"There’s more than one way to skin a cat," is a proverb and a common saying that illustrates a principle, gives advice and shares a universal truth. We will examine and apply the meaning of this particular idiom. We no longer believe that"curiosity killed the cat," nor that "a cat has nine lives." The exact origin of the "skinning" phrase is debatable. Our research indicates that this idiom probably originated in a reference to "Money Diggers" back in 1840. "There’s more than one way to skin a cat" MEANS that there are many ways to do something or to achieve a goal. The oldest known "use" of the phrase dates back to 1854, in the work Way down East; or, Portraitures of Yankee Life by Seba Smith. However, this platitude also has its roots in older, similar phrases such as "there are more ways to kill a cat than choking it with cream." It may be that originally the animal in question was a dog, as a seventeenth-century proverb says that "there are more ways to kill a dog than hanging it." Enough history. Regardless of  who, how, when or where it came from, we have the definitive answer to this question. There are only two ways to skin a cat! The two methods are either "dead or alive." Which ever way we chose the cat will not be in favor of it. This analogy extends to many of the things we do in life and how we do them. Life is about finding solutions, there is no neutral place for "scaredy cats." Anything we attempt to do in life will result in making things better or worse. Contrary to how we feel or think about it, there is NO middle ground. Let's use a "fruit" analogy to illustrate this principle. Fruit exists in one of two states, it is either ripening or rotting. The exact moment of transition from one state to the other is unknown. Our attitude, behaviors, consciousness and spirit embellish this principle. Most of us would like to believe that there is some magical impartial zone in life but as Jesus said "let your communications be yea yea or nay nay: for whatsoever is more then these cometh of evil." In another scripture Jesus exclaimed, "He that is not with me IS against me and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." The failure to stand for something make us susceptible to falling for anything. An apathetic, indifferent or "sheepish" attitude does not exempt us from the responsibility of being our brothers keeper. Cats may get skinned and sheep do get sheared as well! But with sheep, at least the fur grows back. However, when it comes to felines; there is no win-win scenario because the cat must die. Our domesticated friends label it as a "doggone catastrophe."

Many people are shocked when they come to a realization that we all live within multiple systems of privilege. When the pains and perils of poverty like hunger, sickness and homelessness threaten our well-being, or the scourge of calamity like natural disasters and pandemics beset us, the presence of higher privileges are generally promoted. In this example privilege refers to the sociopolitical immunity one group has over another that is derived from particular societal standing or status. The "lions share" of oppression that falls upon the less fortunate, generally persists because most individuals fail to challenge it. While they appear to be "catnapping" many of the groups with influence over gender, race, or sexuality, seem to be unaware of the power that their privilege holds. Such inequalities are further perpetuated by a society that systemically keeps those who are oppressed from accessing the resources that would allow them to escape their maltreatment. This also can lead to internalized oppression, where subordinate groups essentially give up the fight to get access to equality, and accept their fate as a non-dominant group. In reality racism, sexism and most other discrimination is simply terrorism in disguise. Cultural, race, religious and social oppression has been "invisibly institutionalized" to keep these cats under control. Historically, oppression is generally accepted and allowed by the oppressors until the "cat gets out of the bag" and a CRISIS appears. Any crisis represents an element of change. Crisis is a catalyst for change. It is important that "crisis" is recognized and identified as early as possible in order to deal with it before it gets to a critical stage. Unfortunately today, most of us are blind to, in denial of or apathetic towards our common plight. The crumbling fabric of our planet through environmental issues, wealth and health disparities and racial inequalities to mention a few, are destructive. Expecting or waiting for others to right wrongs without lifting our voices is how society abandons its responsibilities. It's like splitting hairs on the results caused by child abuse or child neglect; either way the child's needs are not being met! Human psychology is full of many dualities. Although we know that change is a normal and necessary process in life, we still become conflicted with any change that seemingly affects us personally. We generally consider it to be irritating and unwelcomed. We all know and trust what has worked in the past and it's hard to deal with the inevitability of "what got us here may not get us there." Almost everything changes. Life is about change. Unfortunately most people have inverted expectations relative to change. Most of us would rather be "copy cats" and follow the same patterns. The more comfortable we get with the way things are, the more we resist change. Meanwhile, the more comfort we desire, the more we encourage "progress," the process of change. 

