Jul 29
My RSS reader has over 1,000 unread items. My inbox is never down to 0. I’ve got stacks of books I’ve been meaning to read. TV shows I need to watch, bands I need to listen to.
Doctor, doctor, I think I’m suffering from information overload – there’s too much data and not enough time to sort and analyze. The constant stream of status updates, tweets and ticker feeds are bombarding my senses. It’s like I’m standing at the bottom of a waterfall with a paper cup, vainly trying to fill it up.
Reminds me of Blur’s Out of Time chorus:
And you’ve been so busy lately
That you haven’t found the time
To open up your mind
And watch the world spinning gently out of time
Worry not though, there’s a breath of fresh air out there, and it actually comes from my twitter feed. It’s the people I follow who tweet once in a while, once every 2 weeks at most. And it’s usually an update letting me know where they’re going to be, what they intend to do. No sharing of links, no snarky commentary, no self-advertisements.
More of that would be nice. So would shutting off my data stream tap. But I’m too addicted to the ebb and flow of information – I’m a proud card-carrying member of the 21st century hyper-reality meta-nation called the Internet.
Jul 27
I came across that question in the current issue of Monocle – and it got me pondering. While we’re very conscious of what we put in our bodies, what about the stuff we upload into our minds? Sure, we count calories but how many of us actually measure the content?
Wired recently posted a neat illustration that divides one’s media intake by type and by time spent. While this methodology recalls the food pyramid we’re taught at a young age, it does beg the question: is this breakdown actually healthy? While we can debate about whether 3.5 hours of entertainment is optimal, I think we need to examine the types of media we consume. To use the food analogy, it’s not only the number of servings of each food group that matters, but also where you’re getting your vitamins, carbs and proteins.
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Jul 21
Yesterday’s post about my workout regiment got me thinking about my spiritual well-being. Muay Thai is an excellent way to relieve the stress that builds up over the course of a day – in fact, it can be argued that any form of strenuous physical activity can do the job. I would still submit that there is something special about pounding away your frustrations…
But beyond the release of endorphins (which apparently is disputed), I think that there is something deeper at work when I’m in the middle of yet another set of crunches or push-ups. Repeated exercises seem to have a focusing effect on my mind – there’s clarity of thought as I realize my objectives. The more I whip my body into shape, the more I notice how very little disturbs me. Nothing seems to be of great urgency or worry, the only thought in my head is of Now.
In my hyperreality where I’m constantly plugged in, multitasking and on the go, Muay Thai has become my refuge. It’s a place of sanctuary, where I focus body, mind and soul. Much like meditation, these sessions have the added benefit of opening my consciousness. All of sudden I’m aware of the limitless potential that resides in me.
Hindus and Buddhists might call this opening your third eye, a crucial step on the path to enlightenment. While I’m admittedly not actively searching for nirvana, my dedication to a healthier lifestyle has engaged some higher consciousness. Whether physiological or psychological, I feel I’m a little bit closer to spiritual peace.
Isn’t that what we all want? A little bit of peace and harmony?
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