20200111 SLLLAVERS for SATURDAY

NOTE:  Staying in Las Vegas with Kraig and Chris; diet went "bad" last night as we ate out, and not until around 8:30-9:00 PM.  We had a nice catchup visit, tho.


SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

Today I weighed in at 189.8 :-(

GOAL
Wt. on 1/11/2020:  189.8
Target wt by 1/31:  175.0
14.8 pounds to go / 23 = 0.64 pounds per day

RESULTS
Wt on 1/1/2020:  192.6
Wt on 1/11/2020: 189.8
Wt loss:                    2.8 pounds / 11 days = 0.25 pounds per day

I had a GAIN - AGAIN!!!!!! - over the last 24 hours; I'm guessing that it has to do with:
a.  sitting in one place (in the car) most of the day - no normal "moving around" exercise
b.  in-car lunch (baked beans, chips, apple slices, orange juice), even though I tried to minimize the quantity, I think, as yesterday,  I limited the quantity, but it wasn't that.  It was WHAT I ate.  CALORIES!

175 by 1/31/2020

EXERCISE

Did my full Base-70 routine for Saturday 1/11/2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. "inversion table" - lying 1/2 way off the bed:  3 70-second sets
6. squats 70

READING, WRITING

Read 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that "modern America" developed caste systems of their own ("modern" meaning 16th to 19th Centuries).  Europeans bought and brought millions of Africans to America to work the mines, etc.  They did this because Africa was closer, already set up for slave trade, and Africans were in general immune to malaria & yellow fever (these originated in Africa).  America was plagued by these diseases, so bringing in black Africans was "more efficient."

Amazing detail I had not as of now put together.

Read 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that he "broke up" with his old blog, and began a new one as a WRITER.  This made him feel free.  He began writing all the free time he had, and he felt euphoric.

He again emphasizes that I AM A WRITER, so I should just start WRITING.  Seems like he's saying that "the realization that I am a writer will follow, if I just START.  So I will do that as this process continues.  Because I AM A WRITER!

20200110 SLLLAVERS for FRIDAY

SILENCE

Tried to silence my mind for 70 seconds

LAUGH LIVE LOVE

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

175 by 1/31/20

Today I weighed in at 187.0 :-(

GOAL
Wt. on 1/10/2020:  187.0
Target wt by 1/31:  175.0
12 pounds to go / 22 = 0.55 pounds per day

RESULTS
Wt on 1/1/2020:  192.6
Wt on 1/10/2020: 187.0
Wt loss:                    5.6 pounds / 10 days = 0.58 pounds per day

I had a GAIN over the last 24 hours; I'm guessing that it has to do with:
a.  2 teaspoons of peanut butter between meals
b.  "dinner" of baked beans, ham, and BBQ sauce, along with potato chips.

I limited the quantity, but it wasn't that.  It was WHAT I ate.  CALORIES!

EXERCISE

Did my full Base-70 routine for Friday, 1/10/2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. inversion table 3 70-second sets
6. push-ups 70

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says, continuing his analysis of the Caste System in Hindu India, that people who might have come to the country, but might have failed to become eligible to be part of one of the Castes already established, were considered "untouchables."  They were forced to live apart and try to scavange scraps from garbage heaps, etc.

I am appalled that human beings of any race and religion and social status would treat other human beings in this way.  I'm trying to imagine that an entire CONTINENT/COUNTRY/SOCIETY would have accepted this system.  Were there no people who tried to change it?  Who tried to mix it up?  Who fell in love above or below their own level?  Who felt the injustice when a lower caste human being looked at the upper caste human being with sad fear and longing to be accepted and loved as one human being to another?

I'd guess there WERE such people, even among the highest caste human beings.  But what happened to them as the years/decades/centuries rolled by?  Further study is required to answer these questions.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says, continuing his comparison between his G/F relationship, and his WRITING relationship, that when his G/F and he broke up, he felt free.  When he "broke up" his false beliefs about writing, he felt free to write.

At least, that's how I'm seeing it right now.

******************

I was going to leave "super early" for my drive to Utah, but did not become obsessed with it.  I woke around 6 am, and now it's 8 am, and I'm ready to pack & leave.

