we have

the flowers and the trees…

we have

the grass beneath our knees

and feet

we have

the air so fresh and sweet!

we have

the rivers and the streams

we have

the butterflys and bees

we have

the mountains and breeze

wind

we have

the sand and seas

wave

 we have

resilience…

have….n

we have

tensile………………………………………………………………………………………..strength

we have

real…(ity)…truth

we have

the birds soaring, flying  high…proof

why???

we have

mind

we have

heart

we have

eyes

we have

ears

we have

hearing

we have

speaking

we have communicating

 laughter…

we have after

(tears with prayers)

we have

giving

we have

living

(immortality)

LOVE <3….we are RICH 

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The starving and malnourished and famished aren’t too picky, you know. (They cannot afford to be.)

“A 200-page report, released at a news conference at the U.N. agency’s Rome headquarters, says 2 billion people worldwide already supplement their diets with insects, which are high in protein and minerals, and have environmental benefits.”

“Insects are “extremely efficient” in converting feed into edible meat, the agency said.  On average, they can convert 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of feed into 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of insect mass. In comparison, cattle require 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of feed to produce a kilo of meat.”

“Most insects are likely to produce fewer environmentally harmful greenhouse gases, and also feed on human and food waste, compost and animal slurry, with the products being used for agricultural feed, the agency said.”

“Insect farming is “one of the many ways to address food and feed security,” the food agency said.

“Insects are everywhere and they reproduce quickly,” the agency said, adding they leave a “low environmental footprint.” They provide high-quality protein and nutrients when compared with meat and fish and are “particularly important as a food supplement for undernourished children,” it said. {Tough enough getting kids to eat veggies, not sure IF kids in the States would go for some ants?…unless chocolate covered, eh?:)}

“Insects can also be rich in copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium and zinc, and are a source of fiber. ~UN says: why not eat more insects? by Frances D’Emilio {Interesting question for contemplation, eh?}

THANK YOU for sharing Your food!:)

Hunger is multi-form…tummy rumbling, mind worrying, heart aching…physical/spiritual, mental/emotional. SADLY, many are susceptible to mental health issues because they don’t have enough physical food to subsist.

SADLY, MULTI-FAKE-LEADERS provide MULTI-FAKE-FOOD…:(

and the masses here in the States and World-wide SUFFER mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically cause of it!:(

Seriously, IF YOU cannot trust/look to today’s so-called leaders/rulers to provide enough food for everyone…WHY?? look to them to solve other (complicated) problems (i.e. world peace)?!…{1 way i pursue peace is by remaining politically neutral. i’m NOT backing these fake-lieing-greedy-for-food-money-power-leaders that look well-fed-dressed in their finery, but starve and strip people of their dignity at home and/or kill them off abroad in fighting their power struggles/battles!:( }

• In 2011, 50.1 Million Americans lived in food insecure households, 33.5 Million Adults and 16.7 Million Children.
• In 2011, 8.8 % of Seniors living alone (1Million) households were food insecure.
• Food insecurity exists in EVERY COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES…ranging from a low 5%-Steele County, ND to a high 37% Holmes County, MS

7 States exhibited statistically significant higher household food insecurity rates than the U.S. National Average 2009-2011 according to Hunger in America on-line:

• Mississippi 19.2%
• Texas 18.5%
• Arkansas 19.2%
• Alabama 17.4%
• Georgia 17.4%
• Florida 16.2%
• North Carolina 17.1%

It’s laughable on some level/utterly ridiculous…that modern-day, high-tech rulers/leaders misuse resources i.e. money/technology for military/killing purposes rather than for feeding people and healing the mentally and physically ill.

Check out what’s been said about an ancient leader-teacher/historical figure who fed his followers:

“It would require much exotic calculation,” Time magazine reported, “to deny that the single most powerful figure—not merely in these two millenniums but in all human history—has been Jesus of Nazareth.” It added: “A serious argument can be made that no one else’s life has proved remotely as powerful and enduring as that of Jesus.”

According to some historical, eye-witness accounts: the peace-teaching-sage of Nazareth, Jesus, ”miraculously fed more than 5,000 people, and at another time he fed more than 4,000, each time with only a few loaves of bread and several fish.”

{Come on, IF a humble, homeless, preacher of peace IS able to feed thousands via outdoor picnic …one would think today’s rich rulers could manage feeding millions…but they don’t! Guess, they can’t perform miracles, eh?!}

What IF you were a guest at somebody’s home, would You consume a caterpillar (i.e. “makongo”) if offered/provided??

While traveling, hubby and i have accepted the hospitality of others and acquired/eaten/tasted..”food” as defined by our hosts. Eating and growing adventurous fun! What is the “weirdest” thing you have consumed?! {For me, probably, frog legs and freshly caught eel and sea urchin: pink/orange meat…is all i will admit to here and hope that doesn’t offend: SORRY! The eel i did like: white, sweet meat.} 

Recently read this interesting-cultural article: “Edible Insects” PLEASE, check it out or chew on this?

 A variety of insects are eaten in the Central African Republic. During the rainy season, termites called bobo swarm around termite mounds or, in urban areas, around electric lights. After an evening storm, children run to collect them by the basketful–often, tossing them in their mouth with shrieks of delight! Termites are eaten sun dried, roasted with salt, and spiced with hot pepper, or they may be boiled in stews or dumplings.

Kindagozo refers to green grasshoppers that arrive in the area in the dry season. Central Africans roast grasshoppers or simmer them in water after the insects’ legs and wings have been removed.

SAFE and GOOD for People: Although not all insects are edible, many are safe when harvested from areas free of pesticides and fertilizers and prepared properly. Of course, as a precaution, they should be avoided by those allergic to the insects’ marine counterparts, shellfish, which are also arthropods. In contrast, most shellfish, which scavenge for decaying matter, most edible insects eat only clean leaves and consume plants that humans might otherwise be unable to digest.

