noun : an accumulation of loose stones or rocky debris lying on a slope or at the base of a hill or cliff.
What is the fruit of these teachings? Only the most beautiful and proper harvest of the truly educated—tranquility, fearlessness, and freedom. We should not trust the masses who say that only the free can be educated, but rather the lovers of wisdom who say that only the educated are free.
~ Epictetus
slip:4a591.
As I mentioned last week, I was recently on a rather long road trip doing some recording for the Movers Mindset project. I took a lot of stuff on the trip, but here’s the two bags which comprised the complete podcast setup—everything I need to press record is in these two bags. The rectangular bag is a proper, no-cheating, most-stingy-airline carry-on size.
And here’s what’s inside: Two full-size (albeit lightweight) mic stands, 2 sets of full-size headphones, and 3 containers of all the podcast recording and listening electronics. (And it’s all battery powered to boot.)
ɕ
I’ve talked previously about simplicity. In particular, the idea that imformed simplicity, following from a beginner’s mind which has moved through understanding the complexity of a topic, is the hallmark of mastery practice. But forced simplicity is an entirely different animal.
Occassionally, I really need to stretch out and tear into some hard work. This week I did 8, long-form recordings in 5 days. Driving, sometimes eating, more driving, arrive, set up, record, drive, sleep, and on and on. At night I’m trying to quickly come up with a plan for the next day; I have to be where, when? …drive time? …traffic? And before I can be comfortable I have the next day under control, I need to get to sleep. Small bits of online work need to be done here and there—
I’m literally sitting by a campfire. My Mac is wifi’d to my iPhone’s cell service. I’m uploading a 90mb audio file to Movers Mindset’s project management system, as I type this blog post.
—then it’s time to sleep. Then jump up and leap into the next day. Organize the van. Is there time to shower today? (This is a real decision, and the answer was not always, ‘yes.’) Can I do my journaling? …not this week? My usual reading? …not this week. Everything I did for 6+ days was laser focused on what happens between when I press “record” and “stop.” Arrive at the location and bring my A-game. Under- or over-caffeinated, sleepy, prepared or not, … game. on.
Forced simplicity can be brutal. But, I got the good tape.
ɕ
Once, in a dry season, I wrote in large letters across two pages of a notebook that innocence ends when one is stripped of the delusion that one likes oneself. Although now, some years later, I marvel that a mind on the outs with itself should have nonetheless made painstaking record of its every tremor, I recall with embarrassing clarity the flavor of those particular ashes. It was a matter of misplaced self-respect.
~ Joan Didion from, On Self-Respect
slip:4a965.
Aside from this being the first time I’ve linked to Vogue… I’d like to turn a phrase or two like that at some point. But unfortunately, me no write that purty. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Sometimes I read things that I really feel I resonate with. I’m honestly not sure if I agree with her—specifically in this essay or in her writing in general. But this grabbed me and so, share I shall.
ɕ
What insights and experiences are shared about balancing personal life, professional commitments, and community involvement in Parkour and humanitarian work?
The journey from Washington, DC, to sabbatical in Scotland highlights the value of rest and self-reflection.
You don’t need to earn a break; you’re allowed to just take time off and breathe and enjoy your life a little bit.
~ Adrienne Toumayan (4:59)
The conversation begins with reflections on taking a sabbatical and the challenges of prioritizing rest and recovery. Insights are shared on overcoming self-doubt and embracing the freedom to recharge. Adrienne discusses their unique journey, transitioning between a demanding career in humanitarian aid and their deep involvement in Parkour, where she has contributed to events like the North American Women’s Parkour Gathering.
The dialogue also explores the Adrienne’s contributions to Parkour Earth, emphasizing the importance of foundational work in creating a transparent and inclusive global organization. Additionally, she shares her passion for storytelling through blogs and Instagram, using these platforms to connect with others and inspire engagement with their adventures. The beauty of the Scottish Highlands is also highlighted as a source of inspiration and joy during her sabbatical.
The truth is that there is no relationship between importance and urgency. Those are two attributes entirely separate from one another. So I’ve taken steps to disabuse myself.
slip:4umabo4.
I love the word disabusing. It makes it so clear: I am the source of my problems. Most of the urgency comes from my own false sense of urgency. Sure, some things are urgent—hey, dial 911. But I really wish I had learned this lesson long long ago.
One might even say that I have been abusing myself for quiet some time.
ɕ
That answer is that each American should be able to decide for himself, with extremely rare exceptions. But each person should also be able to decide what kinds of speech are permitted on their property. And that applies to media corporations no less than individuals. Thus, I should be able to advocate virtually any viewpoint I want. But Fox News and the New York Times should be equally free to refuse to broadcast or publish my views.
~ Ilya Somin from, The Case Against Imposing Common Carrier Restrictions on Social Media Sites
slip:4urevo2.
Yes in-deedy Judy! (As I’m often wont to say.) The ideas of personal property, and of freedom of speech, are of special importance to this great American experiment.
ɕ
I’ve been on a road trip this week recording podcasts for Movers Mindset. One thing I wanted to experiment with was trying to record “short” form podcasts for Movers Mindset while on the road. Adrienne Toumayan joined me for a recording titled, Balance.
ɕ
Tippet resurfaces questions many have explored before us. “What does it mean to be human? What matters in life? What matters in death? How to be of service to each other and the world?”
~ Shane Parrish from, Becoming Wise: An Inquiry Into the Art of Living
slip:4ufoki2.
Confirmation bias never ceases to amaze me. One minute, I’ve never noticed Tippett wrote a book. The suddenly I’m tripping over references and suggestions for it; Here’s a blog post from 2017 which I’m just reading 4 years later. And over here is a mention from another blogger. And then this podcaster. And so on.
Finding people, their work, their books, etc. feels like wandering through an ancient stand of Redwoods, (which is something I’ve actually done, just to be clear.) This stuff was here long before me, and will be here long after me. Sure, I’ve “hiked”—it’s just walking on a trail—far beyond the usual little loop which most tourists opt to explore. But way farther along, behold! Here is a bench, with a dedication. And even here people have been walking for, I dunno… 100 years now? I don’t even know exactly where this trail goes, but I can see up to the next bend, and the part I’ve already traveled has been purty durn neato. This other person exploring conversation and the human condition has, probably, already done more than I ever will. But that doesn’t take away from what I get from strolling the trail.
Because—as I hope you too have already discovered—it’s the journey that counts.
ɕ