Right now I feel a combinative pain, slight, but still recognizable. It’s a dash of loneliness (people/place pain); I’m here on the computer by myself. I don’t feel particularly focused or motivated (place pain). It’s just a “bleh” feeling. My friend Lewis just called and says that’s he’s decided that “working all day” is counterintuitive and does not produce the results that he wants because he’s in a bad “place” mentally and wants to go for a hike.

I am so results driven right now. Isn’t that what counts? What happened to “process-driven”. I like the results I am getting. I even like the process in which I am doing it. Maybe the feeling I feel now isn’t pain, but actually success. Success is calm. You’re here, Dao. Enjoy it for a second.

Results:
- got aubrey to laugh and smile
- body is strong for massage/moving work
- feel confident after being able to trnzport 21 days straight
- phone response from SA petsit

1. that I matter to someone.
2. That someone needs me here.
3. That I stand out to someone.
4. That I am a substantial source of happiness for someone.
5. To have someone warm and cuddly to hold and be held at night.

Most of the time it means more to me when I am moving away from pain.

A huge fan of radical lifestyle experiments, he has already read all 33,000 pages of the Encyclopedia Britannica, experimented with Radical Honesty for an article called “I Think You’re Fat”… even pretended to be his nanny online to try to find her a boyfriend.

Now he’s done the ultimate.

As an agnostic New Yorker, he attempted to follow every rule of the Bible literally for an entire year.

Madame T operates a brothel. Here’s a Q&A with my new friend and business mentor, Madame T (real identity withheld)

As you were growing up, what was unique about your family as compared to other families in your neighborhood, or families of your friends?

This was my most radical experiment yet. It affected everything I did – the way I ate, talked, dressed, thought, and touched my wife.

I did it because I wanted to see if I was missing anything. And I have to say, the benefits were huge. I’ve carried over a lot of thinking and behavior from my Year of Living Biblically. Even if you aren’t particularly religious – in fact, even if you’re a diehard atheist – I believe there are lessons to be learned from the Bible and a biblical lifestyle.

If money and time weren’t an issue, what would you most like to do?

Two types of rules were hardest for me. First, there was avoiding the sins we commit every day – no lying, no gossiping, no coveting. I’m a journalist in New York. That’s like 70 percent of my day.

The second type of difficult rules were those that will get you into trouble if you follow them in modern-day America. For instance, the Old Testament rule that you should stone adulterers. Luckily, I was able to stone one adulterer. I was in the park dressed in my biblical garb (white clothes, a beard, sandals, walking stick) and a man came up to me and asked why I was dressed so strangely. He seemed hostile right from the start. I explained to him my project. And he said “I’m an adulterer. Are you going to stone me?” I said, “That would be great.”

I took out a handful of pebbles – because the Bible never specifies the size of the stones. This man actually grabbed the stones from my hand and chucked them at my face. I felt I had the right to retaliate, so I tossed a pebble at him. And in that way I stoned.

Do you think many people are misguided in their “creed over deed” mentality?

[Note from Tim: “Creed over deed” refers to people who value religious belief more than moral behavior. “Deed over creed” would be the opposite.]

I wouldn’t say misguided. But I’d say most of us do underestimate the power that behavior has to shape thought.

It’s astounding. I watched it happen to myself. For instance, I forced myself to stop gossiping, and eventually I started to have fewer petty thoughts to gossip about. I forced myself to help the needy, and found myself becoming less self-absorbed. I never became Ghandi or Angelina Jolie, but I made some strides.

I even watched it happen with prayer. After a year of praying, I started to believe there’s something to the idea of sacredness. It was remarkable. So if you want to become someone different, just start acting like the person you want to be. It’s like that business motto – ‘fake it till you make it’ – but it works on a spiritual and ethical level as well.

