ORRA: The Center Point I Use to Navigate My Reality
ORRA is the one thing that has kept me aligned with my chosen reality.
That doesn’t mean my life has unfolded exactly how I expected, or that I haven’t faced challenges. It means that when something changes, when I feel pulled off course, or when old thoughts and reactions show up, I have a center point to return to.
I can observe what’s happening. I can choose how I respond. Then I can ask whether that response is aligned with the reality I’ve chosen to create.
That process has helped me stay connected to my direction through changes in my health and through the everyday situations that come with work, relationships, finances, and building something new. Instead of letting each moment make the decision for me, I can use what happens as information and decide what I want to do next.
Observe. Respond. Remain Aligned.
Observe
Observation starts with paying attention.
What is happening right now? What information do I actually have? What am I feeling? What thoughts are coming up? Is there something my body has been trying to tell me that I’ve been ignoring?
That sounds simple, but it can be difficult. When something doesn’t go the way we expected, the mind can immediately create a story about it. We can assume we’ve failed, that something is wrong, or that we need to make a drastic change right now.
Observation gives me a little space between what happens and what I do next. It allows me to look at the situation without immediately judging myself or deciding what the outcome has to mean.
For example, if the scale goes up, that number is information. It doesn’t tell me everything about my health or the direction I’m going. I can also look at how I slept, what my routine has been, how I feel, and what has changed over time.
The goal is to see more of the picture before I react to one part of it.
Respond
Once I’ve observed, I can decide what response makes sense.
Sometimes a response is taking action. I might change something in my routine, get more information, make a plan, or have a conversation. Sometimes it’s giving myself time to see a pattern before making a decision. And sometimes it’s recognizing that something doesn’t need my energy at all.
There’s a difference between reacting because I feel uncomfortable and responding because I’ve considered what’s in front of me. I’m still human. I still have emotions and reactions. The practice is noticing them and choosing what I do with them.
That matters when it comes to other people, too. Someone might question the way I eat or the choices I’m making. I can listen, share my experience if it feels useful, and decide how much energy I want to put into the conversation. I don’t have to defend every decision to remain confident in what I’m doing.
Remain Aligned
Alignment is about the direction I’ve chosen and the person I’m working to become.
It doesn’t mean life is always comfortable, that I never change my mind, or that I have to follow a perfect routine. It means checking whether my choices still support what matters to me. When they don’t, I can observe that, respond, and adjust.
Sometimes alignment means continuing what’s working. Sometimes it means admitting that the way I’ve been approaching something needs to change. Either way, I don’t have to turn an adjustment into a judgment about myself.
One difficult moment doesn’t have to decide the direction of my life. I can return to my center point and choose my next step.
ORRA in My Health
My carnivore journey has taught me the value of paying attention to my own experience. What I eat matters, but so do the way I feel, my hunger, my sleep, my energy, and the routines I build around my life.
If something feels off, I can observe what has been happening instead of immediately blaming the entire lifestyle or forcing myself through it. Have I been eating enough? Has my sleep changed? Is my routine still working for me? Those questions can help me figure out what I want to explore next.
That doesn’t mean every issue has a simple answer or that everyone will have the same experience I have. It means I’m learning to listen, gather information, and make a response based on my own situation. When something concerns me or needs medical attention, I can seek qualified help as part of that response.
ORRA in Everyday Life
I can use the same approach when I’m dealing with money, work, relationships, or creating content.
If an unexpected bill shows up, I can acknowledge how it feels, look at the information I have, and decide what needs my attention first. If a project isn’t working the way I imagined, I can look at what I’ve learned and adjust the next step. If a conversation becomes frustrating, I can choose whether it deserves more of my energy.
ORRA doesn’t make those situations disappear. It gives me a way to meet them without losing sight of where I’m going.
And when things are going well, it matters there too. I can observe what’s working, be grateful for it, and keep making the choices that support it. I don’t always need to invent a problem or rush toward the next thing.
Your Reality, Your Practice
The way I use ORRA comes from my own life and experiences. Your circumstances, goals, and choices are yours. You don’t have to eat like me or approach every situation the way I do to find value in pausing and paying attention.
You can start with something you’re already experiencing. Take a breath and ask:
- What is actually happening here?
- What am I feeling, and what do I know so far?
- Is there something I need to learn before I decide?
- What response is available to me?
- Does that response support the direction I want to go?
You might not have every answer right away. That’s okay. Observing is part of the process, and you can keep adjusting as you learn.
For me, ORRA is more than something I think about. It’s how I return to myself.
It’s the one thing that has kept me aligned with my chosen reality, because I can come back to it again and again. When things are going well, it helps me recognize and appreciate what’s working. When things get difficult, it helps me pause, respond, and keep moving in the direction I’ve chosen.
The circumstances in front of me may change, but my center point remains available.
Observe. Respond. Remain Aligned.
— Joe