Stream of thought


## Stream of Thought on Food, Mindfulness, and Being Human

To start off, I should probably be extreme and only eat whole foods that will get me off the ground. I don’t have to worry about anybody else, and others can eat whatever they want.

I think my whole life I’ve had this misconception that food and being human is all about enjoying the taste of food. But what I think I’m coming to realize is that in this age where we have plentiful food, we need to be mindful about what we put in our bodies and choose to eat foods that are whole, unprocessed, and close to the earth.

This is because if the food you eat causes more suffering for yourself than it adds, then you should have nothing to do with it.

However, being human and celebrating are times when it’s OK to eat what you want, especially when you don’t have a choice and someone is offering you food. If somebody’s offering you food, that is the most human thing there is — when somebody offers you food, you take it and enjoy it, especially if it tastes really good.

Now, I have to make a plan in order to stick with this because if I don’t, I’m probably just going to revert to my old self and eat what I crave, which is the stuff that kills me.

This plan involves eating food that is closer to the earth, mostly plants, and with minimal added sugar, if not zero added sugar. I can eat whole, unprocessed meats that are as organic as possible and treated as humanely as possible.

I’m not going to bother anybody else about my diet, and I’m not going to tell anybody about my diet unless they ask. Anyone else, specifically my wife, can eat what they want; it’s up to them to make the same choices and come to the same realization.

However, if my wife offers me food, I will not refuse it outright. I will take a few bites just to experience the human connection.

When I’m not feeling good, I need to remember that my feelings are just a suggestion. If my feelings tell me to talk or tell somebody what to do to make myself feel better, I should just keep quiet.

When I’m not feeling good, it is especially important to listen to others, my body, and the world. Listen, don’t talk.

Maybe I should start a blog, not to preach my ideas to others, but simply to write them down, so whoever wants to read it can read it.


Stream of Thought on Food, Mindfulness, and Being Human


### Preface

Sometimes emotions come, and sometimes they’re negative and outright painful. When things feel out of control, here are a few ways to chill out and get back to feeling good.

### Strategy

I'll break down a few things you can try. Use them, or don't—up to you. I do all of these, but not every day. Some days I do them all; other days, none.

#### Try meditation

Focusing on your breath can help you calm down. You could also just stare at a wall or sit quietly with your thoughts. Whatever you do, don't reach for your phone and scroll. Maybe just notice that you *want* to pick up your phone—that's part of the process.

#### Try exercise

Exercise is underrated. It should be the first thing people add to their routine, but it’s usually the last (source: me). When you exercise, it signals to your body that you're alive and well. It helps regulate your body’s systems, and moving your blood around probably flushes out some of the bad stuff too.

#### Start writing something

If you can list your problems, you’ll have a better shot at fixing them. Organizing your thoughts is way easier if you write them down. Don’t think you can just *think* your way through everything—your brain’s too chaotic for that. There’s no mental dashboard, so get it all on paper (or a screen).

#### Do a hobby

If you don’t already have a hobby, just pick something—anything beyond your usual responsibilities. Actively choosing to engage in something can shift your brain into a different mode. And no, you won’t always enjoy it, but that’s okay. You should like it sometimes, at least.

#### Avoid passive media

If you’re just consuming a bunch of media without actively engaging, it’s probably not great. Reading, for example, requires your attention. You can't passively read. But scrolling through social media, watching YouTube, or binging TV are passive activities. They’re fun but can lead to feeling lost or unmotivated if you overdo it.

#### Try to eat healthy

Eating healthy matters. Stick to whole ingredients like sweet potatoes, steak, beans, brown rice, and buckwheat. Avoid overly processed foods that have been broken down and reassembled into something unrecognizable. If you can’t tell what it’s made of, it’s probably not great for you. 

#### Do your job

Focus on your job—but not too much. Set boundaries, but also aim for progress. Consistency is key. Writing down goals helps. If you're putting off work, it’ll just linger in the back of your mind, adding to your stress later.

#### Find a good job

A good job gives you some freedom and flexibility, especially if you’re good at it. But remember, a job is something you need to do. Not doing it can be a big source of anxiety. At the end of the day, it pays the bills. Unless you don’t have any bills, in which case, you’re either a kid or someone who's figured out how to opt out of adult responsibilities.

### Conclusion

Chilling out is about finding balance in your life. It’s not about perfection or doing everything at once. Some days you’ll meditate, exercise, or write—other days you’ll do none of that. The point is to keep trying things that work for you, focus on what helps you feel good, and cut out the stuff that makes things harder. Keep it simple, stay consistent, and give yourself the space to relax and reset.


How to Chill Out


## Anger stream of consciousness

#### What would the tao say?
When you get angry. Sometimes it's best to let it rest. Don't do anything. Follow the Tao and do nothing. 
If expressing your anger in an angry way is the only way, you give away control to the world.
Anger is a reflection of your attachment.
Give into life like water and be in sync with life. It is important to stay in harmony with the natural rhythms of life. Practice patience and let go of the attachment.
Anger come from unmet desires and expectations. Which means were holding onto something too tightly. We need to let go and return to a state of calm and non-resistance.

#### What the f*** do I Mean?

Having a baby is hard. You don't sleep well. And in this case all I wanted was to sleep through the night. My attachment was to sleep, and with our beautiful boy he doesn't like to let us sleep. He expects us to wake up for him. And in my own fault I got angry and decided that it's time to complain loudly and rudely. This in turn made everything worse

#### What did I expect?

It seems that my expectation was to sleep through the night. In reality, this is not realistic given our current situation in a one bedroom apartment.

#### How can I revert to the Tao

I need to lower my expectations of sleep. This is not my time to sleep well. This is my time to be like water and embrace the dark mornings. Go for a walk completely alone (with the dog of course).

Another option is I can sleep on the couch, with an eye mask and ear plugs.

#### Tim why haven't you done that yet?

Well, i've never slept well and it seems that i'm afraid that if I try that I will fail too.

#### Conclusion

Look at every strategy on how to get more sleep, and apply them. If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail. 😴
