Project Mindfully Outdoors

190. The crane and the fish

We're never truly lost. Well, okay, maybe we've been turned around in the woods for a few days, but that's just part of the adventure we're living, right? And it's on those wrong turns, however, that life gets hard. That's why we raised this camp here at Project Nightly Outdoors. And I'm Mike, and I've been there, right where you might be standing right now. Worn down, confused, maybe even a little lost. This is why I'm inviting you to join me here at camp, where we can tap into the wilderness to help heal those wounds that were left behind from those unseen trails. There's a special kind of freedom that lies within the wilderness. So join me now as we tap into that power of freedom, healing and adventure. This is project might be outdoors.
Hey, everybody. Welcome to another episode of project Mindfully outdoors. Thank you for joining me here at camp this morning. Here we are easing into yet another Sunday morning. And I have to say this has probably been one of the most refreshing weekends that I've got to experience and enjoy in some time because they haven't been so caught up in all the transition and trying to move things forward here through the project and through camp that I actually got to get out and really connect this weekend. I got to get out and do some deep meditation and deep fishing, all, of course, on the shores and banks of the almighty here on river. I got to really enjoy a quality day on the water yesterday at my local favorite fishing hole. And really that's all it took. It wasn't about the extravagant wild and crazy adventure. It was just moving in, using into the most basic, familiar aspects of my fishing bathroom and tapping into really one of the most influential, quote influential spaces at that. So while I was out there, I had quite the experience that inspired today's episode. And that's what I want to share with you today. This concept of how getting back to the basics when you're feeling unsteady or maybe drifted a little off course. It's the power of getting back into the basics, tapping into those familiar, safe or even unsafe areas that need to be explored. That magic happens, that things happen, signs come. And as I'm sitting here recording this, I'm still reflecting upon the content that I'm going to share with you in today's episode. So let's get that word from our sponsor and get right back into it. And then we'll gather at the end.
So we hear a project Mindfully outdoors, namely myself, recently joined the 52 Hike Challenge, and I think you should, too. Because just 1 mile a week can change your life. See, here's the thing. We all know a hiking is a key component to this outdoor healing journey that we're on, right? Just that alone makes this the perfect partnership. And it really is something that inspires us to stay on the right track, right? And what happens is, when you sign up, you pick a plan and they set up a system that helps you to meet all the goals that are built around that plan that gets developed. And it's simply the goal of 1 mile a week that's totally doable. They check in with you. They help you to stay on track with motivation and cool prizes to display that you can tell all your friends about. So right now, I'm currently working my way
through the standard challenge. And I'd love to see you visit 52 Hikes.com Projecthike to sign up and join me on this amazing 52 week hike challenge. I'll be waiting at the trail-head for for you.
We all come from somewhere, which means that we carry a history with us that consists of both good and bad memories, along with events, all of which are stored in the pages of our life story. So why run from them? Or why even deny that we live through them? Because the purpose of this healing journey isn't to wash all all of that away from the pages. It's about tapping into all the things that are under the hood. We have to boil down and distill everything to the nuts and bolts to understand how they shaped us. See, the path is something that we walk and we carry within us this mindset and this perception. And it's all shaped by each and every one of those events from the moment that we were born until the moment that we're standing here now. So our job is to break all that down into bite size chunks, morsels that we can use in many different ways as we continue to walk. What are those lessons and events? What is all that trying to teach us? How can we use them to move forward? I think each and every event within our lives in some way or another, serves to anchor us. It's. They all work in this way that seems to pull us back to the ground when our ego has caused us to drift too high or move too far away from our value system. Let's face it, we're all guilty of allowing ourselves to get caught up in those flashy and fancy aspects of life from time to time. When this happens, we set ourselves up to experience that feeling of the sky falling in all around us.
Now, see, over the course of the past few months I've been riding this wave of successful adventures and I really don't even know how to describe it, let alone try to process it. But both the aspirations and the aspects of my personal life that, of all things, I'm trying to achieve just keep falling into place. And it's left me not only challenged to comprehend but also feeling a little lackluster. Almost as if the stride is starting to stop. Because at times we all encounter these moments that it's just too difficult to process. And I feel that's where all of a sudden the balloon gets filled up and we drift too high or stray too far from our values. And when you get to that point, it leaves you feeling not only unbalanced, but just unwilling to charge into some new and unknown waters. Sure, I've swam uncharted water for many years now but that water feels very stagnant on my part. Because I've invested so much time and energy into truly getting to know myself over the past few years, I've now reached a place where I'm able to notice when the sort of imbalance is going on within my soul. So, following a rainy morning, I headed out to reconnect with Mother Nature and do a bit of a combination of fishing and meditation. I had to find a way to get back to the basics, which meant plugging into the wilderness and absorbing that calm in the moment presence for a state of mind. Now, during the first few hours of that trip, I was still unwillingly holding on to those unsteady feelings and thoughts. Then something special and magical happened. Nature gave me a sign that my soul was truly looking for. Within the moment, while reeling in yet another nice size blue gill, something flew overhead that caught my eye. One of the largest cranes that I've ever had the chance to lay eyes on. See, this was nature's way of telling me that I really need to just continue to follow the flow of that gust of wind that I appear to be riding and let go free myself of that feeling of fear and uncertainty, because wherever that trade wind drops me off, that
land is going to be bountiful. And that was represented by the fish that was on the end of my line. While the size of fish I landed after that crane flew overhead was clearly indication, Wherever I land is just another landing point in order to rest and also nourish my body and my soul so I can grow even further, so I can move even stronger and feel more confident within wherever I get picked up and taken to next. That I must own the venture and I must stay rooted within, living to my value system. So this is just an example of exactly what is out there when you're willing to go out and tap into the wilderness. And it also serves as yet another reminder that when you feel stuck, reach into your backpack, pull out those most common basic tools. Because when it's moments like these or you feel off centered getting back to basics is where the message that you need to hear and feel. And most importantly of all, Connect to feel are stored.
Alright, that's it. That's all. That is the end of our Sunday Morning. Now, like I've been saying through this whole episode, It's really all about the simple things. Those are where the money plays. That's where the gravy is made. The moments that are touching in a quick. Anything like that all comes from the basics because those are safe areas. And when you get to that safe area, you get to really tap in and look around. Because you switch out of Survivor, but you create this feeling of all those basic needs. So you get to expand the picture and you do that. It'll help you. So till tomorrow, get out there in the wild. Because that's where the stillness and the adventure lies. See ya.
Hey, guys, it's Mike. Before we break camp and shut this power down to the day to move off into whatever it is that we've got planned, I want to take one final opportunity to not only celebrate this little how well, because it's a team effort, it's you and I working together to forward our lives and build this wonderful, amazing community which is all revolving around projectmindedlyoutdoors.com swing on by. Check out everything that's going on over there. And while you're there, subscribe and sign up to get updates on all the new features. And experiences that are coming your way. So until tomorrow, thank you.
 
