Finding Purpose

A friend once told me that God must have a purpose for me, after a life saving event shook me to my very core.  Major life events such as near death experiences have historically been viewed as life changing happenings.  But what most people do not understand is that this new found change is not simply a result of nearly losing life, but a consequence of one who chooses life, when confronted with death. 

 

Some things can not be seen by the eyes.  But this I know, a battle raged within me that the doctors and nurses had no power to fix or even influence, regardless of the amount of pain numbing medication.  

At one point, a black bird flew from my chest, and then some symbols came from within me and circled the bird, but it was the Eye of Ra that stood before me at five o’clock; the third eye.  The things I was seeing and feeling at that time are hard to explain, but I remember the feeling of fleeting fear as the bird bolted from within me, and an overwhelming heartfelt pain; so sad and so cold.  When I think back to that moment today, I still feel that fear.  I guess that’s why I’m writing about it again.  I’m dissecting the event, seeking the broken within the dark shadows. 

Dying would have been an easier alternative, but apparently at that moment I believe that I chose life and was deemed worthy to receive such a blessing.  So I rose from the ashes, by drawing strength from prayers of loved ones. 

Although I was supported by my wife and friends who lived nearby, the event actually brought me closer to my family up North.  My brother, whom I considered the biggest asshole I ever knew, suddenly turned into a decent human being.  Although they were nine hundred miles away, I could feel the love and concern in their voices daily. Their love lifted me high with each call I received; a testament to the power of the heart and mind. 

It is said that the third eye is a call to accept this world as ours and to heal and love it.  I am moved by a mighty hand. My purpose is to heal and love.  

It really is up to us as to whether we want to live or not.  Only when we hand that responsibility over to others do we relinquish our power; our strength.

Six months later I found myself in the hospital with the exact same problem, a puncture in the pipeline so to speak.  The doctors determined that I was too weak for surgery, and sent me home after two weeks in the hospital, with drain tubes extending from my sides. Two little plastic containers that they referred to as grenades captured and contained the poison from inside.

The very same day I was released, my mom was admitted in a hospital up North, after suffering from a stroke.  My world was falling apart. 

A very dear friend and spiritual teacher whom I often sought advice from believed that my sickness may have had been a product of an unforgiving memory that I had suppressed.  We had discussed this six months back.  My relationship with my mother came to mind back then, and here now we both were hospitalized back to back.     “What the hell is happening?  What’s going on?”

I thought I had forgiven my mom long ago, but something wasn’t right.  I am more powerful than this! 

And at that moment I closed my eyes and saw myself taking my power back as my fist cracked the ground beneath.  I visualized my mom and I connected to the source above by white light.  The power that flowed through me I shared with my mom here on Earth. 

Two or three days later, my mom was discharged from the hospital.  No side effects, even though there was evidence that she had suffered minor strokes in the past. 

There is heavy power in our thoughts and actions.  Not only did I heal, but my mom had recovered as well.  We all have purpose and power. Never underestimate the impact that you have on this Earthly plain.  Our words, our thoughts, and our actions regardless of job title, if any at all, can change the world! 

 

"If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves." - Thomas Edison

Diverticulitis Colitis Herbal Remedy

DIVERTICULITIS—is a very painful inflammation and infection of the intestines. Diverticula are bulging sacs or small blisters that appear in the lining of your large intestines and colon.  No one knows what causes Diverticulites, but according to Harvard Health Publications, one-third of Americans over the age of 60 will develop diverticulitis, and nearly  everyone over the age of 80 will have  at least some diverticula in their colon. 

Diverticulitis became common in the U.S.  In the late 1990’s, with a 50% increase since the year 2000, according to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. 

Because this is a condition where the pouches or sacs of the mucus membrane of the large intestine become inflamed and infected, it could quite possibly be a question of diet.  Not only a question of what our personal preferences are when it comes to food, but also a question of what are we feeding our livestock?  What new pesticides have been introduced in the food chain in the 1990’s?  GMO's?

Since there are no answers to these questions, and being a victim of this disease myself, I have changed my diet.  I no longer eat potato chips, red meat (once a week), peanuts, or seeds.  Instead I include more vegetables and fruit in my diet, which is what the medical community suggest as well.

But if you are one of the unlucky ones who has to deal with DiverticulitIs then here’s a little advise from Humbart Santillo, DS, MH and author of, “Natural Healing With Herbs – The First American System of Herbology:"

 

Take fenugreek and comfrey tablets, two every two hours, and follow the same treatment as colItis.  With severe inflammation take two myrrh/goldenseal capsules every two hours.

 

COLITIS—

A liquid diet is advisable for three to seven days, using carrot juice and demulcent herb teas like slippery elm, comfrey root and mullein.  Avoid high fiber foods with thick skins, seeds, and popcorn.  Blend the vegetables to make them soupy and thick before eating.  Use soups, but never hot liquids.

