How a poor man’s food is helping improve the health and prolonging the lives of many, even rich men and women

Posted on April 25, 2013 by giggling

A couple of years ago, the last time I was visiting my family on St. Maarten (little Dutch/French Caribbean country where I was born and grew up) I always went for my early morning beach walk and then soaked and floated for a couple of hours in the cool blue sea waters of Great Bay Beach. (see previous post on the “value and benefits of water baths and aroma therapy”I was surprised to see one of the old fishermen I knew since I was a little girl also walking the beach, straight without a cane, no eye glasses, slender and looking as good as when I was a child.

I ran up to him and exclaimed: “It is so nice to see you’re still alive and looking so good and healthy. I am Mr. Brill daughter, you remember, (since I thought he might have forgotten me). How old are you now, I couldn’t help asking” because I knew he should be up in age. He said: “Yes, I remember you Glenda, I am ninety-seven (97) years old and don’t feel like it. “Wow”, I exclaimed and probably no mayor health problems either”. “Yep”, he answered, all the fish I ate for the most part of my life, my early morning walks and sunshine must have been good for me”.

Several years earlier than this before I had even moved to New York another older man was interviewed as to his secret for his outstanding good health despite advancing age. He was reaching his 100th birthday, but had none of the major diseases found here in the USA that usually came with old age. He wasn’t suffering from prostrate cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or anything common to older people. When the interview was finished, he said laughingly: “If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of my health”.

Years ago no Fast Food places, not even a hotdog stand could be found anywhere on the island

So what was the secret to these older men long healthy life (and there are quite a lot of them on the islands of the sea)?. As my older fisherman admitted he believed it was his diet rich in eating his own self caught fish. These were mostly smaller fish not large fish that had to be sliced before selling. The latter older man when asked what his meals consisted of, he admitted that it was simple cans of sardines. Unknown to himself and even most people back then he didn’t know that his simple daily diet of eating a mere can of sardines, along with greens and bread had actually contributed to his good health and long life.

Being a single man probably a widower who didn’t learn how to prepare and cook to many or different foods, (unlike Mr. Plantz, the fisherman mentioned at the beginning who took the trouble to scale and cook his fish) he preferred to open a can of sardines. They were easy to prepare, much cheaper than buying regular fish and it cost money to eat in restaurants. Also on St Maarten back then you couldn’t find any fast food places anywhere, not even a hot dog stand. People didn’t eat fast foods, they ate home cooked meals, or those that could afford it went to a restaurant that prepared wholesome foods.

Why called a poor man’s food

So his fast food was a simple can of sardines that didn’t call for any cooking or too much preparation. That was considered a poor man’s food back then since a can of sardines was very inexpensive only costing a few pennies a can at that time. People who ate only “poor men foods” were thought of as not taking care of their health. The local people ate a lot of regular caught fish and believed that fish was healthy even though they didn’t know what made fish that healthy. Nobody at that time knew anything about Omega-3 benefits to the body and life. My family ate regular sea caught fish and other sea foods weekly, sardines were only eaten as a breakfast meal on sandwiches or in egg omelettes, but never as the main meal.

No one had any idea that these little small fishes were even healthier to the body than some of the larger fish they were eating.

We always thought that regular fish was healthier and sardines were not considered a meal. So that was the reason this old man responded the way he did by saying that if he knew he was going to live this long he would have taken better care of his health. He was referring to eating real sea caught fresh fish rather than these little canned fishes. Little did he knew that the simple can of sardines he ate daily considered to be a “poor man’s food” would later be discovered by rich men as containing some of the best nutrition necessary for life, which is Omega-3 fatty acids along with other necessary vitamins and minerals.

The many benefits of eating healthy omega-3 fatty acid fish like sardines

In recent times much research has been done on the benefits of getting enough Omega-3 fatty acids in our body. Sardines are one of the main fish that supply these Omega-3′s referred to as EPA (eicos-apentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These can also be found in Salmon, Trout, herring, mackerel and other sea creatures like Krill. Omega-3’s keep our bodies free from inflammation,  they are necessary for the protection of our heart, brain, some kinds of cancers and keep our eyesight sharp. Also help keep our skin young and glowing, and for shiny healthy hair. As a whole they may help us live a healthier longer life. Let’s see how. (This I did from careful research along with personal experience as I always do):

Protects our heart against heart disease

Omega-3 fatty acids may protect us against heart disease. One study found that people with heart disease had less omega-3 in their bodies than people without heart disease. This may be due to the ability of some omega-3 fats to reduce inflammation, which can contribute to heart disease. Also people who get more omega-3 fatty acids in their diets tend to have lower blood pressure.

Researchers found this link by looking at nearly 5000 middle-aged men and women in the United States, Great Britain, China and Japan. Other studies have found links between fats from fish and lower risks of stroke and heart rhythm problems. To benefit from fatty fish the American Heart Association urges everyone to include fish like wild caught salmon and sardines in their diets at least twice a week.

A great remedy for a Healthy prostrate

The same EPA and DHA, the omega-3 fatty acids found in sardines (and some of the other fatty fish mentioned above like salmon) that help our heart, may also offer protection against prostrate cancer. Most men between the ages of 40 and 50 often suffer from an enlarged prostrate. This leads to urinary and sexual problems, with the biggest fear of developing prostrate cancer. Scientists have long noticed that groups of people who eat lots of fish, like Japanese and Eskimo men, tend to have fewer cases of prostrate cancer. So they have been looking at men who eat traditional Western diets to see how eating fish might help.

A study of about 48,000 men found those who ate fatty fish more than three times a week had less risk of prostrate cancer over 12 years. Eating shellfish or taking fish oil supplements didn’t seem to help. In another study, men in Sweden who ate fatty fish at least once a week had fewer cases of prostrate cancer than those who never ate fish. Researchers think the omega-3 fats block natural body chemicals that help tumor cells grow. But other things could be going on. Sardines contain a lot of selenium which is believed to fight tumors.

One study found that men who took selenium supplements had fewer cases of prostrate cancer. So it would be wise for men even while still young to start replacing red meat with more fish in their diet. The same should be said of women since all cancers including breast cancers start as tumors, so including more fish in our diet will help everyone both men and women.

Sardines are also a great source of necessary vitamins, protein and calcium

Sardines besides containing tumor fighting selenium mentioned above also supply the body with phosphorous, calcium, vitamins B12, vitamin D and protein. Sardines are mostly sold in the can and retain the same nutrition as those bought fresh. I have seen and buy fresh herring which are also a fatty fish from my local fish market, but have not seen any fresh sardines. And some people believe that sardines and herrings are the same, just different names. Nevertheless they are related and supply the body with the same necessary omega-3 acids, vitamins and minerals.Unlike big fish which can carry mercury or other contaminants sardines and smaller fish are relatively safe from such pollutants, another reason they are healthier for the human body.

Get a double dose of bone protection and crunch osteoporosis by eating sardines

Pick canned sardines with the bones included and you’ll get a double dose of bone protection. Osteoporosis which is the gradual loss of bone mass and strength occurs in some people as they age, and can be slowed or prevented by getting more calcium and vitamin D in our diet. We can get calcium and vitamin D from dairy products, but marine calcium from fish bones or cartilage is another great source.

The bones of sardines are soft and can be eaten along with the fish itself. A can of sardines eaten with their bones included provide one-third the calcium and two-thirds the vitamin D our body needs every day. So boneless sardines will not provide the same amount of calcium as those eaten with the bones included.

Fishy News have been known long before our day

From studying the diet of people of old going back since the creation of earth and humans, their diet included plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains made into bread, and later fish. In Genesis 1-20-23 records of how God created the sea swarming with fish and sea creatures of all kinds and also gave the command for them to multiply and fill the oceans with other fish, and these were to be in subjection to man. After the Great Flood of Noah’s Day, fish became a staple part of the diet of people back then.

Those people who later became enemies of God and his people such as the Egyptians enjoyed meals of plenty of fish, and this was fed to the enslaved Hebrews. Even while they were on their trek in the wilderness out of Egypt, the freed Hebrews or Israelites started complaining about their lack of the good food and longing for the fish they used to eat in Egypt, along with onions and garlic a favorite way most cultures still prepare fish today.

Their longing for fish showed that it was part of their daily diet back in Egypt. (Recorded in Bible Book of Numbers 11:5). Even after they were established back in the Promised Land fish continued to be a part of their diet along with bread, this no doubt was wholegrain breads since they didn’t have today’s processing equipment for making refined flour, or white flour. One of the Gates in old Jerusalem was called the “Fish Gate” suggesting that a fish market was located there or close by where people gathered to buy fish caught by their local fishermen. (Bible Book of 2 Chronicles 33:14).

Did the poor people of old knew something about the benefits of fish that is only now being discovered in our day?

Today when we read the reports by Medical or Nutritional Scientists about including more fish and other nutrition in our diets from whole foods, even though they gave credit to themselves for discovering something new, in reality they are not telling us anything that wasn’t already created and given as food by our Creator himself. If we study the habits and diets of people of old as recorded in the Bible itself, their lives were dependent  on the natural foods created by God himself and they obeyed him in eating such. We today can learn from this and know what is also good for us to eat or not.

Take for instance Jesus himself. As mentioned above the Israelites or Hebrews were used to eating lots of fish, so it shouldn’t surprise us to read that Jesus himself also a Jew ate lots of fish. Some of his disciples themselves were fishermen, so they always had plenty of fish to eat. Even though he was the foretold Messiah or Deliverer of imperfect men, and was a perfect man himself while on earth he ate the same foods common to the people in his day.

He didn’t have any special foods dropped from heaven for himself, but he knew the foods his Father (Jehovah) created on earth and in the sea, and told us to eat was already good and approved for everyone to eat. On two occasions after his resurrection before he went back to Heaven the Bible records his eating broiled fish along with his disciples. (Luke 24:36-43).

And the other time he prepared breakfast of bread along with fish cooked over a charcoal fire. (the common way of cooking back then). (Bible book of John 21:9-12). Eating fish for breakfast was the customary way of the people back then and even now in most of the Caribbean Islands and in some other countries most small fish like sardines are prepared for breakfast. (sometimes in egg omelettes).

Small fishes along with wholegrain bread was often eaten by the poor people of Bible times, and by Jesus himself.

On one occasion before he died he was teaching a large crowd of people, made up of entire families with children, and it was getting late. These poor Jews who were hungry for spiritual knowledge had stuck with him for three days just listening to his teachings, even though they were physically hungry. So Jesus felt pity for them and out of love for the hungry crowd he performed his second miracle. Bible Book of Matthew 15:32-38 says:

“But Jesus called his disciples to him and said: “I feel pity for the crowd, because it is already three days that they have stayed with me and they have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away fasting. They may possible give out on the road.” However his disciples said to him: Where are we in this lonely place going to get sufficient loaves to satisfy a crowd of this size?”

At this Jesus said to them: “How many loaves have you?” They said: “Seven (loaves of bread) and a few little fishes”. So after instructing the crowd to recline upon the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fishes and, after offering thanks, he broke them and began distributing to the disciples, the disciples in turn to the crowds. And all ate and were satisfied, and as a surplus of fragments they took up seven provision baskets full. Yet those eating were four thousand men, besides women and children”.(Matthew 15:32-38 New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.)

If anyone knew the benefits of fish, then no one better than Jesus himself would

So he took a few small fishes and loaves of bread and multiplied them miraculously to feed a crowd of four thousand people, with some even left over. Now that gave them even more reasons to believe he was indeed the Son of God in order to perform such a miracle. These small fishes he fed to this large crowd probably were what we today called sardines or herrings.

But we know for sure if they were not nutritious for the people to eat Jesus would not have performed this miracle of feeding these hungry people, besides the account said they were satisfied. This simple food of small fishes and wholegrain bread gave them the energy, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids their bodies needed to stay alive and keep listening. Jesus knew what these fishes contain something that modern day scientists are only now discovering.

Sardines can hardly or no longer be considered a poor man’s food, they are becoming the chosen delicacy of some of the rich themselves.

Sardines now come in many different flavors and varieties. Some of them are packed in water, oil, tomato sauce, or flavored with mustard sauce, hot chili peppers, with or without salt. They can also now be found in some of the classy whole food markets and health food stores everywhere, places where most poor people can’t afford to shop. The price of a can of sardines the best imported Omega-3 loaded kinds, has gone up so much making it much harder for even the poor to be able to buy them. That is the case with most fish, very few people can afford to treat themselves with good fish like Salmon, trout and other fish because of the high cost.

In some places or countries the price of sardines or herrings are still lower than regular fish or steak and other meats. They might still be the choice of poor people in some countries because of their lower price. I know when I was in Holland (Europe) I used to buy and eat raw herring marinated in a delicious white sauce. People used to buy these marinated herrings in this sauce like they buy fast foods here in New York. But they were inexpensive and so delicious prepared in this sauce I used to stuff myself on several fishes alone without anything else, because of the taste. Next time I go back to Holland I have to find out what they use in this sauce to make it so tasty.

Even with the increase in cost, it is still worth spending the extra dollar for fish than eating junk foods which might be cheaper

But no matter what their price in your Country, City or State including these small fishes or other Omega-3 fatty acids fish into your diet is worth the extra dollar spent. I don’t know how much a Hamburger or Hotdog cost since I never developed the habit of eating such, but I know and believe eating a can of sardines or preparing a nice meal of fish along with greens and wholegrain bread will do your body a lot more good than buying fast foods, even if it cost a few more dollars.

So that old man back in St. Maarten mentioned in the beginning who lived to be more than100 years old and thought that he wasn’t taking good care of his health because all he ate was sardines which was called a “poor man’s food,” had no idea that he was doing just the opposite, he was actually taking excellent care of himself. The fact that he lived that long, was healthier than most people his age was proof that the simple diet of some poor people including those mentioned from the Bible in the past has many “rich health benefits” for us living today.

Researched, written and illustrated by: Glenda Brill©

*See more nutritional health benefits under the category “Healthy Tips”. To learn more about what the Bible teaches and how it affects our life today and gives us a hope for the future request this book “What does the Bible really teach” from this website http://www.jw.org/en
Can also read the Bible online on the site.


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How staying focus can boost your memory in an ever changing distracting world

Posted on March 23, 2013 by giggling

Have you ever plan on using a day off of work to get something specific done at home, or even going back to the office with everybody else gone hoping to work on a special project, but then find yourself busy doing a whole lot of other things and at the end of the day can’t remember what it was you wanted to accomplish in the first place?

You may have found yourself busy all day long, and still haven’t finished anything, because of being distracted by other things that needed to be done instead of just focusing on the specific thing you started out to do, and completely forgot what it was.

Some of you before you even get to the next paragraph in this post will be distracted by something, a phone call, a text or twitter message. Or you may be in a hurry to read it through so fast because you’re thinking about the next site you want to visit. Or anxious to go on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or some other social media site, check email messages or experiment with the latest phone apps.

Did you forget what you planned on doing?

Or you may have planned on doing something and then completely forgot what it was, and so end up doing something else. Because of this jumping from one thing to the other, or constant planning ahead for the next thing it becomes very difficult to focus on anything, enjoy it and remember it later on. Our world is becoming more and more distracting, because everything is crying out for our time, attention, our life, and has to be taken care of fast, quick with very little thinking behind it. All this makes it so difficult to concentrate and remember so much in one day.

So many distractions make it difficult for the brain to retain anything for to long

This is adding more anxiety and stress to life, which leads to more related illnesses, and fear of what’s next. It is becoming more difficult for the brain to retain anything because of so many distractions, so there is more cases of memory loss. “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” ADHD is also a common complain among young people. Memory loss problems were once thought to be only associated with aging adults or the elderly, but these days it is becoming more apparent that forgetfulness is not limited to older people at all.

Anyone of any age can learn how to focus or concentrate on the more important things which can help preserve and boost our memory and possible prevent most other related mind disorders. So if you have a problem remembering anything, take the time now to focus which is the first step necessary on this information. It can give you some tips on what it takes to boost your memory whether you are old or young.

Several years ago when riding the Subways in New York City most people used the time to read a good book. Many student including those going to school at night use the long train ride to study. That is how I personally did a lot of my reading and studying, and still do. Others just sat with their eyes closed as if meditating. Or some might be talking to the person sitting next to them. All these are good for the brain and mind.

But today it is much different. People just can’t seem to be able to be still with their own minds anymore, or concentrate on reading or studying information, but wherever you go someone is attached and checking an electronic device, Ipad, tablet or whatever else, or listening to it through cords plugged into their ears while being oblivious to everything around them.

Developing an invisible focal point in the mind can help us focus or concentrate

When I took acting or drama classes some years ago I remember one of my teachers taught us how to concentrate and remember our scenes while blocking out all distractions. We were trained to develop an invisible point of concentration in the mind, or a mental picture of the end results. By having a goal and working toward that finishing point within a certain time. When we have a mental picture of the end results and seeing it through imagination this can help us focus and keep working steadily toward accomplishing that goal.

By keeping our eyes fixed on that goal, or focal point nothing will distract us, our brain will be working and remembering as we go along. This is also taught to all creative people, whether Dancers, Designers, Artists, Painters etc. Have you ever been to some Live Stage Shows, or Broadway Shows if you live in New York, with groups of Actors singing or performing in harmony with each other?

The Actors always stand straight, keep their heads up very high, and seem to be looking at something on the wall behind the rows of people sitting in the audience as they move forward on stage without missing a step or forgetting a single line!

It is that invisible focal point of concentration in their minds that keep them focused and remembering their lines, and actions. It takes training, discipline and constant repetition to accomplish this. If just one person in the audience should start booing or using a flash camera, or a cell phone either by talking on it or letting it ring, it can break their concentration and cause someone to forget a line or a certain move.

That is the reason in most places the audience is not allowed to use any flash cameras or any visible or audible electronic devices while actors are performing on stage, and to wait until they are finished to start applauding, so as not to break their concentration or focus which could result in memory lapse, or someone forgetting something.

Seeing the end result in the mind, helps us remember and working toward accomplishing it

This same technique can be used by anyone, whether we are students, teachers, businessmen or women, medical professionals, Sales people, mothers, fathers, and everyone needing to remember why, what, or where we are doing something or going. By seeing the end result in our minds or the destination. By learning how to focus on one thing at a time can help us remember and get more done than allowing ourselves to get distracted by so many different things.

It is closely connected to faith which is the assured expectation of things hoped for. Having faith in something and really concentrating and believing we can accomplish it will help us keep remembering what we need to do, and working toward that end. This technique was practiced by God fearing men of the past and today.

Good examples of those who kept remembering by focusing on the end result

Take for instance: Moses, one outstanding historical faithful Hebrew of old. He was 80 years old when he was called by God to lead the Israelites, a whole nation of people out of Egyptian slavery. By the time he got through the long trip which included walking through the wilderness he was 120 years old. That would be considered a very old man in our day, but what kept him going even amidst all the distractions from some of the Israelites whom were complaining along the way? The Bible says that “By faith..Moses continued steadfast as seeing the One who is invisible”. (Bible book of Hebrews 11:27)

In his mind’s eye, his invisible point of concentration he saw the end result, the final accomplishment of God’s original purpose for the sanctifying of His Name and for the restoration of humans to perfect life on earth again. He kept remembering why he was called to deliver this great nation, because he knew that the promised Messiah for the deliverance of the entire human race from sin and death, would come through them based on what God had promised to his forefather Abraham. (Genesis 22:18) (see previous post “Why cleverly calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent acts of insanity or a mental disorder”)

Linking already stored knowledge with new information and activity, and looking forward to a rewarding outcome also helps us remember what is necessary

Another example is Jesus himself. Finally he was the Messiah whom Moses himself was for-shadowing and what kept him remembering why he was being used to deliver that great nation. He knew why God used Moses to deliver the Jews from Egyptian slavery so that he the promised Seed of Abraham would be born in their lineage as foretold. Jesus knew and remembered all the prophecies about his own suffering and death for the deliverance of all humanity. But he had to suffer and die to accomplish that. He had free will like everyone else, and could have backed out from this difficult assignment, but what kept him faithful?

The Bible says that: “For the Joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame..”(Hebrews 12:2). Jesus just like Moses concentrated on the end result, this kept him remembering who he was, why he was sent to earth, that the hope for the entire human race rested on his shoulders, and that all God’s promises would be fulfilled through him. (Come back later and see also these previous related written posts: What does Jesus has to do with the Easter Bunny and colored eggs?) And “Hey, whats up with all these Christmas lights and decorations, anyway! Also “Great Joy to the world and peace among men of Goodwill, how to find comfort and hope in that promise even now“)

He was the one foretold to rectify what Adam the first man messed up, and get rid of Satan and the demons. And the joy of finally accomplishing that, the end result of being used by his father Jehovah as King in His Kingdom and Prince of Peace in restoring perfect life and peace on earth again, helped him endured and bare that heavy stake, that crown of thorns on his head and die a shameful death in order to accomplish God’s Purpose. (*see footnote on date of Jesus death this year and how it is celebrated world wide.)

Be kind to your mind: Do one thing at a time and enjoy the task at hand

Learning to enjoy whatever task we have to do can also help us focus and concentrate. This makes a project less stressful because we are not doing something because we feel we have to, but because we want to. Also see the value to others in whatever job you have to do. If most people think about the many benefits their job is providing for other people they will be more likely to really focus and do the best they can, even doing research to make their work even more helpful, or enjoyable to others.

In turn bringing more joy to their own life. It can help with any memory loss problems or constant forgetfulness. Because when we become concentrated on doing anything for the benefit of others, we are using our mind and brain in a useful way. The more we start linking information and people, we are giving our brain the best exercise it needs, helping our mind to remember everything it needs to.

Boost memory power with continued education and brain activity

The more we learn, and associate with other people the more we exercise our brain and improve our capacity to remember and use acquired information. Some people have a hard time remembering other people’s names. But memories start to form when we meet these people over a period of time, repeatedly focusing on their looks, smile, feel the grip of their handshake, and pay attention to their voices.

When we start connecting all this information together their names come easily to our mind and we never forget it again. If we are constantly forgetting appointments, what I do is always write the place of the appointment on the calendar date, so whenever I see the appointment address, the final destination, I remember the date.

Or someone who has the habit of always forgetting where they put their keys. By repeatedly putting our keys in the same place everyday, remembering where they are comes automatic. This happens with both young and older adults alike even those of advanced age. (see previous post on: Clutter, Confusion, Crankiness -Three cousins..invading our homes.…)

Someone who hardly reads or use their brains to investigate and learn new things, will quicker suffer from memory loss problems, develop mental disorders or even dementia. Years ago people often thought that people as they age automatically start losing their memory, but new research on old people, and from personal experience with older people whom are ardent readers or students of continued education shows that is not true. ( see previous post on my experience with a 91 year old senior with sharp brains under the title” Take care to carefully put care back in its place with care”)

Many reports show that adults who continued learning, even a simple new hobby or skill,  and reading right into old age, keep their minds active, and their memory sharp, and this can have a protective effect against, senility, dementia and probably Alzheimer’s disease.

There is no such thing as to old to learn, or memory loss is not caused by old age

Short term memory loss, or temporary forgetfulness may occur more often in some older people, but it also happens to young adults, so just getting old itself doesn’t cause everyone to lose their memory. We hear and know of many Actors, Musicians and other Creative people, doctors and other professionals whom are of advanced age and are still very mentally sharp and active in their chosen fields. They never stop learning and working. A good example that always come to mind is the famous Actress Betty White, 91 years old and she has written several books in her old age and still acting and working.

I also know and associate with many older people in my congregation, (Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses) some of them in their late eighties and early nineties. Even my own father before he died several years ago was a avid reader and remembrancer of the Bible, even quoting scriptures by heart from memory because of having read it so many times over the years. And he was in his mid eighties when he died. (Previous post: “Memoirs of a Wonderful Beloved Father”).

Age never affected his mind or ability to remember. And all those I know who are still active in reading, studying, teaching, researching, and associating with others in the congregation and out in the field, even though of advanced age, their minds are as sharp as young people even remembering things from years past. Because they are focus on the end results of what God promises, a better world of good health, peace and everlasting life.

They are continually and repeatedly using their brains, and minds in reading, learning, recalling and linking information already stored in the mind with new one being learned and looking forward to the end result, a better world.

They are applying what is learned and are actively sharing and using knowledge to help others. All this mind and brain activity is exercise for the brain and keeps it healthy and their memories sharp. And they don’t forget names, which is amazing since even younger people like myself occasionally forget someone name if they were away for awhile. The brain gets better with continued use.

Good nutrition, sleep and physical exercise can also help boost our memory and prevent constant forgetfulness

Good nutrition is necessary for the whole proper functioning of the entire body especially the brain and mind. If the brain is lacking in some necessary nutrient, this may cause some cells to die, or malfunction resulting in some mind disorders. And since all humans are imperfect some of us may suffer from different ailments that may not manifest itself in others.

Some older people may be suffering from memory loss problems, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease brought on by hereditary factors, genetics, lack of good nutrition, sleep, poor diet, former lifestyle habits, infections,  inflammation, physical exercise or lack of any of the brain exercises mentioned before. But is not due to just plain old age because as seen above not all older people suffer from these problem. As a matter of fact many young people are complaining about memory loss problems or having “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is not caused by a busy lifestyle or multi-tasking, and is not an adult onset mind disorder

Many college students complain of having ADHD, and some are even being treated by Doctors for this disorder. There is a lot of misconceptions about this condition some even claiming that it is not a real medical problem and could be the result of the many distractions college students are faced with.

According to a special report in “Healthy Living Magazine Summer 2012” It says that there is no such thing as adult onset ADHD. According to Barkley 99% of people with ADHD develop it before age 16. About 65% are inherited, while 35% are believed to result from prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco infection, or a brain injury in early life. An adult cannot develop ADHD from a busy lifestyle or from multi-tasking.

“Although ADHD always begins in childhood, says David W. Goodman M.D. assistant professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, symptoms don’t always become obvious until people mature and have to face a new set of challenges.” So in some cases the condition may not manifest itself until later in adulthood.

But as the report said this is not a mental problem that starts in adulthood and could not be responsible for anyone cases of constant forgetfulness or failing to concentrate. But if some young people do really have the condition there should be caution as to how they go about treatment as most of the drugs prescribed have been misused by some and resulted in death.

Be careful about getting hooked on prescription drugs to treat ADHD, some could be fatal if misused

If a person thinks they have ADHD, before getting hooked on any drug, it would be wise to first try improving your ability to shut out all distractions and try to concentrate as mentioned above. If that doesn’t work, try improving your nutrition and getting enough sleep and exercise. Before consulting a doctor try going first go to a nutritionist and follow a good healthy program of eating the right foods and keeping away from all processed and chemical altered foods.

Our entire body including the mind and brain can be improved with good nutrition. If that doesn’t work then get more than one good opinion from several medical doctors before starting any prescription drug program. I have heard of some cases where young people have gotten hooked on these drugs and died from the misused of them.(See previous post on danger of misusing prescription drugs: “A Pill for this, and a pill for that, a smoke, a drink- and what’s the bill for all these, huh?)

So no matter what our age, if we practice most or all of the above suggestions, focusing on what we want to accomplish, not jumping from one thing to the other before finishing anything. Developing a point of concentration in the mind, having a mental picture of the end result, shutting out all distractions, keeping our minds and bodies healthy, getting enough sleep and exercise. Repeating information or actions learned, exercising the mind by reading, researching, studying, sharing information, talking with people, being organized.

Even though we might occasionally suffer from temporary memory lapses, constant forgetfulness or long term memory loss will no longer be a problem. If it is not a diagnosed medical problem that needs some kind of special treatment then most people have the ability to boost their memories by staying focus on all the things mentioned above. If you have read all of this you have just given your mind a good exercise, and in case you forget any of it, read it over again, you are doing your memory a favor it will work better if you practice this everyday.

Written and illustrated by Glenda Brill(©)

*Remembering Jesus death is a command he gave to be celebrated every year on the anniversary date it took place. It is the whole highlight of the Bible and is the reason why it was written so all humans will know why we suffer and die, and how Jesus death foretold back in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve’s disobedience will restore Paradise and perfect life on earth again.
It was on Nisan 14 of the Jewish calendar year which corresponds this year to March 26, 2013 after sundown. This will be observed around the world in every language by Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.  Since he died for the entire human race, your life included, he died for you, whatever your race or ethnicity (there is only one human race, all offspring of Adam and Eve according to the Bible and history, we are all suffering and dying because of their sin, Jesus will reverse this process so we can be perfect again). Whether you’re Jew or gentile,  you’re invited to attend this important celebration by going to the nearest Kingdom Hall in your town, city or country anywhere on earth.
There is no charge (its free) to attend or no collections are ever taken up in any congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses anywhere, and it only last about 1 hour but you will be benefited greatly and learn a great deal. Again it will take place after sundown on March 26, 2013, usually around 7 pm or if sundown is earlier in your town, check the time in your local area.
There is also a Special Talk given on April 7, 2013 following this special celebration. So if you get this invitation to late, you can go to the special talk entitled: “Does Death End it All? in your language around the world, the following sunday, April 7, 2013. This is usually given in the morning or during the day. (again check time in your area)
But I hope you will attend, the time for Jesus to carry out his mission to restore this earth back to Paradise and humans to perfection again, the reason for his death is fast approaching. Learn how you can survive Armageddon and the end of Satan’s rule and live forever on a peaceful earth. Jesus Christ death, the Messiah is guarantee that this will indeed happen! This is something we are told to always remember!
If not sure how to find the nearest Kingdom Hall in your town or country check with this website for more information www.jw.org. Can also download free Bible educational books and read the entire Bible itself right on the site. Or if  interested in learning more,  request a personal Free Bible Study in your home or where ever is convenient for you.

How Staying focus, can boost your memory power in

an ever changing distracting world

Have you ever plan on using a day off of work to get something specific done at home, or even going back to the office with everybody else gone hoping to work on a special project, but then find yourself busy doing a whole lot of other things and at the end of the day can’t remember what it was you wanted to accomplish in the first place? You may have found yourself busy all day long, and still haven’t finished anything, because of being distracted by other things that needed to be done instead of just focusing on the specific thing you started out to do, and completely forgot what it was.

Some of you before you even get to the third line or the next paragraph in this post will be distracted by something, a phone call, a text or twitter message. Or you may be in a hurry to read it through so fast because you’re thinking about the next site you want to visit. Or anxious to go on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram,YouTube or some other social media site, check email messages or experiment with the latest phone apps.

Did you forgot what you planned on doing?

Or you may have planned on doing something and then completely forgot what it was, and so end up doing something else. Because of this jumping from one thing to the other, or constant planning ahead for the next thing it becomes very difficult to focus on anything, enjoy it and remember it later on. Our world is becoming more and more distracting, because everything is crying out for our time, attention, our life, and has to be taken care of fast, quick with very little thinking behind it. All this makes it so difficult to concentrate and remember so much in one day.

So many distractions make it difficult for the brain

to retain anything for to long

This is adding more anxiety and stress to life, which leads to more related illnesses, and fear of what’s next. It is becoming more difficult for the brain to retain anything because of so many distractions, so there is more cases of memory loss. “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” ADHD is also a common complain even among young people. Memory loss problems were once thought to be only associated with aging adults or the elderly, but these days it is becoming more apparent that forgetfulness is not limited to older people at all. Anyone of any age can learn how to focus or concentrate on the more important things which can help preserve and boost our memory and possible prevent most other related mind disorders. So if you have a problem remembering anything, take the time now to focus which is the first step necessary on this information it can give you some tips on what it takes to boost your memory whether you are old or young.

Several years ago when riding the Subways in New York City most people would use the time to read a good book. Many student including those going to school at night use the long train ride to study. That is how I personally did a lot of my reading and studying, and still do. Others might just sit with their eyes closed as if meditating. Or some might be talking to the person sitting next to them. All these are good for the brain and mind. But today it is much different. People just can’t seem to be able to be still with their own minds anymore, or concentrate on reading or studying information, but wherever you go someone is attacked and checking an electronic device, Ipad, tablet or whatever else, or listening to it through cords plugged into their ears while being oblivious to everything around them.

Developing a invisible focal point in the mind

can help us focus or concentrate

When I took acting or drama classes some years ago I remember one of my teachers taught us how to concentrate and remember our scenes while blocking out all distractions. We were trained to develop an invisible point of concentration in the mind, or a mental picture of the end results. By having a goal and working toward that finishing point within a certain time. When we have a mental picture of the end results and seeing it through imagination this can help us focus and keep working steadily toward accomplishing that goal.

By keeping our eyes fixed on that goal, or focal point nothing will distract us, our brain will be working and remembering as we go along. This is also taught to all creative people, whether Dancers, Designers, Artists, Painters etc. Have you ever been to some Live Stage Shows, or Broadway Shows if you live in New York, with groups of Actors singing or performing in harmony with each other. The Actors always stand straight, keep their heads up very high, and seem to be looking at something on the wall behind the rows of people sitting in the audience as they move forward on stage without missing a step or forgetting a single line?

It is that invisible focal point of concentration in their minds that keep them focused and remembering their lines, and actions. It takes training, discipline and constant repetition to accomplish this. If just one person in the audience should start booing or using a flash camera, or a cell phone either by talking on it or letting it ring, it can break their concentration and cause someone to forget a line or a certain move. That is the reason in most places the audience is not allowed to use any flash cameras or any visible or audible electronic devices while actors are performing on stage, and to wait until they are finished to start applauding, so as not to break their concentration or focus which could result in memory lapse, or someone forgetting something.

Seeing the end result in the mind, keeps us remembering

and doing what it takes to accomplish it

This same technique can be used by anyone, whether we are students, teachers, businessmen or women, medical professionals, Sales people, mothers, fathers, and everyone needing to remember why, what, or where we are doing something or going. By seeing the end result in our minds or the destination. By learning how to focus on one thing at a time can help us remember and get more done than allowing ourselves to get distracted by so many different things. It is closely connected to faith which is the assured expectation of things hoped for. Having faith in something and really concentrating and believing we can accomplish it will help us keep remembering what we need to do, and working toward that end. This technique was practiced by God fearing men of the past and today.

Good examples of those who kept remembering

by focusing on the end result

Take for instance: Moses, one outstanding faithful Hebrew of old. He was 80 years old when he was called by God to lead the Israelites, a whole nation of people out of Egyptian slavery. By the time he got through the long trip which included walking through the wilderness he was 120 years old. That would be considered a very old man in our day, but what kept him going even amidst all the distractions from some of the Israelites whom were complaining along the way? The Bible says that “By faith..Moses continued steadfast as seeing the One who is invisible”.(Bible book of Hebrews 11:27)

In his mind’s eye, his invisible point of concentration he saw the end result, the final accomplishment of God’s original purpose for the sanctifying of His Name and for the restoration of humans to perfect life on earth again. He kept remembering why he was called to deliver this great nation, because he knew that the promised Messiah for the deliverance of the entire human race from sin and death, would come through them based on what God had promised to his forefather Abraham.(Genesis 22:18) (see previous post “Why cleverly calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent acts of insanity or a mental disorder”)

Another example is Jesus himself. Finally the Messiah whom Moses himself was for shadowing had arrived years after Moses was already dead. Jesus knew all the prophecies about his own suffering and death for the deliverance of humanity. He had free will like everyone else and could have backed out from this difficult assignment but what kept him faithful? The Bible says that: “For the Joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame..”(Hebrews 12:2). Jesus just like Moses concentrated on the end result, this kept him remembering who he was, why he was sent to earth, the hope for the entire human race rested on his shoulders, that all God’s promises would be fulfilled through him.

He was the one foretold to rectify what Adam the first man messed up, and get rid of Satan and the demons. And the joy of finally accomplishing that, of being used by his father Jehovah as King in His Kingdom and Prince of Peace in restoring perfect life and peace on earth again, helped him endured and bare that heavy stake, that crown of thorns on his head and die a shameful death in order to accomplish God’s Purpose. (*see footnote on date of Jesus death this year and how it is celebrated every year)

Be kind to your mind:

Do one thing at a time and enjoy the task at hand

Learning to enjoy whatever task we have to do can also help us focus and concentrate. This makes a project less stressful because we are not doing something because we feel we have to, but because we want to. Also see the value to others in whatever job you have to do. If most people think about the many benefits their job is providing for other people they will be more likely to really focus and do the best they can, even doing research to make their work even more helpful, or enjoyable to others. In turn bringing more joy to their own life. It can help with any memory loss problems or constant forgetfulness. Because when we become concentrated on doing anything for the benefit of others, we are using our mind and brain in a useful way. The more we start linking information and people, we are giving our brain the best exercise it needs, helping our mind to remember everything it needs to.

Boost memory power with continued education

and brain activity

The more we learn, and associate with other people the more we exercise our brain and improve our capacity to remember and use acquired information. Some people have a hard time remembering other people’s names. But memories start to form when we meet these people over a period of time, repeatedly we focus on their looks, smile, feel the grip of their handshake, and pay attention to their voices. When we start connecting all this information together their names come easily to our mind and we never forget it again. Or someone who has the habit of always forgetting where they put their keys. By repeatedly putting our keys in the same place everyday, remembering where they are comes automatic.

This happens with both young and older adults alike even those of advanced age.

Someone who hardly reads or use their brains to investigate and learn anything new, will quicker suffer from memory loss problems, develop mental disorders or even dementia. Years ago people often thought that people as they age automatically start losing their memory, but new research on old people, and from personal experience with older people whom are ardent readers or students of continued education shows that is not true. ( see previous post on my experience with a 91 year old senior with sharp brains under the title” Take care to carefully put care back in its place with care”)

Many reports show that adults who continued learning and reading right into old age, keep their minds active, and their memory sharp, and this can have a protective effect against, senility, dementia and probably Alzheimer’s disease.

There is no such thing as to old to learn,

or memory loss is not caused by old age

We hear and see many Actors, Musicians and other Creative people whom are of advanced age and are still very mentally sharp and active in their chosen fields. They never stop learning and working. A good example that always come to mind is Betty White, 91 years old and she has even written several books in her old age and still acting and working. I also know and associate with many older people in my congregation, (Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses) some of them into their late eighties and early nineties. Even my own father before he died several years ago was a avid reader and remembrance of the Bible even quoting scriptures by heart from memory because of having read it so many times over the years. And he was in his mid eighties when he died.(Previous post: Memoirs of a Wonderful Beloved Father”).

Age never affected his mind or ability to remember. And all those I know who are still active in reading, teaching, researching, and associating with others in the congregation and out in the field, even though of advanced age, their minds are as sharp as a young people. Because they are focus on the end results of what God promises, a better world of good health, peace and everlasting life. They are continually and repeatedly using their brains, and minds in reading, learning, connecting Bible prophecies with what’s happening in our time and looking forward to a better world. They are applying what is learned and are actively sharing and using knowledge to help others. All this exercise keeps their brains healthy and their memories sharp. And they don’t forget names, which is amazing since even younger people like myself occasionally forget someone name if they were away for awhile. The brain gets better with continued use.

Good nutrition, sleep and physical exercise can also help

boost our memory and prevent constant forgetfulness

Good nutrition is necessary for the whole proper functioning of the body especially the brain and mind. If the brain is lacking in some necessary nutrient, this may cause some cells to die, or malfunction resulting in some mind disorders.

Some older people whom we hear about suffering from memory loss problems, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease could be due to hereditary factors, genetics, lack of good nutrition and poor diet, former lifestyle habits, physical exercise or lack of any of the brain exercises mentioned before. But is not due to just plain old age because as seen above not all older people suffer from these problem. As a matter of fact many young people are complaining about memory loss or having “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Many college students complain of having ADHD, and some are even being treated by Doctors for this disorder. There is a lot of misconceptions about this condition some even claiming that it is not a real medical problem and could be the result of the many distractions college students are faced with. According to a special report in “Healthy Living Magazine” It says that there is no such thing as adult onset ADHD. According to Barkley 99% of people with ADHD develop it before age 16. About 65% are inherited, while 35% are believed to result from prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco infection, or a brain injury in early life. An adult cannot develop ADHD from a busy lifestyle or from multi-tasking. In some cases the condition may not manifest itself until later in adulthood. But as the report said this is not a mental problem that starts in adulthood and could not be responsible for anyone cases of constant forgetfulness or failing to concentrate. But if some young people do really have the condition there should be caution as to how they go about treatment as most of the drugs prescribed have been misused by some and resulted in death.

Be careful about getting hooked on prescription

drugs to treat ADHD, some could be fatal

If a person thinks they have ADHD, before getting hooked on any drug, it would be wise to first try improving your ability to shut out all distractions and try to concentrate as mentioned above. If that doesn’t work, try improving your nutrition and getting enough sleep and exercise. Before consulting a doctor I would first go to a nutritionist and follow a good healthy program of eating the right foods and keeping away from all processed and chemical altered foods. Our entire body including the mind and brain can be improved with good nutrition. If that doesn’t work then get more than one good opinion from several medical doctors before starting any prescription drug program. I have heard of some cases where young people have gotten hooked on these drugs and died from them.(See previous post on “A Pill for this, and a pill for that, a smoke, a drink- and what’s the bill for all these, huh?)

So no matter what our age, if we practice most or all of the above suggestions, focusing on what we want to accomplish, not jumping from one thing to the other before finishing anything. Developing a point of concentration in the mind, having a mental picture of the end result, shutting out all distractions, keeping our minds and bodies healthy, getting enough sleep and exercise. Repeating information or actions learned, exercising the mind by reading, researching, studying, sharing information, talking with people, being organized. Even though we might occasionally suffer from temporary memory lapses, constant forgetfulness or long term memory loss will no longer be a problem. If it is not a diagnosed medical problem that needs some kind of special treatment then most people have the ability to boost their memories by staying focus on all the things mentioned above. If you have read all of this you have just given your mind a good exercise, and in case you forget any of it, read it over again, you are doing your memory a favor it will work better if you practice this everyday.

Written and illustrated by Glenda Brill(©)

*Remembering Jesus death is a command he gave to be celebrated every year on the anniversary date it took place. It is the whole highlight of the Bible and is the reason why it was written so all humans will know why we suffer and die and how Jesus death foretold back in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve’s disobedience will restore Paradise and perfect life on earth again. It was on Nisan 14 of the Jewish calendar year which corresponds this year to March 26, 2013 after sundown. This will be observed around the world in every language by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Since he died for the entire human race, your life included, you’re invited to attend this important celebration by going to the nearest Kingdom Hall in your town, city or country anywhere on earth.

There is no charge to attend or no collections are ever taken up in any congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses anywhere, and it only last about 1 hour but you will be benefited greatly and learn a great deal. Again it will take place after sundown on March 26, 2013, usually around 7 pm or if sundown is earlier in your town, check the time in your local area.

If not sure how to find the nearest Kingdom Hall in your town or country check with this website for more information www.jw.org. Can also download free Bible educational books and read the entire Bible itself right on the site.

Posted in Encouragement, Healthy Tips, Peoples and Families | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When the tough gets going and your pressure keeps rising higher and higher, and you feel like you’re going bananas, then go Bananas!

Posted on February 20, 2013 by giggling

Where did the expression “going bananas” first started? Or if it means going crazy over bananas or using bananas to calm a person down, then I can understand why it makes sense since this delicious fruit provides so many life saving benefits to us.

The month of February is considered “Heart Healthy” month in the USA especially for women, (in realty every month should be) and Bananas are considered one of the most heart healthy fruit there is, so this entire post is on the many ways bananas can improve heart health. (And by the end of this article you will not only have improved your mood, but you will be dancing which is also vital to heart health. So keep reading all the way to the end, then get up and dance along.)

This simple fruit is packed with nutrition and has been a staple food for many countries around the world throughout many generations. There is a Indian legend that says that a banana was the fruit in the Garden of Eden that Eve told Adam to take a bite of, (could have been, but nothing was wrong with the fruit it was their obedience that was being tested) so in India bananas are called the “Fruit of Paradise”.

Bananas are loaded with potassium, manganese, Vitamin C, vitamin B6 and fiber. They are very portable, easy to take with you anywhere, very filling and can be eaten even while on the run. Unlike most fruits which have seeds or are juicy, bananas are solid, and just need to be peeled and eaten while holding the unpeeled potion without getting any fruit on hands.

I love bananas since I grew up on a little Caribbean island where from childhood bananas was a part of our daily diet. Dad used to get the large green bunches just like they grow on the trees, and hang the green bunch up in the corner of the kitchen to gradually ripe. As soon as they were yellow and ripe to eat, he would take the bunch down and put on the kitchen table and all us kids would start picking a banana to eat, and within a week the whole bunch would disappear. Bananas were a daily part of our morning breakfast and up to this very day I eat a banana every single morning for breakfast after my exercise program.(see previous post: Setting the mood for each day starts with the right attitude) Flying off the handle in fits of anger, or when under stress raises the blood pressure which affects the heart. (See previous post: Raging Moving Volcanos, Explosive Hot Tempers – Dangerous Health Hazards leading to premature death.) Some people may not know that bananas can help calm their nerves, enhance their mood and acts as a natural sedative. (Maybe that is where the slogan “Go Bananas came from”). Bananas help calm rattled nerves because they contain tryptophan which produces serotonin, the feel good hormone in the body which has a calming sedative effect on the brain.

This is what puts us in a good mood, making it easier to deal with stressful situations. So they have the same effect as exercise or laughter on our mood. Bananas are also a great source of energy.

One banana provides all the nutrients of an energy bar without the extra calories and cost. Years ago I was working temporary in a Law Firm in New York City and one of the young attorneys in the firm everyday always had two or three ripe yellow bananas on his desk. During the day he would eat these bananas as he did his work and even most times skipped lunch and just ate bananas.

