Tag Archives: health

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Domestic Violence Must End


You Can Help End Domestic Violence

You Can Help End Domestic Violence

According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness among families. If a couple has a violent argument in the home, it is usually the woman and children who flee. They flee with little but what is on their backs. This is another reason why Domestic Violence Shelters are so important. They can place the women and children into temporary housing. Most can then also help them to find housing for her and the children. In my long experience I have never known a man to leave unless he is the victim.
Survivors of domestic violence face higher rates of depression, sleep disturbances, anxiety, flashbacks (PTSD) and other mental disturbances. Many are too ashamed of being beaten to go to a doctor or mental health worker and ask for help.

Stop Family Violence

Stop Family Violence

Domestic Violence contributes to poor health in survivors. Chronic conditions such as heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders can become more serious due to repeated battering. Fear and anger build up in the victim and the stress can lead to other health issues.

Among women brought to an Emergency Room after being beaten, were socially isolated, and had fewer social and financial resources than women who were not abused. Part of the emotional abuse is social isolation. The victim is cut off from friends, family, therapists, neighbors because the abuser needs to have total control over the victim. Abusers don’t want women to hear there is a place to go and get help. i often would put the hotline number on a piece of paper and pass it to the victim without being seen. Each city has a hotline number and you can help save a life by getting the number and gently putting it into a woman’s hand.

Without help, girls who witness domestic violence are more vulnerable to abuse when they are teens and young adults. Without help, boys who witness domestic violence, are far more likely to become abusers of their partners and/or children as adults. This continues the cycle of violence into later generations.

 

There is Never a Reason to Hit Another Human Being

There is Never a Reason to Hit Another Human Being

 

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Grasping at Self


Many spiritual people believe that sickness, of the mind or the body has little to distinguish them from one another. As the years go by, and they do so quickly, we experience ailments. These ailments trigger our anxieties. Not feeling well is actually a magnet for anxiety. It reminds us of our frailty and mortality. Being aware of our mortality can often assist us in being in the now moment. Minor illnesses can help us to remember we are human.

 

The mind has a more difficult time healing the physical body than it does the emotional body. Neurologists are beginning to do case studies of the subconscious and the part it plays in healing the physical body. In some cases, the mind alone can heal physical sickness, even where conventional medicine has failed. I have personally experienced it.

 

In addition to Neurologists, Buddhists also believe that the mind can heal the physical and emotional body. For all of us, sickness can provide an opportunity to slow down, let go, and appreciate life even in the midst of suffering. Sickness can be a broom we are given to sweep our lives clean of the accumulations of negative attitudes and emotions.

 

Many of us have experienced tragedies in our lives and for some of us there have been multiple tragedies.These can cause real sickness. Conventional medicine often can not cure these illnesses. Doctors do all they can to the best of their abilities but nothing completely works. But by using the subconscious to help, the emotions and the physical body can be used to release the past from its control of the present.

 

When we experience tragedy, physical or emotional, even if we go to therapy and “work it through” often the subconscious continues to hold on to it. The mind’s conscious level has let go of the incidents but the subconscious still has a grip and it can be strong. It can make you very ill, even for years.

 

I am excited that conventional medicine is beginning to study how our minds make all of this happen. I am excited that there are doctors who are studying this with their patients. This is more than “thinking positive.” Positive thoughts make anything somewhat better and easier to tolerate. Meditation can help. For instance, I found that Transcendental Meditation often helps with chronic pain. It also helps to remember that sickness is impermanent.

 

Neurologists have found that talking to the subconscious can help. Reassuring it that you are safe, whatever has happened in the past will not occur again and if it did; you would handle it differently. Chanting ” Thank you” for your body a hundred times several times a day can make big changes.

 

Take good care of yourself and your body. Eat healthy, exercise and remember there is no blame in the work of healing. Do not grasp at self as this can cause illness and suffering. Remember that a good joke can help with healing. Be open to any approach which might help. This should definitely include conventional medicine as well as alternative forms of healing. Also remember that balance in life helps us to heal and to remain healthy.

 

Be kind to anger, fear, or discouragement as they arise. Even if they are strong or persistent, be patient with them and it helps to bring them into balance. This assists the body in its healing.

 

Namaste

Barbara

 

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Botanical Garden, Asheville, NC. Photograph and copyright by Barbara Mattio 2013

Botanical Garden, Asheville, NC. Photograph and copyright by Barbara Mattio 2013

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Non-Chemical Relief for Insomnia!


