Every day I get new insights about CHOICES-and they always fall into one or more of the following categories: doing, saying, thinking, acting on, considering, ignoring, making, feeling, reacting/not reacting, responding/not responding....and hundreds more I have or haven't actively or consciously explored.
A little more than twenty years ago I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia-an auto-immune disorder that attacks the body's muscles and connective tissues. During a really severe exacerbation, I am literally bed-ridden for days, weeks, or even months at a time with muscle spasms, extreme fatigue, listlessness, sleeplessness, and the overall feeling of having a bad case of Flu with vast areas of the body screamingly painful and tender to touch; even the hair on my head seems to rebel if a comb or brush comes within close proximity, threatening to inflict torture. Without going into detail on the research and diagnostic suppositions regarding this disease, I'll simply say-IT'S NASTY! Thankfully, the debilitating episodes have become less frequent during this past year and major complaints have been limited to bouts of fatigue, muscle aches & spasms with tenderness and some limited mobility for shorter periods of time (days, rather than weeks or months), allowing me to function easier on a daily basis. I still have Fibro, but it doesn't have Me....at least not ALL the time. And, it's become more of a “mind over matter” thing...I “mind” and it still “matters”, but my conscious functionality is at a higher level.
So, where am I going with all this? About three weeks ago my husband and I returned home following a 2 month vacation driving up and down the West coast, going as far north as Victoria, BC. It was the first vacation time we had taken in 3 years because of his past ill health and it was time to “celebrate life”, so to speak. I did most of the driving and ALL of the trip planning and looked at it as a joyful challenge-most of the time. And here's the odd thing.....in spite of all the hours in the car, sleeping in beds I wasn't used to, hiking or taking long walks (sometimes as many as 7-9 miles in a single day while sightseeing)on all types of terrain, packing and unpacking, hoisting luggage and bags in and out of the car, and commuting on various forms of public transportation as a very active tourist, I never once experienced an entire day totally debilitated with a Fibro flare up. What's up with THAT? Why is it that doing normal household routines, or shopping at the grocery store, or running mundane errands, or sweeping the carport, or cooking a meal and doing dishes afterward can wipe me out and send me scrambling to the medicine cabinet for pain relief, a muscle relaxant, or something to help me sleep?
Mindset and choices-that's what it's all about. Now, I'm not saying that I didn't have some aches and pains and a little trouble sleeping during my vacation-I DID; however, the difference is that I clearly chose to set the physical feelings of discomfort aside and ENJOY the positive aspects of what was going on around me and what I was experiencing. And, I chose to immerse myself in the joy of my experiences, rather than in the possible negative consequences of exceeding my energy levels by saying to myself, “I may be overdoing it right now, but it's so worth it!” As a tool to keep me going I hung my camera around my neck and rarely experienced a day without it. I took thousands of pictures to capture the amazing moments we shared and the ones I experienced on my own. And now, as I review them and sort through them I have a another way to remind myself that I HAVE THE POWER to feel however I choose to feel on any given day at any given moment, for any amount of time. And THAT makes any aches, pains, fatigue, or hint of negativity that wants to attack me all the more worthwhile. It's a question of “Mind Over Matter'-I Mind and IT Matters.
Thank you all for letting me share my thoughts with you. Please send me your comments and for further information, please feel free to contact me at my website: www.fromme2youonline.com.
Sincerely,
Laurie Jo
Showing posts with label Self-Improvement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self-Improvement. Show all posts
Friday, October 16, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Obsessiveness VS Choice
When is a behavior NOT a form of obsessive compulsiveness, but rather a matter of choice?
I'd like to think that, on the most part, I'm pretty good at controlling obsessive behaviors. Once in a while I even manage to recognize a potentially obsessive behavior before I give in to it. This can be especially helpful if acting on the behavior would, as a resulting consequence, cause excessive physical discomfort. After all, why would any of us intentionally want to harm ourselves, right?
My husband and I bought a house 2 years ago that had been previously occupied for 3 years. Everything about it was perfect, except for one thing; I don't think the previous owner had EVER washed the kitchen floor. I believed he must have swept it, but that was the extent of his kitchen floor cleanliness. The fact that he had been a very heavy smoker only added to the depth of its grime. Here's the thing. I have washed the floor many times and thought I had been cleaning it...REALLY! What I hadn't realized was that the floor was actually a light ivory patterned linoleum-not tan and dark beige! I take full responsibility for being a non-observant idiot and as a result had committed myself to doing something about it, once I discovered the horror that lay under my feet.
To make a long story short, I tried everything imaginable and even cleaning techniques sworn to work by others. I talked to a girlfriend who was, in my opinion, the Queen of Clean, having run her own cleaning service for years. I bought what she told me would work the best, with “no problem”. Even the guy at the hardware store told me it was a “sure fire wonder” and to be careful not to use too much, since it may take the no wax shine off the original finish. I even bought a shine restorer, just in case. I was loaded for bear and armed with a new mop, ready to take on the task of renewing my 11'x16' kitchen floor with vigor and enthusiasm.
After the first application and subsequent clear water rinse, there was NO noticeable difference. I thought, “OK, I'll try again with a stronger solution mix and leave it on a little longer before mopping.: NADA! NOTHING! ZILCH! What the H...? I committed to trying it again and using a scrub brush along with the mop to help scrub away the grime. I felt like Lady Macbeth who couldn't get the blood off her hands! I was a Mad woman with a purpose who couldn't stop. After 4 hours of intense physical labor I was frustrated and not wanting to admit defeat. The sweat was literally dripping from my brow and I was for all intense and purposes a MESS and so was the mop-it was shredded, and the floor didn't look much better!
On my way to the store to buy a new mop to finish the job, I called my friend Bonnie, who often submits articles for this “I Believe” blog and who is extremely insightful about human behavior and why people do what they do. She listened patiently as I ranted on and on about my new “obsession” , interjecting my one-sided conversation with myself with words like, “I don't know WHAT it's all about, it's so weird...” and “Why aren't I falling flat on my face with exhaustion rather than feeling almost manic with energy?” When I finally took a breath and came up for air, she simply said, “It's not about being obsessive with getting the floor clean-it's about YOU and needing to clean some things up in your life.” WOW! I didn't see THAT coming! Well, maybe I actually did-but chose to ignore the possibility that I had some serious stuff to work on about myself.
When our conversation came to an end, I realized that while we were talking I actually bought the mop, committed to “finishing” what I had started. Oh CRAP! Maybe I really was having an obsessive compulsive breakdown. Choices. At that moment I chose to think of the experience as “continuing” the first step of self help cleanup. In fact, I even told myself that it didn't all have to be done in the same day and I committed to taking a break for a day or two before attacking the task with renewed vigor and purpose.
Looking back at yesterday's frenetic activities and last night's decision to curl up on the couch with some relaxing music and a cold Key lime Pie Martini before taking a hot lavender bath and calling it a night was definitely a wise choice. When I woke up refreshed this morning and headed to the kitchen for a cup of coffee there was the mop and bucket right where I had left it. AND, it's still there! Tomorrow is another day for another challenge. And I will face it with the realization that “it's just a floor and I'm bigger than any 11'x16' piece of territory on ANY day! YEAH!”
In the meantime, I'm spending my emotional energy on sorting through what it is that I need to work on with MYSELF. It may take some time, but the choice is mine to take. Who knows? Maybe the next time I feel a bit compulsive and manic I will channel it into something more exotic like preparing a complicated French recipe. Julia Childs, look out!
Thank you for letting me share my thoughts with you. I hope I have given you some insights and food for thought. Let me know if you have had similar experiences or if you wish to comment, please let me hear from you.
From Me 2 You Online,
Laurie Jo
I'd like to think that, on the most part, I'm pretty good at controlling obsessive behaviors. Once in a while I even manage to recognize a potentially obsessive behavior before I give in to it. This can be especially helpful if acting on the behavior would, as a resulting consequence, cause excessive physical discomfort. After all, why would any of us intentionally want to harm ourselves, right?
My husband and I bought a house 2 years ago that had been previously occupied for 3 years. Everything about it was perfect, except for one thing; I don't think the previous owner had EVER washed the kitchen floor. I believed he must have swept it, but that was the extent of his kitchen floor cleanliness. The fact that he had been a very heavy smoker only added to the depth of its grime. Here's the thing. I have washed the floor many times and thought I had been cleaning it...REALLY! What I hadn't realized was that the floor was actually a light ivory patterned linoleum-not tan and dark beige! I take full responsibility for being a non-observant idiot and as a result had committed myself to doing something about it, once I discovered the horror that lay under my feet.
To make a long story short, I tried everything imaginable and even cleaning techniques sworn to work by others. I talked to a girlfriend who was, in my opinion, the Queen of Clean, having run her own cleaning service for years. I bought what she told me would work the best, with “no problem”. Even the guy at the hardware store told me it was a “sure fire wonder” and to be careful not to use too much, since it may take the no wax shine off the original finish. I even bought a shine restorer, just in case. I was loaded for bear and armed with a new mop, ready to take on the task of renewing my 11'x16' kitchen floor with vigor and enthusiasm.
After the first application and subsequent clear water rinse, there was NO noticeable difference. I thought, “OK, I'll try again with a stronger solution mix and leave it on a little longer before mopping.: NADA! NOTHING! ZILCH! What the H...? I committed to trying it again and using a scrub brush along with the mop to help scrub away the grime. I felt like Lady Macbeth who couldn't get the blood off her hands! I was a Mad woman with a purpose who couldn't stop. After 4 hours of intense physical labor I was frustrated and not wanting to admit defeat. The sweat was literally dripping from my brow and I was for all intense and purposes a MESS and so was the mop-it was shredded, and the floor didn't look much better!