20200109 SLLLAVERS for THURSDAY

SILENCE

Tried to silence my thoughts for 70 seconds; mild success.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

175 by 1/31/20

Today I weighed in at 186.8 (after exercises, bm, and before breakfast)

GOAL
Wt. on 1/9/2020:  186.8
Target wt by 1/31:  175.0
11.8 pounds to go / 23 = 0.51 pounds per day

RESULTS
Wt on 1/1/2020:  192.6
Wt on 1/9/2020:  186.8
Wt. loss:                  5.8 pounds / 9 days = 0.64 pounds per day

EXERCISE

Did my full Base-70 routine for Thursday, 1/9/2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. inversion table 3 70-second sets
6. squats 70

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that the caste systems in Hindu/India proliferated from 4 levels to 3000 different ranks determined largely by birth ("jati"); further, if any person crossed the "lines" established, it was considered unlawful/sinful.

I'm of the opinion that Harari will emphasize the Indian caste system and use it as an example more than others around the world; perhaps it's because of his heritage - qui sait?

But as I consider my situation on this earth today, I can see vestiges of a "class system" based on birth (USA), race (white), height (tall), sex (male), health (good), academic abilities & achievement (smart, logical, 2 degrees), finance (relatively well off for most of my life).

What does all that mean?  Probably a lot, and also probably nothing.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that he fell in love (or at least he THOUGHT he'd fallen in love) at age 20, broke up 4 1/2 times, and then moved on.

That was all I had time to read in my 70 seconds.  I'm guessing that Goins will compare his relationship with his girlfriend (wife?), to his relationship with writing.  We'll see.

*******************

Today I'm gathering thoughts about a trip to Utah.  I've decided that my routine (being a slave to good habits) is so important to me right now, that I will take with me all the tools I need to continue my routine on the road, and in SLC.  To wit:

CPAP machine, with distilled water

LapTop

Red rubber ball, castile soap

Scale

Calendar

Hydrogen peroxide/apple cider vinegar, tub

Books (SAPIENS, YOU ARE A WRITER)

Coconut oil

Shorts, t-shirts

Champagne (just in case there's a D-DAY celebration in SLC)

20200108 SLLLAVERS for WEDNESDAY

SILENCE

Silenced my thoughts for 70 seconds.


AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

175 by 1/31/20


Weighed in at 186.8 today

Wt on 1/8/2020:  186.8
Target wt by 1/31:  175.0
11.8 pounds to go / 24 = 0.49 pounds per day

Another way to calculate:

Wt on 1/1/2020:  192.6
Wt on 1/8/2020:  186.8
Wt loss:                   5.8 pounds / 8 days = 0.73 pounds per day

EXERCISE

Did my full Base-70 routine for Wednesday 1/8/2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. inversion table 3 70-second sets
6. push-ups 70

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that the rulers & upper class people felt that they were divinely appointed to be who they are/were.  He says that it's not all imaginary, since the lowest classes often had disease and death among them, and therefore the upper "cleaner" classes kept themselves apart.  Purity v pollution.

In considering this, I'm reminded of the "class" distinctions aboard the USS Independence as we traveled to Europe:  As Embassy officer family, we were awarded "first class" status and perks.  I can recall the other classes as being "beneath us" - literally.  There were people in "tourist" class, and others.  We could go anywhere, but they could not come to "first class" areas.

Well, I suppose that experience, plus being white & male, has colored my thinking.  But this issue bears more "investigation" and analysis - another time.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that I am not like many others who are also writers, but who will not start writing today; that I have the choice to write, or not to write today.  The world will not benefit from the unwritten words of all those other writers.  But the world WILL benefit from mine, because today, I have written.

For now, the writing I am doing today is this very writing.  I might branch out into other forms and subjects at a later time.  But for now, I am content to let my writing for today be this very writing.

I'm starting with "this very writing."  It comes on the heels of reading for 70+ seconds in the books I am reading now.  I write what I remember reading, rephrase the ideas in my own words.

I've noted that I'm very careful to be clear, and accurate when I re-write what I just read.

The next day, I usually do remember what I've read & written - much better than when I've read something once, and hope to recall parts or all of it at some later time.

Well, things might be moving now.  We'll see.

:-)

20200107 S(L)AVERS for TUESDAY

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

:(

175 by 1/31/20

I weighed in at 0.6 pounds heavier this morning:  188.6.  *sigh*

Well, I'm still close to being on target of losing 0.5 pounds per day.

