Having had the flu for over a week I am reminded about the need to slow down and take stock of life. It is so easy to get caught up in our daily activites and commitments that sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves in other ways. It is important from time to time to aks ourselves what it is that is really important to us and how we can detach from the constant thoughts of catastrophe that cross our minds every day.  The news on our electronic devices are usually only about negative things that are going on in our world. We are constantly fed ideas of lack, of war and pandemics and consumerism. It is hard to step  out of this mindframe when it is all around us, but for our mental and physical health it is essential to take time to defrag and focus on the good things in life.  I have much to be grateful for and I am sure you do to, especially if you live in a democracy. So instead of getting caught up in the hectic bombardments of fear and disaster, remember that there is still g