Cancer survivor becomes wellness coach

Here is an article by Joanne Shuttleworth which appeared on the front page of the Guelph Mercury on March 9th 2010 – my 65th birthday.

I celebrated the publicity for my cancer prevention program called Start Here and Go Forward. I also celebrated the fact that I’m still alive and cancer free 23 years after having 3 types of cancer in 1987.

GUELPH -Lynn Roodbol was 41 when she learned she had breast cancer. Six months later she was also diagnosed with colon cancer and then skin cancer. All this a year after her husband had lost his job.

It was a devastating period and Roodbol said she felt helpless and hopeless as she became a pincushion for chemotherapy, at the beck and call of her doctors, and faced with the very real spectre of her death.

“I had myself in a pine box,” Roodbol said quietly. “I really thought I was going to die. But my husband coached me through it and I had a huge support system. And somewhere along the way something changed.

“The light went on for me and I stopped that downward spiral. I wanted to do anything I could to live again.”

Roodbol turns 65 next week — a number she never expected to reach in those dark days. She’s also a certified wellness coach in part from gratitude for the extra 20-plus years she’s been given. And part to help people who may be feeling as powerless as she had. Roodbol is leading a five-week workshop called Start Here and Go Forward, a program based on wellness coaching that will discuss healthy lifestyle choices, which help prevent cancer and reduce the risk of its recurrence.

It runs from Hospice Wellington’s temporary location on Woodlawn Road on Monday evenings, 7 to 8:30 p.m. from March 22 to April 19. Cost is free, but registration is required.

The methods she recommends are neither a surprise nor complicated and they can prevent other diseases besides cancer — eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and relaxation and learn to manage your stress.

“I’m not an expert, so if I can do it, anyone can,” she said. “But sometimes it’s difficult to see that on your own. A wellness coach will grab your hand and work beside you as you realize your goals.”

Roodbol said she was weighed down by negativity when she was diagnosed with all her cancers, and even when she began to recover she still didn’t feel well. She started to visit a therapist who helped her to leave negative feelings behind and focus on the positive.

“Therapy taught me to let go of anger and guilt. After all, I was an X-ray tech and I didn’t have a mammogram. I blamed myself. I was full of guilt. I had to learn to let it go,” she said.

It’s not as superficial as it may sound. Sometimes it takes a seminal event to put life in perspective. Sometimes an attitude adjustment is in order.

“Once you hear the ‘cancer’ word, you often don’t hear anything else,” said Erin McInnis, client services supervisor with Hospice Wellington. “And it’s easy to get lost in all the information. But life is about living, it’s about wellness. Lynn will challenge and inspire participants.

“At times like that, people are looking for things they can do to help themselves. Lynn will show them how.”

“If you spend your energy on wellness, it’s energy you don’t have to spend on being sick. And believe me, it’s so much more pleasant being healthy,” Roodbol said.

If you go:

WHAT: Start Here and Go Forward, a workshop based on wellness coaching that will discuss healthy lifestyle choices, which help people to prevent cancer and reduce the risk of recurrence of cancer.

WHEN: Monday evenings, 7 to 8:30 p.m. from Mar. 22 to April 19

WHERE: Hospice Wellington, 107 Woodlawn Rd. W.

COST: Free

This program is now full and I’m registering people for a new program starting on April 26 2010. Thank you for your interest!

[Via http://lynnroodbol.wordpress.com]

Curing Homosexuality

First, let’s dispense with the obvious.  Outside of being a sexual predator or a pedophile, a person’s sexuality is nobody Else’s business.  Legislating morality has proven to be counterproductive in so many ways that it would take a series of lengthy articles just to skim the surface.

Beyond the political bullshit that surrounds homosexuality lies the murky depths of something known as “reparative therapy”, which is an attempt to “cure” homosexuality. It is a religiously motivated pseudo-science based on the premise that homosexuality is an unnatural disease that needs to be eradicated.  This premise is so blatantly wrong it should be dismissed along with Hitlers “final solution”.

The facts remain that homosexuality is both common and highly essential in the lives of a number of species.  In fact, no species has been found in which homosexual behaviour has not been shown to exist, aside from those species which are asexual, in which case, homosexuality is not a factor.

For more than twenty-five years, mental health practitioners and researchers have recognized that homosexuality is not a mental illness. Moreover, they are highly critical of attempts to change sexual orientation. These professional associations include the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Counseling Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the National Association of School Psychologists and the National Association of Social Workers.  These are not fringe groups. They represent roughly a half-million health and mental health professionals who support the fact that homosexuality is not a mental disorder and thus, there is no need for a cure.  Furthermore, the American Psychiatric Association rejected reparative therapy as not only ineffective, but potentially destructive.  The risks include depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior.

Reparative therapy is nothing more than religious homophobia disguised as science, much like “Intelligent Design” is a clever disguise for creationism.  At the core of these “ex-gay” ministries is the fundamental belief that god deems homosexuality to be an abomination and those who are found guilty are to be punished by death.  Period.  End of story.  The blinders that some of the religious zealots wear could cover an area the size of Texas. They completely ignore the fact that all the leading medical associations have condemned “ex-gay ministries” as harmful practices that can cause severe emotional damage, including suicide after unsuccessful attempts to change and adapt to an adverse society.

