WolfDreamer

Catcher in the Rye was the first book I read a second time...unless you count some of the children's books I re-read as a child. I can understand how frustrating waiting for something like this can be. I don't want to downplay your anger because you know more about your situation than I do, but sometimes there is reward in the waiting. Take time to yourself to reflect before moving on. An online friend of mine wrote a pretty good book about this: The In-Between: Embracing the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing Jeff says "Learning to live in this tension, to be content in these moments of waiting, may be our greatest struggle — and our greatest opportunity to grow." Or maybe you have every right to be pissed and just need to vent. That's okay, too.

Connect With Environment: In spite of the bitter cold (between 15 and 20F, -9.4 and -6.6C). Spent most of the day in minimalist shoes, but I did go outside barefoot this morning and this afternoon. Spent time petting and playing with my Australian Shepherd and my cat, Ashes. Also did some birdwatching. Four Joulebug challenges: Skip the plastic, lights off, reusable coffee mug, and double-sided printing Connect With Food: Breakfast and lunch were vegetarian; dinner was sashimi Forage some wild onion and made tea with dandelion. Lunch! Connect With Body: 2 minutes deep squat this morning, 1 minute this afternoon, 2 minutes this evening. Still not drinking enough water through the day; need to get serious about this. 9,408/10,000 steps; sooo much office work today that I barely made it out. 30/75 pushups today; there's still time to get the rest...maybe... Did some quick sprints, crawling, step-overs and duck-unders, vaults, and mountain-climbers. Connect With Tribe: Helped Gracelynn make a leprechaun trap for school; played with Arabella before bed. Hugs and kisses for everyone before leaving for school; also had tickle-time with Arabella. Did not call my mother. I was busy most of the day and now it's late. Connect With Self: I don't recall any moments of anger or frustration today. Read more of Tools of Titans as well as some classic poetry. Spoke mindfully and clearly to one of my students about upcoming projects. Things I'm grateful for: sashimi, root beer, patience Connect With Eywa (God): Greeted the morning with a grateful smile and a spoken "Thank you." Prayed this morning while staring up at the moon and Jupiter; planning to listen to some binaural beats before bed. Said a few spoken prayers of gratitude and praise as well as some unspoken prayers for family members and a friend who has a tumor. Smiled and greeted several people on campus, as well as a cashier at GoMart who was very grumpy (this did not change how I treated him, though).

Hell yeah. You'll be back to body-checking in no time.

Kind of reminds me of my favorite scene from Final Fantasy X, where Yuna convinces Tidus to smile and laugh out loud even if he doesn't feel like it.

Thank you. I think it's a little of both.

Same. Except instead of cats and dogs, those would be children. That's what you meant, too, right?

I love how the dog is like, "Not again."

That's the right attitude...or should I say...CATtitude?

This:

Thank you @lucky fire dragon, @Dagger, and @Sylvaa. Maybe I should have been more clear. Yesterday was one of those days where I was just going through the motions, not really "feeling it." I did feel better by the end of the day, and I give credit to your support and to making myself get up, get outside, and get moving!

It's excellent. My morning routine was inspired by this book. And I've taken several of the workout/movement suggestions, as well as connected with several of the people in the book online. I'm not sure how familiar you are with Tim's podcast, but it's basically a compendium of tips, strategies, life lessons that he's gathered from his most famous guests. I don't recommend reading straight through it like a regular book. It's more of a useful resource to dip into and get some excellent nuggets of advice. I've skipped around and read familiar names (Wim Hof, Tony Robbins, etc.). I read a paragraph of a section about taking psychotropics and thought Nope, not for me, so I moved on to the next. It's the only book of Tim's that I own.

This made me smile, and I needed to smile:

Thank you.

