Realignment

Over the next 30 days, I'm going to have a full reset, beginning with a 3-day fast. Throughout the 30 days, I'm going to focus on my routine: early waking, meditation, clean eating, alcohol-free, social media detox, learning, a conscious effort in the physical repair of my body, getting back into training, as well as more time with my family. My final meal before I begin my fast consists of an organic bone broth. Then, I'll have 350 grams of grass-fed organic mince with 2 organic eggs, an avocado, some sweet potato chips tossed in extra virgin olive oil, turmeric, garlic paste, rock salt, cayenne pepper, and paprika. All washed down with a large glass of coconut water. I'll finish that all with some strawberry coconut yogurt with some Manuka honey, a banana, and some dark chocolate. It may seem like a large meal, but this will be my last meal for the next 3 days, where I will drink only water, maybe some herbal tea, and some black coffee. I've completed this fast a few times now, and although it's testing on the body and the mind, after completing it, I feel invigorated. I feel a strong sense of achievement, and as the next couple of weeks roll out, I will feel the vast array of internal repair works and cleansing that comes from the Autophagy process. Throughout my fast, I will begin a social media detox where I'll restrict access to just messaging services only. I'll bring more focus back into this blog, my self-improvement work, and completing the transition of all my content over to my website where I will complete building it. Sometimes, it's easy to lose track of where you are at. The momentum drifts in the opposite direction, and before you know it, you are in the midst of bad habits, unsuccessfully managing your routine, and failing to evolve and grow. However, this is inevitable, and it is with the understanding of ourselves, our goals and objectives, and the thread of growth that we are consistently looking to weave into a dense rope that is one of the fundamental contributors in our search for happiness. Observing and learning what truly makes us feel like we are progressing and moving forward is incredibly personal, and it can have a vast range of different key markers and/or milestone points of success that we attribute this to. I feel like the last month or so, I've lost focus, subsequently gotten injured, and my mind has been running wild. However, I have stopped, taken a step back, recognized that, and decided to trip a circuit breaker. My father has headed back home, and I'm going to take it as an opportunity to reset, regroup, and refocus. I think, for all of us, just understanding that we have swayed from the pursuit of our goals or important facets within our lives, acknowledging it, and choosing to make a decision to realign is an incredibly powerful tool that we all must learn in the search for happiness. We all fall, we all fail, we all lose sight of what's important to us, but it's the acknowledgment and choice to realign that helps us create, develop, and maintain the people we want to become. Being, or even just heading towards the people we want to become and holding ourselves accountable for the standards or requirements to achieve this, that is an integral part in our search for happiness. Review 181 – Review 18 Over the past 10 days I’ve been a little bit lost, to be honest, my mind has been wondering, my body has been in pain and I forgot my fundamentals. This happens to all of us, and that’s ok, but it’s important to reframe our minds and get back on track. I’m currently 30 hours into a 72 hours fast and refocusing my mind back onto the task. Throughout the past 10 days I spoke on division, immersion, the afterlife, community, endeavours, an interesting insight into deep respect for customs and nature in Finland, our bodies, holidays, and realignment. Division - Last week, a vote was held for a referendum to alter the Constitution and establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, but there are concerns that this will create division and raise questions about who has the true right to draw the line. Nevertheless, recognizing the historical oppression of the Aboriginals and providing an opportunity for dialogue and progress forward is crucial for a collectively happy and secure community. Immersion - Immersing ourselves in new and unknown environments, such as diverse work environments or different cultures and community groups, provides opportunities to learn, understand, and potentially improve ourselves, allowing us to gain insights, perspectives, and experiences that can contribute to our personal growth and search for happiness. The Afterlife - Our perception of and perspective on life are directly influenced by how we perceive death, with cultural beliefs and understanding shaping our views. While some cultures, like the Māori, see death as a transition into eternal life, others, particularly in Western cultures, may fear or misunderstand it. However, recognizing the interconnectedness of all living beings and embracing the belief in a universal energy can lead to a fulfilling and purposeful life. Ultimately, since death is inevitable, it is important to live in the present and embrace happiness without fear of the unknown. Community - Last Tuesday was my son's second week in the under 6's soccer competition, where the kids all focused on ball skills and having fun, showing a great improvement from last week. What fascinates me is the strong sense of community surrounding the competition, with parents, siblings, and community groups actively supporting and driving health, enjoyment, and competition for young players. This highlights the significance of community engagement in finding happiness, as seen in the long life expectancies of Okinawa, Japan, where strong community ties contribute to fulfillment. While I am typically an introvert and hesitant about community involvement, as my children grow, I recognize the importance of and potential for personal growth as a dad, supporter, and community member. Embracing opportunities to help and support within a community is intrinsic to human nature and a crucial component of our pursuit of happiness. Endeavor - Entering unfamiliar and uncomfortable situations with the belief that they will lead to personal growth and integration into a community can be powerful, as exemplified by a business partner and friend of my fathers, a Chinese immigrant named Eddie, who initially struggled in Wellington but eventually became a successful businessman and leader by immersing himself in social events and continuously honing his skills; and though it may be challenging, pushing oneself to engage in new experiences and overcome doubts ultimately paves the way for personal development and happiness. Reindeer - In a Netflix show called 'Down to Earth' with Zac Efron, a chef at a Michelin-star restaurant in Finland explained the annual raffle to hunt reindeer, highlighting the importance of maintaining population and cultural significance. The chef's deep connection to cooking and the food he served showcased his drive, passion, skill, respect for the environment, and cultural appreciation, creating a truly inspiring story. This pursuit of adventure, embracing culture and culinary expertise, and finding a balance between contradictory elements is an art that allows for the creation of meaningful experiences. It reflects the ability to combine and display both opposing forces, contributing to our search for happiness. Body - Reflecting on the significance of our bodies and how they shape our identity as universal beings, experiencing the absence of certain privileges reminds us of the gratitude we should have for our own existence, emphasizing the importance of taking care of our bodies in our quest for happiness. Holiday - We recently returned from a relaxing holiday with friends and family at an Airbnb on a 14-acre farm. It's fascinating how holidays evolve over time to prioritize family-oriented convenience and relaxation. While not everyone has easy access to vacations, the concept of unwinding and breaking free from routine can be achieved within one's own mind. Personally, I enjoy the freedom holidays provide to detach from the everyday and focus on family, even though I couldn't fully relax due to a back issue. This allowed me to shift my perspective towards what truly matters, like good health. Holidays can contribute strongly in the search of happiness, offering a chance to escape responsibilities, explore new places, embark on adventures, and spend quality time with loved ones. It's within these opportunities that we can grow and prioritize what truly matters in life. Realignment - Over the next 30 days, I will undergo a reset, starting with a 3-day fast, a conscious focus on my routines, such as early waking, meditation, clean eating, and a social media detox. During this time, I will also prioritize physical repair, training, and spending more time with my family. I began my fast with a meal consisting of organic bone broth, grass-fed organic mince, avocado, sweet potato chips, and coconut water, followed by strawberry coconut yogurt with Manuka honey, banana, and dark chocolate. Throughout the fast, I will limit social media access to messaging services only and redirect my efforts towards my blog and building my website. Recognizing my loss of focus and recent injury, I have chosen to realign and regroup in order to pursue my goals and continue in the search for happiness. Overall it’s been a roller coaster the last few days, but I’d be lying in saying that happiness is always present. We all face challenges, we all sway from our path sometimes, but it’s the understanding of the path we wish to follow, seeing when we may have gone astray, and realigning back into focus.