[JediNickD] World 3 Level 3: "Let go your conscious self and act on Instinct"

[JediNickD]

Welcome back for another episode of The Exciting Adventures of JediNickD! It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away that I joined this site and started my first challenge.. World 1 was my first extended stay.  I took a hiatus from NF and came back with a new direction for my goals where I warped to World 2, which I defeated in a Boss Fight slaying some mighty big goals.  On to World 3 to continue to level up my life!

 

 

Challenge Lesson:

In Episode IV: A New Hope, Obi-Wan Kenobi is training Luke Skywalker in the fundamentals of the Force and Jedi. Aboard the Millennium Falcon, Obi-Wan dispenses this very important description of the Force during a lightsaber training exercise:
 

Quote

[Luke is training with his lightsaber and a laser remote aboard the Millennium Falcon.]

Ben Kenobi: Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him.

Luke Skywalker: You mean it controls your actions?

Kenobi: Partially, but it also obeys your commands. [Luke gets shot by the remote.]

Han Solo: [laughs] Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.

Skywalker: You don't believe in the Force, do you?

Solo: Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other. I've seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen anything to make me believe there's one all-powerful Force controlling everything. There's no mystical energy field that controls my destiny. [Kenobi smiles] Anyway, it's all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense.

Kenobi: [gets up and takes a blast helmet] I suggest you try it again, Luke. Only this time, let go your conscious self and act on instinct. [puts the helmet on Luke, which covers his eyes]

Skywalker: But with the blast shield down, I can't even see! How am I supposed to fight?

Kenobi: Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them. [remote shoots Luke] Stretch out with your feelings! [Watches Luke succeed in blocking the lasers] You see? You can do it.

 

Here, Kenobi is teaching Luke to trust his feelings to train him to tap into the Force.  Acting on instinct is to react without thinking about how to react. The word instinct might not be the best choice, but Kenobi is just relating the concept to something Luke is familiar with.  In my Jedi Training, we work on tapping into our intuition and to trust it in a similar manner as Jedi use the Force.

 

Instinct, impulse, and intuition are all very similar concepts with subtle differences.  Sometimes first impulse is correct, sometimes it is off. This is because it is untrained.  Impulses are formed by instinct and intuition.  Instinct are reactions breed into a being from years of survival.  Intuition are learned reactions based on knowledge and experience.  Meditation can help quiet the mind to understand the subtle differences in your instincts and your intuition.
 
Quieting your mind and carefully listening to your intuition can assist you find an answer to a problem quickly, even without all the logic and reasoning worked out, because your intuition is tapped into your stored knowledge.  The information is there in your brain, but accessing it takes time.  Your intuition can access this information and bring the answer quicker than you can actually think through the process yourself.  

 

Also, it is important to trust your mind, sometimes over what your other senses may be telling you.  Your eyes and ears could be missing something or picking up something false.  Trust your intuition to discover the missing pieces or illusions. 

 

 

My Main Quest and Mission:

My mission is to be the best Jedi I can be. My main quest is always to enhance my overall health, fitness, and knowledge to be prepared for whatever challenges life could throw at me. As a Jedi, I need to be able to help people, whether that is a life threatening situation or just a charitable one. There is no boss level in Jedi training, there is only tomorrow.

 

World 3 Level 3 Challenge:

FITNESS:

• Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 500 min total, 120 weekly.  I will push these harder than normal with some incentives.

  DEX +2, STA +2

   

• Exercise: Stretch and Strengthen - 500 min total, 120 weekly.  I will look to set PRs in my bodyweight exercises.