Science does not yet fully understand how a particular sexual orientation presents in any individual. There are many hypothesis being studied, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors and complex interactions of biological, psychological and social factors. What we do know is that sexual orientation is not a choice.  It emerges for most people in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience. Psychologists do not consider sexual orientation for most people to be a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed, which is the main reason why mental health professionals agree that homosexuality is not an illness, mental disorder or emotional problem. In fact, research conducted for almost forty years has revealed that homosexual orientation is not associated with any emotional or social problems.  However, thanks to the relentless misinformation being disseminated by religious zealots, mental health professionals continue to fight the idea that homosexuality is a mental disorder.

The fact that homosexuals in many parts of the country are denied the right to adopt children flies in the face of the results of many comparative studies between homosexual parents and heterosexual parents. These studies have found no developmental differences between the two groups of children in their intelligence, psychological adjustment, social adjustment, popularity with friends or their sexual orientation.

I won’t even bother to insult you by refuting the ridiculous and audacious belief that some of these wingnuts hold about gay men having more of a tendency than heterosexual men to sexually molest children.

Reparative therapy is not based on science, but religious dogma.  The reported success rates of the conversion of  homosexuals to heterosexual orientation proves false under close scrutiny.  These reports are from an ideological perspective on sexual orientation, not from the scientific perspective of real mental health researchers. Their treatments are poorly documented and the post-treatment follow-up time is too short. Again, scientific evidence does not show that conversion therapy works and that it can do more harm than good and any attempt at sexual orientation conversion should be ethically questioned.

The fact remains that it is not possible to change someones sexual orientation, but the religious zealots make it very possible to make homosexuals miserable over it.  Reparative therapy ‘ministries’ prey on the spiritually and emotionally wounded. Many who turn to these conversion ministries end up with a life of continual guilt and despair. It is no wonder that 30% of homosexual teenagers attempt suicide over this kind of guilt ridden and self-loathing education that is the result of two-thousand years of church-inspired homophobia. Unfathomable is the number of homosexuals that have suffered rejection of their families, been driven to suicide due to depression,  have been discriminated against by anti-gay laws and even condemned to death for sodomy.

Attempts to change sexual orientation are nothing more than religiously motivated behavior modification. Reparation therapy is relabeled snake oil and is being sold to our gay community for a disorder that does not exist.  Those who profit from selling the snake oil for money, power or fame and those who support the idea that homosexuality is a disease should be ashamed of themselves.

[Via http://alstefanelli.wordpress.com]

"This too shall pass." גם זה יעבור

Out of nowhere, that line suddenly struck me. It was fascinating that it was as though someone invisible whispered it to my ear. And I was like, hmm I must have read it somewhere or heard it some time ago. Then, of course, I googled it, and found one article in Wikipedia.

I found out that this phrase originated during the time of King Solomon. When he wanted to challenge his most trusted minister to bring him a treasure ’so magical that when a sad man looks at it he becomes happy, but when a happy man looks at it he becomes sad.’ The treasure is of course non-existent. But when the trusted minister asked the merchant if he knows of a treasure like it, an old wise man engraved something on a golden ring, גם זה יעבור which means “this too shall pass.”

As Enya’s song “Only Time” says, “And who can say where the road goes, Where the day flows, only time?” Maybe time can heal depression. We just have to hold on. Because, this, too shall indeed pass.

[Via http://liveonemoreday.wordpress.com]

PRF President and Executive Director Audrey Gordon

     Audrey Gordon is the President and Executive Director of the Progeria Research Foundation.   Audrey was named one of the 2004 North of Boston Business and Professional Women of the Year.  She is the front runner of countless efforts to fulfill PRF’s mission of finding a treatment and cure for Progeria.  I sat down with Audrey to find out where she got the inspiration to start the foundation:

[Via http://ensurecure.wordpress.com]

Cure For Infertility - Divorce Tips For Women - Preparing For Divorce

When you adjudge to annulment your accomplice again you charge to be able to accord with the after-effects cure for infertility of this decision. In this commodity we accommodate some annulment admonition for women which can advice them to get themselves accessible so that they are bigger able to cope with the situation.

. Start Saving – You will charge to accept your own money back it comes to accepting divorced. Remember you still charge to Pregnancy Cures advance a acceptable akin of active for not aloof yourself but Cure For Infertility your accouchement additionally if you accept them. So it is important that you accessible your Pregnancy Remedy own coffer annual as anon as accessible in which you can abode funds. Remember you will accept your lawyer’s costs to awning whilst the affairs are Cure For Infertility demography place.

. Track Your Annulment Affairs – If you can use a agenda Pregnancy Remedy or board account which you can accumulate a clue of all the important contest apropos to your divorce. This way you will be bigger able to clue the affairs with your advocate forth with any cloister deadlines that you charge to meet. This is additionally advantageous way of tracking and befitting Pregnancy Cures agenda of any discussions that you may accept with your spouse.

Sometimes such annal can Pregnancy Remedy be acclimated as affirmation in the annulment affairs to appearance back your accomplice did not accumulate an arrangement or they abandoned a cloister adjustment or agreement. This is the ideal way of recording the times back your accomplice has the appropriate to absorb time with the children. Plus you can use it as a way of assuming how abundant you participate in your children’s lives.

