Tag / nature

by yojeanyi

Sparks fly when you sing the song of your people

Sparks fly when you sing the song of your people. They land into hearts- feeding warm flames.

Blaring in the bar is a historically significant song. The one you put on repeat in 8th grade. The stuffy air of gas emitting bodies become electric voices jamming along— some in tune, some in spirit…strangers united by song, even if nothing else.

You might think going to activity related clubs like food, hiking, or reading will open connections. While it’s easy to rule out people with different values or lifestyles, even among dogs, not everyone gets along.

I can never find a good reason to say “no.” This attitude took me on many adventures — like an invitation to a Himalayan pilgrimage. Some of these experiences redefined my life; others are better left in the labyrinth of my memory. Saying “yes” to the world is a golden sun with rays shooting into open horizons. Getting stung by a swarm of judicially angry bees– is diminished by the larger experience of hiking in the giant redwoods. Blisters and skin abrasions aren’t required for adventure, but a bit of smarting pain does leave an impression.

Sharing, or suffering, with like minded people is meaningful because of the communion. To put it in animal terms- we are a pack undergoing the same journey and transformation, multiplying energy.

Some people consider their families their pack. Other soloists live in their career or projects. Some find a lifestyle where they do the things that bring them joy and meaning daily.

For K dog, it was 1. feminism 2. programmer 3. musician

For P dog, it was 1. Chem Professor 2. foodie 3. lifelong learner

For Y dog, it was 1. books 2. biking 3. swimming

Their holy trinity.

Values: freedom, peace, learning, growth, green, blue, egg, fire, water, earth, wind

What about for me? I like caring, free spirited learners and doers who get energy from nature and creating. If I free write to find my BIG 3, an image forms.

I like swinging in a hammock by the bonfire.

1. swinging 2. hammock 3. bonfire

I hope the right sparks follow from living in your element. As long as you keep doing what you do, you are singing the song to find your people.

by yojeanyi

Good tip: sweat before showers

We brush our teeth twice a day, shower every other day, groom ourselves, and eat with some semblance of regularity. Hygiene and health are part of life — they get done with regularity (otherwise we can get sick.)

Exercise, on the other hand? Not always so automatic. Even if we know it’s good for us, it might not come naturally. Stick to the same low-stakes, noncompetitive activities — the elliptical, a fitness video, running loops around the block, or a weekly yoga class — and it can start to feel like a chore. Motivation wanes.

Here’s a simple trick: sweat before you shower. Make the act of exercise an unskippable part of clean, refreshed skin. You’ll feel the reward immediately afterward.

If you want to make movement more habitual ritual, try these:

  • Rally with a friend — sanitize a tennis ball or badminton birdie and get competitive.
  • Swim in the ocean — snorkel, explore, wave to marine friends. If you can’t find a calm cove, swim along the wave breaks. Survival instincts kick in and heart rate rises naturally.
  • Hike and immerse yourself in nature — choose a trail with elevation gain (1,000–2,000 feet) or varied terrain: stream crossings, chaparral, alpine meadows, boulder fields, canyons, or desert trails. Diverse landscapes challenge differently and connects you with the environment.
  • Home movement — if you’re stuck indoors, dedicate ten minutes to movement before getting clean. Jumping jacks, push-ups, dancing to a few songs. Spike energy and support immune health.

(This is similar to habit stacking, for example, one can Exercise + Brush Teeth – Do a set of squats or stretches while brushing teeth.)

So next time you’re about to jump in the shower, ask yourself: did I sweat before shower?