The last Sunday was pretty productive. I finished writing a personal story that I have been meaning to pen for some time now. I wasn’t sure before what story I wanted to tell. I also published the next video with my daughter. The feedback to both has been encouraging. Yay!
I’m pretty sure the “fediverse” refers to the federated social network that is Mastodon (where every node typically serves many people), whereas the IndieWeb instead focuses on a decentralized, not federated, social network where every actor controls their own node
Liked a tweet by Pelle Wessman
Now that there is a better support for drafts and scheduling posts in Micro.blog web interface, I can’t believe it didn’t exist till now. It was refreshing to hear Manton acknowledhe the same during Micro Monday. That said, I wish I could directly schedule a post from the web editor rather than saving as draft followed by schedule, as it is now.
I recently cribbed about how my smartphone was becoming the pesky little distractor again. I was planning to go back into a shell, keeping the device away from me for longer durations. However, I realised I may change the way and try being mindful this time.
I was hit by this thought during my guided meditation session today, when I came across this insightful observation.
In trying to bend our will to that which is helpful, we strengthen our ego. In letting go of the things that are unhelpful, we free ourselves of our ego. Same intention. Different outcome.
We depend on our willpower to control our situation. We achieve the results but don’t train our minds. As a result, we harden our habits and behaviour. What if we change our approach. What if we acknowledge the unhealthy thought. But rather than becoming more rigid, we become softer. Rather than rejecting, resisting, we let go.
Interesting. I tend to depend on my willpower to not fall for the poor habits. That hasn’t worked well for me — I avoid the habits for some time, but soon am back to natural poor state. My problems with my smartphone are an example of this behaviour. So, why not accept that my device is a bugger? Be mindful of the fact that my subconscious reaches out for the device frequently. And when it does, acknowledge it and let it go.
Be mindful of the attraction, but not be burdened by willing self into resistance. Remind self of the negative outcome and detach. Can I train my mind to not fall for the attraction but ignore it naturally?
One approach is rigid, based on will, based on control. Other approach is based on awareness. Recognising the thoughts that are helpful and engaging with them. Recognising the thoughts that are unhelpful and letting them go.
I have no idea if this would work for me. Who do I trust more, my willpower or my ability to be mindful? I have seen my willpower falter. Maybe I should give mindfulness a try this time. That’s what I have decided to do.
It is reports like these that convinces me we are getting surrounded by mindless robots. To add to that, we are screwing with the nature too. So, there would be soon no one we can depend on. Sigh!
For hours, as word of the coming storm spread, as many as 15 workers beseeched managers to let them take shelter at their own homes, only to have their requests rebuffed.
After all the festivities, my daughter was back with an idea for her next video. As usual, she was ready with all that she wanted to talk about. We recorded on Sunday, and first thing she said was, “I had a lot of fun, dad”. And it shows — the new video premiered this week.
I published the first (planned) issue of the newsletter via Micro.blog today about my first evening in Sydney. I’d scheduled the post & it worked as expected. Sure, I want to improve the styling of the emails. But it’s good to post at a single place. All feedback welcome!
I love Pringles crisps. But the way they stack up, I could never eat them in a bunch — I feel guilty to eat more. As if I am emptying the can sooner and denying others of this wonderful cooked Potato. Fascinating how the container impacts your behaviour. Equally fascinating is the history of this brand of snacks. For example, the attempt was “to develop a new kind of potato chips to address consumer complaints about broken, greasy, and stale chips, as well as air in the bags”.
Well, chips haven’t changed much. And they didn’t even want to — as if they wanted to make the greasiness their identity.
The product was originally known as Pringles Newfangled Potato Chips, but other snack manufacturers objected, saying Pringles failed to meet the definition of a potato “chip” since they were made from a potato-based dough rather than being sliced from potatoes like “real” potato chips.
All the technicality aside (yes, the shape of the crisp has a name), they just don’t taste like chips. They are different. And yet, “no one can eat just one”.
Sunday evening today was supposed to be a distraction-free, creative session with my tools. It was anything, but. Don’t you hate it when someone else’s plans become unplanned, unavoidable commitments for you? The price human pays for being a social animal 🤷🏽♂️
I was wishing my daughter good night today and she left me with a weird analogy. “… something something .. like a tomato wrapped in chocolate”. I have no clue what it means. Does it mean good or bad? I can’t sleep now and she is sound asleep. Kids, I tell you.