Check Engine
Most of us live in a very busy environment. It seems every moment is taken up with something that requires our immediate attention. Work, kids, spouses, family, etc. But we need to have some downtime once in a while. We ignore our "check engine" warning signals.
When the "check engine" indicator light comes on at the dashboard of our car, off we go to the shop to find out what's going on. Every 3,000 miles or so, we change the oil. We check the air pressure in our tires, washer fluid, transmission fluid, and our spark plugs and timing chain. Every 30 or 40 thousand miles, tires, brakes, etc. In short, we mind our investment and take care of our cars. We even try and fill the tank with the better fuel options or the car runs sluggish and we hear that pinging noise.
So my question then is, why do we not take care of ourselves in the same way? Why do we ignore the warning signals, and push ourselves to the limit of breaking? Our body is our vehicle as we sojourn through this journey we call life. We should take better care of it. The same goes with our emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. "Health" includes ALL of these things. Not just working out at the gym. We need down time. We need to commune with nature. We need vacations. We need quiet walks. We need time for inner reflection or meditation. We need good food ... quality food. And plenty of water.
But for some reason, we live under the illusion of being invincible ... indestructible, and that its always going to happen to the other guy but not to me. Until ... the parts can't be fixed anymore. The fluids can't be replaced anymore. And off to the grave yard we go ... just like those old worn-out cars. But, in Cuba there are thousands of cars built in the 40's and 50's that are still driven daily. They have no economic choice other than to care for them and keep them running. They understand that maintenance is a necessity.
We too need the proper maintenance for ourselves, or we simply will not last for as long as we were built to last. We are born with full tanks. Everything we need for the rest of our natural existence. But we're not careful with these provisions. Some push the body too hard and burn up the physical fuel faster than the rest. Some burn their emotional and mental tanks faster than the rest of us. And some don't ever even tap into their spiritual tank at all.
Life in this incarnation is about learning, raising our consciousness, helping others and ourselves. It's about harmony and balance within all of our supply lines. When the body runs out of fuel, there is no refueling possible. We can't just pull into a service station and re-fuel. One tank is all we get. The same with all the other energies. We need to become more aware and mindful of these Truths. We'll live longer, healthier, happier, and more fulfilled lives.
We must bring about an understanding of equal shares. If you're gonna word hard, play hard. If you're gonna worry hard, pray hard. Balance all of your systems, your chakras and lines of chi ... or life channels. Our days are essentially divided into three eight-hour segments. Work for 8, play for 8, sleep for 8. Very few are able to keep this in steady use. Just as the day is divided into equal segments, so should our life resources be equally divided.
Spend equal time on your physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual practices. Balance your energies and you balance your life. Eat good food. Have your dessert in moderation. Drink plenty of water ... pure water. Skip the sodas ... maybe have one once a week just to satisfy your craving. Go organic whenever possible. Lots of protein and greens, less carbs. Take care of your personal body, your vehicle ... and your Spirit, mind, and emotions. Don't wait for the "check engine" light to come on. It may be too late.
Just a thought ...
~Justin Taylor, ORDM., OCP., DM.
