Applying Henna – web content snippet

How to Apply Henna Tattoos

There is a certain art and skill that is required to apply henna tattoos. While there aren’t any henna tattoo shops around where you can go and have them applied there are still a number of people walking around with them. To help out we are including a page on how to apply henna. You might find it interesting to know that you have a few options to consider.

Skin Preparation

You should always make sure that your skin is clean and dry. On whatever area you are going to apply the henna make sure you have not applied any oils or lotions. The drier the skin the better the stain. My recommendation is that if you want to apply a design on your hand and you normally moisturize daily, go three or four days without applying moisturizer.

It’s also worth noting that sun screen and tan in a bottle type products will make it very difficult for the henna to take to the skin.

Now you are ready to apply the henna.

Henna Transfer Paper

If you are going to be applying the tattoo yourself and you don’t feel secure or confident in your ability to “do it yourself” you can use henna transfer paper. Transfer paper can be bought at your local tattoo shop or office supply store. Get a few pieces, especially if this is your first time.

Next you will want to pick a henna design and make a copy of it on regular copy paper. If you have access to the internet you can search henna designs and print it out from there. Then lay the design on the ink side of the transfer paper and start tracing the design until it is done. The flip the paper over, you should have a nice ink outline of the design.

Then take a deodorant stick and rub it over the area you are going to apply the henna to. Press the henna design onto the area ink side down. When you peel it back you should now have an outline of the henna design on your skin. From here you can start applying the henna to the design. Keep the sketch close so you can refer to it while you are going over the design on your body.

Henna

Now we come to the henna. You can get your henna in a premixed tube, make sure that you can read the ingredients of the contents. You can also get henna cones or you can mix the henna your self. First we are going to discuss mixing the henna yourself.

One pack of henna will be enough for you to decorate an entire football team, so keep this in mind when you are mixing. Pour as much of the henna as you want into a bowl and then very slowly pour in lemon juice and boiling water. Mix as you are adding the liquids, remember you want PASTE consistency, not syrupy or watery.

History of Wicca – Complete Essay

History of Wicca

Wicca in its present form is a relatively new religion, founded in the 1950s and borrowing many aspects from cultures and religions dating back as far as the 9th millennium BCE. Upon its recent conception, it was referred to as “witchcraft” by its founder, Gerald Gardner, and it does borrow several aspects from the centuries old craft, as well as from nomadic and agriculture-based tribes in ancient and medieval Europe, namely the Celts. Today, it is considered a neopagan religion, recognized by the United States government as a legitimate religion for over twenty years. Modern Wiccans espouse the use of magic, the celebration of eight solar-based holidays, and a code of morality that supports any action that doesn’t harm others. It remains a polytheistic religion that has its roots in harvests and agriculture and keeps its members tied to and in care of the Earth through reincarnation.

Early influences of the religion can be found as far back as the Paleolithic period, in which cave drawings expressed similar values as would one day be supported by the group. Gods of the Hunt and figures of pregnant females with fertile, swollen breasts (most famously, the Venus of Willendorf figurine) showed a reverence for nature and for fertility of any kind. By the Neolithic period, values began to change as people settled into a less nomadic, hunting-based lifestyle and began to farm. Keeping the idea of appeasing nature for its help, cultures began to notice more about the world around them, and attribute their thankfulness to the moon and seasons. Early carvings in antlers dating back to 7500 BCE showed the phases of the moon. This was the first time the moon came into a period of reverence- an idea that would become crucial in the Wiccan religion- and the female menstrual cycle, the ultimate embodiment of fertility and life, was connected to the moon’s cycle. The feminization of the moon was an early sign of the dual-gendered deities of Wicca. The female began to represent all that was important: agriculture, seasons, nature, and fertility.

The influence of the moon on the values of European tribes in the following centuries continued to grow. The three phases of the moon (waxing, full, and waning) continued to represent most aspects of life and death. Women went from virgins, to mothers, to old, thin, and dying women. Agriculture went from blossoming, to harvesting, to dying out. Similarly, deities experienced the phases as well, as they were tied intimately with nature. In fact, the gods showed a great deal of malleability and lifelike transformations, especially when cultures met and merged. Gods and Goddesses met, changed, reproduced, and died with changing cultures and values.

The most recognizable influence on the shaping of what would one day become modern Wicca and Neopaganism was the Celtic people. In 450 BCE, the Celts were the dominant force in the British Isles and in areas not under Roman control. They had previously been able to conquer the widespread and unstable tribes throughout the isles and were able to spread their religious influence as a result of their unity. In keeping with the mysterious, mystical nature of the religion, little written history of the Celtic influence is present, as it was an oral culture, but it is certain that the four main holidays celebrated by the Celts would one day become four of the eight solar sabbats observed by the Wiccan religion (and several even have modern day secular counterparts).

The celebration of Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and was the Celtic new year. Imbolic was a celebration of purification and, occurring in early February as a way of predicting the seasonal patterns for the next year, was the precursor to Groundhog Day. Beltane was the Celtic celebration of May Day and the start of the summer growing season and Lughnasadh in August marked the start of the harvest season. All the celebrations showed a reverence and delight for the incontrollable, unexplainable, and therefore powerful ways of the natural world and all put the people at the mercy of the moon and seasons. The fact that almost all of the Celtic holidays have modern day equivalents (though some just in Ireland) shows that the moon’s cycles still play a large role in modern life, especially for Wiccans and their celebrations of the eight sabbat observances.

In the years between these early ancestors to Wicca and the modern, Neopagan incarnation, Pagans faced a great deal of turmoil and persecution. Often compared to Satanists (a shaky argument, considering the lack of a Pagan Satan figure) and targeted by Christians, they were legally outlawed by a 13th century Papal decree branding all Pagans as heretics. The decree set off centuries of paranoia and fear based out of misunderstandings to such a great extent that the phrase “witch hunt” in the modern lexicon refers to any fear-based hunt with shaky foundations. Even though Christians often tried to sway Pagans by pointing out their female (near)deity of the Virgin Mary and had adopted certain Pagan holidays (Christmas finds its roots in Pagan solstice celebration), they remain the biggest opponents to Pagans, Neopagans, and Wiccans in the modern day.

The fact that Wiccans are now officially recognized and thus protected by law has lead to the period of most stability for the group. There is no longer a legal punishment for declaring oneself a Pagan or Wiccan, and as a result, United States censuses showed nearly 140,000 people identifying themselves as Wiccans in 2000. The number may be larger due to varying labels for Wiccan sub-groups. Countries worldwide have opened up their censuses to include Pagan and Wiccan groups, though many lump Wiccans in with Heathens and Druids in a “Pagan” category to ensure large enough numbers to call for representation. A current estimation of the number of Wiccans worldwide stood at 800,000 in 2005, though the number could very well exceed one million.

