Imagine, you wake up and you’re 40. Wow. Here we are in the middle.

Time for something new. I think I’ll have a child, start a business, and prepare to start taking care of my parents. Yes, fun! Great idea.

There is certainly a new flavor to this impending decade. The time is more urgently now. I’m more aware of this Now than ever before.

To stay present, healthy, and awake, I am rededicating myself to regular treatments with acupuncture and natural medicine, yoga, meditation, nature, friends, family, and fun … not necessarily in that order.

My guess is the second half will be even more exciting than the first.

Stay tuned.

I just returned from an annual get-together with friends on an East Coast beach. Each year, about twenty of us celebrate birthdays, life, and the beauty of friendship.

We come together to remember who we once were, and to make a new declaration about who we are now. Away from the regular stress of life, we are able to see ourselves in each other and each other in ourselves.

It is enlightening.  It is enlivening.  I feel renewed.

Recently, I read an article in the New York Times that wondered what leads to the the health benefits of friends. It seems that scientists can’t quite figure out what it is about being with friends that makes you feel better, live longer, and view the world as less threatening.

I think it’s love.  And presence.

When we’re alone, we are confronted with the chatter in our minds.  When we engage in this dialogue – especially the negative thinking – we cause stress in our bodies.  Stress depletes our reserves and leads to stagnation.  Health suffers.

When we’re with friends, especially in a relaxing environment, we’re able to show up as our highest selves.  We connect to each other and bring our attention to the present moment.  This helps free our bodies from stress.  Health benefits.

When we feel love coming through our friends, we feel connected to something greater than ourselves.  We vibrate at a higher frequency.

We awaken.

This awakening is the key to vibrant health. Spend more time with friends and you’ll live a happier, healthier life.

Here’s a good article explaining acupuncture and its benefits.

Some excerpts:

“Clinical studies have shown that acupuncture: increases immune function and resistance to disease, reduces pain through the release of endorphins; reduces inflammation and promotes feelings of well-being through the release of neurotransmitters; improves circulation and smooth muscle relaxation; increases pain tolerance by changing the way the brain perceives pain; and hastens motor recovery from paralysis. ”

“I’ve been living with chronic ulcerative colitis for about 15 years,” said Jason Aide, a resident of South Minneapolis. “In the beginning no one could figure out what was wrong with me. After finally being diagnosed by a gastroenterologist, I was prescribed medication, at $350 a month, to take for the rest of my life. Now, over the course of the last year, I’ve had more success with acupuncture, herbs and diet than I’ve had with medication over the last 15 years.”

Here’s the link in full http://southsidepride.com/2009/04/articles/Acupuncture.html

Meditation is for everyone. So many of us have a view of who meditates. We  must be “spiritual” or a “serious” Buddhist or something. That’s funny,  a serious Buddhist.

A long time ago, I read a great book, Dharma Punx, by Noah Levine.  It’s a great read and an even better lesson.  Instilling quiet into the mind and traveling into its depths is healing for everyone.

Whether you’re a rebellious kid caught up in addiction or an adult who just can’t relate to most “spiritual” practice, there’s a practice waiting for you…. without the robes and frills.

Start now.  As you are.  You don’t need to change anything.

Here’s a good article about Noah Levine in the LA Times.

One of the great causes of stress in our bodies and lives is striving for perfection. When we stop and think, we know that nothing will ever be perfect. Yet we continue to strive towards that goal.

Let go.

Perfection is intrinsic to the flow of life. Open up and let life move through you. Close your eyes for a moment. Stop engaging your thoughts. Stop judging yourself. Feel the aliveness in your body.

This is perfection.

When you continually think about how something can be perfect, you are blocking this natural flow. You are using and blocking energy in your body. This leads to stagnation and dis-ease.

Be perfect without striving for perfection.

One of the most difficult tasks we have is to develop a daily practice.  Seems silly.  We do so many things over and over again everyday.  This is a daily practice that we have developed … but it’s not always a healthy one (wake, eat, work, eat …).

Think about taking five minutes each day to review your health goals.  Maybe the first five minutes you take will be to make some health goals.  Then, each day, look at your goals.  Meditate on them.  Breathe life into them.

Repeat daily and see what happens. Five minutes … should be easy.  Not so easy.

Keep at it.