To Filter The Air
In North Carolina we are winding down on the pollen season. It is the end of the Pine tree pollen that gets on everything outdoors and coats it with a thick yellow dust. There are other tree pollens during this time so we have the yellow dust and clumpy brownish plops and strands of prickly pollen covering anything outdoors. Persons allergic to these pollens must stay indoors as much as possible to filter the air they breathe. For most of my life I have not been affected by tree pollen.
Last year I started feeling the effects of the pollens and was prescribed medication. With the medication there was only mild relief and a trade-off of symptoms. I had heard about a nasal wash called a Neti Pot. This Neti Pot works by flushing out the nasal passages with a mild saline solution. It really cleans out your head. It is very easy to use and is inexpensive. You do some easy yoga poses to complete the nasal flush. For mild suffers of pollen or dry nasal passages, this Eastern remedy works. It works as the rain we are having today is washing away the pollens outdoors as we step into May, the second month of spring.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Been This Way
Ever since we had to change the time on our clocks to be in sync with everyone else, I have been out of my normal self. I cannot put my finger on what exactly is the problem. If I analyze how I feel, I get a simple answer; I am tired. I am pushing myself to do what I have to do instead of just doing it without resistance. For the entire month of April, I have been this way. I am lingering in bed after I get awakened by my alarm instead of just getting up and enjoying the day. At the end of the day I am dragging. I know my patience is lower and I have stepped off my spiritual path a bit. I take this will pass soon.
Ever since we had to change the time on our clocks to be in sync with everyone else, I have been out of my normal self. I cannot put my finger on what exactly is the problem. If I analyze how I feel, I get a simple answer; I am tired. I am pushing myself to do what I have to do instead of just doing it without resistance. For the entire month of April, I have been this way. I am lingering in bed after I get awakened by my alarm instead of just getting up and enjoying the day. At the end of the day I am dragging. I know my patience is lower and I have stepped off my spiritual path a bit. I take this will pass soon.
Friday, April 22, 2005
A Gem In My Day
All this week I have been taking walks enjoying the outside. On Monday I was outside because I had to change the tire on my truck. I had run over some metal part of the car ahead of me on the freeway driving to work. I made it to work ok but after two hours the tire was flat. On Tuesday and Thursday I walked the nature trails near work stopping to take photographs at some unique spots. On Wednesday I went to the Christian Thrift Store, Dorcas. They have lots of things for sale. I picked up 3 hardback books, some underwear, some graphic paper and a graphic paper cutter. Today I went the NC Surplus Store but I only got dirty. If I needed to furnish an office this is the place to go. They have tons of furniture and filing cabinets that are in great condition. I did not buy anything although I was tempted. I then went over to Little India. There I checked out a Indian grocery store but only looked around. I did not recognize most of the food so I thought about all of the possibilities of culinary discovery. I walked around window shopping until I found a store of fashion and gifts, Kalashri. This store was great! All of the merchandise was from India. I was the only customer at this time and I got personal service from a pretty woman dressed in a beautiful pink dress. I bought an outfit, a Buddha statue 100 years old, two little Ganesha statues and some incense. The woman also liked me and gave me a 10% discount. Was I present during all of this? In hindsight I think I was because I can clearly remember it to write it down for this journal.
All this week I have been taking walks enjoying the outside. On Monday I was outside because I had to change the tire on my truck. I had run over some metal part of the car ahead of me on the freeway driving to work. I made it to work ok but after two hours the tire was flat. On Tuesday and Thursday I walked the nature trails near work stopping to take photographs at some unique spots. On Wednesday I went to the Christian Thrift Store, Dorcas. They have lots of things for sale. I picked up 3 hardback books, some underwear, some graphic paper and a graphic paper cutter. Today I went the NC Surplus Store but I only got dirty. If I needed to furnish an office this is the place to go. They have tons of furniture and filing cabinets that are in great condition. I did not buy anything although I was tempted. I then went over to Little India. There I checked out a Indian grocery store but only looked around. I did not recognize most of the food so I thought about all of the possibilities of culinary discovery. I walked around window shopping until I found a store of fashion and gifts, Kalashri. This store was great! All of the merchandise was from India. I was the only customer at this time and I got personal service from a pretty woman dressed in a beautiful pink dress. I bought an outfit, a Buddha statue 100 years old, two little Ganesha statues and some incense. The woman also liked me and gave me a 10% discount. Was I present during all of this? In hindsight I think I was because I can clearly remember it to write it down for this journal.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Some Mind Control
Last evening I was supposed to go with my partner Greg to a birthday dinner for Berm at the Thai Palace. When I got home from work, Greg was not there. I thought he may be visiting with Caroline so I called her house but there was no answer. I did not leave a message. I waited 15 minutes but he did not show, so to be on time I had to leave. As I drove to the restaurant, there were a few times I had to remind myself that all was ok. Because it was ok what ever it was.
I was the better for remembering and was not worried or disturbed at the dinner. I had a great time. Berm, who is from Thailand, was in great spirits and helped everyone with their food choices. He and our server spoke Thai and I picked up a few phrases myself. Once the dinner was over I was not worried on the drive home and once I got home Greg was there. He was mad at himself for missing the dinner but he was ok and I was ok.
If I had not had some mind control that one gets from mindfulness practice, I would have been nervous at dinner and would have asked to use someone's cell phone and all that foolishness. I don't have a cell phone for a reason. In my opinion, a cell phone is a luxury not a necessity and I do not wish to be so accessible. As I was typing this log a cell phone rang at the desk behind me. Its owner has gone home for the day. I guess he unconsciously decided to be inaccessible today.
Last evening I was supposed to go with my partner Greg to a birthday dinner for Berm at the Thai Palace. When I got home from work, Greg was not there. I thought he may be visiting with Caroline so I called her house but there was no answer. I did not leave a message. I waited 15 minutes but he did not show, so to be on time I had to leave. As I drove to the restaurant, there were a few times I had to remind myself that all was ok. Because it was ok what ever it was.
I was the better for remembering and was not worried or disturbed at the dinner. I had a great time. Berm, who is from Thailand, was in great spirits and helped everyone with their food choices. He and our server spoke Thai and I picked up a few phrases myself. Once the dinner was over I was not worried on the drive home and once I got home Greg was there. He was mad at himself for missing the dinner but he was ok and I was ok.
If I had not had some mind control that one gets from mindfulness practice, I would have been nervous at dinner and would have asked to use someone's cell phone and all that foolishness. I don't have a cell phone for a reason. In my opinion, a cell phone is a luxury not a necessity and I do not wish to be so accessible. As I was typing this log a cell phone rang at the desk behind me. Its owner has gone home for the day. I guess he unconsciously decided to be inaccessible today.