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Conversations with Charlie
A New Series For the Blossom
By: Charlie Mitz & Christie Schler
When I began working on the Blossom, it was rumored to me that Charlie might be a good candidate for contributions to the newsletter. What proceeded from that rumor, and my approaching Charlie, was what we call, "Conversations with Charlie." The conversations began with discussions of how if we were to collaborate together, there might be much greater success of creating an article, than if Charlie struggled alone with attempting to construct a contribution. Since that initial talk, we have explored many topics, far and wide, and the following article is a product of the conversations we've had.
Upon sitting down with Charlie, one must prepare themselves if they are going to keep up. The conversation usually begins with the topic at hand, whatever that may be. What proceeds then circles and grows, stops and returns to the beginning, shifts side to side and moves around; and from time to time jumbles and then concludes with an ending point or a vast open space or a hanging in-between. Ultimately though, there are always treasures found along the way if one is able to focus and pay attention.
Recently, our topic has been on brain health... literally, as we've discussed - and be taken off track by - Charlie's aphasia. Aphasia is partial or total loss of the ability to articulate ideas or comprehend spoken or written language, resulting from damage to the brain caused by injury or disease.
Charlie has created what he calls "The Layman's First Aid Kit For..." for... and that's where we get a little off track. He has said it is a first aid kit for "brain quakes" but then changes it to "stress" and reverts back to the more generalized: any issue that might be threatening the brain. So, basically we're talking about brain first aid.
First Aid begins with: a piece of dark chocolate, of which is the quickest way to produce natural endorphins, the most important part according to Charlie. Then the kit might include a little ear massage, concentration on one's breathing, and what Charlie calls "toning" for 3-5 minutes... all of which continue the building of endorphins in the brain.
Toning is actually where the conversation started. Toning is generating certain tones within and from you. This is not chanting or repeating a mantra. Charlie learned it from a PhD Anthropologist previously with National Geographic and with assignments in China and the Aborigines in Australia. He and Charlie worked together when Charlie was on a one-year consulting assignment at a national laboratory...
(This leads Charlie into his past and his military service which led to exposure to hazardous materials and a stay at Walter Reed hospital and his lifelong study of brain injury and rehabilitation... my best attempt at a quick synopsis minus great detail).
But toning, toning is done by humming or singing a very positive, light-hearted song to oneself, like the Disney song that plays at Disney World, "It's a small world after all...", or "Do, Re, Mi..." from Sound of Music, or the theme song to Sesame Street...
The point: toning can produce endorphins. This method of producing endorphins is natural and does not require the ingestion of chemicals for results and it can be done anywhere under almost any conditions... Try it. During a moment of stress would be ideal and notice the result... Charlie & I will continue on at our next meeting... and as Charlie says to me when we part, "try not to think of me!" Reminders: Senior Programs Advisory Committee Meetings Would you like to be a voice for Senior issues in La Plata County? The Senior Program Advisory Committee (SPAC) is seeking new members! The group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 10 AM. Most meetings are held at the La Plata County Fairgrounds Extension building. This year's focus is Senior dental resources and the Nurse Navigator program. Call 382-6429 for more information. Every Thursday Evening: Fort Lewis College holds FREE Life-Long Learning Lectures starting at 7pm in Noble Hall Room 130 visit: http://www.fortlewis.edu/professionalassociates for more information Upcoming Events: 13th: Women's Prerogative will sing Christmas carols at 11:15am 16th: Hand-bell performance at 4pm 24th: Christmas Eve Performance by Dave Barron at 3pm 25th: Christmas Day Performance by the Joyful Noise Band at 11am | 
