won, which will be released in August 2024. It has entered the world. The title is The Classics Responded: About the Life We Should Live. At that time, you expressed it. It’s not that I interpret the classics and critique them, but through this book, I want to make many people truly want to read the classics.

I am writing this with my heart. I am doing a live broadcast, and I would like to ask the author to briefly talk about this book first. To begin with, regarding this book, I have written several books after my car accident, reflecting on real life and how I find answers in life. However, I feel that this book is more like my first book after the accident. When I faced death, I realized that I had been living for 34 years, which felt very unjust. When you are really facing death, I came to Seoul with 3 million won. I started working at MBC in 1997 and had my accident in 2005, so it was about eight years. With 3 million won, I bought three houses in Seoul.

People often think about the houses in Jamsil in movies or dramas, and they wonder what will happen when faced with death. First of all, I realized that money and possessions mean nothing when you come to a general ward; they aren't even on the list of priorities. Even my mother wasn't there. It was all about focusing solely on myself. I didn't intend for it to be that way. After that, when I read the books of people who have faced death, it became clear that this is the moment when you truly understand yourself. There are many interpretations of what I saw in Bernard Shaw's work, but I felt a strong connection when I realized that I could end up like this. I felt overwhelmed because I was being dragged through life, and I had no desire to engage in superficial activities; I just felt wronged. What did I feel wronged about? When faced with death, everything becomes clear. I saw that I could have lived a good life just as I am, but I was too scared to consider how others would perceive me.

It was so frustrating to be dragged around by others and to live in a world created by someone else. I really felt that I couldn't live as myself, and that frustration and injustice made me feel nothing in the intensive care unit. I had no regrets, no pain, nothing at all. But I felt so wronged and wished for more. After that, when I saw the book Demian, the very first thing that wanted to burst out from within me was the desire to truly live. However, then Hermes wrote, Why was it so difficult? We actually want to live out what comes from within us, but why do we suppress ourselves? This society is structured in such a way that makes it hard for us to live our own lives. So, how can I live my life? Why can't we live our lives and let what arises from within us come forth? That's the answer.

I realized that we have been living a life where we only respond to things. Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, and even in university, we were busy answering questions. Whether it was getting a job or starting a business, we were always focused on providing answers. It wasn't until I faced the seriousness of death that I seriously asked myself how I could stop being dragged around in life. This was the first genuine question I posed to myself about my life. 

The reason I chose to read classics this time is that after reading thousands of books, I found that, as Hermes said, I could find my way out of this situation. But why has it been so difficult? I didn’t even know how to ask questions or what methods to use, and I couldn’t think of any questions. However, the only time I found myself asking questions was when I read classics. I realized that while reading them, questions would come to me naturally. This, I believe, is the greatest charm of reading classics. In the case of Ivan Ilyich, I feel it is absolutely necessary...

Are you living the life you should be living? When you read classics, everything connects. So, this book talks about various things, but first, it encourages you to ask questions. Even if you ask these questions, we often lack wisdom within ourselves, which makes it hard to find answers. If you keep asking questions, a passion for reading this book will arise. In that way, I seek answers in life. The same goes for work. For instance, if I'm working hourly, I often struggle to decide whether to continue or quit. I can't make that decision on my own and tend to ask people around me for advice. This means I can't truly live my life. If I were to ask someone, like Hardy, for example, about opening a noodle shop, they might say, Based on my experience with you, you can do it this way. However, that advice is based on their standards.

You know, my mom also doesn't know 100% about me. She doesn't know how diligent or lazy I am, or how often I give up. That's why I realize that I have to make decisions about how to live my life. However, we are not in the habit of making those decisions. So, first of all, today, my book is selected with the hope that through classical literature, you can live a life without regrets when facing death. I don't even know how to ask the right questions. Isn't that right? I felt the same way. They say to ask questions, but I've never really asked them myself. I often mention that there are habitual questions that people in our country ask. What are they? They ask things like, Why am I so depressed? Why do I feel so weak? Why am I so irritated? Why am I so irritated lately?

