Make like an iguana and slow down
E175: Rest & Recap 25 - The "Awe" Series
Visitors are encouraged to disconnect from their devices
and immerse themselves in the natural wonders of this World
I am enjoying a special awe-filled vacation with my family, so this edition is preset to publish.
Consistent with the message of our 25 rest editions1, I’ve made a personal commitment to switch off as much as possible, to slow my heart beat right down, to honour the Rest, Recovery and Restoration, and—most importantly—to be PRESENT with the people most precious to me.
I'd written the previous paragraph before I left. I have since learned that an iguana's normal heart beat is the same as a human’s, but they can slow it down to 15 beats per minute so they can spend upto 45 minutes underwater eating algae.
They also know thing or two about taking advantage of the weather. They hang out on the warm sunny lava rock absorbing the heat, and only move when warmed up.
I should take lessons on coexisting with Mother Nature from this big guy.
Internet is overworked here, but come back next week and there will be a panel of these slouching beauties right here! (Placeholder)
PS. Hey Eric Ho, you asked for a photo!
Rest element 25: You are encouraged to disconnect
Welcome to our 25th discussion on the topic of rest.
When is the last time you intentionally disconnected? My son’s friends have a tradition when they gather together. All the phones get placed in the centre of the table. The first person who reaches for theirs before the meal ends pays the entire bill.
It appears that this idea of momentarily separating ourselves from our screens and re-engaging with the natural world is mainstreaming, in part thanks to world wide initiatives sparked by Jon Haidt’s book Anxious Generation. [Thanks to
for reading this in her book club.]Have you intentionally pencilled in pockets of time in 2025 where you and your screens socially distance? Where you are again introduced to that wonderful voice in your head: yours?
Recap: Digest of issues 169 - 174 … how it all fits together
Awe was the central theme in this 25th cycle of seven2:
I want to thank
for introducing me to @Garrett “Scooter” Oyama. He drew my attention to the immense power of awe for development, resilience and recovery. And creativity. And now I see it everywhere.Six (5+1) editions seen through the eyes of my readers:
When I publish these recaps, I act as my own AI! What did you pick up that Awe was a connecting thread this most recent cycle of seven? I re-engage with my original essay inspired by your reflections back on what resonated most strongly. I notice variations on a theme, and unintended connections. So please keep writing in!
Also, someone’s comment below may inspire you to go back and take a second longer look at how a particular essay jostled around in your memory banks:
In this podcast interview, I shared my most memorable “awesome” experience — chasing a double sunset with my father. But HUGE GRATITUDE to Garrett “Scooter” Oyama - this conversation has now placed an additional lens on how I evaluate the world and its opportunities.
E169 - How does awe spark imagination?
“encountering awe as a vast mystery that transcends your understanding. You feel this openness that breaks your framing,” “You will never look at the world the same way again.” Once your mind encounters this phenomenon, it completely changes the way you frame the world. It explodes the range, boundaries and number of potential solutions you now consider
Themes: Awe, Nature/Climate, lessons from other dimensions, podcast guest, 21st-century skills, Raising Future-Ready Leaders
With the awe lens firmly on, I reconsidered “Who designed the avocado?” and how does one side of the pit pull so easily away while the other hugs the half so resolutely. And more importantly, what do we notice around us?
Your answers did not disappoint. (Nor did the many suggestions on how to remove the pit without damaging my palm!)
writes : I love how the Carolina Wren has a fierce, grumpy visage (grace à the white eyebrow) but has a beautiful song. writes : Noticing is the first step, indeed. I love that you show your readers a unique perspective that make us think deeply about even the smallest topics. Thank you for stretching this muscle and bringing us closer to awe! writes : do not, under any circumstance, look up the origin of the name of the avocado. Even the ancient Nahuatl speakers had a sense of humor.Themes: Awe, The Art of Noticing Signals, Heirloom skills, 21st-century skills, Raising Future-Ready Leaders
Through the Eyes of a Child
This celebration edition is dedicated to Eric who will be piloting the skies on Christmas Day. Our conversation on your childhood treasure and the wisps of things we remember inspired parts of this essay. Thank you for reading ‘Tilt the Future’ regularly, Eric!
It is also dedicated to Emma Dorge and all young mothers this celebration week. Enjoy the little moments. Make great memories.
This Christmas essay hit a note with so many people, part for the glee, the joy, the personal memories … and the reminder to create memories for the knee-high people in our lives. I got so many personal emails, calls, texts!
