🔭 Wonderer’s Log #021: Expedition of Returning - Arc Authentic Storyteller - 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 how to live with presence, curiosity, and care—fostering connection, growth, and well-being along the way.
✨ Summary
This expedition has been a challenging one, filled with unexpected twists and turns. Despite the difficulties, I've managed to find moments of beauty and wonder, and have learned to cultivate a sense of mutual respect and understanding in my relationships. I've also come to realise the importance of prioritising my well-being and making time for self-care, and have started to develop a sense of curiosity and wonder that will help me navigate the unknown. As I look back on this expedition, I'm reminded that it's not just about the destination, but about the journey itself, and the lessons and insights that I've gained along the way.
📚 Read / Listened To
🎧 The Tim Ferriss Show - #810 featuring Terry Real (Website or Spotify)
📖 This is Strategy by Seth Godin (Amazon) - Still Reading.
🗞️ Seth’s Blog - Seth Godin (Newsletter)
🗞️ 3-2-1 Thursday - James Clear (Newsletter)
🗞️ Brain Food - Shane Parris (Newsletter)
🧭 Reflections
🗂️ From the Project Manager's Desk
"Hi team, God—this week was hard.
After a monumental push across so many projects, I had hoped this would be the moment we could pause, take stock, and recover. Instead, we were hit hard. Just when we should be celebrating and appreciating all the effort poured in, another peak has risen in front of us—urgent and unrelenting.
Let me be clear: the challenge isn’t you. You’ve shown up with incredible effort, care, and intention—bringing beauty into the world in ways that truly matter. The pressure comes from forces that mask insecurity with urgency, from people who don’t see your full value—as human beings, not just workers.
I’m frustrated and angry on your behalf. I wish I had protected you better this week. I can see you’re exhausted. But even with all that—your work ethic, your quality, your kindness, and your integrity have been nothing short of magnificent.
I can’t even single out one project—because you’ve brought your full selves to every single one.
- In the blog writing, you followed curiosity and let creativity speak.
- In the Japan trip planning, you offered your wife deep patience and partnership.
- In the designs project, your ideas carried insight and user-centred care that spark real excitement for what’s to come.
All of that—in just one week.
It’s an honour to work alongside a team this dedicated, this caring, this willing to stretch and rearrange what’s possible. From the bottom of my heart—and from the depth of what makes me a person and a leader—thank you. For what you’ve done for each other, for me, and for the people we serve.
There is no progress without you."
💬 Advice from My Best Friend
“Hey mate. Are you ok? You look exhausted, and from what you’ve told me, life’s forces feel like they take and take.
In this place, I don’t really want to give advice, man—not only would it likely feel like criticism, but even if it were useful, it probably wouldn’t be something you could action or even parse in your current state.
Let me ask instead: How can I best help you right now? What would genuinely help? What can I take from you to lighten the load?
I suppose then my advice to you is—tell me how I can help you best. A hug? Want to spoon? (Don’t make it weird.) Want to just chill and watch anime together? Shoot the shit? Or do you need me to go to the shops for you?
Whatever you need, please ask it of me. I will never shame you for asking for my help. Even if you don’t know what kind of help you need, I hope that my mere loving presence will be of assistance.
You are not weak. You are not stupid. You’ve been put in a hard position, and I believe you can make it through—even if you don’t believe it yourself. I give you permission to use my friendship, offered freely and with loving intent, to help you get back on your feet—no desire or wish for payback or reciprocity.
You are worth all I have to give and more. I want to see you thrive and be merry.
”
🧓 Elder You Has Some Thoughts
⚠️ Worst Timeline Warning: “Young one, don't be afraid to take risks and try new things. The biggest regrets often come from the chances we don't take, rather than the ones we do. Remember that it's okay to make mistakes, and that they can often be valuable learning experiences.” 🌟 Best Timeline Encouragement: “My dear child, you are capable of so much more than you realise. Don't be afraid to dream big, and to pursue your passions with courage and determination. Remember that you are not alone, and that there are people who care about you and want to help you succeed.”
🧠 Narrative Affirmations
I am capable and competent, and I trust myself to make good decisions.
I am worthy of love and respect, and I deserve to be treated with kindness and compassion.
I am strong and resilient, and I can handle whatever challenges come my way.
