Focus on What You Can Control
The psychotherapist Phil Stutz has this concept called Life Force that is a tool to build a more fulfilling life, overcome obstacles, and unleash your full potential.
Lofty, right? Well it’s a pretty simple pyramid that will help you focus your energy, particularly when you’re feeling lost, stuck, anxious or overwhelmed with life.
The first level is Body. Prioritize the physical aspects of your life, like exercise, eating a healthy diet, and getting proper sleep.
The second level is People. Invest in and nourish the relationships in your life, from your family to your neighbor to your friends far and near. Build community.
The third level is Self. The easiest way is to journal or meditate. Some may talk to a professional. Get a better handle on what’s happening between the ears.
Here’s a clip from Jonah Hill’s documentary on Phil Stutz to hear the man explain it himself.
I don’t who needs to learn about Life Force, but it certainly has given me a sense of clarity and groundedness in this complicated, unpredictable world we live in.
At the least, you owe it to yourself to listen to some dope music.
Starting Five
Album of the Week
DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS by Bad Bunny
Vacation destinations and famous musicians are a lot alike. They’re a spectacle to see in person and as a result people feel entitled to a piece of it. Yet, all the pain, hard work, and struggle that it took to create it is hidden behind the facade of its beauty.
Bad Bunny has come to understand his own experience as a global icon by observing his home of Puerto Rico. He puts all sides of the island on display on his sixth studio album, and uses it as a call for awareness and activism.
On "TURiSTA," he says, “Tú solo viste lo mejor de mí y no lo que yo sufría" ("You only saw the best of me and not how I suffered"). Bad Bunny mixes in all different styles on his latest record, from his familiar Latin trap, reggaeton, and rap, with more traditional Puerto Rico sounds, like plena, bomba, jíbaro and salsa.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, he said: “It’s not like we’re always just hanging out Friday, Saturday, Sunday. On Monday, you have to go to work. So that’s how I express myself. When it’s time to party and talk about ass and pussy and all that, you do that. When I’m sad about love, I say that. But when something makes me mad … That happens a lot. But you can’t complain all the time, and our personal life takes us out of that — relationships, your significant other, all of that takes you out of the social issues sometimes. So that’s how I work.”
Featured Tracks
Here’s Bad Bunny’s full interview with Rolling Stone, including him talking about his adorable nickname for Adam Sandler.
In the wake of Hurricane Fiona, a look at the case for Puerto Rico’s independence.
Get an understanding of and appreciation for the gymnastics goat in Netflix’s Simone Biles docu-series.
Peace, love, and positivity.