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Welcome to The Brighter Side of Everything.
This newsletter serves a simple purpose → To help you build optimism, resilience and a solution-focused perspective.
Each week, I’ll share actionable insights that not only brighten your day but position you to be a leader within your own life and seize life’s opportunities.
Read time: 15-20 minutes.
Caring Is Contagious - But so is not caring.
Bright Reads - Quick links to fun or insightful articles.
Miyamoto Musashi - The warrior who mastered himself.
Now Spinning - Deadbeat by Tame Impala.
A Bright Idea to Consider - What you have is today.
A Previous Post - Your words have power.
Positively Hilarious - Smile like you mean it.
Daily Gratitude Journal - Transform your daily routine through reflection.
Hello, Brighter Side readers! ☀️
Thanks for continuing to read along and welcome to our newest subscribers.
Ever notice how many people only seem to care about something once it shows up on their doorstep?
I’ve been thinking about apathy a lot lately and how easy it is to tune out what’s not “our problem.”
But the more I dig into the science (and my own life experiences), the clearer it gets.
This week we talk about apathy, delayed empathy and what happens when we shrug things off until it’s too late.
We also explore the life of Miyamoto Musashi, one of Japan’s most celebrated warriors (and minds).
Along with a great new album recommendation.
Have a great week!
See you on the Brighter Side,
Chris
P.S. Please feel free to send me feedback on how I can improve. I respond to every email.
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Let’s get real for a few minutes.
Most people are hardwired to look out for their own.
And there’s no shame in that.
To a point.
Family, friends, the people around us.
They’re our circle, and it’s normal to put them first.
But what if caring about things that don’t directly affect us could actually change everything?
Every now and then, life gives us the chance to stretch our caring a little further.
That’s how better communities, stronger connections and a kinder world thrive.
Why Is It So Hard to Care?
It’s easy to scroll past stories of disasters, unfairness, or heartbreak and think to ourselves “That’s sad, but I’ve got my own problems.”
Honestly, you’re not alone.
Our brains focus on what’s close to us, survival, stress, the next thing on our list.
And you know what?
Life can be a lot to handle at times.
The best of us have days where caring feels like one more thing on the to-do list.
No one person can “save the world” every day.
Even Superman struggles to keep up.
But you know what many miss?
That even the smallest act of caring (especially for something that doesn’t touch us directly) can have a positive impact.
On both the cause itself and your own outlook.
There’s also something far worse than showing empathy.
Apathy.
When we stop caring altogether, we lose something deeply human.
Our ability to connect, feel purpose and see ourselves in others.
The Trap of Caring Too Late
Now, think carefully about this for a second.
Many people fail to care about something until it lands right on their doorstep.
That’s a dangerous habit.
Why?
Because by the time it does, it’s often too late.
We see this pattern everywhere.
Someone ignores their health concerns until a serious condition develops, making treatment more difficult and less effective.
Groups dismiss an issue or mock an idea until the fallout reaches them personally.
Communities overlook environmental warnings until floods, fires, or droughts come knocking.
Then suddenly, it matters.
Not because they’re heartless.
Because it’s human nature.
Psychologists call it proximity bias.
When something feels distant, our brains file it away as someone else’s problem.
The trouble is, that delay will often cost us more in the end.
What starts as ignorance or apathy becomes regret.
And regret is an emotion that nobody wants knocking on their door.
The bright side?
This can change.
Teaching empathy, awareness and social responsibility early helps people realise that every decision (big or small) creates a ripple.
The more we understand how connected we are, the less likely we are to wait until it’s too late.
We can learn before we lose.
But only if we open our eyes to what’s happening outside of our bubble.
What Happens If No One Cares?
Imagine a world where nobody gives a damn about anyone else.
Sounds bleak, right?
If everyone sticks to their own lane, communities crumble.
Problems are ignored.
Hope fades.
That’s not a world any of us want to live in (well, the vast majority anyway).
And we’re already seeing shades of that now.
The clearest global example?
Our home.
Earth.
It’s one of the most extraordinary creations in the universe and the one thing every single one of us shares.
Yet apathy toward caring for it is on the rise.
And I’m not even talking about climate change or global warming.
I’m just talking about the basics of looking after the place we live.
Picking up trash.
Using less plastic.
Reducing unnecessary waste.
Respecting the ground beneath our feet.
Because that’s what this planet is, it’s our home.
Small actions don’t fix everything.
But billions of small actions do.
If 8 billion people did a little, our problems would feel less impossible.
