This was last week’s Friday Five I sent to the tribe and an example of what you can expect to receive from the man bun maestro. If you are interested in receiving cerebral cereal every Friday, there’s sign up form at the bottom of the page.
Week one, done. I’ve surfed into 2017 like a pod of orcas on the hunt for salmon. It’s going to be a great year. Here are five things that have tickled my brain this past week
If you have any earth-shattering quake books, quotes or songs to share, send them over!
I. A Question
This one is from my friend, Karen:
When did you figure out that you are you and not what your parents expected you to be?
II. A Quote
Your brain is not designed to make you happy. That’s your job. -Tony Robbins
III. Reading – Lying by Sam Harris:
I keep this one on the shelf for reference. In a concise book of less than 100 pages, Sam Harris makes the case for telling the truth, always. For example, if a friend asks, “Does this outfit make me look fat?” It’s in their best interest for us to tell them the truth. What if the friend is overweight, but no one has had courage to tell them? Offering the truth, in a graceful manner, can have a long term positive effects on the one asking, and the one telling.
When we ask for feedback, we should be prepared to receive it.
Sam Harris on ‘Faint Praise’:
“When asked for an honest opinion, we do our friends no favors by pretending not to notice flaws in their work, especially when those who are not their friends are bound to notice the same flaws. Sparing others disappointment and embarrassment is a great kindness. And if we have a history of being honest, our praise and encouragement will actually mean something.” –Lying, p.25
IV. Article – How Walking in Nature Changes the Brain
This weekend, go for a walk in nature and know that science is backing you up on it:
“Most of us today live in cities and spend far less time outside in green, natural spaces than people did several generations ago.
City dwellers also have a higher risk for anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses than people living outside urban centers, studies show.”
V. Music I’m listening to:
I’m a big believer in “You are what you eat.” And not just the food on our plates, but what we consume from the news feed, the music we listen to, the people we hang out with, the books we read, etc.
I mean, do I really want to be programmed by music that talks about cooking crack, fighting, or struggling? No.
The past few months I’ve been listening to more lyric-free classical music while writing, working, and relaxing. I then listen to different sets of the same few songs on repeat depending on the activity.
These two songs are part of my writing cycle playlist:
1. Bach: Cello Suite No 1. in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude
2. String Quartet No. 3 “Mishima”: VI. Mishima / Closing
Until next week, my friend.
Bula Vinaka,
Timo
Picking up what I’m throwing down? Join my weekly newsletter to get the Friday Five, tips on coffee brewing, meditations, life strategies, and more: