WolfDreamer Has Hope

[WolfDreamer]

I had a plan. I really did. And then during my devotional/prayer time, this verse came up: "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son," -- Colossians 1:13

 

Message received.

 

I have been in some emotionally dark places this year, instigated mostly by current events and being too much in my own head. If you've been following me for a little while, you know that some old bad habits have crept back up, and I have been fighting some demons, slaying some dragons, and bouncing between feeling like a failure as a husband and father and feeling hopeful that I really am doing as well as I can in the circumstances.

 

This challenge, like many that have come before it, will have three categories: Mind, Body, and Spirit. It will be themed after things that give me hope: scripture, poetry, music, nature, fictional and real-life characters, motivational videos, stories of success and overcoming adversity, and of course lots and lots of time with family and friends.

 

I will use a daily point system based on the level of personal difficulty. For example, even though I love to read it is difficult for me to sit still and focus for for an extended period of time. Therefore, that task is worth more points. Every 250 points I will "level up" and will reward myself in some way (sleep in, eat a cheat meal, buy something for myself, etc.).

 

 

Mind (17 points):

• wake up early Monday-Saturday -- (1 point)
• read for at least 20 minutes a day -- (5 points)
• learn something every day (via podcasts, articles, videos, etc.) -- (5 points)
• complete the daily goal on Duolingo (Spanish) -- (1 point)
• journal daily -- (5 points)

 

 

Body (22 points):

• intermittent fasting (at least 16 hours) -- (5 points)
• practice the Wim Hof Method daily using the WHM app -- (5 points)
• daily workout -- (5 points)
• integrate creative movement throughout the day (walking, squatting, crawling, sprinting, etc.) -- (1 point)
• eat mostly (75%-80%) whole foods -- (5 points)
• no sodas and at least 11 glasses of water daily -- (1 point)

 

 

Spirit (11 points):

• meditate at least 10 minutes daily -- (5 points)
• daily prayer/devotional/scripture reading -- (1 point)
• reach out to at least one friend or family member a day via message or call -- (5 points)

[Rhovaniel]

Hey WolfDreamer! Good to see you. 

 

Sorry to hear things have been so rough. Your goals look solid though. Here to cheer you on. 

22 minutes ago, WolfDreamer said:

Yes. Yes there is. And you do not stand alone. 

 

[WolfDreamer]

57 minutes ago, Rhovaniel said:

Hey WolfDreamer! Good to see you. 

 

Sorry to hear things have been so rough. Your goals look solid though. Here to cheer you on.

 

Thank you, Rho. It's always great to see you.

 

58 minutes ago, Rhovaniel said:

Yes. Yes there is. And you do not stand alone.

 

I appreciate it. That means a lot, truly.

[Snarkyfishguts]

Yesssssss, I'm so glad you're here! You are a bright spot in dark times, and I know this trying time for you will be temporary. 💚

[WolfDreamer]

1 minute ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

Yesssssss, I'm so glad you're here!

 

Thank you! It's always a pleasure to see you, as well!

 

1 minute ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

You are a bright spot in dark times, and I know this trying time for you will be temporary. 💚

 

Thank you! What a great compliment! I am honored and humbled. Thank you.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not comprehend it.

 

Here to shine with you.

[Elastigirl]

Love your challenge and will be following along.  What a great verse from Colassians, and a great reminder of why we do have hope.

[WolfDreamer]

16 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not comprehend it.

 

Here to shine with you.

 

I love that verse. Also:

"for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8)

 

15 hours ago, Elastigirl said:

Love your challenge and will be following along.  What a great verse from Colassians, and a great reminder of why we do have hope.

 

Thank you, and welcome! 

 

Since this is an all-guild challenge and many of those who see this may not know me well, I think it would be good to share my origin story:

 

Jason lived a comfortable, but unfit life: former smoker, junk food lover, video game and comic book nerd, and couch potato. But on occasion when he did leave his home, he felt so alive when outside, especially in the wild, like some primal energy was whispering to him. After graduating college, getting married, and having two children, the pounds added up, but the whispers continued. Then he stumbled onto a video of Erwan LeCorre (founder of Movnat) and has never been the same. Now drawn to fitness programs that encourage him to "go wild" and discover his inner animal, when he isn't caring for his queen and four princesses or inspiring minds as a high school teacher, he roams the wilderness as WolfDreamer, a barefoot and shirtless wild man who climbs rocks and trees, sprints across open fields, lifts stones and logs, swims in wild waters, and even howls at the sky.

