Spontaneity, creativity and the ability to connect →

Published December 19, 2018  ·  All posts on Dec 19  ·  

… A lot of it is relaxation. I ran into, the acting guru from the actors studio once, in an airport, and we just chatted. And he said, “you know what the actors in the movies in the 40s had, that was helpful to them? They knew how to make themselves relax on camera.” Because most of them were not experienced or trained actors, and they had to be comfortable. That’s why you constantly saw them lighting a cigarette or sitting on the edge of a desk. Anything to help them relax. And in that relaxation, which you can get other ways if you learn, comes spontaneity, creativity, the ability to connect with the other person, because you’re not worried about yourself. You’re not thinking ‘how am I doing, am I too fat…’

~ Alan Alda from, «https://art19.com/shows/clear-vivid-with-alan-alda/episodes/4a35b668-2adc-4aa3-83b0-25ef831568d2»

Theirs was a wide-ranging and very interesting conversation about the healing power of music. Around this part, they were talking about how some people seem to be natural-born communicators. In particular, how some people just seem to “fill up a space”—in a good way.

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Working hard →

Published December 18, 2018  ·  All posts on Dec 18

Not that I’m blaming society for my troubles as a young adult, but nobody ever seemed to have a very good explanation for why I actually might want to work hard and challenge myself. Not “have to”, or “need to,” but “want.” The reason was always, “It’s just something you should do,” or “You’ll be glad you did when you’re my age.”

~ David Cain from, 3 Pieces of Advice I’d Give My 18 Year-Old Self If I Could

True story: I once got a job working at a golf course as a grounds keeper. I’d bicycle ~10 miles at first-light and my dad picked me up after work. I’d string trim (the entire golf course — wrap your brain around that), edge sand traps (by hand using a machete to cut the edge of the lawn) and then rake the sand. I chain-sawed trees that fell on the course, and I painted wrought-iron in the blazing sun. Every weekday for an entire summer.

I learned two things:

A deep respect for physical labor.

…and that I wanted to go to college and be a scientist working in a lab, or maybe with computers.

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The frost →

Published December 17, 2018  ·  All posts on Dec 17

Young man,
Seize every minute
Of your time.

The days fly by;
Ere long you too
Will grow old.

If you believe me not,
See there, in the courtyard,
How the frost
Glitters white and cold and cruel
On the grass that once was green.

Do you not see
That you and I
Are as the branches
Of one tree?

With your rejoicing,
Comes my laughter;
With your sadness
Start my tears.

Love,
Could life be otherwise
With you and me?

~ Tzu-yeh, translated by Bruce Lee from, Bruce Lee the Renaissance Man

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(hat tip: Martial Artist of Life by J Little.)

It isn’t clear just how old the original poetry is; How about if I guess a round 1,000 years…

The human condition is clearly something we all have in common. Youth. Senescence. Immaturity. Wisdom. Life is a journey.

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Neutral →

Published December 16, 2018  ·  All posts on Dec 16  ·  

Neutral is a state where you are not jumping ahead too quickly or moving too slowly. Neutral does not mean being inactive, complacent, or passive. It’s about a calm poise that allows for new information and new possibilities to emerge before taking further action. When in neutral you actually increase your sensitivity and intuitive intelligence. Neutral is fertile ground for new possibilities to grow from.

~ Doc Childre

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Personal judgement →

Published December 15, 2018  ·  All posts on Dec 15  ·  

Embedded in White’s point about language I find a reflection of one of my core beliefs about life in general: that rules are excellent organizational tools and efficient reducers of cognitive load, but they are no substitute for contextual sensitivity and personal judgement.

~ Maria Popova from, E. B. White on Why Brevity Is Not the Gold Standard for Style

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Looking back a decade or so, I know that my working on self-awareness was the turning point. What did I discover, through my new-found skill of self-awareness? …an alarming lack of judgement and sensitivity.

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Work versus labor →

Published December 14, 2018  ·  All posts on Dec 14

Labor, on the other hand, sets its own pace. We may get paid for it, but it’s harder to quantify… Writing a poem, raising a child, developing a new calculus, resolving a neurosis, invention in all forms — these are labors.

