You Matter

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I’ve written and spoken in podcasts about how a buddy of mine in the Bay Area fished me out of the murky waters of post-pandemic burnout.  

The Beginning

It was so bad I wound up in the ER.

Fortunately, no health issues.

A passionate walker for decades I dragged myself out of miserable mornings and put one foot in front of the other day after day, week after week, month after month.  Didn’t matter the weather – pouring rain, snow, record-breaking heat, I kept it up.

Initially I spent the time mentally combing through my life and wondering how the hell I got there.  After all I’d been through so much worse.  

On Impulse

Over past decades I’d kept in touch with a buddy I worked with in tech, emailing then eventually texting. One morning I asked – given he was getting ready to brave Silicon Valley traffic – if it was okay I “brought him” on my walks by texting him.  

Sending him pics of sunrises, fogged skies/misty mornings, beautiful foliage, holiday decorations.

At the time I was going so early it was dark and while I saw a few souls walking or jogging I was pretty much alone.

Well, me and my phone light.

Mutual Benefit

He was more than happy to exchange the occasional text – some before getting in the car – some after he got to work.  

In the course of dialogue it came to light he was going through his own struggle.  He’d been taking care of his mom for eons and it got to a point he needed help.  I’m sure readers can fill in the blanks of the stress involved with finding a place where his mom would get the best care and having to deal with the house and other details.

Day after day, week after week, month after month I listened via text as he shared the challenges of finding an apartment close to where his mom would be, of the stress and chaos of getting the home that had been in his family since the 70s ready to sell – by himself.

No siblings.

He listened as I sorted through a roller coaster of emotions and faced incredible anxiety.

Family

I want to note I absolutely had the support of my family but they had their stress too.  Having my buddy meant they could address their own post-Covid chaos.

A Cure to the Loneliness Crisis?

This morning a good friend sent a video – Diary of a CEO: A Cure to the Loneliness Crisis? in which a gentleman talks about the impact of texting someone to let them know someone is there.

Someone.

This man’s commentary perfectly summarizes the healing texting did for my buddy and me.

Beyond Text

In an age in which many people are trying to do digital detox I can add that over those days/weeks/months I came across a number of individuals out pounding the pavement.

Face to Face Human Interaction.

Some walking dogs, some jogging, some riding bikes, – many just walking.

Often with flashlights.

Over time we began to smile – seeing each other every morning it seemed the polite thing to do.  I began introducing myself. 

You Matter.

Me:

“I look forward to seeing you every morning.”

“It makes my life better to see you in the morning.”

“You always look so pulled together as you’re walking to work.”

I met people who play in the orchestra, who are passionate Rolling Stones fans, who lived overseas…

People of all age groups – yep kiddos waiting for the bus – ALWAYS wish them a good day 

Taking time to connect pays in a myriad of ways big and small and goes in both directions.

Don’t hesitate to tell people they matter.

Be well.

Synchronicity Leads to Anxiety Help

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 In my article Manifesting with a Twist I write part of the overall manifesting ethos is the idea of like attracting like.  Today that guy’s vibrational harmony was such that I left for my walk at the perfect time to come upon him

Yesterday I decided to walk to a local place for lunch.  I was working when I felt the urge to leave earlier than I would have.  Startled I wondered why.

I decided it must be that the sun was shining – that I was telling myself to get a bit of extra Vitamin D.

I was walking the route I decided would provide maximum sun when I got the urge to turn back and go a different way.  

Still sun though not as much thanks to trees.

I resisted because the sun felt nice on the chilly winter day.

The urge to take the other route got stronger.

Listen to Instinct.

I’ve been making an effort recently to listen to my instincts.

Things don’t turn out too well for me when I don’t.

About halfway along the changed route I saw a familiar face.

A gentleman I occasionally see while walking. 

We hadn’t seen each other in awhile.

We knew each other’s names but not much else.  

When he asked what I’d been up to I explained I’m a holistic health doctor and told him of an upcoming project.  We chatted a bit and he asked what I would recommend to someone experiencing anxiety.  I immediately rattled off a number of options but seeing he didn’t have anything to write with handed him my business card and suggested he email me so I could give him my suggestions.

Wait!

Before he started walking again I told him instead of an email, check out my blog because I was going to post my recommendations for a larger audience.

A Blog Instead

It was an easy decision, one guided by the fact that in the past four months I’ve had numerous people mention they’re having a hard time with anxiety.

A Common Theme

For some it was the political tension in the country.  For others they were still grappling with fallout from the Covid Lockdown.  

