https://www.outsideonline.com/2143711/hiking-obsessed-nature-lover-behind-tycho
Tycho is one of my favorite musical artists of all time.
Often when I go on longer trail runs, I start my warm-up at the beginning of an album and finish my cool-down at the end.
Please read the above article. Knowing that my dude would not only appreciate the act of listening to his beats while enjoying nature, but may perhaps have had that express intention in mind makes the enjoyment all the greater.
I get a real kick out of diving in to the things I enjoy headfirst and learning as much as I can about them. This extends to music, hobbies, philosophies, physical conditioning, etc. I'm highly encouraging of others to deeply explore what they enjoy, understand why they enjoy it, and find a deeper sense of personal satisfaction and development through that.
To be honest, I got to this point in the post and wasn't quite sure where I was trying to go with it. You may be in the same boat.
I suppose the takeaway is that I enjoy running and music, and like when two good things can coincide.
Discussing the general concept with a good friend of mine who also takes great pleasure in fully exploring that which gets him fired up, he coined the phrase "richness of a healthy obsession".
In a time which everything seems intrinsically fleeting and fast-paced, it can be fulfilling to stop and gain a full measure of something. I said that was perhaps a tad too "meta". He replied that "maybe we don't get meta enough". Completely fair.
Anyway, listen to Tycho and go for a run.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg9gjQnSCAw
Monday, February 5, 2018
Be The Chill
I have a new phrase that I'm trying to live by:
Be the chill that you wish to see in the world.
This is 50/50 serious/joking.
I have a theory that we, as humans in an increasingly connected world, tend to fall ever more in to an emotional echo chamber. Over the last maybe 7 years or so I have felt like the societal trend has been towards a very sarcastic, cynical, and honestly downright negative vibe.
Despite a vast abundance of positive stories and amazing accomplishments of our fellow man, we have a tendency to focus very heavily on the negative and perpetuate a generally bleak outlook for the future. There is actually scientific basis for why this occurs naturally, and why we tend to retain or seek out information that would be classified as negative over the more uplifting. In my opinion, for all the good the internet is capable of, it serves to perpetuate this and makes us feel much more connected to the bad than previous generations might have.
My call to action is not necessarily to ignore the negative in the world, but more so to not allow it to extend beyond its inherent boundaries. Make the attempt to limit how much a story or the opinions/actions of another affect your mood from day to day. Focus on the important things, and little moments that you can be thankful for. Help somebody else out, or provide some random uplifting words. You have a lot of control over the tone you set.
Eventually, perhaps the bulk of social media posts will stop foretelling our imminent destruction.
Be the chill that you wish to see in the world.
This is 50/50 serious/joking.
I have a theory that we, as humans in an increasingly connected world, tend to fall ever more in to an emotional echo chamber. Over the last maybe 7 years or so I have felt like the societal trend has been towards a very sarcastic, cynical, and honestly downright negative vibe.
Despite a vast abundance of positive stories and amazing accomplishments of our fellow man, we have a tendency to focus very heavily on the negative and perpetuate a generally bleak outlook for the future. There is actually scientific basis for why this occurs naturally, and why we tend to retain or seek out information that would be classified as negative over the more uplifting. In my opinion, for all the good the internet is capable of, it serves to perpetuate this and makes us feel much more connected to the bad than previous generations might have.
My call to action is not necessarily to ignore the negative in the world, but more so to not allow it to extend beyond its inherent boundaries. Make the attempt to limit how much a story or the opinions/actions of another affect your mood from day to day. Focus on the important things, and little moments that you can be thankful for. Help somebody else out, or provide some random uplifting words. You have a lot of control over the tone you set.
Eventually, perhaps the bulk of social media posts will stop foretelling our imminent destruction.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Brotherhood and Inspiration
This is a topic that I admittedly have an increasingly difficult time writing on in a way that properly conveys its importance to me. It seems appropriate to speak as plainly as I can. Sorry if it seems a tad gushy.
There are many things that folks take pride in.
This can range from grand accomplishments to loose sports loyalties.
I am supremely proud of my brothers.
Over the past decade, I have formed friendships with a group of men who I regard as brothers in the most genuine and meaningful sense of the word.
I am routinely blown away by not only the character that each of these men possess, but also how unpretentious they are about being such steadfast and inspiring dudes. The term "rock solid" comes to mind.
To say I am fortunate that these men allow me to be a part of their lives is nothing if not an understatement. I fully understand how rare it is for so many genuinely good-hearted people to gather together, and rarer still for friendships coming out of a college environment to endure for over a decade. Yet here they remain.
After much effort and no result, I have decided I can't write anything that is really all that worthwhile about the special nature of such close bonds.
