Spiritual Literacy Month

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By Diane Forrest

With the start of the holiday season, many people turn to the Bible and read about the Christmas Story, and why we celebrate this time.  There are other people who to other forms of Spiritual messages.  Some would argue that spirituality makes a person more sensitive to love, justice, peace and more of the intangible things that cannot be directly perceived by a person's senses. It supports the idea that the human being and the rest of creation are composed not only of matter but of something that is immaterial and beyond our knowledge. Other definitions of spirituality explain it as a power, greater than oneself, that is operating in the universe; a sense of inter-connectedness with all living creatures; and an awareness of the purpose and meaning of life and the development of personal, absolute values. It is impossible to point out the "right" definition as each individual perceives the word spirituality in his or her own way.

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Spirituality provides a way for people to escape from the negativity, frustration, anger and stress in their lives. Practices such as prayer, meditation and yoga allow a person to reach the balance between his or her thoughts and actions.  Spirituality is different from Religion.  Despite the fact that it varies from person to person, spirituality has a number of common themes. A person living spiritual life seeks to reach beyond his or her limits. This goal may include questioning beliefs, keeping an open mind and trying to better understand the ways of the other people. Self-discovery is an important factor to many people who regard themselves as spiritual. Spirituality's objective is not always to reach a conclusion or solve a problem but rather to help find a direction, meaning and purpose in life.

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So this month, as we celebrate this holiday season, find some time to discover what helps you to put your life in balance.

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National Awareness of Aplastic Anemia and MDS

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By Nurse Diane

Aplastic anemia is a rare disease which affects only 1-3 people per one million in America each year. Approximately 300-600 new cases of the disease are diagnosed annually and it can happen to people of all ages and race.  The most common causes of aplastic anemia are believed to be drugs, viral infections, and environmental pollutants, though more studies are needed to determine precise causes and increased risk factors. Aplastic anemia is a medical condition in which bone marrow is unable to produce new cells to replace old blood cells.

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The acronym “MDS” classifies several different types of bone marrow syndromes, which typically occur in people over the age of 50 years old. Myelodysplastic syndrome is rarely believed to be inherited and is of unknown etiology.  There are two classifications of MDS:

1. Chronic and non-progressive anemia: blood cell counts are lower without the presence of leukemic blast cells (cancer)
2. Progressive and symptomatic blood cell abnormalities: there are cancer cells in the bone marrow

(When a person has a higher than 20% counts of leukemic cells in the blood, the diagnosis of blood cancer is made and the condition is called acute myelogenous leukemia.)

As with any serious or chronic disease, a person with aplastic anemia will need to do several things in order to improve their long-term prognosis. Becoming educated about the disease will help a person make informed treatment decisions and asking questions will promote a better understanding of the condition.

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Each year, in the first week of December (1st through 7th) the nation observes the disease of aplastic anemia. The Aplastic Anemia and MDS  (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) International Foundation passes out informational pamphlets and literature in order to raise public awareness of the disease and to help those who suffer from the condition.   The best thing a person can do is to follow a proper diet, get adequate rest and adhere to the recommendations of the treating physician in order to achieve the best possible outcome. 

For more information view this site:  http://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/National_Aplastic_Anemia_and_MDS_Awareness_Week_a1085.html or visit the Aplastic Anemia and MDS  International Foundation http://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/Aplastic_Anemia_and_MDS__Causes__Symptoms__Treatment_a1084.html

Recognizing Special Education Day 12/2/12

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By Diane Forrest

A friend of mine's daughter recently found out she was pregnant.  The whole family was elated, she has two small boys, and is in her twenties.  Everything was wonderful until she received a call from her doctor.  The results showed that she had a 1 in 350 chance of having a child born with down's syndrome.  The family was crushed.  There was no history of Down's syndrome on either side of the families, and the mother was having a difficult time grasping this concept.

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I tried to calm her, explaining that those odds were too high to be concerned about, and the results were inconclusive until an ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis.  It is every parent's desire to have a healthy baby, but sometimes that is not the case, so I began to help her to prepare for the alternative.  As I began thinking about the possibility of a baby born with Down's Syndrome, I thought about all the great changes that have been made in that area.

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Children born with Down's syndrome are now not being separated in schools or activities, but are being included in schools and provided special education training needs. On December 2, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Handicap Children's Act that would open doors for all Children to gain access to education.

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Today marks the 8th anniversary of Special Education Day.  We take the day to honor progress and celebrate students with disabilities--and their parents, teachers and schools. And, we dialogue and plan for the future for all students in our schools and for appropriate reforms.  To learn how you can help to celebrate this day, or ways to help children with special education needs in your community, visit this site:  http://www.specialeducationday.com/

Tolerance Week 2012

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By Diane Forrest

If you have ever seen a small child playing with a pet, then you will understand the definition of tolerance.  I was watching as my neighbor's small child was playing with their family dog, pulling on its ears, playing dress up with it.  The poor dog just laid there, looking bored and disinterest.  Had I been the pup...I would have most assuredly growled at the irritating actions.

