Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

Palo-Santo-Candles

Giving Thanks

Teen Voices by Isabella Dussias

As Thanksgiving is upon us, it is important to reflect on the good things we have in our lives. 

Recently, I interviewed some of my teenage friends and asked them what they are thankful for. There was no surprise in the range of answers. The overwhelming response was family, followed by friends, teachers, coaches and mentors. Many said they were thankful for their education and their home.

I know sometimes it may seem that we teens are self-absorbed and only concerned about our microcosm of friends and social activities, but deep down we have a strong appreciation for the most important things that we have in this life. I myself am thankful for not only my parents, but also my extended family of grandparents and uncles and aunts, who offer me a different perspective of life than my parents teach me. I feel very lucky to be part of an interconnected and nurturing family that has helped shape who I have become. I even had the gift of having great grandparents until I was about 8 years old. They grew up in the depression and were veterans of WWII. I learned a lot of countless lessons at a young age when I reflect on the time spent with them. 

So, when your teen is rushing around, texting and scurrying off to their next practice or school dance, realize that you are not under-appreciated, but are very over-appreciated in silence. 

I am very thankful for everything I have, especially family. I’m sure your teen is too. 

Isabella Dussias is a 16-year-old singer-songwriter/composer from New Jersey. She enjoys writing about issues that are important to today’s youth, and she believes music is an important outlet to connect people and share messages through the creativity of lyric and melody. For more information, please visit IsabellaDussias.com.


gratitude Thanksgiving Local Insights Teen Voices Song Writer November 2019 Teen Writer Writer
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