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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

Palo-Santo-Candles

Embracing Change

Oct 01, 2020 12:54PM ● By Joe Dunne

The world changes and balances. There is little we can do but adjust and accept. It is funny that as we grow older all the teachings and lessons heard in our youth become true as time and wisdom polishes our understandings. For example, how many times have you heard that “change is the only constant that you can truly depend on”? This is a truth. Change will happen in unexpected ways, and you and I have little control over the events of the universe. 

I have come to understand and even welcome some change. It comes in many forms—some harsh, some sad, some good. However, it is our level of acceptance that makes the difference in staying stuck, adjusting or moving on.

The Serenity Prayer is my mantra. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” I repeat it to myself to keep my sanity, level my thinking and bring me back to common sense so I can adjust and accept the world as it is. It reminds me that I am not in charge of very much except for myself. 

Currently, I am reading Connecting the Dots: Lessons for Leadership in a Startup World by John Chambers and Diane Brady. In it, they describe disruption as a signal for change, and the wide range of problems that people, businesses, corporations and even countries run into when they fail to change, when they cling to the familiar, when they refuse to step out of their comfort zones. The authors share that in every major disruption, there is opportunity. 

Our world today is going through a major disruption, and the opportunities for doing things differently are everywhere. There has never been a better time to work on ourselves, to adjust our outlooks, to rethink work, to look at gratitude, to get creative, to help others, to do that little act of kindness we all talk about. Has there ever been more time to get uncomfortable? The opportunity to embrace change is here, if we choose to see it.

So, how do we stay sane with the pressure of unknown tomorrows and mysteries of the future? I could speak thousands of words from the philosophies of the ages, but for myself, singing the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” works just as well, even if I have to sing it 20,000 times a day. It’s something I can do, and sometimes that’s all I need. 

In peace, love and laughter,

Joe Dunne


In-Print publisher's letter October 2020
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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