We get kind of deep this week, and not just because Carla has a literal pain in her butt!
Carla Gericke
“Never forget that the universe is a single living organism possessed of one substance and one soul, holding all things suspended in a single consciousness and creating all things with a single purpose that they might work together spinning and weaving and knotting whatever comes to pass.” ~ Marcus Aurelius
Grasping the duality of being one unfathomable living thing–the Universe–and also an entirely separate individual within this Universe, is what is missing from the world today.
Think of yourself as one cell in a vast organism. It’s your sole job to keep your cell healthy so that the whole can be healthy as well.
When you change your intentions from trying to fix the whole organism by hubristically trying to “fix the World,” and instead focus your intentions simply on “fixing” or enhancing YOURSELF, we all together, “cell” by “cell,” individual by individual, create a better Universe.
Your one job is to do YOUR best. The rest will follow.
“If you have assumed a character above your strength, you have both acted in this matter in an unbecoming way, and you have neglected that which you might have fulfilled.” ~ Epictetus
This one is a hard lesson to learn, but learn you shall.
For example: If you constantly threaten your co-workers as a mode of operation, expect someone to eventually call your bluff.
If you didn’t have the goods, I hope you learned a few things, like:
Treat others as you wish to be treated.
It occurs to me this “Golden Rule” really only works if one is not a raging asshole.
If you ARE a raging asshole, may I suggest you go do the work so that you do not “neglect that which you might have fulfilled”.
What does that work look like?
* Understanding your place in the Universe. Which is to say, in the center of YOUR story, but not in the center of anyone else’s. In your Play of Life, you must still remember there are many characters on the stage, and it behooves you to consider their strengths too. (AKA: Know the battlefield before you pick your battles.)
* Understanding that your thoughts and deeds have a powerful impact on everything you do, and that you attract what you put out.
What are you putting out?
Me? I’m over here living free in New Hampshire, promoting health and well-being through proper nutrition, hydration, breath-work, cold therapy, exercise and good sleep.
I reversed severe anxiety, obesity, alcohol-addiction and inflammation (which is “hell” on a cellular level) through lifestyle choices and mental changes.
You can too, but first: KNOW YOUR STRENGTH and “STOP ASSUMING A CHARACTER”, so you can holistically become the best YOU.
Not a “pretend you.” Not an impostor. Not “a character”. But YOU, revealed through a process of self-discovery while routinely making choices that trend towards health/well-being until they become second nature.
Good habits lead to a better life!
Follow me here for tips on The Good Life!
Live free and thrive!
Light at the end of the tunnel! A cliché, yes, but as we enter winter, always a good mindset to carry against the literal darkness.
Figuring out your winter coping strategies is vital to being a well-adjusted Free Stater.
Here are some of mine, AKA “An African in North-East America” :
Proper clothing! The Scandinavians say there’s no such thing as cold weather, only improper clothing. Woolen socks, silk undergarments, good gloves and hats all go a long way to making the cold days more toasty.
Get outside! I take almost daily 45+ minute walks. Yeah, you’re not going to feel like it some days, but go do it anyway. Even just around the block but hopefully farther. One of the best reasons to get a dog… built-in accountability partner! If you don’t have a pet, find someone to walk with you or who will check-in to see if you did.
Happy light! Yes, both the orange ball in the sky that you should be looking at intentionally at sunrise and sunset, but also, get an additional boost with a desktop light therapy lamp. Even 5 minutes a day will improve your mood.
Up or start taking Vitamin D. Just do it.
Meditation! A positive mindset in winter can make a massive difference. I used to get depressed when our Overlords decreed that the time change, resulting in it being dark at 4:20pm, but that was before I understood winter doesn’t get worse and worse, darker and darker, for longer and longer, but rather, instead, it starts getting lighter again before Christmas. Then it’s just the home-stretch to Spring!
If you just need a break… get away! Maybe you can’t afford to travel somewhere sunny and warm, but you can fake a summer-like experience at home. Pick your favorite beach movies, make some of your favorite summer foods, and throw a picnic on a blanket in front of the TV.
Socialize! Or nest! Remember, human contact is important, but also, for me, winter is a wonderful time to recharge my batteries, reflect on what I’ve accomplished, get projects that slipped under fresh eyeballs, catch up, cocoon, and contemplate next steps.
