All Things Anne Wondra

Stand tall

Inspiration from MaryAnne Radmacher.

Days are winged and my promise flies before me.

You are invited to stand up tall into the whole possibility of yourself and breathe out your wonder upon the world.,,,

We think we're not enough.  We compare ourselves to others and find ourself 'less than' and we get discouraged.  Or someone--often someone close that we look up to--asks "Who are you to think you have something worthwhile to offer?"  Or they tell you to 'face reality'...their description of reality; not your vision of it,  Words have power--to drain the life out of our dreams and imagination--or to fill them with life and give them wings.   Follow, honor that which fills you with energy and hope and pulls you forward...in spite of what others may say.  Creativity, callings, inspiration, and art come from within, a divine source, a deeper knowing.  Like attracts like; kindred spirits will feel recognition and be drawn to you.

I need to celebrate that I am fresher, stronger, renewed, reinvented, have chosen not to be gripped by my history, the hurt, the disloyalty, the lack of place--this bitterness would only lead to illness, to unproductive days.  Rather than say this is what I do not want, let me instead assert what I do want:  I want to embrace the holy opportunity of each moment.  I have to create new structures with  knowledge and foundation and focus.

I can be the woman I most admire.  All those qualities are within my grasp.  I can grow in strength and stature.  I can celebrate my quiet spirituality.  I can walk through fires and stand unharmed.  Because no one can damage my spirit without my permission. 

There is magic in the world; the unexpected and unexplained, universal surprises, miracles; people, places, and experiences; opportunities.  May your eyes see, your ears hear, your heart recognize, and your spirit be open to allowing.

 

There's a theme shaping up for 2010: Who were you meant to be? and Being who you were meant to be. From Oprah (November issue) to Starbucks (1: How many people does it take to make a difference?) to Michael Port's The Think Big Manifesto, to Marcus Buckingham's Find Your Strongest Life. Get inspired, energized.

Positive Music Month

November is Positive Music Month. 

Do you have a favorite positive artist? 

What and who are your favorite Positive Music songs and artists - Songs that inspire and empower you, that bring you up when you need a lift, that shift your perspective, and add to your sense of happiness and confidence and well being?  Here is more on Positive Music from Jana Stanfield.  Below are a couple of my favorites of hers.  Listen and Enjoy.   - Anne :)

 

 

Soul Friends - a guide to surviving the Pit

Is there somone you love who feels like they are in a "pit" right now?

A colleague, Nancy Nicholas, wrote and created this workbook.  I read it recently, and my first thought was that this is so very much needed right now.   I was only beginning and I had to drop Nancy a note.

Nancy – I’ve only made it to the ‘close your ears’ part and I’m lovin’ it already.  Your style, what you write, and how you write it, and the artwork too, are so easy to relate to.  You’re very gentle and reassuring and inviting of one to continue reading.  Very nice.  I’ll be continuing that reading….

 Here's where you'll find the Soul Friends Guide to Surviving the Pit.  Scroll down to the bottom until you find it.  I've copied the beginning of Nancy's description here.  The SAMPLE link does work on HER page. Check it out. 

Anne :) 

Soul Friends Guide to Surviving the Pit:  A Workbook for Surviving and Thriving Through Tough Life Changes
Looking for support as you move through a life transition?  Ready to discover your authentic self and learn to follow your bliss? This step by step guidebook was written to help fellow “Soul Friends” navigate life’s crises. It walks hand in hand with the reader sharing helpful tips and insightful messages to bring them out of the “pit” and back to peace and wholeness. Each step includes coaching activities to try on your own.  It also uses humor and cartoon illustrations to help the reader along this journey.  To read the introduction, see the table of contents and read the first step~ SAMPLE.  This will open an Adobe PDF sample from the e-workbook. ...

Prevent swine flu, by Dr. Vinay Goyal

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , etc.. Presently, he is heading the Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know.

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

 

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

 

 1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

 

 2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
   
 3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

 

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
 
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

New directions - Positive psychology

Read conference notes over breakfast.  The subject, Positive Psychology; one that is becoming more popular.

Positive Psychology

• Scientific focus on human strengths, rather than weaknesses
• Paradigm shift from pathology, victimology, and mental illness to positive emotion, virtue, and strength.
• Martin E. P. Siligman

James Milojkovic (www.KnowledgePassion.com) was the source.

The irony: those expected to be in the forefront of using positive psychology for its health and well being effects remain in the old paradigm of pathology and illness...health care institutions, health insurance, and fund raising related to health.  Listen to the words they use.  Listen to the words you use.

Change your words; change your thoughts; tell your story the way you want it to be...  Your words create your perceptions and experience.  Stop doing what you don't want more of.  Check out The No Complaining Rule book.  Words matter to your well being. 

History lessons and the power of art

Did you see the History Detectives show last night?  A former WW II POW had an amazing portrait sketch of himself that had been drawn for him by another prisoner, in exchange for food. The artist had signed the work Rhoden. The former POW had not seen him since, had been unable to locate him after the war, and wanted to know who he was.  The picture and the artist remained a mystery and a memory.  The former POW also had a notebook he had created and also kept all those years.

