My Heartsongs

What constitutes a good life? What choice points, and perhaps the use of intuition in decision making as described last week, might get one there?

In our age of bewilderment, is human intuition merely an advanced form of pattern recognition? A biochemical collection of perceptive algorithms? What might stimulate and enhance its development?

VUCA characterizes and reflects upon the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity of general conditions, and how enterprises might flourish despite those challenges. The military also found the term useful, and incorporated it into their training as well. Here I attempt to make it relevant to personal challenges.

My body is a good messenger, inviting me to grow in ways that are not always pleasant but on some spiritual cosmic level, most necessary. Freedom appears when I can embrace that truth, no matter what unpleasant feedback my body might be offering.

Down mood most of the time.                                                          Energy decrease, fatigue, and a slowed-down feeling. Pleasurable activities are no longer enjoyed.                Remembering, concentrating, and decision making are more difficult.                                                                                                          Eating problems.                                                                                        Sleep problems.                                                                                            Sense of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, guilt. Ever recurrent aches/pains don’t respond to treatment.      Death thoughts, or a suicide plan.

Symptoms of depression in young men may manifest as aggressive acting-out, irritability, low impulse control with inability to tolerate stress, and a greater willingness to take risk.

Drugs –most often seen in this culture as hedonism, escape, or dulling the senses thru self-medication – are viewed in many cultures as “doorways of perception” to borrow from the excellent work of Aldous Huxley. There has been a significant resurgence in the use of psychedelics to treat a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and PTSD, often with excellent research results.

So this is my formula for listening to the body: continue to move naturally, pay attention and be curious about early warning feedback, occasionally do a habit inventory, remember the body feels better when grateful and mindful, and find your tribe and connect regularly.

It is a challenge to face a lifetime mountain of clutter. I haven’t moved in 24 years, and doing a deep dive and really sifting through stuff to keep what is useful, retain important memories, and yet let go of some material things seems daunting and a bit overwhelming.

Paying attention to “favorite things” in some ways is a prayer, full of gratitude and appreciation rather than asking for more or something different. The lists are different every time I engage with this little exploration. I wonder what your list might include?

Time for some good news: Gene treatment for sickle cell disease, a new antibody for the fight against malaria and new hope for reducing pain in fibromyalgia.