So true about the fear narrative, Tommy. States control through fear, and media is the medium. You are so right - people are generally kind, helpful and giving. Believing that (and actually experiencing it) is your first step to travel freedom.
It’s felt especially important because the more I believe the world is a dangerous place, the more I believe in the violence of human nature. Which is downright depressing and generally leads to a certainty in oncoming Apocalypse.
The medium also has a big impact that extends beyond the message. Instantaneous access to the most violent events all around the world is a downside of our media landscape.
I'm popping in here to recommend Confeitaria Colombo. You probably already heard about it; it was chosen as one of the world's top 10 most beautiful cafés. Beautiful Belle Époque architecture, kind of pricy, amazing pastries.
Loved it Tommy. Loved the HT quote (and saved it). And your notes on Rio strongly resonate. I noticed the exact same things when I went for the first time many years ago. I guess certain places have cultural features that never disappear through the years. Great piece. :)
Catching up on reading your posts at the moment but I loved your ideas from this week! So poetic the way you described every place as having something it is gently whispering to you, it is so true. I loved the way you pointed out that if we just judged people based on what we hear on the news, we would think the world was a terrible, awful place. And yes, there are terrible and awful things that happen but, in the words of Luke Bryan, I believe most people are good.
As for the question you’re prosed this week, that is a thought that frequently comes across my mind. What path should I take to make me the happiest I can be? What if I take the wrong one? What if I spend so long trying to decide what path to take that road options I had before get closed off?
And I have come to the conclusion, still with hesitation and doubt however, that sometimes it is important to think less and just do. Do what your heart is calling to, do what lights you up inside, do what intrigues you, and say yes more than no (unless it is something stupidly dangerous or something you genuinely do not want to do of course). I think that no matter what paths you take or decisions you make about your life, it will be a good one if you spend it laughing with friends, being kind, and going on as many adventures as you can.
It’s so good to hear from you. thank you for reading my work and continuing to share your beautiful reflections. Brought a big smile to my face.
I think your exactly right about the world. While there are many awful things that happen globally there is so much beauty and goodness locally. Luke Bryan is right.
I thought this was so good: “I have come to the conclusion, still with hesitation and doubt however, that sometimes it is important to think less and just do. Do what your heart is calling to, do what lights you up inside, do what intrigues you... no matter what paths you take or decisions you make about your life, it will be a good one if you spend it laughing with friends, being kind, and going on as many adventures as you can.”
I don’t know if you write online but that’s essay worthy! So so good.
Thanks again & hope you’re having a lovely November :)
If you don’t like the weather, stick around for twenty minutes!🤣
Four seasons in one day is common place. So much so nothing’s a surprise. It’s normal, and we don’t see it really. Visitors do. Great writing on your stack . The weather here is such, I’m sitting outside watching a sunset, with no shirt on. 😀😎it’s a beautiful evening.
Nothing like a good book. Or a man posting on his travels such you two.. processing as you are writing. Fresh and alive, man. Nothing like off the cuff, let’s see what today brings, living. You are making some great memories, my friend. It’s a beautiful thing to share.👌👏✍️
I’ve walked through the falls road in Belfast, oblivious to the fact that they, the Protestant paramilitary groups, were kidnapping and killing catholics all the bloody time. I was a Southern Ireland catholic, complete with the accent. I had just fancied a bit of air. When I returned to my hosts, they went ashen faced when I told them where I had been. I had even had a pint of beer there. In a bar that had union jacks all over the interior. I think they thought I was British, maybe from Liverpool as our accent is similar. Fear did not enter the equation as I was not aware of the danger. Just carried on as normal. Your trip sounds epic so far. There’s a whole article to be written about the beach etiquette alone. Keep going!! Thanks for sharing. It was bucketing down with rain all day yesterday, and we had a storm on Friday, so you lifted my spirits young man. Many thanks to you and your brother!
That’s an incredible story Kevin. One I’d love to hear in more detail sometime.
