Today I listened to a summary of the book “Status Games” by Loretta Breuning… it’s all about how, as mammals, humans’ brains are wired to seek out status.

We feel pleasure when we feel high-status (serotonin) and pain when we feel low-status (cortisol).

This was not new knowledge for me… however I still found it to be a welcome reminder because I am susceptible to status games myself.

I would argue that what signifies status changes throughout the life span.

For example, in high school, I used to think that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol was cool… now I think those are very bad habits that signal lack of self-control.

Then in my twenties in thought the cool thing to do was pick up women… now I think that is sort of bad character and harmful for society as a whole.

Then in my thirties (I am now 35) I tended to think the cool thing to do was to run a successful business and join the global elite… who knows what I will think about that when I am in my forties.

I recognise this quality in other people… you can see it from across the room… people like Russell Brand and Andrew Tate come to mind… even Joe Rogan or Elon Musk.

It begs the question… who do we really have as role models to compare ourselves to when almost everyone in the public eye is living an unbalanced and virtually unattainable lifestyle?

Those who have a role model who is just one or two levels above them are blessed… I know this because I used to aspire to be like Elon Musk and that was a very frustrating time in my life.

Actually, now I think that Jesus Christ is the best role model because he was humble, patient and benevolent… it’s an example of maturity and balance of character that is hard to find nowadays.

Does aspiring to be like Jesus elevate one’s serotonin?

I believe that feeling connected to God feels good because it’s like being connected to a divine being mightier than a king and more holy than the pope.

Therefore, I would argue that following God is actually the way out of perpetual status games.

Feeling the holy spirit makes you transcend status games… which ironically does make you a more honourable person.