So I will simply say thank you.
Thank you guys, for giving me so much inspiration and never allowing me to feel complacent.
Thank you for challenging me in the best ways possible.
Thank you for providing me a sense of community closer than anything I could have hoped to have known.
Thank you for giving me an impossibly high standard to strive for, and a humbling measure of myself.
Thank you for being willing to drop everything, without a thought and at a moments notice, to lend a hand when needed.
Thank you for doing the right thing because it is the right thing, and making it as simple as that.
Thank you for allowing me to share in your life in a meaningful way.
Truly, thank you for being my brothers.
Every man should be as fortunate as I, to be able to boast a collection of such ties.
There are many things that folks take pride in.
This can range from grand accomplishments to loose sports loyalties.
I am supremely proud of my brothers.
Over the past decade, I have formed friendships with a group of men who I regard as brothers in the most genuine and meaningful sense of the word.
I am routinely blown away by not only the character that each of these men possess, but also how unpretentious they are about being such steadfast and inspiring dudes. The term "rock solid" comes to mind.
To say I am fortunate that these men allow me to be a part of their lives is nothing if not an understatement. I fully understand how rare it is for so many genuinely good-hearted people to gather together, and rarer still for friendships coming out of a college environment to endure for over a decade. Yet here they remain.
After much effort and no result, I have decided I can't write anything that is really all that worthwhile about the special nature of such close bonds.
So I will simply say thank you.
Thank you guys, for giving me so much inspiration and never allowing me to feel complacent.
Thank you for challenging me in the best ways possible.
Thank you for providing me a sense of community closer than anything I could have hoped to have known.
Thank you for giving me an impossibly high standard to strive for, and a humbling measure of myself.
Thank you for being willing to drop everything, without a thought and at a moments notice, to lend a hand when needed.
Thank you for doing the right thing because it is the right thing, and making it as simple as that.
Thank you for allowing me to share in your life in a meaningful way.
Truly, thank you for being my brothers.
Every man should be as fortunate as I, to be able to boast a collection of such ties.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Life is big
I have too many hobbies.
That is an odd critique to hold of oneself, but it's certainly valid.
I have an intrinsic curiosity about things that I am not at least remedially familiar with, and tend to bounce from one activity to the next with no real goal of any particular mastery.
This being the case, I have never found myself the type of person to have a "thing" or a natural proclivity to a particular skill set. I suppose generalist would be an adequate descriptor., and I used to view this as a great negative. The issue is that I have found myself surrounded by some of the most talented and intelligent people to walk this earth. Many of my friends find themselves at the top of the collective when it comes to talents and pursuits. They have the greatest intellect, discipline, empathy, dedication, strength, skill that I have come across respective to their individual gifts.
They have a "thing".
It is inspiring to witness, and on rare occasion outright intimidating.
As I have gotten older I have grown to understand and appreciate how big life is. There are countless inspiring people that are involved in a million diverse and fascinating pursuits and pastimes.
That's a beautiful piece of life: we may never even be aware of something that gives another an enormous sense of fulfillment and purpose. I think this is so cool, and almost regret that there is not more time to explore what drives and inspires other people.
And so, perhaps that is my talent: curiosity and willingness to learn of new skills.
People have commented that they think I know how to do anything (this isn't true, but thanks)
Another good friend of mine who I have known for many years told me that I am the best he's ever seen at not getting bored and always having something to work on.
I consider this one of the greatest compliments you can give someone.
I love spending time learning all I can about something I know little about and sharing it with others.
What's encouraging is that I believe this will be something that I can pass along to my kids, and very much look forward to sharing in their interests.
That is an odd critique to hold of oneself, but it's certainly valid.
I have an intrinsic curiosity about things that I am not at least remedially familiar with, and tend to bounce from one activity to the next with no real goal of any particular mastery.
This being the case, I have never found myself the type of person to have a "thing" or a natural proclivity to a particular skill set. I suppose generalist would be an adequate descriptor., and I used to view this as a great negative. The issue is that I have found myself surrounded by some of the most talented and intelligent people to walk this earth. Many of my friends find themselves at the top of the collective when it comes to talents and pursuits. They have the greatest intellect, discipline, empathy, dedication, strength, skill that I have come across respective to their individual gifts.
They have a "thing".
It is inspiring to witness, and on rare occasion outright intimidating.
As I have gotten older I have grown to understand and appreciate how big life is. There are countless inspiring people that are involved in a million diverse and fascinating pursuits and pastimes.
That's a beautiful piece of life: we may never even be aware of something that gives another an enormous sense of fulfillment and purpose. I think this is so cool, and almost regret that there is not more time to explore what drives and inspires other people.