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A few months ago my father drew me a graph; I taped it on my desk as a reminder.  The graph shows a proportion to the age, and how much you let bother you.  In other words, the older he gets, the less he lets things bother him.  It is simply not healthy or worth it to worry about how others affect him.  He has just decided to remain calm cool and collected.   He learned long ago, that the more he gets worked up over some things, the less beneficial it is for him.  Things or people will not change just because he wants it to happen.

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This world is made up of many different people, with different backgrounds, religions, races and nationalities. My cousin has spent the better part of his 50 something years in Texas.  Texans are not known for their tolerance, especially when it pertains to lawbreakers.  Last week he celebrated his first anniversary with his bride, a native of Pakistan.  I couldn’t imagine a more diverse relationship.  I talked with him before they were married, and asked him how they made it work with such obvious differences in their upbringings.  He explained to me, that even with the differences in religion and politics and language, that they still had the same values.

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People are just people.  They love their families, their friends, and for the most part know the difference between right and wrong, and try to do their best to differentiate between them.  I have a friend, who is as opposite from me as I could imagine.  He is Italian, Catholic, Democrat and I am English, Baptist and Republican.  He has his opinions that are pretty much set in stone, and I have mine.  Instead of arguing and disagreeing over them, we listen to each other’s views, and respect the different opinions.  While we may secretly wish to change their mind, we don’t have to agree, but we tolerate their views.

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This week is Tolerance week.  I can't think of a better way to begin the holiday season than to practice tolerance, peace and good will to your fellow man.  As I was reading about this day, I was looking at different ways to participate in this week.  I read that one teacher planned to wear a different pair of shoes, that were not her own.  Her plan was to "Walk in someone else's shoes" to try to experience what they may be feeling.   Acceptance & Inclusiveness Member Sylvia Sheperd stated that "We all care about each other and we want to do what we can to show that. When students have support, they do better and we're trying to offer support."  Showing tolerance doesn’t mean that you have to agree with someone else, just respect their right to voice their opinion, just as you have the right to voice yours.

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So this week, practice a little tolerance toward your neighbor, and who knows, it might just keep going on to another week, and then a month until you tolerate others all the time and make your little piece of the world a better place.

Eat a Red Apple Day 2012

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An Apple a day, keeps the Doctor Away!

By Terry Orr

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A few months ago, one of our grocery store started carrying mini red apples – they are delicious and perfect single serving size!

Red Apple Facts:

Red apple trees bear fruit at age for or five, and can live to be 200 years old

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Benefits:

Pectin is a beneficial component of red apples; it reduces the absorption of cholesterol and fights heart disease.

Apples have a high nutritional value to keep you healthy. The peel alone contains antioxidants that help reduce damaged cells and fight some diseases. Apples are also fat, sodium, and cholesterol free!

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Did you know that there are 7,500 varieties of apples grown throughout the world? They can come in a variety of shapes, flavors, and colors including all shades of red, green, and yellow.

I love all variety apples and try to eat at least three a week.  This delicious fruit can be eaten raw, cooked, baked, or juiced. Apples are one of the few fruits that you can find fresh any time of the year.

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Go ahead - help yourself to one of nature’s true wonders!

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Stay home because you are well day

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By Diane Forrest

Wow...there has been alot going on the past few days.  First there was Thanksgiving, preparing the food, cooking, baking, and buying groceries.  Cleaning the house, having company over and spending the day entertaining.  Then Black Friday, which actually started Thanksgiving evening at some stores, rushing around with the throngs of people and waiting in lines outside in the cold damp air trying to find the best deals on items you wanted to surprise your family with at Christmas.  Next there was Cyber Monday, searching online for more holiday specials.  After all that shopping, you decide to start wrapping your gifts and decorating your home for the Christmas season.  Well, I don’t know if that’s how you spent the past week, but that sums up my experiences.

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With all that hustle and bustle. You need to take a little time off and recharge your batteries.  I think that is why this day was created.  Today is Stay home because you are well day.  Of course, if your job is so demanding that taking a day off is not an option, then we don't recommend it.  Getting fired before Christmas would be a terrible thing. However, if you have some sick time or vacation time saved up, take some time for yourself.  Refresh yourself and watch some Christmas movies, order a pizza and relax for the day.  Tomorrow the holidays start in full swing, and the stress of getting everything ready will be enough to drive you crazy...so take the day to arm yourself with a little peace and quiet before things start to get out of hand. 

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Relax, and have a great day off!

Fix our Deficit and Congress

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I recently received an email with some of the below information included.  After checking with Snoops.com to verify the quote by Warren Buffett – thought it was worthwhile sharing on this Blog.

Please let us know what you think.  Thanks

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Warren Buffett said during on July 7, 2011 in interview with CNBC’s Becky Quick:

“I could end the deficit in 5 minutes.  You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election”. (Verified at Snoops.com

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The 28^th Amendment concept has been around since at least 2009 and has had more than one name – though recently it has been the Congressional Reform Act (2010, 2011, 2012 and probably 2013).  I support this concept and believe it is long overdue and probably the first or second step in cleaning up the mess that has been created during the past several decades.

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Congressional Reform Act (AKA 28^th Amendment, etc.)

1. No Tenure / No Pension.

A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective upon signing of the bill. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women.

Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

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If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S.) to receive the message. Don't you think it's time?

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!

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