My moai is my running group that I've been running with for about 8 years. We would often go out to eat after. We travel together often, sometimes for destination races (up to 20 of us) and other activities we enjoy together, such as camping, backpacking and hiking. We are supportive of each other, and share the desire for healthy living. I know that our friendship and ties will continue. It's a wonderful group to have and very thankful to be a part of it.
Love this! I was thinking it was going to be all about food too. Who knew about the moai??? I like that idea of a group that is supportive. For some of us it’s a church women’s group, for some friends, or others family. Whatever it is we choose, I think we need that human connection. I think that is a really huge part of why some people live healthier & live longer. Thanks for this newsletter! It’s got me thinking. 👍🏼
Sweet photo. Reminds me of my early life in Nevada, only it was alfalfa in the fields and not grass.
I've known of Moai most of my life. Did not know the term in Japanese. I've seen it in action with Hindu and Muslim women where they get together every night. I guess the same is true for men.
My two brothers are the closest to what you described--we've carried on the same traditions for years that my parents instilled in us for more than 50 years. . . we all grow our own food, eat simply and know what each other is doing. Small group, long lived ( we're all getting older!),but we love and take care each other.
Being raised as an individual, I've really never been part of a group. Religion was part of my life for awhile--not for me--too regimented. Groups are not really appealing. I prefer being solo. Your newsletter is the closest I come to actually being part of human society. Remarkable job you do at holding like-minded people together! :)
I love this Idea. I am a single, 70 year old woman who wants to create and be part of such a group. Any ideas on how to start the process? Anyone have experience creating a similar group? I think community and local are key ingredients for a rich life.
Thank you for this post. Sorry that your family had to sell the farm. It sounds like a lovely place. I live on a farm as well, and while many people assume that living in a rural area might offer community, I have not had that luck. I am a school teacher and run with my colleagues from work when we compete in races, but as for a real moai like the one mentioned in the article, I have not had luck finding that. I am not religious, so a community around church won't work. After being with my colleagues and kids all day, I really just want to be alone. (they do too) As for finding a running or coffee group, those are easier located in a city. However, this has given me food for thought, and I think it is worth exploring more. If not that then definitely eating until I'm 80% full. I love that idea!
Thank you for putting this up, Terrell. I thought it was all about organic, natural foods, and natural healing that nature gives. I didn’t know that all that fellowship/connection/visiting was such an essential part of it. I will definitely ponder this, because I am SO much of a loner—independent, running alone, don’t care much for visiting except once in a blue moon. I think much of it started as a defense mechanism from youth, so my emotions wouldn’t be crushed anymore. But part of me knows I’m missing out on something. Thank you again.
I love this! I haven't read the book and was under the impression it was all about food so Thank you! I'm going to add to my reading list. Community and connection have been my 2 words for 2022...I just joined a trail running group and looking for other ways to build community in my corner of the world. Thanks again Terrell.
I, like many of you, think of this group as one that I enjoy being a part of. It keeps me motivated and I can relate to the same things others are going through.
Another one of my loves are my two writing groups. I use to pick up a book, and after reading it, say to myself, I either liked it or thought it was garbage... "I could do a lot better!
Now, after being an author for going on fifteen years, I can truthfully admit it's not easy as it looks. It took a lot of time to gain the knowledge at the time I didn't possess. You also have to have a thick skin to read critiques that are not complementary and not get mad but learn from them. I'm proud to say that I've won my share of awards but will never be a Stephen King or a Debbie Macomber. I do it because I like to create something I can be proud of.
I love to run and my husband says that the only place he will run to is the bathroom LOL. He loves to ride his motorcycle and its not my cup of tea. He is part of a motorcycle group and I stick out like a sore thumb because they all dress in leather. I’m a girly girl not a biker at all. Sometimes I kid with them and tell them I’m going to bring my bedazzler and bedazzle their leathers. Even thought I am polars apart to the others this group has become my moai. They go out to the worst places in town and go feed whoever is hungry. It was really, really uncomfortable for me at the beginning because I couldn’t relate to the prostitutes, the homeless or the drug addicts. But I learned that people are people no matter how different we may be we still have the same needs. To be loved, to be heard, to be seen…. Doing this has brought me out of my very introverted shell and I have blossomed and grown as a person and and I’m so thankful for this very unlikely moai I have found. They want to be a part of my world too and they did a 5K with me a few weeks ago. It was funny because they showed up to the race in their motorcycles with their leathers.
This may not be agreeable to all, but I have a somewhat unique Moai for a runner. It is a group of guys I smoke cigars & pipes with once a week. Two close friends own a cigar lounge in my area, which is newly opened, but, we have been doing this for about 11 years.
The group has evolved over the years and have newer people as well. Part of the cool thing is that it is multi-generational. We have guys from 20’s to 60’s. (And yes, ladies join us from time to time. This is not a guys only club.) My 2nd son and oldest daughter join us occasionally.
I have made some deep, lasting friendships and have met a lot of new people. For an introvert this has been an interesting experiment. A couple of guys in the group are physicians. One is a tradesman. Two are small business owners. One is a pastor. And other various occupations.
We talk about a lot of things. Most of the guys like sports. But the young guy and I glaze over and then talk about anything else. We also talk about life, politics (I am the only liberal in the group) and G-d.
It has been great to share life with these guys. I am not saying it is for everyone. But it is my version of moai and I love it!
Terrell, our neighborhood is our moai. Dogs are often the strings that bring us together and our meetings are only chance encounters on the sidewalks, but when there's a problem people do jump in.
My moai is my running group that I've been running with for about 8 years. We would often go out to eat after. We travel together often, sometimes for destination races (up to 20 of us) and other activities we enjoy together, such as camping, backpacking and hiking. We are supportive of each other, and share the desire for healthy living. I know that our friendship and ties will continue. It's a wonderful group to have and very thankful to be a part of it.