  STR +2

   

• Karate: Training and Practice - 500 min total, 120 weekly
  STR +1, DEX +1, STA +1
   

DIET:

• Weight Control - Lose 1 lb by end of challenge. Never weigh more than 156.8 lbs. Complete measurements before or during Week 1 and again during or after Week 4.  Watch portions and make healthy choices for 24 of 28 days. NEW: Track "fasting" after dinner nightly.  I'm looking to cut down on snacking and desserts after dinner.
  CON +2
   

LIFE:

• Get Stuff Done - Complete (or dedicate at least one hour to) 140 Tasks or Projects, with at least 35 each week, from any of the following areas (minimum for challenge):
  Toastmasters Communication Practice (2), Toastmasters Leadership Practice (6), Webmaster Work (4), Mentoring (4), Charity Work (2), Jedi Training (4), Self Preservation (2), Reading (16), Church Work (4), Job Work (10), Business Projects (4), Household Chores (24), Yard Work (8), Animal Care (12), Home Renovation (4), Auto Maintenance (4), Family Activities (8), Adventuring (2).   
  WIS +2, CHA +2
   

 

INCENTIVES!  Working hard for CASH!  ($129 carried over)

REWARD 1:  For each week I complete 40 or more tasks, I will put aside $5 to spend how I see fit.
CONSEQUENCE 1:  For any week where I complete less than 35 tasks, I will give up $10 of saved cash.

 

REWARD 2:  $5 for each Business Project hour.  An extra $5 for each Wizard Laser Tag hour.

CONSQUENCE 2: Lose $10 for each week without a Business Project hour.

 

REWARD 3:  $5 for each week working on a Jedi Training lesson.
CONSQUENCE 3: Lose $5 for each week without working on a Jedi Training lesson.

 

REWARD 4: $1 for each night of fasting after dinner.  Fruits and veggies allowed in small quantities, but no dessert or snacking.   

CONSQUENCE 4: Lose $10 for each weekend without any fasting.  Lose $5 for eating more than 2 slices of pizza in any meal.

 

REWARD 5: $1 for each day with a small, healthy lunch. 

CONSQUENCE:  Lose $1 for each day without a small, healthy lunch.

BONUSES: 

• $5 for each Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance task.
• $5 for 10 or more sprints in one workout.  (once a week only)
• $5 for running more than 3.5 miles in a workout.
• $5 for running below a 7 minute mile.  (once a week only)
• $5 for running 3 miles in less than 30 minutes.  (once a week only)

[JediNickD]

156.4 this morning.

 

Bench Press for the first time in a couple years.  I lifted 135 lbs, so I wasn't straining.  Doctor's orders was nothing over 50 lbs to avoid reinjuring my back, so I won't be going much harder or higher.  I have hernias from lifting heavy years ago.  My prostate issues could stem from heavy lifting too.  More reasons to stick with bodyweight exercises.  I may revisit the bench press again, but it'll likely be with dumbbells. 

 

I spent some of my cash.  $26 on new gym shoes for karate.  They don't like me wearing socks on the basketball court.  $30 on new Bluetooth earphones.  My old set broke in my bag.  I was considering a new pair because the old set didn't stay on my ear well.  I need a conformal ear loop for my tiny ears.

[Mr.Six]

Following!

[Grayspeed]

Following!

[JediNickD]

I'm ready to rock the socks off Week 1.  I picked up red cabbage and radishes to make coleslaw.  I also bought apples, healthy corn chips, and salsa for snacking.  And for breakfast, I'll have my peanut mix.  I just have to roast some pecans over the weekend. 

 

Also, I'm working towards my Green belt in karate.  I have two stripes, Taegeuk 3 form and chop blocks, but I know my creed and combinations to get those two next week possibly.  The kids are coming along.  Eldest daughter and my wife test for yellow and orange respectively on Sunday.  My youngest is struggling since she does not want to practice outside of class.  I'm not forcing her or pushing hard, because I want her to like it and want to work.

 

During this challenge, I will have Career Day on June 2nd, Hacking History Making Fest on June 4th, Extra Life Guild Meeting on June 10th, Faerie Festival on June 11th, Awesome Con on June 17th, Father's Day on June 18th, and lastly transitioning of officer roles in Toastmasters clubs and the District Webmaster at the end of the month.  The weekends are packed!

[cn3wton]

Jedi themed challenge!? Im sold!

[JediNickD]

156.0 lbs this morning. 

