Ripples of information float through health and medicine today like waves in a still pond. Each brings with it a new bit of news heralding some discovery which will give us a longer life or a brighter future. The key for a health-conscious consumer is to decided what is fact and what is opinion. According to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus – fact: is the quality of being actual; something that exists. That is very different from – an…..
The vibrancy of springtime pulsates the earth. Every living thing feels the urgency to respond. Flowers, trees, grass, even weeds naturally respond to the beckoning call. Likewise, mankind responds to the summons. Our attitudes are lighter, our outlooks become happier, our thoughts seem to sway to ideas of fancy. We, as humans, go through a physical change in that our body is awaken to the possibilities around us. This awareness stimulates and increases our energy level and we begin to…..
Attending the authors showcase at a local library yesterday was an exciting event. Friends of the Library, writers groups, local arts councils, big box retails and over 70 local authors were all present to make the day a roaring success. The project was partially funded by the Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. This means that “all hands were in” to sponsor this celebration of local acknowledgement of writing talent. This brings up the question. Does anyone…..
I recently read an article about a women shopping in retail stores for clothes that fit. This woman is a “real woman” who possesses all the curves and crevices that women possess. I’m not talking about an overly large woman or an obese female just an average woman in today’s society. You guessed it. Most of the retail stores possess a wide variety of the latest chic attire posed in the most alluring positions. However, the majority of sizes range from “0” through “10.” These clothes are…..
Today’s environment is stressful. The pace of life is fast, multiple options compete for our precious time, our attention span seems to be shortened as we age, and instant gratification is expected. We are even told how to manage our sleep – dark, quiet room with no electronic distractions. Often we feel as though someone has set us down in the middle of a raging tornado and said: “Now function at your peak, have a positive outlook and soothe your…..
When we use the power of our mind to perform an action or deliver a response we are making sense. This may seem like an obvious statement but in reality a cascade of reactions occur before a visual action is observed. Most of these reactions are invisible to the “naked” eye. They occur within our brain. A stimulus initiates a response which triggers a cascade – much like a line of positioned dominoes. When the first one tips over, it…..
Am I productive? Pondering this question, gives me a moment of pause. The word productive means – ” having the quality or power of producing esp. in abundance – : effective in bringing about.”(Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus) Each person can interpret that definition for themselves. As I go through my day, I try to determine if there is a positive difference that occurs by the actions that I perform. That is the standard for me when judging my productivity. Interacting with nature,…..
The choice was easy, just tell the truth. She was a good person – didn’t lie or steal. The truth was known to her. She even knew all of the details. There was no mystery to the story. Everything was in plain sight. It would be a good thing. Her conscious fell heavy. Bearing her soul meant that her lifelong, best friend would be convicted of a horrible crime and probably be sentenced to death. No one had actually confronted her…..
What is a brand? Well, most often we think of the large corporate names that filled our visual world every day – Nike, Saltines, Newton, Sherwin-Williams, etc. However, just for a moment take that same idea and bring it a little closer to home. Think of yourself as a brand. How do others see you? When you enter their field of vision what do they see? Are you a trim, put-together person, well dressed, with obvious thought about your wardrobe and…..
We all kept our New Year’s resolutions. Well, that statement hopefully got someone’s attention. Wouldn’t it be great if we could answer in the affirmative? Just think of it… One month ago we all put energy and thought into devising a plan that would help us make our lives better. Was it more exercise? Was it a better diet? Possibly we were going to be kinder to people? Or maybe, just maybe, we were going to make more money and…..
The concept of truth is something that causes me to pause. It is an idea that permeates every aspect of society. Whether we talk about advertising, friendships, legal issues, promises, or just everyday discussions, truth seems to be a precious commodity. The issue resembles the tap root of a great oak. When the root system of a healthy tree is based is solid, firm soil its’ branches reach forth toward the warm sun and send out new growth which, in turn…..
Soon, I may not need my car keys. Now you may think that I have made a healthy new year’s commitment to begin a walking routine which includes increasing my physical ambulation. Well, I have but the focus of this article is a little different. When new cars are sold these days they don’t come with a car key. The buyer is presented with a car “bob.” It resembles a child-size deck of cards embedded with an imprint of the dealership. Having the “bob” within a close vicinity of…..
This is the front cover of my recently published book. It was reviewed on Google Books. “This book reveals a life of struggle. Information in this publication was obviously hard won. The writer …has invested time and attention into their family of birth in order to reveal the cause of abuse. Children who suffer at the hands of their abuser often grow into adulthood with unanswered questions. These issues often affect their transitions into their adult years. This book deserves…..
As I begin the new year I have become more conscious of personal interactions. Not only mine but the exchanges that I witness around me. Interacting with the public requires flexibility in attitude and demeanor. Maybe I’m “from the old school” but manners and considerations still hold a high place in my every day life. So, as I deal with other on a daily basis and extend appropriate courtesy to them, I expect that others will return the favor. More often…..
As we all know, when a new year begins the positive parts of our brain looks toward possibilities – things that we can achieve. Just the idea that we can set our sights on a different path often gives us energy which motivates us to change our daily routines. In researching the data, I have found that this thinking of change can actually help us to make the physical change. The chemical reaction of thinking about a change can produce…..
