1. Put hands, interlocking thumb over the other thumb with fingers overlapped. Stretch backward, inhaling slowly and fully with the interlocked hands away from your back.
2. Come back straight up while exhaling.
3. Repeat 3 times.
4. Imagine hearing, “your mother is in a coma and will die any minute from cancer.” Master John, DSM, Executive Stress Care Consultant in Reno, Nev. heard this, and after performing Total Healing Energy treatments on her, she lived for another three months, happily and comfortably.

Written by Dr. James Rouse, Naturopathic Doctor |

Perhaps you can relate to this: when I miss out on a good night of sleep, the next day I live, move and think from a place of scarcity rather than abundance – I’m impacted on every level, including spiritually. Millions of us are awake when we should be sleeping and resting, or falling asleep when we should be creating and shining.

The research is sobering. Most cases of insomnia stem from stress, environment, nutrition, emotion, physical and even spiritual issues. Much of what keeps us from getting quality sleep are the choices that we make throughout the day. Have you ever noticed that watching the late night news while suppressing your heartache over the world politics with a tub of ice cream and balancing your checkbook does not allow for a sound night of sleep? This, after asking yourself to perform multi-tasking miracles for the precious sixteen hours, tethered to cell phones, voice and emails, then negotiating with a plastic clown to give you a balanced meal through a drive-thru window, and wondering if a coffee intravenous feed would be out of the question?!

You do have other choices. You can re-create balance and once again live with the natural rhythm that is innately yours to uncover and fully realize. First, we need to be all right with the idea of being in the world and not of it. You do not have to subscribe to the all too pervasive “conspicuous consumption” model for living. In other words, we all have choices to “consume.” The media, for example (television, newspaper, radio, magazines), that we allow into our thought atmosphere can disrupt sleep and personal balance. Certain foods we eat (those with refined and empty calories) leave us unsatisfied, restless and “hungry” for more. Choose differently! We can establish an overall well being by leveraging key practices that satisfy the spirit and nourish a healthy night’s sleep.

Bookends for Balance:

One way to experience greater quality of sleep is to create what I refer to as “bookends” (the beginnings and the end of the day). Bookends can help keep us mindful and centered with what truly nourishes our mind, body, spirit and sleep. Choose to begin and end each day with a personal practice for balance and peace. For example, a morning meditation practice, even for just a few minutes, serves us and our “chemistry” in a variety of ways: by establishing a healthier “belly breathing” pattern, we can help support and build stress-fighting neurotransmitters (the brain’s chemical messengers to the body) that help keep us in balance and allow us to better manage our mental state and the choices we make throughout the day. When we begin the day with an attitude of “Good morning, God!” rather than “Good God, its morning!” The same is true at night. We should tend towards more love for others and ourselves. Chronic “stinkin’ thinkin” can sabotage a good night’s rest and have a negative residual that impacts other elements of our wellness.

“Give me a chance to create fever and I will cure any disease.”

– Physician Paramenides, 2,000 years ago.

Sauna is an excellent way to benefit from fever or overheating therapies. Our skin is the largest eliminative organ, generally considered to eliminate 30 percent of the body waste by way of perspiration. Here is a quick glance at the other benefits of regular sauna therapy:

• Improved blood circulation: the sauna increases and improves the rate of blood circulation and breathing.

• Weight loss: Sauna is similar to mild exercise; it burns about 300 calories during an average session. Regular sauna treatments combined with a healthy diet and moderate exercise will help you lose weight, while staying fit and healthy.

• Skin cleansing: A profuse sauna-induced sweat followed by a shower can make your skin soft and rejuvenated with immediately noticeable effects.

• Body relaxation: Stress build-up creates tension in the body manifesting in various aches and pains. The heat of the sauna diffuses the pain and relaxes tired muscles.

• Mind relaxation: The sauna is essentially a place to relax, relieving mental fatigue and stress.