 

For intestinal bulk, use a tablespoon of powdered psyllium and flaxseed soaked with raisin and prunes overnight.  Eat this in the mornings.  Grate apples and pears and combine them with soaked figs and prunes.  This will cause normal bowel movements without gripping and drying of the intestines.

 

Emphasis is on foods that contain little fiber until the condition clears.  Yellow fruits, cantaloupe, pears, watermelon, kelp, agar agar, prunes, olives, tomatoes, plums, cucumbers, berries and mushrooms are a few.

 

 

Internal:  See formulas under Constipation and Ulcers.  Make a comfrey root decoction and drink two onces four times a day.  Take an enema using white oak bark or bayberry mixed with equal parts of slippery elm or mullein.  Chlorophyll enemas (one cup to one part water) is also excellent for retention enemas.

 

External:  Warm fomentations over the lower spine and stomach.

 

Hydrotherapy:  Use warm, whole baths.

 

When this conditions clears, take comfrey tablets, ten to twenty daily with meals.

 

BENTONITE CLAY—is often used for detoxification.  It is composed of aged volcanic ash, and it’s great for cleaning the digestive tract.  It’s even been known to help those with Irritable Bowl Syndrome, as well as bloating and gas, and acid reflux. 

 

Bentonite Clay absorbs everything it touches, including seeds, nuts, or other foods that have become imbedded in the intestinal pouches/sacs. 

 

It increases nutrient assimilation, and cleanses the colon as well.  Other benefits include detoxification of the liver, and it provides an immune system boost to the body.  It’s great for all sorts of skin problems.  I’ve even used it on bug bites; simply mix a little water with the clay and make a paste.

 

But if you use too much of the clay and do not drink lots of water with it, it can make you constipated.  Only a half of teaspoon to a teaspoon of the clay mixed with a large cup of water is suggested. 

 

NOTE – do not allow the clay to come in contact with metal.  If you need a spoon to measure, use plastic.  Mix well with a plastic whisk.  Do not take within 2 hours of medications or supplements; it will reduce their effect.  And as always, consult your physician.

 

(nutritionhealthfitness.com/bentonite-clay/)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disconnect

I see the world as my family, and when they reject the love I give, it destroys the life within me.  They say the kingdom of Heaven is alive in each and every one of us.  So I wonder if it is the Heaven within that grieves and tears at my heart.  Is this how God feels?

A few weeks ago I attended a demonstration regarding current U.S. Immigration policies.  I looked long and hard for my German flag, but couldn’t find it.  But I did find my Italian flag, and of course I had no problem finding a couple of American flags lying around the house.  Lastly, I grabbed my dog tags and headed out the door.

I greeted my fellow brothers and sisters with hugs when I arrived.  There were only a few people there.  A couple of the demonstrators were holding a nice size Mexican flag.  I didn’t know any of them, but was happy to unify.

I wanted to take part in the protest because I’m a humanitarian, as well as a product of (Native America and) immigrants who came to this country before America became a nation of fear.  Fear is something that I’ve always prided myself on overcoming. 

Standing on a downtown street corner with a nice size American flag hanging upside down, and a small Italian flag in one hand (that was mistaken as a Mexican flag quite often), and a small American flag (right side up) in the other, turned out to be quit an attraction. 

I understand that some people do not understand the symbolism behind an American flag hanging upside down; it symbolizes an American in distress, and when a passerby would let the bird fly and scream at my flag, I’d flip them two fingers up in peace.  I felt no anger in my heart, because I was standing up for love. 

I never have seen so many cameras and microphones at a Pensacola protest in my life.  More and more people came to stand with us.  People driving by had cell phone cameras out, smiling and waiving. 

No one showed anger towards those who yelled, “Go back home!”  Instead the protesters would simply smile and waive.  Sometimes we would sound off in English, and then Spanish (Mexican).

It was a beautiful day.  I thought of my grandparents and their people who came before me.  I thought about what it felt like to cross an ocean, never to return. 

And my friends thought I had balls when I move to Florida.  The thought of crossing ocean’s dose not appeal to me on any level.  My grandparents were the dauntless ones.

But I do love my brothers and sisters south of the border.  I use to live in San Diego county (El Cajon, California).  I awoke to tacos in the a.m. and dined on burritos in the p.m. 

Love Ensenada!  Partied in Tijuana on several occasions.  I love the color, the culture, the music and the people, and I would still live out there today if it wasn’t so far from my Ohio family.

It didn’t take long for pictures of me holding my upside down flag began to circulate on Facebook.  I was on the evening news, and I was told my interview with UWF aired the next morning. 

