She writes:

“Your basic character, your strengths, your flaws, these all go with you, for better or for worse. You cannot escape yourself, no matter how far you walk. To try is folly.”

http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/09-10/6-travel-truths-youll-never-escape.html

Could you live without it?

But if you feel you need a quick happiness boost RIGHT NOW, try these 5 ways to trick yourself into being happy.

I have made my own simple interpretation from my experience being a father of young children. You see, babies don’t know to blow their noses when stuffed so you have to squirt saline solution then suction all the gooey stuff out. Not fun but basic care that must be taken.

So I  started using saline for allergy symptoms then expanded to nightly in the dry winter months. For about 3 years no I’ve used it nightly and have not suffered from a head cold or sinus infection since. (since having kids I tend to use hand sanitizer more often so there could be other factors attributed as well.)

My mother used to tell me to keep my nose clean. Now I take the phrase to mean literally keep dust, allergens, dirt, germs, and other ickies out of the last place the air you breathe passes before entering your body.

Thanks for the tip Mom!

P.S. Don’t pay $5 for a little bottle of saline. Shop around and you’ll find it for under $2. Better yet, make your own.

“Since the bowl is exactly the right size, we always know just how much to eat. We never overeat, because overeating brings sickness to our bodies…. We see that people who consume less are healthier and more joyful, and that those who consume a lot may suffer very deeply…. Mindful consumption brings about health and healing, for ourselves and for our planet.”

-Thich Nhat Hanh

First, we must understand how everything in our environment interacts with our genes to create health or disease, especially our diet and nutritional status. Air, water, microorganisms, exercise, trauma, psychosocial factors, environmental toxins and radiation also affect our genes and our health.

Second, we must understand how our hormones and brain chemistry influence nearly every aspect of our health, why they get out of balance, and how to get them back in balance.

Third, we must understand how most of us have smoldering hidden inflammation that will kill us until we learn how to control it.

Fourth, we must understand that our digestive system is at the core of our health, why it breaks down, and how to repair it.

Fifth, we must understand how toxins and problems with our detoxification or waste management systems lead to chronic health problems and how to optimize this detoxification system.

Sixth, we must understand the importance of energy — how we make it, why we lose it, and how to create more of it.

And finally, we must understand how the mind interacts with the body and how the body interacts with the mind to influence and affect each of our other systems.

View his 7 Keys to UltraWellness

This question is most always asked in social situations here in America. It is a very loaded question. “Do” means  your occupation; what work you do to earn a paycheck. The answer immediately puts you in a strata; it defines your class and position, both economically and socially. The answer will usually determine if the conversation flourishes or falters.

I contrast this with the question asked in other parts of the world. You see, in other parts of the world, your business is just that: YOUR business. Only if you volunteer your occupation do people discuss it. The question I was asked most often in social situations while living in the West Indies was, “What do you LIKE to do?”

You see the difference?

I was taken quite by surprise the first time this was asked of me. I had to actually stop and think about what I like to do since I was so conditioned to answer the question of what I did for a living.

Since then I like to remind myself of things I like to do. Here are just a few…

- sailing (although I get very little opportunity to do so)
- playing competitive sports (there are very few things that get you in the moment than pure head to head competition)
- getting and giving back rubs (no explanation needed)
- watching my kids’ faces when they try something again and again and finally get it right.
- watching the sun set (something magical every time)
- swimming and snorkeling (ah, the sea!)
- laughing with friends and family (best therapy ever)
- running on the beach or through the woods (endorphins with a view)
- coaching and teaching others (sharing knowledge makes me smarter and happy at the same time)
- preparing dinner from homegrown vegetables

So next time you’re meeting new people ask them, “What do you *like* to do?”

Galactic Center of Milky Way Rises over Texas Star Party

The huge take-away from his latest book is “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.” This is a great mantra to live by each day. I try to eat something raw and fresh (fruits and veggies, not sushi) at each meal. I have found that eating an apple or grapefruit first cuts my appetite so I don’t overeat everything else. Plus it helps me avoid my main dietary weakness: White Cheddar Cheeze-Its!

See and hear Michael’s interview at Democracy Now!