Following One's Passion

This week we read some good pieces on following your passion, the power adventure and nature has on shaping who we become, possible reasons for the rise of depression across the globe, and tips for getting the often dreaded treadmill run done.

Interview: Writer, Cyclist, Producer, and Artist Anna Brones
Creativity // When asked about following her passion to be a writer.

"I think no matter what you’re doing, you just have to do it. There’s no easy way into anything."

I need to remind myself of this daily. Even at 49, I have to keep moving forward. I have to not believe my time has passed and I missed the boat. There are still boats coming by; I need to choose to get onboard.

You don't need to do epic things or have something horrendous happen to you in order for what you say or do to be of value or importance. Being famous gives one an audience but wisdom can come from anywhere, anyone.

"I’ve thought a lot about the wisdom we have to offer each other. Because often we turn to famous people for wisdom, or famous writers, for that kind of thing. But I actually think there’s so much wisdom to be drawn from our counterparts, if we just sit down and have a conversation."

Lessons Learned on the Pacific Crest Trail
Adventure // Some superb insights from those traveling so far and wholly immersed in Nature.

“Hiking the PCT is hard, sometimes very hard. But compared to the life off-trail, the life on the trail is easier. There are fewer concerns. You still have some, but they are very basic. It’s all about water, food, a place to sleep, the weather, the gear. That’s about it. In normal life, the concerns are much bigger, even though they are much smaller.” — Michael

“The trail really helped me mature mentally and emotionally. It would have taken me years to learn the lessons about myself that I learned in six months on trail." — Grace

Why Is Depression on the Rise?
Mental Wellness // Depression is rising. Today, about 10 times more people suffer from depression than they did in 1945. The World Health Organization reports that over 300 million people suffer from depression, which is about 4 percent of the world’s population.

According to the article, some reasons for the rise include increased drug usage, rise in chronic illness, increased isolation, technology (social media), our modern lifestyles of poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and sleep deprivation.

The Mental Trick That Keeps Surfer Taylor Knox Ripping at 47
Mental Wellness + Performance // Surfer Taylor Knox discovered Kelee meditation at a decisive point in his career. The pressure of being on the world tour was causing doubt, anxiety and depression. He contemplating quitting.

“I got to a point with training where I hit a plateau on the physical side of things. I was stagnant,” Knox says. “So I started learning about how the body follows the mind, and how, if you have a toxic mind frame, it doesn’t matter how much you work out. You still won’t be able to perform.”

Many athletes may find parallels with Knox’s rocky path to meditation. Knox uses the phrase “toxic mind frame” often to describe the pivotal period before his mental clarity; a decade into his pro career, he started suffering from anxiety and depression. Just when his career was peaking, he was ready to quit the tour. “From the outside, it looked like my life was great,” Knox says. “I had a brand-new contract. I was successful. I just had a baby, a nice house—how can I not be happy? But I wasn’t.”

The Unbearable Heaviness of Clutter
Essential Living + Mental Wellness // Clutter causes stress and can negatively impact mental wellness. While all stress can impact wellness, we can control this stressor, so why not? Clutter and emotional wellbeing seems to have a greater impact on women than men, and older adults over younger adults. Part of the issue is the expectations of what a home should look like, a messy home doesn't measure up to that standard.

Dr. Ferrari noted that clutter is also often the result of an “over-attachment” to our personal items, which makes it difficult to part with them.

To improve clutter — purge and don't acquire stuff you don't truly need.

Down and Out of Tennis at 22. Back at 28.
Personal Stories // Burned out, struggling with depression and fed up with cyberbullying, Rebecca Marino, one of Canada’s brightest prospects, quit tennis in 2013. A year into her comeback, she’s climbing the rankings.

Maximize the Treadmill Experience to Improve Your Running
Sport + Training // Runner's World shares tips from the pros, and several workouts to break up that tedious repetition of running on the treadmill. 

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