Physically, this is a perfect storm day for me. My spinal cord and autoimmune disease are merging into my version of a category one hurricane. I predict it will not become a category five.
After 40 years, my forecasts are fairly reliable.
How I engage this powerful energy determines the life of the storm. There is no destroying chronic illness but there are ways to extract its energy.
My immune system is stuck in on–fight mode–so infections are rare but joint pain, fatigue, and anemia are chronic. Spinal cord disease affects my limbs.
Together, they have taught me to appreciate the daily doses of energy available.
As they are teachers, they require attendance and attention. Always, there are daily lessons. No day begins without meditation, the mind-body’s way of becoming completely present both within and outside the body.
I practice mindfulness meditation–“sitting” with sensations—immersing myself in their rising and detaching as they subside. I do not meditate to escape.
A gentle yoga practice works with the signals my body sends, in particular pain. Meditation strips away the fear and anxiety surrounding pain, leaving pure energy; in yoga, the breath softens the signals into a solitary, vibrant flow.
Both meditation and yoga open me to the experience that is this day and this day alone. Tomorrow is, well…tomorrow. What they have in common is love, the energy that animates our being.
The only meaningful thing we can offer one another is love.
Not advice, not questions about our choices,
not suggestions for the future, just love.
Glennon Doyle Melton
I know that life is impermanent; I suspect love is invincible.
Aim for Even posts offer equanimity in daily doses. No day or dose is ever the same, even if the aim is. You may read about the origins of Aim for Even here or on this site’s About page.
Aim For Even: The Daily Dose 
Your blogs are brave attestations to one of my favorite quotes from A Course in Miracles: “The body does not exist except as a learning device for the mind”
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Thank you, Craig. Always, I am amazed at the body as teacher.
Karen
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Such a lovely practice Karen. Sending you love 💛
May the prana move through you to heal and restore you for each day ahead.
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Thank you, Val. In meditation and yoga, I breathe my way to the energy available in each day. Amazingly, it is enough and in its own way, healing and restorative, just as you say. Much appreciated, Val.
Karen
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Our breath is so powerful … And is easily overlooked in western medicine. Breathe well my friend and let the Prana keep moving and bringing nourishment and energy to wherever you need it every day.
💛
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Hello, Without sounding cliche “I feel your pain.” As I read this, I felt as if it were my own mother speaking to me. Although we are 20 years apart in age, we share the same effects of aging. She shares with me all the fun things to look forward to and I share with her the things she has never had.
I wish I could take my mom’s pain away, as I wish I could yours.
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