Caterpillars have an amazing amount of nutrition concentrated in a deceptively small package. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, dried caterpillars contain more than double the protein of beef. Food experts are rediscovering insects as a source of nourishment in developing lands.

Depending on the species of caterpillar eaten, just 3.5 ounces (100g) can provide a large part of the daily requirements of such important minerals as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc, as well as many vitamins. Additionally, flour made from ground caterpillars can be mixed into pulp to supplement the diet of undernourished children.

Using insects for food is environmentally friendly. Doing so requires little water and produces few greenhouse gas emissions. Added to that, collecting insects for food is a natural means of pest control.

May be we should, personally, reconsider our food choices and attitudes: what we view as food and what we consider environmentally-friendly-food? May be, we should reconsider who we view as real leaders?

(Real Leaders = Those who “actually” CARE for us and FEED us well!)

THANK YOU for consuming in moderation! THANK YOU for sharing Your food…helping others be physically and mentally well!:)

PEACE and MAY YOU BE WELL-FED!

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HOORAY,

What a Privilege to be Breathing …Fragile-Life! Each Morning is a Gift. A fresh, new opportunity for compassion.

A New Day: HOORAY! How will YOU show appreciation for this gift. What positive choices will YOU make? What will You feed Your mind and body?! Who will YOU help?! What kind words will YOU use to comfort?!

Waking UP to a Beautiful Morning is a Blessing:

“When one ruling over mankind is righteous, ruling in the fear of God, then it is as the light of morning, when the sun shines forth, a morning without clouds. From brightness, from rain, there is grass out of the earth.”—2 Samuel 23:3, 4.

{The Hebrew verb ma·shal has the meaning “rule, dominate”; the Greek term ar’khon is translated “ruler.”}

Rulers or leaders can bring Happiness, Peace and Prosperity. Sadly, some leaders choose to act like this:

“As a growling lion and an onrushing bear is a wicked ruler over a lowly people.” Proverb 28:15

This world would be such a better place with better leadership! Don’t we all need good management skills. Effective skills to manage our lives, manage our families, manage what ails us. Good government is the cure. Good government starts in the home (at home). Does man practice good government?!

1 on-line dictionary definition of good: adjective: to be desired or approved of;  Noun: That which is morally right; righteousness; Synonyms: adjective: nice, kind, fine, Noun: benefit, profit, advantage, avail, welfare, use.

Another dictionary: Synonyms of good to contemplate: Commonsense, commonsensible, commonsensical, firm, hard, informed, just, justified, levelheaded, logical, rational, reasonable, reasoned, sensible, sober, solid, valid, well-founded.

Bottomline: Learning Goodness is the key to good management/good government…which brings better living for caregivers, partners, friends…ALL-BEAUTIFUL-BREATHING-FRAGILE-LIFE!   

 

Ancient books can teach us much:

Goodness is not passive but is dynamically active. Recipients of the “good” person’s kindness, generosity, and self-sacrifice might even be moved to die for him! So it is with good reason that the psalmist prayed: “Teach me goodness.” (Psalm 119:66) ~Teach me Goodness

i like this deeper description of goodness as well:

GOODNESS

“The quality or state of being good; moral excellence; virtue. Goodness is solid through and through, with no badness or rottenness. It is a positive quality and expresses itself in the performance of good and beneficial acts toward others. The most common words for “good” (in the Bible) are the Hebrew tohv and the Greek a·ga·thos is used in a moral sense.”

“Similar to the Greek word for good (a·ga·thos’) is another word, ka.los’. The latter denotes that which is intrinsically good, beautiful, well adapted to its circumstances or ends and that which is of fine quality, including that which is ethically good, right, or honorable. It is closely related in meaning to good, but may be distinguished by being translated “fine,” ”right,” “honest,” or “well.” (Goodness-Insight on Scriptures)

Are today’s lieing leaders teaching us goodness?! Is T.V.?! School?! Media?! Parents?!

To be WELL Be GOOD!

What example am i setting/teaching as person, partner, caregiver, friend, member of global-family of Breathing-Fragile-Life?? Am i contributing to goodness…wellness in my family, community, globe?!

If we each make a determination to practice what is good…the positive, loving, compassionate thing to do in whatever circumstance we find ourselves: LIFE IS GOOD! It’s time to jump up (move, take action, do something positive!! …how high?? Reach it–JUMP UP: GOOD!…job well…done?!?

YAY! THANKS for Keep jumping (trying) today & everyday!

 

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FYI: On the origin of Mother’s Day, the Encyclopædia Britannica (1959 edition) states:

“A festival derived from the custom of mother worship in ancient Greece. Formal mother worship, with ceremonies to Cybele, or Rhea, the Great Mother of the Gods, were performed on the Ides of March throughout Asia Minor.”

“Regarding the adoption of Mother’s Day in the United States, the New York Times of May 10, 1953, reported”…“In spite of the popularity of Cybele, . . . and sporadic occasions honoring mothers during the Middle Ages, it was not until 1914 that the proper combination of sentimentality, idealistic promotion and hard business sense impelled the United States Congress to designate the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.”

No, THANKS!:)…but this is 1 Mother of 4 who doesn’t want ANY worship whatsoever!…all i need is…L-O-V-E & you know, that’s what All-Breathing-Fragile-Life really needs….2…day and every day…year-round Love & Compassion!

Read this beautiful point recently in an article:

“‘Regardless of age, culture, language, or race, all humans have a deep-rooted need to love and be loved. According to some reports, our nervous system is specially designed to sense love and tenderness.”