Links
52 Hike challenge
Project Mindfully Outdoors Website

189. A full circle

The four points on a compass there are of course four directions. These directions of course indicate which direction we are walking. Which makes the compass such a brilliant aid along our journey. Since our goal is to find our true north and walk that trail to unlock all of life’s true treasures fate has laid out for us.
We say to ourselves that once we have all of those things and we get our life’s journey straight or start traveling our true north, we will never stray from it. Still even along that true path we will always find side trails. For a while we can fight the urge to explore what’s down those game trails. That is until we encounter one with what looks like such an enticing Valley we give in.
We do this even knowing these trails put us at risk of getting turned around. Yet it’s that little voice warning us in the back of mind that we ignore. The temptation pulls us in. Saying to ourselves it’s just a meters. I’ll never get lost because I know what the North Star looks like now, I can find my way back, and off we go navigating that path of risk coated in these old behaviors. Why is that? Why do we this time and time again?
If you picture the other direction marks to represent the process we need to unlock. I believe the secret to putting them truly to rest comes from taking the longer way around.
It starts before you ever take even that first or second step along the norther trail. Durning the planning stages of the hike. Because you can not firmly hold north without knowing the other direction points.
Alining your direction is something you do many times over throughout your life. This orientation is one that places the stick into the ground. This is the collecting of information via of feeling.
Start by turning your body to the western front. This is where roots of all those things we wish to shed lays. Your western front is a difficult one to feel into since it holds all the pain. There for you must know dig into the comment you took when you picked up the walking stick. Reach into backpack as you depart to pull out grace. Since it is here your going to be acknowledging all of traumas. Befriend yourself here, reassure yourself it’s ok.
Next your circle brings you into the south, this is where you shake hands with grief and death. There’s no need to fear those faces however. Since here in the land of the south is where the release begins.
The first hand you shook with that of death. Who’s hand remained extended waiting a gift, in return you be given a gift. The token he is awaiting is a collection of all those experiences you have lived, that left their wounds upon your soul. You see it’s the nature of death to bare and carry all that burden the soul. Once you have paid toll comes the boat ride across the lake. Once you come face to face with grief. It’s within those eyes where you find the flashlight that will lead you back to the circle. With it comes the bucket of release.
With the palm of death left so full there’s nothing left in your to hide from. Which leads to a fork in the trail. Shall you fill that bucket or not? Of course fate is hoping you will. As that bucket is filled cup you hold is the refilled, with the power to celebrate and remember all will help you along.
As this rejuvenates you, there’s the sound of a drum. In the blink of an eye your soul is turned east. The drums and the singing are the sounds of a celebration. Thought you gave so much to the hands of death, you even more. It’s freedom you feel. A freedom of joy. All of those wounds may have left scars, scars you may allows have to carry. It’s the joy that fills you with desire to honor and celebrate every step of the path, whether you remember it or not. Because it was each thing fate touched you with that make you who you are today.
Take your time through every step of the circle because the longer you linger, the strong your stride as you complete the body of the shape. Thus setting out north.
 