On my way to the store to buy a new mop to finish the job, I called my friend Bonnie, who often submits articles for this “I Believe” blog and who is extremely insightful about human behavior and why people do what they do. She listened patiently as I ranted on and on about my new “obsession” , interjecting my one-sided conversation with myself with words like, “I don't know WHAT it's all about, it's so weird...” and “Why aren't I falling flat on my face with exhaustion rather than feeling almost manic with energy?” When I finally took a breath and came up for air, she simply said, “It's not about being obsessive with getting the floor clean-it's about YOU and needing to clean some things up in your life.” WOW! I didn't see THAT coming! Well, maybe I actually did-but chose to ignore the possibility that I had some serious stuff to work on about myself.
When our conversation came to an end, I realized that while we were talking I actually bought the mop, committed to “finishing” what I had started. Oh CRAP! Maybe I really was having an obsessive compulsive breakdown. Choices. At that moment I chose to think of the experience as “continuing” the first step of self help cleanup. In fact, I even told myself that it didn't all have to be done in the same day and I committed to taking a break for a day or two before attacking the task with renewed vigor and purpose.
Looking back at yesterday's frenetic activities and last night's decision to curl up on the couch with some relaxing music and a cold Key lime Pie Martini before taking a hot lavender bath and calling it a night was definitely a wise choice. When I woke up refreshed this morning and headed to the kitchen for a cup of coffee there was the mop and bucket right where I had left it. AND, it's still there! Tomorrow is another day for another challenge. And I will face it with the realization that “it's just a floor and I'm bigger than any 11'x16' piece of territory on ANY day! YEAH!”
In the meantime, I'm spending my emotional energy on sorting through what it is that I need to work on with MYSELF. It may take some time, but the choice is mine to take. Who knows? Maybe the next time I feel a bit compulsive and manic I will channel it into something more exotic like preparing a complicated French recipe. Julia Childs, look out!
Thank you for letting me share my thoughts with you. I hope I have given you some insights and food for thought. Let me know if you have had similar experiences or if you wish to comment, please let me hear from you.
From Me 2 You Online,
Laurie Jo
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Do we choose to be Blind?
I believe that a lot of us, at some time or another during our lifetime, go through our days as if we were blind to the rest of the world. It's almost as if for whatever reason we were struck blind all of a sudden. I've felt this way at times when I either refused to “see” what was going on around me, or even “see” another's point of view. Sometimes I would slap my forehead and say something like-”Oops, I lost my awareness there for a while”; or, using the expression from the TV commercial for V8 juice, “I could have had a V8!”...that's one of my personal favorites and I've used it for years.
This past weekend I received one of the Netflix movies, Blindness, I had put in my que at the beginning of the summer. I don't know if any of you have seen it, but it looked intriguing and I like the actors in it (especially Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo and Danny Glover). It started out interestingly enough with various characters being suddenly struck “blind” seeing a white light, rather than black darkness, and the initial choice of characters to be stricken were curiously selected. Mark Ruffalo played an Opthamologist, for example. I started to look for contrasts and similarities in their personalities and was becoming quite philosophical and even psychological about the strategic selections made by the writers as to whom would become blind. I took it a step further and put myself in Julianna Moore's character, who was the ONLY protagonist in the cast of characters (other than the government people – isn't THAT interesting?) ” amongst the hundreds who were sharing a government controlled prison-like, internment camp hospital environment who could actually “see”. She had chosen to accompany her husband, played by Mark Ruffalo, when he was the first to be transported to the quarantine facility because she wanted to be supportive and to help him.
As the movie progresses, all sense of order breaks loose in the hospital. Moore continues to keep her sight a secret and tries to minimize the chaos to little avail. It is up to her to lead a group safely to the streets without getting shot by the government appointed guards who truly believe that physical contact with these people will inflict them with the blindness as well. On the most part, I think that a psychologist would have a full time practice analyzing the significance of each character's blindness (as well as those not blinded) and I'd almost be curious enough to read the case files or attempt an analysis of my own. But, in truth, I can't tell you how the movie ended-I did not choose to watch the ensuing chaos past the halfway point of the movie.
What does that say about me? Initially I felt it was because it was too depressing and I didn't need to put myself through that. Now, two days later, I'm thinking it was because it struck home on several levels (which was probably the point for making the movie in the first place, DUH!).
All my life I've been helping people – especially the last 3 years during my husband's health issues. All my life I've tried to be the practical “leader” in many situations that required making sense out of chaos. And, more times than I can count, I've tried to put a bandage on things that didn't look or feel right in the hopes that the negative stuff would disappear and “be all better” in a flash. Talk about turning a “blind eye” to life! Well, I've decided, at least for the next few days, I'm going to CHOOSE to keep my eyes open. Open to new ideas, new possibilities, new opportunities, new relationships, new surroundings, …..anything NEW and fresh I am welcoming into my life and making an agreement with myself to “see it” for what it is, on ANY level...as long as I allow myself to SEE!
I believe that BLINDNESS and/or losing even partial sight on physical and/or psychological levels, is all about making choices. We have the FREEDOM to choose how we want to live our lives every single second of every single day. The choices might be smaller or fewer for some than others, but even ONE choice is better than NO choice, and we all at least have one. Pick it! Choose it! Live it! That's my new mantra today.
Thanks you for letting me share my thoughts with you. I hope I have given you something positive to think about and something new to ponder.
From Me 2 You Online,
Laurie Jo
This past weekend I received one of the Netflix movies, Blindness, I had put in my que at the beginning of the summer. I don't know if any of you have seen it, but it looked intriguing and I like the actors in it (especially Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo and Danny Glover). It started out interestingly enough with various characters being suddenly struck “blind” seeing a white light, rather than black darkness, and the initial choice of characters to be stricken were curiously selected. Mark Ruffalo played an Opthamologist, for example. I started to look for contrasts and similarities in their personalities and was becoming quite philosophical and even psychological about the strategic selections made by the writers as to whom would become blind. I took it a step further and put myself in Julianna Moore's character, who was the ONLY protagonist in the cast of characters (other than the government people – isn't THAT interesting?) ” amongst the hundreds who were sharing a government controlled prison-like, internment camp hospital environment who could actually “see”. She had chosen to accompany her husband, played by Mark Ruffalo, when he was the first to be transported to the quarantine facility because she wanted to be supportive and to help him.
As the movie progresses, all sense of order breaks loose in the hospital. Moore continues to keep her sight a secret and tries to minimize the chaos to little avail. It is up to her to lead a group safely to the streets without getting shot by the government appointed guards who truly believe that physical contact with these people will inflict them with the blindness as well. On the most part, I think that a psychologist would have a full time practice analyzing the significance of each character's blindness (as well as those not blinded) and I'd almost be curious enough to read the case files or attempt an analysis of my own. But, in truth, I can't tell you how the movie ended-I did not choose to watch the ensuing chaos past the halfway point of the movie.
What does that say about me? Initially I felt it was because it was too depressing and I didn't need to put myself through that. Now, two days later, I'm thinking it was because it struck home on several levels (which was probably the point for making the movie in the first place, DUH!).
All my life I've been helping people – especially the last 3 years during my husband's health issues. All my life I've tried to be the practical “leader” in many situations that required making sense out of chaos. And, more times than I can count, I've tried to put a bandage on things that didn't look or feel right in the hopes that the negative stuff would disappear and “be all better” in a flash. Talk about turning a “blind eye” to life! Well, I've decided, at least for the next few days, I'm going to CHOOSE to keep my eyes open. Open to new ideas, new possibilities, new opportunities, new relationships, new surroundings, …..anything NEW and fresh I am welcoming into my life and making an agreement with myself to “see it” for what it is, on ANY level...as long as I allow myself to SEE!
I believe that BLINDNESS and/or losing even partial sight on physical and/or psychological levels, is all about making choices. We have the FREEDOM to choose how we want to live our lives every single second of every single day. The choices might be smaller or fewer for some than others, but even ONE choice is better than NO choice, and we all at least have one. Pick it! Choose it! Live it! That's my new mantra today.
Thanks you for letting me share my thoughts with you. I hope I have given you something positive to think about and something new to ponder.
From Me 2 You Online,
Laurie Jo
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
A Question of Direction-When It's Time to Surrender
I believe that there are many people in this world who have built in radar, they were born being able to find their way, no matter where they are going in life. I especially believe this to be true when it comes to driving from one place to another. For some people, going from point “A” to point “B”, no matter how far or how many different routes have to be taken, is a no-brainer and as easy as snapping a finger. I am definitely not one of these fortunate people. As a matter of fact, I am quite certain that I was absent from school on the days that any form of navigation and maps was ever taught. I'm quite certain, although I've never been tested medically, that the part of my brain that can easily address the issues of navigation is totally missing. You can laugh at this or sympathize with me, but all I know is that getting hopelessly lost has been more the norm rather than the exception for most of my life-until recently. But I'm getting ahead of myself here.
I've always been fine with the basic concept of north, south, east, and west-at least when I looked at an atlas of the whole world. But if somebody giving me directions says, for example, “When you get to street “A” , turn east and drive to point “B”, then go north.” Not only would my eyes glaze over, but I would actually start to hyperventilate and tears would well up in my eyes as I started to look for the nearest escape from the crazy person trying to give me impossible directions that I had tuned out the minute he or she mentioned the word “east”. How could I admit that the only way I could handle any form of direction was to be told to go to a certain street, turn left or right, then to another street or road, then turn left or right, etc., without sounding totally like the moron I truly was? Often were the times that I would just say “thank you”, move on, and then look for somebody else to help me. When THAT didn't work, I would bite my tongue, take a breath and try to make a joke of it by saying, “I'm a bit navigationally challenged and don't do well with north, south, east, or west. Can you tell me to go either right or left?” The typical response (usually with what seemed a smile of pity), was, “Oh, sure. Let me draw you a map.” I would start to hyperventilate again before I managed to choke out, “No! Don't! I don't do maps either.” I knew what they were thinking....”What kind of idiot doesn't do maps?”
