Hi, this is Reza Sanjide and you're listening to Philosophy of Life podcast. Today's episode feels different. This isn't just episode 31. It also marks three years since I first started this podcast. If I'm honest, it hasn't been a smooth or consistent journey. There were breaks, doubts, and moments when I wondered if it was worth continuing. But in the past 10 months, something shifted. I found my rhythm, and now thousands of episodes have been downloaded and listened to. That growth means more to me than any number. Because it shows what persistence can do. When I started this podcast three years ago, I noticed something is missing. There were already plenty of philosophy podcasts. They were focusing on philosopher, theories, and academic debates. Some future professors and scholars, they speak about philosophy in abstract. Almost if it is where something distant, separated from everyday life. What I didn't hear was the philosophy of ordinary people. The kind of show up in the family, in daily choices. in the quiet reflection of life, to me, that was the missing piece. I was inspired by Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States, how he told history from the perspective of everyday people instead of just leaders. I wanted to do something similar with philosophy, to bring it back to the street level, to show how we all live philosophy without even realizing it, And to tell those stories in a way that connects directly to life. Yesterday was my birthday. And unlike so many birthdays before, it was a beautiful day. Usually, I wasn't a very happy person on my birthday. But yesterday felt different. I think it changed because of this podcast. In my last episode, I revealed something I had carried for decades. about what I lost when the revolution in Iran didn't succeed, at least in my eyes. But the more I reflected, the more I realized, maybe it did succeed. It depends on how you look at revolution. Yes, many people died. Yes, there was violence and tragedy I wish had never happened. But that doesn't mean the revolution failed. In fact, maybe its success lies in its continuation. in the ongoing struggle, in the changes that keep unfolding. And when I look around at the world today, I see something similar. Wars are tearing lives apart in Europe, with Ukraine and Russia, and in the Middle East, where Palestinians live without a recognized state, facing displacement and violence. These are deeply unjust conflicts, taking thousands of innocent lives, young and old. But even in darkest moments, something else is happening. People are standing up. They're trying to fight for their rights, their lands, their existence. And that is inspiring. Those who wage war trying to kill hope, but they cannot succeed. Because the more they try, the more people rise. And that is, to me, is the real story, the persistence of human hope. And that is, in a way, the real story of this podcast. That's how it grew and developed. In the beginning, I wasn't sure how to shape it. I followed some other philosophy podcasts at first, shows that focused on famous philosophers, the history of ideas, timelines, and academic debates, but that never felt like my niche. That wasn't the story I wanted to tell. What I discovered is that This podcast needed to come from a different place. It became a way for me to face life, to find myself again, and to share that process. And honestly, there's nothing wrong with that. Even if no one listened, the act of creating it would still matter because it helps me reflect, learn, and keep going. But of course, people do listen. And whether it's thousands of downloads or or just a handful of people, if even one person is touched, if even one life is helped in some way, that's already more than enough. Yes, it is challenging. We all struggle with time. And sometimes it feels very difficult to keep going. But for me, every minute I spend on this podcast is worth it because it's not just about producing an episode. is about creating meaning. Three years, 31 episodes. It's been a journey. And if there's one thing I've learned is that philosophy isn't something that belong only to the past or to the big names in books. Philosophy lives in us, in our struggles, in our choices, in our hopes. This podcast has been my way of discovering that for myself and of sharing it with you. Along the way, it has reminded me that no matter how difficult life becomes, we can still search for meaning. We can still hold on to hope. and we can still choose to grow. So if you've been listening since the beginning, or if this is your first episode, I want to thank you. Your time, your attention, your willingness to think and reflect with me. It means everything. And I will leave you with this. Philosophy doesn't live only in books or classrooms. It lives in your everyday life, in how you treat others, in the choices you make, in the way you face hardship, and in the hope you refuse to let go of. So, wherever you are, whoever you are, remember, your life is already a philosophy in action. This is Reza Sanjide, and you have been listening to Philosophy of Life podcast. Thank you for walking this journey with me, and I hope you will keep walking with me into the next chapter.