It’s funny. The most dangerous moments of our lives we’re often completely ignorant to the danger we’re in.
The trip has been good to me. Got to Buenos Aires last night and already loving it. Paris was one of my favourite cities and Buenos Aires has many familiar notes.
Hope your weather turns around. Or, at the least, you can find a good book to read and find some beauty amidst the storm.
This is so very true. "In general, I think we're ruled far less by objective facts and far more by cultural narratives than we care to admit." And the most sobering part of this fact, is that those cultural narratives don't even have to be broadcast externally any more, because we've internalized them, and now mistake them for our authentic desires, preferences and beliefs. It's no small piece of work on self to extricate our authentic essence from the rubble of conditioning.
“The rubble of conditioning”. I love it. So true Rick.
It’s funny how hard it is to discern what is authentic versus what is conditioned--what we believe that is ours versus what isn’t. I think one of the best methods is separation. Having time in solitude to hear your own thoughts. But still, it’s difficult.
Thank you for reading and leaving such a thoughtful note :)
Totally agree Tommy with the "separation" practice, which many traditional spiritual paths have referred to as "retreat." I try to take daily retreats myself, which usually take the form of finding refuge in the nearby woods, meditation, time with my kids, or spouse. It's a funny idea but I think finding distance or separation as you say from the conditioning is actually achieved by real connection with others, as opposed to the soup of pseudo-connection that proliferates online for instance. Feels like that's part of our mission, to feed conversations like this and shift the tide.
Awesome Catalina. I’ll make sure I’ll add it to my list. Thanks for the recommendation :)
Big fan of beautiful architecture and pastries - both together sound lovely.
So true about the fear narrative, Tommy. States control through fear, and media is the medium. You are so right - people are generally kind, helpful and giving. Believing that (and actually experiencing it) is your first step to travel freedom.
It’s felt especially important because the more I believe the world is a dangerous place, the more I believe in the violence of human nature. Which is downright depressing and generally leads to a certainty in oncoming Apocalypse.
The medium also has a big impact that extends beyond the message. Instantaneous access to the most violent events all around the world is a downside of our media landscape.
I'm popping in here to recommend Confeitaria Colombo. You probably already heard about it; it was chosen as one of the world's top 10 most beautiful cafés. Beautiful Belle Époque architecture, kind of pricy, amazing pastries.
Loved it Tommy. Loved the HT quote (and saved it). And your notes on Rio strongly resonate. I noticed the exact same things when I went for the first time many years ago. I guess certain places have cultural features that never disappear through the years. Great piece. :)
Ah Silvio, thank you for reading and leaving a kind note :) I should’ve guessed you are a world traveller.
So much changes with the advances of modernity but I think the essence of a place remains the same.
Would love to hear more about your travels sometime.
Catching up on reading your posts at the moment but I loved your ideas from this week! So poetic the way you described every place as having something it is gently whispering to you, it is so true. I loved the way you pointed out that if we just judged people based on what we hear on the news, we would think the world was a terrible, awful place. And yes, there are terrible and awful things that happen but, in the words of Luke Bryan, I believe most people are good.
As for the question you’re prosed this week, that is a thought that frequently comes across my mind. What path should I take to make me the happiest I can be? What if I take the wrong one? What if I spend so long trying to decide what path to take that road options I had before get closed off?
And I have come to the conclusion, still with hesitation and doubt however, that sometimes it is important to think less and just do. Do what your heart is calling to, do what lights you up inside, do what intrigues you, and say yes more than no (unless it is something stupidly dangerous or something you genuinely do not want to do of course). I think that no matter what paths you take or decisions you make about your life, it will be a good one if you spend it laughing with friends, being kind, and going on as many adventures as you can.
Rachel!
It’s so good to hear from you. thank you for reading my work and continuing to share your beautiful reflections. Brought a big smile to my face.
I think your exactly right about the world. While there are many awful things that happen globally there is so much beauty and goodness locally. Luke Bryan is right.
