how to be aware in an unaware world

Author: Josh Avery

Surprises
“Man is a deterministic device thrown into a probabilistic universe. In this match, surprises are expected.”
– Michael Lewis
The only thing we can truly predict in this world is that the world will be unpredictable. This can scare some people, as we naturally don’t like surprises, but acceptance is the cure.
Another way to describe this is with impermanence. The idea that everything changes, balancing, moving, and the only thing determined is our awareness of that change.
When we step back and simply observe the world around us, we see impermanence in everything, from the clouds moving through the sky to the rain falling, not chasing, not transfixed.
Reflection
My understanding of surprises is that it is truly unknown, unseen, and unrecognizable, thus taking us off guard.
Like a rainstorm that comes in the middle of the day, without any notice or warning (happens quite often in the mountains really).
Surprises can be downright frustrating too as we get older we want little to no surprises, and then get flustered and confused when they arise.
Surprises can be scary, say when we lose a loved one or find ourselves a near-death experience, and have to re-write our narrative in the aftermath.
Surprises can be wonderful and joyous when we see someone we haven’t in years get a new job or are gifted something we’ve always wanted (likely during the holidays right now).
But what surprises me about surprises is how surprised we are so often in our world today.
I can’t think of any other time in human history when humans have been so distracted, so transfixed, and so dull, it’s surprising.
Awareness of ourselves and the world around us doesn’t diminish the surprises, it gravitates them, to a state of real connection, like when the surprise of a gift is received and is cherished or when the surprise of a death is felt so deeply and remembered.
Encouragement
In mindfulness, surprises will still come and go, but there is a pattern of rolling with the punches (and kisses) if you will.
I encourage us to seek understanding and empathy in our surprises, even when they frustrate, scare, enlighten, or brighten us.
Try today to pause, even if it’s for 5 minutes, and follow the breath naturally changing in your body.
Thanks
I have been planning a drastic change in my life that in time would leave this blog and newsletter at a standstill for a while. I have been planning to thru-hike some of the longest trails in the US, embarking on a journey that anyone can follow on YouTube and Instagram.
Thank you so much for reading my rambling, thinking mind. You can find all of my posts on the blog and even search for keywords and as always can support me over at buymeacoffee.com/mindfulnessand if you feel so inclined. Thank you in advance!
Links
December 29, 2023
Persistence
“Thankfully, persistence is a great substitute for talent.”
– Steve Martin
I always thought Steve Martin was one of the most talented people in the world, which goes to show how his persistence and drive to be a better comedian, actor, musician, and visionary in the film industry has contributed to the very icon we see today.
I’ve also always believed in this philosophy: do one thing for a little time (5 minutes each day) for a long time (years and years) and you can accomplish just about anything.
Reflection
From building a home to writing a book, the hardest part is getting started. We find ourselves so concerned with finishing a task when all we need to do is just get started.
I like to compare persistence to a long arduous hike to the top of a mountain, you see the destination, you know how to get there, it just takes one step at a time and the drive to keep going.
Any difficult task can be broken down into smaller parts, which can be broken down into even smaller parts.
Elia M Ramollah has a beautiful quote for this: “Solve the big problems inside the small ones. And it is from small issues that a pattern can be shaped in solving the big ones.”
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language’s eighth definition of Persistence is my favorite: The continuance of an effect after the cause which first gave rise to it is removed.
So, even when the motivation to start something difficult and the perseverance to keep at it dissipates, we continue anyway, like Rocky Balboa’s drive to be the greatest heavyweight champion, it was the process of pushing through that was the win, not the result.
I found myself with this desire to write years ago but didn’t know where to start. Funny enough, the thing I was avoiding at the time (social media) happened to be just the outlet for this desire.
Now, I write each day, in the smallest and grandest of ways, whether in a gratitude journal or adding to a novel about space travel (see a sneak peak at the bottom).
All it took was a combination of persistence and forgiveness. If I couldn’t forgive myself when I fell off track then I wouldn’t ever get back to it.
Encouragement
For anyone looking to write more, I encourage us to stay persistent and write down our feelings, or a bullet list the day.
Just carrying around a small notepad and pen to remember things is a great start.
Writing has a host of benefits over typing or tapping. When we type, we use our fine motor skills in a more limited way than when we write by hand.
Using a pen and paper is one of those things to help improve memory because it offers a deeper sensory experience than touching a keyboard or piece of glass.
Lastly, do what you love, and do it every day. Even if it’s for 5 minutes. Even if it’s just for you.
