blue mind

i have always said that i am happiest when i am on, in, or near water.  when other kids wanted to grow up to be a fireman, i wanted to be a mermaid.  i'm told i was the only baby in the mom-tot swim class that was happily splashing.  and i grew up to be on swim team, not to mention lifeguarding, playing water polo, leading water aerobics and even a mom-tot class.

i live on paren springs road, adore taking baths, love to kayak, and visit the sea as often as possible. 

so when i read the book "blue mind:  the surprising science that shows how being near, in, on or under water can make you happier, healthier, more connected, and better at what you do" by wallace j. nichols, there was a lot of nodding and dog-earing of pages going on.

a smart book, "blue mind" is all about the neuro-science of our brains around water.  here are some of my favorite quotes:

"on the beach you can live in bliss." --dennis wilson of the beach boys

"i look out my bedroom window to the right, and i can see the ocean.  and i can hear it at night.  i have everything i want."--brett smith, formerly homeless veteran who now lives in the ocean beach section of san francisco

"what if the doctor handed you a prescription for stress or ill health that read, 'take two waves, a beach walk, and some flowing river, and call me in the morning?' "--dr. lehr

"water is a sacrament in our religious practices and overarching medicine.  it is the central symbol of our cycle of ceremonies.  along the 'big river', the columbia, we wake with a drink of water, and close our the day with a sip and prayer...water equals all life." --elizabeth woody, current oregon poet laureate

in everything from the spirit of God hovering over the surface of the waters at creation...to the empathy of ocean conservation...and the fact that our brains are 80% water...plus ocean front properties driving real estate prices, water indeed is life.



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