Health Update Oct. 1, 2012

October 1, 2012  Full Harvest Moon surrounded by twinkling stars and a green planet…amazing Universe we’re swirling in! I hope you’re out there tonight!

Dear Ones (new name for you…hope you like it!),

Since I was last in touch with you, I’ve enjoyed three months of good health that has allowed me to do just what I’ve wanted all summer long. The highlight was a nature quest on “the sacred mountain” in The Inyo National Forest. It was a ten-day wilderness experience that felt much longer…in fact in some ways I am still there. The guide, Anne Stine, will be giving a presentation at the Food Coop here in Ashland Monday, Oct. 15^th 7-9pm if you’re local and interested in learning more. Also, here is a blurb from “The LocalsGuide” about Anne:

 http://ashland.oregon.localsguide.com/anne-stine-ma-mft-–-wilderness-rites-llc

Today, I was nested in blue naugahyde at my old familiar infusion room of the Medford Hematology/Oncology Center. I’m happy to report all my labs look good and Dr. Savage says everything’s “normal”! I figured it had to be because, though I don’t know what “normal” is and believe there is no such thing, I’ve felt strong and healthy all summer long. In fact last Wednesday I hiked Cascade Head, an amazing Nature Conversancy piece of land just north of Lincoln City. I’ll attach  a picture or two of what I saw but you must see it for yourselves.

Cascade Head, OR. Sept. 26th

I’ve been thinking about time a lot lately and was recently reminded of the Pink Floyd song “Time”. So I googled it and here you go…back to the ‘80’s! You too can read the lyrics and contemplate what the Irish call “the thin time” between Summer and Winter or between the nights and the days . And remember Carpe Diem!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYiahoYfPGk

Douglas Fir Tree and Me

The following youTube on one minute meditation sounds silly, but actually I think there’s something to it!  A one-minute meditation makes me stop long enough to notice my heart, my mind, and my breath.  I haven’t tried it much, but I like the idea, so I’ll share it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6eFFCi12v8

There are more and more studies being done on the mind body connection and the interconnection  of stress/adrenal hormones to our health. This may be a place for the one-minute meditation practice and who knows what else.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/14/health/stress-cancer-survival-enayati/

I enjoy collecting quotes, so here are a few I’ve noted lately:

Zen Proverb:

Do not seek the truth;

Only cease to cherish your opinions.

Quaker saying: “To listen another person into self disclosure is the greatest gift one can give another”.

John Steinbeck: “A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ.” John Steinbeck

Forgiveness:

You will know that forgiveness has begun

when you recall those who hurt you

and feel the power

 to wish them well

Anne Stine: “In order for a seed to grow, it must first go into the dark earth.”

David Whyte: “To be constantly explaining yourself to others is a kind of gospel of despair.”

“The antidote to exhaustion is not necessarily rest. The antidote to exhaustion is whole-heartedness.”

Carpe Diem!