~ Lewis Hyde from, Lewis Hyde on Work vs. Labor and the Pace of Creativity

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I’m alway cautious about reading clever nuances into language. Sure it makes terrific sense to distinguish between, “mindless stuff I do for money”—my phrase, not a quote from Hyde—and “heartfelt stuff I do”. But is that in the semanic definition of the words? …in the common usage of the word?

I’m not certain what to do with this; It simply struck me as worth sharing.

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Learning to say no →

Published December 13, 2018  ·  All posts on Dec 13  ·  

How to Say “No” Gracefully and Uncommit (#328)

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This is a two-chapter excerpt from a book, The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, by Greg McKeown, a book about being an essentialist.

At the beginning of 2018 I latched onto the idea that by saying, “yes,” to something I am cutting off a nearly infinite number of opportunities. Whereas by saying, “no,” I am cutting off just one opportunity and leaving space for a nearly infinite number of other opportunities. That makes, “no,” the obviously better default answer, yes?

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Marcus Lincoln | Parkour Concepts →

Published December 12, 2018  ·  All posts on Dec 12

On Castbox.fm — Marcus Lincoln | Parkour Concepts

What is the relationship between movement patterns, environmental constraints, and personal development in Parkour practice?

Discovering how Parkour integrates with everyday life and personal values.

What positions and what movements do I want to shape my body with? Or what do I want my body to be shaped by?

~ Marcus Lincoln (16:15)

The conversation considers the nuances of visualizing movement in Parkour, using concepts such as the “movement continuum” to break down and analyze motion. Topics include the biomechanical and environmental constraints on movement, as well as how practitioners can interpret and adapt to these factors. The discussion emphasizes how understanding patterns and positions can lead to both creative expression and refined techniques.

The second part focuses on actionable insights for practitioners, encouraging self-awareness and exploration of daily movement patterns. Suggestions include varying tempo, rhythm, and technique, while aligning movements with personal values and goals. The conversation highlights how Parkour principles extend into broader life practices, advocating for continuous improvement through awareness and incremental changes.

Takeaways

Visualizing movement — The concept of a movement continuum helps practitioners analyze patterns and improve their techniques.

Environmental constraints — How the environment shapes the potential for movement and influences decision-making.

Creative exploration — Using unfamiliar techniques or combining patterns to expand movement vocabulary.

Integration with daily life — Recognizing how Parkour principles affect broader aspects of life, including health and habits.

Incremental progress — The value of small, deliberate changes in movement and practice.

Biomechanical analysis — Breaking down movements into sub-phases to improve efficiency and adaptability.

Awareness of patterns — Identifying repetitive actions to build a foundation for varied and creative movements.

Potentiality in movement — Exploring the interplay between constraints and choices within a given environment.

Resources

Parkour Generations — A global organization dedicated to Parkour training and education.

Art of Retreat — A leadership and education conference for Parkour practitioners and enthusiasts.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Forgotten super-powers →

Published December 12, 2018  ·  All posts on Dec 12  ·  

Today we use tools without even thinking about it. Without a doubt, you are at this moment surrounded by (and draped in) all sorts of tools, equipment and technology. There are probably at least a dozen items in operation right now that are making your moment much better than it would otherwise be: clothing, writing utensils, computers, chairs, clocks, desks and eyeglasses for starters.

~ David Cain from, How to Enjoy Your Forgotten Superpowers

This is definitely an aspect of my Art du Déplacement, and self-improvement journey. I regularly—almost automatically now—run the train of thought he’s describing and it invariably serves me well.

In early 2018 I attended a winter retreat. On one morning, we all went out to hiking trails along a stream and water falls. It was snowy, cold, icy and sunny. I intentionally went in wool socks and my usual, minimalist running sneakers—with the insoles removed so there’s 2mm of rubber and nothing else between my socks and the world. I intentionally set out expecting wet feet (knee-deep snow in places), and my goal was to manage frost-nip and to enjoy the day. Result: Insane amounts of fun; New friends; Lessons learned; No injury; and I experienced a true winter-wonderland in a way I had never before.

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Circumstances →

Published December 11, 2018  ·  All posts on Dec 11  ·  

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.

~ George Bernard Shaw

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