I used to jokingly warn him to not leave his desk with those bananas there since I also was a lover of bananas and might just grab one when he was gone. He was very pleasant, and always said something humorous back in return. I didn’t know back then that bananas had all the nutrients above as well as a calming effect on our brains and moods. Or whether that attorney himself knew, or was just eating them because he loved bananas. But now I understand how they no doubt contributed to his calm disposition and helped keep him sane inspite of whatever difficult cases he was handling. 1st. with Potassium. And this is one of the greatest benefits of eating bananas. They are loaded with potassium, necessary to regulate high blood pressure. High blood pressure has been called the “Silent Killer” since someone can have it without any symptoms or even know they have it. One young woman in my neighborhood a couple of years ago collapsed on her way to work right on the street just before she got to the subway station.

When they called the ambulance and took her to the emergency room, she found out she had suffered a stroke, leaving her entire left side paralyzed. She was diagnosed with high blood pressure as the cause and didn’t know she had it, or even suspected it since she was only fifty years old and wasn’t overweight and had no symptoms. It is always good to have a yearly medical check-up or even twice a year, and today we can even take our own blood pressure since the instruments can be bought at most Pharmacy’s or Drugstores.

Studies show a potassium rich diet can reduce the risk of stroke by 22 to 40 percent. One medium size banana provides about 420 mg of potassium. Recent guidelines from the Institute of Medicine recommend getting at least 4.7 grams (4.700 mg) of potassium a day. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet also recommends 4,700 mg of potassium – and includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas. An Indian study found that eating just two bananas a day can lower blood pressure by 10 percent.

2nd: with Fiber: Other nutrients in bananas contribute to lowering high blood pressure as well. A recent Tulane analysis of 25 studies found that boosting our fiber intake can significantly lower blood pressure. People who benefited ate between 7 and 19 grams of dietary fiber a day for at least eight weeks. One medium banana gives us 3 grams of fiber. A banana’s combination of necessary carbohydrates, simple sugars and dietary fiber provides energy needed for physical activity.

Other Star nutrient: Vitamin C: also helps with high blood pressure by keeping our arteries flexible.

The fiber content in bananas also reduces the risk of heart disease. Fiber rich diets have also been linked to lower risk of coronary heart disease and of type 2 diabetes. Besides controlling high blood pressure potassium is essential for proper muscle contraction – the normal rhythmic pumping of the heart, digestion, muscular movements are all controlled by potassium which plenty of can be found in bananas. Bananas are also a great source of vitamin B6. According to the American Heart Association, B vitamins help break down homocysteine – an amino acid that at high levels is related to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

B6 also plays a role in converting tryptophan to serotonin, (the good calming feeling mentioned above) and also helps the body make hemoglobin, a crucial ingredient of blood. Vitamin B6 is also essential for antibody production and to maintain a healthy immune response. It also helps to convert carbohydrates to glucose and thereby regulates proper blood sugar levels. A medium banana can take care of 1/5 of our daily recommended intake of Vitamin B6 and is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to increase our dietary intake of this vitamin.

A University of California San Francisco study found that potassium helps prevent calcium loss caused by a high-salt diet. This important mineral potassium, may also counteract the negative effects of a high-protein diet. Bananas are loaded with Vitamin C as mentioned previously and also Manganese which both play important roles in maintaining bone health.

Warning: Don’t disrespect Bananas by discarding of their skins on the streets or sidewalk. Walking and slipping on a banana skin can result in serious falls where some people have broken hips, arms, legs and injured other bodily parts. So please always put their skins in a trash bin or in some Caribbean and African countries banana skins are dried, rolled, painted and form into beautiful jewelry! Another useful benefit of this delicious fruit.

Foods rich in potassium may reduce the risk of developing kidney stones. In fact studies show that a high intake of potassium, from a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can slash our risk of stones by 30 to 50 percent (30 to 50%).

Bananas can also relieve the discomfort of diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems. After a bout with diarrhea or vomiting, once you can eat solid food again, soft, bland foods like bananas give you the nutrients you need without upsetting your stomach

Even if someone has a more serious condition like colitis, bananas can be an important part of a safe, bland diet. The potassium in bananas also helps protect our intestine. More protection may come from substances called fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). Also known as prebiotics, these molecules stimulate the growth of probiotics, good bacteria that ward off harmful bacteria.

Even babies once they are old enough to start eating more solid food, can be fed bananas. These can be mashed and added to their milk, or fed with a spoon. Or even blended or made into a smoothie and fed to young children just like adults. Or they can be given a banana after it was peeled so they can hold it in their own little hands and eat. (remember I mentioned above how I have been eating bananas from a child up to this day).

One study found that green bananas, which are different from unripe bananas, might help treat children with persistent diarrhea. Bananas can help thicken the stool (of adults also) which helps prevent fecal incontinence, or loss of bowel control.

They can be included in baked goods. Sandwiches, smoothies: Banana Bread, cookies, Banana fritters (made the same way as pancakes just add mashed ripe bananas), Banana muffins and doughnuts, Banana smoothies, (can add other fruits for a very nutritional smoothie).

Banana and nut sandwiches, great for kids, just take two slices of whole grain bread, toast lightly if preferred, spread with all natural peanut, almond or any nut butter, add slices of bananas on top of the nut butter, drizzle with some honey and put the other slice bread on top. Delicious to add to children’s lunch box, or eaten as an adult.

Frozen snacks. Another good banana snack that can be eaten like an ice cream sandwich is to coat bananas with smelted chocolate, might like to sprinkle with crushed nuts, and put in the freezer. When frozen can be eaten like an ice cream sandwich. This is another great healthy snack for children or even adults. Bananas can be added to other puddings such as Sweet potatoes and pumpkin pudding mentioned in a previous post of: “Would you like a little wine with that?“

Casseroles: And a favorite of mine is the Banana and Sweet Potatoes casserole. Very easy to make: Boil Caribbean type sweet potatoes. They are usually purple on the outside, slice the potatoes. Grease a glass casserole bowl lightly with olive oil, spread slices of sweet potatoes on the bottom of this see through glass casserole, sprinkle with some salt, put slices of ripe bananas on top of the sweet potatoes, drizzle with honey or Agave nectar if prefer.

Add more slices of sweet potatoes on top of the bananas. Repeat the above, and keep alternating layers of sweet potatoes and bananas finishing with the bananas on top. Now squeeze the juice of an orange over the entire casserole and bake in an oven until the top bananas layer are golden brown and the casserole seems to be set. Can be serve as a side dish with bake chicken, turkey or any other lean meat.

Even though I concentrated on just the benefits of just one fruit, the banana, you know that for total good health we need to be balanced, not just eating one fruit only, but all fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are designed for our total health. In Genesis 1:29 God in talking to the first man and woman said: “Here I have given you all vegetation bearing seed which is on the surface of the whole earth and every tree on which there is a fruit of a tree bearing seed. To you let it serve as food”

And Genesis 2: 15-17: And Jehovah God proceeded to take the man and settle him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and to take care of it. And Jehovah God also laid this command upon the man: “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. But as for the tree of knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die.”

That beautiful Garden had even more nutritional fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds and nuts than we have today since they were pure and were recently created by God himself, and man’s continued existence and good health depended on his eating this nutritional diet given to him by his Creator.

So the “DASH DIET” mentioned above and that modern day doctors are claiming to have discovered was given to humans by God Himself, ever since man’s creation in the garden of Eden, and is nothing new. Even Scientist today are realizing that our physical good health really depended on eating the right foods from the earth.

But humans good health and the continued beating of their hearts forever also depended on spiritual food and a relationship with God. That is why a test was given to them to show that for their continued health and life they needed to obey the Creator.

Complete heart health comes from within the spiritual heart which leads to true happiness

So we see the results today even among people who have all the money in the world to eat the best of foods, are still under stress, unhappy and suffering from heart problems, cancers and other devastating diseases. A survey taken some time ago reveals that most modern American women, even though they have so much more materially than most women in other countries are not happy. And heart disease has become a major problem especially among women in the USA. The month of February is usually called the heart healthy month in the USA, to remind women to take care of their hearts by watching their diets and getting enough exercise.

But working on their spiritual health is completely ignored, which is the key needed to be truly happy. Because Happiness is not a destination depending on how healthy, white, rich, famous, or good looking we are, but it is a by product of doing things God’s Way! We cannot be happy if we completely ignore our spiritual hearts, that is where all good comes from, including complete good health.

Proverbs 17:22 “A heart that is joyful does good as a curer, but a spirit that is stricken makes the bones dry” And this sums up true heart health as coming from within, a person who has joy, which is a quality of God’s spirit in his or her life will improve their heart condition more so even if not eating all the right foods than someone who is always sad, angry, joyless or loveless and may be eating everything healthy. Haven’t you ever meet some physically beautiful women who are always angry, always cursing with obscene f… words flying out of their mouths like water? Even though they may be eating healthy and exercises their spiritual hearts are sick and eventually affect their physical one.

So strive to improve your over-all health, make bananas a daily part of a good diet but include all other fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds. Improve your lifestyle, exercise, seek ways to bring joy and laughter into your life, (see previous post on Laughter: Laughter can replace most prescription drugs) become conscious of your spiritual needs, fill that need by seeking to find good answers to questions such as:

Why am I here? What causes suffering, diseases and death? Where am I going? Is there a God who really cares about me? When you seek to find answers to those questions, you are becoming conscious of your spiritual needs. Your heart develops a longing to find answers, and God himself who the Bible says eyes are searching hearts to see whom really wants to learn about him, will direct you to find the correct answers.

Joy will start to flow into your life, eventually true knowledge will replace all the anger, stress, worry and other negative things from your heart, and your literal heart will improve and so does your general health. For when you smile, so does your heart and this contributes to true heart health and overall good health.

The benefits of dancing as a great cardio exercise and one way to bring joy into your life

Look at the below videos one of Caribbean born Actor Harry Belafonte who first sang the Banana song. He no doubt made them a regular part of his diet, for even at the ripe age of 85 he still looks great, stands up straight and seems pretty healthy. In the video you will see shots of how banana trees grow, and how people for generations lived long simple lives and depended on the earth for food, bananas being a staple part of their diets.

Harry Belafonte – Day-O-Banana Boat

Also the other one of African Zimbabwe women whose diet also consist of bananas among other natural foods, but otherwise live very simple lives, not having much in a material way. Still these people are happy and probably not fearful of any heart problems. They get most of their exercise through dancing. But look how happy and joyful they look, while dancing to a song about simple bananas.

As I mentioned in several previous posts I also find dancing to the same kind of music, the kind that makes you move your body, to be one of the most enjoyable Cardio exercises anyone can do. I spend one hour each morning dancing 4 times a week as part of my regular exercise program, and my cardiologist told me plainly I don’t need him, so save the visit. (see previous post: Setting the mood for each day starts with the right attitude).

It doesn’t matter how old you are dancing will improve your heart health. (Anyone who does no exercise at all, should first check with their doctor before proceeding on any vigorous exercise program, or start slowly). One way is because it brings joy into your life which also benefits the heart.

I know another lady in my congregation (Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses) who is of Latin Caribbean decent who is always so elegant, slim, and in shape with no belly fat at all, healthy with no heart problems, and she is probably in her late sixties or even seventies already. She has the body of a young woman in her twenties. But you will never guess her age, except for her beautiful gray hair. She said the only exercise she does is she dances all the time, everyday. It works!

African, Caribbean, and Latin women have used dancing with vigorous body and belly movements to stay slim throughout generations. Dancing is mostly part of our culture, it is only in recent times that others in Western countries realize how the movements they do in these dances really help keep stomach, waist and belly fat away.

Accumulation of fat around the waist, stomach and belly is what leads to high blood pressure and heart disease. Dancing with vigorous body movements will help rid the body of fat in these areas.

In New York City there are several African Exercise Dance classes where even many white women attend and I know some of them look fabulous. One white girl friend said she not only enjoy the way she looks, but how the music and dancing makes her feel, and puts her in a good mood, full of joy!

So watch the video below, and don’t read anything into the body movements, they are the kind of movements that is needed for keeping fat away from the danger zones of the heart, you don’t have to do them all, but moving the belly and waist is good for the heart. And that is the goal of all the above information, (both men and women can benefit from the above) if you try to do them all, eating a well balanced diet including bananas, improving your lifestyle, spirituality and dancing, practicing good body movement exercises, you will keep your heart healthy and happy all year long not just in the month of February. Look at below video and dance along!

Zimbabwe Idya Bananas

Written and illustrated by: Glenda Brill©

Posted in Healthy Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What Are The Little Sponges Soaking Up?

Posted on January 27, 2013 by giggling

This article is written for parents, both mothers and fathers. Single parent or married couples with young children. Or those planning on having children, or anyone can learn a whole lot also. So read all the way to the end. A baby’s or young child’s brain has always been compared to a sponge. Why? Because just like a sponge soaks up anything or everything that is spilled around it, so does the brains of young children. Even before they are born, while in the mother’s womb a baby can already start soaking up things that are happening outside the mother’s womb.

We have often heard some mother’s exclaim when talking about the alertness of their newborn: “This child seems like she (or he) was here before”. In reality they were not literally there before but whatever the environment was outside the womb, the conversations, music, shouting, screaming, fighting, arguments, obscene language, or spirituality was being heard and soaked up by the baby even before they enter the real world.

I know of two different real life experiences where this was proven to be true. One pregnant mother who was a classical pianist practiced her piano music at home everyday right up until she was almost ready to go into labor with her first born child. She particularly loved a favorite classical piano concert piece from Mozart and played it repeatedly during her pregnancy.

Even before they are born babies already start soaking up things happening outside the womb

After her baby was born, she continued her piano practice playing a variety of songs, but whenever she played her favorite Mozart piano concert piece, even if the baby was sleeping, it woke up, the newborn baby actually became very alert, turned its little head in her direction and listened intently. She did this everyday and the response was the same from the baby, the young child acted like she knew the song, recognized its every note and was enjoying the music along with her mother.

The child did not react this way with any of the new songs she was beginning to play but only with this particular classical piece of music. Then she remembered that was her favorite song she played while being pregnant with the baby and the baby heard and knew the music even before it was born. Its little brain had soaked up every note.

Another experience comes from a young father. When his wife was pregnant, every night before they went to sleep, he read a short chapter from a children’s Bible Story Book holding the book and his head close to his wife swollen abdomen and read aloud to the unborn child. After the baby was born he continued rereading the same stories to the child and the baby responded and listened intently like it knew every story he read, it had heard them before, while in the womb.

Giving a young child a cell phone without any supervision is leaving him or her open to a whole world of all kinds of conflicting negative information, messages and moral filth

So today young children are being bombarded or soaking up all kinds of negative information from the day they are born all through their childhood. Some of this comes from right inside their homes. They imitate whatever they hear or see their parents do, or whatever they see or hear on TV or online. And with our new technology craze very young children are given smart phones and are left alone with these, without any supervision from their working parents. Some of these children are entrust in the care of nannies or baby-sitters, who just leave them use their phones as they wish.

Putting these instruments in the hands of young children is giving them access to all kinds of news, internet sites and videos, that should only be visited or seen by adults. And there has not been any research done yet as to the danger of cell phone radiation to a young child’s brains. Or even those whom are stay at home Moms spend so much time on their cell phones and the children can hear their conversations, or left alone to be with their own phone or just watch TV. All this info is slowly shaping their minds, personalities, attitudes and inclinations.

Parents are you aware of whom your children are becoming fans of? Do you know who they are texting each other about?

Most young people even the very young are becoming fans of famous Reality TV Stars, Singers, and other famous questionable personalities. Do you yourself pay attention and admire these people? Then no doubt your children will also pick up on this and absorb these person’s lifestyles and moral ideas.

Lifestyles that were once considered to be immoral and people kept secret are now openly glamorized and broadcast on National TV News making it easy for young children to see and hear, to soak up

For instance lifestyles that were once considered to be immoral and people kept secret are now openly glamorized and even broadcast and praised on National TV News. For instance a certain Reality TV Star who filed for divorce from her third (3rd)husband of only 72 days shortly after started sleeping around with a another man even before her divorce is final.

Now she is pregnant with this other man’s child while still being married to her husband. This has been all over the news, this young couple is being treated as if they did a great thing. It has even been reported that this Star gets the most searches on Google. Why?

A promiscuous woman openly committing adultery and this is good news to be told to the whole world? Why does this even have to be on the National News or Online front page News? And she gets invitations for interviews talking about her pregnancy with another man while still being married to someone else. And what is she going to tell her child after it is born? What will this child soak up with a mother like that? How will this shape their future life?

Another also famous Celebrity Singer also divorced her fourth (4th) husband and shortly after that started dating her dancer and on tour with this man while her divorce is still in progress. And what is so shameful is that she takes her two little children just three years old twins (a boy and girl) with her on tour with this new man, while still being married to their father. What do you think these little children are soaking up?

How will this affect their life now, and in the future? Most of these children whenever you see them look sad and lonely. And what message is being sent to other young children probably your young daughters and sons when they see all this online, and through the news? Are they fans of these Stars, admire them consider them role models, and hope to be like them? Do you know whom your young children are texting each other about?

Parents do you know what your children are soaking up and what they are texting each other about?

Other examples of children being raised by same sex couples (or Sodomites), two fathers or two mothers. But if a child is found in the presence or even touched by a pedophile or child molester which is the same as a sodomite, he is thrown in prison, but young baby boys can be adopted by two homosexual men and raised as their children. And they are praised for their conduct, while someone with the same perverted lifestyle is thrown in prison. What do you think these children are soaking up? Aren’t the lives of these children in just as much danger as those in the presence of a child molester?

Another news bit is the high school Graduate coming out with his gay lifestyle and being praised and congratulated for doing so. On the other hand another famous young man is being condemned for  deception and lies about a girlfriend he never had. Can you understand why children are so confused, stressed and acting like adults? And how do you think this is affecting your own children whom are hearing or seeing this on TV, online or getting this news through their phones?

The little brains of children are constantly being exposed to and obsorbing all kinds of hypocritical and conflicting messages

Do you also see how hypocritical and conflicting the messages are for young minds, because some immoral people with their debased sexual conduct are being glamorized, praised, idolized and even congratulated for exposing their conduct to everyone. While on the other hand those that tell lies, defraud and kill are being condemned. And parents are concerned about the need for gun control to protect their children from killers because this is very bad.

But didn’t the same God that says “do not murder, do not lie or defraud your fellowman, also said do not commit adultery, and a man should not lie down the same with another man as with a woman? (And the same goes for women with women)”.(Exodus 20: 13-16 and Leviticus 20:13) It is all the same thing, murder, lies and deception falls in the same category with sodomy, (sodomy is all unnatural perverted sexual conduct contrary to natural intercourse between a man and a woman), and all the other sexual immoral lifestyles people are glorifying.

The slow moral corrupting of young minds and conscience is the same as killing them, it is destroying them from the inside out.

None is any worst or less wrong than the other. (Revelation 22:15) and if you need to protect your children from killers then you also need to protect them from this type of mind corrupting information that they are soaking up, and that is shaping their personalities.

Children are growing up with no sense of what is right or wrong, no conscience, no morals, no purpose in life, no faith, no hope, all because of what they are soaking up from the world around them. And parents are not teaching them anything to counteract all this adding to the stress and confusion to their lives.

Sad lonely children becoming obsessed with their only companion their cell phones

Some of these children are just plain sad and lonely. They may spend most of their time away from working parents, and even when home there is very little verbal communication within some families, so they have no one to talk to and texting is now taking the place of conversation, adding more to the loneliness of these children.

Their cell phones become their companions since it gives them something to do, search the web, text friends or whatever other apps they have on these phones. Also by soaking in all the things they are hearing or seeing by means of these phones or other electronic devices children are growing up so fast because of being concerned with news that only adults were once concerned with.

Children scared, confused and under stress by all the negative news that were once only the concern of adults.

Just a few days ago I heard on the news how a little five (5) year old girl was suspended from school because she threatened to shoot someone with a Bubble Gun. Now how can a child that young even knew what a gun does and know how to threaten to kill someone with a gun? Because that is all everyone has been talking about since the mass shootings, the discussion of guns and shooting has been on the news constantly.

Or she may have heard her parents talking about the gun and shooting problem, or just soaked up that information from anyone’s conversation around her. She was too young to understand that a Bubble Gun cannot really kill anyone, all she knew from her little brains soaked up info that it was a gun and that it could kill people. Parents do you see how dangerous it is to expose your children to the news or even talk about these things around them?

Last week also a gun was found in the backpack of a seven year old boy. I never did heard if they discovered how the gun got in his backpack. Did he found his parents gun and put it in his school bag to protect him from another shooter? That probably was his idea. Why would a child that young even be concerned about protecting himself with a gun? Again because this is what is being talked about on the news, on the internet, from text messages, no doubt his parents and from others around him.

Children are scared, and under stress because of all the negative news that they are being surrounded by and just soaking up making them act like adults. Children shouldn’t be worried about these things, this is the time for them to learn good things and morals, to play and enjoy life, not under stress and scared. Instead most of them are becoming more and more addicted to information, to their cell phones which is creating other problems that parents are becoming worried about.

Children are not speaking like they should instead they are texting and this is affecting them in other ways like any other addiction. Below is ten signs that will help parents to see if their children are addicted to texting. (These were observed and sent to me by Olivia Lewis from the Nanny Network)

Ten Signs Your child is Addicted to Texting

Instant messaging, Twitter and unlimited texting on many cell phone plans have led to a texting craze among today’s youth. Kids will commonly communicate by texting instead of speaking, even when sitting next to each other on the couch. This texting phenomenon is something that is becoming an increasingly large concern to some parents. Instead of worrying about cigarettes, alcohol or drug addiction, they fear their children are becoming addicted to texting.

How do you know if your kid’s texting is getting out of hand? Here are 10 signs your child may be addicted to texting:

1. Calluses on thumbs – Check your child’s thumbs for  calluses.  This is a clear sign that texting is getting out of hand. Your kid may also start complaining about pain or cramps in the thumbs. This can be caused by severe overuse of the common digits used for texting, and warning bells should be ringing

2. Runs into things – Is your child constantly running into things? Kids who are addicted to texting pay more attention to their phones than where they’re going, and take little notice of any obstacles that may be in their way.

3. Deformed neck – Does your child have a permanently bowed head because of a neck deformity? By looking down at a phone for extended periods of time, growing children can end up with a deformed neck.

4. Speaks in acronyms -When your kids actually talk to you instead of texting, do they speak in acronyms? Are they commonly saying things like OMG and LOL? If you find yourself beginning to wonder if they’ve learned a new language, you’re right. The inability to speak in complete sentences using real words is a clear sign of texting addiction.

5. Attached to phone – Has your child’s phone become a part of their anatomy? Are they continually within arm’s reach of their phone at all times? Are they constantly checking it for new messages? This is another sign you should be concerned.

6. Unaware of surroundings – Are your kids completely oblivious to their surroundings? Are they unaware of spectacular sunsets or a giraffe in the back yard? Children who are addicted to texting become so focused on their phones they ignore everything else.

7. Takes phone to bed – Is your child taking his phone to bed? Some kids will spend all night texting with their friends while their parents are completely unaware. This can lead to serious sleep deprivation and teachers will find them nodding off at school. If you suspect this, you may need to confiscate the phone at bedtime.

8. Panics attacks – If your son or daughter loses their phone, do they go into a panic attack? Kids who are addicted to texting become completely unhinged when separated from their phones. This is a serious sign of addiction that needs to be addressed.

9. Unable to function otherwise – If you take the phone away from your child, is he completely unable to function without it? Kids with serious texting addictions can have trouble functioning without the constant connection to others texting gives them.

10. Combative behavior – Does your child become combative when you confront him with his texting problem? This behavior is another sign of addiction. If this happens, you may need to schedule an intervention.

Can this texting epidemic be stopped, or is it too late? Is our youth condemned to deformed necks and callused thumbs, spending their lives completely oblivious to their surroundings? Even though this article is meant to be tongue in cheek, parents do have some reason to be concerned about their children and texting. If your child is displaying unusual behavior you may need to intervene. Remember that you are the parent and you pay the phone bill. Take action before your child is consumed by the texting craze.

So what can parents do to protect their children from all this information overload and the texting craze?

It is obvious children need more parental guidance and companionship. They are spending to much time alone and their only friends are those that they are keeping touch with by texting. These friends can be anyone pretending to be children hoping for an opportunity to harm them. Since parents are the ones who buy their children these phones and pay the bill then they should only give a phone to those children that are old enough for such and that really need it for school or for keeping in touch with their families.

I don’t see why toddlers need a phone. All of us as adults today grew up without cell phones and we did just fine. I know when I was growing up we had no cell phones, computers or even a TV. I was sixteen years old when we first got a TV at home. We read educational books, and played games which included all kinds of ball games together, and as children play with toys.

I can still remember my dolls and how I used to play doll house with them. We had discussions with our parents and siblings, which included weekly Bible Study and discussions. (see previous post: “Memoirs of a Wonderful Beloved Father). We laughed, sang, dance and had fun together.

Families need to start talking again. Parents should know what is on their children’s minds, their fears, fans, concerns, desires. Take time away from work sometimes and spend time with your children as often as you can, talk to them when out shopping, or on other outings. Let them be children, playing with children’s games or toys, reading children’s books, not premature adults.

Or at home when doing so turn off all the distracting cell phones, TV, computers and other electronic devices. Talk, laugh, play with your children. (see previous post: Remember not to forget the little things of today) I know most people today, don’t want to hear anything about the truth about God and his purpose for humans on earth, and that is the reason they are having so much problems and children are soaking up the wrong information.

We are living in critical times hard to deal with. And it will get worse. (Bible Book of 2 Timothy 3:1)Spiritual instruction in the home is what will give families the strength to cope with these difficult times, and is needed for families to combat all the negative information they are being bombarded with today and causing so much stress for all, especially young children.

Families need to get back to the basic family life that was practiced by their forefathers, where they get together to read and study the Bible, have discussions, pray and go to congregational meetings together. They will be much happier, be less fearful of what is going on in the world, and have a bright future to look forward to. Children are a gift from the Creator, and parents have a heavy responsibility to raise and take care of these precious gifts. Proverbs 22:6 says: “Train up a boy (or girl) according to the way for him, even when he grows old he will not turn aside from it.”

Also at Deuteronomy 6:6-9: God told his people back then to use every opportunity to teach their children what is good and about Him. He says: “and these words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart, and you must inculcate them in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up. And you must tie them as a sign upon your hand, and they must serve as a frontlet band between your eyes; and you must write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

The Creator is the originator of families and is concerned about them, and this is just a illustrative way he is telling parents to be always in a position to teach children what is good, to use any opportunity to show by example or speak or teach good to your children but it first has to be on the parents own heart. They have to first educate themselves in what is good before they can teach or train their children to do so.

Parents can do a lot to control what their little ones soak up by not talking about what is going on around the children, don’t place unnecessary stress on children by allowing them to watch all this negative and glamorized immoral information on TV, and browse the web alone. Know who their friends are, and limit their use of cell phones and getting addicted to this texting craze.

Educate your own heart in what is right, set the right example, use opportunities to teach your children what is right, provide the right environment for them to grow in and they will turn out to be well adjusted adults, because they will be soaking up information that help them to do so. So parents how your children turn out all depends on you! (May want to examine the book on right side of blog : The different faces of the Dysfunctional Family).

Written, designed and illustrated by: Glenda Brill(C)

For previous related posts read:

Remember not to forget the little things of today

Great joy to the world and Peace among men of Goodwill. How to find comfort and hope even now amidst devastating tragedy

It only cost one Sense

CELL-PHONEMANIA

I also do personalized educational children’s books. Personalized books not only teach children but get them interested in reading again as it makes the story about them, their friends, parents or their pets. By seeing their own name and the names of their friends in the story they want to read these books over and over again and these become keepsake books. They are good for babies as well as young children up to age eleven I believe.

To see the titles of books available for personalization download the below order form, select and fill out the required information and send the form to me via attached email to adnelgb@yahoo.com after paying by credit card below. ( can also mail to me to address on form)

Create-A-Book Description and order form

If having trouble paying or putting the order through after clicking the above button please contact me via email and let me know.
If interested in Bible educational books for children or self, you can download such online free or read here at www.jw.org Two good books for children are “Listening  to the Great  Teacher”, “My Book of Bible Stories” and “Young People Ask, Answers that work”.
Posted in Peoples and Families | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“Great Joy to the World, and Peace among men of Goodwill” How to find comfort and hope even now amidst devastating tragedy from this promise

Posted on December 23, 2012 by giggling

Those were the words that angels sang on the night that Jesus was born. This time of year people around the world think about Jesus Christ birth, even though many know that his birth did not occur on December 25th, but they are really celebrating a pagan holiday.

But they get so caught up in the Christmas spirit that most people even don’t pay attention to why Jesus came and what are the meaning of the words that the angels announced at his birth. Why would his birth bring great joy and peace to humanity? And with ever increasing violence and trouble on earth now why would this give us comfort and hope in that promise?

Because Jesus Christ was born and died to put the Evil One Satan the Devil out of existence a promise that was given all the way back in the garden of Eden. All through the centuries God’s people were looking out for the birth of the Messiah.  The long awaited Savior promised to bring relief from sin, disease, trouble and death restoring humans back to the perfect state they were created as, and supposed to live was finally born. (See previous post on : “Why cleverly calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent acts of insanity or a mental disorder”)

Now that he was finally here the angels were singing and announcing that at last the Savior did arrive giving all people on earth the wonderful hope that now the Messiah was here God’s purpose for the restoration of Paradise on earth and human perfection is guarantee to take place.

This would bring joy and peace even now before it actually takes place, and even more so when it is finally fulfilled. Is it coincidental that the Evil One has struck again just around the time of the year when most people do think about Jesus Christ?. Now that his end is very close he is doing all he can to destroy the human race and get their attention away from God’s Kingdom, of which Jesus is the main King.

Before I go on I want to first send all the families whom lost those innocent children and teachers in death my condolences and sympathy! But more so to share the Biblical truth and hope with them for a better world in which these sad things will not occur anymore. The title of this post quotes from the Biblical promise and how they can see their children again right here on earth.

I listened and saw all the news reports and the interfaith services and the comments from the clergy and even the President, but not one person has mentioned anything worthwhile about God’s purpose, offered any real comfort and hope to these parents and families, or answered the constant questions everyone is asking: ”Why did all this happen?” Why? Why?”

Do you really believe that God the Creator, and lover of the human race has to kill little children in order to take them to heaven to be angels?

But instead I kept hearing the same lies, that God has called the children home to be angels in heaven! And the murderer was suffering from mental illness! So according to the opinions of the majority because they don’t believe in the truth, every time Satan and his demons possessed someone to carry out his evil aims to kill humanity, it is not murder, he is just mentally ill!

So this would also mean that all the terrorism and killings that are taking place around the world, and even men in the past like Alcaida, Hitler and others, were not Satan’s murderous evil agents, but just mentally ill, they didn’t know what they were doing. (See previous post on “Why cleverly calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent acts of insanity or a mental disorder”).

And the Creator of the human race and God of love is going to call a evil possessed young man with enough assault guns to wipe out hundreds of people for no reason, and send him to a elementary school to kill little innocent children just to take them to heaven to be angels? This mass murderer used several bullets to kill each child, it was complete brutal slaughter of innocent children.

If this kind of teaching is true then according to the religious leaders and their believers God is to blame for this mass murder of young children and teachers so why all the fuzz, this is a good thing then! And what about their parents? What kind of God would rip little children away from their parents just to be angels in heaven?

How can intelligent people really believe such disgusting religious nonsense? Don’t people see this is complete blasphemy against the Most High himself inspired by the Opposer and Hater of God and humanity? Satan is the Ruler of the world (Bible books of John 12:31, John 14:30 and John 16:11), and controls all the world’s religions and governments that is the reason they cannot tell you the truth or offer any comfort and hope.

They are not God’s agents for teaching the truth, but filling your minds up with sheer lies and falsehood! But still they are pretending to be so concerned about the victims and their families with their hypocritical words: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you”. Prayers to Who? Not the true God!

 The problems we are faced with today are spiritual problems, it all started as a spiritual problem, disobedience to God, and can only be solved in a spiritual way by obedience to God

It is in times like these that we see how spiritual dark and sick this world really is. It is just as the Bible says at 2 Corinthians 4:4 in speaking about the Opposer, Satan the Devil calling him the God of this system of things how he has “blinded the minds of the unbelievers that the good news about the Christ might not shine through.” People are spiritually blind and sick, with no knowledge of the true purpose of life or hope even though it is written right in their own Bibles.

Mostly because their religious leaders have not taught people the truth, or explain them why there is so much hatred, evil and violence in the world. You could see so many sincere people flocking to the church for the memorial of these children hoping to get answers to their questions: Why, Why, Why? And they got nothing, but the same lies as mentioned above. As Jesus said about our time period people would be like sheep without a shepherd their leaders not giving them any real spiritual direction or hope.

About two months ago I explained all this in the article or post entitled: ”Why cleverly calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent acts of insanity or a mental disorder” and the following one on ”Developing a keen sense of observation could save many lives.“ Please read those again if you haven’t done so already because I started all the way from Genesis following each historical step first from the creation of Adam and Eve, how evil was born in a good angel who became the Opposer and hater of God and the human race, Satan.

How death was introduced because of this rebellion when Eve disobeyed God’s instructions by listening to Satan and was later followed by Adam. In Genesis 3:15 God foretold that He would send a Savior or Messiah to save dying humans and restore Paradise and human perfection again, by putting the Evil one Satan the Devil out of existence.

Billions of angels were already in heaven long before the creation of humans on earth. Job 38:7 mentions how they shouted in joy and applauded after the creation of the first humans on earth and they are always spoken of as Sons of God, never as children. (Genesis 6:2) So God doesn’t need people or children from the earth to be angels in heaven.

God showed whom the Messiah would come through by giving the faithful man Abraham the promise that by means of his seed all the nations of the earth will bless themselves. (Genesis 22:18) All through history every detail of this Messiah was given so that everyone could recognize him when he arrived, even the place of his birth was foretold. (read previous post: “Why cleverly calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent acts of insanity or a mental disorder“)

All this was for the purpose of getting rid of Satan and his demons, (there were other angels whom also disobeyed God and joined Satan in his promoting of evil among people on earth), also for restoring perfect life, peace and joy to humans again on a Paradise Earth just as it was intended to be from the beginning.

People were never told or promised that they would die and later be taken to heaven. Adam and Eve were created from the dust of the earth to live forever right here. The earth was their home, it was supposed to become a global Paradise, they were given the command to multiple and fill the earth, take care of it and all the animals on it. But if they didn’t listen to God their Life Giver they couldn’t keep on living without this Life Source just as a light would go out if the electrical cord was unplugged from its source.

And that is what happened, after they sinned they began dying and so have all their offspring ever since. But going to heaven was never mentioned. After they sinned God simple told them as recorded in Genesis 3:19: “In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are, and to dust you will return.”

Unfortunately that is where all humans since Adam and Eve sold us into sin and death have gone back to, the dust of the earth, whether they are rich or poor, old, young or children, buried in a fancy coffin, or a plain one, they have all become dust again just as the Creator said they would because of disobedience. But since God knew that Adam and Eve offspring didn’t deserve to die because of their disobedience he promised to resurrect them back to life and give them a chance at living forever on earth as he intended. And that was the purpose of sending Jesus to die to give all people even those whom died because of no fault of their own, a chance at life again.

 Millions will be resurrected back to life right here on earth under God’s Kingdom in the coming new world, including many children

But in the meantime our loving God was preparing to reverse all this by sending His son to die and restore the human race back to his original purpose of perfect life on earth. This means millions of those now sleeping in death will be resurrected back to life on earth. John 5;28, 29 says: “Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgement.”

So without a doubt those children and teachers will be resurrected back to life under God’s Kingdom in the new world of peace and joy. This Kingdom is the arrangement or Government God provided to accomplish this

restoration work and is made up of Jesus Christ and other co-rulers, faithful men and women chosen by God from the earth. Just like any government it is made of a set number of rulers 144.000. (Read Revelation 14:1, Rev 7:4) They are grown men and women, the first selection of these started with Jesus Christ disciples whom were all natural born Jews and with whom he made the New Covenant on the night before he died.

(Genesis 22:18 God promised Abraham that members of his offspring or “Seed” would be the ones to bless all nations of the earth by means of this Kingdom). (read ”Why cleverly calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent acts of insanity or a mental disorder”) Later after the Jews as a nation rejected Jesus as the Messiah, God’s invitation and selection of members for the Kingdom was extended to anybody from any race or nation whom was humble enough to take in instruction and qualify to be members of this Government. 

So God’s Kingdom is made up of natural born Jews, the first chosen foundation members, as well as men and women chosen by God from all nations of the earth to rule as Kings and Priests along with Jesus Christ, over those on earth in restoring humans back to perfection. (Revelation 20:6, Rev 14:1, and Rev 7:4).They have been tested and proven their love and faith for the Creator and his Son Jesus Christ. They are not children, they become spirits in heaven but do not become part of the body of angels.

But were chosen by God, not a decision they made themselves, as some people think they can these days, to go to heaven to co-rule with Jesus Christ as Kings and Priests on behalf of the rest of humans on earth. This choosing started while Jesus was on earth and continued after then until the number was filled.  Most of those members are already in that Kingdom ready to go into action on behalf of survivors into the cleansed earth. Only a few are still alive on earth today, before they also will die and go to their assignments. (Revelation 20:6).

 Jesus used children as an illustration to show that humble people are the ones whom God chose to rule in that Kingdom, childlike qualities, not proud haughty people.

These are humble men and women chosen from earth because of their faith and love for God and people. They cannot be proud haughty people. Proud people are not the ones whom usually listens to the Bible teachings, or have any interest in spiritual things. So they never really learn the truth because they are to proud and haughty and some of these are the very ones today whom are asking: “Why, Why, Why”?

That is the reason Jesus used children as an illustration to show how God is interested in humble people, childlike qualities. He said in Matthew 19:14: “Let the young children alone, and stop hindering them from coming to me for the Kingdom of the Heavens belongs to suchlike ones”

And in Matthew 18:3 he made it even clearer what he meant, as he said: “Unless you turn around and become as young children, you will by no means enter into the Kingdom of the heavens. Therefore, whoever will humble himself like this young child is the one that is the greatest in the Kingdom of the heavens”.

So teaching people that God took children to be angels in heaven is a false teaching, a lie. The angels themselves are always spoken of as adult spiritual sons of God doing their assigned duties in heaven and working on behalf of humans on earth. They are of a different nature and superior than humans and all work in different assignments doing God’s will in heaven and also on behalf of people on earth. God doesn’t employ children to work in heaven. (Read Bible books of Ezekiel and Daniel, shows how billions of angels in heaven created by God for doing different tasks and working on behalf of humans on earth).

The Creator made families to live together on earth, he will not break families up, especially in such a devastating murderous slaughter to take their children away to heaven. They belong here on earth with their families. But everyone keep asking how can this happen? What needs to be done to stop it from happening again?

 Ever increasing lawlessness sign of the last days of Satanic Rulership

Jesus foretold that when the Kingdom was established in heaven, it would be the beginning of the last days for Satan’s world. He was defeated and thrown out of heaven and Revelation 12: 9, 12 says that this would result in great trouble on earth because the Devil is angry, and is intent on killing as many humans as he can so that no one would be alive when the Kingdom finally starts its restoration over the earth. I quoted this scripture in the previous posts on: (Why cleverly calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent acts of insanity or a mental disorder.”)

So here is what it says again Revelation 12:9 “So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. And verse 12 says: “..Woe for the earth and for the sea because the Devil has come down to you having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time”. This angry spirit is what is behind the ever increasing violence and hatred, getting worst as the time gets closer for his being put out of existence. Matthew 24:12 says there will be an increase in lawlessness.

 Violence has become the number one choice of entertainment, so people are reaping what they are sowing

Most people today are lovers of violence. They complain when they hear about a shooting that took place, but still go out and spend money to view violence on the Big Screen or watch it on TV. Violence is featured in almost every movie either for Film or TV produced, Video games, Music, Books, Internet sites and other media outlets. Toy guns are produced for little boys to play with, and even cartoon shows for young children to view.

Not just violence but so many shows and movies now featuring all kinds of demonic characters like angry monsters, dragons, witches and strange characters all to do evil, get revenge, win at all cost, fight, kill, kick, promote hatred and desensitize people toward badness. Young children are being bombarded by all this violence and evil being infiltrated into their hearts.

And their spirits their (inner selves) becoming inclined and trained to do the same thing. The motivating spirit is to hate, kill, fight, anybody, it doesn’t matter whether they are old or young. It is the spirit of Satan who hates all people, and pushing people toward self destruction. That is the reason also it is a spiritual problem, and can only be solved in a spiritual way.

Parents have to watch what they are allowing their children to listen, play with, watch, or what they are being exposed to otherwise they could be guilty of allowing evil to enter their homes and influence their children to become just like what they are watching and being trained to do.

Parents are allowing evil to enter their homes through these different mediums, allowing guns, and letting their children play violent games, watch demonic and violent movies or expose them to any of these things in any way is bringing the spirit of the Devil right into their homes and will influence your children to become just like what they are watching and being trained to do. Especially if their is no true Biblical or spiritual instruction being taught in the home, we are seeing the sad results of such. The Bible says at Galatians 6:7:  “God is not one to be mocked, for whatever a man is sowing this he will also reap.”

That is what the mother of Adam Lanza the Mass Killer did. She had a house full of guns, and even taught him to use them, besides allowing this young man to play violent video games and who knows what else he was looking at on the internet or even if he was on drugs. He became possessed or fascinated with evil, and so she reaped what she sowed.

Her own well trained in evil son killing his own mother and killing so many other innocent children and teachers besides. You can see how all these young mass killers are motivated by the same Satanic or demonic evil force, as if they are following specific instructions from someone else. They are all bright intelligent young men, they prepare very well for their mission to kill, all dress the same in black, just like the killers in the movies, they have a clever well planned out way to attack and enough weapons to kill as many people they can get away with, and always seem to strike at a time when people least expect.

Will getting more gun laws really stop violence and mass killings ?

Getting guns out of the hands of so many people might reduce the killings, but if some people still have guns hidden in their homes, sooner or later at any opportunity they will use those weapons to kill. Because it is not guns or laws that kill, it is people! As long as people have hearts full of hatred, evil intentions, jealousy or rage they will find other ways to kill their fellowman even if they cannot get a gun.

So the key is teaching children or people how to love their fellowman, changing hearts to be loving, kind, compassionate, and developing love for God and people and hatred for what is bad. That is why I said above it is a spiritual problem. A problem that has to be changed from the inside out.

Laws cannot change hearts, only true love for God and neighbor can. If everyone on earth learns how to love their fellowman from the heart, we wouldn’t need laws, because love would motivate us to not kill, not to steal, fight, or do anything to harm each other. People wouldn’t need weapons to protect themselves from their neighbor because their neighbor will not do them any harm either.

 Freedom from all violence is possible only when all people on earth learn how to love God and their fellowman, it is a spiritual solution for a spiritual problem.

Folks, this is the way our Creator intended the humans race to live on this earth, and this is the way it will be in the coming new world under the rule of God’s Kingdom in the hands of the Prince of Peace.

Some people might be saying yes, that sounds like fantasy but it is not possible now. I can assure you that it is possible now because millions and millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses from every racial and ethnic group around the world in over 234 countries and islands of the sea, from their study of the Bible have learned to love God and neighbor and are constantly being trained in being loving amidst a world of hate. They are not allowed to have any guns in their homes, or carry guns on their body or go to war to kill their fellowman. Their children don’t watch violent movies, or play any kinds of violent video games or anything that can teach them to do harm to another.

Even toy guns are not bought for little boys to play with. I was raised in a home as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, my father especially took the lead in teaching us children the Bible from very young, (that is the reason I know all this information as I was asked before, and the reason I am given you some scriptures to read in your own Bible to see the Truth is right there for anyone with a love for what is right to see for themselves).

Every week we had regular family Bible study discussions in our home, as well as attended weekly congregational Bible study discussions with other families of Jehovah’s Witnesses and anybody whom are interested in learning what the Bible teaches and the hope for the future. These meetings are upbuilding Bible discussions on specific topics for building character and teaching proper conduct relating to the particular topic.

They are not dominated by any Clergy, Reverend, Father or Priest (there is no such thing mentioned in the Bible) carrying out a bunch of religous rituals from which no body learns anything, but are like a big family discussing the Bible, and commenting on the topic and how the Bible helps us apply council in dealing with every problem which we all face.

Also there is the Theocratic Ministry School and Service Meeting which trains us to be Public Speakers, and how to talk and treat people, proper dress and grooming, scene study, the study and acting out (mini dramas on stage for everyone to see and learn) different situations that can arise and how we can use the Bible to solve the problem with love, or answer questions people ask. As well as presentation of the Bible’s Message to help anybody whom has a desire to learn.

Everyone, even little children in attendance participate, and give talks and comments, which I still do today and enjoy. (see previous post: Memoirs of a wonderful Beloved Father) I have seen guns on TV, or in magazines, but never seen a real one in my life, and I really don’t know the difference between the kinds of guns that I heard being mentioned. What a pistol, an assault gun, hand gun or rifle is, I have no idea and don’t want to know either.

I have no interest in violent movies, and really can’t stand to see someone brutalize another person or see blood. Even common fighting if such break out anywhere where I am I run away for my life, I get so scared of seeing a person being killed. Many of Jehovah’s Witnesses are single women like myself living alone with no guns for protection, and many of them living in war torn countries surrounded by lawless people and terror.

Some witnesses have had guns pointed in their faces demanding that they get away from their doors when they are out preaching, and just simple wished the person a good day and peacefully walked away, leaving the person dumb founded. No doubt they expected a fight but shocked to see the peace they didn’t expect and the power of God’s spirit in action. 

