What I'm thinking about…
I was inspired to receive a message last week from a newsletter subscriber sharing their decision to ‘adopt’ a family through the holiday season.
Family #1
Mom and Dad with 3 little girls (6, 8, and expecting)
Family struggling to make ends meat
This family is grateful for the support over the holidays. It has been tough for mom with 2 children and a difficult pregnancy. She hasn't been able to purchase gifts for her girls in years
Family #2
Mom and Dad with 3 daughters (2, 14, and 16 years old)
The youngest child has developmental delays
The holidays are about spreading kindness, appreciating what we have, and giving back to those without the same resources. Although many of us are challenged with the rising costs of just about everything, there is always someone worse off than you. Acknowledging this and doing something to help out is a form of connection that the world needs more of these days. Although my eldest just turned four years old, we went through his toys and dropped them off at the local Goodwill. Teaching kids how to appreciate what they have and how to give back is something we can all do. Thanks for the reminder Dawn!
What I’m listening to…
A Youtube video featuring a talk by Alan Watts. Watts was a British philosopher famous for popularizing Eastern philosophy for a Western audience, making it accessible to the general public. The universality of his message is articulated in this short clip where he touches upon teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, Sikhism, Hinduism, and Christianity. In this talk, he speaks about the concept of ‘Wu Wei’ which loosely translates to ‘effortless action’. He describes this as the art of sailing vs. actively rowing. Watts shares that to access this state, we need to revert to a childlike state. A state without labels, just experiencing the world as it is. Last week, I talked about how labels can help us explain in words what we are feeling. Although this is useful and has a place in society, it is equally if not more useful to be able to access a state where we simply observe.
The other way to access this state is to be silent and attune yourself to the messages that come from within - you can call this your intuition. This is a subtle voice that exists within all of us that requires effort, focus, and attention to hear.
Weekly Breathwork Tip
Performance breathing refers to breathing strategies used to improve efficiency and exercise performance during physical activity. Some of these methods include deep breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and nasal breathing. When done regularly, these strategies help achieve improved endurance, reduce stress, and enhance overall physical performance. Diaphragmatic breathing helps you use your entire lung capacity as 40% of your alveoli (where gas exchange occurs) are located in the bottom third of your lungs. When you are exchanging more oxygen, more can travel to the muscles and prevent the production of lactic acid, allowing you to exercise longer.
As it relates to nasal breathing, notice during workouts when you are finding it more challenging to catch your breath, and during these times- try to stick to nasal breathing. By doing this, your body will maintain its pH, hold onto more oxygen during exhalation, and reduce water loss and the risk of dehydration. Nasal breathing also activates your parasympathetic nervous system which helps to maintain your heart rate decreasing your oxygen consumption. This leads to improved endurance.
Quote I’m resonating with…
‘Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.’
Jennifer Lee
AMERICAN FILM DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER
In worldly terms, I define the purpose of life to find what your gift is, and to develop that gift to share it with the world. This gift can be something that sets your soul on fire. Something that you don’t need to be motivated to do because it comes naturally and time just passes by. Sometimes this cannot be your vocation because it won’t pay the bills. That is ok. Still, pursue it, devote time to it, and do not let fear of what others say or fear of failure prevent you from trying. The biggest regret in life will not come from failing at something, it will come from never having tried.
Click here for more information and to register.
Action Items
I’m sure you have gotten presents for your family, coworkers, and friends this season. What have you done to help someone less fortunate? It does not have to be anything big, but do something to spread love to another human being. They will benefit, and you will as well. It’s a win-win!
The next time you go for a run, try to breathe in and out only through your nose. It will seem uncomfortable at first and you may feel like giving up. If you can stick with this for 7-10 days, you will find your body will adapt and it will get easier. The result is better air exchange and your stamina will improve. I’ve tried it and it works!
Listen to the talk above by Alan Watts. It is a little deep and may require a few replays- that is ok. Try to view the world as if you didn’t know how to talk. As if there are no names for colours, shapes, or anything else. As Alan Watts puts it, pretend everything is like the water hitting rocks in the ocean - too difficult to explain, yet effortless to witness.