My mother, who has a perfect sense of direction and a photographic memory at 87 years old, used to tell me that I could get lost in a walk-in closet if it was big enough. I was quite certain she was right, which didn't help my problem any. But over my lifetime I have learned to accept my difficulties with navigation and have praised and applauded myself when I WOULD find my way from one place to another. I learned to allow myself a ridiculous amount of extra time before setting out for places unknown, and then pray I had allowed myself enough. If a journey seemed to far, I would make excuses for not accepting invitations if it meant I had to find my own way there, and then wallow in self-pity that I had to spend time all by myself rather than to accept the invitation. When I got married, I left the navigation to my husband and was so relieved that he didn't make fun of my lack of skills in this area. I think he realized that I had so many other redeeming qualities, (his words, not mine), why stress me out over it. That strategy worked for the first ten years of our marriage.
Three years ago I had to face my fears head on. He was hospitalized in a city we had never been in and would be unable to drive for 6 weeks. I had to find my way to and from the hospital from where I was staying with a friend, and then take him to all his different doctor appointments and rehab after he was discharged. It was time to surrender and let go of my fears. I forced myself to study maps of the area and to find alternate routes when construction would send me on detours. I did it through tears, frustration, anxiety, and triumph. I was woman, and you could hear me roar! A huge burden had been lifted from my shoulders and I could actually breathe normally when I asked for directions. I still got lost, but it didn't make me feel stupid anymore. I took on the challenges of navigation with great aplomb and sometimes even bragged to my closest friends that I hadn't got lost getting to their homes. I had surrendered big time and it felt wonderful!
When my husband suggested that we take a 2 month road trip to explore the West coast from top to bottom, I was excited to think that I would be planning the trip and doing all the navigating. I spent hours looking at maps and routes, and planning stops we would make. I went on the Internet to chart my course with Map quest and AAA and became obsessed with finding “just the right route” . My road atlas was so tattered and routes were so highlighted in yellow that I could barely read it anymore. This was a true sign I had evolved into a great navigator-right?
Just as I had finished with my lists of places to see, routes to take, and maps to use, my husband presented me with an early anniversary gift. With a smile from ear to ear he watched as I opened my gift. I was speechless as I stared at a Garmin GPS system. Why did I need this? I had already spent weeks planning our trip and was still basking in my ability to surrender my fears of getting hopelessly lost. Wasn't using a GPS cheating? Wouldn't it keep me from using my new-found skills as an accomplished navigator? I was staring at yet another form of surrender; AND, a whole lot of questions: how hard was it going to be to learn how to use it? How bad would I hurt his feelings if I said I really didn't need it? Could I use the GPS and the maps and lists I had so painstakingly made?
Here's the short version of what I did for 2 months on our road trip. I surrendered, AGAIN, to a certain extent. I consulted my map and lists for an overview of the trip as we went along. I used the GPS to calculate distance and time from one place to another and to direct me around bad roads and/or construction. When we needed a place to stay or eat, I used the incredible database to direct me (after consulting the Internet and my maps most of the time as well). It was also great for keeping me alert, since it had a great woman's voice that acted as a “driving pal”. I switched it to a man's voice when Jerry was driving so it didn't feel like another woman was telling him where to go...that was reserved for me, thank you very much!
I like to think, now, that surrendering isn't so bad after all. It's not easy, don't misunderstand that. But once you practice it over and over, it gets easier. A lot easier than stewing in your own juices and thinking that's the ONLY way to live. Trust me. I've been there...more times than I can even count. And I'm sure there will be many more times requiring my surrender in this lifetime....but what's the value of life and learning, without challenges?
Thank you for letting me share this part of my life with you.
From Me 2 You,
Laurie Jo
For more stories and information about Laurie Jo, please visit her website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
I've always been fine with the basic concept of north, south, east, and west-at least when I looked at an atlas of the whole world. But if somebody giving me directions says, for example, “When you get to street “A” , turn east and drive to point “B”, then go north.” Not only would my eyes glaze over, but I would actually start to hyperventilate and tears would well up in my eyes as I started to look for the nearest escape from the crazy person trying to give me impossible directions that I had tuned out the minute he or she mentioned the word “east”. How could I admit that the only way I could handle any form of direction was to be told to go to a certain street, turn left or right, then to another street or road, then turn left or right, etc., without sounding totally like the moron I truly was? Often were the times that I would just say “thank you”, move on, and then look for somebody else to help me. When THAT didn't work, I would bite my tongue, take a breath and try to make a joke of it by saying, “I'm a bit navigationally challenged and don't do well with north, south, east, or west. Can you tell me to go either right or left?” The typical response (usually with what seemed a smile of pity), was, “Oh, sure. Let me draw you a map.” I would start to hyperventilate again before I managed to choke out, “No! Don't! I don't do maps either.” I knew what they were thinking....”What kind of idiot doesn't do maps?”
My mother, who has a perfect sense of direction and a photographic memory at 87 years old, used to tell me that I could get lost in a walk-in closet if it was big enough. I was quite certain she was right, which didn't help my problem any. But over my lifetime I have learned to accept my difficulties with navigation and have praised and applauded myself when I WOULD find my way from one place to another. I learned to allow myself a ridiculous amount of extra time before setting out for places unknown, and then pray I had allowed myself enough. If a journey seemed to far, I would make excuses for not accepting invitations if it meant I had to find my own way there, and then wallow in self-pity that I had to spend time all by myself rather than to accept the invitation. When I got married, I left the navigation to my husband and was so relieved that he didn't make fun of my lack of skills in this area. I think he realized that I had so many other redeeming qualities, (his words, not mine), why stress me out over it. That strategy worked for the first ten years of our marriage.
Three years ago I had to face my fears head on. He was hospitalized in a city we had never been in and would be unable to drive for 6 weeks. I had to find my way to and from the hospital from where I was staying with a friend, and then take him to all his different doctor appointments and rehab after he was discharged. It was time to surrender and let go of my fears. I forced myself to study maps of the area and to find alternate routes when construction would send me on detours. I did it through tears, frustration, anxiety, and triumph. I was woman, and you could hear me roar! A huge burden had been lifted from my shoulders and I could actually breathe normally when I asked for directions. I still got lost, but it didn't make me feel stupid anymore. I took on the challenges of navigation with great aplomb and sometimes even bragged to my closest friends that I hadn't got lost getting to their homes. I had surrendered big time and it felt wonderful!
When my husband suggested that we take a 2 month road trip to explore the West coast from top to bottom, I was excited to think that I would be planning the trip and doing all the navigating. I spent hours looking at maps and routes, and planning stops we would make. I went on the Internet to chart my course with Map quest and AAA and became obsessed with finding “just the right route” . My road atlas was so tattered and routes were so highlighted in yellow that I could barely read it anymore. This was a true sign I had evolved into a great navigator-right?
Just as I had finished with my lists of places to see, routes to take, and maps to use, my husband presented me with an early anniversary gift. With a smile from ear to ear he watched as I opened my gift. I was speechless as I stared at a Garmin GPS system. Why did I need this? I had already spent weeks planning our trip and was still basking in my ability to surrender my fears of getting hopelessly lost. Wasn't using a GPS cheating? Wouldn't it keep me from using my new-found skills as an accomplished navigator? I was staring at yet another form of surrender; AND, a whole lot of questions: how hard was it going to be to learn how to use it? How bad would I hurt his feelings if I said I really didn't need it? Could I use the GPS and the maps and lists I had so painstakingly made?
Here's the short version of what I did for 2 months on our road trip. I surrendered, AGAIN, to a certain extent. I consulted my map and lists for an overview of the trip as we went along. I used the GPS to calculate distance and time from one place to another and to direct me around bad roads and/or construction. When we needed a place to stay or eat, I used the incredible database to direct me (after consulting the Internet and my maps most of the time as well). It was also great for keeping me alert, since it had a great woman's voice that acted as a “driving pal”. I switched it to a man's voice when Jerry was driving so it didn't feel like another woman was telling him where to go...that was reserved for me, thank you very much!
I like to think, now, that surrendering isn't so bad after all. It's not easy, don't misunderstand that. But once you practice it over and over, it gets easier. A lot easier than stewing in your own juices and thinking that's the ONLY way to live. Trust me. I've been there...more times than I can even count. And I'm sure there will be many more times requiring my surrender in this lifetime....but what's the value of life and learning, without challenges?
Thank you for letting me share this part of my life with you.
From Me 2 You,
Laurie Jo
For more stories and information about Laurie Jo, please visit her website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Life's Interruptions
Have you ever tried to carry on a conversation with someone who likes to hear themselves talk more than they like to listen? I am sure you have. We all know someone who will invariably interrupt you at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence (never at the end of the sentence because that would mean they didn't interrupt) to tell you what they think or know, what you should think, what you should know, what to do, what not to do, how they feel, how you should feel, what they did in that situation, what you should do in that situation....on and on and on.....
I have a friend like that. Just for fun the other day, I decided to count the number of sentences I was able to complete in an hour. I started a total of 32 sentences and completed 4 of them without interruption. Hmmmm........... What does that tell me? There are several ways to look at this bad habit - and I do believe it is a very bad and inconsiderate habit that we all need to be aware of as it can say the following to our friends.
First - When you interrupt someone, you are basically telling them that you are more important - your opinion is more important - your thoughts are more important and any information you can impart is far more important than whatever they have to say to you.