(Do You ever feel like you’re talking to the wall??:) or in this case, the writing (“love”) is on my home wall…my son took the above-photo today 5/11/13)…This is a favorite description/definition of Love:

“Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things…. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Think of the positive impact more LOVE would have on our entire planet! Every breathing thing would benefit. True/unselfish love doesn’t need a predetermined, ”scheduled” occasion (i.e. Mother’s Day/Father’s Day, etc.) to manifest itself! We should be alert to opportunities to demonstrate compassion for family, friends, neighbors and everyone all the time…our entire global-family needs compassion NOW. :)

THANK YOU for showing Agape (unselfish) Love to All-Breathing-Fragile-Life (not just Moms) today, everyday…Let’s practice our compassion language by fluently speaking some Greek (for further context please check out: A Leader’s Language: Are You Fluent?) aka AGAPE!…PEACE to YOU & YOURS!:)

Lives depend on the tireless efforts of the healthy and wounded Caregiver. (The singular term “Caregiver” is here being used in a composite sense to encompass all who regularly care and/or support sick or disabled persons.)

Many Caregivers are women and some are children…(For further context on Child Caregivers: Please, check out: World Mental Health Day: When the Caregiver is a Child.) …Seemingly soft and vulnerable ones in the hard, chaotic trenches of time consuming pain, agony, work. Caregivers require a special brand of resiliency to press onward!

In a sense, Caregiving is a privilege of compassion. As with all privileges, there comes a measure of added responsiblity and added work which takes added effort. Take COURAGE DEAR CAREGIVER & NEVER GIVE UP!:)

Here’s a THANK YOU! for all the times YOU deserved to hear one, but didn’t get one!:) YOU are making a positive difference! Don’t Stop being a Compassionate Caregiver!

65.7 million caregivers make up 29% of the U.S. adult population providing care to someone who is ill, disabled or aged. [The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP (2009), Caregiving in the U.S. National Alliance for Caregiving. Washington, DC.] – Updated: November 2012

More women than men are caregivers: an estimated 66% of caregivers are female. One-third (34%) take care of two or more people, and the average age of a female caregiver is 48.0. [The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP (2009), Caregiving in the U.S. National Alliance for Caregiving. Washington, DC.] – Updated: November 2012

The Home Alone study―a study of family caregivers who provide complex chronic care―found that nearly half of the caregivers surveyed (46% or 777) performed medical & nursing tasks. More than 96% (747) also provided activities of daily living (ADL’s) supports (e.g., personal hygiene, dressing/undressing, or getting in and out of bed) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL’s) (e.g., taking prescribed medications, shopping for groceries, transportation or using technology) supports, or both. Of these caregivers nearly two-thirds (501) did all three types of tasks. Of the non-medical family caregivers, two-thirds (605) provided *IADL assistance only. *(IADL=instrumental activity of daily living.)

Caregivers who care for a loved one with emotional or mental health issues are more likely to have made work accommodations 77% vs. 67% of  those caring for someone with no emotional or mental health issues. [Home Alone: Family Caregivers Providing Complex Chronic Care, AARP with United Health Hospital Fund October 2012] – Updated: November 2012

Caregivers need the discipline, training, tireless attitude of a soldier! For this post, the definition/description of soldier is: “a person who works diligently for a cause” in this case, the cause is Compassion!

We are at war. War against hate, violence, selfishness and fatigue aka apathy and indifference. Caregivers also fight against challenges peculiarly their own: What impact does this caregiving/compassion warfare have on the compassion soldier??

“While researchers have long known that caregiving can have deleterious mental health effects for caregivers, research shows that caregiving can have serious physical health consequences as well, 17% of caregivers feel their health in general has gotten worse as a result of their caregiving responsibilities.”

“Caregivers whose recipient has emotional or mental health problems are more likely than others to report a decline in their own health as a result (28% vs. 12%).” [The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP (2009), Caregiving in the U.S. National Alliance for Caregiving. Washington, DC.] – Updated: November 2012

What personal challenges are YOU facing as Caregiver? Please, seek out support and help from trusted places with a track record of trust. Remember your limitations and act modestly. (Over do it and you’ll be the one needing care.) We all need someone and need something. (Let’s answer the calls of the needy within reason.) Let’s all be patient with each other…please. Friends don’t dominate one another; they yield and compromise and wait whenever possible. True friends put others’ needs ahead of their own to maintain peace and unity.

Certain lifestyle choices do NOT contribute to PEACE and WELLNESS: overconsuming, overeating, overdrinking and overindulging in alcohol…do not solve problems, but create new problems. We are all weak. We all have weakness. That’s why we all need TWEAKING!

Tweak the week: Make Small, attainable (weekly) positive adjustments (tweaks) that can take us far in our wellness-compassion-caregiving journey. Two traits to tweak/work on to help us:

1. Self-Control: a lack of this can cause caregivers to putter out….fast.

2. Fear of Man: can cause us NOT do the right (appropriate) thing at the right (appropriate) time that could help the right (appropriate) person.

Here’s an insightful/wise Proverb 17:22-

 “A heart that is joyful does good as a curer, but a spirit that is stricken makes the bones dry.”

What does that mean? Basically, this Proverb is acknowledging a psychosomatic principle…negative emotions/traits such as envy, jealousy, greed, hate injure us. Whereas positive emotions such as: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, self-control/patience benefit us tremendously.

We Do WELL and Feel WELL when we THINK WELL and ACT WELL!…(i.e. freely cultivate and freely demonstrate positive/healthy traits.) So simple, eh? -lol:) All of us need to learn war NO MORE.