Why is it that business is not doing well? Why is it so hard to make money? It feels like people in our country often ask questions in a negative way, placing the blame on themselves. However, the power of these questions is immense. We often say that depression is contagious. Why is that? When we go to counsel a depressed friend and wonder why they are feeling this way, our brain receives that question. In trying to find an answer to it, our brain behaves like AI; it throws out questions automatically. We tend to seek answers, even if we are reading a book. So, even if the video doesn't clearly show it, we keep searching for reasons behind that gloomy energy. Our Inside Out character, Sadness, keeps adding to that feeling of depression. As a result, we become even more depressed. People say they don’t know how to ask questions, but just changing this can make a difference. For example, instead of saying, Why am I so depressed? which reflects a desire not to feel that way, we can reframe our questions.

You want to feel energized, right? Then how can I ignite my passion? What can I do to feel better? Business owners often wonder why they have so few customers. Instead of thinking that way, how can we double the number of customers? What can we do to achieve that? If we ask these questions, we may not find the answers immediately. However, as I mentioned earlier, our brains are always looking to answer questions. If the wisdom isn't within me, it somehow makes me want to read a book or seek out a lecture. It prompts me to take action, and ultimately, by continually asking questions, I can find the answers. This is the principle of the positive feedback loop of questioning. Just by changing our questions to be more positive, we can reap tremendous benefits. What you mentioned, dear author, is currently being universally accepted in the field of neuroscience.

This is our brain mechanism, called the RAS, or Reticular Activating System. Through numerous studies, we have simplified and explained how the brain currently functions. Today marks the 99th day of my morning positivity practice. Tomorrow will be the 100th day. This morning, I was reflecting on the past 999 days since I woke up early after staying in Gumi. I thought about what has happened and what has been accomplished during this time. I started this journey two years and nine months ago, and everything has come to fruition. I have become a bestselling author, my work has been exported overseas, and I even started a soup factory. All of this has been achieved, and this is a question of positivity for me. I believe that positivity is prophetic completion; it’s not just about saying I will become a bestselling author, but rather, I have become a bestselling author.

I became a bestselling author because I kept shouting it every day, and my brain started to believe it was true. It should happen, but when I look back, at the time I first shouted it, I wasn't a bestselling author. This pushed me to read more, which is what I mentioned earlier. Another reason this all comes together is that it's about direction rather than speed. You should consider whether the direction you're currently heading in is correct. Many of you may be involved in positive affirmations, questioning if what you're shouting is right or if it will truly happen. Don't worry; just keep repeating it consistently. For example, when I thought about my brand power, I told myself that I wanted to have a thousand franchise stores when I first started. I kept shouting that goal, and through consistent repetition, it ultimately...

What we find out is that Picasso, through consistent repetition, eventually draws the same thing, and from within that, his unique style emerges. The way we find the direction of our lives is also interesting. For instance, I had a franchise with a thousand stores, and while I was shouting about it, I realized there was a significant disconnect for me. One day, for example, I hit an annual revenue of 50 billion won. When that positive change happens, I write it down in my notebook. Looking at those changes, I noticed that from a thousand franchises, or even a few thousand, with hundreds of billions in revenue, I ultimately found a broth factory. This is how the transformation occurred. So, in the end, when I made a decision last time, and as I said, I have to make that decision right, my positive affirmations do not diminish my dreams.

Everyone, dreams do come true. The reason is that at first, we don't know our exact dreams. I didn't know either. So, we generally start with big dreams. However, the problem is when we stop after pursuing them for a while. I record my dreams and then, throughout the day, I count them on my fingers, doing this about a hundred times a day. I have eleven sentences that I work with, but I don't do all eleven at once. Instead, I take about three of the sentences that need to be realized soon and connect them into one sentence using conjunctions. When these two things are pursued simultaneously, everything will eventually come true. Therefore, if you find that what you have been wishing for hasn't come true yet, I can tell you exactly that you need to increase the frequency of your efforts. You must not stop halfway; consistent repetition is essential. Nowadays, with shorts and reels and such...

