April 22 is Earth Day!

April 22 is Earth Day. It is the 40th anniversary. Why does this matter?
It should because this is your home; it's your family's, friends, pets home too. It's a place of beauty and amazing wonders. It's alive.
With all of the information that we have been receiving from scientists, naturalists, ecologists, and many more who care--this should be a day to be thankful for everything we have been able to enjoy that has been given to us by this magnificent planet. It's also a day that we should make a promise to start helping to clean it up and repair so many damages that we have done.
I don't know about you, but I hope that my children and their children are fortunate enough to continue to live here, breath clean air, drink clean water, and view the beauty that abounds on this planet.
Stop for a minute or two on this day, look around you and find something to appreciate.

Quit Smoking!

I was talking to a person very close to me the other day. She was telling me that when her husband goes back out on the road to do a job, she would like to try to quit smoking. I, of course, told her that would be wonderful. I quit 9 years ago. I smoked for 20 and at 3 am on January 1, 2000, I smoked my last one. I psyched myself up for a year before I did it. Every time I lit a cigarette, I would tell myself "one day soon you won't be doing this any more." I would concentrate on as much negative stuff about it that I could. I would notice that I smelled of smoke even with perfume on. I noticed how a cigarette in my hand only gave me one hand to use. I noticed how others felt (who didn't smoke) when the smokers always got to go on breaks at their jobs. I noticed my breath wasn't always pleasant. I noticed the money I was spending. I noticed my children watching me. I decided I'd had enough. So, I made a list of my reasons to quit and I concentrated on them all the time:
- Cigarette companies are making a profit on your addiction and impending ill health. You're
putting THEIR kids through college, feeding THEIR families, buying THEIR homes, cars,
jewels, etc.
-You're polluting the planet with the butts and you're polluting other people's lungs
-The government makes a profit from the taxes
-If you should suffer ill health due to smoking, YOU pay your bill or WE pay for your insurance
(Medicaid)
-You stink
-Your breath stinks
-You get more wrinkles
-You honestly look dumb; not glamorous or cool; especially when you're standing outside in the
rain or freezing cold because you can't smoke indoors
-You set a bad example for your kids
Figure out how much you spend a year on cigarettes (careful; it may shock you). What is something positive you could do with that money?
JUST QUIT--YOU'RE WORTH IT!!

Our World Has Got To Change!

Do you not agree with this?
Sometimes I wonder how many people really think about how things are going. Not just in their own lives, but for the world.
Things are so messed up in every single aspect: religion, economy, education, government, ecology, etc.
I am a person that tries to see the positive in every single thing that comes my way. I really do. But I will admit that it is getting more and more challenging by the day.
I do have faith that more of the world's people are starting to feel the same way. They know change must happen. There is a sense deep within our very essence that it WILL happen. But the question is how many will ALLOW it to happen without resistance?
I came across two documentaries made by a group of people that I feel honestly and deeply care about humanity as a whole. Nothing on their videos really surprised me because I have been aware of many of the changes that have been happening for the past almost 20 years, but I will admit that I had a jumble of emotions stir inside me while watching and listening to these videos. The strongest emotion I think I felt was that of relief. Why? Because to know that there was this huge group of people, putting information out there for all to see and hear that I had spinning in my head. I don't believe in coincidence so I know this information came into my possession for a reason---I had asked for it and apparently I was ready for it.
So, please, with an open mind, check out the two videos. If you think it just a lot of nonsense, ok. That's your choice. If you think it might be something to share, pass it along.
Go to this site: www.zeitgeistmovie.com and click on the one marked 'movie' first. Then click on the one marked 'addendum'. If you want to know more about the organization who made the videos, check out their web site: www.thezeitgeistmovement.com and click on their orientation presentation.
Even if you don't agree with everything you see and hear, I wouldn't be surprised if at least one bit of information got you to really start to think and want to work towards a better world for all.

We Need To Change The Way We Are Taxed!

I know I'm not the only one out there that believes the IRS is an extremely unfair entity that has been in business for way too long! Something is just not right about it. They bully people, scare people, threaten people. Seems like even our own government is afraid of them. Who are they really? What is the true story behind thier set up? Why do we continue to let them continue their ways?
Check out this link to a group of people who have some great ideas. Ideas that will make the taxing fair to everyone! Become a member of Fairtax.org.

American Jobs Staying In America

I'm all for everyone being able to get a job if they so choose, but I think that each country should first think about making sure jobs are available to their own countrymen (women) first. Our country is loaded with its own resources and intelligent and willing people to work. American businesses should STAY in AMERICA and hire AMERICAN people. Plain and simple. Just because a corporation can hire foreigners at a cheaper rate of pay shouldn't be a good enough reason to manufacture outside of this country nor should it be a reason to hire non-Americans. If our country happens to not have a product or a service needed, something that we cannot make or obtain within our own soil, then we either barter or buy. I think this issue is hitting pretty hard with a lot of people---whether they work or not. I will honestly tell you that it's very frustrating, for example; when I have a technical problem, say with my computer, and I need help, I will first email to the support team. The person assigned to my situation will be from another country (usually India). I will then explain my situation. The reply I receive will usually not help. I am going through this right now. I emailed back and forth with this person with no results whatsoever. So, today I call the tech. support. I can barely understand the person helping me. I tell him the problem; he then goes on to tell me that the company now has a tech. support team, from the USA that for a charge of $149.00 year will allow me to get my own personal technician! OMG! I have full warranty on my computer--shouldn't tech. support be a part of that (I'm just asking for verbal help). And since I am from America, shouldn't I have American help without having to be charged for it? I just don't get it. Needless to say, I may not be buying products from this company again. We need to look after each other. Our country was strong and was independent. Sometimes it just seems like it and everyone in it is up for sale. Working WITH other countries is a good thing, but outsourcing jobs is not. Any product that is not made IN the USA should not be allowed to say it was. We should do our best to buy only USA made products--it has to start somewhere to let the manufacturers know we are serious. Fixing this country is in our hands.