How to Sauna:

• Wait one to two hours after you eat.

• Hydrate! Drink at least eight ounces of water.

• Go in as naked as possible. This includes accessories – jewelry may get hot enough to burn your skin. Always abide by the rules if using a sauna at a health club, but wearing no clothes is best – just be sure to sit on a towel.

• Beginners should sit low. Gradually work your way up to the top bench.

• Length of time depends on your preference and your health status. Beginners may stay in for 10 to 15 minutes, up to 30 minutes for regular users. Listen to your body – staying in too long can cause heat stroke or fainting from overheating.

• When you are done, take a shower with cool or lukewarm water immediately following your sauna. This will wash away any toxins that have seeped out through your skin.

• Hydrate again! Drink one to two cups of water.

References:

1. http://www.doctorline.com/sauna.htm

2. http://www.pureinsideout.com/benefits-of-sauna.html

3. http://www.steam-sauna-benefits.com/how_to_take_a_sauna.html

For more info, contact Diane Underwood with Reverse Aging at (775) 327-4878.

By John Morgenthaler |

Several herbs and nutrients are especially helpful for re-establishing a natural sleeping rhythm. And even if you don’t have a sleeping problem but are anticipating jet lag from a trip that takes you to a different time zone, or are shifting your work schedule from daytime to a graveyard shift, you can also benefit from these nutrients. Also, a number of these nutrients pacify nervousness and alleviate stress, which add up and contribute to disrupted sleep rhythms.

1) Melatonin

People who use melatonin report that it helps them get to sleep and sleep more soundly. It also makes them more alert the next day and even lessens mid-afternoon tiredness and the need for naps. In all cases, melatonin should be taken at night, preferably before midnight, before going to bed. That’s when your pineal gland naturally releases melatonin. Taking melatonin at night or before your normal bedtime if you are a shift worker, helps restore and maintain normal circadian metabolic rhythms.

2) Magnolia Extract (Magnolia officinalis)

The Magnolia tree contains potent antioxidants, and is a powerful non-addictive antidepressant that alleviates stress and anxiety, without the tranquilizing side effects of drugs. When we suffer from stress, anxiety, or depression, it’s common to have trouble falling asleep, and staying asleep. In fact, insomnia is strongly connected with clinical depression and may even be depression’s first recognizable symptom. Magnolia extract takes the edge off, and improves quality of life … without the risk of side effects you might get from a pharmaceutical antidepressant. Dozens of animal studies have shown that it acts as a non-addictive, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety and anti-stress) agent at low doses.

3) Passion Flower Extract (Passiflora incarnata)

Passion flower extract was used by Native American Indians as a sedative and sleep aid. Today, it is revered by herbalists the world over for its sedative and tranquilizing abilities and is approved by the German Commission E, a governmental regulatory agency that evaluates the usefulness and side effects of herbs, in the treatment of insomnia and nervousness. In addition to the passion flower’s traditional use for depression and nervous disorders—including gastrointestinal complaints of nervous origin—it is also used to relieve tension headaches, muscle aches and spasms, pain, hyperactivity, insomnia, epilepsy, to alleviate anger, and help lower blood pressure. Although it is a central nervous system depressant, it does not leave people feeling groggy or drugged.

4) GABA (Gamma Amino-Butyric Acid)

GABA is an amino acid and is the main inhibitory (calming) neurotransmitter in the brain. Its function is to decrease neuron activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing. Too much activity can lead to restlessness and insomnia, but GABA inhibits the number of nerve cells that fire in the brain, and helps to induce sleep, uplift mood, and reduce anxiety.

Normally, our brain produces all the GABA we need. But our GABA levels may become depleted from poor diet, illness or exposure to environmental toxins. A deficiency can result in insomnia, anxiety, irritability, and depression. GABA supplementation appears to promote sleep and relaxation, alleviate stress, and elevate mood.