They don’t have guns for protection as some clamoring for gun laws are trying to defend their reasons for having guns. And still we have inner peace, a peace that puzzles many people. This is because after studying the Bible for so many years has prepared me and others for everything that is happening, and I know what the outcome will be, so I don’t get disturbed and keep asking why, why why? Rather I feel more inclined to help people to see why.

 Trying to stop violence with violence will only increase it, Jesus said if you live by the sword you will perish by the sword

Those above words have proven so true. Don’t those whom make their living from carrying guns such as Police Officers, Soldiers, or Military people usually also die from the very weapons they carry for protecting people or themselves? If you are depending on guns to protect you, most of the time you’ll also die at the hands of guns.

Also many people who kept guns for protection have ended up accidentally killing other family members with their own guns. While others in a argument with someone who also had a gun died from the other persons gun shot. Or some because of the availability of having a gun in their home in getting in any argument or fight with their marriage mate or someone else in their household have shot them.

While others have used their guns to kill themselves or commit suicide. Isn’t this what happened to the shooter and his mother? Why in the world did this single woman need so many guns to protect her, looks like she was preparing for a war.

Also if young children should find these guns and not knowing the danger of such can end up killing themselves. This happened years ago back in St. Maarten, two little girls, sisters found their fathers gun under his bed while playing hide and seek. Not knowing how dangerous a gun was one of the little girls pulled the trigger and accidentally killed her little sister.

These were two beautiful little girls just five (5) and three (3) years old. The five year old killed her own little sister by accident due to the carelessness of her father having a gun in his home under the bed where little children love to play. He paid a heavy price for that by spending many years in prison, while the surviving sister is now an adult and I don’t know if she can remember or was ever told that she killed her own little sister by accident.

The ever increasing lawlessness and the preaching about this Kingdom is proof that those words sang by the angels that Joy and Peace is soon to be fulfilled on this earth among men of goodwill

Many former violent people whom have studied the Bible and allowed God’s spirit to change their own inner spirit or hearts have thrown away their guns or weapons and now have peace of mind and contentment. So the evil spirit that once motivated them to kill and what the rest of the world is calling mental illness has been replaced with God’s Spirit and they can in turn help other people to learn to love their fellowman. This is the only way people can stop all this violence, by changing hearts from one of hate to that of love, and only the True God can do that.

This educational work is already taking place worldwide, and will continue on into the coming new world when Satan and his demons are removed from this earth. Those whom God allows to survive this coming world change in which the restoration of humanity back to perfection on earth will take place will have to have a love for God and their fellowman, because violence will be no more, only love, joy and peace will prevail.

So the increasing lawlessness now is evidence that the Kingdom of God is soon to start ruling over this earth, and that is the reason those words that the angels sang at Jesus birth can be a source of comfort for those whom are mourning. Because even those whom have died will be resurrected and given the chance at human perfection and everlasting life again right here on this earth, our home.

So if you are a parent or one of those whom recently lost any of those loved ones in the recent mass shooting or even previous ones, your loved children or relatives will be resurrected back to life on earth! It depends on you now to be among those whom will be there to welcome them back home to this earth not heaven! So amidst all the devastating tragedy that has taken place recently, you can find comfort now in those words sang at Jesus birth, the coming King of God’s Kingdom, “Joy to the world and peace among men of good will”, and develop the hope of seeing its fulfillment soon.

 For related posts to this one read:

“Why cleverly calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent acts of insanity or a mental disorder”

“Develping a keen sense of observation can save many lives”

“Hey, what’s up with all these Christmas lights and decorations anyway?”

“People are basically all just people”

“Memoirs of a wonderful beloved father”

Website designed, written and illustrated by Glenda Brill (©)
 If interested in learning more about God’s Purpose for this earth, and how you can live forever on earth, and would like to examine the Bible in the privacy of your own home, send me your email address via this email address adnelgb@yahoo.com and I will send you a brochure via attachment which will help you build faith in this promise. Or you can go directly to this website www.jw.org and download or request this book: “What does the Bible really teach”  in any language you wish and get personal help in answering your questions anywhere in the world.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Encouragement, Peoples and Families | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Think before you ink the skin, t(h)at too can be painfully costly

Posted on November 28, 2012 by giggling

Today tattoos – ink on the skin seems to be the in thing. Nearly everybody or his brother and sister got a tattoo somewhere on their body. This past summer when the weather was so hot here in New York, and everyone wore shorts or sleeveless shirts, I remembered riding the overcrowded subway one day going downtown.

Since I had to stand while holding on to the handles overhead, I couldn’t help noticing the people sitting down in front of me. I was surprised to see almost every single person both young men and women of every race or ethnic group sitting for rows down was exposing tattoos on their arms, legs, necks, chests, and even the calf of their legs.

Even very young teenagers were flashing tattoos. On the back of their calves, some with both arms completely covered by tattoos, and other women wearing low cut blouses exposing tattoos right down the middle of their cleavages. Wow, I had no idea tattoos were that popular, I thought it was mostly among Celebrities, Rock and Pop Stars. It is not just that we are living in a scary world (a world full of fear) but also a very scarry one, people full of scars, for that is what a tattoo is, a permanent decorated scar on the skin.

From a little girl I could remember myself always scribbling, drawing or painting on any piece of paper I could get my hands on. My parents used to buy coloring books for me to color the illustrations in whatever colors I choose using either coloring pencils or crayons. And as I got older I advanced to other mediums such as water colors and paints. So I guess I was born to be an Artist, but drawing on the skin, somehow I never thought that was right.

I couldn’t stand even a little spot getting on my skin as it looked dirty to me. And as I grew into my teenage years I was always concerned that those teenage blemishes don’t leave any permanent scars on my face or body. And that was the way most people thought a few years back.

A few years ago people would do anything to remove scars or any blemishes from their bodies, spotless and blemish free clear skin was something everyone desired. There were creams invented to remove or hide even the smallest blackhead scars as people find them to be embarrassing and unattractive. Now they are paying money to do just the opposite, to place permanent marks on their bodies. Are the outer scars a reflection of the inner deep seated psychological or emotional scars?

Perhaps that is the case with some people, or others just follow the crowd. Because some of their friends or favorite Stars do it, they do it to. It is like monkey see, monkey do. This is often the case with preteens and teenagers, they want everything that the majority of their peers have. But just like certain types of clothes can identify people with a certain group or a gang, so that would be the same with tattoos. So it would be wise to find out what kind of people wore tattoos, what do most of the skin graft symbols represent, and what were they involved in?

Tattoos go back as far back as 5000 years ago, and it is believed that the first tattoo was discovered by accident. Someone developed a wound on their skin, and since in those days they used coal in open fire cooking, while taking care of the fire rubbed their dirty hand that was covered in black soot and ashes accidently right into the wound. After the wound healed it left a permanent mark in the skin.

From then onward the art of cutting the skin and inserting dark or colored material under those cuts forming these into designs on the skin became a practice throughout most of the pagan world.

In the high Altai mountains of Western and Southern Siberia mummies have been excavated that date to around 2400 years ago. The tattoos on their bodies represented a variety of animals, griffins, and monsters and was believed to have magical significance, but a few were purely decorative.

In 1891 mummified remains have also been found in Egypt of a priestess of the goddess Hathor at Thebes who lived around 2160 BC – 1994 BC. Her body was covered with tattoos of dots, lines and dashes that were grouped together in abstract geometric patterns. This type of design was restricted to women only and was associated with ritualistic idol worship. The Egyptians spread the art of tattooing throughout the world, to Crete, Greece, Persia and Arabia. By the year 2000 BC tattooing had spread all the way to Southeast Asia. Eventually Japan, China, Polynesia, Samoa, New Zealand, Indonesia, India/Thailand all adopted the pagan practice of tattooing.

The Romans whom got the practice of tattooing from the Greeks used it to brand slaves and criminals and it was also used as a form of punishnment. During the early Roman Empire all slaves exported to Asia were tattooed with the inscription: “Tax paid”. Convicts, Gladiators and Soldiers also used tattoos on their faces but this was later prohibited by the Roman Emperor Constantine. Even though he wasn’t a worshiper of the true God, followed his conscience and believed that humans created in God’s Image should not disfigure or defile their faces. (That’s one thing he was right about).

In 1519 when the Spaniards, who had never heard of tattoos before, arrived on the coast of Mexico they were horrified to learn that the natives not only worship devils in the form of statues and idols but also had these idol images indelible imprinted on their skin. They immediately recognized it as the work of Satan. The Spaniards later discovered that the practice of tattooing was widely practiced not just in Mexico but throughout all of Central America.

The practice spread to North America where outstanding warriors were recognized by their tattoos. And the first tattoo shop was set up in New York City and began the tradition of tattooing military servicemen from both sides of the civil war. In 1891 Samuel O ‘Reilly invented the electric tattooing machine which made the art of performing tattoos easier to do.

Eventually tattoos became the mark of sailors and criminals. Sailors returned home from their ships with their own tattoos. And prisoners had tattoos imprinted on their bodies what they desired in their soul-autonomy and identity. Most of those in prison were gang members and they had their own gang tattoos. A permanent mark showed total commitment to the gang.

These tattoos also revealed a lot about each individual gang member such as what their beliefs were, who they were, what gang they belonged to, where they came from, how many years they were in jail, and how many people they killed. This was symbolized by the spider web on their elbows showing how many people they killed.

Because the same gods or spirits (Satan and the demons) the evil promoters of every unclean ungodly practice are still around. And more so now than ever before since these are the last days of his Rulership over the world, is misleading the entire inhabited earth and leading people straight to destruction where he and his demons are heading. (Bible books of Revelation 12:9, 12 and Ephesians 6:12) (read previous posts: “Why cleverly calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent acts of insanity or a mental disorder” and “Developing a keen sense of observation could save many lives”).

Inspite of the progress our generation claim to have made, morally and spiritually we are the most backward, ignorant and debased than previous ones. People do and say things now without any regard, as to whether it is morally or spiritually right or wrong. (as the Bible says in Ephesians 4:19 “ Having come to be past all moral sense they gave themselves over to loose conduct to work uncleanness of every sort”).

There is demonic influence in all areas of life. And this is mostly promoted through entertainment – music, videos, movies and other media outlets. Talent and Art are gifts from God, entertainment is needed to add to our enjoyment of life. So don’t get me wrong for pointing this out, I love the whole Creative and Performing Arts industry. I am an Artist myself and have studied all phases of the creative arts: Art & Design, dancing, music, acting, and worked for 6 years in the Industry (ABC-TV in New York City), and would love to work in the Industry again, especially movies.

So I have a keen interest in everything that is taking place in the Industry. I don’t think I can live in a world without any entertainment, and God never meant for us to live in such a world otherwise there would not be so much talent out there. But because of this love and need for entertainment by all humans,  it is one of the easiest channels that Satan and his demons are using to entrap masses of people around the world by promoting his God dishonoring and self destructive lifestyles. Their influence is very plain to see these days.

I believe the art of the modern day tattoo first began in the Music Industry where most Heavy Metal Musicians and Rock Stars started having tattoos. Most of them were also drug addicts, and eventually spread to all areas of the Entertainment world, including Actors, Dancers, Singers, Performers and even those behind the  scenes.

 And ofcourse there are more nudity on stage than before because they have to expose their tattooed bodies for everyone to see. So young men and women dance half naked freely on stage with bodies full of tattoos, or appear on the cover of magazines practically naked exposing their tattooed body parts.

These are the ones whom everyone idolize, the “Super Stars”  of our day, whom set the standard in fashions, conduct, and speech, and whom everyone want to look like. All forms of evil are viewed as good entertainment. So the message that is being sent is that it is alright to have tattoos just like extreme violence, evil, vulgar speech, sexual immoral and perverted lifestyles or sodomy are condone as nothing being wrong with them.

All these talented people and those whom imitate them don’t realize that the ones whom are getting their honor and of whom they have become “Slaves” of are the Devil and the demons. He is willfully promoting everything that he knows God condemns and that can corrupt humans so that they will have to be destroyed along with him and his demons. (See previous post on “Why calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent acts of insanity or a mental disorder” and the follow up to that one). Even though the entire pagan world back then practiced the art of tattooing in honor of idol and demonic worship, there is no record of God fearing men and women (the original Israelites/Jews and succeeding Christians) engaging in the practice of putting marks on their skin. This was in obedience to several commands given by the Creator himself: One is not to have any other Gods before His face, and not to make any carved images of anything in Heaven or Earth, or under the Sea and serve them. (Bible book of Exodus 20: 3, 4).  

Leviticus 19:28 the practice of cutting the skin and tattooing is clearly prohibited, words spoken by God himself. It says “And you must not make cuts in your flesh for a deceased soul, and you must not put tattoo marking upon yourselves. I am Jehovah” (The name of the true God and Creator) (Bible Book of Leviticus 19:28).

The skin is the largest cell in the body, protecting our immune system and other bodily organs. If a tattoo Artist doesn’t keep his hands clean, (even though I believe they are require to wear gloves) or the instruments that is used in tattooing are not sterilized, and even the ink that is used is contaminated we don’t know to what extent bacteria produced by such can cause poisoning of the blood stream and affect the entire immune system which protects us from diseases.

Many commands such as washing hands, drinking wine in moderation, laughter as being good for the heart, the proper dispensing of animal fat and blood, eating of certain foods and many others were given by our Creator (Jehovah) years ago, and are only now, being discovered by Scientists in our modern century as having many health and life preserving benefits.

But our Creator knew this all along. Every command given to humans by God was for their physical and spiritual health and protection. Being created in His Image he wanted people to keep their bodies clean and healthy which would contribute to their general well being and preservation of their life. Those who did in the past carry themselves with human dignity and respect, they had peace and stood out from among the other idol worshiping pagan nations around them.

This is recorded in the Bible Book of Isaiah 48: 17, 18: “ This is what Jehovah has said…the Holy One of Israel, I Jehovah am your God, the One teaching you to benefit yourself, the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk. O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandment! Then your peace would become just like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”

This command to be clean was carried over into the Christian area, right up into our time period, which was an extension of the Hebrew/Judean period.

In 2 Corinthians 7:7 it was repeated: “Therefore since we have these promises beloved ones, (the promise of a better world under God’s Kingdom) let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God’s fear.” Holiness and cleanliness means the same thing, tattoos make one look physical unclean and because they have their roots in Satanic worship are also a spiritual defilement. Some people may not have any interest in listening to what God says, or even believe in such, and may reason that they just like tattoos because they make them look more attractive. But do they really?Anything added to our body is supposed to enhance us, not take away from it. For instance women wear clothes and jewelry to enhance or compliment their beauty, and a man will wear a nice shirt, tie or jacket that enhances his looks, and to look presentable for the occasion he is dressing for. (See previous post on: “When Heads turn, let it be for the right reason“)

Anything that we wear whether it is clothes, shoes, a purse, necklace or earrings. Shirt or ties, should add or compliment our attractiveness, should make us more pleasing to the beholder, not divert from it. To me tattoos do just the opposite, they distract from a persons natural beauty. A beautiful woman or some men with visible tattoos look spotty and to me some look plain dirty like they haven’t taken a bath or shower in days.

I was looking at the American Music Award show last Sunday, and some of the male singers and dancers with their shirts off exposing their bodies, had bare backs, chests, arms, necks and heads full of tattoos.

Some of these performers are handsome or attractive people but they look like a bunch of dirty zombies whom haven’t taken a bath in days with their bodies covered up in tattoos. Their natural attractiveness was completely lost because our eyes usually go to the distraction rather than the attraction.

And the hard fact is that tattoos are permanent skin marks. And as people age their skin also ages and those tattoos that they thought once as attractive don’t look the same anymore and become even more of a distraction. And so some people find themselves stuck with tattoos they no longer like. The cost to remove tattoos are much higher than having them done in the first place, and the process cannot be done with one treatment.

It takes several laser surgical procedures, somewhere from ten to fifteen laser treatments to remove tattoos. And each treatment is only about twenty minutes long with several weeks of healing time in between. Each one of these less than a hour treatment cost several hundreds or thousands of dollars each, and most average people can’t afford the cost. And with the healing weeks in between it is a very long and very painful process.

Earlier this year in January 2012 a poll was taken among 21% of Americans who had tattoos done years ago. One in eight of those polled regretted having it done. Some of the reasons were that they were just mere teenagers or too young when the process was done. Others said it was permanent and they felt marked for life. Some as they got older no longer liked the tattoos.

The same poll was done among tattooed people in Britain, and Italians with the same regretful attitude. As life is constantly changing people minds also change. What you like when you are a teenager, you usually outgrow as you get older. But unfortunately the tattoo is permanent, and doesn’t go away with age.

Some people changed careers or got a new job that requested that tattoos be removed. Others may have ended  previous relationships or marriages that had the name of their partner tattooed onto their bodies, now they want to remove that person’s name. This happens quite often with Actors, whom change relationships often, or they may get some acting parts that require the covering up or complete removal of their tattoos.

One Actress gave her experience several months ago of how she had to remove tattoos because of getting a part that didn’t want any exposed tattoos on her body. She described the process as so painful, worst than giving birth to a child of which she had several children, and she said she would rather have more children than suffer the pain of another tattoo removal. With increasing technology in laser surgical tattoo removal techniques, the pain might be reduced, but it still takes  several laser treatments to completely remove a tattoo, and so far it is very expensive.

Most medical insurance companies don’t cover cosmetic procedures like tattoo removal. So if you are just the average person whom wants to remove previous tattoos and doesn’t have the money to pay a high tech doctor to remove it then you are stuck for life with a branding or mark on your body that you may now be embarrassed to show, or have to do all you can to cover it up.

So whether you are a young person, or the average person whom may be tempted to follow the crowd in getting a tattoo done and didn’t know to much about the process. In view of the foregoing history, how it affects both your physical and spiritual life, and the fact that you may be interested now, but later a change can occur in your life that might require that you remove that tattoo. Also the pain and money that it will require to do so it is wise to do as the title of this post says: “Think before you ink the skin, tattoos can be painfully costly!” And I should add both in a physical and spiritual sense. But like everything else it is your choice!

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Being careful to carefully put Care back in its place with Care

Posted on October 31, 2012 by giggling

A lot of caring in that title. So who cares? That seems to be the prevalent attitude with most people today, and this lack of caring is responsible for the untimely death of some people and most of our problems. Everybody should have a caring attitude, because everything both inanimate things and living beings need care. And any business, family or human relationships cannot function properly or succeed without care. What is care?

Care means: centering our attention, anxiety or solicitude on a person or thing, or being concerned or having a personal interest, relation or affection for a person, animal or thing. The word is similar to solicitude which means attentive care and protectiveness, great concern or connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness towards another. Concern also implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation or affection, such as the care a parent would have for a child or children, or vice versa children should have for an ill or aging parent, or a person will have for a animal or pet.

Why Care is necessary for the growth and welfare of life before birth and all throughout up until death.

Even before a child is born, the mother has to be careful about her health so that the baby inside her will also be healthy. And after birth then even more care has to be taken for the child, not just in providing clothing, food, and a warm place to sleep but more so for it’s emotional needs, by hugging, holding, softly talking, rocking and singing to the baby, loving care necessary for the proper development of the child. Without this the baby’s growth can be stunted or it can even die.

Even if the mother or both parents are not always present, this care needs to be given to the baby for its own proper development.  And parents whom need child care should carefully investigate the entire background of those they are hiring and entrusting the care of their young children to. Not doing so can be dangerous and can affect the child’s health and development. The importance of loving care to a baby even if it is not by its own mother was discovered years ago in an orphanage. These were young babies without parents so their care depended on the staff in the orphanage.

A nurse working in this orphanage was in charge of several babies on the floor. These babies had no parental love, they were orphans, so all their care and emotional needs for love and affection depended on the staff. Most of the babies slept well during her nightly shift except two babies who constantly woke up and kept crying. The nurse would always pick up one of them and smilingly and softly talked to the child, hugged it close to her body, sang to it, and cuddled it back to sleep.

The other baby just never got any attention at all, was completely ignored, and just kept crying itself until exhausted back to sleep. This went on almost every night, the nurse some how loved one baby, and ignored the other. The doctors noticed that even though both children were getting the same food and being bathed properly one baby was getting weaker and sickly and wasn’t growing or seemed emotionally sick.

It takes more than just food, water and shelter to be healthy and happy, but also loving care

The other baby whom was being hugged, talked to and held was happy, healthy and was beginning to smile and made happy baby noises while the neglected one kept getting sicker, never smile and never made any happy baby noises. Both these babies were given the same food, proper nutrition warm clothes and a warm place to sleep.

But still it seemed to the doctors that the child was dying even though they couldn’t find any particular thing wrong with its health. Then the nurse that took care of these children was questioned about the care the children were getting.

The nurse then admitted that she never held this baby, talked to it or hugged and cuddled it and just let it cry alone until exhausted and it fell back to sleep. It was suggested that she started paying more attention to this child, holding it and doing the same thing she did to the other one. Just after a few nights of holding this baby hugging it and softly singing and talking to the child it began to improve, started showing life, eventually started making natural baby noises.

The baby had began to die because of a lack of loving care

And with continued care this child began to smile and eventually started growing and living again. It sure proves how important loving care is from birth and throughout life, even if it doesn’t come from the child’s natural parents, as long as it is giving by a caring human being. It is needed without it we could die.

Some recent research is saying that you should leave a baby cry itself back to sleep. That might be Okay only if the baby is dry, not hungry, and is being taken care of all during the day, and getting the necessary love by holding, hugging it and softly speaking and cuddling. If the child is crying unnecessary during the night because it just wants attention, then it is up to the parents to talk to the baby and explain it that there is no reason for him or her to be crying and they should go to sleep. Babies are smart, even long before they start speaking they can understand what you are saying. I used to see my mother do this to my younger baby sisters and brothers.

Balancing Child Care with loving discipline

Mom used to lean over the crib checked to see if the baby was not wet, and with the baby crying and kicking to be picked up, she would softly talked to it explaining that it is time for everybody to sleep and they have had enough loving, hugging and cuddling all during the day, and now it is sleep time. And believe it Mom did the trick, the baby would stop crying and went back to sleep. This was done more than just one time but over a period of several nights each time her voice getting a little more firmer. The baby will realize that Mommy (or Daddy) means what she or he  says, and will even stop getting up for no reason.

At the same time she was teaching the baby discipline and unselfishness, so later when growing up they knew not to throw a tantrum or start crying and screaming just to get their own way. Most often that attitude among small children starts from their birth. If they can get their parents to pick them up whenever they cry for no reason just because they want it, then later on they continue to use tantrums and screaming to get their own way. My mother raised eight children and even helped raised six grandchildren and other people’s children so she learned through experience what works or not. And she did an excellent job, for we all turned out very well, disciplined and trained how to behave and be unselfish and show concern for others not just ourselves.

But this is different if the baby is not getting any care at all, such a baby should not be left to cry itself back to sleep because they are crying out for love and should be given the necessary love and care which is necessary for its emotional health and normal growth, as mentioned above.

 Caring for our gardens, houseplants, and Pets, balancing them with human care

We should also show care for our homes, cars, belongings, gardens or plants if we have such (see previous post on Houseplants behaving like people), and animals or pets. Some people take better care of their pets than other people.

We must care for our pets but it should be balanced since they are not human beings, and letting a dog or cat sit on the table or your plate that you will be eaten from is unhealthy. Do you know how dirty an animal butt and tongue is, and loaded with harmful bacteria?

Or hugging and kissing a dog on the mouth (or any animal) or letting them lick your mouth or face, especially letting young children do so can transfer bacteria over to humans which are unhealthy and can make us sick. This is not keeping care in its place, but is out of place. Care of humans come first, animals should not be allowed to endanger the health of humans. So many incurable diseases are being discovered and not yet researched, no one knows yet how many of these were transferred by the bacteria from animals to humans. Take care of your pets by feeding and getting them the proper nutritional and veterinarian care. Keeping them clean by giving them good baths and free from infections. Petting them and showing them you care. Be balanced though, with other living things, they are still animals, not humans whom are always superior.

 Don’t forget our seniors whom need special care

When we are young we give no thought to getting old. People by nature are youth tuned. (That is how God created us. The Bible book of Ecclesiastes says that time indefinite has been put into the hearts of men) so that explains why everything is tuned toward youth and staying young. Old age and death was never part of God’s original purpose that is the reason we all hate the very idea of growing old and dying. It all came because of inherited sin. (See several previous posts on restoration of perfect life again under the Category: Peoples and Families). So growing old and becoming an elderly person can be very depressing to them.

Some of them need to be taken care of by their children and grandchildren and this can be humiliating to some of them. And some may not have any children or others to give them any care and end up alone or in a nursing home. This can be a frightening experience for an aging adult to look forward to. Most often these seniors in nursing homes are neglected and may even die prematurely due to a lack of care.

About two years ago or maybe last year there was TV News about the police finding the skeleton of a dead person in a house right within a well inhabited neighborhood  somewhere in New Jersey. After talking to the neighbors they all knew this older man that was living alone and they said kept to himself. But nobody missed him for a whole year or even knocked on his door to see how he was even after they didn’t see him for a while.

It is shocking that people can be so cold and unconcerned or uncaring about a neighbor living right within their midst and his body already turned to skeleton and nobody even knew. This is not the way for us to live folks, especially in these difficult times people need to show more concern for each other especially the older ones living alone. We have to take the initiative because they might be to ashamed to ask for help or really need someone to talk to.

In our modern world one of the ways we show we care is by helping seniors, those that are not to old yet to learn how to make good use of some modern technology such as computers, ipads, digital tablets, newest cell-phones, GPS, etc. (See previous post on: Modern Technology reversing the roles: Seniors Parents obey your children and grandchildren). Some seniors may even want to go back to school to upgrade their skills to fit in with our ever changing world.

Parents can teach their children by example how to care for the elderly

When I was a young girl growing up back home on St. Maarten Sunday dinners were always special, the highlight of the week with full course meal and all the trimmings. But inspite of just feeding her own family my mother used to always put aside a full plate of all the Sunday Dinner special for an older senior from our small congregation. He was old enough to be her father but didn’t have any one to care for him.

I don’t remember if he was a widower or just grew older living alone. But he had snow white hair and every Sunday he came to the back door of the kitchen and Mom would hand him a plate of food to take home with him since he preferred to take it to his own home.

She did this right up until Mr. Garnett died, even with a house full of her own children she still faithfully provided a meal for an elderly senior never asking for anything back in return. (See previous post: A mother like no other). After so many years I still remember that and such kindness taught to children by example of their parents does leave a lasting impact on how they themselves treat older ones. I know I gave credit to my parents for my care and concern I have for the elderly.

I had the experience once of temporary assisting a friend of mine years ago with her job as a Senior Companion Caretaker. Normally I never thought I would enjoy a job like that since it involved actual helping the elderly with their medications, preparing meals, bathing and dressing them. Even though I love older people for their wisdom and experience, I am not inclined toward the nursing profession, hate the smell of medicine, or being around sick people. So I declined the first time when she asked me to help her out just one weekend. She spent the whole week on her job and only got every other weekend off. When she asked me again to relieve her one weekend because the other substitute caregiver couldn’t do it, I finally said yes, but only one time because this is not my kind of work.

Never turn down an opportunity to show care for the elderly, it can turn out to be an educational and rewarding experience

First she invited me to meet her client and his daughter living in New York City. A nice Jewish elderly man 91 one years old, and his daughter who lived with him. Since the daughter worked she hired a personal caregiver to care for her father at home rather than putting him in a nursing home. That was a loving thing for her to do for her father I commended her, and since they were both such nice people and we liked each other right away, including the elderly father I agreed to work the weekend for my friend and relieved her until the regular substitute returned the next time she needed the weekend off.

That experience taught me so much about how much we can learn from those whom lived and worked long before we were born. This was not a depressing or senile senior at all. After bathing him and preparing his breakfast we just sat and talked. This elderly man even though he was 91 years old and growing feeble his mind was as sharp as a razor. 

 I love getting to know people asking them what they did when they were young, what kind of work and recreation they did, what life was like back then and so much more. I asked him questions and he just talked, remembering everything. From his job down on Wall Street, to his family, what life was like back then in New York City. Remember then they had none of the modern day technology, people used their brains and hands to work.

It was so interesting to learn so much from him. Like having a personal history teacher (and I love history) and business coach teaching me how business was done and should be done, but also some of the hardships they had to endure then and worked hard to achieve whatever they did. But what was the most satisfying was that he was so happy to have somebody as young as I was then showing that much interest in his life, an old man, and he could talk to, that alone made him feel better.

 It makes older ones feel useful when they can share life experiences with younger ones, bringing purpose to their life rather than a feeling of worthlessness. I later found out my friend who regularly took care of him didn’t do much talking to him, so he was left to read or watch TV. She didn’t know how much she missed out on not getting to know her client.

He wanted me to come back again if the other weekend caregiver couldn’t make it, and I promised I would but unfortunately about a month later he had a stroke and died. I felt sad for even though I only had one weekend to meet such a sharp mind, it was such a privilege and a gift and taught me that caring for the elderly can be very rewarding and a lot to learn. So young people reading this don’t look down on our seniors, especially your aging parents or grand-parents, there is a world of knowledge and wisdom they can share with you contributing to your success. You can bring joy to their life and vice versa they to yours.

 Customer Care the key to business success

Most business owners know that without customers or clients their business cannot grow or succeed.  Here is where care makes a big difference in whether they make money or not. Care has to be taken in what kind of customers they want to attract, what these customers need, and care in what marketing and advertising methods will be used to attract them. Big business only hire people that they know will attract the clients they want, so they invest in training the right employees to get them customers and keep them.

People looking for work should carefully do research on companies before applying for a job. Find out exactly what they do and whether you have what they need to get new customers or clients. If not then take additional training to qualify or to fit within their organization. In these difficult economic times the more you can be of help to an employer in caring about or for their customers the better you become an asset to them.

I noticed a lot of companies now send out surveys for their customers to let them know what they can do to improve their services. Other places are now employing “Greeters” these are employees who do nothing more than stand at the entrances or throughout the stores, the banks, or Supermarkets and greet the customers and ask them if they need any help. Even some of the smaller discount stores are now doing the same thing. I was surprised to be approached by at least two greeters when I entered one recently.

Every company is interested in people whom will treat their clients with respect and kindness because this is what keeps them in business.

 Employers know that if they hire rude nasty unconcern people they drive clients away and the business suffers. Employees have to be careful how they talk to and treat customers since this will determine whether they keep their jobs or not. I know all the big department stores carefully pay attention to the kind of treatment their Sales Associates render to customers, or they can be let go if no improvements are made.

Businesses are made up of people and people need other people who really cares about their needs and wants

These days it would be the wise thing to do for all businesses to study, plan surveys and ask everyone what they could do to make their shopping experience, or the services they provide a pleasant one. For it is only when customers see that they are being cared for then they will continue doing business with that company. Also satisfied customers refer others to a business that treats them well, and business owners need this kind of free publicity and advertising.

For just like everything else businesses are made up of people and people need other people that really cares about their needs and wants. So customer care is something a business owner has to always consider when planning for new products, services and advertising to attract and keep the customers he has already and hopes to recruit. So caring is a very important asset for all businesses to succeed.

 Putting Care back into Healthcare

Back in times past doctors made house calls, and midwives delivered babies. All sick patients got one on one loving care from their doctors and new mothers from midwives. In some countries and smaller islands some doctors still make house calls on older bedridden patients. I know four years ago before my mother died, her doctor came to the house several times to look after her. These doctors really show genuine care and concern for the health of their patients, and this is what a “Healthcare Professional” should be like. These medical personnel spend time with their house patients getting to know them very well, talking and comforting them and this personal care in itself helps in restoring good health sometimes as much as given them a medication to take.

Healthcare Professionals may know the right prescription to give patients, but they should also know that a kind word, a warm smile a caring touch and attitude, and a question as to how the patient feels all contribute to good health. (See previous post on: A pill for this and a pill for that, a smoke, a drink, and whats the bill for all these  huh?) No matter how bad a person feels, a nice caring attitude can do much for the human spirit which helps in healing most medical problems a person has. And this is what real caring means, putting the care back into healthcare. Because some places seem to have forgotten that this quality of care is very important to the general health of patients. Today some doctors and nurses are more concerned with their salary or making money rather than the health of their patients.

Some time ago I had a follow up with one of my doctors in Manhattan NY, and in the meantime I changed my insurance network of doctors. I really thought he was still in my network because I checked to see if my present doctors were, but somehow he had changed and I didn’t know. When I got to his office, his front desk nurses couldn’t find his name in my network of doctors anymore, and he came out and said: “I am sorry, I can’t see you, I am no longer in your network of doctors”. Not even how are you feeling now, or nice to see you. I guess that is also covered by money. (He had performed a surgical procedure on my left knee, and it was still hurting) so at least I thought he would be interested to see how well it was healing, or why was it still hurting. 

But no, there was no “care” in his health care, just “money care”.  If no insurance money, then he couldn’t even take a follow up look on a patient. So what would have happen if I was an older adult maybe suffering from a heart attack, would that doctor just let me die there because he was not in my insurance network? It is shocking to even think about the many people who could have lost their lives because of the lack of “Care” by some so-called Healthcare Professionals, whose main concern is money, not people.

 Showing Care in how patients are talked to and treated affects their blood pressure tests and can result in the improper diagnosis and treatments being given

But there are a lot of fine doctors and nurses all around the world including the USA and especially here in New York. Very well trained and are doing a fine job in helping the sick, not just by their knowledge but also by their caring attitude. Of course there will always be a few whom by their conduct will give others a bad name.

This is the case with one large Hospital Facility in Brooklyn NY whose “Medical Clinic Staff” are rude, unfriendly, argumentative, never smile, and don’t talk in a kind way to the patients. Scientific research has shown that the way a patient is talked to or treated can raise or lower that persons blood pressure, which affects the heart and other organs in the body, and can affect the proper or improper diagnosis the healthcare professional makes.

This clinic is also made up of a mostly Black Medical staff (Africans and West Indians). And that should be a good reason for these Healthcare Professionals to watch their attitude because they are giving other black people a bad name. Whatever unfriendly culteral background or mannerism a person came from, a real professional knows that displaying the right personality and attitude goes with the job. Just as any business depends on the care they give to their customers to stay in business, Healthcare Professionals should also know that their business also depends on how they treat their patients, and even more seriously the life of their patients depends on the care they give them.

It is very common for people to stereo-type a whole race of people by the attitude of a few in a particular field. It would be easy for anyone going to that clinic to conclude that this is the way black people are, rude, argumentative, unsmiling, and having a don’t care attitude.  Fortunately the doctors and nurses from many of the other medical departments within this same Facility whom are also Black Professionals are very nice caring doctors and nurses. And it is interesting to find so many of these caring black doctors are women, (another group whom have been wrongly stereo-typed are black women) well trained women specialists in different fields of healthcare: Gynecologists, Dermatologists, Orthopeadics, Podiatrists and every other specialized fields of medicine. So it would not be true to say that all black people (or doctors and nurses) are the same, there are rude unkind people among all races. (See previous post on: Avoiding and dealing with disappointments)

 But care should be taken especially in the healthcare field that no doctor, or nurse of any race should develop an uncaring attitude toward any patient

Healthcare is a matter of life or death. The wrong diagnosis, treatment or neglect can result in a person’s prolonged illness or death. And everyone in the field of Health needs to be well trained in not just medicine but also in people care. Just put “care” and “people” back into healthcare, keep it there, and we will have a much healthier happier world of people.

And yes, this is one of the main keys to being Happy, is becoming a caring person. Following the Golden Rule as Jesus said: “Just as you want others to do to you, do likewise unto them” Everybody wants to be treated with care, so we should also treat others the same. By the way we speak and act toward others, kind, courteous and helpful when necessary. Keeping care in its place starts with each one of us. Take care.

PS: I finished writing this post long before I heard about the hurricane Sandy coming to New York. I was researching the photos and fixing them which takes time to publish the post, and the hurricane struck during this time.  Fortunately my area was not damaged that badly because these are all high rise buildings, away from any oceans or rivers, and I am on the 5th Floor. Just the terrible howling of the wind outside and occasional flickering of the lights was all that we endured. And ofcourse I am stuck indoors because there are no subways running and some places are closed because no one can travel to work or back.
But this post is so appropriate for this time because when such a disaster strikes then it really brings out the best in people and how much they care or not. Even  though some of us like myself are  not receiving any direct care from anyone, we all are benefiting from the care that is taken in the City. I just want to thank all the people whom are showing all of us directly or not such care:
The Mere’s and Governors of the Cities involved in the hurricane, the Fire-fighters, Police Officers, Para-medics, Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Personnel, Government Workers cleaning up the after effects, First Responders, The TV News Casters (They are sure  working tirelessly around the clock keeping us up to date with what is happening) (See previous post on showing gratitude for all those whom serve us daily: On the road of Life their are many Jacks and Jackie’s deserving of their Jacket) and everyone for all their hard work and care they are showing. And all of us can also show care for the Care-givers.
If you live in New York or any of the disaster struck areas close to a Police Precinct or a Fire-house and you can afford it, why not take some cooked food over for these hard workers letting them know how much you appreciate their concern for us?

Website Designed, and Posts Written and illustrated by Glenda Brill ©

 

 

 

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Developing A Keen Sense Of Observation Could Save Many Lives

Posted on September 23, 2012 by giggling

This post is a follow up or continuation of the previous one on: “Why cleverly calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent acts of insanity or a mental disorder”, and it would be good to read that first if you haven’t done so already. According to the definition in the Webster English Dictionary the word “Observe” means: to take note of what’s happening, to pay attention to something, to watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment, to come to realize or know through consideration of noted facts, or to expertly analyze a particular field.

  “Observe” means to come to realize or know through consideration of noted facts, or to take note of what’s happening

That is what I did in the previous article or post. I invited all readers to check every scripture or book I listed in the article to prove to themselves that what was being discussed was recorded and accurate history. Starting from the very beginning of human creation I showed from the only historical and inspired Book from God himself, the Bible as to how and why we the human race got into this mess, how evil began, why it is increasing more so now than ever before. Why the world today is in so much turmoil and chaos, why so much human suffering, and who is behind it all – the conclusion leading to the great Manslayer, Satan the Devil along with his rebellious evil angels or demons.

Also how God was progressively preparing for the Messiah, Deliverer or Savior to be born that will be the one to put the Devil and his demons out of existence and restore human perfection and peace to this earth again. Every single detail about him was foretold and fulfilled up to our day, and just a few more yet to come in the near future. According to the sign he gave about conditions getting worst on earth this Messiah Jesus Christ is already ruling in God’s Kingdom and ready to put Satan and his demons out of existence.

This also means that the restoration work to human perfection and returning the Earth to its peaceful Paradise like conditions, will soon take place. But in the meantime we don’t know how many more terror attacks or mass shootings will take place before that comes. So there is the need to be always on guard, to be very observant where ever we go.

 The motto is: If you see something, say something, I will add if you see or hear something run for your life, then say something!

Yes, always be prepared to run if you can. Even if think you can’t when scared it seems like God gives us wings attached to our feet. We fly on ground. I experienced this myself, last year on Labor Day I was standing in the crowd among thousands of people on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn New York looking at the West Indian Day Parade. I went more so for the enjoyment of the music which I love.

Suddenly I heard a gun shot, without thinking or trying to find out if it really was, I just started running in the direction away from the crowd. I was flying on my feet, and I didn’t stop until I was far away from that crowd. I even didn’t know where I was when I stopped running and had to find the nearest subway to get back home. Later that night I saw on the news several people had indeed gotten shot around the same area where I was standing. Some people just stuck around to see what was happening, putting themselves in danger to be hit by a stray bullet if not directly.

In this age of terror we have to always pay attention to anybody that even looks a bit strange, anything however small it might be such as an empty can or bottle just lying around on the floor or on a seat. People with unusual bags or hats or whatever they may be carrying. I learned again through personal experience that these days, even those we least expect could be dangerous.

 What does the face of a killer looks like?

There is no way we can tell by the faces of people, who a killer could be. A lot of killers have turned out to be quite attractive and even innocent looking. Remember Satan and the demons were once good angels, no doubt beautiful when materialized in human bodies. Their becoming evil had nothing to do with their looks but their personalities, a corruption of their hearts.

So some people can be very good looking and still be possessed by evil or even develop an evil heart. About 5 years ago I had to run out to the grocery store two blocks away from where I lived because I needed something to add to my lunch I was preparing. I came down my elevator and when I opened the door into the building lobby, I saw a well dressed, clean shaven young man walking slowly toward the elevators.

I briefly greeted him as I was leaving, he responded with like and then asked me where the Super of the building was. Thinking he lived in the building, I told him probably in the basement since it was about 11:30 am in the morning and he is usually still working downstairs, and he calmly walked into the elevator. I noticed he was carrying a brown paper bag rolled up under his arm. I thought nothing about it because he looked like a regular young man with a bulgy newspaper in a bag under his arm and looking for the Super. Must be having problems with his apartment I thought. Twenty to thirty minutes when I came back home I couldn’t get into my building.

 Who would have suspected that a man carrying an innocent brown paper bag under his arm was carrying a gun prepared to kill another human being?

It was surrounded by police cars, an ambulance and newspapers and TV news men. I was surprised but not knowing what was going on I tried to go into my building and was stopped by two police officers. “You can’t go in there Ma’am, a man was just shot dead and his body is still lying in front of the elevator. Until the body is removed no one is allowed to enter and come out of the building”. I was shocked, I saw the Super standing outside with everyone else and asked him exactly what happened.

He told me a man came down to the basement asking for another tenant’s apt# referring to him by name and as a friend, so he gave it to him. Then later discovered that this young man had killed the same guy from the apt. that was given to him. The same young man with the paper bag rolled up under his arm that I had talked to about thirty minutes earlier was the killer and had gotten away after shooting the other guy.

The brown bag he was carrying under his arm was hiding his gun that he used to shoot the guy. Even though it was obvious that he came there specifically to kill the guy that he knew, just imagine what could have happened if I had come down that elevator at the same time the guy he killed did.

The man whom he shot ran into the elevator from the third floor and the killer ran down the stairs and shot him as he exited the elevator, dying right in front of it, the same one I had exited myself a half hour earlier, and briefly talked to the killer not knowing what he was up to. Anyone else could have gotten shot if they had been exiting at the same time.

That incident had me shaken up for months after as the police detectives came to my apartment and questioned me about my conversation with this killer since they could see me talking to him from the surveillance cameras. Then I had to go down to the local precinct several times and tried to identify criminals from a group of mug shots of faces. It was just like what you see on the TV Show “Law & Order”. I couldn’t remember exactly every detail of his face since he looked like a nice young man, all I remembered was that he had long hair pulled back in a braid, with this brown bag under his arm.

So I never did find out if he was ever caught or not. I was looking over my shoulders for months after so afraid this guy would show up again and get me. My mother advised me to move somewhere else. Who would have thought that the brown paper bag under his arm was a gun prepared to kill another man in broad daylight at high noon? And I had come face to face with a cold blooded killer and didn’t know it. So I have learned to observe everything around me in these dangerous times ever since.

  What should we do to survive if caught in a terror attack or a mass shooting?

But since Evil can strike anywhere at anytime we can be caught in a place when terrorism or a mass shooting occurs. Since we know now that Satan and his demons are aiming at killing masses of people at a time, whenever going to any event where there is going to be a crowd of people the authorities need to step up Police Protection. And all of us need to do as they ask us to do, keep our eyes, ears and sense of smell open. I will offer some of my own common sense suggestions, I didn’t get these from anywhere else, but just seem to be the wise things to do in case of danger.

It is always good to check out your environment beforehand where you could run in case there is a terrorist attack or a shooting. If in a open area among a crowd of people look around to see if there are any side alleys, walls that you could hide behind, buildings that you could run into and hide, or a road that leads to somewhere that you could get help. Run in a stooped over zigzag manner so that if anyone is shooting or throwing weapons from behind you it is easier for them to miss those that are running bent over and not in a straight line.

If indoors in your own home and you hear gun shots or shouting outdoors don’t poke your head out or stand in front of a window or door. Many people have gotten killed by stray bullets, trying to see what is going on outdoors. Stay far away from any doors or windows, if possible lie down on the floor, call the police, and stay low until they arrive to the crime scene and the shooting is over.

If you are in a closed in environment such as a theater, school, hotel, or religious meeting place, always familiarize yourself with the Exit places. Where could you run and hide if a terrorist should enter and start shooting?  I know I develop the habit of mostly sitting in the back or somewhere in the middle where ever I go. And I always check out where the exit signs are. Know where they are located.

Take note also of other things in the building. Are there stairs leading to another area, to a basement, or the roof? Is there a door leading to another room that you could run inside and push others in and then lock behind you? What about the restrooms, could you run inside and pull others in with you so you save their lives also?

(Always look out for the welfare and survival of others, this will help save your own life) A real life experience that this works is during the Holocaust in Europe there were many Jehovah’s Witnesses in those Consecration camps, and the reason many of them survived and even helped some of the Jews survived those that they could, was by their  physically sustaining, helping, protecting, hiding, covering over, and sharing whatever they had with each other.

In a theater or school, restaurant or any place where there are tables, chairs, or seats it is always good to fall to the ground on hands and knees and try to hide under the tables. In a theater or church get down on hands and knees between the seats and crawl carefully to the nearest exits. If no exits are nearby just lie flat between the seats until the police arrive.

It is very unlikely that the shooter will go from seat row to seat row and shoot people hiding on the floors between the seats. If children are with you protect them by keeping them under you covering them with your body, and tell them to be quite. Ofcourse, if you can crawl out of the building through the nearest exit once out, then run for your life away from the area. Even young children now in terrorist countries are learning to run from very young when terror strikes.