Even with my wardrobe, I saw how the outer affects the inner. There’s a line in the Bible that says your “garments should always be white.” I decided to take that literally, and walked around in white clothes. It affected my mood. I felt happier, lighter. Clothes make the man. I felt I couldn’t be in a bad mood if I looked like I was about to play the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

What were some of the greatest benefits of following rules to the letter, and what are the things that have stuck with you since ending the experiment?

It was fascinating. I’d always loved freedom of choice. It’s why I went to a loosey-goosey liberal arts college with no core requirements. But this experiment was all about freedom FROM choice. Or at least a minimal-choice lifestyle. I had a set structure: Should I read the gossip magazine about Cameron Diaz’s latest sex romp? No. Should I give 10 percent of my money to the needy? Yes. Should I turn off my email on the Sabbath (as both the Bible and Tim Ferriss recommend)? Yes.

In fact, there was something Ferriss-esque about the entire way of living. It reminded me of your low-information diet, for instance. In some ways, it was a huge time-saver.

What would you call yourself now?

I’d call myself a “reverent agnostic.” Whether or not there is a God, I believe there’s something to the idea of sacredness. Rituals can be sacred. The Sabbath can be sacred. And there’s an importance to that.

I’d also say that I’m a fan of cafeteria spirituality. During my experiment, I learned that you cannot follow the entire Bible. It’s impossible. You must pick and choose. Everyone does it, whether they admit it or not. Otherwise, we’d end up stoning adulterers on the street.

Some call this ‘cafeteria religion,’ and it’s meant as a disparaging phrase. But I say: There is nothing wrong with cafeterias! I’ve had some great meals at cafeterias. I’ve also had some turkey tetrazzini that made me dry heave. The key is to chose the right dishes – the ones about compassion and tolerance, and leave the ones about hatred and intolerance on the side. So in my year, there was this amazing balance between choosing your religion, which then leads to fewer decisions on a daily basis.

And finally, I’d call myself a reformed individualist. I still see the value of individualism, but I’ve taken it down a few notches. As one of my spiritual advisers told me, you can look at life in one of two ways: As a series of rights and entitlements, or as a series of responsibilities. The biblical way is to look at it as a series of responsibilities – to your family and to your society. It’s like the JFK quote – “ask not what your country (or world) can do for you, ask what you can do for your country (or world).”

What was the hardest for your wife to put up with?

Well, my wife’s a saint. At one point, I built a biblical hut in our living room, and she didn’t appreciate the construction project in our apartment. Also, the Bible says not to touch women during that time of the month. Even more strictly, though, it says you shouldn’t sit in a seat where an “impure” woman has sat. My wife didn’t like that, so in retaliation, she sat on every seat in our apartment. I was forced to do a lot of standing that year.
—

Do yourself a favor, whether you’re a bible beater or a beret-wearing atheist, and go get AJ’s book. I put more notes in this book than any book in recent memory.

Today’s results:
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-
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Day Log
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

Morn’
+ walked this morning
+ spent night at thuan’s, m.i.t. 4HWW get the book.
+ continue with habits despite activity/chaos of mv.chuck, harold, and thuan here
- Mv.Chuck is being evasive (e-mail confirm)
- assumed Barnes would have 4HWW
Noon
+ met nice client, chuck and jeanie moving and yard work (fotos)
+ good to take opportunity to do extra work and decision making to stop for myself and harold and keep repoir w/ chuck
Evening
+ nice walk at walnut creek with backdrop
+ good decision to stay over at thuan’s
- reconfronted effectiveness, are my activities producing results? i dunno

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October 13, 2007 – Saturday

Day Log
Category: Life

i.Morn’
+ interesting people on the bus, who is disadvantaged here? (insert fotos)
- no gameplan, template approach w/ girls. Aubrey whats the next step?
- exhausted when I got home, pace too fast? again felt unfocused and unmotivated
+ took baby steps and it makes a whole world of difference
ii. Noon’
- poor emotional experience noontime; don’t know what’s wrong
+ rediscovered my need for significance and love; I need comfort in that department
iii. Evening’
+ shut down youtube after realizing what seems to be my return to depression
+ went for walk despite our bad feelings; love this october weather in austin, ran into cuddly black cat
+ continued with goals, they’re easy! most
+ Thuan saved me inviting to karaoke with Madame T. insert fotos
+ fell asleep to let’sbefriends.blogspot.com