 

This past weekend was a long one with lots of family activities.  I was good on Sunday with my meal choices and held myself in check for fasting after dinner.  Monday, we had cake and S'mores, so I didn't make it there.  Today, I did a speech at Toastmasters, as well as conducted Toastmaster of the Day.  The speech was a persuasive speech to generate interest in the club officer positions.  I wrote is 30 minutes before the meeting after our only prepared speaker dropped out.  It worked out well enough and I have some ideas to turn it into a speech I can give with every Competent Communicator manual I work through.

[Mr.Six]

19 hours ago, JediNickD said:

The speech was a persuasive speech to generate interest in the club [...]

I've been thinking about joining a local chapter...I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[JediNickD]

17 minutes ago, Mr.Six said:

I've been thinking about joining a local chapter...I'd love to hear your thoughts.

 

Toastmasters is the best thing I've ever done for myself.  I had a terrible fear of public speaking and have always struggled being social around strangers.  I joined 5 years ago, had a terrible time getting started and dreaded every minute of it.  After 6 months, I noticed I had more confidence and didn't get the shakes immediately when taking the stage.  After a year, I actually started to enjoy speaking and speech writing.  Now, it is therapeutic to get up in front of people and unleash my passion behind something. 

 

Personally, I feel Toastmasters is for everyone.  It doesn't matter if you are timid or a pro, there is room for you in Toastmasters.  If you want to learn, polish, and experiment, then you have a perfect platform for it in Toastmasters.  If you want to work on sales pitches, technical presentations, wedding toasts, extemporaneous talks, management skills, storytelling, or humor, then you can do it at Toastmasters.  Also, it is the best place to practice something before doing it in a professional setting as there are no consequences for messing up at Toastmasters.  In fact, you'll get evaluated with feedback on how to improve.

 

You want success in what you are doing, then take it to Toastmasters.  It's "Where Leaders are Made".

[Mr.Six]

Thanks, I will definitely try to get involved.

[JediNickD]

19 minutes ago, Mr.Six said:

Thanks, I will definitely try to get involved.

 

No.  Try not.  Do... or do not.  There is no try.  ;-)

[Mr.Six]

4 minutes ago, JediNickD said:

No.  Try not.  Do... or do not.  There is no try.  ;-)

I am working on embracing this ^^^ more fully.

[JediNickD]

156.0 lbs this morning and 155.8 yesterday morning.  I ate a healthy lunch of red cabbage coleslaw and an apple.  Dinner was cookout with friends from church.  I was careful, but the healthy food was all stuff I don't like.  I ate a cheeseburger, a couple slices of pepperoni, some flaxseed chips and hummus, and a sausage.  It was too much but I held off eating dessert.

 

Yesterday in the morning, I ran 2.5 miles in 30 min, with some pull-ups and toes-to-bar after.  This morning I did a lot of physical therapy and body weight exercises, but I must of done something yesterday to hurt myself.  My back is very sore this morning.  I'm going to need to stretch it all day.

[JediNickD]

I took a quarter of a muscle relaxer and hit the gym for karate practice and more physical therapy.  My back is feeling better.  Hopefully, I don't get drowsy.

[Manarelle]

You might be interested in the book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. It delves into why instinct and instant reactions happen and how they reflect on our skills and knowledge we build up throughout life. 

 

Regardless, following. You've got this. 

[JediNickD]

I got super sick on Friday to explain my absence since then.  Chills, sweats, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, sensitivity to light, sound, and movement, headaches, congestion, coughing, and muscle soreness.  Yeah, but I didn't have the flu, because it is "out of season", according to urgent care doctor.  That woman was tool and had no idea what to do with me.  They tested me for strep, which was negative, but guessed that's what I had anyway.  I should have gone to the ER on Friday, because all I did through the weekend was put my family at risk for catching whatever I had.  On Monday, my primary care doctor, called it "an upper respiratory infection with allergen induced symptoms."  He gave me meds and instructions to treat my symptoms to get functional.  A viral pneumonia is my guess, since the antibiotics didn't do much.  I couldn't do much physically, but I managed to keep up with my life tasks, being stuck at home and not wanting to be a burden. 