 In most cases following your intuition can be the best protection

Sometimes when we get an intuition to not go somewhere it could be like an inner warning and a protection against danger. This is what saved some friends I knew from being killed in the World Trade Center on 9/11 years ago. All four girls living in different places all decided to stay home that day, they followed their intuition, not knowing that others had done the same thing. Only after the attack they found out that the others did not go to work that day and was saved. Another friend of mine was working in the first building on the 45th floor hit by the terrorist airplane.

She had no idea what was happening she thought the loud noise and shaking of the building was an earthquake and she just ran for the stairs. She was on the 45th floor and she flew down those stairs without stopping not once until she got out of the building. And that was the same building where most people lost their lives, probably because some of them didn’t run right away hanging around to find out what was going on.

That was the same reason so many people got killed in the Aurora Colorado killing, people thought the killer was part of the movie and didn’t run or try to hide right away. So many lives could have been saved had they all just hide on hands and knees behind those seats as suggested above. Be observant folks, as soon as you see anything different get moving out of danger.

 Fear and anguish among people another sign of the times

Today there is so much fear because there seems to be no end to trouble somewhere in the world. Even in the USA there is the constant fear of another terror attack, or shooting. Right now there are mass mob uprisings in the Middle East and spreading to different countries. Do you know that the international fear and anguish in our generation is also foretold as the sign of the end of Satanic Rule? 

In Luke chapter 21: verse 10 and 11 Jesus himself is talking about what to look for when God’s Kingdom starts ruling in Heaven, it reads: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and there will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another pestilences and food shortages and there will be fearful sights…and verse 25, …”and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation,

verse 26..” while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth for the powers of the heavens will be shaken”. Matthew 24:12 also speaks of the increasing of lawlessness. And Matthew 24:14:  “And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

So the entire sign is being fulfilled in our day, proving that the end of Satanic Rule is very near. Jesus gave an illustration at: Luke 21:29 – 31: “Note the fig tree and all the other trees… when they are already in the bud, by observing it you know for yourselves that now the summer is near. In this way also when you see these things occurring, know that the Kingdom of God is near”.

In the previous post (“Why cleverly calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent acts of insanity or a mental disorder)” I showed from Revelation 12 why increased trouble started because of Satan and his demons being casted out of heaven down to this earth and the sea (the sea refers to the masses of restless humanity who become disturbed or agitated because of all the trouble that starts happening, resulting in loud mob protesting and lawlessness). It said in that scripture: “Woe for the earth and the sea” because the Devil has come down to you having great anger knowing he has a short period of time. His intention on killing the human race was partly successful when he stirred up the nations resulting in two mayor wars World War 1 and World War 11, where millions of people lost their lives.

These wars introduced different kinds of diseases, (pestilences), and ailments. Modern technology and war has also messed up the atmosphere, the air we breathe and the ground is polluted with all kinds of chemicals, and technological waste. Our food and water are not pure as they should be, which is weakening our immune system making us more susceptible to different kinds of diseases. Besides fear and anguish produce daily stresses contributing to the decline in human health and death. With the misuse of human blood and the increased sexual moral decline, other types of mental and sexual transmitted diseases came into existence. Satan sure has brought “Woe” for humankind.

Inspite of modern medical research there is still no cure for many of the mayor diseases, the foretold modern day pestilences contributing to the fear and anguish

No one can deny that our times are plaque by pestilences, inspite of modern medical research, there is still no cure for so many different kinds of diseases, and illnesses some of them still being studied by scientists with no definite cure yet in sight. Even though there might be some improvements in medical treatments, people are still dying from these pestilences, one of the biggest one is cancer which takes the lives of people from all races both young and old alike.

But as we get closer to the end the roaring and agitation of the sea (restless humanity) gets louder. The discontent among the “sea of humanity” is very apparent. The increasing of lawlessness is out of control as people all over the world rise up in mob rage resulting in chaotic rioting, protesting and violence in the streets. It doesn’t take too much of anything for people to go into a rage with resulting protest and violence.

Human governments or the ruling authorities sometimes spoken of as the heavens over us, are indeed shaken as they cannot control the rebellious crowd of protesters in different parts of the world. Pay attention folks, this is not the way humans were created to live. It is very plain to see that the masses of people are under the influence of Satan and the demons pushing them toward total destruction of each other. Two of his biggest deceptive, divisive and controlling powers are religion and politics, Worship and Rulership. All the turmoil in the world can be linked to these two things, and they are standing in the way of permanent peace.

 Satan’s two most powerful deceptive and divisive Elements for controlling people and preventing worldwide Peace and Unity are Religion and Politics—Worship and Rulership

Remember the reason he opposed God in the first place was because he wanted worship, and rulership over the human race. He wanted to be like God, (read the previous post of Why cleverly calculated evil acts…) he is called in the Bible “The God of this system of things”, and “the Ruler of the world”.(2 Corinthians 4:4 and John 14:30). (I am encouraging all readers again to read all quoted scriptures throughout this post in their own Bibles to confirm this information as accurate to themselves. I am using the new World translation of the Bible in modern English language, you can use whatever version you have, the message is the same).

When he caused the first humans Adam and Eve to sin, Satan also challenged God’s right to rule and to be worshipped by his own children, human beings. So the Creator allowed time to pass for people to choose which is better, His Rule or Satans, while preparing to eventually settle the issue by means of his Kingdom. 

We see the outcome today, nothing but religious and political confusion. Whether they claim to be Christian or none Christian, worshiping a Prophet, an image, atheist or evolutionist, all the world’s “religions” are under the control of the Devil and the demons. (Bible books of 1 Corinthians 10:20 and Luke 7:22). And the Worldwide Political Governments (spoken of in Revelation as the Wild Beast) got their power from the Dragon, which Revelation identified as the original Serpent, Satan the Devil. (Revelation 12:9). So Satan is the one who established all these conflicting religions and divided people up into different national governments. (Revelation 13: 4). This way he has power and gets worship from people all over the world.

The book of Revelation 18 speaks of all these religions as: Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion. The most reprehensible are those claiming to worship God but proving false by their actions and teachings. They will all be destroyed in the last war, Armageddon.  Revelation 18: verse 2 reads: “She has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen, and she has become a dwelling place of demons and a lurking place of every unclean exhalation… “and in verse 4 and 5, our loving Creator God himself knowing that their are a lot of very righthearted and sincere people deceived by religion and trapped inside of her because of being baptized as enfants into most of these religions, something God or Jesus never instituted, is calling sincere people out of false religion: (continuing in verse 4 and 5):

“And I heard another voice out of heaven say: Get out of her my people if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues. For her sins have massed together clear up to heaven, and God has called her acts of injustice to mind… “and verse 8: “That is why in one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire because Jehovah God who judged her is strong”.

Even though all the nations represented by the United Nations will come to some kind of peaceful agreement proclaiming “Peace and Security” (Bible Book of 1 Thessalonians 5:3) it will not be for long, because the scriptures says this will be followed by “sudden destruction.” Revelation 18:8 mentioned above shows Babylon the Great destruction will be like in one day, suddenly.

And this book (Chapter 17) shows further how the very Political Governments according to God’s will, develop intense hatred for Babylon the Great, false religion (also called the harlot) and will suddenly turn on her and destroy her completely. (Revelations Chapter 13 to 19). This will be the beginning of the final war, the war of Armageddon, to be followed by the destruction of all Satan’s worldwide political systems, the two main elements standing in the way of world peace and unity.

Then finally the Source of Evil Satan and the demons will be captured by Jesus Christ and thrown into a abyss. This part of God inspired pre-written history is the only thing yet to be fulfilled before the Kingdom goes into action to restore obedient humans and Paradise again.

 What can we do now to protect ourselves from the direct influence of Satanic or demonic control?

Since the Book of Revelation says Satan is misleading the entire inhabited earth and this would result in “Woe for the Earth” (Revelation 12: 9) then every single person on earth right now is open to his attacks. But we can protect ourselves from becoming possessed or directly under his control by refraining from any conduct that could bring us under such.

The Bible Book of Deuteronomy chapter 18: verse 10-12 gives us some of those practices that can bring a person under the direct possession by Satan or the demons. Such as: consulting fortune tellers, practicing divination and magic, casting of spells, consulting spirit mediums, astrology, Quigi boards, sorcerers, all kinds of spiritism, (voodoo) reading crystal balls, consulting and talking to the dead (in reality it’s the demons that talk back to you, not the dead person).

Also people can become under demonic control by taking hard drugs new ones being added every day that can kill people in a very short time. Some of these synthetic drugs the newest ones being “Smiles 2C-I”, and “25b-Nborne” instantly brings a person under demonic control and death follows shortly after. Teenagers are the victims so far.  Please stay away from drugs young people. Remember our enemy wants us dead, this is one of his easiest way to kill you. Also being involved in false religions, becoming extremely interested in ghosts and the occult.

Being obsessed with evil, violence, watching and reading demonic or satanic books and movies, developing extreme hatred for other people (that is the real spirit of Satan, he hates people), being always angry and ready to fight, liars, all immoral sexual conduct including some mentioned in the previous post, such as sodomy, child molesters and all unnatural debased unclean and obscene conduct. In reality everything that God condemns is a protection from becoming controlled by Satan, since he approves and promotes just the opposite of what is right.

So learning all we can about our Creator, the true God Jehovah,  developing love in our hearts for him and other people, doing good, learning the real reason why Jesus died for us and how he will use His Kingdom to adminster the benefits of his death for the healing of all peoples, is another great and the best protection from demonic possession, for where there is God’s spirit and Love it will conquer Evil. And this is what will determine whether we survive into the new world or not. It is our desire to do what is right, the willingness to learn and be obedient, faith and love for God and our fellowman.

And that is basically what true worship is all about. It is a way of life, not an institution. That was the only “religion” that was established in the Garden of Eden. Being obedient to the Creator, with no bunch of restricted laws, no religious rituals and sacrifices, no doctrines, no unnecessary burdens, no hellfire scare tactics, no false hopes, and no specific holidays to celebrate.

Even now Jesus sacrificial death already abolished all those laws, animal sacrifices, observation of specific days, and other rituals practiced under the law of Moses, the old law covenant which was a temporary law pointing to the Deliverer or Messiah. It was a burden because so much was needed for the forgiveness of sins of the people, it was given to sinful humans until the Messiah came and died. 

He was the foretold “Lamb of God” that would take away the sins of the world instead of animal  sacrifices. He replaced that old law covenant with all its burdensome animal sacrifices and requirements, with the New Covenant based on Love of God and Neighbor, which sums up the entire Ten commandments. This is what true worship was supposed to be, is now, and will be in Paradise, a way of life). Living a clean life, and the freedom to celebrate life everyday, no restrictions as to how kind, or loving, or joyful, or happy you want to be. This is the truth Jesus said would set us FREE! 

 The removal of Evil and peace restored to the earth soon to come

It is very unnatural and everyone knows that the human race wasn’t supposed to live like this. Being in constant fear and on alert to terror or killings is not normal. We were supposed to be a united human family, not being afraid of our own fellowman. Fortunately our Creator has already provided the means for saving obedient humans, and will not allow the entire human race to be killed by his enemy.

The war to capture the Devil and his demons will result in a lot of trouble on earth known as the war of Armageddon mentioned above. Once it is over then complete freedom and peace will follow for those who survived. Revelation 7:9 says a great crowd of people from every nation, race and walks of life will survive Armageddon. But it depends on what they do now, not on a physical hiding place.

We just can’t imagine how the earth and life will be when evil is removed, and peace restored. God’s Kingdom will go into action to restore the human race back to perfection. Everyday people will grow a little more perfect than the day before, instead of getting older and sicker, they will be getting younger and healthier. Even the dead will return to life and benefit from this restoration. Many survivors into that peaceful earth will be able to welcome former relatives whom died years ago back to Paradise.

 Finally the promise of Paradise will be a reality just as it was meant to be and humans will experience complete freedom

Yes, finally the promise of Paradise will be a reality just as it was supposed to be before that angel became Satan and caused the first humans to sin. (read previous post: Why cleverly calculated evil acts and killings are not mere innocent act of insanity or a mental disorder) The promise given to faithful Abraham years ago that by means of his seed all nations of the earth will bless themselves (Genesis 22:18), will go into operation as Jesus Christ the promised Seed and Messiah along with his co-rulers making up the Kingdom of God go into full force in restoring the human race back to perfection and the Earth to a beautiful Paradise. And Abraham (and many of those faithful men of old) will be resurrected and see the fulfillment of that promise with his own eyes.

Here are some more scriptures that will be definitely fulfilled. Psalms 37:11 says: “The meek ones themselves will possess the earth and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” and verse 29: “the righteous themselves will possess the earth and they will reside forever upon it”… Also Isaiah 33:24 says:”No resident will say I am sick”.

Revelation 21:1-4, verse 4 says how God will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away”. Revelation 21:5 confirms these promises with the words: “These words are faithful and true.” So there is no “if’s, maybe or could be true” that God will restore humans back to perfection on a Paradise earth like it was in the beginning. It will happen! We have all the signs, pay attention folks! Also Jesus was real, that was the reason why he died, otherwise his death would be for nothing! 

Finally all people will be free! Free from all fear, free from terrorist attacks and shootings, free from old age, sickness, diseases and death, free from demonic and satanic influence toward violence (they will be gone), free from all false religious teachings and influence, free from worry and stress. Then all humans who survived into that new world along with those resurrected to life could share in singing the phrase “Free at last, Peace at last. Thank God Almighty we have Peace and Freedom at last!” And that is a wonderful hope to look forward to.

Written, and illustrated by Glenda Brill ©

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Why Cleverly Calculated Evil Acts And Killings Are Not Mere Innocent Acts of Insanity Or A Mental Disorder

Posted on August 13, 2012 by giggling

It has happened again, just like it happened several times before, almost in the exact way, just different locations. A young man cleverly managed to enter a place where there were masses of people, and just start killing anyone within his range, complete strangers. This recent attack was in a Movie Theatre, but the same acts of terror or killings have been done in various places before always suddenly, unexpected, in schools, on subways, in buildings, even places of worship most often aimed at killing masses of people at a time, and always cleverly planned, timed and calculated.

It happens in the same way with acts of terrorism, either a sole person or a group suddenly attack masses of people with the aim of total destruction. Everyone is shocked, becomes scared, police security increases, and most people accuses the Killer of insanity or mentally deranged. Are they really? After the Aurora Theatre shootings I heard one grown man said on the news that he doesn’t understand why these things happen. And a lot of other people saying the same thing. I understand why they are happening, and violence is bound to increase getting worst as time goes on. Keep reading and I will explain why I said that. But those of you who prefer to believe that it is all the act of a insane person should ask yourself the below question:

Most of us have seen or met insane or mentally sick people before. I know one lady in my neighborhood whom suffers from schizophrenia but as long as she takes her medication she is the sweetish, kindest person you can find, with no evil bone in her body. Also sometimes riding the subways in New York, I occasionally see a insane person loudly speaking to themselves or to someone in their head without trying to do any harm to anyone else.

So insanity is a disease of the human mind or a brain disorder. Our minds and brains like the rest of the body due to inherited imperfection are subject to diseases and mental disorders, most of them can be kept under control with medication. Some mental problems could be the result of lacking in certain nutrients. But that does not make someone wicked, evil or desire to kill strangers.

A mentally deranged or insane person can do foolish things on the spur of the moment, and some if provoked to the point of becoming angry if they are in possession of a weapon can use it to kill sometimes unintentionally. But cleverly planning, studying, reading, and stockpiling weapons or bombs for the purpose of killing innocent people is not the work of a mere insane person, but from someone possessed by an intelligent evil being, which comes from outside the human mind.

Contrary to many beliefs of some people, no doubt those that are saying they cannot understand why these things are happening, is because of their failure to accept this one fundamental fact that: Human beings were created in God’s Image, by a real loving Creator. A God of love with no trace of evil whatsoever! If we don’t believe this then we cannot understand anything else that is happening and living without a purpose or hope.

Being created in the image of God means that all the qualities that God possesses such as love, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, joy, goodness, the ability to know right from wrong and be guided by moral laws were built into us along with a conscience which would act like a compass to let us know when we are going the wrong way. Originally perfect as our Creator, there was no evil in humans at all just as there is no evil in God.  

The inspired Bible is the only book that tells us the complete true history of how we began, how evil came about, why it is increasing now, what the end result will be, and how this will happen. This will affect the life of every single human on earth now and those already dead, so please keep reading all the way to the end of this post. You will find this very interesting history somethings you may not even have known before if you never examined the Bible yourself,  but only believed what your religion told you.

 I am going from the very beginning, the book of Genesis all the way up to our time period foretold in the last book of Revelation. If you check everything yourself, you will see how it all makes sense and will no longer be so shocked when another terrorist attack or mass killing takes place, or even what all the hard times means now. So please stay and keep reading:

When our first parents Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they became sinful or imperfect, meaning they missed the mark of perfection according to God’s standard. So all humans because we are all offspring from this original pair were born imperfect (not evil) and sinful and subject to diseases and death.(See previous related post: People are basically all just people)

But it was an evil being that caused Eve to disobey and eventually Adam joined her. The Bible says that this evil being was originally a good angel, a heavenly son of God. There was a survey taken some years ago that said that by far the majority of Americans believe in angels, so it shouldn’t be hard to understand how angels can become evil, since they were also given free will.

The Bible book of Job 38:7 says that after God finished creating Adam and Eve all the angels in heaven whom were looking on started shouting and applauding this new earthly creation. Except to one angel whom became jealous of all the honor that was being given to the Creator knowing also that this new Man and Woman and their future offspring would be doing the same thing worshipping and honoring the Creator.

So this angel who was a real intelligent heavenly person wanted to be like God himself, he wanted to be worshiped by this new creation of God the human race. He desired something that belonged to His Creator, “Worship” and lied to the first woman talking through a serpent told her just the opposite of what God told her not to do. God said that if they didn’t listen to him they would die.

This evil angel became known as “Satan the Devil” which means Opposer, told her that she wouldn’t die. (Genesis 3: 1-6). Human beings have been dying ever since then, so God proved to be true, and Satan turned out to be the Liar. He made himself the Great Opposer and Hater of God and humans by his rebellion and deceptive conduct.

This was the birth of real evil, a perfect angel allowing envy and the desire for prominence to turn into hate, willfully hating God and also saying that humans don’t need to listen to anything he says. They can rule themselves, lyingly knowing that his actions would cause death to the human race.

Since the entire human race was plunged on a path that would lead to a life of suffering and death which was contrary to God’s purpose, right from the start the Creator foretold that he would provide a Deliverer for the human race whom would put Satan out of existence. This first prophecy gave all of Adam’s children, all humans hope that Perfect life and peace will be restored again just as it was in the beginning is recorded in Genesis 3:15.

Talking to the Serpent whom was really the evil angel Satan. (The bible book of Revelation confirms that the original serpent was indeed Satan. Revelation 12:9 says….”the original serpent the one called Devil and Satan who is misleading the entire inhabited earth…”) God said that he would provide a Seed (a offspring) that would crush the Devil in the head, killing him.

So the Evil One was sentenced to death, but God allowed him to continue and the human race to reproduce until He provided the Messiah to restore them back to perfection and put Satan out of existence. Just as Genesis 3:15 says, the devil develop his own seed or followers, and a hatred for this coming Messiah and his Kingdom and anyone whom put faith in it, and started on a fight to prevent the Messiah and his Kingdom from coming about. So his murderous path of keeping people fighting and killing each other began, if he couldn’t rule the human race and get them to worship him, then he would kill them all so no one would remain to worship the Creator.

Yes. Eventually Satan was joined by other disobedient angels whom also disobeyed God before the flood of Noah’s day. Angels whom the Bible refers to as “Sons of God” were used by God back then as messengers between God and humans. They were given the ability to put on human flesh and looked just like men on earth. (The Bible always speaks of angels as “Sons of God” as male spirit persons, not female). This also proves that the religious teaching that God needs humans to die so that they  can be angels in heaven is a lie.

The Bible book of Daniel says that there are billions of angels in heaven all were created long before humans on earth. Remember the Bible book of Job said they applauded and shouted with joy at the creation of humans on earth, showing they were living in heaven long before the creation of humans on earth.

But instead of these angels doing their work as messengers of God, some of them began noticing beautiful women on earth and started marrying women and having promiscuous sexual relations, the Bible says with as many women as they choose. So there were several women for each angel. This was unnatural as angels were not created to marry or have sexual relations with humans on earth, and this was the start of perverted sex, or unnatural sex. (Genesis chapter 6).Their cohabiting with women in turn produced offspring or children something they were not supposed to do as temporary messengers of God or as angels.

The offspring of these angels were unnatural unlike normal human beings, and became fierce violent men, called the Nephilim, and the whole earth back then was full of violence. So God had to wipe these violent men out in the great flood in the days of Noah. (Genesis chapter 6) (Jesus said in speaking of the last days that just as it was in the days of Noah, so the last days of this system will be, and our time period is filled with much more violence than even in those days).

But these disobedient angels lost their privilege as messengers of God and a good standing with their heavenly Father, and became angry evil spirits, in joining Satan in his rebellion they made themselves demons, and started on the same course of promoting evil, violence, and every debased sexual conduct among people on earth. They were sentenced to death just like Satan to be put out of existence by the Messiah when he comes in his Kingdom to destroy this present Satanic and demonic controlled world and restore God’s original purpose as it was in the beginning.

Later this promise that was foretold in the Garden of Eden that a Seed would crush Satan’s head was re-enforced when God told the faithful man Abraham that this Messiah would be born in his lineage. God told Abraham in Genesis 22:18: “By means of your Seed all nations of the earth will certainly bless themselves due to the fact that you have listened to my voice”. It was later revealed to him that this would come through the line of Judah, (Genesis 49:10) whose offspring later became known as the Jews. So God would transfer the life of his only begotten son to be born as a man into the womb of a simple Jewish girl, Mary.

So from then onward all God’s people of the earth back then were looking forward to this Deliverer whom would put an end to Evil. Every prophecy and even the Passover was all pointing to the time and place when he would arrive and bring an end to human suffering. Isaiah 53:3-12 foretold the kind of personality he would display, one of humility and how he would suffer and die for the sins of the people. Micah 5:2 foretold the very place he would be born in Bethlehem. Satan knew his time and craving for worship would eventually come to an end, and he tried to do everything in his power to wipe out the people of God so that the Messiah would not be born.

All through history we see how Satan tried to destroy God’s people using his wicked human agents. But our Creator was constantly finding ways to preserve Abraham’s offspring in keeping with his promise that the Messiah would be born in his lineage. This he did in the time of Pharaoh using Moses (Bible book of Exodus) to deliver them through the Red Sea. Later down in history using Queen Esther (the book of Esther) to save the Jews from complete annihilation all the way up to the time when the Messiah was born the Creator always coming to their rescue in order to keep his promise to Abraham that the Savior to restore human perfection and put the Originator of Evil out of existence was to come from his lineage. 

When the Messiah was eventually born the angels announced in Luke 2:11: “For there is born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord in David’s City.. and verse 14: “Glory in the Heights above and upon earth peace among men of goodwill”. Nothing could make the Devil angrier than to see God’s purpose still coming through. So he used wicked King Herod (Matthew 2:1-23) who was ruling during that time, (By this time Satan had become the “Ruler of the World” holding power over Kings and Kingdoms) to find out where the baby was so that he could kill him. Herod did so by sending three astrologers they called wise men to visit the infant and report back to him. But they were directed by God to not return to Herod.

When Herod realized that he was sidestepped, the baby Jesus was about 2 years old, but he didn’t know where he was or what he looked like. Evil ruthless hateful Satan using Herod as his human agent went throughout Bethlehem and surrounding regions and employing his mass murderous techniques with the hope that one of them would be Jesus, had all the little Jewish baby boys two years and under killed in an attempt to kill the little boy Jesus. (Matthew 2:1-23)

What evil! Just imagine the cries of young Jewish mothers as they had to turn over their little infant boys to this murderous King for no reasons at all than to be killed just in  case one of them might be the future Messiah Jesus whom he knew was already born. But again God carefully told Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt so that the infant Jesus would not be killed again preserving the means for saving mankind. Mary and Joseph and the little boy Jesus stayed in Egypt until Herod died, he himself never knew that the child wasn’t killed in his murderous attempt.

After Herod’s death Mary, Joseph and young boy Jesus returned to Israel, and later spent his life in the city of Nazareth. There Jesus grew up and at the age of thirty started his great preaching and teaching work all about the coming Kingdom for the healing and restoration of the fallen human race and the ending of Satanic and demonic rule. He also taught people how to pray for God’s Kingdom identifying himself as the King designate, and was gathering other members that would make up this Kingdom besides himself. He gave his disciples the command to keep preaching about this Kingdom until the end comes.

Eventually as it was God’s will for him to die as a ransom for what Adam did to the human race, He allowed him to be put to death by Satans Agent the Romans, the enemies of the Jews. The Jewish Religious leaders took sides with their own enemies the Romans in publicly supporting his impalement and rejecting this humble Son of God the Messiah.

 After all the love the Creator showed them and did to preserve them alive, the Jews as a nation shamefully rejected this Messiah, the way was now opened up for people of all nations or gentiles to also become members of the Kingdom. All the original disciples and followers of Jesus or selected ones that would make up this Kingdom were Jews. So the rejection of Jesus as Messiah by the majority of Jews did not change the promise God made. The foundation was already laid. He was the foretold Messiah no matter what some decided. He was raised from death three days later and later went on to Heaven where the Kingdom would eventually be set up. Another defeat for Satan and God’s purpose kept moving forward for the good of humanity. 

Again it shows how that purpose of God and the promise to Abraham was being fulfilled: “All nations of the earth would indeed be blessed by Abraham’s seed, Jesus Christ and many hundreds of his original followers and disciples were all from the lineage of Judah (the Jews) along with other members, both men and women from all nations of the earth will make up this new Government by God for the restoring of Paradise and humans all over the earth, and put evil out of existence.”

Yes, Satan is the Source of Evil, the great manslayer. He is real, a real intelligent supernatural spirit being, brutally cruel and hateful and he along with his army of demons are the ones promoting evil and death among the humanrace. Jesus himself testified to the real existence of Satan and the demons. He never referred to him as a abstract figment of the imagination, but as a real evil person. He referred to Satan as the “Ruler of the World”, and said that “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one” and he was also referred by the apostle Paul as “The God of this system of things.”

In an attempt to get Jesus himself to disobey God Satan tempted him and offered him all the kingdoms of the world if he would just do an act of worship to him. So he proved that he is indeed the Ruler of the world, and every segment of this world is under his control, the political powers, the greedy commercial systems, the religious and entertainment world.

Ephesians 6:12 says that we have a wrestling against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places, the world rulers of this darkness. Since he and his demons are spirits they can influence people in different ways and directly possess people and get them to do what they want. There are many examples in the Bible of people being possessed by demons, one recorded in Luke 8: 28-31, about a man possessed by more than one demon whom called himself Legion. Showing that they are real spirit creatures they caused the man to cry out to Jesus when he saw him recognizing Jesus as the son of God and asked him not to send them away to the abyss. So they are aware that their time to harass people will come to an end through Jesus.

Because we are getting close to the time when the Messiah by means of his Kingdom will indeed fulfill that original prophecy in Genesis 3:15, to crush the Serpents head, putting Satan and his hordes of demons out of existence. The first part of the prophecy where Satan would bruise the Seed in the heel, was fulfilled when he had the wicked Romans put Jesus to death, but God raised Jesus up and the price was paid for the releasing of sins for the human race.

When the Kingdom was established in heaven Satan and his demons again tried to prevent it from taking place, but lost the battle. Revelation described the fight between Satan and his demons and Michael (Jesus Christ) and his angels as a war in which Satan was defeated and cast down to our earth having great anger. Here is what it says partly directly quoted from:

Revelation 12: 7–12: “And war broke out in heaven Michael (referring to Jesus heavenly name) and his angels battled with the Dragon and the Dragon and his angels battled but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them any longer in heaven. So down the great Dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to earth and his angels were hurled down with him…….and verse 12 continues..”Woe for the earth and the sea, because the Devil has come down to you having great anger knowing he has a short period of time”.

Jesus foretold that the time period before God’s Kingdom starts ruling over the earth would be a time of great trouble on earth with increasing lawlessness. People having no respect for law and life. Also the difficulty of life itself, the economy, increase in diseases, earthquakes, famines, high prices and so much woe just as Revelation says would be for earth’s inhabitants. (Luke 21:10,11, 25, 26. Matthew 24:6-14. 2 Timothy 3:1-5) And this is because of Satan and his demons being extremely angry that they were defeated and thrown down to earth. According to the sign Jesus said to look for, and the way conditions on earth suddenly got worst, this outcast of Satan and the demons is believed and calculated by Bible Scholars to have taken place around the time of World War One in 1914.

That was the first time that the whole world went mad and nations started fighting against each other resulting in the death of millions of people losing their lives in that War. This was the start of the last days for Satanic rule and when his anger got worst with his intent on killing the human race increased.  The “Woe” for the earth foretold in Revelation began. Later this was followed by World War Two (2) killing more millions of people than the first one, especially many young men. (whom is needed for the reproduction of humans on earth). History confirms that the world has gone down hill ever since, getting worst every year. So that explains the ever increasing wars, acts of terrorism, mass killings and brutal violence. Satans rulership is coming to a close, God’s Kingdom will soon rule over the earth.

So in order for no one to remain when that takes place, the Devil and his demonic hordes will try to kill the entire human race, using every means he can wars, terrorism, mass killings at innocent people for no reason but to kill and destroy them.  And this is another way where he has the majority of people under his control and indirectly killing them.

By promoting every debased in your face immoral conduct that would cause God to destroy humans along with him, or make people kill themselves. The increase in sodomy, homosexuality, sexual promiscuity, pornography, pedophilia, (child molestation), racial hatreds among people, drug addictions, heavy metal hate music, false teachings and religions (a deceptive way to make people believe they are serving God, when in reality they are serving Satan and the demons), depraved obscenities everything that God condemns for the protection of the human race, Satan and the demons are promoting just so that humans would either kill themselves or God himself will have to destroy them along with him when he is put out of existence. 

And one big way this is being done is through entertainment, movies and music which reaches people around the world. The easiest way to brainwash and corrupt young minds is through movies. Haven’t we noticed the increase in violence in movies, each one getting worst than the previous one? So much cruel spilling of human blood, others full of depraved conduct including pornography, and obscene language. Anybody who wants to learn how to do any of these things can see it all demonstrated in movies. Movies about witches, dragons, vampires, ghosts, apparitions haunted houses, and violent men flying through the air. Where did the inspiration for all these movies and the cold dark movie characters including Batman, and so many others came from?

If you look at illustrations of the way Satan is always depicted all dressed in black from head to toe as the Prince of Darkness with two horns on his head, it is the same way that Batman in the coming movie “The Suffocators of Sins” looks. I took a picture from that Movie Trailer which you can see here in this post. The similarities between the two characters is almost the same.

This movie seem to be one of the most cruel violent blood spilling movies yet to be released. (The Trailer is on YouTube). Isn’t it plain to see who is behind all this? This type of extreme hatred and violent behavior is unnatural it is contrary to the human personality, it is not normal. It is the clear influence of Satan and evil spirits pushing humans to complete anarchy. For sure their inspiration didn’t come from the God of Love, the Creator of the human mind, who hates violence.

It is reported that James Holmes the killer in the Aurora Colorado movie theater massacre, called the writer and actor of the upcoming movie “The Suffocaters of Sins” one week before he went on his shooting rampage, and said he watched the Trailer for the “Suffocaters of Sins” more than a 100 times and wanted more information on the Movie. (Looking at this Movie Trailer which is just a small potion of the whole movie, it is full of evil, vicious gross killings including injections and suffocation by plastic bag over someone’s head, it is like looking at Satan himself in action, and listening to him speak.

Unless you like that stuff you cannot watch it. I know I can’t. I only wanted to see the Trailer because I was writing this post. Please be careful of watching these types of movies, even the lives of the actors themselves could be in danger, or they might suffer from demonic attacks or depression later on. Always remember the Devil is real, hates us and wants us all dead, God is the one who loves us and wants us to keep living) 

But James Holmes watched it more than a 100 times, was very interested in how many people Batman killed, and if he was selective in whom he kills or was it mass killings. And he was disappointed that Batman wasn’t using bigger guns to kill in the movie.

Anyone subjecting themselves to such evil can become possessed by demons and do exactly whatever this demon tells them to do. The following week he entered the theater dressed and prepared for his intended mission, announced that he was the Joker and started shooting innocent people. Everything was completely planned and studied, and he no doubt was following the direction of his demonic possessed mind. The demons have names, this one name was the Joker.

Again do research on Google on the various actors that played the Joker and look at pictures of this character, and you will notice the look in their eyes is the same as that of James Holmes. That piercing ball-eyed look as if completely separate from their own. Heath Ledger who played the Joker before after shooting the movie suffered from depression and died from a drug overdose. One way they control people is through drugs.

In reading the biography of the Joker even though they admit nobody really knew his origin says in part that -he was a mass murderer, intelligent, calculating, with no empathy for people, a criminal with no regard for law. He also laughs because nobody could kill him.(ofcourse no human call kill demons because they are spirits) and would spit on people. This same spirit and attitude is what James Holmes displayed and admitted that he was the Joker. It is reported that he also spits at people while in prison.

The Joker is not a mere fictional character, neither is Batman they are all intelligent calculating murderous evil spirits whom can possess people and get them to carry out their mission which is to kill people. This is no doubt a demon possessed young man whom opened himself up to be taken as such by his obsession with evil.

Several years ago around the late 1970′s or early 80′s New York City was also terrorized by another killer whom called himself the “Son of Sam”. Like most of these killers he also was an intelligent fine looking young white man, and he concentrated only on killing innocent young women. I think they were all white women, and many young women were killed before he was caught. When he was he admitted that he would get specific instructions from a talking dog. He knew exactly where to find his victims by listening to the talking dog. Didn’t Satan also talked to Eve through a Serpent?

It a spiritual problem. They are evil spirits unseen to the human eye, so they can possess people talk to them through their own mind, or use other visible humans, or animals or anything to convey their instructions to humans. (Remember the example I mentioned before of Jesus himself being tempted by Satan and the other demon possessed man whose demon name was Legion and whom recognized Jesus himself ?) Would people whom read that in the Bible say that Jesus the perfect Son of God was suffering from a mental illness? And how could this demon possessed man recognized Jesus since he had never seen him before?

But the demons inside of him knew whom Jesus was because they were once good angels and lived in the spirit heavens together before they became evil. Or even Eve, who heard and listened to the Serpent, would they also say that she had schizophrenia? She was perfect so she had no diseases at all and the Serpent gave her specific information. Later remember the Book of Revelation identified the Serpent as Satan.

Since there is no law that can convict a criminal on the basis of demonic control or possession, and it cannot be medically diagnosed, and some people don’t believe in such or say they cannot prove it, they are usually charged with schizophrenia or mental madness. Only God knows whether a person like this has developed a completely evil heart, and is really guilty of the death penalty. They could be considered victims of evil themselves, just as the ones they killed. In most cases the demons after causing the killer to accomplish their mission usually cause them to kill themselves.

In my next post I will write what we can do if caught in a terrorist attack or mass shooting. How some others in the past used common intuition and avoided being killed, ways to be cautious, and becoming possess by evil spirits, how we can be sure that evil will end and peace restored again, and what righteously disposed people need to do now to continue living in that coming new peaceful world.

Past related posts:

Stepping in Tune with Time and Gravity

Staying grounded while moving forward

Setting the mood for each day starts with the right attitude

Hey, what’s up with all these Christmas lights and decorations, anyway

What does Jesus have to do with the Easter Bunny and Colored Eggs?

Written, illustrated and website designed by Glenda Brill(C)

 

 

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The Benefits of Natures Own Natural Thirst Quenchers And Cooling Aids Versus Sugary Drinks and Sodas

Posted on July 12, 2012 by giggling

 Oh, summer sure makes a grand entry here in the USA. Nothing but heat wave after heat wave. Fortunately this week the humidity has dropped at least temporarily. It usually surprises people whenever I say I hate hot weather. Because they know by now that I was born and raised on a hot Caribbean Island, St. Maarten.

But that is the reason I hate hot  weather so much is because I had too much of it growing up and just couldn’t take the heat anymore. The disadvantage is that it is always hot there, never a change in season like here in the USA or Europe.

So as soon as summer begins here I already started the countdown to fall and winter. I can’t wait for the cooler climates to get here. But since that might be for a couple more months how can we cope with the heat now? Our body is made up of mostly water and we lose a lot of fluid during warm weather and if not replaced we can become dehydrated and literally die from the lack of fluid.

So keeping our bodies hydrated is necessary for life. The best way I find is by drinking lots of ice cold water. That is nature’s number one best way to quench our thirst on a hot day. Instead of water most people just gulp down tons and tons of sugary drinks and sodas, even little children are given these to drink.

Why cold sugary drinks or sodas don’t quench our thirst for long or really do any good for the body

I saw a mother giving her little children all a can of soda to drink, even the toddler in the baby carriage. These sugary drinks or sodas only quench thirst for a little while and keep you drinking more and more. Why? Because the body becomes addicted to the sugar in the drinks, and keep us drinking more and more producing more insulin which builds in the blood instead of getting into our cells to produce energy. All this sugar does is adding up into calories and people keep getting fatter and fatter, even children.

And because the body is not getting the energy it needs it keeps craving more sugar building in the blood and creating obesity and other diseases. Even if the drinks claim to be diet sodas or other natural waters check the ingredients and you will see they are filled with a lot of artificial stuff and sweeteners which is not good for the human body. They only temporarily quench our thirst without providing any nutritional value to the body but instead loading it up on damaging sugar, which is toxic, makes us fat and lead to other diseases.

Lately there has been a lot of talk about drinking large amounts of sugary drinks and sodas. Even the Mere of New York City wants to stop people from buying these large cans or bottles of sugar laden drinks. Why? Basically because obesity is becoming an epidemic in the USA.

Half the population is obese, especially among young children, and Type Two Diabetes is showing up in children as young as eight and ten years old. Diet including large amounts of sugar in processed foods or through sugary drinks and sodas is responsible for this increase in obesity with it’s accompanying health problems  such as diabetes, cancers, cardiovascular problems and others.

Today’s most dangerous health toxin is not a chemical, pollutant or contaminant. It’s Sugar!

That sentence I took directly from one Nutritional Health Report I subscribe to. That is what a growing number of health experts studying the dangers of toxins to the human body is concluding. (I keep up to date with many of the Nutritional findings and reports on Health both in Europe and the USA). Why is sugar so toxic to the human body? Because it actually changes the biochemisty in the body.

Sugar overload not only makes us become resistant to our own insulin which leads to on-going blood sugar trouble, it also speeds up the very process of aging! (So if you want to stay young longer, stay away from sugar). Too much blood sugar reacts with proteins in the blood and forms nasty molecules called “AGEs” (Advanced Glycosylation End products). So too much sugar actually ages the body on the inside and outside as well.

If their diet consists of only junk foods and sugary drinks, it shouldn’t surprise us that some children are not only overweight but seem to be growing old so fast. Some teenage or even preteens young girls already look like grown women. Especially among black American families whose diet consists of more junk and starchy foods because of its lower cost than organic nutritional foods, and a lot of these children are already suffering from Type Two Diabetes.

Too much sugar in the blood actually contributes to premature aging of the human body both inside and outside

And this premature aging is not only limited to just children but adults as well. You notice how some adults that have become overweight also look much older than their real age? Both among black and white people alike, especially white men whom ages much faster than everyone else, even those that don’t become extremely overweight just look old too fast, some guys as young as age forty-five (45) already look like old men in their sixties, and having all kinds of prostrate and cardiovascular problems.

While in some countries people that eat more natural unprocessed foods made up of more fruits, vegetables, fish and whose diet does not include all these sugary foods and drink, stay younger longer and are sexually active way into old age. I had some uncles back in the Caribbean that grew up eating off the land as they call it, and they were having children naturally way into their early or later seventies, without any Viagra or suffered from any mayor health problems.They lived way into their eighties and nineties so they did see their children grow up, and grandchildren to.

My father got married later in life when he was forty years old, (my mother was several years younger) had me the eldest daughter by age 41 and all his other seven children (He had eight of us all through natural conception, with my mother giving natural childbirth to all children, and no twins) in his later forties, fifties, and my last sister was born when he was almost sixty. And this was only because my mother stopped having anymore children. He was active way into old age. He knew nothing about Viagra, or injections or any artificial help, never had a obese problem, diabetes, cholesterol, arthritis or any of the mayor problems most men in the USA are suffering from. (He also never smoked, drunk or used drugs). These are just true to life examples of how Diet and Lifestyle does make a big difference in how healthy we are, how we age and how long we live!

No offense guys, but your diet is aging you too fast, and responsible for nearly every health problem you are suffering from. Stay away from all those sugar coated doughnuts, high sugar content cereals, sodas, drinks, foods, hotdogs, hamburgers (The white bread converts to sugar in the body) and you will take ages off of your looks, maintain your good looks, be healthier, enjoy sex longer and live longer.

How can sugar so sweet be so bad for us?

Whether it is high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, maltose, lactose or any type of sugar it turns our bloodstream into a virtual poison! And a growing number of health experts believe that sugar consumption has fueled the skyrocketing rates of blood sugar issues, obesity and cardiovascular related problems in this country.

And there are five types of cells that are especially vulnerable to blood sugar spikes and the free radicals damage they cause. These include cells in our eyes, kidneys, arteries, peripheral nerves (like in feet) and pancreas. These are fragile cells that need the right kind of antioxidants to protect them from the oxidative damage caused by excess levels of sugar.

After eating or drinking anything with high sugar content, damaging free radicals head right to the mitochondrial center (the life force in cells) in these fragile cells in our eyes, kidneys, arteries, peripheral nerves and pancreas. And if this damaging free radical effects starts from very young, such as feeding very young children foods or drinks containing lots of sugar including other junk foods, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, blood cancers, and other degenerative conditions can manifest themselves very early in their life.

So the USA is a nation full of overweight people including children some suffering from many diseases that was only found among older people. And many health conditions found among the aging baby boomers can be traced back to a diet high in sugar and other junk foods which contain large amounts of refined sugars. (nearly all processed foods have high sugar content).

Water and water laden fruits provide a natural healthy alternative to sugary and artificial drinks

 All fruits and vegetables provide water and nutrients the body needs, but some have more water content than others and seemed to be designed especially for very hot seasons when people have more a need for body fluids. I will mention a few here not necessarily in alphabetic order but by their most water or juice content and the many nutrients they supply to our body for optimum health. And all fruits are low in calorie and can aid in weight loss if eaten in moderation. One is the delicious watermelon:

WATERMELON:

The name speaks for itself, water embodied in a melon, contains more water than grapes. A slice of watermelon melts in your mouth and is very refreshing on a hot summer day. Besides providing delicious fluid to quench our thirst watermelons are loaded with many vitamins and minerals. Good source of vitamins A, B, C, carbohydrates, potassium and antioxidants.

Also contain amino acids which help keep arteries and blood flow to our hearts in fine order. Good for our eyes since they provide a higher source of lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable. Lycopene helps us keep our vision longer and can prevent macular degeneration and other eye problems as we age. Watermelon has also been known to provide a Viagra like effect on men with sexual or erectile dysfunction.

Watermelons also help boost our energy levels and strengthen our immune system. Because of its high Vitamins B and C content – B vitamins give our bodies the energy it needs, while Vitamin C which is a potent antioxidant helps ward off illness protecting our cells from damage and play a role in helping us stay young. Eating fruits such as watermelon is a perfect and easy way to upgrade our defenses.

Watermelons are indeed a very refreshing fruit for both young and old alike. Can be eaten in fruit salads or plain sliced and even made into juice in a blender for home drinking. They do just the opposite of what sugary drinks do for the body, providing the body with a nutritional alternative of water loaded with life giving ingredients rather than a can liquid loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients which add nothing but toxins to the body.

GRAPES:

Seedless or seeded grapes either red, black or green are high in water content. Grapes are mostly water. Grapes are anywhere from 65-85% water, which means low calories and high hydration.

You can take a container of cold seedless grapes anywhere and eat whenever feeling thirsty. There are also many benefits to eating grapes besides quenching our thirst. Just like all the fruits mentioned above they are good for toddlers (especially the seedless ones can be given to young children to eat) as well as older adults. Grapes are the basis for wine and we know how a little wine is good for our health. (See previous post on: Would you like a little wine with that?)

Prevent heart disease. A study from the Journal of Nutrition showed that eating fresh grapes could prevent the accumulation of harmful oxidized cholesterol and atherosclerotic lesions. This means less coronary heart disease from plaque build up on the walls of your arteries. They clean out our cholesterol and intestines and strengthen the heart.

The polyphenol called “resveratrol” in the grape skin breaks down bad cholesterol, and acts as a antioxidant in the body. It can also be found in grape juice and wine. Fight illness: Grapes are high in another polyphenol called “tannin.” tannins move into the intestinal tract and protect from viruses and tumors alike. Fight cancer: Grapes have a high level of caffeic acid. Caffeic acid he lps fight cancer.

Prevent brain damage from strokes. Studies from the University of Missouri-Columbia show that grapes prevent brain damage in the event of a stroke. Boost brain activity: Grapes have a significant amount of potassium and increase brain activity. Boost metabolism: Grapes have a light laxative effect that boosts metabolism.

A handful of grapes can do wonders for dieting. Increase calorie burning: They increase your blood flow and help with calorie burning. They compliment workouts very well as grapes enhance endurance. Helps stave off tuberculosis: Patients in the first stage of tuberculosis are told to include a higher amount of grapes in their diet.

HONEYDEW MELON:

Another water, vitamin and mineral loaded fruit. Honeydew melons are very sweet and delicious when ripe and eaten cold a nd very similar to the watermelon they actually melt in your mouth as a refreshing thirst quencher. Honeydew melons provide the body with Potassium necessary for regular heart beats and for pumping blood throughout the body. The water potassium ratio in honeydew melons may prevent an increase in blood pressure.

