Paleo is...
Colin Pistell Monday, August 22, 2011 at 10:18AM There have been quite a few interesting blog posts coming in the wake of the Ancestral Health Symposium (btw, have you noticed the talks are going up? Check 'em out!)
Before we go much further check out this great post by Josh on the Exuberant Animal blog. Then you really should read this article by Frank.
***
I love talking about memes. They are the driving force behind our cultural evolution. After listening to a lot of good (and some bad) ideas in Los Angeles I've come up with some memelets of my own. I release them here in the hopes that you will let me know what you think of them, share them with friends, and then observe how they might change the conversation. I'll start broad and get more interesting.
You ready?
Paleo is more than diet and exercise. As Frank said, a continued emphasis on tiny pieces will weaken the overall message. The pieces are important. But only when combined into a whole. Not to fall back on hackneyed terms, but this is a lifestyle. There's more to health than HIIT and eating grass-fed steak.
Paleo is taking radical responsibility for yourself. Your health is ultimately up to you. Not Robb Wolf, Erwan Le Corre, Mark Sisson, Sally Fallon, (me?), etc. All of those folks have great things to say and you should look to them for ideas and guidance. But it all comes down to you. If I had a magic wand that I could wave to make everyone healthy and strong I would not do it - because we wouldn't learn anything.
Paleo is taking radical responsibility for others. You are your environment. You are your community. That's not some metaphysical mumbo-jumbo. It's fact. If you don't believe me, go down to your local sewage treatment plant, dip a glass in the water, take a deep drink, and see what happens. We are responsible for each other and our environment. Be kind. Be helpful. Pick up trash. Cultivate strong communities.
Paleo is about paring away. This is not something you add to your life. It's a process of stripping away non-essentials. Ultimately, it's all about your connection to the world. Usually, material things just get in your way. For too long the story of western culture has been about the mindless acquisition of stuff. Stuff we don't need... often paid for with money we don't have. More Stuff won't make you happy. Instead...
Paleo is a craving for new experiences. We are a curious species. We are explorers. We are story-tellers. Material things depreciate in value after we get them. Memories appreciate in value. Get out there. Try new things. Test yourself. Growth is not something that happens to you. You make it happen - by going there. Get lost. Get dirty. Get caught. Hang off the edge of a mountain. Ride out a storm at sea.
Paleo is a deep appreciation of simple magic. The world is incredible. And you don't need to go to the Marrakesh Night Market to experience something amazing. Watch a spider build a web. Watch a pretty girl dance. If you're in the Triangle area of North Carolina, go check out Paperhand Puppet Intervention's latest masterpiece "The Serpent's Egg" With a few pieces of wood, some old paint, and an abundance of creativity they've created real magic.
...I could go on but I'd rather hear what you have to say. I'll leave with this "Paleo" mindset: Life is a gift and it doesn't last long. Don't wait to try things. Be a creative force. Contribute. Offer to help and don't be afraid to ask for help. Be grateful for what you have. It was true for our ancestors and it remains true for us.
Please add to this list in the comments below!