. Create A To Do Account – Application such a account will advice you to be organized and set up those things which are of accent during the divorce. So what you charge to do is address bottomward aggregate that you charge to do and as you complete anniversary one of them mark them off. The best way to do this is by application a ample atramentous brand to absolutely clean them out.

. Get Yourself A Annulment Notebook – As you will anon ascertain back the annulment affairs alpha a lot of paperwork is again generated. Cure For Infertility In adjustment to accumulate clue of aggregate accustomed to you the best affair you Cure For Infertility can do is accumulate it all in a arena binder. It is best that you not alone actualize a basis apropos to all affidavit captivated aural it but abode them all in archival order. You should abode the best contempo abstracts accustomed at the advanced of anniversary area of the binder.

. Reduce Your Expenditure – If you accept any debts in your name such as loans or acclaim cards again you charge to get these bargain as abundant as accessible above-mentioned to the divorce. Remember you will accept to alive off aloof your assets rather than your ally as well.

In adjustment to added advice abate how abundant you absorb anniversary ages again anticipate about affairs the car you accept currently and accepting a cheaper model. If you can absolute what you absorb on frivolities and if your accouchement are old abundant to accept explain why cut backs accept to be made. Should you acquisition that your accomplice is afraid to abutment you and the accouchement voluntarily again Pregnancy Remedy seek a cloister adjustment for Pregnancy Cures them to cure for infertility do so.

[Via http://cureforinfertility.wordpress.com]

SPERM ART ~ CONDOMS KILLED THE COUNT! COUNT SPERMULA!

COUNT SPERMULA WANTS TO INFECT YOUR BLOOD!

MEET THE COUNT ~ COUNT SPERMULA!!!!

The Condom Killed The Count! Cover Your Head! Stop The Spread!

That’s right! Stop The Spread! Cover Your Head!

Don’t let Count Spermula Infect Your Blood!

Protect Yourself!

Wear A Condom if you have sex!

OR DON”T HAVE SEX!!!

More about Artist Bethann Shannon or Sperm Art…

Visit:

www.mypetsperm.com

www.thesillyspermshop.etsy.com

www.cafepress.com/sillyspermshop

LEGAL:

Bethann Shannons work is registered & protected under Copyright Law.

Many images, names and slogans are also registered Trademarks. uspto.gov

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ~ Licensing Available.

Please contact artist with inquiries .

[Via http://spermart.wordpress.com]

+ tofu-tacool

soy’b ‘10 

togu the tofu named after one of the event organiser, was the mascot of the soy’b (start of year ‘back) event held about a week ago at ngee ann polytechnic. it was the 3rd event this year and very successful indeed gauging from the attendance. held in an air-conditioned venue; though narrow, the spacious outdoor sure compensate for the cosplayers to gather around and to pose for photo-taking. of course, they could walk into the convention hall for some cooling air-con and at the same time check out the many art-related booths; or catch a drink at the tofu-cafe with cosplayers waiters/waitresses when the weather gets too warm. 

soy'b

cosplayed as lelouch lamperouge from code geass, newtype calendar illustration version to the event. i fell in love with his cloak the moment i laid my eyes on it. since then i kept flipping through my artbook every other days till i finally decided to work on this; though it wasnt really easy especially the spikey ends which took me quite a while to get them right. 

ルルーシュ・ヴィ・ブリタニア | photo©risuchia

it was quite a casual cosplay with no heavy props, no difficult to maintain hair style and no troublesome costumes. having cosplayed for awhile now, sometimes i do prefer to be in a more casual form then lugging heavy props around. because the lazy me wants to enjoy the event to the fullest, being able to move around freely, take random photos with friends and without worries about your complicated props and costumes while ‘patrolling’. however that being said, it’s still great to be able to show off your artisan skills to the public with your wonderfully made props and fancy dresses and of course for the love of the character you are cosplaying as.

the black king | photo©risuchia

ギアスの命令 | photo©bnn

took a couple of crack shots with my friends at the event and this below is my favourite. it was an idea by athensis: ‘the king and his 2 bodyguards’ – lelouch with okita and hijikata from gintama. there are more of these random shots we took, which you can find them at my deviantart journal if you are interested. 

王 | photo©risuchia

otacool 2 

there’s a new hype among otakus all around the world. otacool is a publication related to anime, games, figures, anything オタク. its first book showcased worldwide otaku’s rooms which felt as if you were browsing a figurine catalog just looking it. otaku’s rooms showcased in the book are indeed amazing. something i would wish for if i have that spare cash to spend, or at least a small otaku corner in my room instead?

otacool 2: worldwide cosplayers

What is Otacool 2?

Kotobukiya is pleased to announce the arrival of OTACOOL 2: WORLDWIDE COSPLAYERS in April 2010! In collaboration with Danny Choo and the Internet’s largest cosplay destination Cure, OTACOOL 2 promises even more stimulating and groundbreaking content. In keeping with the same concept of “OTAKU is COOL”, the next volume of OTACOOL will focus on cosplayers from around the world

following the success of its first publication, now it’s time for otacool 2: worldwide cosplayers! everyone around me is rushing to submit their best cosplays photos up now and photographers are also getting busy generating high resolution images for them. i have also recently submitted mine here. although the chances of getting selected seems kinda slim among all the epic veteran submissions from all over the world, it’s a still good chance to be able showcase them on danny choo’s webpage alone.

otacool 2's front cover released!

and nope, they did not forget about how all cosplays or otakus came about. there’s an artwork submission for artists too; where you get to test your character design skills for otacool mascot character! such a good chance for illustrators out there must not be missed. should you have your works recognized, you could expect more commission work especially from japanese companies, or who knows land yourself a job in japan perhaps? tempting isn’t it, should i try my luck on this too?

submissions for otacool 2 ends mid february click here to submit yours now, before time runs out!

