tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70471889331056083242024-03-14T11:18:27.938-07:00The Daily PrismInvisible in the dark, a light refracting prism catches the tiniest spark of light and brightens the daily good.Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.comBlogger2348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-18576957428767741842021-12-30T13:02:00.000-08:002021-12-30T13:02:10.863-08:00Value and Virtue Vs Lying<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDI69eW1eCNcMqbdCppDzoyGOj44OuNzNJEEXxA2KC9cRz6G5xSg6AIC5JmoQSiT5sgTwnQKMlMZV4Jpi_sbrGhPHC8s_Jj2aNke9JkZ0O923bl9kX8owEpSFBJZVqy-LfnnSFqQJAHSl-qaGTPtXjshzz4SrCW3ELxn6PC1A-kUxJv7i94DEEoxF2SA=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDI69eW1eCNcMqbdCppDzoyGOj44OuNzNJEEXxA2KC9cRz6G5xSg6AIC5JmoQSiT5sgTwnQKMlMZV4Jpi_sbrGhPHC8s_Jj2aNke9JkZ0O923bl9kX8owEpSFBJZVqy-LfnnSFqQJAHSl-qaGTPtXjshzz4SrCW3ELxn6PC1A-kUxJv7i94DEEoxF2SA=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>December 30, 2021</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I am struck by how values lie at the heart of the Kwanzaa celebration and all the December festivals and how they are named as community values. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We put values into practice by way of virtues. No society can survive without virtues. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Virtues like truth-telling vs lying for example. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We witnessed on January 6, 2020, the power of lies to create outrage, havoc, mayhem, insurrection and death. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When lies get into the bloodstream of a people the result is on-going anger and violence—including the violence of passing laws that subvert the voting rights of people, especially minorities, and threaten to burn American democracy to the ground.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Now we witness laws being enacted that turn vote counting over to sectarian legislators and vote counters who are no longer neutral. A revelation emerges of the core values of legislators who stand by while these laws are enacted.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The background for our DMs this month has been the issue of the distorted masculine, since we seem to be living in a time of a culmination of patriarchal “values” and priorities where the reptilian brain reigns unabated.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">How address that? With the healthy masculine -- virtues. Virtues reveal an inner strength that can be awakened in women as well as men. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word “virtue”, which comes from the word vir for man, is akin to “strength, manliness, moral excellence, conformity to a standard of right, morality, merit, valor, virility.” To be virtueless is to be “devoid of excellence or worth, lacking in moral goodness.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The ugly side of Patriarchy is coming to a head in our time. Ecocide, Matricide, and the denial of climate change causing the killing of Mother Earth stares us in the face as does our own extinction along with that of many other species. And, of course, the future of our children’s children.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Many are the in-denial politicians hungry for power but not for truth.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">How precious is the need for a return of the sacred and sane and healthy masculine, that of values and virtues that secure them... for women as well as for men.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">---From<a href="https://dailymeditationswithmatthewfox.org/2021/12/30/winter-festivals-virtue-the-sacred-masculines-return/"> https://dailymeditationswithmatthewfox.org/2021/12/30/winter-festivals-virtue-the-sacred-masculines-return/</a></span></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-45391417216393318912021-12-13T07:27:00.003-08:002021-12-13T08:23:57.657-08:00A Winter Holiday for Peace <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNjMs3hIpah45CN-68eUXMCBizTklTk24IR1fF-znTfaeFayjTTiykrLBrTouRHo0DtlETSUSd4F3hkwbhnYp8CyscwDWG1hE1GJxk_BoFGZtT1BMx4bqMfshtJxtnfvpE6wi_Sv-wtPptKSTVDARVcNCo1TzkaZ_9DecFIsq396mG8_RLPcAMY2p-Pg=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNjMs3hIpah45CN-68eUXMCBizTklTk24IR1fF-znTfaeFayjTTiykrLBrTouRHo0DtlETSUSd4F3hkwbhnYp8CyscwDWG1hE1GJxk_BoFGZtT1BMx4bqMfshtJxtnfvpE6wi_Sv-wtPptKSTVDARVcNCo1TzkaZ_9DecFIsq396mG8_RLPcAMY2p-Pg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Daily Prism will take the next few weeks to celebrate a winter holiday.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Winter </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>bestows time to rest and silence seek; </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Winter</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>silence opens our inner sanctum;</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Winter</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>light, soft and gentle, in shades of white;</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Winter</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>sprays glitter to the ground, trees and air;</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Winter</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>asks us to bow and offer humble prayer.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Charmaine Coimbra 12/13/21</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjE66-mioZZiXZyRA92jvzZF08rFZCY3mnHLFwqHWV568OIx5TE1XvFZIcQF1pn_tg01wIbRIy_LQk1J3sjVosS8H2TbpgnO8IEl34KI0NoIYJaOEDuXIRdrDvAbnrpXwKtkGtmiZjTGRRmGY-76hE8YeXWwAEKcWfHXXgkwZcg6D-G0z9DmgkEG-3ONA=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjE66-mioZZiXZyRA92jvzZF08rFZCY3mnHLFwqHWV568OIx5TE1XvFZIcQF1pn_tg01wIbRIy_LQk1J3sjVosS8H2TbpgnO8IEl34KI0NoIYJaOEDuXIRdrDvAbnrpXwKtkGtmiZjTGRRmGY-76hE8YeXWwAEKcWfHXXgkwZcg6D-G0z9DmgkEG-3ONA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-51584512379849485822021-12-10T07:37:00.002-08:002021-12-10T07:37:29.020-08:00Empathy Combats Hate Speech, Research Shows<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlNPePAqEE14GgWwiQzxFCFHXNieLZuc13qcymEp6VLqoA_uOUJusgFWBA6FYwXHQHgTn9y52_TqxFV0_7tfzJKsREYgChmiDZOC4jo6wgd0NoI9IPuUk_cDq8WlU-ep4__UOO2h-Nu7a63ze86zlnGR90yUC1XwGW6dhxcYtrjMNlmC1eyfkYPcNQWA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlNPePAqEE14GgWwiQzxFCFHXNieLZuc13qcymEp6VLqoA_uOUJusgFWBA6FYwXHQHgTn9y52_TqxFV0_7tfzJKsREYgChmiDZOC4jo6wgd0NoI9IPuUk_cDq8WlU-ep4__UOO2h-Nu7a63ze86zlnGR90yUC1XwGW6dhxcYtrjMNlmC1eyfkYPcNQWA=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #929292;"><span style="font-size: medium;">December 10, 2021</span></span></p><div class="entry-content" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #4e4e4e; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Many <a data-wpel-link="internal" href="https://www.optimistdaily.com/2021/10/3-ways-content-creators-can-make-social-media-more-constructive/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.4s;" target="_blank">social media platforms</a> have launched more elaborate filters in an attempt to root out hate speech and inappropriate content, but unfortunately, many of these are imprecise and, as any social media user knows, harmful and hateful content still runs rampant on <a data-wpel-link="internal" href="https://www.optimistdaily.com/2021/10/google-bans-youtube-ads-and-content-featuring-climate-misinformation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.4s;" target="_blank">platforms</a> like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. A new study from <a data-wpel-link="external" href="https://ethz.ch/en.html" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.4s;" target="_blank">ETH Zurich</a> and the <a data-wpel-link="external" href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.4s;" target="_blank">University of Zurich</a> has identified how a different tool─empathy─can successfully combat hate speech.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #4e4e4e; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Led by public policy professor Dominik Hangartner, the research team identified 1,350 English-speaking Twitter users who had posted racist or xenophobic content. The researchers then assigned these users randomly to a control group or one of three test groups. The test groups were then prescribed different counterspeech strategies: empathy-eliciting messages, humor, or warning of consequences.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #4e4e4e; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The researchers found that by far, the most effective strategy for getting these users to delete or amend hateful content was counterspeech messages that elicit empathy. Users addressed with empathetic messages posted about one-third fewer racist or xenophobic comments than the control group and also posted less than those addressed with humorous counterspeech or consequence reminders. Examples of empathetic counterspeech included comments like “Your post is very painful for Jewish people to read…”</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #4e4e4e; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This research is critical because it demonstrates that many of the tactics used by major <a data-wpel-link="internal" href="https://www.optimistdaily.com/2021/10/norwegian-law-aims-to-protect-its-residents-self-esteem/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.4s;" target="_blank">social media</a> platforms, like content removal warnings, are actually not very effective at reducing hate speech. Empathy-forward strategies could be used to inform more effective counterspeech algorithms.