stretch it out

Moonsetting over the Puget Sound around 6:45am. It is the harvest moon but bidding us farewell instead of reminding us that it autumn approaches.

Clouds and rain remind us that we are alive and that the world is a dynamic flow of energy and forces we can't control.

Get out early, train the body to rise early to test its limits, to elongate the physique. Stretch out that body fully from the crown of the head down the in-line spine and through the coccyx. Extending opposite arms and legs tests that capability and ability to relax the shoulders that tighten up so quickly. Not easy?

Humbling first thing in the morning to remind us that we should not take for granted even one second of the day, too much to do and enjoy. Break open the chest and drop those oh-so-tight shoulders again. You are not as good at this as you think. There is much to learn.

Listen and observe. Contribute where you can, but two ears should double the amount of usage as one mouth, if not more. Ask questions. Volunteer. Pour out the energy and see where it will get you. Read in those free moments... if not to be prepared for class, then to grow that grey jelly in the head!

Enjoy sips of coffee in the evening. It is a drug, to be used selectively. The taste is nice, but too much and you won't sleep well! Enjoy discussion late into an already elongated day and embrace technology. Texts, headphones and an mp3 player. But, remember that the hill on which you walk is full of living critters and foliage.

The ocean you can't make out too well in the evening pitch of light breathes with energy and it calms all nerves. Indeed it is a cooling down as you walk down. Down, downhill to home. Clean up after a long day and try to put things in their place, but know that tomorrow is another day, full and ready for us to enjoy, extend and stretch out.

Call it for the evening. Be a good person. Floss. Stretch. Sleep well. Follow your heart.