And so, perhaps that is my talent: curiosity and willingness to learn of new skills.
People have commented that they think I know how to do anything (this isn't true, but thanks)
Another good friend of mine who I have known for many years told me that I am the best he's ever seen at not getting bored and always having something to work on.
I consider this one of the greatest compliments you can give someone.
I love spending time learning all I can about something I know little about and sharing it with others.
What's encouraging is that I believe this will be something that I can pass along to my kids, and very much look forward to sharing in their interests.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
simple bacon
“I had
rather be shut up in a very modest cottage with my books, my family and a few
old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked,
than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give.” -Thomas
Jefferson
I have a bit of an amateur obsession with the art of simplifying. This applies to things, processes, concepts, activities, scheduling, relationships, motivations, etc. Almost universally, the more straightforward and modest something is, the more I am able to enjoy it. As with many things, it is important to consider the deeper implications of these preferences. I suppose to condense it down would be to say: I view many of the non-essentials of life as distractions from the real things of import. Some of these would include relationships, shared experiences, small joys, good health, strong character. With simplicity comes a true measure of freedom. Complications arise when too many unnecessaries are introduced and prioritized.
Speaking honestly, extravagance and excess often cause me to recoil. I certainly do not hold the opinion that it is wrong to enjoy nice things and experiences that are affordable to you. The key is in maintaining a pure motivation and perspective which, admittedly, is easier said than done.
Nature, in
all her revelations, seeks to teach man the greatness of simplicity. Health is
but the living of a physical life in harmony with a few simple, clearly defined
laws. Simple food, simple exercise, simple precautions will work wonders.
Monday, October 3, 2016
been busy
I have an expansive variety of pet peeves. I fully realize and accept that this is a personal issue and not an indictment on society at large. However, one of the most prominent social grievances, particularly in recent years, is the response to the common question "How have you been?" in any of the following forms:
"Oh man, really busy."
"Just working, ya know."
To frankly sum up my issue with these responses - while they may be entirely accurate, they serve as an absolute conversation killer and offer nothing engaging to the person initiating the question.
Everyone works, and everyone has activity that occupies their time. I've made strides over the past few years to have readily available answers to this question so that I can offer continuity in the conversation, if it is so desired. I want to present myself as someone who has the time to properly catch up with people, and not as someone who is overly occupied.
"Oh man, really busy."
"Just working, ya know."
To frankly sum up my issue with these responses - while they may be entirely accurate, they serve as an absolute conversation killer and offer nothing engaging to the person initiating the question.
Everyone works, and everyone has activity that occupies their time. I've made strides over the past few years to have readily available answers to this question so that I can offer continuity in the conversation, if it is so desired. I want to present myself as someone who has the time to properly catch up with people, and not as someone who is overly occupied.
Sunday, September 18, 2016
A (hopefully) New Format
I love writing and the written word. On a personal level I seem to like the idea of writing more than the practice, and that is something I would like to level out in the coming years.
As as becoming customary, my problem lies within the art of discipline.
In my history with writing I have traditionally waited for an idea or opinion to form that warrants many paragraphs, or that I feel is worth discussing at great length and with considerable difficulty.
Given that, on any writing I may deem worthy of posting, I place the arbitrary requirements that it be a time-intensive and thoroughly polished bit of exposition, more often than not (or all the time) the result is that I shy away from even starting the process.
I have been recently inspired to a new structure by my good friend Jared. He has made a wonderful habit of posting a short excerpt once a day and creating routine.
I believe in being honest with oneself, so I will recognize that I would not and do not have the necessary discipline to commit to posting daily. However, I am very interested in attempting to regularly write shorter blurbs consisting of a couple of paragraphs and an engaging concept.
Let this be the first effort, and hope that a pattern emerges.
As as becoming customary, my problem lies within the art of discipline.
In my history with writing I have traditionally waited for an idea or opinion to form that warrants many paragraphs, or that I feel is worth discussing at great length and with considerable difficulty.
Given that, on any writing I may deem worthy of posting, I place the arbitrary requirements that it be a time-intensive and thoroughly polished bit of exposition, more often than not (or all the time) the result is that I shy away from even starting the process.
I have been recently inspired to a new structure by my good friend Jared. He has made a wonderful habit of posting a short excerpt once a day and creating routine.
I believe in being honest with oneself, so I will recognize that I would not and do not have the necessary discipline to commit to posting daily. However, I am very interested in attempting to regularly write shorter blurbs consisting of a couple of paragraphs and an engaging concept.
Let this be the first effort, and hope that a pattern emerges.
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