5) Taurine

Taurine is another amino acid, and potent antioxidant. Found in the nervous system and muscles, taurine supports brain neurotransmitters, including melatonin and GABA, and helps regulate their release into the brain. It also regulates heartbeat; maintains the stability of cell membranes; regulates the transport of potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium in and out of cells; and regulates the activity of brain cells. Low amounts of taurine may cause anxiety, epilepsy, hyperactivity and poor brain function. On the other hand, sufficient taurine levels are believed to contribute to a feeling of calmness, an essential to restful sleep.

6) Bacopa Extract (Bacopa monniera)

Bocopa is considered to be the greatest herb in Ayurveda medicine for treating age-related mental decline, as well as for improving cognitive processes, including comprehension, memory and recall. It also enhances the crucial coordination of these three aspects of mental functioning, and helps increase one’s ability to solve problems.

Bacopa has been shown to improve memory and productivity by reducing anxiety and related problems. A number of compounds have been identified in bacopa, including bacosides A and B, two chemicals that improve the transmission of impulses between nerve cells in the brain. These bacosides regenerate synapses and repair damaged neurons, making it easier to learn and remember new information. Bacopa also increases serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep and relaxation.

How much sleep do you really need?

That answer varies from individual to individual. What we do know is sleep is as important as food and air, and both the quantity and quality we get are also extremely important. Six and one-half to seven hours of uninterrupted sleep seem to be the magic number for a lot of people.

Conclusion

Many of us are under constant pressure—at work, home, and even at play—and instead of dealing with periodic episodes of stress; we are now dealing with stress syndrome. But stress is much more than a modern-day inconvenience. It is a serious hazard that can lead to anxiety, depression, life-threatening diseases … and lack of sleep. The problem is, if you’re not getting enough of it, sleeplessness can drain your energy, compromise your immunity, and—like stress—increase your risk of other diseases. The main thing is to try to be consistent. Get into a routine, and try to go to bed at the same time every night. Start to wind down a couple of hours before bedtime, and take a sleep formula with time-tested, scientifically proven herbs and nutrients to help you relax and sleep through the night. Before you know it, you’ll be sleeping like a baby… and will feel revitalized and ready to face the challenges of your world.

References:

1. Nakamura K, Hashimoto S, Honma S, Honma K. Daily melatonin intake resets circadian rhythms of a sighted man with non-24-hour sleep-wake syndrome who lacks the nocturnal melatonin rise. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1997 Jun;51(3):121-7.

2. Hoffman, David, The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical Herbalism, Healing Arts, April 1998

3. Gobaille S, Schleef C, Hechler V, Viry S, Aunis D, Maitre M Gamma-hydroxybutyrate increases tryptophan availability and potentiates serotonin turnover in rat brain. Life Sci. 2002 Mar 22;70(18):2101-12.

4. Birdsall T. Therapeutic applications of taurine. Alt Med Rev 1998;3(2):128-136.

5. Singh HK, Dhawan BN. Neuropsycho-pharmacological effects of the Ayurvedic nootropic Bacopa monniera Linn. (Brahmi). Indian J Pharmacol 1997;29(5):S359-65.

For more info, visit www.smart-publications.com, specializing in advanced nutritional formulations.

By Michelle Montoya |

Not all lasers are created equal. There are different lasers for different cosmetic and aesthetic purposes. Some of the various procedures that use lasers are: hair reduction and removal; vascular treatments, such as spider vein removal, reducing roseacea, and other vascular lesions; wart removal; acne treatment; collagen stimulations and skin resurfacing.

Hair Removal

There are basically two main types of medical devices used for hair removal. The first is a true LASER, or Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. There are many different strengths and wavelengths of lasers. One that is often used for hair removal is the Nd:YAG, which uses 1064 nanometers of wavelength. Its primary target is hemoglobin, but it does have a small affinity for melanin (color pigment in skin).

