how to be aware in an unaware world

Tag: peace

Today
“Let others praise ancient times; I am glad I was born in these.”
– Ovid
I love this quote because although there are plenty of reasons to wish we lived in other times, there is so much to be thankful for in today’s day and age:
- We have lower rates of large-scale wars, especially WW1 and 2.
- There are numerous technology and convenience advancements
- Medical advancements have increased life expectancy
- We have the ability to travel practically anywhere in the world
- There is universal education and access to open knowledge
- We have sustainable technologies like renewable energy
- Conservation efforts are in place to preserve ecosystems
- Human rights have made huge strides toward inclusivity
- Unparalleled access to entertainment and creativity through the internet
- Better than ever work-life balances and opportunities
One of the wildest realities today is that physical work has been reduced due to automation and thanks to machines. This means there is more time for intellectual and creative pursuits.
I am truly glad to have been born in 1994 and grown up through the rise of the internet, increased stability, and global prosperity.
The awareness of this moment includes the massive amount of convenience we have to be thankful for: cars, trains, planes, phones, TVs, and endless travel.
The world is a big, beautiful place and it is a gift to travel to such diverse lands.
There was a time, not that long ago at all, that it was extremely uncommon to leave your state, let alone your country; and now we can affordably fly just about anywhere in the world.
If you were to tell a farmer in the early 19th century this, they would look at you in disbelief and probably call you crazy.
You can travel continents in hours where as ancient journeys would have taken months.
Today, we can make and reach out to friends worldwide, share thoughts instantly, and access a network of support in hard times; how crazy is that!
Stopping to think about just medical advancements alone is insane:
- We have eradicated diseases like smallpox.
- We have treatments for HIV and some cancers
- We have drastically improved vaccines
- We have raised the global life expectancy by 40 years in the past 100 years
The world is at relative peace, minus some war-torn areas like Ukraine, and El Salvador, and some dictatorships like Russia and North Korea.
There are still enough resources for everyone, and the standard of living has increased globally.
To recognize the significance of today means living presently in the fact that we are so blessed with this age.
This does not, however, diminish some of the harsh realities of today, nor does it excuse what must be fought for: like social equality, fundamental human rights, or environmental protection.
We live in an incredible age, but we must take care of it, improve it, and cherish it.
I encourage you to write down three things you personally are thankful for in today’s age.
January 22, 2025
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
December 8, 2023
Worry
“I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been.”
– Wayne Gretzky
I found this quote in an investing and trading ebook. It was used in reference to a long-term approach in the stock market. The author’s guidance was to invest where the market will be, not where it has been.
It is also an equally great metaphor for life. The past is behind us, unable to be modified or relived, but the future is where possibility and opportunity lie.
(So I just realized this quote is much more about regret than worry, but I got carried away and reflected on worry instead, so I’ll post about regret next).
Reflection
Granted, the past provides much that can help us in the present (if we are aware of those past mistakes and learning opportunities).
Then there is the greatly significant difference between planning for the future and worrying about the future.
Worry may disguise itself as planning, but it couldn’t be any different.
Planning brings you back to the present after completion. Worrying leaves you in the future, contemplating endless possibilities.
Worry is an unfortunate side effect of the pursuit. Will it end up okay? Will I be successful? Will I be able to survive? Will they like me? And on and on.
It is actually a quite natural and albeit sometimes helpful emotion (when worried about a loved one, showing a deep connection and concern).
But I would argue that the majority of worry (like 90%) is really unhelpful and even destructive.
This is where mindfulness steps in and teaches us to step back from all kinds of thinking (worry or otherwise) and simply observe the present mind.
It takes a lot of practice (day after day for months) to truly realize the power of mindfulness throughout the day.
Meditation is not a practice with a completion, it is a transformation for a lifetime.
How does mindfulness help with worry in our ever-changing lives? I’m so glad you asked!
Worry enters the mind, say the worry about whether you will get a job or not in preparation for an interview, and you begin to spend a considerable amount of time thinking about that job.
Now, some of that worry is constructive (like the 10% when noticing the worry itself meaning you care a lot about the job and should take it seriously).
And the rest of that worry can be let go of: “Oh yeah, I’m worrying right now about this job way too much and I choose to let that worry go and move on to what I’m doing right now.”
Like I said, this sounds so easy on paper, but without devoted practice to noticing thought (worry) and letting it go, we cannot achieve this effect so easily, we will succumb to the thinking (worrying) and add a lot of unnecessary stress to our lives.
Encouragement
I encourage us to find the worries throughout the day today and simply begin to note them (in a tiny, cute notepad or on our bubbly, colorful notes app).
Literally. Jot down someplace all that worries you right now in your life, and again when you begin to worry in the future.
And when planning our complicated lives, look to the past for guidance, look to the present when we’ve got caught chasing the past or future, and look at the future for possibility and hope!
Thanks
Thank you again for worrying about me (lol just kidding, there is no need to worry about me!) But, thank you for your attention reading this post, it is a rare gift these days.
As always, feel free to leave a comment or share this post, let me know if you enjoy the posts. You can also Buy Me a Coffee if you are inclined to do so. Thank you in advance!
Links
November 9, 2023