As the year wraps up, we reflect on the duality of human knowledge and its implications—how it can drive us towards both greatness and destruction. We explore the primal instincts that connect us to the animal kingdom and how modern-day challenges require uniquely human solutions. Hear how simple, achievable goals can reignite your sense of purpose and make enthusiasm within reach again. Join us for this journey of self-discovery and leave inspired to take those small, actionable steps towards substantial personal growth.
As the year wraps up, we reflect on the duality of human knowledge and its implications—how it can drive us towards both greatness and destruction. We explore the primal instincts that connect us to the animal kingdom and how modern-day challenges require uniquely human solutions. Hear how simple, achievable goals can reignite your sense of purpose and make enthusiasm within reach again. Join us for this journey of self-discovery and leave inspired to take those small, actionable steps towards substantial personal growth.
Hello and welcome to Clean your Fucking House bitch with Nancy, kevin and Lou. In our program we get real about the challenges of life and living. Your mind is the most powerful tool you have to ensure you are on your desired path for success and satisfaction. Yet from the day you are born, you gradually and subconsciously fill it with tons of useless shit that gets in your way. Why is that? How can you clean that mess up? We'll show you how. Get ready to clean your fucking house.
Speaker 2:Hello and welcome to Kevin, lou and Nancy at Clean your Fucking House. And today it feels like we all have some cleaning that we are in process with. And what is the most meaningful thing to remove next? We're just not sure. But what's at the top of our minds is willingness to make change, awareness to why, some sort of receptivity to perception and why it's important and that this time of year can be a big transition for some and a big avoidance for others. And where are we? Where are we in the midst of transition or avoidance?
Speaker 1:I'll just share one thing, folks. Part of as we often share with you at the beginning of these episodes is we'll have a conversation before each one as a result of our ongoing topic building and what episode themes that we discuss. And we've covered a lot of topics over the past. What's it been now, folks? Two and a half years, something like that. Wow, I mean, we've covered a lot of ground. There's still a lot of ground to cover, but each of us, while we have a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge, there's still a lot that we don't know. And we almost kind of feel like we're in a situation where, wow, there's so much to cover but we don't know what we don't know. And, of course, kind of narrowing things down to what would be applicable and of value to you, our listeners, and, of course, also both educational and entertaining at the same time, without being so controversial or confrontational or anything like that. And it just put us in an interesting spot because, as Nancy mentioned, we're also at that point in time of the year, meaning we're in between Christmas and New Year's here this is one word recording between the two holidays. So the whole hype of the holiday of Christmas is now kind of a done deal. We're preparing for the new year.
Speaker 1:The most popular thing that goes along with the new year is New Year's resolutions and my new goals and all that.
Speaker 1:And in many ways and we talk about this in each of our episodes it's like, oh my goodness, it's a fucking repetitive cycle. Every year you think about goals this time of year and resolutions, and I'm going to quit smoking, I'm going to lose weight, and it's like damn you know. Really, maybe some of this should, at this point in our lives, this time of year, should be just stopping and taking stock of where we're at. There's a lot of life going where I would like it to go, where I wanted it to go, and maybe there's a need to almost I'm not going to say change paths, but simply stop and think, as Nancy mentioned, an element of perception of our belief system, our existing goals Are they working for us, are they satisfying our needs, et cetera. I mean, there's just a lot that goes into it, but it really is that time of year when, for most people, change is probably the most popular word, the trending topic, and what does that mean?
Speaker 2:Is it popular or is there pressure for it? And that just creates angst for people, because there is this pressure to make change.
Speaker 1:What's a good point? And how do we respond to that pressure? Do we give into it or say, screw you, I'm just going to be that's often you thought you were slick, Lou.
Speaker 3:Bring it back to the topic.
Speaker 1:Well, in a way, but you know it's funny because it something you know, it's just there's some things that I guess lend itself to To being part of every one of our discussions and folks. One of the things we sometimes, sometimes we'll talk about and as you all may know, is we all have different backgrounds, of three of us, different experiences, different opinions, different mindsets and oftentimes come out of from totally different sides of a question or argument. One of us might think it's sunny and the other might think it's raining. That's probably an extreme example, because I probably could be easy to see. But where I'm going with that is simply that we will believe different things, but we always are open to hearing each other's viewpoints, and we are.