Links
52 Hikes Challenge
Project Mindfully Outdoors

188. Tricia Becker on creation

Trisha Becker is a teacher who empowers her students with the art of Alchemy to create the world they envision. By overcoming fear and learning to live intentionally.  
 
Links
Tricia Becker
Fresh Cap (promo code PROJECTMINDFULLYOUTDOORS10)
True Wild
Project Mindfully Outdoors

187. The wisdom is in the story

Our world was made based upon stories. Information that was passed down from generation to generation for the purpose of teaching. In this modern area those lessons can be accessed in so many different forms. We consume a vast amount of information everyday. That we must be mindful of where we gather all information from and what we allow to stick with us. 
 What’s more is that we almost be aware of the other form of storytelling we subjected to. The ones that we tell ourselves. The internal dialogue is one of the most power influences upon our story. It is also a one of the most fragile aspects of the human experience. Because it can be molded and shaped by not only stories we are told but the world around us. 
 This is why we must change the shape of the stories we feed our mind. Instead of soaking up all the fruitless information that is floating around today's world. Allow the Curiosity of the past and ancient wisdom locked within the sands of time to enrich the stories you tell yourself.
Links
Fresh Cap use promo code projectmindfullyoutdoors10 to save 10% on your order
To learn more visit

186. The gate way

We recently revealed a new graphic that defines the mission of Project Mindfully Outdoors. Maybe you have already seen around, maybe not, ether way it’s quickly become the symbol for which our camp is built upon. It’s the four verticals that we warp the fabric of our teepee around.
It’s these four ideas that not only the project, but also my reality that I’ve built from the grown up. The serve as the way I’m able to find my North Star even on the darkest and stormiest night.
They came to be has a way to celebrate the space that I love so much, the outdoors have become my foundation. Things such as conversation and stewardship which has we have talked about many times are so important in the hunting and fishing space.
They too play a key role in this journey of healing. Because they consist of protecting and rebuilding. Through out the course of time thing came to breaking point. Where man was killing off the animals of the land while also destroying the habits in which they lived. It all came to head when we realized what was happening around us and we made the conscious decision to shift our practices. This was man’s first step forward into the space of education.
By bringing the theory of cause and effect into the wilderness that shift thought us to value protecting the resources of the land. We developed boundaries and best practices. This is where we can adapt the idea of stewardship into our daily life’s.
By understanding that all the stuff we experienced through out our time on earth, has shaped the way we interact with world around. While it’s us that decide how we react to any given stimuli. It’s the act of awareness and educating ourselves of our maladaptive tendencies the inter Stewart can lace their boots up. He or she can be called into action to place a fence or boundary around that situation. There for protecting us from acting in way that could put the larger picture at risk.
Which leads us to the ideas of conservation. It’s in both the spaces where we slip and act upon those ill reaction that the Stewart then picks up the shovel of repair. To act in a way that will show you the error of your way and allow you the grace in which to repair your surroundings and adjust them in way that could prevent any further damage being done.
I recently posed the question to you on our social media feeds, which of these two verticals means the most to you and why? While I’d love to hear your response and even walk through it with you in order to help you to fill understand it. More importantly I invite you to take those two pillars and make them a part of the mission state of your journey.
While we will explore and build those other tent poles on future episodes I feel these two are the gateway to walking the path to its fullest.
 