[Via http://athalist.wordpress.com]

Heartcatch PreCure! Episode 01 Review

“私、変わります！変わって見せます！！” (“I’m Gonna Change! Count on the Change!”)

Heartcatch PreCure adalah season ketujuh serial anime Jepang bergaya Mahou Shojo “PreCure!” yang melanjutkan ketenaran Sailor Moon pada jamannya. Dalam season terbaru ini, kisah akan difokuskan pada dua orang PreCure (singkatan dari Pretty Cure – nama kesatria legenda dalam seri ini) baru yang harus menyelamatkan dunia peri dari sasaran Profesor Sabaku.

Adegan dibuka dengan pertarungan antara Cure Moonlight dan Dark PreCure yang berlokasi di dunia peri, setelah bertarung sengit, Cure Moonlight berhasil dikalahkan, namun sebelumnya dia telah berpesan pada Shypre dan Coffret untuk menyerahkan Kokoro Parfume pada orang yang tepat dan jangan sampai jatuh ke tangan anak buah Profesor Sabaku.

Ternyata adegan awal itu adalah sebuah mimpi yang dialami oleh Tsubomi ( tokoh utama pertama Heartcatch PreCure!) yang sedang menuju ke kota baru dimana neneknya tinggal.

OPENING SONG Alright! Heartcatch PreCure!

Tsubomi terlihat berjalan menyusuri jalan menuju sekolahnya yang baru dan sepertinya dia ingin menjadi pribadi baru yang lebih baik! “私、堪忍袋の緒が切れました！” (I can’t stand it anymore)

Namun saat memasuki kelas barunya, tetap saja Tsubomi menjadi pribadi yang pemalu, bahkan teman sekelasnya Erika (tokoh utama kedua HeartCatch PreCure) menggodanya karena Tsubomi menuliskan nama panjangnya dipapan tulis dengan huruf yang sangat kecil dan bersuara pelan.

Tsubomi tampaknya tidak begitu menyukai pribadi Erika yang blak-blakan dan SKSD (Sok Kenal Sok Dekat) serta bego, sampai-sampai Erika menyelonong mengambil salah satu lauk Tsubomi saat makan siang dan membuat Tsubomi sedikit terkejut + ilfeel. Tapi siapa menyangka bahwa Tsubomi dan Erika memiliki rumah yang bersebelahan. Tsubomi tinggal di sebuah toko bunga bernama Hanasaki Flower Shop, sedang disebelahnya adalah rumah modiste Fairy Drop. Erika yang begitu gembira mengajak Tsubomi ke rumahnya dan langsung me-make over Tsubomi, walau Tsubomi langsung pulang karena merasa kurang pede dengan penampilan barunya.

Tsubomi akhirnya memberanikan diri berjalan-jalan ke sebuah taman dengan penampilan barunya, dan disana ia kembali memikirkan tentang Cure Moonlight yang muncul di dalam mimpinya. Tiba-tiba Shypre dan Coffret jatuh dari langit dan menghantam wajah Tsubomi, tanpa panjang lebar berbicara Shypre dan Coffret bersembunyi di dalam kaos Tsubomi *dan membuatnya nampak berdada besar. Tak berselang lama, tiba-tiba muncul seorang wanita (Sasorina) berpenampilan aneh yang sepertinya menanyakan keberadaan Shypre dan Coffret. Karena tidak menemukan yang ia cari, ia lantas pergi begitu saja.

Sasorina kemudian bertemu dengan Erika dan langsung merampas Kokoro no Hana milik Erika. Dengan informasi dari Shypre dan Coffret, Tsubomi berniat mengambil kembali Kokoro no Hana milik Erika dari tangan Sasorina, namun Sasorina malah menemukan sebuah boneka dan menggabungkan Kokoro no Hana milik Erika dengan boneka itu sehingga boneka itu menjadi sebuah boneka monster raksasa! Saat bersembunyi menghindari serangan monster yang memiliki Kokoro no Hana milik Erika, Tsubomi bercerita tentang mimpinya pada Shypre dan Coffret! Tsubomi yang bertekad kuat untuk menyelamatkan Erika membuat Kokoro Parfume yang bersemayam pada liontin Shypre bereaksi. Shypre dan Coffret pun segera menyuruh Tsubomi untuk berubah wujud menjadi PreCure dengan meneriakkan PreCure! Open My Heart!

Dengan Kokoro Seed yang diberikan oleh Shypre, Tsubomi berubah wujud menjadi Cure Blossom menggunakan Kokoro Parfume!

Bersambung…

ENDING SONG Heartcatch⋆Paradise

Preview Episode 02 “私って史上最弱のプリキュアですか？？”

(“Am I the Weakest Pretty Cure Ever??”)

