Things. Stuff. Items. Possessions. We started our upright career on earth as hunter-gatherers. These days, most of us are just gatherers. In terms of food, it's from Trader Joe's or your local Walmart, but we tend to spend our tenure collecting random life memorabilia to fill up our homes.
I recently got the flu and in an attempt to sit on my hands I watched the movie "Leave No Trace". I found it pretty boring and really wouldn't recommend it, but it approaches this subject of not needing more human paraphernalia to fill our voids. At one point the main actor states to another "we don't need more things." That rather anticlimactic line has stuck with me for the past couple of weeks. We really don't.
I just bought a home as a single dude. Firstly, I didn't realize that Target has over 250 options for curtain rods. When we're little kids and there are 32 flavors of ice cream at Baskin Robins that we have to choose from, that was training for curtain rod shopping. Funny side note, when I typed in 'stuff' to Thesaurus.com, a digital ad populated above it for curtains and rugs. Oh, the irony.
Back from that tangent, secondly, it takes a lot to fill a home. As much as I want to have everything perfectly decorated and in place, I can't help but wonder what is going to come of all the furnishings I'm adding to my collection post mortem? Morbid, yes. Perspective, yes.
I'm not hopping on the Minimalist train here. I'm sure Marie Kondo and a million other media sources can preach on that for me. In fact, I love finding something unique that I can look at every day that brings me a sense of appreciation. I also love the release of giving my possessions away to someone else who sees value in it.
Prior to the bank and I purchasing a home together, I spent the 3 years before slowly and strategically getting rid of as much of my stuff as I could. The feeling was freeing. I loved offloading at my local Goodwill. Something I put into practice was to have a running bag of Goodwill items. So every time I was organizing a closet or trying to find a good storage spot, I would mentally check whether it could go in my giveaway bag.
I loved knowing that at any moment I could get a truck and load up my entire life if I wanted to move. I get why people give away everything they own when they're elderly. They're looking back on years of experience and they know what's important. It's not their bedframe or curtain rods or Yeti cooler. It's the people they loved along the way.
Food, shelter, water, sex. The basic needs that motivate us to move around when we're awake. Care less about things. Care more about people. Yep.
New in my life: There's a good beer from a good state I'm diggin. Livin on love, buying on time. Sticking to my guns about bow hunting.
Keep smilin'
JM
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Downward Doggin'
I have a buddy who notices horizons more frequently than I do. I'll be following him to a location, we'll get out and he'll ask "Did you see that view?" Ashamedly I have to respond no. I'd like to think it's because I'm a damn good driver. 10 and 2 beats a view. I always say.
Although I am a diligent driver, that's not the reason I don't notice the good-looking surroundings along my course. Often times, I'll admit, it's because I'm too focused on my schedule or the podcast or a stressor in my life or the burrito I'm about to eat. I get wrapped up in the short term.
I feel that anyone who holds themselves to a schedule of sorts could admit the same selfish focus that takes over their day from time to time. We tend to forget about perspective and our long term values when we get in our productivity zone.
I'm not ragging on productivity. America is built on it. It's the reason Chik-Fil-A exists. (Don't ask me to explain that logic, I just really like Chik-Fil-A) In all seriousness though, I appreciate putting in 8 hours of work, checking off a to-do list and coming home feeling like a fulfilled worker bee. It's a good driver of motivation and you should be proud of a hard day's work when you're mentally and physically beat pulling into the driveway.
Sprinting is a great form of exercise but so is yoga. It's important to slow our roles from time to time throughout our day. Maybe it is as simple as leaving the office for a 10-minute walk on your break to clear your mind and let your eyes adjust to a non-screen setting. Or physically get up from your desk to go talk to Tammy in accounting instead of sending her an email. The communication will break you from your grind.
Your pile of work will always be a pile and your inbox doesn't stop filling up. That's not what we remember looking back as elders. We remember the conversations, relationships and the views along the highway. Pump the brakes along your route occasionally to enjoy the view. Your 80 year old self will appreciate it. Yep.
