Eat, Talk, Throw

Categories: Blog, Dan John, Mick Dodge, Ellen Langer Sep 24, 2023

Hey guys, 

 

Another week has come and gone. This was a pretty good week. A friend from Idaho stopped by for a few days and we were able to break bread a few times and have some good conversations. In fact, while it may not seem productive, the fellowship I was able to have with my buddy seemed like the most meaningful thing I did all week. Makes me wish I could just do that all the time - have good conversations with friends and share meals together. I think those are some of the things that just make life better. 

 

In a wild turn of events, perhaps sparked by the slower pace of my friend’s visit, I think I finished my new book. For now, I’m calling it The Book of Strength. It’s about engaging in your design to express the strength you want to have. Well, it’s about that and a little more, but for the most part, it’s about the practice of strength. I have sent it off to my publisher for his blessing. If he likes it, I’m guessing it would be out by 2024. 

 

Speaking of a slower week, I also found time to watch Episode 2 of Star Wars, The Attack of the Clones. I think my excitement over Ahsoka rekindled a curiosity about the prequels. To my surprise, I enjoyed it so much more than my memory of it. I even overlooked Jar Jar and did not let him irritate me. After the movie I came to a conclusion that I’ve known for my entire life: I just LOVE Star Wars. It could be one of the greatest story threads ever. That and Rocky! Both of these started when I was a child and both are still being woven into today’s story-telling. 

 

I guess my grandkids will be able to say the same thing about the Fast and the Furious. I hear they are working on Episode 57 right now… 

 

And now, a little bit about movement. I’ve been playing with my hammers and clubs more this week because of a few conversations I’ve had with the Legend Mick Dodge. He is such a fascinating person. Anyway, with Mick’s inspiration, I’ve been “swinging” and “throwing” more this week. I have to say, I like it. It just feels good when your movements feel like they have purpose. The rotational acts of swinging, chopping, throwing are often neglected in my training because I get focused on the main four movements: squats, hinges, pushes, pulls. But I experience such a primal, and a feel-good, energy when I explore the hammer and clubs; maybe my body is trying to tell me something. 

 

Anyway, here is a public service announcement in case it is needed: 

 

We are made to squat, hinge, push, pull, rotate, walk, jump, throw, swing, climb, skip, run, kick and more. It’s worth our while to engage in these movements so we can have them when we need them. And, it is simply worth our while to engage in them because they are the patterns we were made to do. I have found, when we do the things we were designed to do, life is just better. 

 

For what it’s worth, we are also made to smile, laugh, love, serve, care, encourage, and support. Again, I’ve found when we do the things we were designed to do, life is just better.

 

My BodCast with Mick should be out this Friday. 

 

If you missed it, I had an amazing conversation with Ellen Langer last week about her new book The Mindful Body. Ellen is the Mother of Mindfulness and she is one of the freshest breaths of air in the world. Your thoughts lead your body. Ellen teaches us how to use this to our advantage when it comes to our health and wellbeing. You do want to listen to this conversation: 

 

BodCast Episode 191: The Mind-Body Unity Theory with Ellen Langer

https://youtu.be/gQWynHUEJc0

 

Okay my friends, that’s it for this week! Go have a nice conversation with a friend or two and throw something! 

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