Links 
52 Hike Challenge
Project Mindfully Outdoors

185. Relinquish

Never complete a negative thought. At times it’s only natural to begin them, but you must never finish them. Our minds work in such a way, where it’s the goal of the mind to turn our thoughts into reality.
You must be mindful in any moment of your thoughts and ideas, because these are food for mind. Just how we nourish our bodies with the food we eat. The same is truly with of our thoughts. With nether we would cease to be. Since one or the other would have nothing to convert to energy.
Just how the saying “you are what you eat” was a phase to guide you to eat healthy. The same is true of your thoughts, the thoughts you think make up who you are.
To grow these changes within ourselves we must first give consideration to the thought we allow our mind to eat. This means we build a practice of examining and testing our thoughts. Write them down, speck them out loud, listen to how they sound coming, look at how they appear on the page, all of this will serve us to hone the dialogue we use both inside and out.
Thoughts are like seeds. They settle in and grow, building shoots and touching the course of our lives. There for we must be diligent in converting the soil that is our mind.
Wether you were conscious of it or not, those negative thought have been laying your path. Holding you down and building those wall you feel you believed you could not climb.
To gain that shift in the way you’ve been talking to yourself takes relinquishing your old ways of speech. It takes more than just letting go. Because to only let go is to still just hold on. Believing that you can revisit those maladaptive old habits. No different then to give a dear friend a physical object, thinking you still see and touch it when you visit their house. Up until that day while strolling past the window of a shop, only to see that once priced object for sale in the window.
It’s the moment that when, instead of rushing inside to throw your money down on the counter to reclaim that object. Instead you continue your walk while holding a light smile, that you have relinquished that once priced item. It’s finding the special blessing within that original act that warms your soul. The relinquishment of this old thinking pattern not only warms your heart in the same way, but it makes those obstacles shine down to something you can climb.
 
Links
52 Hike challenge
To learn more visit our website
Begin your healing journey with Mike Martin

184. A spiritual journey and a way to save the world with Daniel Moody

Today we take a musical  vogue with the wise and talented Daniel Moody. Along this expedition we walk through the roots of anger and how it applies to the world around us. We also talk about the most amazing path we can walk which is parenthood. Daniel shares his insights, understanding, and what it has taught him. 
Daniel is a mens coach and songwriter. 
 
Links 
Daniel Moody
52 Hike Challenge      
True Wild
To learn more visit our website
Start your healing journey with Mike Martin
 
 

183. Sands of time

 While digging through the writing catalog I came across the notes from one of my favorite talks I've given. After reading it again I felt inspired to put together this special Sunday episode for you.  
 
There’s is one cold hard truth that each and everyone of us face, the face that we can not out run death. Seneca often reminds of this. It’s like we are conceived with a terminal disease right, it’s not cancer or some other scary illness that our body’s develop. Those just the conditions that doctors use to describe the final chapters of our story, or what is going to take us out of the game of life. That’s not to say that if you are or ever have to face them you should just laid down and give up. Because you shouldn’t, instead you have to embrace those journeys too. After all it’s how the story goes and our objective is to write the best story we can.
What I’m talking about are the sands of time. We each hold within us an hour glass, we never know just how much sand remains within it. What we do know is that we can’t stop it from running empty, but we also want to make the most of each grain of sand we have.
You think isn’t something that meant to scare you, even cause you to look at the clock. Nor is it meant to push you to start cramming more into your day. Because, probably 90% of that of extra stuff you would be cramming in there wouldn’t mean much of anything. Just the bulk of the stuff we chose to fill our day already.
It’s intend to serve both as reminder and a marker in which you can zero in on what’s important in life and keep you centered in on them. You know some of the greatest changes I’ve made to myself that have lead to the most for filling achievements, and the things I’ve done that most proud of and grateful for. They all happened based upon a question Marcus Aurelius posed to himself,” you fear death because you would no longer be able to do this….”
The really cool part about that question is just how universal it is. You can ask yourself yourself that very question about anything your doing. Not only dose it really put your action in context and help you to decide if what your doing is important to you or not, but will lead you understanding where your values lay. Which most of the time is where the root our troubles are. We are not conducting our transactions of life within the bank of value system. We lose though with our North Star.
For years I spent day in and day in the throes of depression. I allowed that dark hole to shroud my value system. The first step in removing that mask was that one simple question. I fear dying right in this very moment because why, I would be able to mope in depression, nor could I act in a way that served it.
Then when I posed that same question myself when I was engaging in time with kids. The answer was yes, no I’m not ready to trade in this at this very moment because I wouldn’t be able to this. It put my North Star back on the map and gave me a point in which to sail towards. It really truly helped me to understand where I needed to move towards, where to place boundaries, and what I needed to shed.
Look my point is this, life goes by to fast for us to make the most of each moment. We gotta land the plane and get out of auto pilot. In order to find yourself and put yourself out from whatever your hiding under, to just out right lose that feeling of being stuck you gotta take control. You have to find something to put the gears of life into drive. The ignition switch is just as simple as a simple question. One that really puts the stakes on the table.
 