I recently read a quote from Theodore Roosevelt. It was reprinted in a current issue of Time magazine (12/16/2016). However, that reference was used in a political slant. In this blog I focus on health issues whether that be the physical, spiritual or mental realm. However, the quote seems appropriate to the subject of health for obvious reasons. “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the does of deeds could…..
As we enter the holiday season I am reminded of not only the emotional but also the physical feeling of being full. There is a certain contentment that comes over a person when their needs are met. Not so much a reference to “Maslow’s ” hierarchy of needs but just the ordinary daily living kind of needs. The response that tends to answer the questions – Is my tummy full? Do I feel warm? Am I safe in my home? Are…..
I attended a local health fair. My curiosity was the motivator. Having moved into the area recently I wanted to investigate the available resources. As I entered the building the chaotic chatter greeting my alerted ears was a beacon for the rich variety of resources being offered in the hall. The concessions were assembled in a “Disneyland” array to help facilitate the movement of customers. The array was varied. One table displayed a collection of raw desert honey and local…..
I have moved into a new community which is listed as an age restricted in that the homeowners are age 55 years and older. It has been very interesting to “read” my neighbors. I don’t mean that I sit next to them and read the local newspaper or recite from a book, I am referring to the art of observing their habits and activities. As with any community, there is a collection of personalities in my neighborhood. Some of them…..
I went to see a movie today in a local walk-in theatre. It is located in the southwest part of the United States. Arriving on time for the screening, I settled in for my afternoon enjoyment. At the appointed time the movie screen started to show the well known spot “First Look.” This gives the movie patron a quick look at the upcoming attractions. The quick review lasted for about three minutes – quickly followed by an array of every…..
Being grateful for even small acts of kindness may seem to be an insignificant gesture. Saying, “thank-you” or “hello” to another person for a little show of kindness or respect may initially appear to be worth very little. Especially in a world that functions on money and greed. When a person is the recipient of this small act in their busy day it often gives that person a moment of pause. It may be: a smile, a hand shake, a…..
These past few months have brought changes into my life but also opportunities. These opportunities have presented situations for me to examine how I deal with change. Flexibility is something that is always required by all of us if we are to move easily among the other humans who inhabit our lives. This quality, I thought, was in my lexicon of abilities. This idea is and has been tested daily, even hourly, during these summer months. Arriving at the decision to…..
Living in a different geographic area or relocating to a new work environment can offer new opportunities. This reality became more clear for me in a recent physical relocation. Sometimes people view moving to a new location as chaos because this process involves changing all of the “known” items in everyday life. Since we are all creatures of habit, we like to have familiar things around us. It tends to make us feel comfortable and secure. When we feel secure,…..
The 50+original signers of the Declaration of Independence may have wanted to provide flexibility for our justice system for all citizens. On a holiday such as the Fourth of July we celebrate this idea with joy and excitement. When each citizen is independent and able to celebrate their freedom in a manner that fulfills their goals and does not harm others, the original signers may have reached their goal. Remember that this freedom has been won by our fellow men…..
I have physically changed my living location. It involved a coordinated effort with family members. As I reflect on the efforts involved, I realize that my family and close friends are cherished and valued for me. When someone decides to make a significant change in their lives, that change often involves not only themselves but the support and attention of others. Reliance on that social network for support when we change any part of our lives is often something that…..
We all have a father. Is that person in our life? That question may will be answered differently for each of us. Even if we do not share pieces of our everyday life with our father’s, they are still part of our lives. They gave us life. We may not know them, we may not like them, we may not understand them, we may not ever want to meet them or we may love them more than life. Whatever the situation, a…..
Tragedy always makes us pause and reflect. The recent incident in Florida with the mass killings certainly falls into that category. There is sadness for every aspect of our lives. Since I tend to look at situations from a health point of view, there is always an element of stress both physical and emotional in every tragic situation. In this particular situation there is more than enough tragedy and stress to go around. Obviously, these adults in Orlando, Florida were having…..
Women tend to experience low vitamin D levels as they age. If they are dealing with chronic diseases it is even more probable that that level will show signs of deficit. Therefore, it is important to have your level checked on a regular basis. Your medical provider may recommend a supplement. Rest and restful nighttime sleep is also important and beneficial for all people but especially women. There is a health term which recently has appeared in the literature, “sleep…..
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) offers a person certain unique challenges which others do not encounter. These include joint stiffness, fatigue – not relieved by rest, generalized body pain, neuropathy, sleep disturbances and an overall risk for developing other chronic diseases. Therefore, it is important to observe accepted health rules more closely than the average person. There are a few guidelines that can help along this path. DECREASE STRESS, this can be through meditation or simply being mindful of your…..
Just had a moment to reflect about today’s activity. I had the opportunity to talk with my loving husband, e-mailed with my children, sent a text to my granddaughter, completed a project that I have been working on for a few weeks and spent some time working on my novel. I imagine that it was a pretty successful day. If all my days and weeks are this busy, and I hope that they are, then I may end up accomplishing…..