Gotta make a confession: I'm not feeling it today. But I wasn't completely useless. Connect With Environment: Walked across campus in minimalist shoes; took a brisk (about 32F/0C) but rewarding barefoot walk across the field behind my house Walked to the 10th floor of Wallace Hall and walked around the side of the building behind some bushes I had never noticed before. Not a lot of birds out today (guess it's too cold?), but I did spot a woodpecker and a few squirrels; I played with and pet my Australian Shepherd, Minnie. Joulebug challenges today: packed lunch in a reusable bowl and drank coffee in a reusable cup Picked up litter in the field behind my house Connect With Food: Fasted for breakfast; lunch was sweet potato corn chowder, so veggies = red peppers, leeks, carrots Foraged a small bit of purslane from the back field, just enough for a snack. Connect With Body: Deep squats: 2 minutes this morning, 3 minutes this afternoon Struggled to drink enough water today; I'll try to get it all before the day ends. 10,198 steps today 75 pushups done Connect With Tribe: Played in the living room with littlest daughters. Hugs and kisses before leaving for work/school for wife and daughters this morning Snuggled in bed with my wife and watched one of our favorite shows (Scorpion). Called my mother; she's doing well, but my stepfather is getting really weak again; may end up going back to hospital Connect With Self: Mindful of moments in which I felt frustrated; tried to trace the cause of frustration before it turned to anger. Read more of Tools of Titans. Resisted the urge to complain about something that is out of my control. Things I'm grateful for: sunbutter, snow, my daughters' laughter Connect With Eywa (God): Overslept this morning, so I skipped the "Thank you." Sorry. Meditated when I first arrived at work since I was the only one there. Said a few spoken prayers of gratitude and a few silent prayers for family members, especially my stepfather. Held the door for several people on campus and offered a few smiles, hellos, and how-are-yous.

Thank you! Glad you're following along. I appreciate it. Welcome!

This is an awesome challenge @Severine! Following, for sure, and I'm here to support in any way I can.

Epic shit is always good. Following, and I'm here for support.

Nice @MichiruSedai. I love that you have "kept things simple" while also building on and enhancing past challenges. You're going to kick this challenge's toosh!

I'm so jealous. Your challenge is awesome, btw. Following!

Right now? It's cold and snowy. Yesterday (Monday) it was about 60F (15C). But remember that I trained for cold weather in my first challenge, so going barefoot in the cold is no problem for me. Am I allowed to ask your age? I spent a lot of time barefoot as a kid, but only in warm weather and only at home. Then, like a lot of other people I "grew up" and wore stylish but affordable sneakers and boots, except for summer when I either wore sandals or returned to bare feet. Now, as an adult, I look for every opportunity possible to take my shoes off or at least wear minimalist/barefoot shoes when footwear is required. I used to have plantar fasciitis and heel spurs when I was training for the Army National Guard (which never happened, long story, ask me later). Then, via a recommendation I read Born to Run by Chris McDougall and was sold on the idea of barefoot running. I'm not exaggerating when I say that after I made the transition to barefoot running...no more plantar fasciitis or heel spurs. My calves ached for the first few weeks of training, but that was probably because I didn't ease into it. My enthusiasm got the better of me. I don't know the specifics of your foot issues, but I encourage you to try going barefoot when you can, on safe surfaces like soft ground or carpet. Work the muscles in your feet, spread your toes, steps up onto the balls of your feet, try walking barefoot. There are few things more therapeutic for the body than removing barriers between our flesh and the earth. Below is a quote from The Barefoot Professor in a post about Biofeedback: With an estimated 100,000 - 200,000 exteroceptors in the sole of each foot, your feet are among the most nerve-rich parts of your body. This fact alone should demonstrate the importance of touch to walking and the benefit of going bare for walking properly. But why are there so many nerve endings in the feet? How do those sensitive soles aid walking? Stand up and walk around (barefoot). When standing and walking, the sole of your foot is the sole part of your body in touch with the environment [2]. Sensory information from the foot is used to protect the foot itself from injury, but it’s also used by the brain to make subtle adjustments in your gait to protect bones and joints all the way up your body and to maximize the efficiency of your movements. In others words, it makes walking more fluid and graceful and safe. It takes only milliseconds for sensory information from your foot to reach your brain and for your brain to respond by making adjustments to muscles in your legs, back and arms. By contrast, walking in shoes is far more clumsy and inefficient due (in part) to impaired biofeedback. Muscle contractions, impact forces and joint range-of-motion are measurably different when barefoot [3-8]. I hope this helps. You are the expert of your body and know better than anyone what is best for you. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Now, if you read this book instead of watch the movie...that would be an adventure. It's hefty, but amazing. And btw, so is your challenge. Following.

