It’s Time
Posted: March 13, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: acceptance, blogging, exercise, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, gluten free, happiness, health, hippie, hipster, hope, life, love, lululemon, meditation, Mindfulness, minimalism, minimalist, motivation, natural, paleo, passion, peace, pilates, running, Surrender, whole foods, WOD, yoga 16 CommentsNothing like being scolded by a hippie-
The idea of acceptance, mindfulness, minimalism are so trendy of late. You can see this trend growing with the popularity of meditation/zen/whatever blog-o-posts, green this and green that folks, yoga-moms/dads from far and wide. You can read about it here, on this blog-o-thing if you pay attention for just a few weeks. People are being asked to come into better contact with the present; to be less attached, entangled by social media and humble; focusing more on purpose and meaning. All of these changes raise an interesting question (so I think).
Why now?
None of these topics and approaches to living authentically are new. Neither are single speed bikes, fedora’s, Pabst Blue Ribbon and black rimmed glasses for the sake of argument. Just like you, these ideals have been puttering along, kicking cans down the road for eons …
Why the sudden resurgence of popularity?
Hippies?!? New research studies and science!?! The inter-webz?!?
I suspect acceptance, mindfulness and minimalism are trending of late because normal folks are yearning for something remarkably simple right now: That acceptance, mindfulness and minimalism may help nourish and guide them in their busy lives.
How many of you read a yoga magazine while watching “reality” tv? Watch a streaming TV show while working on your computer? Heck, watch a TV while running on a treadmill even?!?
And what substance is in the gush of media and connectivity we have unleashed on ourselves? Everything imaginable in the world is available, for us to consume, all at one time. Although if you slow life down and actually seek? Through seeking you will discover the images of courage, bravery, unconditional love and connection that surround us are simply being overwhelmed by the pain and judgment we stream into our minds endlessly.
Acceptance, mindfulness and minimalism are immensely important right now for a simple reason. In order for us to prosper inside this modern bubble, that each one of us have created. We need to learn how to relate to our own minds in a different way. There is no retreating, unplugging or escaping … I implore you to move forward in life, just in a slightly different way.
Notes:
I’m not leaving until you surrender, peacefully.
Shadow Stabbing
Posted: March 12, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, crossfit, ego, exercise, fitness, free range, gluten free, greatness, growth, happiness, health, hipster, hope, Humble, Humility, jogging, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, natural, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, running, spirit, walking, whole foods, WOD, yoga 3 CommentsA great man is always willing to be little-
Let’s engage in a rather broad conversation this morning shale we?
“What on your part constitutes growth”
Ripped abs, slimmer fitting clothes, blasting your back and chest performing super sets at the gym (don’t forget to pose in the mirror), bragging about numbers and how many reps fought through, taking a picture of yourself in some ridiculous yoga pose?
Humility may be one of the most misunderstood and under appreciated aspects of our daily experience. Humility does not necessarily mean lowering yourself below other folks, letting said people walk all over your very existence, cut you off in queue at the grocer or even treat you like you’re inferior to breathing the same air as they are. Embracing humility means being neutral, letting go of the urge to get the last word in, placing yourself above others and basically telling a bunch of self-righteous fairy tales. We expend far too much of our daily energy, squandered in the mindless striving for importance: Getting “ripped,” asking someone to admire your ass after an hour-long leg workout.
The stark truth of the matter is that you don’t have to get drawn into daily ego-competitions (sword fights anyone?!? Anyone …) and petty games anymore.
Notes:
We grow as individuals when we free our mind and spirit of the need to feel bigger, superior to those around us.
Sunshine
Posted: March 11, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: Awaken, blogging, cultfit, exercise, fitness, free range, Freshly Pressed is Overrated, gluten free, happiness, health, Heart, hipster, hope, jogging, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, natural, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, running, trail running, walking, whole foods, WOD, writing, yoga 11 CommentsAn awake heart is like a sky that pours light-
*Originally posted at CultFit.org some time ago (adjusted a tad for today).
Having recounted the positive events that have happened over the last year I feel more positive about where I currently am at and I hope you feel the same? For many though, they feel there is nothing to rejoice about: Not now and certainly not in the near future. Many are immersed in a fatalistic time zone. There’s an app for this, sadly.
We need to realize that our lives are not controlled by fates outside of our inherent ability to modify, adjust, or temper what is not working for us. The all so real truth is that all of us get depressed and when this depression gets really bad? We are stuck in our own misery, our very own pity party (yes, there is even an app for pity parties as well).