And the reward?
Clean air, healthy oceans and a world we’d actually be proud to leave behind.
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
A Reality Check from Mars
Let’s zoom out for a second.
In 2025, NASA’s Perseverance rover uncovered rocks on Mars that could hold clues to ancient life.
Organic molecules, water traces, even structures billions of years old.
Such an incredible discovery and one to be applauded.
But let’s take a step back and think about it.
Mars remains an airless, frozen desert.
A planet where survival means living in domes, growing food under lamps and wearing suits to breathe.
Meanwhile, we live on a paradise that exists right now.
Earth gives us oceans, forests, sunlight and air we can breathe without a machine.
And yet, we treat it like it’s disposable.
Humanity spends billions chasing faint signs of life on Mars while walking past the living miracle all around us.
As I sit here typing, I can see more life and beauty out my window than exists on Mars.
In a way, Mars might be the ultimate case of proximity bias gone too far.
Pouring energy into what’s far away while neglecting what’s right here.
Psychologists define proximity bias as our tendency to care more about what feels immediate, and less about what’s distant in time or space.
When you think about it, our obsession with the unreachable red planet while ignoring the one sustaining us is that same impulse.
Just scaled up to cosmic proportions.
If nothing else, Mars as it is today is a stark reminder of what we already have.
And how easily we could lose it.
It’s a mirror of both our brilliance and our blindness.
Proof of what human curiosity can achieve and a warning of what happens when curiosity drifts too far from care.
Earth: Not Just a Source of Wealth
Here’s another truth that’s long overdue.
Earth isn’t (and shouldn’t be) purely a source of wealth.
It was never meant to be stripped for parts or treated like a limitless ATM.
In 2025, there are endless ways to prosper without destroying our home.
Technology, AI, creativity and sustainable business are booming.
The smartest wealth now stems from innovation.
Not extraction.
The future of prosperity lies in ideas that build.
Not break.
When we stop seeing the planet as a resource and start treating it as a partner, both sides win.
Even with rising apathy, the world is changing for the better.
New ideas and teamwork across nations are displaying what’s possible when people care.
Nearly 90% of all new power built worldwide now comes from clean energy like solar and wind.
Solar panels are cheaper, batteries stronger, and electric vehicles becoming more mainstream.
Yes, they each have their own set of problems, but NOTHING like the alternative.
Cities like Shenzhen, China already run fully electric public transport fleets, cutting emissions in half.
That’s right, in half.
Conservation is thriving too.
At the 2025 World Conservation Congress, nations celebrated the planting of 50 million mangrove trees, natural barriers that protect coasts and trap carbon.
50 million - go humanity!
Coral gardens are being restored with AI and 3D printing but they are also fading at an alarming rate.
A species once absent from the wild, the Arabian oryx, is now roaming freely again.
These are monumental achievements.
Meanwhile, green innovation is rewriting how business is done.
Biodegradable packaging, circular design and AI-powered recycling are reshaping industries.
This momentum proves one thing.
Empathy inspires action, and action changes everything.
Nobody acheived anything by sitting on their hands and hoping for the best.
“The world is not dangerous because of those who do harm but because of those who look at it without doing anything.”
When You Give a Damn, It Spreads
Think about the last time you saw someone else do something kind.
It might be a stranger buying groceries for another or a community volunteering after a disaster.
I recall living in Vancouver during the 2010 Stanley Cup riots.
Stepping outside after the game was like stepping into the apocalypse.
Cars set ablaze.
Shop windows smashed.
Rubbish and debris everywhere you looked.
The news across the world focused on the riots themselves.
But the real story?
The real story was the thousands of Vancouverites who cared, cleaning up the streets the following day.
Not the idiots that came into town looking to cause trouble.
These acts ripple.
They reach people you’ll never meet.
Kindness sparks kindness, and before long, it’s the standard, not the exception.
And science agrees.
People who care (for others, for their planet) are happier, calmer and more fulfilled.
While hate and negativity lead to stress and dissatisfaction.
It’s not just emotional.
It’s chemical.
Your brain rewards compassion.
Each of Us Can Help
You don’t need a personal reason to care.
Parents advocate for kids who aren’t theirs.
Neighbors push for fairness, even when it's not their fight.
Choosing empathy is a decision.
One that cuts through identity, politics, all of it.
Building your “empathy muscle” starts with curiosity.
Before criticising, ask: “What could life be like in their shoes?”
Listen more than you talk.
