Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

Palo-Santo-Candles

Change is Upon Us

I was pondering what to write this month and with the changing of the seasons and fall upon us I thought “let’s write about change.” So much material is there. The one constant that is hard for some to accept is change. For others it is exciting. There is good change, necessary change and of course the changes you never expected or wanted.

But here is what happened, I have been re-reading “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff, and It’s All Small Stuff” by Richard Carlson, Ph.D., and happened to notice how many chapters there were in this very small book. 100. Since this book is really all about perspective, cognitive behavior change, and change in general I thought I would just list some of them and let you ponder change. Some I know are obvious things you have come across in life, but revisiting my thoughts has merit for me.

  • Make Peace With Imperfection
  • Remind Yourself That When You Die, Your “In Basket” Won’t Be Empty.
  • Do Something Nice For Someone Else-And Don Tell Anyone About It.
  • Let Others Have The Glory
  • Let Others Be Right Most Of The Time
  • Ask Yourself The Question “Will This Matter A Year From Now.
  • Repeat To Yourself “Life Isn’t An Emergency” (My Favorite).
  • Seek First To Understand
  • Lighten Up
  • Fill Your Life With Love
  • Mind Your Own Business
  • Trust Your Intuitive Heart
Mostly, personal growth is about developing a really good set of reminders, which ultimately leads to change. I hope you find a few in the list to add to your reminders.

In peace, love and laughter,

Joe

publisher's letter change
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

Upcoming Events Near You
Follow Us On Facebook