Chance Fitzpatrick is over halfway through hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, from Mexico to Canada. I asked him some questions about his journey so far. MP: What would you tell your past self, prior to getting on the trail? CF: Just relax and trust the process. The trail always provides and everything will be given… Continue reading A voice from the Pacific Crest Trail
Aging. How to grow.
Suddenly it hits you, you’ve aged. Today’s blog is about aging beautifully. I spoke with Ilene Cummings, 85, who leads workshops about aging with grace: aging beautifully. This is part of her work as a human development counselor and retreat leader. “You have to learn to love yourself in spite of what is happening to… Continue reading Aging. How to grow.
Finding the window out of addiction
“I saw the window, so I took it,” was what he said. This was in response to the question of how did you quit large doses of prescribed pain medication and copious amount of pot smoking? He started out with neck pain and back pain. The pain medication and pot smoking rained down to cover… Continue reading Finding the window out of addiction
I never get tired of water
Water is a great mood stabilizer. Even a bath or shower improves the attitude. I like to hop on my stand-up paddle board (SUP) and glide just on top of it. I drove to Dorena reservoir, Harm’s park, and unloaded easily. There were only three people there, swimming at the boat ramp, ignoring the no… Continue reading I never get tired of water
Zoöpolis Is Where It’s At
A thriving coexistence: cultivating Zoöpolis. Zoöpolis is a new word for me. Maybe you already know it? It has a z and an umlaut, so I already liked it, before I knew what it meant. Jennifer Wolch, a geographer coined this term. Definition: The place where the polis meets the zoo, an overlap of human… Continue reading Zoöpolis Is Where It’s At
Stand up and paddle Alton Baker Canal
A lovely 4-mile paddle! This is an easy protected canal paddle, good for getting out and enjoying a calm route with water and birds. The water is fairly shallow for most of this paddle. To get there, go to Autzen stadium. Just across from the stadium, a bit east of the dog park, is the… Continue reading Stand up and paddle Alton Baker Canal
Wherever you go, there you are
How to make it matter? I’ve been reading a couple of blogs by folks hiking the PCT from Mexico to Canada. I find it motivational; it inspired me to finally start a blog. I am inspired by people taking the time to record and summarize each day, complete with photos and reports of their external… Continue reading Wherever you go, there you are
How can Chinese medicine add quality of life to end of life?
Hospice patients who request acupuncture roughly fall into three categories. 1) They have had it before, and found it useful. 2) They are at the stage of trying anything. 3) They have always wanted to try it, but before hospice care, had never had the opportunity. All patients are seeking relief. Mainly people are looking… Continue reading How can Chinese medicine add quality of life to end of life?
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture, does it hurt? What does it feel like? The following is a list of real-life comparisons, levels of possible feelings. Light: A gentle breeze A parakeet landing on your finger Water splashing on your skin Medium: A high-five Pressure from a normal handshake A grasp or pinch of skin Feet hitting the pavement while… Continue reading Does acupuncture hurt?
Meditation. Try this!
“Try not to think. Quiet your mind.” Meditation can sound daunting, mysterious. What is quiet? What is empty? It’s not completely understood. Much interest and information surrounds meditation, yet it remains elusive to many. The main stumbling block is attaining inner quiet. “I can’t shut my brain off” is a common defeated observation. How do… Continue reading Meditation. Try this!