<h1>Episode Notes</h1>
<p>Thich Nhat Hanh argues that we can be mindful about every thing that we do. In this episode, Matt reflects on the role of pain in increasing our mindfulness. A brief overview of Thich Nhat Hanh's teaching and life can be found at <a href="https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/" rel="nofollow">https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/</a>.
Opening music is "Memory" by the band, Creo. Under Creative Commons. Found on <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/" rel="nofollow">https://freemusicarchive.org/</a></p>
<p>This podcast is powered by <a href="https://pinecast.com" rel="nofollow">Pinecast</a>.</p>

S1E4 - Two Fears

Life has meaning.

Yours. Mine. Everyone’s.

That’s it! That’s my big audacious claim.

Now, some may claim to know what that meaning is. 

But my suspicion? They’re making it up. Because we all are. 

And that, is a very good thing. 

Us humans, we are meaning making machines. Pattern recognizers. Maybe even pattern inventors. We are storytellers. And the stories we receive and tell, they shape us. They help us create and discover our meaning.

So where do we get these stories? 

Some might argue that we only create meaning from our most established teachers: Our family of origin, our culture, our greatest thinkers, and our sacred texts and traditions. And we can certainly create meaning from these.

But, we also discover meaning through unexpected and commonly overlooked means: Watching our children play with abandon. Losing ourself in the well chosen words of our favorite song or poem. By noticing how a moment of solitude can both embrace us and unnerve us. 

If we are paying enough attention, each moment, from the mundane to the sublime can be our teacher. We can make Something From Everything. 

So how do we make meaning in our lives? How do we tell a better story?

Well that’s what this podcast is all about. Reflections on the events and ideas surrounding us to discover meaning and connections.

Welcome to Something From Everything.