Challenge your own assumptions.
Say yes to causes, even when they don’t benefit you directly, it all matters.
Every small act builds momentum and understanding.
One person choosing connection makes more difference than most people realise.
It’s not just being “nice.”
It’s strength, hardwired, scientifically proven.
The strongest people can carry their own emotions and understand the feelings of others without losing themselves.
This is what builds real relationships, trust and community.
Don’t mistake apathy or tough talk for strength.
That’s just fear wearing a mask.
Don’t Let Apathy Win
Apathy sneaks in quietly.
Problems feel too big, too far away, too hard.
But every movement that ever mattered started with one person deciding someone else’s struggles do matter.
Each small act of awareness (every decision to care) chips away at indifference.
Imagine if we all tried a little harder to care.
The walls would come down.
Unity would rise.
Hope would stop feeling rare.
Big change rarely starts in grand ways, it begins when someone says, “This matters to me.”
And it starts to grow when that same someone starts to say “You matter to me”.
So ask yourself?
What’s one thing today that doesn’t affect you but still deserves your attention?
If you can’t think of one, I’m sorry but you ain’t paying attention.
Wake up before apathy steps forward and bites you on the ass.
My Takeaway
Prioritising concerns beyond our immediate realm is essential for our survival.
Whether we like it or not.
Every time you choose to care beyond your circle, you make it easier for others to do the same.
Mars might make the headlines, but Earth gives us life.
When we care for our planet (and for each other) we’re not just preserving it.
We’re creating something better.
A future built not on extraction, but empathy.
Not on apathy, but action.
The kind of world we’d all be proud to call home.
“In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.”
If you want to understand more about recent major breakthroughs, check out this informative video:
People who remain optimistic do these 10 things differently.
Your brain runs on autopilot most of the time. How to take back control.
Check out the most outstanding bird visuals from 2025.
We may be losing our attention span (Here’s how to get it back).
The most-googled Halloween makeup trends.
Miyamoto Musashi - born 1582 - Harima Province, Japan.
Some names carve themselves into history not because of their victories but their vision.
Miyamoto Musashi’s legend stretches far beyond the battlefield.
He is regarded as Japan’s greatest duelist.
Cool title to possess.
But he was also a philosopher, artist and strategist who turned combat into a study of the human mind.
His most famous lesson?
Conquer yourself, and no opponent can defeat you.
500 years later?
He couldn’t be more right.
Between Myth and Man
For all his fame, the truth about Musashi is elusive.
Born around 1582, likely in Harima Province, his early life sits somewhere between record and rumour.
What’s certain though, is that by just 13, Musashi fought and won his first duel against an experienced warrior.
Using only a wooden sword.
It was the spark that began a lifetime of battle, study and introspection.
Musashi journeyed across Japan alone (as a ronin), seeking out the best fighters and teachers wherever he went.
So he could learn, grow and prove himself, without belonging to anyone but himself.
According to legend, he fought more than 60 duels and never lost.
His most famous came in 1612, when he faced Sasaki Kojirō, famed for wielding a long-bladed nodachi.
Musashi, running late on purpose to throw Kojirō off, carved a longer wooden sword from the oar of his boat during the trip to the island of Ganryū.
When the duel began, his timing and precision ended it with one brutal strike to Kojirō’s head.
Whether every detail happened exactly that way, hardly matters today.
What made the moment legendary was not the violence, but Musashi’s mindset.
Calm, adaptive, unshakable.
The Art Within the Warrior
Musashi lived through one of Japan’s great transitions.
As the nation moved from constant war to unsteady peace.
While other fighters faded after the battles ended, Musashi evolved.
He painted, sculpted, meditated and wrote.
He once said that “the way is in training,” meaning the pursuit of perfection isn’t about one field, it’s about growing your awareness in all things.
This speaks to me personally on so many levels.
Martial artist and historian Kenji Tokitsu compared him to Leonardo da Vinci for his “ability to extend mastery across both art and combat.”
When he retreated to a cave later in life (you read that right), Musashi began to write his masterpiece: The Book of Five Rings.
A series of scrolls that moved beyond swordsmanship to explore psychology, focus and the structure of success itself.
The Five Rings, Simplified
In his book, Musashi used five elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Void) as metaphors for how to both live and fight:
Earth: Stay grounded. Know your base before you move.
Water: Flow with change. Don’t resist what you can redirect.
Fire: Strike when the moment appears (and hold nothing back).
Wind: Understand others. Study different paths to sharpen your own.