I am the queen of insomnia about 6 months out of the year; while I can’t get enough the rest of the time. It is so important for us all to have the proper sleep. I hope that this video will assist many insomniacs.  Our lives are very busy and very complicated. It is not a surprise that we carry the pressures from our jobs, decisions concerning our children, financial troubles and much more to our beds. No matter how physically tired we are; often the mind just can’t turn off. I have found that there are three ways that help me to go to sleep. One is the sounds of nature, one is guided meditation and one is music written to change our brain waves.

I have had good success with all of these. Because the music that changes the brain waves is a little harder to find so I am  going to share some with you to try. Don’t worry if you don’t have the relief you need. Keep it up and the Universe will help your conscious mind to let go and you will accomplish the desired sleep you need.

Copy (2) of water lillie

Water lillies Photograph and copyright by Barbara Mattio 2013

“Flowers and bees may be different, but the honey is the same.

Systems of faith may be different, but God is One.”

—Rig Veda

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A Possible Cancer Cluster


Raly for life at fairgrounds

Relay for life at fairgrounds

While visiting my daughter and her family; the Fabulous Floozies were making the final preparations along with schools and churches and other groups of men and women who care about the amazingly large amount of deaths due to Cancer. Officials believe there is a possible Cancer Cluster. A study will be beginning at a local college to investigate and see if there is a Cancer Cluster there and what is causing it.

Booth set up by Fabulous Floozies

For my daughter, several of her husband’s family have lost their battle with Cancert. Her BBF, Karen died last year after her third struggle with a cancer that started in her breast. She left a Navy husband and two children near the ages of my grands.They are all struggling to carry on. My daughter is struggling with her grief and loss. It breaks my heart.She has another friend who is recovering from a double mastectomy.

The luminaries completely encircled a space larger than a football field.

The luminaires completely encircled a space larger than a football field.

I met survivors, caring people who want to work to help end Cancer’s hold on their town. There were schools, churches, women’s groups, and groups of people who came together to give of themselves to stop this unseen killer, They sold food and pop, bands played and people hugged each other and many tears were shed. There was dancing and singing for 24 hours.

Surviviors walked with crutches, canes and wheelchairs

Surviviors walked with crutches, canes and wheelchairs

They work all year to earn money for cancer research. The results of this research has the potential of identifying the cluster and saving the lives of people in this small town. My prayers are with them. My hopes are with them. Please remember these women, men and children who are affected on so many levels.

At dusk, they lit the luminaries and it was very movingI am dedicating this blog to Karen and Iris. I pray they find the Cancer Cluster and  stop the cruel  hold Cancer has on this Eastern North Carolina county and town, I was impressed by the dedication of the thousands of people who live in the county and once again I remembered how much we can accomplish when we work together for good.

All photographs were taken by Barbara Mattio and Copyrighted 2013.

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Today we need to affirm our lives and what is in our World


Happy Halloween

So much going on. The spiritual energy of the Universe is very intense. We are in a transitional time on our planet. So many things are exploding around us here in America and around the world. There is much hatred and anger abound in the Universe. We need to counter all of this with love and compassion. We have lost souls due to this tremendous storm. Many people are suffering and scared and overwhelmed.

We need to do what we can do by donating to charities that can help in the material sense. We also need to be sending love and protective life to all who have been affected by this terrible storm. We need to use affirmations to keep our thoughts and energy positive. We need to keep ourselves strong and positive to assist others.

Each of us can strengthen ourselves with affirmations. I am giving 10 that I hope will be helpful and calming to ourselves. If they help you, then pass them on to others. On this Halloween night, the night the Pagans of old called the New Year and when the veil is the thinnest between worlds and the ancestors can be nearby and comforting and we can honor them. It is also All Saints Eve. A perfect night to use affirmations for ourselves and the world.

1) No matter what my challenge, I know I am loved.
2) This will pass and I will grow and benefit from it.
3) I will open my heart and allow love to flow out to heal others and Mother Earth.
4) I am the author of my life.
5) No person, place, or thing has any power over me.
6) Beauty arouses me and heals me.
7) I take good loving care of my body and I am where I choose to be and I am beautiful/
8) I know my body is filled with starlight and that I sparkle.
9) My body is amazing. I can relax and let healing take place.
10) I change my life when I change my thinking.