"Skinning a cat" is never good for the cat. Capturing and subduing a cat may cause "excited delirium" and should be considered while restraining any beast. Injecting a drug called ketamine into a wild, disgruntled and struggling feline is a reasonable course of action isn't it? We would ask Elijah McClain but after being forcibly drugged and put into a catatonic state he died. This skinny 145 lb "Black Cat" was "reportedly" behaving like a feral or a stray while walking home from a convenience store. This "Black Cat" was subsequently apprehended by (the police) animal control, wrestled to the ground, held in a choke hold while vomiting, threatened to be attacked by a police dog and then tranquilized by the EMT's at the oppressors request. "Lacking privilege," unfortunately, they inadvertently killed the gentle 23 year old massage therapist. South Park had it right all along. They had a Black Cat named Kenny, but "those bastards" always killed him! Everybody knows that "Black Cats" crossing peoples paths is bad luck. Why didn't he conduct himself accordingly. The "takeaway" here is that "Black Cats" wearing hoodies walking home from convenient stores at night can be caught, caged and euthanized without notice. That's the same mistake Trayvon Martin made and he's dead too! Anyone with a minuscule bit of morality knows that "skinning" these unarmed "Black Cats" was wrong. But when it comes to justice it seems as if "the cat has our tongues." Many of the most notable "Black Cats" have become "Hidden Figures" in American History. This means the memories of Bessie Stringfield, Juanita Blocker, Blanche Thompson and Victoria Delee will not get mentioned with the other iconic "Black Cats." Any "Black Cat" that escapes being skinned will likely get buried in the catacombs of history. Incidentally, cats are categorized by breeds much like humans are categorized by race. The "Black Cat" breed is an endangered species in the United States. Yes, along with the Siamese, Persians, Tabby's and Angora's "Black Cats" matter too. The key to "skinning a cat" is to not having to skin it at all. This is why "prevention" is an essential strategy in never "letting the cat out of the bag." This is done in the hope of never having to deal with a "crazed cat." Unfortunately, now "the cat is out of the bag" in every sense of this phrases' meaning. Now, The origin of this phrase is also sketchy. It may have come from a ruse or swindle that involved substituting a cat for what was thought to be a piglet in a sack. Piglets grow into profitable farm animals, a cat substituted in its place may be good for nothing but skinning. The expression, letting "the cat out of the bag" is a common colloquialism that has several meanings. We "let the cat out of the bag," when we expose facts previously hidden and carelessly or mistakenly reveal a conspiracy to its target. We are constantly engaged in trying not to "let the cat out of the bag" by preventing others from seeing or becoming aware of how partial or poorly they are being treated. Letting an outsider into an inner circle of knowledge or revelation "lets the cat out of the bag." In America our "catastrophe's" are already out of the bag and they are not going back inside. That means we'll have to deal with it or skin them. 

When "the cat is out of the bag" it usually indicates that "the chickens have come home to roost" and maybe it's time to "call off the dogs." Everyone can see "the elephant in the room" so let's not be "pig headed." We must address these issues and stop playing "cat and mouse" games. "Hold your horses" some say, but after "watching like a hawk" we can no longer "move at a snails pace." We won't be able to "weasel out of this one." We've got to get "busy as bee's" fixing this mess or we'll just be opening up another "can of worms." Dealing with cats is nothing new. Cultural, race, religious and social oppression has been invisibly institutionalized to keep all kinds of cats under control. Historically, the way we've handled "cantankerous cats" has been to skin them. The numerous attempts of genocide against just about every kind of cat-race, cat-creed, cat-culture and cat-nationality confirms this. Today it's becoming increasingly difficult to cull these herds of cats without the rest of the world taking notice. This "wild goose chase" is slowly coming to an end. Although cat skinning is still prevalent throughout the world we are now more aware of these atrocities. Most think that dogs are the biggest threat to the cat kingdom, but it is not the dogs behind most of our problems its us cats ourselves. Another class of cats have been exposed for what they really are. These high class "privileged" cats can be classified by their "spirit of selfishness." These "finicky cats" are found among our population of privileged people, "the cats meow!" These are the "cat burglars" that historically rob us of intangible qualities like harmony, love, peace and unity. With so many breeds it's always been difficult "herding cats," so how do we expect to achieve "HERD IMMUNITY?" Different breeds have different habits and tendencies. Some cats are so fussy and picky that we consider them as superior breeds. Like any master race all other races are considered to be inferior to theirs. These elitist consider themselves privileged and entitled. But all cats have fur and whiskers in common. Usually a common enemy promotes some degree of unity among all of its victims. The enemy of a friend is normally considered to be a mutual enemy. Although Covid-19 is the enemy of us all we are not united in our fight against it. Different factions are the main differences between us. Other then that aren't we created equal?  What happened to "united we stand" as we fall victim to the germs that divide us? Does "the cat have our tongue" and our wills too? Can't we all agree to do the same thing? Many people are saying that these days are unprecedented but in terms of dealing with cats this is nothing new. Even this pandemic is not a totally unique experience. These days are not really unprecedented but they certainly are unusual. Let's "look at what the cat dragged in" or what problem we dragged in with the cat. Another"cat" that we've called a pandemic has yet to be skinned. This world as a whole has mounted a rather pitiful response against this breed of "Covid" cats. With all of the resources at our disposal why do we continue to "SHARE OUR AIR" with strangers? We have the means but not the will. Technology offers us multiple solution if we apply them unilaterally. Anyone who has lived long enough should be amazed at the amount of data (information) that is available today.  We've landed on the moon, traveled to mars and with all of our prowess the sky is the limit. So why do we appear to look like "the cat that swallowed the canary?" Is it because that despite all of our unlimited potential as a species we are guilty of being physically, politically and spiritually divided? Is it due to the fact that many of us are so egocentric that we willingly victimize one another for riches, power or pleasure? No one wants to sacrifices their life in vain. Self preservation is a fundamental instinct we all share.

