The Parachute Diaries

Body Language and Faking It

10.17.2012

Tonight I watched/listened to this podcast while making dinner. In it Amy Cuddy spoke about body language and its influences not only on others but on ourselves. It was funny, heartfelt and very interesting. It definitely got me thinking. At one point I even chopped the rest of my veggies while holding a pen between my teeth (you'll see why.) The end message is something I think everyone could use. It resonated pretty strongly with me. Id say its worth a listen! Ted Talks are the absolute best. Here is the link :http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html

content.

10.16.2012

We weren't talking. Not really.
The covers were up tight around my chest.
The rain picked up, the sound suddenly amplified.
I almost whispered, "I love it when it rains while im inside reading."
After a second he said, "It makes me feel more content"
And I thought, exactly, like this is where I'm meant to be.
But i didnt say it.
Those were my thoughts, my feelings.

But I guess they were his too.

Insta-Lately

10.02.2012

Lovin' that pup!

The fires in Oregon have been making some spectacular clouds and sunsets.

Dex didnt move for hours after we got home from our 15 mile hiking adventure.

I went to Eugene for the Pretty Lights show! Nicole and Hunter decided to match.

Sometimes I forget to water my plants for two weeks. I apologize with a long bath.

Poor Grady had to say good bye to his subey.

Awesome sunset at this months Last Thursday.

Serene Lake and Mt Hood.

Pretty wonderful backpacking trip for the second weekend in a row!

What have you been up to lately?

Things I saw and liked...

10.01.2012

1 & 2

October.

water.

9.25.2012

I want to be like water. I want to slip through fingers, but hold up ships.

time.

9.23.2012

I've been off adventuring.

I'll update soon!

wholeness

9.17.2012

“I actually attack the concept of happiness. The idea that - I don’t mind people being happy - but the idea that everything we do is part of the pursuit of happiness seems to me a really dangerous idea and has led to a contemporary disease in Western society, which is fear of sadness. It’s a really odd thing that we’re now seeing people saying “write down 3 things that made you happy today before you go to sleep”, and “cheer up” and “happiness is our birthright” and so on. We’re kind of teaching our kids that happiness is the default position - it’s rubbish. Wholeness is what we ought to be striving for and part of that is sadness, disappointment, frustration, failure; all of those things which make us who we are. Happiness and victory and fulfillment are nice little things that also happen to us, but they don’t teach us much. Everyone says we grow through pain and then as soon as they experience pain they say “Quick! Move on! Cheer up!” I’d like just for a year to have a moratorium on the word “happiness” and to replace it with the word “wholeness”. Ask yourself “is this contributing to my wholeness?” and if you’re having a bad day, it is.” — Hugh Mackay