Second - When you interrupt someone, you are confirming that their information, opinion, thoughts or feelings are more than likely incorrect according to your way of thinking. So now, not only are you telling them how unimportant they are, you are also telling them their thoughts, words and/or deeds are incorrect as well.
Wow - Now who wouldn't want a friend like that? The world really does revolve around them - just ask them....they will be happy to tell you!
Now, of course, there is another way to look at this. It is so easy to take this personally, but is it really about you? Are you really unimportant? Are you really incorrect? I don't think so! I think it is more about them than you. Why? I believe the person who is doing the interrupting has a need to feel superior and the only way they can actually do that is by trying to make you feel inferior. Their thoughts or information is not more important or more correct - they just have a need to try and make their thoughts more important or more correct. It really has nothing to do with you - it is all about them - their insecurities and their needs.
There are only two reasons we do anything in our life - to gain pleasure or to avoid pain. When you interrupt someone in the middle of a sentence it is only for one of those reasons. You may want to ask yourself which of these reasons are the most common for you? You may also want to ask yourself why this bad habit has become a part of your life? And last, but certainly not least, ask yourself 'If the shoe were on the other foot and your friend was always interrupting what you were trying to say, would you want to continue to be friends'? Hmmmmm..........food for thought.
Thanks for letting me share my time and thoughts with you. Writing is so sweet - I can't be interrupted!
Thanks for sharing your time with me. Let me know your thoughts. I promise not to interrupt!!!
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Brand
I have a friend like that. Just for fun the other day, I decided to count the number of sentences I was able to complete in an hour. I started a total of 32 sentences and completed 4 of them without interruption. Hmmmm........... What does that tell me? There are several ways to look at this bad habit - and I do believe it is a very bad and inconsiderate habit that we all need to be aware of as it can say the following to our friends.
First - When you interrupt someone, you are basically telling them that you are more important - your opinion is more important - your thoughts are more important and any information you can impart is far more important than whatever they have to say to you.
Second - When you interrupt someone, you are confirming that their information, opinion, thoughts or feelings are more than likely incorrect according to your way of thinking. So now, not only are you telling them how unimportant they are, you are also telling them their thoughts, words and/or deeds are incorrect as well.
Wow - Now who wouldn't want a friend like that? The world really does revolve around them - just ask them....they will be happy to tell you!
Now, of course, there is another way to look at this. It is so easy to take this personally, but is it really about you? Are you really unimportant? Are you really incorrect? I don't think so! I think it is more about them than you. Why? I believe the person who is doing the interrupting has a need to feel superior and the only way they can actually do that is by trying to make you feel inferior. Their thoughts or information is not more important or more correct - they just have a need to try and make their thoughts more important or more correct. It really has nothing to do with you - it is all about them - their insecurities and their needs.
There are only two reasons we do anything in our life - to gain pleasure or to avoid pain. When you interrupt someone in the middle of a sentence it is only for one of those reasons. You may want to ask yourself which of these reasons are the most common for you? You may also want to ask yourself why this bad habit has become a part of your life? And last, but certainly not least, ask yourself 'If the shoe were on the other foot and your friend was always interrupting what you were trying to say, would you want to continue to be friends'? Hmmmmm..........food for thought.
Thanks for letting me share my time and thoughts with you. Writing is so sweet - I can't be interrupted!
Thanks for sharing your time with me. Let me know your thoughts. I promise not to interrupt!!!
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Brand
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Animals as Healing Helpers
I have been very blessed since moving to Tucson to have met and made many good, loving friends. We help each other out, we are spiritually involved in growing and evolving. One such friend has rescued horses and Dalmatians. When she does healings in her barn, she will open the door to a horse’s stall allowing the animal to come out, stand by the person receiving the healing and magic happens.
I have had several such healings. During the last one, I had my hands on Joey, a great wonderful healing horse, while my friend took me on a meditation journey. At one point during the meditation, I heard the horse in the next stall, lick her lips, I knew this had meaning. Once I ended the meditation, my friend explained that Saphire had licked her lips to help me release “stuff”.
I arrived home tired, I took a nap, woke up relaxed and joyful after the experience. I started to look at my e-mail messages and it hit me! Saphire’s licking dislodged a memory I had hidden very deep in my brain and I have never told anyone. As a teenager, I experienced a molestation by an acquaintance of my family. I was ashamed of this and never told Mom, Dad or anyone else. As an adult, I learned this was not my fault, yet, I held on to it in the back of my brain. When this realization hit me, Saphire licking her lips, I felt thunder struck, and my immediate response after remembering the episode was “Oh my gosh, I have to let this go!”
I have been working on releasing events and individuals who have wronged me by placing them in a pink bubble and releasing it to God. Well, this is another event going in the pink bubble to God.
I am grateful to the animals that are here to serve us. They know what we need and when we learn to read them and listen to them, we can grow spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
Thank you for letting me share this reading and experience with you. For more information and/or a animal communication reading of your own, please go to: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
From Me 2 You Online,
Cristina
I have had several such healings. During the last one, I had my hands on Joey, a great wonderful healing horse, while my friend took me on a meditation journey. At one point during the meditation, I heard the horse in the next stall, lick her lips, I knew this had meaning. Once I ended the meditation, my friend explained that Saphire had licked her lips to help me release “stuff”.
I arrived home tired, I took a nap, woke up relaxed and joyful after the experience. I started to look at my e-mail messages and it hit me! Saphire’s licking dislodged a memory I had hidden very deep in my brain and I have never told anyone. As a teenager, I experienced a molestation by an acquaintance of my family. I was ashamed of this and never told Mom, Dad or anyone else. As an adult, I learned this was not my fault, yet, I held on to it in the back of my brain. When this realization hit me, Saphire licking her lips, I felt thunder struck, and my immediate response after remembering the episode was “Oh my gosh, I have to let this go!”
I have been working on releasing events and individuals who have wronged me by placing them in a pink bubble and releasing it to God. Well, this is another event going in the pink bubble to God.
I am grateful to the animals that are here to serve us. They know what we need and when we learn to read them and listen to them, we can grow spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
Thank you for letting me share this reading and experience with you. For more information and/or a animal communication reading of your own, please go to: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
From Me 2 You Online,
Cristina
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Spirit Guide Information - What are their names?
I know a lot of people would like to know some of their Spirit Guides names.
Sometimes we get new guides that come to help us at a certain times in our lives. Maybe they are coming to guide us during a particularly difficult time, or maybe they are there to help us with a project we are having trouble with, or maybe they just want to be near us. Usually they want us to know that they have come into our lives, so they tell us that they are here and give us their name.
I know you're going to say,"But I can't hear them." Well, they make it easy for you to know that they are here. If you pay very close attention to names you hear everyday, you'll find out when a new guide comes into your life or maybe one that's been there all along wants you to know they're watching and helping you. If you're paying attention to names, you'll hear one that comes up over and over again in anything from a few days to maybe a month. When that happens, you know you have a new guide and what their name is.
Last year, I watched a movie about a girl named Sophie. A few days later, I got a call that my neice had a new baby and she named her Sophie. A few days later, I was asked to help a 7 yr old girl with a spirit problem. Yep! Her name was Sophie. It just went on and on. I finally said,"OK, OK, I know you’re here." So, I now have a new Spirit Guide named Sophie who is here to help me with the next part of my life. She's quite a character and she makes me laugh, but I know she's going to be a great help.
Keep an "ear out" for repeating names and I guarantee when you hear one more than 3 times in a short period, You've got a new helper.
If you'd like to know more of them, you can always contact me at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com to do a Spirit Guide reading. Thank you for sharing your time with me.
From Me 2 You Online
Love, Joy, Peace,
Bonnie
Sometimes we get new guides that come to help us at a certain times in our lives. Maybe they are coming to guide us during a particularly difficult time, or maybe they are there to help us with a project we are having trouble with, or maybe they just want to be near us. Usually they want us to know that they have come into our lives, so they tell us that they are here and give us their name.
I know you're going to say,"But I can't hear them." Well, they make it easy for you to know that they are here. If you pay very close attention to names you hear everyday, you'll find out when a new guide comes into your life or maybe one that's been there all along wants you to know they're watching and helping you. If you're paying attention to names, you'll hear one that comes up over and over again in anything from a few days to maybe a month. When that happens, you know you have a new guide and what their name is.
Last year, I watched a movie about a girl named Sophie. A few days later, I got a call that my neice had a new baby and she named her Sophie. A few days later, I was asked to help a 7 yr old girl with a spirit problem. Yep! Her name was Sophie. It just went on and on. I finally said,"OK, OK, I know you’re here." So, I now have a new Spirit Guide named Sophie who is here to help me with the next part of my life. She's quite a character and she makes me laugh, but I know she's going to be a great help.
Keep an "ear out" for repeating names and I guarantee when you hear one more than 3 times in a short period, You've got a new helper.
If you'd like to know more of them, you can always contact me at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com to do a Spirit Guide reading. Thank you for sharing your time with me.
From Me 2 You Online
Love, Joy, Peace,
Bonnie
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Checking our awareness
I believe that it is easier to lose our awareness at any point in time than it is to stay focused and in the moment, when avoiding catastrophe, big OR small. Let me give you an example.
The other day when I was taking my morning walk and cogitating plans for the day I realized I was having an issue with my balance. Now, this is nothing new; however, I usually recognize that it is either time to sit down and wait for it to pass, or I will put off doing anything that might require a balanced equilibrium until I feel more stable. I don't really mind this about my physical self, as it reminds me about the importance of staying focused- most of the time. But, I have to admit, as I was making my way up a short grade in the street, I totally lost my awareness as I was losing my balance.
