Put down the knife.
My book Parables is the story of a young thief who becomes a noble assassin in the service of an exiled prince.
And from this noble assassin, I learned a lesson that I’ve carried with me ever since:
“None of us can do our best when we are afraid of a dagger in the back.”
(Every chapter in Parables ends with a moral — a piece of everyday wisdom you can apply directly to your own life.
You can read every chapter and uncover every lesson by grabbing your copy here:
https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Dolinars-Parables-Dolinar-ebook/dp/B09NQJ99XP)
Feel good now.
For a long time in my earlier years, I tried to “motivate” myself using fear.
If I didn’t go to the gym, I would become unhealthy.
If I didn’t work on my books, I would never be a successful author.
If I didn’t buy Christmas gifts for everyone, I would be unworthy of love.
Instead of being my own supporter and cheerleader…
I became the one cracking the whip.
Feel good now.
But once I learned that lesson, everything changed.
I stopped threatening myself into action.
I stopped holding a dagger to my own back.
Instead, I started feeling good now.
And when I take action — exercising, writing, investing in relationships — it’s because I genuinely feel inspired in that moment.
I know how good it will feel to act in alignment with my values.
So I do.
I move toward a good dream.
Not away from a bad one.
Now…
I’m in the best health of my life — without forcing.
I wrote three full-length novels in the last three months — without pressure.
I have deep, loving relationships — without bribery.
Feel good now.
You deserve to feel good now.
It’s good for you.
And it’s good for the world.
Because when you feel good now, doing good becomes natural.
So put down the knife you’ve been using to threaten yourself.
Feel good now.
And move toward your dreams with inspiration instead of fear.
— Jack
P.S.
This is only one of fifty lessons I learned from a noble assassin in Parables.
You can learn all fifty by grabbing a copy here:
https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Dolinars-Parables-Dolinar-ebook/dp/B09NQJ99XP