🔭 Wonderer’s Log #017: The Effortful Expedition - Arc of Open Palms - The Odyssey of the Wild Truth
This is where my mind, heart, and action converge - footprints on a shared journey.
So that together we can explore and share our own truth — creating, resting, and exploring with wonder, purpose, and wholeheartedness.
✨ Summary
As I reflect on this arc, I am reminded of the importance of balance and harmony in my life. I have learned that rest and productivity are not mutually exclusive, but rather interconnected aspects of a whole and fulfilling life. I have also come to understand that my worth is not measured by my output, but by the effort and intention I bring to my daily life. I am grateful for the lessons of this week and look forward to continuing on this journey of growth and self-discovery.
📚 Read / Listened To
🎧 The Tim Ferriss Show (Website or Spotify)
🧠📖 Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara (Amazon) - Started Reading.
🧭 Reflections
🗂️ From the Project Manager's Desk
“Hi Team, thank you for bringing your loving selves to these passion projects. You found such a loving balance between resting, creating tools, and creating for the world. Yes, I know you want to have made "more ground" but that isn't as important as you might think. Morale, care, mindfulness of the present are all just as important. So, thank you for bringing your whole self to the table full of love and energy. Thank you for honouring the things that you did, and for creating a tool to highlight it. You made so much progress on your daily routine, and your templates. I am not sure I could be happier with how this week turned out - not just for our team endeavours, but you personally. I want to encourage you to not close that part of yourself off, regardless of if people are cruel or rude - it is a part of you that makes the world sing.”
💬 Advice from My Best Friend
“Hey mate, I love seeing you so free and happy, so engaged with your ideas and in love with the flow you experience. It is as though life takes on more value, purpose and meaning and you are even more engrossed in the world that you ever were. I think, I want to see a future for you that is simply, this. The act of supporting your family through the thing that brings you so much joy. I am not sure what that entails, maybe making purchasable PDF products, maybe doing a little course, maybe a little book - I am sure that it will be (1) worth it and (2) bring you immense joy in the act of creation - each barrier and insecurity, ammunition and fuel for your fire of creation. I think you have finally figured out what it means to mine your emotions. Anyway dude, I think the key advice in the meantime, would be to not let the shift back to the things you do not like, overtake the things that you do. Losing yourself again would be such a heartbreaker - and even if it does happen - I will be right here, and you will be able to overcome it.”
🧓 Elder You Has Some Thoughts
⚠️ Worst Timeline Warning: “Young one, don't let fear and doubt hold you back from pursuing your dreams. You have the power to create the life you want.” 🌟 Best Timeline Encouragement: “My devoted child. Keep going, even when it feels uncertain. You are capable and strong, and your unique gifts are needed in the world.”
🧠 Narrative Affirmations
I am a restful and productive individual, capable of achieving my goals while prioritising my well-being.
I trust myself to make decisions that align with my values and promote my growth.
I am worthy of love and respect, regardless of my output or achievements.
I am enough, exactly as I am.
I am capable of creating a life that is true to who I am.
I am strong and resilient, and I can handle whatever challenges come my way.
🌱 Expedition’s Wisdoms
Measure in Effort, Not Completion - Worth is not found in finishing tasks, but in the integrity and intention of how you show up. Focus on the effort you put into your daily life, rather than just your output. Create from the Centre of Your Wholeness - Your truest work comes when you're not chasing approval or avoiding failure. Instead, create from the messy, proud, restful, evolving middle of your being. Choose Uncertainty When It Leads to Freedom - The most meaningful paths often feel uncertain. When discomfort is tied to growth and alignment, it’s worth choosing again and again. Honour Rest as a Creative Practice - Rest is not the opposite of productivity, but rather a necessary part of the creative process. Prioritise rest and self-care to cultivate inspiration and innovation.
🔍 Pattern Noticed: I've noticed a pattern that when I prioritise rest and self-care, I am more productive and creative. This has taught me the importance of listening to my body and taking time for myself, rather than pushing through exhaustion.
💡 Questions I’m Sitting With:
What deeper desire is today’s task really serving?
What am I building that will matter beyond me?
Am I acting on truth or on habit?
Where am I being shown unexpected value, and am I listening?
Did I create or choose from my center today - or from my edges?
🌗 Effort & Practice Reflections
🧍♂️ Personal & Pursuits & Presence
Created a new system for tracking my progress and staying organised.
Started a new project that aligns with my values and passions.
Practiced self-care and prioritised rest to improve my overall well-being.
Cultivated a sense of gratitude and appreciation in my daily life.
Started a new exercise routine to improve my physical health.
🟢 What I Navigated Well - I navigated the challenges of this week by staying focused on my goals and prioritising my well-being. I was able to balance rest and productivity, and I'm proud of the progress I made.
🟡 Where I Lost the Map (But Found Myself) - I lost my way when I started to feel overwhelmed by my tasks and responsibilities. I had to take a step back, reassess my priorities, and remind myself that it's okay to ask for help and take breaks.
🔴 The Crash Site Report (With Kind Debrief) - I experienced a setback when I didn't meet my own expectations for productivity. However, I was able to reframe my mindset and focus on the effort I put in, rather than the outcome. I learned that it's okay to make mistakes and that I can always learn and grow from them.
🏕️ Expedition’s Momentum
💛 Celebrated Effort | 🔵 Wholehearted Effort | 🟢 Gentle Effort | 💚 Deliberate Pause | 🔴 No Spark
| Effort | Category | Complete |
|---|
Not Aligned:
Seeking Understanding – I didn't take enough time to learn and appreciate the mechanisms and connections of the world, and instead focused on my own goals and desires.
Playing and Experimenting – I didn't take enough risks and try new things, and instead stuck to what I knew and was comfortable with.
Offering Love – I didn't share my experiences, skills, creations, and efforts with others as much as I could have, and instead kept them to myself.
Aligned
Immerse Yourself – I made an effort to immerse myself in the world and learn from my experiences, and this helped me to gain a deeper understanding of the world and its mechanisms.
Always Explore and Learn – I took the time to explore and learn from my mistakes and successes, and this helped me to cultivate a sense of curiosity and wonder.
Self-Rivalry – I made an effort to make better my own thoughts and actions with every iteration, and this helped me to create something that stands the test of time and makes a meaningful contribution to the world.
⏩ Next Expedition’s Intentions
Write another Learned Wisdom Article to share my insights and reflections with others.
Release Wonderer's Log to document my journey and progress.
Take it easy and ease back into work without overdoing it, prioritising rest and self-care.
📡 Resonant Truths
"I rot beautifully, wasting sacred hours in mess that means something - rather than be productive." - Wondering Chris
"Don't let what other people tell you is 'life' get in the way of living." - Wondering Chris
"Find why the act of creating is meaningful to you? - The act of simply exploring your own thoughts and ideas is also meaningful." - Wondering Chris
Let’s hold this next breath lightly. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s ours.
Until next time,
Chris, the Wonderer
Next Thought Voyager:
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🌌 More Wonderings Beyond This Path – Curiosity Leads, Wonder Follows:
In the Same Vein – Keep Wondering
A New Trail to Wonder