Coupe-sama ada di dalam Botanical Garden milik nenek Tsubomi!? Apa-apaan ini?! Disaat Cure Blossom yang masih amatir berusaha menyelamatkan Erika, muncul seorang pemuda misterius!! Siapakah dia?! *Adegan seperti itu mengundang memori nostalgia akan Sailor Moon dan Tuxedo Mask… Nantikan Heartcatch PreCure! Episode 02! (14 februari 2010)

[Via http://thecnove.wordpress.com]

On Brain Transplants

Usually I can go a long and happy time without needing to think about the hypothetical “cure” question. But I’ve had a few disparate thoughts lately, probably because I’ve been taking a class in the history & philosophy of psychology, so I’ll relate them here.

There are two basic conceptions of “cure”. One sees a cure as essentially a brain transplant, the other sees cure as about improving independent functioning, removing impairments. You cannot easily divide up who supports or attacks which cure into strict camps of “NDs” and “Curebies”, and I will not attempt to. Nor will I talk, so much, in this post about whether or not various views come from a deeper-seated fear and hatred of Autism. I believe it is possible to hold either conception of a cure while either accepting or attempting to eradicate autism although obviously it will have some influence on what course of action towards a cure you advocate.

To be honest, I don’t even like using the word “cure”, as though Autism is cancer–which is simply not medically true. But I think there may be some be common ground between the various factions in the Autism community.  For example, if “cure” is defined as “improvement in independent functioning” and evidenced by the gradual acquisition of, for example, the ability to communicate in complete sentences, generate original content, or converse? Then I, for one, would be considered “pro-cure”, as would a great many of my also incidentally pro-neurodiversity friends. Not, perhaps, “Autism is the devil” or “Autism is to blame for everything” or “Autism HAS my child” or “Cure at any cost”. But pro-cure nonetheless.

It can be hard, however, to separate a pro-cure stance focusing on functioning with one which demonizes Autism and calls for, essentially, brain-transplants.  In addition, there is a great deal of disagreement about what, exactly, constitutes a “brain transplant”, as it were. And–here it gets a bit wonky–this disagreement seems to stem from two basic issues.

1. Is it desirable to want your Autistic child to become Neurotypical?

2. Is there a difference between mind/personhood/personality/self and the brain?

If you believe that there is your child and then there is his brain, and the two are separate, then it makes sense to consider making his brain as typical as possible because you don’t believe you are changing who your child fundamentally is. But if you don’t share that belief, you will probably be adamantly anti-cure in this sense.

Personally, I prefer not to think about cures, and just focus on improving functioning and celebrating the person they are and letting them be a child. Working towards autonomy, not neurotyplicity. I am, in a sense, pro-cure.

I’d just like to see more people acknowledging the common ground.

[Via http://almandite.wordpress.com]

Purpose

        Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, or Progeria, is a rare, genetic condition that appears in children as the effects of accelerated aging. Progeria is caused by a mutation of the gene LMNA.  Prior to April, 2003, the cause of Progeria was unknown. Children with Progeria die at an average age of thirteen to heart disease.  Progeria was first described in the late 1800’s by Dr. Jonathan Hutchinson and Dr. Hastings Gilford.

       A cure for any ailment can only come about through extensive efforts and studies.  Funding for these studies is extremely costly.  For this reason, education is key to finding a cure for these children.  A cure for Progeria will likely also help millions of adults who suffer from heart disease and stroke as part of a natural aging process. 

       The Progeria Research Foundation is located in Peabody, MA.  They have now located 54 children in 30 countries living with Progeria.   However, researchers believe there are statistically another 150 children living undiagnosed, or not identified by the Foundation, with Progeria in the world.  I have seen their volunteers work first hand at raising money and spending their time working to raise money to cure Progeria.  Please give to the Progeria Research Foundation.

 

[Via http://ensurecure.wordpress.com]

Homeopathy: Belly Flop to a Cure!

Homeopathy says essentially this: Something that causes disease can be made to cure that same ailment if the something is diluted into water so much that it is no longer present. For example, if you were to take one molecule of cyanide and dilute it into a swimming pool, then drink some pool water, you would be cured of cyanide poisoning! Sound too simple to be true? Well, that’s because you must first release the Energy of the cyanide. Personally, I do this via belly-flopping into the swimming pool, though any kind of concussion of the water will do. Punching the water is also a pretty good way to do it.

Another example: it is clear that humans are basically a disease of the earth. We’re polluting the crap out of it, killing all the wildlife, etc. Now, this should be easy to fix with homeopathy. Since people are causing these bad things on Earth, all we need to do is have someone go swim in the ocean, concuss the ocean, and then distribute ocean water all over the world. In the same way that you can dilute a cyanide molecule into a pool, you can dilute one person into the ocean. You still need to release the Energy of that person, though. I would suggest the concussion be from underground faults leading to earthquakes and tsunamis, though enough belly flops would likely also do the trick. I feel quite certain that there have been a few people in the various oceans when these kinds of concussive events have occurred, therefore it is clear that Sea Water can already fix global warming!

And while we’re thinking about it, just imagine how many things have been diluted into the oceans: people, animals, plants, drugs, chemicals, pesticides, fish nets, volcanoes, tsunamis, airplanes, boats, etc, etc, ETC! This means that sea water can stop volcanoes from erupting, release fish from nets, repair damaged boats and aircraft, fix broken bones caused by tsunamis and downed aircraft, release the hallucinogenic hold of LSD, cure various cancers, and so on. In fact, if you have a disease, all you have to do is jump into the ocean, and then you will be diluted to homeopathic levels, meaning your disease will be diluted to homeopathic levels.