🌱 Expedition’s Wisdoms
Anchor Yourself Before Others Can - When life's demands compound, it's essential to pause and reassess your priorities and values. Letting others define your goals and aspirations can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. Take the time to re-anchor yourself in what truly matters to you, and let that be your guiding force. Let Love Be the Language of Help - When offering help or support to others, remember that it's not just about fixing their problems or providing solutions. It's about being present, listening, and offering love and compassion. This can be a powerful way to build connections and foster a sense of community. Embrace the Art of Re-anchoring - Reassess your priorities and values when life's demands compound, and let that be your guiding force to maintain direction and purpose. Prioritise Experience over Achievement - Focus on seeking out new experiences, learning, and growth, rather than just checking boxes or achieving milestones, to cultivate a sense of fulfillment and joy.
🔍 Pattern Noticed: I've noticed a pattern that when I'm feeling overwhelmed or stressed, I tend to withdraw and isolate myself from others. This can actually make things worse, as I miss out on opportunities for connection and support. Instead, I'm trying to recognise when I'm feeling this way, and reach out to others for help and connection.
💡 Questions I’m Sitting With:
What do I need to re-anchor myself in today—before the world tells me what to care about?
Where did I show up with intention—even if it wasn’t perfect?
How did I offer (or receive) help that felt like love, not fixing?
What moment of beauty or wonder did I experience—outside of my goals?
What discomfort showed up today, and what might it be trying to teach me?
🌗 Effort & Practice Reflections
🧍♂️ Personal & Pursuits & Presence
Finished writing a Learned Wisdom piece, which was a challenging but rewarding experience.
Started reading a new book, which is already providing valuable insights and perspectives.
Had a great conversation with a friend, which reminded me of the importance of connection and community.
Took some time to practice self-care, which helped me feel more grounded and centred.
🟢 What I Navigated Well - I navigated the challenges of this expedition by staying focused on my goals and priorities, and by reaching out for help and support when I needed it. I also made sure to take care of myself, both physically and emotionally, which helped me stay energised and motivated.
🟡 Where I Lost the Map (But Found Myself) - I lost my way when I got caught up in the demands and expectations of others, and forgot to prioritise my own needs and well-being. I also struggled with feelings of overwhelm and burnout, which made it hard to stay focused and motivated.
🔴 The Crash Site Report (With Kind Debrief) - I experienced a setback when I realised that I wasn't making progress towards my goals as quickly as I had hoped. However, I was able to reframe this as an opportunity to learn and grow, and to adjust my approach and strategy. I also reminded myself that it's okay to make mistakes, and that they can often be valuable learning experiences.
🏕️ Expedition’s Momentum
💛 Celebrated Effort | 🔵 Wholehearted Effort | 🟢 Gentle Effort | 💚 Deliberate Pause | 🔴 No Spark
Effort | Category | Complete |
---|---|---|
🎮Fun and Creation | 🎮Fun and Creation | 🟢 |
🎮2 Sentence Stories | 🎮Fun and Creation | 🟢 |
🎮Enjoy Music | 🎮Fun and Creation | 🔴 |
🎮Watching Shows | 🎮Fun and Creation | 🟢 |
🎮Playing Games | 🎮Fun and Creation | 🟢 |
❤️🔥Wondering Chris | ❤️🔥Wondering Chris | 🟢 |
❤️🔥Community Engagement | ❤️🔥Wondering Chris | 🔴 |
❤️🔥Communications & Marketing | ❤️🔥Wondering Chris | 🔴 |
❤️🔥Systems | ❤️🔥Wondering Chris | 🔴 |
❤️🔥Web | ❤️🔥Wondering Chris | 🔴 |
❤️🔥Writing | ❤️🔥Wondering Chris | 🟢 |
❤️🔥Products | ❤️🔥Wondering Chris | 🔴 |
🎶Website | 🎶Choir | 🔴 |
🐉Ironsworn | 🐉Ironsworn | 🔴 |