FORGIVENESS is Critical to Caregiving Success!:)

Caregivers are in the process of caring, giving, loving, helping, working, forgiving, building, sustaining…LIFE & LIVING…a positive action thing!:) They are learning peace and how to care for and get along with others for the greater good. We can learn much from All Caregivers!:) Wouldn’t this Beautiful Planet that mancruel not mankind is destroying be a better home for all Beautiful-Breathing-Fragile-life if Everyone made a resolve, a firm, unwavering determination to practice:

“They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.”—Isaiah 2:2-4. (Let’s unitedly work together and cooperate for compassion and peace always!:)

PEACE PEOPLE of PSYCH CENTRAL WORLD & BEYOND!:)

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Recently read a fun article on two topics of interests: animals and brains.

Please check in & check it out:

A dozen arctic ground squirrels appear to have set a record —when their body temperature dropped to 26.8 degrees Fahrenheit (-2.9°C)! At that temperature, we would expect their brains to freeze.

Every two or three weeks during hibernation, the arctic ground squirrel shivers itself back to its normal body temperature of 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit (36.4°C) and does not get cold again for some 12 to 15 hours. Researchers say that this warming period, although brief, plays a role in the brain’s survival. Moreover, during hibernation the arctic ground squirrel’s head seems to remain slightly warmer than the rest of its body.

When the squirrel emerges from hibernation, its brain returns to normal activity within about two hours. In fact, one study suggests that the squirrel’s brain works even better after hibernation.

They compare it to new growth emerging from scorched earth within days of a forest fire. Researchers hope that their study of the arctic ground squirrel will help them understand the human brain’s potential more fully. (Excerpt from article: The Resilient Brain of the Arctic Ground Squirrel.)

What do You think: Was the Arctic Squirrel’s resilient brain designed?? and by whom?!

Researchers hope to learn ways to prevent or reverse cellular damage occurring in brain diseases. There is so much to learn from nature and the Beautiful-Breathing-Fragile-Life inhabiting our beautiful planet, Earth. PLEASE, help protect the Multi-Major-Ecosystems of  Breathing-Fragile-Life!:)

What will you learn today? What compassionate choices will YOU make that contribute to Your brain health and the health of all Multi-Major-Ecosystems of Breathing-Fragile-Life upon this Beautiful Planet Earth?? Have you been hibernating? Asleep or Attune to All Beautiful-Breathing-Fragile-Life around You?!

HOPING this brings a & LAUGH to Your Personal Eco-Space!

PEACE & Good Health to ALL…especially Squirrel Brains!:)

photo-curious-squirrel-in-the-autumn-park

Wish my home was a flower garden. Imagine life as a butterfly floating and fluttering wherever the air brings You

in your

peaceful paradise.

My garden would be

called: f~~~r~~~e~~~e~~~d~~~o~~~m!

Lilacs are among my favorites. (Isn’t it hard to pick 1 type of flower? What is your favorite?) i could go for some intoxicating Lilac Liquor (aromatherapy) right now. i LOVE the scent of Lilac. What scents do You like?(…actually, i prefer “common”…sense!:)

P.s. this post is NOT promoting aromatherapy (and/or drinking)…just discussing it (aromatherapy).

Two basic mechanisms are offered to explain the purported effects. One is the influence of aroma on the brain, especially the limbic system through the olfactory system.^[13] The other is the direct pharmacological effects of the essential oils.^[14] While precise knowledge of the synergy between the body and aromatic oils is often claimed by aromatherapists,  the efficacy of aromatherapy remains unproven. However, some  preliminary clinical studies of aromatherapy in combination with other  techniques show positive effects. Aromatherapy does not cure conditions, but helps the body to find a natural way to cure itself and improve immune response.^[15][16] ~Wikipedia

Wouldn’t it be cool technology IF we could some how attach fragrances (i.e. Lilacs) to our posts?? Kinda like a scratch and sniff thing…is there an app for that…yet? It would be a fun feature except if you had allergies. Some parfum et eau de toilette too overpowering and distressing to those who suffer with allergies and asthma. Please, be mindful of other Breathing-Fragile-Life IF You choose to wear or bathe in the stuff.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are concentrated extracts taken from the roots, leaves, seeds, or blossoms of plants. Each contains its own mix of active ingredients, and this mix determines what the oil is used for. Some oils are used to promote physical healing — for example, to treat swelling or fungal infections. Others are used for their emotional value — they may enhance relaxation or make a room smell pleasant. Orange blossom oil, for example, contains a large amount of an active ingredient that is thought to be calming.

Warning:

Should anyone avoid aromatherapy?

Pregnant women, people with severe asthma, and people with a history of allergies should only use essential oils under the guidance of a trained professional and with full knowledge of your physician.

Pregnant women and people with a history of seizures should avoid hyssop oil.

People with high blood pressure should avoid stimulating essential oils, such as rosemary and spike lavender.

People with estrogen dependent tumors (such as breast or ovarian cancer) should not use oils with estrogen like compounds such as fennel, aniseed, sage, and clary-sage.

People receiving chemotherapy should talk to their doctor before trying aromatherapy.

Although essential oils have been used for centuries, few studies have looked the safety and effectiveness of aromatherapy in people. Scientific evidence is lacking, and there are some concerns about the safety and quality of certain essential oils. More research is needed before aromatherapy becomes a widely accepted alternative remedy.

Source: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/aromatherapy-000347.htm#ixzz2RrxYVTDN

(The) “poet’s narcissus….But poets aren’t the only ones who have taken note of its beauty. In ancient Rome rulers once used yellow narcissi to salute their victorious warriors. And in Prussia, the narcissus was a symbol of love and happiness. Today, communities throughout the world continue to laud the beauty of the flower at annual festivals and celebrations.”

“However, the narcissus is much more than a pretty flower. The name narcissus is related to the Greek word narka’o, meaning “to be stupefied.”  Could narcissi actually produce such an effect? When these flowers are in bloom in the Valley of Narcissi, visitors can be somewhat overpowered or even feel slightly intoxicated!”

