Seltzer vibes, Uncomfortable emotions, The four-way test, and Torso twists
HALT on Hump Day 5/21/25
Nobody makes good decisions when they feel Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. HALT on Hump day looks at ways I manage those things in my life. Hopefully you’ll find something that will help your life.
HUNGRY
I’m so into seltzer water. A while back I created a definitive rank of the flavors that nobody could ever dispute.
We may have reached a tipping point because now La Criox is serving up pure vibes.
My wife brought home the new Sunshine flavor. Yep. Sunshine. No description of any flavors.
I hated it. I got a high-pitched floral note that put me off.
My wife guessed it was just every citrus flavor together. I was skeptical because those are all of my favorite flavors.
A quick internet search says she’s right….well, mostly. Citrus plus tropical stuff, maybe pineapple or coconut. And that makes sense. Those are two of the worst flavors!
Hard pass for me. What say you?
ANGRY
I don’t like to think about emotions as bad or negative. Even the ones I don’t like. I used to label them as negative or bad, and it’s a habit I’m working hard to break.
Why?
Because those emotions have something to say, and I ignored the hard ones for too long because I didn’t like the way they made me feel. I didn’t listen to them, and it cost me.
So now I like to label them as “challenging” or “unpleasant.”
In service to making space to listen to them, this prompt asks me to sit with them for a while. To not act, even when I want to.
In my life, these emotions have driven me act with haste, and it’s when I find myself making bad decisions. Fear especially, but anger and loneliness get me. There are others, surely, but those get me the most.
Here’s the prompt:
What does it feel like to sit with uncomfortable emotions without acting on them? What insights do you get from patience in these moments?
LONELY
Last week I gave a talk at a local rotary club with a particular interest in mental health. I didn’t know much about rotary in general before I spoke with the chair of the mental health committee, but he filled me in on the whole thing.
I’m impressed.
I’m impressed for a few reasons. First, I love how much good they strive to put into the community. They told me this chapter’s a pretty active one. If the other chapters do half as much as this one, then we’re in good shape.
People who attach themselves to projects bigger than themselves enjoy so many benefits, so I’m all for organizations who create those opportunities.
I also appreciated how they open their meetings. They call it the Four-way test. It serves as an ethical guideline for making decisions, and I think you could do worse:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
They gave me a coin as a gift for speaking, and it has the test printed on the back as a reminder. Nice keepsake, and a thoughtful organization.
TIRED
If you want a move to put your shoulders to the test, this will do it (and work your abs at the same time. Double bonus!).
Also, it’s pretty simple.
Grab a medium-sized weight. As a frame of reference, I used 10 lbs and struggled (but I only have 1 shoulder blade, so…..).
Hold on to each end with one hand. The picture shows a vertical weight, but I find it more difficult if you hold it horizontal.
Hold the weight out with your arms parallel to the floor. Slowly twist 90 degrees without moving your feet.
Then go back to the center.
Stop.
Now to the other side.
Back to the center and pause.
That’s one.
Try to get to 15. It’s hard!
Thank you for reading. If you liked something in here, send it to a friend. There’s a good chance they will smile, I’ll definitely smile, and I bet you will, too. Trifecta!
That sunshine flavor is absolutely delicious!