There were other reasons as well but the above are the ones I heard most often.

Those telling me of their challenges with anxiety are different ages and come from different walks of life.  

And live throughout the country and the world.

I intended to post this yesterday but got buried with a different project.  Turns out the wait was serendipitous as this morning I came across an article by a Harvard Trained Expert on strategies for handling anxiety.

Another in a series of “coincidences” that let me know this is the right topic at the right time.

Suggestions

Without further ado here are my suggestions for coping with anxiety.

This does not replace consulting with your personal health care provider and you should not stop any medications you take.

And consult with your health care provider to see if there is any reason not to utilize them.

These are remedies I’ve used at various points in my life with great success.

Walking

I’ve written about suffering severe burnout, fallout from the Covid Lockdown.

It was heartbreaking to watch the toll it took on family,  friends, community.

I originally began walking to help a student fulfill their remote learning gym requirement but soon found being outdoors regardless of the weather was restoring my health.

It was keeping me sane during a crappy time.

I continued walking long after Lockdown was lifted and soon began hearing people in my community say “Hey, don’t I see you walking?” 

I got up to between 2 and 10 miles/day depending.

Walking is an excellent option for dealing with anxiety.

The second it started up I got my tennis shoes on and head out.

I continue to walk rain snow or shine.

Meditation

There are a number of forms of meditation.  

As someone whose mind wouldn’t slow down I was unable to meditate until I came upon the Silva Method.

I’ve been successfully utilizing the Silva Method to solve problems since 2000.

Rescue Remedy!

Bach Flower Remedies are an excellent option for dealing with anxiety.  Developed by Dr. Edward Bach while treating WWI veterans suffering PTSD and what was known as hysterical paralysis or shell-shock syndrome  they are well suited to address a variety of symptoms associated with anxiety, including fright shock and depression.

For details visit this site.

Homeopathy

Another excellent option for dealing with anxiety and conditions associated with it including PTSD is homeopathy.  Developed by Samuel Hahnemann in Germany in the late 19th Century they have been shown to be effective for a variety of symptoms assiciated with anxiety.

Dr. Bach used his principles as a foundation for developing his flower remedies.

For information on which remedies are ideal visit this site.

Homeopathy is considered safe and not contraindicated with medication.  It’s still a good idea to check with your health care provider before incorporating them.

Warning!

Homeopathic remedies, also known as cell salts, are formulations and while the names are unique it’s important to differentiate them from other therapies with similar names.  An example is the fact the homeopathic remedy arnica montana is not the same as the herb arnica, which can be poisonous.  Here is a government site with additional information.

Alcohol

As a research scientist I’ve been very concerned about headlines regarding alcohol and various studies associated with alcohol consumption.

The headlines and the interpretations/conclusions of the data are misleading and in some cases out and out flawed.

I spoke with the gentleman about this when I suggested a glass of wine could be helpful and he mentioned the headlines and not knowing what to think.  I gave him my thoughts on the matter then pulled up my phone and showed him an email I’d sent that morning that contained a link to an article validating my thoughts about the flawed interpretations and conclusions.

I clicked the link – showed him the article.

Click here to read the transcript of the interview with Dr. Emily Oster wherein she sheds light on these studies.

What makes it serendipitous is that I only saw the article that morning!

Timing Like Perspective Is Everything!

Talk To Someone

When anxiety becomes so bad it’s interfering with your ability to function it’s a good idea to seek professional help.  When it isn’t that severe, it’s still helpful to talk to someone.

During the worst of my burnout I began texting with a buddy in California who was also going through sudden life changes.

Even though things calmed for us both we continue to keep in touch.

Sharing joys as well as frustrations.

You are not alone!

And finally?  Know that there are a lot of people feeling anxious these days.

Perhaps some of the suggestions here can help them find peace.

Be Well.

Manifesting 101: Pursue Your Dream and the Universe Responds

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Though I’ve been passionate about walking for decades** I’d gotten away from it after a move left me in a place where it was it was a challenge.

Not to mention I was working on publishing the Metatron’s Army and Dragon Core series.

Life Intervenes

Thanks to Covid and biting off more than I could chew in terms of writing and consulting I hit a giant brick wall.

And wall thy name is Burnout.

When this hilarity landed me in the ER I knew I needed to get back to basics.

Live what I write about – a holistic healthy approach to life.

Those first steps out the door in the middle of a Pacific Northwest Rainy Season were tough.

I would come home soaked through.

