Wolfen Becomes One of the People

[WolfDreamer]

First, some mood music:

 

 

This challenge is based on the Na'vi from James Cameron's Avatar. It's an epic one, but it blends well with habits I have already developed.

 

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.

• At least 30 minutes outdoors/day in a natural setting
• Go barefoot at least 30 minutes/day; wear minimalist shoes when necessary.
• Explore an unfamiliar outdoor area, or explore a familiar one as if seeing it for the first time.
• At least one wild swim/week
• At least one tree climb/week
• Give at least 5 minutes/day of your attention to a life form other than human (pets, wildlife, plants, etc.).
• Download Joulebug and complete at least one challenge/day.
• Do a litter cleanup in a natural area at least once/week.
• Avoid using plastics of any kind (unless impossible).
• 1 hike/week

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.

• Eat full vegetarian at least one day/week
• Eat at least 1 vegetable/day
• Eat fresh meat instead of processed/boxed/canned meat at least 3 days/week; this includes fish (BONUS: game meat when possible).
• Forage at least once/week (dandelion, plantains, onion, etc.)
• Intermittent fasting
• Eat locally at least once/week (Farmer's market?)

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.

• At least 5 minutes deep squat/day
• Drink at least 1/2 gallon of water/day.
• Balance at least 10 yards on a narrow surface 3 days/week
• At least 10,000 steps/day
• Dead hang for at least 30 seconds 3 days/week.
• At least 2 minutes of planking/day at least 3 days/week.
• 75 pushups/day
• At least 15 minutes of free-running/sprints 3 days/week on uneven terrain (barefoot if possible).
• "Natural" movement HIIT with plenty of variety 3 days/week (see Mark Sisson's WOWs for ideas).

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.

• Spend every afternoon with your daughters ('ite); at least one technology-free playtime/week.
• Use intimate physical touch with tribal members (for family: hugs, kisses, holding hands, tickling, snuggling; handshakes/hugs for friends).
• At least one uninterrupted/technology free evening with wife (muntxate)
• Call your mother (sa'nok).
• Visit your grandfather.

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.

• Become toruk makto: tame the beast and take control of your temper by pausing and being mindful of your emotions.
• Seek wisdom: read works written by great tribal leaders and elders who have come before you.
• Choose your words: be mindful of when to speak and when to be silent; don't waste words, but choose them wisely.
• Be grateful: keep a log each day of things for which you are grateful.

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.

• Greet each morning with a grateful smile and a spoken "Thank you."
• Pray/meditate in silence at least 10 minutes/day.
• Integrate prayer throughout the day.
• Treat each person you meet as spiritually connected and as image-bearers of God; treat all lifeforms as God's creation.
• Practice agape love (unconditional love).

 

 

Bonus Challenges:

Learn Na'vi language.

Spend at least one night outside (in a hammock, if possible).

Take a long hike deep into the woods (off trail, if possible).

Ride a horse.

Learn to shoot a bow.

Harvest spring water.

The Hallelujah Mountains: Go rock climbing (freestyle).

 

Obviously, I will need all the support I can get. I look forward to hearing your input and words of encouragement.

[Sylvaa]

Joulebug sounds like a very cool app! Have you used it before or is this brand new (to you)?

 

Obviously I am following along, but really interested in hearing your review of this! 

[Vibrantella]

Great goals!  Being a Na'vi is my level 50, but there's a few that I feel I could borrow from you even at this stage...  

 

Good luck!

[WolfDreamer]

45 minutes ago, Sylvaa said:

Joulebug sounds like a very cool app! Have you used it before or is this brand new (to you)?

 

I have used it before. In fact, according to the app I have saved 28,000 lbs. of CO2, diverted 708 lbs. of waste, and saved 70,000 gallons of water.

 

12 minutes ago, Vibrantella said:

Being a Na'vi is my level 50

 

Mine too! Thanks for following and for the well-wishes.

[Jord]

That's a wonderful challenge! And a lot to keep track of per day. What tools/resources do you use to keep track of your daily goals? 

[WolfDreamer]

19 minutes ago, Taddea Zhaan said:

What tools/resources do you use to keep track of your daily goals?

 

I have a Samsung Gear S2 to help with fitness goals (especially steps) and the Joulebug app keeps track of its challenges. I also use Insight Timer to keep track of meditation/prayer time. The rest I document in my brain until I either write them down or report on them here on the forum. Many of my daily goals blend together (example, my 30 minutes outside/day are going to be spent barefoot, so that's 2 daily goals).

[Dagger]

So much goodness here. Cheering for you!

 

[WolfDreamer]

20 minutes ago, Dagger said:

Cheering for you!

 

Thank you. I'm glad you're here.

[lucky fire dragon]

Wow, what an epic challenge indeed! Following, if I may

 

[WolfDreamer]

45 minutes ago, lucky fire dragon said:

Following, if I may

 

Of course you may.  Glad to have you.

[Teros]

Never heard of joulebug.  Interesting.  With those many things to keep track of, I would need a checklist/app like that.

[MichiruSedai]

Very cool challenge theme!  I especially look forward to hearing about the foraging.

[WolfDreamer]

6 hours ago, Teros said:

Never heard of joulebug.

 

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.).

[WolfDreamer]

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.

[Rebel Pilot Gar]

Love the framework and goals of your challenge! Also thank you for the Joulebug app recommendation, that is fantastic!!

 

 

 

 

[WolfDreamer]

11 minutes ago, Rebel Pilot Gar said:

Love the framework and goals of your challenge! Also thank you for the Joulebug app recommendation, that is fantastic!!

 

You're welcome. And thank you.

[Jord]

What is the temperature like where you are living now? 

 

Also, I love the barefoot walking. Even when I was in college I would walk barefoot around campus and my friends thought I was nuts. I'm a lot less barefoot now that I'm older because of feet issues, but I miss it. 

[WolfDreamer]

35 minutes ago, Taddea Zhaan said:

What is the temperature like where you are living now? 

 

Also, I love the barefoot walking. Even when I was in college I would walk barefoot around campus and my friends thought I was nuts. I'm a lot less barefoot now that I'm older because of feet issues, but I miss it. 

 

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.

 

[annyshay]

I've had similar experiences with barefoot walking. Excited for your challenge and going to look into Joulebug and Insight Timer. Mwahahahaha.

[RevQu]

I freaking love the framework and goals you've put together! Sounds like an epic challenge indeed, I look forward to following along.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WolfDreamer]

37 minutes ago, annyshay said:

I've had similar experiences with barefoot walking. Excited for your challenge and going to look into Joulebug and Insight Timer. Mwahahahaha.

 

Thank you! Glad you're following along.

 

21 minutes ago, RevQu said:

I freaking love the framework and goals you've put together! Sounds like an epic challenge indeed, I look forward to following along.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I appreciate it. Welcome!

[Dagger]

All you guys are inspiring me to eventually try some barefoot walking, however since it hovers between 0C and 5C or even minus, that won't happen for a few months!

 

(I used Vibrams five fingers all last summer and loved it.)

[Teros]

Didn't know all the barefoot benefits.  I was told by a dr that I have a 'loose bag of bones' for feet.  I used to have them turned inwards and my sister joked when I was a baby and said that I had 'hooves'.

[WolfDreamer]

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.

[Sylvaa]

We all have days that we just aren't feeling it. It's not about perfection those days, but getting back on the horse the next. You did amazing for "not feeling it" and I am proud of you!