What’s in your Matrix?

I often refer to the collection of ideas, thoughts, values and perspectives as our Matrix. We each have one that is influenced by our past and our future; by our culture and habits; by our conscious and subconscious.

Our Matrix is not set in stone. Rather, it’s whatever we choose, consciously or not.

I have been on many sides of my own Matrix. Life wish, death wish. Deep disappointment. Joy. Pessimism. Accomplishment. Defeat.

But over the years I’ve found a steadier balance, one of deep connection, care and optimism.

The Matrix is a new section of the blog. I’ll be featuring different people and thoughts on a wide range of topics, all looking at how we construct our Matrix.

My motivation for doing this is cancer (obviously).

I have come to believe strongly that we–as individuals and as a society–are mired in a Matrix that just isn’t working. Forty percent of us (according to the American Cancer Society) will have a cancer diagnosis in our lifetime.

This isn’t just a series of diseases; this is an epidemic. For numbers like this to exist, I have to believe:

Our food, our water, and our air are part of an environmental Matrix. But so are our choices and our thoughts.

Dean Ornish, M.D. (and many others) have shown that we have control of our health destiny through our genetic expression. Genetic expression, in turn, is partly a function of our daily habits and choices.

And our outlook. Because our brain impacts our biology.

The Matrix will explore people, thoughts and ideas on how we might construct better health and well being. And anything is game!

So I hope you’ll stay tuned as this new section of the blog is developed.

 

For many years I had a material matrix. I wanted a nice house, a home base. I finally had one only when I divorced. And I filled it with beautiful things and the stuff of adventure.  A kayak to explore; old maps that traced how our world view changed over time; books to follow the tales of others. It was a combination of physical, intellectual and tangible exploration.

 

I’ve had various relational matrixes as part of my life. I went to such and such a school; I married so and so; I lived here or there. I know so and so. Dog owner, cat owner, employer, employee. We all know how that goes.

But my favorite matrixes have been the experiential. Because experience is exquisitely present moment and therefore boundless.

 

And in the unknown is a bit of adventure.

If you could consciously construct your Matrix, what would you choose? Would you be willing to go on an adventure, to let go of the old and familiar, to build a new path forward?

Is your Matrix material, relational, experiential, spiritual?  Or perhaps a bit of each?

Ultimately, our Matrix is whatever we want it to be.

Because…

Travel surprises.

Travel challenges.

And travel can heal.

It heals by forcing us to look at ourselves and at our world anew.

 

 

Life is a journey.

Cancer is a journey.

It can be one of healing.

Where might we go and what might we learn?

Stay tuned as we dive into the Matrix.

 

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