"Light-Headedness"
Yes,
the body IS
a miracle.
A veritable temple,
the product of millions of years
of evolution.
Yes,
I know that the body can mysteriously direct medication
to any region in need,
without GPS.
Yes,
I know the body can virtually turn back time
and regenerate new cells,
like a lizard regrowing its tail.
Yes,
I know the body can miraculously adapt
to any new environment
and turn our blood thinner or thicker,
without prompting.
I, for one,
can even embrace our body’s imperfect design . . .
Like the less-than-stellar independence of our fourth finger,
hence the reason the wedding ring
is placed on the fourth finger.
Or the relentless growth of our fingernails,
growing like a six-year-old until we die.
The opposable thumb that ceaselessly grips,
even when there’s nothing to oppose.
And the ever-straight pinky finger that never feels needed,
critical for any fine motor skill.
All of which is Great News for beginning piano students!
Still,
I am baffled . . .
Baffled that my body can't distinguish light-headedness
from
Light-Headedness.
It's not like Pain with its well-defined descriptors
and medical codes —
severe or minor?
chronic or acute?
hot or cold?
localized or referred?
dull, achy, or sharp?
aggravated by exercise or bright lights?
worse during the day or night?
idiopathic or real?
No,
when I am light-headed
I am literally left in the dark
about the source of my malaise.
Is it because of —
low blood sugar
or too much sugar?
lack of sleep
or too much of the wrong kind of sleep?
motion sickness
or not enough fresh air?
food that's too spicy?
socks that are too tight?
needing to pee and ignoring it?
I have faced such ambiguities and wondered
why my body toys with me like this . . .
One evening,
my body finally said to me:
Stand in front of someone that you truly love
and deeply breathe in their essence.
When you do that fully,
you will experience true Light-Headedness.
June 2023