The only negative feedback I received was from this Latino woman.  And it wasn’t just feedback; she was trying to bait me.  I could feel it.  When I didn’t bite, she changed/edited her previous comment, misleading readers.

So Facebook marks it and time stamps the comment.  Four hours had gone by with no additional comments, but as soon as she edited her comment another lady jumps on and tells me that I’m playing the race card, followed by ten or so other people who had a comment for the token white girl. 

It broke my heart.  I had hugged these women with purest of love, and here they are purposely trying to draw me into their ego driven drama.  I deleted the post all together and swore I would never stand with a group of Mexican’s again. 

The event no longer represented love, unity and brotherhood. Those two women took the best of me, the love, the courage, the sacrifice and destroyed it; a story that those in support of a border wall would love to share.

Cover up.  Disconnect. 

So I sit in the distance and I watch, because you can’t stomach me, and I refuse to acknowledge you.  It isn’t the government that is in need of repair, it’s us, the people! 

I can’t make you or anyone else a better person.  I can only work on myself.  And I know that disconnecting is not the answer.  So I forgive and clear the path to the kingdom within.  But know this, disconnecting is division.  You not only divide yourself from me and others, you disconnect from love; the light; the source, whatever you choose to call it.

So take a hint from the Beatles revolution – open your heart and come together!

 

 

Insomnia

From the book, “Natural Healing With Herbs,” by Humbart Santillo BS, MH –  if closely followed, these few rules will assist in a sound sleep.

1. Sleep in a well ventilated, cool room; not an overheated room.
2. Never sleep in the same clothes that you wore earlier in the day.  Wear lose clothing or none at all.
3. Be sure your sheet and blanket are neither too warm or too heavy.
4. Avoid excitement or extraordinary strain before bedtime.
5. Do not eat at least 3 hours before bedtime.
6. When you first go to bed practice relaxing before you fall asleep.

If you’re still having problems, try a fresh-air walk, or walk barefoot in the grass before retiring for the evening.  Drink teas of equal parts hops and chamomile.

It is also suggested that an infusion of equal parts of wood betony, peppermint, chamomile, catnip and valerian mixed (one cup) will assist in a good nights rest. 

And if you think your restlessness is due to nervousness, mix equal parts of valerian, spearmint, lemon balm, lady’s slipper and skullcap.  Drink as in infusion when needed using one ounce to a pint of boiling water; steep for 20 minutes.

 

Connect

Mother Teresa use to tell the sisters to greet everyone they come in contact with throughout the day with a smile.  And they lived it.  One day I was riding down the road when it occurred to me that I loved sharing that bit of information, but I didn’t smile at everyone I met.  Are you kidding?  That meant I would have to make eye contact with a stranger, who could be dangerous or something (LOL), and then I would have to smile like I meant it. 

I can laugh out loud about it now, because I’ve been doing it for the past seven years, and I can honestly say that there is nothing to fear.  It’s pretty special when someone smiles big and waves back at you.  I feel my heart swell and my smile widens more as I connect with another.  It just goes to show how beautiful and magical life is when you step out of your comfort zone.    

But if you never try it, you’ll never know the majesty of unleashing your heart upon the world.  If you really want to feel powerful then release a hug here and there. Hugs shouldn’t be limited to family and friends only.  The lonely need hugs more than anyone.

Research has shown that touch is fundamental for human communication, bonding, and health.  Most western cultures, including the U.S., are considered to be touch deprived. 

According to an article in the Greater Good, Dacher Keltner reported that people in France touched each other up to 110 times per hour, while friends in Puerto Rico touched up to 180 times.  Here in the U.S. that number was 2 times, and only during a “burst of enthusiasm.”  But not all is lost to the U.S., in England the number was reduced to zero times.

In addition, a French psychologist discovered that when teachers give a pat on the back to their students, the student becomes three times more likely to speak up in class.

We all need each other.  We have this ability to lift each other high, and make the world a better place and there is nothing hard about it.  It simply begins with a smile followed by a wave of the hand. 

(greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/hands_on_research)

 

 

 

USE KIND WORDS -

“Pretty words are not always true, and true words are not always pretty.”

“Characterize people by their actions and you’ll never be fooled by their words.”

“Words can inspire or words can

destroy -  choose your words wisely.”

 

 

 

 

 

Suicide

I don’t know why, but on Saturday I found myself in a very dark place.  I felt so sad, and I found myself crying, a lot!  Regardless of how much I wanted to turn my thoughts around, I could not.  All hope was lost.  We live on a fucked up little planet with fucked up little people who are happy slinging shit at one another, like primates. I’m not sure as to what exactly triggered all this, but I had to stop this blackness that creped deep into my soul.  My focus quickly turned to suicide.  So I researched the subject and sorrow gripped my heart even tighter. 

Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death in the United States.  Each year 44,193 Americans die by suicide; numbers are estimated to be higher; but the stigma attached to suicide often leads to underreporting.   For every suicide it is estimated there were 25 others who attempted to kill themselves.  On average there are 121 suicides per day.  Firearms account for almost 50% of all suicides.   Men die by suicide 3.5 times more often than women, yet females attempt suicide 3 times more than males.  The rate is the highest among middle aged men (white men in particular). 

Wyoming has the most suicides in the U.S.  Alaska ranks 2^nd, Montana 3^rd, New Mexico 4^th, Utah 5^th, Idaho 6^th, and the State of Florida ranks 29^th.  Over twice as many people die by suicide in the State of Florida annually than by homicide. 

The New York Times reported, in April 2016, that suicides surged to its highest rates in nearly 30 years.  The rates rose by 2% per year beginning in 2006.  The article went on to say that, “American Indians had the sharpest rise of all racial and ethnic groups, with rates rising by 89 percent for women and 38 percent for men. White middle-aged women had an increase of 80 percent.”

Collectively we are not happy people; we have to turn this all around and bring happy back.  2006 is the year of the Amish school shootings.    It’s the year of the Enron trial, and the year Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death; money, guns and oil.

You know there’s a serious issue when a society’s self destructive behavior impacts a self-sufficient community that is totally disengaged from the modern civilization.  Events such as 9-11, and the Amish schools shootings serve as road signs as to what’s to come, if we continue down this road of destruction. 

By Saturday afternoon, I just shut down.  I drowned myself in alcohol until I couldn’t think anymore, and passed out early with an upset stomach.  It was dark when I awoke, and I found myself in regret for wasting an entire day in such a manner. 

I rose early Sunday morning anticipating a day at the beach.  But I still wasn’t myself.  Instead of music thumping my ear drums, I found myself listening to Louise Hay affirmations that I had recorded from YouTube, as I rooted myself to the Earth and absorbed the radiating energy of the sun. 

By the end of the day I was feeling more like myself, and even more so on Monday.  I can not tell you how I was drawn into such a dark place that Saturday, but I can tell you this, it’ll get better.  The more we work on healing our own sorrow, the better our world becomes.

(afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics)

Suicide Prevention Hotlines Serving Pensacola

850-438-1617 or 850-623-6363

 

Trust Me

No I'm not talking about the banking definition of trust; I'm talking about a belief in reliability, truth, and strength of someone or something.  Trust involves faith in another to be loyal and sincere.   We trust our friends to be non-judgmental and to keep our secrets, and when it comes to our lovers, trust can include devotion to love one above all others.  It’s pretty evident that trust is the foundation of good health, in addition to hearty relationships.

But trust shouldn’t end with family and friends.  We should be able to trust our neighbors, the media, or the EPA, FBI, CIA, Congress, as well as the office of the President, but we don’t.  That trust has been broken.  Instead of seeing the best of others, we seem to be fixated on the dark side; stuck in a broken system of mistrust. 

I spent five years as an environmental activist, and I can tell you that I did not trust the EPA for nothing.  I even met people who represented the EPA, who seemed very concerned and well educated, but I knew money talked and hands were out palms up.  The EPA wasn’t ruling in favor of a healthy human environment, they were supporting a long outdated fossil fuels industry that has been proven to be detrimental to human health.  And today, with a new administration, there’s talk of demolishing the Environmental Protection Agency all together. 

I had to ask myself is this a good thing or a bad thing?  I mean really, if the EPA wasn’t doing their job in the first place, why bother keeping the agency around? 

Of course I do not think this is a good thing, but as I see all this crazy whipping around an unstable government, I see our Court System working as it was intended.  Our system of checks and balances is still in place.  I see twenty times the people protesting for our Earth Mother in the past four months than I had in the past seven years, here in Pensacola.  But most of all, I realize that my lack of trust and assumptions of the EPA (government) was contributing to the ciaos we see today.  Never has this been so clear as when I attended a pipeline march/rally on February 12th.

As I stood in protest, a young woman rose before the crowd to speak.  Her heart swelled with each spoken word. It didn’t take long for her voice to begin breaking up, as she bravely tried to fight the tears.  I use the word brave, because that is what it takes to open your heart to others, especially when you’re in the spotlight of a hundred pairs of stranger eyes.  That’s trust!

People are not governments.  People are individual persons.  The problem is not one of a government, but of us individuals; you and me.  Our lack of trust leaves no room for love to grow.  It is not boarder fences we need to be concerned with, but instead it is the fences we build around our hearts we need to fear.  We have to quit shutting each other out and embrace each other instead; we have to matter to each other.  Your fight for justice is my fight for justice.  When we stand together, we can change the world.  Trust me.