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #4e4e4e; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“The research findings make me very optimistic. For the first time, we now have experimental evidence that show[s] the efficacy of counterspeech in real-life conditions,” said Sophie Achermann, executive director of the Swiss women’s umbrella organization <a data-wpel-link="external" href="https://de.alliancef.ch/" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.4s;" target="_blank">alliance F. </a></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #4e4e4e; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Source study: <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</i> – <a data-wpel-link="external" href="https://www.pnas.org/content/118/50/e2116310118" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.4s;" target="_blank">Empathy-based counterspeech can reduce racist hate speech in a social media field experiment</a></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #4e4e4e; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From <a href="https://www.optimistdaily.com/2021/12/research-finds-that-empathy-is-key-to-ending-online-hate-speech/">Optimist Daily</a></span></p></div><div class="single-post-area-end" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-top: 60px;"></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-34528041226329692282021-12-09T08:46:00.004-08:002021-12-09T08:46:52.059-08:00Find Meaning in Life With Your Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVpM1CurPpVnJat4dCWlKIOGkohH8YivXcVXzaeWTV19Jd_dG0DkNe7K-_LdyqAuGAs3a9Fft1hsFad0RkqGxDYwmQud7fUWzA0vg_XeVYbC7sQXxECMHOVaKz54sG-UKQ3ffGohRR9d4aXSC21FL5TEAVEw-gCyDGlE3H_YZeFIRwWFuKbo0Jo8iaJQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVpM1CurPpVnJat4dCWlKIOGkohH8YivXcVXzaeWTV19Jd_dG0DkNe7K-_LdyqAuGAs3a9Fft1hsFad0RkqGxDYwmQud7fUWzA0vg_XeVYbC7sQXxECMHOVaKz54sG-UKQ3ffGohRR9d4aXSC21FL5TEAVEw-gCyDGlE3H_YZeFIRwWFuKbo0Jo8iaJQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="page" title="Page 1"><br /><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">Research suggests that finding greater meaning in life helps people cope with stress and improves their overall health and well-being—it’s what makes life feel worth living. But finding meaning in life can sometimes feel like an elusive task. In our day-to-day lives, it can be easy to lose sight of the big picture—we tend to focus more on the mundane than the deeply meaningful.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yet research suggests that there are potential sources of meaning all around us, from the moments of connection we share with others, to the beauty of nature, to the work that we do and the things we create. This exercise helps you bring these meaningful things into focus—literally. By having you photograph, then write about, things that are meaningful to you, it encourages you to pay closer attention to the varied sources of meaning in your life, large and small, and reflect on why they are important to you.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">TIME REQUIRED</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">15 minutes per day for one week to take the photos. One hour to do the writing exercise. While it is not necessary to take a photograph every day, assume that the photography will take you a total of 90 minutes over the course of a week, with an additional hour for the writing.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">HOW TO DO IT</span></span></p><ol><li style="font-family: Times;"><p><span style="font-size: large;">Over the next week, take photographs of things that make your life feel meaningful or full of purpose. These can be people, places, objects, pets. If you are not able to take photos of these things—like if they’re not nearby—you can take photos of souvenirs, reminders, websites, or even other photos. Try to take at least nine photographs.</span></p></li><li style="font-family: Times;"><p><span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the week: If you used a digital camera, upload your photos to a computer. If you used a non-digital camera, have your photos developed.</span></p></li><li style="font-family: Times;"><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then, once you have collected all of your photos and items, take time to look at and reflect on each one. For each photo or item, write down a response to the following question: “What does this photo represent, and why is it meaningful?”</span></p></li></ol><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">EVIDENCE IT THAT WORKS<br /></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Steger, M. F, Shim, Y., Barenz, J., & Shin, J. Y. (2013).</span><span style="color: #00ccff; font-family: Times;">Through the windows of the soul: A pilot study using photography to enhance</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #00ccff; font-family: Times;">meaning in life</span><span style="font-family: Times;">. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-style: italic;">Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 3</span><span style="font-family: Times;">, 27-30.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">College students were instructed to take 9-12 photographs of things that they felt made their life meaningful; one week later, they viewed and wrote about each photograph. They completed a battery of questionnaires before and after this exercise. Afterward, they reported feeling like they had more meaning in their lives, greater life satisfaction, and more positive emotion than they had beforehand.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">WHY TO TRY IT</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">Taking time to recognize and appreciate sources of meaning through photography can help make them more tangible and serve as a reminder of what matters most to you. This greater sense of meaning can, in turn, inspire us to pursue important personal goals and give</span></span></p></div></div><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Meaningful photos gives </span><span style="font-family: Times;">us a sense of strength and purpose when coping with stressful life events. The use of photography might also benefit people who are more visual than verbal—something for therapists, parents, or teachers to keep in mind as they approach conversations about meaning, purpose, and values in life</span></span></p></div></div></div><div class="page" title="Page 2"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">SOURCES<br /></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Michael Steger, Ph.D.</span><span style="font-family: Times;">, Colorado State University</span></span></p><p>From: <a href="https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/meaningful_pictures">https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/meaningful_pictures</a></p></div></div></div>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-42568870530307582282021-12-08T07:51:00.000-08:002021-12-08T07:51:02.114-08:00Trees: Sacred Beings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif6smohjQ3dBDiPJBcr_Ne21-sokZZNQ8DLvDaoxPBvOiuDF43Ss658rAQt7ObzfZfjkgGr5Tk6Qp4Har01yX87b86HLyKJ8PVnnQprh5wuhOQnpTIBUL7CBsC2C2LVX-JOAQ5wSCtR4XUSPFp-sJN5IQK8Yu9iFFUFoAqVp1LiPEOf37tyKFduT4YoA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif6smohjQ3dBDiPJBcr_Ne21-sokZZNQ8DLvDaoxPBvOiuDF43Ss658rAQt7ObzfZfjkgGr5Tk6Qp4Har01yX87b86HLyKJ8PVnnQprh5wuhOQnpTIBUL7CBsC2C2LVX-JOAQ5wSCtR4XUSPFp-sJN5IQK8Yu9iFFUFoAqVp1LiPEOf37tyKFduT4YoA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Trees are like sacred beings that bring us food, shade, shelter, and air. That’s why an entire section of the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Connection-Natural-Contemplations-Charmaine-Coimbra/dp/1735425613/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=connection+with+48+natural+contemplations&qid=1638978600&s=books&sr=1-1">“Connection with 48 Natural Contemplations” </a>is devoted to our interconnectedness with trees.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trees also represent and showcase change. The deciduous among them help us to define the seasons: spring (new life), summer (fruited and flowered abundance), autumn, (transition and impermanence), winter (rest and retreat). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not only are trees essential for life, but as the longest living species on Earth, they give us a link to the past, present and future.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Historical references to the sacredness of trees fill volumes of poetic works. Taliesin, a sixth century Celtic bard used what some academics claim as the secret language of trees to express and exchange ideas with those with need to know, “without anyone there being any the wiser.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like our ocean, trees are in trouble. Drought, deforestation, and out of control wildfires are the enemy of the tree.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">We can help trees seed and reach the sky by taking actions. Recycle paper, buy recycled paper products, plant trees where ever you can, switch to bamboo paper products, buy used wooden furniture, speak out when you see an abuse of trees by local governments and/or businesses. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nonprofits that work to protect trees include the Rainforest Alliance, the Million Trees Project, and the Nature Conservancy, to name a few. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Contemplation Prompt:</b></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Publico Headline"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Hear the song of the woodlands and the forests—-leaves rustling with the wind, songbirds whistling like ancient flutes—-as you let the tree that touches you permeate your body with the history of goodness and strength of purpose and virtue.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Publico Headline"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Noteworthy Light"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Journal What You Feel When Among the Trees:</span></b></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Noteworthy Light"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Noteworthy Light"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Noteworthy Light"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px; text-align: center;"><b></b><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-44109267708032308852021-12-06T07:20:00.003-08:002021-12-06T07:20:18.462-08:00Grow a Gratitude Tree at Home, at Work<p><b> </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxeSLoEYtIw63DrGwa6uKF2wBYUlOSZhi4VZ4cNMzVcyAKQZSYhSboSdPVMHQgKscedh2m2oJHakIBttxCSYamDeWE4FdlGoiyOfH0K3w3URNDi8Y9Ihp7tBsn_itXoSWC-SptvFL3zapJ9iOp-HHmCwfCmM9VVHOmfrd9Yk46goz8w6jAiin0I2pbYg=s474" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="474" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxeSLoEYtIw63DrGwa6uKF2wBYUlOSZhi4VZ4cNMzVcyAKQZSYhSboSdPVMHQgKscedh2m2oJHakIBttxCSYamDeWE4FdlGoiyOfH0K3w3URNDi8Y9Ihp7tBsn_itXoSWC-SptvFL3zapJ9iOp-HHmCwfCmM9VVHOmfrd9Yk46goz8w6jAiin0I2pbYg=w400-h217" width="400" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What is a Gratitude Tree?