Hold out your left hand and start peeling back your fingers for of all the ‘things‘ you have going right in your life, right in this moment: Heart still ticking, still breathing, family, friends, leftover meatballs etc. Now on your right hand let’s start peeling back fingers for ‘things‘ we enjoy and promise ourselves to “Make The Time For” even if we don’t have the time – to practice present hedonism. Pursue the events in your life that make you feel good about yourself and your outlook on life. What follows are a few of the things I enjoy, maybe you will enjoy the same:
• An evening Walk while eating an apple.
• Playing bicycle Tag with the little ones – Your it!
• Email, call or message a friend and say: “Hey your pretty special! Not that special but special none the less.”
• Practice Meditation and Yoga.
• Nature is heaven on earth. Less time inside and more time outside, Playing in the fluffy white stuff.
Notes:
Why spend so much time abusing and punishing your mind, spirit and body? Take care today.
Key to the Highway
Posted: March 8, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, exercise, fitness, free range, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, hope, kettlebell, life, love, lululemon, meditation, motivation, natural, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, running, smile, Smiling, walking, whole foods, WOD, yoga 13 CommentsHope, Smiles from the threshold of the year to come, Whispering ‘it will be happier’…-
Did you happen to know that your gorgeous smile is actually contagious? Not my smile mind you, yours! The little nugget of your brain that is responsible for facial expressions, smiling when happy or mimicking another persons smile resides in the cingulate cortex (this is but one part of that squishy thing between your ears). Smile at someone today or with someone today, it’s likely they can’t help but smile back. If they don’t? Their either preoccupied taking a pic of their feet, a Detroit Red Wings supporter or they’re making a conscious effort not to smile back at you.
Looking at the bigger picture, each time you smile at a person, their brain triggers them to return the favour. You are creating a symbiotic relationship with a complete stranger that allows both of you to release mood enhancing chemicals in your brain. These very same chemicals activate reward centers and help you live a brighter, healthier life. WOW! All of this from a simple smile 🙂
Here’s the deal peeps: This kind of information is fleeting and falls on deaf ears far too often. No one wants to read a bloated self-serving book about smiling and magazines don’t fly off the shelf informing readers to smile. We can’t always control what happens to us, however I will guarantee (with complete confidence) that gracing your picturesque face today with a smile can seriously change your internal and external experiences in life. Your smile is something that should be worn at every available opportunity. Less Lululemon and more smiling!
*Science content has been removed due to it being boring and tedious.
The Workout-
A gentle early morning Walk, whilst Smiling and enjoy the company of a Friend.
Notes:
Quick reminder that tonight is your chance to get a sneak peek behind the CultFit curtain. A dashing group of us will be attending the Buddhist Boot Camp book signing and Q&A session at The Bookworm in Omaha, NE this evening. I’m curious to ask Timber Hawkeye his thoughts about smiling?!?
Also over the weekend I will be putting together the annual CultFit Meetup calendar. Sadly, there will be only a handful of running events this summer although all the cool kids these days ride on two wheels … If you know of an event in the Midwest you would like us to attend? Please email me at: cultfit@gmail.com
Daytime Dilemma
Posted: March 6, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, exercise, fitness, free range, gluten free, Gratefulness, gratitude, happiness, health, hipster, Humility, intensity, kettlebell, kindness, life, love, marathon, meditation, motivation, natural, paleo, passion, pilates, running, trail running, walking, whole foods, WOD, yoga 9 CommentsFinally, from so little sleeping and so much reading, his brain dried up and he went completely out of his mind-
We’re going to talk about courage, mindfulness and being vulnerable, again for what seems like the millionth time. Scurry along if you like although it would be nice if you stuck around for a minute or two.
Going out on a fragile, weathered limb, chances are you’re not perfect. Big deal, you are vulnerable to the whims of the world. What makes you courageous is that upon waking up each morning, you are willing to step into a wide-open space, without a care in the world.
Here’s the bit I hoped you stuck around for: Authentic folks really do not want to see perfection; We want to feel and share connections with others. When we try to present ourselves as the perfect version we can possibly be (like all of your Facetube friends)? We leave little to no room for creativity, failure, humility and error. Seriously Dear Readers, look around yourself this morning at the yoga studio or at the starting line this coming weekend. It’s in the effort of trying without the fear of failure that we know what works and what does not, it’s a process that we begin every morning. Each day, each moment is unique.
If we feared failure, we’d never roll out of bed, show up at yoga class and step out into the world. Life is more interesting when it is risky, rich and served messy. Life is not a box of hand dipped artesian truffles.
Notes:
I would like to leave you today with the following thought: Take the time to present yourselves with a wide open, pure heart today. Display your inner kindness in such a way as to actually move other folks to bare, pure emotions.
CultFit 