And most or all fruits provide the necessary Vitamin C, which helps our immune system fight infections, and also good for the formation of collagen responsible for healthy hair, skin and nails. Another necessary ingredient in honeydew melons is copper an essential trace mineral good for healthy skin regeneration. Copper also aids the body’s ability to repair its muscles and tissues.

A great source of B vitamins-which include thiamine and niacin. B vitamins help the body get rid of toxins which cause illness and disease. And may also help reduce the risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

PAPAYA FRUIT:

Another delicious fruit when ripe and cold almost feels like ice cream in your mouth when eaten. I grew up on Papayas since we have several papaya trees growing in our back yard in St Maarten. They can be cooked green and used as a side dish with fish or meat, or left until completely ripe and eaten sliced or in chunks. They are also high in water content and a good thirst quenching summer fruit. Like the above mention fruits papaya is another health packed fruit. It is reported that Christopher Columbus when discovering the Caribbean Islands called this fruit the “The Fruit of the Angels”.

Because Papaya contains practically everything our bodies need to be healthy. It is rich in anti-oxidants, B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid, minerals, potassium, magnesium and fiber. These nutrients promote a healthy cardiovascular system and also protection against colon cancer. Papaya also contains the digestive enzyme, papain, which is used like bromelain to treat sports injuries, and other causes of trauma.

Papain also aids in digestion: Beta-carotene found abundant in papaya along with Vitamin A, C and E help with the proper functioning of the immune system and prevents such illnesses as recurrent ear infections, colds and flu. Also aids in reducing inflammation. Helps with intestinal health, stomach problems, and prevents constipation.

Papaya juice aids in relieving infections of the colon and break up pus and mucus in the body. May help prevent cancer in organs and glands – papaya’s fiber is able to bind to cancer-causing toxins in the colon and keep them away from the healthy colon cells thus preventing colon cancer. Papayas may be very helpful in preventing atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. Because of their high fiber content they are known to lower high cholesterol levels.

PINEAPPLES:

Another sweet juicy thirst quenching tropical fruit loaded with Vitamins and Minerals. These include calcium, potassium, fiber and Vitamin C. The fruit is also low in fat and cholesterol. Pineapples can be sliced after washing and cutting off the though outer skin, or cut in small chunks and taken in containers in a small cooler and eaten anywhere whenever feeling thirsty. They are sweet and juicy and will fill the need for fluid on a hot day.

Pineapples are good for building healthy bones. This is because pineapples are rich in manganese, a trace mineral that is required to strengthen bones and connective tissues. One cup of pineapple provides 73 percent of the daily recommended intake of manganese. Pineapple consumption can boost the growth and development of bones in young people and strengthen bones among the elderly.

Good for Colds and Coughs: While many people take Vitamin C supplements or drink orange juice during a cold, few know that pineapples are just as good for colds and coughs. The fruit provides the same benefits as orange juice in treating a cold or cough with additional benefits. Good for our Gums: Pineapples are good for our gums which is necessary for holding our teeth in place and protecting our heart which is affected by the health of our gums. By eating pineapple, you are strengthening your gums to make it through the hard years later, especially good for young children still growing.

Prevents Macular Degeneration: Macular Degeneration the deterioration of the eyes usually found among aging adults can be prevented through regular pineapple consumption as well as other fruits. Sugary drinks do just the opposite. Helps Arthritis: Those who have arthritis pain, eating pineapples provide Bromelain which reduces the pain of arthritis and for those who do not have arthritis, pineapple helps prevent the disease by strengthening your bones with iron.

When you eat pineapples, you have a better chance at having a healthier life and providing the body with the fluid it needs. Be aware of all the benefits of the fruit you eat so you know what you are lacking for the day. Our bodies need a certain amount of nutrients and vitamins each day.

MANGOES:

During the summer season, mangoes are one of the richest tropical fruits you can find now. They have been widely known as the king of fruit due to its many health benefits. There are two different kinds of mangoes I know of, the round firm ones that is good for slicing and eating as a snack.

And the other oval kind that when ripe becomes soft and full of thick delicious juice that can actually be sucked right out of the fruit itself. Then peeled and the remainder of the fruit eaten off of the seed. Even babies can be given these ripe juice filled mangoes to suck the juice right into their mouth.

Mangoes are very palatable refreshing fruits with many nutritional benefits as well. They contain plenty of minerals, vitamins, as well as antioxidants. Mangoes are a good source of amino acids, flavanoids, vitamins C, E, B6, Vitamin K and other B vitamin, niacin, beta-carotene, calcium, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and potassium. They are rich in phytochemicals such as lutein, contain dietary fiber, and polyphenols.

They can improve cholesterol levels, fight off disease and helps tone up the heart muscles, prevent heart disease and certain cancers. Also full of carotenoids which are good for our eyes, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, improve the skin’s texture and appearance and helps invigorate appetite.

Improves Digestion: Mangoes are very beneficial for those who suffer from indigestion problems. They contain special digestive enzymes such as esters, aldehydes and terpenes which help in breaking down food and help in digestion, and soothe the stomach. Because of their high content of vitamin A they contributes to good eyesight and helps prevent night blindness, dryness of the eyes, refractive errors, softening of the cornea, itching and burning in the eye.

Improves Memory Power: Mangoes are helpful for children who have a lack of concentration in studies. Because of their Glutamine Acid content they help to develop concentration by boosting their memory. Mangoes are also good for the reproductive organs, and can help resolve sexual dysfunctions like erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and low libido. (Maybe that is where the name came from, man goes, a man will go, after his sexual problems are resolved through eating mangoes) The Vitamin E in mangoes helps to normalize sex hormones and improve sex drive.

Prevents Cancer: Also, mangoes contain soluble dietary fiber pectin in high amounts. Researchers have identified a strong relation between consuming lots of fiber and a reduced risk of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Also, the vitamin C in mangoes helps to protect cells from free radical damage and decreases risk of cancer.

Treats Anemia: Mangoes are helpful for pregnant women and individuals who suffer from anemia due to their iron content. Usually, women after menopause become weak due to reduced iron content; they should consume mangoes and other fruits high in iron.

LEMONS FOR MAKING LEMON AIDE:

Who hasn’t heard about, or don’t know how a cold glass of lemon aide will quench our thirst faster than any sugary drink. Lemons like all fruits are loaded with Vitamin C which helps the body cope with hot weather, that is why lemon aide is so refreshing on a hot day.

Even children can be taught how to make lemon aide and it is one of the first things some of them learn how to sell and make some extra money during summer months. (See previous post: How some people are kicking the economy to the curb).

After squeezing some lemons and mixing with cold water just add some Stevia or Aguave Nectar (Stevia and Aguave Nectar are natural plant based low calorie sweeteners, that is recommended by Nutritionist to be used instead of any refined sugars or artificial sweeteners). Aguava Nectar can be found in all Supermarkets now, this is my favorite which I use in all my beverages, coffee, tea, cocoa and can also be added to Lemon aide instead of sugar. Stevia and Aguave Nectar are not toxic to the body like regular sugars and will not have the same disease causing effects as mentioned at the beginning of this post.

The Best Healthcare is Preventative Healthcare

And this is what I believe the Mere of New York City is trying to do. It is obvious and has been researched that a lot of diseases resulted from obesity caused by the consumption of to much sugar in our diet. And the easiest and fastest way that excess sugar gets into our blood is through drinking sugar loaded drinks or beverages. (Ofcourse, obesity is also the result of eating too much fat and other processed foods, and lack of exercise).

When this affects even the very young, then it only makes sense to cut out the foods that are damaging to our health and start on a more nutritional program of eating. It will eventually save the government and everybody else a lot of money that is going toward Healthcare. If everyone starts on a good program of healthy nutritional eating and drinking, then there will be less people with diabetes, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, joint problems and many others that people suffer from today. There will be less a need for Healthcare in the first place.

And one good way is to include more fruits (and vegetables in our diet). They provide all the fluid our body needs and good nutrition as well. Now tell me which sugary drink can do all the good those fruits mentioned above will do? If we don’t like eating fruits sliced or in chunks, we can blend them into juices in our blender at home, keep pure without adding any other sugar, and take along in an empty water bottle kept cold in a mini cooler and drink whenever feeling thirsty. Or keep in a glass container in our refridgerator.

If some of us still miss that fizzing sparkling taste of sodas, just add some natural seltzer water to fruit juice after blending, and you will have created your own natural drinks, without the refined or artificial sugars, that will be just as refreshing and thirst quenching. Eventually you will see how much more healthy and refreshing nature’s own natural thirst quenchers are versus sugary drinks because you will eventually start feeling and looking better. And that is what we all want.

The importance of washing hands and wearing protective gloves when handling foods. For people working in food handling or slicing fruit, and for those whom buy sliced fruit at local vendors, please read this:

The importance of those handling foods or slicing foods to wear protective gloves.

To those of us that buy fruits from vendors, Let’s be safe. Check out the place to see how the employees handle the fruit and if they are wearing gloves or not. In some places it is mandatory that people handling foods, or slicing fruit should always wear protective gloves. But in some smaller establishment or some countries people don’t follow the rules. Here is an experience from Africa that shows how our hands can become deadly to others.
 It’s in Nigeria – Lagos.  A 10 year old boy, had eaten pineapple about 15 days back, and fell sick, from the day he had eaten. Later when he had his Health check done….doctors diagnosed that he had AIDS.
 His parents couldn’t believe it… Then the entire family under went a check-up… none of them suffered from Aids. So the doctors checked again with the boy if he had eaten out…The boy said ‘yes’. He had pineapple that evening. Immediately a group from the hospital went to the pineapple vendor to check.
 They found the pineapple seller had a cut on his finger while cutting the pineapple; his blood had spread into the fruit.When they had his blood checked…the guy was suffering from AIDS…but he himself was NOT aware. Unfortunately the boy is suffering from it now. Please take care while you eat on the road side (particularly Oranges, Mangoes etc) and please share this info with those you know whom usually buy sliced fruit on the go.
 It is always a better way to buy fruit whole and slice yourself at home after washing the fruit and your own hands.  But in some places you can buy fruit in small containers ready to eat and go. Just make sure you buy such from a supermarket or healthfood or somewhere that employees do wear protective gloves when slicing or handling food.
Written and illustrated by: Glenda Brill (C)

 

 

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Clutter, Confusion, Crankiness – Creepy Cousins Silently Invading Our Homes, Space, Controlling Our Minds And Eating Up Time.

Posted on September 9, 2010 by giggling

The Threecees family. They seem to be taking up residence everywhere. Confusion and Clutter are twins, and they always have Crankiness following them around. Yeah, I am sure they secretly moved in with you to. In our fast paced world with ever increasing new products, gadgets, and information overload, Clutter and Confusion are creeping into and taking over almost every space they can find a resting place. Then Crankiness shows up making the situation even worst.

And doesn’t it seem like time is moving faster these days? But a day still has twenty four hours, and a year twelve (12) months as it always was. So is time really moving faster or are we moving slower because of being so weighed down by clutter (so many things)? All this disorganization is taking up so much of our time that it is hard to keep up with it. This in turn makes us cranky and moody. It is like trying to run while carrying heavy loads on our shoulders.

So we need to get organized to throw Clutter and Confusion out of our lives, and save time. It is easier to get disorganize or to accumulate clutter than keeping things in its place and orderly. For that is what the word really means, to have a well arranged place, or time for everything and putting them in its place and sticking to it.

Clutter on the other hand means a place that is crowded or full of confusion, fill with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness. This can affect a person’s mood, temper and emotions. Being organized or disorganized or living surrounded by clutter affect us mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Let us see how it does so by examining each of these separately:

How clutter affects us:

I know with myself if I walk into a room with a lot of clutter, whether it is clothes thrown all around, to much furniture in the room, things on the floor, piles of paper or books on a desk or table, or even dirty dishes in a kitchen sink it upsets and confuses me so much where I feel like I am going insane. I get cranky and I also feel weighed down as if I am carrying a heavy load. I cannot stand clutter, because it does affect us mentally.

I read also that mentally ill people who usually live in cluttered or disorganized places, when removed from such and put into a calm, clean and organized arrangement their mental health improves. So unlike disorganization which is distracting, being organized and having everything in its place is attractive, it serves as good therapy for our minds. It rids us of confusion, we can think clearer, have more time, become more focused, and in control of what we are doing.

Were you ever ready to go out and forgotten where you put your keys or something you need at the moment? And spend practically the whole day frantically searching all over trying to find them? In the meantime your heart is beating faster, you’re under stress, you are yelling at everybody who gets in your way, you are getting a headache, you are confused and angry because you are going to be late, (time wasted) and in the meantime while you are running around trying to find those items, some things fell on the floor and you end up tripping and falling right over them. Oh Lord!

Now if those keys or other item were put in a special place everyday, so you know exactly where they are, it could have saved you all that frustration, stress, wasted time, and probably from hurting yourself physically by fallen over something.

Clutter does indeed affect our movement and is a real time waster. Thousands of people get hurt or die from clutter related accidents each year. Being organized is good medicine for us physically, it helps avoid unnecessary falls, stress, wasted time looking for something, and keeps us calm which is good for our heart and general health.

As mentioned above, clutter makes me depressed and angry. So it also affects us emotionally. I am sure other people feel the same way. We see this all the time in traffic jams which is also a sort of traffic clutter or confusion. People get angry and start shouting and yelling because time is being wasted. Most mentally disturbed people are also very angry all the time they shout and curse at everybody for no reason. Mentally ill or cranky people when taken out of a cluttered or disorganized environment, usually gets better, their mood and personality changes.

So if you know someone that is always angry most often than not they are living in a cluttered or disoriented place and it is affecting them emotionally. Or if you sometimes ever feel down or find yourself getting angry at everything, look around and see whether you are starting to accumulate clutter either in your office or home. Once you clear it up, you will calm down, and feel much better. Our emotions are affected by our organized or disorganized lifestyles.

Our spirit has to do with our inner self, that part of us created in God’s image that makes us who we are. It is the immaterial intelligent of a person, our character or disposition. Our feelings, qualities, mood, our breath are all spirit. Clutter or disorganization disturbs our spirit, and makes us re act in a negative way. We feel relief by just the opposite of disorganization or confusion.

Have you ever felt disturbed in your spirit and went out and just looked up at the sky on a clear day? Do we see any clutter in the sky? The mere beauty of an uncluttered universe and vast space calms our spirit down. Scientists who study the universe have found that there is such organization and serenity in space that it is hard to believe it could have happen by chance. Everything is well arranged and orderly, and brings peace of mind rather than disturbance. God sets the example in being organized, it is for our good.

We heard the saying less is more. A couple of years ago many Graphic Designers started using this idea of creating less items or clutter on a page, and adding more space. The results were beautiful. You can see this even today in some magazines, a lot of space, and just one small item on a page.

I believe the idea came from studying the universe, there is tremendous beauty in space, it itself is a form of design. Everything is organized, and no clutter or confusion to be found there. And when we bring this into our lives, our homes, or offices, it calms our spirit and affects our entire lives for the better.

We can control clutter and confusion in our lives. It takes constant effort not to let things get out of place. The fact that it has such a negative effect on us shows that it is not natural to be disorganized, it is all a result of the times we are living in, the accumulation of so many, sometimes unnecessary things, and the habits we form, sometimes starting from very young.

Even children can be taught how to be organized at home, and this will carry over into adult life. And once we develop the habit of being orderly it will be like a heavy burden being lifted from our shoulders. In my next post I will write about specific ways we can start to get into the habit of being organized and not letting clutter make us cranky.

Written and illustrated by: Glenda Brill ©

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Everything In Its Place, And No Place For Some Things.

Posted on September 28, 2010 by giggling

In my last post I mentioned how being disorganized leads to Clutter, Confusion and eventually Crankiness. And this affects us in many diverse ways. (See post: Clutter, Confusion, Crankiness-Creepy Cousins…) So then in order to rid ourselves of these bad traits we need to get organized. This is easier said than done, since in our fast paced busy world it is very easy to get disorganized, and accumulate clutter as people are always running to go somewhere, especially in the big cities. But if we make it a habit to put things in its place right away, then just as bad habits are hard to break so do good habits.

We have to constantly ask ourselves: Do I really need this? And where can I put it so it really looks like it belongs in this place? Or where can I put this so I can find it later? Because if you don’t need it and it doesn’t fit in any place, or you can’t find it later, then you know that is the start of clutter. So before it gets out of hand, get organized quickly. Let us start first with our office or place of work.

Get Organize in your place of work

If you are accumulating a lot of junk in your office or place of work why not start soon to get rid of it. First arrange a weekend or one day of each week to do so. Start first with your desk by taking everything off. Get two separate empty cartons or boxes, and label them: Things that need a place, and no place for some things.

After you have put everything in the right carton, then go back and start making folders for those things that need a place. Some may already have a folder, then put them back into that folder. For others make new folders and label according to urgency or importance.

For instance for some things that need to get done first, just label that folder ”Urgent” “Must read next”, “Interesting News Articles”, “Bills”etc. Put these folders back in the right carton for “Things that need a place”. Anything else that is no longer needed go in the carton “No place for some things”. These folders can be of different colors making it easier to remember. For instance unread magazines in the Yellow Folder, Bills in the Red Folder, Articles in the Green Folder, Letters in the Blue Folder, etc.

Keep a filing cabinet or storage Box for everything, according to alphabet. Then after you have made and labeled all your folders from the Carton that says “Things that need a place” take this over to the filing cabinet and file the folders in alphabetical order.

Most offices have an Administrative Assistant that does all this for you, but if you are a small office or a home office you may have to do this yourself.

Creating a calmer, less stressful work environment.

From the other carton or box that documents were put in for “No Place for some things”, shred these, or tear very well and put in the garbage. When you need to take something out of the filing cabinet, return when finished using right away rather than let them accumulate on your desk again. If no longer needed, shred as soon as possible don’t let anything lying around again causing clutter. Pens, Pencils, Paperclips, Tapes and other office necessities keep in separate small containers on your desk.

If we make this a habit of putting things in their place and returning soon after use, and getting rid of unnecessary things, we will avoid clutter and disorganization. We will create a calmer, less stressful work environment, and have more time to concentrate on each task as needed.

The same principle can be used for any other work environment. There should be a place for tools, equipment, sewing materials, fabrics, etc. No matter what kind of work we do everyday, we can avoid clutter and disorganization by creating a place for everything and no place for some things by throwing out anything that is useless and could lead to confusion and crankiness.

Get organized at home.

Our home is where it is the most difficult to keep organized all the time. Whether we live in a large house or just one room there never seem to be enough room to keep everything. And some people try to keep organized by throwing anything that they are not using or want to hold on to into a closet. Some others if they have one the back of their garage, their basement or some other place in their homes.

But it is still clutter, not visible right away, but what happens when you need to find something amidst all the junk you throw in that closet, the garage or basement? It still leads to confusion and becoming cranky because you can’t find what you are looking for from all the clutter that you throw in there.

Start first with making a regular place to hang your keys once inside your home. This makes it easier to find them than if you usually throw them down anywhere on a table and can’t remember where they are when in a hurry to leave. Place a small hook somewhere out of sight where you can hang them, or place in your own hidden spot, but it should always be the same place making it easier to find and not lose.

Next work on emptying everything from your Closets, the g arag e or basement if these are the places where you keep all your junk. You can do the same as suggested above with organizing things that you need to keep and others that should be thrown out. I usually make three bags: One for Clothes, Shoes and Handbags. One is for those that I will keep, the second bag is to give to Charity or to people I know that can use them.

And the third is to throw out if there are things that no longer fit, or can be used by anyone, then they should be thrown out, there is no place for somethings. In some areas throughout New York City there are large Containers placed outside Apartment Complexes to put old clothes and other items. These no doubt is recycle or giving to those in need. So rather than throw some things in the garbage, I put them in these containers for recycling.

If you have the place for it, you can even organize a garage sale, and sell some of your unwanted items

Or if you have the place for it, you can even organize a garage sale, and sell some of your unwanted items. Smaller items that you plan on keeping can be put in small boxes and neatly stack at the back of your garage, closet or basement floor.

Clothes should be carefully hanged on hangers and arranged so that it is easy to find. For instance all blouses should be hanged next to each other, dresses with each other, pants etc. I put all heavy Winter Coats in a separate Closet since they take up more room. So when looking for something you know exactly where to find it. Shoes I put in shoe pockets that are hanged on the inside of my closet doors. This makes them very visible and easy to select what I will wear when I need to.

For other items like towels, underwear, socks etc. Most closets have top area shelves for storing folded towels and other items of clothing that doesn’t need to be hang. If we have dressers with drawers, I keep a drawer for each small separate item. One for Underwear, another for Socks, or Panty-hoses (when I do wear them occasionally), that are wrapped together with the matching one.

For those of us that get a lot of mail each day especially magazines and catalogs, it is impossible to read them right away, so most of the time we just put them on our table or somewhere until we can find the time to go through each and read.  But if we don’t get to them at least once a week, they will accumulate and cause clutter.

For mail order catalogs I love to go through each and tear the pages out of things I would love to order, and throw the catalog out. The same I do with Fashion Magazines tear the pages of fashions I love, and throw the rest out. Just keep what you want from those catalogs and magazines along with the order forms, keep these in a folder labeled: “Order Soon”. For fashions I use as reference I call “New Fashion Trends”. And keep these folders in your home office filing cabinet. Don’t leave any unnecessary items causing clutter on your kitchen or dining room tables, or floor wherever you put your stuff.

Some pieces of furniture can be given away or rearranged to make a room look less crowded.

The same can be said with furniture, if it is too much in a room and makes it uncomfortable to move around or looks disorderly, then get rid of some pieces. Or some times they can be re–arranged so that the room looks more spacious and not so crowded. Keeping other items such as clothes, dirty dishes or other stuff off of furniture also makes a room look more orderly and inviting. Remember everything in its place, if that is not the place for some things then take it away.

Do the same with our Bedrooms and Kitchens. Making your bed when not in it and keeping clothes and other items off, including the floor, makes the room look clean and neat. Don’t forget our kitchens where most of us spend a lot of time. Keep dirty dishes off the table, out of the sink or out of sight by washing right after eating and putting them in their place. Sweep the floors of any fallen debris, organizing kitchen cupboards, so it is easier to find what we need. Pots and Pans should be kept together, and so should our dishes and eating utensils.

Give children a good reason for doing something, and they will!

And if there are young children in the home they can be taught how to be organized. Teach them not to leave their toys hanging around on the floor when not using them. Create Toy Boxes, or Bins, or under the bed storage places for them to put everything back in its right place instead of being sloppy.

Give a child a good reason for doing something and they will. When I worked as a temporary Nanny years ago, I used to tell the kids to pick up their toys off of the floor after playing so that their Mommy, Daddy and even their Nanny will not trip and fall over them and get killed. That really got them busy each day after playing, they sure didn’t want to lose their Caretakers, the people that love them.

With all these suggestions I am not saying we should be Fanatical Neat Freaks, making it uncomfortable for anyone to live and work, but just be careful not to leave things get out of place and start accumulating Clutter and Confusion. I know it is hard to stay organized, since technology is growing so fast and it seems like every month there is something new being advertised we just got to get.

Also there are so many different kinds of clothing items, shoes, handbags, gadgets, products of every kind for every reasons, you name it, our century got more stuff than any others before us, and our time is being eating up by all these. And before long our lives are overtaken by so many things weighing us down, and keeping us back. From the previous post on clutter, where I discussed how being a victim of Clutter and Confusion invading our homes, can make you feel angry or cranky all the time, then try to get organized as soon as possible.

To be organized is so refreshing. It is like unburdening ourselves of extra weight and gives us more energy.

You will feel the difference when you are free of all Clutter and Confusion, It is good for us mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. (See previous post: Clutter, Confusion, Crankiness-Creepy Cousins..)

To walk into an orderly, well arranged or organized home or office, where everything is in its place, is so refreshing, you feel FREE. It is like unburdening ourselves of extra weight, gives us more energy and time to take care of whatever is necessary.

Being Organized have to become a regular habit, because it doesn’t take long before Clutter, Confusion, and Crankiness will start poking their heads around again. And the only way we can get rid of them for good is to put everything in its place, and get rid of some things that have no place.

Written and illustrated by: Glenda Brill ©



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What Look, Color, Shape or Size is really Beauty and Happy?

Posted on October 12, 2010 by giggling

You would think that those two “Beauty and Happy” would be close companions. But that is not always the case at all. Today there is so much emphasis on being beautiful and this would contribute to being happy. The Beauty supply industry is one of the biggest Businesses in the USA or the world. There are so many beauty products on the market today all promising to make women look more beautiful and younger than ever. (And even men).

Magazine Stands are packed with hundreds of self improvement magazines with advice of every kind for making women look more physically attractive and appealing. Everything from one’s diet, suggestions for the latest in haircare, skincare with dozens of new make-up ideas to try each month, nails, fashions, you name it you can find about anything now that has been invented or discovered to make women and even men more attractive and beautiful.

Young girls look up to the Models and Stars as roles to follow and imitate. They want to acquire their looks and be skinny like them, because then they would also be beautiful and happy. All the emphasis is on physical appeal, outward beauty, and some people think this would be closely associated with happiness which is not a physical quality at all.

Beauty differs from country to country

But what is considered beautiful? Most often we describe someone as beautiful who is aesthetic pleasing to the senses, who stir our emotions. Someone who is visually pleasant to look at with good facial features and bodily proportions, or attractive. But as the saying goes: “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” because what one person may see as beautiful, someone else doesn’t. And being beautiful differs from country to country.

In the USA beautiful women has always been depicted as Caucasian (fair skinned white women), skinny, mostly with blond hair, flat behinds and enlarged breast. Isn’t that what the beauty magazines and Hollywood has always portrayed? Black women were looked down on as being less attractive, the darker their skin, the curvier their bodies, the thicker their lips or the kinkier their hair, that was considered ugly.

So for years they had to try to look white in order to get accepted in among the “beautiful people”. Those with lighter skin and more Caucasian features had a better chance to be counted in among them.

But in some other countries like Africa, black women with full figure curvy bodies, and ebony skin are considered to be beautiful. So while in the USA some were trying to get lighter and thinner to look like their skinny white counterparts on the cover of the fashion magazines, in some other countries the plumper they were, the more natural they remain, the more attractive they became and were appreciated by the opposite sex.

Even in some parts of Europe black women or women of color are treated as beautiful. In Holland, France, Germany, England and some other countries there are a lot of African and Caribbean immigrants who inter mingle very freely with white Europeans. But in other parts such as Eastern Europe the population is mainly caucasian.

Years ago back in the early 1990′s when I was in Poland (Eastern Europe) for a special convention, while walking on the streets of Warsaw, one of the cities in Poland, drivers stopped their cars in mid traffic with people poking their heads out to look at me. I was cracking up because it was so funny to see this, and this probably made them more curious, possible wondering who is this? Cleopatra reborn? Some places they wanted to pose with me so others can take a picture of them with me.

I was treated like a celebrity because these people had never before seen a woman of color in real life especially the older people and even most of the younger children. And they admired this as beautiful, a view that is definitely different than America.

But today even in America views on what is beautiful is changing gradually. Not completely but a lot better than years ago. Some white women are now admiring and imitating some of Black Women’s assets that they looked down on years ago. Yes, the full lips, curvy full buttocks, and deep glowing tan skins.

Within the last years tanning salons have increased all over the States, and what about all the new bronzing make-ups to make white skin look darker, and the different kinds of tanning lotions on the market today? There are also many new lip plumping lipsticks, fillers and lip injections for women with thin lips than ever before. And who were the new inventions for padding the buttocks designed for? Not for women of color!

Looking through the latest Fashion Magazines there are so many white models now with full thick lips, and tanned skin, I have to ask myself sometimes is this a light skin black women or is she white? With those full lips and that deep glowing tanned skin? Interesting, those were the very things that identify Black women years ago and kept them in an inferior non beautiful category.

Beauty more than just physical appeal

Recently some Stars were asked what they consider beautiful and some said Confidence, others Honesty, others said being able to get along well with other people. That is interesting because nobody said physical attractiveness but were describing inward qualities. It shows that beauty is more than just outward looks, and is not always connected to being happy.

And this is why Gabourey Sidibe has been an example to those who question what beautiful and happiness really is. There was a lot of talk and comments about this young African American Woman who became a Star and Oscar Nominee after starring in the Movie Precious after she was featured on the cover of Elle Magazine.

On that cover she appeared much lighter than she usually looks in photos. Also her body was half covered up so as not to reveal her full figure. Based on what people normally called beautiful in the USA, this young woman would not be considered in that category. She is dark skinned, extremely overweight, out of shape not that very attractive according to the principles of physical appeal that is known as beautiful.

So some people felt that her skin was retouched by Elle Magazine to make her look lighter. (more like the beautiful people). While the other white Stars (lMegan Fox among them) were shot standing up with their full figures showing, Gabourey Sidibe body was cut off and half covered so as not to reveal her full figure.

But Elle Magazine denied doing any lightening of her skin or covering up. But it is obvious that they did use a lot of lighter make up and special lighting to get her shots that light, because that is the way the magazines covers have always been.

Except for Ebony, Essence, and Jet magazines (African American magazines) you don’t see to many very dark skinned women on the other magazine covers! And ofcourse it wouldn’t portray a nice image for their magazine to have an overweight full figure black woman on their 25th Anniversary Issue. So the way her picture was taken and her body hidden was well done, it makes her look very appealing and people can concentrate on her face rather than her size.

But inspite of any controversy Gabourey has a confidence and happiness that is sometimes missing from her Caucasian fellow actors. She doesn’t seem to be overly concerned about her looks, skin color or weight, or what anyone may say about her. She has a nice personality, smiles a lot, appreciates her present life, get along well with others, and very confident about herself and future roles. Now that is what I called a Beautiful and Happy person!

The inner qualities that come from within, this is what really makes a person whom they are, not what they look like.

These are qualities that come from within, this is the real person, not what they look like. Even though I haven’t read that article in Elle magazine yet, I think this is why they were using her as an example for others like her whom are afraid to try anything because of being so conscious of their weight and looks.

I am sure she is aware that her health can be endangered because of being overweight, and maybe she is secretly trying to lose the excess pounds, but in the meantime she is happy and confident about her life, she is not ashamed or afraid to be stared at because of her size and looks.

While on the other hand there are thousands of beautiful (physically appealing) Caucasian (white) women with beautiful skins and figures that are unhappy.This is inspite of all the new make-ups, skin and body enhancements, the physical improvements on the market today. A person can be very attractive outwardly, and still be very selfish, unkind, full of evil, jealousy, hatred, sadness and be very unhappy. (This can also be said of handsome men).

These are ugly qualities, and eventually after getting to know a person like that their ugly qualities usually overshadow the outward looks and you see a non-attractive person rather than a beautiful person.

Isn’t this the case when a man meets a woman for the first time? In the beginning it was her physical beauty that attracted him, but as he gets to know her the inward person comes to light, and this is what people fall in love with, or rejects depending on what is revealed. The inner person, which makes up the whole person, this is what determines a person’s beauty and happiness, not only their external appearance.

True Inner Beauty unites people and contributes to their happiness

Even though we should be concerned about how we look and do our best to look good, but wouldn’t it be a waste of time to spend so much on just the outward appearance, but do nothing on improving our inner selves? Developing truly beautiful qualities makes us better people, more enjoyable to be around, gives us more peace and yes, makes us happier people. This applies to both men and women.

It is the inner person that attracts true friends, keeps marriages or relationships together. Ugly qualities separates people, no matter how beautiful they are externally, nobody wants to be around unhappy, loveless, selfish, sad or evil people. While true inner or spiritual beauty unites people and contributes to others happiness. And this has nothing to do with the outward appearance. A person can be outwardly unattractive, but inward they can be one of the most beautiful and happiest people in the world.

So Beauty and Happiness comes in every look, shape, color (race), and size. Yes Beauty can sometimes be only in the eyes of the beholder, but I would add that both Beauty and Happiness are in the hearts of the believers!

Written and illustrated by: Glenda Brill(C)

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Apology for delay in posting and anouncing Blog name change

Posted on November 28, 2010 by giggling

Hello to all my readers: The blog network that hosted my Blog Blogdog.com has closed down, so I had to find another Hosting Company, and transferred my Blog over to. The new name is now: www.Giggling-Bloglight.com.

The change has caused some interruptions in my general Blog layout, and blog posts. All my pictures and illustrations have been left out and replaced by some ad for E.Cup.com. I have no idea how that happened, but now I have to completely upload every picture and illustration back into the proper posts.

This is taking a lot of time, and I apologize for the delay in posting any new info. I hope to update something new by the beginning of December, but with all the correcting of the transferred files I am not sure if I will.

I first have to properly set up this new Blog site, get back my post illustrations and photos so that visitors will not be confused when they see a strange ad replacing my photos while reading the current posts.

Sorry, but hope I will be up and running back to normal soon. Keep checking my new site name to see when and what’s new. Again please remember the name is no longer: giggling.blogdog.com, but now www.giggling-bloglight.com

Thanks for your patience,

Glenda Brill (giggling)

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Hey, what’s up with all these Christmas Lights and Decorations anyway?

Posted on December 18, 2010 by giggling

I recently heard a young father complaining to another about his two little children pointing and begging him to get every gift they see on the pages of the catalogs that come in the mail during this holiday season. But he was not only concerned that he couldn’t afford to get them hardly anything this season, but also getting a Christmas tree with all the decorations and lights is something he had no money for this year.

And what would be gifts without the Christmas tree to put them under? Because of the economy a lot of people are broke this season and are complaining about the high cost of Christmas trees and decorations this year. So many people have no money to buy Christmas gifts like they used to before.

That really started me thinking: What’s up with all these Christmas lights and decorations? What does this has to do with Jesus Christ? Where did all this come from? I am sure many sincere believers in Jesus Christ have also asked these questions.

Christmas lights and decorations alone have become a multi-billion dollar industry!

It seems like every year there are tons of new colorful lights, tinsels, shapes, all kinds of glittering stuff, balls, balloons, angels, stars, you name it you can now find Holiday decorations in every shape and color. Christmas lights and decorations alone have become a multi-billion dollar industry! I think the inventors and sales people of these decorations alone make enough money from one Christmas to last them all through the year to the next one.

And it is not just the Trees in homes that are now being decorated. Here in New York and probably in other cities and towns, every store window, even the Streets have rows and rows of stringed Christmas banners made up of different styles, shapes, lights and decorations hanging over them.

And don’t talk about some homes. In some places it seems like some neighbors act like they are in a competition with each other trying to outdo the other by seeing who can put on the most elaborate decorations and lights that will make them stand out from the rest.

Since I love history, I decided to do some research as to where did all this came from, and what does this have to do with Jesus Christ birth???

“Merry Christmas”, and the Exchanging of Gifts, where did the “Merry”, and the “Giving of Gifts” came from?

I think most people know by now that Christmas came from a Pagan Roman celebration, the Saturnalia, or the Winter Solstice. It was a festival to the sun god Mithras also known as Ra. The winter solstice, which occurs around December 22nd, is the day when there is the least amount of sunlight.

The solstice, therefore, was a time of great celebration, and evergreen trees and their branches played a big role in the festivals that took place. The pagans believed that the evergreen trees were evidence that the sun god was not dead; he was simply weakened for a time, but he would regain his strength eventually.

These festivities lasted through the ending of December toward the beginning of January, and celebrated fertility and immortality. This festival of this Sun God back then was celebrated mainly by people exchanging gifts, wishing each other a merry good time, and by loud merry-making parties and the decorating of homes. (So now we can understand the similarities today of exchanging gifts and where the greeting “Merry Christmas” came from).

And what about the Christmas tree?? What does that have to do with Jesus Birthday??

The Christmas tree was originally just an ordinary evergreen tree that later was adopted as part of the Christmas Celebration. Remember above how I mentioned that evergreen trees which symbolized immortality to the pagans were used in the celebration of the Sun God Mithras whom the pagans believed was immortal. And yes, again it all came from the same place as the celebration of Christmas itself.

The Christmas tree came from the Germanic regions. It first became a part of the Pagan festival called the “12 Rauhnachte” meaning 12 harsh nights. The tree was brought indoors on Dec 24, and removed on Jan 6. The German people noticed that all the other trees died in winter, with the exception of a few evergreens.

So the evergreen trees that stayed alive became a symbol of life and immortality to them, and the evergreen tree became a central part of this 12 harsh night’s festival. (Don’t people today also speak about the 12 nights or days of Christmas? Now we know where that came from!)

So when did these Evergreen Trees became a part of the modern day Christmas Celebration?

So how did these evergreen trees became a part of the so called “Christian Christmas Celebration”? After the death of Jesus’ true Christian Apostles there was a great apostasy, a breaking away from the true teachings of the Bible and Christian congregation, which Jesus Christ himself established before he died. This great apostasy resulted in the formation of the Roman Catholic Church.

This was the beginning of Christendom (Eventually Christendom came to include other Protestant churches that later broke away from the Roman Catholic Church, but they all resulted from the Great Apostasy, the breaking away from the True Christian Congregation as taught by Jesus Christ himself, and His Apostles).

In order to fill up this new Roman Catholic religion with people, they allowed many pagans into this new church, and they brought their customs along with them. All these pagan celebrations and customs were adopted by this new apostate religion and brought into the churches and took on the appearance of being “Christian Customs” (see my previous post on: What does Jesus have to do with a Easter Bunny and Colored Eggs).

Why do so many different religions all celebrate Christmas?

As the newly formed Roman Catholic Churches grew by their continued admittance of pagan members, they also increased in numbers by the practice of infant baptism. This again was not a practice of the true Christian Congregations, as there is no command to baptize babies given by Jesus Christ and was not a custom of True Christians. Because of this many young children grew up practicing these pagan customs since they were taught to believe they were Christian or God approved holidays.

And so the custom kept spreading from generation to generation. Even after there was a breaking away from the Catholic Church and the Protestant Churches were formed they also took these customs and celebrations with them, because they believed they were Christian celebrations and didn’t question their pagan origins. (Folks, I am not making this up, this is history, you can do your own research to prove to yourselves).

So this also answers the question most people ask: Where did all these different religions came from? There was only one True Faith, as practiced by the original Jews worshipping the True God. The Christian faith was an extension or outgrowth of this same Jewish faith as Jesus and his disciples were all original Jews worshipping the True God according to his requirements and laws.

He was the foretold Messiah that by his death replaced the Old Law Covenant with all its animal sacrifices, and established the New Covenant. All those taken into this new covenant became “Christians” which means “Anointed Ones”. (These were anointed with God’s Holy Spirit,  the blood of animals as practiced under the Old Law Covenant with the Jewish High Priests officiating would no longer be necessary).

Jesus Christ now became that High Priest and with his own blood, far superior than that of animals, or by his death abolished all those rituals, and became the means, or Messiah to give humans a chance to be approved by God and live forever again as they were intended to do.

He did not start a new religion, he was the fulfillment of the Law of Moses. Christianity was an extension of the former faith, now just under a new arrangement, the New Covenant which focuses more on Love of God and love of neighbor, the whole culmination of the Old Law with all its commandments. This new arrangement made it also possible for other people besides the Jews to become God’s people.

So at first these “Anointed Ones” or “Christians” were made up of all Jews, then eventually other non Jews or gentiles became part of these Christian Congregations, including many Romans. This was God’s will as prophesied and promised to Abraham that the coming Deliverer would be one of his offspring or seed, and that all nations of the earth will be blessed by this Messiah. Jesus died for the whole world of dying humanity to give them a chance to live forever on earth again.

But after Jesus Apostles died, and the Apostasy or breaking away from this True Faith took place, all kinds of religions beginning with the Roman Catholic Church, started popping up and spreading around the world, mixing some true teachings with pagan teachings and customs, all the way down to our day. So the Christmas Celebration spread around the world, even in some non Christian countries.

So the Celebration of Christmas started with the Enemies of Jesus Christ himself.

This apostasy and the establishing of the Roman Catholic Church, should not surprise some people whom are knowledgeable with the Biblical account of Jesus life on earth and his execution. The Romans were enemies of the Jews, Jesus himself being one, and of which most of the then Christian congregations were made up of.

They hated them, and contrary to popular belief it wasn’t the Jews that killed Jesus. It was some opposing Jewish religious leaders and others of their supporters whom rejected him and were yelling for his impalement. But it was the Roman soldiers that actually killed or executed Jesus. They mocked, made fun of him, stabbed and hung him up on a stake to die, according to their manner of executing criminals.

So if Christmas was really Jesus birthday, they would be the least of all people to be promoting and celebrating his birth, when they hated him so much and killed him. This was just another way of mocking God and dishonoring Jesus, by the promotion of a pagan holiday and attaching the name of the “Christ”, or God’s Anointed One, Jesus to it.

Also the Roman Catholic Church forbade people then to read the Bible for themselves, so they couldn’t really find out what the truth was, they only believed what their priests said at their religious church services.

Somewhere around the 1300 or 1400 the tree was accepted by the Catholic Church as an addition to their celebration of the already adopted pagan holiday of Christmas. Since the Romans decorated their homes with greenery, so the Evergreen Tree or now so called “Christmas Tree” started to be decorated with roses cut out from colored paper, apples, wafers, gold-foil, sweets, fruit, and candles. It really became an Idol, the adulation of anything is Idolatry.

When did the Christmas Tree first got its electric lights?

Before the invention of electricity people use candles for lighting, and small candles were put on the Christmas Tree during Christmas time as decoration.

History has it that the first recorded Christmas tree with electric lights was in the home of Edward H. Johnson who was an associate to Thomas Edison, the inventor or discoverer of electricity and the light bulb. This was in New York City on December 22, 1882. (December 22 caught my attention as that is my birthdate).

But even before the custom came to the USA, the tradition of using lights on the Christmas tree was already being practiced in Germany and during Queen Victoria’s reign before it spread to Australia and the USA. Edward H. Johnson had his Christmas tree hand-wired with 80 red, white and blue electric incandescent light bulbs the size of walnuts, on December 22, 1882 at his home on Fifth Avenue in New York City. And he became know as the father of the Electric Christmas Tree Lights.

Later in 1895, U.S. President Grover Cleveland proudly displayed the first electrically lit Christmas tree in the White House. It was a very large tree, featuring more than a hundred multicolored lights. Eventually Christmas tree lights started to be produced in strings of multiples of eight sockets by the General Electric Co in New Jersey.

And the custom of using Christmas tree electric lights and decorations took off ever since. Before long local people and businesses were not only decorating their trees with lights, but also their mantles, doorways, windows, inside their homes, their rafters, roof liners, porch railings and entire home fronts. Also many city skyscrapers are decorated with long mostly-vertical strings of a common theme of lights, and are activated simultaneously.

And so a multi-billion dollar industry was born and spread across the world as the traditional custom of having a Christmas tree with all the trimmings and lights became the utmost necessity for every so called Christian household. And every year as mentioned at the beginning more and more unique designs and decorations are added all to get people to spend money to keep up with everybody else, and make the Retailers rich.

As a matter of fact Christmas has become the Biggest shopping and money making holiday in the history of humanity. It has been said that this time of year is when most Retailers make about 70% of their profits for the entire year. It is more commercialism now than religious!

What does all of this has to do with Jesus Christ or rather, What does Jesus Christ birth have to do with all of this??

In one word “Nothing”. We already learned where Christmas came from: It was the Roman Festival of Saturnalia, the Worship of the Sun God Mithras. Later when the Roman Catholic Church adopted this pagan festival, they converted it to mean the celebration of Christ birthday.

But anyone who reads the biblical account of Jesus birth, knows that there is no date mentioned. Also the circumstances surrounding his birth of shepherds being out in the fields at night, and also being wrapped in cloth and laid in a manger, shows  it was not on the hard cold night of December the 25th.

Another point is that no where is it ever mentioned in the Bible that Jesus family ever celebrated his birthday as a child growing up, or even all his years on earth there is no biblical or historical account of him ever celebrating his birthday. Neither his disciples nor apostles ever mentioned him or either of them celebrating his birthday during his life on earth.

All through the Bible from the Hebrew Scriptures to the Greek Writings, or as people call it from the Old Testament to the New Testament there is no mention of any of God’s people or the early Jews or Christians back then ever celebrating birthdays. It wasn’t a custom that they practiced.

No doubt this was based on the fact that they respected God as their Creator and Life Giver, and gave Him credit for their life, and not themselves. They worshiped the Creator, and not the creation. The only two birthday celebrations mentioned in the Bible are of non worshipers of the True God and something bad occurred on both of them. (Check this out yourself folks, whether you are a Jew or Christian, this is Biblical history, if you read the Bible, you will find this yourself, I am not making any of this up).

If Jesus Birthday is so important to remember, why didn’t he celebrated it himself, or give a command to do so?

So if Jesus Birthday was so important to be celebrated, don’t you think he would have commanded that it should be done yearly, or even set the example by celebrating it himself? And think about the stress that people are put under during the Holiday Season, this has become one of the most stressful times for people, especially in these hard economic times. People are worried about not having money to keep up with the expected Christmas Gift Giving, especially those with children like the father mentioned at the onset of this post.

Some people even suffer from depression and mental anxiety during the Christmas Season because of all the pressure associated with the expectations of shopping, gift giving, and decorating. And all this giving is not really based on true Christian Love, it is mostly hypocritical giving just because it is the custom.

So some people give gifts just because they are expected to do so without even wanting to, or even loving the people they are giving to. And parents deceive their children into believing their gifts come from some mystical figure called Santa Claus, rather than telling them it came from them out of love.

Now, didn’t Jesus himself said: “Come to me all you who are toiling and loaded down and I will give you refreshment for your souls?” Would he be approving or behind a Celebration that is causing just the opposite of what he said he would do?