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The pandemic has brought about unprecedented hardship for millions of people, but many also find reasons to be thankful or grateful for help, support, or kindness.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After seeing expressions of thanks and gratitude on social and mainstream media during the pandemic, we realised that there was no central space dedicated to these expressions.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gratitude Tree helps people to express, share, and find kindness and gratitude related to Covid-19.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Why use Gratitude Tree?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Posting a leaf of thanks can make you feel good.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Psychological research shows that feeling grateful is good for your well-being and health. In a review of gratitude research, Schache and colleagues (2018) concluded that gratitude is associated with psychological well-being in healthy people. In other research, gratitude was associated with greater quality of life and improved health in people with chronic health conditions.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Seeing what other people have written can make you feel good.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Psychological research shows that even engaging with positive online content can develop positive emotions.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Let the people who have shown kindness or altruism see that kindness and altruism are good for them as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In a meta-analysis (which included a total of 4045 participants), kindness was shown to be good for the well-being of the person who was kind, and similar effects have been found in people who are altruistic.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Learn more about how gratitude can have a range of positive impacts on life in this article on ‘<a href="https://www.futurelearn.com/info/blog/gratitude-and-happiness-importance-being-grateful">Gratitude and happiness’.</a></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Who created Gratitude Tree?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gratitude tree was created by a research group, called Citizen Forensics, who work at The Open University, Lancaster University, The University of Exeter, and Lero (The Irish Software Centre). We are a diverse group of researchers with expertise in Computing, Social Psychology and Forensic Cognition.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">--From Gratitude-tree.org</span></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-74184903685809087052021-12-03T07:22:00.002-08:002021-12-03T07:22:18.247-08:00Annie! It Makes You Smile.<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisieFi7kT53NA89t6C5Uqo8ojV197w0umgKiiuhCiczuNBDIjQHZxQVGk-k_YrgAzuubb8gHNAB02gHRGXiyN1F2v3zFz5wv1zdRk9g7a1niP84keOBql2MAg45P0W1VDSuQ69_7SA0jG6-_gc9REi5KRqNeJfbXPPUsbxvAJJbiEZWk2k5sflVEcNhw=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1000" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisieFi7kT53NA89t6C5Uqo8ojV197w0umgKiiuhCiczuNBDIjQHZxQVGk-k_YrgAzuubb8gHNAB02gHRGXiyN1F2v3zFz5wv1zdRk9g7a1niP84keOBql2MAg45P0W1VDSuQ69_7SA0jG6-_gc9REi5KRqNeJfbXPPUsbxvAJJbiEZWk2k5sflVEcNhw=w400-h335" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> Today's The Daily Prism is simple:<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/03/arts/television/annie-live-review.html"> Annie Live! </a> From NYT:</p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: nyt-imperial, georgia, "times new roman", times, serif; font-size: 20px;">If anything, after another hard year of Covid restrictions and political upheaval, it was a treat to watch a lot of talented people gather in one place to sing and dance their way through a bipartisan fable about a ridiculously rich industrialist — and proud Republican — who becomes a better-rounded person when he takes in a good-hearted orphan who has compassion for the underprivileged. Give a lot of credit to NBC’s two winning leads: Celina Smith as the wide-eyed waif Annie and the crooner Harry Connick Jr. as the bossy Daddy Warbucks.</span></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-75806624212415978982021-12-02T00:30:00.001-08:002021-12-02T09:29:53.428-08:00Stressing? Place Your Hand on Your Heart and Breathe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiLWvFJ6cvZUwMKdGpMrHDk7ma-fNKetJcMaLZk75wVYz9oaK92YZ95CPQgHRNqatxwzqfQSNAf8WAYaUCCRai7ul-4OMQuVYeym3atjiS4jK4qAnq8bYl0j2MMysWlQSLPARHAgF4oz4701Rn2xOGveEbFOLEHT5RYOrv8AZCEcC6JZnClfkotaqLcw=s474" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="474" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiLWvFJ6cvZUwMKdGpMrHDk7ma-fNKetJcMaLZk75wVYz9oaK92YZ95CPQgHRNqatxwzqfQSNAf8WAYaUCCRai7ul-4OMQuVYeym3atjiS4jK4qAnq8bYl0j2MMysWlQSLPARHAgF4oz4701Rn2xOGveEbFOLEHT5RYOrv8AZCEcC6JZnClfkotaqLcw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px 0px var(--sy); padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><br /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px 0px var(--sy); padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;">Sometimes life can be a little overwhelming – and that’s okay! How we respond to the chaos of life is what matters. Luckily, there are many simple exercises you can do to calm yourself and they only take a few seconds.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px 0px var(--sy); padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><br /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px 0px var(--sy); padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;">For instance, placing your hand over your heart while taking deep breaths can help the body respond to stressful events. This is because a warm touch can help to release oxytocin, a hormone that makes you feel calm. </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px 0px var(--sy); padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><br /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px 0px var(--sy); padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;">Breathing in relaxes the body and slows the heart rate.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px 0px var(--sy); padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><br /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px 0px var(--sy); padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;">Practicing this exercise a few times a day can help keep you calm. For more information about quick exercises to stay calm, you can check out the blogs below:</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px 0px var(--sy); padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><br /></p><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-reset: ordered 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 55px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: inherit; counter-increment: ordered 1; font-family: Sarabun, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px 0px var(--sy); padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><b>Mindful.org – <a href="https://www.mindful.org/resilience-expert-offers-three-ways-to-tap-into-the-wisdom-of-the-body/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="--abc: var(--abcn); --aoc: var(--aocn); --aoch: var(--c_a2t); --aocn: currentColor; --aop: var(--aopn, 1); --aow: var(--aown); --atc: var(--atcn); --atch: var(--c_a1t); background: var(--abc, transparent); box-shadow: 0 var(--aow, 1px) 0 0 var(--aoc, "currentColor"); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--atc, "currentColor"); margin: 0px; opacity: var(--aop); padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;" target="_blank">Resilience Experts Offer 3 Ways to Tap into Wisdom of the Body</a>:</b></li><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: inherit; counter-increment: ordered 1; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px 0px var(--sy); padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><div class="gs-text-image section" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(13, 28, 61); color: #0d1c3d; letter-spacing: normal;"><div class="text-image -layout3 " data-analytics-location="text-image" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="text-image-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 28px 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Place one hand gently over your heart, and feel its warmth on your chest. Take a moment to acknowledge the simple action of giving a calm, comforting presence to yourself.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 28px 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Begin to breathe more slowly, more gently, more deeply, into the space around your heart. Feel the warmth of your hand sink deeper and expand into your body.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 28px 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Think of a time that you felt safe, loved, and cherished by another person. Not the entire relationship, just one wonderful moment. It might be the memory of a time with your spouse, a parent, or your child. Or maybe it was with a friend, a therapist, a teacher, or even a pet.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 28px 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As you remember this moment, let the warmth and good feelings wash through you. You might notice your muscles relaxing or a sigh escaping. A smile might come to the corners of your mouth. Just bathe in this warm, accepted feeling. Stay in this warm memory for about 30 seconds.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 28px 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When you’re ready, bring your awareness back to the present moment. Think about any shifts you felt in your body from this practice. Carry this sense of calm and ease into your day.