What do you want to accomplish in 2024?
What can you get done over the next 2 months to position yourself for success?
Is there something on the 2023 list you can still bang out? (I’m looking at you basement floor project! lol)
Is there one thing you can do for a friend that will make a remarkable difference in their lives?
Is there one lifestyle tweak you can introduce now, that if practiced routinely for the next 45 days will create a new sustainable lifetime habit? (I’m looking at you, HYDRATION.)
When winter comes, it can seem never-ending, but, as the Stoics and my Ma will say: This too shall pass.
How YOU choose to let Winter pass is, well, up to YOU!
Live mindfully free, use tricks to make life better, and thrive!
[Photo: Louis and Obi on Head Pond Trail last Sunday.]We talk about Right-to-Know and whether updates in the law should be applied ex-post facto (probably not) and whether Human Rights should trump special interest groups that only give “rights” to some people (definitely).
Read more about the case we mention in the Union Leader: Former Claremont cop seeks to keep files secret (paywall)
This just in from the Mercatus Center: NH keeps the lead at #1 in Overall Freedom!
Thank you to all those that work tirelessly to increase the Free State’s lead. If you are a hard working, liberty minded doer, move to NH, roll up your sleeves and get involved! A lot has been accomplished, but there’s much more to still do!
Delve into the NH data HERE.
These two photos were taken THIRTY years apart. What’s my secret?
Not fussing with a beauty routine! Like, I’ve hardly ever had one beyond wearing a hat if I’m in the sun for long–thanks, Ouma! I never used eye creams because constantly pulling at the skin around your eyes seemed dumb to me if you want to avoid wrinkles. I use natural oils as my face cream. I almost never take my makeup off either. And yes, my pillowcases have constant mascara smudges. So what?
Eating right! Even at my heaviest in my late 30s and 40s (50+ pounds ago), I have never been a fan of junk food. If you’re hoping to get healthier, consider this a good yardstick: You are as healthy as the amount of days from your last drive-through fast food order. Yeah, the choices you make on how you fuel your body is like an OSHA accident waiting to (not) happen.
Living positively! Crap happens. How you respond is a choice! I was ten, in boarding school on a different continent than my parents, when I decided I would always try to look on the bright side of life. So yeah, I basically navigate through life like I’m in a Monty Python movie… because… why not?
Earlier this morning, I read the term “Mitochondriac” and I’m embracing this 100%!
When you think about yourself on a deeply cellular level, and think about how to keep your mitochondria healthy–your literal life energy source–good decision like avoiding sugar (carbs, alcohol, candy, etc.) and daily exercise become easier.
The better you treat yourself, the better you feel; the better you feel, the easier it is to treat yourself right.
Want to live free and thrive? It’s up to YOU!
Follow my page for tips on #ketorecipes #wellness and how to #nourish yourself.
BONUS CONTENT!
New Hampshire Takes a Second Bat at Legislation to Secede From the United States
Not all Free Staters are pro-Independence, but many are. Elected state representative Matthew Santonastaso and I recently sat down with Red State to discuss upcoming secession bills.
CLICK HERE FOR RED STATE CONTENT.
Ours is a peaceful movement to try to get out from under the yoke of the corrupt and immoral federal government.
There are two bills being presented this year: one, similar to CACR32 from last year, but with a trigger this time for secession through a Constitutional amendment if the national federal debt reaches $40 TRILLION, and the second is a study committee to start grappling with the real questions we need to answer in order to make this a feasible play long-term.
In addition, Free Staters are working on a myriad of other issues, including energy independence by augmenting our nuclear power plant with other nuclear options (like small modular reactors) and introducing legal tender bills to put NH on gold/crypto/alternate currency standards, while others are making sure the next generation can actually read and write.
If YOU are demoralized where you are, perhaps it is time to MOVE for LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME. Also, can’t lie, it is kind of fun to live in the game of life called: BUILD YOUR OWN COUNTRY. Join us and come “Live free and thrive!” with me!
BONUS CONTENT!
Check out this op-ed in NH Journal: DeGRAFF: It’s Time for New Hampshire To Secede.