Not a Choice

I knew from experience that walking is therapeutic on an incredible scale.

For body mind and spirit.

I also knew if I was going to recover I had to keep at it.

Regardless of the weather.

I’d done it before.

Walked in snow and freezing rain and sleet in Michigan while working in a high-stress industry.

Hold Your Head Up

2 miles turned into 6 turned into 8

Every day 7 days a week

I found myself feeling better.

Slowly but surely.

Um – Have You Noticed?

Not really no.  

Too  busy watching my feet as I put them one in front of the other.

I would come home from the morning walk and kick off shoes soaked through, peel off soaked socks and do what I could to warm up.

I was so sick at that point I couldn’t handle coffee.

When I pushed myself out the door for the midday walk those dry socks became wet as I put on shoes still damp from the earlier walk.

And head out in the rain with an umbrella woefully inadequate for the task of a PNW Rainy Season.

Turn Turn Turn

Eventually the seasons changed.

I made a vow that by the time PNW Rainy Season came back around the following year I would be prepared.**

I began to see the same faces day after day.

A number of them told me seeing me slog through the inclement weather inspired them to start walking.***

I introduced myself to them.

So we could do more than smile and say Good Morning/Afternoon

A Fun and Funny Thing Happened

Weeks of putting one foot in front of the other turned into months and Good Morning/Afternoon turned into small talk that evolved.

I came to see that I’d attracted like-minded souls because I’d pursued something incredibly important to me.

Health in mind body and spirit.

Not The First Time

While out walking recently considering how I’d attracted such wonderful souls into my life I realized it wasn’t the first time.  Decades earlier while working for a Fortune 500 company going down in flames I found myself hitting the pavement of Kensington and/or Maybury.

It started with random conversations with colleagues during which we would discuss our plans for after work – usually working on one proposal or another – and/or the weekend.

Conversations during which a number of us said we would be walking at one of the local parks.

Within a short time those of us of like-mindedness were agreeing to meet to walk together.

No Geek Fest

These were never b*tch sessions.  

We were all so done with the stress and chaos of a career that ever seemed like we were Wylie Coyote to the Discrete Manufacturing Road Runner life.

Start Slow and Go From There

Great philosophy for manifesting dreams.

It started where we would talk about what we were doing after we were done with the walk.

Some talked about going out with their spouse or going to a sports game of their kids.  Some of us talked about our hobbies.  Mine was writing – had a dream of doing it full-time – learned some of my colleagues were on the same path.  One colleague played in a band.  Another entered marathons.

As trust between us grew we began sharing life philosophies.

And talking about dreams we wanted to achieve.

We offered advice to help each other realize those dreams.

We Liked Each Other!

Yeah But

We may have come to trust and like each other but walking 8 miles and discussing the meaning of life was a far cry from spending 80 plus hours a week in a cubicle.

We went to the mat against each other if necessary but once we were one with Mother Nature?  The gloves came off.

The Take Away?

Ah yes – corporate speak.

When you pursue what you love you will attract like-minded souls who can help you on your path to manifesting your goals.

** I invested in waterproof shoes and other gear that will get me through this year.

Aaron gave me an aawesome new umbrella for Christmas.

*** I discovered walking as a wonderful way to strengthen after being paralyzed by a brain bleed when I was 10.

Nine months after the incident that caused it – falling off a diving board – I walked 26 miles to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy.

Walking story from Nashville…

Link to Jamf Nation User Conference

Manifesting 101: A Familiar Feeling

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I’ve mentioned how like so many of us the pandemic left me with severe burnout.

Career burnout.

As with many other variables that surround us now the truth is the pandemic accelerated something already in motion.  

Unless something changed my trajectory I would have hit a wall at some point.

As part of my recovery – and irrespective of the governor’s pandemic coping recommendations – I incorporated walking into my recovery plan.  

2 – 6 miles/day.

This wasn’t a burden as I’ve been an avid walker for decades.

Walked 26 miles less than a year after being paralyzed by a brain hemorrhage to raise money for March of Dimes.

As the weeks turned to months and the miles piled up I noticed something peculiar.  I felt certain felings at the same locations along the route.  What made it peculiar is that the feelings were associated with places I’d lived throughout the years; places that in some cases couldn’t be more different than where I am now.

Not just in terms of climate.

Tuning into the feelings allowed me to see that each evoked a memory of what I loved about the place associated with the feeling.

Wouldn’t It Be Cool?