I thought this was so good: “I have come to the conclusion, still with hesitation and doubt however, that sometimes it is important to think less and just do. Do what your heart is calling to, do what lights you up inside, do what intrigues you... no matter what paths you take or decisions you make about your life, it will be a good one if you spend it laughing with friends, being kind, and going on as many adventures as you can.”
I don’t know if you write online but that’s essay worthy! So so good.
Thanks again & hope you’re having a lovely November :)
The sunset was amazing and now there’s a big ol
moon shining. Beautiful night. Rest up and talk soon!👏✍️💪
Good man. Eat. Rest. Up and at em tomorrow! Or maybe Tuesday.😀rest is exercise, after all.
As we say around here regarding weather..
If you don’t like the weather, stick around for twenty minutes!🤣
Four seasons in one day is common place. So much so nothing’s a surprise. It’s normal, and we don’t see it really. Visitors do. Great writing on your stack . The weather here is such, I’m sitting outside watching a sunset, with no shirt on. 😀😎it’s a beautiful evening.
Take care!
Thank you, Kevin. I appreciate all the kind words and energy. It’s been a hard day - feeling a bit low & honestly really needed to hear that :)
Hope your enjoyed the sunset
Nothing like a good book. Or a man posting on his travels such you two.. processing as you are writing. Fresh and alive, man. Nothing like off the cuff, let’s see what today brings, living. You are making some great memories, my friend. It’s a beautiful thing to share.👌👏✍️
I’ve walked through the falls road in Belfast, oblivious to the fact that they, the Protestant paramilitary groups, were kidnapping and killing catholics all the bloody time. I was a Southern Ireland catholic, complete with the accent. I had just fancied a bit of air. When I returned to my hosts, they went ashen faced when I told them where I had been. I had even had a pint of beer there. In a bar that had union jacks all over the interior. I think they thought I was British, maybe from Liverpool as our accent is similar. Fear did not enter the equation as I was not aware of the danger. Just carried on as normal. Your trip sounds epic so far. There’s a whole article to be written about the beach etiquette alone. Keep going!! Thanks for sharing. It was bucketing down with rain all day yesterday, and we had a storm on Friday, so you lifted my spirits young man. Many thanks to you and your brother!
That’s an incredible story Kevin. One I’d love to hear in more detail sometime.
It’s funny. The most dangerous moments of our lives we’re often completely ignorant to the danger we’re in.
The trip has been good to me. Got to Buenos Aires last night and already loving it. Paris was one of my favourite cities and Buenos Aires has many familiar notes.
Hope your weather turns around. Or, at the least, you can find a good book to read and find some beauty amidst the storm.
Thanks again :)
👏✍️😎
Thanks for reading Kevin :) appreciate you
This is so very true. "In general, I think we're ruled far less by objective facts and far more by cultural narratives than we care to admit." And the most sobering part of this fact, is that those cultural narratives don't even have to be broadcast externally any more, because we've internalized them, and now mistake them for our authentic desires, preferences and beliefs. It's no small piece of work on self to extricate our authentic essence from the rubble of conditioning.
“The rubble of conditioning”. I love it. So true Rick.
It’s funny how hard it is to discern what is authentic versus what is conditioned--what we believe that is ours versus what isn’t. I think one of the best methods is separation. Having time in solitude to hear your own thoughts. But still, it’s difficult.
Thank you for reading and leaving such a thoughtful note :)
Totally agree Tommy with the "separation" practice, which many traditional spiritual paths have referred to as "retreat." I try to take daily retreats myself, which usually take the form of finding refuge in the nearby woods, meditation, time with my kids, or spouse. It's a funny idea but I think finding distance or separation as you say from the conditioning is actually achieved by real connection with others, as opposed to the soup of pseudo-connection that proliferates online for instance. Feels like that's part of our mission, to feed conversations like this and shift the tide.
Completely agree Rick. Connection lies at the core of life, I intuit. Couldn’t have put it better :)
I’m sure in BC as well there are many beautiful places to commune with nature.
That there is!
"There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship."
Fucking great quote.