Keep it Simple

A Post-It note above my desk readers three words: Keep it Simple. Three words is all it takes to remind myself of the most disguised and hidden truth in the natural world. I, like the rest of the human race, tend to overcomplicate, overthink, and overpower each of my daily tasks. From washing dishes to walking to class to writing a simple paragraph response for an online discussion board, I am an expert at de-simplifying my life.

But when I read those three words, a switch goes off. Clarity overshadows me. Innovations and problem solving strategies result. I am made new by three small words.

Keep it Simple. Simple routines, simple schedules, simple meals, simple workouts, simple home decor, simple priorities. Why? Because we always lose meaning in the details.

Start with Sleep

Here’s my schedule for today:

  • 5:30 – wake, activate, and pack for day
  • 6:30 – lift with team
  • 8:00 – work in library
  • 9:00 – breakfast
  • 9:30 – Environmental Chemistry
  • 11:00 – Practice (10 x 24 second hills)
  • 1:00 – homework for Anatomy Lab
  • 2:00 – Anatomy Lab
  • 4:30 – home for dinner

Usually, Thursdays are my hard day. I’m often running on fumes because of a busy week and not the best sleep on Tuesday and Wednesday. But today was a great day, and I attribute it to prioritizing my sleep this week.

My Oura ring, AKA the most effective sleep tracking wearable technology on earth, has offered me priceless insight into my sleep habits and patterns. I learned that I’m usually “awake” for at around an hour throughout every night, so eight hours is really seven hours. I’ve also discovered that I don’t get nearly as much REM sleep as I should, leaving me to feel more tired and less energized even if I’m asleep for 8 hours.

So for me to get the best quality sleep, I should be in bed for at least 9 hours. That’s a pretty ridiculous precedent for a collegiate student athlete business owning podcaster, but it’s what I do best on. It’s how I thrive. But it can’t be how I had a great Thursday today—last night I was only in bed for 7.5 hours.

The key is the weekend. While most college students use the weekends to relax and stay out late with friends, I catch up on sleep. On Friday and Saturday nights last week, I clocked 10 hours each. I’ve discovered this allows me to cheat a couple days during the week. While the goal is no cheating and 9 hours each night, this added insurance definitely makes a difference.

Sleep more. It’s the simplest antidote to better health. Before going to the doctor, try getting a week of good sleep. Coupled with filtered water and whole food diet, your health issues might become a thing of the past.

Past the Threshold

You know the moment—the “what did I get myself into” moment. The “this was a terrible idea” moment. The “not today” moment. It’s ubiquitous because you and I are hard wired to seek comfort.

I feel this pain of indecision every time I go to get in an ice bath. Then, every time, I turn my brain off and jump right in, up to my neck. Immediately my body curses me, wondering why I put myself through this suffering week after week. Today, I was in the tub for thirty seconds and my brain was still trying to pull me out. I actually felt my body start to make a move for the exit, but I reeled it back in and breathed deep. I’ve made it through much worse than five minutes of cold water.

Nobody fully understands the power of the human mind. Its influence is evasive yet supple, able to be changed on an instant but rock solid in neurologic programming. Many people believe that our decisions are just a complex series of electrical and chemical processes, shaped by our environments, upbringing, and the current environment. They think the brain is destined to make one decision over another.

But there’s one thing I’ve learned from my life experience: the mind can be trained.

Whether it’s telling yourself that you will finish this workout, last five minutes in the cold, or stay away from sugar this week, the mind is capable of a lot. Most importantly, it’s capable of moving you past the threshold of pain into the arena of choice. Your mind offers you freedom by granting you access to a world of potentiality, one few people know exists. But it has to be trained; it cannot only be subject to the soft world we live in.

Harden your mind by doing difficult things. You will be better because of it.

Senator Bob Casey

A classmate in my Perspective on Leadership course is related to Senator Bob Casey (PA). In an effort to learn from thoughtful leaders in the world, we set up a video conference call tonight and were able to ask him questions. We talked about personal values, what it means to be of service, and how faith can inspire your decisions. It was a productive conversation.

Senator Casey placed a great deal of significance on his faith and Jesuit education. Though people who vote for him may not share his beliefs, he is unapologetic in believing in God and sharing how is faith impacts his choices in life. He told to remember the song We Are Called when discerning our own missions in life. The hymn goes as follows:

We are called to act with justice,

We are called to love tenderly,

We are called to serve one another,

To walk humbly with God.

I find politics confusing and boring, but this conversation reminded me that politicians are people too. There’s a great deal we can learn from our public officials, and Senator Casey affirmed that tonight. The next time I vote, I’m going to vote on character rather than policy. We need thoughtful, grounded leaders in office.

Thank you, Senator Casey.

Latinex

Here’s a hot take: I’ve never met a latino or latina that likes this term.

Why is it okay for some groups to decide how other groups are included? Shouldn’t the group in question be part of the discussion? Isn’t it funny how trying to be inclusive and promote “equity” (a dangerous concept) ends up being racist?

It’s not Us vs. Them. It’s never Us vs. Them. It’s just Us.

Just Us.

What makes you so certain?