</span></p></div></div></div></li><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: ordered 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><b><span style="font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: inherit; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;">Kaiser Permanente – </span></span><a href="https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/mental-health/tools-resources/meditation/hand-on-heart-meditation" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="--abc: var(--abcn); --aoc: var(--aocn); --aoch: var(--c_a2t); --aocn: currentColor; --aop: var(--aopn, 1); --aow: var(--aown); --atc: var(--atcn); --atch: var(--c_a1t); background: var(--abc, transparent); box-shadow: 0 var(--aow, 1px) 0 0 var(--aoc, "currentColor"); box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: var(--atc, "currentColor"); font-family: Sarabun, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px; opacity: var(--aop); padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;" target="_blank">Hand on Heart: a meditation</a><span style="font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: inherit; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;">: </span></span></b></li><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: ordered 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;">Place one hand gently over your heart, and feel its warmth on your chest. Take a moment to acknowledge the simple action of giving a calm, comforting presence to yourself.</span></span></li><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: ordered 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;"><br /></span></span></li><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: ordered 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;">Begin to breathe more slowly, more gently, more deeply, into the space around your heart. Feel the warmth of your hand sink deeper and expand into your body.</span></span></li><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: ordered 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;"><br /></span></span></li><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: ordered 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;">Think of a time that you felt safe, loved, and cherished by another person. Not the entire relationship, just one wonderful moment. It might be the memory of a time with your spouse, a parent, or your child. Or maybe it was with a friend, a therapist, a teacher, or even a pet.</span></span></li><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: ordered 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;"><br /></span></span></li><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: ordered 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;">As you remember this moment, let the warmth and good feelings wash through you. You might notice your muscles relaxing or a sigh escaping. A smile might come to the corners of your mouth. Just bathe in this warm, accepted feeling. Stay in this warm memory for about 30 seconds.</span></span></li><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: ordered 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;"><br /></span></span></li><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: ordered 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;">When you’re ready, bring your awareness back to the present moment. Think about any shifts you felt in your body from this practice. Carry this sense of calm and ease into your day.</span></span></li><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: ordered 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;"><br /></span></span></li><li style="--sy: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: ordered 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: none var(--t8n_d1) ease;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;"> </span></span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Sarabun, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px;">--From TakeCare.org</span></span></div>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-22352264647185530772021-12-01T07:55:00.001-08:002021-12-01T07:55:19.036-08:00Take a Nature Pause Says Clinical Psychologist<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQGCyHyhDc6fB1_GdqqTom0CB99gn5S8FwaY0cYpcBHpL2MN8BUyEPvPEvEVjUwHjRuhrGwwBETddnM-OBTXvtSC7Xj_NF8r5s9cA0iy20qMKwuR5cE3PAQU-oMCg_loCM-Xeg8yr0SebKIVKgcb0JNYRpTLRTKCNB87utWaOSgsmadtq1SYL8hW8p4w=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQGCyHyhDc6fB1_GdqqTom0CB99gn5S8FwaY0cYpcBHpL2MN8BUyEPvPEvEVjUwHjRuhrGwwBETddnM-OBTXvtSC7Xj_NF8r5s9cA0iy20qMKwuR5cE3PAQU-oMCg_loCM-Xeg8yr0SebKIVKgcb0JNYRpTLRTKCNB87utWaOSgsmadtq1SYL8hW8p4w=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span itemprop="name" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px -2px 0px inset, rgb(169, 218, 222) 0px -4px 0px inset; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px -2px 0px inset, rgb(169, 218, 222) 0px -4px 0px inset; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; display: inline-block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-to-embrace-nature-in-your-own-backyard/?utm_source=Newsletter_General&utm_medium=Thrive"><span><span style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px -2px 0px inset, rgb(169, 218, 222) 0px -4px 0px inset; box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px -2px 0px inset, rgb(169, 218, 222) 0px -4px 0px inset; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit;">David Victorson, Ph.D.</span></span>, writes:</a></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Given we modern humans spent roughly 99 percent of our entire 200,000-year history living a nomadic life in close proximity to nature, we cannot deny the strong innate connection we have with the earth. It’s in our DNA – an instinctual part of us. The powerful force of nature brings us to a place of awe and humility, and causes us to pause, slow down and even feel calm. Taking a nature pause, even if just for a moment, can set in motion a parasympathetic nervous system response, (our rest and digest system) which becomes activated when adrenaline and cortisol production decreases and evokes a similar experience of quiet and calm that happens when we meditate. As a result, we can feel emotionally and spiritually connected to the earth. It is a strong, positive, and often existential response that is inside every one of us. And learning to embrace it can bring us peace.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">***</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">From "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Connection-Natural-Contemplations-Charmaine-Coimbra/dp/1735425613/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Connection+with+48+natural+contemplations&qid=1638373580&s=books&sr=1-1">Connection with 48 Natural Contemplations</a>"</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">If ever there was a time to connect with nature, it is now. Perhaps Edward Abbey best warned us in his 1968 book “Desert Solitaire,” where he wrote, “If industrial man continues to multiply his numbers and expand his operations, he will succeed in his apparent intention to seal himself off from the natural and isolate himself with a synthetic prison of his own making.”</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">In a research project at The Ohio State University funded by the National Science Foundation, lead author Bhavik Bakshi wrote: “The fact is that traditionally, especially as engineers, we don’t think about nature; we just focus on putting technology into everything. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">“And so, one key finding is that we need to start looking at nature and learning from it and respecting it,” Bakshi, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Ohio State, continued. “There are win-win opportunities if we do—opportunities that are potentially cheaper and better environmentally.” </span></p><div><br /></div>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-41043120893457067782021-11-30T01:00:00.001-08:002021-11-30T09:09:50.820-08:005 Ways to Add Music to Your Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG5iDbzrOAFJyQzyOf0AkbMiXjFBv_lEfteCqiNrTtDqHmdNrA6IDLJIZ1a09oLee7JoBdAZ-ao_d9BsU0evPK1vvmO_e-4EhcxUPkmOhbFrQd69chhkmFwTb4XSODuxXkYi_PHtP01BYL0LaDDa-psDg2GdJx5uycng5p89YP0LzlJEkUHcEPm2Az0A=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG5iDbzrOAFJyQzyOf0AkbMiXjFBv_lEfteCqiNrTtDqHmdNrA6IDLJIZ1a09oLee7JoBdAZ-ao_d9BsU0evPK1vvmO_e-4EhcxUPkmOhbFrQd69chhkmFwTb4XSODuxXkYi_PHtP01BYL0LaDDa-psDg2GdJx5uycng5p89YP0LzlJEkUHcEPm2Az0A=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Rise and Shine</p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">...waking to a familiar piece of music can help ease you into the day like a beautiful sunrise and start you off in a better mood. While it might not make you leap out of bed (or out of your skin for that matter), it’s a good way to prevent spiking your nervous system with that neurochemical stress-cocktail cortisol first thing in the morning. </p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The right wake-up music is easy to program with a smartphone or clock radio that allows you to assign a song as your alarm. There are also alarm clocks that offer more pleasant sounds (like chimes or music), that start softly and gradually grow louder the longer you take to respond.</p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Once you are up and moving, fill your room with beautiful and inspiring music. Create a playlist or keep a CD of music you love ready at hand. Choose music that relaxes, inspires, and puts you in the right state of mind. A positive morning-music ritual is a sure way to start your day in a better mood.</p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2..Get in the Groove</p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Psychologist and author of <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Joy of Movement</span>, Dr. Kelly McDonigal, tells us that the right holiday blend of regular movement and exercise is the #1 way to reduce stress and ensure greater health and happiness. And music is a scientifically-validated way to amplify that positive effect on your mind and body. </p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Motivation and Movement both come from the same Latin root, and music engages both the motor cortex and emotional centers of the brain, providing the perfect neuro-stimulator to get you up and keep you moving...