As numbers have grown and media has become further reaching and instantaneous, Wicca has received media attention and, as a result, many misconceptions have arisen. Exploitative movies, literature and television shows grasped onto Wicca starting in the 1960s. As the public became aware of this new religion, the media realized that they had a more detailed, real-world version of the tired witch/cult clichés and movies like The Touch of Satan arose. Wicca fell into the realm of monsters and Satanists due to early media coverage until the misconceptions started to become clichés themselves. The subject fell out of fashion in the horror genre, but not before lasting damage was done to its reputation. As mentioned, Wicca has been compared to Satanism, though there is no belief in a Satan-like deity. There are no blood sacrifices and animal sacrifices are confined to small, nontraditional Wiccan subsets and are rare. No harm is meant by the traditional magic practiced and so-called orgies are nothing more than stories. In 1996, the media approached Wicca and withcraft again, taking a less exploitative approach and incorporating some actual facts. The film The Craft introduced a new generation to the religion and injected it into the popular culture in unique ways, such as fashion. The film is credited with renewing interest and opening the doors for more positive portrayals. As factually inaccurate as they were at portraying Wicca, many Wiccans hailed the introduction of television shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed in the late 1990s. The television shows steered clear of the misconceptions and, while not always presenting a completely factual picture, embodied the benevolent and correctly spiritual feel of the religion when it entered the storylines.

Bibliography

Shelly Rabinovitch and James R. Lewis, eds., The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism (New York: Kensington Publishing, 2002).

Neopagan Religions. Retrieved October 4th, 2008, from Religious Tolerance

Website: http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm

History of Wicca and Paganism. Retrieved October 4th, 2008, from About.com

Website: http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/wiccanpaganhistory/

Network Marketing Article – snippet

To succeed in network marketing you first must understand what it is. Network marketing is the marketing and selling of products and services mostly in an online environment. You can either sell products that you obtain through various affiliate programs or you can create and market your own products. The majority of network marketers make the mistake in thinking that this is all there is to network marketing.

If you truly want to succeed at network marketing … First and foremost you must understand that it isn’t about the products you are selling, it is about selling who you are. Overtime market demands are going to change, the products and services that you are going to offer will change. You are the only constant in this paradigm.

Think about when you go shopping, do you go just anywhere or are you going to a store that you know? If you are like most people, you are going to a store you know, that has a reputation that you can trust, that you have dealt with before. People are not going to buy products from you because of the product…

Secondly, you need to find products that there is a demand for. Don’t make the mistake that so many network marketers make in thinking that they want a product that has little competition. You want a product that there is a demand for already, you want a product that has competition on the market. The key is that you want to offer a product that works better then those other products. This is why the diet industry and health…

Master Key System Article for Client – snippet

What would you do if you were handed one of the most sought after, hard to find keys to unlimited success and prosperity? Can you imagine how your life would change? The impact that would have, a key that would unlock every door that has ever stood in your way. From this moment onward, you will never be the same. See one of two things is going to happen right now. You are either going to accept this sacred key or you are going to continue to struggle through the rest of your life dreaming about the success you wish you had.

It would be presumptuous and insane to believe that every person that reads this is going to accept the key. The fact is that many people are going to read this and roll their eyes, shake their heads and say, “Yeah right.” That is okay, those people aren’t ready to change their lives. Those people are not the one’s that are destined for unlimited success and prosperity, you are not one of those people. You are ready to accept the key. Right now I am going to give it to you…

…

I have used the Master Key System for years. When I found it, I paid for it but what I got out of it has already returned my investment hundreds of times over. It has completely changed my life, both personally and professionally. So it’s only right that I now give back, and I am doing that by giving you this powerful and amazing key. All you have to do it take it.

You can apply this system to anything in your life, to everything in your life. As a matter of fact if you truly want to be successful in business you are going to need to change the way you think and the way you live. The key to you unlocking success and prosperity is to make sure you have the proper mindset. Face the fact that right now without the proper mindset you have set yourself up for failure, you have started a business that is going to fail. Is that why you went into business for yourself, to fail? I didn’t think so.

…

Five Element Acupuncture – Snippets

Chinese medicine focuses on the body and it’s alignment with the five energies or elements known as wood, earth, fire, water and metal. The organs of the body are all tied to a particular element. There characteristics help to establish which element thy are tied to. This element connection is important both internally and externally, for it is believed that a perfect balance of these elements within the body equals the highest level of health a person can achieve. An imbalance then leads to different ailments, pain and disease.

 

…The belief behind the five elements theory is that either when we are born or when we are very young we develop a weakness in one of our elements. As we grow this weakness has an impact on the other elements within our body. This base element, the weak element that we have had since we were children is seen as the root of our problems, it is the source of our imbalance…

 

…

 

With the entire basis of your treatment being focused on the causative factor which is the element that you have a weakness in, you can see why it is important the correct area be identified. To help them determine where you really need the help the acupuncturist has to take the time to talk to you, listen to you and observe you. They have to be able to figure out what are your primary symptoms and what the secondary symptoms are and then what element do you have a born or early childhood weakness of.

 

Witchcraft Spells – article snippet

What do you think of when you hear “witchcraft” and “spells?” Are you envisioning a haggard old woman with a wart on her nose and a scary cackle? Then Hollywood has been successful in convincing you that it what witches are. The truth though may surprise you. The truth is that anyone, including you can practice witchcraft. Spells are not as mysterious as most people want to believe they are either.

 

It is important that we stress the point right here that witchcraft is not Satanism. Witchcraft has more to do with living in harmony with the world around us and doing good then setting out to harm others. As a matter of fact the standard saying amongst witches is that “If it harms none, do what ye will.” Spiritually speaking Wicca offers insight and guidance to witchcraft. Know though this, all Wiccans are witches but not all witches are Wiccan.

 

…

 

Now casting the witchcraft spell is something else that there is a huge misconception about. You do not have to stand over a huge boiling cauldron… I believe it is called a pot. Now if you chose to use a pot as your cauldron you must only ever use it for the purpose of spell casting. You shouldn’t cast a spell in a pot, throw out the water and make spaghetti in it. There is a certain sacredness that belongs to each tool that you use.

 

… You must focus on the spell while you are performing it. The most powerful spells are the ones that you write yourself, using spells that someone else has written is wonderful to but if power is what you are after, write your own. Remember that whatever you are sending out into the universe is going to come back to you, so follow the “If it harm none, do what ye will.”

Alternative Therapy for MS

There are a few highly beneficial alternative therapies that help alleviate symptoms of MS. Understand when we are talking about alternative therapies we are talking about more natural and holistic healing therapies. … yoga, meditation, acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage and other herbal remedies.

 

These treatments can be used in conjunction with traditional therapies or by themselves. Here is a simple breakdown of a few of the alternative therapies that are recommended for multiple sclerosis.

 

There is a lot to be said for keeping a positive attitude. The mind is a powerful thing as are out thoughts. More often then not our thoughts become our reality, even if we do not realize it. If you can keep a positive outlook on your symptoms and your health you will notice that you feel better and that you are less stressed.

 

…beneficial alternative therapy for MS. Exercises such as yoga and Tai chi can help reduce stress and promote relaxation while it increases energy, balance and your flexibility. Exercise can help maintain as well as improve mobility and reduce pain. As always, it is recommended that you talk with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

 

Your diet is also extremely important, and it is a complimentary therapy that you need to take seriously. … Trying to eliminate foods that are highly processed and packaged aiming for foods that are fresh or frozen to help decrease the amount of toxins you take into your body, could possible help reduce flares ups and slow progression of the disease.

