The Better Blueprint

The Cost of learning

Every act of true learning demands something from us—it asks us to step beyond what we know, to let go of the comfort of certainty. And in doing so, it often bruises our self-esteem.

Children, unburdened by pride, stumble and fall, yet rise again with curiosity intact. They do not fear looking foolish because they have not yet learned to protect a fragile sense of self-importance. But as we grow older, the weight of what we believe we should know becomes an invisible wall. The more we cling to the illusion of already knowing, the harder it becomes to truly learn.

The greatest obstacle to growth is not intelligence or opportunity, but the reluctance to be a beginner again. Those who embrace the discomfort of learning—who allow themselves to be wrong, to ask questions, to not have all the answers—find that the world remains wide open to them.

The question, then, is this:

Are we willing to let go of who we think we are to become who we could be?

The Generosity Experiment

What If You’re Wrong?

That cold glance from a stranger—was it really judgment, or were they lost in thought?
The late reply—was it neglect, or just a busy day?
The sharp tone—was it rudeness, or exhaustion spilling over?

We move through life interpreting others’ actions, often in ways that hurt us. But what if, just for today, we assumed the best instead?

Maybe the friend who forgot to text back is overwhelmed.
Maybe the driver who cut you off is rushing to someone in need.
Maybe the world isn’t as harsh as we make it out to be.

It’s easy to assume offense, to expect indifference, to brace for disappointment. But that weight? It’s ours to put down.

Try it for a day. Rewrite the story in your head with kindness. See if the world feels lighter. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s you who does.

A Great Quote

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. The same is true of any endeavor: if the solution you seek doesn't exist, create it." – Toni Morrison​

Book Review: How to Catch a Mole by Marc Hamer

There are books that entertain, books that inform, and then there are books like How to Catch a Mole—books that quietly shift something inside you.

At its core, this is a memoir of a man who once spent his days catching moles, only to realize that he no longer wanted to. But it is not a book about moles. It is a meditation on solitude, mortality, and the deep, slow wisdom of the natural world.

Marc Hamer’s life has been shaped by movement—he ran away from home as a teenager, lived in solitude, worked with his hands, and spent years learning the rhythms of the land. His writing is earthy and unhurried, much like the world he observes. He does not rush to make a point. Instead, he lets thoughts unfold gently, like turning over soil.

Hamer’s relationship with the moles he once trapped is complex—he respects them, understands them, and ultimately decides to let them be. The book moves between his past and present, weaving memories of hardship with quiet reflections on what it means to belong to the earth. There is a deep acceptance in his words, a recognition that we, too, are just passing through.

But this is not a sad book. It is a book about making peace—with nature, with aging, with the knowledge that life is fleeting but full. There is beauty in every page:

• The damp, rich smell of soil after rain.

• The slow movement of seasons, each one teaching something new.

• The understanding that solitude is not loneliness, but a space where life can be deeply felt.

In a world that rushes forward, demanding more—more speed, more productivity, more certainty—How to Catch a Mole offers something radical: the permission to slow down. To listen. To step outside and notice the quiet miracles beneath our feet.

Hamer writes not to impress, but to share. His prose is simple yet poetic, and his wisdom seeps through without effort. He reminds us that there is a different way to live—not by chasing, but by witnessing.

About : Welcome to our fortnightly journey—a space for reflection, growth, and quiet discovery. Each edition brings two deep dives into personal transformation, a handpicked quote to stir the soul, and a review of a book that reshapes perspectives.