</p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">...<span style="background-color: white;">By combining the benefits of physical exercise and listening to music, dancing is a fantastic way to reduce stress while having fun. And to tie the bow to the gift of music, dancing has been shown to improve both cognitive function and immunity. If you are not careful, it might even make you happy.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">3. Sing and Play</span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you want to take the positive effects of music to another level, try singing in the morning (or all day long, if you’re so inclined). As the quote from Peter Pan goes, “If you cannot teach me to fly, teach me to sing.” So take flight with your soaring voice, either acapella, with a friend accompanying you, or along with a favorite recording. </p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When you are looking for a good stressbuster or a joy-booster, singing can help regulate your breathing and heart rate, reduce anxiety, increase oxygenation to your cells, improve your immunity, and increase the release of the feel-good neurochemicals dopamine and oxytocin...</p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">...<span style="background-color: white;">According to Dr. Daniel Levitin, author of </span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This is Your Brain on Music</span><span style="background-color: white;">, playing music has been shown to increase the body’s production of the antibody Immunoglobulin A, as well as natural killer cells – the cells that attack invading viruses and boost the immunity system. Playing and singing music with others can help reduce levels of the undesirable stress hormone cortisol and increase the brain’s production of that feel-good neurochemical Oxytocin. </span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Traffic Jam? Long Lines? Get Your Music On!</p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I don’t know about you, but one of the quickest ways that I become stressed is by sitting in gridlocked traffic and worrying that I might be late for an important appointment or holiday dinner. Add those holiday shopping crowds and lost tourists to the roadway cluster, and I feel like I’m about to come out of my skin. </p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Unfortunately, getting stressed doesn’t make the time pass slower nor does the traffic move faster. Rather than limiting your commute to catching up on the latest bad news or squeezing in more stressful work calls, why not take advantage of the secluded environment of your car to practice shifting your mood through music? </p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You can start by stocking your car with a collection of your favorite music, setting your radio to your favorite DJ, or having your Power Playlists ready at hand. If you have a regular commute, those long, slow drives can also be a great time to explore new music and add more colors to your musical palette.</p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5. Change Your Bedtime Story</p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I don’t know about you, but one of the quickest ways that I become stressed is by sitting in gridlocked traffic and worrying that I might be late for an important appointment or holiday dinner. Add those holiday shopping crowds and lost tourists to the roadway cluster, and I feel like I’m about to come out of my skin. </p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Unfortunately, getting stressed doesn’t make the time pass slower nor does the traffic move faster. Rather than limiting your commute to catching up on the latest bad news or squeezing in more stressful work calls, why not take advantage of the secluded environment of your car to practice shifting your mood through music? </p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You can start by stocking your car with a collection of your favorite music, setting your radio to your favorite DJ, or having your Power Playlists ready at hand. If you have a regular commute, those long, slow drives can also be a great time to explore new music and add more colors to your musical palette...</p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">...<span style="background-color: white;">No matter how much stress creeps into your day, you can choose to write a more peaceful conclusion to your story. Making that hour before sleep sacred is one of the surest ways to prepare yourself for a more restorative night and help you feel more refreshed and energized the following day.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">Excerpted from <a href="https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-to-manage-holiday-stress-with-music-tips/?utm_source=Newsletter_General&utm_medium=Thrive">Thrive Global</a></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;" /></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;" /></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-18005294743338338822021-11-29T07:36:00.004-08:002021-11-29T07:36:57.116-08:00Holiday Stress? Turn on the Music<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN82d2X2orZT5XQMbGbx3AtCGtU6rJcpNVgCOqNKWYvY89akDu8qzrBrPO3bDEodyvwhOxesa_FlF5P0id6QuZjKxn8pJLO513pH0K9K8BNjA_clJwwEPcSFhlzVx_bTQpWwIokoqc4RITyWFyZHSBp7eFpTqpHwkcB-VpIJDEa0uQYUO_BdkRZjrfIQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="2048" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN82d2X2orZT5XQMbGbx3AtCGtU6rJcpNVgCOqNKWYvY89akDu8qzrBrPO3bDEodyvwhOxesa_FlF5P0id6QuZjKxn8pJLO513pH0K9K8BNjA_clJwwEPcSFhlzVx_bTQpWwIokoqc4RITyWFyZHSBp7eFpTqpHwkcB-VpIJDEa0uQYUO_BdkRZjrfIQ=w400-h294" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">The holidays are meant to be a time of celebration, rejuvenation, and reconnection to those we love. The untold truth, however, is that the holidays can be a time of anxiety, stress, and isolation for many in the world. Despite our desires and good intentions to bring on the holiday cheer, it can be hard to navigate the downward spiral caused by overwhelming stress and anxiety. </span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">According to a report from the <a href="https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2006/12/holiday-stress.pdf" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px -2px 0px inset, rgb(169, 218, 222) 0px -4px 0px inset; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px -2px 0px inset, rgb(169, 218, 222) 0px -4px 0px inset; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">American Psychological Association</a>, 44% of women and 33% of men surveyed feel stressed during the holidays. Whether triggered by increased financial pressure, separation from loved ones, or disharmony within families and relationships, negative emotional states can be further exacerbated during the holiday season, especially this year. </p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The cumulative psychological side effects from a seemingly unending global pandemic have made us even more vulnerable. Well-documented conditions that can lead to depression, like financial stress, physical stagnation, and feelings of isolation, are more common than in prior years. Add the pressure to buy expensive gifts or host the perfect holiday dinner, combined with more limited opportunities to be with friends and family this holiday due to inflated travel prices or fear of contracting the virus, we need all the help we can get.</p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">...Although it’s not a cure for everything, music is a great resource for quickly shifting your mental state and amplifying joy and positivity during the holiday season. Like stress, music directly impacts the parts of the brain that process emotions, human connection, and movement. Music even affects your subconscious mind, home of those pesky negative thoughts and old stories that fuel the fires of stress. Moreover, music is readily available, inexpensive, quick-acting, and free of negative side effects.</p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This season, why not remix your holiday blues with something you already love – the Gift of Music? </p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Excerpted from <a href="https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-to-manage-holiday-stress-with-music-tips/?utm_source=Newsletter_General&utm_medium=Thrive">Thrive Global</a></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-8976533706186572342021-11-24T07:52:00.001-08:002021-11-24T07:52:33.124-08:00Football Star To Pay for Waukesha Parade Fatality Funerals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-hUlvE1-qeSLYug_l7bG1F1Tmpd3EVfQXFb857JJzMjL6ub-_oXKmXnh0HcDsZpYqhnhVjqTHbJvL9kcKy_mbfRPT3yUHbMR-eI5WKzAeSJD3036P03boFvVkSgsSAcR575QLUMBoq8zMQXiP_22BtV9sReewiTGASEmdiIYoF16DhVR6mSjkCTlP0g=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="500" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-hUlvE1-qeSLYug_l7bG1F1Tmpd3EVfQXFb857JJzMjL6ub-_oXKmXnh0HcDsZpYqhnhVjqTHbJvL9kcKy_mbfRPT3yUHbMR-eI5WKzAeSJD3036P03boFvVkSgsSAcR575QLUMBoq8zMQXiP_22BtV9sReewiTGASEmdiIYoF16DhVR6mSjkCTlP0g=w400-h268" width="400" /></a></div><p>Six died on Sunday when a car drove into the crowd at a Waukesha, Wisconsin Christmas parade. Wisconsin native J.J. Watt is doing what he can to ease the pain of the families who lost loved ones.</p><p>Via Cory Jennerjohn, Watt will cover the funeral costs for everyone who lost their lives during the parade.</p><p>Watt, who grew up in Wisconsin and played college football there, currently plays for the Cardinals. He’s recovering from a shoulder injury, and the team has not ruled out his potential return to action later in the season.</p><p>WISN-TV has collected various links that can be utilized by anyone who would like to assist the victims. In addition to the six who perished, 62 others were injured.