Time is relentless. It never stops.  Like the waves on a seashore, each second ticks by as you listen to the clock itself ticking.  There are activities we do which make us forget about time and we say, “time flies when you are having fun.”  And there are activities that remind us of each and every second as they drag on and on.  Regardless of how we perceive time, it is a constant, continuous movement of one second after another, one minute after another, one hour, one day, one month, one year after another.  

We human beings sometimes fill our time with business, postponing joy, relaxation or fun.  Sometimes we fill our time with uselessness such as spending the day on the couch watching television, or in front of a computer playing games.  Unlike any other resource, time can never be stored, returned to us, or multiplied.  Once it is spent, it is gone forever.  

There is a balance which needs to be achieved with the humankind.  Some folks work every second of their lives, postponing happiness.  They say, “I’ll relax when I retire,” or “I’ll be happy when the kids are through college,” or “Next year I’ll take some time off.”  How many people do you know, or have heard of, do this their whole lives only to die within weeks or months of their retirement?  Far too many, I say.  Some folks in our “me” generation want instant gratification so they do the opposite with their time, and indulge constantly by going into debt or even worse by stealing instead of waiting until they have resources to have their enjoyment.  

In my practice I see more of the former rather than the latter of the two extremes.  I see people who have difficulty carving out an hour or half hour a week, let alone a day for themselves, because they are so busy.  If they aren’t working, they are chauffeuring kids from soccer, to baseball, to dance lessons.  They eat on the fly, sleep far too little and have no down time.  When I tell them they need more down time, or better nutrition or more sleep, they know, but they are on the treadmill and won’t get off.  I say won’t rather than can’t, because this is a choice.  I know the intentions are well-meaning.  Doing all this for their children, they are hoping to create opportunities for their future, better colleges, better careers, etc.  However, if you follow that through, the careers then recreate the same scenarios: busy careers, busy lives, busy grandchildren, and so on.  You see time is relentless.

What are we here on this earth for?  Why are we given life?  To make money? To make our bosses or corporations we work for richer?  What exactly is happiness?

I can’t answer these questions, but I can ask them. You get to decide, and if you are postponing happiness for the sake of a job, or even your children, you may want to rethink this.  The future is not guaranteed.  God forbid, but you could be in a car accident and die tomorrow.  Do you want your last day with your family to be rushing around to meet deadlines or soccer games?  If you don’t have a car accident, do you want to model this lifestyle to your children so they can recreate with their children?  

Harry Chapin’s song, “The Cat’s in the Cradle” really speaks to this for me:

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

There is a time to be busy, and there is a time for quiet, reflection.  The way to live in this balance is to live in harmony with the seasons.  The Spring is the time to make goals and plans (like when you plant a garden), activity can be high.  The early Summer is when the plans mature that’s when activity can be the highest - the energy supports it.  The late Summer is when we harvest the fruits from the Spring plans, activity begins to slow down - it’s hard to move in the heat and humidity of late Summer.  The Autumn is when it is time to make assessments - what to store for Winter and what to let go of, the activity level is slowing some, and busy storing some.   The Winter is the time to pull in, be quiet, hibernate, and reflect.  Sit by the fire, eat warm food, snuggle.  When we give in to the Winter, then we will have the energy to rise in the Spring.  

Time will never stop, it moves on and on and on.  As you move through your life, think about how you are spending that time.  If you died today, would you have regrets?  Live as though this were your last day, and plan as though you have many years.  Watch and emulate how nature works, because we are part of nature.   And remember to enjoy this life.  

I am ending with the last three lines of a Mary Oliver Poem called Summer Day:

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?













 




 

This week on Facebook I was engaged in an very interesting discussion on veganism, vegetarianism, or meat-eater.  It was prompted by a video showing how plants “feel” pain.  The discussion got a little warm (not heated) and one person shared a blog that completely inspired me.  I will give the references to both the video and the blog at the end of this blog.  

What I found really fascinating is that human beings make meaning and create belief systems and defend those belief systems in such a common way.  So let’s say I believe in organic gardening.  I would start by sharing the joys and gifts that garden has brought me.  If everyone agrees, then I might move on to another topic.  If someone disagrees, then I would start bringing in documentation, or “evidence” of why my viewpoint is the “right” viewpoint.  This rarely changes anyone else’s mind.  The other will then bring evidence of why their viewpoint is right, and choose one thing out of context about my evidence to rip apart.  And the duel goes on and on.  By the third or fourth round, and especially on social media there are folks taking sides and offering more “evidence.”  It is quite amusing if one can get out of the way and watch the pattern.  In the end people will part ways as enemies, or “agree to disagree.”  

Don’t get me wrong, I think it is a wonderful human trait to have opinions and to be passionate about something.  It is what makes us unique in all the world.  Trees don’t argue over which soil type is the right one.  Their roots my quarrel a little over real estate, but that is survival it isn’t “principles”.  Birds may fight over territory or sexual conquests, but again they would never fight over which worm is healthier or the meaning of pollen.  

What is it about us that makes us so zealous about ideas or philosophical ideologies? Wars are fought over these concepts.  I always pride myself on my comfort with the gray areas, of not having staunch “blacks and whites,” yet this week, I was sure I was right in my viewpoint.  I had to laugh at myself, and yes in the end I did decide that my friendships were more important than my ideas.  I still hold my ideas, but I gave breath and space to my friends’ rights to their way of thinking.  That too, is part of being human.  We change our minds, we let go of “being right,” we choose again.  

