A little syrup and cattails...
This is what happens when you try to do a good thing...
I’m kidding. This is NOT what happens when you try to do a good thing rather this is what happens on the INTERNET. Gawd what an exhaustive place that can be…
It started with Tik Tok.
A perfect place for drama.
Look, I love Tik Tok. After making that app the butt of jokes for years, I finally succumbed in 2020 after Matt would relentlessly send me content from hilarious creators, educational 60 second clips, and fail videos. I’m sorry-if you’re new around here-I freaking love a fail video. It’s my toxic trait, okay.
Cut to 3 years later and not only do I have an epic community there (257K) but I’ve met/worked with great people, been privy to information WAY before mainstream news media puts their spin on it, and I’ve laughed more than ever before.
Four months ago I was asked to comment on my favorite ‘barefoot/minimalist’ shoes. I started a series of videos with my go to shoe: Feiyue.
*yo. these are not my legs. thanks google images guy.
This shoe brand has quite a layered history dating back to the 1920s when the Shaolin monks wore a similar cloth version of this shoe prior to the DaFu Rubber Company stepping in to make use of it’s extra rubber pieces by adding support and modifying the original cloth variation. For years these shoes have been worn by martial artists and athletes alike (Bruce Lee even had a special pair made in yellow) because they’re flexible, affordable, comfortable, resilient and freaking awesome.
So I made a quick video sharing my love for these shoes.
Comments exploded almost immediately telling me a French man had essentially stolen the Chinese copyright and I had better ‘watch it’ before publicizing a shoe that had such a complex history not to mention suggesting people buy shoes that are knock offs.
Um…what? Okay, internet.
I was just trying to share the love.
Syrup and cattails…
seems to be the protocol of the day - have you noticed? *syrup and cattails is the less painful equivalent to tar and feathering which I’ll have you know took me down a dark rabbit hole. Back in 1189, Richard I was a real nightmare. Whether it’s the hammering of details around Trump’s indictment, boycotting Target for selling PRIDE themed baby clothing, The Vanderpump Rules relationship drama, or just some spicy Tik Tok commenters…we are on edge and we are ready to blast the wrong doers.
I read and follow accounts, writers, and news outlets that completely contradict one another and I have for years. What bothers me is the vitriol with which we speak to one another…or worse yet, about one another (it’s so easy behind a keyboard) that it makes it more commonplace to be utterly nasty because ‘we can’. What I see is circular thought…we want information but we’re censoring people that have opposing or unconventional wisdom to share, we want to be healthier but we’re giving away our power of autonomous learning and decision making, we’re demanding change/progress while simultaneously labeling the other side as evil…which last time I checked doesn’t invite progress.
It’s exhausting.
Enthusiasm for life is a built in program
that should come with compassion and curiosity. It’s not uncommon that I find myself literally jumping with excitement and smiling ear to ear because there is SO MUCH GOODNESS to be seen and appreciated in this world. It’s part of my program.
It suits me.
No matter how passionate you are about your beliefs, they are not true for everyone.
Nothing would make me happier than to see people feeling jazzed on life, eating cleaner, MOVING MORE, investing in themselves instead of outsourcing to convenience or quick fixes, spending time in nature, and laughing daily.
In my humble opinion this is in part WHY we are nasty to one another. We are not living enthusiastically because we’ve removed those parts of our lives for whatever reason. The dissatisfaction of not living your truth, or in some cases, having it way too easy leaves us bitter and resentful.
That’s syrup and cattails 101…
Those ready to pour syrup and toss cattails are typically the most unhappy.
May I suggest something?
Make a list of 10 activities that you can do to feel excited, joy-filled, FREE, and aligned on purpose. Bring ‘em back into the fold.
You love playing pick up pickle ball?
You love growing jalapeños for your homemade salsa?
You love stopping people in the street to chat up their dogs?
You love taking class with me? (that was shameless-sorry)
WHY IS THIS NOT PART OF YOUR WEEKLY ROUTINE!?
The version of you that we experience when your truth is being lived regularly is the version we both deserve.
The world can not hold out much longer…
No pressure but I can think of some Los Angeles roadways that could use some tar and who doesn’t need a new down comforter…
OKAYILOVEYOUBYEEE,
xx
Nic.
ps. Classes this week:
* NO Tuesday (today) QUICKIE YOGA as I injured my neck while sleeping bc apparently that’s a thing and I went for it.
* Saturday FULL BODY STRENGTH 7:30-8am pst. $20. This is part of my JUNE FIT program but open for anyone to drop in. The group energy is excellent and we begin with CARs, strength train and sweat it out with friends. Bring a glute loop/resistance band, lighter and heavier weights. Sign up here.
* Saturday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW 9-10am, 10:15-11:15am.
In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.
* Sunday KINSTRETCH 9-10am pst. $20. This is a 60 minute joint specific training that acts as the flossing of your joints, the veggies of all healthy movement. We do the CARS routine, strength train different joints each week, and end with breathwork. Sign up here. *It’s bring your dad to Kinstretch class and you BOTH ATTEND FOR FREE. Use the code: MYDADROCKS
* Sunday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW. 10:45-11:45am. In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.
pps. If you have a school, community group, summer camp for little humans and you’d like me to come read my best selling children’s book YOLKED, please reach out. This little story lights me up and it’s an important message for our youth. Stay curious, trust your intuition and be bold!! Grab a copy here …oh and if you could leave a glowing 5 star review that would be even cooler. Thank you so much.
ppps. Check out my FREE on demand classes to sample a few different styles and formats available on www.Sweatandstillness.com. There are a few to choose from and a full CARs routine as well. Let me know if you have any questions and hope to see you online/in class one day soon.
pppps. Bringing it back to barefoot shoes, I have a sweet 10% off code…use this (VNETWORK10) to save on Vivo Barefoot shoes and let your toes experience life outside of foot prison…aka ‘all other shoes’.