Belly flop into the ocean. Then drink up. Any disease you have will be cured!

[Via http://adamcoster.com]

"There is no Neutral Territory." C.S. Lewis

The warrior recognizes the truth of the C.S. Lewis’ words, “There is no neutral territory.” 

Most of the citizenry wants to believe that life is lived primarily on neutral territory where they can escape the battle.  There is no such place in the spirit or in the body.  We choose to fight, or we choose to aid and abet the enemy by not fighting.  These are our only two choices.

The general attitude toward training is that it is a hobby we do when we can get around to it.  Or even if we exercise regularly, we half-ass it by giving our attention to other things while we lope on the treadmill or go through the motions with the machines.  How much time and energy has been wasted in gyms by people who didn’t engage fully during exercise?

We are born on a battlefield.  Spiritually and physically, our choices are victory or decline.   I read some great advice the other day on bodybuilding.com: “…to ‘train like a barbarian‘: Treat every single set like it is your last set.  Treat every single rep like your life depends on it.”   Truthfully, your life does depend on it.

On the battlefield, I am being attacked.  Regardless of how I feel about it, or how tired I am, or how much I may want to be doing something else, or how shaky my arms or legs are, I am still being attacked.  Either I fight as if my life depends on it, or I resign myself to decline and defeat.  Oh, how bitter it would be to stand in defeat knowing victory had been only moments away if I had just fought with passion till the end.

When we train, let’s train as if our lives depend on it…because they do.

King Leonidas: “This is where we fight. This is where they die!”

[Via http://godandkettlebells.wordpress.com]

Fibromyalgia and Neck Posture

I recently stumbled upon this video that seems to explain a great deal of my own Fibromyalgia story.  My very first complaints were that of neck pain.  My physical therapist said I had forward head posture more than likely worsened by soft tissue damage from an auto accident.  It makes complete sense that if your spine is not aligned correctly, it forces more pressure on certain nerves.  This may be why our limbs are always going numb and we get pain surges up and down our bodies.

The doctor also speaks about the over medication of most Fibromyalgia sufferers and I totally agree.  We are given more and more prescription drugs and all they do is end up treating the side effects of each new drug.

I am going to do a little more research on the subject and report back on the validity of this argument, but I may have just found someone who truly can cure my Fibromyalgia.  Please feel free to add your thoughts and/or experiences with new treatments…I am grasping at straws because this is no way to live and I just cannot accept it today!

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

[Via http://thefibrolife.wordpress.com]

Beethoven

Chapter 1 – Fate, For Elise

He hurried past the front door in the morning,

A letter in his hand, for Elise.

What is to happen of her, poor thing?

Of all the kids she hated him least.

The typewriter keys were like Piano keys;

Heavy and reluctant to submit.

A letter had to be typed, for the sake of Elise;

And in the morning he had to go post it.

Last night he’d typed, “It’s the brain, sorry.”

Apologising for his own disease.

In the morning he left in a hurry.

In his hand, a letter to Elise.

Spring was to bring with it song and dance.

So much for leaving things to chance.

Chapter 2 – Tempest

Of all the Elders she loved him the most.

Elise’s love for him was deep.

So, that day what came in through the post

Made Elise sit down and weep.

“Remember what it means to grieve”, he said.

“Rememeber whatever I’ve taught.”

“Remember that you too will one day be dead.”

“And that day be turned to naught.”

“There is, though, one thing left for me to give you.”

“Your inheritance, if you may.”

“Or maybe a lasting link between us two.”

“A sovereign o’er which to pray.”

Spring brought with it fear and pain.

And floating faces in the rain.

Chapter 3 – Kreutzer

Birds chirped joyously outside the window,

It’s hard to die in Spring,

When sunshine has replaced the cold, cruel snow,

It’s scary, the prospect of dying.

Elaborate Visions plagued Elise’s mind,

And made her tremble with fear.

It was insanity of the uterine kind

That made these demons appear.

Physicians found it hard to digest,

That the Elder’s health was at it’s best.

Physicians found it rather hazy

That Elise had been driven crazy.

The Elder couldn’t understand why,

Elise hadn’t sent a reply.

Elise drowned deeper into the abyss.

The Elder suspected that something was amiss.

(Perhaps it was the sovereign?)

The Elder thought it’d be wise to investigate.

Death appeared to be in Elise’s fate.

(Perhaps it was the coin?)

He arrived a day too late.

Perhaps it was the Kreutzer.

Spring was to signal the end of strife.

Instead it signalled the end of a life.

(It’s hard to die in spring.)

Chapter 4 – Moonlight

The coin rested on the Elder’s mantelpiece

As his health started to deteriorate.

A week after claiming Elise.

The coin sealed the Elder’s fate.

Spring was to bring with it song and dance.

So much for leaving things to chance.

[Via http://basedonanuntruestory.wordpress.com]

Backbiting - And ways to prevent it.

Islaah ul Gheebah: The Cure for Backbiting

(Remedy of the evil disease of backbiting)

By: Hazrat Shah Abrarul Haq (rahmatullahi alaihi)

There is an extremely detrimental spiritual disease which has become very widespread in our day and age. It is the disease of gheebah (back-biting) due to which a person is harmed both in this world as well as in the hereafter.