Today our Advancements in medicine, science and technologies worldwide have connected us all together. In spite of our lack of unity, income inequalities, "fat cats" and separatist policies; the reality is that we are now more interconnected then ever before. Yesterday it seemed that we were on top of the world, but today it appears that the world is on top of us. While we fight like "cats and dogs" one virus has some-how single-handedly beaten the majority of the planet. Our protest regardless of their cause or goals must lead to progress. Too many people seem to be preoccupied with saving their own skin. The idea that "we've already made up our minds and don't want to be confused by the facts," is the barrier we must cross. The motivation for self preservation may be exactly what we need now. Although it may seem to be raining cats and dogs, its mostly cats. Maybe we can explain it and even remedy today's problems through using the "spirit of selfishness" as a tool. One of the main reasons that many people aren't too concerned about climate change is because they don't see its effects personally. The possibility of a cataclysmic outcome is difficult to imagine without seeing the overwhelming evidence of impending doom. Before "the flood" Noah experienced this same phenomena. Maybe we can incite people's selfish desire to survive as motivation to unify. Christian dogma supports this notion and even the "Devil" uses it against us. The book of Job in the Bible illustrates this point. In order to find a way to get to Job, Satan presented this rationale. "Skin for skin, yea all that a man hath will he give for his life" is how he put it. Most of us get serious when the problems get personal. Unfortunately too many of us feel that others problems are not our problems. When we finally see life as it really is we'll realize how connected we all are, and that makes it personal. In past posts we advocated the theory that if the entire world faced a common enemy, like aliens from another planet, we would all come together, at least until we defeated the common foe and afterwards go back to our normal infighting. This belief appears to be somewhat shortsighted. The country seems to be operating in a catatonic state when it comes to this pandemic. We keep hearing that we are all in this together, which is true, but we continue to nurture selfish separatism. Why has an intelligent and sophisticated nation like ours embarking on such a suicidal path? Germs do not spread themselves we spread them. The fact that this country and the rest of the world hasn't devised a "unified plan" to mitigate its effects and protect one another simultaneously is baffling. This was our grand opportunity to prove ourselves as the "true" leaders of the world, "but we blew it." Watching what we're doing to ourselves and one another is both depressing and infuriating. The majority of our countrymen are not over 60, have few comorbidities and are not black, Latino or native Americans. If those among us that feel insulated by the privilege of youth, wealth or affiliation would only consider the welfare of the rest of us, we would all do better. If the "spirit of selfishness" is deployed and managed properly it can be used as a catalyst to push us to the ultimate goal of survival, guided by our self centered ego. If we fail to heed these warnings and keep whipping ourselves with a "cat-o-nine tails," we just might end up ALONE like a "cat on a hot tin roof."

Growing old is not for the faint of heart. It takes time to get old but less and less time to get older. Today's mid-sixties seem like yesterday's mid-forties. We were made to grow more like trees than like grass. Trees grow slow and their seed or legacy are within themselves, that is their fruit. Aging is a process about change regardless of whether we want to change or not. Change is inevitable. Everything but our spirits will age as we gradually change over time. The tactics that "other spirits" will attempt to use against us may also vary as well. As we slowly age, these "forces" generally adjust their attacks to compensate for our ignorance, naivety, pride and stubbornness. Change is generally steady but never in a rush. As a matter of fact, although some people and things seem as if they never change, they all do. The battle is the same but the battlefield we fight on changes! One thing all of us will discover as we mature, is that some of the things we stop doing while aging will also result in our inability to ever do them again. The natural tendency of most of humanity is to resist change. Today's trend is to try and stay young as long as we can and conceal aging. We should not be battling against aging. We should be welcoming, accepting and treasuring its benefits. Why fight​ against the advantages that aging brings? Yes, as "much as youth" is wasted on the young, is as much as "wisdom" is not treasured by the aged. The maturity of age offers us the opportunity to participate in a new "culture of control and f-l-e-x-i-b-i-l-i-t-y." The freedom to decide, determine and do whatever we want presents new challenges and opportunities. Once we reach a certain level of maturity and longevity it brings a certain level of peace and tranquility with it. Managing our time becomes more important than ever. What we do on a daily basis will now determine the length and quality of our l-o-n-g-e-v-i-t-y. The time to get desperate now comes upon us. From the word desperate we derive the acronym D.E.S.P.R. Each letter depicts an area that must be addressed. Diet, exercise, social, purpose and routine are the critical ingredients in our transition. Freedom comes with a caveat called responsibility. What we do with our freedom is as important as what we fail to do with it. This is an inheritance that comes with age. This is not the time to be anxious or allow "our spirit" to worry. It is important not to give expression to or permit the "spirit of anxiety" to gain a foothold within our environment. The amount of control we inherit allows us to fulfill our dreams and complete our life's mission. Taking the time to map out a plan is imperative. Purpose perpetuates our destiny and health. Realizing that we no longer have to feel obligated to answer the beckoning call of every beep, bell or buzzer is liberating. However, living a careless lifestyle lacking activities and physical movement is dangerous and intoxicating. This is where the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 come into play. Let patience reign, rushing leave, and peace abide, but also routinely have something to do. There is much work to be done until the Master returns and makes us rulers over many things in the joy of the Lord.  As our soul ages so must our ways of addressing the demands we put upon it. There will be some old habits to break and new rituals to follow but that comes with most transitions. We have arrived at the point where we can live in the moment and stop living in time. The remainder of time within this dimension of life should be experienced as an ever expanding and evolving expression of what and who we are. This is why "growing" old is not for the faint of heart. EVERYONE of us will get older by default, but how many of us will continue to "GROW?" 

