Reclaiming your life daily is a must; otherwise you will lose energy in a mechanical way. Yesterday my left foot was numb and I let it annoy me all day long. I even messaged my neurologist. I said that the numbness was worse than the pain because pain can be treated and numbness can’t.

This morning the numbness had vanished. Encouraged, I Googled up ways to manage disturbing conditions, fear and anxiety. One site taught me how to yawn widely and then to let out the breath very slowly. I did this 3 times and it felt so relaxing. Another exercise is to move the eyes from side to side while thinking of a traumatic event. I did this as well. Since neuropathy gets worse with time, I am going to do some deep research into alleviating anxiety.

All of us spend hours each day frittering away our daily supply of energy; I know I do. When I am experiencing stress from anything, I can choose to do some exercises to relax.

Life is all too short and yet sometimes it feels all too long. We ignore the spirit and get lost in thoughts of how miserable we are.

My main inner work consists in silent awareness when I get too far off track, as I did yesterday. Anyone can manage to focus on their breath for a minute or two.

I also spend too much time fretting about our country becoming fascist. It would seem that Trump, who is pure evil, is still exerting influence on his base. The Republican Party is now autocratic and the Supreme Court has gone rogue. I cannot fix this; it is all happening in a very downhill way. The Democrats are trying, but I feel it is too late.

Time for me to yawn and move my eyes slowly sideways a few times.

Ah, self-control is the only way out of the nightmare that is our life on earth.

Vicki Woodyard