 

There are some people with MS that have also found that acupuncture helps to alleviate symptoms of pain, bladder control and muscle spasms. …visit someone that is trained and certified to perform acupuncture. There is not any scientific data to suggest that acupuncture is safe for people with MS, but sufferers of MS have found relief with this alternative treatment.

 

Massage is a wonderful alternative therapy that many people who have MS have found relief with. Regular massage therapy not only reduces stress and promotes relaxation it also helps reduce depression. Keep in mind that massage is generally safe for people with MS unless they have osteoporosis which is usually due to the treatments that you go through for MS.

 

Regardless of what alternative therapy you are considering to help treat your MS there are a few key questions to answer such as: What is the treatment, What does the treatment involve, How does it work, What are the risks, Are there any side effects, Is there any proof that the therapy works, How much is the therapy? Answering all of these questions will help you decide if the alternative therapy is for you.

 

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Alternative Treatments

Are you getting a good nights rest and still feeling tired? Are you so tired that you are unable to do much of anything else. Are you also experiencing muscle and joint pain though there isn’t any swelling? Maybe you also have a sore throat, night sweats, nausea, dizziness or shortness of breath. These are all symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. This disorder affects men and woman, mostly woman, in their thirties. These are men an woman who were previously healthy. What is chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and how can you treat it…

 

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder that affects the mind and various systems within the body. The Center for Disease Control first recognized this syndrome in 1988. Unfortunately we do not know what causes CFS and there aren’t any specific tests that can be done to diagnose people with CFS. Doctors believe that it could be a combination of multiple triggers such as stress, viral infection, nutrient deficiency, toxins and hormone imbalances….

  

Current research is suggesting that what CFS is, is actually myalgic encephalomyelitis which is a disorder that affects the nervous, immune and endocrine systems. Several researchers believe that it could be a new form of polio.

 

…frustrating as it is to feel so tired that even the simplest of tasks are to exerting there are things that you can do to help treat CFS. There are medicines that can be prescribed to treat the various symptoms… no conventional treatment for it. This has many sufferers of CFS looking for alternative methods.

 

Supplements have been effective in the treatment of CFS.  Especially antioxidants, these nutrients fight off some of the possible triggers such as bacteria and viruses. Other supplements known to help in the treatment of CFS include B vitamins, Vitamin C, magnesium, sodium, zinc, L-carnitine, coenzyme Q-10, and essential fatty acids.

 Herbal remedies have been used successfully as well. Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Astragalaus membranaceus, and Withania somnifera. Some help to strengthen the immune system and others work with red blood cells and increasing oxygen delivery improving overall body function. There is another alternative treatment… cognitive behavior therapy. CBT has helped many patients feel improvements in overall energy levels and the numbers of hours they were able to work per week. CBT has helped patients free their mind of negativity and unhelpful belief systems, helping them focus on the positive aspects of life and learning effective coping techniques.  

Back Pain Cure

Every move you make causes a shrill of pain to spike up your back. You live in constant misery trying to figure out a way to sit, or bend, or walk or lay down that does not cause pain. Did you know that back pain is the one of the top reasons for doctor appointments and missed work? It is time to change that, it is time to end your misery and let you enjoy life again. I am going to tell you how to cure your back pain.

 

No one knows better then you the agony that you endure everyday. The pain that radiates down your body when you move could be caused by severe lower back pain. Though you try to be active and enjoy life you are crippled by pain and the activity only makes it worse. Perhaps you back pain is so severe that it causes numbness and weakness in your limbs.

 

You need to know what caused the back pain, it didn’t happen over night… The cause of back pain is due to the body and the spine no longer being in their correct positions, they have been pulled into what considered dysfunctions they can also be called muscle imbalances. Knowing this…

 

Here are three very simple steps to having back pain relief.  First identify the cause of your muscle imbalance. There are four primary dysfunctions, and figuring out which one is the root cause of your problem will help make you back pain free. The second step is to treat those symptoms. Alleviating the pain will help make treating the problem easier… what is causing the pain, you will want to get rid of it. Which brings us to the third step and final step in which treating the cause and condition with strategies that are specific to your condition instead of the generic floor exercises your doctor gave you and everyone else that comes in with back pain will infact cure your back pain.

 

The lessons and techniques that you will need to use in order to have back pain relief can be easily ordered online. With just a couple clicks of a button you can be on your way to living the life you used to, and be pain free. No one enjoys having back pain, and for less then what a doctor’s visit and treatment will cost you can order this system and take care of your pain yourself…

 

Stop the pain, figure out the cause and fix it. Be able to play with your kids, hang out with the guys, swing a golf club or just be able to walk again pain free…

Achieving Your Dreams!

We all want to improve our lives. There isn’t a person alive that at some point hasn’t had dreams and aspirations of what they wanted their life to be like. I am here to tell you that no matter what those dreams and aspirations are you can achieve them. The whole point is that you have to make it happen. Life doesn’t give free handouts.

 

This sentiment probably has not been put more succinctly then by Dianne Houston. She has been quoted as saying that “Only some people get what they want. These are the people who show up to get it.” Do not take this quote to mean that there is a hand out, showing up means that you are putting forth the effort.

 

It is a basic human truth that each and every one of us is motivated. Motivation really is a human trait.  The main problem that most people face though is that they do not really know what it is they want. Think about it, in the course of your life how many times have those dreams changed? Not sure, then sit down right now and make a list….

 

Once you know what your goal is, you need to be thankful. Be gracious for where you are and what you have. That is the key to getting what you want. The next step that you take should be to make a plan. That plan now needs to go into action. Think about a football game, the team that showed up to play wins. The team that just hung out on the field expecting to win looses….

 

Do not let the obstacles that life will put in the way discourage you from going after your dreams with diligence. Giving up will get you no where; learning from a failure and then improving will get you where you want to be. Make sure that you are on the team that came to play, the person that showed up to get what they want. Life is too short to sit on the sidelines or watch the grass grow in the middle of the field you and only you decide what your life will be.

 

 

 

 

DaVinci from a Christian Standpoint

It is in great hope that you are reading this because you have read the novel by Dan Brown, “The Da Vinci Code,” and that it caused you to think about Jesus Christ, faith and Christianity. If for one moment this novel made you think about what it is you believe in, then this book served a purpose. There is no doubt that it has caused many heated debates since being released in 2003… going to take a look at several of the most talked about statements in the novel, and from a Christian standpoint, we will supply facts as to why those statements are inaccurate.

 

Jesus and Mary Magdalene

 

…Jesus lived during the first century of this era. The New Testament that talks about the life and death of Jesus, historians that were born during the same century wrote accounts of Jesus’ life and death, and a collection of Rabbinical writings as well as letters that were written around 96 AD make no mention of a marriage between Jesus and Mary or that there was a child. These documents were written by people that were followers as well as by people that did not believe in the miracle of Jesus…

 

The Gnostic Gospel

 

It is important that you have some background information about he Gnostic Gospel. They were discovered in 1945 at Nag Hammadi in Egypt. It is believed by many scholars that it was written approximately 150 years after Jesus. The person responsible for writing the “Gospel of Philip” is unknown and it is considered a non-Christian document.