In an effort to avoid going “down”, I immediately started saying to myself, “you're not going to fall, you're not going to fall...” And of course I DID fall, while uttering, “you're going to stay upright”, remembering some of the teachings from The Secret that tells us 'anything we focus on, we create'(hoping my fall would be minimized at the very least). But, alas, I found myself on the ground, rubbing my elbow that had hit some stones fairly hard, and shaking my head at the fact that I truly HAD created my own little reality at that point in time. I had LOST MY AWARENESS-again!
For any of you who are not aware of the teachings of The Secret, here are some of the key points regarding focus and attention:
-When you visualize, you materialize
-When you go there in the mind, you go there in the body
-Anything we focus on, we create
-Focus on what you want, instead of what you don't want
-Energy goes where attention goes
Now that I have reminded myself about checking my awareness when I have a lot on my mind and try to do action-oriented tasks at the same time, will it keep me from falling? Hopefully. Will I avoid losing my awareness again under similar future circumstances? Probably not; but, it can't hurt.
Thank you for your willingness to share your time with me. For more articles and information, please visit our website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Jo
The other day when I was taking my morning walk and cogitating plans for the day I realized I was having an issue with my balance. Now, this is nothing new; however, I usually recognize that it is either time to sit down and wait for it to pass, or I will put off doing anything that might require a balanced equilibrium until I feel more stable. I don't really mind this about my physical self, as it reminds me about the importance of staying focused- most of the time. But, I have to admit, as I was making my way up a short grade in the street, I totally lost my awareness as I was losing my balance.
In an effort to avoid going “down”, I immediately started saying to myself, “you're not going to fall, you're not going to fall...” And of course I DID fall, while uttering, “you're going to stay upright”, remembering some of the teachings from The Secret that tells us 'anything we focus on, we create'(hoping my fall would be minimized at the very least). But, alas, I found myself on the ground, rubbing my elbow that had hit some stones fairly hard, and shaking my head at the fact that I truly HAD created my own little reality at that point in time. I had LOST MY AWARENESS-again!
For any of you who are not aware of the teachings of The Secret, here are some of the key points regarding focus and attention:
-When you visualize, you materialize
-When you go there in the mind, you go there in the body
-Anything we focus on, we create
-Focus on what you want, instead of what you don't want
-Energy goes where attention goes
Now that I have reminded myself about checking my awareness when I have a lot on my mind and try to do action-oriented tasks at the same time, will it keep me from falling? Hopefully. Will I avoid losing my awareness again under similar future circumstances? Probably not; but, it can't hurt.
Thank you for your willingness to share your time with me. For more articles and information, please visit our website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Jo
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Bright Lights
In today's world, there is so much negativity, I wouldn't know where to start listing it all. Here we are trying to shine our lights to all, and the negativity is doing it's best to cover the light. Just think if we made our light soooooo bright it would drown out the darkness. I'm sure there are lots of simple ways to make our light shine brighter.
Well, to start with, how about just smiling. Look in the mirror and smile at yourself. See, it makes you feel better already, and this in turn makes your light shine brighter. OK, now when you go out, keep that smile going. Smile to everyone you pass on the street, in a store, waiting in line, or in a waiting room. Almost everyone smiles back. Now this makes their light switch on and they can spread their smile to the people they see.
Next, after you get the smiling thing down pat, while you're smiling, say "HI!" to all the people you pass. I do and most people say "HI" back and walk on with a smile on their face. See, the light is getting brighter yet.
Now this one always works. When you see someone whose "light" is pretty dim, find something about them to compliment (especially the elderly). "What a great shirt you have!" "You have a beautiful baby!" "I love your dress!" "Your white hair just glows!" "Your children are so well behaved!" I attended a seminar once on how to help stop teenage suicides. The speaker was a principal at a high school that had an especially high rate of suicide and troubled kids. He said most kids just don't seem to get the right kind of attention. One of the things he had the teachers and the students do was to give at least nine compliments a day. This along with other things brought his high suicide rate to zero. That school must not have needed overhead lights, I'm sure the students were producing a lot of light.
I always try to give a lot of compliments, even if I say it just because I really do like their dress, shirt, baby or whatever. It's especially great because not only are you making another persons light shine brighter, but it also makes you feel so good yourself that it doubles your light.
This will at least get your light started and before you know it you'll be finding great ways of your own to make your light brighter. Before you know it your lights will be on high beams.
I'm so glad you clicked onto our website today and I want to Thank You for sharing your time with me. What good taste you have!
From Me 2 You Online
Love, Joy, Peace and Light,
Bonnie
Well, to start with, how about just smiling. Look in the mirror and smile at yourself. See, it makes you feel better already, and this in turn makes your light shine brighter. OK, now when you go out, keep that smile going. Smile to everyone you pass on the street, in a store, waiting in line, or in a waiting room. Almost everyone smiles back. Now this makes their light switch on and they can spread their smile to the people they see.
Next, after you get the smiling thing down pat, while you're smiling, say "HI!" to all the people you pass. I do and most people say "HI" back and walk on with a smile on their face. See, the light is getting brighter yet.
Now this one always works. When you see someone whose "light" is pretty dim, find something about them to compliment (especially the elderly). "What a great shirt you have!" "You have a beautiful baby!" "I love your dress!" "Your white hair just glows!" "Your children are so well behaved!" I attended a seminar once on how to help stop teenage suicides. The speaker was a principal at a high school that had an especially high rate of suicide and troubled kids. He said most kids just don't seem to get the right kind of attention. One of the things he had the teachers and the students do was to give at least nine compliments a day. This along with other things brought his high suicide rate to zero. That school must not have needed overhead lights, I'm sure the students were producing a lot of light.
I always try to give a lot of compliments, even if I say it just because I really do like their dress, shirt, baby or whatever. It's especially great because not only are you making another persons light shine brighter, but it also makes you feel so good yourself that it doubles your light.
This will at least get your light started and before you know it you'll be finding great ways of your own to make your light brighter. Before you know it your lights will be on high beams.
I'm so glad you clicked onto our website today and I want to Thank You for sharing your time with me. What good taste you have!
From Me 2 You Online
Love, Joy, Peace and Light,
Bonnie
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Cause and Effect
I am sure you have heard the old saying by Isaac Newton, "For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction". That is known as Newtons Third Law of Motion. I have always associated that with a physical action but it has recently come to my attention that it doesn't only mean 'physical'. In the spiritual realm, I believe it is called the "Law of Karma". I am beginning to see and understand that this Law of Karma also applies to thoughts and emotions, not just physical forces. What we think and feel also has vibrational energy that is just as real and forceful as any physical action we could choose to take. We have actually known this for years, but how many of us have truly paid attention to it? In the Bible we are told "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he". "Whatever a person sows, that shall they also reap". So, if you are hateful, angry, unforgiving or judgemental....what should you expect to be returned to you? If you are loving, caring, forgiving and accepting...what should you expect to be returned to you?
I have to say I am really tired of all of us thinking that our way is the only 'Right' way because someone else has taught us to be unforgiving and judgemental and we have not been taught to think for ourselves! We try to brainwash our children, spouses, family and friends to think just like us. Actually, it is what I am trying to do to you now...because I believe my way of being accepting, forgiving, loving and non-judgemental is better than the way the world is currently headed. As a human race, we have spent more time fighting, being at war and trying to force our beliefs down the throats of all those who do not think just like us. Who decided what is right and wrong? I really don't think that job was left to 'man'. 'Man' has screwed it up for thousands of years and all of us are beginning to reap what we have sown. Not only have we killed, maimed and harmed other human beings, we are killing, maiming and harming our earth. Our earth is beginning to rebel and 'She' will have the final word. 'She' is effectively starting to cleanse the harm we have caused through numerous avenues such as floods, volcanos, hurricanes, droughts and disease.
The Karma we are experiencing is going to grow exponentially over the next few years as we now have much to pay for. Many of us are beginning to see the need to reverse our actions in order to reverse the effects we are now experiencing. We need to consider taking a much closer look at how we are treating our fellow human beings and our earth in order to start the process of reversing our current paths. Remember, you get back what you give out....and what we have given out has not been very beneficial, so please start thinking of making "Do No Harm" your philosophy for your fellow human beings, the earth and yourself.
Thank you for sharing your time with me.
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Brand
I have to say I am really tired of all of us thinking that our way is the only 'Right' way because someone else has taught us to be unforgiving and judgemental and we have not been taught to think for ourselves! We try to brainwash our children, spouses, family and friends to think just like us. Actually, it is what I am trying to do to you now...because I believe my way of being accepting, forgiving, loving and non-judgemental is better than the way the world is currently headed. As a human race, we have spent more time fighting, being at war and trying to force our beliefs down the throats of all those who do not think just like us. Who decided what is right and wrong? I really don't think that job was left to 'man'. 'Man' has screwed it up for thousands of years and all of us are beginning to reap what we have sown. Not only have we killed, maimed and harmed other human beings, we are killing, maiming and harming our earth. Our earth is beginning to rebel and 'She' will have the final word. 'She' is effectively starting to cleanse the harm we have caused through numerous avenues such as floods, volcanos, hurricanes, droughts and disease.
The Karma we are experiencing is going to grow exponentially over the next few years as we now have much to pay for. Many of us are beginning to see the need to reverse our actions in order to reverse the effects we are now experiencing. We need to consider taking a much closer look at how we are treating our fellow human beings and our earth in order to start the process of reversing our current paths. Remember, you get back what you give out....and what we have given out has not been very beneficial, so please start thinking of making "Do No Harm" your philosophy for your fellow human beings, the earth and yourself.
Thank you for sharing your time with me.
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Brand
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Proud to be a Whale
Recently, in a large French city, a poster featuring a young, thin, tan woman appeared in the window of a gym:
"THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE?"
