Boy oh boy, woweee. It's been a minute. Or approximately three months.
Firstly, shoutout to Giorgia, Maddy, Maddi, Rachel, Emma and people with the email Soak It All Up and the Imaginer Glasner signing up in that time.
To explain my absence: For six of those weeks I was still suffering the effects of a concussion which rendered me more vegetable than human. For the next six weeks I was intent on making the first newsletter I posted a “Lessons From A Concussion”.
However, it’s proven to be one of the hardest blogs I’ve written. At first, there were so many lessons the essay became dry porridge. I’ve now narrowed it to one. However, I havn’t been able to write an ending that isn’t depressing or makes sense. In a way, it’s because I’m still integrating what the experience taught me so I don’t have something “happy” to report (yet).
Rather than be held up any longer, I accept that essay will be published when it’s ready and today I bring you another.
Without Further Ado:
What I Learnt This Week Past Month:
For the past six weeks I’ve been an editor for Write of Passage. One of the leading institutions for teaching people to write online. Over that time I edited over 80 essays. Here’s three keys to every good essay:
Does the essay create a curiosity gap with the very first sentence? The challenge for all writers is create enough curiosity in the first sentence that it compels readers to read the next sentence and beyond.
When making an observation do they "show" through story, metaphor or personal experience. Or do they "tell" simply stating the observation without any evidence to support?
Does it POP?
P(ersonal) - how much personal interweaved? Do they use a personal story to convey the message or share their perspective on the topic?
O(bservation) - How clearly do they communicate and support the shiny-dime? Another way of thinking of this is how strong is the evidence used to create a change in belief?
P(layful) - How much does the sentence structure vary? Paragraph length? How creative are the examples / metaphors used?
For anyone looking to start writing or improve. Hit me up. I’d be more than happy to chat.
Essay for the Week: The Art of Living
I lay there giggling like a baby for what felt like eternity.
It was like I was high on oxygen.
At one point I even started making those “googoo gaagaa” noises adults make when talking to babies. And like a joyful baby, it propelled me into another giggling fit.
What was going on?
Spraying My Energy
Four days earlier I started a course and made the following intro “Hi I’m Nic, and I spray my energy in every direction”.
No, it wasn’t a meeting for hyperactive people who are searching for clarity in life. But that’s what brought me there.
After a quarter-life crisis I found myself two years into a search for what brought me joy. My natural state had become one of deep introspection that flirted with existential angst.
I’d become infatuated with the idea of living the purpose I’d defined for myself. Believing the antidote to my condition was the fulfillment purposeful work allegedly provided.
I found myself entrenched in the hustle culture. A full-time job at a climate-innovation hub, a side hustle serving gelato, a daily writing practice, military-esque exercise routine and signing up for every CBC and online course that piqued my interest.
My life reflected a game of pinball. Me the ball ricocheting in organised chaos between the features. Each opportunity a feature in the machine I hoped would provide me the joy I was seeking.
In reality, it was simply providing enough stimuli to keep my existential angst at bay.
Directing My Energy Inwards
Recognising a change was needed, a subconscious thought bubbled to the surface: rather than directing my energy outwards, what if I directed inwards?
It sounded great in theory. The only problem was I didn't know how. I’d meditated for a few years and while it provided peace, it simply slowed me down rather than redirect my energy.
In my search for answers a friend recommended a four day course called the “Art of Living”. The bio simply described itself as a “happiness course”. I cringed and feared I was signing up for another self-help guru. But it was cheap so I figured I had nothing to lose.
The Power of Breath
After my introduction I quickly learnt it was a breathwork course. Over four days I was introduced to three breathing exercises and the power of our breath.
It shared how our breath is connected to our emotions and mind. That if we change the pattern of our breath, our emotions and thoughts change as well.
I learnt there’s four main sources of energy. The obvious two: sleep and food. But more interestingly thoughts and breathing. Negative thoughts drain your energy as much as anything on the planet. While breathing is a better source of energy than food and sleep.
However, the trigger of my giggling experience came after the three breath exercises they teach you.
Following the exercises they allow you to sit there in silence. Warning you that different emotions may percolate to the surface. For some it may be crying. Others peace. For me pure joy.
But why?
I learnt that humans have seven layers of existence
Body
Breath
Mind
Intellect
Memory
Ego
Self = Consciousness
Your breath acts as a cleansing mechanism for all the levels and something that connects you to your “Self”.
For those crying, the breath is releasing pain they’ve stored in their body. For those finding peace, the breath is quieting the ego. Why did I find joy?
I was reminded that the reason we call it a “belly laugh” is because it’s coming from a place deep inside you. That deep internal source is the last layer of existence your “Self”. I learnt that breath is the only way to tap into it for no reason.
I believe my eruption was caused by two years of searching. It was notifying me that I had found the answer to my search. That rather than spraying my energy outwards in search for joy. I need to direct it inwards and allow it to emerge out of me.
Fail of the Week:
After spending a month working remotely in Bali I returned home this week. I resumed my morning routine where I consume Athletic Greens (a drink good for my stomach) first thing. After pouring the powder into my glass, I begun to stir it.
Approximately 3 seconds later this happened:
I’d clearly forgotten the appropriate strength and velocity at which to stir.
Until next week,
Cheers,
Nic Hurrell