While talking with my philosophy professor today, we began discussing the nature of belief. I mentioned how sometimes, for believers, it can be reassuring to study somebody like Thomas Aquinas—one of the most brilliant minds to ever live who also believes in God. We then got into a discussion about the new atheists. The leaders of this modern-day atheist movement are often scientists at the top of their fields, true experts of their specific disciplines. These individuals, like Richard Dawkins, often dismiss the reality of God based on weak arguments. Then people listen and believe them. They’re experts, after all.

But what qualifies an expert on evolutionary biology to dispute, with utmost certainty, nearly all philosophic discussion of God? How can he claim to know more than a modern philosopher who studies, thinks, and meditated deeply on these issues?

Herein lies the difference between the philosopher and the scientist: a scientist knows; a philosopher knows there is always more to know. I would venture to say that good scientists ought to be more like philosophers and admit that they don’t really know, they they can’t really be certain about much.

Uncertainty may seem uncomfortable at first. To me, it seems like a far happier place to live.

A Question about Death (featured on Aubrey Marcus Podcast with Alex Banayan)

A few months ago, Alex Banayan, author of the New York Times’ Best Seller The Third Door, tweeted that him and Aubrey Marcus were gonna do Q&A during their podcast together. Naturally, I was thinking about death a lot that day, so I tweeted them the following question:

Aubrey, you’ve talked a lot about “knowing” what the other side is like because you’ve been there on medicine journeys. This seems to have almost obliterated your fear of death. But fearing death and overcoming that fear seem to be a deep, unifying part of the human experience…

Many believe that having an understanding—and even a fear—of death can ignite a sense of urgency, leading you to live a more fulfilling life. To what extent is fearing death a good thing and and when does it get in the way? Thanks for all you do

@lemmanucci

Well, Alex and Aubrey talked about my question. They introduced me, said my name, and even hyped me up, saying “You know him. You love him. Give it up for Aaron Lemma!” It brought so much joy to my being.

It was a heavy question and it took a while to unpack it—about 50 minutes. This was the longest Aubrey Marcus Podcast to date, and my question helped to fuel that. I am so grateful to Aubrey and Alex for answering my question with such deep insight and wisdom, all while remaining students of this confusing game called life.

This experience reminded me to be curious and ask my questions without fear of judgement or embarrassment. I really gained a lot from this discussion about death and I can’t even imagine how many thousands or millions of others did too. All because I tweeted my genuine curiosity.

Here’s the link to the YooTube video of the podcast: AMP #229. Check out 50:40 and 1:40:20 for my name drop. This window encompasses the entire discussion about death. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. If you prefer to listen, check out Aubrey Marcus Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Lifeguard

Nahko & Medicine for the People released a new single today called Lifegaurd. It’s the band’s first released artwork since 2016, so it’s a big deal. Rumors of a new album in the next few months has been circulating, making all Medicine fans very happy.

This song is upbeat and hopeful, all while being a battle cry during tumultuous cultural storms and crashing societal waves. “The world’s about to shift again—we’ll never be the same.” While most songs about cultural awakening make leave you feeling cold and desperate, Nahko’s music always leaves me with a sense of peace and responsibility. Maybe we can make a change in these difficult times. Maybe I can be the one to make the change.

A Lifeguard is somebody who watches out for your safety when you don’t even realize they’re there. On this All Saint’s Day, we remember those who have gone before us and are now alive again, reunited with the divine creator, pure love. These saints above are looking out for us, our daily Lifeguards, making sure we keep our heads above water and sailing in the right direction. We set the course; they make sure we stay on it.

Let’s take a moment to thank our Lifeguards, those alive on earth and those alive in heaven. We’d be mistaken to think we can do this life alone.

I Don’t Like Dressing Up

I can’t tell you why, but I’ve always hated dressing up. I didn’t even like pajama day in preschool—I wore sweatpants and a sweatshirt. For me, there’s something uncomfortable about pretending to be somebody I’m not. Maybe my psyche just isn’t on board with, or maybe that’s just a story I like to tell myself.

Over the years, I’ve been pretty good at recognizing my insecurities, getting to their root causes, and abolishing them. This is one I just can’t shake. I’ve tasked my psychologist girlfriend at trying to figure out why I hate it. She can’t figure it out yet either. Regardless, Halloween and I don’t do well together.

So I don’t know where the insecurity of dressing up comes from, but I know there’s one effective way to deal with it: don’t dress up, stay home, and give out candy to trick-or-treaters. Though this is a short-term solution, it’ll work for the time being. There may be some FOMO and some missed laughs, but in this instance I’ll choose self care over doing something I don’t want to do.

Happy Halloween, I guess.

Chocolate Popcorn

First, get a large pot. Next, poor organic popcorn kernels and cover the bottom. Third—drizzle some olive oil over the kernels and sift them around to coat every one. The next step is important: throw some grass fed butter in. After the butter, turn in high heat. They will stay popping soon. When they do, lower the temperature and throw in a handful of chocolate chips. No more popping means no more heat. Throw in some more butter and chocolate chips. Shake. Dazzle with sea salt. Serve immediately. Peace indefinitely.