New in my life: Biologically I don't have eggs, but I'm building a nest. I've reached a new point of maturity, I now have a jar for old nails and screws. Compost, garden, veggies, repeat #shedrally
Keep smilin'
JM
Although I am a diligent driver, that's not the reason I don't notice the good-looking surroundings along my course. Often times, I'll admit, it's because I'm too focused on my schedule or the podcast or a stressor in my life or the burrito I'm about to eat. I get wrapped up in the short term.
I feel that anyone who holds themselves to a schedule of sorts could admit the same selfish focus that takes over their day from time to time. We tend to forget about perspective and our long term values when we get in our productivity zone.
I'm not ragging on productivity. America is built on it. It's the reason Chik-Fil-A exists. (Don't ask me to explain that logic, I just really like Chik-Fil-A) In all seriousness though, I appreciate putting in 8 hours of work, checking off a to-do list and coming home feeling like a fulfilled worker bee. It's a good driver of motivation and you should be proud of a hard day's work when you're mentally and physically beat pulling into the driveway.
Sprinting is a great form of exercise but so is yoga. It's important to slow our roles from time to time throughout our day. Maybe it is as simple as leaving the office for a 10-minute walk on your break to clear your mind and let your eyes adjust to a non-screen setting. Or physically get up from your desk to go talk to Tammy in accounting instead of sending her an email. The communication will break you from your grind.
Your pile of work will always be a pile and your inbox doesn't stop filling up. That's not what we remember looking back as elders. We remember the conversations, relationships and the views along the highway. Pump the brakes along your route occasionally to enjoy the view. Your 80 year old self will appreciate it. Yep.
New in my life: Biologically I don't have eggs, but I'm building a nest. I've reached a new point of maturity, I now have a jar for old nails and screws. Compost, garden, veggies, repeat #shedrally
Keep smilin'
JM
Monday, March 4, 2019
Vegans have feelings too
I work in a sometimes-controversial industry. When it comes to what people eat, they can get provincial, opinionated, argumentative and sometimes downright mean. I often hear people say, “you wouldn’t want to meet my friend, they’re a vegetarian,” in fear that I’m incapable of finding common ground with someone who may fundamentally oppose what I chose as a career path.
I used to be the guy who’d clap back at people who denigrated the agriculture industry, engaging in long back and forths on social media, aggravatingly checking my notifications to see how the person (often someone I’ve never met) opted to respond, and hurriedly pounding out a response with the slightest bit of self-assurance that this was the argument that’d put them in their place and make them understand how wrong and stupid they were.
It never was.
More typically, this would go on and on, pulling a few more innocent bystanders into the conversation with a “...well actually...” and snowballing until you had to begrudgingly separate yourself and move on. It was an exhausting way to spend my online experience.
It took a while, but eventually, I had to ask myself what was I accomplishing? Was I changing hearts and minds, or just showing my ass in the same way that the person who baited me into an argument had when they started it? Or was I just being a dick? Was it worth it?
I still engage in social media, albeit in a lighter version than years past, but I still observe the same behavior in the people I follow. Setting agriculture aside, we’ve all seen an argument play out like I described, and probably more so nowadays, on any matter of subjects; politics, music, sports, and on and on. And again, I come back to the same question: is it worth it?
I think about how an interaction like this would translate to real life (spoiler alert: Twitter is not a substitute for IRL-experiences). Sure, there are plenty of folks whose online anger translates into real life. But stepping away from your keyboard, you realize that most of these arguments don’t happen if you don’t have internet barrier between you, and you probably find more common ground face to face vs. trying to fit your quips into 280 characters. It gets harder to do every day, but I think pausing to realize that what’s going on in your phone apps do not positively reflect the total reality of day to day life can be a bit liberating when your online presence drags you down.
Especially in 2019, when we are bombarded by negativity from all sides 24/7/365, coming up for air from the depths of social media is probably more necessary than ever to keep perspective on the day-to-day.
