WHAT CAN I DO TO BE SO GOOD THEY CAN’T IGNORE ME? — Continuous improvement? A “big swing?” A simple but insightful solution? The path to “the best” is not obvious and likely does not pass directly through the most-obvious next thing.
It’s not necessary to move beyond simply observing our thoughts. Simply practicing _observing_ your thoughts will make you more aware of your thoughts.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
NOTICE THE SPACE — “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~ Viktor Frankl
Reflection is about self-focus. Each day you’re practicing holding up a mirror. Specifically, you’re observing your thoughts, in response to a prompt.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
DISTRACTION, BUSYNESS AND CONSTANT SWITCHING ARE MENTAL HABITS — “We don’t need any of these habits, but they build up over the years because they comfort us. We can live more simply by letting go of these mental habits. What would life be like without constant switching, distraction and busyness?” ~ Leo Babauta
Trigger. New habit.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
IMPROVE ONESELF — “So now, are you not willing to help yourself? And how much easier such assistance is! You need not kill, imprison, or assault a man; you need not come into the market-place, you have merely to talk with yourself, the man who will be most readily persuaded, and to whom no one can be more persuassive than yourself. So, in the first place, pass judgement on your actions; but when you have condemned them, do not give up on yourself, nor be like those mean-spirited peole who, when they have once given way, abandon themselves entirely, and are, so to speak, swept off by the flood.” ~ Epictetus, 4.9.13-4
Today’s a good day to look closely at the trigger you’re experiencing. There are always ways you can change a trigger. Tinker—if not for real, then at least as a thought experiment—with changing the daily trigger for this journey.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND — “Each part of your life can be examined in the context of the whole, of what really matters most to you. By keeping that end clearly in mind you can make certain that whatever you do on any particular day does not violate the criteria you have defined as supremely important, and that each day of your life contributes in a meaningful way to the vision you have to your life as a whole.” ~ Stephen Covey
Trigger. New habit.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
What are the intersections of movement practices, leadership, and cultural anthropology?
‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ is a statement that Alex Pavlotski lives by as a cartooning ethnographer. He explains ethnography and anthropology, and shares his thoughts on parkour and where it’s headed. Alex discusses leadership and his project Word Magick, as well as his goals for an illustrated thesis. He unpacks his observations on parkour practice, community, and defining our own future.
I think the first thing about movement practice is that it’s deeply humbling. The first time you crawl around on all fours for hours, you understand that you have so much more to learn. And then I guess, I don’t know, at some point, it felt real; weird and real.
~ Alex Pavlotski (4:48)
Alex Pavalotski is an anthropologist, comic artist, blogger, and parkour practitioner based in Melbourne Australia. He is the creator of Parkour Panels, a satirical comic where he discussed relevant issues in the parkour community. Alex earned his PhD in 2016, and traveled extensively while working on his thesis, training with and studying global parkour communities.
The conversation examines how movement practices like parkour intersect with cultural anthropology and leadership. The discussion highlights how parkour’s growth has mirrored historical patterns of other movement practices, blending physicality with philosophy as practitioners age. Leadership is portrayed as a cultural force, shaping movement communities and the way they evolve over time. The influence of space, language, and shared values in defining these communities is explored.
Another focal point is the anthropological study of leadership, where the capacity to shape culture and practice is critical. The conversation also critiques the commodification and institutionalization of movement practices, suggesting that they risk losing their authentic and transformative potential. The potential of comics as a medium to communicate complex ideas, such as movement or leadership, is also emphasized.
Takeaways
Parkour as cultural evolution — The practice reflects historical patterns and adapts to contemporary environments.
Leadership’s influence — Leaders shape not just practices but also cultural interpretations of movement.
Manipulation in communities — Awareness of harmful leadership and group dynamics is crucial for healthy community growth.
Formalization and risk — Institutionalizing movement practices can lead to both opportunities and challenges.
Comics as communication — Visual storytelling offers a compelling way to explore and share ideas.
Trauma and learning — Physical and emotional struggles in movement lead to meaningful growth.
Anthropology’s role — Ethnographic studies provide valuable insights into how movement connects people.
Global dynamics — Different cultural approaches to parkour highlight varying values and goals.
WHAT AM I DOING WHILE ON “THE BENCH”? — If there is somewhere I want to be, begin walking. Identify something which I can do now, or very soon, which is interesting. Remember that efficacy is active, not passive.
You’re using the arrival of this email as your trigger. Do you recall that I mentioned on day one that I was introducing you to being reflective upon being prompted?