 

Before I got sick I did speak to 6 elementary school classes for career day.  It was awesome.  I had a great time explain how wireless technology works using electromagnetic waves, then showing them with a borrowed hand-held signal analyzer.  They thought that was the coolest.  For the younger kids, I kept the complicated part short adding my remote controlled BB-8 and talked about the shrinking of electronics through my lifetime, then related it to the advances in technology that they might see in their lifetimes.

 

Ok, that was a lot of typing.  Time to stop looking at screens for a few.  I'm getting dizzy.

 

 

[Manarelle]

 Hope you feel better soon. Sounds like a rough week. 

[JediNickD]

Stretching and physical therapy.  I even managed some push ups. 

 

Last night, I mowed half the lawn, washed dishes, did laundry, and tried to catch my breath.  My lungs or throat have some serious recovery to do.

[JediNickD]

154.6 lbs this morning.  Being sick didn't get me behind here. 

 

Physical therapy and stretching exercises plus 4 sets of 5 reps of bench press at 125 lbs.  I did diamond jumping pushup star jump burpees to warm up and test my breathing.  I'm doing better there and will run tomorrow.  I still have a lot of phlegm to eject, so I'll run outside. 

 

Faerie Fest on Sunday was awesome, but didn't leave much time for anything else, so I crammed all the chores into Saturday before game night and magically got it all done.  Must have been the Planewalker in me gearing up for playing MTG.  ;-)

 

And I'm doing parenting right as my 9 year old chose "Krull" for movie night on Friday.  It was a fantastic weekend.

[Mr.Six]

Sounds like a great weekend!

[JediNickD]

153.8 lbs (NEW LOW)

 

I ran 2.2 miles in 30 minutes, then walked for 15 min, then ran hard the last 15 minutes finishing at 3.5 miles.  Drenched in sweat.  I drove to the gym and popped off 16 pull-ups (10-3-3) before hitting the shower.

 

Last night, I was beat when I got home.  Napped on the couch and decided to skip karate.  When I woke up, I made dinner for the kids and myself (wife was at the vet), then cleaned up the dishes and put away laundry.  After I snoozed a little longer, then played a little Battlefront (after watching the Battlefront II footage I was amped on Star Wars). 

 

I'm wrapping up the Aftermath series with the Battle of Jakku.  So many hints at the First Order's beginnings but nothing really revealing.  Bloodlines is next, but I may review the releases and see if there is anything else I want to jump on.  The Kanan comic books have been a neat entry to read. 

[JediNickD]

154.2 lbs.  I'm putting these numbers squarely on my progress with my lunch portions and my evening snacking.  Being ill did not hurt though.

 

Karate last night wore me out, but I still came home and hung a retractable hose to keep the dog from eating it.  We had to take down a piece of trim and cut it to fit the hanger in the optimum spot, so it turned into a bigger project than expected. 

 

This morning, I did physical therapy and bodyweight exercises.  Back is a little sore so it needed the focus.  I'm caught up on Goal 2.  Karate tonight, maybe tomorrow, but definitely Saturday.  Running tomorrow on the treadmill to try to hit my speed incentives.  Might run again on Friday morning for distance to hit my 3.5 mile incentive, or do sprints depending on how I feel and the weather. 

[JediNickD]

154.8 lbs

 

I did an easy run outside as I was a little sore from karate (lots of kicking pads).  Tonight is more karate, then tomorrow I run again.  Saturday will be spar class for karate.  I finished my Warrior Spirit lesson for Jedi training. 

[JediNickD]

155.0 lbs this morning.

 

I was too tired to run hard, so I did physical therapy, bodyweight, and karate.  I needed the practice.  Tomorrow, I'm going to spar class and I want to hold my own.  I'll run Sunday morning with the dog.  He needs the exercise. 

[Manarelle]

Sounds like it's been a busy week. Glad to hear you're feeling better. Keep up the good work!