So, do I actually hate your vegetarian friend? I know several very friendly vegetarians that I can find plenty of common ground outside of meat. We may not see eye-to-eye on some topics, but ultimately, we make our own decisions. I don’t want to be berated for my decisions, so I shouldn’t berate you for yours. Maybe that needs to be the Golden Rule in 2019.
New in my life: I have resolutions and I’ll tell you what they were in 2020, going to cash in those frequent flier miles this year, 2019 will be the year of #fillmyfreezer.
Keep smilin'
Dr. Arp
Travis Arp is an avid writer, hiker and traveler in Colorado. He works as a Senior Director at the US Meat Export Federation. When he's not traveling abroad working to better the US meat industry, he's either out on a mountainous trail with his wife and two dogs or enjoying a cold craft beer a local brewery.
I used to be the guy who’d clap back at people who denigrated the agriculture industry, engaging in long back and forths on social media, aggravatingly checking my notifications to see how the person (often someone I’ve never met) opted to respond, and hurriedly pounding out a response with the slightest bit of self-assurance that this was the argument that’d put them in their place and make them understand how wrong and stupid they were.
It never was.
More typically, this would go on and on, pulling a few more innocent bystanders into the conversation with a “...well actually...” and snowballing until you had to begrudgingly separate yourself and move on. It was an exhausting way to spend my online experience.
It took a while, but eventually, I had to ask myself what was I accomplishing? Was I changing hearts and minds, or just showing my ass in the same way that the person who baited me into an argument had when they started it? Or was I just being a dick? Was it worth it?
I still engage in social media, albeit in a lighter version than years past, but I still observe the same behavior in the people I follow. Setting agriculture aside, we’ve all seen an argument play out like I described, and probably more so nowadays, on any matter of subjects; politics, music, sports, and on and on. And again, I come back to the same question: is it worth it?
I think about how an interaction like this would translate to real life (spoiler alert: Twitter is not a substitute for IRL-experiences). Sure, there are plenty of folks whose online anger translates into real life. But stepping away from your keyboard, you realize that most of these arguments don’t happen if you don’t have internet barrier between you, and you probably find more common ground face to face vs. trying to fit your quips into 280 characters. It gets harder to do every day, but I think pausing to realize that what’s going on in your phone apps do not positively reflect the total reality of day to day life can be a bit liberating when your online presence drags you down.
Especially in 2019, when we are bombarded by negativity from all sides 24/7/365, coming up for air from the depths of social media is probably more necessary than ever to keep perspective on the day-to-day.
So, do I actually hate your vegetarian friend? I know several very friendly vegetarians that I can find plenty of common ground outside of meat. We may not see eye-to-eye on some topics, but ultimately, we make our own decisions. I don’t want to be berated for my decisions, so I shouldn’t berate you for yours. Maybe that needs to be the Golden Rule in 2019.
New in my life: I have resolutions and I’ll tell you what they were in 2020, going to cash in those frequent flier miles this year, 2019 will be the year of #fillmyfreezer.
Keep smilin'
Dr. Arp
Travis Arp is an avid writer, hiker and traveler in Colorado. He works as a Senior Director at the US Meat Export Federation. When he's not traveling abroad working to better the US meat industry, he's either out on a mountainous trail with his wife and two dogs or enjoying a cold craft beer a local brewery.
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Millennial Whiplash
It was one of those forced moments before church where they tell everyone to say hello to a stranger. I picked Russell to my left. We talked hometowns and football and had a testosterone filled handshake. It was a nice exchange.
As an uncle, I've witnessed my share of moments with children under the age of 4, where the youngin doesn't know how to explain themselves and the needs they have. Our ingrained prepubescent reaction in these moments is to cry. We, grown-ups, handle it differently.
In the said emotional toddler moments, the parents or elders will instruct: "Use your words". This being, if the child is of the vocabulary age. As an app-centric culture though, we often forget this simple advice as we age.
