Secrets of Your Cells: Discovering Your Body's Inner Intelligence (37 page)

Sustain Energy

In
chapter 5
we learned that our cells can only fully express themselves when they have the energy to do so. Our trillions of cells have a great capacity to churn out all the molecular energy we need to sustain us, yet what happens when or if our needs surpass their resources?

Consider that our cells generate about three pounds of ATP every day, which we use for seeing, breathing, pumping blood, moving, thinking, maintaining immune strength, replacing or repairing broken parts, and reading this book. How can we ensure that we don’t run out of energy? What do we need to do—or not do—to balance the in-and-out flow of energy that powers our lives? We and our cells must rest and replenish, and we must invest our stock of energy wisely.

REFLECTION

Ensure you do not waste energy. Choose who you will spend time with, opting for the people who are most nurturing and stimulating in your life. Learn how to recognize who and what wastes your energy. Eliminate wasteful spending of your energetic resources.

Many years ago, a dear friend challenged by cancer told me that one of the first changes he had to make—knowing now that his energy was limited—was to say no to the people who were “energy sinks.” Each of us, too, must answer these questions: How can we manage our energy resources more wisely, both our internal power supply and the energy we use in our external world? What kinds of food shall we choose? Who will be our friends? What will be our work and play?

I try to mirror my cells’ wise use of energy in my daily life. I make sure I turn off lights in a room before I leave. I don’t let water run when I’m brushing my teeth or washing dishes. I recycle and support local organic farmers as best I can; I purchase food, as I am able, that hasn’t been raised with toxic chemicals. And I continue to learn what can
sustain and build my energy in addition to the qigong practice I have engaged in for many years. Sitting and writing in my garden, amid fruit trees and singing birds, sustains the heart and soul of my energy. And sharing energy with others is another way to generate energy for myself. As we each pay attention to sustaining our cells and ourselves, using our resources wisely we help sustain our planet for future generations.

REFLECTION

Learn what sustains and builds your energy and mood.

Reduce stress by doing less.

Be cognizant of the footprints, carbon included, you leave behind.

Create a Legacy

In
chapter 6
we explored genetic expression, and we left the chapter contemplating the expression of our life’s purpose. I started writing this book about twenty years ago, and now I’ve come to a time when I’ve lived more years than I have left—an interesting perspective to have. As we enter our elder years, we naturally reflect on the paths we’ve taken and the blessings we’ve brought to the planet. A friend once advised, “Leave the place better for your having been here.” My first legacy is love—my children and grandchildren. Through them I continue to learn how to share love.

Another legacy I leave is this book, a resource for you to be able to add to your knowledge as you shape and reshape your own legacy. If you share my belief that we are each here for a purpose, you will have discovered by now that your cells are here to help you fulfill it.

What is your purpose for being here? How will you leave the world a better place for your time here? What are you doing now toward that end, and what do you want to leave behind? We each have been granted the gifts of life energy and genes—how do we best nurture them for the highest good? For our own contentment and that of others?

Your genes—simple chemical codes—hold the patterns of information that built you. Shake out a packet of flower seeds or spinach seeds; these tiny containers hold all the information necessary to create the plant. Yet even with their influential genes, seeds can’t do it on their own. They need tender care, water, and soil to manifest their majesty. The environment speaks to their genes just as the genes themselves communicate their instructions, and small changes in their environment can make a huge difference. I learned this lesson once again when I sprinkled beet seeds in two different containers. Though each container has the same soil and gets the same amount of sunlight, the beets are growing very differently because of the different shape and size of each container. One set has barely gotten started after weeks in its container, while the other waves its large leaves to all passersby. Just like seeds, your cells and self need nurturing and reinforcement in a healthy environment to manifest the best you.

Scientists are now showing us the possibility that our environment can influence which genes are expressed. So with the seeds. We can express our destiny, our legacies, our genes provided we are in the right environment. This certainly can be empowering when we appreciate that our genes are not the “boss of us.”

REFLECTION

What is the one legacy you want to leave behind for present and future generations?

What can you do or be today that goes toward manifesting that purpose?

Learn and Remember

Chapter 7
explored creating cellular memory and habits. We learn by mentally and physically repeating an activity, whether it’s writing, running, playing the piano, swimming, laughing, or loving. Each activity
becomes wired into our neurons, patterned into our muscles, and held in the fabric of our cells. We can break old habits and make new ones, all with the help of our “sensory delight cells.” We are hardwired for pain and pleasure; our survival depends on experiencing both, and our senses help us remember both. To learn new, positive behaviors and habits we can engage those senses that provide us with delight—the taste of a juicy apple, the scent of lavender or gardenia, a gentle touch on bare skin—all can help anchor the new lesson among our cells. Cellular memories depend on the roads more traveled. Cells that learn together create a trail to come back to more easily. Knowing that we can intentionally engage our cells in creating new memories and strengths, we have an enhanced sense of self-management. We can teach our cells and ourselves new tricks.

I have often struggled to stay with a regular exercise program.
Knowing
that it’s good for me isn’t enough. Once I get started, I may stick with it for a time, but until my cells like or even crave what I’m doing, it takes real commitment and discipline—neither of which is my strong suit. My belief—not yet proven, and perhaps you can join in the experiment—is that if we perform an action in cycles of three, we can imprint our cells and behavior and pave the way for success. “Threeness” can help us create change. Our senses help us deliver and hold on to our intent and action.

An athletic friend visited on a recent weekend, and we took long walks both days. I took another long walk the following day—for a total of three days of consecutive walks. My mood improved, I had much more energy, and my focus was strong. My body-mind
liked
walking three days in a row, moving, breathing fresh air, and partaking of nature. Try your own sweet challenge for three days in a row. Then go for six, nine, and twenty-one days. Remember: it is said that it takes twenty-one days to change a habit; you can test that for yourself. After all, any practice you check out for yourself will reveal how
your
cells cooperate with
you.
My words here are not enough. Let your cytonaut self explore the rich potential for learning and knowing deep inside.

Each individual cell has amazing skills and fascinating architectural features, yet the collaboration and networking of these cells far exceed what each can do separately. The complexity and intricacy of our cellular universe surpasses the capabilities of the computers on our desks by a mile. Our cellular abilities are phenomenal, and the supportive networks they build allow the expression of our humanity. We have much to be grateful for, one cell at a time.

The senses are portals between our bodies and the world. It’s where we meet and take the outside in.

— JAY MICHAELSON
God in Your Body