Because of these things, I tend not to watch videos that exceed this duration. That's right. As a result, there are very few people who are good at consistently doing something for a long time. Therefore, being consistent over a long period becomes an incredible asset. When you think about it, two years and a few months of effort is actually not that much time. But during those thousand days, I only spent less than ten minutes a day. Yet, it became an enormous advantage for me. This isn't something that just disappears. The power of a thousand days doesn't just double after two days; it compounds, and compounds, and compounds. So I decided that since I really enjoy this, I would aim to continue it for ten thousand days. But even if I do reach ten thousand days, I will be 76 years old. Honestly, when considering the average lifespan, I think we should divide that by two. The books we read say that the average lifespan used to be in the forties, and now it’s in the eighties.

Actually, I believe we should divide by two. So, I am a young person in my twenties, specifically 26 years old. I was honored to read a pre-release copy of the book before it was published. So far, in 2024, which is already September, this has been the best book I’ve read this year. I tend to write a lot in books, and the more I write, the messier it gets, but to me, it's a really great book. Earlier, I showed the author a bit of my notes; it was almost like breaking down a thesis. Earlier, the author mentioned that things change with a franchise that has 50 billion in sales. In the book, it mentions 600 franchises, and now aiming for 1,000, the process of finding that has led to continuous changes in goals. The way I think and act has also changed accordingly. I really resonated with what you said earlier. Everyone, we...

Subscribers often ask, What if things change when I do something 100 times, like writing or speaking? It's natural for things to change. Why? Because, as you mentioned earlier, it's a process of finding your goals. When I think about having a goal, I imagine a scenario where I am in a space with walls on both sides. There is a path to the goal, but it's dark, and I can't see where the walls are. It feels like I should go in this direction, but then I might bump into a wall. It's similar to how a mouse navigates a maze, going back and forth and hitting obstacles. When you hit a wall, the typical reaction is to think, Oh, I failed. I knew this would happen.

So usually, people do the exercise there. However, I cannot see the process of hitting the wall, but by allowing myself to hit that wall, I am able to reach the goals I want. Next month, my edition of James Allen's classic will also be released. James Allen says that the difficult situation you think is bad right now is happening because you need that experience. As I mentioned earlier, I had a car accident when I was 34 years old. The renowned writer I was then and the current renowned writer are the same in terms of genetics, but it would not be an exaggeration to say they are completely different people. I am the same; I can also be seen as a completely different person compared to the office worker I was ten years ago, even though we share the same genetics. Many people, however, think that this person is not moral.

People who are unethical and lack good character can harm others, yet they seem to earn a lot of money and live well. On the other hand, there are those who are genuinely kind, hardworking, honest, and have good character, but they struggle financially. This makes one feel that the world is quite unfair. In response to this, I would like to say that people can change. The person who appears bad now may not have been bad from the beginning. In the past, this person may have lived a life that warranted the current outcome they are facing. However, for some reason, they now seem to appear evil or immoral. Although this person appears to be earning well and living a prosperous life, over time, things may change.

They will accept what matches their current value as the future outcome. Right now, the kind, hardworking, and diligent person may seem to have no money and be living in poverty and difficulty. However, this person may not have been kind in the past and might have had a time when they did not possess the same character traits as they do now. So, currently, they are experiencing the results of their past actions, and in the future, they will surely enjoy outcomes that correspond to their upright character, sincere attitude, and mindset. I believe that people constantly change, and so do their goals. It seems that many people thought they shouldn't change, but they are realizing now that it is okay to change. Yes, change is necessary, and it does happen. Just like in the classics, whether it's the last time we discussed Iliad or Demian, I have brought a book about humanity with me now.

What we're talking about is that in order for this society and its massive organizations to function, we inevitably have to experience some degree of being drawn along. This is necessary for the large society to operate. Therefore, the large society inevitably makes us obedient, leading us to think, Ah, this is how it should be. We can easily be pulled in that direction. 

However, we must continuously question and inquire why we are choosing the path we are on. Even if others say it's good, is it truly right for me? What is my happiness? Is it about having a stable job? If so, what does stability really mean? By persistently asking these questions, we might initially be led astray, but through reading and self-reflection, we can change and evolve. 

