Increasing Bandwidth

I’ll admit it. My bandwidth is running low. I can’t process all the data. And no, I don’t want an upgrade so that I can tax my nervous system even more. I am on stimuli overload and need a break from it all. Instead of upgrading the system, I need to clear some files. Here are my thoughts on increasing bandwidth in today’s information age:

*Note – If you have children, include them in these activities. They will greatly appreciate it. Resist saying, “I have children, there is no time!” They take considerable bandwidth, so all the more reason to pay heed.

1) Surf. Your smart phone can’t find you playing with the dolphins.
2) Turn off the t.v. and go to bed early. It’s delightful.
3) Answer urgent email but then save correspondence for select times during the day.
4) Create.
5) Meditate.
6) Lie on the yoga mat. (Kids like yoga! Cats and dogs too!).
7) Limit non-stop social engagement.
8) Practice saying, “No, I’m not available.”
9) Pet an animal.
10) Examine flowers in the neighborhood.
11) WRITE – on projects that matter – not email.
12) BREATHE.
13) Daydream.

This operating system has to last and do its job.

Structure Matters

For anyone who has ever studied sports or dance, structure matters. Our body posture and alignment has profound effects on whether we can hit a ball or balance ourselves upright on one leg. Athletes and dancers spend years mastering their body mechanics for optimum performance.

There was a time in my life when I studied “Awareness Through Movement” from the somatic educational system designed by Moshé Feldenkrais (1904–1984). Feldenkrais aims to reduce pain or limitations in movement, to improve physical functions, and to promote general wellbeing. Often incorporated by athletes, musicians, dancers and actors to enhance performance, the classes are wonderful for anyone wishing to increase physical and emotional awareness.

Today, I was reminded that structure matters. Having suffered from TMJ for many years because my jaw shifted out of alignment after having braces, I have long been looking for relief. Today I saw a TMJ specialist. While hooked up to machines for 2.5 hours like Frankenstein so that the dentist could study my “bite registration” and GPS my jaw, I felt my jaw (and every other part of my nervous system) relaxing. Yet I assisted in the process when I was asked questions and expected to engage in focused, incremental mouth movements.

In a few weeks, I will have a device to wear at night that will help put my jaw where it needs to be on a routine basis. When wearing the mock up of the device at the session’s end, my jaw still maintained its relaxed state even when exerting physical strength. Plus, my neck mobility and balance dramatically improved. All because my jaw was in the right position.

It’s surprising how much work goes into relaxing the jaw. I was so exhausted afterwards that I took a two hour nap…

May we remember that structure matters. How we align ourselves – physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually – has a vast impact on our quality of life and functionality.

House Stark

While some of the Starks on “Game of Thrones” might have recently been killed off, Riley Stark, owner of Nettles organic farm on Lummi island is alive and well, providing a wonderful bed and breakfast experience for his guests.

Nettles farm is located on Lummi, one of the San Juan islands two hours from Seattle and an hour and a half from Vancouver, BC. It is home to sustainable fisheries, organic farms and views of Mt. Baker.

To get to Lummi island you have to take a ferry which is really more like a barge because the cars ride on top.

Starks also founded the Willows Inn and renowned restaurant that the New York Times once included in an article entitled “10 Restaurants Worth a Plane Ride.” Everything at the Willows Inn is locally grown, picked, fished and plucked. To eat at this restaurant, you have to be on a waiting list.

The island is quiet and beautiful.

And quiet and beautiful is good for all of our souls.