Would Jesus be encouraging families that are already heavily in debt and going through severe financial hardships to spend all their money on a Celebration and then end up in even more distress and debt later on?

Would Jesus approve of a Celebration to a False Pagan God that has attached his name and birth to that he never authorized or had any connection to? And would he be promoting commercialism, greed, and all this decoration and adulation of the Christmas tree, which is idolatry, that God and himself strongly forbids?

And would Jesus approve of all the hypocritical giving and deceiving of children during Christmas time? He promoted truth and love among people that should be practiced all year round. And deception and hypocrisy is the opposite of love and truth.

Some people might just shrug their shoulders and say: Well, so what, it is just a tradition, what difference does it make?

It makes a difference to believers in the true God and Jesus Christ, because anything, or any tradition honoring False Gods which is Idolatry is the most offensive of sins to the Creator. Also people get so carried away with the Christmas spirit that they completely ignore the real reason for Jesus Birth, and may think they are doing the right thing.

There is nothing wrong with having a good time and giving each other gifts. It would be all right if it didn’t involved or started with false worship. In reality people are promoting a lie, are really still honoring the Pagan Sun God, and not Jesus Christ at all.

We have 365 days a year to celebrate any day, everyday or as many days if we choose. Wouldn’t it be nicer, and less stress-full if families can get together when they can afford to, any time of the year as often as they like, spontaneously give their children and friends gifts because they want to or appreciate them? Everyday is a Gift from God worth celebrating. This is the way the human race was created to live.

Also at the announcement of Jesus birth the angels said he would bring “….Peace on earth among men of goodwill”. That shows that the real reason for his birth and death is to bring relief and Peace to men of Goodwill. This includes all peoples from any race or religion whom have faith. (See previous post: People are basically all just People)

He is also referred to by several different names showing the reason for his coming to earth: the Messiah, Savior, Deliverer, King, Prince of Peace and the last Adam.

Adam, the father of the human race, plunged us into a life of sin, sickness, suffering, old age and death. Jesus, the last Adam will reverse all these conditions and restore obedient humans back to a life intended by God in the first place, of perfection and happiness, out of what Adam put us into. And this is whole reason for his birth and death! This coming restoration of God’s original purpose is what he preached about and told his disciples to continue to do the same.

So if we really want to be among those whom will benefit when Jesus is indeed ruling as Prince of Peace in a new world, then it does make a difference as to what we do now or not do. The choice is ours.

Carefully researched, written, and illustrated by Glenda Brill (©


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Would you like a little Wine with that?

Posted on January 1, 2011 by giggling

Well here we are again, another new year 2011 has just began. Hope it will be a Happy One for you! Didn’t it seem like just yesterday 2010 began and it flew by so fast? I am afraid to blink, for fear when I open my eyes I will be in 2012 already. Entering a new year also means entering another year of our own life. As time goes by, so are we. I am reminded of that every December as I was born in late December, so in reality I start every New Year, one year older than the previous year.

Growing old is not something we look forward to, it has its advantages and disadvantages. Our life can be richer and wiser, if we are still young, but for those who are older age brings on other health problems if not taken care off.

So our number one resolution every New Year should be to continue learning all we can on how to maintain and improve our health and life, by watching our diet, improving our inner selves, getting the necessary exercise and rest, without robbing ourselves of the joy that comes from eating, drinking, and exercising.

One of the greatest joys in life is the ability to eat, taste and enjoy food and drink!

One of the greatest joys of life is really the ability to eat, taste and enjoy food (See Healthy Recipes for busy people) and drink. Since food come s from the ground, we could probably just eat dirt when we are hu ng ry and drink water and still get the necessary nutrients and live. Can you imagine what life would be like if that was so? Horrible! Like most people I love to eat, and being french by birth (born on the French Caribbean Island of St. Martin)

I love the taste of a little wine now and then. Growing up my parents always had different wines around, and  sometimes we just enjoyed drinking a little wine for no special occasion but just for the pure enjoyment. And my mother always offered a glass of wine to anyone visiting us. I love all kinds, but my favorite is Red Wine which is most widely used and seems to have the most health benefits.

Now I am talking about a little wine, in moderation, to much of anything is not good. Wine is used by most people as a drink to celebrate. Some of you no doubt celebrated the beginning of the New Year with a glass of wine.

But in some other cultures like the French according to their custom drinking a little wine is an everyday habit, they hardly ever start a meal without a small glass of wine. I believe that is so also in Italy, and because there seems to be less health problems among the french, many research has been done on the health benefits of drinking wine in moderation.

Did you know all the wonderful things wine can do for your health?

Here are some of the benefits that has been proven through different research:

  • Red Wine is rich in antioxidants
  • Cuts risk of Colon Cancer
  • Slows Brain Decline, keeps you smarter longer (unless you drink to much then you start to act stupid, so a little is all it takes for your health to benefit)
  • Cuts Risk of Cataracts, good for your eyes (unless you drink to much and become drunk, then you see double, now you don’t want that to happen, so again moderation is important)
  • Lower Risk of Strokes, Heart disease and risks of Heart Attacks
  • Reduces risk of Type 2 Diabetes
  • Promotes Longevity

A little wine can ease a tense situation, help you relax and improve your mood

And I must also add that it can calm or soothe your nerves when going through trying times. When my father died several years ago (See post: Memoirs of a Wonderful Beloved Father). I was so much in grief over his lost, I remember my upstairs neighbor after I told her what happened, brought down two small glasses of wine, and gave me one, and we sat on the stairs and sipped wine and talked for several hours.

And that helped calmed and soothed my rattled nerves and helped me to sleep later on. Yes, if you are troubled over anything, a little wine can help relax you, ease the tension, and may solve some disagreements between friends.

Red Wine is made from Grapes, and most of the health benefits come from the fruit content. Some scientists seem to think there is also some benefit in the alcohol in the wine, but if someone can’t tolerate the alcohol content in Wine, then yo u can still get many of the same health benefits from eating grapes or drinking r eal grape juice. Or try diluting the wine with some grape juice so you get less alcohol.

For too much alcohol is bad for the body, especially the liver, and causes cancer that is why drinking wine should be done in moderation to avoid getting to much alcohol. Research says women should drink one glass a day, while men no more than 2 glasses a day.

And children should be careful about drinking anything with alcohol content, but rather give them grape juice and they will get the same health benefits.

Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin and Red Wine!

What do those have in common? The older we get the more fruits and vegetables we consume either as a food or in drink the better our health will be. There is the custom on the Caribbean Island of St. Maarten (and probably also on the other islands as well) to make different puddings and pies from vegetables and fruits and add wine or a small potion of alcohol to them.

One of my favorites is the Sweet Potato Pudding usually baked around the Holidays into the New Year as a dessert. But can be baked and eaten anytime of the year. The sweet potato I am talking about here is different from the orange colored jam mostly used in America.

These sweet potatoes have a deep purple reddish skin, and are white on the inside. But they are found at most vegetable stands here in New York, and other places. Even though sweet potatoes are the main ingredients other vegetables can be added such as pumpkin, white yams, bananas, and coconut.

I made mine this year from sweet potatoes and pumpkin alone. Since some of you might be thinking that Sweet potatoes because it has the word  “sweet” in it is full of calories and is bad for you let me assure you that they are just the opposite, they are an excellent and nutritious food, just as good for you as drinking wine.

Sweet potatoes aid in weight loss, is rich in vitamins and minerals, and have many of the same health benefits as drinking wine.

There are many benefits to eating sweet potatoes. They help in weight loss by making us feel full faster, so we eat less avoiding the risk of obesity. They are rich in fiber, and lower the risk of constipation, diverticulosis, colon and rectal cancers. Being rich in beta-carotene sweet potatoes help the body fight free radicals and prevents cancer. Because of their low glycemic index, they can be consumed by those suffering from diabetes.

They are rich in potassium, aid in lowering blood pressure and in the purification of the blood. Full of iron and calcium, they control proper blood flow and improve bone density. And similar to drinking wine sweet potatoes have been found to help minimize the risk of heart disease, strokes, blood clots, stomach ulcers and inflamed conditions of the colon.

Eating pumpkin has some similar benefits to drinking wine!

Just like the sweet potato pumpkin also is loaded with many of the vitamins and minerals our body need daily. They are rich in carotenoids, and zinc which keep our immune system strong and healthy and improves bone density. Also the potassium and fiber content in pumpkin aids in lowering hypertension and is good for the health of our bowels by keeping us regular.

And the abundance of Beta-carotene which is a great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, also keeps our eyes strong and can reduce the risk of cataract formation and macular degeneration which usually leads to blindness. And another similarity to drinking wine is it keeps our arterial walls free from the build up of cholesterol, thus preventing strokes. And because pumpkin is rich in alpha-carotene, it is also believed to slow the aging process.

Since you now know all the benefits of drinking wine, eating sweet potatoes and pumpkin, here is the Recipe for making your own sweet potato pudding with pumpkin which I mentioned above:

Sweet Potato Pudding

  • Get a few purple-reddish colored sweet potatoes
  • A few slices of rich yellow pumpkin (and you can add other fruits and vegetables like white jam, bananas, coconut)
  • A piece of whole ginger
  • Some black raisins (optional)
  • Natural dark Cane Juice Sugar, (or if you want to avoid any sugar you can use Agave Nectar or honey. I personally always use natural dark cane sugar)
  • Some Salt and Ground Black Pepper
  • Some Olive Oil
  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Vanilla Essense
  • A little Rum or Red Wine
First peel the Sweet Potatoes and pumpkin. Don’t Cook. Grate them raw and mix together in a bowl. Add the dark Cane sugar (or whatever other sweetener you choose to use) to some water and stir.
Pour this sweetened water into the Grated Sweet Potato and pumpkin mixture, enough for the whole mixture to be saturated throughout and covered. You should be able to stir it now with a spoon, it should be thick but liquid enough to move like when cooking any hot cereal on the stove.
To this liquid mixture of the grated Potato and pumpkin add the remaining ingredients: cut the ginger up in small pieces and add to the mixture. Add a tablespoon or more of the Olive Oil. Add salt to taste, black pepper, cinnamon, Vanilla Essense, raisins (if you want to) and a few bottle caps full of Rum, or a cup or more (depending on how large the mixture is) of Red Wine.
Stir everything thoroughly well together. Taste to see if it is sweet or salted enough for you. Add a little more of the above ingredients if you think something is lacking. Stir again. Grease a long baking dish with some olive oil and pour the mixture in.
Put in oven at around 425 and let bake for more than an hour, or until the liquid is dry up and the pudding is firm. (The liquid is what cooks the vegetables in the oven and makes the pudding soft). Test it by inserting a knife in it, and if the knife comes out smooth, then it should be done.
Mmmm. The smell alone from that baking pudding is enough to make you high and start singing Hallelujah! Remember it is loaded with all natural good nutrition for your healthgo smile touch ups. When done let it cool, and then cut in square slices and serve. If you did it right, it should be delicious and so filling! It can be kept in the refrigerator for several weeks or even outdoors. The alcohol content is what preserves it and gives it that wonderful taste and flavor.

And to make it even more enhancing and delicious: Wouldn’t you like a little wine with that?

For me: Qui, Qui, un petit verre du vin s’il vous plait est bon pour moi (Yes, Yes, a small glass of wine if you please is good for me!).

Here’s to your Health and Prosperity in 2011! Bonne Appetit! Now I’ll drink to that!

Cick here to: Learn how to make your own inexpensive wines at home

(See post also: Fit or Fat-Diet or Die-Obese or Decease. Why are these words so related?)

Written and illustrated by: Glenda Brill ©

Posted in Healthy Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

It only costs One Sense!

Posted on January 12, 2011 by giggling

All of us as humans are endowed with five senses: the sense of hearing (or listening), sight, touch, smell and taste. But I believe that hearing because it is so closely connected to listening is one of the most important senses of all the others.  Hearing and listening is not the same, it is only the first step in listening.

Those of us who can hear are bombarded with all kinds of noises and sounds during the day or night, the sound of traffic, people speaking or laughing, the radio or TV if it is on, birds chirping, or dogs barking, water dripping, you name it, if our hearing is sharp, our ears pick up all kinds of sounds during our waking hours. But most of it we don’t really listen to, our sense of hearing just picks these sounds up, it goes through one ear and comes out the other.

Listening is one of the most important forms of communication.

Years ago it was believed that communication involves mostly speaking, but in recent times listening was discovered to play a mayor part in communication, even more so than speaking.

It has been said that is the reason we have two ears and only one mouth. Real listening involves not just the ears or the brain to understand what is being said or revealed, but I believe we listen more so with our hearts. That is the seat of real understanding, compassion and empathy. This is how even the deaf can listens without hearing a sound, by using the sense of sight only they listen with their hearts. (see Post: Courageously putting your heart into it, your body will follow..) If we can just shut up, open our hearts and listen more, we can learn so much more about people and their problems and needs.

Really listening to people involves being able to understand not just what is being said, but also what is not being said.

Sometimes people communicate in different ways, they may be saying one thing, but their facial expressions, tone of voice or body language is revealing something else. This is where good listening comes in. The ability to pay close attention to what is not being said, and understanding the other person’s feelings or fears.

I know my mother was very good at this. Sometimes when I was having problems, mostly financial problems and I called my mother at home back in St. Maarten. (Dutch Caribbean), as soon as I started to speak Mam would asked: “What’s wrong? I can tell by your tone of voice that you are depressed or something is bothering you” She was always right! (She was the mother of eight of us, so she was well trained in listening). Even so far away in another country, she could listen to my voice without seeing my face, and knew that something was wrong!

And this is the kind of listening that parents need to have in dealing with their children. Even teachers at school need to pay close attention to a child’s behavior in order to understand why the child is acting the way they do. Young children have different ways of communicating. They need love, which includes discipline and attention, so they will try all kinds of ways to get that if they are not given enough. In our busy world most parents are so busy that they spend very little time with their children.

Especially in single parent households, the parent has to work and most often the children are left alone or with strangers to care for them. I have seen this first hand when I worked as a Nanny and Tutor for small children years ago. Parents would be gone all day long and I had to take care of those children in place of their real parents. Fortunately I was a loving Nanny since I love children and gave them the love and care they needed.

But what if the parent(s) can’t afford a Nanny or Caregiver and the child or children are old enough say preteens, and is left home alone while the parent(s) work? These children still need attention and love and most often become rebellious or delinquent if left unsupervised by an adult or parent. They may get involved with other rebellious children and start behaving badly, skipping school and talking back to their parent(s.)

A child becoming rebellious could be his way of asking for a listening ear or to get attention.

I know personally of a family that this just recently happened to. A young father raising his preteen boy alone after his wife died. She was my friend, and she died at the tender age of 36 from cancer. They had a little boy who was only 3 years old when she left her husband for another man.

The little boy was toggled between two men, his natural father and his mother’s new boyfriend. That is when his rebellion started, he started screaming and yelling at his mother and this new man, telling him plainly that he was not his father and hated him.

But all they did was just scolded him, accusing him of being bad, and really never disciplined, or listened to the child or showed him any love or understanding of his feelings. When I visited her I used to hug the child, because I knew him from the day he was born, sweet baby boy, and I understood why he was so angry and upset. He would put his little arms around my neck and cherished the love he was getting.

When she got so sick because of cancer, the boy was returned to his natural father. Then she died and the child was now 8th years old. His father spent all day working and this young boy was left home alone. His rebellion got worst, completely out of hand. His father could not control him, it resulted in yelling matches between them, with the boy yelling back at his father and the father trying his best to control him. So much had taken place in such a young boy’s life.

First being separated from his natural father at age 3, trying to get used to his mother’s new man in his young life, then his mother dying, being shifted back to his father, who might as well be not there since he was always working. So much drama, within such a young boy’s life, it is understandable that the child was just screaming for love and understanding of his pain, anger and frustration. That was the way he thought he could get the attention he needed, but nobody was listening, he was just being accused of being a bad boy.

Eventually he started running the streets with older teenage boys than himself, he is now 15 years old. When his father thought he was in school he was on the streets with these other older boys. A young boy associating with older boys on the loose is bound to get into trouble. And that is exactly what happened! They committed some kind of crime and now he is in a house of detention for delinquent teenagers!

I have been so sad since hearing this, because I really wanted to ask his father if he would let that boy stay with me for a while. Not sure if he would consent, since that was his only son. But the child never acted badly around me, we always hug each other and he was fine. And since I was his mother’s friend I am su re she wouldn’t mind.

Now it is too late. I really believe that all this could have been avoided if his parents or other family members, had just taken the time and listened to that child from very young, disciplined him with real love and understanding, or just put their arms around him daily and showed him they really cared and loved him. A listening ear, an opened heart and a warm loving hug can calm even a dog down, so much more so a child!

Some young lives could have been saved if people just listened to them

We also hear often about many young people and the elderly committing suicide. I am sure before a young person, or a senior reaches that point to take their own life, they must have tried to communicate in some way, but never got the attention they needed either from parents, teachers or family members.

Seniors too need to feel loved by their now grown children. As said above children, or young people communicate in different ways, some may become rebellious, others become withdrawn, or very quite or keep to themselves.

Parents and teachers who are really listening should be able to see the difference in the child’s behavior and just take time to listen and show them love and understanding. Let them pour their hearts out, and listen closely with your own heart, trying to understand their feelings, fears and whatever might be bothering them. Show love and give commendation rather than judging them.

Listening without any words being spoken

Yes, you can listen to people without them even uttering one word. Facial expressions, body language, a frown, a smile, eye expressions, attitudes, hand gestures, so many ways people send out silent messages, or cries for help that our listening hearts can pick up if we are really paying attention to the other person. This is also the way the hearts of deaf people listens to others.

This is so important in human relationships. Because if we are not really listening to the other person, which includes observation or perception, we are bound to judge them wrongly or say something that could hurt their feelings or push them even father away. This can and most often happens in ma rital relationships. The breakdown of communication which involves listening causes many marriages to fail.

Some people would rather keep things bottled up inside themselves, instead of talking it out, and the other partner not really understanding or listening to what is not being said, jumps to wrong conclusions which leads to arguments, or separation. If one person just takes the time to really listen and understand the other maybe so many happy marriages would not have ended.

Good listening has no age barrier

People are people, (see post: People are basically are just people) we all need basically the same things, we want to be understood, be shown consideration, kindness and human compassion. Some grown children don’t think they need to listen to their parents anymore, but that is not true.

No matter how old we get our parents are still our superiors, and we should show them respect even if we don’t always agree with them.

I used to see how my two brothers even after they had grown up and were married and had become fathers themselves used to listen to Dad with such deep respect, and not a word back in response even if he was not always correct in relating something. We had been trained by him as young children to be respectful of older people so we grew up that way. (See post: Memoirs of a Wonderful Beloved father).

I just recently was approached by an older woman, while I was working as a Product Demonstrator Model. She stopped at my booth and like everybody else I offered her a sample of the product I was demonstrating and smilingly told her how good it was for her. She took it and kept lingering at the table, while watching me. I was looking at her and smiling like I usually do, thinking that she wanted another sample since she kept standing and looking at me, and didn’t walk away.

Then she suddenly opened up and started pouring her heart out about her personal problems. I realized this poor old lady just needed someone to talk to so I paid attention to her and listened. It was all about her daughter treating her so badly and disrespectful. She had lost her house in a fire and was now temporarily living with her eldest daughter until she could find a place of her own again.

But she said her daughter shows her plainly that she doesn’t want her there. She criticizes everything she does, treats her like a stranger or slave, tells her what dishes, pots and pans she can use, even watches her going and coming out of the bathroom. She could only sit in one chair at the table. She said she couldn’t understand how her own daughter could be so mean! She wishes she could die soon, so she could get out of that house because she is so hurt by this treatment from her own child. It was so sad to hear her say this.

This poor elderly woman (now she wasn’t that old or feeble, maybe in her late sixties or early seventies) just kept pouring her heart out to me and I was really listening to her because I could see and tell that she was really hurting by her daughter’s attitude. She just needed someone to talk to and that would understand her pain.

She said she couldn’t understand how her own daughter could treat her so wickedly! And I agreed with her I couldn’t understand either how a daughter could treat her own mother that way. I could never treat my mother that way. I cherished my mother to death!

Now why would an older woman just poured her heart out to a complete stranger like myself that was much younger than her? It must be because I was attentive and listening to her while she talked. And nodding my head when I agreed. At the end she seemed so relieved to have someone to talk to, and I encouraged her to try to get a place of her own as soon as possible so she could have some peace again. I just hope I stopped her from committing suicide or doing something to hurt herself further.

Really, Really Reeaally listening when others speak!

I know it may not always be easy for some people to really listen to others. Some are naturally impatient, always in a rush or hurry, don’t have time or just not interested in what others have to say or how they feel. But people like that are stunting their own growth, because we learn so much about life and everything by listening. From the day we are born to the day we die, listening plays an important part in everyday living and growing.

Effective listening involves our whole attention or concentration on the one speaking, eye contact, body language such as a nod of the head showing you understand, opening our heart to theirs, putting ourselves in someone else shoes so to speak. It does not involve letting your eyes wander as the person speaks, looking at your watch, folding the arms, signing as if I heard enough.

And it doesn’t matter who we are or what we do for a living everybody whether we are students, teachers, doctors, patients, parents, husband, wives, children, politicians, lawyers and clients, employers and employees, young or old, or whomever else, good communication is necessary for life.

And the best way to do so is by attentive listening. Practice it, it could save our own lives, and those we love, and after all it doesn’t cost that much but some time, and only One Sense!

Written and illustrated by: Glenda Brill ©

(If you live in New York, email me on my About Me Page for info about a new Emotional Support and Networking Group)

Posted in Peoples and Families | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Avoiding and Dealing with Disappointments

Posted on February 2, 2011 by giggling

Disappointments, I would like to meet someone who has never had one or has never disappointed someone else themselves. If such a person exists, then you must be perfect and not apart of the human race. I know I had my share of them, learned from them and therefore I can write and help others on how to avoid or deal with them.

But what exactly does the word means? According to the Merriam Webster English Dictionary it simple says: to fail to meet the expectation or hope, defeated expectations or hope, or to frustrate. So in other words we expect or hope for something, and when the expected or hoped for thing doesn’t happen, we are disappointed, or frustrated! So then that shows that sometimes it is really our own fault that we are disappointed and some can be avoided by not expecting too much. Other times we have to admit some things we have no control over and should always leave room for disappointment.

Yes, like the weather. This winter so far has been a very stormy and snowy one here in New York and probably in other parts of the country and world as well. Everybody is complaining about the snow (and now the icy weather). There are piles of snow like hills all over the streets some still left over from last December.

Some cars were completely buried under the snow, and still more snow is being forecast for later this week. I was listening to the news and they were saying that some people were becoming depressed by all these snow storms.

Many people had to cancel plans for things they wanted to do or places they had planned on going. And last week some people could not go to work because of the snow storms. So many people are suffering from mayor disappointments over something they have no control over.

Instead of becoming depressed over something like this, why not reason ahead of time and accept the fact that it is winter, we should expect snow, we can’t do anything about how much we get, and what else can we do if it should turn out to be a snow-in day. Also see the beauty of the season, enjoy it because it is only temporary rather than being disappointed and depressed.

You know for years I wanted to see snow in real life because I grew up in the hot Caribbean (St. Maarten Dutch-French island) climate where it is summer all year around. Some people think that is great, but that constant heat gets to you after a while.

I always admired postcards with snow, and I couldn’t wait to experience winter and see and feel real snow until I came to New York.  And I got my share of snow and winter the first year I came here, and loved it! I look forward to winter and seeing the beauty of the snow on the trees and top of the houses just like the postcards, but now this was real.

And that was the first thing I did after the last snow storm last week, when I got up in the morning and looked through the windows, I saw such breathtaking beauty, it was like a winter wonderland, everything was so white and beautiful, the trees looked like they were sprouting white leaves.

Even though I had planned on going out that day, I didn’t mind canceling because this was a beauty that I know was temporary and only came one season of the year. I could do many things at home and every now and then I would go to my window and admire this amazing white wonderland.

One winter ago I literally went out and took a bunch of pictures of this beautiful scenery. How could people complain about something like this? At least not all did. I remember the first snow storm we had the day after Christmas last December, it was indeed much bigger than expected and the whole city was practically crippled.

But I had to go out that day not really knowing ho w bad the snow was since I hadn’t heard the forecast. It wasn’t until I was out on the sidewalk and saw that the streets were covered in snow, no buses or cars could drive, but I saw one guy coming down the street skiing right in the middle of the road as if he was on the ski slopes.

I had never seen that before. There was so much snow on the street that he could literally ski his way through it to get to where he was going. You see some of the craziest things in New York City.

A snowed-in day can be a good opportunity to some some things we love indoors or outdoors, or even make some extra cash. Now that guy whom was skiing sure was taking advantage of the snow and using it to do what he loves. I am sure he wasn’t disappointed.

So if some of you are disappointed in the weather, why not see the beauty of the season, use the time you have to stay in to catch up on other things you need to do, or if you like snow like myself and that guy that was skiing, go out take some pictures, make a snowman or just enjoy it because it is only temporary and it is one of the things we have no control over.

You might be able to afford a vacation away to a warmer climate this time of year if you can. (My nieces sent me pictures of them wearing short pants down in St. Maarten, trying to rub it in as to the hot weather they’re enjoying versus the winter I am in).

Or if you’re a young man and able to, do like some other young guys, they saw an opportunity to make some extra money by shoveling snow from other peoples driveways, home fronts and sidewalks. With two months so far of constant snow they will make several hundred dollars depending on how much they charge and how often they work at it.

But what about other things that disappoint us from time to time? How do we deal with them? Such as some people that may deceive or hurt us, it could be a salesperson, or business person from another ethnic group or race, and they disappointed us. What should we do?

Disappointed in some people, don’t blame the whole group because of the actions of one or a just a few. That is a tendency we have. Sometimes if we had a bad experience with somebody from another ethnic, national, or cultural group or race.

(I hate saying race since I believe there is only one race, the human race) (See Post: People are basically all just people) we end up accusing the entire group of people just because one person from that race disappointed us. We stereotype an entire group of people based on the actions of one person.

Haven’t you heard people make remarks about some people or we have done so our self, like: those people they are such and such …..And those ….huh, I have had my experience with them they are a bunch of liars…  That particular ethnicity, oh please I don’t want anything to do with them again ever in my life….

And those …. The way she treated me they are a bunch of racists and prejudice pigs. And people become hateful, suspicious or even afraid of some people just because of one bad experience or disappointment they had with one person from one particular race or nationality.

But in reality whatever the disappointment was with this particular person from that group or race could have happen with your own race or even with your own family. It just happened to be with this person, that doesn’t mean everybody in that racial group is the same. Everybody is different and you will find good and evil people in every cultural, racial or national group.

We might later meet some people from that same race that we stereotyped or from other ethnic groups or nationality who treat us even better than some from our own nationality or race. Yeah, I have experienced that myself, so don’t be quick to condemn everybody because of the actions of jus t one or a few.

Or it was a disappointment with a former marriage mate that didn’t work out, people become afraid of the entire institution of marriage and say they will never do so again. But the next person is not the same as the former mate, that disappointment could lead to finally finding the right one.

And remember it could be us that really expected too much and caused our own disappointment, the blame may not be hundred percent the other person at all.

Today there are so many business opportunities promising great wealth if you join. With our shaky economy a lot of people are using various business opportunities promising great wealth with very little work in a short period of time. I know man y people have been disappointed in some of them.

But if you listen to some of them carefully or even read some of the promises of achieved wealth you can attain in such a short time, you can tell a lot of it is just inflated to get you to join. Most of the time this is the way the Organizers make money by selling the opportunity.

Some of these opportunities do work but only if we work hard ourselves. Nothing will produce great results without any work on our part. That is where most people get disappointed. They expect to make money without doing anything at all.

So before joining any of these get all the facts, speak to those who are already in the business, ask for some real proof that they had indeed make any money, and how long it took. Use some common sense, every business needs customers or buyers and that takes advertising, marketing and time to get enough customers to buy a product in order to see any profit.

Nobody can predict whom will see your advertising right away and how many people will respond and buy what you are offering. In reality you should not expect this to happen  in a short time otherwise you will be disappointed. Remember, disappointment means defeated expectations or hope.  Don’t expect or hope to quickly for the impossible and you will not be defeated, or disappointed!

The first thing I do when buying anything is find out if it has a warranty, for how long and if it is returnable. And always get a receipt. And no matter what it is before using the product read all the instructions. And that is where a lot of people fail and then end up being disappointed.

Their disappointment is misdirected, toward the store where they bought the product, and not the manufacturer of the product. In reality the store has nothing to do as to whether the product will work or not.

So being disappointed with them is not right, let them know what the problem is, and if it is returnable return it, but before blaming the store read and follow the instructions.

You have to read all the instructions before using anything, and don’t forget to read the fine print, there might be special precautions that you need to know.

And most of the time it was just one step that they did not do was the cause of the initial disappointment. After reading the instructions and following each step the product works just fine, and there was no need to complain to the store or return anything.

So here again we see how some disappointments can be avoided, by following simple steps. Don’t expect things will work like magic without doing something, and we will not be disappointed!

Some disappointment can be a good thing and may even save our lives. In a previous post I told about how I was working in the World Trade Center in New York City and had to suddenly take time off to travel home to St. Maarten for my father’s funeral. When I got back the company had replaced me with somebody else even though they knew why I had to take just a week off.

I was so disappointed and tried so hard to get my job back, or just find another job in the World Trade Center again, but no matter how hard I tried, I never did! Nine months later, the whole Trade Center was destroyed, the very building where I worked was where the second plane flew into. (Read entire details in post: Memoirs of a Wonderful Beloved Father).

Or some of you might have seen that movie which came out several years ago. It was based on a true story of an African American young woman, well educated, whom ofcourse was looking for the perfect like minded educated Black man for a marriage mate, which was very hard to find. One of her co-workers arranged a blind date for her, and when she met her date at a restaurant for the first time she couldn’t believe her eyes, he was an average looking white man with blue eyes and blond hair!

The look on her face, was no way, he was not her type! Not the well-educated black man she was expecting. She was so disappointed, and ended the date, with the hope never to see this man again, and gave her co worker a piece of her mind. Well, she ran into him by surprise several months later, and found out he was a landscaper, and was suggested by someone else that she hired him since she needed one. She made it clear it was just business, her preference was black men, she wanted nothing more.

To make a long story short, she ended up falling in love with this man, even though she did later meet her tall handsome black lawyer, she felt nothing for him, her heart was with the average looking white blue eyed blond hair landscaper. Love changed everything, they were madly in love, suitable for each other and got married! The happy end to a big disappointment initially based on plain prejudice against a race of people.

Yes, some disappointments can be answered prayers. Just like my experience above, and the story of the black woman, sometimes we don’t know how prayers are answered. What may seem like a failure or disappointment might be just what we needed. Here is another experience I heard about, that proves that is true.

A man got stranded out at sea, his little boat sank, and he ended up on a little island way out in the middle of the ocean. There are many of these little pieces of land out in the oceans, where nobody really lives, but some people may go to for camping or solitude.

Well, since his boat sank he had no way to get back to his real home, and ofcourse he didn’t had any of the modern conveniences like we have today such as a cell phone.

So he started praying to God to provide some help for somebody to find him and take him back to real land. He used his fishing rod to catch fish and cooked on rocks on the island since he had matches and oil with him. So for a couple of days that is how he survived along with eating fruits which provide the liquid his body needed to live.

He slept in a little straw hut on the island, and every time a plane flew over the island, he yelled and waved his hands hoping the pilot or somebody would see him crying out for help. He did the same thing with ships he saw passing on sea, he would yell and wave for help but they all kept passing him by.

He kept praying to God for help, and no answer! Somehow by accident his little straw hut caught fire while he was cooking and burned down flat. Now he really got disappointed and mad with God since the last thing he had to keep a roof over his head at night he allowed to burn down.

Suddenly he saw a large ship heading toward the island. He kept yelling and waving like a frantic man hoping they will see him this time and rescue him. The ship finally came close enough to the island and docked.

The man thanked them and asked them if they had seen him waving and heard his yelling. The staff said no, they saw the smoke of the burning hut and came to see what the problem was, they never saw him.

So the burned down little hut was God’s answer to his cry for help. Had that little hut not gone up in smoke he would never have been discovered, and would have died on that little island, since nobody knew or could see him from the planes that flew overhead, or the ships passing out on sea.

It is good not to have extremely high hopes or expectations for anything. There is always the possibility of something unforseen occurring.  Well, I am sure you also have had some good results from past disappointments, or others may have made you bitter. Don’t let them do so, there is always something to learn from every experience in life, good or bad. And if we always remember what the word really means: defeated expectations or hope.

So if we are reasonable, remembering that nobody no matter what race or nationality they belong to is perfect.  We will not expect too much or raise our hopes too high with regard to anything, therefore reducing the amount of disappointments we get in life. Some can indeed be avoided, some we have no control over, and if we have others occasionally they might be just what is needed at the time.

Written and Illustrated by: Glenda Brill (©)

Posted in Encouragement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

When Sleep escapes, why it is so important to catch it quickly

Posted on February 23, 2011 by giggling

Aha, Sleep, who needs it? Everybody! All living things really. But most of us are not getting enough of the recommended 7 to 8 hours sleep a night to sustain good health.

Some people have a hard time just falling asleep, others may fall asleep but then wake up after a few hours and can’t go back to sleep. It is like sleep escapes through the window into the darkness outside and you can’t catch it again. Sleeplessness has become a national and international problem.

It is not just older folks that now suffer from insomnia, but people of all ages, races and nationalities are becoming victims of sleeplessness. And the market for sleep inducing medications is ever increasing always promising a better aid or pill to promote sleep. But becoming dependent on sleeping aids is addictive and the kind of sleep they induce is really artificial sleep not the natural kind that really promotes good health.

Also many sleeping pills carry other dangerous side effects, and inspite of their ever increasing market insomnia still remains a problem for millions.

We live today in a very stressful world. So Stress is the real culprit behind sleep troubles, it elevates the stress hormone Cortisol in the body, and makes it impossible to relax even when exhausted, unless you know how to control it. Also Stress, Insomnia and harmful Cortisol wipe out the good bacteria in the gut, causing the bad bacteria and yeast to grow, resulting in all sorts of health problems.

People are w orried and anxious about so many things, (see Post Some ways to stop worrying about worrying) relationships, family, the economy, money, high prices in food and necessary goods, jobs, you name it, that the mind can’t seem to rest and sleep when it should.

Not only the poor are worried, but rich people even more so. They are stressed over losing what they have, or how to hold on to it. But why is it so important to get enough sleep? Because:

Sleep is the foundation for Good Health, and a Happy Life

Lack of sleep robs us of energy, of health of LIFE. No sleep no energy, without energy there is no life. Sleep is closely connected to good health, and Life. I am not a Nutritionist or Doctor but I have relatives in the Netherlands (Europe) quite a few of them that are in the field of nutrition and medicine. One of my cousins Rachel who lives in Holland is a Professional in Alternative Medicines and Nutrition is the one that got me into eating healthy.

When I was in Holland several years ago Rachel had me eating all kinds of whole grains and vegetables I even hadn’t heard of before, and this was long before some of them became popular in the USA. She also is a believer in getting enough sleep for health. It seems like Europe is the pioneer and always on the cutting edge of new nutritional discoveries.

So I always keep up to date with all the new findings on health and nutrition both from Europe and the USA which is closely catching up. Some of the discoveries that I will mention here concerning the connection between Sleep and Health, I got from a journal on the subject of sleeplessness and most of these findings were discovered by a French Scientist in Europe.

The Importance of Sleep and how it affects Our General Health:

*Blood Pressure: – In a study of women and men between the ages of 32 and 59, scientists found that those who suffer from sleep deprivation had twice the risk of developing hypertension than those with healthy sleep.
*Weight Loss and Metabolism: Sleeplessness lowers levels of the hormone that causes us to feel full, while increasing levels of ghrelin, the hormone that makes us feel hungry. Test were done on Women who got sufficient sleep versus those that didn’t. Those with adequate sleep didn’t gain any weight, and even lost several pounds while others with sleep problems gain extra weight even though they were exercising.
*Sleep actually burn calories and helps us lose excess weight: - And the theory that eating before going to sleep will increase weight gain hasn’t proven to be true for some people. Not for me, I eat all the time before going to bed, and sleep well most of the time and haven’t gain any extra weight at all. A good night’s sleep will burn off those calories. On the other hand a lot of people with sleep problems are obese.
*Sleep affects our memory and mental performance: – People who don’t get sufficient sleep experience a significant percentage in cognitive decline. Healthy sleep improves our memory and is good for our mental health.
*Low Libido: – Poor sleep is responsible for waning libido in women ages 45 to 55. No sleep, no sex drive.
*Sleep Necessary for Healthy Arteries and Cutting risk of heart troubles: – A number of studies suggest that people who sleep less are at greater risk of heart disease and death. A study of men and women aged 35 to 47 concludes that one hour more of sleep per night is associated with 33% decrease in calcification of the arteries which lowers your risk of heart disease and cardiac death.
*Sleep necessary for fighting tumor growth: – Listen up girls, a study was done on 24000 Japanese women and found that lack of sleep greatly increases the risk of Breast Cancer. Those who had 6 hours or less each night had a 62% higher risk. Tumors grow two to three times faster in those with severe sleep dysfunction.
This really helps us understand why there is an increase in breast cancer among so many young women, they are not getting enough sleep, late nights partying coupled with to much alcohol could very well be the problem.
*For Normalizing Blood Sugar: – Researchers have found that insufficient sleep may lead to type 2 diabetes because of the poor processing of glucose.
*Sleep can help increase our life Span: – One study said that People who sleep less than four hours per night are three times more likely to die within the next six years. Tests were done on rats that were continually deprived of sleep, they died within two to five weeks, due to their severely weakened immune system. And sleep also rejuvenates our skin, helping to retard the look of aging.
*Sleep helps revive cellular immunity: – After one night of sleep deprivation, NK cell activity, the cancer killers, declined dramatically (30%) suppressing immune system function. After resuming to healthy sleep NK cell activity returned to normal levels. So sleep can protect us against cancer.

Wow, that is a whole lot of health problems that a lack of sleep can cause. And we wonder why people are getting sicker and sicker inspite of modern medicine and technology. People simple need to get more sleep, but first they need to rid themselves of the culprit that is causing them to stay awake which is STRESS.

How do we conquer the specific problems that are stressing us out?

Everyone might have a different answer as to why they are worried, which is the same as stress. (See previous post on: Some ways to stop worrying about worrying). My father, who was a very God-fearing man, (one of Jehovah’s Witnesses) always used to tell me: Don’t worry, just do what you can today!

He was a great example of someone that didn’t worry, or allow stress to control his life. A peaceful man, I have never heard him even raise his voice in angry shouting or yelling. His lifestyle and faith affected his sleep and health. He lived way into his eighties, with no pain (no arthritis or joint pains) anywhere in his body. Dad slept like a baby all through his life, and also died peacefully in his sleep. (Read post: Memoirs of a Wonderful, Beloved Father)

So I have learned over the years to apply some of the principles he taught me in dealing with stress whether it is caused by the economy or by other people’s hurtful dealings. Let us see how you can deal with some things that can cause people to worry and experience sleeplessness:

The Economy, Financial problems – A big one on everybody’s mind. As mentioned above both poor and rich people are worried about this. Read the above suggested Post on Some ways to stop worrying about worrying and you will see why worrying about tomorrow is useless. Just live in the present, no use going to bed being stressed about the next day or the future since you don’t know anything about tomorrow or whether you will live to see it.  It is proper to prepare for the future, but losing sleep over what could happen in the future doesn’t guarantee that you will be alive to see it. Life can change overnight, in a instant, suddenly!

Relationship problems: – This could be problems with people on the job our Boss, your family, a former mate, a friend, other people. Maybe you are hurt over something someone said or done to you. Slander, gossip, or some other form of personal injustice.

It doesn’t do you any good to stay awake stressing over other people’s hurtful ways. Or even scheming on how to get back at them. I always apply the biblical principals I learned from my father: Let God take care of them.

He says: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay!” People really don’t get away with any wrong, it may seem that way for a while, but eventually they pay for their evil ways. The Creator’s Laws and the Universe are structured in a way that we get back exactly what we give out. The saying every dog has his day, is true. So no need to worry, they will be taken care of when they least expect it. I have seen it happen many ti mes.

Marital problems: – Again there is another biblical principal that help those who apply it: “Do not let the sun se t with you in a provoked state.” In other words married couples should never go to bed without first resolving any problems or c onflicts they may have had during the day.

Intimacy starts with sharing of the mind. If you can’t share your mind and deep inner feelings with your mate how can you share your body and expect everything to be resolved? (see post: It only cost One Sense)

There was an older couple in their nineties who just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last week, and this is one of the reasons he gave for their long married life, they never go to bed without resolving any problems of the day. Because if they don’t most likely they will lose sleep worrying over the problem, maybe one partner might fall asleep, but sometimes the other one will be awake worrying.

A Troubled Conscience: – Or it could be some people are troubled by their own conscience over wrongs they are committing or have committed. This can cause lost of sleep for sure. Again here is another biblical principle that can help which says: “As far as it depends upon YOU, be peaceable with all men”.

So the best thing to do is to apologize, talk things out with whomever you wronged, and try from there on to be at peace with everyone, this should ease a trouble conscience and restore sleep again.

Health Problems: – Many people have trouble sleeping because of health problems, especially older people. But the very remedy they need to help with their health is sleep, so the circle of sleeplessness aggravates the problem even more, resulting in more difficulty sleeping.

Sometimes trouble sleeping could be caused by various prescription drugs they might be using for their health. They could ask their doctor for something else that will not cause them to loose sleep. Also improving their diet by eating rich nutritional meals of fruits, vegetables and whole grains coupled with exercise will aid in relieving many health problems and eventually bring on sleep which will be a great boost for their health.

Emotional problems: – Depression is another form of Stress and can also cause people to loose sleep. Everybody suffers now and then from some form of emotional distress. If it is not a medical problem they can find relief by discovering what makes them relax.

Finding a hobby or work that you enjoy, good nutrition and exercise, finding comfort in spiritual things, and looking for humor or reasons to laugh during the day can relax a person and bring on sleep when necessary.(See post: Belly Laughing could replace most prescription drugs). (Also post on : Finding Humor amidst hard times)

Well I am sure you can think of other reasons some people can’t sleep, besides those listed here, but no matter what we should do out utmost to catch some sleep as soon as possible since it will eventually affect our entire health and could even cause death.

Some ways to catch sleep quickly

So since we know how vital sleep is to our health and identify some of the reasons that are keeping people awake, we want to catch sleep as quickly as possible. Take as an example a sleeping baby. What makes the baby sleep so peaceful?

They have no worries or any built up stress, hatreds or anger against any one to interfere with their sleep patterns. We can achieve the same if we acknowledge what is keeping us awake, find ways to relieve our life of stress and some ways to bring on sleep.

Does counting sheep really help? I tried that several times myself and it didn’t work for me. I find myself starting to count over and over from the start because I kept skipping a number. It was keeping me awake trying to remember which number I skipped rather than putting me to sleep. Maybe it works for some people, but not all.

Besides the suggestions above, for myself what helps me to sleep soundly is good nutritional meals during the day, spirituality, exercise, finding humor every day in my life, enjoying my work, eating calcium and tryptophan rich foods like salmon, sardines, turkey, bana nas and drinking caffeine free teas such as chamomile tea.

Also eating a cup of plain lowfat yogurt or a glass of s kim mi lk just before going to bed really puts me to sleep. And I end my day with deep meditative prayer of thanks to my Creator for another day, and for a peaceful rest with the hope to wake up alive t o s ee the next day.

So if you are having trouble sleeping and are able to identify what is stressing you out, and can apply some of the suggestions to rid yourself of the stress or find something that helps you relax, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to catch sleep and sleep like a baby again. You can. Good night, sleep tight!

Written and illustrated by: Glenda Brill (©)

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Modern Technology Reversing the Roles: Senior Parents Obey Your Children And Grandchildren

Posted on March 24, 2011 by giggling

Don’t we love our modern world of ever advancing technology? The speed with which we get things done is amazing, just a touch, click, flick, press and the ability to send messages across the world in just 140 characters!

Modern technology has even brought our world closer through Television and the Internet or the Web. Just a flick on the remote control or a click of the computer mouse we can see exactly what’s happening in other countries as disasters and events take place.

I remembered years ago when I first started College one Professor in one of my Liberal Arts classes in discussing our changing world used to jokingly say that when the world comes to an end, people are going to go home and watch it on TV before it strikes our area. He could be right about that, for in our day we are sitting in our own living rooms and  seeing all the fighting taking place in other countries and the results of natural disasters right on TV.

And it is interesting to note that many of these new technologies were created in some of these very countries being devastated by natural calamities, (Japan and China). So many things were created to make life more convenient and even extend life, and suddenly an earthquake or tsunami, fire or other non technical natural element can wipe everything out in a few seconds, it makes us wonder what’s the point of the ever increasing technological gadgets?

Technology has made our life easier but also easier to see our own imperfections and smallness in the Universe.

Well, one thing is plain to see is Man’s imperfections or our own smallness in the Universe, and that there is still so much to learn about our natural world. The severe weather patterns could be the backfiring of all the modern technological inventions that has messed up our atmosphere and oceans.

We have been warned for years now about the consequences that can result from our messed-up ozone layers. The entire Universe works in harmony with each other, if the atmosphere or ozone layers and oceans are messed up or polluted through technological inventions, then this will affect and cause imbalances in everything else on the earth and under the sea.

These imbalances can cause the earth to shift and bring about severe weather patterns and other natural disasters. The Universe and everything on Earth and under the Sea was designed to sustain LIFE, not destroy it.

