This week I have some quick updates on running đ, reading đ, and writing âď¸. Then I’ll top it off with some hand-wavy philosophical mumbo-jumbo.
Running
Work and rain threw off my running plans this week. I ran 9 miles on Saturday morning from home to meet up with family at a local gym. I’ll run again Monday (President’s Day).
Only 5 weeks left until the LA Marathon. Get after it! I’ll be spending more time to extend runs and achieve longer distances.

Reading
I finished reading ChiRunning by David Dryer and Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport.
ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless Injury-free Running is packed with practical, general running advice and exercises. I would only recommend this book to someone who is an amateur runner and seeks to enhance their running experience.
Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism reminds me of a Buzz Aldrin quote that goes “You promised me Mars colonies. Instead I got Facebook.” The book teaches being intentional about leisure activities and harnessing your attention. By doing this you can accomplish bigger things and find more rewarding experiences. In a year from now you probably won’t remember what you saw on Instagram or watched on Netflix, but you’ll remember learning a new language or musical instrument. Stop swiping through Facebook and go build his damn Mars base.
Digital Minimalism also introduced me to the Mouse Book Club. I signed up for membership and received 3 books in the justice series. I’ve read one of them called Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in all Its Phases by Ida B Wells.

I’ve just started reading a compulsive book buy. It’s George R. R. Martin’s Fire and Blood. The book jumps back in time 300 years before the Game of Thrones takes place. I don’t often read fiction but I think I’ll enjoy this one.
Writing
Not a whole lot of writing news this week. I published the 14th edition of Torrey’s Weekly Report, which covers some new technology for mobile and Mac platforms being delivered by our team.
Torrey’s Blog now has 120 subscribers. Woot! Thank you everyone for all of your support. I’m humbled.
Philosophical Mumbo-Jumbo
This section is dedicated to J, a loyal fan.
Gratitude is the mortar which holds together Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow is an American psychologist known for Maslow’s hammer, stated “if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail”. He is even more well known for inventing Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
Maslow’s Hierarchy is usually drawn as a pyramid. The lower levels are pre-requisites to the higher ones. Physiological needs must be satisfied before safety needs, for example.

Self-actualization means being your best self, letting your talents blossom, and reaching your potential. Esteem means feeling respected and appreciated including by yourself (self-esteem). Love/belonging is about being part of communities and higher causes. Safety needs are about not fearing harm. And physiological needs are basic things like food, water, air, shelter, and WiFi. Just kidding about WiFi.
Gratitude is a path to happiness. We know that practicing gratitude makes us more happy. But what do you practice being grateful for? You can start with the first level of Maslow’s pyramid, and then add in the other four.
By expressing gratitude in this way, you reinforce to mind the feeling all your needs are satisfied. The practice cements the pyramid’s bricks together, allowing it to build upwards. Through gratitude, you know you can worry less about finding dinner, and focus more energy on manifesting your given talents, and giving back.
Gratitude is the mortar which holds together Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.