It’s six O’clock on a Saturday morning. It has been a busy week, and usually I wouldn’t be up at this hour on a weekend. But this is the new normal, at least for now, and it’s because of the heat - going to sleep and staying asleep have become somewhat challenging.
Fabulous. Love it. I would never have imagined when I was training as a surgeon that there were others out there thinking this kind of thought. It’s a whole new camaraderie and I’m so grateful for it. Thanks for this lovely piece.
Thanks Gabriel I appreciate it. Little bit of a ramble but just trying to write a bit more organically now. Not trying to chase perfect anymore. I too am enjoying this corner of the internet. It's full of like-minded people
I'm far from an expert, but I am very much convinced that the whole presence project as so much better framed in terms of curiosity, both about the mind and the world. Chasing relaxation feels doomed to failure, but curiosity seems to get one there sideways.
P.S. I really really really want to know the name of the bird app so I can download it.
A lovely reflective piece. A long time ago, I worked with an ENT surgeon who had a farm. He said that the best time of his day was walking around the farm in the early morning. He was passionate about birds and loved driving a tractor more than any car. He appeared a very patient, interested, calm man, and I always felt that his varied interests greatly enriched his life.
Lovely post. Feel like we're all waking up from this curse of trying to optimise every single second. Have you read 'the meaning of your life' by Arthur Brooks? Think you might enjoy - talks about the importance of being bored and how it actually brings more meaning.
I too have been engaging in this type of practice since about 2019 (lawsuit— I had to learn to get out of my head—still working on it!). One of my common practices while driving into work is just to study the gauges on the dashboard. I’ll look at the temperature, the speed, the fuel level any other numbers I see and my hands on the wheel, what my skin looks like. I do pay attention to the road, but there just these moments of awareness.
A little bit separately out on the branch though is the awareness of others’ experiences and stories like you mentioned. Sometimes when I’m enjoying podcasts that tell fantastic stories of athletic triumph, peak wellness, optimal nutrition, leadership success, I have thought to myself that there are people in the neighborhood where my hospital is, who wouldn’t even be able to scratch the surface of half of the stuff that privileged individuals such as myself get to experience if we want to. They don’t know about optimization. They only know about survival.
Presence is a medicine that heals all beings, and what a great invitation to keep turning towards it over and over in every rustle of a leaf or beeping monitor.
Fabulous. Love it. I would never have imagined when I was training as a surgeon that there were others out there thinking this kind of thought. It’s a whole new camaraderie and I’m so grateful for it. Thanks for this lovely piece.
Thanks Gabriel I appreciate it. Little bit of a ramble but just trying to write a bit more organically now. Not trying to chase perfect anymore. I too am enjoying this corner of the internet. It's full of like-minded people
Another excellent piece!
I'm far from an expert, but I am very much convinced that the whole presence project as so much better framed in terms of curiosity, both about the mind and the world. Chasing relaxation feels doomed to failure, but curiosity seems to get one there sideways.
P.S. I really really really want to know the name of the bird app so I can download it.
A lovely reflective piece. A long time ago, I worked with an ENT surgeon who had a farm. He said that the best time of his day was walking around the farm in the early morning. He was passionate about birds and loved driving a tractor more than any car. He appeared a very patient, interested, calm man, and I always felt that his varied interests greatly enriched his life.
What a lovely comment. Sound like an interesting guy
Lovely post. Feel like we're all waking up from this curse of trying to optimise every single second. Have you read 'the meaning of your life' by Arthur Brooks? Think you might enjoy - talks about the importance of being bored and how it actually brings more meaning.
I haven't read it, no. I'll look it up. Thanks for the recommendation!
If you’re not present in your life, then what is it for? I have found being more present also helps access your own wisdom.
Totally agree.
Excellent portrayal of presence.
I too have been engaging in this type of practice since about 2019 (lawsuit— I had to learn to get out of my head—still working on it!). One of my common practices while driving into work is just to study the gauges on the dashboard. I’ll look at the temperature, the speed, the fuel level any other numbers I see and my hands on the wheel, what my skin looks like. I do pay attention to the road, but there just these moments of awareness.
A little bit separately out on the branch though is the awareness of others’ experiences and stories like you mentioned. Sometimes when I’m enjoying podcasts that tell fantastic stories of athletic triumph, peak wellness, optimal nutrition, leadership success, I have thought to myself that there are people in the neighborhood where my hospital is, who wouldn’t even be able to scratch the surface of half of the stuff that privileged individuals such as myself get to experience if we want to. They don’t know about optimization. They only know about survival.
It's easy to take for granted what we class as normal in our lives. Thanks for your comment
So well stated.
Presence is a medicine that heals all beings, and what a great invitation to keep turning towards it over and over in every rustle of a leaf or beeping monitor.