It seems like the Universe is angry with humans constant throwing filth into the air and oceans, filling the earth with garbage and removing its needed life giving vegetation, interfering with its natural make-up and the backlash is devastating! But in reality human-beings themselves are unintentionally bringing about their own destruction.

Our constant changing age of technology, how is it affecting our seniors, parents, grandparents?

Well, this is our age, it has almost become impossible now to live without a computer, with all its new software, programs, and other necessary computer aids. Also the Web, and so many different kinds of cell-phones (do we really need that many?) with 100’s of new apps being added daily. (See Post Clutter, Confusion, Crankiness….) GPS’s and millions of other new inventions I am still learning about. Most young people today learn to use these new gadgets very quickly, but what about our aging parents and grandparents?

Most of them still remember a time when the world was less stressed and more peaceful, and people worked hard with their own hands. They hardly ever heard of such mayor disasters taking place anywhere on earth as we do today.

Before TV and the Internet families ate meals together, and had conversations, and went on different outings together without a GPS to guide them, or cell phones to keep in touch. Or they read together, with Parents or Grandparents taking the lead in everything.

Children played physical active games like rope skipping, ball playing, hide and seek, kite flying, marble throwing, etc. Today most of them spend their time in front of a TV or playing games on the Internet, leading to obesity and other health problems.

There were more close knitted families than our day, and far less problems. Children were taught to be obedient to their Parents, now it is becoming the opposite way around, the new age of technology is making the children the teachers of their parents instead.

Technology effect on Families

Today it is completely different in most countries not just in the USA.  Families are divided even in the same home, children might be in their room looking at TV, or on the Internet, or texting on their Cell-phones. I read a report that some families even don’t spend much time eating or talking face to face with each other anymore, any conversations they have is by cell-phone, email or texting! (See Previous Post: Cell-phonemania)

I know when I left home (St. Maarten Dutch Caribbean) and came to New York I used to write my Mother long hand written letters since it cost so much in long distance calling. And she wrote me back her 5 pages or more handwritten letters telling me everything that was happening at home.

After I got a computer I found it easier to type those letters, and when I got internet access it became email. I opened a free email account for my mother and sent her instructions via my sisters for her to open the emails and read them. (Now that my mother is dead, I am glad I still kept some of those handwritten letters and treat them like treasures, they meant a lot more to me now than an email that can be easily erase with a click of the computer mouse!)

But they couldn’t get my mother to sit in front of a computer and learn to download any emails or anything. My sisters had to print the emails off and let her read them in her hand.

She just wasn’t interested in this new stuff she called it. Even one of my sister’s little daughter when she was about 4 years old was trying to teach my mother how to download a picture on the internet.

She kept pointing the mouse and clicking here and there while giving my mother instructions:  “So you see Granny, you point here, and right click this, and then this..” and my mother said she just stood there shaking her head in amazement as she told my little niece:” Sweetheart, I know when your mother downloaded You, and you are here teaching me how to download something from a computer?”

My mother was present when my sister gave birth to her first baby daughter who was now teaching her grandmother how to use a computer! Unbelievable! That is what our technology age has become, the grandchildren and children are teaching their seniors how to use new technology. And they have to be obedient because some of these new young teachers don’t have too much patience with their senior students!

All the teachers of modern technology to seniors are young people, including their own children or grandchildren

And that is the case all over not just in the USA. There are many seniors now going back to Classes to learn all the different computer programs or just how to use the internet, and their teachers are the youth of our day, these are the computer age children.

Some parents or grandparents are being taught directly by their children or grandchildren since these are the ones buying the gadgets and giving these to them to keep in touch with them.

I must admit that there have been many improvements in senior care that is very beneficial for older adults those 60 and over. Such as Electric Wheelchairs, massaging chairs, electronic insulin injections, blood sugar level detectors, variable volume hearing aids, and many other helpful aids. Also it is good for seniors who are now living alone to learn how to use the internet, emails, and cell-phones.

There are cell-phones that are even designed for those of very advanced age such as with big numbers, volume control, and special instructions. If this is the only way they can keep in touch with distant children or grandchildren or even with the rest of the world, then it is necessary to learn all they can about these modern inventions.

Also the fact that there is always something new to learn, is  good for aging brains, it helps keep the brain active and younger longer to keep learning even in old age. While some older adults are anxious to learn how to use all these new technologies, others are still reluctant to learn.

What if Older Parents or Seniors are reluctant to learn from Younger Ones?

Cell-phones they will accept but some of them don’t care to learn how to use a computer and the Web. I know quite a few older ones in my apartment building that don’t know anything about computers or the web. Two of them are 80 and 82 years old and I guess their grandchildren don’t have the patience to teach them how to use it or they are not interested at that age. The TV and a cell-phone are sufficient for them.

And to get on all the new Social Media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Digg, etc. is another task some are reluctant to learn. I heard one girl telling her friends that she finally got her 83 old grandmother to join Facebook. And I also just recently showed one of my older neighbors, 65 years old how to use email and join Facebook and upload a picture since she asked me how to do it.

And she uploaded a picture of herself when she was 30 years old. She was attractive and young and that is the way she wanted to look on Facebook to fit in with everyone else. And she was delighted to see some of her other family members on facebook that she even didn’t know were there.

How quickly we forget!

Two Elderly ladies I know still have the old fashioned rotary phones. Can you believe it? I know I had the embarrassing experience of trying to use one of those rotary phones and completely forgot how to make a phone call from one of them. I kept sticking my finger in the holes for each number of the person I was calling and pressing and nothing happened.

I tried several times and not getting any results, then I finally gave up and told her that her phone was not working. She said yes it was, and I kept saying no I have been pressing the numbers and it doesn’t work. ”You don’t have to press the numbers, you have to put your fi n g er through the holes on the number and dial all the way round, one number at a time! What a lot of work! With these days of touchtone phones, I had completely forgotten how to use a rotary dial phone!

And just like myself above forgetting how to use a simple old fashioned rotary phone, we forget how our parents, grandparents and other seniors worked hard years ago without all these technological advancements, and why some of them feel frustrated having to be taught all these by there children.

I know my father used to work in his own business when I was a child using a simple old manual typewriter, he did his own bookkeeping using a pencil and his own head by adding up numbers and figures without a calculator or adding machine. He had no computer or bookkeeping software systems, no cell phones, or any of the modern stuff we have today. Still he made enough money to build his own house and took care of his eight children. (See Post: Memoirs of a Wonderful Beloved Father)

Here is a small excerpt I got from an email my sister sent me about a senior older retired businessman who also ran his own business without any of our modern tech stuff. This is what he said:

A Testimony from a Senior Retired Businessman:

“When I bought my Blackberry, I thought about the 30-year business I ran with 1800 employees, all without a cell phone that plays music, takes videos, pictures and communicates with Facebook and Twitter.

I signed up under duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my seven kids, their spouses, 13 grandkids and 2 great grand kids could communicate with me in the modern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter with only 140 characters of space.

That was before one of my grandkids hooked me up for Tweeter, Tweetree, Twhirl, Twitterfon, Tweetie and Twittererific Tweetdeck, Twitpix and something that sends every message to my cell phone and every other program within the texting world.

My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everything except the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready to live like this. I keep my cell phone in the garage in my golf bag.” I was recently asked if I tweet. I answered, No, but I do toot a lot.”

And what about those elderly parents and grandparents that are used to going to church or religious services and didn’t need a cell-phone back then? Now they have to be obedient to their children or grandchildren who make them keep a cell-phone on them at all times and this can cause some embarrassing moments for these older folks. Like this experience I witnessed myself at a Congregational Religious Service.

One Sunday in the middle of the Speakers Beautiful Biblical talk a loud ringing of a cell-phone playing the latest Pop music went off. Everybody could tell where it was coming from, all eyes turned on the poor sweet little old lady sitting in the middle row.

She was staring in complete bewilderment wondering where this music was coming from and why all eyes were on her! The phone didn’t stop, because she no doubt didn’t remember she had a phone in her bag.

Finally a teenage boy got up, went up to her and whispered something in her ear. He told her it was her phone ringing and she started looking frantically in her handbag, found her phone and looked like she turned it off, put it back, and everybody tried to resume listening to the Speaker.


 A few minutes later the phone started ringing again, this time everybody looked annoyed, but the same teenage boy got up and took the phone from the lady and showed her how to turn it off completely. She probably didn’t do it right the first time.

The poor old Soul was not accustomed to going to church with a phone. Phones were left at home not carried in your bag. So there are so many new things for seniors to remember and get used to and most children or grandchildren completely forget what it was like in their parent’s day and don’t fully explain them how to use all these new gadgets and avoid unnecessary embarrassing moments.

What about those seniors that still drive, and at the grocery store, with the choice now of Plastic or Paper bags? The same senior older man mentioned above says that he was given a GPS by his kids but he couldn’t stand the voice of this Gypsy lady, he called her, she kept signing and  re-directing him, and he just calls his wife now if he ever gets lost. He couldn’t stand this new GPS Gadget. And at the Grocery Store here is what he says:

“The world is just getting too complex for me. They even mess me up every time I go to the grocery store. You would think they could settle on something themselves but this sudden “Paper or Plastic?” every time I check out just knocks me for a loop. I bought some of those cloth reusable bags to avoid looking confused, but I never remember to take them in with me.

Now I toss it back to them. When they ask me, “Paper or Plastic?” I just say, “Doesn’t matter to me. I am bi-sacksual.”  Then it’s their turn to stare at me with a blank look”.

Young People please don’t think of your seniors as dumb

Well, just like him many seniors are confused by the constant flow of new technology they are being given or taught how to use by their children or grandchildren, and feel the world is getting to complex for them.

But please younger people don’t ever think that your seniors or parents are dumb or they don’t know anything, because they have to ask so many questions about modern technology and you may have to teach them these things.

Look around at all the big bridges, subway and train stations and many older buildings and things that were build before our times, and all of these were done without computers, cell phones or any of the modern technologies.

Carpenters used hand saws, and screwdrivers, and hammers, nothing was electric or computerized, and still look at the strength and beauty of handcrafted architecture in some of the previous built homes, most of these are still standing strong while many modern stuff crumble and fall very quickly.

So develop patience, show your seniors respect and honor and if you are in a position to teach an older person, especially your parents or grandparents something new in the field of technology then count it a privilege to be used in this way.

Who knows if our world continues at the pace it is going, (or if there is no Divine Intervention before humans completely destroy themselves and the Earth) we are going to be in the same position where those now much younger than us, will be teaching us something new. And we might also not be as receptive as some seniors are today. We never know!

Written and Illustrated by: Glenda Brill ©
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Raging Moving Volcanos, Explosive Hot Tempers – Dangerous Health Hazards Leading To Premature Death

Posted on April 18, 2011 by giggling

That is the way some people are, like internally fuming raging volcanos moving among us ready to erupt at the slightest irritation. Doesn’t it seem like today nearly everywhere you go people are so angry, and it doesn’t take much to get an explosion of angry screaming and yelling accompanied by curse words.

Some people will start an argument or blow your head off for hardly anything. Just a few days ago while in the Supermarket everybody was startled by the loud heated argument between a man and woman.

It seemed like the woman’s shopping cart was pushed out of the way by the man and this caused her to angrily lashed out at him and he in turn back to her and this back and forth yelling and screaming calling each other names went on for 20 minutes or more with no one letting up.

Every Manager in the store tried to calm them down and couldn’t, until finally the Police had to be called in and was able to get them out of the store and took them away. I couldn’t believe a grown man would be arguing in public with a woman over such stupidity.

And not to long ago news reported how a heated argument took place again between a man and woman two strangers over a parking lot space resulting in his hitting her so hard that she ended up in a coma, and he was arrested. And just yesterday another young woman drove her Van with 4 children into the river drowning herself and three children, one child got out and swam ashore.

According to reports she was in a heated argument with her husband before she took off with her children probably in an angry state herself or just couldn’t take anymore of his angry outburst. Yes, explosive tempers are dangerous to our own health and life and that of others.

We are living in a very health conscious society, especially here in the US, there is so much info on healthy living, diet, exercise, nutrition, but at the same time this is also a time of some of the angriest people around. Explosive tempers accompanied by vulgar curse words are the norm of the day. I read a report several years ago that one angry outburst does more damage to our heart than smoking ten packs of cigarettes!

So if some people pride themselves on not smoking or claim they are very healthy or in great shape because they eat nutritional foods, but at the same time they are internally full of hatred and raging anger, and have the habit of blowing their top over everything, then they need to realize how dangerous these are to their health and life, it is really toxic more so than eating junk food and smoking.

How so? Because junk food and smoking will damage your health over a period of time, but one explosive angry outburst can trigger an instant heart attack, stroke, or cause a blood clot anywhere in the body that can travel to the brain and result in sudden death!

This can happen anytime especially if someone is a habitual explosive angry person. Every time they do so they make their heart weaker, leading to heart disease and if they don’t control it, it can be fatal with one explosive outburst.

Medical reports testified to the surprising increase of death from heart attacks and strokes occurring among so many seemingly healthy young people, especially young men under the age of 50 who have no known history of smoking or of other health problems usually associated with older adults.  No doubt hostility, angry outburst and stress all play a part in such premature deaths.

Also uncontrolled anger causes people to do things that they would not normally do, they become like someone temporary insane, and can kill someone in the heat of anger. So explosive angry people are a danger to themselves and also to others.

Can you imagine how many millions of people lives were cut short by anger either by their own or by that of someone else? The first murder in human history was committed in a fit of anger, Cain killed his brother Abel because he was angry and he was for warned that his anger would cause death.

Ofcourse there are reasons to get angry at times, everybody does, especially when we see or experience injustice, maltreatment, disappointments, or sometimes some people can really push our buttons, irritate us to the extreme that we really feel like lashing out in anger.

Under these circumstances it is only right to feel angry, but it is how often we feel this way and how we re-act or let it affect us is what is dangerous to our health and life.

Since we see the bad effects prolonged hostility, explosive anger or built up resentment can have on the body how do we control it before it kills us, or we kill somebody else?

There are two Biblical proverbs that say: “The insight of a man slows down his anger” and, “A Calm heart is life to the Body….”.

*First by having insight, or empathy, instead of flying off the handle because someone says or do something to make us upset, insight or the ability to see through a persons situation, realizing the other person could be under a lot of stress, going through a hard time, or something else could be happening in their life, think before we let ourselves explode can slow anger down or alleviate it all together.

*A Calm Heart comes through taking care of our spirit, that inner part of us created in God’s Image that really makes us who we are, and which is supposed to produce good qualities in us such as: love, joy, peace, self-control, kindness, goodness and mildness. Also realizing how much damage anger has on our own health and life will help us to keep calm.

*Developing humility. Proud people are the ones that get so upset over anything because they feel they are so much better than others and anything that ruffles their ego’s, can cause an explosive outburst of anger. Humility will keep us calm, realizing we are just all people. Nobody knows it all. (see Post: People are basically all just people)

*Seeing humor in the situation, not everything has to be taken so seriously. Laughter can calm a person down, and since it is also contagious will change a hostile environment. This can be done especially among family members, husband and wives.

Instead of angry outbursts and hurt feelings, if people just learn to see humor in every situation there would be less angry people on earth. (See previous post: Belly Laughing could replace most prescription drugs…) and “Finding Humor amidst Hard times”.

*Surprise People! Nothing will shut an angry person up quicker than remaining quiet, not retaliating and even laughter or smiling while they are busy ranting and raving. Some people make such fools of themselves by exploding over trivialities and when the victim of their anger does not retaliate or start laughing they are shocked, surprised and shut up right away because they realize how crazy or stupid they look.

I did this once to a woman whom was so angry over the previous person she had just served at a check out counter. The person before me must have said or done something and there was a loud heated argument before that person left the window.

When it was my turn she was in a fighting mood and ready to bite my head off with an ugly scowl on her face and great anger in her voice.

I could have responded in like manner, but I just smiled and told her she would look so much prettier if she took that scowl off of her face. She looked surprised and calmed down, and her tone changed. (Every woman wants to look pretty). When we respond in a similar tone to an angry person we are adding fuel to their already fuming fire and only makes a situation worst.

Another good bit of advice most people have heard of is what was said by the Great Teacher years ago, Jesus Christ. “Turn the other cheek” He was giving advice on when being provoked or when someone insults us looking for a confrontation or fight, just turn around and walk away! (Giving them the other cheek).

Don’t get in your car and drive away, or if the argument starts while driving, just park the car and WALK INSTEAD. Because if someone gets behind the wheel of a car while in a heated angry mood, remember the brains thinking ability is now impaired, they are bound to crash into something, do something stupid, or cause an accident.

WALKING will calm you down, it helps you to think, converts that bad energy into a better one that nourishes the mind, heart and blood. (If that poor young woman that drove into the river had of just taken her children out for a walk, and then later went to someone that she could talk to, rather than getting into her Van, she and her children might still be alive).

This protects us and the other person especially if we are also hot headed, by walking away, the other person will eventually have to shut up because there is no one to add fuel to their blazing fire. This shows great strength of character to walk away and not retaliate, it is the other person that continues to fight and curse that is weak.

One husband said that every time his wife gets angry and starts an argument, he just goes for a walk, stay away long enough so both of them will be calmed down by the time he returns back home.

If we are the hot tempered one, then the above advice works just the same for us as for getting away from another angry person. Also engaging in regular exercises such as dancing, running, kick-boxing, yoga and other breathing exercises can help control extreme anger and calm a person down.

So it is possible to control extreme angry outburst, just like everything else it takes work and practice.

But by following some of the advice above and realizing how dangerous explosive anger is to our own health and life and that of others, will be the motivating force to keep it under control.

For the inherent desire of every person no matter who they are is: we all want to live long, be healthy, happy and have peace. To achieve these Controlling Anger is of prime importance!

For additional self improvement help get these books or DVD’s:

Everything Laughter Yoga: Learn to laugh for no reason! Click Here!
Lighten up your Life, and have fun. Get out of that Angry mood fast!  Join the #1 Dance School on the Internet. Learn all the latest steps in Salsa, Bachata, Mambo, Merengue, Cha-Cha-Cha, Tango and more. Great weight loss work out also. I love it, dance everyday!
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Qigong for Happiness, Health and Vitality. Click Here!
Brilliant Yoga: The Complete Guide to Upgrading Your Body and Life! Click Here!

Written, Designed and illustrated by Glenda Brill (©)

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When Heads Turn, Let It Be For The Right Reason

Posted on May 18, 2011 by giggling

What is the first thing we notice about people when we see them? It is no doubt what they are wearing! And have you ever been standing some where maybe in line at a store or waiting for the bus or train and somebody walked by and all heads turned with raised eyebrows and a surprised look on their faces.

And you could almost hear everybody inaudible muttering the same question: “What the h…is she wearing?” In New York you see some weird things all the time.

Since there are more varieties of styles in clothes for women than men, we see more extremes in dressing among women than men, even though some young men also wear some head turning clothes that causes the same question marks to appear on people’s faces. And we all look at what other people wear. When it comes to clothes both men and women look at the same sex to check out what they are wearing.

Please note that I am talking here about the Western Style of dressing. I know in some parts of the world such as Asia, India, Africa, and other middle Eastern Countries people have their own style of native dress some of which are very elegant or others may be nothing more than fabric wrapped around the body, and may not be categorized for special occasions as the western style of dress.

And what might be an acceptable style of dress in another country, may not be such in the western world. So anyone from one of those countries reading this please remember that this information is for those whom live and dress in the Western style and have so many choices of clothes to choose from unlike your country where you may not have such.

But why do people always seem to be affected by the way other people dresses? We can say it is nobody’s business what I wear, but whether we think so or not, how we carry ourselves associates us with particular types of people if we are dressing like them. It also shows a lack of respect, can be offensive or pleasing to others, and can cause them to think either favorable or badly about us. It can even ruin a person’s reputation. Why?

Clothes are more than just body covering, Clothes silently speak about us

Our attire sends messages out to those observing us, it says a lot about how we think about ourselves and other people. For instance some professionals are identified by the clothes or uniforms they wear such as Doctors, Nurses, Nuns, Police-Officers, Pilots, Air-hostesses, Soldiers etc. When we see them we know who they are and what they do, and we respect them based on their identifying garments.

The same can be true for those of us that don’t need to wear a uniform, what we wear can still bring certain images to people’s mind that might be different than what we really are.

For instance if a nice girl with a good upbringing and a nice personality walks around dressed like a prostitute, but she is hoping to attract a nice gentlemen as a future marriage mate, her clothes are speaking differently about her than what she really is, and this will affect how she is treated by people in general especially by the opposite sex.

The kind of man she is trying to attract might be turned off by her dress and she will be attracting just the opp osite of what she is looking for.

 And  what happens if such a person is looking for work and goes on a job interview? (Some Great Guides for people looking for work: Guerrilla Resume –   Ultimate Guide to Job Interview Answers, Click Here! Killer Interview Secrets, Click Here! Wow – You’re Hired! Click Here!)

One of the first things job Interviewers notice when an applicant walks into their office is their attire.They can scan a person from their hairstyle to the shoes they’re wearing in one sweep of their eyes, and make their decision to hire or not to hire based on how the applicant is dressed! So what we wear can get us the right job!

With so many fashions and styles of clothes to choose from, how can a person always know what to wear?

Clothes like everything else have their place:

Yes, there are so many different kinds of clothes, styles, and colors these days especially for women that it can be confusing picking the right clothes. If we understand and see how Designers and Clothes Manufacturers think it will be easier to do so.

They design clothes for different occasions, seasons, body types, sizes, shapes and ages.

So we have clothes that fall under the category of “Formal Wear for night or day”, for night they are usually dressy and can be long or short, or even a nice pair of slacks with a dressy top and accessories. For men it is usually a nice dark Suit with front buttoned down Shirt and Tie.

Day formal or Office Business Wear should be professional or business-like dress, for men it is usually again a nice dark suit with necktie, women business wear has changed over the years where in some places women don’t have to wear a suit all the time but still need to wear clothes that are appropriate for the job, not to low cut or revealing, too tight or too short, and no open-toe sandals.

Then there is Casual Wear, Sports Wear, Beach Wear, Lounge Wear, Sleep Wear, and now with the increase in Exercise Classes and Gyms we have Work-Out Gear or Clothes.

Also in none tropical countries like here in the USA and Europe we have seasonal clothing: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall which includes a lot of sweaters, Coats and boots. In the Caribbean where I grew up I never had to worry about Seasonal Clothes, since it is hot all year round.

But I love the changes in Seasons and look forward to wearing different clothes and colors in each Season. Since I make all my own clothes (since I was seventeen years old) I avoid the hassle of shopping and trying to find the right clothes and styles,  and can make sure I am wearing what’s right for me. (see previous post: We can save money by doing some things ourselves).

And this is where some women get confused and mix up all these different Categories of Clothes and wear them to places where they were not designed to be worn.

Just this week I saw some new Beach Wear Dresses for Summer which is to be worn over bathing suits or bikini’s at the beach, that are so beautiful they can also fall under the category of Casual Wear Clothes.

They can be worn out to other places like a restaurant for lunch or shopping. And for years the simple Sweat Pants and running shoes or bulky sneakers which fall under the Category of Exercise Gear or Sports Wear, are still worn by some women to different events and even out shopping. Or some people may wear Casual Wear Clothes to a formal event or to a job interview which is out of place.

So when shopping ask the Sales-Associate where to find the style of clothes you are looking for:

Most large Department Stores or Boutiques have the different category of styles of clothes in different sections of the store or on different floors.

When not sure what to look for you can tell the  Sales Associate you are looking for   a style to wear to a particular occasion and whether it is formal, Casual, Business, Sports or whatever and ask where you can find those styles of clothes you need to choose from. Also think about your age, body weight and height and whether a certain style even if you like it is appropriate for you.

When not sure what to wear, or when in doubt, Dress-Up!

And if not sure what to wear to a particular event always go on the safe side, wear something semi-formal, maybe a nice dress with a small jacket than can be taken off once you get there and realize you might be too dressed up. It is better to be dressed up if not sure than to be under-dressed and cause head turning and whispers when you walk into a room.

Nothing can cause heads to turn faster than a mature adult dressed like a teenager with mini skirt, or a size 22 woman or man dressed in clothes way to tight or half their size. Dressing in clothes designed for younger people will not make you look younger if the design or cut is inappropriate for an older person.

The same can be said for teenagers or even preteens dressing too sexy or out of line for their ages. Whether older or young a person dressed in nice styles suitable for their body type, age and weight will look great.  And this is one thing we have to always remember that:

We make Clothes look good on us, it is what we do for the clothes we wear not what the clothes do for us.

Clothes are just inanimate pieces of fabric sewn together according to a particular design. They are display ed on a lifeless mannequin for us to see. Only when a live person tries the outfit on, then we can tell how well it looks on each one. So even though a dress might be popular or of the latest fashion, it will look different on every single woman that tries it on.

Because it is not the dress that makes you look good in it, it is YOU that make the dress look good on YOU.

Our personality, Skin tone, Hair Color, Height, Weight, whether we are tall or short, slim Body Shape (Big busted, or small, big butted or flat) slender or on the heavy side, posture, the whole person makes a particular outfit looks great.

A thousand different women of every different skin tone and hair color height and weight can all wear the same exact outfit, and it will look different on everyone single one of them!

 Always check yourself from all sides and angles in a Full Length Mirror!

So when shopping for clothes, always look for a dressing room with a full length mirror, and also have one at home. If shopping online or through a mail-order catalog you can also choose the right clothes by the type you like and knowing how you look in such. And after you received them in the mail always look at yourself in that full length mirror with the garment on from all angles, front, back and sides, and try on with the type of shoes you wear, if it is high heels then use high heels.

See how your own personality, and all the other qualities mentioned above does for the dress. As you turn and look at different angles in the mirror pay attention to every body part and see how they look with this outfit on.

How is it fitting in the back? Ladies the way a dress look from behind is just as important as the front, that is usually the part that the turning heads linger on, so pay attention to how well that dress fit in the back. And if you’re a big butted woman and it protrudes too much, then try something that’s more camouflaging and not too tight.

Only if satisfied then buy it!  Or if ordered online, you can always exchange it. If you can’t make it look good on YOU then no matter how stylist or how in fashion it is, don’t wear it! When wearing a dress or outfit you want people to remember how nice YOU look in that dress, not what a great dress that was!

And women also need to choose the right accessories such as handbags, jewelry and shoes that will compliment the entire outfit. That is much easier to do once you know where you will be wearing the dress and for what occasion. Then match the handbag, shoes and accessories to compliment a color or colors in the outfit or dress and that is appropriate for the occasion. For formal wear that usually requires a nice clutch and high heels.

Most Men have good taste to, and choose clothes and accessories that compliment them, careful not to send the wrong messages out

Some men do a better job at dressing than women. A lot of Clothes Designers are men designing for women, so they usually know what they like to see a woman in.

Clothes for themselve s are much easier to select, since there is less choices. But today, there is still a lot more now for them to choose from than years ago.

Many times I get invitations to different Business Seminars and it says: “Casual Business Wear Only”. These were terms that people didn’t use before, it was either one or the other. Anything having to do with Business, meant that Men wore a Suit and Tie. Casual they could wear Jeans, Tee Shirts and Sneakers.

But “Casual Business Wear” means now that a man can wear a nice buttoned down shirt with no tie or with jacket or not,   tucked inside dress pants with a belt, and shoes. No jeans or sneakers. (The same goes for women Business Casual, nice slacks with blouse, or dress, but no Tee Shirts, sneakers or jeans!). Some men get away with a plain tee shirt with a Jacket over it, but still no jeans or sneakers.

Accessories for men consist of different ties to be worn for various occasions. For business the Briefcase and a Wrist Watch is still standard. For Business Casual Wear some men also carry a across the shoulder strap bag. But for formal wear men still look great and well dressed in simple Dark suits, colorful striped or plain shirts and ties of different prints, textures and colors.


Among some young black men some still wear these off the butt hanging pants, which is out of place for any occasion and send the wrong messages to people since this style originated in prison. And some show up with Sun Shades at night events. I could never understand why people wear dark shades at night, I call them “Moon Shades”, since the moon shines at night, not the sun.

People get the impression that a person that is hiding their eyes is hiding something, or could be associated with a gang or some questionable people. So these guys that show up at evening affairs with their “moon shades” need to see how they are sending wrong messages to people, even if they’re not what they’re appear to be.

So we all want to dress in a way that don’t shock or offend people, or send out the wrong messages to them. If invited to a special event and we stand out to much because of inappropriate dress, or work in a large office with other employees then it is proper to be considerate of those around us.  We want people to remember us, not so much for what we wear, but for how well we look in what we wear.

So when we walk by or into a room, we want heads to turn for the right reason with a pleasing look on their faces and the expression: ”Wow, doesn’t she (or he) look stunning in that outfit?”

Yes, let them remember how Fabulous YOU look in your choice of clothes!

Written and Illustrated by: Glenda Brill (©)

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Where Did All The Ladies And Gentlemen Go?

Posted on June 10, 2011 by giggling

After having lunch in a restaurant in New York City a few days ago, before I left I asked the girl where the Ladies Room was, and she pointed to the back.

Being very observant by nature, the first thing I noticed was that the signs on the restrooms doors were changed. It just reads now “Men” and “Women”, instead of the previous “Ladies” and “Gentlemen”.

This is about the third or fourth time I noticed that the signs on restrooms for men and women no longer read like they used to before ”Ladies” and “Gentlemen”, but simple  “Restrooms” or “Men” and “Women”. So I started wondering: Why did they change it? What happened to the Ladies and Gentlemen, where did they all go? Could it be because of the general moral climate and attitude of men and women have changed over the years?

I remembered working with a young woman years ago who had recently graduated from a very reputable University in upstate New York, and we were all working as temps in a Large Law Firm. She believed that since she had the same education as some men in the firm that she was equal to them.

And she resented a man opening a door for her or helping her lift a box or doing anything for her. She didn’t want to be treated as a lady anymore because she believed that modern women can do the same things men do, earn their own salaries and take care of themselves.

Could the Women Movement years ago be partly responsible for the general decline in morality among women and men?

I was still fairly new to living in New York or the USA and still learning a lot. Well inspite of also having a good education I personally respect men and their positions in Society and love being treated as a lady. I know that most women still make less than men in general and some tasks are more suitable for men and not women. This whole idea of women trying to be equal to men started years ago with the Women Movement.

That was before many of us younger women were born or some of us were still little girls. But I read a lot about it and how it changed the way women and men think down to our day. I noticed even while riding the Subways in New York how most men never get up and give a woman their seat, or hold a door open for them. I thought this was very rude, but then later realize that they did this because that is the way some women today want to be treated, like their equal and not as ladies.

The womens movement years ago gave women a lot of freedoms they wanted. They could go to school and be whatever they wanted to be, could vote and even hold offices and positions of authority once only available to men.

As more and more women became professionals in various fields, they saturated the work places in Corporate America and probably in other countries as well, and took on positions of high responsibility, some equal to men or even higher than some men.

Yes, it is true women have come a long way indeed. (See previous post: Women walking Tall, Stepping Real High-Status Symbol or Beauty?) The other side of this progress is that women started acting like men not just in respects to jobs but also in respect to their attitude, dating and sexual affairs.

The other side of this Progress is that some women started acting like men with respect to dating and sexual affairs.

With so many women now in the work places it became easier for them to develop friendships with men and have affairs. Most of these men were already married, but women made it easy for them to have affairs since they were so readable available and now their equals or some even holding positions over men. Some women became the Pursuers of men rather than the other way around. So men also stopped being “Gentlemen”, and became the Bad Boys.

During the time of President Clinton Affair with his intern, you remember the reason he gave for his sexual conduct? He said very plainly he did it “Because he could”. He had power, and the other woman made it easy for him to have an affair, because she was so readily available.

Also I remember Author Steve Harvey mentioning the same thing on the Oprah Winfrey Show some time ago, in speaking about the relationships between men and women, he also said that most men get into extra-marital affairs because they could do it very easily, Women made it easy for them to do so!

And today with the increase in technology and Social Media Sites it is even easier. Women are now everywhere, in every industry, some businesses even have more female employees than men. Every magazine stand is filled with half naked women on most magazine covers, they play starring roles in movies, videos, and the entertainment industry with hardly any clothes on, as well in pornographic sites all over the web. Sex is thrown in a man’s face 24 hours a day.

It is no longer as it was formerly when women were not equal to men, were harder to see and get, and promiscuous women were looked down upon. Those former ladies dressed modestly, revealed less body parts and waited for men to ask for their hand in marriage.

The downside of this easy availability is that some women have sunken deep into Moral Filth bringing men down with them

More and more often now we hear of men in high positions, political Leaders being brought down through sexual misconduct, developing in public scandal and becoming a laughing stock to the whole world. The Media is quick to throw them under the Bus, but there is always two people or more involved in any sex scandal.

Women know that Sex is a weakness of most men if not all, and we just don’t always know to what extent these guys were tempted or encouraged to commit wrongful acts. Let me give you a couple of real life examples of how some women tempt men into sexual misconduct.

The husband of a married couple, friends of mine, was working in a corporate office in Manhattan New York.  His Boss or Supervisor was a white American woman, he was a very handsome black man under her supervision.

His Office was a small section of the larger office with a door that could be shut when someone enters. His Supervisor or Boss was always flirting with him trying to get his attention but he respectfully declined her advances, because he was a God fearing married man and didn’t want to betray his wife.

He said one day this supervisor or his Boss came into his section of the office, closed the door behind her, and sat across from his desk. She then spread her legs wide open exposing her private parts very clearly to him since she had no underwear on at all.

He was shocked and couldn’t believe she would go to this extent to get him to have an affair with her. Can you believe an educated white woman in a high position would be such a slut? She did it because she could, she had authority now, she was the Boss, made more money than he did, and who would find out? Even if he did complain she was in charge who would believe him? He later resigned from that job and moved to a different location, starting his own business.

I also worked for several weeks years ago as a temp in a large office with professional white men. I used to cover the phones sometimes filling in for the receptionist, this was before everyone had cell-phones.  I remember some girls were always calling and asking to speak to some of these guys, and all of them were married men!

These were not business calls, or they were not their wives calling, these were bold young white women pursuing these guys even though they knew they were married. These were America’s former ladies whom had now become equal to men and could pursue whomever they chose with no care as to whether they were married or not.

And how can a woman be so brazenly bold and call and ask another women to speak to her husband?

Also a couple of weeks ago I was sitting working on my computer and suddenly got a call, when I answered there was a giggly young woman on the phone and she asked: “Is your husband home?” I was caught by surprise, completely off guard and without thinking I automatically said: “I have no husband”, and she quickly hung up.

After I recovered from the sudden surprise I realized that another woman had just called me and asked for my husband not knowing that I was single. How did she get my number? And how can a woman be so bold and call and ask another women to speak to her husband?

I redialed the number and called her right back wanting to ask her some questions, but she never picked up the phone and had no voice-mail on.  She no doubt realized what she did and was afraid to answer me or let the call go to voice-mail.

She was fooling around with some other woman’s husband and had mixed up the digits and dialed my number by mistake. Or maybe he did and it happened to be mine that she dialed. Whatever the case this was very disrespectful for another woman to do. But the same thing also happened to another friend of mine. She was married though, and one day she also got a call from a woman asking for her husband by his name.

When she asked her whom she was the girl said: “I am his fiancée”. She responded: “How could you be his fiancée when I am his wife for the last ten years!” This other woman was shocked and so was the wife. This man had been lying to this woman not letting her know he was married and never giving a hint to his wife about his affair. Well, unfortunately that marriage ended in divorce.

Could it be that because the ladies disappeared so did the gentlemen? Isn’t it true that for every action there is a similar re-action?

I am sure there are dozens of these cases of marital infidelity resulting in so much hurt and pain especially for the wives. Many girls say they sleep around because they are trying to find love and it is hard to find a husband these days.

Years ago it was never hard for white women to find a husband, yet many of my white girl friends I worked with complained constantly about not being able to find Mr. Right. They say there are no more gentlemen left over. That is becoming true for all single women, as most men think that most of us are all alike, so loose women make it also hard for all women to find good husbands. Could it be that because the ladies disappeared so did the gentlemen? Isn’t it true that for every action there is a similar re-action?

And some of these women are becoming desperate and promiscuous not caring whom they sleep with, married or single. This kind of conduct is making it harder for them to find anyone because as long as they are giving it up so easily men will take it and move on to somebody new. My mother used to tell me and my sisters (her six daughters) when I was growing up that if a woman sleeps around with Peter, Tom, Harry, Dick and Larry, there is no reason why Paul would want to marry her if all the others didn’t.

That is the mistake that many women whom have stopped being ladies are doing, getting in bed to fast or engaging in sexual behavior with men they hardly know hoping to find love. And being stupid in getting involved with married men, which leads to nothing but pain, public disgrace, sorrow, and unhappiness for all involved.

Have some modern women and men forgotten what it was like to have Class or Human decency?

The women whom America looked up to years ago as “Ladies” white women are the very ones whom are bringing down their former “Gentlemen” white men of high class and in High Positions. Yes, everybody blame these Men because with their authority they should not have been engaging in this type of indecent vulgar behavior.

But even if a man takes a misstep, it takes a woman or women for him to continue in his bad course. Remember what was said above by Clinton and the other Author: Women made it easy for them to do so! If women refused to engage in any dialogue or encouraged them they could never have done what they did.

Look at how suddenly so many women come forth with their stories as soon as these men are caught. In the Tiger Woods case about fourteen white women, in the other Political figures suddenly six, seven or more still coming   forth with their stories of involvement with these men of high offices.

It is wrong in itself to publicly humiliate a governmental official like this. Couldn’t these women just privately corrected  them for their behavior and put a stop to it instead of letting the Media get the news and make such a laughing stock of their own leaders before the whole world?

And I wouldn’t be surprised if more of these Political Leaders are caught in sex scandals with women. These are all women whom fully well knew who these men are and what they were doing. Have they forgotten what it was like to have class and human decency?

Women who do this have to remember they are also intruding on the rights of their own fellow female sisters the wives, since they and the children, if they have any are the ones whom get hurt the most. And in the case of men whom hold High Offices of Authority in the Community then they also shame the entire nation by their conduct.

The moral climate is so messed up that young children today have no role models to follow and they in turn grow up not really knowing what is right or wrong

Yes it is true many young children today have no role models to follow and they in turn grow up not really knowing what is right or wrong. Parents need to really teach their sons and daughters how to be a gentleman and a lady, it is a hard task since many parents themselves may not know anymore what it is like to be such.

Husbands and Wives really need to communicate more, getting to know what really is on the mine of the other. (Read the A-z to a Healthy Relationship Click Here!) Some men get involved in wrongful conduct because of being depressed and turn to sex for comfort. Letting your own wife know what is on your mine rather than turning to someone else outside can safe your marriage. (See previous post: “It only cost One Sense”)

Also praying together for help and strength from the Creator, another thing that most modern people have gotten away from  and is the main reason for all their problems, getting Superior Godly Wisdom will help them in coping with weaknesses, problems, and the demonic influence pushing humans toward self destruction.

My father whom was a God fearing Jehovah’s Witness, used to say that he was glad he was born before this generation, and he used to pray for his children and for all people, especially all men, because of the heavy responsibilities they are entrusted with and the many temptations they face everyday. And he died even before it got this bad! (See previous post: Memoirs of a Wonderful Beloved Father)

Whether people choose to believe this or not, we are all created in God’s Image. We couldn’t know what is right or wrong or recognize laws of justice if this was not true.  We all have the capacity to do good, and that is the reason we feel so sorry when we do bad. Our conscience, that inner compass, or inner voice is testimony to this fact. It is what God uses to guide us, it has to be trained with right knowledge, and he often talk softly to us when we start going the wrong way.

Some people have deaden their conscience so they can’t hear His voice anymore, they don’t listen and get into trouble. Married people made a promise before God to stick together, they need to constantly pray for help in keeping that promise and listen to that inner voice, otherwise the imperfect flesh will wander and do wrong.

And my fellow female sisters, whether you are white, black, Asian or of any other ethnicity, please remember you have a lot of power to better the world’s problems. Contributing toward sexual misconduct is doing nothing good but causing the dis-integration of the family, which can lead to the complete fall of Society as a whole, leaving so many children without fathers and sometimes without mothers.

(Read Child Custody Strategies for Men and Women Click Here!,) It causes distrust and disrespect among people for their leaders, and brings shame and disgrace on an entire nation.

If women and men just stop being so promiscuous and start being ladies and gentlemen again, I am sure the whole moral climate and the world would change for the better.

All those of you women whom say you can’t find a good man today so you need to sleep around, or get involved in lewd sexual conduct, even with married men, just try being ladies again and see what happens. You may be surprised how many gentlemen will suddenly start showing up again!

(Great book with fabulous advice for both men and women worth reading: The Woman Men Adore – and Never Want to Leave Click Here!)
*Please note that all photos used in this Post and throughout the Blog are Royalty Free Stock Photos from a Photo Stock Company used for illustration purposes only.

Written and illustrated by: Glenda Brill ©

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Are Those Little Fragile Easily Crushed Humpty-Dumpty Eggs Really All That Powerful, And Can Do So Much Good?

Posted on June 30, 2011 by giggling

When I was a child there was a nursery rhyme about the egg shaped character called Humpty-Dumpty who fell from a wall, broke into bits of pieces and all the Kings men and horses couldn’t put Humpty-Dumpty together again!

It was a little sad nursery song for kids, but it taught us a lesson on how valuable eating breakfast was which consisted mainly of eggs, mostly scrambled, boiled or fried.

It also illustrated the fragile nature of eggs, they can be so easily broken or cracked and what a great lost it was to lose them or waste them. The importance of this was shown in the song that the King called in all his men on horses to try to rescue the fallen Humpty-Dumpty but couldn’t do so.

So I always appreciated the lesson in showing us how very necessary eggs was to our diet. If the King was trying so hard to save the fallen egg, then it must have been very precious indeed.

So even way back in history eggs was a staple part of human diet, they were included as part of the food group necessary for life, and people no doubt knew something about their nutritious component, perhaps not so much as they do today.

Eggs are Powerhouses of Energy,Excellent Quality Protein and Low in fat.

Eggs fall in the same group of protein rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, dry beans and nuts. And contrary to what people once believed a couple of years ago, they are now reversing that theory that eggs are bad for a person’s cholesterol. On the contrary they are very low in fat and will not raise a person’s cholesterol.

Eggs are so full of vitamins, minerals and nutrition that they can be put on the same level as taking a vitamin-mineral supplement a day, if eaten daily. It doesn’t surprise me that most vitamins and mineral supplements have the same oval shapes as eggs. Were the scientist trying to tell us “Hey, you can get the same nutrient by eating an egg?”

Here are some of the good stuff found in eggs:

Eggs are great fighters against blood clots, strokes, heart disease, heart attacks, breast cancer and all other cancers. (This was discovered in a study done by Harvard School of Public Health). Eggs are also very versatile, they can be cooked in so many different ways, one way is by simple boiling them. Boil eggs can help with weight loss due to their low fat, low calorie content and is very filling when eaten in between normal meals. But I also discovered something else about eggs a couple of days ago while boiling them, which inspired me to write this post on eggs.

Who said you can’t burn boiling eggs?

Maybe you have never heard anyone mentioned it or even thought about it yourself. It is just a simple thing most of us do. I usually boil several eggs at once, then store them in the Refrigerator whole or make deviled eggs and then eat them as snacks or as small meals in between larger meals, to help with weight loss, since they fill you up and make you eat less when it is time for dinner.

A couple of days ago I put about 4 eggs on the stove to boil, while I took my shower. About half way through my shower I suddenly heard a muffled sound like a gun shot. Living in New York you always think about the worst happening. My knees started shaking, and my heart beating fast from fright.

I got out of the shower put on my robe and tip toed out of the bathroom. I peeped around my bedroom door to see if someone had climbed up the window and gotten in, then I started tip-toeing across the room from the bathroom to the foyer hoping to get to the nearest phone, all the while gazing around to see where the gunman was hiding.

Then I heard another shot sound, stopping me in my tracks this time it clearly came from the kitchen. I was standing so close to the kitchen door, I was afraid to move. I started to pray “Oh Lord help me, a criminal is hiding in my kitchen, if I start to call 911 from the foyer he will hear me and kill me”. Then I suddenly remembered the eggs I had boiling on the stove. How will I get them, they must be overcooked or…I tried discreetly peeping around the kitchen door, and there I saw what really happened!

The shots I heard and thought were gun shots were the boiling eggs that had burned and exploded!

I was stunned at first at the sight because I never even thought that boiling eggs could be burned and react like this. The water in the pot had dried out and two of the eggs had literally exploded, pitching the yolks way up into the air and then falling down on the stove and nearby kitchen counter.

The whole stove top was a mess with pieces of burn egg shells and hard burned egg yolks all over. The other two were cracked and burned and I got there in time before they also exploded.

After recovering from the shock, I had to clean up all that mess, and tried to save a little from the other two that didn’t exploded. I was glad though that I didn’t get to the phone and called 911, that would have been an embarrassing sight for the police to come and find out that the gunshots were exploded eggs. But who knows it could have taught them something new like it taught me about eggs.

Later after doing some research on all the ingredients that make up an egg it really make sense that they could explode and make such a sound when over heated. They are full of energy and sulphur which is found in all explosives. By this we see that eggs are power houses of life giving energy, and why they have been the main breakfast food for generations, since they provide the fuel our body needs to start the day. And it shouldn’t surprise us either that they are loaded with so much life giving energy and nutrition since every human being and most other living things started as an Egg, even fishes in the sea.

Some very wonderful ways to prepare and eat eggs:

Eggs are not only good to be eaten at breakfast only! But can be prepared as brunch, lunch and dinner. And think about the other breakfast foods such as pancakes, muffins, crepes, breads all of which are made with the addition of eggs.