</p><p>From NBC Sports</p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-44269769499100510722021-11-22T23:30:00.008-08:002021-11-22T23:30:00.182-08:00Applying a Calm State of Mind for Happiness<p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1sjTofV5xW9mdJBXN6LRsUxhcfdbPCNhXabPsqJEcYohoIBN78CIbPx-W5GbdB-tpb9X0FyxvbwuQhoiM8kXp9miVUbntxI7jLgb_xP4NFH9m0g_99ZGwI5obpNQxe8HEUXdJHOc4iBdc7_psmvv4PANxacw57E2P39ppsZLPDZzx8Yp-Lorrzu8RKg=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1sjTofV5xW9mdJBXN6LRsUxhcfdbPCNhXabPsqJEcYohoIBN78CIbPx-W5GbdB-tpb9X0FyxvbwuQhoiM8kXp9miVUbntxI7jLgb_xP4NFH9m0g_99ZGwI5obpNQxe8HEUXdJHOc4iBdc7_psmvv4PANxacw57E2P39ppsZLPDZzx8Yp-Lorrzu8RKg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Basic wisdom comes from all belief systems. Today The Daily Prism features a recent quote from His Holiness The Dalai Lama:</span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we utilize favourable circumstances, such as good health or wealth, in positive ways, in helping others, they can be contributory factors in achieving a happier life. And of course we enjoy these things. But without the right mental attitude, without attention to the mental factor, these things have very little impact on our long-term feelings of happiness. For example, if you are mentally unhappy or frustrated, then physical comfort is not of much help. On the other hand, if you can maintain a calm, peaceful state of mind, then you can be a very happy person even if you have poor health."</span></span></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-60295121059056111742021-11-22T00:30:00.000-08:002021-11-22T08:20:26.712-08:00The Humility Code<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBmlouzCWAuyNQbDF79X_UPF_4RnfxL7YZ9QDWnKJIanmz_B5b0LdXfWuo-qrQdl6_gBnLUiILPbqor1mIZkqzyFX78WIitOBmhlaKaiHQzLsOvxV7ygIfcdr2tMcR1t_LO6IGHmgrijFy2ByqKjfctTBx4locHATRWTVJV7vUrGQbFN1VK51NnCR5pg=s220" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="124" data-original-width="220" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBmlouzCWAuyNQbDF79X_UPF_4RnfxL7YZ9QDWnKJIanmz_B5b0LdXfWuo-qrQdl6_gBnLUiILPbqor1mIZkqzyFX78WIitOBmhlaKaiHQzLsOvxV7ygIfcdr2tMcR1t_LO6IGHmgrijFy2ByqKjfctTBx4locHATRWTVJV7vUrGQbFN1VK51NnCR5pg=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Recent headlines and the opinions that followed thereafter, seem to have slipped past the importance of our character, and the definition of character. There are moments in history where character meant doing the right thing for the betterment of all, which requires humility and a fair moral code. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In 2015, conservative thinker, David Brooks, wrote the book, "The Road to Character." As the book comes to its conclusion, he added a section "The Humility Code."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">From page 262:</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"In the struggle against your own weakness, humility is the greatest virtue. Humility is having an accurate assessment of your own nature and your own place in the cosmos. Humility is awareness that you are an underdog in the struggle against your own weakness. Humility is an awareness that your individual talents alone are inadequate to the task that has been assigned to you. Humility reminds you that you are not the center of the universe, but you serve a larger order."</span></p><p><br /></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-52466713142059132212021-11-19T09:09:00.002-08:002021-11-19T09:09:39.564-08:00Making Room for Gratitude & Joy<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7GK_802QK0QcVpZ0zH1se8JABg-FTgD511dV3l0Yb3v6jHQMfqZvutcWlcUb5y1dhNpvuIv1ni2gxtKvIV8ERsJ8aAm2r5KoJ9alzrz8B5qyndcTVtGMRQQ-inDRncwXtdXwRj6amrx6cUCZAxFhgU1AQSqmc0J61RiJiwaj0e5ilNxB6VVOGvaiv2A=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="2048" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7GK_802QK0QcVpZ0zH1se8JABg-FTgD511dV3l0Yb3v6jHQMfqZvutcWlcUb5y1dhNpvuIv1ni2gxtKvIV8ERsJ8aAm2r5KoJ9alzrz8B5qyndcTVtGMRQQ-inDRncwXtdXwRj6amrx6cUCZAxFhgU1AQSqmc0J61RiJiwaj0e5ilNxB6VVOGvaiv2A=w640-h378" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Make today a simple one of gratitude. Even when everything looks dim, there are so many other elements that can bring joy to the eye and to the senses.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Yesterday morning our garden turned brown from the frost. The flowers that colored the November version of our garden, withered and drooped. The tree that was bright in fall flavored leaves, was stripped of its glory by the freezing wind. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">This with the news of humans struggling to survive and others seeking power, was almost too much. But then, a flock of colorful joy stopped by the garden bringing color, humor, and hope. It was a simple visit by birds letting my eyes and senses know, there is always room for gratitude and joy.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">____________________________</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">When we seek beauty, we will find joy--even in the smallest elements of life around us.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">This is the premise of </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">"Seek Beauty, Find Joy: A Natural Contemplation Journal"</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Available at amazon.com & <span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);">charmainecoimbra.com</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGYF4DKAK4Ik-yY8wgpsjUPlwHj1cXzQko_Opc8_7H8WhXMqBiStzhKQpWfUh5rsqDo8K46o0ah_fZK-cPGhy1ID9w-mr4AaRmYYM58Api68glaXAAHiRUkuSnadJOVqGyA73B_ibX6D7qiAZ6hBHIS9F-V2cPd6aqesasLyaC-UCHv5pxuOqzeizUmw=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1463" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGYF4DKAK4Ik-yY8wgpsjUPlwHj1cXzQko_Opc8_7H8WhXMqBiStzhKQpWfUh5rsqDo8K46o0ah_fZK-cPGhy1ID9w-mr4AaRmYYM58Api68glaXAAHiRUkuSnadJOVqGyA73B_ibX6D7qiAZ6hBHIS9F-V2cPd6aqesasLyaC-UCHv5pxuOqzeizUmw=w286-h400" width="286" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-83117809183258146292021-11-18T00:00:00.003-08:002021-11-18T09:48:09.345-08:00Environmental Teams Work to Protect Sea Turtles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdqx6PiiacSlSxC5X_wDOoLSnYSZKz_XQaOweQifa8WQnueWzQF9gwN9oGMBtPQQUlmq9aE8QXLngEseNTqTQFK9JLhyo0V_9yVIV3KktyMaUSi3CJG0oZVyncyrGoMu42aiHY3AVVEFBoZkdYb1ak7AlNXXV2kG5b-oDDqj0fXpE-cGwCJct8kryrWg=s1932" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="1932" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdqx6PiiacSlSxC5X_wDOoLSnYSZKz_XQaOweQifa8WQnueWzQF9gwN9oGMBtPQQUlmq9aE8QXLngEseNTqTQFK9JLhyo0V_9yVIV3KktyMaUSi3CJG0oZVyncyrGoMu42aiHY3AVVEFBoZkdYb1ak7AlNXXV2kG5b-oDDqj0fXpE-cGwCJct8kryrWg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sea Turtles Forever (STF) patrol at Lagartillo last night on Punta Pargos. Crocs are happy we are here too and the patrol is very strong right now... We saved over 500 sea turtles in the last 3 days --- this is a BIG year for STF.</span><p></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-1250280450035642802021-11-17T12:07:00.002-08:002021-11-17T12:07:30.452-08:00Monarch Butterfly Migration Shows A Count Uptick<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCkuisiB4O9_fnE1FGVLBULj1le9Al8ho-Q2GUPAPVrdk0DRIDPoY0Odz-p94_oaDs006R-gnwD_0liWisCArrPHnEMbXpTRv9O6TUkXMCCaHqWbJ8FPtPvZd3bdxqSxKmGkyT3yAEWskYUmLgpzxOYOedDXGJBRJTMiF2bEDe1z9vAuIepjUfm3nkZg=s2538" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="2538" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCkuisiB4O9_fnE1FGVLBULj1le9Al8ho-Q2GUPAPVrdk0DRIDPoY0Odz-p94_oaDs006R-gnwD_0liWisCArrPHnEMbXpTRv9O6TUkXMCCaHqWbJ8FPtPvZd3bdxqSxKmGkyT3yAEWskYUmLgpzxOYOedDXGJBRJTMiF2bEDe1z9vAuIepjUfm3nkZg=w400-h195" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The monarch butterfly captures attention not only for its beauty, but for it's annual migration.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">From Fox News:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: lora, georgia, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (AP) — There is a ray of hope for the vanishing orange-and-black Western monarch butterflies.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: lora, georgia, times, serif; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">The number wintering along California’s central coast is bouncing back after the population, whose presence is often a good indicator of ecosystem health, reached an all-time low last year. Experts pin their decline on climate change, habitat destruction and lack of food due to drought.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: lora, georgia, times, serif; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">...<span style="background-color: white;">This year’s official count started Saturday and will last three weeks but already an unofficial count by researchers and volunteers shows there are over 50,000 monarchs at overwintering sites,</span>The Western monarch butterfly population has declined by more than 99% from the millions that overwintered in California in the 1980s because of the destruction of their milkweed habitat along their migratory route as housing expands into their territory and use of pesticides and herbicides increases.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Researchers also have noted the effect of climate change. Along with farming, climate change is one of the main drivers of the monarch’s threatened extinction, disrupting an annual 3,000-mile (4,828-kilometer) migration synched to springtime and the blossoming of wildflowers.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">“California has been in a drought for several years now, and they need nectar sources in order to be able to fill their bellies and be active and survive,” said Stephanie Turcotte Edenholm, a Pacific Grove Natural History Museum docent who offers guided tours of the sanctuary. “If we don’t have nectar sources and we don’t have the water that’s providing that, then that is an issue.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">From: <a href="https://fox40.com/news/california-connection/after-record-low-monarch-butterflies-return-to-california/">https://fox40.com/news/california-connection/after-record-low-monarch-butterflies-return-to-california/</a></span></p><div><br /></div>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-64101891932874810022021-11-16T08:34:00.000-08:002021-11-16T08:34:50.156-08:00A Flicker's Note: "Play your happy music loud and long!"