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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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Listening to Me

Thinking positive, they tell me, is a decision that turns into work. It starts with paying attention to me—to how I see think and how I talk. I do know it is all about my practice of thinking and paying attention.  

When I think about being positive, I think about how you see me here and perceive me as a person. How I want to be as a person and how I want people to perceive me is important to me. Improving who I am matters to me. I must admit, making progress on all the aspects of being the person I want to be is sometimes hard. But living life with no guilt; with a purpose; with a desire to do the right thing, make the right choices and make a difference; matters. 

It does bother me though that we hear so much about what is wrong with one person or one group—when those on the radio and TV are so focused on what is wrong with this or that and never get to what is good, right or what might just have potential. Right there is the goal—to see the good, seeing the good first, to think positive rather than to go negative. It sounds easy on paper and implementing it can be a difficult process but the “always negative” alternative stinks.  

To help me stay on track with myself and how I interact with others, I draw from my collection of words and phrases that are meaningful to me. As you know, I always start with gratitude, but my list doesn’t stop there.

 Here are some of the thoughts that come when I’m listening to me: 

Appreciate waking up

See the good in everything, in everybody

Loving life

Actions with good purpose

Humility

Empathy

Understanding

Love

Service to others 

Happiness—thinking about it

Spiritual deeds, actions and practices

Patience

Trust before not trusting

Correct thinking

Making a difference

Being kind

Friendship

Patience

Honesty

No judging

Self-care

Taking complements gracefully

Watching my ego


In peace, love and laughter,

Joe Dunne

Free Lecture Series, Wisdom in Action, to be Presented at Rutgers presented by Philosopher Sunanda Leelaram
3 day lecture series on the theme of ancient wisdom and its role in everyday life from 6:30 to 8 p.m., September 27 - 29, at Rutgers University:Trayes Hall, 100 George St., New Brunswick, NJ Read More »
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Be a ‘Warm’ Parent to Extend Kids’ Lives
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Breathing Risk: Pollution Rises Across the U.S.
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Cetacean Liberation: Canada Bans Captive Sea Mammals
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Cola Quandary: Companies Urge Vietnam Recycling Plans
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Deathly Air Pollution: More Deadly Than Cigarettes
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Eat Vegan Without Compromising Stamina
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The Power of Yoga: Tapping Into the Life Force
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The Re-Use Revolution: Plastics Peril Drives New Strategies
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Try Maqui Berry for Dry Eyes
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Venous Rising: Natural Help for Varicose Veins
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happiness listen publisher's letter central new jersey
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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