Wt on 1/7/2020:  188.6

Target wt by1/31:  175.0

13.6 pounds to go / 25 = .544 pounds per day

Another way to calculate:

Wt on 1/1/2020:  192.6

Wt on 1/7/2020:  188.6

Wt Loss:                  4.0 pounds / 7 days = 0.57 pounds per day

EXERCISE

Did my full Base-70 routine for Tuesday 1/7/2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. inversion table 3 70-second sets
6. squats 70

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that over the time in which Sapiens societies developed - in various parts of the world - they imagined hierarchies and associated societal rules.  Then, to preserve those rules, they developed more rules.  For example, in approx. 1K BC, there were people living on the Indian sub-continent, and they were invaded by Indo-Ayrean people.  The invaders "conquered" the natives, and established themselves at the top of the hierarchy (called it a "caste system").  So.... the India Caste System developed into a hierarchy, and it was all in their own imaginations.

Harari asks "why?" but he gives no definitive answer.  It just happened that way.  Why did the American society become established along racial lines?  There are many and varied answers, but in the cosmic level view.... we don't know the big "why?" - we just know that it happened, and how it happened.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says his book has 2 major "divisions" or "functions."  1)  To write, and 2) To get published.

1)  He says the first thing is to write.  Then, if I want to leave what I write on my computer, that's fine.

2)  But if I also, or then.... "get published," it will help me clarify my thoughts and establish my world view and move things along faster.  IOW, I need FEEDBACK to know what to do next.

NOTE:  To "get published" is not necessarily a way to make money, or gain acceptance, etc.  It's merely to put my voice "out there" - and when I do, I'll get FEEDBACK from others, and this will help me clarify my worldview, and move things along faster.

Ainsi soit-il.

20200106 S(L)AVERS for MONDAY

I'm adding an "L" to my title; the L will come 2nd - and stands for 3 things:  LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH, in no particular order.

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; not too successful, but at least I tried to focus on the counting to pass the 70 seconds.

LLL

LOVE, LAUGH, LIVE

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

175 by 1/31/20

Weighed in at 188.0 this morning.  13 pounds to go; that's 13/26= 0.5 pounds per day.

(Yesterday, I was at 189.2, and today 188.0, so lost 1.2 pounds in 24 hours.)

(YAY!)

EXERCISE

Did my full Base-70 routine for Monday 1/6/20:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. inversion table 3 70-second sets
6. push-ups 70

The push-ups were not all that hard to do.  I'm surprised because I woke up at about 2 am (after only 4 hours of sleep), and then slept on and off until around 7.  I thought I'd struggle more, but I did them without too much struggle!  Perhaps I can attribute this to my consistency over the past 2 weeks or so.

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says, and I quote directly here, because this is very helpful to me:

Of course, differences in natural abilities also play a role in the formation of social distinctions.  But such diversities of aptitudes and character are usually mediated through imagined hierarchies. This happens in two important ways.

First and foremost, most abilities have to be nurtured and developed. Even if somebody is born with a particular talent, that talent will usually remain latent if it is not fostered, honed, and exercised.  Not all people get the same chance to cultivate and refine their abilities.  Whether or not they have such an opportunity will usually depend on their place within their society's imagined hierarchy.

Harari then gives an example from fiction:  Harry Potter, who was raised among "regular people," and who took "7 volumes of Harry Potter books" to become his fully developed self.

Second, even if people belonging to different classes develop exactly the same abilities, they are unlikely to enjoy equal success because they will have to play the game by different rules. If, in British-ruled India, an Untouchable, a Brahmin, a Catholic Irishman and a Protestant Englishman had somehow developed the same business acumen, they still would not have had the same chance of becoming rich.  The economic game was rigged by restrictions and unofficial glass ceilings.

I'm glad to have read this section, since I often wonder how it is that people end up in various "metiers" with varying degrees of success.  It's both nature and nuture, I suppose, just like being gay.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that becoming a writer only requires that I simply believe I already AM a writer, and then start acting like one.

He also adds that he can provide me with a unique pathway to it, and for this reason he has written the book.

***************

David's surgery is today; perhaps the real D-DAY is "only a day away."  At least, that's what Michael's last email said.

We'll see.