Speaker 1:We always have civil debates or conversations and yet that, in many ways at least, based on my observations and experiences, which, now that I think about it, may be so limited that that's all I'm bombarded with, it's just that it seems to be something severely lacking these days, and again, it could be just the circles I run in, but it, you know that alone creates angst. You know we're dealing with oh my goodness resolutions and change and whatever. My life is good. And then we also got to deal with the other aspects of negativity in the world. So how do we deal with that?
Speaker 2:You know what you just said, lou, takes me back to someone I talked with this morning and thinking about the circle that this person runs in and that it wasn't bringing satisfaction to this person's life, right, and? And they simply asked for a five minute thing from a friend who said no, I can't do it. And and it made this person reflect, wow, you know, like they felt very put back because they didn't think it was that big a request. It might have just been too much for that person and fine for them to say that they can't, but her realizing that it's okay to then ask someone else who's more aligned, who can support and be connected and interact in a way that she needs and deserves. And so I think what you're saying made me think about that that it is okay to realign ourselves in a place with something that does deliver what we need and deserve. And are there gaps? And it's okay to fill them in another way, right?
Speaker 1:Yep Again. Time to take stock of, in this case, the relationships that we have, you know. Are they serving our purposes and needs? Excellent example Kevin's got his thoughtful gaze on folks. You can't see that, but I'll share verbally anticipating Now he has his little finger on his nose.
Speaker 3:Just waiting for the downloads of information.
Speaker 1:I mean, this is a very and this was where my vocabulary is somewhat limited, but it's esoteric, the right word. It is such an out there kind of topic that you know it invites a lot of thinking and just contemplation and looking at the world maybe in a different way Again, you know, going down the same path we've always been, or stopping and taking stock, and is that even the right thing to do? You know you have that argument. Well shit, if I get off this path, maybe the grass isn't so greener on the other side.
Speaker 2:But then you know, I guess what you're saying is so. True is that esoteric might be that broad for some and narrower for others. But it's okay to take stock and reflect. Am I on the path I want? If there is a turn I want to make, it doesn't have to be now. It might be in a period of time from now, but what feels right and what doesn't feel right?
Speaker 3:I think that's the key point for me is if you do like Lou I don't know the word like seclusion came to mind when you were talking about having the same circles and you know, probably like a similar routine every day and all that even though I know you put in work to like change things and stuff.
Speaker 3:But when you do and even going back to our conversation from before we started recording it's like when you do get out there and just try experiencing a different culture or reading a book on a topic that you normally wouldn't Like. I think Nancy is saying like does it resonate with you, like how does it make you feel? Like that can be the determining factor. But I think it is important to at least it has been for me to just kind of push my understanding of things or try to see things through a different lens, like Nancy and I. We were talking about something recently and Nancy was asking for my thoughts and it was most beneficial for me to get out of my comfort zone and be able to empathize with others, although I may not agree completely, but I felt like it helped them. Being vague for a reason, but it helped me to.
Speaker 2:I'm with you.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and it helped me to just try to look at things from a little bit different lines than just what I was equipped with prior to the experience. Does that make sense?
Speaker 2:I will say yes because it does to me, and thank you only for the perspective.
Speaker 3:that who's like I don't know.
Speaker 2:I know he's like I don't know.
Speaker 3:No, I agree.
Speaker 2:What that is is a prime example where Kevin was willing to listen and think outside the box, if you will such a term, but it really has such meaning and reflect on another experience versus his own and give that some bandwidth, and I appreciated it.
Speaker 3:You know what I've noticed also, another area of growth, I think, for me is when and Lou hijacked the shit out of this episode. But that's okay, we're going to run with it a little. When You're welcome, get involved in a conversation or something with someone, or you get presented with something that goes against your belief system or your experience or your perspective. I think it's really easy to get triggered and try to back up your thoughts and your beliefs. And why is that person wrong where? It doesn't have to be a personal attack on you because you don't believe the same thing.
Speaker 3:You can utilize that experience to learn and hear someone out and be inquisitive why, why do you feel this way? And try to understand the nuances of what that whole thing means, and even for ourselves, if we're feeling that way about something and we're totally against it, if we're uncovering these subconscious beliefs or biases that we have, let's tackle those, unpack those. Why do we have them? Where do they come from? I think that could be a stepping stone to having more of a civil, empathetic conversation with somebody, even if you don't agree and even if you don't end up agreeing. But you can walk away having connected with a person.
