Good AF: Vol. 3 -- Alcohol Free (And The Other One)
Your Monthly List of Recommendations to Listen, Read, Watch, and More
Good conversations, great drinks, and even better people; who wouldn’t want to be at a party like that? The best part is we got to go to that party at Mindful Drinking Fest in DC. A group of non-alcoholic shop owners, NA beer/wine/spirits producers, creatives, and folks who are sober-curious, sober, alcohol free, pick your experience, or just want to drink less alcohol and live more mindfully. It was unquestionably Good AF, and can’t wait to share more as we channel it into our bottle shop start up: Gone Dry Booze Free Bottle Shop.
Whatever you’re up to today, here are a few recommendations to pass the time:
Listen: A Radical Buddhist Approach To Making This The Best Year of Your Life with Vinny Ferraro — 10% Happier is in my regular podcast rotation, and this episode doesn’t disappoint. Vinny is a treat to listen to and and like so many Buddhist teachers has a way of taking complex topics and relaying them in a way that is easy to understand without sacrificing depth. This one dives into the five remembrances (below) and might sound heavy, but feels like a great practice for most folks to engage with (especially the way Vinny talks about them):
1. I am of the nature to grow old, I cannot escape old age.
2. I am of the nature to get sick, I cannot escape sickness.
3. I am of the nature to die, I cannot escape death.
4. All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.
5. I inherit the results of my actions of body, speech, and mind. My actions are my continuation.
Read: You Were Never Broken: Poems to Save Your Life by Jeff Foster —
I don’t remember how I found this book, but I’m so glad I did. Likely some web search for self-compassion or something similar. This one is short and easy to read. I used it as a start/end to my day, reflecting on a poem or two to settle or center my mind. I wasn’t looking for something to save my life when I found it, but buying it was nothing short of life-giving. This one will be at the top of my recommendations list for the foreseeable future. If you or someone you know could use a pick me up or some kind and soft words for the journey, pick up a copy. You won’t be disappointed.Tunes: Fresh Folk Playlist Spotify I’ve been in a bit of a music rut lately, not unhappily. I've been listening to a lot of Solfeggio frequencies and “spa music.” So much so that “Cat Calming” has been a recommended playlist on my Spotify; yes, I’m that cool. On the way to the airport this morning, I queued up the Fresh Folk playlist and it’s been great, gems so far: “Rain or Shine” (Drew Holcomb & Erin Holcomb), “Oak Tree” (Arcy Drive), and “Dead Man Walking.” (Monrovia).
Watch: Queer Eye or Bad Sisters. Two recs: one that feels Good AF and one that is gripping but not as spirit-lifting.
Queer Eye (Netflix): Just caught the first two episodes of the new season last night and I teared up in both of them. Maybe I’m a soft-y, but I love seeing people come alive with a fresh perspective and a reminder that there’s still life to be lived in and through them.
Bad Sisters (Apple TV): We started watching this one, and man, it is gripping. Some of the endings have been so engaging that we start the next one to chill out a bit before bed. Yeah, I’m still that cool. The antagonist in this series is one of the most dis-likeable, hate-able, loathe-able I can remember. I’m sure the actor is a great person, but he’s the absolute worst in this series. Watch if you like shows that tend a bit dark with some comedic relief.
Practice: Looking for the one who is hearing. This one’s a bit abstract. Start off sitting, eyes closed and take a few slow breaths. Then, just sit, and listen. Hear whatever you hear: traffic, voices, heater kicking on and off, silence. Then, ask: “who is hearing?” That’s it. Can you find the one who is hearing? If you want some recommendations for guided meditations in this area, shoot me a message.
Imbibe: Miso Gingerbread Mocktail from Olivia Noceda — If you’re into non-alcoholic drinks and aren’t following Oliva Noceda here or on Instagram, do yourself a favor and go follow or subscribe to her. This mocktail was absolutely delicious: sweet (not overly so) and savory (thanks miso). I forgot to infuse the milk with gingerbread cookies and didn’t make the gingerbread crumb rim (forgot the cookies at the store), but this was still a great treat on a cold, winter night. Kind of close to a White Russian, or the grown-up sophisticated drink a White Russian wishes it could be.
The "Cat Calming" playlist recommendation nearly took me out 😂 I'm so glad you shared that. Also, LOVE Monrovia.
I'm intrigued by the miso drink! Miso is one thing I've been craving more of lately, so I may have to give this one a try. Thank you for sharing, Josh.