In reply to the request of some of my acquaintances I have briefly compiled some of the harms of this disease along with the remedy for it from the writings and utterances of our pious predecessors.

By continuously pondering over these harms and by practicing and applying the remedies mentioned we will Insha-Allah rid ourselves of this evil habit and be able to protect ourselves from it.

THE HARMS OF GHEEBAH

1.) Gheebah is that it causes disunity and separation. And from disunity and separation; arguments, fights and disputes break out. One is deprived from the benefits and advantages which come from unity and love.

2.) Due to gheebah, darkness overtakes the heart. If a person has any spiritual perception and feeling in the heart, then at the time of gheebah he will feel a type of choking feeling and discomfort.

3.) Both one’s Deen and dunya are harmed by gheebah. The worldly harm is that if the one who is being back-bitten finds out about it then he will disgrace and rebuke the one who is back-biting him. The Deeni harm is that Allah Ta`ala becomes displeased with such a person and Allah’s displeasure is tantamount to hell-fire.

4.) It is mentioned in a Hadeeth Shareef narrated by Imam Baihaqi in Shu`abul Imaan that:

“Gheebah is worse than fornication.”

5.) Allah Ta`ala will not forgive gheebah until the one against whom this sin was committed forgives him. (On the condition that the person knows that he was back-bitten. But if he does not know then it is sufficient to ask forgiveness from Allah.) This is because of the fact that the sin of gheebah affects the rights of the slaves of Allah.

6.) Making gheebah is tantamount to eating the dead flesh of one’s own brother as mentioned in the Qur`an Majeed, Suratul Hujuraat, verse #12. How despicable can a person be to do such a lowly action?! Now the same way a person would hate to devour the flesh of his own dead brother, similarly one should abhor doing gheebah just as much.

7.) Doing gheebah is sign of cowardice and fear. This is why it is done “behind the back” in another person’s absence.

8.) By continuously being involved in gheebah, the NOOR and spiritual brightness of the face is taken away. The face becomes lusterless and everyone has scorn for such an individual.

9.) Another great harm of gheebah is that on the Day of Judgment the good deeds of a person will be transferred to the one whom he made gheebah of. If his right is not fulfilled by the transferring of deeds, then the sins of the person who was back-bitten will be loaded onto him. Ultimately he will be doomed to enter hell-fire due to his pitiful condition at that time. This person has been called a muflis (a poor and destitute person) in light of the Ahaadeeth. Therefore one should make amends of this before that time.

PRACTICAL REMEDY TO GHEEBAH

1.) One should take action and not be passive and quiet when gheebah is taking place. Rather one should take a practical approach. If someone does gheebah in front of you then first of all you should prevent the person from doing it. [This could easily be done in a friendly manner by changing the subject saying, "Aw come on.... Let's talk about something else!"]

If the person still persists in his gheebah then you must excuse yourself to leave that gathering. [Make an excuse to go to the bathroom or something else. Freshen up and come back. Hopefully the person will get the idea that you are trying to avoid his harmful conversation by leaving that gathering. And if he doesn't get the idea, then...] one should clearly let him know that what he is doing is a sin and do not be afraid of breaking his heart or hurting his feelings.

A true believer does not break his own Deen for the sake of not breaking the heart of someone else. We do not cause hurt to our own Imaan for the sake of not hurting someone else’s feelings.

2.) One very brilliant remedy to this evil habit is that you should notify the person whom you have back-bitten and let him know what you said about him. If one punishes and humiliates the nafs like this a couple of times then one will regret doing this sin for good Insha-Allah.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:

1.) The definition of gheebah is to say something about someone (whether Muslim or non-Muslim) in their absence that they would not like to hear. Such as, saying someone is stupid, or lacks intelligence or to talk low of someone due to their lineage or family/worldly status. Or to talk about the defects in someone’s house, clothes, body, appearance, etc. In short, to mention anything about somebody that would hurt their feelings.

Gheebah can be done verbally, by making a gesture, by winking the eye, or even by giving an indication to it in one’s speech. All of these things are included in gheebah.

2.) To attain complete benefit from these advices one should also consult a qualified Muslih and form an ISLAAHI TA`ALLUQ (reformative and spiritual connection) with him. If these methods of remedy do not have any effect then one should refer back to one’s Muslih and notify him of one’s condition.

3.) There are some instances in which gheebah can be permissible such as:

-If by hiding someone’s condition and not speaking about him openly, you are sure that it will definitely cause harm to the Deen or to people, then it is necessary to speak about him. This is NOT haraam, rather it will be considered naseeha (well-wishing) for others.

-Of course before openly speaking about the condition of someone and making “gheebah” of him one should first consult and Alim who practices the Deen, whether the condition of this person is such which can be spoken about openly or not. After he has overlooked the situation and allowed it, then one can go ahead and implement his allowance.

Otherwise if this is not being done for the sake of saving the Deen and people from harm and it is done due to the desires of one’s nafs and enjoyment, then it will be considered gheebah and it will be haraam. To talk about someone’s short-comings and faults without proper knowledge of his condition, is buhtaan (SLANDER).

