WalkaboutWirt Blog Post #6

                                                     
Greetings! Happy Easter to you! How synchronistic is Easter at this particular time on the calendar and current events across our planet? Easter - the symbol of Hope and new beginnings after the pain and physical death of Jesus. I live in constant hope . . . of brotherly love and peace worldwide. In spite of the bleaker image of the picture presented to us daily, I am seeing encouraging signs of positive changes. A time of stopping, considering, and creativity. I am sensing that my life-long dream is now potentially stretching out towards a greater degree of fulfillment as we fill in our time contemplating our lives and values. There appears to be much happening in positive ways in the global community likewise with many creative endeavors. Like it or not, things are changing!

Let's be honest. How many of us humans really embrace change in our lives unless we are forced to by circumstances? We tend to establish patterns and allow habits to 'creep' into our lives which may not be in our best interest of well-being, and then resist thoughts of having to make an effort to change or eliminate them.

Virtually everyone everywhere currently is forced to make changes to their way of living; a few to small degrees, but the majority of people are having a major shift in behavior. The response varies from 'so what?' to catastrophic, depending on our individual circumstances and how we react.

How are you doing? Very well I hope. I feel very fortunate and grateful to be at a stage of my life to get a pension from my government, I am provided a largely free health care system should I require it, and I live in a peaceful natural environment close to a park and a lake to enjoy. I feel blessed.

Despite the frustration of not being able to physically connect with my family and friends at present, I can keep in touch via phone and the internet (which is probably happening more so than in 'normal' times.) That connection to family, friends, and community at all levels has always been important to me.

Another less tangible but a vitally important connection for me is my spiritual one. That is also even stronger than 'normal' at present, due to connecting daily with a number of like-minded individuals and groups, with 'Spirit',  and with my own inner Self. The energy I perceive through those links is quite palpable and uplifting. . . again, so important for my own sense of well-being.

In my blog #5, I mentioned I would share some ways I've used to deal with fear in order to maintain my physical and mental health. As I pointed out in my previous blog as well, that fearful stress is the enemy of good health. It creates issues like anxiety and depression that disables our ability to think clearly and to feel good. How do I deal with that when it tries to come on board? I'll try to make it concise as I can in this framework.

All of our power to control anything within our boundaries is in the present moment. Thinking about the negatives of the past or future disables us. The best way to stay in the present is by physically connecting with the earth and by consciously using the breath. The latter point is the most powerful and immediate tool available, which is used by great athletes, singers, and meditators and so on. It is crucial for every living thing in our existence, including our planet and its envelope of air.

The breath is that sacred presence of energy that enters our physical body at birth and leaves our body when our soul leaves our earthly 'home' behind. Between those times it is obviously what keeps us alive. We can unconsciously 'allow' that - or we can use it in more powerful and creative ways.

There are many techniques we can engage in order to achieve that. Too many for this platform. I will just suggest an easy one where you breathe slowly and consciously. Start after a couple of deep breaths, expelling all the air from your lungs. I use a span of about five seconds for each in and out-breath, counting to five with each in order to keep my mind from wandering. You can vary that. It is calming and provides a clearer mind after a few minutes. Doing that a few times a day keeps me feeling better physically and mentally, and no doubt healthier throughout my body with the frequent regulation of oxygen input and dioxide output.

There is a wealth of information on the breath through many books and internet sites. I devote eight pages over two chapters in my book D-Tour available as an e-book or paperback through my website www.walkaboutwirt.com.

I will just point out that the current catastrophic global pandemic attacks the lungs, thus disabling the breath, as opposed to attacking that other vital organ, the heart. The recommended best defense against it is a strong immune system, which of course goes for all of our well-being. For me, that means paying attention and controlling what goes into my mind, what goes into and out of my mouth, and to try to get adequate exercise/movement.

I have regular consultations with my doctor and my naturopath, chew it over with a grain of salt, watch what I eat, take supplements, meditate, pray, try to stay of aware of events without getting emotionally attached to the negative, try to avoid too much time on the phone and computer and internet - switching off my wi-fi when not in use for the suggested health benefits that may bring, and to keep busy yet relaxed, read, write, observe, assess and digest . . . whew! Busy! lol

Stay safe, healthy, and happy! Bye for now, Greg