20200105 SAVERS for SUNDAY

NOTE:  I'm thinking of changing this routine to "SLAVERS" since I'm being a "salve" to good habits.  I'll just have to think of something for the "L"  Maybe "LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH"

SILENCE

Tried to silence my thoughts for 70 seconds.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.


VISUALIZATION

175 by 1/31/20

Today I weighed in at 189.2.  So I have 14.2 pounds to go, in 27 days, or .053 pounds per day.

NOTE:  I decided to use the 1ST weighing from yesterday, to be consistent.

EXERCISE

Did my full Base-70 routine for Sunday 1/5/20:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. inversion table 3 70-second sets
6. squats 35
7. push-ups 35

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that heirarchies are important, but they are in significant ways subconsciously observed and responded to.  E.g., a shop owner subconsciously evaluates the socio-economic status of a customer based on the way s/he is dressed, skin color (wrongly), weight, etc.

My observation:  I'm usually well dressed and kempt, but I am also a bargain hunter and a bit suspicious of a seller who might be "sizing me up" as described above.  So I will sometimes "shock" the seller by making unexpected statements (e.g., "I don't have unlimited funds.")  I'm so well (self-)trained in looking for the best possible deal and for NOT being cheated, that it's automatic.

In conjunction & contrast with THAT, I will also sometimes convey messages such as, "I hate shopping.  Just give me the best possible deal," giving the impression that money is not a concern.

Oh well, my life is a study in contradictions.  Or not.

*sigh*

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that a while back in his life, a friend asked him "What is your dream?"  He replied that he didn't have one.

**********************************************

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

______________________________________________

DIDN'T HAVE A DREAM??????????????????????????

How many times have I said the same thing - mostly to myself.  In fact, I don't think I've EVER said it to anyone else.  I don't know how I would reply if someone asked me what my dream was.

I'm imagining the conversation with various people.  I do believe that I might say "To be a writer" to most people who would hypothetically ask.  (I'm also wondering why no one has asked - probably because I come across as someone who already knows, or as someone who would say "To be a writner.")

I'm remembering 2 people who have come close to asking:

a) Dad, when I went to him (a rare occasion) to ask him for his views on why I didn't seem to be getting anywhere with my life.  I was a teenager (in Montreal).  He asked me what I wanted to do with myself, and I replied (without much hesitation) that I wanted to help other people.  He didn't judge me.  But he did tell me I should establish some good habits, even if it were simply to polish my shoes every week.  He made a point of telling me that he had told the same thing to all my older brothers.

b)  George, who has somehow already gotten the message that I am a writer.  He might have asked some questions and my answers perhaps gave him that idea.

But here I am, a writer who has not yet begun to write.

Well, that could be a bit wrong, since I do write here every day - that is, every day when I complete my routine.  So I AM a write, and I HAVE begun to write.

But as I continue reading this book, I will likely change my routine to accommodate a more focused effort to write.

The author (Goins) is not a careful writer.  E.g., he states that his friend taught him that he already WAS a writer, that he just hadn't started to write (at that point).  But then within a few lines, he says, "And do you know what?  My friend was right.  Pretty soon, I became a writer - almost without realizing it."

Well, Mr. Goins.... if the lesson is that you are already ARE a writer, then you cannot "Pretty soon" BECOME a writer.

A better phrase would be:  "And do you know what?  My friend was right.  Pretty soon, I became a writer who writes - almost without realizing it."

Now, I'll push back against myself a bit, and say that the above discussion doesn't matter in the larger sense.  He became a writer who writes, and that's more important that a technicality of expression and meaning.

But words are important, right?  And the right words are important, right?  So why not have both the BIG picture - being a writer - AND the SMALL picture - choosing the right words?

Why, indeed.

I've written enough for today.

20200104 SAVERS for SATURDAY

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; mild success by focusing on the finger-counting-time tracking method.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

175 by 1/31/20

Today I weighed in at 190.0; the same as yesterday!  That's so strange, I think.  The first message might be that I need to do more:  a)  more exercise, and b) more reduction of food intake (e.g., eliminate pears, reduce italian seasoning on steamed veggies, switch to only water as a drink).  But I also considered that the scale might be malfunctioning, although I don't think so.

So, again I have 15 pounds to go.  And now it's 15/28, so 0.54 pounds per day.


