An extraordinary journey

Tomorrow I will attend my uncle's requiem service.

For the past 8 months, I have observed my cousins' travelling an extraordinary road together as they journeyed toward the final moments of Unc Lawrence. Extraordinary because it is not an uncommon path. To e contrary, it is a universal path.  It has been an extraordinary journey because they have had no map, yet they were tightly bound by their biological links. And because none of them knew exactly how to get where they were going.

It has been a rough trip. They have open wounds. They have scars. And they have memories. At times, travelling with a cancer-stricken parent seem like a forced march.

But I salute Barb and Fabian because they have dealt with the roadblocks, followed the detours, found the route, and made this trip together.

Now, this is a healing time for them.

Balance begins with the breath

I tried yoga for the 1st time just before Chinese new year. We did a lot of balancing...starting by standing on 1 leg.

I relfected about the importance of balance in the natural order of life. Inner balance...inner peace.

Now i understand that balance begins with the breath. Taking in and letting go are the primal rhytms of life.

Last week, when I felt extreme anger and sorrow, I breathed deeply to find my balance.

Overwork doesn't work

75% of respondents in a Gallup poll said their personal lives suffered because of their ever-increasing work schedules.

The danger of these working marathon days is premature breakdown. Any engine that is constantly running will burn out. Even Arnold schwarzenegger advised against working the same muscle groups 2 days in a row. They need rest to recuperate. It's the same story with rhe mind. Overwork our "mental muscle" and we will lose our sharpness.

I believe it's better to pack it in when I am tired and come back early in the morning. I find that I work faster when i am fresh and think more creatively. And my mood will be far better.

Overwork doesn't work.