The reason we emphasize direction over speed is that we want to steer our lives toward the right path for ourselves. Only then can we truly face our challenges.

When a moth is determined to follow the path it desires, incredible things can happen that seem unlikely. So, for everyone watching now, including Haje, it might be worthwhile to reflect on whether the direction of your life is truly aligned with your goals. Have there been moments recently when something you thought was impossible actually happened? It’s worth considering. In the past, I graduated from the theater and film studies department, and naturally, I became a comedian after entering a broadcasting company. At that time, I thought everything was going well according to my expectations. During my time at the broadcasting company, I didn't experience anything that seemed impossible; everything happened within the realm of what I anticipated. However, now, I have three consecutive bestselling books, and they have been distributed in Russia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Japan. This is a life that, honestly, I had no connection to at all.

You know, it's like learning to swim just like swimmer Park Tae-hwan and then winning an Olympic gold medal. It's something I never even considered. That kind of thing has happened to me. So, when I try to bring out what is rising from within me, it's about awakening the giant that lies asleep inside. When I manage to bring that out, truly unimaginable things happen that I never thought would occur. I really believe that. You might not have had such an experience. Whether it's a park or a river near your home, or anywhere like an apartment complex or along the Han River, it’s all good. Have you ever tried running or walking alone, or sitting on a bench and speaking out loud to yourself? I doubt many people have done that in their lives. It’s quite rare. When it comes to asking myself questions, many people find that very difficult. I, too, have encountered this challenge with many of our subscribers.

The first thing about mindset is that the starting point is knowing about myself. To know, I first need to ask questions and receive answers. But how can I question myself? It’s not easy. However, I would like to offer a hint here. If this is really difficult for you, try to talk about it. Inside you, inside us, as mentioned earlier, there is both positivity and negativity. There are actually more children, right? There is positivity and negativity, but then, the positive side of you is fighting against your inner negativity. You are trying to force it out. Speak as if you are forcing it out. The reason is that when talking about myself, every human is actually born a genius, but as we live, we lose that genius. Just like that, no matter how trivial or insignificant a field may seem,

There is something I excel at in any field compared to others. However, people often think, No matter how hard I think, there is nothing I do better than others. Here, I want to point out that if you truly believe you don’t do anything better than others, then it follows that others must be better than you at everything. But if we look at it from a different perspective, it means that if there are things I am not good at, then there must be things that others are also not good at compared to me. In fact, if I am just average, then more than half of the people will be worse than me. So, what does that mean? We need to think about this, but one reason people struggle with this is that they tend to focus only on their shortcomings. However, those shortcomings may not actually be shortcomings. For example, speaking from my own experience, I am an MBTI writer. What about you?

ENFJ, you're just like me. But I am very emotional, so when I was in school, I heard from a friend during my college years that I was really too sensitive and emotional, and that I should try to let go of my emotions and think more rationally. I really resonated with that at the time because I was so emotionally sensitive. Whenever I faced a significant test or exam in life, I couldn't even eat; I would feel nauseous. Then, I would have various aches, which made me even more sensitive and emotional. I would feel weak, which would make me even more sensitive, and it was always very difficult. But now, I see that as my major flaw, my Achilles' heel that always holds me back.

At some point, I changed my perspective. There must be a reason why I feel this strongly, and I wonder if there's something I can do with it. However, now that I'm writing books like the author and conveying messages to many people through YouTube videos, my emotional sensitivity has been incredibly helpful. This emotional sensitivity is a great asset for me. So, I'm trying to force myself a bit. Embrace your emotions; try to hold onto the negativity within you and force it a little. That's not a flaw; if you approach it this way, it can actually be a strength. Others may want to do it but can't, so it's a strength. This is about pushing yourself a bit. Because this process, this process of pushing yourself, allows you to unknowingly ask yourself questions and receive answers, and it's a way to get to know yourself better.