LATER THAT SAME MORNING........................
I went to make my smoothie, and brought it up to my room to drink.  I felt that there was a bowel movement due, so I decided to wait on the smoothie, and sat down on the commode to see what might happen.  I moved.  And after cleaning up, I weighed myself again:  189.4!!!!!!!

So..... to be consistent, I should weigh myself AFTER emptying my butt.  Such is not always possible, but it did make a difference today.  I NO LONG weigh the same as yesterday.

So, recalculating:

189.4, meaning I have 14.4 pounds to go.  And now it's 14.4/28, so 0.51 pounds per day.

YAY!!!!!!!!!

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Saturday 1/4/20:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. inversion table 3 70-second sets
6. squats 70

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that societies (mostly larger ones) have seemed to develop and practice the "need" to apply imagined heirarchies based on race, religion and/or wealth.  He says that if they try NOT to allow this to happen, something brings the "need" to bear, and the societies fall into the imagined structure again.

Wow - I wonder if this is true.  One of my thoughts as I read this today was to disagree with the concept as far as wealth goes.  Today, and still as far as I know, it's possible to begin penniless and gain immense wealth - at least that's possible in the USA and western Europe, and possibly in South America.

In fact, it's even possible in Africa, where a guy tried to cheat an American out of money, and the American found him out.  They became friends and the American gave the African $1000; the African began to use the money to help his family, and his tribe, etc.  IOW, he did NOT remain in poverty; rather, he became more financially stable and helped others in the process.

So Harari's social classifications don't always hold, IMO.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that we are self-defeating.  He says "before we even start, we sabotage our work and subvert our genius."

WHAT??????  Our "GENIUS"???????  He should have said "POTENTIAL genius."  We are not geniuses yet.  Maybe we can become such, I don't know.  But he assumes that we are ALREADY geniuses.  OK, I get that the "seed" is inside us, and it needs to be nurtured and cared for and encouraged to grow.

But NOOOOO, I cannot accept that everyone is a genius.  No way.  If everyone were a genius, there would be no more designation of "genius."  By definition, a genius is someone who stands out in a crowd, who excels at something and shines brighter than others.

So, some people have more innate ability to think and act than others.  And then, some people have more drive/motivation/inclination to ACT than others.

20200103 SAVERS for FRIDAY

SILENCE

Woke up after somewhat fitful night - in the early hours, I turned on "Last Podcast on the Left" - and enjoyed their talk & discussion about some psychopath.

But, due to my desire to lose 1/2 + pounds per day through the end of this month, and due to wanting to space my meals (it's already 9:30 am, and I haven't eaten breakfast yet), I forced myself to begin my SAVERS routine, and here I am.

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; mild success; I can focus on the counting, at least, and that blocks out other thoughts.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

175 by 1/31/20

Today I weighed in at 190.0; lost 1.4 pounds in last 24 hours; 15 pounds to go: 0.52 pounds per day.

EXERCISE

Did my full Base-70 routine for Friday 1/3/2020

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. inversion table 3 70-second sets
6. push-ups 70 (2 full sets of 35 - YAY!)

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says, again, and in other words, that there is no biological basis for caste systems or social heirarchies.  He lumps together the ancient social orders (e.g., caste systems of India 3K years ago) and today's rich v poor segregation in the US and Europe.  Harari does acknowledge racial differences in skin & hair types, but says that this does not extend to levels of intelligence or academic achievement.  He says people are rich and are likely to remain so (or poor and likely to remain so) simply because of the family into which they are born.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says, quoting Steve Jobs, "We all want to put a dent in the Universe."  What Goins has written thus far has made me a) wonder how he would know that "many" of us or "all" of us experience the LONGING he has.  I'd say I have, to some degree or other.  and b) what kind of legacy I can expect to leave.

I don't know why we should have, or want, or even think about this LONGING at all.  Perhaps the idea comes from others who feel it and talk/write about it.

When Goins was in Spain, he HEARD his friend Martha say, "I wonder what kind of legacy I will leave."  Did he never think about that before?  Or did her question cause him to repeat the thought to himself?

I wonder this because I wonder what's going in for me.  Yes, I've wondered what legacy (of ANY kind) I might leave behind.  But I have not become obsessed by the thoughts.  I let them settle, simmer, slide away.... every time it's a bit different.  But perhaps with this book, I will NO LONGER do that.  Perhaps I will begin to seriously write.