A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.
To Whom It May Concern:
Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans). They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Barren Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia . Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.
Mermaids don’t exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human? They don’t have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them not to mention, how could they have sex? Therefore they do not have kids either. Not to mention who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?
The choice is perfectly clear to me; I want to be a whale.
P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a coffee with my friends. With time we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren’t heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think:
“Good gosh, look how smart I am.”
"THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE?"
A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.
To Whom It May Concern:
Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans). They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Barren Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia . Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.
Mermaids don’t exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human? They don’t have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them not to mention, how could they have sex? Therefore they do not have kids either. Not to mention who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?
The choice is perfectly clear to me; I want to be a whale.
P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a coffee with my friends. With time we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren’t heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think:
“Good gosh, look how smart I am.”
Friday, July 24, 2009
It's all about self respect
Food for Thought
There is a policy at work, “No facial rings or clips shall be worn during working hours.” I have a young co-worker who defies this rule as often as she can. When our supervisor leaves for the day, the jewelry goes back on her cheek.
There is also a lot of drama in her life, boys come and go and she can’t figure out why the relationships don’t last. The next time I noticed the ornament back on her face, I used this as an example to explain her unhappy love life. I stated, “You are being disrespectful to your employer by defying a company policy, therefore, you are also being disrespectful to yourself. The boys take advantage of you because they sense this of you.”
I gave her something to think about as she looked at me with no answer.
Life is a wonderful classroom. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share some of my knowledge with others. I hope it brought the message home for my co-worker.
Thanks for sharing your time with me.
To share your thoughts with me, go to my website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com and give me your thoughts.
From Me 2 You Online,
Cristina
There is a policy at work, “No facial rings or clips shall be worn during working hours.” I have a young co-worker who defies this rule as often as she can. When our supervisor leaves for the day, the jewelry goes back on her cheek.
There is also a lot of drama in her life, boys come and go and she can’t figure out why the relationships don’t last. The next time I noticed the ornament back on her face, I used this as an example to explain her unhappy love life. I stated, “You are being disrespectful to your employer by defying a company policy, therefore, you are also being disrespectful to yourself. The boys take advantage of you because they sense this of you.”
I gave her something to think about as she looked at me with no answer.
Life is a wonderful classroom. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share some of my knowledge with others. I hope it brought the message home for my co-worker.
Thanks for sharing your time with me.
To share your thoughts with me, go to my website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com and give me your thoughts.
From Me 2 You Online,
Cristina
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Blessings from 'The Heavens'
Since reading the book Hiring The Heavens, by Jean Slatter, my life is so much fun!
The Heavens and spiritual guides are here to assist us, all we have to do is ask. Whenever I have a challenge I say out loud “I want to hire the Heavens, I need a decorator to help me choose the right pictures for the living room wall”. Boom! I start to get ideas, see pictures that catch my eye. I have hired; a mechanic to figure out why the MAINTENANCE REQUIRED light came on in my car. The time spent at the shop was minimal, at no cost, and it turned out the mechanic had forgotten to reset the button the last time he serviced the car.
I hired a landscaper to assist me in figuring out what to do with a corner in my yard. That same day I asked the gardener if he had suggestions, he did, we talked about it, he went and got the materials he needed while I went to the nursery for the plants. Now everything flows and is pleasing to look at. One morning going to work, I thought “Well if this works out so well, then I want to hire a maid to assist in cleaning the house.” My daughter had the day off, when I came home she had just finished vacuuming, and mopping the floors!! Oh my gosh, I was so happy inside I could burst!!
I have hired accountants, comedians, nutritionists, investment advisors. This latter one took one or two weeks, then Boom! I met a banker and an investment person, both offered to look over my assets. They came to me, I did not have to find them!!
I highly recommend this book and new approach to daily life. What a beautiful blessing from The Heavens!
For more information or to contact me, please visit my website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
Thank you for sharing your time with me.
Cristina
The Heavens and spiritual guides are here to assist us, all we have to do is ask. Whenever I have a challenge I say out loud “I want to hire the Heavens, I need a decorator to help me choose the right pictures for the living room wall”. Boom! I start to get ideas, see pictures that catch my eye. I have hired; a mechanic to figure out why the MAINTENANCE REQUIRED light came on in my car. The time spent at the shop was minimal, at no cost, and it turned out the mechanic had forgotten to reset the button the last time he serviced the car.
I hired a landscaper to assist me in figuring out what to do with a corner in my yard. That same day I asked the gardener if he had suggestions, he did, we talked about it, he went and got the materials he needed while I went to the nursery for the plants. Now everything flows and is pleasing to look at. One morning going to work, I thought “Well if this works out so well, then I want to hire a maid to assist in cleaning the house.” My daughter had the day off, when I came home she had just finished vacuuming, and mopping the floors!! Oh my gosh, I was so happy inside I could burst!!
I have hired accountants, comedians, nutritionists, investment advisors. This latter one took one or two weeks, then Boom! I met a banker and an investment person, both offered to look over my assets. They came to me, I did not have to find them!!
I highly recommend this book and new approach to daily life. What a beautiful blessing from The Heavens!
For more information or to contact me, please visit my website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
Thank you for sharing your time with me.
Cristina
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Rune Reading Information
Workshops (3 hours) -
"A Mirror for the Magic of Our Knowing Selves"
This class provides a history and introduction to working with RUNES. The 1st part of the class is spent on : what the different types of RUNES are and what their historical significance has been through centuries. The 2nd is used to: demonstrate and explain various RUNE casts and layouts of readings that can be done. The 3rd part of the class is : "hands-on" practice in reading a RUNE cast for each other in the class.
Each participant is encouraged to bring their own set of RUNES to the class. A notebook of RUNE descriptions and casting layouts will be provided and included in the cost of the workshop..
A workshop can be scheduled for five or more people at $25 per person. Pre-payment with reservation is required.. Location and time of the workshop will be determined by the person scheduling the group.
Any other workshops offered by me personally will be posted on this website under "Workshop Announcements" and will include date, time, cost, and method of acceptable payment (if any).
Private Readings-
READINGS and RUNE CASTS
Depending on the layout and time required to read the RUNE cast, private readings are offered for $30-$250, keeping in mind that the most extensive layout includes 9 RUNES and takes a minimum of 90-120 minutes. An appropriate RUNE cast, approximate time the reading will take, and cost for the reading will be determined at the time the appointment is booked.
ANCIENT NUMEROLOGY RUNE CAST
I have added a new form of RUNE cast that involves ancient RUNIC numerology that was shown to me by "Spirit Guide", Volwak, and is not a system developed by other RUNE Divinators or RUNE Castors-to my knowledge. It is based on your full name and birth date. This cast will reveal your strengths, weaknesses, and where you need to focus your present energies. One of the really exciting elements of this type of RUNE cast involves revealing your "SOUL" RUNE. This casting can be done long distance once I receive your initial information. The results will be sent to you, along with an original "pastel drawing" of your "personally individualized" RUNE Charm that I will intuitively create using the RUNES from your cast. This reading ranges in price from $100-$200, depending on whether you would like to include a three RUNE cast to this numerological reading. The incredible aspect of doing both is that the 3 RUNE cast reveals "You Now", "The Challenges" this poses for you, and the "Best Possible Outcome" once you've met these challenge. It is a powerful way to reinforce what your numerology RUNE cast reveals for you.
*******Phone Readings are available with 1-3 Rune Spreads for $30-$60 with appointment made in advance to determine time and date of reading. Payment will be discussed at time of setting appointment..
CHECK OUT MY Website: http://www.fromme2youonline.com
Thank you for sharing your time with me
Blessings
Laurie Jo
"A Mirror for the Magic of Our Knowing Selves"
This class provides a history and introduction to working with RUNES. The 1st part of the class is spent on : what the different types of RUNES are and what their historical significance has been through centuries. The 2nd is used to: demonstrate and explain various RUNE casts and layouts of readings that can be done. The 3rd part of the class is : "hands-on" practice in reading a RUNE cast for each other in the class.
Each participant is encouraged to bring their own set of RUNES to the class. A notebook of RUNE descriptions and casting layouts will be provided and included in the cost of the workshop..
A workshop can be scheduled for five or more people at $25 per person. Pre-payment with reservation is required.. Location and time of the workshop will be determined by the person scheduling the group.
Any other workshops offered by me personally will be posted on this website under "Workshop Announcements" and will include date, time, cost, and method of acceptable payment (if any).
Private Readings-
READINGS and RUNE CASTS
Depending on the layout and time required to read the RUNE cast, private readings are offered for $30-$250, keeping in mind that the most extensive layout includes 9 RUNES and takes a minimum of 90-120 minutes. An appropriate RUNE cast, approximate time the reading will take, and cost for the reading will be determined at the time the appointment is booked.
ANCIENT NUMEROLOGY RUNE CAST
I have added a new form of RUNE cast that involves ancient RUNIC numerology that was shown to me by "Spirit Guide", Volwak, and is not a system developed by other RUNE Divinators or RUNE Castors-to my knowledge. It is based on your full name and birth date. This cast will reveal your strengths, weaknesses, and where you need to focus your present energies. One of the really exciting elements of this type of RUNE cast involves revealing your "SOUL" RUNE. This casting can be done long distance once I receive your initial information. The results will be sent to you, along with an original "pastel drawing" of your "personally individualized" RUNE Charm that I will intuitively create using the RUNES from your cast. This reading ranges in price from $100-$200, depending on whether you would like to include a three RUNE cast to this numerological reading. The incredible aspect of doing both is that the 3 RUNE cast reveals "You Now", "The Challenges" this poses for you, and the "Best Possible Outcome" once you've met these challenge. It is a powerful way to reinforce what your numerology RUNE cast reveals for you.
