Escape from the Jungle By Dan Harkey
The jungle is the real world of interacting with people and pressures: business, associates, constant government influences and harassment, family pressures, personal friendship interactions and frustrations, self-created lifestyle pressures, neighbors, and more. The jungle can become unbearable and overwhelming.
Most people have discovered a sanctuary, a place of solace, or an activity that acts as a gateway from the chaos of daily life into a realm of peace, tranquility, and resolution. These personal activities are like a tune-up for the mind and soul, bringing a sense of calm and balance that is much needed in our fast-paced world.
The 'Mental Hobby Shop' concept is not just a way to detach from the jungle but a beacon of hope. It's a personal space or activity that provides not just a break but much-needed relief and rejuvenation from the chaos of daily life.
Here's a diverse range of activities that can be part of your 'Mental Hobby Shop, 'each offering a unique way to escape the jungle and find personal peace.
Garage tinkering: Time spent in the garage with things like bicycles, cars, or motorcycles. ?There is nothing like washing and waxing a car or a bike to take you into another world. ?How about repairing something, organizing useless stuff, or inventing something useful? These activities provide immediate satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment and success. Declutter your man cave (woman cave) and feel satisfied with a well-done job.
Walking: on the beach, around the harbor, through a delightful park, out in the forest, down the rural road, or around the neighborhood. Three to four miles is a good goal. I get sunshine, vitamin D, exercise, a nice breeze, and peace of mind. After a shower, you will feel renewed and ready to take on the day's challenges with a fresh perspective.
Get out on the road: Time spent in a car, on an electric bicycle, washing, waxing, and checking the tire pressure.? Just head out on the highway, looking for adventure.? Where have I heard that before?? I heard it in Easy Rider; Born to Be Wild 1969, a song by the American Canadian rock group Steppenwolf. ?The group’s name was inspired by readings of the German author Hermann Hesse, as cited below. ?Easy Rider was a corny make-believe road drama film with Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson. ?I have never heard of someone riding around on a low-rider chopper motorcycle for a while, much less living off one. ?I may head out to a destination to meet my friends. ?We belong to the 4-B Club.? 4-B stands for bikes, buddies, beer, burgers, and discussing buddy things.
Active sports: Spend time on golf, tennis, racket ball, pickleball, or at a workout facility. How about riding horses or pedaling a street bicycle or mountain bike? These activities can provide physical exercise and a break from the daily grind.
Spectator sports: Take a couple of friends or the kids to a ball game. ?Do you remember roller derby and make-believe wrestling?? How about a horse race, a car race, or a golf game?
Personal activities: ?
·????? Active painting, sewing, sculpturing, woodworking, quilting, or ceramics.
·??? Gardening as a hobby. ?Creating beautiful, tidy surroundings gives you great exercise, sunshine, and immediate gratification. ??You may even enjoy growing food for personal consumption.
·??? ?Cooking is an enjoyable activity. ?Gourmet cooking is tremendous, but home cooking and BBQing are just as fun.? Someone may force you to have a few beers or glasses of wine to enhance your enjoyment.
·??? Scrapbooking.
·??? Read a good or historically significant novel, like Atlas Shrugged, Fountainhead, The Jungle, Grapes of Wrath, or A Man in Full.
·??? Play a musical instrument.
·??? Listen to your favorite music.
·??? I am authoring this article as an enjoyable personal activity. ?I like to share with others.
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Family activities: Spend time with family and pets at picnics or outings where life’s daily pressures are minimal and enjoyment is paramount. These moments of togetherness can bring warmth and connection, providing a much-needed break from the stresses of daily life and making you feel warm and connected.
Vacations: Wonderful time to explore, whether at local parks, national parks, or leaving on a jet plane. ?How about a local harbor getaway or an extended cruise ship vacation? Vacations are not just a break from routine but an opportunity to embark on new adventures and create lasting memories, making life more exciting and fulfilling.
Camping retreats: Activities include camping, hiking, bicycling, roller skating, ??BBQ, or RVing with friends and family.
Helping others: Volunteering for various activities that help others without expecting a financial return.
You can identify where your Mental Hobby Shop exists or create one and carefully spend more time there. ?Life will be more rewarding where your state of happiness dwells. ?Happiness creates renewed energy and motivation, stimulates creative thought, and feeds physical and emotional health. ?The key is to detach from work-related issues and societal pressures and stop reading and listening to mainstream news propaganda. By disconnecting from this, you liberate yourself from their control and empower your thoughts and actions, feeling liberated and empowered. ?
News, which fills prime time segments, is designed to create strife about terrible things and then sell you something. ??Many mainstream media outlets use a portion of the news segment to spew false and misleading information, complete with sensationalism. ?Spewing is always followed by a barrage of irritating advertisements. ?Of every 1/2-hour component that the public watches on mainstream news, only 13 minutes is news (real or false).? And that small segment is regurgitated through their biased ideological kaleidoscope. ?Following the 13 minutes of awful news is 17 minutes of ad-nauseam advertising segments.? I must confess that I will never understand why the public tolerates this.
Within mainstream news, the commentators and guest experts consistently deliver the narrative that the government and the media company monitors subscribe to. ?FOX, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, and CNN present material from opposite perspectives. ?Experts will work within an approved framework for acceptance and consensus-building rather than seeking truth. ?Experts will act or say anything to ensure job security, cultivate kindred relationships, expand their careers, and seek more notoriety.?
Sensationalism, advertising, and a profit motive drive mainstream media. Their motive is always profit-driven. But you, as a discerning consumer, can seek out actual and truthful content from alternative news sites and information sources online. While unbiased scientific analysis and independent critical thinking may be scarce, your active search can lead you to them.
Yes, it's possible to disconnect from the toxic tube and cell phone! This may seem challenging for some incredibly extroverted, routine, task-oriented workaholics. But remember, you have the power to break free from the 24/7 biased propaganda news cycle. It's a step towards reclaiming your mental space and finding your truth.
“Within you is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat anytime and be yourself.”
??????????? Hermann Hesse is a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter.
Thank You
Dan Harkey
Educator & Private Money Finance Consultant
c 949 533 8315 e [email protected]
Visit www.danharkey.com
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