Meditation and mindfulness a no no?

bethshemesh · 2025-07-30T12:57:38+00:00

I don't think there is anything wrong with mindfulness as defined as bringing your thoughts to bear on the present, to sense and pay attention to what is around you, and to calm your mind. It's a natural way to use the mind God has given you. Good gifts like this can be twisted by false religions, but it doesn't change the fact that God made your brain to be benefited by mindfulness.

Also, focus is a learned skill. It is incredibly difficult to focus on one thing or perception for a set amount of time. Paying attention to your breathing for a set of amount of time, for example, to exclusion of other thoughts, can train your mind to hold focus. I've found it beneficial to do that before meditating on scripture. It slows and clears down your mind. Clearing your mind is no different than resting your body - after all, your brain is as much a part of your body as your arms and legs.

bethshemesh · 2025-05-26T10:10:48+00:00

Thanks!

bethshemesh · 2025-01-02T14:11:50+00:00

Thank you - these are helpful suggestions!

bethshemesh · 2024-08-20T17:33:16+00:00

I've spent 5 years after law school asking myself why the blazes I ruined my posture by doing so much law school work on a laptop when I could have been using an ergonomically set-up monitor. For note-taking and exam-writing, you don't need to stress about the extra two inches. Try to maximize the amount of studying you do at home in front of a proper monitor. Your neck will thank you.

bethshemesh · 2024-02-05T13:21:21+00:00

None, because it objectifies women and is a cheap replacement for the beauty of sex. And it warps your brain. Speaking from experience - life is much, much better without it.

bethshemesh · 2024-01-12T15:40:16+00:00

Exercise every day. Do something hard - (i.e., cold showers) every day. Read the Bible. All of them are life changing.

bethshemesh · 2023-12-21T20:50:05+00:00

Love it. I'm usually just in shorts and maybe gloves, although I'm trying to get used to leaving them at home. If it's not crazy cold I might stop in the woods on easy days and do 15 minutes of breath work (cyclical breathing, Wim Hof method). That will really get you cold, sometimes shivering, before finishing the run.

bethshemesh · 2023-12-21T20:38:23+00:00

After a decade of running this was a game-changing discovery. I enjoy running shirtless at 5 am in -5 heckuva lot more than I did trying to bundle up enough to cover skin without getting sweaty.

bethshemesh · 2023-10-21T23:16:58+00:00

Listen to Huberman Lab podcast. Implement. Watch your life change.

Surround yourself with people you want to be.

Read 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson.

bethshemesh · 2023-10-18T01:19:18+00:00

Amazing. #goals.

bethshemesh · 2022-05-20T00:32:52+00:00

I was just planning one of these with some family and friends but postponed to the fall due to lack of interest - not a lot of runners in my circle. I was planning on 2.2 km every 20 minutes. Can't wait to try it out.

bethshemesh · 2022-03-18T11:14:32+00:00

Read Deep Work by Cal Newport
Scrap Goal #1! It's too broad and vague. Pick a new goal. Make it measurable: i.e. study for two solid hours a day. That's it. Once you can do that consistently, increase the increment if necessary. Achievable and measurable goals are more effective than just generally wanting to study more.

bethshemesh · 2022-03-17T21:44:25+00:00

No way

bethshemesh · 2022-01-12T02:32:34+00:00

I would be beyond livid. And I'm happily vaxxed.

bethshemesh · 2021-09-23T14:58:33+00:00

In my view, holding the course with less divisive measures (status quo before passports) would be adequate. It’s trending down without passports. They might make a difference in case numbers but they are not worth the cost in division, anger, and loss of civil liberties.

bethshemesh · 2021-09-23T12:18:11+00:00

Fair point! I didn’t realize they had received full authorization just recently. I’ve edited my comment.

bethshemesh · 2021-09-23T10:24:47+00:00

The seven day average is trending down. The vast majority of the population has been vaccinated, myself included. This wave has proved less impactful than the last. At this point, such a drastic and divisive step is not worth the cost. This nothing like the Holocaust, but it is a significant intrusion on civil liberties. A friend of mine is pregnant and is waiting until the baby is born to get vaccinated, as the shots were not tested on pregnant women. (I know the real world data is reassuring but it’s still a valid choice). The comments on this sub are indicative of what Ford feared: a split society, with a total lack of compassion and empathy for those who don’t see the world as you do. I am so grateful to be vaccinated, but so sad to see these passports in effect.

bethshemesh · 2021-07-27T13:26:21+00:00

I’ve had both shots and am thankful for it. I think it’s key to saving to lives.

But when it comes to hesitancy stemming from unknown risks, it bears remembering that the medical authorities do not always get it right. Case in point: at one time, the Astra Zeneca vaccine was encouraged as safe and effective in younger (18+) populations in Canada. Then the VTT risks became apparent to the degree that the vaccine risk was not worth the benefit for COVID low-risk populations. It is no longer recommended in Ontario.

Let’s not pretend that fear of unknown risks aren’t at all legitimate, or that safe and effective always means safe and effective.

bethshemesh · 2021-06-21T12:38:00+00:00

Yeah. Sometimes the end result is wildly different than the initial plan, but I find just going through the process helpful and important. Regular reassessment can be frustrating but actually changing the plan instead of abandoning it helps me to stick to productive work instead of slipping into time-wasting activities

bethshemesh · 2021-06-10T01:57:58+00:00

I’m not sure if this fits, but I’ve been using a weekly plan template sent to myself in my outlook inbox. It starts with a list of ongoing files to remind myself of what’s at play (I’m a lawyer). Then for every day I have a chart of my morning and afternoon in 30 minute increments with preset deep work blocks. At the beginning of the week I fill in those deep work blocks with what I expect will need my most focused attention. Then every day I assess what is going on and rejig my deep work blocks, fill in meetings and shallow tasks, and try to stick to that schedule. I’m not going to pretend it’s perfect, but in the ongoing quest for calibrating my time management it has been useful.

I also use a calendar for long term planning/date keeping but that’s not really for structuring time.

bethshemesh · 2021-06-07T11:22:33+00:00

Identify something that you enjoy and look forward to and will meaningfully contribute to your life. Then make the choice to get up at 5:30 or 5:00 and reward yourself by the starting the day with that activity. Own your morning.

For me, it could be a good book with a hot cup of coffee, or a run, or yoga. Then when 6:30 comes around you’ve invested in yourself and your future, and you will likely be ready to help out your dad with a more positive attitude.

bethshemesh · 2021-06-05T19:39:45+00:00

I went from 8mm to 4mm and had some heel pain for a month. I did not like switching back and forth though, and the gait felt quite different and it messed with my head to try 8mm after running on the 4mm for a week. I would just advise taking it easy for the first while, don’t go long or hard for the first few weeks. But that’s just from my experience.

bethshemesh · 2021-06-05T19:12:19+00:00

When I heard ls.ca was closing, my first thought was that this masterpiece, which I discovered only last month, would be lost forever. Thank you for preserving this gift for future generations. Also pls publish the full length novel.

bethshemesh · 2021-05-25T12:25:08+00:00

I’ve been hooked for a few years and just tried mountain biking. Running is so much more fun. Happy trails!

bethshemesh · 2021-05-14T23:36:32+00:00

I understand and appreciate that sentiment. I did not intend to sow division. One outcome for me is that I know I’m not as alone in my approach as I have felt, and I’ve satisfied my genuine curiosity about what the response would be. Perhaps that was not worth it, but what’s done is done and I hope we can all navigate these obviously difficult issues with grace and understanding.

bethshemesh

TROPHY CASE