"And the times, they are a-changing..."

Changing Awareness

“Just as nature shifts and moves into new shapes and forms, so do we. Sometimes our shifts and moves happen suddenly. Other times, they take place over years, beginning almost imperceptibly. As we move into increased self-awareness, we will become more aware of these shifts. We'll know, see, and feel when they're taking place. We may not know where they're leading, but we'll know something's afoot.”

                                Melody Beattie (Journey to the Heart)

My dinner group met at Pita Stop last night to celebrate our friend Harry's recovery from quadruple by-pass surgery. He's up and at it again, happily engaged in physical therapy and looking more like himself. He is, however, forever changed—and so are the rest of us. Coming face to face with the grim reaper has a sobering effect that ripples out into the world. The rest of us heaved a sigh of relief, and hit the track or the gym with renewed awareness of our own finality.

Summer is moving into fall here in Alabama. It's not cool yet, but it never is in August. Still, you can see and feel the earth cranking slowly toward Autumn. A yellowing leaf, the tomato plants ripening the topmost fruit, the day-lily leaves browning in the sun, the basil going to seed—all point to change.

I remember when I first started doing therapeutic massage. During the training program I began to feel parts of my body I had never been aware of before. Working everyday with other people's bodies, I felt the changes in their tissues; softening, lengthening, becoming spongy, as healthy muscle is. Keen awareness of what is under your hands comes with the territory.

“The more we value and trust life, the more we can count on these shifts to lead us forward and trust the new shape being formed in our lives.” (Beattie) Nowadays, I am made aware of shifts occurring in my own life by the changing images in my dreams. When I dream myself on a train or plane, in a hotel or apartment, or at another person's house by a lake or by the sea, I know I'm on the road again. Things are changing and shifting within; so I am on the look-out—'something's afoot'. The one thing we can always count on is change. Best not to fear it, but to trust and welcome it in.

Harry didn't volunteer to be the canary in the coal mine, but since he was, we will all be healthier and more aware of what a blessing it is to have him in our lives.

                                          In the spirit,

                                          Jane