By M.R. Wilson, TB Reporter

Be like the Urban Monk to travel a better road in 2017. 

How was your first week of 2017? Did it fly by like “greased lightning,” as my Mom used to say? Are you already disgruntled about New Year’s resolutions that vaporized on Monday, or Tuesday at the latest? If you’re full of vigor and optimism, skip this column.

However, if you’re feeling tired, irritable, off-kilter generally, or even downright pessimistic, maybe it’s time for a Reboot. I’ve already started mine, thanks to the Urban Monk, Pedram Shojai.

You don’t have to shave your head or retreat to a monastery. Attending to seven target areas (food, exercise, stress, time management, sleep, energy, and focus) in the seven-day program can help you feel better.

It was persistent brain fuzz and low energy that prompted me to try a reboot. Certainly, I was drinking too much coffee. I’d cut back, but not enough, apparently. And I liked my afternoon half glass of Merlot. Neither was doing me much good.

Day 1 focuses on food. The Urban Monk doesn’t hammer his audience with dietary admonishments.  Just eat real food, with most of it being the kind that comes out of the ground or off trees. It’s the stuff that has absorbed the sun’s energy directly and only wants to pass its goodness on to you. Conscientious consumption becomes an earth-centered, spiritual act, a bonus for your psyche.

As advised, I’m striving to eliminate coffee and alcohol. That seems awfully rigid, so I’ll refine that goal to drastically diminish my intake and see how it goes.

To alleviate coffee withdrawal headaches, gradually decrease the coffee and drink green tea instead.

I have mine with lemon juice. Brain is a bit confused, as if it’s thinking, “I should pound my way out of her skull for that measly half cup. . .” But hey, no bad headaches.

I didn’t even miss the wine.

Day 2 on exercise offered sensible suggestions and no brow-beating. I think I can get off my hindquarters every 25 minutes and move, stretch, and lift something for five minutes. It’s sort of like exercise on the sly. You don’t have to go to the gym and “work out.”

Day 3 took on stress. It’s not always a bad thing, especially if we can learn how to “recalibrate our stress buckets” and add a little fun, adventurous stress into our daily routines. You know, like rock climbing or pretending you’re being chased by a saber-toothed tiger. You “recalibrate” when the next stressor doesn’t seem as bad in comparison.

I’m looking forward to the upcoming days of the Reboot. Yeah, I ordered the book.

I confess liking the concept of becoming an “urban” anything, in the sense that it is a quiet, revolutionary act, defying the encroachment of the world into our sacred spaces.

And just between you and me, I’ve had quite enough lately of the world barging into the place of creativity, peace, and plenty I’ve worked hard to achieve.

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