🏙️Community | 🏙️Community | 🔴 |
👨👩👧👦Family and Friends | 👨👩👧👦Family and Friends | 🟢 |
👨👩👧👦Outing | 👨👩👧👦Family and Friends | 🔴 |
👨👩👧👦Connection | 👨👩👧👦Family and Friends | 🟢 |
💝Partner and Love | 💝Partner and Love | 🟢 |
💝Shows/Movies | 💝Partner and Love | 🔵 |
💝Connection and Appreciation | 💝Partner and Love | 🟢 |
💝Dates | 💝Partner and Love | 🔴 |
🏡House Hunting | 🏡House Hunting | 🔵 |
🏡House Research | 🏡House Hunting | 🔴 |
💪Health and Fitness | 💪Health and Fitness | 🔴 |
💪Naps | 💪Health and Fitness | 🔴 |
💪Health Apts | 💪Health and Fitness | 🔴 |
💪Exercise | 💪Health and Fitness | 🟢 |
💪How Do You Feel | 💪Health and Fitness | 🟢 |
💵Money and Finance | 💵Money and Finance | 🟢 |
💵Budgeting | 💵Money and Finance | 🔴 |
📈Career and Work | 📈Career and Work | 🔴 |
📈Update Skills | 📈Career and Work | 🔴 |
🦉Work | 🦉Work | 🔵 |
🦉Expert Communications | 🦉Work | 🟢 |
🦉Team Building | 🦉Work | 🔵 |
🦉Data Analytics | 🦉Work | 🟢 |
🦉Vulnerable Leadership | 🦉Work | 🔵 |
🦉Willingness and Growth | 🦉Work | 🔵 |
🦉Event Management | 🦉Work | 🔵 |
🦉Systems Design and Building | 🦉Work | 🟢 |
🦉Project Management | 🦉Work | 🔵 |
🦉Quality Assurance | 🦉Work | 🔵 |
📚Growth and Learning | 📚Growth and Learning | 🟢 |
📚Weekly Review | 📚Growth and Learning | 🔵 |
📚Quarterly Review | 📚Growth and Learning | 🔴 |
📚Videos | 📚Growth and Learning | 🔴 |
📚Blogs/Newsletters | 📚Growth and Learning | 🟢 |
📚Reading Books | 📚Growth and Learning | 🟢 |
📚Reverse Bucket List | 📚Growth and Learning | 🔴 |
📚Monthly Review | 📚Growth and Learning | 🔴 |
📚Claim the Day | 📚Growth and Learning | 🔵 |
📚Podcasts | 📚Growth and Learning | 🟢 |
📚Daily Harvest | 📚Growth and Learning | 🔵 |
🧬Organisation and Environment | 🧬Organisation and Environment | 🔴 |
🧬Maintenance | 🧬Organisation and Environment | 🔴 |
🧬Cleaning/Chores | 🧬Organisation and Environment | 🔵 |
🧬PKM Personal Knowledge Management | 🧬PKM Personal Knowledge Management | 🔴 |
🧬Consolidate Knoweldge | 🧬PKM Personal Knowledge Management | 🔴 |
🧬Submit New Dots | 🧬PKM Personal Knowledge Management | 🔴 |
🙏Spirituality | 🙏Spirituality | 🔴 |
🙏Letter to Love | 🙏Spirituality | 🔵 |
🙏Meditation | 🙏Spirituality | 🟢 |
Not Aligned:
Seeking Understanding – I didn't take the time to fully understand the perspectives and needs of others, and instead relied on my own assumptions and biases.
Taking Action if Unsure – I hesitated and didn't take decisive action when faced with uncertainty, which held me back from making progress and learning from my mistakes.
Offering Love – I didn't always show up with generosity and kindness, and instead got caught up in my own stress and anxiety.
Aligned
Immerse Yourself – I made an effort to fully engage with the world around me, and to immerse myself in new experiences and learning opportunities.
Always Explore and Learn – I approached challenges with curiosity and an open mind, and sought out new knowledge and insights to help me grow and improve.
Respecting and Empathising – I made an effort to be mindfully considerate of others, and to approach relationships with kindness, compassion, and understanding.
⏩ Next Expedition’s Intentions
Finish writing and publishing a new Learned Wisdom piece.
Prioritise self-care and make time for rest and relaxation.
Reach out to friends and loved ones, and nurture those relationships
📡 Resonant Truths
"The biggest regrets often come from the chances we don't take, rather than the ones we do." - Wondering Chris
"We are all in this together, and we are all struggling in our own ways." - Wondering Chris
"Show up even when the flame flickers." - Wondering Chris
"It is not a belief of competency, it is a belief of mindfulness and presence." - Wondering Chris
"The world and you are inextricably linked." - 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:
-
8Days
-
6Hours
-
17Minutes
-
45Seconds
🌌 More Wonderings Beyond This Path – Curiosity Leads, Wonder Follows:
In the Same Vein – Keep Wondering
A New Trail to Wonder