There is and has always been a race against time that man runs but never wins. The prize is for running the race, not winning the race! It's more about how we run and participate as opposed to what place we finish in. The competition most people are participating in is called the "Vanity Fair." Whether we refer to the magazine first published in 1913 or the glorification of people's popularity and possessions, the end game is the same. The contest is frivolous and the contestants are after fading and virtually meaningless prizes. Appearance and reality are illusory in many venues from business and finance to government and religion. The value of things are more than in their appearance. True substance always lasts longer than fading appearances. Being preoccupied with our looks has plagued man since the heyday of the mirror. An industry of vanity has taken precedence over a society of sanity. Health is much more than appearance and looks. As we age it is more important to prioritize our internal status above our external presentation. Yes, longevity is a blessing, but more so, the real blessing is the quality of longevity. Growing old and graceful beat looking young. The W.O.W. effect (Worry Over Wrinkles) is making billions of dollars for the cosmetic industry. We are being preoccupied with pretending to be something we're not. Youthfulness is better described by our ability to participate in and enjoy both mental and physical activities rather than what we look like. They're selling us a bill of goods that implies looking better is almost the same as feeling better. They're not marketing health they're marketing what it appears to look like. We'll deal with two issues many people fail to address even with aging. These tend to be the same two mistakes' people make in their youth. Ignorance may be an excuse for the young, but by our golden years we should know better. The two things are what we eat and whose table we eat at. Too many of us attempt to circumnavigate the natural and normal continuity of the aging process by not properly considering and embracing some of the inevitable changes. It's not about before and after pictures. It's a process but it's also an art. By heeding signs and embracing the tools that come with transitioning smooth sailing is more likely. We no longer have to react to every circumstance that confronts us. We can exercise the patience and wisdom and respond to whatever life throws at us. Our "spiritual authority" is our assurance that it is well with our soul. We have the ability to decide how unexpected situations affect us. Weathering change is nothing new it is a part of life! This is a time when it is okay for us to practice letting go of anything beyond our control. We can cast away all of our cares, knowing that we will be cared for. Spirit is ageless but it does adjust. Our demise in physicality often comes along with a gain in mentality. Sensitivities to life must be managed psychologically and spiritually through the wealth of our experiences and the power of our faith. We hope that tomorrow will come, know that yesterday is past and that today is promised because we're here. Now is when we learn to "make" everyday above ground a good day. It feels better walking on grass then laying under it. Waking up is a win for us. Each day adds to our winnings. Here are 11 W's that are important to keep in mind. We waste what we've won when we wax weary with worrying. Spiritual stress and anxiety can create many problems in seniors that fail to manage this transition. The "Golden Years" are just that. We've accumulated the gold, but should we just sit back in our dens contemplating and counting them? One of the best lessons learned in life is how to leave cares behind and engage challenges ahead. We must live and practice enjoying the fruit of our labor and sharing our wisdom without worrying or emotionally entangling ourselves in current affairs. We care and we contribute but we don't "carry the crap!" If we're easily upset, we're carriers. If we don't live each day, one day at a time, we're carriers. If we nitpick and fuss, we're carriers. If we're cranky and mad, we're carriers. If we remain melancholy or sad, we're carriers. If we don't point out solutions, we're carriers. If we act like we don't care at all, we're carriers. If we care too much, we're carriers. There is a thin line between knowing when to give and when not to give a damn. The "spiritual characteristics" of caring and carrying is manifested through our attitude and behavior. Most carriers are complainers too! We can't carry "cares" with us when we leave "them" behind! We're not packing "them up" in a suitcase. We deal with them case by case and put "them" in God's hands! 