I’ve written previously that along the path of my life I’ve uttered those words only to find that I manifested what came next in that phrase.  This is especially true when it comes to where I live.  What I came to see over months of introspection while walking is that where I live is actually a mix of several locations tied together by that phrase.

Wouldn’t it be cool…?

To illustrate I’ll describe the essence of what I liked at a handful of the locations.

Grandmother’s House.

No wolf included.

My paternal grandparents lived in an affluent neighborhood near Lake St. Clair.  I loved spending the night at their house not just to see the lake and all the mansions in the area but because it was quiet.

We lived on a busy road.

Many a night as I lay in bed and allowed the silence to wrap around me like a warm blanket I thought “Wouldn’t it be cool to live in a place that was this quiet at night so you could sleep in peace?”

It’s a scenario I’ve had off and on depending where I was living.  

Dorms aren’t the quietest places, nor is living across from a US Mail processing center.

Warm breezes.

With palm trees that bend at 45 degree angles during a hurricane – oh my!

There is an area not far along the path I walk that always evokes the feeling of when I lived in Florida. 

Regardless of the temperature or whether it’s pouring rain – even snow.

The feeling disspiates a short distance later, limiting it to a very specific area.

The area has nothing in common from what I can tell with where I lived in Florida.

Shelter From the Storm

Living with a British family.

My parents split when I was 13 and for a time my mom brother and I were homeless.  Though we eventually got a place to rent we spent time living in my maternal grandmother’s basement and before that, living with the family of the British surgeon who took out my tonsils years earlier.

The man who began my tutelage in holistic medicine after seeing my passion for it while we lived with his family.

I like to think he’d be proud of me for following up with formalized education.

When I walked to school alongside his kids I would look at the nice homes and think Wouldn’t it be cool to live in a place like this?  I don’t know what it is about that specific area along the path I walk but every time I walk by it I am brought back to those days walking to school.

What’s odd is those days spent walking were in the dead of a Michigan winter.

January February and part of March.

I get these feelings each time I walk by, regardless of the season, or temperature.

Even in 80 degree heat!

Eureka!

The role of feelings in manifesting.

This morning it occured to me that what I’d manifested wasn’t an image so much as a feeling.  Each of the locations I thought Wouldn’t it be cool…? were places I felt happy.

Places of refuge in otherwise chaotic times.

Places of peace and security.

The Outlier.

Florida.

Florida was a mixed bag.

It was while living here my parents decided to split up.

In the years since I’ve periodically thought  it would be cool to live in Florida again but the circumstances never matched.  I got the next best thing, however…Southern California!

It was weather and palm trees I missed most!

In the past year I read a number of books on manifesting that cover the importance of feelings in manifesting and while I understood intellectually I had trouble forcing feelings I didn’t feel.

A number of the books offer suggestions on how to evoke a feeling but I was unable to get any of them to consistently work for me.

It was while tuning into this new awareness while walking this morning – that each of those Wouldn’t it be cool…? locations was a place of security and peace – that I came to see something else.  Those are feelings that are part of who I am by nature.

Nature Vs. Nurture.

Painful Memories.

I’ve been in situations where I was forced into survival mode.

Situations where I was living or working.

What’s interesting to note is that until I was out of college I had no control over my living conditions.  As for working – before landing in a toxic corporate soup I’d always had good jobs.

Doing work I enjoyed in good environments with people I liked.

In hindsight I came to see that in order to survive that horrendous toxic soup I was in I had to go on the defensive and look out for myself, which goes totally against my nature.

I’d known from the time I was a child I wanted to be a doctor, not exactly a selfish calling.

Being in such an environment – toxic – makes it that much more difficult to dredge up feelings long enough to manifest something positive.  

Like escape.

Difficult but not impossible.

This is where memories of better times can really help and if you need a bit of bolstering to hold onto that memory you can add the following to keep the happiness going

  • music 
  • movies 
  • friends 

Music is strongly tied to memories so I made sure what I listened to in difficult times brought comfort and joy.

Whenever I longed for Southern California I would plop in Tequila Sunrise.

Or the soundtrack.

Spending time walking with friends at Kensington Metropark after a long day in toxic soup was a balm for the soul.

Both for time spent with friends and time spent in nature.

Though I find it curious that there’s such a patchwork of different energies in one place I’m gratified to know they are tied together by a wonderful bit of truth.  Each is a manifestation of positive happy energy.  

My energy.

I encourage people to find ways to keep positive feelings front and center as often as possible.

Regardless of what life is dealing them.

Walking can definitely be a part of that effort.

Be well!