I made a list of things I would like to do in the new age:
- join ocean swim next summer
- tramping , do at least one of the great walks in NZ
- Get outside more
- Plant things, make our backyard alive
I listened to a really good talk on how to control our breath. In life often we are faced with stimulation and response. For example, you broke your favourite cup, thats a stimulation, then the response either would be very mad about it or you shrug and tidy up the broken pieces. Often, there is a pause between the two, thats when you get to make the choice and it could be life changing moments. I remember when I was in the hospital bed waiting for Isabella to be born, the hospital nurse mentioned how tranquil I seemed to be. It was still one of the most proud moments I had about myself. Magnus and I attended hypno-birthing class, and I practiced breathing techniques every day before I went into labour. I can recall vividly how the way I breath change my level of anxiety and fear. One skill I always want to learn is being fearful but still continue to act.
When I was in my late teens, I was very into adventure activities. My main goal to come to NZ was to do Bungy jumping and I ticked that off the list in the first 2 years arrived in NZ. It was during one of the surfing trips I got swept out to the sea by under currents, I came face to face with fear and experienced how it could paralyse your physical movements. During early years at University, I also had a few panic attacks. Now looking back, all of these can be considered as practice of making the right decision when I experienced stimulation and response. The older I get, the more I avoid to putting myself into uncomfortable situations. Also I get better at telling stories about myself of things I am good at and the things I am hopeless with. I miss the fearless me, detached with any defined things about myself. So I promise myself the older I get the more I am going to practice of facing fear. We can not make good of the future, yet we do many things telling ourself these decisions going to secure our future. If anything the past 3 months have taught me would be the world is becoming a difficult place to predict. I enjoy being in control, so the only thing I can be aware of and have some control is breathing. Did you know that we breath 23,000 times a day and often we are not truly aware of completing these in and outs. Human body is truly incredible.
So in this new age, the aim is to get uncomfortable more in return of growth and a little bit more wisdom. Get better at breathing and use that to navigate through adventures in life. I gave up on understand how the world works for a bit as long as Trump is still in power. I decided to focus on myself, understand my mind, my body and how my actions impact on people and things around me.
Lets check in here again next year this time, see how I get on. Stay tuned.
LIYANG'S THOUGHTS 