“The narcotic effects of the scent have led some to attribute curative powers to the flower. The Arabs used narcissus oil to treat baldness, while the French used it to treat epilepsy and hysteria. Today, narcissus oil is used in perfumes and, in its purified form, in aromatherapy.”

“Where is this beautiful display? In the Valley of Narcissi—a nature reserve near Khust, in Western Ukraine. Here vast fields of wild narcissi are found. Although more than 400 plant species grow in the valley, the narcissus is king.” ~The Valley of Blossoming Beauty

“Everything he has made pretty in its time.”—Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Do You notice patterns? Patterns are everywhere. People live patterns. People create patterns. People break patterns. People sow patterns. People reap patterns. Patterns beget patterns. We all do well to examine our personal patterns. Positive? Negative? Healthy? Unhealthy? Spiritual? Material? (Are you forming a spiral?!) Are Your patterns a sequence of compassion??

Have you heard of the 13th-century Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci?? Of course, you’ve heard of the Golden Angle?? (enJOYed these points a while ago):

“Most plants form new organs such as stems, leaves, and flowers from a tiny central growing point called a meristem. Each new structure, called a primordium, develops and grows out from the center in a new direction, forming an angle with the previous growth Most plants arrange new growths at a unique angle that produces spirals. What angle is it?”

“Consider this challenge: Imagine trying to engineer a plant so that new growths are compactly arranged around the growing point with no wasted space. Suppose you chose to make each new primordium grow out at an angle of two fifths of a revolution from the previous growth. You would have the problem of every fifth primordium growing from the same spot and in the same direction. They would form rows with wasted space between the rows. The truth is, any simple fraction of a revolution results in rows rather than optimal packing. Only what has been termed the “golden angle” of approximately 137.5 degrees results in an ideally compact arrangement of growths. What makes this angle so special?”

“The golden angle is ideal because it cannot be expressed as a simple fraction of a revolution. The fraction 5/8 is close to it, 8/13 is closer, and 13/21 is closer still, but no fraction exactly expresses the golden proportion of a revolution. Thus, when a new growth on the meristem develops at this fixed angle with respect to the preceding growth, no two growths will ever develop in exactly the same direction. Consequently, instead of forming radial arms, the primordia form spirals.”

“Interestingly, the number of spirals that result from growth based on the golden angle is usually a number from a series called the Fibonacci sequence…each number after 1 is equal to the sum of the previous two numbers—1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, and so on.”

“The flowers of many plants that exhibit a spiral growth pattern often have a Fibonacci number of petals. According to some observers, there is a tendency for buttercups to have 5 petals, bloodroots 8, fireweeds 13, asters 21, common field daisies 34, and Michaelmas daisies 55 or 89.”

“What makes plants form new growths precisely at this intriguing angle? Many people conclude that this is but another example of intelligent design in living things.” ~Excerpt from: Intriguing Patterns in Plants 

The Flower by Lord Alfred Tennyson

Once in a golden hour I cast to earth a seed. Up there came a flower, The people said, a weed.
To and fro they went Thro’ my garden bower, And muttering discontent Cursed me and my flower.
Then it grew so tall It wore a crown of light, But thieves from o’er the wall Stole the seed by night.
Sow’d it far and wide By every town and tower, Till all the people cried, “Splendid is the flower!”
Read my little fable: He that runs may read. Most can raise the flowers now, For all have got the seed.
And some are pretty enough, And some are poor indeed; And now again the people Call it but a weed.

May Your May be Many… Flowers Poeticus! May Your Compassion flower in unexpected directions!

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Shut up

Warning: IF your individual digestive needs (as in brain/mind/perception/scientific/spiritual food digestive needs) do not require any green leafy vegetables or you are averse to eating/sampling any food that is different (i.e. hot or spicy, gooey or sour and not necessarily sweet and texturally what you are comfortably accustomed to regularly consuming or If You have any brain/mind allergies)…PLEASE, don’t read on!:)

IF you eat only what you like: Read at your own risk, okay? OKAY-lol:) Are you an advertuous mind-food sampler/eater?? Curiosity can be deadly…but, you’re not a cat..so, i’m sure you’ll be fine! -lol:)

Ah, this post intro reminds me of when my kids were babies and feeding them different veggies to sample for the first time…you know, the song singing, the whirling of the spoon up and down and all around, trying to get them to open up and eat: You’re not gonna spit this post back at me…are YOU?!-lol:)

From: joanie

To: my blog Readers:

i care about Your Wellness or i wouldn’t write!

i’m telling ya, this post series covers a variety of  ingredients/topic(s) of science and spirituality…compassion calls for vegetable soup; Yummy. My last post on this topic series: Boyle, Sagan: Scientific & Spiritual “Understanding” of Life Interdependency: Part 4 spot lighted Sagan….this one will focus on Boyle. Plus, this post will bounce around a bit!  Yes, my brain bounces. Yes, it will meander and yes, it will ramble…lots!!:) IF you only like smooth sailing/rides…exit now….cause this ain’t a smoothie.

Partners and Caregivers, at times, have to discuss uncomfortable topics and situations that force them to face fear, anger and a wide-range of difficult emotions/perceptions/ long-held and short-held beliefs/superstitions, etc. to find, achieve and maintain wellness!

i wish life was always a smooth ride! It’s not…we all need to learn to deal with it and adjust, and keep plugging along.  i hope this post will help You  keep plugging along!

Read an eye-mind-heart-opener illustration about counsel (or mind medicine/guidance) that we may NOT like or have to take…this is my twist on it:  what if your thumb was disjointed/dislocated and just hanging off your hand…we all know how important our thumb is in using our much needed hand. Would you fear the temporary pain of having it pushed/adjusted/popped back in place??…you may fear the pain, but you would endure this temporary discomfort knowing that long-term your hand would function better, right?