You can do it. So how do you know about me? What kind of questions do you ask about me? I tried to use the term forcing once, but I encourage you to go through the process of exploring your positive and negative sides. When you talk about your shortcomings, you tend to define them as such, saying, This is my shortcoming. I began to realize this while reading classical literature. I started to question why I consider something a shortcoming. What is the standard by which I label it as a shortcoming? And what is the standard for calling something a strength? Is it based on what others say? Why is this considered a shortcoming? I began to ask these questions. A common example I give is from Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground. If we accept that 2 + 2 equals 4 is correct and authoritative, then shouldn’t we also acknowledge that 2 + 2 can equal 5?

When I read it at the time, I had no idea what it meant. But living life has shown me that the things I believed to be absolute are not at all. As I live, I realize that the things I considered my weaknesses in middle and high school—those things that I thought were my flaws—are actually what I am living off of now. You feel that way too, right? It's that kind of feeling. Because of that, I can confirm the things mentioned in the book. Classics are good for that. We, as humans, can only act as much as we understand. However, when we deeply engage with the classics and exchange ideas, if we have a moment of realization, it can be so moving that it drives us forward. They say that’s when you experience a runner's high, and it’s because of that emotional impact.

So, if you keep consistently repeating and doing it, you'll actually be moved by yourself. The moment you surpass that difficult time and realize that you're running despite the hardships, that's when you feel that self-connection. In those moments, enlightenment comes, and it becomes deeply understood, leading to action. However, I found that as I read classic literature comfortably, when I read Dostoevsky's book at 27 and then again at 40, I realized something at 40. The realization that 2 + 2 equals 4, and that 2 + 2 can also equal 18 or even 56, made me understand that it's not just about finding the correct answer. I had been looking in only one direction, solely focused on broadcasting, thinking that was the only answer. I was like, 2 + 2 equals 4, and I only knew the path towards Yoo Jae-suk and Kang Ho-dong. I was only seeing the social world, but as I mentioned earlier, I realized that...

Like swimmer Park Chan-hwan, I could learn to swim and even participate in the Senior Olympics. Let's not say that 2 + 2 is 98, whether those three exist or not. As I looked into it, I began to understand, which encouraged me to take on challenges. One of the biggest helps for me has been my concept of money. While reading classics, I often came across the idea of not chasing money, discussing money. While reading these classics, I thought, Let me consider money. If I live in a capitalist society, I shouldn’t be dragged around by money. So how should I think about money? As I read, especially after my car accident and facing death, my thoughts on money became clearer. I think of my life as a boat on the sea. If I row my boat well, I will get to where I want to go. If a favorable wind blows, I appreciate it; it feels good and helps me move forward. But...

Even if the favorable winds do not blow, I will not despair, hate, or feel disappointed. I will simply continue on. I've come to understand that money is just that—nothing more. Just because there are no favorable winds does not mean I will be absolutely sad, pessimistic, or in pain. After all, I have decided to live my life regardless of the lack of wind. So, I do not see money in an absolute way. Through this book, I have come to understand deeply that there are times when I can reject money, and I do not chase after it, which means I do not suffer. In fact, I have experienced that when I let go of that suffering, I tend to earn money better. This applies to everyone, love, dreams, and everything else—what is created within me through my own emotions.

No matter who shakes me, I won't be swayed. Yes, you still need to have money; you still need to save money. In the past, I just listened to what others said, and with that fleeting philosophy, I felt shaken. Oh, should I buy an apartment? Should I invest in stocks? I'm not saying you shouldn't come; it's nice if you do. But I won't shed tears or feel sad if I don't have it. After all, I'm the one steering my own ship. Once I firmly established my concept of money through classic readings, my mind became much more at ease, and since then, I've felt like I've become wealthy. There were so many profound insights shared by the author that resonated with me. One thing I really related to was having a standard. Earlier, I shared a tip about being stubborn, but...

Here, I would like to emphasize that you should repeatedly consider definitions, meaning you should try to define concepts for yourselves. For example, when it comes to success, what does success mean? You often look it up in the dictionary, right? I also frequently refer to the Korean dictionary. I check the definition and think, Ah, this is what success is. But then, I reflect on what I personally think success is. What does it mean to be wealthy? What is my definition of wealth? Then, I can think about what success means to me, how much money I need, and why I need that money. This process allows you to contemplate these concepts for yourself. Even if they are common words, it’s important to think about them. If you do this, it’s like rowing a boat; whether the wind is blowing or not, it helps you navigate. There are two books titled Café at the End of the World and then Café at the End of the World again.