Speaker 1:No, it's a good point. What's interesting is, even that way of thinking is even very beneficial when it comes to folks who have beliefs, what I'll call them a negative nature, meaning racism or any kind of ism. I guess I'll say I really enjoy, or appreciate it, reading stories about people who say come from two different backgrounds and say they hate each other. I'll just use this as an example, and religion maybe is the only one that comes to mind who talk about it come to an understanding and come to an appreciation of the other's viewpoint and learn from it and then understand where the other person's come from, even if they still don't believe with it, believe it or agree with it. It's really fascinating how we are, as human beings, capable of saying well, at least I understand.
Speaker 1:And when it comes to an ism it's even more important because it is quick to dismiss somebody as being evil, say if they're racist, as an example, when there could be a reason or a background story to why they got to the point where they're either saying the things they're saying or doing the things they're doing that many other folks are coming across as being racist or otherwise stereotyping a group or any of the signs that something is off when it comes to their behavior.
Speaker 1:I know I'm being even myself very vague the right word just not really expressing my analogy very well or my story here. But again, I have relatives who have certain prejudices, but when I no, it's not even direct fail me. In this case there could be some indirect. But when I learn more about where they are, where they are and how they got there, it kind of is a fascinating story, meaning they grew up at a time when a lot of that is really either following the masses or believing what they're told or what they learned and not questioning. So some of it is simply they're not having the tools to gain greater awareness or understanding of others. Now, that's not really an excuse per se, because when things get to a point where there's harmful words or even violence which that hasn't happened in my family but that to me is really not but at least when you hear what someone has gone through or otherwise, what got them to where they're at, at least you kind of know, you understand.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I think two things. Number one, when you were talking about just situationally, what came to mind for me was that, in order to have a situation like what I had described, I think it takes two people that are at least like minded enough to want to approach the situation of gathering information and being amicable with the other person. Because if you come across somebody that's just not open to any of that, I don't think. I think it would probably be a waste of time and could end up being negative. And I forgot my other point. It'll come back to me and I don't know what's going on?
Speaker 1:No, but you're right, and there's where. Maybe, then what more can you do? If the other person isn't either open to hearing what you have to share and your own sources of evidence and material, it doesn't make sense then to share anything.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 2:I think, sometimes too, what you said, what more can you do? And sometimes there's really nothing for us to do but listen and share perspective. But sometimes that's all we're really meant to do and that's enough for someone to feel fulfilled, to feel heard, to feel able to process feelings and thoughts and put them back into some sort of perspective and deal with them in their own way. So sometimes we're not meant to do, just to hear and be.
Speaker 3:Lou, you mentioned earlier about people having the mindset of well, that's how it is, or that's how I grew up or whatever. And I know we started talking previously about life and things happening and stuff. But I guess we're kind of blessed in a way that we have access to information and that our lives are set up in a way where, even if we're working a ton or whatever, we still can create space for ourselves to be able to look and think outside of the box and go travel and experience different cultures and we have a certain level of security in our lives, at least where we live. So I think a lot of that helps us to be able to have these conversations and create the knowledge and absorb the knowledge that we need to to try to improve things for ourselves.
Speaker 1:And this kind of funny knowledge in and of itself is almost a double-edged sword meaning if it wasn't for the fact that we, the human race, created the knowledge that got us where we're at, technologically speaking, building these wonderfully designed buildings and everything we have that is so separate from the animal world, even though we're kind of part of the animal world.
Speaker 3:Sure that it is, yeah.
Speaker 1:Well, what I mean is, you know we go beyond just eating, breathing and sleeping. You know our existence deals with other things that as a result of all of the knowledge we've accumulated. But on the flip side, that's also been the cause of a lot of the not so good things in the world. And the example that comes to mind is the whole story behind the atomic bomb and the knowledge that led to the development of the atomic bomb and how it was meant to be, or at least the creator meant it. Developer meant it to be something that would be of use and benefit to mankind and it turned into a bomb. And it's like you know that that knowledge can be used for both good and bad. And you know, absent, if we just lived on instinct, we'd be like the rest of the animal kingdom and just sleeping and eating and running around.