 

That just about sums it up. A lot has happened since I first posted this to NF, but not much has changed in terms of how I approach health, fitness, and life. I stumbled onto the Wim Hof Method a few years ago and have embraced meditation and yoga, as well, but the origin of my health and fitness journey can be traced back to this video:

 

 

While my health and fitness journey has been far from graceful or consistent, I can say without a doubt it was never the same after seeing this video. I joined several health and fitness groups that focused on primal/ancestral health, tried eating as close to Paleo as possible, and eventually stumbled onto Nerd Fitness and (perhaps not so coincidentally) discovered that one of the leaders of an ancestral health and fitness group to which I belonged (Jonathan Mead) was a presenter at one of the NF camps.

 

And the rest, as they say, is history... I've been a member ever since, I read Steve's book soon after, and I chose the Adventurers guild without hesitation, then eventually applied to be an Adventurer GL. I've never turned back because life has never been the same.

[WolfDreamer]

We had our first accumulated snowfall of the Fall-Winter season today! Celebrated by taking a shirtless thirty minute walk with my dog. And of course there will be plenty of time outside in the snow with my daughters. Oh, and also, some beautiful music:

 

 

[Sciread77]

Yay for snow! I’m following along in the all-guild free for all. I like your challenge. 

[Rhovaniel]

2 hours ago, WolfDreamer said:

We had our first accumulated snowfall of the Fall-Winter season today! Celebrated by taking a shirtless thirty minute walk with my dog

Kudos! I know someone who follows the Wim Hof way of thinking. But his methods usually involve a wheelie bin full of cold water outside in his garden lol

[Ann of Owlshire]

Hurray for snow!

 

Always glad to see you around. 

[WolfDreamer]

5 hours ago, Sciread77 said:

I’m following along in the all-guild free for all. I like your challenge.

 

Thank you my friend! Great to see you.

 

5 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

Kudos! I know someone who follows the Wim Hof way of thinking. But his methods usually involve a wheelie bin full of cold water outside in his garden lol

 

I am trying to procure a large plastic garbage bin to fill with ice water. Until then, I take cold showers and have the occasional opportunity to take a dip in a cold river or stream.

 

4 hours ago, Ann of Owlshire said:

Hurray for snow!

 

I know, right!

 

4 hours ago, Ann of Owlshire said:

Always glad to see you around. 

 

The feeling is mutual, my friend.

[WolfDreamer]

I fully realize this type of music is not for everyone, but let me explain. This band has been therapy for me these past few months. The intensity of their music combined with the raw honesty of their lyrics has really helped me work through some difficult emotions. I will be sharing some of their songs (as well as the lyrics) in the order that I remember being most affected by them. If metalcore isn't your thing, feel free to skip these posts.,

 

 

Lyrics:

 

Ones and zeros fill my eyes
Am I supposed to be like everybody else?
A prisoner of my own mind
Should I give up? Should I give up?

I try to smile, try to fight
Just say I'm okay
But everyday feels like a hurricane

Yeah, I was born in the rain
Yeah, I was born in the rain

Answers never seemed so distant
The fear of missing out blurs my vision
Am I enough to live up to the expectations of a world
That won't stop moving?

I am so lost in the eye of the storm
I am so lost

But I try to smile, try to fight
Just say I'm okay
But everyday feels like a hurricane

Yeah I was born in the rain
Yeah I was born in the rain

So tell me what I need
So tell me what I need
The water's rising past my eyes
So tell me what I need
The water's rising past my eyes

The rain pours down
The clouds block the light
I can't find the help I need
Let this destroy me
Let this destroy me

I try to smile, try to fight
Just say I'm okay
But everyday feels like it's killing me

Yeah I was born in the rain
Yeah I was born in the rain

So tell me what I need
The water's rising past my eyes
So tell me what I need
The water's rising past my eyes
So tell me what I need
The water's rising past my eyes
So tell me what I need
The water's rising past my eyes

[Captainfantastic]

Here for encouraging hope! Dark times allow us to shine brighter or some cheesey line like that! Excited to watch you grow this month

[Heidi]

On 11/30/2020 at 12:52 PM, WolfDreamer said:

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son," -- Colossians 1:13

Well spoken, Friend.

