Remember, you're doing this for yourself

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I would argue, vehemently, that Rodney Mullen had a greater impact on his sport than any other athlete has had on any other sport.

Rodney Mullen invented street skateboarding. He was figuring things out in the early '80s that are the foundation of everything that's come since. Seeing him skate in five different decades (!) has been a beautiful thing.

But man there's so much more to him. He does a lot of speaking these days. Ted talks and so on. The thoughtfulness and perspective and connections he makes, between skating and life, is really inspiring to me.  

The super short episode of the Bulletproof Thoughts series below features some of his thinking around the fear of falling and the importance of getting back up. If that strikes your fancy, I'd definitely suggest this longer interview. He's my kind of people.

Why I think this world should end

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I first saw this video more than a year ago. It made me realize how cynical we've become as a culture. And it encouraged me to steer my little corner of the world in a different direction. 

After I started Limes, I thought the video would be a great thing to post. But I couldn't remember who created it or what it was called. Googling "awesome black guy, busted up house, optimism" didn't pan out.

Today, finally, I came across it again on facebook. So here it is. I really think you should watch it.

If you wake up tomorrow...

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If you wake up tomorrow...

I woke up again this morning.

You did too. (Yes you did, I thought it through: You read therefore you am.)

This is an incredible thing, waking up every day. It's a cosmic mulligan – a daily do-over or, if you really rang the bell the day before, it's a hey-you-get-to-do-it-again-ya-lucky-bastard! Either way, the chance to start each day anew is a miracle. Sadly, it's one we take almost entirely for granted. (Unless you count all those inspirational instagram quotes which are set in a fun font and superimposed over sunrise photos. P.S. Don't count those.) 

Whether we appreciate it or not, waking up every day is gift.

Now I have to admit... Exactly How we wake up in the morning I have no idea. I suspect a blend of physiological whatnot, science things, etc. 

Why we wake up in the morning? There are days I'm not too sure about this one either. But I'm working on it. We all are.

Which brings us to If we wake up in the morning. This is where things get real. Extremely real. Because the fact of the matter is this: While we wake up most days, there's also a day we don't. 

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Love something so much you forget to go the toilet

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This guy, and this video, are wonderful. I really think you should watch it.

And then ask yourself:

"Is there something I love as much as Snowflake loves skiing?"

If so: You're lucky! You get to go do it. 

If not: You're lucky! You get to go find it.

Either way, get going.

THIS IS NOT A SURF FILM

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Those of you that know me know this: Johnny don't surf.

Not that I haven't. And not that I won't again (hopefully soon, I love it). It's just that in my neck of the woods, the only rideable waves are called "wakes."  And the closest we get to surf's up is "snow's down." 

So why am I diving into another surfy post? Because this: Surfers make the best videos. That's just how it is. Or at least they make the most soulful ones.

Trust me, I've at least dabbled in pretty much every solo sport there is: winter, summer, action, silent, hook, bullet, esoteric-stuff-that-white-guys-with-dreadlocks do, you name it.

The point is, my interests tend to careen. And with each new obsession comes hours of youtube time. So it's with absolute certainty that I say no one draws the connections between who they are, and what they do, as well as surfers do. 

The short film "Out of the Black and Into The Blue" is no exception. Of course, the surf footage is spectacular: Ridiculous sets – the likes of which I've never seen. And ridiculous rides – the likes of which I can only imagine in my wildest Spicoli dreams... right before me and Mick wing over to London to jam with the Stones.

But this is not a surf film. 

You can watch it as a surf film, yes. I'm sure director Luke Pilbeam would appreciate it, since that's the film he made.

But once you've watched it, play it again with your eyes closed.

Just listen.

This is a life film. 

Of course, that's the film Luke made too. Surfers just get that kind of thing.

"It's difficult to explain to those who haven't found their calling..."

Props to Luke Pilbeam (Director), Nick Tsang (Music), and Joey Brown (Words).

Twenty-Eight Feet: life on a little wooden boat

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Every single thing about this short documentary is perfect. David Welsford traded his previous reality for one on the sea, living aboard a 50-year old sailboat he restored himself. The simplicity of small spaces and the sea, all together in one life. Damn. 

You can learn more about David here.