Happy Thursday, dear friends. This past week I was in the middle of a Deja vu, that I would rather not have repeated.
Last New Year’s Eve I was sick. I stuck my foot in it again, by mentioning it to a number of people, and writing about it on the blog. Well history repeated itself, and I found myself down for the count with head cold symptoms for a couple of days.
I think the difference between last year and this, is that I honored what I needed and put myself first, instead of trying to struggle through it all and stressing my body and my mind even further. I simply asked for help and support, and gave myself permission to rest. I also listened to my intuition and gave my body what it asked for, which was Epsom salt baths, hot tea and loads of sleep.
I also found myself thinking about honoring each and every experience we have, and not rushing through things to get to something more palatable. If we believe that everything happens perfectly, which I certainly ascribe to, then this sick time happened perfectly and contributes to my highest good.
I realized how many times I judged experiences as either good or bad, when they are really simply pleasant or unpleasant. Certainly we want more pleasant experiences, but sometimes the unpleasant ones are helping us to evolve far more, and I feel it’s important to honor that. While it isn’t fun to be blowing snot, it is certainly good to test the immune function, every once in a while, because that makes it stronger.
Often, we can see the benefit only after we have been through an unpleasant experience. I plan to have more faith in the perfection of this divine path I am on, and honor each experience as an opportunity for my highest good.
Today, we send love and light to the people of France, who are reeling from a shocking attack in Paris. We move on from there.
Gunman attack and kill 12 people at satirical magazine office in Paris.
Masked gunmen, carrying automatic weapons, entered the offices of Charlie Hebdo today and gunned down many staff members. Witnesses say the gunmen shouted sayings in Arabic and were dressed in military fashion.
The magazine has long been a target of fundamentalist groups, due to their unabashed satire, calling into question any world wide action that curtails freedom. The offices were firebombed in 1981, after they ran a cartoon satirizing the prophet Mohammed.
The streets of Paris were filled with mourning people today, carrying signs that say “Je Suis Charlie,” or I am Charlie, in solidarity with those who were killed. Many believe that the right to free speech and open questioning of society, are inalienable rights given to all sovereign beings, and they will not be stopped by violent actions.
Charlie Hebdo: Gun attack on French magazine kills 12 on BBC News Europe
Moving on…
What happens when you teach meditation to kids in a tough neighborhood?
Our beloved Andrea Scully shared this link with me. Visitacion Valley Schools, sit in the middle of one of the poorest and most violent neighborhoods in the San Francisco, CA area. The stress of the neighborhood used to pour over into the schools, with violent fights occurring a number of times a week.
Four years ago, the grade school decided to implement a “quiet time” program, where students sit for 15 minutes, in silence, twice a day. The administration extended the school day by 30 minutes to accommodate for this new program, and then they set about teaching the students transcendental meditations techniques. They hoped the quiet time and meditative practice would reduce stress levels.
The outcome of the program was so incredible, that it has been expanded to all grades and schools in the district. Student suspensions are down significantly, and the level of academic performance has skyrocketed. One student said it helped her to think about all her actions in a calmer way. Another boy said it helped him to curb his overwhelming anger.
Hopefully this program can shine forth as a benchmark for all schools. All children need quiet time to regroup within the school day, just as much as they need playtime to blow off steam. Teaching children self reflective techniques, that they can use during these peaceful interludes, have far reaching potential for all society.
Learning more and more about our oceans.
Many tend to believe, that we know everything there is to know about our world. This is absolutely not the case, and scientists are discovering new things every day. One of the places, that holds the greatest number of secrets is our oceans.
With advanced technology, researchers are bringing back images from the depths that reveal entirely new worlds. They are also extending their study of the shallows and expanding the knowledge base on species previously thought to be “well studied.” The more they watch a species, interestingly enough, the more they are amazed by it!
This short TED talk, by David Gallo, is a wonderland of underwater astonishment. As a student of biology, and a certified scuba diver, even I learned a bunch of new things that add to my love of our mother earth.
David Gallo shares underwater astonishment on Ted talks
And finally…
Twin babies take their first bath.
This link was sent in by a dear reader. My mother is a midwife, and when my siblings and I were first having babies, she was traditionally the first one to give them their baths. The joy on a newborn’s face when they are returned to the placid warm water, reminiscent of the womb, is spell binding. Some of my most cherished photos are from this special ritual.
This video, of twins being bathed for the first time, reminds me of that joy. While it is not mentioned in the video description, only 1% of identical twins share the same amniotic sac. So these two babies are most likely enjoying their first true hugs and touches as well as their first bath. I find it simply spellbinding!
Twin babies don’t know they are born on YouTube
That’s the news for today. Have an awe-inspiring day. I hope to see you back here tomorrow for more news.
Be Well. Be Joy. Be Love!
Alex