Eggs can also be serve d at parties and other gala events either as deviled eggs, added to sandwiches, in salads, in baked goods and during the holiday seasons as Eggnog.

There are also hundreds of different uses for eggs as additions to other foods such as a basis for crispy oven fried chicken, fish, sea foods, meatloaves, meat balls, quiches, omelets, and dozens of other delicious ways to serve and benefit from the great nutrition eggs provide.

Always remember though that eggs should be kept cool in the refrigerator, and cook thoroughly, as they can develop salmonella bacteria which causes intestinal distress if not cooked well.

Even young girls can learn and experience their first cooking project by allowing them to beat the eggs while Mom prepare the batter or other foods.

Eggs can also be used as Beauty Products for Hair and Skin!

This was another thing my mother used to do when I was a child, she washed our hair in Egg shampoo because she believed that the rich protein and sulphur content was good for the hair making it grow long, lustrous and dandruff free.

She was so right because that is exactly what was recently discovered that Choline which comes from the Sulphur in eggs is an excellent hair nutrient, and can now be found in all Hair Supplement products.

All those high sounding words you see on Hair Shampoos and Conditioners such as Pantene and Panthenol all come from the B-Vitamins which are found in eggs.

Hair is also made from protein, and the high quality protein necessary for healthy hair is found in eggs. How Mom knew all this I have no idea but it worked. Egg Shampoo has been a favorite of mine up to this day. And I have never suffered from dandruff or itchy scalp. This can be used by both men and women, and everyone from any ethnicity with all types of hair, and color. Eggs are a universal food  good for all peoples.

You can make your own shampoo by just adding an egg to a cup or half cup of your regular shampoo and lathering into your hair especially stimulating the scalp and hair follicles. Or add to your Hair Conditioner, wrap with a warm towel or plastic cap, and leave on for 30 minutes or more, then rinse out with warm then cool water! If any is left over, store in the Fridge until next use.

Make your own facial Beauty Mask from an egg. Beat an egg, then add a few drops of lemon juice and olive oil smear on face until dry, then rinse with warm water and then cold. Or use your imagination and mix other healthy grain or fruit with the egg.

Sometimes I use oatmeal flour mixed with the egg and olive oil and make a nice paste and works great also as a facial mask. These are all simple Beauty Treatments that are very expensive in Salons and will do the same thing if done at home. (See previous post: You can save money by doing some things yourself)

Hot Summer Days calls for Light Quick Cooking

With the hot summer now here, nobody like spending a lot of time in the kitchen during the hot weather. Making dinner from eggs is a fast nutritious way to cook and still get the necessary nutrient our body needs.

They have the same nutritious value as the major food group made up of meat, poultry, fish or steak, but still far less expensive than these, and take less time to cook and easier on y our budget.

Combine them with s a lads, green vegetables and wholegrain breads, or use leftover pieces of chicken, meat, fish, combined with smothered onions (see recipe for smothered onions under a previous post: “The Insignificant Onion: Antibacterial and Virus Fighting Body Guard“) and you got a great meal loaded with good nutrition, anti-oxidants and energy.

But remember if you must boil eggs, keep your eyes on them for it is possible to burn boiling eggs and they will explode! Yes, those little fragile easily crushed Humpty-Dumpty Eggs are a lot more powerful than we think, but they also do a lot of good for the body.

Written and illustrated by: Glenda Brill (©)

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Long Distance Vacation Driving-Some Tips To Enjoy The Journey, Get To Your Destination, And Return Home Safe And Alive.

Posted on July 14, 2011 by giggling

During the summer months, many people go on some type of vacation, since the kids are out of school and this time of year is a good time for families to make that nice out of town or out of State trip. It is also a time when many college students like to travel home if they are going to college in another area.

During the summer months more accidents happen than at other times of the year. It has been reported that more people are killed by traffic accidents than by all the wars that has taken place.

And a lot of these are young people whom may not be taking the necessary precautions before making the trip or while driving.

When you’re young it’s all about having fun and taking risk without thinking to much about life and death. Even older adults take chances on the road which can result in loss of life, or some may not pay attention to the different laws and speed limits in their States.

Most accidents can be avoided. Just yesterday I saw two young men driving in a small convertible car with the top down, and two long wooden spades which look like water skiing equipment sticking way to far out the back seat of the car. Any sudden jolt of the car could send those spades right into a vehicle following them, causing an accident resulting in damage and possible lost of the drivers life.

So most of the time it is just a matter of thinking and making sure everything is in place before making the trip. The foremost concern for all drivers to think about is “Saving Lives”- their own, the lives of those whom may be traveling with them, the lives of the Officers whom are protecting them on the road, and the lives of other drivers traveling beside, behind and in front of them on the road. One important way to do this is to prepare for the trip and make sure your vehicle is in top condition.

Before making the trip, give your vehicle a complete Mechanical (Medical) Check-up:

You want the journey to be as enjoyable as the destination. So the more comfortable and safer you make it for those traveling with you the more it will be enjoyed by all.

Don’t advertise to Thieves or Burglars that you are going away

You may be surprised who may be paying attention to your home, or apartment and can’t wait for you to take everybody and go away. Oh how happy that burglar or thief will be when he notices you’re gone. So make it seems like somebody is home:

You want to be sure all windows and doors are locked and very secure. If you don’t have any security such as an alarm, outside lighting or window gates, check with your local Precinct Crime Prevention to see what is best for you.

If you do have outside lights, turn them on, nothing is more telling than a home left in complete darkness for several days. Keep your window shades slightly open, not wide open for somebody can look in and see that nobody is home.

Leave a few radios on in the house. I noticed people living in New York City’s Apartments do this a lot, you can hear radios playing but nobody comes to the door when the bell is rang, so you never know for sure if they are sleeping or out of town.

I always think everybody should be on good terms with their neighbors, at least one good one. I speak to all my neighbors since this is the way I was brought up to live in the Caribbean. Maybe in some smaller towns this might be the same.  But here in the city some neighbors don’t even know who is living next door, since peoples schedules are so varied.

One of my neighbors travels quite often and she lets me know when she will be out of town and I take care of all the things I am suggestions below.

You can also let your neighbor know you will be gone and to take care of all flyers, newspapers or magazines dropped off at your door. A good neighbor can also pick up your mail and save for you until you return. Also if you have your own garbage cans ask a neighbor to use yours along with their own and to put it out at night before collection just like you would do if you were home.

Keep the mood in the car upbeat, lively and worry free!

Taking care of the above will give you a lot more peace of mind while traveling or away. If it is a long trip arrange for more than one driver to take turns and take good care to get sufficient sleep the night before the trip. If on medications, don’t take any drugs before making the trip as some medications can make a person drowsy and act similar to a drunken person.

This can cause an accident or to be pulled over by an officer. Have a large cooler with ice cold bottled water to drink, or other non- alcoholic drinks and snacks for the trip on the floor in the back so they can be easy to get to when needed.

Make sure you have copies of your Drivers license Id’s, and all necessary documents in the front compartment of the car so they can be easily accessed if need to. This is also a good place to keep your cell phone, keep it out of site so you’re not tempted to use it while driving but still easy to get if the need arise. By all means no text messaging or speaking on cell-phones while driving, in some places this is against the law now. (See previous post: Cellphonemania)

Keep the mood and atmosphere in the car energetic and lively. Play upbeat music, this will keep everybody awake and happy. If children are in the back seat be sure they are secure in their seats or car seats if young enough to be seated in such.

When the original Driver gets tired, then the second arranged driver can take over and give him or her a break. This could be husband and wife, or two friends or room-mates.

This should be discussed even before making the trip. If an argument breaks out, try to change the subject to something funny.

If that doesn’t help and the driver feels himself or herself getting angry and raising his or her voice, before it leads to road rage which can distort thinking and vision and cause an accident, please look for the nearest rest station, and get out of the car and walk a little, this will calm the person down, and also the other person by the time driving resumes. (see previous post on: Raging Moving Volcanos, Dangerous Health Hazards, leading to premature death)

On the road pay attention to all vehicles around you and all traffic signs

You may have taken all precautions before leaving your home and while driving, but not everyone else on the road may be doing so. Some other drivers could get distracted and may not even see you. So these days you have to pay attention to every vehicle around you and see where you are in relation to each one. Also look further ahead than the vehicle just in front of you.

Pass other cars only in passing zones and do so with safety and courtesy. Use turn signals and rear-view and side mirrors constantly to see from all angles. Approach all intersections with caution even if you have the green light, or right away. Check for cars pulling into the intersection, and pay attention to vehicles that may legally make a right turn when the traffic light is red.

Let other drivers know what you intend to do by using your turn signals, not only when making a turn but also when changing lanes. Watch out for those large trucks on the road. Don’t get in their blind spot.

The drivers of these large trucks cannot see you if you cannot see him in the side rear-view mirror. Use rear view mirrors often, you need to see what is happening behind you especially before you turn or change lanes.

If it gets dark before you get to your destination, slow down at night, if it begins to rain do the same, it is better to drive slower during rainy weather or on wet roads because your brakes and tires are less effective under these conditions.

What to do in spite of everything you have done you still have an accident

No matter how hard you try to prevent one sometimes accidents do happen.  Most of them are minor with no mayor damage or death involved. Sometimes accidents may not be your fault but the other driver. As mentioned above not everyone on the road has taken or is taken the same careful precautions as you.

So what should you do if someone suddenly bump into you or you didn’t know that the driver in front of you was going to suddenly stop, and you hit him in the rear?

Please don’t keep driving and leave the scene as if nothing happened. Remain calm and shut off the engine. Get out of the car, and clear all persons from the area especially if you smell gasoline or if the car is on fire. This is the time to grab your cell-phone, take pictures of the accident and call the Fire Department if the car is on fire, or call the Police and Ambulance if anyone is injured, or if the vehicle is disabled.

Always request a copy of a accident report, and if from New York report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles

Get the names of the persons in the other car and potential witnesses’ names and addresses as soon as possible. If an officer is called and an accident report is written ask when and where you can obtain a copy.

Your car insurance company will request one. And if from New York according to the New York Vehicle and Transportation Law (Article 22, 605), always remember to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles and report the accident, even if a police report has been filed. Failure to do is considered to be a misdemeanor and can result in dire consequences such as revocation of your license.

If from a different State or live in another country follow the required laws in your State or Country.

Fortunately the above may not applied to you on this trip, this is only good to know just in case there is an accident, especially young people may not always be aware of what to do or familiar with any new laws in their state.

You have finally arrived at your destination safe and sound, and have a great vacation. On the return trip, just follow the same steps on the road, and you should return home safe, relaxed and refreshed, because not only did you enjoyed the vacation you also enjoyed the journey, the long distance drive should be a part of the enjoyment of the vacation itself.

Written and Illustrated by Glenda Brill (©)

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On the Road of Life there are many Jacks and Jackie’s deserving of their Jacket

Posted on July 29, 2011 by giggling

When I was growing up in St. Maarten (Dutch-French Caribbean) I often heard the saying “Every Jack deserves his Jacket, or Give Jack his Jacket.” I don’t know if they use that expression here since I haven’t heard it in a while, but it simple meant to give a man (or woman) credit, honor or show appreciation if he deserves it.

I added Jackie to the saying above since women should be included also and be given credit or honor for the good they do for others. I guess his jacket came from the olden days when a person recognized as deserving of honor was given a cape or a special garment in appreciation of his service.

“Not taking people for granted”

In our modern world and in some cultures people are often taken for granted, or judged by what they look like, their race or ethnicity, the kind of work they do, popularity or celebrity status. Even a person’s capabilities seem to be judged by his race or culture. When in reality there are millions of ordinary men and women working hard on our behalf the human race (people are basically all just people) everyday whom are never given a thought or a word of thanks for their contribution to all of us.

Think about all the millions of doctors specializing in various health fields, nurses, hospital technicians, paramedics, firefighters, police-officers, teachers, and so many other professional “Servants” whom are working day and night to keep us alive and the world functioning as it is.

And we can’t overlook those who are doing the less glamorous jobs, such as farmers, carpenters, butchers, factory workers, and the dirty workers: the Garbage Collectors, Street Sweepers, Construction workers, plumbers, Sewage Cleaners and so many other humble men and women working on behalf of the human race everyday. (people are basically all just people)

How many times do all these Jacks and Jackie’s get their jacket, a thank you or a word of appreciation for their hard work? Sometimes never, they are just taken for granted, and often look down upon for the kind of jobs they do. We need all these kinds of people to keep us alive, healthy and well fed.

“Showing appreciation for all those working behind the scenes”

You noticed at the end of every movie we see a long list of credits to all the workers whom have contributed to that movie, the Writers, Producers, Directors, Editors, Hairdressers, Carpenters, Make-Up Artists, Stage Hands, Stage Managers, Set Designers, Graphic-Designers, Cameramen, and so many thousands of people all worked to make that movie a success.

Still as soon as the movie finishes people get up and start leaving never even taken the time to glance at the moving screen of names or to read the credits, to give thanks for all those workers behind the scene whom have made that movie enjoyable for them to watch. They give a whole lot of credit and glory to the Actors and they become their Idols, but the workers whom really did most of the hard work nobody even took the time to read their names and say “Thanks for a Wonderful Show or Movie”.

Do you ever think about all the other people behind the scenes that are making it possible for us to see when it is dark, or to watch TV? I like the slogan one Electric Company used in a TV ad years ago: “We will keep the lights on for you”. It drove home the point that there are real people working to keep our lights and air conditioners working.

Especially during the last heat wave in New York City just a week ago, there was a black-out in some areas and I saw some of those Con Ed (The Electric Company serving most of New York) men digging up the sidewalk in that hot sweltering heat to find and fix some pipes that had caused the black-out in the neighborhood. They worked hard, those guys were wet from heat induced perspiration but they worked until they got that problem fixed and people could get their lights and air conditioners back again.

I went out on the sidewalk and I personally thank them for their hard work, while some people complained about the heat inside their homes, but hardly even give thought to the hard working men in that 103 degrees hot sun working so hard to keep them cool again. Did anyone else tell them “Thank You?” I hope so.

“During the last heat wave did you think about all those whom had to work outdoors, working on our behalf?”

There are so many jobs that require working outdoors whether it is hot or freezing cold. All these people need our show of appreciation. Take for instance our Postal Delivery men and women. In my neighborhood most of them are young women. In New York City they actually walk from house to house or apartment building to the next.

I saw my Postal delivery girl in that heat last week going from house to house, and I commended her jokingly telling her she can take that job and shove it, it is one that I don’t envy.

I can just imagine how much they have to endure everyday, in the hot burning sun is something I don’t think I can do. These Jackie’s sure deserve their jackets of appreciation for bringing our mail directly to us whether it is hot, icy cold, raining or snowing.

And what about our Fire-fighters? I think New York City have some of the best and fastest Fire fighters in the Country. Well, I shouldn’t say so since I haven’t live in other cities, but from my experience they get to the spot even before you can hang up the phone.

One night my Carbon Monoxide Alarm starting beeping during the night. Not knowing what to do since it had never beeped before and it shouldn’t unless there is carbon monoxide in the air, I quickly called 911, and before I could practically hang up the phone there were about 5 or 6 firefighters standing at my door.

Before they even stepped in they told me their detector had not found any gas in the air, but to still make me feel at ease, they examined every room, and the alarm itself, and the problem was that I had not changed the batteries for more than six months, so now I make sure to keep my alarm batteries up to date.

And just a few weeks ago there was a fire in my building, one floor below me that caused such an uproar in the building. Those Fire-Fighters were there in less than no time, about 4 trucks full of them, you would think the whole block was on fire, so many of them showed up. They worked all afternoon in putting that fir e out.

These loyal men, somebody’s Father, Husband, Uncle, Son, Nephew or Friend risk their lives everyday to save others, and how many people really think about thanking them? After that fire in my building the floors were full of water and my apartment smelled of smoke for days after, but I personally thank them for saving our lives as they were getting ready to leave the building. These Jacks sure deserved their jackets.

“Show appreciation by not knocking someone down that is trying to stand up!”

At the library earlier this week, there was a young black man probably in his late twenties, sitting in a motorized wheelchair and moving himself around. I was staring at him and wondering what happened to him that caused him to end up in a wheelchair so young. I thought he had gotten shot and ended up being paralyzed. He asked me to put some books in his bag that was hanging in the back of his wheelchair since he couldn’t reach the bag.

As I was putting the books in his bag, I asked him the question on my mind, what happened to him? He said he had three heart attacks, and the last heart attack he was dead for 7 minutes before the doctors revived him. “Heart attacks so young” I exclaimed. He said his heart was ruptured by a small sewing needle that was on his bed without his knowing it, and when he rolled over it pierced his flesh right into his heart and caused a hernia which resulted in the attacks.

I was shocked, I would never have thought that a needle that small could cause such damage, and it made me even more cautious when sewing to not drop needles anywhere on my bed since I love to sit in bed and do needle work.

This young man had such a miraculous story to tell, he said next week he will be at the library again and will tell me more of his story. But in the meantime he is working on writing a book of short stories, but has met a lot of obstacles and not sure if he will succeed in getting it published.

I told him I fully understand the obstacles and struggles he will encounter in trying to convince people out there that he is capable of writing. I know how much he will be discriminated against as a black man, a disabled one at that since the general perception in the USA is that black people don’t read much less capable of writing a book.

That may be true of some black people in the USA, their attitude and views on education and certain professional skills is different that black people in other countries such as Europe, Africa and the Caribbean, and has contributed to stereo-typing all as the same and in being victims of discrimination. (about stereo-typing people see post on: Avoiding and Dealing with Disappointments)

I knew that was the way I was treated in New York after finishing Design school and looking for a job in the Design and Advertising Field. I had been on some interviews and some people even didn’t take the time to look at my Portfolio of work once they saw that I was a colored girl. (over the phone with my last name and accent they thought maybe I was White European, it didn’t matter that I was part European of mixed race, in America they only see two colors, black and white).(see post: What Color, Shape or Size is really Beauty and Happy?)

But then when I walked into their studios or offices I wasn’t qualify anymore because I look different than they expected, even though I had graduated with all A’s and B’s from one of New York’s Best Art Schools. My Portfolio of work would have proven to them that I could do the job. That is what is called outright prejudice! Pre-judging someone without taken the time to know if they are capable or not.

So many times I was knocked down even before I had a chance to stand up. My father told me to use my creative talent in working for myself or producing my own products, which I started with my Greeting Cards Design and Writing. But it is very hard trying to start anything on your own without capital and support. Other things I would love to do I don’t have the money to develop yet.

“Some people will never give Jack or Jackie their jacket, no matter how much they deserve it.”

But then again even with showing the greeting cards to store owners, I came across the same surprise look and questioning: “Did you really do all these yourself?” “Did you really write the inside messages and choose the categories of cards for different occasions yourself?” I got them in some greeting card stores, while the majority found some excuse to not let me put them in. One store Owner only wanted blank cards since he didn’t trust my ability to write the inside messages.

Since I loved writing I decided to write an online magazine or what we now call Blogs for all people, no matter what nationality, race (I only believe in one race, the human race) (see previous post: People are basically are just people) or cultural group, and started this Blog two years ago.

I get a lot of appreciative comments from most readers, but there are still some comments from others asking me the same questions as to my ability to design and write, questions such as: “Did you really choose and designed the theme yourself?” Are you really the writer of all these different posts?” Or some would say: “Nice Blog, is it yours to?”

Yes, to all those questions. Besides being a Graphic Designer, I am also a Web Designer and I designed this website myself. I don’t permit any guest writers, so I am the only one writing here.  That is my own picture in the heading which I took with a self-timer camera.  And the background picture is a scene from St. Maarten where I came from and I also took that myself.

And another question I am getting quite often now is: “Can I put part of this info on my Blog if I put a reference to your Site?” Yes, as long as it is only a part of a post, and not being written as your own, and there is a link to my site as the original writer. Otherwise anyone doing so can say they are the original writers and I stole their info. I find that question quite interesting since some people that probably thought I couldn’t write would want a potion of my articles on their own sites!

These are my own original work and it is copyrighted, so no one is allowed to copy the material and treat it as their own, take the credit for themselves, and later say that I steal it from them.

“Don’t let other people keep you down, it only takes one person to pick you up”

I know there are a lot of capable talented people out there whom are letting others cause them to stop trying anything. Don’t let them stop you if you’re one of those whom feel it is no use trying. (See post: Courageously putting your heart into it your body will follow) If you’re a Jack or Jackie of any culture or ethnicity and you think you deserve your jacket, by all means keep doing what you love and want to do.

Somebody will notice and extend a helping hand. All it takes most of the time is just one person. Many people like Oprah Winfrey and others got where they are today through one person giving them a job, or a opportunity to succeed. One person gave them their jacket and they in turn have been a positive force in the life of millions around the world.

So I look forward to speaking to that paralyzed young black man in his motorized wheelchair in the library next week, and if I can help him find a publisher whom might give him a chance at publishing his book, then I certainly will. Who knows how many people he might be able to motivate with his story?

And for all the Jacks and Jackie’s out there, the hardworking men and women of the human race, no matter how great or small your job is, if you’re doing something to serve or benefit your fellowman, thank you very much for you contribution toward Society, and keep wearing your Jacket well, you deserve it!

Written and designed by Glenda Brill (C)

Posted in Encouragement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How Some People Are Kicking The Economy To The Curb, Creating Work And Making Money

Posted on August 31, 2011 by giggling

During one of the extremely steamy hot summer days we had here in New York City a couple of weeks ago, (*I started writing this around the beginning of August but then my computer broke down and I had to write small potions of this post and saved it on my flash drive from the Public Library. Since they don’t allow to much time to write a long story all at once, it took this long to finally put it on the Blog and I apologize for publishing it only now).

I was walking down a residential street to the next avenue to my favorite Fruit and Vegetables Shop. I noticed two little Jewish girls (this area where I was walking and going to shop is made up of all Jews, mostly European immigrants) sitting in front of the sidewalk on the inside area of their walkway.

There was a stoop from their walkway going down to the sidewalk, and they were sitting on the stoop, and in front of them they had a complete counter set up with jars, cups etc. At first I thought they were playing, but then as I was passing one of the little girls called out to me: “Would you like a cup of ice cold lemonade on this hot day?”

Surprised I responded: “Are you girls really in business?” “Oh yes, responded the youngest one (these children could be no older than 8 and 10 years old) you can have a large cup for 50 cents and a small one for 25 cents.” We also have small snack bags of popcorn for 25 cents. A real little sales lady!

“Are you making any money selling lemonade and popcorn so cheap?” I exclaimed. “We are making a lot, a lot of money”, responded the youngest one grinning from ear to ear. The innocence of children is so funny, I just had to smile. They were so cute and sincere, even if they made just $5 a day when paid in coins to a child that was a lot of money!

Even young children can be taught the value of work by serving people and earning a living

Nobody could resist buying lemonade from these sweet little children, with such sincerity, such low prices, and on a hot steaming summer day. One large cup of lemonade for just 50 cents was not even enough to quench my thirst. And if you eat the popcorn in between it made you drink more lemonade. It took 3 large cups for me to get enough of this delicious cold drink. So from one person they made $1.75 for 3 large cups of lemonade and a small bag of popcorn.

Wow these children were smart! Now I understood how they could make some really good money. By pricing their products so low, and offering two contradictory products at the same time, (the popcorn made you drink more lemonade), and if just 20 people (they probably sold more since they were so close to the big shopping avenue where I was going) bought 3 cups or more of lemonade and 2 bags of popcorn for $2.00 each that is $40,-.

If they did this a couple of hours each day at high noon just as they were selling that day they made up to $200 or more in a week. That little girl was right when she said they were making a lot of money, since some people working for medium wage may not even make that much in a week.

Have to give credit to their parents for teaching them so young that earning an honest living comes from work by serving the needs of people. The same my father taught me and my siblings when we were young, by letting us help him work in his store as children. (See previous post: Memoirs of a Wonderful Beloved Father).

Seeing a need and filling it!

And this is the key to creating work and making money. What would sell real fast on a steaming hot summer day like a real ice cold drink? I remember when Donald Trump started his reality show the “Apprentice” several years ago, this was one of the very first assignments he gave his applicants. They were organized into teams and were to sell lemonade around Central Park in the midst of New York City during the hot summer days. Which ever team sold and made the most money, were the winners.

These applicants were all college educated young men and women, and it seemed like such a simple thing for them to be given to do by one of the richest businessmen in New York City, sell lemonade on the street to anyone passing by their lemonade stands.

I am sure a lot of them had to swallow their pride (See previous post: Swallowing Pride While digesting the brain), but they did it and sold and made a lot of money. The lesson learned was making money comes from seeing what is needed, creating work while filling that need by serving your fellowman, and if you can sell such a simple thing, you can sell anything else!

What are some of the needs people have?

So if some of us are unemployed and can’t find a job, instead of folding our hands, standing in the unemployment or welfare line waiting for that check, or just waiting for the President to create jobs (It is impossible for the President to create a job for everyone that is looking for work. First he is only a man, he cannot make some people work at a job they don’t want,  and he cannot fill the desire of every person whom demands it).

We are responsible for creating our own livelihood, each one of us know what we love and want to do, we can look around and see what is needed and create work. Every human being needs basically the same things: A Home, Food, Drink, Clothes, Shoes, Soap, detergent, toilet paper, hair care & products, skincare products, handbags, and you can probably think of some others. (Previous post: People are basically all just people)

Learning from the immigrants to the USA

If you walk through the Streets and Avenues of Brooklyn, and Manhattan, and probably the rest of New York City, but I am not to familiar with the other boroughs, you would hardly believe that anyone is unemployed or that there is a recession. All you see is a hub of people working and providing services and products of every conceivable kind to their fellowman.

Brooklyn especially has been called the melting pot of the world, people from nearly every Caribbean island in existence can be found here. (I haven’t met anyone yet from the Dutch-French Caribbean like myself) I sometimes wonder if there is anyone left in Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, Dominican Republic and so many of those islands.

Then there are people from Mexico, every part of South America, every nation of Africa, also Europeans, Arabs, Egyptians, Koreans, Indians, Chinese, Jews, you name the country you can find them here. I am usually shocked when I meet a real American born from American parents and didn’t come from somewhere else.

But one thing is very obvious they are working at their own created jobs. Knowing that all women are concerned about their hair especially black women, these women saw that need, got the necessary training and are filling it and making good money! On nearly every block you can find Hair Dressers and Stylists, also Barber Shops owned by Caribbean and African women and men, and they are always packed with customers having their hair done.

Nail Salons, Fruit and Vegetables Stands by the Koreans, the Arabs and Indians own their own 99 cents and discount stores, selling real nice stuff for 99 cents or a little more. The Mexicans do all the heavy stacking at the various Korean Fruit Stands, Supermarkets and some own their own Fish Markets.

In the Jewish area made up of many immigrants from Russia, Poland and the Ukraine again busy in their own businesses providing fine European clothes, bags and other products and services to the community.

Also many Stores carry products especially for Babies’, Children Clothes, Shoes, Toys and products for mothers with young children. All these Jewish Families have babies and young children, so again we see why these small businesses succeed, they saw a need and filled it, creating work and jobs.

Just recently a group of young Caribbean girls opened up a Spa Center, where they also sell other stuff for women such as fabulous jewelry, skincare products and shoes. Their window showcase is so beautifully decorated that every time I pass by their center it is hard not to go in. And that is exactly what has been happening, they are always crowded with women shopping and having something done.

Turning Crushing Stones Into Building Blocks

Losing your job can be a real blow, like stones crushing your spirit and hopes. But you can use those stones and turn them into building blocks to do what you really love and want to do. A couple of young West Indian women had jobs in corporate New York, but lost them, and started their own Bakery Shop providing fresh baked bread to their fellow man.

They have done so well that they have a storefront with employees helping them sell. Others started their own restaurants providing something different from their island for their neighbors. I have seen a lot of new restaurants and unique bakery goods (called “Bake Shops” by West Indian immigrants) storefronts opened up just within the last year alone.

One other young black woman I know worked in Corporate New York City as a Product Developer for a national company in their marketing division. She lost her job, and since she loved baking her own natural chocolate cookies she baked a batch of them in her own kitchen, asked the Supermarket in the neighborhood to let her demo them to customers for them to try and see how they will sell.

The response was great, now she has her own line of natural chocolate cookies, she recently also got her own commercial kitchen with more ovens, her cookies are professionally packaged and labeled and already on the shelves of one of the Big Supermarkets in Brooklyn. A well known Whole foods store in Manhattan (New York City) also carries her cookies. She recently told me that she is expanding into more stores, and looking to hire other people to help her.

And with the holidays coming up she is preparing for a lot of orders coming in. Her cookies are delicious, she adds different stuff like pretzels, and nuts to them, and packaged them in different sizes. These are indeed great examples on how to turn a crushing stone into a building block for your own business. She loves what she is doing and will probably never go back to a corporate job again!

If she gets her chocolate cookies into Supermarkets and other whole food stores across the USA, then she certainly don’t need a job working for any company again but her own. Isn’t this how all the now Big million dollar Businesses like McDonalds, Aunt Jemima Pancake Mixes, and all those other food products we take off the shelves in stores got their start?

All started with just one man or woman with an idea and the desire to work and serve the needs of their fellowman!

So the next time you buy some real delicious natural chocolate cookies in your Local Supermarket you might be eating the product produced by a local young black woman from Brooklyn New York originally started in her own kitchen. These are just some people that I personally know but there might be so many others that are already doing this we may not even know who is behind some of the products we get in stores.

Others are providing services for children and seniors, such as being a Nanny, or Senior Caretaker, Companion to the Elderly, Baby Nurse for working professionals whom need such services, Tutoring, so many ways these immigrants are creating work and making money.

One lady from the island of Trinidad worked for several years as a Senior Care Companion, and she made enough money and bought herself a beautiful house. She has achieved the American Dream by providing a simple job that is needed by Seniors. They came to the USA to work, and they will work at whatever is needed to be employed and make a living. Then there are the:

Sidewalk Vendors, literally kicking the economy to the curb!

Selling on the Streets or sidewalks is very common in most other countries, so most of these immigrants just bring their customs or work ethics with them.  Those that cannot afford a storefront, just use the sidewalks. I believe a vendor needs a special license to sell this way, but a whole lot of them are making money selling on the sidewalk, literally kicking the economy to the curb.

It is a real experience and joy to walk along the avenues and browse the different tables and stands of sidewalk vendors. These again are mostly immigrants, selling everything you can think on, from Coconuts, to sugarcane, yes they will actually chop open a coconut and let you drink the juice and take the shell with the inside meat home.

You can also get real sugarcane, cut according to the size piece you want. Walk down to a different table and try the different mango chutneys. These sidewalk vendors are made up of all kinds of ages from preteens to the elderly all working and serving the needs of their fellowman.

Again I came across two young Jamaican boys, no older than 12 and 14 years old, with their own Ice Cone Table. They set up shop right outside their parents Health food Store also Jamaicans, and they were selling Ice Cones, which is shaved or crushed ice in a cup. The customer then chooses what kind of flavor they want pour over this shaved ice.

They had large containers of different fruit flavors consisting of strawberry, coconut, vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, etc. So anyone can buy a cup of shaved ice and have any one of the above flavors pour over it for only $1 a cup. Similar to the little Jewish girls mentioned at the beginning this again was an excellent way to make money during the hot summer days! And they were, because their table was always surrounded by people buying their Ice Cones!

But it is not only food and drink, you can find the real raw Shea Butter which is one of the best skin and hair moisturizers in the world directly from Africa.

There are young women selling their own handmade very beautiful unique earrings, creative handbags, slippers, men selling the latest DVD’s, CD’s, Books, new and used, socks, neckties, Tee shirts, perfumed oils, candles, soaps, fruits and vegetables.

It is amazing what these sidewalk vendors sell, and they can sell their stuff real cheap since there is no overhead expense like owning a store and paying rent.

Therefore like the little girls mentioned at the beginning they get more sales because people buy more when they find a good bargain. One lady I met didn’t yet have a license to set up a table on the sidewalk, but she was walking along the sidewalks, selling beautiful ladies’ handbags from her shopping cart.

A regular rolling shopping cart filled with ladies’ handbags, which she bought at a discount (for wholesale stuff, see website: www.payjusthalf.com, at check-out in the Discount Box add LC28796) and were selling them at marked up prices, but still much lower than a store.

When I later saw her again, I was surprised she had sold every one of those handbags just rolling her cart up and down the sidewalk. She said she made $500 in a few hours from those one shopping cart sales of handbags! Some people even don’t make $500 in a week. Can you imagine how much she makes per week selling different stuff this way?

Creating your own job, or work might be the only way to go these days.

So whom are the ones standing in the unemployment lines according to the news reports we keep hearing? Whom are the ones waiting for the President to give them a job? From the examples above, can we really say there is no work in the USA?

If immigrants can find ways to create jobs, and make money and even buy their own homes in the USA, why are Americans blaming the President and complaining about the economy and the recession?

Remember he also encouraged people to start their own small businesses because this will be the fastest way to build back our economy. The immigrants are listening and doing so in whatever way they can.

Each one of us has to do our own part to fix our economy. Creating your own job, or work might be the only way to go these days. Can’t sit back and hope for someone else to give you a job. Wherever you live, in every state or small town, look around and see what is needed, a product, a service, we all have talents and skills that can be used to serve other people.

You have something I need, I buy it from you, I provide a service you need you buy it from me. (For wholesale stuff at half price check out this website: www.payjusthalf.com at check-out in the Discount Box Add LC28796)

Keep money flowing from one to the other so no one will be without, there will be no more poor getting poorer and no more only the rich getting richer

This is what I also noticed among the sidewalk vendors, they help each other, one offers something the other needs, so they buy it, the other whom is buying also have a product his seller needs, so he sells that, and so we keep money flowing from one to the other, helping each other and paying our taxes which will help the economy.

And if pride is a problem in providing some services or products then tell me which is more humiliating, to stand in a unemployment or welfare line, or to stand on the sidewalk, if that is what you have to do to get started and sell great products or services? I think the first is much more demeaning than the second choice! (See again previous post: Swallowing pride, while digesting the brain).

When you see a need for a product or service, fill that need, creating your own work and making your own money. If two little Jewish girls, and those two young Jamaican boys could do so, being just children, then anyone else especially an adult can do the same. Yes, folks it is possible to kick the economy to the curb, learn from the many examples mentioned above.

**pictures used on this Blog are from a Stock Photography Company, unless otherwise taken by myself or my own illustrations.

Written and Illustrated by Glenda Brill ©

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Remembering not to forget the little things of today

Posted on September 20, 2011 by giggling

I love going to the public Library just around the corner, sometimes just to relax and read, do research, or use their computers when my own was broken.  But this branch of the library that I sometimes go to is mostly crowded with young children. There is a special section with computers for them to use, and after school it seems like all the young children in the neighborhood just flock to the library so they can play games and browse whatever they want on the computers.

During summer break these children spend all day at the library just sitting in front of a computer playing games or browsing the internet. And now that school began they come directly from there to the library and will spend all afternoon until closing time until 8 pm on some nights doing the same thing.

All this without any supervision from the librarian or parents. “Do their parents or parent if from a single family home even know where they are and what they are doing?” I often asked myself. No doubt their parents have to work to provide for their families, which they will say they need food, clothes, a place to sleep and to save for their education tomorrow.

So they spend all their time providing these needs for their children and worrying about their future, but what about today? Do they even spend enough time with them to even get to know them now as they are growing?

How can they get to know their children if all their time is spent at work all day, the children are at school, and after school they are alone somewhere, or at the library looking at things on the internet they probably shouldn’t? Shouldn’t these children be reading something educational or brain stimulating instead?

And why aren’t their parents concerned as to what kind of games they are playing online or what sites they are browsing? And because of hardly any activity some of these kids are overweight. What happened to the time when children used to run, jump, and play ball or other types of games that involve moving around? Are computers now their new babysitters?

It is such a privilege to have children, to see their first smile, their first steps, the first time they start running and talking, the first time they put their little soft hands around your neck, and even their first facial expressions when they dislike a certain food.

Even though I don’t have any children I know all this because I worked as a Nanny for a few years and took care of different ages children, from babies up until age ten. I was also the oldest of 8 children and helped my mother with my younger siblings. All these are little things that can bring so much joy to parents.

And they are worth cherishing because they are temporary. Children grow up so fast and a parent can miss out on so much joy by not being around or spending time with them.

The children also miss out on developing the kind of love, good qualities, and manners that parents are supposed to teach them.

Then when something happened to them after they are grown up then their parents start remembering some of the little things the child used to do when little and how much they missed out on. Then it is too late to let them know how much you appreciate them, or what they did.

This experience comes from a true story I read several years ago about how a father felt because he never took time to give his only little daughter the attention she needed. He was always to busy with financial matters preparing for her future, while ignoring her needs at the time. After a terrible car accident that took his little girls life, all he could remembered was not the many important things he worked hard for, the house, the car, or the many plans he made over the years.

But it was the simple things he barely noticed or took for granted. The way his little girls’ hand touched his, her little pleading eyes when she wanted something, the hopeful inflection in her voice. It was one evening in particular before that accident that kept coming back to his mind.

He was a businessman and had brought home from his office a draft of the annual stockholders’ report. It was important to his families’ future. While he was sitting reading this report his little girl came into the room with a new Fairy tale book. Holding the book up she said: “Look Daddy, will you read me a story in it?” Without taking his eyes off of the Stockholders’ Report he was reading he answered: “No dear, not just now”.

But Mary just stood there still holding the book up while her Daddy continued reading his report. Then she said: “But Mummy said you probably would Daddy?” He looked up “I’m sorry”, he answered,  “Maybe Mummy will read it to you. I am busy dear”.

“No” Mary said politely, “Mummy is much busier upstairs. Won’t you at least read me just one short story?” “Some other time” responded her father again.

*(see bottom of this post on how you can order personalized educational books for your child or children. These are keepsake Books that make the child the STAR of the stories they read, and make reading more enjoyable and educational for them. They also make great gifts that grandparents, Aunts, Uncles or other family members can give to the children in their families).

Mary kept standing for a while, silent as she opened the book to a lovely picture. It was a long time before she said anything while her father continued reading his report about the shifts in markets, and plans for meeting these economic problems. “But Daddy”, she pleaded “the stories look so exciting can you just read me one short story please?.” Again her father responded while not taking his eyes off of his Stockholder’s Report: “Some other time, run along”.

With those words Mary put the book down at her father’s feet, dejected that he couldn’t take just a few minutes to read her one short story from her favorite book. “Sure”, he said, “Sure I will do so later”. But later never came. And this was what this father was remembering those words of his little girl when her tiny fingers touched his hand and she put the book down at his feet and said: “Just read it to yourself, only read it loud enough so I can hear”.

And before he left to go to his daughter’s funeral, he forgot for a while his anger for the drunken driver whom struck his little girl and killed her, and whom was now in jail.

He picked up the book, turning to a beautiful picture he started reading out loud, imagining that Mary could hear him. But ofcourse she couldn’t, she was dead.

At the time she meant for him to read the story loud enough so she could hear him upstairs in her room. But he was too busy to even do so then. Now, when she was dead he did, but too late! Reading the Stockholders’ Report was more important than reading his little girl a story, because that is the way he could see how the economy was going and provide better for his family’s future.

But the most important person that was sup posed to be in that future was dead. Isn’t that sad? Parents beco me so busy providing for their families future, sometimes while ignoring them while they are here now!

Like those children at the library everyday, so much time is being lost without any parental interaction, so many little precious moments passes for both parents and children alike. They need you now, nobody knows for sure exactly what the future will bring, the little things today is what matters.

In my next post I will write more on how everybody can find peace of mind in the little things around us each day.

Written and Illustrated by: Glenda Brill (C)

*I do personalized Educational Books for young children. These are great keepsake books that make the child the STAR of the stories they love. Each book can be completely personalized with the child or children’s names, parents, friends, pets, school names etc.

Click on the link below to see the different titles of the books that can be personalized. Fill in the required information and send to me via email attachment to my email at: adnelgb@yahoo.com, or if paying by check or Money-Order to the address on the order-form.

Create-A-Book Description and order form

 


If having trouble paying or putting the order through after clicking the above button please contact me via email and let me know.

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Little Things That Can Help Us Cope With Mind Disturbing Big Problems

Posted on September 30, 2011 by giggling
This post is a follow-up to the previous one elaborating more on how all of us can find peace of mind in the little things around us each day.

Even those of us that have no children can learn something from the previous post on Remembering not to forget the little things of today. We hear and read  so much about people suffering from anxiety, from depression, or mental problems caused by their fear of the future,  the economy, or by everyday stresses.  Some turn to different ways to calm down, drugs, alcohol, yoga and other ways.

But there are so many little things we have everyday around us that can do so much to bring us peace of mind. Things in nature like animals, birds, plants etc. Have you ever wondered why all these little creatures are here? They were created for our enjoyment and benefit.

They give us the opportunity to care, to focus our minds on something else, and give of ourselves which bring our life purpose and is the key to happiness.

Living in New York I didn’t expect to find so many birds in the city. Right in the midst of Manhattan there are pigeons freely flying around and sitting on roof tops looking at what’s going on.

Walking on the sidewalks under the trees in my neighborhood there are other types of birds, I don’t know their names but you can hear them chirping outside my window in the morning, and see so many of these birds flying and hopping around on the ground looking for food. Thousands of them, people put out bread and other goodies for them to eat.

These are out little winged neighbors that some people take for granted, that can be a source of deviation from the everyday stresses of life.

So every now and then when I have left over rice, bread, muffins, or other grains, I go out and put these eatables under the trees for the birds to eat.

Then stand at a distance and see how many of them swoop down to try out their new dish. They will eat anything people eat, I see some of them eating even chicken that the neighbors put out for them.

Also the squirrels come and try to get their share. There are also tons of squirrels in the City. You see them with their bushy tails climbing with lightning speed up the trunks of trees, playfully sneaking around to see who will be the first one to get the food that the neighbors leave under the trees for them and the birds.

Some of them come so close by sitting outside on my window sill, curiously looking inside as if to ask me how I am doing.

They have no concerns or problems in the world, they lead a worry free life with no fear of life’s problems, or of the future, and seem to have a built in trust in their Creator.

I learned to appreciate what Jesus said when he said not to worry about the necessities of life or the future.

He pointed to the birds, how carefree and well clothed they were, telling us that if God takes care of the birds, and knows every single one of them that falls to the ground, then he cares and will do even more so for people, because people are more precious than birds. (See previous post: Some ways to stop worrying about worrying)

Also many people now own dogs and cats as pets. Pets can be a source of comfort for those going through different kinds of stress, such as the lost of a loved one, the very lonely, or the elderly. They fill the inherent need to care for something, which brings a measure of happiness. (See previous post: Keeping Up with the Bitches).

It seems like nearly everybody in my neighborhood have dogs. You see young women as well as men walking their dogs everyday, another little thing that can bring some peace of mind from everyday stress, and another reason to think on something other than our own problems.

One of my neighbors has become so much happier since he got a little dog. He hardly goes out anymore alone, unless he is walking his dog. He is so much calmer and contented, nothing seem to bother him as much and so is his little dog, the happiest dog I ever met.


Other things that can calm us down is the taking care of plants or if you have the room for it, a garden. (see previous post on : House plants behaving like people) That is one thing I also find to be personally very comforting.

I have an indoor garden on all my window sills, and it is so fulfilling to take care of these plants every week or just by looking at their beauty. It is also relaxing to see them sprout new leaves or flowers. And if you live in the country, on a farm, or the suburbs then you can enjoy the soothing sounds of nature or animals if there are such around.

Another great mind calming past time is going to the Zoo if you can and just spending time looking at the animals, especially the Monkeys. These will keep you cracking up with laughter with their silly tactics and even their facial expressions.

Another good stress buster is fishing if you can get to a place where you can do so. At the same time it produces a lot of excitement when you catch your first fish and the joy of eating it later.

I remember when I last visited my small country of St. Maarten in the Caribbean,  I heard crickets singing while I was going to sleep. I was so excited because I had never heard crickets at night in New York, maybe there are some in the city just the other noises drown them out.

But in the still of night back home the clear singing of the crickets like lullaby’s soothed me right into restful sleep. And then at the dawn of the next morning I was awakened by the welcome crowing of the roosters wishing me a Good Morning and another Happy New Day.

And every night and every morning I looked forward to hearing the crickets and the crowing of the roosters while on vacation. When I told my sisters how happy it felt to hear the crickets and roosters again, they asked: “What crickets and roosters?”

They had become so accustomed to these little things everyday that they took them for granted,and were more concentrated on their everyday routine of making a living instead.


And that is the problem with most people no matter where we live. There are so many little things around us everyday that can help relieve us from the mind boggling concerns in life, but we take them for granted. We all heard the expressions make time to smell the roses.

We become so concerned about our problems or making a living, we even don’t see, hear or smell these little things anymore, which is so vital for our well-being and happiness.

But they are ever present silently testifying to their problem free life, their contentment, freedom from stress, and inspiring us to be the same. (See post on Flowers, silent whisperer of love and work productivity)

But the most important little things are the ge stures from other people, their love, smiles, kisses, concern, head nods, helpfulness, hugs, handshakes, support, applause, encouragement, their thank yous’, the little things people do for each other, or say to each other are the most important things in life and these are what we should remember everyday.

When someone died, what are the first things that you remember about them? Was it how rich they were, how good looking or isn’t it mostly how they were as human beings, their love and concern for other people, their giving spirit etc.

(Ofcourse there are some people that are evil and leave bad memories behind, but these stand as examples of people we don’t want to be like).

So whether we have children or not, remember it is the little things that can help us cope with mind disturbing Big Problems. Whether they are animals, plants, flowers, birds, pets, sounds of nature, and most of all the little things we get or give to other people!

Written and illustrated by: Glenda Brill ©



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