—-Excerpted from Meditations to Heal Your Life
—-Louise L. Hay

Saying these affirmations each day or several times a day will change your thinking and that will change you and how you react to the world. You can create specific affirmations  to fit your specific circumstances. Opening up your heart to the Universe and sending your love out to heal the planet will make that happen. It will start within each of us. So go ahead affirm what you want to be in your life.

 

We are all safe and will be provided what we need most in our lives now and always.

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Pampering Yourself


“Self-nurture is not about being selfish. It is about self-care.”
—-Alice D. Domar PHD

Yes, I am advocating self-pampering. For men or women, small steps of pampering yourself may feel wrong or frivolous. In 2012, we run from one task to another. We race through the day giving everything little pieces of ourselves. We spend most of our lives burnt out and empty. This is not the way The One wants us to experience this life. We are drowning in deadlines, insomnia, bills, politics, stress eating and kids breaking curfew. We almost need to be long distance sprinters.

Athletes have something we do not have. They have trainers and sports medicine and adoring fans. They lack our total exhaustion, feeling unappreciated, unsatisfied with life in general. This is a sure way to lose touch with ourselves, some people don’t even know who they are. They are fractured and left with nothing to give because they have nothing left inside. Society encourages and rewards us when we ignore the signs and symptoms that we need nurturing too. Pushing through, giving it all to your team or manager ends up making us sick. Being sick just pushes the circle around again.

Pampering is recuperative. It feeds the soul. It encourages the pleasant, happy, interesting and caring person inside to come out again. Being on vacation is good because you begin to get your balance back. You regain your spontaneity and flexibility. If it is raining, you read a book. If you are tired, you take a nap. You grin more often and choose to walk instead of taking the stairs or elevator. The strident, pushy, irritable you has gone and you actually like who you are. Pampering in this spirit is essential for human beings to maintain their joy and bliss. Sometimes, you just need to turn away from the needs of the world until you have regained your balance. You are now promoting your own physical and emotional health.

 

I like to rub my temples with an essential oil, and to keep a fragrant sachet under my pillow at night. I also use a sound machine when I can’t turn off my mind and sleep much deeper and awake refreshed. So remember self-pampering is medicinal and necessary for the well-being of our lives.

Sculpture garden, Windsor, Ontario Photo by Barbara Mattio

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Everyone can have Peace


We all want peace in our world. My hope would be that one day every sentient being will live in peace and light. We hope for it and we pray for it. Doesn’t seem enough. You can’t make people be peaceful.

I believe that creating peace in the world begins with each of us. Yes, I know it sounds like a cliche, but it is true none the less. We all have reasons in our lives that cause us not to have peace.

The past is one set of problems. Statistically, 30% of the average persons’ time is spent thinking about the past. What has happened to us, what we feel guilty about that perhaps we can’t fix. We have old tapes that run from the past and create triggers in the present. People push the triggers and our bodies and minds remember. Meditation is a big help and thousands of us are today using meditation as a means of being centered and balanced. The inner landscape also brings us into communion with the Divine. Quantum scientists now tell us that every cell in our bodies carries all of our memories.
That is staggering to me. They also state that with just 1 human cell that they can recreate the entire Universe. Why? We are all within each other. I am in the butterfly and the butterfly is within me. The Beloved is within me and I am within the Beloved. It is recommended that everyday, you make some silence and with intent give your past to the light. To the Universe, God, Goddess, Divine Energy. Whatever you are comfortable calling it. But doing it does loosen the “ties that bind” us to the past and the negativity which is part of why we lack inner peace.
If each sentient being would do this everyday, we would each have peace within our souls. That peace would radiate outward spreading peace to all who come into our own world. As they feel more peace, it will radiate from them to others in their worlds. The pattern happens millions of times over and over and the result is World Peace.
I don’t mean to make this sound like some easy peasy gimmick The first time I gave my past to the light—just having the intention and saying the words, I felt something loosen in my chest. It was a physical response to what my mind was doing. There is no magic formula for world peace, but each day, it can begin with each of us.

“Dear God,
I won’t spend one more day in fear,
Today I will not be limited by negative thoughts,
I will recognize the beauty you have surrounded me with,
Today I will be free of unrealistic expectations of myself and others.
Today I will stay in the present moment and practice gratitude for all
of my blessings, large and microscopic.”
—-Barbara Mattio
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