The other popular hair removal option is an Intense Pulse Light (IPL) machine. The IPL machine primarily targets melanin. In hair removal, both medical devices target the hair and follicle in the active hair growth phase of the hair growth cycle. This is because in this stage, the hair has a root attached and when the root is attached, the area around the hair is filled with blood. The 1064 Nd:YAG attacks the blood supply and stops it, thus stopping the supply of nutrients to the follicle and it dies. The IPL machine actually heats the pigment of color in the root itself and destroys the hair follicle. Both are reliable forms of hair removal.

With hair removal, several treatments will need to be done to get rid of all hair. Two weeks after treatment, the hair disappears. Whatever hair wasn’t destroyed will grow back in four weeks. Treatments are usually six weeks apart. While side effects are rare, some may have a swollen appearance to the follicle after treatment, but it’s usually gone within minutes.

Vascular Treatments

In the land of veins and vascular lesions, the 1064 Nd:YAG is the machine of choice because it targets hemoglobin. The IPL machine works equally well on collagen stimulations, but because it targets pigment in the skin, it can burn off sun spots or sun damage. A trained and licensed person should always form your treatments, as skin could easily be burned with both machines but more so with the IPL machine.

The other choice of laser for sun spots and damage, scars, wrinkles, etc. is the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, which is losing popularity due to recovery time, the Erbium:YAG laser (which produces energy that is better absorbed by the skin that a CO2 laser, and the fractional laser. These lasers are classed as ablative lasers, which means their wavelength is such that they peel off the top layers of skin to mid-dermal level or more. These lasers are usually run by licensed professionals.

In vascular treatments, including spider vein removal, recovery time is quicker than traditional surgical methods of vein removal. The chance of complications is less, and the procedure is well-tolerated by most patients. Many of the unsightly veins can be removed with one treatment, but some may need two or more to completely clear the veins.

Wart Removal

When it comes to warts, there are several methods for removal. Keratolysis removes surface skin cells with salicylic acid, blistering agents, or formaldehyde. Cryosurgery freezes the wart with liquid nitrogen, which causes the wart and surrounding skin to fall off. Laser treatments destroy the small blood vessels that nourish the wart and keep it alive, which causes the wart to fall off.

Three types of lasers are typically used to remove warts. A pulsed dye laser (PDL), carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, or Nd:YAG laser. Nd:YAG lasers are an effective way of removing warts because they target the dilated blood vessels at the base of the wart and effectively destroy the virus and disinfecting the surrounding tissue.

In most cases, warts that are treated with lasers are permanently removed after only one treatment. Laser treatment, in contrast to surgical removal, causes no scarring and generally requires no anesthesia. This makes it particularly suitable for the treatment of children with warts.

Acne Treatment

Lasers treat acne by delivering light through the skin’s surface, triggering the body’s natural bacteria fighting defenses. These defenses kill the problem causing bacteria and reduce the severity of current and future breakouts. Fractional (or Fraxel®) lasers have the potency of ablative treatments but the gentle safety of non-ablative lasers. Fraxel® Laser treatments also trigger the body’s natural production of new collagen and skin cells, which leaves the skin looking younger and fresher.

Nd:YAG lasers are also used to treat acne and work the same way as Fraxel  lasers do. They use a high power laser that penetrates the skin and targets the bacteria that produces the inflammation associated with acne. This bacteria releases molecules called porphyrins, which when exposed to a certain wavelength of light (the laser beam), increase in number until they destroy the bacteria.

With laser acne treatments, a high power laser penetrates the skin, targeting and destroying the bacteria that produce the inflammation associated with acne. The laser also gently vaporizes any scars so that undamaged skin below is revealed. Unlike many other techniques used to treat acne and scars, laser resurfacing is gentle, and complete recovery is achieved within days.