The darkness does not define us.

You are not alone.

[fitnessgurl]

A friend once told me that even in the darkest of times; there is always a silver lining.

Sometimes you have to really look for it; but it is always there.

Praying for you to find it. *hugs*

[Rhovaniel]

On 12/2/2020 at 12:51 AM, WolfDreamer said:

I will be sharing some of their songs

Bring 'em on! I love metal  The last concert I went to was Rammstein, and this music definitely got me through some rough points. My playlists are still full of things like this. Do you like Shinedown?

[WolfDreamer]

3 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

Do you like Shinedown?

 

Yes, I do. Their version of "Simple Man" is my absolute favorite. I can bang that song out a capella at karaoke. 

 

4 hours ago, fitnessgurl said:

A friend once told me that even in the darkest of times; there is always a silver lining.

Sometimes you have to really look for it; but it is always there.

Praying for you to find it. *hugs*

 

Thank you. You have wise friends. It's good to see you. 

 

On 12/5/2020 at 3:26 PM, Heidi said:

Well spoken, Friend.

The darkness does not define us.

You are not alone.

 

Thank you. I am grateful for this wisdom. Glad you're here with me.

[WolfDreamer]

Day One (Sunday 12/6/20):

 

Mind:

• wake up early Monday-Saturday -- It's Sunday, so... (0 points)
• read for at least 20 minutes a day -- read a few more pages of Becoming a King by Morgan Snyder (5 points)
• learn something every day (via podcasts, articles, videos, etc.) -- listened to a short interview with Dr. Pete Attia about fasting and the importance of good nutritional practices during the feeding window (5 points)
• complete the daily goal on Duolingo (Spanish) -- learned some Travel words and completed a story (1 point)
• journal daily -- wrote about my challenge and tracked my moods for the day (5 points)

Mind total: 16 points

Body:

• intermittent fasting (at least 16 hours) -- fasting begins Sunday evening, so... n/a (yet) (0 points)
• practice the Wim Hof Method daily using the WHM app -- completed one round after listening to a guided meditation (5 points)
• daily workout -- took my dog for a brisk 5k walk (5 points)
• integrate creative movement throughout the day (walking, squatting, crawling, sprinting, etc.) -- played with my kids, tried riding a skateboard, stretched and squatted while outside with my dogs (1 point)
• eat mostly (75%-80%) whole foods -- breakfast: frittata sandwich with egg, bell peppers, mushroom, bacon, onion with turkey sausage and cheese; lunch: avocado toast with salsa, olives, garlic, shredded cheddar cheese, red pepper flakes and drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice; dinner: air fried pork chops, French-style green beans, corn, mashed potatoes (5 points)
• no sodas and at least 11 glasses of water daily -- no sodas, but I did not drink enough water, so... half credit? (.5 point)

Body total: 16.5

Spirit:

• meditate at least 10 minutes daily -- listened to a guided visual meditation before my WHM breathing (5 points)
• daily prayer/devotional/scripture reading -- said the Lord's Prayer, as well as a more personal prayer; read the daily verses on YouVersion (Mark 1:2-4) and watched a video devotional that accompanied it (1 point)
• reach out to at least one friend or family member a day via message or call -- texted my buddy Rick and our friend Mikey; we have a 5k a day challenge going this month (5 points)

Spirit total: 11

Daily total: 43.5

[WolfDreamer]

According to Spotify, this was my most frequently played song... which isn't my fault because I don't have premium. This song just happens to be on several playlists I listen to and popped up frequently. It's also very, very relevant to 2020 and describes pretty closely one of the reasons I felt so lost and really disappointed with most of society this year.

 

When will we stop paying the price of agony?

