#3 The Fellowship

Welcome back!

Catching up with longtime friends is always a treat!

Question this week I was asked:

What is the most beautiful word in your vocabulary?

Let’s get into it!

Society (U.S. Health):

“I’m only one person; it’s not like I can make any real change.”

That belief lets you sidestep the responsibility of recognizing the power you hold to make the world a better place! I used to hold that same belief.

We often underestimate the ripple effect a compliment, kind gesture, or smile can have on someone and the potential impact on those around them.

This ripple effect extends to educating others about our health system.

The other day, I met Jack, an obese gentleman curious about living a healthier life. I shared a few suggestions he could try: meal prepping at home to avoid eating out, limiting his phone use at night to improve his sleep, and incorporating more movement into his day.

Jack is a parent, husband, and friend. When he goes home and starts eating better, moving more, and feeling more energetic, his wife and kids will see their dad taking care of himself. They might even mirror his behavior or share it with their own friends. That change began with one conversation, and the ripple effect continues.

What role could you play in creating a healthier world?

The primary reason we are sick is our lifestyle. It’s what we do on a daily basis. When we eat ultra-processed foods, sit all day, stare at artificial light from our phones at night, stress over what others are doing, drink unfiltered water, and lack meaningful social interaction, our bodies suffer.

The system profits when we get sick.

Large food companies produce addictive, ultra-processed products that, combined with unhealthy lifestyle choices, destroy the engines of our body—our metabolic health—leading to chronic diseases. This results in doctor visits, where you get diagnosed and treated. Then, pharmaceutical companies provide the medications to manage, rather than resolve, these conditions.

The U.S. is 4% of the world’s population but accounts for 70% of the world’s pharmaceutical profits, yet ranks 60th in life expectancy.

We are consuming more pills than anyone else but living less?

And teens are getting the short end of the stick:

• 50% of American teens are overweight or obese. Fifty percent!

• 40% of teens now qualify for having a mental disorder, and 40% are on pharmaceutical products.

You have the power to make small, incremental changes in your life and create your own ripple effect.

Nature:

My favorite sound in nature is the leaves blowing in the wind. 🍂

A pattern I’ve observed: Those who have cultivated a relationship with Mother Nature tend to have a more positive outlook on life.

Over the past few weeks, I've met some wonderful individuals, many of whom have expressed a deep appreciation for life. As I got to know them, I learned that most had grown up in or spent significant time outdoors, developing a connection with nature.

When they are in nature, they appreciate the subtleties around them—the birds chirping and branches swaying. This ability to notice the small things spills over to their appreciation of the people, places, and experiences in their lives. Not to mention the natural healing properties of getting sunlight, fresh air, and a break from the noise.

I know you might not always have access to an expansive forest, but if you can manage to get outside during your day, your body will thank you.

Especially for those in colder areas, bundling up like the Michelin Man for a 10-minute walk has incredible benefits. Even when the sun is covered by clouds, its rays still reach you. Your eyes absorb this light, signaling your body to start the day by suppressing melatonin production and increasing serotonin, giving your nervous system a break from the constant demands for your attention.

Thank you, Mother Nature!

Human Psychology

Uncertainty.

When was the last time you didn’t know where life was taking you, and how did you handle it? What was the outcome?

For the past three years, I have been living a life of “indefinites.”

What do I mean by that? It means I am open to my life changing.

Knowing that change is inevitable, I choose options that offer flexibility. For example, I have a month-to-month personal agreement with my landlady, giving me the freedom to adapt to life's new opportunities as they arise.

Living with indefinites also means knowing when it’s time to end something and start a new chapter. I don’t have to renew a lease or extend a contract by a certain date.

In the past few weeks, I’ve felt that it’s time for the next evolution of my life and time to take take an inventory of my life. I’ve been asking myself what still feels aligned with this next version of me.

I am saying “No” to certain things in order to say “Yes” for the next chapter of life. While seemingly straightforward, this process always kicks my butt.

As of last week, I’ve stepped away from most of my projects and work and reflected on whether Austin is still the place for me to move forward. It is!

Next Chapter.

When the future is uncertain, I maintain three principles: courage to put myself out there, trust that things will work out, and perseverance to keep showing up.

Spirituality

A gentleman by the name of Mick Franco was a sports psychologist at the University of Notre Dame in the early 2000s. Part of his work involved visiting schools to help young men better understand themselves.

During these visits, he would bring the students into a room and write two columns on the whiteboard: Masculine and Feminine.

He would then ask them, "What traits come to mind when you think of masculine?" The answers were often strong, tough, brave, protector.

Next, he’d ask, "What about feminine?" The responses included loving, caring, gentle, introspective, supportive.

Then he would pose a final question: “Who do you know that embodies all of these traits?” The majority of the men couldn’t think of anyone.

At that point, Mick would write one name at the top of the board: Jesus.

“If you are only masculine, you are half a human. If you are only feminine, you are half a human.

I dare you to grow into a person who is fully human.”

Company I am exploring: Force of Nature, one of the highest-quality grass fed meat providers in the U.S.

Something I tried recently: Cacao, soooo good!

Song I listened to: The Breaking of the Fellowship, thank you Bennett!

That concludes another newsletter! I hope you enjoyed it, and if you think someone else would appreciate it, feel free to share!

Happiest Holidays to you and yours! Keep smiling!

Peace and Love,

Ben