Mental Fitness

Julian Moses Photography, 2020 It is not what happens. It’s the narrative we create around what happens  that offers the opportunity for waking up.  How does that work? A narrative is a story. This narrative we tell is a blend of our convictions, beliefs,  values, fears, and hopes combined with the events as we experience them.  It’s subjective. It’s a fabrication. It’s not “truth.”  It’s just a story we have created. And therein lies the opportunity for waking up!  By examining how we tell  the story we can recognize its motivating factors. We can see that it is nothing but a script - and it may have become boring, paralyzing, or stupefying.  We can change that script, that story, that narrative! The bridge to a happier life can be crossed  when we first embrace our self, our beliefs, our conditions,  and then change the narrative.  "If you change the way you look at things, the th...

Decision-making is about finding the path.  Looking at risks and benefits makes the path obvious.  Julian Moses Photography, April 2020                             Every day, we make decisions. Many times, these are made quickly:  we don’t have time; we’ve always done it this way;  our friends or family have counseled us and made a recommendation; … Taking our awareness up a notch includes  making decisions more consciously, more responsibly. How? I asked a professional pilot, my brother,  which information they need to collect in the cockpit to make a decision.  His airline uses a formula: FORDEC. F – facts O – options R – risks/benefits D – decision E – execution C – check If the last one doesn’t “check out,” re-start at the top. This  is a wonderful opportunity to re-boot, re-consider, re-do.  There is no penalty – only more learning. ...

A Day for gratitude for all mother’s present and past. On this Mother’s Day, my thoughts go to the women of my families and ancestors. The power of the women that has brought me into the world  only five generations back consisted of 16 mothers who gave birth to healthy children  (8 girls and 8 boys) so that I could be born.  10 generations back, 504 women had healthy children  to bring forth my life today.  Imagine this! A generation is considered to span 25-30 years.  Five generations back would then be 125 – 150 years ago.  Which genes and abilities did those 16 moms pass down all the way to me?  250 – 300 years back, 512 mothers laid the groundwork for who I am.  How much historic information, memory, and wealth of character  is being realized through my life today? Mother’s Day offers the opportunity to consider the legacy  and the optimal realization of the potential I am given.  This ...

We want to go back to “normal.”  What’s normal?  Rush hour, polluted air, stress, mindless consumption,  pursuing what advertisers tell us we must have, do, or be? I went for a walk today and recognized what nature does with “ normal” Normal is beauty.  Kindness. Humility.  J ust being, no matter where, how, why;  shining in the glory of the moment. 

The underlying principle: Gratitude Health: Self:   nutrition, movement, breathing,  thoughts, actions Community:   communication, collaboration, connection,  thoughts, actions Planet:   energy, care, consciousness, responsibility, humility,  thoughts, actions Wealth: A natural consequence of health. Wisdom: A natural consequence of pursuing holistic health. If we look after our own health, consciousness rises and  the desire for everyone’s and the planet’s health grows. “Self” cannot be without “Community” “Community” cannot be without the Planet. We are one, there is no separation.

And when we can relax into the moment, we realize that our needs are met. This is the luxury we can (still) enjoy: there is no lack of air, food,  or any  of our material goods.  Every moment, there is love to give and to receive,  positive energy to share, and joy to feel. This moment, I feel gratitude for my life, for its lessons and opportunities.  I am grateful for the people who have crossed my path,  who have walked along with me for a while,  who keep by my side not matter what. This is life: birds are singing, the sun is shining,  I am free to be happy.  That, I choose. How about you?

In 1935, Georg Thurmair of Germany published a song initially titled “Traveling Song”  and later changed the title* to “We are merely guests on Mother Earth.” Photo by Julian Moses, April 2020 During the Easter Night, a close relative’s father passed on,  and  for the next two or so day  I found myself humming this song or reciting it my mind. So I began to think about it –  the meaning of the words as I can apply them today. I was taught that being a good guest means  to respect the host and abide by the guidelines  set forth for being in her/his space.  As a hostess, I appreciate guests who are “low maintenance” and respectful;  leave my place clean and appreciate the time we spent.  This would become the basis for many more visits,  for happy times in a shared space,  and for appreciation of each other beyond adhering to guidelines. I have also hosted guests whose stay couldn’t end soon enoug...