​Motion is lotion: Get up off of those ASSETS. As we age estrogen for women and testosterone in men decreases. What does that mean? There is a transition that our bodies, minds and spirits experience as we age. These stages are often invisible to us. Dealing with unexpected effects of simultaneous evolution and involution can be traumatic. As we age sometimes things we've carried for years and kept suppressed surface. This is actually pretty normal. Dealing with negative thoughts, historical failings, bad habits and weak character traits can become painful. What many of us forget or neglect is the spiritual aspect of our existence. Stress is the fuel behind "the spirit" of Dementia and Alzheimer disease. As we age it is important to free ourselves from the cares of this world and allow the wisdom and purpose of our calling to speak for us without wasting to much energy in the effort. What we can't control we let go of. We must allow ourselves some grace and reap the tranquility of a "care casting attitude" towards anything we face. Learning to "let go" and "flow" is paramount. We may not go with the popular flow, but we still flow none-the-less. Our posture is paramount. Believe it or not, our bodies signal our systems partially based on our posture. The energy our bodies call for, need or use differ according to whether were laying, sitting, standing or moving. Every position we physically maintain signals our bodies and brains in one way or another. The brain autonomously allocates resources and supports the parts of the body that demands energy. Use it or lose it takes on additional significance when it comes to cellular senescence, flexibility, sarcopenia and other diminishing functions. Now is the time to practice standing and bending without breaking. There is a new job we must work at full time. We don't have to travel to get to it or punch in and out. It involves the daily movements of bending, dancing, stretching and/or routine exercises for employment!

​"Blessed is the man that walketh." These six words form the basis for everything we're talking about. Watching where we walk is easy. After a lifetime of being told to "watch our step" it's pretty easy not to meander over to the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful. Knowing that getting blessed is as simple as taking a daily stroll we should be all over it. It's delightful to have access to the law of the LORD. The act of meditating and thinking about the law makes every step we take whether day or night a blessing. It's easy to occasionally forget to water our plants, but being like a tree planted by the rivers of water makes it a no brainer. Bearing seasonal fruit, being free of pest and maintaining non withering healthy leaves and limbs are the results. Our prosperity is promised. This is not the case for the wind driven practices of the ungodly. They won't have a leg to stand on in the judgment. Sinners cannot have a spot in the congregation of the righteous. "LORD KNOWS," that walking in the way of the righteous brings blessings but going the way of the ungodly fades and perishes. The first Psalm in the Bible is a graphic illustration of posturing. Walking, standing and to a lesser effect even sitting are not passive postures. They require muscle and energy to maintain them unless there is a "La-z-boy" recliner chair involved. If we don't do anything else, it is essential to at least do our W.U.A.S.E. (Warm Up And Stretching Exercise) daily. The spirit is willing but at times the flesh is weak. We must consistently dedicate a minimum of 60 minutes a day every day to physical activity. Even these 60 minutes can be broken up into multiple sessions. New evidence strongly recommends about 3 minutes exercise for every hour of sedentary relaxation. The flesh may act and feel reluctant, but a motivated spirit will keep us moving along. The task becomes easier when we use the "spirit of music" to oil the engine of our mental, physical or psychological endeavors. This is why slaves sang songs as they toiled in the fields. They did not sing because they were happy, they sang to ease the burden of their task. Maya Angelou explained to us why the caged bird sings! The "spirit of music" is so underappreciated as well as the "spirit of colors" and the "spirit or sense of smell" called aromatherapy. Our sensory faculties connect us to energies that "they only" are capable of detecting. Touch, taste, spacing, smelling, seeing and hearing all interact and connect with our intangible spirits. Our spirit is designed to easily adjust to the vicissitudes of life. The "nature of spirit" never changes but can accommodate any environment. This is what could be called "spiritual proprioception." Proprioception is our body’s ability to sense its own position and movements in space. "Spirit" properly paid attention to, detects, discerns and flows through rather than along with opposing waves and winds. Even our bones and minds bend. Bones are composed of solid yet supple substances. The idea that our skeletal system is called a bag of bones is short sighted, our bones connect with our mind. The mind is not the brain, yet has its own doing, thinking and feeling attributes. Sometimes we can "feel it in our bones." Whether it's the atmosphere, climate, mood, the weather (ex. rain), or the zeitgeist. The spiritual portion of the mind is a distributed attribute. The heart and the brain are a part of the mind as well as muscle memory. Every part of our body has a mind of its own and sometimes joints and old injuries can sense changes in the environment (weather). The agility and flexibility of the body and mind go "spiritually" hand in hand. Our bodies can naturally sense and adjust to environmental changes. Our spirits can "spiritually" sense other energies around us. Once we feel a change, we can more easily understand it. Maintaining a standard of health prevents us from falling into a "new normal" that's beneath the level of fitness we should have. Sometimes if a poor standard of health is accepted to long, we tend to become comfortable living that way. There is a formula we created below, try applying the L.S.S.W. (laying, sitting, standing, walking) chart.
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Embrace neuroplasticity - Forget about the details! Maybe using the word "forget" is somewhat insensitive in that memory problems can be a sign of aging. One of the most significant adjustments to make up within our minds is to realize that we don't need to keep up with all of the details. Trusting our minds instead of our memory can be a major leap going forward. The distinction between the brain and the mind is quite significant. The brain, always at our disposal, is tasked with constantly coordinating multiple functions throughout the body. Our brain is definitely located within our head, but each part of our body has a mind of its own. The brain and our minds constantly coordinate and monitor both the activities and posture of our body to provide each part with the energy it requires. The average person's day can consist of 7.7 hours sleeping, 10.4 hours sitting, 3.1 hours standing, 1.5 hours doing light physical activity, and 1.3 hours doing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. This shows that our posture plays a big role in our health. The body sends out unique signals dependent upon whether it is laying, sitting, standing or moving around. It is quite possible to overload the brain but not the minds. The brain is generally predisposed to use, adhere to and depend upon our familiar and usual ways of doing and thinking about everything. Most of the methods we've practiced over the years for executing our daily tasks are our default go to strategies, so we know they work. Seeing our physical faculties compromised is probably the most frustrating thing we will ever experience in this life. Fearing that our mental faculties are also diminishing adds stress.  For some people it's like losing a child. 

