Imagine that your physical body is a playing piece on an intricate game board. The rules of the game keep changing, but one thing is certain: forward motion is desirable. Onward through the fog!

We seem so far from a world that works for everyone. Part of me says I do try to just keep lighting up my little corner of the world, and that is enough. Another part – perhaps an inner protector – exclaims “not my bailiwick.”

Mortality is front and center these days, and to ignore, deny, minimize or conceal that as I age does not serve me. As one friend poetically put it, the older we get the less we leave unspoken. And being present and showing up for the people I love seems to be a hallmark of healthy aging. I almost entitled today’s musings, when dark times serve us well. That reality we all can attest to, that hard times often open new doors of awareness, assist us to find support and resources – both inner and outer – we did not know existed.

I have been thinking a lot this week of the many many things I often take for granted. I find it a life affirming practice to regularly honor the wonderful creativity that humans are capable of, producing true miracles that enhance the quality of our lives, tools we can use every day to be better, more caring and compassionate humans. 

Tender Loving Care comes to mind as an excellent bridge between freedom and escape when I am feeling a bit down. Not quite freedom, as in deep release from old habits and patterns that are not helpful. But also not really escape, this taking care of oneself, being kind to oneself, taking a needed rejuvenating break from the usual bruhaha.

MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) has recently been in the news quite a bit. I personally think RFK Jr is sometimes getting shortchanged by the left. This is someone who has willingly gone after all the stupid dyes and additives in foods, pointed out the significant downsides of processed foods, and is trying to revamp the vaccine adverse reporting system—something it badly needs for us all to feel safe taking vaccines.

Commonly labeled as the science of vibrations, numerology suggests that one’s birth date is particularly important. It is known as the life path number, which highlights core traits, and the letters of one’s name translated into additive numbers represent the expression number, reflecting potential and talents.

Today I want to highlight four aspects of THC use that I believe deserve further societal education and action. DWI, Cannabis Use Disorder, using during pregnancy and research on memory.

I discuss the hidden epidemics now affecting those who seek out drug explorations. Nitazenes, Medetomidine, Kratom and smuggling novel drug combos into prison, sprayed on paper and then smoked. 

During my days actively working for the NM DOH, I would sometimes encounter difficult people. My basic premise, developed early on, and honed through years of personal explorations, is that such folks can be great teachers—whether the lesson be patience, setting good boundaries or just avoiding them for mental health’s sake.