Archive for unicycle riding
Sensory Processing Disorder and The Logical Soul
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This morning in Section D of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution I read with interest of a “new” disorder called Sensory Processing Disorder, or SPD. In running through some of the symptoms, I became aware that I, too, had probably suffered through this disorder as a child since as many as 1 in every 6 children have it, according to “one study” not cited by the article.
The article went on to say that efforts are being made to make SPD “official” so insurance can reimburse treatment that can run from $100 to $350 an hour. There is even a “Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation” in Greenwood Village, Colorado if you want another charity to support.
I, of course, have mixed feelings about this. The awareness of such a disorder is a great step forward. On the other hand, people are not symptoms. Even if I did have SPD at one time (and suffered), I overcame it. I don’t believe there is ANY setback so great that it cannot be overcome in some way. This is the heart and soul of The Logical Soul(tm) technique and philosophy.
DECISIONS – whether childhood or ancestral – form the basis of all “complexes,” according to Huna. Therefore, changing the decision can therefore unravel the complex. Symptoms are often very similar from one complex to the next. Many of these symptoms share a similar origin – the “subconscious being” has decided to shut down, at least in part, in order to survive.
This reminds me of the days when I used to be interested in Astrology. I noticed that while gifted Astrologers can indeed reveal remarkable things, daily Horoscopes are relatively useless.  I could see myself in every single description printed! I eventually overcame my fascination with the art when I began seeing people as an ongoing list of astrological “symptoms” instead of human beings.
Like that, symptoms of SPD, when not understood by a long-term observers, can look remarkably like OCD, ADHD and a host of other alphabet soup diseases. Until we can begin to understand the REAL cause of such disorders – soul orientation and intent – we will continue to add to the litany of suffering.
Can you help this man??
BTW, I’m starting a foundation for URAD, or “Unicycle Riding Addiction Disorder.” It strikes 1 person in every 500,000 and can lead to serious addictive behavior such as showing off, numbness of the crotch, reverting to childhood fantasies, hyperventilation, and occasional cuts, bruises and other injuries.
Because, however, URAD does lead to helping others, it should be reimbursed by insurance (or by small donations of $5, $10, or more).
1000 Miles on a Unicycle!
Posted by: | CommentsI’m going to ride 1000 miles over the next year for The Himalayan Children’s Charity. Here’s the story of how it got started on August 1st, 2010…
For More Information, check out 1000MileProject.org.
Unicycle Valentines Day
Posted by: | CommentsJust for fun, Brigitte and Michael Craig visited their friends Chuck and Melinda Powell on Tybee Island, Georgia over the Valentines Day weekend. Michael had a chance to get out and chase seagulls on his unicycle. Exclusive footage; enjoy!
How to AVOID Achieving All Your Goals . . .
Posted by: | CommentsIn the last two blog posts, I wrote about the uncanny power of our own mental potential, and about how our weakest link is our CONSCIOUS MIND. This post is about how to strengthen this weakest link without going through a lot of psycho-analysis, self-help courses and books.
Enjoy . . . and USE it!
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Pearl Harbor
Happy Pearl Harbor Memorial Day. This is the day that America made a decision to go to war . . . and finished that monumental task in fine fashion (at least from our point of view!). We set a goal and accomplished it.
On a lesser note, this is also the day that marks only 17 shopping Days ‘til Christmas!
Are you out looking for that special gift for that special someone? Or are you, like me, waiting until the very last minute and ordering online, hoping to get that thing in before the US Mail decides to shut down on the 24th? Assuming the Postman decides NOT to cater to our whim, we have a “contingency plan†of begging and blaming, i.e., give her a card with sincere apologies along the words “Well it SHOULD have been here by now…â€
I notice we all do it – sabotage our success. But why? The road to success is not easy, but really quite simple. As the lesson of Pearl Harbor taught us, just finish what you start.
“It’s not what you do in life that counts; it’s what you finish.†– Kathryn Hepburn
Oh, there are plenty of excuses (and lots of blame to throw around) but why would we bother to agree to something and proceed NOT to finish or do it properly? Is it laziness? Inherent stupidity? Are we at the whim of a vengeful God? Or are we just overwhelmed with possibilities, don’t know how to say “no,†and forget what we agreed to??
