Everybody Neti Now!

In keeping with my quest for perfect health I’ve started the ancient Indian practice of neti, aka nasal washing, nasal irrigation, or (my personal favorite) nasal douching. It’s where you use a specially designed “pot” filled with warm salt water to clean out your nasal passages.

I’ve known about this practice for quite a while, maybe a couple of years, and desired to buy a neti pot, but procrastination (as usual) got the better of me. It wasn’t until I saw Dr. Oz on the Oprah show describing the practice in detail, and heard some of the testimonies from the audience, that I finally decided to purchase one.

Neti pots come in different shapes and sizes, but the basic design is the same. As the picture shows, there’s a bowl with a spout that’s inserted into your nostril. I ordered mine from the Himalayan Institute. I love their design because it reminds me of Aladdin’s lamp (which I’m sure was the idea). I got the starter kit which includes the neti pot, a jar of salt, and a bottle of herbal wash that you add to the water for extra health benefits.

It took a little getting used to, but I’ve pretty much got the hang of it (it’s been about 3 weeks now). I told some folks about it and they seem at least curious if not completely interested. My sister ordered hers right away though. I’m very anxious to hear what her first experience is like.

For those with any kind of sinus problems or allergies, like me, I highly recommend it. So far, so good. The real test is when allergy season comes around…and it’s not that far off.

FYI: If you want to get a preview of what the neti craze is about, check out these vids on YouTube.

Resolutions for Life

I’ll be going back to work in exactly two weeks. In the time that I’ve been home recovering, I’ve been focusing on rest and healing (which was the goal) and as far as I’m concerned, mission accomplished.

Another goal was to begin a wellness program that includes meditation, exercise, and healthy eating. I’ve also been doing a lot of reading of health and spiritually-themed books. The thing is, there are just so many good things to get into. As I start one thing, I find something else to get into. Then the next thing comes along and takes my attention from what I was just doing. I’m like a kid in a candy store with all this. It’s great, but my biggest concern is that I’ll end up dropping it all when I go back to work. I know I shouldn’t be afraid of this, but this has always been my pattern. I get real fired up about something, then lose interest after something more pressing or engaging comes along.

My resolution this time is to maintain all the good things I’ve started. This isn’t about quitting smoking or losing weight, noble pursuits that they are (not to mention that I could stand to lose a few), it’s about developing lifelong practices, things that will sustain me in this life and beyond. As a spiritual being, there’s nothing more important than my spiritual life. So regardless of how demanding my job is, or how tired or distracted I get, I always have to bring myself back to center. I’ve got to find that place within myself and check in on a regular basis, otherwise what’s the point? It has to be different now. My life depends on it.

So at a time when people are beginning to slide off of their New Year’s resolutions, I’m resolving to reconnect with myself on a deeper level—a higher level—for life.

Big Gurls Need Love Too!

Sometimes I get emails from Universal Music Group promoting new releases. I haven't received one for quite a while, and the one I got yesterday I found in my junk folder. What made me check it out was the link to the new Erykah Badu single, Honey. After seeing that vid, which was very cute, btw, there was one by John Legend that I looked at. It was a live performance of his song, Slow Dance. I've got to share it because I just loved the sister he was dancing with at the end. Did she represent or what?! I just loved that fact that out of all the women in that audience, they chose her. YOU GO GURRRL!!

Reflections On A Blog

I just posted to my New Word blog after almost 2 years. It felt really good to do. It somehow made me feel like I've found a piece of myself that I'd let go of (but then that's been happening a lot these days).

I've been on leave from my job since the end of December recuperating from surgery, so I've had lots of time to think and reflect on what it all means to me. I still have a few weeks left so I decided to revisit some of the things I put aside once I started working full time. The easiest thing to look at was the blogs—not just mine, but others' as well.

My old blog bud, Modigli, is posting again. She'd shut down her blog for a few months, but decided to bring it back, which I'm real happy about. I always enjoyed reading her stuff.

I didn't realize how much I missed all this until I started reading through New Word. I guess you need to get away from something for a while to have a real appreciation for it. I read that thing all the way from the first post to the last and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I actually look forward to going back and digging through the links in some of the posts. (Who knew you could learn from your own stuff?!)

I guess I'll have to go back and read through this one as well. Maybe I'll even start posting more. Hey why not? I've got nothing but time (at least for the next 3 weeks).