4.) Even if gheebah takes place in one’s Shaikh’s gathering, then one should make an excuse and leave that gathering. Just like rain is a beneficial thing and enjoying the rain drops fall is pleasing, but if it starts to hail then one should run from there for fear of getting hurt. [Likewise the Shaikh's majlis is a means of showers of mercy but when there is sin in that very majlis then the showers of mercy turn to the shower of Allah's displeasure. Therefore one should not remain there.]

[Via http://aymenn.wordpress.com]

Cure-All Soup

It’s 8 degrees BELOW zero right now – without windchill!! That means it is definitely time for warm, hearty home cooking!!

This recipe for my Hamburger Soup is quick, easy, uses whatever you have on hand – and even has added benefits!

17 years ago I was VERY broke, VERY pregnant and VERY hungry – all the time! I still remember the day I pulled everything out of my almost empty cabinets, and was trying to figure out what on earth to make to feed my family that night. It was cold, snowing, I had just worked a 12 hour shift as a waitress (think – seriously hurting feet/swollen ankles, exhausted and sore back here). I had some hamburger left over from the previous nights meal, and so out of desperation, I browned up the burger and started throwing things in the pot. Now, I know there have since been several recipes for this type of soup put out there – but this is my original that came to me that day ( I did not own a computer, or a cookbook for that matter, at the time) and I still stand by it today. I have added a few spices, and the tomatoes, to the recipe over the years – but the recipe stays otherwise unchanged.

BEWARE!! There is an added benefit to this soup that I found out about by accident……No matter what cold/flu/sickness you are afflicted with, eat 2 – 3 bowls of this soup and it cures whatever ails you within 24 HOURS!!! Everytime!!! I’m not sure how – and I don’t care, I just know by personal experience – IT WORKS!!!

So, without further ado – here’s the recipe for Shady’s Hamburger Soup:

*NOTE: Recipe can easily be doubled (this is how I normally make it now, I also will use frozen veggies when I can) or you can even triple the recipe for freezing leftovers. Recipe freezes wonderfully, and will keep up to 6 months this way – just thaw and reheat*

1 1/2 to 2 lbs ground beef , browned and drained

2 cans corn (drained)

2 cans green beans (drained)

1 can carrots or mixed veggies (drained)

1 can peas (drained)

2 cans stewed tomatoes (do not drain) (optional)

1 large can tomato juice (or 2 cans plain tomato sauce mixed with 1 can water if you are out of juice)

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp (or more to taste) ground black pepper (this soup LIKES pepper)

2 tsp Italian seasonings (or 1 tsp each Oregano and Basil)

1/2 tsp. onion powder (optional)

*if more soup broth is desired, you can add 1 can plain tomato sauce to above ingredients*

Dump all into large pot and simmer on med-low heat until heated thru, stirring occasionally.

Serve and enjoy! I occasionally top with shredded cheddar cheese if I have some on hand, and a dollop of sour cream tastes great too! 

 This soup warms your insides, and makes a nice change from chili on really cold days.

Hope y’all enjoy!

Shady

[Via http://shadybrooks.wordpress.com]

Standing Up for the Disabled

Recently, the President of Parade Publications and a CURE Board Member, Randolph Siegel, wrote an eloquent and passionate article called “No Way to Refer to the Vulnerable” which was printed in the Chicago Tribune.  The father of a daughter with epilepsy, and a supporter of CURE, Mr. Siegel addressed the ways that people refer to children and adults in our society who exhibit special needs.

In his article he said, “But if the true measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable citizens, then these mean-spirited attacks are not only indefensible, they reinforce the intolerance and discrimination that these children and adults often face in their schools, communities or workplaces.”

CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy), including President Susan Axelrod, newest board member Connie Milstein, and others, applaud Mr. Siegel for his honesty and passion in this article.

[Via http://conniemilstein.wordpress.com]

Choosing a Hand-Raised Parrot

Buster, My African Gray Parrot

Parrots provide plenty of laughs for the whole family, however, getting the right parrot is essential.

Terms such as “hand-raised”, “hand-fed”, “spoon-fed”, and similar terms mean quite different things. I made the mistake of believing that a hand-raised parrot meant a tame parrot. If they haven’t been socialized before four months old they will NEVER be comfortable being handled no matter how old they get. Parrots experiencing “people fear” when young are imprinted for life.

Sometimes, sellers will try to pass off an older bird as a baby. They often can do this because birds are full-grown by about four months of age.

Tip 1: Ask how the parrot was raised. What you want to hear is that the parrot was fed by hand and that the bird was socialized. Socialized means the parrot was handled and played with by several people. Socialized birds welcome contact with people and like to be with them.

Tip 2: Look closely at the parrot. The eyes should be clear and without a yellow ring around the outside edge of the eyeball. If there is a yellow-ring the bird is older than one year.

Tip 3: Look at the parrot’s legs and feet. Older birds have a great deal of scaling (ridges) on their legs and feet while parrots under a year have smoother legs and feet.

Tip 4: Next, Check out the parrot’s health. Look at the beak. A smooth beak is one indication of good health. Feathers are another. They should be smooth and glossy with no signs of feather picking. The red tail on an African Gray should be a vibrant red and at least 3 inches long.

Tip 5: Make sure a “metal band” is on the bird’s leg usually signifying a professional breeder handled this bird.

I hope this article keeps you from getting hoodwinked by unscrupulous sellers!

[Via http://boomermiracles.wordpress.com]