Links
Extra Extra
So, that novel about space travel I was talking about? Well, it’s still in the works, but it’s called Enrail, and here’s a little sneak peak:
I’m currently staring into space from the Enrail District Office #615 as I finish up some last-minute work on a Titan Holding shipment long overdue for pickup.
The Outworld Order has taken control of our shipment center on the small Saturn moon, Dione and now we have to do as the Order says or we jeopardize our operation shutting down. Of the 82 moons, the Order has pretty much seized half, retaining over 80% control of the outer solar system.
All that talk about the Empire in those Star Wars movies the first colonies used to fantasize about is now overwhelmingly real here in the year 3045. We are one of thousands of hyperspace shipment centers, what the hell would the Order want with our operation? An unrealistic acquisition for the Order, yet our district’s president, Kilean Enrail willingly sold the operations for under 2.3 million Zeitcoin.
The fact is, this is going to be a long week ahead and I am too tired to handle it. The newest transmitters came in from Mars and we haven’t even had a chance to test them on the hyperspace station in the Xena District office, the busiest station this side of the cluster by far. And with the Order breathing down my neck, taxing every load, I won’t get a break to save my life, if it’s worth saving anyway.
You see, the Order has a value generation on every citizen in the solar system, it can be very high, very low, or, well, not worth anything at all. My value generation is -564 to be exact, continually decreasing every day because of all the damn debts I owe to the damn Outworld Order. At this point, there’s an implausible price on my head and undeniable control of my possessions.
At our Enrail District, we have about 300 or so Titan shipments every day, each handled by our robotics fleet. Every order is taken, processed, and delivered in less than an hour. With our operation, we rake in more than 230,000 Zeitcoin a month, which for its size is quite impressive. My role in this lucrative business shouldn’t be understated either, I’ve helped secure over 130 contracts in the past 5 years. The top “sales slave” in our district, but the Order is ready to take me to court over my damn value generation amount.
The truth is, I have a plan, a strong ass will, and a modified Howletzer Cruiser ready to go within the next week. Let’s just hope I can slip by, pay my debts, and find a planet outside the Order until it’s time to escape.
And speaking of escape, it’s quite crazy how much all those movies and books blow escape out of proportion, all it takes is the right timing…
December 20, 2023
Time
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
– Steve Jobs
Looking at what Apple has become today, we can see that Steve’s vision has been more than realized since his death. He spent his time living his own life, doing what he loved: innovation and entrepreneurship.
And he’s right, we only have so many waking hours in a day (about 14-16 hours), so why not use them efficiently?
It’s less about the number of hours outside work and necessities than about utilizing those free hours available.
Strangely, I find myself utilizing my free time most efficiently when I have a crunch time to do it (like 4 hours or so after or before work) (like Tim Ferriss famously advocates).
Reflection
As unproductive as it sounds, doing nothing allows us to be more efficient in all we do.
It’s kin to an engine that runs all day and all night, for hours on end, without pause for oil and cooling. At that rate, it will overheat and burn out.
The same applies to us, we must pause to replenish and restore our mind and body by, well, doing nothing.
As we practice awareness, we find that balance between all that consumes our waking day, that balance of work, life, and all that falls through the cracks.
Since I like to get personal on here, I’ll just lay out my day as an example. (My secret? Pen, Paper, and a little orange app called Streaks):
07:00-08:00
*Wake Up
*3min Cold Shower
*Workout
Meditation
Journal
Vitamins, Minerals, and Breakfast
08:00-18:00
Work
Protein, Carbs, and Lunch
18:00-22:00
*Swim and 40min Sauna
Fruits, Veggies, and Dinner
Blog Post & Electronic Mix
*Practice Spanish
*Meditation
Read for an hour
Wind Down
I’ve starred the activities I need to focus on much more as this is my ideal day, not necessarily my every day right now.
Something to keep in mind is when we miss an activity, it’s much better to forgive ourselves and focus on getting it done the next day rather than stress out and beat ourselves up over it (at least that’s what I do).
Encouragement
Try pausing a few times throughout the day, even for 3-5 minutes, to notice how the mind and body feel.
Write down a rough draft of what you want to accomplish throughout the day, starting with the items you need to especially focus on.
Do you feel you’ve gained a little more awareness of where your time is going?
Thanks
I’m changing things up a little here by shooting for shorter posts and aiming to release them at a more consistent rate.
Thank you for reading these and emailing me all the encouragement ya’ll! I realize that not everyone has the time to read, so I’m working on audio versions of these posts that I hope will turn into a podcast soon, so stay tuned!
Links
December 15, 2023