I vote the last one. Remember the story of the dog with the bone in his mouth? He was standing on a bridge staring into his own reflection in the water. He wanted SO BADLY to get that OTHER dog’s bone that he dropped the one he had in his mouth to jumps into the water to get the other one.
Like that, we make a snap – mostly reflexive – decision about some item that we feel should be on our agenda, then jump before we realize it is all part of our own illusion. This promised “bone†is very seductive, if only because it is new and fresh. It could be a
- “once-in-a-lifetime money-making opportunity,â€
- “must have†new pair of bejeweled jeans, or a
- lover who “gets us†so much better than our existing mate.
Whatever the reason to jump ship, cut short our existing project or commitment, or just spread ourselves too thin, is it so important that we give up our very center? Our peace of mind? I think not.
Part of a complete “mental detox†program is to actually DECIDE (consciously, not subconsciously) that a particular course of action is worthwhile . . . then proceed to finish it NO MATTER WHAT.
By doing this even a few times, you will build up the mental strength (i.e., habit) to continue doing this over and over again. Then you know what? You WILL accomplish your goals. You WILL gain that elusive peace of mind.
“But Dr. Craig, what if I decide half-way through that this course of action is a waste of time and counter productive?â€
Hey, if you REALLY feel it is that way, then quit. Be aware, however, that every time you start something and quit, you are driving another nail into your own “success coffin†and weakening the mental strength you would need to finish other, more important project!
Do this simple exercise: If you have trouble completing goals – say finishing a whole book – make a very small one, like reading two pages by next week. Then DO IT. Then set another goal, i.e, read 3 pages before another week. Then do that!
Before you know it, one of two things will happen – either you will complete what you set out to do, or you will do MORE than you set out to do, get bored, and do even more!
Raymond Aaron
I did and it made a HUGE difference in my ability to accomplish my goals. With the help of Raymond Aaron, I set out last May to ride my new unicycle 3 miles in one month. Now I ride almost 3 miles per day, and I did this by setting (and completing) very small goals each time.
Try it for 3 weeks, long enough to establish this action as a new habit. Then write me to say how it went!
Hey I can still do that One-Wheel-Riding Thing!
Posted by: | CommentsThey say that you never forget how to ride a bicycle. I guess “they” can add “Unicycling” to that list of unforgetable skills, because this 56-year-old guy apparently didn’t.Â
The last time I rode a unicycle was before 1970, about 40 years ago. I hung up my wheel after years of being labeled a weirdo and show off. Since I don’t have any need to avoid such labels these days, I figured I’d make a go of it once again, especially since mentor Raymond Aaron gave me permission by publicly stating he was one of us weirdos.    Â
But this whole unicycle thing was harder than I thought. First, I had to buy a new one because my old 24-inch Lizzie had (almost) breathed its last tire-breath. A 29-inch one-eyed road warrior is my new ticket to adventure, and I wanted to take her out for a spin right away. I had already made an outrageous goal of riding five miles before June 1st, and the month was almost over.Â
The first thing I experienced after sharing my goal with Soma of riding the Cherohala Skyway on a unicycle next year was calmness. Having spent years using the Logical Soul technique to process through all my “stuff” such as low self-esteem, fear, procrastination and other forms of self-sabotage, I felt really confident making such a bold declaration. I know I can do it . . . and will!Â
The first outing was unsensational, but rewarding. Tuesday, May 19th I was able to keep my balance and tool on down the highway (in a local public park) with a minimum of spills. One mile down, four to go. So far so good.Â
The next day I did my second mile, although I started to feel my age on the uphill grades. My wife Soma took these pics of me after a full day’s work on a a house renovation. I slept well that night, despite some throbbing in the left knee.Â
Two miles down, three to go…
I worked a full day on Friday, then came home and hopped on my unicycle in front of my house, just to ride to the corner of the block as I did the first day.Â
Big mistake. I immediately felt wobbly and crashed after only 200 feet down
the road, plowing my head into the asphalt. It was REALLY good I had my helmet on . . . a blow like that would have sent me to the hospital for sure!
Needless to say, I didn’t continue the ride. I figured out that a state of exhaustion where I can barely walk is not the best time to do a rolling balancing act! Besides, I had quite a headache afterwards and decided to wimp out and head for the showers. I’ve got another week to log three more miles.Â
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I’ll be better prepared this weekend.Â