In that context, there is a story about swimming. I went swimming one day and saw a sea turtle. The turtle was moving very slowly, so I thought, I have flippers on, and I can swim much faster than that turtle. I started swimming, but I couldn't catch up to the turtle at all. It looked so slow, but I wondered why that was. I tried again the next day and challenged myself again, but I still couldn't catch up to the turtle's speed. I thought about why that was happening. When swimming in the ocean, with the waves coming in and the current flowing, a person can only swim against the current with the same tension and strength from start to finish. However, when I observed the turtle, I noticed that when the waves pushed back, it would just go with the flow, moving gently along its path, and when the waves pushed forward, it would use that to its advantage.

When the timing is right, the turtle really starts to move swiftly. So, what I mean is that usually, I just do what I have to do in my daily life. But then, at some point, I describe it as a turning point in life. In the author's book, there's a reference to Kafka's Metamorphosis, where a person transforms into a bug. It’s like that; at some moment, life changes its course dramatically, and just like the turtle begins to move purposefully, we need to take action then. It can truly change everything about ourselves. You mentioned being moved by yourself, but I wonder, have I ever been moved by myself recently? In the past month, the past six months, or even the past week, have I felt that? If not, try to feel that. When you do, it’s a series of emotions—emotion, emotion, emotion.

As time piles up and you look back after a few years, you find yourself amazed, thinking, Wow, this has come together. Today, as I write 9999, I felt something like a runner's high. I put a title on my YouTube video, Morning Positive Affirmation 999 Days! and just typing those nines brings me a sense of emotion. When such feelings arise, they become an incredible weapon for humans; it's a transformation. You mentioned Kafka's Metamorphosis, and indeed, after reading it, I've started to check my phone less. The power of classics lies in their ability to resonate with us. I wrote here that it was a textbook in college, and I wondered why Kafka chose the protagonist Gregor Samsa. When I presented it back then, I genuinely felt puzzled. I couldn't understand why at that time, and even now, I still grapple with Kafka's feelings.

I'm not sure if my interpretation is correct, but when I look at all the books from a connected perspective, this is what I see. If I keep getting caught up in work and social life, I won't have the time to let what truly wants to emerge from my heart come out. We have to keep answering, keep responding, and live that way. But Kafka wanted to find Gregor; however, by making him go to work, the boss, whoever that may be, keeps giving him tasks and responsibilities, leaving him with no time to think. Pascal said in his Pensées that the beginning of human unhappiness starts from not being able to sit alone in a quiet room. If one sits alone in a room, they inevitably confront themselves. But why couldn't people in Pascal's time stay in a room? It's because no one thinks they are 100% complete, unless they are divine. So, there is always a sense of lacking within me.

I don't want to look within myself. That's why Pascal talks about the Friday night in this context. So, humans are constantly trying to seek distraction. They avoid looking at themselves, which, in today's terms, translates to Friday night and smartphones. We keep looking at our phones because it brings us comfort. There are many aspects of my life that are unsatisfactory and unfulfilling. For example, when I was a rookie comedian and commuting on public transport, I would still look at myself. But now, even back then, I would be on my phone. I simply cannot face myself. I think this connects completely to Pascal's Pangloss. So, sitting alone in a room, you should think about why you were born and what is emerging from within you.

