For the important work, the instructions are always insufficient. For the work we’d like to do, the reward comes from the fact that there is no guarantee, that the path isn’t well lit, that we cannot possibly be sure it’s going to work.
~ Seth Godin
slip:4a831.
It’s harder to see it when we’re the ones who are complaining so often. And in fact, in my experience most of us are in the habit of complaining, either out loud or to ourselves. Myself included.
~ Leo Babauta from, Practicing with the Complaining Habit
slip:4uzeco1.
I am not a complainer. (I’m not pushing back on Babauta’s post. It’s excellent, as usual.) If you spot me complaining, I’d appreciate being called out. Certainly, there was a time when I complained, but it is not now.
Being a “suggester” correlates with being a complainer. People who complain also suggest. “You should do that this way…” “This would be better with more…” “If I was in charge I would…” Ridding oneself of one of these flaws, will make the other intolerable, which begins the work of ridding oneself of the other.
ɕ
The first human who hurled an insult instead of a stone was the founder of civilization.
~ Sigmund Freud
slip:4a821.
Although plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of plantar heel pain, it’s not the only diagnosis. In fact, plantar heel pain that does not respond to conservative treatment is usually not plantar fasciitis.
~ Emily Splichal from, Got Heel Pain? It May Not Be Plantar Fasciitis
slip:4ubago1.
Sometimes I simply want to share something informative and capture the URL for my later re-finding.
ɕ
How does the process of starting a podcast evolve for someone navigating the challenges of being a beginner?
A self-proclaimed beginner embraces the unexpected joys and challenges of podcasting.
[…] I’ve found that going through those steps leads to some development professionally, or personally. You can’t hide from that. So even if you don’t come out with a podcast, you’re still going to come out with that.
~ Samantha Schuffenecker (18:18)
The conversation begins with reflections on the challenges of starting a podcast, emphasizing the beginner’s mindset and the value of making mistakes as part of the learning process. The discussion touches on the technical aspects of podcasting, such as audio editing and selecting music, which unexpectedly spark creativity and a deeper appreciation for the craft. A recurring theme is how these technical challenges can overshadow the original purpose of the podcast, leading to the realization that content and connection with guests should take priority.
Another topic explored is the evolution of the podcast’s concept. Samantha shares how initial ideas around interviewing athletes transformed into a broader interest in connecting with diverse individuals, reflecting a shift from competition to connection. The conversation also highlights the struggle of choosing a title that encapsulates the podcast’s vision, underscoring how clarity in branding can shape a creator’s confidence and direction.
(more…)When we read, another person thinks for us: we merely repeat his mental process. […] From all this it may be concluded that thoughts put down on paper are nothing more than footprints in the sand: one sees the road the man has taken, but in order to know what he saw on the way, one requires his eyes.
~ Arthur Schopenhauer
slip:4a820.
Spaced repetition comes up in discussions of optimal learning. Once one learns something, it’s best to review it after a period of time, then a second review, third, etc.. with the time between the reviews increasing. There are class structures and software packages which implement this. (Randomly over the years I’ve even considered dumping everything I ever wanted to learn into such a system.)
Part of the power of the spacing is that you don’t come to expect when a particular bit of information will be reviewed. “Oh! I need that knowledge, I guess it is important.” It all apparently causes the brain to not allow the knowledge to expire and be lost. I’ve discovered that my regular usage of the slipbox is randomly, (in the sense that I have no sense of what or when to expect to bump into an idea again,) reminding me of things.
For example, I had a slip, “4c2se1j” with an idea for a blog post on it. As I was writing the post, which involved Sönke Ahrens, I flipped to her name in the slipbox to add this slip’s address to things related to her. She’s on the slip at “4c1ae(3)”. (Because “4c1ae” overflowed to a second “4c1ae(2)” and then third slip “4c1ae(3)”.) Next to her name I added “4c2se1j”. Your eyes may have glassed over, but that’s just another random moment in my using the slipbox—nothing particularly interesting there.
While doing that, my eyes flashed across two addresses already on Ahren’s line…
First, “2ho1”. Just four characters, but I instantly recognized the “2” as a book reference, and Ahren’s book is “HOw to take smart notes.” Several of the ideas from the book flashed through my mind.
Second, “4c2ko1a”. That looks gnarly, but “4c2” is themes. “4c2ko” then must be a word with first-letter K, and first-vowel O, and it has to be related to Ahrens? …that’s easy. That would be the slip for “KnOwledge systems”. I don’t know for sure (without looking) what’s on “4c2ko1a” but lots of ideas related to knowledge systems popped into my mind.
Don’t be distracted by my insane, paper-slips in physical-boxes system. There are countless ways to take notes. (Ahrens has a lot of great stuff to say about that, and I’d argue she has The stuff to say about it.) My point here is that by taking notes into a system that is designed to help me think—not tell me how to think—it does in fact help me think and helps me learn and remember.
ɕ
slip:4c2ko1c.
How do creative endeavors like podcasting and writing a book evolve and create opportunities for growth and connection?
Exploring how passion fuels creativity in podcasting and writing a book.
There is an outcome that is super powerful that the present version of you can’t even conceptualize for the future.
~ Morgane Michael (4:33)
The discussion begins with Morgane sharing her journey of writing a book and starting a podcast, emphasizing how passion and a sense of purpose drive their creative efforts. The conversation highlights how pursuing projects like these involves balancing a full-time teaching career and personal responsibilities while staying true to one’s creative vision. Morgane discusses the interplay between inspiration and discipline, reflecting on the importance of aligning work with personal fulfillment.
Craig and Morgane explore themes of growth and reflection, focusing on how intentional journaling and self-assessment help shape creative endeavors. They touch on the role of habits and the tension between routine and mindfulness. Insights include the importance of creating meaningful content, building connections, and recognizing the long-term impact of seemingly small actions. The conversation also covers Morgane’s vision for future projects and her interest in amplifying voices through conferences and workshops.
(more…)What connections and influences exist between Parkour, bouldering, and theater?
Combining theater and physical disciplines creates new dimensions for expression and skill development.
Happiness, honesty and exploration.
~ Panda Ilén (19:33)
The conversation explores the intersections of Parkour, bouldering, and theater in shaping movement practices and self-expression. Topics include the influence of environment, seasonal changes, and the impact of community versus solitude on training. Panda reflects on how bouldering introduces new ways of thinking and moving, which also informs their approach to Parkour.
Theater emerges as a complementary discipline, with a unique ability to channel movement skills into creative performances. Seasonal challenges, particularly in Nordic winters, and transitions between locations further frame the discussion, shedding light on the importance of adaptability in both practice and life.
(more…)I felt like I had a choice, and I had to look and choose. Do I go into nothingness, I give up, I quit, I walk off the cliff ahead of me, I just run off it and scream and that’s it, or do I accept that everything’s been taken away from me, but it was never mine to begin with? We come from dust, and we return to dust. We don’t have anything except what we’re given, and it’s a gift. Life is a gift.
~ Andrew Foster
slip:4a819.