 

Now there are many writings in the Gnostic Gospel itself that were written about the same time that seem to borrow names, ideas and concepts from the Christian New Testament…

 

The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Gnostic Gospel

 

The Dead Sea Scrolls are approximately 900 documents that are written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. They were found in caves near Jerusalem in and ancient village called Qumran between the years of 1947 and 1956. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain some of the oldest copies of parts of the Old Testament. They also contain writings of a religious group called Essenes. This group was based in Israel in 200 BC and they lasted until 100 AD.

 

It has been the attempt of many to try to show there is a connection between Christianity and the Dead Sea Scrolls. They have even gone as far as to say that they are not the word of God, but instead the basis for the New Testament. Yet several sources that have read the scrolls state there is no mention of Jesus anywhere in the Dead Sea Scrolls…

 

… As a Christian you know that they New Testament is a continuation of the Old Testament, and in reading it you will notes that there are several references to the Old Testament including details about what the life of the land was like in Israel during the first century…

Da Vinci was a Pagan

 To disprove this statement we need look no further then to the first biography written about Leonardo Da Vinci by Giorgio Vasari. This book was published in 1550, and in it Da Vinci repented his sins and confessed that Christianity was were his faith lie near the end of his life. It is stated in the biography that Da Vinci desired “‘to be informed of Catholic practice and of the good and holy Christian religion, then, after many tears, he repented and confessed.” It goes on to say that in this document that was penned in front of witnesses and stated by Da Vinci himself that he “commends his soul to Almighty God” (not the goddess), “to the Blessed Virgin Mary” (not Magdalene), and “to Saint Michael and all the angels and saints in paradise.” – “The Truth Behind The Da Vinci Code,” by Richard Abanes, page 65.    

Deforestation in Haiti

Haiti Water Supply and Deforestation

Haiti is one of the largest islands in the Caribbean and it is also one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. This overpopulated poverty stricken country is facing an ever bigger problem with its water supply. This is due in large part to the vast deforestation that is happening in the country.

Currently Haiti is left with about 1% of its forests. Another sad fact is that there are about 75 rivers that have just disappeared from the country in the matter of one generation. Haiti is the most water poor country in the world. This makes Haiti not only a threat to itself but to the surrounding areas as well.

The deforestation that is going on puts this already fragile country in an even more difficult position facing floods in the its urban areas with even normal rain fall, much less impending hurricanes. When a land lacks forests the land then is less capable of intercepting, retaining and transporting precipitation.

The lack of forests cause the rain then to cause flash flooding and soil erosion because the land is unable to trap the water, instead what happens is the water runs off and this happens at a faster pace then if the water was trapped and moved in the groundwater system.

This then affects the amount of rainfall a region gets. The lack of ground moisture being evaporated and moved into the atmosphere decreases precipitation. The water that should be moving through the soil and trees and back into the atmosphere is displaced into the ocean instead.

The increased deforestation coupled with the rainfall during the growing seasons has sent the much needed topsoil to be washed away and it has silted up the rivers below. This then slows the river flow and has since the mid 1960s by about 80% of what the fiver flow used to be. This decreases the drinking water supply. The heavy sedimentation in the fertile floodplains makes drainage of the land difficult which then increases the salinity of the soil and groundwater.

The reason for the deforestation that has lead to increase soil erosion which has then lead to an inadequate water supply is because of agriculture. This is not a new epidemic but one that started centuries ago. With the first colonial plantation system and the intense monocropping of exported goods such as cotton, tobacco, sugarcane, coffee and indigo and of course the timber. Through all this there has not been enough effort made to re-stabilize the land.

The Effects of Losing our Rainforests

Rainforest Destruction

Can you imagine a world with out trees? The impact of a world with no trees on all living beings is an impact that we all need to stand up and become aware of. Deforestation is not a new problem it is one that has been going on for the last 8000 years. You may find it interesting to know that by the year 1980 15% of the world’s forests and woodlands were gone. They had been cleared away.

While the process may have started out gradual, it was steady and the 20th century saw an influx in the destruction of the rainforests. Since 1960 the deforestation of the rainforest has been accelerated, it again increased in the 1990s. Globally speaking forests play a vital role in the climate regulation and forests are a major player in the carbon sinks on earth. The survival of the forests has helped to prevent increasing greenhouse effects.

Part of the problem adding to the rate at which the deforestation is taking place is because there is no clear definition of what constitutes a forest. The definition is currently to broad to offer an protection to the areas that truly need it. You may wonder what the cause is for deforestation, why are the trees being cut down and the woodland areas cleared.

The reasons are the same as they have been from the beginning. Agriculture, cattle, logging, mining, oil and gas drilling, fires; creations of dams and megaprojects are all direct causes of the destruction of our rainforests. What does this mean to us and our world?

If the destruction of our rainforests continues we will see a drastic change in our climate and water systems. Without forests we will see an increase in the amount of CO2 that is in the air. Take a look at the numbers, from 1850 to 1990 there was a release of 122 billion metric tons of carbon released into the air due to the deforestation. The current rate of carbon in the air is 1.6 billion metric tons per year. Fossil fuel burning releases approximately 6 billion metric tons per year. The more CO2 in the air the more the greenhouse effect will be felt with an increase in temperatures all over the world.

The loss of the rainforest then also affects the climate locally. The rainforest provide a moist canopy for the plants and soil in the rainforest. The destruction of the rainforest then takes away this canopy and reduces the evaporative cooling that needs to take place for the survival and health of the soil and plant life. The is evaporation and evapotranspiration that takes place in the rainforests return large amounts of water to the local atmosphere which helps to create clouds and rain. If there is less evaporation then there is more of the Sun’s energy warming the surface and air which then leads to the rise in surface temperatures.

Ozone in Your Home

Effects of Ozone in the Home

 

It is a colorless and odorless gas that can damage your lungs and irritate your throat, making it difficult to breathe properly. We hear about it the effects it has on us outside all the time, what about in your home? What am I talking about, Ozone. Yes, it is outside contributing to the pollution problem but it is in your home as well.

 

There are new reports that are explaining to us the negative effects that ozone exposure has on each and every one of us. Ozone is a naturally occurring gas that is found in our atmosphere, it is also a major player in the pollution levels that we are trying to combat in the world. The bad news is that ozone gas is not only outside, it is inside as well.

 

What does the ozone in your home really mean to your health? When we inhale small amounts of ozone we will notice simple signs and symptoms that one may write off as just a simple cough. But really what is happening is the ozone; even the low amount in your home will bring about coughing, congestion, wheezing, shortness of breath and possibly chest pain in people that are perfectly healthy. If you already suffer from a lung ailment such as asthma or bronchitis or emphysema then your symptoms worsen.

 

What did I just tell you, simple symptoms that you will write off as nothing… coughing, congestion, shortness of breath… hmmm… you thought you were healthy… and now there is that cough out of no where that you seem to have at home, or you are waking up congested and now have to take a decongestant in order to breathe in your own home. Ozone levels in your home are causing these symptoms, and now costing you more money and headache with doctor visits and medications…

 

Alternative Heating Sources

Take a look at your house and your current heating system, the size of you home and how well your home is insulated. …There is no point in picking an alternative heating source if your home will not support that system.

