Follow Up Cancer Care Day

Today is my first cancer follow up care day for 2014. It starts with a 6:15am blood specimen, then a CT scan, chest x-ray, and finally a 1:30pm bone scan. These tests are important for they help us watch the prostate cancer that has metastasized to my lymph nodes. After 7 years of care days each 3-4 months I’ve overcome the nausea of worry, and learned to acknowledge the feelings, but then let go before they get too out of proportion. I truly believe my practice of mindfulness or the moment to moment intention of “living well” maximizes my well-being, creating a healing environment. Practice letting go and watch your life moments fill up.

Jon Kabat-Zinn - Self-Intimacy

The past four days I’ve been working in Charlottesville, Virginia on a 10 acre horse farm in a small cottage next to the front pasture and barn, a short walk from the main house.  Charlottesville parallel’s the Blue Ridge Mountains so my views were full of waves of winter forest painted against a cloud filled sky.  I spent my mornings and evening alone reading, reflecting, meditating, praying, and enjoying the peacefulness of solitude.  Solitude filled with meditation and prayer, a chance to explore, regain perspective and an inner richness restoring self-intimacy.  Take advantage of solitude moments that can restore your body-mind-spirit connections. 

Unconditional War on Poverty – Driven by Heartfelt Experience

In 1964, I was in high school, when President Lyndon B. Johnson declared an “unconditional war on poverty”.   The last few days hearing his voice on the radio, and stories about his childhood in Stonewall, Texas in a house without electricity or indoor plumbing, has underscored the power of action driven by heartfelt experience.  Johnson talks about teaching poor students in 1928, never thinking he’d have a chance to really help those students get out of poverty, but now as President he had that chance and he declared, he meant to use it!  What does your heartfelt / life experience declare you do in 2014?  DO IT!

Pieces of Light - Memory Science

I’ve been slowly making my way through Charles Fernyhough’s book, Pieces of Light, which is about the science of memory.  Memories are told like stories, to others and oneself as we travel back in time through our neural time machines.  Memories allow us to be two people at once, who we are now, and the person we were then, and both individuals have a say in the memory.  Our memories allow us to see time as memories merge into memories, but they are also powerful statements about who we are, and who we believe we can be.  Where will your memories take you in 2014?

Kriegsfeld Special Weapons Depot - North Point

It’s cold, and the cold brings back memories of my service in Germany in the early 70’s.  I rode a scooter to work until the snow got too deep, and I would hitch a ride with the depot commander.  He had served several rough tours in Vietnam, and many found his speech pattern disconcerting for it was full of hesitations, uncomfortable spaces of silence, usually followed by introspective brilliance.  We rode together for one snow season, but he taught me the importance of silent space of introspection that heal wounds and help us grow.  Give yourself silent space for introspection each day of 2014, and experience growth and healing.  

Soul Gazing Moments

One of my favorite times during the day on our holiday vacation was the late afternoon when the sun started her downward journey to bathe in the bay. The shimmering path she made on the water always felt like it led to a window to heaven. We were always outside at this time on our balcony, or beach walking, but these moments always became filled with soul gazing. You know, when we allow ourselves intimate moments with only our spirituality, moments of just being, and feeling the awe of creation. In 2014, give yourself soul gazing moments each day.

Boy Scout Memories & 2014 Gifts

The awesome sunsets on our holiday vacation reminded me of my Boy Scout years and how as first up I’d get to softly blow on the evening fire embers to start the morning fire.  Each of us brings different gifts, strengths, and skills to the teams we serve.  Some of us are good starters, and have a knack at gathering up yesterday’s energy, relationships, and generating synergy and new ideas.  Maybe you’re a starter, or an improver, or a finisher, it doesn’t really matter which one, what matters is that in 2014 you recognize your gifts as blessings, and share them with others!