When I began using Traditional Chinese Medicine as a staple in my medical diet, I understood a lot less than I do now…and I still ain’t no expert.  I’d get an explanation of why it worked because I needed to think and visualize getting “better”.  I’d study the roadmap of meridians that hung on the wall, and I’d try to make the old-school tradition fit into my very western-schooled brain.  The common theme that came with every explanation was Yin Chi.

 The yin-yang represents two opposites bound together, separate and yet intermingled.  The Taoists believe (uh, as we all do) that these separate forces rely on each other and need to live in harmony, balance.  The Yin is traditionally the black half of the symbol and literally means “north side of the hill”.  As this is the direction facing away from the sun and toward the shadows, it represents darkness, passivity, and reception (as opposed to delivery).  Yin energy is closely associated to the moon and all things that occur during the night hours (like sleep…).  It is considered the “female” half of the pair and is marked by intuition, sensitivity, and willingness to receive.  It is autumnal.  It is a shedding of leaves and a preparation for snow bound sleep.

And I am generally working on a deficit of these.  Like many of my friends, we like to move fast and talk fast and and cram as much into a day as we can.  On our “off hours” we take up our hobbies and recreation in a serious manner, knowing that if running is healthy, then marathoning is great.  Triathlon is best done on a long course.  And eating, well, eating is just a chance to refuel from said endeavor as well as a way to make tomorrow’s activity possible. 

Keeping the main thing the main thing:  It’s easy for me to get out of balance.  I know this, and I know that my Yin energy is what consistently suffers.  Stay off that merry-go-round. 

15/40     I will consider my Yin side daily.  Recovery from the day’s events.  Preparation for the days to come.  Time with girl friends and my sister.  Quiet activities…sitting in a chair.  Reading novels with my feet up, enjoying the sunset, and sharing the time with caring friends.

It won’t be easy…oh, yes it will.  I’ve been down this path before.  It’s well beaten once I clear out a couple of vines.  I like this one, and I do believe this will take me happily into dusk.

breakfast, a little sloppy on last week’s exercise (need it to be a little more in the “conditioning” department!), didn’t get all my days of breathwork, balancing act and posture in check, scapula are sooooore, picking up garbage is my new gig, building fires and colorful plates when I eat, ab work…OK, hanging out with friends, taking the stairs two at a time (need to run the suckers).  Having a plan and sticking to it.