Personally, i enJOY a wide-variety of mind/body food and have come to appreciate/learn that i have a spiritual need along with a physical need..physical food may fill one up, but somehow leaves one empty too…know what i mean?! i need nourishment, refreshment, comfort and “understanding” that makes me truly breathe, makes my blood flow– engaging my heart and my mind together unitedly…churning, moving, flowing, growing, bending…Flexible-Purposeful-LIVING is what i like!:)

BOYLE is gonna boil…over!

Robert Boyle is fascinaaatttiiinnnggg to me: “Boyle was never a student at a university. (Dutton 1951, 20)” “Boyle stressed the need to have an examined faith. He pointed out that “usually, such as are born in such a place, espouse the opinions true or false, that obtain there” (BW, 12:421, Birch 1772, VI:712), indeed, “the greatest number of those that pass for Christians, profess themselves such only because Christianity is the religion of their Parents, or their Country, or their Prince, or those that have been, or may be, their Benefactors; which is in effect to say, that they are Christians, but upon the same grounds that would have made them Mahometans, if they had been born and bred in Turky” (BP 7:233, BOA §3.7.5, pp 301–2). ~Robert Boyle Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy goes on to say:

Boyle felt that more was required of the thinking believer. Locke agreed: often a child’s notion of God does more “resemble the Opinion, and Notion of the Teacher, than represent the True God” (Essay, 1.14.13).

{Boyle was an AWAKE ACCEPTER…a THINKING BELIEVER…not a blind-robot-parrot reciting parental words/beliefs/traditions…whatever he believed–be it scientific or spiritual…he made the TRUTH his OWN through on-going study and investigation. i RESPECT that a lot!}

Did You know Boyle had a wish list? (What’s on Yours?) My wish list for You:) my Readers: You will know the Truth, Practice it (compassion), Be well and Live Long in peace!:)

Here’s his:

Boyle’s first ‘wish’ was the ‘Prolongation of Life’.

Since the average life expectancy at the start of the 17th century was just 40, Boyle’s first wish was certainly achieved. And it remains a hot topic for scientists today.

His hopes for the cure of diseases by transplantation and drugs to appease pain and aid sleep have both become inherent features of contemporary medicine and yet these were predictions he was making over 350 years ago.

‘We have seen numerous of his other predictions realised in various ways, including flight, modern healthcare prolonging life, Kevlar body armour, underwater explorations and GPS navigation.’ Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1283503/Robert-Boyle-17th-century-chemist-foresaw-hi-tech-future.html#ixzz2RcLsyeRw

“He made a “wish list” of 24 possible inventions which included “The Prolongation of Life”, the “Art of Flying”, “perpetual light”, “making  armour light and extremely hard”, “A ship to sail with All Winds, and a  Ship not to be sunk”, “practicable and certain way of finding  Longitudes”, “potent drugs to alter or Exalt Imagination, Waking, Memory  and other functions and appease pain, procure innocent sleep, harmless  dreams etc”. They are extraordinary because all but a few of the 24 have  come true.^[11][12] ~wikipedia”

“Boyle is ambivalent about the function of miracles. Generally he regards them as being philosophically relevant after we have a proof of God’s existence, something which natural theology will afford us. (Boyle fastens on two main types of design arguments: those involving  the complexity of animate beings, particularly very small animate  beings,^[28] and those which highlight the need to explain the origin and continuing function of natural laws: God must not only sustain God’s creatures, Boyle argues, he must also sustain the regularities which we recognize as lawlike.)…Boyle had a straightforward notion of creation. First of all God, at a particular, fairly recent, point in absolute time, made matter.”

“After having made matter, started it moving, and given it laws, God then formed the matter into particular structures and shapes, including certain “seeds.” Then he added some “seminal” principles. Boyle does not clearly indicate whether or not these are a special subclass of natural laws affecting matter, or whether they are in some way what he sometimes calls “supra-mechanical,” though he does point out that if there is a mechanism for animal inheritance, then it would seem to require a framing intelligent agent (BW, 12:445–6, Birch 1772, VI:728–9. Anstey 2002a provides a full discussion of the issue.)

Considerations from: Robert Boyle: an Introduction by Michael Hunter–Birkbeck College, University of London:

“Boyle’s major preoccupation was the relationship between God’s power, the created realm, and man’s perception of it, a topic on which he wrote extensively, in books mainly published in the 1680s, though the views that they expressed may be traced in embryonic form in his earlier writings. In them, Boyle laid stress on the extent to which God’s omniscience transcended the limited bounds of human reason, taking up a position that contrasted with the rather complacent rationalism of contemporary divines such as Joseph Glanvill. He also reflected at length on the proper understanding of final causes, and in conjunction with this provided one of the most sophisticated expositions of the design argument in his period. Indeed, Boyle’s significance for the history of science depends almost as much on the profound views on difficult issues put forward in these philosophical writings as it does on his experimental treatises.”

It is fit for a man to know his own abilities and weaknesses, and not think himself obliged to imitate all that he thinks fit to praise. ~Robert Boyle

Do you believe in Angels?! (Boyle did!) An article back in 2001: “Do You Believe in Angels?”

“The above question, posed to more than 500 residents of Quebec, was responded to in the affirmative by 66 percent of those polled. As reported in Canada’s Le Journalde Montréal, one researcher credits the widespread belief in the supernatural not only to Roman Catholicism but also to a strong Buddhist influence in the province. Nonetheless, sociologist Martin Geoffroy is surprised that only one third of those surveyed admitted to belief in the Devil. “What is disturbing,” he states, “is the positivism. We believe in angels but not in the devil. We dismiss the negative.”

