So today's blog will be a bit short, but here goes. I'm thinking of trying a little experiment for a month to notate change, if any, to my overall sense of well-being. I'm looking for a few people to join me to make it more fun and to keep some accountability. Here's my proposal; for one month I will:
Walk for one hour every day.
Meditate or focus on energy or deep breathing or prayer for a period of 20 minutes (all at once).
Eat only food.
Drink only natural fluids.
Let go of negativity in all forms.
I come from a bit of a health background. I have been a licensed massage therapist for 10 years and I've been teaching anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, cpr, first aid and basic health for 9 years at Blackhawk and Alive and Wellness. However, that shouldn't convince you of anything. What I'm proposing is to get back to some natural living in my life...common sense.
When I look at the habits of my daily life, I see a bunch of crap going in and out of my awareness and body. If you've followed past blogs, you may be aware of my issue with weight, but this has much more to do with well being than it has to do with weight.
Walk one hour every day.
What a simple task; walking. I'm not even talking power walking. I'm speaking of going out for a nice clip of a stroll for one hour every day. Our bodies are not built for long periods of sitting on our arses. They are built to move and by simple movement, the lymph and immune systems get busy. Walking also uses every muscle of the body and keeps the connective tissue that surrounds, envelops and supports our bodies in a more subtle and fluid like state. I'm a stiff guy and I am aware of the fasciae (saran wrap) that clamps down on my muscles and keeps me rigid when I do not keep my body moving. I spend most of my days sitting or standing and moving from A to B. I need more movement in my life. What makes a person feel old more than anything else? Lack of mobility. I'll keep the gray hairs and wrinkles, but let me dance, dammit! What if it rains? I will walk in the mall or simply get wet.
Meditate for 20 minutes every day.
Studies done in 2003 show that one of the healthiest things you can do everyday is to meditate or watch the mind for 20 minutes. It show significant increases in oxygen supply to the brain and body, decreases cortisol (stress hormone) and boosts immune system. Stress adds fuel to any "fire" we have been tending in our lives. By reducing the fuel, you cannot help but tame the fire. It's 20 minutes. Just 20. I waste more than 20 minutes a day on FB, I bet.
Eat and drink only natural.
I eat relatively well, but man I put in way to much processed food like Baked Doritos and Cheetos. I'm going to go one month eating as close to all natural as is possible. Things that have ingredients like apples, carrots, spinach, steak, potatoes, cheese, eggs, broccoli, pears, bananas, etc. Natural food. Natural drinks like water, orange juice, wine and beer. Yes I will still drink wine and beer, of course in moderation, but no pop; especially no diet soda or crystal light crap. If I want ice cream, I will make it myself with natural ingredients. I will keep sugar to a minimum. Once a week, I will have a day to eat whatever the hell I want for a few hours. I'm not doing this to discipline myself. I'm doing this to see how I feel after a month of natural food (as natural as we can get nowadays). So I'm putting a day to let loose of all this healthy living. Everything in moderation; even an all natural diet.
Let Go of Negativity in all forms.
This will be the hardest for me as I'm prone to be pissy and to be a self made victim of my own thoughts. But I will do my best to recognize negative thoughts and states of being and simply recognize them as negative thoughts and states of being. By simply recognizing that negativity is arising I can create a bit of 'breathing room' in my awareness and all the thoughts to pass on their own.
I want to start on April 2nd and end on April 30th. Only a fool would start a new thing on April fool's day. I will keep you posted on my progress and hopefully a person or two will join me this. Anyone?
Since becoming a father, I see my time on this planet passing before my eyes all too quickly leaving me feeling older and older. I do not want to be the 58 year old dad at my kid's high school graduation barely able to walk up into the bleechers and being tired all the time. I dropped a 20 year cigarette habit 6 years ago, I exercise on a much more frequent basis and I have a lot of joy in my life, but I think making sacred space in my life for these new additions could only enhance my remaining days among the living.
If I can get some people to join, we could even meet weekly at the Center for Living Arts to check in and offer support and encouragement. Anyone?
Blessings,
Dino
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