I haven’t quite wrapped my head around it, but the word cynical is falling in my lap way too often at times. I find myself questioning the “norm” a lot.

Let’s bring this for example: in massage school, they speak a lot about massaging the back—because it is such a big area and because it feels so good. But in teaching yoga, I find most people need the front stretched. If massage is meant to be relaxing, then why not relax and stretch the areas that are most overworked—the front body?

We live so within ourselves, constantly hiding from the world, guarding our chakras along with our fears, traumas, and battles. Why not massage the front more and not the back? We live in a slouching culture, hunched over desks, allowing gravity to pull us down into our seats.

I am concerned—for myself and for others. This is where I feel cynical. So much lack of common sense being taught these days. So much laziness. I blame myself also. When I point fingers, the first point goes to myself.

When the back wants rubbing, then to me, the back needs working. By “work” I mean pick my slouchy, lazy, comfortable self up and sit up—stand up tall. Face my stuff.

As I write this, I am unconsciously—now consciously—drawing my left elbow in a little closer, so now I am consciously going to move it away from my midline. I’m going to practice my “common sense.” My body is speaking to me. I need not guard my heart but release the discomfort of vocalizing or writing things.

This is all—I just needed to release these thoughts.