I've started going places on my own more often. Brunch, church, coffee, neighborhood walks etc. In these solo adventures, I've tried to really focus on interactions with my surroundings. I'll make a comment on someone's logo on their shirt, I'll genuinely ask more people how their day is going, heck I'll even talk about the weather from time to time. Additionally, I've tried to observe the overall pulse around me. People's body language at a table across the room, the ambient noise of the restaurant and unfortunately the screen addiction of our current society.
In Dale Carnegie's book "How to Win Friends and Influence People", he states that a person's favorite word is their own first name and if you want someone to remember and like you, use their favorite word.....often.
There's a rundown corner mart that I frequent to buy life's necessities, gas and beer. On occasion, there is a decent line as the teller runs through transactions. A majority of the purchasers don't even say a word to the person taking their money. So my new found goal isn't even about the petrol I'm buying, it's to engage and have a brief conversation with the gentleman behind the counter. His reaction usually lets me know that it's a breath of fresh air for him to actually converse.
We can do this in most public settings, we just get caught up in own worlds so much, we forget there are other humans around us. Give it a whirl next time you're out and about. The grocery, a restaurant, church, the restroom (situation dependent), there's opportunities sprinkled throughout your day. Your goal shouldn't be to make friends with them, just use the language you both know. It'll give both parties involved a little spark of energy.
Technology is awesome, but don't let it strain your neck. Look up from time to time and use your words. Yep.
New in my life: Hunting goals and self-worth are not close cousins thankfully. Pocket dials and #1 songs are my cholesterol. Free agency.
Keep smilin'
Joe
As an uncle, I've witnessed my share of moments with children under the age of 4, where the youngin doesn't know how to explain themselves and the needs they have. Our ingrained prepubescent reaction in these moments is to cry. We, grown-ups, handle it differently.
In the said emotional toddler moments, the parents or elders will instruct: "Use your words". This being, if the child is of the vocabulary age. As an app-centric culture though, we often forget this simple advice as we age.
I've started going places on my own more often. Brunch, church, coffee, neighborhood walks etc. In these solo adventures, I've tried to really focus on interactions with my surroundings. I'll make a comment on someone's logo on their shirt, I'll genuinely ask more people how their day is going, heck I'll even talk about the weather from time to time. Additionally, I've tried to observe the overall pulse around me. People's body language at a table across the room, the ambient noise of the restaurant and unfortunately the screen addiction of our current society.
In Dale Carnegie's book "How to Win Friends and Influence People", he states that a person's favorite word is their own first name and if you want someone to remember and like you, use their favorite word.....often.
There's a rundown corner mart that I frequent to buy life's necessities, gas and beer. On occasion, there is a decent line as the teller runs through transactions. A majority of the purchasers don't even say a word to the person taking their money. So my new found goal isn't even about the petrol I'm buying, it's to engage and have a brief conversation with the gentleman behind the counter. His reaction usually lets me know that it's a breath of fresh air for him to actually converse.
We can do this in most public settings, we just get caught up in own worlds so much, we forget there are other humans around us. Give it a whirl next time you're out and about. The grocery, a restaurant, church, the restroom (situation dependent), there's opportunities sprinkled throughout your day. Your goal shouldn't be to make friends with them, just use the language you both know. It'll give both parties involved a little spark of energy.
Technology is awesome, but don't let it strain your neck. Look up from time to time and use your words. Yep.
New in my life: Hunting goals and self-worth are not close cousins thankfully. Pocket dials and #1 songs are my cholesterol. Free agency.
Keep smilin'
Joe
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Hot Pockets are Commercialized Empanadas
There's a common practice in Judaism that believers are buried with their feet facing the entrance of the cemetery. This thought is when the Savior returns, their body will be resurrected and they will be ready to head back to Israel, the Promised Land. In the vicinity of Israel, tombs are aligned in the same way to face a certain direction in hopes of being first in line.
I've heard of exercises deemed as healthy to write your own eulogy at a young, healthy age. This practice will bring to the surface what core values you want to portray. You also can get credits in college for courses where part of your grade includes designing your own will. Boyscout mentality eh? Always be prepared.