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October 12, 2007 – Friday

Day Log
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

i.Morn’
+ not feelin’ too motivated, slumped after walgreens and trying to catch a bus…but still keeping habits
+ lousy mood back at home but keeping habits…just focused one step at a time.
- girl at walgreens I liked her but nosucceeded, (should have photoed, gameplan converse template)
- lost focus with bus5 time, tried to go after it by bike, no success other than to tire myself.
ii. Noon’
+ reaffirmed importance of mental health. rediscovered zenhabits. He’s got a great map.
+ Yay! get to masturbate today! (I have weekly scheduled self time)
+ Identified my feelings earlier as stress, but of what kind? (Maybe not living up to dad’s expectations?)
iii. Evening’
+ decided to play tennis with thuan and kimberly (insert photo)
+ sleepy, been up since 3:33 AM but do NOT want to break chain. yay!
+ received phone call to babysit! holy yay! so darn happy! (taste of family life)
+ discovered where the hell is matt blog

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October 11, 2007 – Thursday

Day Log
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

i.Morn’
+ keeping goals
+ witnessed unshaven, poorly dressed man make move on cute girl and she responds! awesome!
+ I look/feel smooth, great riding my bike
- tried taking photos but can’t do it candidly =(
- bit low on energy this morning, not eating right
- uncomfortable silence with Charlie (least we could is say ‘hi’)
ii. Noon’
- not in state of focus or motivation; need to adjust something (i think you need affection)
+ good decision to take bag and improvise
iii. Evening’
+/- kept M.I.T. Almost opted not to b/c bike lock, bag
- no place for bikelock so forced to take backpack. (could have just gone in hand cuz small tranzport distance)
+ yay one photo, need more
+ jumped in there, discovered, yes others are shy as I
+ adapted to when they turned out boring we stuck in there, once you choose commit.
- need to brush my teeth before talking.
+ awesome! backpack at 1/2 priced.
+ awesome caught bus. but got lucky did not preview 338.
+ so exciting! meeting women! so exciting i love it.
+ was my weird self. maybe rubbed tom the wrong way. misintention
- so where was your childhood, misworded, misinterpreted

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October 10, 2007 – Wednesday

Day Log
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

i.Morn’
+ got up at 5:45, caught bus over to Aubrey’s
+ with grace of Aubrey
+ made followup plans w/ aubrey
+/- feeling second day of slump, but still KH unclear about goals?
- camera was misplaced from backpack (keep in hat)
- poor conversation while running (see 1000 questions for couples)
- 5Woodrow and 1Lamar come simultaneously (preview decision)
ii. Noon’
- back hurts either from massage or bike 5W mistake yesterday, both.
- back pain is small but annoying, compunds bad mood (why?)
+ pumped bike tire
+ brother luong called, send him links, b.c.c’d to jimmy and hailey
iii. Evening’
- agitated b/c I’m not doing anything interesting with my free time once habits are done. c’mon!
+ having laptop rocks! but are we really producing?
+ gonna get a chance to hang out with a real madame. Thaun’s ‘mommie’. Happy to see Thuan happy
+ whoa, nance (hook) changed in front of us, nice! Snuck some photos.
+ yay! got to take photos. unsnuck! careless, madame. she’s quite generous. pleasant surprise
- got exhausted, sleepy towards end
- conflicting feelings seeing hooks under madame T. Needs vs. principles.