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
IMPRESSIONS — “But if you have in reality given thought to nothing other than the proper use of impressions, then as soon as you get up in the morning ask yourself, “What do I lack in order to be free from passion? What, to enjoy tranquillity? What am I? Am I a mere worthless body? Am I property? Am I reputation? None of these. What, then? I am a rational creature.” What, then, is required of you? Go over your actions. “Where did I transgress: in relation to peace of mind? What did I do that was unfriendly, or unsociable, or inconsiderate? What have I failed to do that I ought to have done with regard to these matters?” ~ Epictetus, 4.6.34-5
Trigger. New habit.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
SILENCE — “Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
Everything you do is initiated by triggers. “X” happens to me, so then I do “Y.” Creating a new habit is difficult because we don’t realize we need to attach it to a trigger.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
AM I LIKELY TO “ACT” OR “REACT” TO A TASK? — Seek the reason for the task so that it may motivate me to proper action. Otherwise, determine how to eliminate or avoid the task entirely. Do or do not; there is no try.
2 minutes: Pause life. Read. Think. Resume life.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
LOOK INWARD — “Everybody is too busy with their own lives to give a damn about your book, painting, screenplay, etc., especially if you haven’t sold it yet. And the ones that aren’t [too busy], you don’t want in your life anyway.” ~ Jason Korman
Have you considered adding some physical ritual to your reflection? Perhaps taking three deep, slow breaths before the reading, or … If you decide to try something, don’t go crazy; just something very small and easy. Or not. That’s fine too.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
BE PROACTIVE — “While the word proactivity is now fairly common in management literature, it is a word you won’t find in most dictionaries. It means more than meerly taking initiative. It means that as human beings, we are responsible for our own lives. Our behavior is a function of our decisions, not our conditions. We can subordinate feelings to values. We have the initiative and the responsibility to make things happen.” ~ Stephen Covey
2 minutes: Pause life. Read. Think. Resume life.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
PERSPECTIVE — “In the meanwhile, while they are robbing and being robbed, while they disrupt each other’s repose and make one another miserable, life remains without profit, without pleasure, without moral improvement. No one keeps death in view, everyone focuses on remote hopes. Some even make posthumous provisions—massive sepulchures, dedications of public buildings, gladiatorial shows, and pretentious obsequies. But the funerals of such people should be conducted by torch and taper light, as though they had in fact died in childhood.” ~ Seneca, On the Shortness of Life
2 minutes: Pause life. Read. Think. Resume life.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
BECOME MINDFUL OF ATTACHMENTS THAT LEAD TO CLUTTER AND COMPLEXITY — “For example, if you are attached to sentimental items, you won’t be able to let go of clutter. If you are attached to living a certain way, you will not be able to let go of a lot of stuff. If you are attached to doing a lot of activities and messaging everyone, your life will be complex.” ~ Leo Babauta
Many of the prompts I’m sharing have been chosen from the generous gifts given me by others. When I’m explicitly quoting, they are attributed (as above.)
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
AM I AN ENERGY-GIVER OR -TAKER? — Strive to lift others up; to leave them feeling better than before the encounter. While being mindful of my own energy level, seek ways to create a zest for life in others.
Remember: 2 minutes. Pause life. Read. Think. Resume life.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
For each of these prompts, grant yourself 2 minutes for self-reflection.
One-hundred-and-twenty seconds.
Pause life.
Read.
Think.
Resume life.
The prompts will be hit and miss; some will resonate with you and ring your thoughts as a beautiful bell. Some will fall flat leaving you to think I’m daft. Never you mind that.
Pause life.
Read.
Think.
Resume life.
Let’s guess that you have 37 seconds remaining of today’s 2 minutes. For today’s “Think”, please count slowly to 37. …yes, stop reading now, and count to 37.
Resume life.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
In this, our journey of small steps, reflection means self-reflection. That requires self-focus.
When you are self-focused—I’m talking about the small time you’re using right now to read this—you are the most important person in the universe.
You focus on you. I focus on me. They focus on themselves. Each of us self-reflects.
We know that other people are not resources for our consumption. It turns out that the best way to change the world… to be happy, to serve others, to be fulfilled… is to work on improving ourselves. Then we can each best do whatever it is we’re called to do.
Our experienced universe is not zero-sum. That means that it is possible for me to improve myself without causing other’s loss. In fact, my self-improvement improves the world. My relationships with others are a part of myself. Improving myself improves my relationships, which—since those relationships are also part of others—directly improves the people with whom I am interrelated.
ɕ
Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin? (The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
It took me many years to develop my personal habit and routines around reflection. On this blog, I’ve written a lot about the changes I’ve attempted in my journey of self-improvement, including a post in particular detailing what my morning reflection looks like. However, I’m not going into great detail of my habits and routines.
What are you thinking right now, after reading that paragraph?
(Sit with that question for a bit.)
What do you think about what I wrote? Are you curious to know my story in more detail? What do you think about being reflective? Are you curious to know more about yourself?
Whatever you’re thinking, that’s perfect.
What you’re going to do—now through March 1st, is practice being reflective. You’ve done the easy part: You’ve decided to practice.
The first three posts—this one, January 2, and Sunday January 3—are going to explain how this works. In this post, I’m simply introducing you to being reflective upon being prompted.
That’s all for today.
ɕ
As a PDF — You can download Practicing Reflection as a single e-book.