Or on the importance of being “cool.”  To what degree are the life forces in our bodies altered in dangerous ways as we INTERPRET and RESPOND to physical surroundings which may or may not call for anxiety?

JUST BECAUSE YOU FEEL AFRAID, DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE IN DANGER.

As I approach the long line of people waiting to go through security at the Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport, I feel a familiar rise in blood pressure, a tightness in my arms, my neck stiffens.  So much to do, get out laptop, take off shoes, don’t forget lipstick, where’s my phone?, my keys?  In front of me are others with these questions whirling.  Once through the first guard, it’s time to choose a line for the machines.  Which one is shorter?  Which one is moving faster?  Which one has the family with small children?  Which one has the inevitable infrequent travelers who haven’t read the rules?

I take my best guess and go to the one on the far righ, prepared to do battle.  And prepared to demonstrate my sophistication with my accurate and speedy shot through the machines. 

AND THEN

The old method of scrabbling for gray trays for collecting shoes, laptop, toiltries, coats, etc, had been replaced with a system.  When I stepped up to the end of the line, a gray tray slowly raised up on a conveyor belt.  I quickly dumped in my laptop and set it on the table.  But . . . the next gray tub took several seconds to pop up for use.  I HAD TO WAIT.

Then my shoes.  And, I HAD TO WAIT.

The conveyor belt moved SLOWLY and METHODICALLY through the x-ray and out.  I had plenty of time to remove each item and dress before the next tray appeared.  

I’m sure the process didn’t take a minute more.  People were friendly, and relaxed.  We (at least I) had turned a fairly simple process into a blood pressure raising, complaining event that I dreaded.  When it didn’t have to be.

We don’t have to make the sun come up.  We can work with nature and not against it, especially when it comes to our living body. 

What about your Thanksgiving preparation?  Has it become anything like my usual approach to security?  What really matters beyond our being together (going through security or passing the dressing)?