Void: Trust instinct. When reason runs thin, clarity comes from calm.
“If you know the way broadly, you will see it in all things,” Musashi wrote.
A reminder that awareness itself is the real weapon.
His advice is to keep your eyes open and your mind flexible.
When you approach daily life with the broad view of a student and strategist, you spot opportunities, anticipate challenges and adapt swiftly.
In this mindset, every moment (a setback, a win, an odd remark from a colleague) becomes a chance to learn and refine your “way.”
You move from reacting to creating and from confusion to clarity.
Why?
Because you’re tuned into the broader patterns beneath the surface.
Lessons from Musashi
Find calm in chaos: Musashi taught that stillness (not strength) is what wins the fight. A calm mind can react to anything.
Be selective, not busy: “Do nothing that is of no use.” Simplicity builds focus, and focus buildsmastery.
Adapt fast: He learned to read his opponents and outthink them. The same flexibility applies away from the battlefield. Adaptability allows for progress.
See without bias: Shift your perspective often. The broader your view, the fewer surprises life can throw. This is one of the greatest strengths you can possess.
Practice relentlessly: Whether art, combat, or craft, Musashi believed greatness came from showing up, again and again. This rule applies across so many aspects of life.
My Takeaway
Musashi’s story displays not only strength but the courage to reinvent.
To be a beginner again.
And test the boundaries of tradition.
He reminds us that mastery begins with curiosity.
Becoming good at one thing opens new doors everywhere.
Even “Void” (the emptiness) turns out to be a space for intuition and possibility, not isolation.
What sets Musashi’s legacy apart though is his refusal to stand still.
He was a duelist, a teacher, a painter, and a lifelong learner who never stopped asking “what else?”
And the beauty of his teachings is that you don’t need a sword to follow in his path.
You just need the willingness to break your own routines, face the unfamiliar and let awareness (not ego) be your guide.
What a world we would live in if everyone had the courage to follow this.
It’s quite staggering to think that this wisdom existed 500 years ago and yet here we are today.
So, if this week brings hard choices or a moment of chaos, borrow a little of Musashi’s perspective.
Treat every challenge as an experiment in growth.
Treat your own story as art in motion.
That’s how Musashi stayed undefeated.
By expecting to learn from every fight.
Not just win it.
“There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”
If you’re keen to learn more about Musashi and The Book of Five Rings, check out this 11 minute video:
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Five years after one of my favourite albums of all time The Slow Rush, Kevin Parker (Australia’s one‑man psychedelic orchestra) returns with Deadbeat.
It’s a record that pulses in a darker, dancier direction.
I’ve been following Parker since the Innerspeaker days, always amazed by how one person can craft such complete, other‑worldly soundscapes.
For those new to him, Parker is basically a one‑man band.
Writing, playing, singing, producing and mixing everything himself.
The “band” we see on tour exists so he can bring these wild studio visions to life on stage.
Deadbeat reaffirms why I consider him one of the most creative musicians alive today.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
Deadbeat feels like Parker hitting reset.
Instead of the lush layers and shimmering detail of The Slow Rush or its predecessor Currents, here he strips things down and leans into the hypnotic repetition of rhythm.
He draws inspiration from Australia’s “bush doof” culture.
Open‑air, all‑night raves built on connection and release.
The sound mirrors that vibe feeling euphoric and quietly human underneath the synths and beats.
What makes it special is how it finds movement in stillness.
Deadbeat isn’t trying to dazzle you, it wants you to feel.
And it succeeds.
There’s something meditative about it, even when the percussion’s pounding.
It’s introspective dance music for people who like to get lost in thought between steps.
What Makes It Stand Out
What really amazed me is how Parker balances vulnerability with control.
He’s always been a perfectionist, but this album loosens its grip.
Tracks like End of Summer and Not My World combine metronomic beats with confessional lyrics, creating a magnetic push and pull between restraint and release.
Then there’s Dracula, a standout moment where swagger meets self‑awareness.
Just try not to boogie with this track playing.
Even when Parker’s lyrics explore fatigue and creative doubt, the music itself refuses to stay down.
Deadbeat turns stagnation into motion and reminds us that progress doesn’t always mean constant change.
Sometimes, it just means showing up with honesty.
Practical Lessons from Kevin Parker
Listening to Deadbeat feels less like hearing a musician at work and more like eavesdropping on someone figuring things out in real time.
Parker’s shift in approach offers plenty of takeaways, not just for creatives but for anyone trying to live with less pressure to be perfect:
Perfection is overrated.