Inspiration for essays is challenging. This essay came about through three events:
an essay titled “No time for sickness” by Emma Dorge
a conversation with Eric on childhood memories
- who had me on as a podcast guest and asked for the story of the Little Red Ball
Ideas for essays come from serendipitous conversations such as these!
a child engages with the world from a completely different perspective. They are only knee-high. They don’t see what we see. They approach the world with an innocence.
We may curate the opportunities we present them, but we cannot pre·scribe the memories they form.
From
(mother of littles): KARENA 😭😭😭😭 this means so much to me. "Enjoy the little moments. Make great memories." I had this ringing in my mind all season long. writes : Karena, this post and its wonderful perspectives comes at a perfect time as I navigate being a parent to teenage daughters, needing to remember that a lot is going on inside them that I have no idea about, and my view of the world as their parent, may be, and probably is, nothing like their view.Themes: Gratitude, Raising Future-Ready Leaders
I see all of Tribe Tilt as a blessing. Your presence and support got me through a very challenging year.
I could repeat the entire blessing as a quote - it was so powerful and simple. This blessing is invitation to start now, right where we are.
When you bless someone, you literally call the force of their infinite self into action, said John O’Donohue.
May you have the courage to hold onto hope,
the compassion to do the good that is yours to do
Themes: word for the year, resilience, hope
The same. But different?
Brooke is surprised to receive a letter on her birthday … from herself! Linart expresses gratitude to those who have been a part of his year … and sends it more intimately as a short personal video message. These are year-end practices that caught my attention in the past week.
Thanks to
who asked the question: What is your favourite end of year tradition? I decided to share the ones that fascinated me … “Amazing to others” in the words of Derek Sivers.Understanding the language and muscle memory of transition moments is also a healthy first step to teaching us how to navigate through uncertainty. So year-end practices serve as great conversation tools to help those a step behind us to blend gratitude, progress, failure-as-learning, and planning, as ways to engage with other transitional moments in their lives.
New Year traditions, last year reviews, New Year’s resolutions … all these fall under those cyclical transitions. Point this out to your teen who might be struggling with ways to manage some bigger life transitions looming on their horizons. Help them recognize patterns and frameworks.
Transition and change management is a core 21st-century skill.
Themes: 21st-century skills, transitions, gratitude, community
This is part of a new category in our newsletter - where I share the work of some emerging or established authors whose essays have a wonderful hum and impact.
Essay Candy: Heartfelt
thank you for allowing me to share your heart with the others in our community of Tribe Tilt. I hope that, like me, they are not only moved by your heart, your commitment and your writing, but each member of Tribe Tilt starts seeing each other as a unique heart that they carry around with them .“These hearts are magnificent!”
(Place holder - include Ricky's comments)
Themes: 21st-century skills, compassion, transitions & transformation, mindset
If you are seeing a published edition of Tilt the Future with the words “Placeholder” embedded, this will be why:
Connectivity in the Galapagos Islands
Connectivity to WiFi and cell phone service in the Galapagos Islands is limited due to the remote location and conservation efforts. While some places offer WiFi it can be slow and unreliable.
Cell phone signal coverage can be patchy, especially in secluded areas. Visitors are encouraged to disconnect from their devices and immerse themselves in the natural wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, appreciating its delicate balance and pristine environment. Embrace the opportunity to truly experience the unique beauty and tranquility of the Galapagos Islands.
Let me know if you’d like me to include photos of what I hope will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a special edition.
Our small and supportive community in Tribe Tilt believes in the best of humanity - connecting people, sharing ideas, and exploring thoughts respectfully. We believe we can make a difference to the people and places that are precious to us. And that the best idea can come from anyone, anywhere, at any time.
Did you like the concept that every 7th edition is a Rest edition? These digests make a great issue to share with others as you invite them to join our Tribe of difference makers.
Is this your first visit to Tilt the Future? Join our Tribe Tilt by hitting this button below:
Stay healthy. From there all else becomes possible.
See you next week.
Karena
I write in cycles of 7, with the last in the cycle being dedicated to normalizing Rest as a valuable 21st-century skill.
The Mental Wellness series exposes the importance of slowing down. As the world gets more 24/7, we need to stop periodically, take stock, process the information we have learned, and declutter what we do not need. This rest edition is consistent with my focus on developing this 21st-century skill.
I explore new ideas and synergies over the past six weeks of essays. This comes from the "Colosseum of Ideas" concept in Write of Passage. My major themes:
Raising Future-Ready Leaders, including necessary 21st-century skills
Impact of the Future of Work over the next decade
Conversations around Climate that are filled with possibility, hope and empower us towards agency
Karena, cool facts about iguana there. The lessons from iguanas and phones-off dining pair beautifully here - both invite us to slow down, disconnect, and rediscover life's rhythms.