Collagen Stimulation

Unfortunately, we can’t stop time, which is why everyone gets fine lines and wrinkles. While we may not be able to stop time, we can use today’s technology to slow it down a little. As the skin gets older, the cells get thinner and are less elastic. Laser resurfacing uses a laser beam to gently vaporize a thin layer of the skin’s surface. The heat from the laser energy also stimulates the production of new collagen in the dermis. The overall result is that new smoother and tighter skin forms.

Unlike traditional treatments such as dermabrasion (removing skin by abrasion) and chemical peels (removing the skin by using chemicals), the unique characteristics of lasers mean that your doctor can have much more accurate and precise control over the treatment, especially how deep the laser penetrates your skin. The Nd:YAG laser is commonly used in collagen stimulation and remodeling because it penetrates to the collagen layer in the skin to heat and stimulate new growth. The result is tighter skin due to new collagen.

For laser collagen remodeling, there is no immediate sign that a treatment has been done. Laser resurfacing vaporizes a thin layer of skin, and some patients describe it feeling like a sunburn or being snapped with a rubber band. Since laser collagen remodeling stimulates new collagen to grow, many treatments will be needed to maintain growth.

Laser Therapy Today

While it seems that using a laser on skin would be painful, there are many cooling treatments used to prevent any discomfort. There are four types of epidermal cooling: clear gel, contact cooling, cryogen spray, and air cooling. Air cooling is the most natural way of cooling and works by forcing freezing air to the area. The many technological advances prove that using lasers today are safe alternatives to the traditional treatments of yesterday.

References:

1. Laser Hair Removal: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_hair_removal

2. Laser Technology and Therapies: fotona.com/en/technology/

3. Laser Benefits to Treat Acne: www.acne-resource.org/understanding-acne/lasers-benefits.html

For more info, call Nouveaux Aesthetics – Cosmetic Wellness Center at 775-622-8505

Martial Arts or Healing?

By Daniel Kane, NCTMB |

The literal translation of the words Jin Shin Jyutsu® from Japanese to English is “The Cosmic Artless Art of man knowing himself.” Jin Shin Jyutsu® is a physio-philosophy, an ancient Oriental art that teaches us how to hear our body’s distress signals and how to use the signals in the healing process. It is not a technique, which is a mechanical application, but an art, which is a skillful creation. Since no two Jin Shin Jyutsu® sessions are alike, it is best described as an art form.

The purpose of Jin Shin Jyutsu® is to release the tensions that cause physical symptoms, such as pain. Our bodies contain pathways (meridians in other modalities) that send the life force energy into all cells. Blockages in the pathways cause discomfort and pain. Daily physical, emotional, and mental stresses also contribute to breakdowns in the energetic pathways. Similar to acupuncture and acupressure, Jin Shin Jyutsu® balances and harmonizes the body by releasing energy blockages that cause pain.

This gentle art is non-invasive and pain-free, no massaging or manipulation of tissue is needed. There are no age barriers – infants, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly can all benefit. In addition to working with a Jin Shin Jyutsu® practitioner, numerous self-help exercises exist that can be done any time — at your office, while waiting in line, or at home. Jin Shin Jyutsu® is a complement to other modalities and traditional Western medicine, it is not intended to replace or compete with other healing arts.

Jin Shin Jyutsu® is practiced and taught worldwide.

Details of a Session

A Jin Shin Jyutsu® session lasts from 45-60 minutes for adults or 20-30 minutes for children and fragile adults, with a fully clothed client resting comfortably on a soft and padded treatment table. Clients need to remove only their shoes and any wrist jewelry before the start of the session. The art is accommodating for those with physical issues who cannot lie down, the client is helped to find a comfortable seated or other position before starting the session and is not required to assist in any way. The practitioner then reads energy pulses on each wrist. These indicate the current state of the balance of the body’s life force energy, and show where energy is blocked. The practitioner then applies a gentle touch of light pressure on the related body points called safety energy locks (where energy meridians converge or overlap), holding different points in tandem, all the while synchronizing the pulses felt in the wrist of the client. After a certain amount of time, the practitioner will move on to a different combination of points in order to bring about a particular result, whether to relieve pain, insomnia, fatigue or restore emotional, hormonal, and mental balance. Each holding pattern is called a “flow”, and each flow addresses a different aspect of the body’s well being. Over the course of a session, a practitioner may use a sequence of flows that involves points on the fingers, toes, arms, legs and back. The energy pulses are checked again at the end of the session. The effects percolate for about eight hours, but even afterward the body is likely to be more relaxed and centered than it was prior to the session. Each session is unique to the client and their specific needs at that time.