Love this! I was thinking it was going to be all about food too. Who knew about the moai??? I like that idea of a group that is supportive. For some of us it’s a church women’s group, for some friends, or others family. Whatever it is we choose, I think we need that human connection. I think that is a really huge part of why some people live healthier & live longer. Thanks for this newsletter! It’s got me thinking. 👍🏼
Sweet photo. Reminds me of my early life in Nevada, only it was alfalfa in the fields and not grass.
I've known of Moai most of my life. Did not know the term in Japanese. I've seen it in action with Hindu and Muslim women where they get together every night. I guess the same is true for men.
My two brothers are the closest to what you described--we've carried on the same traditions for years that my parents instilled in us for more than 50 years. . . we all grow our own food, eat simply and know what each other is doing. Small group, long lived ( we're all getting older!),but we love and take care each other.
Being raised as an individual, I've really never been part of a group. Religion was part of my life for awhile--not for me--too regimented. Groups are not really appealing. I prefer being solo. Your newsletter is the closest I come to actually being part of human society. Remarkable job you do at holding like-minded people together! :)
I love this Idea. I am a single, 70 year old woman who wants to create and be part of such a group. Any ideas on how to start the process? Anyone have experience creating a similar group? I think community and local are key ingredients for a rich life.
Terrell,
Thank you for this post. Sorry that your family had to sell the farm. It sounds like a lovely place. I live on a farm as well, and while many people assume that living in a rural area might offer community, I have not had that luck. I am a school teacher and run with my colleagues from work when we compete in races, but as for a real moai like the one mentioned in the article, I have not had luck finding that. I am not religious, so a community around church won't work. After being with my colleagues and kids all day, I really just want to be alone. (they do too) As for finding a running or coffee group, those are easier located in a city. However, this has given me food for thought, and I think it is worth exploring more. If not that then definitely eating until I'm 80% full. I love that idea!
Thank you for putting this up, Terrell. I thought it was all about organic, natural foods, and natural healing that nature gives. I didn’t know that all that fellowship/connection/visiting was such an essential part of it. I will definitely ponder this, because I am SO much of a loner—independent, running alone, don’t care much for visiting except once in a blue moon. I think much of it started as a defense mechanism from youth, so my emotions wouldn’t be crushed anymore. But part of me knows I’m missing out on something. Thank you again.
I love this! I haven't read the book and was under the impression it was all about food so Thank you! I'm going to add to my reading list. Community and connection have been my 2 words for 2022...I just joined a trail running group and looking for other ways to build community in my corner of the world. Thanks again Terrell.
Beautiful
If I had to sum up my own Blue Zone advice in one phrase I'd say:
"Eat less, eat until you are 60% full and don't assume you need three meals a day to feel at your best".
I do really resonate with this topic. So much of free-will it seems boils down to lifestyle choices. Every day we're making dozens of choices.
A human might live 27,375 days. So we might make 378,000 impactful choices each lifetime.
I, like many of you, think of this group as one that I enjoy being a part of. It keeps me motivated and I can relate to the same things others are going through.
Another one of my loves are my two writing groups. I use to pick up a book, and after reading it, say to myself, I either liked it or thought it was garbage... "I could do a lot better!
Now, after being an author for going on fifteen years, I can truthfully admit it's not easy as it looks. It took a lot of time to gain the knowledge at the time I didn't possess. You also have to have a thick skin to read critiques that are not complementary and not get mad but learn from them. I'm proud to say that I've won my share of awards but will never be a Stephen King or a Debbie Macomber. I do it because I like to create something I can be proud of.
I love to run and my husband says that the only place he will run to is the bathroom LOL. He loves to ride his motorcycle and its not my cup of tea. He is part of a motorcycle group and I stick out like a sore thumb because they all dress in leather. I’m a girly girl not a biker at all. Sometimes I kid with them and tell them I’m going to bring my bedazzler and bedazzle their leathers. Even thought I am polars apart to the others this group has become my moai. They go out to the worst places in town and go feed whoever is hungry. It was really, really uncomfortable for me at the beginning because I couldn’t relate to the prostitutes, the homeless or the drug addicts. But I learned that people are people no matter how different we may be we still have the same needs. To be loved, to be heard, to be seen…. Doing this has brought me out of my very introverted shell and I have blossomed and grown as a person and and I’m so thankful for this very unlikely moai I have found. They want to be a part of my world too and they did a 5K with me a few weeks ago. It was funny because they showed up to the race in their motorcycles with their leathers.
This may not be agreeable to all, but I have a somewhat unique Moai for a runner. It is a group of guys I smoke cigars & pipes with once a week. Two close friends own a cigar lounge in my area, which is newly opened, but, we have been doing this for about 11 years.
The group has evolved over the years and have newer people as well. Part of the cool thing is that it is multi-generational. We have guys from 20’s to 60’s. (And yes, ladies join us from time to time. This is not a guys only club.) My 2nd son and oldest daughter join us occasionally.
I have made some deep, lasting friendships and have met a lot of new people. For an introvert this has been an interesting experiment. A couple of guys in the group are physicians. One is a tradesman. Two are small business owners. One is a pastor. And other various occupations.
We talk about a lot of things. Most of the guys like sports. But the young guy and I glaze over and then talk about anything else. We also talk about life, politics (I am the only liberal in the group) and G-d.
It has been great to share life with these guys. I am not saying it is for everyone. But it is my version of moai and I love it!
Terrell, our neighborhood is our moai. Dogs are often the strings that bring us together and our meetings are only chance encounters on the sidewalks, but when there's a problem people do jump in.
Thanks. I plan to join a local running group.