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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

Palo-Santo-Candles

Help Build a Kinder World One Person at a Time

by Hannah Adamson

Uplifting humanity can start with lifting up just one person. Recently it seems that negativity has been inundating the news through violence, hate and tragedy. While we may not be able to immediately correct these major issues, as individuals we do have the power to spread positivity to those we meet. Simple acts of kindness contribute to the ripple effect that builds a better world. Here are some quick and easy ideas of how to spread positivity:

Simple Acts. Hold the door for someone or send someone a smile. While these simple acts may seem cliche, they can be enough to lighten someone’s day and encourage them to do the same for someone else.

Bring Cheer. If you notice a friend or family member is going through a difficult time or just having a bad day, do something to cheer them up—bring them their favorite food, visit with them for a few minutes, listen to them, take them out for a change of scenery. Even if you are unable to make their worries go away, they will know you care, which will mean a lot.

Volunteer. Many school groups need volunteers for community service projects. Find a way to become involved, even if it is just for a few hours. Not only will it help someone in need, it will likely make you feel good to go out of your way to give back.

Compliment. Although many people show smiling faces, they are not always feeling happy. By giving someone a compliment, you can give them a real reason to smile.

Share What You Like. Write down all the traits you like about someone, and give it to them. Parents, this is a great way to build your teen’s confidence and show them how much you care for them. Teens, it’s a way for us to remind our parents how grateful we are for them.

Surprise Notes. Leave positive notes and motivational quotes for others to find. Whether you leave a sticky note on a mirror, put a slip of paper in a library book or drop a card in the mail, happy messages are a welcome surprise

It is important to be mindful of the ways in which our actions influence those around us. By consciously sharing kindness with others, even in little ways, we are fostering a more compassionate world.

For more ideas, visit RandomActsOfKindness.org.

Hannah Adamson is a senior in high school. She practices meditation and takes ThetaHealing courses with Reshma Shah in Westfield, New Jersey.

Teen Voices
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

 

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