Speaker 3:That sounds awesome.
Speaker 1:In a way, I'm like thinking that is that bad. Maybe that's not so bad.
Speaker 2:Yeah, those would be bored.
Speaker 1:Well, but we would know because exactly.
Speaker 3:Yeah, we wouldn't know any different.
Speaker 1:But then I look at Komodo dragons Now they just eat everything inside. I'm like crap. I'd probably be one of the warthogs that they'd eat up, so that wouldn't be fun either.
Speaker 3:So I don't know Spirit animal.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, no. I just look at that side of the animal and I'm like damn, you can't even really just live your life as an animal and expect there to be peace, because you're constantly hunted by predators.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But I guess the human race isn't too different itself, though.
Speaker 2:So take us back, lou, because, like we're, we're, we often go way outside the bounds of what we started with and just thinking about wanting to feel I don't know. You take us back, lou, like wanting to be connected, wanting to stay grounded, but wanting to look forward.
Speaker 1:Well, yeah, you know, again, we're at the time we're recording this in between the Christmas and New Year's where oftentimes that takes stock of one's life and looking at resolutions and goals, and all that is is what happens, and it's just like the story I just shared. That's almost like a double edged sword as well, because it's like man, it feels like I do this every year and things end up not changing. Is what might be the experience of many people, or is this what it always is? I do the same thing every year, or is there a way for for there to be a little bit more purpose? And and I guess purpose is only the word I can think of in terms of our thinking and and moving even beyond tangible type goals losing weight and smoking and then just taking stock of of where we're at in terms of our mindset, being open to other things, going into the New Year with just a whole different maybe attitude is is a good word, yeah and and sometimes just having that kind of shift could really open up a whole host of other opportunities, both physical and mental, slash emotional, that could benefit us. How do you do that? Good question, because that's now is a time to bring in the habits.
Speaker 1:We were sharing folks earlier, before our discussion, how habits might be one of the things we talk about. Again, it being the New Year, but it's like. Well, we talk about habits a lot, and for good reason, because I think when it comes to this time of year, the desire to change is hampered by, oftentimes, the inability to take those tiny steps that are necessary to make that change. And there's where the habits come in, breaking some of those bad habits. And how do we do that?
Speaker 2:I think it's twofold in in the habit scope and that there's some that we want to create and some we want to break. And when you were talking, lou, what came to mind is the idea of having, instead of those outcome goals, that I want to lose weight or I want to be whatever it is, I want that it's let go of the end result. What are the actions that you want to take to get there and connect to those? Because if we focus on a behavior and focus on activities we want to be doing, if they are a lifestyle we want to live, the rest will follow. And so, kevin, how we do it is deciding what's the behavior goals we want to have and let go of the outcome. It'll come on its own. For me this year yeah, oh, for me, this year in particular, it's just about being physically active. I'm choosing now to be that and I didn't wait for the new year. I started a 28 day program that'll carry me into the new year, but I'm starting now.
Speaker 3:Awesome. Now it's going to say what about for those that just don't feel any enthusiasm about much? I think that's one of the toughest spots to be in is when we're saying, oh, do things that elevate you and make you vibe high and make you feel good. Well, what if a person's just like everything sucks? I don't even know what I enjoy doing, what I don't even know what makes me feel good.
Speaker 2:I was going to say to you I don't have the enthusiasm so kind of there, but I'm not the oh it sucks person, but I am like what do I frickin' feel like doing, I don't know. So I just picked something simple that's executable, that I can do for 28 days, and then I can evolve from there. So I just took steps to get started and is it wow and exciting and all?
Speaker 3:And you feel like maybe you're pulling from past experiences of being active, that like whenever the last time was that you were hiking up Half Dome or trying to get there, holding from that like, well, I was doing those things and, yeah, I did feel good. And so maybe you don't know the outcome this time, but there's an action goal that you're setting because you're probably assuming that you're going to get at least a similar benefit to last time, right?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I want to get back to the feeling of being flexible, being capable, being nimble and being able to do whatever right, and then I just want to be doing and so and just starting Awesome.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know in living health years, probably the most popular resolution or desired goal, I guess I'll say, for the new year. And that is one of mine as well. It's interesting Since I took a change of profession back in May, my own physical fitness program has been very fragmented and off schedule and, for many weeks, nonexistent, etc. Etc. So yes, that is one of mine as well.
