Grammar Tip #8: Lightning vs. Lightening

This one should be obvious, but I've seen it misused so many times lately, that I decided to include it in my Grammar Tips.

Here’s how to tell the difference between these two words:

• Lightning is that flash of light in the sky during a thunderstorm. 
• Lightening is a verb (specifically a gerund) meaning making lighter in weight,  color or intensity.

Some examples are in order:

• I saw lightning in the sky.  We’d better go inside.
• I am lightening my load by taking some books out of my backpack.
• The sky is lightening as the sun comes up.

Now, here is where it gets confusing. “Lightening CAN refer to the flash of light in a thunderstorm, but only when it is used as a verb, to express action and NOT when it is used as a noun.

Confusing, right?  The best way to figure it out is to ask yourself, Would I use “thunder” or would I use “thundering “ to replace it? If you would use “thunder,” then use “lightning.”  If you would use “thundering,” then use “lightening.” You can remember it by associating the longer word “thundering” with the longer word “lightening.”

Examples

• It is lightening outside. (You would say, “It is thundering outside.”)

BUT

• I think we are going to have a lightning storm tonight. (You would say, “I think we are going to have a thunderstorm tonight.”)
• There is lightning in our area tonight. (You would say, “There is thunder in our area tonight.”)

The instances where you would use the word “lightening” are really very rare.  When in doubt, use lightning.  

Update on Meditation and My Blood Pressure

In my previous post, I shared how slow breathing, or meditation, can lower blood pressure, with or without using "helps," such as CDs, podcasts or the famous (and expensive) RESPeRATE machine.

After I started practicing slow breathing/meditation, I found my blood pressure readings becoming consistently lower. When I saw my doctor, she gave me surprising and happy news:  She said I could try going OFF the blood pressure medicine to see how I do. "Most people just want drugs, so that's what I give them," she explained.  "But if you're willing to use other methods, I'm willing to work with you." It was refreshing to hear that from a doctor.

It's been almost two weeks now without the med, and so far my blood pressure has been stable.  A few times it has been a little bit above normal, but ten minutes of meditating will almost always bring it down.  Here are some examples:

Before meditating: 130/93. After meditating: 115/79
Before meditating: 128/90. After meditating:  114/80

What's even more exciting is that usually when I take my blood pressure without meditating, it gives me a completely normal reading, such as 117/77 or 118/84.  I haven't seen readings like that for over a year.

I've also varied the way I use the Jesus prayer in my meditation.  Sometimes I use the shortened form of the prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me."  I say it silently once as I inhale slowly and once as I exhale slowly.  I usually do about eight breaths per minute.

Meditative prayer has also greatly relieved my anxiety and depression.  I believe as I continue to practice it, I will notice other  health benefits as well.

Alternatives to RESPeRATE Breathing Tool for High Blood Pressure

If you've googled anything about blood pressure, you've probably seen the ads for RESPeRATE , the machine that's been shown to lower your blood pressure. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if it showed up as a featured ad on this blog post. (Sorry about that.) If you're like me, you've been tempted to buy it.  But let's face it: The $300 price tag is pretty steep for what you get:  a machine that gives tones to tell you when to breathe and some cheap headphones.  Oh, it does have a band that measures how your chest and stomach moves in and out when you breathe.

Research has shown that slowing your breathing to 6-10 breaths per minute can lower your blood pressure. But do you need to spend $300 for a machine to help you? What are some alternatives to using RESPeRATE?

I discovered these podcasts at  http://hillphysicians.com/YourHealth/HealthMultimedia/Pages/Podcast.aspx               In order to share them with friends, I made a tiny url: http://tinyurl.com/breathing1234  Listen online or download the podcasts entitled "Paced Breathing for Hypertension." These podcasts give you tones to signal when to breathe.  They're simple to use and free.  If you find yourself getting ahead of the tones, just take a few breaths to get back on track.

You could also try a music CD that has tones to help you breathe.  I found this one:
The Slow Deep Breathing Music Album for Yoga, Meditation and Relaxation

The podcasts or CD are a good way to become familiar with the pace of breathing.  After using the podcasts, you may wish to try slowing your breathing on your own. That way you can practice breathing exercises anywhere: while waiting for an appointment, at your desk, or (better yet) outdoors in a peaceful setting.  Try to make your exhalation a slightly bit longer than your inhalation.  From time to time during the session, test your breathing by counting how many breaths you take in one minute.

I find it helps to use a phrase with my breathing.  You can do something as simple as counting 1-2-3-4 while breathing in and then count 1-2-3-4-5-6 while breathing out. Or you can use phrases, such as "I am very calm. My body is resting peacefully." or "My blood vessels are opening up. The blood is moving easily."

I like to use an ancient prayer called "The Jesus Prayer" or "The Prayer of the Heart," which was developed by the early Christian monastics as a way to "pray without ceasing."  The monks and Orthodox faithful still practice this prayer today.  It's simply: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."  I breathe in while saying, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God," and I breathe out while saying "Have mercy on me, a sinner."  Actually I have found that it works better to make the second phrase a little longer, so I usually say, "Have mercy, have mercy on me, a sinner."  I sometimes use a prayer rope, which has knots that you finger with each repetition.

If you are a Christian, I highly recommend the Jesus prayer, because it has been used for centuries as a tool of meditation and devotion in much the same manner.  And the monks of Mount Athos are some of the healthiest people on earth.

Of course, you may use a phrase from your own religious tradition or beliefs as well.

I find that when I spend 10 minutes practicing slow breathing, my systolic blood pressure lowers by about 12 points each time.  It's gone down as much as 19 points.  I've been doing this for several weeks and I seem to be getting lower blood pressure readings overall.  Although I am on a small dose of blood pressure medication, I am hoping to be able to reduce or eliminate the medicine in the future.  My doctor is fully supportive of my breathing sessions.