For example, if you were to choose to heat your home with the water baseboards and a boiler, but your current system would not support that change over you may want to look at sources that burn vegetable oils, wood or possibly soybean oil. If you are looking at doing a complete system overhaul make sure that you are choosing the central heating system that has the most up-to-date and energy efficient technologies. …look into the different government grants that are available to help cover those costs, not to mention the tax breaks that are available. 

Wood

You do not have to live in the woods or near one to take advantage of the most cost effective alternative heating sources available. Back in the old days wood burning stoves were popular. With a fuel efficiency rating above 60% they can cut your heating bill down drastically and they are environmentally friendly. Did you know that if you chose to use wood instead of oil you would cut down the CO2 emissions by almost 90%?

A catalytic wood burning stove can increase your heating efficiency to over 75%. The difference between the older wood burning stove and the catalytic one is that the catalytic combustor will burn the gases that are produced by the burning wood to burn at half the temperature that is normally required thereby producing a longer lasting and even heat.

Corn

Corn is another incredibly efficient and abundant alternative heating resource that is affordable. Corn is obviously environmentally friendly, possibly beating out wood and wood pellets because it burns clean. Corn burning does not produce any creosote or high levels of emissions. Corn is as available as wood if not more so in some communities, plus it is allergen free. Imagine one 40 pound bag of dried corn will provide you with over 24 hours of heat.
Coal

Many of us usually think about coal for our grills to give our food that real fire grilled flavor, but it is also an alternative heating source. Coal also raises some concerns for people because of the volatiles that are produced from burning the coal and the fact that in order to burn the coal an accelerant needs to be used such as oil or gas. Then coal will burn as long as it has fuel to burn.

…extra labor that will go into the cleaning, care and maintenance of your coal burning system, along with the importance of following EPA guidelines.

Biomass

Biomass is stored solar energy that is converted into not only fuel but can also be turned into electricity. This solar energy is found in any and all non-fossil organic materials. …This means that the trees and bushes and plants that surround you all the way to the waste byproducts form humans, animals, forestry and some industrial wastes. Biomass could possible be the most readily available, renewable, never ending supply of alternative heating fuel sources.

Part of a set of Tarot articles

The tarot have a long and fascinating history, and for many it is hard to separate the visions of gypsies with dark mascara, outlandish clothes and jewels surrounded by candles in a dark room shuffling their decks with a looming crystal ball to the side and the fact that they are a deck of cards. Understand the power of the tarot cards comes from your belief in them. While some may chose to use the tarot for amusement there are others, many others that use them to gain insight into what is and what will be.

You do not have to go to someone to have your cards read. You can do it yourself, in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Actually, I recommend that you do it yourself. Here I am going to provide to you instructions on tarot cards. Keep in mind that there isn’t really a right or wrong way to use or read your tarot cards. There are however things that you should do and things that you should never do.

First you will need a deck of tarot cards. There are some that believe your first deck should be a gift, not one that you bought for yourself. Feel free to buy the deck yourself, and spend some time picking the deck that you want. I am a firm believer in picking your own deck because you want a deck that you are comfortable with and that “speaks” to you. Tarot cards can be found at a good bookstore or a metaphysical shop.

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To read tarot cards you need to have a deck that speaks to you. The colors, the faces, the vibe you get from the cards. This deck represents you at this moment. If you have a connection to the deck, your readings will be better.

Each deck comes with a set of basic instructions. These instructions will offer you ways to shuffle your cards, the different layouts you can use as well as the meaning to each care. You may be one of those people that these basic instructions on reading are enough for. There is nothing wrong with that. There are others though, that will want a more personal reading. To have a more personal reading read on.

You need to be able to spend some time with your deck. Once you can do this you will be able to do a reading. Keep your instruction book handy in case you need it, but don’t be bound to it. Take this time to go through your deck, spread the cards out and look at the cards as a whole. Like a typical deck of cards, there are most often four suits in a tarot deck. The name of them will be different based on the deck that you have. Your instruction booklet will help you with this. In the book you will get a general description of the suit, do not worry about the individual cards.

Shuffle the deck and set the deck face down in front of you. Pick up the card on top and look at it, what is it saying to you? Just from the way the card looks, the picture on it, what do you the card means. This will be your interpretation of the card, remember it, if you need to write down what the card means to you. You are going to do this with the whole deck.

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Those same columns drawn in different ways take on other meanings, such as if the columns are colored black and white it represents the dualism present in life. Arched columns are symbolic of a gateway and if there are four columns they stand for the four elements.

Stars are also used a lot on tarot cards have different meanings as well. The stars can stand for the entity that holds the soul, mind and spirit or they can stand for the actual constellations for the zodiac signs. If there are seven stars on the card then they are said to represent the seven solar systems that created our world…
As you go through your cards you will notice that many of them contain animals … has a meaning on the card. A crane stands for wisdom and justice. The eagle is for justice as well but also temporal power, strength and majesty. A hawk however is a symbol of transformation. If you see only the wings of either the eagle or the hawk and the flank a solar disk this is the symbol for the Sun God and the spiritual principle. Bees and or butterflies stand for the soul, eternal life and rebirth. Sea creatures such as lobsters, crabs or crayfish represent the emergence of humanity and the fertilizing potential contained in water.

Shapes are every present in the tarot as well.  A triangle represents the trinity or the three Platonic bodies. How the triangle is pointed gives significance as well. A triangle that is pointing downward and is cut in half by a horizontal line represents earth. An upward pointing triangle cut by a horizontal line represents fire. The spherical orb alone represents worldly power, but if it is combined with a cross then it takes on a more spiritual connotation.

Holosync Program

If is really possible to reach Zen like meditation by pushing a button? The short and quick answer to that question is yes. The longer answer of course involves the fact that you need to commit to it. The health benefits that you will receive from meditation include less stress, less anxiety, positive feelings and you will actually slow the aging process.

There have been numerous scientific studies that have shown conclusively that the claimed benefits one has from meditation are legitimate. Daily meditation can produce long lasting improvements in your immune system and in the electrical activity of the brain. In a study done at the University of Wisconsin, … people who meditate daily have 50% more activity in the left frontal area of the brain… responsible for positive emotions and reducing anxiety.

If you have tried meditation before and stopped or bought into other self help programs and walked away because you never achieved the “nirvana” you have heard so much about you should investigate Holosync. This is not a new fly by night product. Holosync has helped thousands of people in the last 20 years and in over 170 countries improve their lives. Many people noticing a marked improvement after the first day.

This is a program that will help you achieve Zen like meditation, with out dedicating hours a day to it for years. Imagine that instead of ten years from now you were feeling better; you could be feeling better in days. The best part is, that you are not in this alone. Holosync also provides you with a support system to help guide you on your way to an improved quality of life. With so many people singing the praises of Holosync it is worth taking the time to look at it.