<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoBo8scHDPoBd8ko4DRaz9S4hfiAwh0rREMyHEPUgdvpWdzip5aezwkgxfxzSrULZueRx_TJJ6NXmnBlssbsSCq6jmX7KfVO6_zGlPXEj3C-_c4VTYhAi38V1o7CMK0WRDNvpLt2SSnb2NlSUBTPsRnrlmIxfChpwi4IECxeclaFFfzV5RWm4yhmmlHw=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1756" data-original-width="2048" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoBo8scHDPoBd8ko4DRaz9S4hfiAwh0rREMyHEPUgdvpWdzip5aezwkgxfxzSrULZueRx_TJJ6NXmnBlssbsSCq6jmX7KfVO6_zGlPXEj3C-_c4VTYhAi38V1o7CMK0WRDNvpLt2SSnb2NlSUBTPsRnrlmIxfChpwi4IECxeclaFFfzV5RWm4yhmmlHw=w400-h343" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Nature's joy comes as simple as trying to capture a flighty bird on a digital camera's disk. Such has been my quest since the migrating flicker arrived and has made itself known in the garden. Yesterday, the flicker was busy drumming on a nearby pinon tree. The rhythm was steady and a delight to listen to.</p><p>Whether true or not, I love the lore of this bird. From "F<a href="https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings/birds/flicker-bird-symbolism-meaning/">licker Symbolism and Meaning</a>:"</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhptVvMI3hAP7bLYSU9hKtISbKlIr-0TIRNWHUbY2yK7sZ_kHNn2xorBU1x4iwznK-Cfmz3Ddf-t_GGkkwLMvP-N_-jy4Hb_0LKvQtMYYd1EobVvWCB1bEj5vL4utSzDlYSgFFIpqYUw_3gRD6jnYkGWIs7AX7Y6pEOyOVzaYFc9zTayRDCYApUfJ2xjw=s2592" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="2592" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhptVvMI3hAP7bLYSU9hKtISbKlIr-0TIRNWHUbY2yK7sZ_kHNn2xorBU1x4iwznK-Cfmz3Ddf-t_GGkkwLMvP-N_-jy4Hb_0LKvQtMYYd1EobVvWCB1bEj5vL4utSzDlYSgFFIpqYUw_3gRD6jnYkGWIs7AX7Y6pEOyOVzaYFc9zTayRDCYApUfJ2xjw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>The Flicker Bird is an unfamiliar member of the Woodpecker family to many people, but both Birds share many symbolic attributes. Unlike the Woodpecker, however, Flickers dig in the earth to find their snacks rather than knocking on wood. They migrate annually, where Woodpeckers do not, meaning Flicker reflects nature’s cycles in its lessons....</p><p>...Like all Woodpeckers, Flickers are master communicators. They peck out a beat, sounding like tribal drums in the trees. Or, if they can find another interesting loud object, they use it instead. Tin roofs seem to be a favorite instrument; you can hear the distinctive sound from miles away. Flickers are not shy about making a ruckus! They sing a message to your spirit: “Play your happy music loud and long!”</p><p><br /></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-53616728470263239452021-11-15T00:12:00.001-08:002021-11-15T07:48:17.595-08:00Philanthropist pledges Millions to Prevent Drug Overdose Deaths<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjY0x5XPnIGNvZ0JsRsXPZGuWq3efOYw22_aups3r4m3B4cw6zZ_fsOgMpscwt9Df3SBX-BttpPOk0tKBBxcYhzUUO2Phiv-vduqduZGm4hRbXJpjuBz5jY_TRxeHVsjPdRvtyoNqR2C6m9XQaa9AQMBgCydwrA4Ia3XUAeJilMH9_IKT6RYlO4G9ZPqg=s220" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="147" data-original-width="220" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjY0x5XPnIGNvZ0JsRsXPZGuWq3efOYw22_aups3r4m3B4cw6zZ_fsOgMpscwt9Df3SBX-BttpPOk0tKBBxcYhzUUO2Phiv-vduqduZGm4hRbXJpjuBz5jY_TRxeHVsjPdRvtyoNqR2C6m9XQaa9AQMBgCydwrA4Ia3XUAeJilMH9_IKT6RYlO4G9ZPqg=w400-h267" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael Bloomberg will spend $120 million in an effort to reduce the soaring numbers of deaths from drug overdoses, he announced today at a healthcare summit he organized. The pledge more than doubles the $50-million philanthropic commitment he made toward the same goal in 2018.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Bloomberg’s pledge follows a preliminary finding from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that 93,000 people had died from drug overdoses in 2020, the majority of them from using opioids. The number of deaths during the first calendar year of the pandemic grew 30% over the total for 2019 and is the highest for a single year on record.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“We’re clearly going in the wrong direction,” said Kelly J. Henning, who leads the public-health program at Bloomberg’s grant-making organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Henning believes the work supported by Bloomberg’s original commitment, called the Overdose Prevention Initiative, has helped improve the situation. In Pennsylvania, where Bloomberg supported projects to curtail substance abuse in prisons and provide firefighters and police departments with the drug naloxone, the increase in overdose deaths was about half the national rate. Naloxone can be used in emergencies to stop an overdose.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In Michigan, where the increase in overdose deaths was also significantly lower than the national rate, Bloomberg supported, among other things, the creation of an online portal for the state Department of Health to order naloxone, and a media campaign to reduce the stigma of addiction and help people into recovery.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The philanthropy’s new commitment will provide $10 million a year for five years to programs in Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. It will also add $4 million each to the continuing efforts in Pennsylvania and Michigan.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Bloomberg will also support its partners in the effort: the CDC Foundation, the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, the Johns Hopkins University, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and Vital Strategies.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Excerpted From <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/bloomberg-pledges-120-million-curb-drug-overdose-deaths-81085983">ABC News</a></span></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-42447137489734750322021-11-12T00:00:00.001-08:002021-11-12T07:42:13.580-08:00Homeless Veteran Gives His Last $300 to Save a Cat.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUDca2ISUBIm8df9K-HxSTkoaJF7SFJftDieWpU2V63O8v3tWjbCQWHsjEZVEvQHRLzU90mF2r9r_9ItWRF9MOC3S91cjXXvb2idSa1vXZEcSppXnc2ntxm1EFiZtFGWzYZcPaxPG0WTvyrvmdNNI_LDk0d-Z5tkyprLPsmOyj0hX7AbDztPCJNqjZfg=s450" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUDca2ISUBIm8df9K-HxSTkoaJF7SFJftDieWpU2V63O8v3tWjbCQWHsjEZVEvQHRLzU90mF2r9r_9ItWRF9MOC3S91cjXXvb2idSa1vXZEcSppXnc2ntxm1EFiZtFGWzYZcPaxPG0WTvyrvmdNNI_LDk0d-Z5tkyprLPsmOyj0hX7AbDztPCJNqjZfg=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jud & Junior (Best Friends Photo)</td></tr></tbody></table><p> <span style="font-size: large;">From Best Friends Animal Society: </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After becoming homeless last year, Jud moved into a veterans’ home in Buffalo, New York, where he befriended a community cat named Junior. Jud would feed his friend every morning, but then one day, Junior arrived injured.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After spending his last $300 for a vet appointment, Jud learned that Junior needed a $1,000 surgery. Desperate to save his friend, he reached out to local rescue groups. Our Network partner <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TenLivesClub">Ten Lives Club</a> responded, not only providing the needed medical care, but offering to foster Junior until Jud found an apartment. ♥️</span></p><p><br /></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-78299220907606580602021-11-11T08:40:00.003-08:002021-11-11T08:40:59.683-08:00 Military Outdoors Coalition Formed To Benefit Veteran Health Issues<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-4MMDwu7rw6GLGGAyacF4gcokRii5ibsBgGZ_swSEYn-ZvSnzPchqlukNCRWvX7OEr33Wno7V2mNTvT-XQkIXeMtZNeLcC_rTpWJFYCzbSszCLAOh2l5cOXl37fv9UzaYgj2I89fmcopw9CfigfL1ner89kNgrkfM8pyZR6azvuc7cjfsE1X7273ACA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-4MMDwu7rw6GLGGAyacF4gcokRii5ibsBgGZ_swSEYn-ZvSnzPchqlukNCRWvX7OEr33Wno7V2mNTvT-XQkIXeMtZNeLcC_rTpWJFYCzbSszCLAOh2l5cOXl37fv9UzaYgj2I89fmcopw9CfigfL1ner89kNgrkfM8pyZR6azvuc7cjfsE1X7273ACA=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, a group of nearly 30 groups including Sierra Club, Blue Star Families, and Y-USA launched the Military Outdoors Coalition. The new group aims to raise awareness of veterans health issues and collaborate on ways to expand veterans’ access to the outdoors for healing purposes. The Military Outdoors Coalition will collaborate on needed change, ensuring lasting improvements in veterans’ lives while simultaneously building a culture of trust, communication, and collaboration among the growing number of organizations dedicated to serving the veteran community.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The VA’s 2021 budget requested $10.2 billion to provide mental-health services for the seven million veterans enrolled for treatment, an increase of $683 million (7.1 percent) above 2020. Studies show recreation on public lands can be an effective adjunct therapy coupled with traditional health care, while ultimately reducing reliance on costly prescription medication. Research into the efficacy of outdoor recreation as therapy also shows significant improvements in mental and physical well-being, social function, and outlook on life and also indicates these programs may be especially beneficial to the veterans most in need of help.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Lt. Col. (ret.) Aaron Leonard, Senior Campaign Representative for Sierra Club Military Outdoors, released the following statement:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">“Many veterans experience considerable challenges upon returning home from military service. Although they may leave no scars, some of the effects of war, such as traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress, can be equally or more devastating than a visible physical injury, making adjusting to life after service even harder.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">“Studies have shown, and we have seen first-hand, that spending time in nature can help improve mental and physical health for veterans struggling with that adjustment.