Focus - “Opening”

The Romans named this month “Aprilis” from the verb “aperire” meaning “to open”, similar to the Greek use of άνοιξη (ánixi) “opening” for spring. The Fasti Praenestini explains that in April, "fruits and flowers and animals and seas and lands do open". Even the sky itself seems to open, as this month is known for its “April showers” that usher in the growth of May.

Here in the northeast I myself tend to feel like a spring bud; all too eager to get out and start the activities and projects of the Spring season after the relative dormancy of winter. Knowing the onset of Spring comes with a palpable shift in hormones and uptick in energy, in April I keep in mind putting it to wise/good use. Being aware of my place in the year’s movement allows me to choose what I wish to “open” into.

Path - The Lateral Line

The Lateral Line runs along each side of the body from the side of the foot, around the outside of the ankle, up the the leg and thigh, passes along the trunk in a pattern like a basket weave, then under the shoulder to the skull in the region of the ear.

Postural Function

The LL Helps us to balance (front to back and left to right). It often works as an outer stabilizing system for our trunk and legs to prevent collapsing during activity. (The inner stabilizing system is the Deep Front Line.)

Movement Function

The LL helps to create lateral bends/flexion in the body (think of the side-to-side swimming motion of a shark). The LL also creates abduction (away from center) at the hip, and eversion (outward rotation) at the foot. The LL also functions like an adjustable ‘brake’ for lateral movements of the trunk, and a ‘watch spring’ for rotational movements of the trunk.

The Nervous System

The nervous system is the “processor” that coordinates our actions and sensory information by sending signals to and from different parts of our body. This system detects when there are environmental changes that impact our body, then works (together with the endocrine system) to respond to those events.

I find it most useful to think of the nervous system as The Self; the one that governs. This is the top-down control system, the “I” when we say “I want…”. There is an old saying; “The mind is an excellent servant, but a terrible master.” I once met a man who in our first interaction referred to his body as his “brain carrier”. Perhaps not surprisingly, his body was in significant disrepair and pain.

When we think of the body as simply a possession or tool belonging to the mind, the whole system will suffer. However, if we think of the mind and body as partners, that partnership can grow strong and both will flourish.

The true role of leadership, is one of humble responsibility and service to the body being governed. The mind is the body’s steward and caretaker. The body’s role is “to do”. If the mind’s role is “to know” then our duty is to know better.

Principle - Attraction

This principle suggests that when we focus on positive or negative thoughts, we can bring about positive or negative experiences. In Neuroscience we understand this as placebo, nocebo, and belief effects.

The principle of attraction speaks to a direct relation between the inner world of our thoughts and feelings and the outer world of our experiences. Our own lives do in fact become a reflection of our thoughts, beliefs, and expectations.

“Where focus goes, energy flows.”

When we choose to focus our attention on lack, fear, or negativity, more of those experiences gravitate towards us. If however, we tune our attention toward balance, care for, and positivity, we can draw more of those same qualities into our life.

APRIL (2024)