Over the past five years I have let go of things I’ve loved. The first thing was
television. I grew up on American TV from 1948, but I could not stand watching
Israeli news delivered by men and women who commented on each item with
squints. Moreover, TV watching demanded sitting and, as a writer, I had enough
sitting.
I let go of my car, a machine I once imagined was my key to freedom. Whenever I
turned on the ignition, I became a monster, fighting for space on the road, swearing
at strangers. Walking, riding a bike and taking buses felt healthier. Moreover,
driving demanded sitting and I had enough sitting.
Recently I stopped wearing earrings because it took me too long to find the holes that
have been in my ears since 1960. I do not enjoy feeling incompetent, so I gave up
earrings. No biggie.
I’ve given up all subscriptions to concerts, lectures and gyms. For classes, I only do
those I can enter randomly on a ticket with ten entrances. There are always
exceptions: “Songwriting” demanded a commitment of fourteen sessions. I complied
and didn’t miss one. Should I ever be accepted into a modern dance troupe or rock
band, I will sign up for life.
Last week I unsubscribed to thirty-five lists and newsletters that flooded my inbox
daily. These mailings once made me feel popular, connected and needed. Lately, they
made me feel lost. Without this clutter of upcoming events in Vancouver, Berlin and
Hebron, my chances of remembering why I approach the computer in the first place
are greatly increased.
I have let go of the belief that western-trained doctors know what is best for me. I go
along with such doctors only for diagnostic purposes. Then I turn East. Thus, I
stopped taking statins and aspirin. The stars on most of my blood tests fall within the
healthy parenthesis. The rebellious, wandering stars get treated with needles, ginger
and supplements, and then, only half of the recommended dosage. Naturopaths and
acupuncturists have greatly improved my quality of life.
Decades ago I let go of whites– sugar, flour and rice. For the fourteen years during
which my mother deteriorated from Alzheimer’s, I became, in chronological order
macrobiotic, vegetarian, vegan and paleo. Since her death, I have regained balance by
eating vegan at least four days a week and adding eggs, fish or cheese when
necessary. Once a month I eat four kebabs and one hamburger when my son invites
me to a cookout at his house. I will always take at least one bite of a pistachio cake,
lemon meringue pie, or anything chocolate of 70% or higher.
Coffee. I am on and off, but only before ten a.m.and only black with cardamom,
ground in front of my eyes by Honi at 79 Jerusalem Blvd. in Jaffa.
I have let go of travel abroad because I have everything I need right here on the
corner of Be’eri and Szold. Airplane travel seems like an assault on my healthy, aging,
and only body.
After letting go of so many things, I bought something that dramatically changed my
life: a standing desk. This mechanical wonder also enables me to regress to the
sitting position with a gentle clasp and clench of both still-functioning hands. My
VARIDESK has become my Mercedes.
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