Links
True Wild
To learn more visit our website
To begin your outdoor healing journey with Mike

182. Self investment with Bri Tartaglione

 
Episode 182 is probably one of the best examples of one of the most important things we all could be doing more for ourselves. When I’m joined by Bri Tartaglione to explore the story of one of the most moving stories that I’ve had the privilege of walking through.
 
As the world was meeting the early stages of the pandemic Bri found herself in the hospital like many did. However she found herself meeting a different sort illness. In fact the condition Bri was up against would take away her ability to walk.
 
Between the time she first started feeling the physical effects the forces of nature where all ready hard at work. Because life was building on of the most difficult obstacles imaginable. The obstacle left Bri at a fork in the road. She could ether just accept her current state, and never walk again. Or she could endure the many challenges placed before her. By committing to a path that would hold many ups and downs along the way. Bri had decided to invest in herself. That investment led her to rebuild herself ground up. Ultimately for her 29th birthday however, she gave herself a birthday gift that she would treasure for the rest of her days. When she took her first steps.
 
Those steps would prove to be much more than just her physically moving her body for forward. Because they became the spring for Bri to walk into a world from a space that she could do the work of support and service. By applying her real life journey and the wisdom bestowed upon her, she is now helping others to invest in.
You know, it’s a lesson has old as time it’s self tragedy serves to center and bring us back into the moment. Wether life pulls our number leaving us to regroup when it takes something away, or it’s someone we know. It might even come along in the form it as here, meeting someone who has walked through those woods. To remind us just how fragile everything in this world truly are.
You can have something, no matter what it is, only to be taken away at the drop of a hat. Yes it takes a toll on you emotionally, but what other option do you have put to carry on. So you have to ask yourself what dose carrying look like in the face of lost? How you chose to carry on and let it effect you is a decision we are always faced with. Why it’s hard to always remind yourself the glory lays within the investment to walk again with your head up. It’s story’s like this one that was so kind enough to not only share but build upon with by adding what she learned in the end that we can hold close to our hearts and celebrate when it’s time to step up to the tellers window.
I’d like to thank Bri for placing the coin of power in each of our hands that have gathered around the campfire. While we placed the talking stick in her hands in order to forge the token that sitting on our pocket. It is now our job to honor and celebrate the journey by investing that coin into ourselves.
In closing episode 182 with Bri Tartaglione is the sort of interview of time that you have been waiting for. Together we unlocked so many brilliant ideas to think and reflect about. I feel you owe it yourself to give it a listen and take from it the token Bri has to offer you. Use it now or store it away for the rainy day it’s now here for you to take with along your journey.
 
Links
Bri Tartagluine
Freash Cap use promo code PROJECTMINDFULLYOUTDOORS10 to save 10%
True Wild
To learn more visit our website
To begin your outdoor healing journey today

181. The lessons of a fawn

If you'd like to see the process of how a trauma response is built look at the next generation of woodland creators. Grab a spot at the campfire and let me explain.
 
Links 
Presented in partnership with True Wild
To learn more visit our website
To schedule a free outdoor healing call