Whitesnake - Here I Go Again

We Are Always Alone ... And That's OK

Here I go again on my own

Going down the only road I've ever known

Like a drifter I was born to walk alone

Here I Go Again came on my iTunes during random play and my mood really lifted. I was compelled to blog, well first status update, but then felt this moment needed a bigger platform for reflection.  

Even though Dave Coverdale has a broken heart, he is going to move on and is OK with being alone. We are alone, we fall in love, problems arise and they always do, some are solved, some aren't, and sometimes the relationship stays together and sometimes it falls apart. This is the way it is people. Ride the wave of love when you have it and let it go when it turns all nasty and polluted.   

If you are afraid of being alone or it seems you are always without a +1 because you think you bail too quickly or you think you are picky, either way, you are right where you need to be. Always.

The video takes the song to a whole new level. Maybe it's all the big shiny back lit hair that makes me smile, or Tawny Kitaen doing a walk over on black and white Jags in what appears to be wardrobe borrowed  from Stevie Nicks. Seems like a relationship made in Rock-n-Roll heaven. Hot cars, hot chick, dude with tight pants and perfect 80s metal band hair. What could be better???? Wikipedia says their marriage lasted all of 3 years and then he was singing "Here I go again" again. We know where Tawny has been lately - on celebrity rehab shows and The Surreal Life. Maybe she wasn't as keen on, or accepting of her fate as Dave was, that ultimately we are alone, love comes and goes.

We never have to throw someone from our heart. Nor hold on for dear life. You will not only be alone, but lonely too. The love you have in your heart for yourself and others is where to look when you are feeling confused and desperate. And of course, hit up this video on repeat.

'Cuz I know what it means

To walk along the lonely street of dreams

When does this cycle of falling in and out of love end? It doesn't. I would advise him though to remember to keep letting go and not hold on too tightly like he says he's going to.  

Nutrition Focus: Water   

Most of us are aware of the importance of drinking enough water. Getting our daily dose of water helps our organs perform their functions, keeps our skin clear and hydrated, and allows physical action in our bodies to flow smoothly. Even with this knowledge, it can still be challenging to drink all the water our bodies deserve daily. In the summer, when we tend to play hard, sweat and spend prolonged time in the sun, drinking plenty of water is critical. Those who are not drinking enough may experience poor digestion, sluggish thinking, skin breakouts, headaches, bad breath and general fatigue. If you are ever in high altitudes, it is imperative that you drink more water than you usually do. You can pretty much double it.  

Prep time: 2 minutes

Cook time: 24 hours

Yield: 2 liters

Ingredients:

3-4 tea bags of your choice

water

Directions:

1.       Fill an extra-large mason jar with water, add 3 or 4 of your favorite tea bags and cover with lid.

2.       Place in sun for one full day and let the shining rays pour in heat and energy, bringing out the wonderful tea flavors.

3.       Sweeten if so desired with natural sweetener and serve at room temperature or cold over ice.

Note: Garnish with mint leaves or lemon wedge.

Ginger Drink

Prep Time: 7 minutes

Cook Time: 24 hours

Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

1 pound fresh ginger root

2 quarts water

juice of 2 limes

maple syrup or agave nectar to taste

Directions:

1.       Thinly peel the fresh ginger, grate and mix with water in a large saucepan.

2.       Bring to a boil and simmer for 4 minutes. Cover the pan and turn off the heat; leave

      for 24 hours.

3.       Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve.

4.       Add the lime juice and maple syrup or agave. Stir until dissolved. Serve chilled.

You may sit on a chair with the feet flat on the floor or if you can sit cross-legged on the floor comfortably then try that. It is important to make sure you're not struggling to sit comfortably. Zafu meditation cushions are great to have, sitting on firm pillow or thick sturdy blankets like you find in yoga studios are all good options. When sitting cross-legged, you want to be able to sit up tall, upright but not uptight. The knees slope down from the hips and the hands rest on the thighs with palms up or down. Imagine their is a string in your spine that is being drawn up towards the ceiling lifting the whole spine up. Check to see that you didn't take your shoulders up with you. Allow them to slide down your back on an exhale.  

Now that you have taken your seat, check in with your mind. Ask yourself how you are doing in the present moment. Try not to dig too deeply here. You are seeing what the flavor of your mind feels like and leave it at that eg: I am tired, excited, anxious, OK, etc. Spend a few breaths with the flavor of the mind. Let that go and begin the contemplative practice of gratitude. Spend a couple of minutes with each suggested contemplation.  

Reflections to contemplate:

1) What place am I grateful for? This could be your home, your bed, a mountain, an ocean. When choosing a place see it's colors and sounds.   

2)Who has been kind to me? Think of one person who has been kind to you and you are grateful for. 

3) What personal attribute about me am I grateful for? This could be something physical like your hands or a quality about yourself that you like eg: patience or courage 

4) The phrase "I am grateful for my beautiful life" or "I am grateful for my precious life" 

Generating gratitude towards others and self opens our hearts and minds. You may not feel anything and you may feel strong emotions. If strong emotions arise, bring awareness to where you feel the emotion in your body and breath with it. When it passes, and it will, allow the mind to rest with your breath, following inhale and exhale, feeling the breath in your body. Maybe in your abdomen or the tip of the nose. When the timer rings you may want to acknowledge your practice by placing the hands together at the heart and bowing to self and your teachers. This is an option and an offering for your practice.  Meditation is recommended as a daily practice. You have the time.   

For more teachings and pod casts on meditation, please check out

 The IDProject.org  

For establishing a daily practice Sharon Salzberg has written the insightful gift of Real Happiness The Power of Meditation.