해봐라, 너와 네 가족과 네 삶에 대해서. 네가 지금 살고 끌려다니면서 이반 일리치의 죽음과 똑같은 얘기들이 많이 나옵니다. 거기서 보면 그레고르가 어, 내 가족들에 대했던 것, 내 사장이 어떻게 했겠지, 어떤 일에 대한 얘기들. 홀로 방에 홀로 앉아서 벌레로 변한 후에 결국은 자기를 찾아내죠. 그러니까 이게 이해가 되고 감동이 되니까 핸드폰을 제가 아예 안 보진 않습니다. 하지만 저는 핸드폰을 어느 정도 좀 많이 봤다, 이런 날 있으면 저는 반드시 중화를 시키려는 노력을 해요. 뭐냐면 사실 최근에 솔직히 고백하자면 예약 판매를 19일부터 했잖아요. 아, 계속 보게 되죠. 매일 그 순위, 순위 찾아보고 댓글 찾아보고, 이제 핸드폰을 좀 평소보다 오래 봤다. 그럼 자기 전에 평소보다 책을 좀 더 많이 읽습니다. 아, 저는.

I think I've spent some time on my phone and read books for a long time, so this has now become ingrained in my body. I believe that Kafka's Metamorphosis encapsulates this. Today, I want to share a few lines from a part that left a strong impression on me. In the beginning of the book, as Kafka's transformation unfolds, the narrative of the author flows together. I would like to read this part aloud because it was truly striking. It may give you a deeper insight into the self-isolation I often mention. Here it states: Can we give thinking time to those who have no time to look within themselves? Yes, let's make it so they can't even step outside. They have no choice but to become insects. I realized that I had transformed into an insect, and that the things I once valued as a human being were completely useless. This reflects the experience of a car accident.

As I go down this path, I wonder how much money I need to earn to do what I want. Is it not possible to earn money while doing what I want? Why did I desire such a stable life? What does true stability really mean? If one lives according to their own will, is that not better than living like those who do not? That night, I gained a realization after re-reading Metamorphosis. In a nutshell, after briefly transforming into a bug and then returning to being human, I have been transforming into a CEO in the food industry, a bestselling author with rights sold overseas, and a renowned speaker. Now, we are at the very end. Kafka wanted to show this world. He interpreted it as the poor humans, dominated by reason, who cannot stop for a moment, being temporarily transformed into bugs to reflect on themselves. This interpretation was precisely provided. In the past, on the internet, you all...

If you search on Google or Naver, you will find it right away. If you type in Seoul scenery 1999, you'll see that 1999 was just a year before the new millennium, right? It’s about 23 or 24 years ago now. Back then, Gangnam Station was like old New York, where I used to be. It was a meeting place in New York. If you look at photos from New York in 1999, you can see that everyone waiting for their appointments was just sitting there with their legs crossed, waiting. There were no mobile phones. That's right. At that time, there weren’t even cell phones, let alone smartphones. People would just wait there for their friends, and if they didn’t show up after 30 minutes, they would go home. Everyone had their own standards. Some would wait for 30 minutes, some for an hour, and if someone didn’t show up after just 5 minutes, they would leave. In the photos, you can see everyone just resting their chin on their hands or looking bored.

이러고 팔짱 끼고 있거나 기다리고 있거든요. 멍을 29분 때려도 1, 2분은 생각을 할 거잖아요. 근데 요즘은 정말 그런 시간도 없어요. 스마트폰이 있어서 보다 보면 네이버 뉴스도 봐야 하고, 투자하시는 분들은 주식 창도 봐야 하고, 부동산을 하시는 분들은 호객 논도 봐야 하고요. 유튜브 쇼츠, 인스타 릴스 뭐 이렇게 하다 보면 단 하루에 1분도 나에 대해서 생각할 시간이 없어요. 진짜 그렇게 되거든요. 그래서 고전을 제가 또 더 좋아하는 이유가, 제가 가만히 있을 때 생각할 여유가 있었거든요. 그런데 고전을 읽다가 센 문장을 만나잖아요? 그러면 핸드폰 보다가도 그 문장이 자꾸 걸립니다, 머릿속에. 그리고 아까 직업이 핸드폰을 보는 직업이면 어떻게 해야 됩니까? 이렇게 하셨는데, 계속 핸드폰을 보더라도 방향성이 있는 거죠.

Instead of being led by the media's temptations, when I look at my phone, I either look up words in the dictionary or recall a sentence I read today. There are moments when something remains unresolved in my mind and heart, and I can't find the answer. However, later I realize that this confusion and muddiness in my thoughts is actually a growth moment for me. In the quote I referenced from Les Misérables, it appears that everyone is doing nothing, standing still. But while some people seem to be idle, they are actually progressing in their minds. Those who ponder and reflect on classical texts may appear still, yet they are evolving. Conversely, if one does not think at all, they truly do not progress.