References:

1. http://www.jsjinc.com/

2. Yoga Journal March/April 1988

For more info call Daniel Kane at (775) 233-8404

By Adrienne Hardt |

Whether or not you believe in intuition or have had an experience of intuitive insight, many people, in nearly all walks of life, attest to its existence and use it in their lives.

In massage, the intuitive massage practitioner has an inherent ability to sense more than the qualities felt by fingers and hands.

Tension and pain in muscles and tendons are easy to palpate. The cause of tension, however, is not necessarily clear. It may come from over-exertion, accident or strain or from emotional causes such as fighting with a mate or coworker; worry about a family member or close friend can also produce tension, as can problems with a business partner, boss or employee.

When emotional problems are present, the client receiving a massage may or may not decide to tell the practitioner about them. Most often emotional issues are sublimated, as the client desires to simply let go and enjoy the relaxation and separation from problems.

During the massage, however, an intuitive therapist can sometimes feel and identify such issues – and even the person(s) involved. When this happens, a door is opened for exchange in which the issue can be discussed in a safe and comfortable environment, without judgment or rancor. Resolution may result or the issue may be seen from a different point of view, and shed light on possible solutions.

When touching a part of the client’s body, e.g., the shoulder, the intuitive practitioner may “see” an image or feel an emotion or a pain, or even “hear” words that are connected with the problem causing distress to the client. Such an experience is usually repeated once or more during the massage, making it less likely to be overlooked or ignored. Usually a client is very interested to hear what the therapist shares and wants to know more, even if the subject matter is uncomfortable or difficult for the client to think or talk about. The fact that the experience was felt by someone else validates the client’s feelings and makes the issue safer to talk about and work through during the session.

An intuitive session may go something like this:

Therapist touches client’s lower back and senses anxiety/stress. Upon probing deeper it becomes clear that there is an issue about client’s father. Therapist says that she feels something about client’s father. Client agrees that there is indeed an issue. Therapist, feeling more specifically into the point from which the anxiety arises, “sees” that it is an issue about feeling like the father considers the client a failure. The client may sob or cry at this point, as he begins to uncover the long-standing but deeply buried pain and fear. A conversation ensues in which a good therapist asks questions without judgment or solution, which are full of support and encouragement, believing that the client can heal his pain, realize his strength and move forward in his life. All of this happens as a result of bringing the fear to the surface and giving voice to it. The client may go on to obtain professional counseling.

Another scenario may be:

Therapist is working on client’s back and feels some tightness that leads to the idea that there is conflict at client’s work. He mentions this to client, who concurs that things are not going well at work – too much pressure, assigned work is not getting done, etc. Therapist feels that the pressure is not external but originates internally. Is there something client might be doing to create this kind of pressure? Client agrees that she has “had” to take control of the office because the office manager isn’t doing her job. There is an air of resentment and lack of cooperation in the office. Therapist may ask more questions which help client to see that she may be micromanaging and her staff is actually capable of handling the work, just not the way she would do it. Client has an epiphany and decides to step out of that arena and just focus on the other aspect of her work.

This type of work is remarkable. Not only does a client receive the body work needed to decrease the pain in tense and overworked muscles, but they also gain insight into patterns of behavior in their lives that are not serving them. Such insight makes it possible to change and open new doors to future possibilities.