Here’s an excerpt from an article: Angels Who They Are?…that may give you another perspective on Angels:

According to the Bible, angels are spirits, just as God himself is a Spirit. (Psalm 104:4; John 4:24) The angelic family is large, numbering into the millions. (Revelation 5:11) And all of them are “mighty in power.” (Psalm 103:20) Though angels are like humans in that they have personality and are given free will, they did not begin their lives as humans. In fact, God created angels long before mankind’s appearance—even before the creation of planet Earth. When God “founded the earth,” says the Bible, “the morning stars [angels] joyfully cried out together, and all the sons of God began shouting in applause.” (Job 38:4, 7)

Do you believe in demons? (Boyle did!) Interesting, eh?? Here’s another excerpt from an article that may give you another perspective on this topic:

Who Are the Demons?

“GHOSTS, ghouls, goblins, genies, demons are spirit entities that people of various religions believe in and view as malevolent, benevolent, or both. Other people dismiss belief in spirits as just a superstition or as a figment of the imagination.”

“When God created spirit creatures, he made them free moral agents, able to choose for themselves whether to do good or bad. Sadly, after the creation of humankind, an undisclosed number of angels chose to do bad by rebelling against God.”

What is spiritism?? For this post: this description/definition (from Insight on Scriptures) will be used:

“The belief or doctrine that the spirits of the human dead, surviving the death of the physical body, can and do communicate with the living, especially through a person (a medium) particularly susceptible to their influence. Both the Bible and secular history reveal that spiritism existed from very early times. Egypt’s religion was permeated with it.  And the religion of Babylon (which city was also the chief religious center for Assyria) was spiritistic.”

“In sorcery, the use of drugs, whether simple or potent, was generally accompanied by incantations and appeals to occult powers, with the provision of various charms, amulets, etc., professedly designed to keep the applicant or patient from the attention and power of demons, but actually to impress the applicant with the mysterious resources and powers of the sorcerer.”

Here’s an interesting piece of writing by Biblical Scholars: Spirit Creatures How do they Affect Us?

“To mislead people, the demons use spiritism. The practice of spiritism is involvement with the demons, both in a direct way and through a human medium. The Bible condemns spiritism and warns us to keep free from everything connected with it. (Galatians 5:19-21) Spiritism does for the demons what bait does for fishermen. A fisherman uses a variety of baits to catch various kinds of fish. Similarly, wicked spirits use different forms of spiritism to bring all sorts of people under their influence.”

“One type of bait used by the demons is divination. What is divination? It is an attempt to find out about the future or about something unknown. Some forms of divination are astrology, the use of tarot cards, crystal gazing, palmistry, and the search for mysterious omens, or signs, in dreams. Although many people think that practicing divination is harmless, the Bible shows that fortune-tellers and wicked spirits work together. For instance, Acts 16:16-18 mentions “a demon of divination” that enabled a girl to practice “the art of prediction.” But she lost this ability when the demon was cast out of her.”

“Another way that the demons mislead people is by encouraging them to inquire of the dead. People grieving over the death of a loved one are often deceived by wrong ideas about those who have died. A spirit medium may give special information or may speak in a voice that seems to be that of a dead person. As a result, many people become convinced that the dead are really alive and that contacting them will help the living to endure their grief. But any such “comfort” is really false as well as dangerous. Why? Because the demons can imitate the voice of a dead person and give a spirit medium information about the one who died. (1 Samuel 28:3-19)  So “anyone who inquires of the dead” has been misled by wicked spirits and is acting contrary to the will of God. (Deuteronomy 18:10, 11; Isaiah 8:19) Therefore, be careful to reject this dangerous bait used by the demons.”

French Protestant Professor Oscar Cullmann writes in his book Immortality of the Soul or Resurrection of the Dead?: “There is a radical difference between the Christian expectation of the resurrection of the dead and the Greek belief in the immortality of the soul. . . . Although Christianity later established a link between these two beliefs, and today the average Christian confuses them completely, I see no reason to hide what I and the majority of scholars consider to be the truth. . . . The life and thought of the New Testament are entirely dominated by faith in the resurrection. . . . The whole man, who is really dead, is brought back to life by a new creative act of God.”

Scientifically speaking some wouldn’t deny electricity or gravity exists…fundamental forces of Nature: do you only believe what you see?? We cannot see the wind, yet we feel it. We know it exists. Is any life independent of wind?!

“The mistral ranks right alongside other famous winds, such as the foehn of the Alps, the pampero of South America, the chinook of the North American Rockies, the harmattan of northwest Africa,”

“Three, six, or nine days,” goes the old Provençal saying regarding how long the mistral will blow. But this masterful wind can blow for a much longer period than that. In 1965, for example, it blew for 23 days nonstop!”

“Man has learned to cope with the mistral. Parallel hedges protect the fields, and old village houses rarely have an opening to the north. Though its chilly winds can be quite discomforting, the mistral nevertheless can be viewed as a master landscape architect.” ~The Mistral A Master Landscape Designer

We enJOY a cool breeze on a hot day. We also acknowledge that this same wind can whip up into a destructive tornado. We acknowledge the positive and the negative of wind. We act accordingly…we check the weather… don’t know about You, i’m NOT a hurricane chaser!

Life is interdependent…many variables/factors both visible and invisible, both profound and subdued contribute to our wellness or take away from it! So, let’s think about:

Questions for Consideration:

• Is it superstitious to believe that another life-form with superior skills than man could exist?!
• Is it unreasonable to believe that angels and/or demons could influence man in either positive or negative ways?!
• How will you protect yourself from any negative demonic-influences?!
• Could there be positive (invisible) influences out there of which i am not totally aware?
• Could there be negative (invisible) influences out there of which i am not totally aware?
• Could invisible forces (positive/angelic or negative/demonic) be designing or contributing to the world’s current landscape i.e. social conditions, governments, religions, and/or crime, violence, etc.?
• Do my associations, books, media choices, friends bring me under positive or negative influences?!
• How can i break free from any negative/damaging influences both of a scientific or spiritual nature?
• Is my thinking disjointed and how can accurate knowledge/truth/investigation (scientific & spiritual “understanding” of life interdependency)adjust it (so i can function better/make better choices)?