Knowing the signs of ADHD

To some degree it is perfectly normal for a child to be spontaneous to the point where it seems almost impulsive, or to be so excited about the world around them and what it going on that they are loosely labeled hyperactive as well as spending time lost in their own little worlds being children not inattentive.
We all know at least one child like this, we most likely know an adult like this as well. More often then not, these are the children that are unable to sit still and they don’t seem to follow instructions or listen. They may even say the most inappropriate things at the most in opportune time. Guess what, they aren’t doing these things on purpose, they aren’t even doing them because they like to.

Impulsivity and hyperactivity are symptoms of ADHD… The child that is always in motion, unable to sit still or do multiple things at one time with out completing any of them are exhibiting signs of ADHD. As a parent you should be paying attention to see if your child displays any of the classic signs such as excessive talking, … interrupt other or are intrusive. Yes, all children at one point or another behave in these manners and some more so then others. What you are paying attention to is the consistency and persistency of a behavior.

The same goes for the inattentive factor, consistently and persistently. Now, here is the difference …if  your child or an adult is involved in something that they enjoy doing they do not have a problem paying attention and being involved and staying on task. The elements of inattentiveness include easily being distracted, difficulty focusing and staying on task with one activity, skipping the details or not following through on the instructions, disorganization or forgetfulness.

We know that ADHD begins in childhood.  They are often labeled the trouble makers in school. If they by chance do get diagnosed with ADHD, many are only taken to a family doctor and put on medications that “calm them down” so that they are less disruptive to others. In many cases though these children slip through the cracks … struggling to focus and make positive progress so that they are happy and content in life.

Sweetgrass Article for Client

The purpose of these baskets was for sorting rice. As the rice moved though the basket the grains would be separated from the chaff. The materials that were available here were obviously different then what they were used to. But sweetgrass basket weaving was a way for the now slaves to hold onto a piece of their heritage.

The need to hold on to a part of their heritage encouraged the slaves to continue basket weaving and to teach it to the younger generations. This became a way to make money for the freed slaves after the Emancipation Proclamation. To make sure that the art of sweetgrass basket weaving was preserved and the tradition was carried on the practice is still taught even today amongst the descendants of the slaves.

Those descendants are known as the Gullah people or the Geechee people. They live in the coastal regions of South Carolina and Georgia and they speak Creole based English that still holds true to many elements of their native African language and culture. While you can find some stands along the highways where you can purchase sweetgrass baskets the best place to find the best variety is in Old City Market.

The sweetgrass basket market seems to congregate in the Old City Market. While the family stands along the highway allow for those families to compete with the retail market of the sweetgrass baskets, the Gullah ladies have set up their own little niche here in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

Come and listen to the Gullah language as the Gullah ladies sit and weave their day away. It is known that now a days the Gullah ladies that weave baskets are not responsible for other domestic chores. The demand for sweetgrass baskets are still as great as they ever were whether they are wanted for use or for display. This has lead to a certain financial freedom for professional sweetgrass basket weavers. Professional sweetgrass basket weavers are able to work in the comfort of their homes.

Piece on Pheromones

Let’s see if you know any of these other interesting facts about pheromones.

1. The very first pheromone was that of a silkworm moth.
Yes that is the truth. In 1956 German researchers had isolated a powerful sex attractant for the silkworm moth. It took 500,000 female moths to loose the glands at the top of their abdomen where the compound was housed. They found that even the smallest amount of this substance caused the male silkworm moths to perform a “flutter dance.”

2. Pheromones are the reason all the females in the same house cycle together
This is what all men in the house dread, but pheromones are the reason as to why females who live in close proximity together that spend a lot of time together end up with menstrual cycles that run closer together, though the originally may have been more sporadic. Martha McClintock was the researcher to discover this phenomenon in 1971.

3. Pheromones can make you more attractive
While they may not turn “Ugly Betty” into the runway model, pheromones will make you appear more attractive. There are numerous studies that show that the right pheromones can help others see you as someone that is attractive, of high status and east to talk to. Making conversation easier and promote positive feeling and feelings for interest.

4. Age, Nose, Pheromones and Sex
The older we get the less acute our olfactory is. What does that mean, well, as that our sense of smell tends to decline which then makes it harder to pick up the traces of the pheromones that used to turn us on. This then leads to a decrease in libido.

5. Pheromones in animals are more researched and defined.
While pheromones presence and purpose in humans have yet to be thoroughly defined and examined, in the animal kingdom it is another story. We know that ants, when they meet on a trail in the middle of your backyard will stop and rub antennae. They are doing this and passing pheromones to each other. The purpose of this is to distinguish species and colony identity.

Article for Client on Talking with Kids about Sex

Breaking the Ice – Talking to Your Kids about Sex

For as many times as I have had to have “The Talk” with children including my own, I have not struggled as much as I have with this article for parents. My intent here is not to offend anyone but to help you be able to talk with your children about sex. I know it is an uncomfortable topic, it is hard enough as adults to talk about it and it is worse as a parent. Trust me when I tell you though, that in most cases, for all the freaking out you are going through it is nothing compared to how your child feels when they think about having to talk to you about sex.

As a mother and a nurse I have given the talk to my children, some of their friends at the request of their parents and hundreds of patients. My goal is always the same, I want to make sure that sexual health is understood, what the consequences are to having sex, what is sex and the need for protection and the importance of waiting. You would be surprised to find out what your child already knows and equally surprised at what they don’t know. Children need to be educated about this simple and natural part of life so that they are prepared when the situation presents itself they can make an informed decision.

Ok, before you get upset with that statement. Talking to your child about sex will not make them want to have sex, actually chances are better then not that it will probably make them not want to have sex. When I say an informed decision they need to know that their body is their body and that they are the owners of their body. They need to know that it only takes one time to have sex and you can get pregnant or contract an STD. They also need to know what constitutes sex, many are not aware that oral sex is sex and do not think it has consequences. They also need to learn to respect themselves enough to be able to say no to sex.

Nationally speaking teen pregnancy is on the decline, it is actually at its lowest point in thirty years. This isn’t a fluke, that decline is due to two factors. One is that more and more children are making the decision to wait. Secondly teens that are having sex are using contraception and using it the right way. This is due to the increase in education that they are getting. But the fact that there are still over 750,000 teens a year getting pregnant means that more education needs to be done.

You can do this. Educating them on sex is how you can protect them. As a nurse I have had many kids crying in my office because they made a poor decision and had sex, had unprotected sex and now are faced with a pregnancy or STD and don’t know what to do. As a mother I have had my children come home from school or a day with their friends with misinformation about sex that needed to be corrected.

Most children are afraid to talk to their parents about sex, and do you want to know what the reasons I hear most often is… “I don’t want them to think that I am doing it when I am not,” and “I don’t want them to think that way of me.”

If you don’t know how to start the conversation start by asking them what they already know. If you really don’t think that you can have this conversation with them then call your doctor or a Planned Parenthood or someone that you trust and ask them if they can help you with this. I have had friends sit with me and their child and I gave “the talk” and the parents interjected where they were comfortable. If for no other reason then to let your child know they can talk to you and that it is okay if they do is reason enough to have this conversation.

Piece of Article on Creating a Personal Mantra

Creating Your Own Personal Mantra (done for client)

To understand the importance of creating a personal mantra, one must first understand what a mantra is. To many a mantra is a way of life. It is the way that you live in order to bring into your life all that you desire. This can be as simple as a personal ritual that you do everyday that helps you feel more successful and confident to face the day and not only go after what you want but helps you achieve it.