*******Phone Readings are available with 1-3 Rune Spreads for $30-$60 with appointment made in advance to determine time and date of reading. Payment will be discussed at time of setting appointment..
CHECK OUT MY Website: http://www.fromme2youonline.com
Thank you for sharing your time with me
Blessings
Laurie Jo
Saturday, July 11, 2009
I Believe….We Should EMBRACE Emotions, and NOT Fret the FUNKY
How many times have you wandered through your day(s) feeling “strange” , “out of sorts” , “can’t put-your-finger-on-it funky”? You watch the hours go by slowly, just counting the minutes until you can leave work or stop a dreaded task you are involved in, so you can “call it a day” and hop in the sack-pulling the covers over your head, hiding from the outside world until you can wake up to a new day refreshed and raring to go? Has this ever happened to you? If you think it hasn’t, you are fooling yourself and think you are successfully pulling the wool over the eyes of the rest of us. I truly believe that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US has experienced this “BLUE FUNK” at least once in a lifetime…it’s a natural human condition, after all, to feel other than 100% fantastic at least sometimes- RIGHT?
OK, here’s what I think. The issues we have the most Fear (and sometimes Joy) about are those things that need the quickest and longest attention. We are reticent about addressing them because we feel it will take too much time away from other things/people/jobs/responsibilities (god forbid we should feel that we deserve to take time for ourselves to think ABOUT ourselves) and addressing them may even put us in a “blue funk” and we never want to “go there” if we can help it. I wonder what would happen if each of us designated a part of one day each month or, better yet, each week to do just that….to take a close look at one or more of the following:
(1) What/who pushes your buttons? (2) What takes your breath away? (3) What gives you palpitations in your chest? (4) What brings on tears? (5) What brings on anxiety? (6) What makes you smile? (7) What makes you cry? (8) What makes you laugh? (9) If you could be ANYBODY else, Who would you be? (10) If you could DO anything else than what you are currently doing, What would you DO?
I venture to bet that by addressing ANY of the questions above, you will either love yourself and/or other(s) more or less; question yourself and/or other(s) more or less; look at life/job/responsibilities/moral dilemma(a), etc. more or less seriously; learn to laugh at yourself/others more or less; spend more or less on therapy and just plain look at life a whole lot differently. HOW COULD YOU NOT? It’s all LIFE and it’s ALL GOOD-or BAD…but at least, if you are fogging a mirror every day, it’s more than likely better than the alternative.
Embrace your emotions, Friends! And DON’T FRET the FUNKY!
Thanks for letting me share my time and thoughts with you . I invite you to check back with us soon to hear other words of wisdom on this site, www.fromme2youonline.com
You are appreciated!
Laurie Jo
OK, here’s what I think. The issues we have the most Fear (and sometimes Joy) about are those things that need the quickest and longest attention. We are reticent about addressing them because we feel it will take too much time away from other things/people/jobs/responsibilities (god forbid we should feel that we deserve to take time for ourselves to think ABOUT ourselves) and addressing them may even put us in a “blue funk” and we never want to “go there” if we can help it. I wonder what would happen if each of us designated a part of one day each month or, better yet, each week to do just that….to take a close look at one or more of the following:
(1) What/who pushes your buttons? (2) What takes your breath away? (3) What gives you palpitations in your chest? (4) What brings on tears? (5) What brings on anxiety? (6) What makes you smile? (7) What makes you cry? (8) What makes you laugh? (9) If you could be ANYBODY else, Who would you be? (10) If you could DO anything else than what you are currently doing, What would you DO?
I venture to bet that by addressing ANY of the questions above, you will either love yourself and/or other(s) more or less; question yourself and/or other(s) more or less; look at life/job/responsibilities/moral dilemma(a), etc. more or less seriously; learn to laugh at yourself/others more or less; spend more or less on therapy and just plain look at life a whole lot differently. HOW COULD YOU NOT? It’s all LIFE and it’s ALL GOOD-or BAD…but at least, if you are fogging a mirror every day, it’s more than likely better than the alternative.
Embrace your emotions, Friends! And DON’T FRET the FUNKY!
Thanks for letting me share my time and thoughts with you . I invite you to check back with us soon to hear other words of wisdom on this site, www.fromme2youonline.com
You are appreciated!
Laurie Jo
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Seeking Answers through Journaling
Journaling.
I once went to a 2-week workshop where journaling was an important part of it. Every morning when we got up we were to pick a card from an angel deck, read it and journal on it. It was not regular journaling, though. We had to journal with our non-dominant hand. We were told that because we didn't have as much control with our non-dominant hand, it made it very easy for Spirit to come through. The information that came through was absolutely amazing. Now granted, it was sometimes very hard to read, but as soon as the message was finished, since it was still fresh in my mind, I would rewrite it with my dominant hand (in this case, it is my right hand). That way I could go back and read it later if I wanted. The information was so helpful for me, that I went back and reread it very often.
You can do the same thing with any deck of meditation, or self help cards. There are so many available today. You don't even have to go to a special store to get them. Even Barnes and Noble, and Borders carry them. But if you don't want to invest in the cards, all you have to do is to sit very quietly for a few minutes, take a few deep breaths and start writing with your non-dominant hand. If you have a particular problem you are working on, concentrate on it before you start writing. More than likely, you will get the answer.
Happy Journaling!!!
Thank you for sharing your time with Me. For more information, please visit my website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
From Me 2 You Online,
Bonnie
I once went to a 2-week workshop where journaling was an important part of it. Every morning when we got up we were to pick a card from an angel deck, read it and journal on it. It was not regular journaling, though. We had to journal with our non-dominant hand. We were told that because we didn't have as much control with our non-dominant hand, it made it very easy for Spirit to come through. The information that came through was absolutely amazing. Now granted, it was sometimes very hard to read, but as soon as the message was finished, since it was still fresh in my mind, I would rewrite it with my dominant hand (in this case, it is my right hand). That way I could go back and read it later if I wanted. The information was so helpful for me, that I went back and reread it very often.
You can do the same thing with any deck of meditation, or self help cards. There are so many available today. You don't even have to go to a special store to get them. Even Barnes and Noble, and Borders carry them. But if you don't want to invest in the cards, all you have to do is to sit very quietly for a few minutes, take a few deep breaths and start writing with your non-dominant hand. If you have a particular problem you are working on, concentrate on it before you start writing. More than likely, you will get the answer.
Happy Journaling!!!
Thank you for sharing your time with Me. For more information, please visit my website at: http://www.fromme2youonline.com.
From Me 2 You Online,
Bonnie
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
I Believe - Acceptance is the Key
I Believe order to attain ones true heart's desire, we must be able to accept our lives and situations as they are. If you believe you are already engaged in something capable of making you truly happy seek no further because you are doing exactly what you are wanting to do.
But if you need help identifying your true heart's desire then you might want to consider choosing Love as your dominant emotion. Allow the Love of Life to soothe your soul and flow into the grail of your heart to open the Flower of Life within.
If you are always trying to force your thoughts, your beliefs and your influence on others, you are trying to roll a boulder uphill. Not only do others not want to be told what to do, what to think and how to feel, they will eventually rebel against everything you are trying to make them accept.
The only way for someone to be happy and loving is to accept themselves and others exactly for who and what they are. By trying to change yourself or someone else to fit your idea of perfection, you are telling them they are not good enough for you as they are - they need to be different.
Acceptance of others and acceptance of yourself is the road to unconditional love and happiness.
Let's all practice today.
Thank you for sharing your time with Me.
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Brand
But if you need help identifying your true heart's desire then you might want to consider choosing Love as your dominant emotion. Allow the Love of Life to soothe your soul and flow into the grail of your heart to open the Flower of Life within.
If you are always trying to force your thoughts, your beliefs and your influence on others, you are trying to roll a boulder uphill. Not only do others not want to be told what to do, what to think and how to feel, they will eventually rebel against everything you are trying to make them accept.
The only way for someone to be happy and loving is to accept themselves and others exactly for who and what they are. By trying to change yourself or someone else to fit your idea of perfection, you are telling them they are not good enough for you as they are - they need to be different.
Acceptance of others and acceptance of yourself is the road to unconditional love and happiness.
Let's all practice today.
Thank you for sharing your time with Me.
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Brand
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Our Greatest Fear...
I talked to one of my best friends this morning and she was saying she has always been embarrassed when someone talks about her abilities, her gifts and/or how special she is. She has fought this for most of her life and while talking to her about it, I realized that the same thing has been true for me. While talking to her about it, I remembered a quote from Marianne Williamson, found it online, sent it to her and I have enclosed it here for all of you to read and also take to heart. We are all special and we are all meant to shine! Please read and know you are GREAT!
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
This was given to us by Marianne Williamson and my wish for myself and all of humanity is that we take this to heart and manifest our greatness in everything we think and do.
Thank you for sharing your time with me. You are appreciated!
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
This was given to us by Marianne Williamson and my wish for myself and all of humanity is that we take this to heart and manifest our greatness in everything we think and do.
Thank you for sharing your time with me. You are appreciated!
From Me 2 You Online
Laurie
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Our Wagons and the Treasures They Hold!
We all know how the media (including the news at times) seems to think that the only way people should look is to be tall, thin and beautiful. Heaven forbid that a person, especially women, be five pounds over what the media's idea of the perfect body is. We also all know this is not reality. The only people who look like runway models are runway models and people who have health problems.