In the course of tracking down the missing artist, the wisdom piece that connected with me was the detective's statement that in a POW situtation, where all privileges are stripped, the arts - writing, drawing, music, and any artistic expression - were the keys, the outlets, that helped prisoners maintain their humanity, their identity, perhaps their hope.

The irony is that when budgets are cut, funding for the arts is often seen as a luxury, a discretionary expense.

Maybe the wrong history lessons are being studied. 

Knowing when to Leave

There is an uncanny synchroncity in life.  Know When to Leave is the section I'm reading now.  The book: Lean Forward Into Your Life by Maryanne Radmacher. 

I did not know when I started this chapter how timely and relevant it would be, that I would soon be leaving my corporate playground world of 16 years...that the upcoming round of layoffs included me.

It is a peculiar wisdom that alerts us to that moment in time.  That moment when we know it is time for us to leave.  Practice appropriate departure.  Learn to see your own signs and know how to set a thing down. ... Take note of how you feel as you leave....

To my corporate playground colleagues:

I always knew this gig would end one day.  I leave in gratitude for the time here, the people--the great people--I've had the pleasure to know and work with, all that I've learned and the opportunities I've had the privilege to be part of.  Thank you.

I once wrote that all jobs are temporary, even if they last 5, 10, 15, or more years.  Change is nature's way; she has long been my teacher--I live in Wisconsin and grew up on a farm.  Friend, writer, and wisewoman Sandy Tully reminded me last night that young eagles need to be pushed out of the nest when they're developed enough to fly.  How else will they discover where their wings and vision can take them....  It's my time ... And I have to trust it's all good...  And see where my wings and vision can take me.

I have learned and I have grown and I sooo appreciate all who have helped and shared the journey.  You, your friendships and caring, help me fly.  Here's to flying lessons for all of us!   And wings and visions. 

Health Care Reform thoughts

We all know the current system isn't working.  And there's much debate on what 'should' replace it.

I still believe we need to play the games differently as consumers.

I also believe that we need a Consumers Bill of Rights, including privacy, personal choice in all matters involving our own body and well being, easily visible price tags at the point of sale--just like shopping anywhere else for any other services; and the option to opt out of traditional medical practices, even if that means our life ends sooner.

I believe we need to get employers OUT of the Insurance business--for a lot of reasons.  It's a huge added expense that is passed on to consumers (higher prices), adds no benefit to the employer's customers or product, and reduces worker wages.  Also, an employer needs your Social Security Number because you are paid wages and taxed.  That number should not be used with or connected with your medical records, in my opinion.  Health insurance policies should be owned personally, like car insurance or any other insurance a consumer purchases.   

Maybe insurance is in trouble because it's seen by more consumers as an expense we are seeing little ROI from.  Hmm.

There are proposals for change.

Here are a few pieces that have come across my desk recently.  We do need to become more informed and conscious consumers.  And perhaps take a stand on who gets our private health information, how it's used, and what other choices we want to keep for ourselves.  I share these to shed a light on some of the issues that directly impact our personal freedoms and information.

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Subject:  Health Care Reform Bill

This bill will do the following... included are the pages for you to check for yourself.

• All American citizens will be ordered to have a National ID Card (page 58)
• The government to have immediate access to every American citizen's bank accounts via electronic funds transfers (page 59)
• All property owned by the doctors in the United States to be determined by the government (page 317)
• All American citizens ordered to give the United States government power over their living wills (page 425)
• The United States government given a new power to determine who and how their citizens die (page 427)
• End of life plan for each American citizen ordered by the government (page 429)

Read more - link provided.  Then call your representatives. 

 

House-Health-Reform-Bill

(Note, link on original message was down; this is a working draft posted on the House website.  Pages might not be off slightly.)

 

This is not about right or left, republican or democrat, this is about our freedom and our freedom to manage our own lives and our own healthcare. 

 

Your thoughts?

 

Here's more...from a different perspective.

 

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Health Freedom ... information and organizations -

What are the issues?

What are your thoughts and opinions?

 

American Association for Health Freedom

 

Health Freedom USA

and Natural Solutions Foundation

 

Food Freedom eJournal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

People are getting bigger

Kids are bigger and adults are bigger.  And I think the cause is directly related to the food we eat and the drugs we take.  That's coming from someone who grew up on a farm and common sense.

Think about it.

You're drinking milk from cows treated with Bovine Growth Hormone (BGH).  That drug makes cows grow bigger and produce more.  Guess what it does to people who drink the milk.  Any nursing mom can tell you that what she eats gets to her baby.   

And if you're a carnivore, you're also eating the cow...those hamburgers and steaks...

Chickens are also given drugs to make them grow faster and plumper.  Again, guess what drugs go into your system when you eat them...and what affect they have on your shape.

People in general are looking a little plumper.

There's a new movie out called Food, Inc. that's worth a look.  Not playing everywhere.  Maybe there's a reason for that. 

What are you eating?