This ritual or mantra can be actions that are spiritual, mental, verbal or physical. It is agreed by many that a mantra is a verbal word or phrase that means something to the individual. A verbal mantra is a phrase that repeats to you what your goal is and how you will attain that goal and you repeat it to yourself over and over again. A mantra is a gentle reminder to the brain that there is purpose to your action. The purpose is for you to attain your goals.

A mantra is considered an ancient sacred formula comprised of spiritual energies that take form in words. A mantra helps to establish a very deep and harmonious connection between the individual and nature. This connection allows us to delve into the divine energies thereby increasing the power of our soul so that we are able to live a masterful life. Having a mantra is the most important element in truly bringing change into your life. Your mantra helps you take control and accept responsibility for your life, and it is through this acceptance change takes place.

While mantras are becoming popular there is a little known fact about mantras that is often over looked. A mantra should be specifically chosen for each individual person in order for that mantra to be effective for that person. You can create your own mantra to meet your needs at the moment. A traditional method for finding your personal mantra you take the date of your birth and the time you were born with the numerical value of your full name. Each element is then broken down into numerical values. Each numerical value has a vibrational frequency. The correct mantra for you will have the same vibration as your birth date, time and full name.

Victorian Sexuality Article

Female Sexuality in the Victorian Era

The Victorian Era was a time of harsh restraints on sexuality for all people, but none as harsh as for the women. This was a time were sexual repression was viewed as an ideal trait of a well breed woman. In an era when the themes of the time were “cult of true womanhood” and the “code of chivalry” what would one expect other then sexually ignorant and repressed women. Tell me, are we living in all that different of an age?

During Victorian times, in order to be considered a lady one would abstain from natural desire. In other words, no sex, then only virgins would be considered proper ladies. The “cult of true womanhood” dictated that submissiveness, purity and piety were the traits of a lady. Instead of embracing womanhood, the push was more to make a woman asexual. The only reason a lady would have sex was to procreate. A lady would never enjoy sex.

Women were not to talk about sex or want to have sex. These were social “no-nos.” A young girl would be kept in her father’s house while being closely watched by her mother so that she did not stray, as a unclean or impure woman would not be married. In the Victorian era, the only duty of a woman was to be married and hope that it would be a good marriage as women were not considered able to compete with a man mentally or physically. Keeping a good home and having children was what brought women of that era respect.

With sexual repression abundant and the only true ladies that were worthy of marriage were those that abstained from sexual activity, this lead to a flourishing prostitution business. Though the male was equally pushed to control their natural instincts, they are after all men and they needed help controlling those instincts for they were considered too weak to control them on their own. Where better then to be free than with a prostitute.

It was during this time that reproduction was the only reason for sex. Sex was never for enjoyment or fulfillment, at least between a man and wife. Your station in life dictated if you even procreated. The upper middle class showed their refinement by not having children and not having sex.

Women faced a difficult time during the Victorian Era. It was a time when they almost lost who they were; especially if they were not from a good family and able to be married off successfully. Unmarried women often turned to prostitution, as a way to earn money and fulfill their inner most desires as well as those of men.

Positive Mindset Article

Maintaining a Positive Mindset

The thoughts that are in your mind become your words and those words become your actions and those actions shape your reality. Your life, the way it is right this very second is because of thoughts, words and actions you had days ago, weeks ago, months and years ago. Our thoughts and our actions are the windows to who we really are as people. Whether we are shallow, negative, positive, deep and complex or character is.

It is time, for you to take responsibility for your life. Make your life the way you really want it. Stop blaming your parents, your friends, your co-workers, past teachers and so on for where you are today. You are here because of you and your life is the way it is because of you. To change it you need to change your mindset.

It is time to dump the negative and enhance the positive. Positive energy radiates and feeds all good things in life. We are all made up of energy, actually everything has energy, and all that energy has an impact on everything. I don’t think I have ever heard Donald Trump throw a pity party for himself, or blame someone else for where he is in life even when he was down, he was still positive. Positivity is the difference between success and lack of success. I don’t say failure, because I do not believe in failure and neither should you. It is an opportunity for greatness.

If you are struggling with adapting to this new mindset to being positive then look at your environment for ways to help. Eliminating things that give off negative energy is beneficial. Things such as the news, I am pretty sure that there isn’t another program in the world that is as depressing as the local or national news. Come on, how often do they talk about something that is happy or positive. In our house we don’t watch the news. Call it uniformed, we call it a happy home.

Other negative influences to stay away from until you really get your positive mindset working is people that give off negative energy. We all know people like that. They can walk in a room and literally suck the life out of the room. You can feel it, the air changes, the mood changes it becomes difficult for you to smile it is just uncomfortable. Ick! I am not one that is fond of being uncomfortable so I do what I can to make sure that I am putting out more positive energy as compared to the negative energy that is there.

Movies are another environmental influence that can give off positive or negative energy. Movies that are filled with death, blood and gore, I would recommend staying away from while you are trying to achieve a positive mindset. I understand the need for a good scary movie ever once in awhile, but movies like that should not be something that you watch everyday.

Women and Weights

Can Women Benefit from Lifting Weights

There are many women that question whether or not lifting weights is really in their best interest. Concerns over bulking up and loosing their femininity many turn to the cardio exercises and are missing out on the benefits that lifting weights offers women.

Stop right now and get out of your head the idea that if you are lifting weights you are going to look like a body builder. Lifting weights correctly can give you overall definition, symmetry and actually add those curves that you have been wanting. Adding more muscle to your physique gives you not only an amazing body but improved strength health and vitality. Thereby decreasing the risk of injuries that happen everyday.

There are a few simple facts that all women need to know and understand so that they can reap the benefits of lifting weights.

Fact #1 Women have the same number of muscles as men.

That is right, men and women have the same amount of muscles and those muscles all work and connect in the same way. The only difference between men and women is our hormones. Testosterone, which is a muscle building hormone, is naturally higher in men, while women have more estrogen which stores more fat. This why lifting weights can help you increase your metabolism by adding lean muscle. This helps combat all that estrogen we have that makes us more prone to weight gain.

Fact #2 A Pound is a pound is a pound.

This needs to be addressed because another concern that women have is that number on the bathroom scale. With weight lifting you are adding muscle, and there is that saying that muscle weighs more the fat, so naturally then that number on the scale will go up as you lift weights. No woman wants that to happen.

Plane and simple, a pound of anything is the same as pound of something else. The difference between fat and muscle is not the pound, it is the density. A pound of muscle takes up less space then a pound of fat because of how dense the muscle is. Muscle makes it possible for you to eat more food and not get fat because muscle is the only muscle that helps with the metabolic process. Adding muscle to your body will automatically make it so that you body is burning off an additional 20 to 30 calories an hour, even while you sleep.

How Important Is Organizational Purpose

How important is organizational purpose? Japanese management writer Ikujiro Nonaka explained it best when he said, “A company is not a machine but a living organism, and, much like an individual, it can have a collective sense of identity and fundamental purpose. This is the organizational equivalent of self knowledge- a shared understanding of what the company stands for, where it’s going, what kind of world it wants to live in, and, most importantly, how it intends to make that world a reality.” It is not by chance that a business is successful. It is through careful planning, cultivation, thorough research and constant monitoring of that organizational purpose that your business is a success. That is how important organizational purpose is to your business.