I'd say 99% of my friends I would speak nothing but high regards for when asked to describe them. But I have a handful of friends I constantly find myself saying "He's a great guy but on occasion lacks bedside manner." This, of course, referring to their abrasiveness in certain social situations.
Logistically, I'm not in the parenting world yet, but as an award-winning uncle, I've developed a couple of humble opinions about what is important to teach your children. The two common denominators I've found that pay off are: 1. Self Awareness 2. The ability to make friends quickly. Now there is a multitude of equations and variables that can lead someone astray in their career as a human, but I believe with a foundation of those two lessons, you're setting your brood up for an easier time on earth.
One of the biggest fears we face is loneliness. It's up there with public speaking, death, and clowns. We're built for community and companionship. Heck, the fear of loneliness combined with love is what keeps this hominid thing going.
How we process loneliness is what I believe is evolving. A while back, I developed this bad habit of when I found myself lonely or bored, I would pick up my phone to subdue the feeling. Whether it was a social media or my email, it made that empty feeling go away. Short term band-aid.
These days when I get lonely, I face the isolated emotion head on and force my brain to tackle it. Subconsciously, it forces my thoughts to process it and move on instead of filling the void with a newsfeed or profile. Disclaimer: I don't hate social media. I think Netflix and Instagram are great to give your thoughts a break. I just don't condone making it a habit every time you stop at a stop light. Force your intellect.
To circle back from a tangent, being lonely is normal. Friends and loved ones help prevent the feeling. How to make friends: work on your bedside manner. It's not just for doctors and nurses, it's how you treat strangers and peers. Love on people.
Because when we have the people we love at our bedside, we're going to wish we had our own bedside manner throughout our tenure on this big blue and green globe. Yep.
New in my life: JOMO (Joy of missing out) was an acronym built for me. There's always a reason to grow the mustache. October or bust.
Keep smilin'
JM
I've heard of exercises deemed as healthy to write your own eulogy at a young, healthy age. This practice will bring to the surface what core values you want to portray. You also can get credits in college for courses where part of your grade includes designing your own will. Boyscout mentality eh? Always be prepared.
I'd say 99% of my friends I would speak nothing but high regards for when asked to describe them. But I have a handful of friends I constantly find myself saying "He's a great guy but on occasion lacks bedside manner." This, of course, referring to their abrasiveness in certain social situations.
Logistically, I'm not in the parenting world yet, but as an award-winning uncle, I've developed a couple of humble opinions about what is important to teach your children. The two common denominators I've found that pay off are: 1. Self Awareness 2. The ability to make friends quickly. Now there is a multitude of equations and variables that can lead someone astray in their career as a human, but I believe with a foundation of those two lessons, you're setting your brood up for an easier time on earth.
One of the biggest fears we face is loneliness. It's up there with public speaking, death, and clowns. We're built for community and companionship. Heck, the fear of loneliness combined with love is what keeps this hominid thing going.
How we process loneliness is what I believe is evolving. A while back, I developed this bad habit of when I found myself lonely or bored, I would pick up my phone to subdue the feeling. Whether it was a social media or my email, it made that empty feeling go away. Short term band-aid.
These days when I get lonely, I face the isolated emotion head on and force my brain to tackle it. Subconsciously, it forces my thoughts to process it and move on instead of filling the void with a newsfeed or profile. Disclaimer: I don't hate social media. I think Netflix and Instagram are great to give your thoughts a break. I just don't condone making it a habit every time you stop at a stop light. Force your intellect.
To circle back from a tangent, being lonely is normal. Friends and loved ones help prevent the feeling. How to make friends: work on your bedside manner. It's not just for doctors and nurses, it's how you treat strangers and peers. Love on people.
Because when we have the people we love at our bedside, we're going to wish we had our own bedside manner throughout our tenure on this big blue and green globe. Yep.
New in my life: JOMO (Joy of missing out) was an acronym built for me. There's always a reason to grow the mustache. October or bust.
Keep smilin'
JM
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