I'm hooked!

Oh, friends, thank you so much for your comments! That's it, I'm hooked on this blog thing, thanks to you. Once again, I must thank Amy Prokop, my trusty web goddess, for not only setting up the technical side of this (I have no idea how she put that picutre of me on here) but for emailing all of you to let you know about the blog. I so appreciate your input on my juicer dilemma. Don't tell Ron, but it's going in the suitcase! We are leaving in a few hours for Cleveland, about a seven hour drive, so by tomorrow I'll be hanging over the hotel bathtub rinsing out scraps of spinach from my favorite new toy. Think of me fondly. :)

I am especially touched by those of you who shared that your family members have also dealt with cancer scares. As someone who has kept fear a close companion all her life, I find that health scares are the whoppers. You really find out who you are and what you care about. It's as if a veil (or a mask, I guess...) is lifted and you have immediate clarity. This is how I want to spend my time on earth, these are the people I am invested in. The rest falls away. As with everything, a health scare can be a huge gift if you look at it the right way. Not to sound like Pollyanna, God knows I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but since we're all in this predicament...we're all dying, it's something to think about before an illness strikes. What truly matters to you? How will you spend your days? When fear plagues you, what will you do with it, crumble under its weight or transform it into something useful?
Another part of my health kick is daily meditation. Ever tried it? It's no big deal, just take a moment- you can do it right now- and focus on your breathing. You didn't notice you've been breathing the whole time you've been reading this, did ya? Notice it. Then, if you want, close your eyes and notice it some more. Don't try to change the rhythm or anything else, just notice it. See, you've just meditated. I have a playlist on my ipod for meditation music, ocean sounds, bird sounds, lovely calming music. When I take a "time out" and listen for twenty minutes it's as if my entire being pauses and lets out a sigh of relief and gratitude, "Ahhh...peace." Music is also the greatest motivator for my work outs. Put me on any cardio machine and give me great music...45 minutes flies by. I have to be careful not to get too lost inside the music. I was on the treadmill a few months ago, listening to Jennifer Holliday testify with "And I am telling you I'm not going." I closed my eyes to let the music take me away and instead the treadmill took me out. I made a most ungraceful dismount landing on my face with my ipod flying through the air. Mercifully, I was alone in our tiny condo gym.

Tell me of your experiences with meditation. Do you use music? And what are your favorite songs to work out to? Anyone getting inspired to join me on my health kick? I'll be checking your posts from Cleveland. Gotta run and make my veggie cocktail then throw that machine in the suitcase! Peace out!