4 Habits and Thoughts

[LrgmouthShad]

Hey ya’ll,
 

I found myself in some rather deep conversation with my two fellow apartment-mates this morning. These two gentlemen, are, generally speaking, pretty high-caliber dudes and I expect them to do pretty well. I was trying to strike up conversation with one of them this morning to figure out what makes him tick. He is pretty big into self improvement and at one point he made a claim that he believes the four healthiest habits that people can have are exercising, meditating, reading, and writing. First, what are your thoughts on this? 

 

Now, at one time or another I’ve found myself pretty big into self-improvement as well but Ive noticed that a couple things can happen when I’m only out for myself and just doing habits for the sole reason that they are good for me. One, I feel like a hamster in a hamster wheel and I hate that. And second, I will start to look at other people differently and at times in my past I’ve even fallen into the trap of thinking that because I do all these things that make me better, then other people just “aren’t as good”. And once I realized this pattern of thought in myself, I couldn’t stand it. So, I started looking for a better sense of balance and purpose that is mindful of others and I’m still looking for it. What do you think about all of this and what makes you tick? 

[A-Jay]

10 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

at one point he made a claim that he believes the four healthiest habits that people can have are exercising, meditating, reading, and writing. First, what are your thoughts on this? 

. What do you think about all of this and what makes you tick? 

We're all different and most of us evolve.

As we get a little further and further down the road,

some of us see things differently.

I do agree with the exercise deal (and you knew that was coming).

And while I do certainly enjoy reading and contributing here,

these are not habits, at least not in my world.

Eating right is for sure as over the course of a life time it can & usually does dictate quite a bit as far as quality of life goes. 

Cherish what you Love and don't take time for granted might round out my deal.

A-Jay

 

[Bird]

Ran into a nice gentleman years ago while hiking. He was an author of several books which promote better health.

He shared with me his top 3 for optimal health.

(1) drink plenty of water

(2) exercise

(3) sleep well

 

I have to agree with his claims but will add....... don't allow stress to be a part of daily routine.

[GaryH]

Agree with @Bird said and I’ll include Don’t judge others till you walk a mile in their shoes. 

[Deleted account]

We are all indeed different but then, we are also all the same...

"To thine own self be true"

"If you cut us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?"

[813basstard]

Get into good habits!!

Habits are so much stronger than momentary motivation and inspiration..that stuff doesn’t last. 
 

Exercise/lifting/running is a bank account. If you do it without drugs there is no quick fix. Ain’t. None. You make your daily deposits, you’ll always have something in the tank to withdrawal from. Greatest thing it does is demands you show up everyday. Period. Sick. Hungover. Financial problems. Family issues. Hot. Cold. Early. Late. You show up. 
For me that’s the greatest transition to bass fishing. A lot of days I get punched squarely, directly in the face. 
If there’s gas and the boat has a charge, I’ll be back tomorrow. 
 

Good luck!

[DaubsNU1]

Read Jordan Peterson's "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos."  

 

Then read the "48 Laws of Power" by author Robert Greene. 

 

Or listen to them via Audible. 

 

Good starting point...

[DitchPanda]

 I think out of the 4 you mentioned Diet\exercise and meditation are the most important...meditation of course can mean different things so I'd count mindful focused self reflection. To me the number 1 key to mental and physical health is sleep. Don't care if you eat well and exercise if you aren't getting the proper rest...whatever that looks like for you...you are operating at a deficit period. Caffeine can't make that up...and outside of illegal substances the only real way to get out of said hole is surprise surprise sleep.

 Stress relief is also extremely important..I suspect that's why many of us fish..I know that's my decompression time. People always say don't carry stress with you and while that's a romantic notion its simply not reality. If you have friends, family or a job that your even remotely invested in you have people relying on you and people your afraid to let down which causes stress. Finding a way to use those feelings as a positive driver to succeed then shed them like dead skin after they have served a purpose is huge IMO.

 So my top 4 in order:

1) sleep

2) diet and exercise

3)stress relief

4) constructive self reflection

[roadwarrior]

On 7/31/2022 at 3:29 PM, Bird said:

He shared with me his top 3 for optimal health.

(1) drink plenty of water

(2) exercise

(3) sleep well

 

My grand dad had a completely different take:

Only smoke when you're awake

One bottle of Thunderbird every day or more when needed

Avoid exercise at all cost

[TnRiver46]

Life is about how you treat other people, and you will be remembered for what you said 

 

so , what makes me tick is trying to be kind to others and have good conversations 

 

 

oh yeah and bass fishing 

[Kev-mo]

On 7/31/2022 at 2:59 PM, LrgmouthShad said:

at one point he made a claim that he believes the four healthiest habits that people can have are exercising, meditating, reading, and writing. First, what are your thoughts on this? 

 

Now, at one time or another I’ve found myself pretty big into self-improvement as well but Ive noticed that a couple things can happen when I’m only out for myself and just doing habits for the sole reason that they are good for me. One, I feel like a hamster in a hamster wheel and I hate that. And second, I will start to look at other people differently and at times in my past I’ve even fallen into the trap of thinking that because I do all these things that make me better, then other people just “aren’t as good”. And once I realized this pattern of thought in myself, I couldn’t stand it. So, I started looking for a better sense of balance and purpose that is mindful of others and I’m still looking for it. What do you think about all of this and what makes you tick? 

After going around the sun a few times I would say your apartment mate is pretty spot on regarding those habits. Our bodies were made to move, our minds definitely need some calming, reading can be for pleasure or knowledge (could also get either from other media these days) and writing could be taken as journaling and that's just good personal therapy on some level. 

