Our Minds Are Powerful and Amazing
Here are stories of human mind and body doing the "impossible". What else are we humans capable of? I am reminded of people like Wim Hof who break records and accomplish tasks we are told cannot be done, and then show other "regular" people how to do similar feats. How is this possible? What can you do today, right now, this moment to improve your life?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGJl8ChFDI0
Below are links to stories that blew my mind and challenge my belief of what is humanly possible:
I grew up hearing the old, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." As a kid I would rather have my dad yell at me or lecture me than to hit me. Now as an adult I almost feel the opposite. In martial arts class we did an exercise where we tried to trigger or neg or name call each other, simulating a bully on the street. I couldn't do it, it was harder to say nasty things to someone than to try and choke them to death or break their leg.
As someone born and raised in an urban and suburban environment it's easy and normal to be disconnected from nature and the elements. Lots of climate controlled buildings surrounded by concrete and asphalt, and the "wild" spaces are often parks with rules and curfews. When I lived 50 feet from the bay I would go outside every sunset in the winter and wonder how the wild birds and animals could stand the cold? And yet they did and seemed perfectly fine and comfortable in both air and water that is below 50F. When I was kid we went surfing in 50F water in just a short spring suit or boardshorts, my son and his friends regularly wear just T-shirts or even shorts in the winter while I am wearing a hooded down parka. I know a couple of surfers around 50 years old, one wears just shorts and the other shorts and a thin neoprene vest, in winter, and they tell me they are not cold. My introduction to this seeming madness was a Wim Hof workshop on Treasure Island.
Growing up I believed there were only a few acceptable feelings: happy, rage, and sadness if someone died. Any other feelings, like say anxiety, was a sign I was broken or a "basket case". Also I could only call in sick to school or work if I was bedridden with flu symptoms or injured and couldn't walk. No one ever explained thoughts to me, and I had no concept that I am not my thoughts. Richard Branson said business opportunities are like buses, there will always be another one coming. Thoughts are like this, so we can let one we don't like go and wait for another thought to come along shortly. Or some folks say thoughts stop altogether, and they just be in peace and bliss. I have experienced this for about half a day and it was magical, one of the most incredible afternoon into evenings I have ever experienced. Colors and textures and all of San Francisco were beautiful and incredible, so enjoyable and peaceful and amazing.