So this week if you find yourself in conflict, over anything, take a moment to smile.  This is human!  If you smile, you have already created space.  Then ask, is this worth losing a friend or colleague over?  The answer may be yes, and so walk away if they are worth losing, then don’t spend precious energy fighting.  If the relationship is more important, then back up and listen to their point of view.  You may not agree, but you can give space for them to hold their belief.  And, many times I have found that people will give my thoughts credence when I first give their’s credence.  Understanding is also human, and it feels good too.

References:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153059756828357&set=vb.74671163356&&theater  This takes you to Amazing Plants, then search “When Plants Talk.”

http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/an-open-letter-to-angry-vegetarians.html

Most of the blogs I’ve been writing have been about acupuncture and how I got into acupuncture.  I’d like to devote this one to shamanism.  

First, I want to tell you shamanism is not a religion, so you can be any religion you want and still practice shamanism.  Shamanism is a spiritual practice which embraces the aliveness of our world.  The fundamental, core belief is that everything that exists is alive and has spirit: trees, animals, rocks, soil, sunlight, you name it.  And so do we, we are spiritual beings in physical form.  Because of this spirit in all things, we are not separate from nature, but rather we are part of nature - at one with it.  Through spirit, we can communicate and live in harmony with all things, if we choose.

Shamanism dates back 40-100 thousand years and is therefore the oldest spiritual and healing practice known to humankind.  If you go far enough back in any culture around the world you will see we all come from shamanic cultures, it is not just Native American.  In fact, the word Shaman comes from the Tungus tribe in Siberia and means “one who sees in the dark.”  

I came to study shamanism when I was still in Acupuncture school.  A shaman/herbalist/acupuncturist by the name of Eliot Cowan, author of Plant Spirit Medicine, guest taught at our school.  In his class he taught us all how to do a shamanic journey.  A shamanic journey is an altered state of consciousness where one can connect with spirit with an intention.  Before you all get “freaked” out, altered states of consciousness are things we all do all the time.  When you are sleeping you are in an altered state of consciousness, same for daydreaming, meditating, or hypnosis.  We are set up for this because we are spiritual beings by nature.  

Since graduating from acupuncture school (1993) I have studied shamanism continuously, first with the Foundation for Shamanic studies (FSS), then with Sandra Ingerman, and Tom Cowan, and a shaman in Philadelphia named Two Moons.  I have taught many one or two day workshops, and eight two year programs.  I have authored a book, which I am in the process of publishing where I use shamanistic techniques to connect with the acupuncture points.  And yes, acupuncture has its roots in shamanism according to the Nei Jing (Ancient Chinese medical text).  

In case you didn’t know, I am an ordained minister and so I practice shamanic healing under my minister’s certificate as in Maryland it is not covered under the acupuncture scope of practice.  For that reason, when I do a shamanic healing session it is always separate from an acupuncture treatment, and I don’t do it in the spa where my treatment room is.  I offer shamanic healing either at my home or I go to my client’s home.  If you want to know more about shamanism, I am offering an intro workshop on Sunday November 2nd 1-5 p.m.  You can also visit my shamanic website: www.heartfirejourneys.com  

What is life all about?  What are we here for?  I don’t think any higher being put us here to make millions of dollars, selling mass produced possessions that we don’t need.  I am sure you’ve heard the saying, “no one on their deathbed ever says they wished they made more money or attended more meetings.”  We all know this.  When we read this we all have a little heart flutters and say, “yes we will wish we loved more, or spent more time with our loved ones.”  Thirty seconds later we all go back to our busy lives.  

WE ARE UNDER A SPELL.  Laugh if you will, but how else do you explain the hypnotic trance that causes millions upon millions of people to follow a few people who are exploiting, and manipulating them?  How many sweet, little children say, “when I grow up I want to spend 8-10 hours a day doing meaningless work, to pay for cheap stuff, made by slave labor, and eat factory farmed food that will kill me, so I’ll have to take 10 prescriptions a day to keep from keeling over, and do this day in and day out, until I die.”  

There really is a better way to live.  Step off the treadmill.  Quit running on the hamster’s wheel.  When we find ways to serve the planet, starting by changing our lifestyle, even using baby steps, the spell will be broken.  When you wake up, you’ll wake your friends, who will wake their friends and we will see the changes we’ve been yearning for.

The key is to not try to do the whole thing, all at once, all by yourself.  Yes, hold the vision of the whole thing, but start one small step at a time.  Buy local for starters.  Recycle.  Go outside.  Meet your neighbors.  Look for ways to change your career if it doesn’t bring you joy or fulfillment.  Don’t litter.  Take care of yourself, you matter and when you are healthy, you will have the energy to help others.  It’s hard to water a garden with an empty vessel.  Surround yourself with likeminded people who also care about making a difference.  Life really is short and fleeting, so don’t postpone happiness for busy-ness.

Maybe this is what life is all about, maybe it isn’t, but if we don’t change the way we have been doing things, there won’t be anything left for our children and grandchildren. And don’t you want their short, fleeting lives to be filled with joy?