Promoting the Positive

Sadly, the majority of us 'allow' the media, through TV, newspapers, magazines, etc. to govern the way we feel, think, and believe. These information sources have also learned that the more negative news they have, the bigger the viewing. Is it any wonder then why this country is in such a mess? It's as though no one thinks for themselves anymore. Too many don't listen to their own inner sources. In my opinion, limiting the number of negative promoting media sources, and labeling them as such, while promoting positive media sources would be a good idea. This way everyone could still say what they wanted to say, but by informing the audience of the contents to be talked about or shown, it would give more free will to those that would like to have their brains saturated with positive instead of negative. It has been proven time and again that when our brains are stimulated with verbal information and shown images along with it, we will believe what we are hearing and seeing--even if it may not be true. The media has capitalized on spreading fear, insecurity, doubt, and many other forms of negativity throughout the world. For example: We know that the people in the Middle East feel hatred towards the Americans in large part due to the propaganda they are shown on TV and in their newspapers. Our own media then focuses the information sent out to us on their hatred towards us, which just keeps this vicious cycle going. Maybe, just maybe, if we started within our own country, to promote more positive information through printed, visual, and audio sources, then this sense of "good feelings" will spread throughout the world. How could it not? Can you just imagine how wonderful it would be to live in a country where more people have positive outlooks on life? Who would you rather be in a conversation with--someone who was complaining, whining, or arguing--or someone who was happy, content, and optimistic? We've been so bombarded with the negative that it feels like that's how we are 'supposed' to be. If we happen to be having a good day and everything is going right, we get nervous because we just 'know' something is going to happen to mess it up. And if an obstacle does appear, it's very easy to get depressed or angry and have the "I knew it" attitude. Obstacles will always enter our lives because if they did not, there would not be opportunities for us to grow. We'd stagnate. It's how we handle the obstacles that make all the difference. If we have a more positive attitude about ourselves and our lives, getting through those obstacles will be much easier. Emotions have a way of radiating out from us--personally, I'd much rather be 'infected' by a person who believes in finding the good in all than one who just can't see past the negative reality they have built for themselves. These people tend to drag as many others in with them, for it can be lonely living in sadness and fear. I understand that not everything that happens in this world, that maybe should be shared, is always positive. But I do think that there is a way to inform people of the event without so much drama or in-depth negativity. If people are interested in viewing or reading more about it, there would be specified networks, newspapers, etc. the public could access. For all others, state the event, then focus on the positive outcomes of it. Maybe it would be the love and support of the public. Or a wonderful idea to make something better, safer, cleaner, etc. This world is crying for change. The only way it's going to happen is with us, the people of the world. The United States has long been a leader for so many--let's take the lead now and promote the positive!

Where Are You Right Now?

With all that's going on within our country, or for that matter, within our world, it's very easy for us to wander into fear, despair, anger, and sadness. There are people losing their jobs, their homes, their possessions and some are losing their lives from stress or of their own choosing.
It can be challenging talking to these people who believe that there's no way out. No matter how positive you sound, or the helpful advice you offer, they just don't believe.
Emotions are very contagious. The media learned this a long time ago. They have been able to spread fear faster than any other source. Yet, we keep asking for more.
My suggestion is to just stop watching and listening. But then how are we supposed to know what's going on? Read. You have more choice this way as to how much you want exposed to your brain.
Our brains can only know what WE allow to be implanted. Once the information is in there, we then have a choice of believing it or not. Funny thing is, if we 'see' it while we 'hear' it, we most likely will believe it, positive or negative.
The media is able to provide the negativity and fear to a massive amount of people. These people are believing what they are seeing and hearing. The negative thoughts and beliefs are then manifested.
We need to live in the NOW. I know this sounds like hippy, zen stuff, but so what? Think about it. What do we all really have? We have the moment that is happening---right now. Maybe what's happening in your life isn't what you really want, but that's 'what is'. That's what you've got. If it's a joyous now, be grateful, rejoice. If it's not, be grateful, there's something to learn from it.
Look at whatever situation you are in at this present moment. Don't like it? What would an end result be that would make you happy? Do you see it? Can you feel the emotion with it? Good, concentrate on that and then in the meantime do what you can with your NOW. Find whatever you can to feel relief--whether it be a happy thought, an activity you enjoy, an exercise routine--whatever. Once you feel that emotion that is a little lighter than what you may have been feeling, then BELIEVE that things will only get better and all is well. When you believe it, your brain will believe it and your positive thoughts will manifest into positive things. Your joy will spread. As it spreads to the masses, the positive energy will create positive actions.
So, where are you right now?