Skip to content

Category: Thinking Clearly

Dance Uncaringly

Published on September 10, 2022

The music was banging. The vibes were insane. Seemingly everybody was entranced and moving hypnotically.

…And what was I doing? Hesitating and looking on from the edge.

This was one the first, important realizations I had while at Burning Man.

For some reason or another (or for many reasons), I was confronted with a level of self-consciousness that I didn’t realize I had.

I was so consumed thinking about what everybody else thought of me and how I danced that I resisted dancing at all—even in the midst of complete and total strangers who I’d likely never see again!

This certainly wasn’t an innate belief and was something I must’ve (mistakingly) learned along the way. Maybe from comparisonism, a comment from a person in the past, a story I was telling myself about how I had to be or act… or a combination of all of the above.

It was only after I confronted this hesitation, sat with it for a few minutes, and unpacked the feeling in full that I was finally able to let it go.

“What the hell are you doing thinking so much?!” I thought.

And I locked my bike, duck taped my ego’s mouth, and let my body do whatever the hell it wanted as I surrendered to the pull of the bass and sway of the crowd.

P.s. I’ll be sharing pictures from Burning man on my IG. The first has finally been posted. More to come :)

Burning Away Everything You Know

Published on September 8, 2022

If you burned away everything you knew about yourself… what would remain?

This was one of the most remarkable questions I was asked while at Burning Man.

Worth reiterating: if everything I knew about myself…

  • my past experiences
  • my relationships
  • my occupation
  • my education
  • my joy/pain

…was burned away—what would I have left inside?

Before you read my answer, I encourage you to pause here and think about how you would answer this question…

Go ahead, I’ll still be here when you’re done…

The answer I came up with (which didn’t come quickly or easily) was everything I had when I was born:

  • my curiosity
  • my liveliness
  • my innocence
  • my immediacy
  • my compassion

Which made me think: a lot of what we carry with us in identity/ experience/ education is worth burning.

Not everything, of course, because there is a lot in identity/ experience/ and education that we carry that’s worth protecting.

But, there’s a lot that extinguishes our curiosity; deadens our liveliness; contaminates our innocence; removes our immediacy; and kills our compassion.

And that, is where the real inner work begins.

Not in trying to add to what’s already inside… but in working to subtract—to burn away—everything that’s corrupting what’s already there.

How would you answer this question? I’d love to hear. Simply send a reply :)

Characteristics of Freedom

Published on September 7, 2022

If you can’t:

  • Sit quietly
  • Sleep peacefully
  • Dance uncaringly
  • Love unconditionally
  • Create wholeheartedly

…You aren’t free.

No matter what your work title, bank account, or social media feed might otherwise suggest.

Morning Hours vs. Evening Hours

Published on August 25, 2022

A belief I’ve recently identified that’s limiting me:

My brain: “11pm/12pm bed time… same thing”

Also my brain: “If I could just wake up at 7am instead of 8am, my day would go 100% smoother.”

Point being, if I can keep the importance of an hour in my mind at night—then I get to take back a crucial hour of my day in the morning.

…Because according to my body, 8 hours of sleep is non-negotiable.

And by 11pm at night, there’s really nothing I’m going to do that won’t be done better at 7am the next day.

Worth reflecting on for yourself: what’s a belief you’re holding on to that’s limiting you?

P.s. I’ll be going to Burning Man this week! If you enjoy these daily posts, you can send a little love via coffee here. I could definitely use the caffeine for this partially-insane experience. ;)

Dollars vs Energy

Published on August 24, 2022

Isn’t it funny how keenly aware we are of dollars…

But, are somewhat daft when it comes to energy…

Like, “No, I do not want to round up my purchase today for charity, thank you.”

But, “Yes, I agree to this commitment that I absolutely don’t want to do that also takes away hours of precious time from my top priorities.”

Maybe if we started treating energy like dollars… we wouldn’t be so damn tired all of the time.

On Pie

Published on August 23, 2022

The thing about overnight success, early virality, and winning lotteries…

Is that it gives you some pie…

But, no recipe.

The goal isn’t to just have pie…

The goal is to become a damn good chef.

P.s. In case you missed it, you can read the best of what I posted to MoveMe Quotes last week, here.

When Talk Is Gold and Action Is Cheap

Published on August 22, 2022

Talk is cheap.

Unless you’re talking to:

  • Wisdom-bearers
  • Deep-thinkers
  • Action-takers
  • Go-getters
  • Initiators
  • 1%ers

Then, talk is gold.

Action is gold.

Unless you’re taking action without:

  • Focus
  • Thought
  • Connection
  • Reflection
  • Alignment
  • Intent

Then, action is cheap.

Be careful not to apply a cliché to your life without careful and deliberate consideration.

All action and no thought can be just as bad as all thought and no action.

The real gold lies in the beautiful, deliberate balance of the two.

P.s. Today is my birthday! I asked: “(If you’re older) What’s ONE thing you’d tell your 33 year old self now? (If you’re younger) What’s ONE thing you’d love to see your 33 year old self doing/ having done?” Here are the answers. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!