Mind Link Shapes

I did my reconnecting with nature challenge, still need to write and draw a picture of it, though. It was actually really nice. I spotted a family of deer and geese when I arrived at the park. This is Leroy Oaks near St. Charles, IL if anyone is familiar. The stream was very pleasant with green hues against the light snow. I should have worn a hat because I probably would have lasted longer outdoors. It was pretty cold, so I left fairly quickly. As I was leaving I spotted a giant bird in the trees. It's possible that it was a hawk, but from doing some research, I think it may be an immature bald eagle. It had an all brown head and a white belly. I think it may be the same bird I've seen there before. During the summer, I spotted a giant bird that was mottled brown. From what I gather, they turn from mottled brown to brown head to white head and brown body. Maybe someone here is an expert on large birds. This bird was very large and majestic. I parked on the side of the park road to get a closer look. The bird took flight as I approached. I was slightly fearful that this bird may try to attack me. It was very cold anyway and I got back in my car. It was a sight to behold. I'm thinking about going to visit this eagle often and enjoying its splendor.

I haven't posted in a little while. I'm really going to have to hustle to get this challenge moving. I haven't gotten on the treadmill the first week. I'm going to try to reconnect with nature today.

I was able to do 25 wide front pull-ups this morning, far surpassing my original record of 18! If you haven't been following my challenge in the druid forum (Which I'm sure you probably haven't). I used a technique called 'strength of the gorilla druid shapeshift mode'. I knew I was going to start lagging around 10 and 16 pull-ups. I thought of my silly 'gorilla mode' and was able to power through! What I think happens is the adrenaline kicks in and I am able to do more than I usually am able to do. Anyways, woot woot! I'm going to try this technique in other parts of my life. I was kind of able to use it to help wake up this morning.

I've had a similar experience. Video games are not always purposeless. I was playing FF10 HD remaster and I felt it was purposeful for two reasons. It reminds me of my childhood when I first played FF10 and loved it. It goes all the way back to playing Zelda and Bubble Bobble on the NES. That coupled with the lovely remade graphics on FF10 HD makes for a great experience. This is kind of how I see purpose: What you are best at + helping people + what has motivated you from very little = Purpose Thus, I can find purpose in almost anything. I was playing this iPad game today and there comes a point where it does become depressing. There doesn't seem like you are helping anyone including yourself and you get wrapped up in trolls. It just gets out of control and yes, I feel a lot of my depression stems from not spending time on purposeful activities, but there is purpose in the little things, like washing the dishes and something as simple as holding the door for someone. It really depends on the situation, but saying yes to helping people can be very purposeful. We are all here to help each other out, and if you don't it's going to be a depressing time.

Kind of an interesting day. I was doing P90x ab ripper and there is a section where they do reverse bicycles. I knew I always have to take a break. I thought about the druid shapeshift bear mode and was able to power through! I'm wondering if I would be able to use this in other parts of my life including music/art/graphic design. I was able to get through gorilla workout, but it was a pretty easy one. I wish I could be more focused on my music quests. I guess I dislike how much planning needs to be done to get really good music results. I just want to sit down and play. Oh well, gotta try out my 'one with the universe' magic meditation druid spirit mode' for music. Maybe that will help me find some better results.

Has anyone read the book 'The Power of Purpose'? I think it's really helping me become a more purposeful human being. It's almost as if you can train yourself to recognize purposeful activities and non-purposeful activities. It was pretty depressing at first because I realized I was not living a purpose-filled life, but now that I recognize this I am able to change it. It's still a little depressing because I am not really using what I do best to help people and serve society. It's like I have to claw and scratch my way towards a more purpose filled life. It's not going to be easy and I hope I don't get lost along the way. I was wondering if anyone has read this book and/or experienced something similar in their life? I'm sure it is possible to come to this conclusion without the book, but it helps to think about these things literally and train your mind to recognize purpose.

Did ab ripper and gorilla today. I think I need to take a break between gorilla and ab ripper. Took too many breaks. I'm going to try to start on the 'run like the wind' spell tomorrow. We will see if that even happens. Worked on some music and design. Maybe not as much progress as I would like, but I'm becoming more purposeful which is a good thing.

