Mindfulness &

how to be aware in an unaware world

Tag: mindfulness

  • Surprises

    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

    1. Surprise! Why the Unexpected Feels Good, and Why It’s Good For Us
    2. Deterministic vs. Probabilistic Data: Which is Best?
    3. Give yourself permission to be creative
    4. Daughter’s death nearly stopped author Michael Lewis from writing again
  • Persistence

    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

    1. How long does it take to form a new habit?
    2. Here’s Why You Remember Things Better When You Write Them Down
    3. Advice from Steve Martin
    4. How to Solve Big Problems
    5. 6 Effective Ways to Become Persistent

    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…

  • Wilderness

    Wilderness

    “In wilderness is the preservation of the world.”
    – Henry David Thoreau

    I love this quote as it reminds me of when I was in a deeply transitory time in my life. It reminded me then as it does now to step into the wild, without hesitation, without expectation, and I will find myself there.

    Reflected in nature are our growth and vitality, doubt, and decay. Mirrored there in the forests, cliffside, mountain vistas, and expansive desserts is our very existence.

    We are only separated from nature when we separate ourselves, there is no natural inclination to move away from these scenes, that allure is artificial.

    Also, every known invention man has conceived was found in nature, being used by other animals and insects long before we showed up. I included a few of those inspirations in the links at the bottom!

    Reflection

    Why do we feel at such ease in wild places? Discomfort is sure to bubble up too, but beneath that, we are oddly complete, away from the buzzing lights, sounds, smells, and the feeling of pressure.

    In retrospect, I was deeply fortunate to grow up in an active, adventurous family, observing the wild while hiking, biking, skiing, climbing, camping, and road-tripping all over the world.

    My parents were actively seeking discomfort before I was even born, and instilled in us wee children how important that feeling is.

    I remember as a child following my mother on a pair of skis in a naughty blizzard somewhere in the Swiss Alps. At some point I lost all sight of her and fell into a massive tree well, it was pretty unclear what happened next, but I was told a ski patrol guy found my skis sticking up just barely above the snow and helped me down the mountain.

    Now, was this careless parenting or just bad luck (well maybe a little of both), hell, I survived the tell-the-tale and I would have rather had a mother lose me on a mountain than lose me in the mall any day (the later happened too, of course, I was one curious child).

    But the point is, I learned to be at ease in the wild. With so many other memories of camping with the fam or spending the whole day out on a long hike or out in the open ocean, I learned so much about myself, and my ability to appreciate nature.

    Nature restores us. It does not judge or criticize but it does provide and support us endlessly, if only we listen to her attentively

    Encouragement

    I can’t encourage us enough to get out. I mean way out. Into the wild. Away from noise pollution, light pollution, and pollution pollution.

    Go on a hike, go camping, go rock climbing, throw a hammock up, or just be present in the preservation of the world. Trust me, it’s worth it!

    Thanks

    Every time I share my blubbering stream of consciousness, I am reminded of why. For all who have and continue to read my posts, I thank you for that.

    As always, feel free to leave a comment or share this post. You can also Buy Me a Coffee if you are inclined to do so. Thank you in advance!

    Links

    1. 10 Modern Inventions Modeled After Nature
    2. Why Go Camping?
    3. Ryan Phelan: The intended consequences of helping nature thrive | TED Talk
    4. Cabin Alone in the Alaskan Wilderness  – Dick Proenneke