The organizational purpose is the foundation upon which every successful business is built. Knowing that your organizational purpose will ultimately dictate how successful your business will be can be an overwhelming and unsettling thought. It is one that must be taken on and accomplished. Defining your organizational purpose will help you develop the business that will draw customers to you. Organizational purpose will also help you know what to include in your business as well as what not to. A clear organizational purpose will also aid in beating out your competitors, knowing what you can promote about your business that your competitors can not promote about their own. It is your mission statement.

Organizational purpose acts as a unifying glue that binds each team member to one another. This purpose, your mission statement is what tells your team what your company is about and what they stand for. Your team will able to move forward together knowing the guidelines that your organization must live up to. Organizational purpose will offer clarity to each team member when it comes to making decisions. How important is organizational purpose to your team? It is the difference between a fine seven course meal and a potluck dinner.

Medical Article Snippet

Endometriosis and Infertility

There are as many as 50 percent of women that are infertile are so because of endometriosis. There are studies that show endometriosis can decrease pregnancy rates even if there appears to be little to no damage. To understand how this effects a women’s ability to become pregnant we must first understand what the disease is and it’s symptoms as well as treatment.

What is Endometriosis?

It is a disorder that women get that involves the tissue in the lining of the uterus also known as the endometrium. With endometriosis there are pieces of this tissue that grows outside of the uterus. The uterus is the part of the body where a fertilized egg implants and then grows into a fetus eventually. The tissue that grows outside of the uterus can cause pain and irregular bleeding and can affect a women’s ability to become pregnant. Endometrial tissue is dependent on estrogen to grow. As we will discuss later, the medications that are used to treat endometriosis lower estrogen levels, thereby starving and aberrant tissue.

The Research Center states that this disorder effects more then seven million women in the United States and this is the leading cause of infertility in women as well as other problems.

What are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?

Endometriosis does not always produce symptoms but when it does these symptoms can include:
Painful bowel movements
Chronic or intermittent pelvic pain
Painful periods
Fatigue
Heavy or irregular bleeding
Pain during intercourse
Painful ovulation
Painful urination
Lower back pain
Infertility

For some women, though, the only symptom that they have is the infertility. The variety of symptoms ranges from mild to severe and this is due to the amount and disbursement of the endometriosis varies in different women. There is no correlation, though, between the amount of endometriosis a woman has and the amount of pain she experiences.

What Causes Endometriosis?

The causes of endometriosis are still unknown. There have been a few theories but none of those has offered conclusive proof. We are going to look at the three theories:

The first theory is that, with endometriosis, when a woman is menstruating, the menstrual tissues goes back in to the fallopian tubes and then enters the abdominal cavity and there it implants itself. Now, the majority of doctors feel that all women have some type of back up at some point and that it is only when the woman has an immune problem that this back up will develop into endometriosis.

Our next theory states that there is a genetic birth defect that causes the endometriosis. This birth defect causes the endometrial cells to develop on the outside of the uterus during fetal development. Then once the woman is grown and starts her menstrual cycle the cells that have grown on the outside become lesions that cause discomfort and pain.

Hypnosis, Stress and Anxiety

There is not a person in the world that does not experience stress. Stress is a part of our everyday life. There is good stress and bad stress. The good stress is like waiting in the delivery room for the arrival of your new baby or the feeling that overwhelms you when you get that promotion that you have worked so hard for there is an end to it. Bad stress, the type that leads to so many ailments is another story.

Bad stress is when you are constantly faced with challenges and there is no relief to that stress or you are unable to relax. In our world today we tend to take relaxation and rest for granted, few people take the time or are able to actually relax and this is leading to more stress on our bodies and our minds. Consider the following:
• 43% of all adults suffer from the adverse effects of stress
• Stresses causes headaches, heart problems, skin conditions, high blood pressure, asthma, arthritis, depression and anxiety
• 75-90% of all doctor office visits are due to stress related issues.
• OHSA has classified stress a hazard of the workplace, costing the American industry over $150 billion a year.
• Emotional disorder is often due to chronic untreated stress.

Being under constant stress is no way to live. How can you help alleviate the stress and feel better and go back to being the happy, relaxed person you used to be? Have you considered the use of hypnosis? Hypnosis and hypnotherapy have successfully helped thousands of people free themselves from the heavy weight of stress and helped them be healthier.

Hypnosis is the most relaxing state a person can be in. Relaxation is the key to treating stress. A hypnotherapist can help you learn how to relax so that you reduce your stress and tension as well as anxiety. They can also teach you how to do self hypnosis so that you are able to relieve the stress whenever you need to.

Lost

I have been searching for where I belong…

Lost in the spaces inbetween, I am distracted by the thoughts of you and me.

Never knowing which way to turn, a settled place is for what I yearn…

Stay or go I shall not know…

For I am looking for where I belong.

On Top of the World

I know it was not a dream… it all felt too real. There I was, on top of the world.

I had all that a person could dream of and more. Then one day, suddenly it seemed, out of no where… it was practically taken away.

As I came to, I tried to find clues as to where the storm had come from… Begged for answers that still have not come…

Now I hang, with only the shred of a dream… a memory I am sure… of the way that it used to be…

My heart still aches for what once was… breaking more each day that it goes without…

My mind spins and screams and shouts… lost, confused, discarded and scared…

I feel the sun sting my eyes… the tears oh how the pour…

My eyes strain to focus on the path that lays before me… covered in branches and leaves that are tattered and torn.

I hold my breath, still the shakes… for if I take that step… to which place will it take.

I know not if that path leads me back to the dream that I once had… or to a new reality… one that I do not want…

I try to hide my tears… and pretend to be strong… I still am not sure of what exactly went wrong.

Do I take that step, is the path true… will it lead me back… back to me and you?

Words

Is there truth in what you say? For so long I have believed that there was…

Each word, every passing phrase… carried its weight with me in gold.

Infecting me with such joy…filling me with such pride…

That same voice… that is often so tender and warm… can cut with the coldest of ice.

I yearn to feel that warmth again… hear those words that were so true…

I am not sure what to believe… are your words in fact true?

Do you mean what you say… is the truth in your words or in the actions that you think I do not see…

I know, yes I know, there are things that you hide from me.

The voice that was once so true… gave warmth and light and love… the guiding light on a stormy night…

Now I am surrounded by waves that overwhelm me and take me over… the storm does not seem to want to pass…

I strain to hear… possibly even imagine it so… that the words that were once so loving will be calling me home soon.

Hello world!

Alone

The wind blows through my open window.
I hear the sound it makes.
It talks to me, urges me to speak.

As I sit and listen, with ears so intent,
My mind begins to wonder, exploring what its secret meant.

The sun is setting with an ominous glow.
It offers the light I needed
To look into my soul.

I smile softly, for I am a fool.
Not listening to what the universe unfolds.

I see now that there is no doubt…
I am not alone.

Published this summer in the book “Forever Spoken”