 

 

A world divided
In a race that no one can win
The worst fears ignited
All the hate that's burning within

Taught to hate anyone that dare stand in our way
Taught to fight the system that keeps this evil alive and feeds their greed

Are we better?
Old machines have told us who to be
Are we better?
Your hollow voice won't speak for me

Every day we're growing colder
Our divide is growing further and further
The hands of time are moving faster
When will we stop paying
The price of agony?

There's a heart that beats for hope
There's a voice that fights for reason
Look around and see
It's closer than you think

Are we better?
Old machines won't tell us who to be
Are we better?
No one's voice will speak for me

Every day we're growing colder
Our divide is growing further and further
The hands of time are moving faster
When will we stop paying
The price of agony?

A world divided
In a race that no one can win
The worst fears ignited
All the hate that's burning within
Burning within

Destroy the madness
Destroy the madness
No one's voice will speak for me

Every day we're growing colder
Our divide is growing further and further
The hands of time are moving faster
When will we stop paying
The price of agony?

Holding on to what we know
Too proud to change
Too scared to grow
Holding on to what we know
Too proud to change
Too scared to grow
Holding on to what we know
Too proud to change
Too scared to grow
Holding on to what we know
Too proud to change
Too scared to grow

[WolfDreamer]

Day Two (Monday, December 7, 2020):

 

Mind:

• 0415 wakeup 
• read more of Becoming a King; I'm also listening to The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones 
• listened to a lesson by Wim Hof about the impacts of the WHM 
• completed the daily goal on Duolingo; I learned some school terms 
• journaled about my challenge and tracked my emotions and thoughts for the day 

Mind total: 17

 

 

Body:

• fasted from 8:10 pm Sunday to 12:20 pm Monday; I woke up hungry, but I drank some water with apple cider vinegar, Himalayan pink salt, and lemon juice, and later I had cold brew coffee (black) from Dunkin Donuts.
• Three rounds of WHM breathing (2:03, 2:08, 2:15), cold shower (2 minutes warm, 3 minutes cold), reverse balance, and later a 1 minute cold plunge in the creek
• 5k trail run/hike in the snow at Little Creek Park (which is actually where I did the cold plunge); it was 33 degrees F outside. 15:48 pace with 528 ft elevation gain
• stretched and walked several times today and played with my kids and my dogs
• lunch: veggie Rueben (sauerkraut, hummus, banana peppers, thousand island dressing, shredded mozzarella), Naan bites, red quinoa and chia organic tortilla chips, salsa; dinner: Baja fish tacos topped with pico, lettuce, and sauce (from a local Mexican restaurant)
• no sodas, and I drank enough water

Body total: 22

 

Spirit:

• listened to a guided meditation before bed
• said the Lord's Prayer as soon as I woke up, as well as a more personal prayer; red the verse of the day and the devotional that accompanied it
• texted with my friends Rick and Mikey about our 5ks.

Spirit total: 11

Daily total: 50

[WolfDreamer]

This song has a fitting title and a fitting meaning. Every time I hear it I get chills because it just... feels familiar (if that makes sense).

 

 

 

"Locked (In My Head)"
 

The writing's on the wall, replaying every story
Reality got lost in the fear waiting for me

If all I know is the worst in me
If I close my eyes, will it set me free?

Locked in my head again
Locked in my head again
A war against myself
It's me and no one else
Nobody understands
I'm locked in my head again

Another night, another breath, hopeless prayers
Pulling in, dwelling in, all my fears

If all I know is the worst in me
If I close my eyes, will it set me free?

Locked in my head again
Locked in my head again
A war against myself
It's me and no one else
Nobody understands
I'm locked in my head again

Locked in my head again
Locked in my head again
A war against myself
It's me and no one else
Nobody understands
I'm locked in my head again

[fitnessgurl]

*hugs*

[Rhovaniel]

On 12/6/2020 at 11:13 PM, WolfDreamer said:

Yes, I do. Their version of "Simple Man" is my absolute favorite. I can bang that song out a capella at karaoke. 

 

I have been on a real kick with them the last year or so. I've always liked them but lately, they've made their way up a few spots. My all time favourite is probably Unity, but their recent one 'Atlas Falls' is a brilliant pick-me-up one.