(🧑🏻‍💻X🧑🏻‍🏫 ) 이 영상이 여러분의 인생을 바꿀 수 있다고 '감히' 자신합니다.

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[100일 미라클] 실행북을 만들어 보았습니다.
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'한정판' [더 마인드] 10만부 에디션, 
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(채널 및 유튜버 소개)
생애 첫 부동산 투자 1억 사기 당한 후 각성해서
부동산과 주식투자로 파이어 한 파이어족. 
그 과정에서 끌어당김의 법칙, 마인드 셋이 인생 성공 치트키이자 비밀열쇠라는 걸 알아버림.

더이상 잃을 게 없었고. 더이상 포기할 것도 없었기에 그 순간에 '집중'하며 이 세상 노력이 아닌 노력을 함. 당시 가진게 아무것도 없어 스스로 할 수 있는건 '끌어당김의 법칙' 뿐이었고, 간절함과 절실함으로 지금 이렇게 눈 앞으로 '현실화'를 이루어 냄.

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하와이 대저택

The Journey of Self-Discovery and the Power of Classics

The Positive Academy has seen a significant shift in sales, with franchises growing from thousands to billions.

Author Ko Myung-won's fifth book, "The Classics Responded: About the Life We Should Live," is set to be released in August 2024, aiming to inspire readers to engage with classic literature.

The author shares his personal journey of self-discovery after a life-altering accident, emphasizing the importance of asking questions and seeking one's true path in life.

The Power of Positive Questioning and Affirmations

The speaker reflects on their mother's lack of knowledge about their true self and the importance of making life decisions.

They discuss the negative habitual questions people ask and the impact of reframing those questions positively.

The speaker shares their journey of personal growth through positive affirmations and consistent repetition, ultimately leading to significant achievements and transformation.

Dreams often start big, but success requires consistent effort and repetition.

The author's journey of pursuing goals has shown that small, daily efforts can lead to significant change over time.

They emphasize that people can change, and the path to success may involve hitting obstacles and reevaluating goals along the way.

People's current circumstances often reflect their past actions, but change is a constant and necessary part of life.

It's important to question the path we're on and seek alignment with our true goals and happiness.

By self-reflecting and acknowledging our unique strengths, we can unlock our potential and create unexpected opportunities for ourselves.

Embracing Emotional Sensitivity as a Strength

Emotional sensitivity can be challenging, leading to physical symptoms and self-doubt, but it can also be a powerful asset.

The process of pushing oneself to embrace emotions and question their significance can lead to personal growth and self-discovery.

Engaging with classic literature and reflecting on life's experiences can provide valuable insights and a deeper understanding of one's strengths and weaknesses.

The Author's Journey to Understanding Money and Success

The author reflects on their journey of understanding money and success, inspired by classic readings and personal experiences.

They emphasize the importance of defining concepts like success and wealth for oneself, rather than being swayed by external opinions.

Through their experiences, they learn to navigate life's challenges with a calm mindset, appreciating both favorable and unfavorable circumstances.

The Transformative Power of Self-Reflection

The author describes a turning point in life, comparing it to a turtle suddenly moving swiftly, and emphasizes the importance of taking action during such moments.

The reference to Kafka's Metamorphosis highlights the struggle of confronting oneself and the distractions that prevent self-reflection.

The author shares their personal journey of feeling moved by emotions and the impact of classics like Kafka's work, leading to a conscious effort to balance phone use and self-reflection.

The Impact of Kafka's Metamorphosis and Modern Life

The narrator reflects on their transformation into an insect, paralleling it with self-isolation and the struggle for true stability in life.

They draw comparisons between the past, when people waited without smartphones, and the present, where constant distractions leave no time for self-reflection.

The narrator finds growth in moments of confusion and emphasizes the importance of pondering and reflecting on classical texts for personal evolution.