 

I think you should give yourself a little break with that whole second paragraph. You should applaud yourself for choosing to take time to make a better version of yourself. Also intent plays into this. What are your intentions for self-improvement? Are you improving just so you can look down on people? Probably not... with that said I get it... I used to smoke cigarettes. Do I look at people who still smoke differently? Heck yeah! Not because I think I'm better than them but because I wasn't 'happy' being a smoker. I'm a better version of myself with/out tobacco. I want them to experience the same freedom that I have. The balance part comes into play when I stop and think that they are not there yet and maybe won't ever get there and that's okay. Or maybe they actually like smoking and that's okay too.

[Jigfishn10]

For me, I stopped trying

 

 

[Darth-Baiter]

On 7/31/2022 at 12:59 PM, LrgmouthShad said:

exercising, meditating, reading, and writing. First, what are your thoughts on this? 

 

 

i hestitate to call anything "the best" (or "the worst"), but these four certainly wont hurt life.  i used to read anything i could get my hands on.  made me a better writer for sure, but it would also let me dip from a bigger vocabulary to make me seem smarter.  hahah..

 

when was the last time you took out pen/paper and wrote someone a letter?  it is a perishable skill for sure.  

[gim]

Reading, writing?  I don't think so.  I know how to read and I know how to write, but I don't do either one for the enjoyment factor, per say.  I don't remember the last time I read a book to be honest and the only time I'm writing for fun is when I'm here on this forum!

 

My Grandfather died of cancer in 2012 and before he died, he told me that quality of life is measured by the amount of time you have to do what you enjoy doing.  Obviously health plays a big role in that because if you don't have your health, you don't have much.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, gimruis said:

Reading, writing?  I don't think so.  I know how to read and I know how to write, but I don't do either one for the enjoyment factor, per say.

I go through probably 150-200 books a year.

 

I also do creative writing that I post on a site - nope, not telling you where.

[LrgmouthShad]

Reading and writing are the hardest for me on this list definitely. I have no problem going Buddha mode for 30min and meditating on how my legs go numb after sitting cross legged ? but for some reason it is harder for me to convince myself to read… and writing? Forget about it. Room for progress for sure. 
 

By the way I think fishing needs to be on this list ?

14 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I go through probably 150-200 books a year.

That is seriously impressive 

[Darth-Baiter]

i still read.  but nothing life altering.  i still read action and detective novels.  

 

it kills time.  i can mow through a book traveling.  airports, airplanes, hotels.  i love books for that.  i get an absolute kick out of coming across some word i am not familiar with.  or a quote.  i will pick up a phone and google it to learn more.   take "Carpe Diem".  people used to throw it around all the time.  there is actually more to the statement.  it's actually a good quote.  i read it in some Jack Reacher book i think.

[MN Fisher]

12 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

That is seriously impressive

That's nothing - last year the wife went through 340 books (she keeps track)...ya, almost a book a day.

[LrgmouthShad]

4 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

That's nothing - last year the wife went through 340 books (she keeps track)...ya, almost a book a day.

Hats off to your wife, wow

[casts_by_fly]

On 7/31/2022 at 3:59 PM, LrgmouthShad said:

Hey ya’ll,
 

I found myself in some rather deep conversation with my two fellow apartment-mates this morning. These two gentlemen, are, generally speaking, pretty high-caliber dudes and I expect them to do pretty well. I was trying to strike up conversation with one of them this morning to figure out what makes him tick. He is pretty big into self improvement and at one point he made a claim that he believes the four healthiest habits that people can have are exercising, meditating, reading, and writing. First, what are your thoughts on this? 

 

Now, at one time or another I’ve found myself pretty big into self-improvement as well but Ive noticed that a couple things can happen when I’m only out for myself and just doing habits for the sole reason that they are good for me. One, I feel like a hamster in a hamster wheel and I hate that. And second, I will start to look at other people differently and at times in my past I’ve even fallen into the trap of thinking that because I do all these things that make me better, then other people just “aren’t as good”. And once I realized this pattern of thought in myself, I couldn’t stand it. So, I started looking for a better sense of balance and purpose that is mindful of others and I’m still looking for it. What do you think about all of this and what makes you tick? 

 

 

I would say that you apartment mate has found a great thing- for him.  I'm not the youngest or oldest on this board.  I'm not the wisest or the dumbest when it comes to life.  What I've found is that you need to know yourself and then you have to find what works for you.  Some people need to get up early and run 3 miles first thing in the morning for them to feel good.  That isn't me on both counts (running and early).  To your friend's list, I don't subscribe to them as written, but all are important in their own form.  Exercising is important (and I would include diet in that).  Being mobile (as opposed to sedentary) is one of the most important things you can do for your physical health (next to your diet).  I don't meditate, but the purpose of meditation is mental health.  My mental health is improved by taking some alone time (I'm a strong introvert) and doing something I like (I'm an activity type).  Fishing is one, hunting is another.  Reading is about learning something new and building new neural connections.  You can do the same with tasks or meeting and listening to people.  Writing is your outlet.  Everyone needs an outlet whether it is writing something, talking to someone, or some other thing that will help you take what's in your head, digest it, and get it back out.  Finding your version of those things will go a long way to your happiness in life.

 

Then, I have two main rules:

1- "You do you."  That means a couple things.  Don't worry about other people's business.  If it isn't interfering with 'you' then not your problem.  Do the things that are right for you (and your family/significant people).  Worry about your own business.

2- "Don't be a 'dirtbag'".  I normally use another word instead of dirtbag that I think would get me a warning here.  I'm sure you can guess it.  I could say be nice and kind and helpful all of the time, but we know that doesn't always happen.  So if you're choosing how to act in a situation or how to treat someone, "don't be a dirtbag".

 

If any doubt about one rule, consult the other.