The gradual diminishing of our physical abilities, that is later accompanied by questionable mental abilities may seem devastating. Many of the methods and ways we've created, developed and perfected throughout our lives lose effectiveness as we age. This is why Dementia and its first cousin Alzheimer's disease is so scary. Stress is one of the main driver behind the fear associated with this "spiritually" mind boggling condition. Many people panic and fight an "unnecessary battle" trying to hold on to, or regain what they have seemingly lost. But we believe that there are other ways to face and deal with this dilemma. Fortunately the brain is extremely resilient if we are mindful of this ability and allow it to be! There's more then one way to skin a cat! A memory is a used thought. Memories are found in the part of the brain where all of our data or information is encoded, stored, and retrieved when needed. All of this happens without our conscious awareness, but it uses a substantial amount of our integrated energy. It's important to know that memories can be lost but they can't be erased. The process where thoughts or experiences are converted into memory is autonomous. We use a certain amount of energy in every conscious moment doing this. Memories are as permanent as the events they recall. We cannot change history or rewrite a memory! We might forget it but nothing can erase it. Just because we cannot find a memory does not mean it is not there. The process of recall is both volitional and autonomous in its functioning. The "spirit of frustration" can subvert this process and distort or redirect the energy normally allocated to this dual source function. This is why sleep is so important. The the conscious mind and the ego that drives (the psyche) it, has no power when we sleep. The "spirit of sleep" brings healing and restoration to the mind by constantly renewing our soul. A restless soul is a recipe for disaster. Managing our sleep must be included with all of our practices and techniques that we update and integrate. Proper sleep is a critical component of refueling. We waste energy when we insist on trying to recall "exact instances" of "different episodes" in an ever growing library of experiences. This can easily become a vexing and insurmountable task. Now is the time in life to subordinate the tyranny of the "spirit of the ego." We must refute the ego's claim that things we don't remember are that important! It is the ego that so stubbornly insists on things being precisely one way or another. It is the ego that spoils our harmony with others by making us angry, or upset. The ego prefers to rage rather then relax. It rages inside of our emotions masked as frustration or "vexation of spirit." How many of us have lost track of a particular thought in the middle of a story and never finished the story because of a stupid detail. We should be satisfied with telling the tale to the best of our ability. Don't let the story or the lesson of the story get lost in our ego's tantrums. The ego cares more about its own agenda rather than what is good for the soul. The ego's arrogance can prove  to be self destructive towards the entire body, hence the advent of disease. The ego is a "carrier" and stubbornly holds on to anything that allows it expression. We must remind one another that the wisdom flowing from the mind and lips of our experiences speaks for itself when we let it. All of our life experiences have value in and of themselves. We do not have to be 100% precise or accurate in our expressions, just truthful. The best advise we can offer to those who have shared their sage wisdom throughout life is to rest. Rest in the "Sabbath of life." Whatever we encounter outside of our control we let go of. Anything in the universe we encounter at this stage of life that doesn't bend to our will should be discarded or ignored. ​