Small children often put their treasures or favorite things in a wagon and pull it with them wherever they go. (Yes, I am going to pull all this together.) I believe that our bodies are our wagons. Our bodies/wagons carry our spirit or higher self - our treasure. All of our wagons look differently. Some are different colors, some are different sizes, some may even have bigger tires. Some may look a little worn. With the help of a tattoo, some might even say "Radio Flyer". We can even change the size of our wagons if we so choose. Our Higher Self, though, is magnificently beautiful, radiant, and glowing. No make-up artist could ever compete with that kind of beauty. No air brush artist could ever come close to "fixing" a photo of your higher self (if indeed there could be such a photo).
One day as I was working in a gift-shop, a small group of people walked past the double doors. I noticed one lady who was extremely obese. For a micro-second I wanted to judge her and her size. Then I told myself that was only her wagon and she had chosen that wagon for this life at this particular time. All of a sudden, I saw her spirit, her perfect glowing spirit come out of her body, float to the doorway, smile and wave to me and float back into her wagon. I was dumbfounded. I had never seen anything like that happen before. But I knew that I had seen it. What a beautiful being she is!!! and to think that I might have missed it if I had judged the woman.
It's too bad we can't see that we are all these magnificent, beautiful, radiant beings. Don't look at the wagon, look for the beautiful treasures inside.
I am so grateful I had the chance to see that.
I am also grateful for you and the fact you are reading this now.
From Me 2 You Online,
Thank you.
Bonnie
Small children often put their treasures or favorite things in a wagon and pull it with them wherever they go. (Yes, I am going to pull all this together.) I believe that our bodies are our wagons. Our bodies/wagons carry our spirit or higher self - our treasure. All of our wagons look differently. Some are different colors, some are different sizes, some may even have bigger tires. Some may look a little worn. With the help of a tattoo, some might even say "Radio Flyer". We can even change the size of our wagons if we so choose. Our Higher Self, though, is magnificently beautiful, radiant, and glowing. No make-up artist could ever compete with that kind of beauty. No air brush artist could ever come close to "fixing" a photo of your higher self (if indeed there could be such a photo).
One day as I was working in a gift-shop, a small group of people walked past the double doors. I noticed one lady who was extremely obese. For a micro-second I wanted to judge her and her size. Then I told myself that was only her wagon and she had chosen that wagon for this life at this particular time. All of a sudden, I saw her spirit, her perfect glowing spirit come out of her body, float to the doorway, smile and wave to me and float back into her wagon. I was dumbfounded. I had never seen anything like that happen before. But I knew that I had seen it. What a beautiful being she is!!! and to think that I might have missed it if I had judged the woman.
It's too bad we can't see that we are all these magnificent, beautiful, radiant beings. Don't look at the wagon, look for the beautiful treasures inside.
I am so grateful I had the chance to see that.
I am also grateful for you and the fact you are reading this now.
From Me 2 You Online,
Thank you.
Bonnie
Sunday, June 7, 2009
I Believe - GM Food - Does it Harm Us?
The following is an unedited excerpt from a recent article posted by American Association for Health Freedom.
Genetically-Modified Food is Dangerous
World renowned biologist Pushpa M. Bhargava, after reviewing more than 600 scientific journals, has stated that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a major contributor to the sharply deteriorating health of Americans, and the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) has called for a moratorium on GM foods, along with long-term independent studies and labeling. They cite several animal studies that point to serious health problems associated with GM food, including immune system dysfunction, infertility, adverse changes in major organs, insulin regulation, and escalation of the aging process.
Many doctors are warning their patients against consuming genetically modified food, and some are prescribing GM-free diets. We are all at risk from GM foods, but babies, children, and pregnant women are even more susceptible to damage from consuming these products.
Warnings Ignored and Denied
This may sound like brand new news, but actually scientists at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had warned about all these problems in the early 1990s. According to recently released documents, the scientific consensus at the agency at that time was that GM foods were inherently dangerous, and might create hard-to-detect allergies, poisons, gene transfer to gut bacteria, new diseases, and nutritional problems. It was suggested that long-term rigorous tests be instigated before approval of GM food production.
However, the White House had ordered the agency to promote biotechnology and the FDA responded by recruiting Michael Taylor, The Monsanto Company's former attorney, to head up the formation of GMO policy. That policy, which is in effect today, denies knowledge of scientists' concerns and declares that no safety studies on GMOs are required. It is up to Monsanto and the other biotech companies to determine if their foods are safe. Mr. Taylor later became Monsanto's vice president. Monsanto, described by Wikipedia as a multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation, has a long history of disregard for public health and safety and the environment of the planet.
GMOs May Remain Inside of Us
The most dangerous problem from eating GM foods is that long after we stop eating GMOs, we may still have harmful GM proteins produced continuously inside us. For example, eating a corn chip made with GM corn has the possibility of transforming our intestinal bacteria into living pesticide factories, maybe for the rest of our lives. The gene inserted into GM soy transfers into the DNA of bacteria living inside our intestines and continues to function. The U.S. medical community is concerned about the huge increase of gastrointestinal problems over the last decade. The answer might be found in examining whether GM foods are colonizing the gut flora of our population.
GM foods may be contributing to the rise of autism, obesity, diabetes, asthma, cancer, heart disease, allergies, reproductive problems, and any other common health problem now plaguing Americans, but we may never know. What we do know is that large numbers of animals are dying after eating GM grains, and that these animals (which include cows, horses, sheep, buffalo, and chickens) had a wide variety of symptoms. It follows that susceptible people may react to GM food with multiple symptoms or maladies. And also, what we do know is that proper testing has not been conducted.
Famed Canadian geneticist David Suzuki states, "The experiments simply haven't been done and we now have become the guinea pigs." He adds, "Anyone that says, 'Oh, we know that this is perfectly safe,' I say is either unbelievably stupid or deliberately lying."
What You Can Do
Here are some guidelines that you can implement right now. Stay away from anything with soy or corn derivatives, cottonseed and canola oil, and sugar from GM sugar beets-unless it says organic or "non-GMO." There is a pocket Non-GMO Shopping Guide co-produced by the Institute for Responsible Technology and the Center for Food Safety, which is available as a download, as well as in natural food stores and in many doctors' offices.
Consumers sometimes don't realize the power they have over the food industry. If enough consumers boycott GM foods, there's a good chance they will disappear from the marketplace, because that's what happened in Europe. Anti-GMO countries include Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Greece, France, and Hungary.
Kind regards,
Tami Wahl,
Legislative Director
American Association for Health Freedom
office@healthfreedom.net
Genetically-Modified Food is Dangerous
World renowned biologist Pushpa M. Bhargava, after reviewing more than 600 scientific journals, has stated that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a major contributor to the sharply deteriorating health of Americans, and the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) has called for a moratorium on GM foods, along with long-term independent studies and labeling. They cite several animal studies that point to serious health problems associated with GM food, including immune system dysfunction, infertility, adverse changes in major organs, insulin regulation, and escalation of the aging process.
Many doctors are warning their patients against consuming genetically modified food, and some are prescribing GM-free diets. We are all at risk from GM foods, but babies, children, and pregnant women are even more susceptible to damage from consuming these products.
Warnings Ignored and Denied
This may sound like brand new news, but actually scientists at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had warned about all these problems in the early 1990s. According to recently released documents, the scientific consensus at the agency at that time was that GM foods were inherently dangerous, and might create hard-to-detect allergies, poisons, gene transfer to gut bacteria, new diseases, and nutritional problems. It was suggested that long-term rigorous tests be instigated before approval of GM food production.
However, the White House had ordered the agency to promote biotechnology and the FDA responded by recruiting Michael Taylor, The Monsanto Company's former attorney, to head up the formation of GMO policy. That policy, which is in effect today, denies knowledge of scientists' concerns and declares that no safety studies on GMOs are required. It is up to Monsanto and the other biotech companies to determine if their foods are safe. Mr. Taylor later became Monsanto's vice president. Monsanto, described by Wikipedia as a multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation, has a long history of disregard for public health and safety and the environment of the planet.
GMOs May Remain Inside of Us
The most dangerous problem from eating GM foods is that long after we stop eating GMOs, we may still have harmful GM proteins produced continuously inside us. For example, eating a corn chip made with GM corn has the possibility of transforming our intestinal bacteria into living pesticide factories, maybe for the rest of our lives. The gene inserted into GM soy transfers into the DNA of bacteria living inside our intestines and continues to function. The U.S. medical community is concerned about the huge increase of gastrointestinal problems over the last decade. The answer might be found in examining whether GM foods are colonizing the gut flora of our population.
GM foods may be contributing to the rise of autism, obesity, diabetes, asthma, cancer, heart disease, allergies, reproductive problems, and any other common health problem now plaguing Americans, but we may never know. What we do know is that large numbers of animals are dying after eating GM grains, and that these animals (which include cows, horses, sheep, buffalo, and chickens) had a wide variety of symptoms. It follows that susceptible people may react to GM food with multiple symptoms or maladies. And also, what we do know is that proper testing has not been conducted.
Famed Canadian geneticist David Suzuki states, "The experiments simply haven't been done and we now have become the guinea pigs." He adds, "Anyone that says, 'Oh, we know that this is perfectly safe,' I say is either unbelievably stupid or deliberately lying."
What You Can Do
Here are some guidelines that you can implement right now. Stay away from anything with soy or corn derivatives, cottonseed and canola oil, and sugar from GM sugar beets-unless it says organic or "non-GMO." There is a pocket Non-GMO Shopping Guide co-produced by the Institute for Responsible Technology and the Center for Food Safety, which is available as a download, as well as in natural food stores and in many doctors' offices.
Consumers sometimes don't realize the power they have over the food industry. If enough consumers boycott GM foods, there's a good chance they will disappear from the marketplace, because that's what happened in Europe. Anti-GMO countries include Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Greece, France, and Hungary.
Kind regards,
Tami Wahl,
Legislative Director
American Association for Health Freedom
office@healthfreedom.net
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