Sure Cure for Insomnia

This time of year, we are encouraged to reflect on everything we've accomplished in the last 365 days. What does that mean anyway? Well, according to Merriam-Webster, reflection means “to block and redirect; to mirror; to show; to realize or consider.” This action is often the result of a year's worth of activity, done by many at the end of one going into another. What makes us do this? Why all the fuss about how our time has been spent? I often wonder if this idea of looking back, considering, is a new concept for people or has been done by humans for, well, eternity. Why is this a trend, or should I say a tradition? Would our time be better spent looking ahead? We do that, too! What I don't see as much of though, and I'm saying I am guilty of it too, is being present, living in the moment. Being present is hard. Why, though, is it so hard to not look back or look forward? For me, I am guilty of looking ahead. It could be as simple as looking forward to a cup of coff...

 One of my favorite Christmas songs is Breath of Heaven  sung by Amy Grant. This melodic tune reminds me of the one thing we all need...breath. Do you know what God's name, what he wanted us to call him, is, according to the Bible? It's Yahweh. Do you know the sound you make when you part your lips and take in a breath then let it out? Go ahead and try it. Yahweh is the sound of breath. Why would God tell us this? Is he telling us that breath is life, that he is life, and that the two are inseparable? Perhaps this is too much to think about. I'm sure this can be argued and debated, because, truly, no one really knows the mind of God.  If God=breath and breath=life, how can we NOT pay more attention to our breathing? Some say it's automatic, that our body, when alive, just does it without us trying. This is partly true. Good technique and intention, though, will improve the quality of our breathing, as well as make us not only physically healthy, but also mentally health...

 So, has anyone heard of slow living? This term is fairly new, but what it means is that we have actually gone against what nature and life used to be. It is living life in a way that counters today's intense busyness. Slowing down doesn't mean we are hardly doing anything. We slow down our thoughts. We slow down our lives and try to lead life the way it was meant to be. Now, this can be very difficult. Slowing down is hard, but that is mainly because most other people are not slowing down. That is probably the hardest concept to grasp. Why bother?  So many Americans, maybe elsewhere too, live incredibly busy lives. We are like shadow people, now you see me, now you don't. We flit from one thing to the next, causing fatigue and anxiety to ourselves and others. Why do we do this? It has become the norm. It is a sad thing, in my opinion. There is a way to counter it. Yes, slow living. It isn't for everyone maybe, but life can seem more fulfilling when we take the time to ...