Today I pruned the bonsai-in-training French lilac, watered everything left growing, caught up in the kitchen a little, and began my new discipline of self-care with a half-hour pranayama practice, in addition to working at the computer for several hours. It’s been great to be relatively pain-free for the past week and have the energy I need for winterizing inside and out.

“When we’re having a toothache, we know that not having a toothache is a wonderful thing. Yet when we don’t have a toothache, we’re still not happy. A non-toothache is very pleasant.”

— Thich Nhat Hanh

Physical pain can consume our attention. I suffered a great deal of physical pain for the past couple of months with sciatica. Since chiropractic treatment finally brought some lasting relief last Wednesday, I have been keenly aware of the non-pain, and the energy and mobility the lack of pain has brought to me. I’m grateful for the past week to have awareness of the ‘non-toothache.’