Speaker 1:For me, what I found interesting and this could be the case with many of our listeners is I also reached a point where the sorts of things physical fitness wise or movement wise, that I've always enjoyed, I can't always partake of them.
Speaker 1:So I have to switch it up, and part of me is disappointed in that and sad that I can't still do those things. But I have to realize that there's many ways to achieve the same benefits. It doesn't have to be that same way and we all know that when we partake of physical fitness or any kind of exercise, it certainly elevates our happy juices. So I can get those going anyway, and even if I'm starting off with something that I feel, man, this is so beneath me because I used to lift 400 pounds, I used to bench put and all this stuff I'm like, but I'm just not there anymore and I can't do that stuff. And having probably gets back to what I said before, look at that. Wow, I actually came full circle. Change of attitude is. I need to put that ahead of that particular goal to make it work, I believe.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I just had an idea. You guys tell me how you feel about this. But, lou, I agree with you. So much of our existence is physical, right? And if I were talking to the buddy we were talking about earlier, we would be telling you it's not at all physical, this reality. But it is like a lot of our goals are based on something physical, especially with ourselves, getting healthy, all that. What if, instead of focusing on that as being like the overarching goal, you know the big term, longterm vision? What if we focused on doing things that just increased our levels of happiness or acceptance, right, so emotional benefit? Or what if we focused on things that elevated us spiritually? Because a lot of those you mentioned full circle. I was literally going to say it's full circle If you focus on, I'm just going to do the things that make me like, really feel good, like a good feeling, not like, you know, drugs and alcohol or masturbation or whatever the kids do nowadays, but like really make you feel full, like emotionally well, just focus on that because, more than likely, a lot of those things eating well, eating out in nature, doing some exercise, journaling, meditation, cold showers, cold water, therapy, whatever it's all going to help in every one of those areas, and I think the physical element is the one that takes the longest for people to see results in.
Speaker 3:So if you're only focusing on that instead of like, well, I'm actually feeling better when I wake up every day, or I'm sleeping better, or I have more energy, I'm able to focus more, I'm more connected to those around me that I love, like, all those things tend to happen, at least from my experience, quicker than the physical results. But what's more important anyways, like you, obviously physical wellness is important, but you could be as fit as you want, but if you're not happy, right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, what good is it Seriously, what kind of life is that? No, that's an excellent point, and the aspect of the baby steps comes into play here, as it usually does when we have our discussions. You know to kind of put a joking spin on this as an example. I mean, if you can't go right to cold showers, go from hot to warm, to lukewarm, to cool, because, yeah, I've heard good things about that, but I can see that extreme change from one you know temperature to cold would be a shock to many people.
Speaker 3:Or do five seconds, then 10 seconds, then 20 seconds.
Speaker 1:Or time wise, right, exactly, excellent point. Or, as in the case of physical fitness, you start off walking. Start off, you know, you got what is it? How does the saying go? You need to crawl before you walk, I guess crawl before you walk, walk before you run, etc.
Speaker 3:Go crawl around your neighborhood.
Speaker 1:Yes, so I think the so, if I'm just kind of summarize everything, this would be the way I look at it and I invite you both to kind of chime in as well. As you know, going into this new year, rather than looking at the physical changes we'd like to make as a primary step with that, take stock of our mindset, our attitude, where we're at in terms of our beliefs and our opinions and all that, and simply develop more awareness, more openness and an approach of being more action oriented with our goals versus just thinking in terms of tangibles, because under the day, it's really about increasing our satisfaction and happiness versus just targeting a number. I need to lose 10 pounds. That's just wouldn't, isn't the way.
Speaker 3:And then naturally you build that enthusiasm more.
Speaker 1:Right, yes, yeah, and certainly you'll be. The momentum will build, the momentum will build and you know what? You'll probably be happier when you lose a 10 pounds based on that approach than simply throwing yourself on the scale every day and waiting for that day to arrive. So, folks, we hope you enjoyed this episode. You found it educational, entertaining and wow, I'm looking at all of us here and we're just kind of like, ooh, because it was certainly a very thought provoking one. So we again appreciate you being here for it. We hope you enjoyed it and we look forward to you being with us in the new year. See you next time.