Be a horse-whisperer

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Wendy Margolese

This blog post was written by Ingrid Peschke, Committee on Publication for Massachusetts, and originally appeared on her blog.  To see it in it’s original context, please click here.

I love this TEDxSanDiego talk a friend shared with me this week and I think you’ll enjoy it, too, especially if you like horses. But even if you don’t the lessons this  shares are universal and inspiring. As I watched, I had to think of one of my favorite Psalms: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” (Ps. 23). Here are a few highlights:

  • Heal yourself, then you can heal others
  • Trust your intuition
  • Set clear boundaries
  • Present a fearless image to the world
  • Feel love and compassion for others
  • Be vulnerable, yet trusting
  • Dissolve fear in yourself in order to help others
  • “Find the terrified horse in yourself and heal it. Heal our planet from the inside out.”

 

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Happy Mother’s Day!

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Wendy Margolese

photo by subactive_photo

 

Mother’s Day in Canada is celebrated on the same date and in much the same way as it is in other western countries, like the United States.  It is always celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

This special Sunday is celebrated in various ways – a family brunch, flowers, a card, a phone call – all directed to the special ‘Mom’ in our lives.  This is the busiest day of the year for restaurants! Continue reading →

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Superstition and Lucky Charms

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Wendy Margolese

photo by stephenccwu

Do you make a wish when you blow out the candles on your birthday cake?  Do you throw salt over your shoulder if you spill some?  When you see a penny, do you make an effort to pick it up ‘so all the day you’ll have good luck’?

These are some of the myths about what we think will bring us luck – or ward off bad luck.  According to Matthew Hutson , author of “The 7 Laws of Magical Thinking: How Irrational Beliefs Keep Us Happy, Healthy and Sane”, believing in charms and such are not necessarily foolish, but give us a sense of control and perhaps purpose.

He says that when you make a wish and blow out the candles on the cake, you are practicing mind over matter.  This version of mind over matter, however, leads to limiting yourself to what you think may be possible.  It also leads to fear of what may or may not happen if you don’t follow the ritual. Continue reading →

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“If You Feel OK, Maybe You Are OK”

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Wendy Margolese

photo by hang_in_there

 

I was intrigued by the article of this title by H. Gilbert Welch, a professor of medicine at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice which was published in The New York Times.   Mr. Welch is the author of Overdiagnosed: Making People Sick in the Pursuit of Health.

 

Here are few of his comments:

  • …rumblings within the medical profession that suggest that the enthusiasm for early diagnosis may be waning. Continue reading →
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GPS for Better Living – A Great New App

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Wendy Margolese

 

photo by KevinH

The Huffington Post has announced a new project to launch in June.  It is an app called “GPS for the Soul”.

‘The philosophy behind it is based on two truths about human beings. First, that we all have within us a centered place of wisdom, harmony, and balance. This truth is embraced by a vast range of the world’s religions…….The second truth is that we’re all going to veer away from that place, again and again and again. That’s the nature of life. In fact, we may be off-course more often than we are on-course.’

The Internet has given us a great tool to enrich and enlarge our life experiences.  On the downside, it has also given rise to a 24/7 connection to the world.

An article in the Harvard Business Review suggests that this extreme connectedness is jeopardizing our ability to balance our lives. Continue reading →

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Origin of The First Franchise

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Wendy Margolese

 

Why is this video on my blog today?  Partway through the video you’ll find Christian Science had helped in the successful start of the first franchise, over a century ago. No kidding!!  I hope you enjoy the message!

Thank you to my colleague in Southern California http://www.csinsocal.com/  and Tim Myers for sharing it.

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Today’s Wisdom, Tomorrow’s Folly

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Wendy Margolese

photo by J. Luedicke

Studies abound about foods, supplements and medicines that may improve our health.  We are encouraged not only by health experts, but by family members to find ways to improve our health, whether by exercise or diet.  Each day there is a new study or another piece of advice.

However, things that are good for your health today may turn out to be bad for your health at a later date.  An ‘apple a day’ should not be the only fruit you eat. Exercise is supposed to be good for you, yet the New York Times Magazine wrote an article describing how people can hurt their bodies while doing yoga.  Also, exercise may not burn up as many calories as we wish, (but it can sure help me work up an appetite!)  An Aspirin as day has been a mantra for many, yet studies show that it may increase the risk of internal bleeding and stroke. Continue reading →

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Affordable Healthcare – All Options

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Wendy Margolese

 

photo by OZinOH

Our neighbour to the South is embroiled in debates over the Affordable Care Act and the conversation has now gone to an even higher level of debate – the Supreme Court.

The law, much of which has still to take effect, would require almost all Americans to obtain health insurance and would extend coverage to more than 30 million people who now lack it. The law would be the largest expansion in the nation’s social safety net in more than four decades.

The crucial question though, is balancing affordable health care with the individual’s freedom to choose something other than conventional care. Continue reading →

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Cherish the Child

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Wendy Margolese

Are we encouraging kids to grow up too fast? In an article in the Washington Post, this question is asked with the comment: “Technology, academic pressure and a changing global marketplace are helping to kill whatever remained of childhood.

When, exactly, was the last game of stickball played on a dirt lot?”

Currently in the news, there are two stories that seem to be defining a state of childhood – one of tiaras and one of guns. Continue reading →

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Placebo on Your Mind

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Wendy Margolese

photo by Brooks Elliott

A placebo is a substance containing no medication and prescribed or given to reinforce a patient’s expectation to get well.  They can be a look-alike pill made of milk sugar or another inert substance.

A study at McGill University found that 20 percent of Canadian physicians hand out placebo pills to patients.  There is ongoing discussion about the role of placebos in medical treatment. Continue reading →

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