20200102 SAVERS for THURSDAY

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain again this morning; was "troubled" by dreaming about the Pitcher family (Canada); in the dream, Drue Pitcher was talking to me one-on-one.  He's the only one of the 5 kids that Mrs. Pitcher did not mention during my last conversation with her (years ago).  And during this convo with Drue, I told him that she had not mentioned Greg.  That's not right.  *sigh*  I don't know what this all means, if anything.  But Drue told me that Greg was living, and could be found anywhere in southern Alberta.  --  When I woke up, I knew I was committed to doing my routine, and it was troubling to remember the dream while trying to silence my brain.  But I tried and did it for 70 seconds.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human  being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

175 by 1/31/20


Today I weighed in at 191.4; 16.4 pounds to go; 16.4/30 = 0.6 pounds per day

EXERCISE

Did my full Base-70 routine for Thursday 1/2/2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. inversion table 3 70-second sets
6. squats 70

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that ancient civilizations generally believed that social class structures came from the way people were created by their gods; and for the most part, everyone within the systems accepted their "lot" in life without much hope of changing it.

Harari includes an Apartheid-era photograph of beach/sea discrimination to show how this was an accepted social norm of that time; he also suggests that the roots of the system could not be biological, since the light-skinned South Africans, spending more time on the beaches, would also more readily burn their fair skin; the dark-skinned poeple there had no such concern.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that he thinks the world is filled with "wannabe writers" - who may or may not be otherwise happy & fulfilled doing something else.

I suppose I should expect that Goins will first make the case that we wannabe writers exist.  But such has been obvious to me for a long time.

Tomorrow, perhaps, he'll begin giving some practical instruction on how wannabes and become bes.

20200101 SAVERS for WEDNESDAY NEW YEARS DAY

(the dates mankind has set up are arbitrary, so no need to get it exact; close will do)

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain, but kept getting distracted.  I'm not in a huge hurry today, so that's ok.  At least I tried.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

175 by 1/31/20

Weighed in at 192.6 today.  Going the wrong direction, but as of today, I'll go back down, pound by pound, till I reach my goal.

17.6 pounds to go; 0.57

 pounds per day

EXERCISE

Did my full Base-70 routine for Monday 1/1/2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. inversion table 3 70-second sets
6. push-ups 70

Glad I could do all 70 - in 2 sets of 35 - after about a week "off"

READING

Read 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says the distinctions between "free v slave" and "rich v poor" are long thought - mostly by the free, rich people to biological, or god-ordained, and not because any one race was more intelligent.  This discussion opens up a whole can of worms, and I'm wondering why Harari focuses on it now.  Some of the things he writes are at least debatable, and IMO, not at all sure facts.  I'm still allowing he could be spot on, however.

WRITING

George gave me a book for Christmas:  "YOU ARE A WRITER (so start ACTING like one)" by Jeff Goins.  I will add reading this book to my 70 seconds above:

Read 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that writers write.  And if they've stopped writing, he can help them get back to what they love:  writing.

He is careful to point out that the book is not a way to market, or build a platform.  It's not to get noticed.

It's simply to write in one's "sweet spot," and I suppose when that is found, one let's the process take him wherever it may go.

So tomorrow I'll read more.

***************************

Reflections on the New Year:  2020

I'm quite proud that I thought of the vision into the future being viewed with "2020" vision.  I posted the same on FaceBook and sent it to family & friends.

So I introduced George to "New MONTH Resolutions" for January, and he likes the idea.  He might just keep on with it throughout 2020.

David texted that he "deeply feels" that 2020 will be the beginning of moving forward with our mine-deal-humanitarian activities we've dreamed of together for the last 5+ years.  But I could not wait until it happens, whether Jan 3, Jan 6, or some later date.  I had to dip into my 501K again.  It's stressful to have to do so, but it was also difficult to time it so that I could pay some bills, and still not incur tax obligations unnecessarily.  I hope it'll come out right - we'll see in a few days.

I had wanted to go back to Utah for a week or 2, to help Joe & Chrissy out, but uncertain financial issues have prevented me from hopping on a plane.  I may yet go - possibly driving again, once the weather clears up.

*sigh*