An Update From The Heart
I didn't love last week's newsletter. It was rushed. It lacked heart.
This one is very much from the heart. I hope you feel it.
This Week's Movement
The Rolling Arm-bar (for mobility, not fighting)
Watch time: 4 minutes
Outcome: You'll feel more connected through the trunk, and more spacious and strong through the scapulae, which can be very restorative for a stuck t-spine or painful shoulders
Key Concept: Rib-pelvis dissociation, AKA twisting through the trunk to fully utilise the elasticity of your tissues from hip to opposite side shoulder.
Relevance: Literally anything remotely athletic. Because our unique ability as humans is to stand upright and drive rotation through the body (bipedal walking, running, throwing, kicking, punching, surfing, acrobatics).
It's the first movement in the video. There are five other trunk rotation progressions in there in case you get in the groove and want to do more...
This Week's Insight
Actual manifestation is an energy formula.
Intention > energy > action > commitment
Thank you to Quentin Decamp for sharing this with me! I've broken down what each part of this creation sequence means to me, below.
Intention is about getting crystal clear on what you want and what you need. Ideally, your wants and needs are highly aligned. If they aren't, it's because you're human (surprise) and you have some body-mind integration work to do. Animals don't seem to have this issue, because they're fully embodied.
Energy comes to those with a clear, integrated sense of purpose. When you are crystal clear on what you want, and you want it with all of yourself (wholeness), the next thing you need is the energy to make it happen. This is simply akin to looking after yourself, the creative conduit. You will naturally see opportunities to acquire this energy if you are clear enough on what you want.
Action is the necessary and natural outcome of clarity and energy. The clearer your intention and the more energy you have, the bolder your actions will become. Justifiably so. You can afford to take risk. You simply can't expect big, brave moves from a unclear, depleted place, so take care of that first. Action is the bullet, but not the gun, nor the gun powder.
Commitment is easier to have when you're clear, energised and acting boldly, because those conditions create a high likelihood of positive feedback loops (and we need these to help us get through tricky times). Commitment is that moment when the arrow is released, and flies. The moment must be right. Aligned commitment allows you to feel internally light, surrendered and energised as you solve complex problems from a grounded, practical state. If this isn't how you're feeling, it's because you're trying to commit to a highly specific outcome that isn't resonant with your true intentions, energy available or the reality of your actions. Rather than commit to a narrow, highly particular, narrow outcome, start by committing to living in a way that is resonant with who you truly want to be, and how you want to live in general. Commitment is a skill to explore and learn, like anything else.
Update, from The Heart
2023 was easily one of the most difficult years I've had in my life - punctuated also with the most profoundly beautiful moments.
I learned that life is contrast, and contrast stretches us so we can hold more and more space within.
I put myself in situations that only I could resolve.
I realised nobody could show up for me in the way I needed but me.
And that showing up meant asking for help from my friends (I used to suck at this).
I had days where I felt physically sick with grief and disbelief.
Days where Nero (my dog) and I both bled, fought and shook with fear.
Hospital trips, antibiotic depression, determined attempts to seek alternative medicine.
Giving up.
Letting go.
Being still and witnessing my powerlessness in the face of death.
Breakthroughs, downloads, "pinch-me-I-must-be-fucking-dreaming" synchronicities.
Days where I felt I was losing my mind and tears welled up as I washed the dishes.
Days where I hoped a bag of rice and a few cans of sardines would last me long enough.
The guidance of country and spirit showing me where to walk.
The embrace of earth, sand, wind, sea, sun, rain, and fire's warmth
Naked moments alone in nature while the sun slept
dolphins, hawks, whales, tree frogs, spiders, snakes, mantis, sea turtles, sharks, humans living differently
Moments where I became excruciatingly aware of my own self sabotage and limitation.
Moments losing all sense of self gazing at a candle in my van before bed.
Moments where I found something infinitely more powerful and purposeful than myself, by going into that messiness.
Moments where I realised how beautifully cathartic shedding tears can feel, when our hearts break (open) together.
Fitting flyscreens on windows with my mate Jake so I could eat
Nearly doing nude life modeling (part curiosity and self-acceptance, part needing the cash)
Becoming small time insta-famous.
Having a few back-to-back 10-15k months and waking up to passive digital products income and bird song.
What a year.
I learned to trust the process and to trust in the souls trusting me.
I saw how capable of love we are, and how hard we are on ourselves, and how much we project what we feel outwards.
I learned (and am still learning) that most of us deeply crave honesty and that I don't have to pussyfoot around what I believe.
I'm only just realising how much pain there still is within me, and all of us.
Simultaneously, I'm only just realising how utterly beautiful life can be.
I forgive myself, and so for the first time, I find myself bathing in the joy of community.
I give all of myself to myself, and to others, flaws and all.
And I know you're walking this way too.
Thank you for being brave long enough to realise there's nothing to fear.
Thank you for being you, and for being here.