acceleration

More intense dreams involving suffering. This time, I even warned the guy who fell and he looked back and then fell anyway. It seems that I can even tell folks that what they are about to do is not a good idea and then they do it regardless. It seems then it is my job to mitigate the pain and help relieve the suffering... well, it doesn't matter. These are only dreams, right?

Already feeling behind the eight-ball today. Got to sleep a little bit later than expected and struggled to get up. In large part because my muscles won't function! My arms, chest and back are so sore- especially my left tricep. Ouch. Gotta stretch it all out today and NOT work them until Sunday.

Got a ton of reading done yesterday. Backup- first, I went to services and that was a refreshing experience. The service was nice and this congregation is so sweet. Not too big, not too small (at least for High Holidays) and a good mix of folks. Though there seemed to be a lack of young people... I guess Bellingham doesn't host the biggest Jewish population around.

Got a ton of reading done yesterday. It was wonderful. Sitting outside and studying. I was able to comprehend much more because I was outside. The ironic part is that I was reading about how vitamin N (Nature) is important in our lives. It's Richard Louv's new book, The Nature Principle. Not gonna plug it, but he says what I feel (and instinctively know- actually we all know it and still don't do it): Get outside, it is therapeutic and healthy.

Straight up. Go outside right now. Leave this computer behind. We don't balance our technological uses with enough nature and that imbalance is unhealthy. Wanna get in shape? Go outside. Wanna perform better at work? Go outside. Wanna be a better person? Go outside. Want to live? Go outside.

Just sit or stand for a minute or five. It is good for you. Creative juices start to flow, energy comes back, motivation gets stronger. It's cold? Put on a jacket and a hat. It's hot? Take off your jacket. The sun is not the important factor, nor even the fresh air. If you are in a city, go outside. If you are in the country, go outside. Give your body what it needs.

Yup, I am feeling behind and the need to go on with things today. Gym, class, library, evening services... and you know what? I'll spend as much of the time in transit... outside. Outside. It's the next big drug. Prozac and Ritilin got nothin' on Nature. It's like Shel Silverstein's poem, "The Curse of Gimmesome Roy":

'Well, that is that,' says Baba Fats, sitting back down on his stone,
Facing another thousand years of talking to God alone.
'It seems, Lord,' says Fats, 'it's always the same, old men or bright-eyed youth,
It's always easier to sell them some shit than it is to give them the truth.'

You'll find me overdosing on nature while there is still some to go around. Accelerating into Shabbat. It will be nice to rest this week. No post tomorrow.