No man is an island! The universe connects us all spiritually. We individually chose to separate ourselves into smaller units called couples, families and groups. We are designed and meant to be interdependent. It is vital that certain aspects of our lives be shared with friends, family or loved ones. As we age, we must actively restructure our personal lives in a manner that maintains a certain degree of privacy while leaving other areas open to outside influence or intervention. The task of balancing independence with interdependence is challenging. We all need to form a personal network of "dependable's;" a private "circle of trust." There may be situations that will have to be addressed through that personal "circle of trust." Delegating particular individuals to advocate on our behalf in certain situations is a "spiritual tool" for reducing mental stress. The universe operates through a shared division of all of its labor. When we pattern our lives after the "order of life" most things will fall into place on their own. God has established principles that serve as "everlasting habitations" if we follow them. When we  put these principles to work they are naturally compatible with aging. These principles require using the art of assignment and delegation. Sometimes It is hard to just trust. Can we stop worrying and place our confidence in others? Can we quench our concerns and surrender our anxieties without giving up.​ Interdependence is the ultimate "spiritual" state of existence, but trusting others can be challenging. It's not about making perfect arrangements; it's more about getting out of our own way and allowing life to dictate the terms. The grace that comes with age allows us the opportunity to leave our mark on life. We can leave the world a better place then it was when we got here. The wisdom of the aged allows a greater accuracy in foresight and predictions. The aged ones get to see over the horizon with the clarity to anticipate the needs of the future. The respect that comes with age also comes with power. The ability to challenge any rule, ruler or authority is an inheritance and right that comes with age. This is a position of power that should be treasured, not warehoused or ignored. However it is important that those of us entrusted with this authority exercise it periodically. As we age we must stay committed to gently guiding the next generation, while imparting the legacy of life long learning. We live in a time of accelerating change that rapidly impacts both ourselves and the world around us. It's not difficult staying current if we "continue to care." The final battle of this quest no longer requires much active physical effort, but rather passive mental energy.  Although we may retire from a particular occupation in life we should never retire from living life to its fullest. As a matter of fact leaving a particular job allows us the freedom to pursue even better one. Retiring is more then an ending it is a new beginning. When we tire of an old job its time to begin working on another one until we tire of it and retire again.

A vibrant sensual and social life is one of the greatest benefits of aging gracefully. As we age many of us grow intolerant. Some of us will make a nuance of odors, interruptions and injustices. Others may find it difficult to tolerate children or noises. Although most of us simply desire peace and quiet, peace is not necessarily quiet. And although some of us desire to be left alone, loneliness can be experienced in a crowd of people. We are social beings and require some level of interactions with other people. No man is an island and as such we have dependencies. Dependence embraces a "spirit of helplessness," Independence embraces a "spirit of isolation" and Interdependence encourages a "spirit of integration." When we share experiences or merge ideas our working memory accesses our long-term memory and engages in the episodic stimulus of our minds. Every sensual experience, whether smells, tastes, physical or visual stimulus has meaning. These expressions of physical, mental and emotional origin must be interpreted, understood and applied. The meanings behind feelings is important to grasp correctly. Our brain can play tricks on our mind if we don't filter what goes inside.  A healthy lifestyle is just as important as a healthy meal and a healthy mind. ​The seduction of a sedentary lifestyle lures us into physical, mental and spiritual laziness. If we allow ourselves to settle down into a diminished lifestyle sometimes this "new norm" lulls us into a sleep called death. Life is manifested through movements consisting of waves and vibrations. The more time we spend playing, talking, building or doing something the more energy we put in play and the more energy we have to play with. For couples' intimacy is energy. Not necessarily participating in sexual intercourse as often as in the past but definitely pleasing and pleasuring one another by and through all of the sensual pleasantries of life. There are far more sensual experiences then just eating food. Although we must be careful not to overindulge, this is definitely the time to savor the flavor of eating. Looking forward to meals should have such a great appeal that we make each event special. There is no need for couples to transition from real mates into roommates. As children we would ask our parents' permission to go out to play. Now is the time to give ourselves an unlimited "Play Pass." We are empowered to create our own curfew and even break our own rules if we chose to.

Redefining feelings: Some of the emotional and physical feeling we've experienced all of our lives may need to be reinterpreted and reapplied. Everything from physical pains to emotional strains can have new meanings. "Hunger pains" can be deceiving and trick us into eating when we require very little nourishment. As we age physical feelings and sensations like hunger are more likely to be "habit pains!" This is part of the reason older people generally carry slightly larger guts. The physiology of the body is and has always been in transition we simply have to adjust with it. The body functions as one unified interconnected unit. Every action, position or posture interacts in sync with one unified body. Sitting signals one message throughout our body. When we stand it sends another. Even singing, showering or swimming messages the entire body and causes chemical reactions and release of other complementary energies. The body has a mind of its own and our habits speak to that minds subconscious. Our little habits send signals about our state of affairs. It may be wise to accept a minor weight increase as we age. Our bellies are the bank account for our bodies, so a little something extra in our savings account is okay. Part of our minds job is to compensate autonomously just in case the brain forgets. Many of us will discover that we don't necessarily have to eat three meals a day. As a matter of fact, some of us may simply eat multiple smaller "snack size" meals or just eat when we feel hungry. The three meals a day routine may become more of a myth then a necessity. The idea is to eat consistently and maintain a consistent weight. Eat and cheat, live a little, but remember to always watch whatever comes out of the body, both language and poop. Every physiological manifestation will have an accompanying physical sensation or feeling. Feelings, forgetfulness and forgiveness go hand in hand. The capacity to forget is an ability and a gift most people fail to embrace. The mind and the brain are constantly learning and by nature remember their experiences. However it is important after recovering from an injury that the mind and body are retrained through therapy to forget about the injury and resume their full range of motion and functioning. This principle applies physically, mentally and spiritually. Most of us submit to the physical therapy recommended when we've sustained damage to a muscle or a limb. But few of us rehabilitate our brains or minds after experiencing emotional, psychological and spiritual trauma. Healing is both a process and a feeling.