THANKS for Reading & not spitting up this post! We certainly learn a lot from Boyle. He made the Truth his own through life-long, on-going scientific and spiritual study and investigation. He was not afraid of the unknown…neither should we…be.

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Okay, not out-of-control angry…just VERY upset by stupidity and senselessness. (Thus–the inspiration for this post.) Yeah, we make mistakes as parents, (and my heart breaks for any parent who has lost their child in death:(

But, can’t we be more vigilant when it comes to our kids’ safety?! Parents must protect their kids. Parents must respect life. Parents must respect water. Parents must respect time. Parents must WAKE-UP/PAY ATTENTION before kids drown…Until our kid(s) are grown, our job as a parent is: LIFE GUARD! (not just talking water)

Scope of the Problem       

Florida loses more children ages 1–4 to drowning than any other state. Annually in Florida, enough children to fill three to four preschool classrooms drown and do not live to see their fifth birthday.

Florida overwhelmingly has the highest unintentional drowning rate in the nation for the 1–4 year old age group with a rate of 6.98 per 100,000 population (Oklahoma was second for this age group with a rate of 5.04) for 2007–2009.

Alaska, Hawaii, and Florida have the highest overall unintentional drowning rates in the nation between 2007–2009, with rates of 3.53, 2.90, and 2.09 per 100,000 population, respectively. The soaring rate for the 1–4 year old age group drives up Florida’s overall rate, so if we can impact the 1–4 year old rate, we can also make an impact on Florida’s overall rate. ~Floridashealth.com

Sun, surf and sand…sand, sun and surf…baby powder sand of Siesta Key Beach is 1 of my all time favorite beaches…had the privilege/experience of living close by (Gulf Gate)…Hubby and i would pop over in the evenings (when the sun wasn’t so strong) with the babies/toddlers…and i remember one of our first times at the beach (after relocating from Massachusetts to Sarasota)…word was spreading around the beach that a 12 year old drowned (at Siesta)…i was SHOCKED…12 years old?..we had babies at the time…

For YEARS Hubby and i would bring the kids to the beach in life jackets…seriously!! And i can tell ya…didn’t see too many if any other kids in life jackets. Even when our kids could swim, we kept jackets on them at the beach and in friends’ pools…4 young kids hyper and fast–running and playing at the beach…VIGILANCE saves lives! …we chose NOT to live in a home with a pool down here in Fl…the danger was too great for our kids and our mental/emotional well-being...you could never rest/sleep…we knew, our kids would find a way to get to the pool when we would least expect it…(We have been made in fun of as parents for making our kids wear life-jackets at the beach and at friends’ pool parties…but guess what? Hubby and i don’t care about the jokes, laughter, criticisms…our kids were/are safe and are still living!:)

Now that they are older/better swimmers…we actually let them walk on the beach without life-jackets on…BUT i could never NOT be on guard when at the beach with kids. Exposed to horrific stories of babies, toddlers, kids and teens drowning here in Florida…my heart breaks every time!:(

How many lives lost does it take for people to RESPECT WATER…RESPECT LIFE and How FRAGILE it is???

515.29 Residential swimming pool barrier requirements.—

(1) A residential swimming pool barrier must have all of the following characteristics:

(a) The barrier must be at least 4 feet high on the outside.

(b) The barrier may not have any gaps, openings, indentations, protrusions, or structural components that could allow a young child to crawl under, squeeze through, or climb over the barrier.

(c) The barrier must be placed around the perimeter of the pool and must be separate from any fence, wall, or other enclosure surrounding the yard unless the fence, wall, or other enclosure or portion thereof is situated on the perimeter of the pool, is being used as part of the barrier, and meets the barrier requirements of this section.

(d) The barrier must be placed sufficiently away from the water’s edge to prevent a young child or medically frail elderly person who may have managed to penetrate the barrier from immediately falling into the water.

(2) The structure of an aboveground swimming pool may be used as its barrier or the barrier for such a pool may be mounted on top of its structure; however, such structure or separately mounted barrier must meet all barrier requirements of this section. In addition, any ladder or steps that are the means of access to an aboveground pool must be capable of being secured, locked, or removed to prevent access or must be surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of this section.

(3) Gates that provide access to swimming pools must open outward away from the pool and be self-closing and equipped with a self-latching locking device, the release mechanism of which must be located on the pool side of the gate and so placed that it cannot be reached by a young child over the top or through any opening or gap.

(4) A wall of a dwelling may serve as part of the barrier if it does not contain any door or window that opens to provide access to the swimming pool.

(5) A barrier may not be located in a way that allows any permanent structure, equipment, or similar object to be used for climbing the barrier. ~2012 Florida Statutes

Some SAFETY tips:

• SUPERVISE YOUR KIDS IN THE WATER!-lol:)
• Teach them how to swim.
• Restrict access to water and teach them to respect it.
• Learn Resuscitation.
• Use Life Jackets.

i like this Wise Proverb:

“Has presumptuousness come? Then dishonor will come; but wisdom is with the modest ones.” (Proverbs 11:2)

In order to be safe and stay safe and prevent injury, we must know our limitations and be modest…we cannot presume our kids are safe in water IF we are not watching them and haven’t taught them to respect it. If we as parents have not learned our own limitations…how can we teach our kids any?! That’s (partly) why i believe in on-going adult (compassion & other) education..i don’t want my kids to pay for my stupidity!…

(Don’t forget: Vigilance required when little ones: babies/toddlers are in the tub.)

EnJOY the beach and the water and swimming…but Be Safe. Be Smart. Guard Life!

Learning our limitations is tough. It doesn’t have to be deadly!

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