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October 9, 2007 – Tuesday

Day Log
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

Morn’
+ been waking up nicely; hope in the horizon
- walked, h.e.b., weird bad feeling afterwards, we believe b/c lack of aaa: affection, admiration, approval
- attractive female in line but I felt dirty, unbathed, and unshaved, unattractive, did not smile or introduce
+ ran into cute cat on way home on Payne
Afternoon’
+ Found Clark Perry’s blog about how Thuan saved his life and recognized me in the audience!
- was rude to Eddleman over the phone, thinking aloud has consequencest
- Still in, what I believe to be, a mental funk about being neglected; opted to m.i.t. HCO activity tonight.
Evening
+ yoga in park
+ bolded to take photos while yoga and also afterwards
+ card to jeremiah
+/- plan B bus home, great, M.Zach dispite miscommunication
+/- Sage called. hmm. happy. should have said i love you to sage
- didn’t really get a chance to talk to h.c.o.
- tsk, tsk, tsk. forgot to journal. this is day after fill in (review d.b.t. chains)
- bad decision transfer 5W > 1L. (call for schedules)

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October 8, 2007 – Monday

Day Log
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

A. Morn’
+ kept promise to thuan truck oil change
+ mobilework!, just the freedom to not “have to travel” back. carmax & bus stop. yay!
- did not prepare for rain/weather
- did not foresee getting truck back in an hour, no payment ready, have no cash.
- volunteered that I was not Thuan, mistake? would credit card no. have worked if I white lied?
+ walk to figure out love needs and how best approach like Tim Ferris, 4H Love Week?
- no mental progress other than aim, email love, and hill country once/week
B. Noon
+ m.i.t. complete
+ met positive bus driver
+ took time to take photos on way home (insert woodrow tree/cloud shots)
+ hola. mi llamo david. Usted compró una máquina que cocinaba que se mezclaba de la
mujer oriental en garland. Yo soy su hijo. queremos vender el restaurante. ¿usted sabe de cualquier
- massage.no breathe, no prestretch, inadequate training. no soar. in pain
persona que quiere comprar un restaurante? pagarle mil dólares por su ayuda
C. Evening
+ be hanh calls (we talk boys), teleconference w/ chi (we talk dad)
+ yay for church’s chicken
- again we’re faced with Q2-fix with dad, neutral feelings of apathy dissassociation.
- “I don’t need nobody” disguise. BBW in quiet asian man form.
- am reverting to “minimal work” level w/ habits (but we do a second layer later?)
- feelin’ kind of ansy, stressed gosh. it’s the dad thing?

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October 7, 2007 – Sunday

Day Log
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

i.Morn’
+ scenic walk w/ large food shop, camera buy, thuan help
+ decided if sprint, set sprint length (max 1 days?) followed by pace
+ reviewed nature of the sprint
+ I am beside myself with Tim Ferris’s 4-hour workweek
+ good decision focus on M.I.T > habits despite above
ii. Noon’
+ Tim Ferris gives me a mental hard on
+ Made bologne sandwiches to go
+ Good decision not to tranzport rug to Thuan’s (priority habits)
+ Moved cool guy Steven and bought massage table $40 (good/bad decision?)
iii. Evening’
+ walked anxiety off, realized I need to do purely fun something ev. day, not habit
+ decided to sing, tennis tomorrow?
- running short on time with habits b/c sidetrack w/ secondary tasks
- am forgetting the strong reasons why i need to stick with priority habits first

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October 8, 2007 – Monday

Day Log
Category: Life

Morn’
+ Kept habits
Afternoon’
+ Kept habits
+ bought noodles (combined walk w/ shoplist)
Evening
+ got a motivational kick with seinfield’s don’tbreakthechain.com

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October 3, 2007 – Wednesday

Day Log
Category: Life

Morn’

+ woke up to inspiration to do retail for income
+ stayed calm in our inspirational zest
+ understood that it’s the habits that produce results

- still can’t find a way to relax and yet not waste time

Noon’

+ effort to connect with roommate, Art
+ coincided walking with transport to bus to thuan’s

Evening

+ helped thuan move, met Nana, made a little money
+ kept our walking/transportation habit
+ read our xanga for habit forming and realized writing xanga’s is a great habit,

+ needs to be daily, not weekly.

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