 Remember The Sabbath! A life that balances rest and relaxation with ritual and routine provides us with structure. To be in sync with life we must align ourselves with it. Life is impartial. When we match its cadence things tend to work well for us. If we fail to follow its laws and principles we are simply working against the current while attempting to paddle upstream. The closer we pattern our lives in alignment with the universe the easier life becomes. As we adjust to life it may seem that things are conforming to our whims and desires, but that is not true. What is actually happening is that we are increasingly conforming our thinking and ways in alignment with the rest of life. Creating can be seen as a work in progress. As long as were creating we are at work. When we cease or end our creating we are at rest. This is how the universe operates. The depiction of creation in the Bible illustrates this pattern. The first 6 phases (days) of our lives are creative, we labor and FIGHT against the wiles of the ego. The 7th phase (day) is a time of rest we FORGET about the wiles of the ego by ignoring it and rest within the work we've already done. At this point our active efforts are transformed into passive expectations. This allows GRACE to work on our behalf while we rest in the blessed assurance of this spontaneous process left in God's hands. Sometimes being spontaneous means responding in a quiet and unassertive way. For most of us this skill must be studied, practiced and learned. Stepping back to move forward seems counter-intuitive, how can it possibly work? Practicing principles we may not understand is an act of faith and obedience. Whenever we apply an unknown technique we bypass our intellectual prowess and force the ego to accept it without consent. This moment of freedom from the tyranny of the ego stimulates our ability to adapt, adjust and apply principles we may have heard about but never practiced. At this point in life the thought of a new adventure only requires obedience and belief. Once we live an experience we incorporate it with the rest of our memories. This is where the ego gets to twist, bend and reinterpret their meanings. All memories whether long term, short term, sensory or working function together. Our habits of thought engineered by the ego interprets them. It is the experiences that we "relive" through our memories that are the most precious commodities we possess. At maturity, the last stage we live through, according to Erickson's eight stages of life, we should find ourselves resting in integrity or living in despair. Why worry about the past we can't change it. But we can manipulate thoughts and memories that create great and happy endings even from bad experiences. Each phase of our lives offered us different opportunities and just having experienced them is an accomplishment to talk about. It is somewhat uncanny that by the time most of us become aware of the different phases of existence, or the progressive stages of life, that we have already been through most of them. The physical changes are obvious but many of the psychological, social and spiritual ones just blended together or were obscured by the vicissitudes of life. 

Applying the process of rehabilitation allows us to recognize, correct and restore conditions that may make life more enjoyable at this stage. This stage in life offers us the opportunity of hindsight and the wisdom of greater accuracy in evaluating both our accomplishments and mistakes. Rehabilitation is about both physical, mental and spiritual adjustments. Past actions and attitudes can be reevaluated outside of the dominating influence of our ego if we subordinate it. There is plenty of work to be done for our new careers and fortunately we now have the liberty to take time to work on it. Many of us will be arriving at this stage of life with multiple kinks in our armor. Regardless of the conditions we may find ourselves in this is the time to optimize or best working resources, incorporate them and synchronize our desires with our abilities. Doctors visits and therapy should be apart of the "lifestyle" we lead. Getting to and maintaining a minimum standard health is essential. The better we feel the more we can enjoy the possessions we're willing to share with others. We pervert the purpose of an object's existence when we have or posses something that is no longer functions in its capacity to help or serve anyone. Continually buying stuff, saving things and hoarding possessions is counterproductive. We may feel good about it but we only pervert the purpose of its existence. "Things" are made to be used and "people" are here to be loved. Now is the time when our lives must be all about purpose and meaning. We should consider adopting and involving additional people, pets or plants as a part of our daily agenda. Caring for and about other people and/or things adds enjoyment and purpose to life. It is easier to manage memory when our responsibilities involve sharing and caring with and for others.

To sum it all up much of this stage in life is about transitioning to the next stage smoothly. Finding another or new way is like teaching an old dog new tricks. It's not as hard as we think. The trick must suit the dog and the dog must be willing to learn. In the final analysis we  are responsible to leave more in life then we received from it. Remember, that even after we get to where we're going, we are obligated to turn back and help the next one in line; "always stay humble and kind." We know that history does not repeat itself, but it does resemble itself repeatedly. In the end we'll find purpose in the suffering and joy of the journey. We have had the opportunity to leave our mark upon the world; but more then just a mark, the ultimate hope is that our "presence" or "spirit" will always remain.