Natural Living Tips

The best natural living example is bound to be … Cave Men. From the environment point of view, they didn’t have a choice.

But what about natural living from the psychological side?

Cave men sat around a fire and shared their meals. That is about as natural as can be. These were great forming moments - a time for education, for passing on traditions, for community and family bonding.

We have always liked to share our meals. We don’t really think that they are moments to strengthen ties, to learn and to teach, to share, to bond but there isn’t much difference with the cave man. Sure the noises and way of eating will be different, but the interaction will serve the same purpose.

We like to share meals, to eat together and exchange news and simply to have a good conversation.

I learned a lot from my great grand mother who was born in the 19th century; a bit of history, ethics, hard work. I learned to respect and admire others.

Have you noticed when you have friends over for dinner everybody begins to gravitate to the kitchen? Perhaps we are just doing what the cave man did.

The point is that this near unconscious behavior is as natural as they come.

The benefits are easily seen, especially for a family with children, more so with teenagers.

These are rare, and natural, moments that allow for:

• bonding
• problem solving
• passing traditions
• educating (about life, how to conduct oneself, ethics, etc.)
• humor and fun
• helping each other

And all these give a sense of security, of well being and family pride. It helps you and your family know you are loved and that you love others.

Above all it boosts your emotional health and that strengthens your body’s immune system, so overall you are healthier.

Learn from the cave man for healthy and natural living.

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I was talking to my youngest last night as he didn’t understand a couple of things relating to human behavior. I think I manged the right answers - I won’t go into the questions as quite frankly things that people do in private, should stay private. A few done in public should also stay private, but that is their problem.

Anyway, the point is I was explaining the difference between “natural” and “normal”.

Natural comes from nature:

• in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature;

Normal comes from norm:

• something regarded as a normative example; conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm;

So something “natural” can also be something “normal”. But something “normal” is not necessarily “natural”. The norm is a social practice that has been reached and become a standard. Natural is always in accordance with nature.

Our lifestyles are moving towards the natural and although the pace is gradual, it looks as if it is speeding up.

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Modern medicine has shown enormous development but somewhere along the line it has lost touched with the human being. The bedside manner, the holistic view of the patient appears to be a thing of the past in scientific medicine. I am definitely not against modern medicine. I wouldn’t have survived if I was, but then I wouldn’t be here either if I hadn’t combined the two. (Its a long story to do with an accident and a head on crash with someone driving on the wrong side of the road).

As an amateur student of history I have always been fascinated by Renaissance and the period following the end of the Middle Ages. Apart from the wars and power struggles, the idea of “universal” men like Leonardo Da Vinci and Roger Bacon has always struck a chord in me. Today we have experts in everything. People specialize in their subjects but for the most part are ignorant of anything else. This way of looking at things tends to be simplistic. (This is a good place to state that I am not an expert - or want to be).

I suppose it is easier to look at an organ, and not at the person. Easier to treat, study and develop practices or medication for the symptom and not the person. In previous times, in all societies, health was seen and treated as an integral part of the person and not as a damaged part.

The good news is that there is a growing tendency to return to the wisdom of those who came before us. I am seeing members of the medical profession studying modern medicine and alternative medicine. I am sure the results, including preventive medicine, will be reflected in greater natural health.

Any type of extreme is self defeating, be it religious, scientific, ideological, medical or whatever, as it pre-judges and limits any real growth.

Change is always with us and it looks as if the pendulum is swinging back. What I like is that it is carrying the benefits of modern medicine with it.

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Everybody is talking about it; let’s hope everybody is doing it. Even pets should be doing it. (Is pet food green?)

The good news is that everybody can do it. Start on a small scale, with the small things like your energy bill. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Change the setting in your fridge. Take a shorter shower.

I remember many summers ago in the early 70’s, there was a drought in England and the Thames was nearly dry. One of the ads in the “save water” campaign, said something like: “Save water … bathe with a friend”. Well, that’s one option I suppose. But seriously, with a very small effort you can take the first steps in going green and cut costs at the same time.

“Did you know that paper recycling at home is greater than at the work place? - just a wondering thought.”

Use less, or even better, change the type of cleaning articles, soaps and detergents you use. Recycle your old t-shirt and use it to clean the windows and use vinegar or old wine on it. My grand ma did and it worked wonders.

My suggestion is to start little by little, and keep at it. But above all start. You might even enjoy it, as the nurse said to the vicar -go green, of course.

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