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">“Working collectively will allow hundreds of organizations to speak with a unified voice and build the power we need to bring about systemic change and ensure the more than 19 million living veterans in the United States have opportunities to explore and heal in the outdoors.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">From: </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2021/11/veterans-groups-nonprofits-form-new-veterans-health-coalition">https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2021/11/veterans-groups-nonprofits-form-new-veterans-health-coalition</a></span></p><div><br /></div>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-23886880818411141092021-11-10T00:30:00.001-08:002021-11-10T09:46:26.126-08:00An Autumn Leaf Reflects on Life<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihjD7rOg9eZgiwwpt6vZIjt18D9yeDFZ3VbLcDBcKnbzY4yCia-llsH_vKBrI7uvhJ5OG4v2ar2ZgnTQb7BjryO6kZxnXVj7OaIqtl9wPA-NlC3yCKqajo0yZPDxOkzaXSq4_pvf4oR28KlXzTnkpBV3c5Z-ELTyaGOWNM40aYzT7Uozq41CqFn4YUtg=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2048" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihjD7rOg9eZgiwwpt6vZIjt18D9yeDFZ3VbLcDBcKnbzY4yCia-llsH_vKBrI7uvhJ5OG4v2ar2ZgnTQb7BjryO6kZxnXVj7OaIqtl9wPA-NlC3yCKqajo0yZPDxOkzaXSq4_pvf4oR28KlXzTnkpBV3c5Z-ELTyaGOWNM40aYzT7Uozq41CqFn4YUtg=w400-h384" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I asked the leaf whether it was frightened because it was autumn and the other leaves were falling. The leaf told me, "No. During the whole spring and summer I was completely alive. I worked hard to help nourish the tree, and now much of me is in the tree. I am not limited by this form. I am also the whole tree, and when I go back to the soil, I will continue to nourish the tree. So I don’t worry at all. As I leave this branch and float to the ground, I will wave to the tree and tell her, 'I will see you again very soon'."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That day there was a wind blowing and, after a while, I saw the leaf leave the branch and float down to the soil, dancing joyfully, because as it floated it saw itself already there in the tree. It was so happy. I bowed my head, knowing that I have a lot to learn from the leaf.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">—————-</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Insight from Thich Nhat Hanh</span></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-65315930183694810812021-11-09T09:04:00.000-08:002021-11-09T09:04:05.189-08:00"May All Wise Sentient Beings Be Happy"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0Wqov0xMj8Py_5xyLfUE6HrYq56Z3qVKXHtd5WEm0LDNinE4x5Pil5-bVrXLAGOOjFh6nQAEzP4eGQjeADtivoBMzKt4XUb8khdTPsosXvBprrVmkqoyaRps24g0Awpd1Xmd1wGHUEHOiBhaaYDeQz0TD1XeT_dMMOi2_F6uXTe6LmXOSB5356Q3-CA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0Wqov0xMj8Py_5xyLfUE6HrYq56Z3qVKXHtd5WEm0LDNinE4x5Pil5-bVrXLAGOOjFh6nQAEzP4eGQjeADtivoBMzKt4XUb8khdTPsosXvBprrVmkqoyaRps24g0Awpd1Xmd1wGHUEHOiBhaaYDeQz0TD1XeT_dMMOi2_F6uXTe6LmXOSB5356Q3-CA=w244-h400" width="244" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“we should cast aside all childish games that fetter and exhaust body, speech and mind; and stretching out in inconceivable nonaction, in the unstructured matrix, the actuality of emptiness, where the natural perfection of reality lies, we should gaze at the uncontrived sameness of every experience, all conditioning and ambition resolved with finality.” </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">― Kunkhyen Longchenpa</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM6dtddfsxQqemuombHGcDij4WqnVIok6vAkPOms369YmmhrLUr3rOdzFFJS27YdLrjDKIyscEPBQ10C4jXvaDHgUCvRKc40gmNzcxqjWEokjjpwnEAEV9YwQbCsV8n1KwTKhPu1P5rcxSWI8YFQruPH3Bv4bpz83zqSw5EzhFaxVO5XPCPzu85m0MAA=s1142" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1142" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM6dtddfsxQqemuombHGcDij4WqnVIok6vAkPOms369YmmhrLUr3rOdzFFJS27YdLrjDKIyscEPBQ10C4jXvaDHgUCvRKc40gmNzcxqjWEokjjpwnEAEV9YwQbCsV8n1KwTKhPu1P5rcxSWI8YFQruPH3Bv4bpz83zqSw5EzhFaxVO5XPCPzu85m0MAA=w400-h216" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">From the noble lotus pond of pure conduct,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The swan of intelligence calls.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">By the white wings of the three practices of the teachings,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">May all wise sentient beings be happy.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">—Kunkhyen Longchenpa</span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-69825165351131123422021-11-08T08:32:00.003-08:002021-11-08T08:32:57.076-08:00Take Back Control of Social Media Fear Mongers<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzfkkmSqY9H4Vf3TZ8wOrjWKm7rlkoct9iUHeAhn9nwd_uJJhFTImmD5oPlFQs8l5krmcbgC4ETJj_CeaEviRoaVwzoXnndm7jfzV90TquwZDws9SO1lTfdXvo9Ky6iwUVUaF03V5mbC2EHFIKlSb2GAPMQ0f8bDRQpbHHWfzt5ERTX00kyjkiyWNHkw=s474" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzfkkmSqY9H4Vf3TZ8wOrjWKm7rlkoct9iUHeAhn9nwd_uJJhFTImmD5oPlFQs8l5krmcbgC4ETJj_CeaEviRoaVwzoXnndm7jfzV90TquwZDws9SO1lTfdXvo9Ky6iwUVUaF03V5mbC2EHFIKlSb2GAPMQ0f8bDRQpbHHWfzt5ERTX00kyjkiyWNHkw=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As researchers at Beihang University in China found, it’s not joy or praise or kindness that spreads the fastest on social media — it’s anger. As a result, influencers/content creators know that polarization is good for them.</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Once we understand how social media preys on our social fears, we can begin to take back control. But to do that we need to fulfill our need to connect with others on platforms not designed to sow discord and bring out the worst in us. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">We don’t have to go cold turkey. That wouldn’t even be possible, and the point is to use technology in a way that augments the best parts of our humanity. And there are plenty of Microsteps we can employ to help us do that.</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: x-large;">Turn off all notifications, except from those who need to reach you. The more our phone buzzes at us, the more it conditions us to release cortisol, which is the stress hormone.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-large;">Remove social media apps from your phone’s home screen.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-large;">Be intentional about when and how you enter social media conversations.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-large;">Take a Marie Kondo approach to your digital environment, and unfollow any accounts or people who make you angry, stressed or anxious.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-large;">Before posting a comment, check for Compassionate Directness. Are you recognizing that there’s an actual human on the other side of the screen?</span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-large;">Set boundaries by declaring a social media cutoff point in the evening. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-large;">Charge your phone outside of your bedroom — you’ll sleep better and be less likely to be sucked into an outrage-generating social media session.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-size: large;">Excerpted from </span><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 18px; line-height: inherit;"><a href="https://link.thriveglobal.com/view/5d69b58e2ddf9c028fa2e42af8xng.v9i/f2bb942a">How Technology Fuels the Worst Elements of Group Psychology</a></strong></div><p></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047188933105608324.post-30696494915985820412021-11-05T00:00:00.001-07:002021-11-05T03:43:40.065-07:00Nightly News Viewers Donate $1.8 Million Towards the Madagascar Hunger Crisis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4wV84qqvISi_bGdevUWlkGvX0ocfYLU9W2N2JVLxjNhKfYwS0AAETR1py74bANSoaWWMdPCZCcqEXiwG_4naQ_v6AD0H9jWojZe4LWjD8vGs4Bm1sHKB9n3p9ktoSzw83gvGeakN4ii8OpZrsmh-4R7sKhoRIZnO8tdRFqSinlOuubJkmUGhFojAjCA=s440" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="440" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4wV84qqvISi_bGdevUWlkGvX0ocfYLU9W2N2JVLxjNhKfYwS0AAETR1py74bANSoaWWMdPCZCcqEXiwG_4naQ_v6AD0H9jWojZe4LWjD8vGs4Bm1sHKB9n3p9ktoSzw83gvGeakN4ii8OpZrsmh-4R7sKhoRIZnO8tdRFqSinlOuubJkmUGhFojAjCA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><p> Watching the Nightly News on ABC the other day, brought Spouse and I to tears. The starvation of children in Madagascar, brought on by a 5-year drought as rain patterns change with Climate Change, was just too much for us. We joined the Nightly News viewers and added to the $1.8 million donated since that piece aired.</p><p>"<a href="https://www.wfpusa.org/drivers-of-hunger/climate-change/">The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)</a> has been on the frontlines of the world’s worst hunger crises, fighting hunger and famine since 1962. Right now we’re taking on our largest scale-up ever in response to COVID-19, providing lifesaving meals to 109 million of the world’s most vulnerable people in more than 80 countries this year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SyehvY7uYxs" width="320" youtube-src-id="SyehvY7uYxs"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>..."se weather events are destroying land, livestock and crops. We’re doing everything we can to help people prepare for and overcome this devastating new reality."</p><p>CLICK THIS LINK TO DONATE NOW:<a href="https://secure.wfpusa.org/donate/send-urgent-food-aid-families-madagascar-0?ms=2110_DIS_MadagascarABC_Lightbox_WEB"> Urgent Food Aid to Families in Madagascar</a></p><p>The World Food Program says:<br /></p><p>$7 provides a month of school meals for a child in need</p><p>$15 provides a month’s worth of lifesaving nutrition to small-scale farmers</p><p>$25 provides 50 mothers with nutritious meals</p><p>$50 provides a child with a year of school meals</p><p>$75 feeds a family of 5 for one month, providing staples like rice, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, flour, beans, and lentils</p><p>$1,000 can feed a family of 5 for one year.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Charmaine Coimbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12610509591884176678noreply@blogger.com0