Parker admitted he wanted to be “free from sonic perfection” this time. For someone known for tweaking every detail, that’s huge. Sometimes your best work happens when you stop polishing and start trusting your instincts.Flaws make things human.
He calls it “the beauty in irregularity.” Even during live shows, he tells his band not to worry about being flawless. There’s something beautiful about that (proof that authenticity often shows up through imperfection).Simplicity can be freeing.
After years of sonic perfection, he wanted parts of Deadbeat to “sound bad” and that’s what made it right. There’s freedom in letting things breathe, in resisting the urge to fill every space.Honesty lands harder than perfection.
Tracks like Loser and Obsolete prove that emotional truth outshines technical polish. When Parker drops the cosmic gloss and just speaks plainly, the connection hits a little deeper.
My Takeaway
With each listen this sounds more and more familiar to me.
At first the distance from previous efforts was unsettling but this guy is always a step ahead of us.
He doesn’t reach for the same euphoric highs as Currents or the dreamy flow of The Slow Rush, but that’s the point.
This one feels grounded.
Maybe even reflective.
It’s Parker facing himself (his burnout, his evolution) and deciding that moving slower doesn’t mean standing still.
The opening track moves from the playful tinkling on the piano to full studio sound hwile the final track, End of Summer, lingers like the last light of day.
Despite it’s constant beat this album feels calm, searching and full of quiet acceptance.
You sense Parker has learned that creative cycles, like life, don’t need to be endlessly upward.
They just need to keep circling with intention.
If you want something that makes you think, move, and maybe reflect a little?
It’s worth your time.
Put it on at night, wander a little and see where it takes you.
“Deadbeat is the sound of an artist surrendering control - less concerned with perfecting the shimmer than capturing the vibration beneath it. Kevin Parker is still a perfectionist, but here he’s obsessed with letting go - and it’s riveting to hear him try.”
Got a recommendation?
Please share; I'm always keen for great suggestions.
Ever caught yourself replaying yesterday’s worries or daydreaming about a perfect “someday”?
It happens to all of us.
Until something or someone gently reminds us.
Today is the only place life actually happens.
Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche this up perfectly:
“Yesterday is already dead, too late, tomorrow is not born, too early. What you have is today.”
This week, let’s give ourselves permission to really show up for the only moment we ever get to truly live.
Right now.
Go Deeper
It’s so easy to get tangled in regrets or to feel anxious about what’s ahead.
We wait for a better tomorrow or wish we could fix something in the past, and meanwhile, real life keeps unfolding right in front of us.
But in order to live in the present you don’t (and shouldn’t) ignore your plans or past lessons.
It’s choosing to fully experience what’s right in front of you.
For me, the habit that always brings me back to where I know I should be is gratitude.
Throughout my life (even during some incredibly challenging times) focusing on what I’m grateful for in the moment has been a lifeline.
Whether it’s the taste of a juicy mango, the sound of laughter, or a few quiet minutes at the end of the day.
Pausing to notice these moments helps me stay grounded and hopeful.
Even when everything else felt uncertain.
Practical Lessons
Here are some gentle ways to land in today:
Begin with three simple things: Take a deep breath and highlight three things (no matter how small) you’re grateful for right now.
Find moments to anchor yourself: When your mind starts spinning with “what ifs” or “if onlys,” come back to your senses. Notice your feet on the floor, the feeling of the air, or the taste of your food.
Give your attention freely: Try putting away distractions and being completely present during a chat or a walk. People notice, and it makes what seem like routine moments much more meaningful.
Pause and breathe: When your mind is spinning, pause. Take five slow, mindful breaths and name one thing you appreciate about that exact moment.
My Takeaway
If there’s one thing I’ve always leaned on, it’s gratitude.
It’s the anchor that keeps me steady, no matter how wild or wonderful the day gets.
Honestly, appreciating the small moments makes even upside-down days feel worthwhile.
Being present isn’t just something I talk about though, i’s how I stay connected to real life and all the good bits that might otherwise slip by.
When things get hectic, coming back to what’s good right now brings everything back into focus.
So here’s my challenge to you.
As mentioned above: Name three things that you appreciate about today.
The things that bring you joy and make you smile, and hang onto that moment.
This process is a mini-win in itself.
Then repeat the process tomorrow.
And so on.
Little joys aren’t small.
They’re what make today matter.
“Gratitude for the present moment and the fullness of life now is the true prosperity.”
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