Good Morning On Purpose

In this episode I am inspired by the mysterious activity of two birds, which inspires a deep dive into recent discoveries in the animal kingdom. From hibernating bears to monogamous voles, we still have a lot to learn from the creatures we share the earth with!

Sources:

Caterpillar venom study reveals toxins borrowed from bacteria == https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2023/07/caterpillar-venom-study-reveals-toxins-borrowed-bacteria

DNA repair and anti-cancer mechanisms in the longest-living mammal: the bowhead whale == https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.05.07.539748v1.full

How Bears Hibernate without Getting Blood Clots == https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-bears-hibernate-without-getting-blood-clots/

University of Colorado at Boulder. "Science confirms it: Love leaves a mark on the brain." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 12 January 2024. .

Music:

'Clarion' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Age of Wonder' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode I address dealing with discomfort! Upon listening and editing my first recording there was an audio issue, so this is an attempted recreation of my original point, and may seem a bit disjointed. The message rings true either way - that we need to learn to lean into our discomforts in order to address pain or issues in our lives. Enjoy!

Quotes:

"Ultimately, happiness comes down to choosing between the discomfort of becoming aware of your mental afflictions and the discomfort of being ruled by them." = Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

"The first step is recognizing the things that make you uncomfortable and knowing how they make you feel. This will enable you to identify what types of experiences to seek out. Knowing the unique triggers that make you uncomfortable and facing those challenges instead of turning away from them is the best way to grow." - Arlin Cuncic == How to Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable (verywellmind.com)

"For patients dealing with chronic pain, treatment plans are designed for that particular patient. The plan often involves teaching relaxation techniques, changing old beliefs about pain, building new coping skills, and addressing any anxiety or depression that may accompany pain." - Dr. Rachel Goldman == (Managing chronic pain: How psychologists can help with pain management (apa.org))

Music:

'Moonlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Clarion' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Time and Space' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Over the weekend I went out and tried something new with a group of friends! I describe my experience, and continue on to ruminate about courage and confidence, and the impact it can have in our daily lives. Even seemingly small and inconsequential actions that take us out of our comfort zone can change how we see ourselves.

Quote:

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt. You Learn By Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life

Music:

'Clarion' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Golden Hour' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Moonlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

This is another 3, 2, 1, Go! episode. I take time on my rest day for the week to review three things I am passionate or that I love, two things that I plan to do to make a particular impact on my week, and one thing that I feel truly grateful for that day. You can simply join me to learn a bit about the person behind this podcast, but you can also do this yourself once a week or every time this episode comes around for you!

Quotes:

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great. When you are seeking to bring big plans to fruition it is important with whom you regularly associate. Hang out with friends who are like-minded and who are also designing purpose-filled lives." - Mark Twain, via Gay Zenola MacLaren's "Morally We Roll Along"

Music:

'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Clarion' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Phase Shift' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode I recant a cautionary tale about a creature that commonly lurks about my home. From there, I examine potential derision and satire Mark Twain might have written about this podcast were he here today, and pit Picasso and Ellen Degeneres against each other with competing ideas about today's theme.

Quotes:

"Procrastinate now, don't put it off" = Ellen Degeneres

"Only put of till tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone." - Pablo Picasso

"Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well." - Mark Twain

Music:

'Clarion' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Sarsaparilla' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'High Games' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode I recognize Eartha Kitt! Her birthday passed recently, and I took the time to review some of her career and great accomplishments. It's always important to remember that even massively successful people struggle, because we are all human! You never know when your struggle will amount to a new and greater lvel of success, and contribute to the greatness of your legacy.

Quotes:

"The river is constantly turning and bending and you never know where it’s going to go and where you’ll wind up. Following the bend in the river and staying on your own path means that you are on the right track. Don't let anyone deter you from that." - Eartha Kitt

"I’ve never felt that fear is my enemy. Fear is my friend. It offers me a chance to stay alert, keep growing, continue creating something new. If you don't take that sort of risk, you learn nothing." - Eartha Kitt

Music:

'Time and Space' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Clarion' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Moonlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In today's episode, I rambled on for so long during my walk that I didn't have enough time to edit it down! While rushed, this episode includes a decent description of an issue I faced over the last couple of years, and I start to make a larger point that I will try to wrap up in the next episode.

Quotes:

“Some people think they are in community, but they are only in proximity. True community requires commitment and openness. It is a willingness to extend yourself to encounter and know the other.” - David Spangler

“When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other.” - Margaret J. Wheatley

Music:

'Clarion' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Effervescence' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode, I start out by sharing my slow and rather unoptimistic start to the day. From there I manage to rally through a popular and famous quote from a speech and lunch with my favorite person. Don't forget that, even on the rough days, it's about what you did with the time that you had.

Quote:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt, Citizenship in a Republic

Full speech:

The Man in the Arena: Citizenship in a Republic - Theodore Roosevelt Association

Music:

'Age of Wonder' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Within Our Nature' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Clarion' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode, I take a few moments to appreciate my surroundings on a snowy day at the lake. Next, I expand on my thoughts about community and help from friends with some examples from last year. In an increasingly online world it's easy to find an encouraging post, get supportive messages, or have a meaningful voice chat; it can be hard to make time to visit a friend or lend a helping hand. Remember that before people exist in our thoughts, contact lists, or follows, they live in reality and the present.

In this episode I come in having taken a moment to appreciate the first fresh snowfall of the year! From there I think on doing more to spread goodness and wellbeing to each other - not just those in our group orfamily, but to each other as a collective. My aim here is not to argue with a particular societal structure or political view, but rather to step to the side of those things and focus on how we can ensure that everyone everywhere might be able to have a positive life experience.

Quote:

"Don't go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought 'This contemplative is our teacher'. When you know for yourselves that, 'These qualities are unskillful; these qualities are blameworthy; these qualities are criticized by the wise; these qualities, when adopted and carried out, lead to harm and to suffering' - then you should abandon them... When you know for yourselves that 'These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted and carried out, lead to welfare and to happiness' - then you should enter and remain in them."

Music:

'Last And First Light' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Clarion' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Moonlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au