I hope you all don't mind if I post to this thread a good amount. I'd like to try to hold myself accountable. Made it through ab ripper and push-up gorilla workout.Gorilla workout level 2 workout 2. I had to take some breaks during ab ripper. My goal is to make it all the way through without stopping. I did a little bit of graphic design and e-mailing companies. Also drew some thumbnails and played some music. I'm going to pick back up my old Music RPG to add more motivation. Some of these challenges are going to be difficult. I'm really going to have psyche myself up and go magic druid shapeshift beast mode. I suppose some of these challenges will require 'one with the universe' magic meditation druid spirit mode. If you would like some support on your journey just let me know!

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I think the description of the druid is a little off from my opinion of a druid. I go with "We are the music makers,: And we are the dreamers of dreams" methodology.

18 extra wide pullups! I may not be able to do that anytime soon, but for now ya just gotta woot!

Hello wonderers, Join me on my quest of mind, body, and soul where I seek out adventure furiously battling myself to attempt to find my spirit and master my soul. Unlike most druids I lumber about concentrating on feats of strength yet mastering meditation and seeking out nature to connect with my druidic side. I also have a fondness for music to connect with the spirits and the universal network of souls. I connect with nature by training ferocious animals. So I embark on my four-week challenge. Mustering up any sort of bravery I can muster. Ferociously attempting to train my mind to higher ideals and great adventure. So without further ado, I present my challenges. Adventure level 1 Reconnect with nature, Visit a stream and/or park: Write a song and draw a picture about my experience. Run like the wind: Hop on the treadmill 4 times in the first week. Songs of old: Write and perform 2 songs in the first week. Strength of the gorilla: Do Gorilla exercises every day for 1 week Strengths of the past: Do Ab Ripper X every day for the first week Adventure Level 2: Air of the City: Visit 1 coffee shop in the city Meditation of the mighty and brave: Attend a meditation meetup Call of magical design: E-Mail 30 graphic design companies Strength of the giant gorilla: Gorilla exercises every day during the second week Strengths of the past: Do Ab Ripper X every day for the second week Feats of charm: Meet 5 new interesting people Feats of Design: Finish my personal logo and update my portfolio Feats of Music Design: Finish my personal logo and update my portfolio Adventure Level 3 Feats of design level 3: Design and Print business cards The call of great music: Learn and perform 6 songs Strength of the gorilla spirit: Gorilla exercises every day for 3rd week Strength of the gorilla Strengths of the past: Do Ab Ripper X every day for the 3rd week Adventure Level 4: Feats of Design level 4: Create 2 style guides and create new portfolio Feats of great music Learn and perform 12 songs Strength of the gorilla Legend: Gorilla exercises every day for 4th week Strengths of the past: Do Ab Ripper X every day for the 4th week Each goal on each level is 7 x the level. While the everyday challenges are worth how many days I do them x the level as an incentive to do them every day. Level 1 Max 35 Points Level 2 Max 112 Points Leve 3 Max 84 Points Level 4 Max 84 Points Total Max: 231 Points 200-231: A 180-199: B 150-179: C 100-150: D Lower and I'll probably retool my challenge and start over! Happy Adventuring! May add side quests to make up points. We will see!

Thanks for the reply, I think it is helping to set up a countdown to when I hope to have my goals completed. I also had somewhat of a revelation. I was reading a book called the motivation manifesto. He was talking about how action breeds motivation. It really struck a chord in me. The more action you take the more you will be motivated. It's like I've always known this, but it helps to take a very literal view on the topic.

I posted awhile ago and recently fell off the 'level up your life' a little bit while I'm still working on my character I have lost a little enthusiasm. How do you stay motivated? I'm thinking about keeping a detailed log on the forum. Maybe that would help. Also, today I edited some of my goals to try to stay fresh. I'm thinking about starting some sort of blog, but I'm not sure I'm ready to really go at it. Anyone else have any good ideas?

I'm a little concerned I will look too skinny. I'd like to try a workout program that focuses on muscle weight gain at some point. I started focusing on chin-ups so I can at least focus on the highest weight section of p90x, when I decide to attempt it again. I want to have higher then 30 lbs weights as well.

This morning I was able to do 18 hammer grip pull-ups! That's a new personal record! Pull-ups are weird, sometimes I'm able to do 15 and sometimes I max out at 7. Any tips on staying consistent? I'm thinking my eating habits matter. Usually I'm able to do more when I have more protein in my diet.