There are numerous specific warning signs that should alert you, as an emergency first responder, and your family members to the fact that you are becoming a victim of your profession. These warning signs and associated problems never simply go away on their own. Instead, they progressively, insidiously, worsen over time if not corrected. You need to become self-aware, realize when you are displaying these danger signs, and then choose to proactively address the problem in a constructive way…

The current atmosphere seems charged with more negativity than positivity. The airwaves, newspapers, and online channels are rife with news of the coronavirus pandemic, violence, corruption, discrimination, a widening wealth gap, and an alarming rise in homelessness. And the invective spewed on social media is just one reflection of the troubling and destructive effect that we have collectively, albeit unconsciously, created by allowing this negativity to influence us- the emergence of an increasingly angry, fearful, disillusioned, and divided society. Yet, it is our individual choices in thought and deed that have created the negative state we are in today. Likewise, it is our individual efforts that can reverse that trend to create happier lives for ourselves and the collective whole.

A chalazion (sha-LAY-zee-on), is a cyst-like bump in the upper or lower eyelid due to a blocked meibomian (mī-ˈbō-mē-ən) gland. While chalazia (plural) and styes can look similar, they have different causes and characteristics. Styes (also called hordeolum), like chalazia, are characterized by a blocked oil gland; however, unlike chalazia, styes are caused by bacterial infections. This means that they almost always involve redness and soreness, and localized swelling in the eye, which is not typically the case with chalazia.

“Julian Schlossberg is a Broadway producer who has worked in the entertainment business for over fifty years. He is founder and owner of Jumer Productions, a film distribution company. For seven years he hosted a four-hour nationally syndicated radio program called “Movie Talk” on WMCA in New York and subsequently on WOR. He is currently producing WITNESSES TO THE 20TH CENTURY. These are some of his philosophies and various ideas for living in our society.”

Seventeen years ago, Dr. Stuart Eisendrath piloted research into the therapeutic effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on people experiencing clinical depression. Ever since, he has been helping those who struggle with depression dramatically improve their symptoms and quality of life by changing how they relate to their thoughts and feelings. In When Antidepressants Aren’t Enough: Harnessing the Power of Mindfulness to Alleviate Depression Dr. Eisendrath outlines an easy-to-implement MBCT program that has been scientifically proven in a National Institute of Health study to bring relief to chronic sufferers of depression

Many people have tried to sell me on the idea of meditating. Sometimes I try it, and have an incredible, refreshing experience. But usually, as I close my eyes and focus on my breathing, while I know that I’m supposed to be letting all thoughts go, more and more fly through my mind. Soon I have a laundry-list of “to-dos” in my head … and then my legs fall asleep. It’s all downhill from there…. www.themindunleashed.org

Missed an article? Here’s a quick round up of some of our favorites from this month! As always, we look forward to presenting you with up to date news and information about holistic events, health and well being from both the scientific and the spiritual perspectives, nutrition, vegan lifestyles, and more.

From the website www.animalspirit.org we read: We are delighted to announce a special storytime with Anna Breytenbach and Andrew Newman, co-authors of How Diablo became Spirit. Based on a true story, this wonderful tale for kids ages 5-12,tells of the difficult journey of Spirit the black leopard from his own point of view.