People who do well with intuitive massage work are those who are willing to go to the dark and hard places inside, and take a look around. Pain usually plays a part in this looking, but once these feelings are walked through, they are very soon replaced by freedom and a sense of lightness that comes from unburdening one’s psyche. Nothing compares with this feeling…

Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/intuition_(knowledge)

For more info, contact Adrienne Hardt, 775-825-7727.

By Annie B. Bond |

Epsom salt is a common household item made of the natural mineral, magnesium sulfate. You can buy Epsom salt at most drug stores and grocers.  When magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin, such as in a bath, it draws toxins from the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles, is a natural emollient, exfoliator, and much more. These effects make Epsom salt a perfect solution for many everyday things.

Here are a few examples you can try at home:

• Relaxing and Sedative Bath: Soak in warm water and 2 cups of Epsom Salt.

• Foot Soak: Soothe aches, remove odors, and soften rough skin with a foot soak. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom Salt to a large pan of warm water. Soak feet for as long as it feels right. Rinse and dry.

• Skin Exfoliator: Massage handfuls of Epsom Salt over your wet skin, starting with your feet and continuing up towards the face. Have a bath to rinse.

• Soak Sprains and Bruises: Epsom Salt will reduce the swelling of sprains and bruises. Add 2 cups Epsom Salt to a warm bath, and soak.

• Splinter Remover: Soak in Epsom Salt; it will draw out the splinter.

References:

www.epsomsaltindustry.org

The Silver-lining State

We have a strong presence of mining history in our area. It’s an era of avid interest for me as the stories that settled the West are wrought with amazing breakthroughs and tragic endings. Life at that time held a quality of razor’s edge intensity and uncertainty that simultaneously intrigues me and makes me feel grateful that I don’t have to experience it. While those days are bygones I maintain a miner’s investment in the pursuit of living life discovering the hidden gems. An important vantage point for me is to take a silver-lining state of mind into my daily challenges. I beckon each of you to become a miner for silver- lining in the challenges present in your life. Ferret out the meaningful lessons in your life that will yield important insights about the occurrences in your life.

I’ve been having a tough time fleshing out the silver lining in our consumptive lifestyles. Take a walk on the night before garbage pick-up. You’ll undoubtedly see excessive piles of stuff moving toward the dump. I urge each of you to take stock of your usage of “stuff” and take a double take on some of your routine purchases. Find that place of healthy compromise where you might resist purchasing 100 individual bottles of water and upgrade to a five-gallon jug. Or endorse a mason jar with a handmade sleeve and reuse it for your liquid needs. Consume less to simplify your life.  When we take a larger perspective on our choices and needs we find many ways to behave more sustainably and efficiently. An examined life can be compared to the rapport between the sculptor and the stone block: guided actions that remove the externalities and distractions to reveal an animate underlying perfection.

One sure-fire remedy to consuming aimlessly is to create a meaningful and interesting reason to be in the world. An inspired life has a sustained self-entertaining quality that doesn’t require much “stuff” to stimulate that upbeat feeling of being alive. We often times make huge compromises by constantly staying busy or entertained. We purchase time-consuming ephemeral distractions that will find a place in the trash within three-months time and then become seduced by the latest version of our chosen distractions. Our cultural tide convinces us that busy is associated with important and its presence reflects a certain “better’ social status. I’m here to counter this notion and represent Camp Less-is-More. This life is too precious to fritter away on the mundane and trivial sideline occurrences unless they pull you closer to your reason for being in the world.  Get fired-up about the corner of creation that you alone occupy. In Buddhism it is taught that with each of us a world dies, the world that we’ve created with our life dies along with our passing. Being small and anxious is NOT your purpose. Answer this for yourself: What is the central question that your life revolves around? What are you living for?

Enjoy the exquisite fruits of a consummate harvest that speaks distinctively to the desires and aspirations you hold dear to your heart.

Dr. Taylor Donovan

www.renohealthforlife.com