Following, as always @Dagger. This is going to be fun!

You're welcome. And thank you.

Connect With Environment: The Na'vi are deeply connected to the natural world around them and they take care of it. When completing each of these challenges, engage all of your senses and stay mindful of the impact nature has on your body and your spirit. Walked across campus underneath the trees. Walked barefoot across the field behind my house; wore minimalist shoes at work. Explore the creek behind the student union. Too cold for a swim, but I went to the Coal River and did a quick cold immersion in swimming trunks; lasted about a minute and a half. Did a lot of bird watching; spotted blue jays, robins, chickadees, and even a red-tailed hawk; also made eye contact with a squirrel, who seemed just as curious about me as I was about him. Three Joulebug challenges today: used a reusable coffee mug, took a short (and cold) shower, a turned off the lights in the room when I didn't need them. Connect With Food: The Na'vi are omnivorous hunter-gatherers with a deep connection to the available provisions that surrounded them, both meat and plant. When completing these challenges, savor each bite, eat mindfully and pay close attention to how this affects your body and spirit. Had an egg sandwich for breakfast on wheat bread with plenty of spinach, mustard, mayonnaise, and bacon; the eggs are from my neighbor's chickens. Vegetables and fruit: spinach on my sandwich, strawberries, cranberries, and a spinach salad for lunch with carrots, turkey, mushrooms, and apple cider vinegar. Steak wrap with lettuce and pico de gallo for dinner. Forage some dandelion this afternoon and made dandelion tea. Connect With Body: The Na'vi need their body to be in top shape in order to survive such a harsh environment. When completing this challenge, use a variety of "wild fitness"/primal/paleo natural movements and be mindful of how this impacts your body and spirit. Practiced deep squatting this morning and several times this afternoon; total time 6 minutes. Drank 1/2 gallon of water; I had to pee a lot. Balanced on curbs, parking bumpers, and across the top of a wall. 15,907 steps walked today 75 pushups done. Connect With Tribe: The Na'vi have a deep connection with members of their tribe, especially family but also tribal elders and leaders. For this challenge, be mindful of your relationships and how you strengthen them. Had a tickle fight with all four of my daughters this morning before school; played with my 6 year old (Gracelynn) this afternoon; took Bianca (13) to dance class; snuggled and played with Arabella (4) before bed; hung out with Aryanna (16) while she was working on school work. Gave my wife a foot rub. Hugged and kissed wife and kids before leaving for work/school; hugged my brother when I saw him today; hugged mom when I visited her. Connect With Self: In spite of living in a savage environment, the Na'vi are very self-aware and practice a disciplined self-control and humble appreciation of all life, including their own. Felt frustrated with a cashier who messed up our dinner order, but I took a breath and thought about how to solve the problem. Read some of Tim Ferris's Tools of Titans. Spent most of the day working silently at my desk or walking around campus; I also spoke less and listened more to coworkers but answered their questions directly. Things I'm grateful for: cold rivers, blue sky, fresh strawberries. Connect With Eywa (God): The Na'vi believe in and commune with a being greater than themselves. This is the essence of their culture and it drives their actions and lifestyle. While completing these challenges, be mindful of where your heart and spirit rest on these issues. Greeted a morning with a genuine "Thank you." Meditated for 6 minutes this morning and 5 minutes this afternoon Spoke several prayers of gratitude and said a few unspoken prayers for family, friends, and our country. Smiled and greeted several people on campus; opened doors for a few people and stepped aside to allow some people to pass down the stairs.

It's actually not a checklist app. It's a sustainability app that encourages habits that help the environment (like using a refillable coffee mug instead of a paper cup, carrying your groceries in a reusable bag instead of plastic, taking shorter showers to save water, etc.).