health and wellness

Cooking with natural herbs will enhance the taste of your recipes ten fold! They are easy to grow, smell wonderful, and look beautiful in your kitchen or patio area. These little potted herbs can be planted together in clusters or planted separately. They add a nice sense of green to liven up any area you choose to plant them. I suggest buying a nice, ornate pottery in which to grow them in, placing them about in a desired area usually near a sunny window or patio.

The great thing about growing fresh herbs is having them on hand where they can be used as needed, instead of buying them from the grocery store where they have already been cut from its stems and where their shelf life now becomes a factor. They are also costly when purchased from the market, so planting them yourself will save a considerable amount of money. 

Which Herbs Are Best Fresh?

Among the most important herbs to always have readily available is fresh basil, flat-leafed Italian parsley, mint, and cilantro. There are many other fresh herbs to consider such as rosemary, dill, and chives to name a few. You can check your local garden stores to see which herbs are available to buy whether in seed or plant form. You will definitely appreciate the intense flavors of these aromatic, fresh herbs that are second to none in your daily cooking ventures.

 Your mind is similar to a garden. It needs cultivating, discipline, a nudge toward growth, balance, attention without neglect, and nurturing.  What you sow you reap. If healthy seeds are not born, then abundance can not spring forth. But if seeds are nurtured, they will continue to grow and produce it’s kind.

Keeping a vigilance on one’s mind is a key factor to one’s success and happiness. A healthy mind always comes from love. Just as a gardener cultivates and keeps free from weeds, he continues in growing the fruits he desires. So must you tend the garden of your mind, weeding out all the wrong, useless and negative thoughts, and cultivating perfection the fruits of your labor; producing the right and positive thoughts.

As James Allen wrote with such wisdom:

“Mind is the master power that molds and makes, And we are Mind, and evermore we take The tool of thought, and shaping what we will, Bring forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills. We think in secret, and it comes to pass - Our world is but a looking glass.”

If you want to keep your skin healthy and hydrated, cucumbers can be one of the solutions. As cucumber and the skin share the same level of hydrogen, it becomes easy for cucumbers to help soothe and relieve eye puffiness, dark circles under the eyes, sore eyes, eye fatigue, hay fever symptoms, eye strain from jet lag, computer use, reading and sun exposure.

With so many useful ingredients in cucumbers such as its high water, silicon and sodium content, it has become part of daily beauty products, into facial packs, juice and many other remedies. The sodium content helps draw excess water from the tissue surrounding the eyes, reducing puffiness. Due to its cooling effect it can be termed as a magic wand for all your skin problems making it not only soft and supple, but also as the most wonderful and natural eye pads you can ever find for yourself. The regular intake of cucumber juice is very useful both internally and externally.

Some additional tips given by experts for relieving swollen or puffy eyes in the morning suggests drinking plenty of water while reducing your sodium intake and sleeping with your head elevated on a pillow. Two cool cucumber slices placed over your eyelids can constrict blood vessels because of the astringent properties, allowing you to relax while they do their miracle work. 

For healthy glowing and smooth skin use this recipe:

• Blend 4 - 5 leaves of fresh mint.
• Peel and deseed the cucumber.
• Add mint leaves to the cucumber to make a puree.
• Beat egg white and keep it separate, then add this egg white to the cucumber mixture.
• Apply this evenly on your face for 20 minutes and then rinse with cool water and pat skin dry.

Childhood Obesity

Obesity in kids has reached epidemic levels. Experts estimate that over 20% of kids are overweight and another 20% are at risk of becoming overweight. And two thirds of these overweight kids will remain overweight well into their adulthood.

Without educational or parental guidance, children are extremely vulnerable to the intense cultural pressures that are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. Kids are under more pressure than ever before. School testings, peer pressure and the likes, are just part of these factors.

Some additional factors that play a role are:

• Excessive television watching plays a critical role in obesity in children. Not only is it a sedentary activity, but television also offers innumerable temptations with its advertisements for fast foods, sugar cereals, and unhealthy snacks. Studies suggest that obesity rates were lowest in children who watched T.V. one hour or less a day and highest in those who watched four or more hours.
• Sugar, particularly from soda, other sweetened beverages, and fruit juice, may be major contributors to childhood obesity. Some studies have reported that drinking soda regularly increases a child’s risk for obesity by 60%. (Juice, while better than soda, is still filled with sugar.)
• Less physical exercise and greater sedentary activities play another significant role in obesity in children. One study reported the annual distance walked by children has fallen by nearly 30% since 1972, partially because more parents are driving their children to school out of fear of abduction, molestation, and traffic accidents. Schools are also offering fewer opportunities for daily physical activities than in the past.

If your child is overweight you should likely work with your pediatrician and/or a registered dietitian to help him lose weight. Encourage your child with moderate physical activity, healthful snacks and a good nights sleep. Most importantly, encourage healthy eating instead of pushing “dieting” on your child.

Aloe Vera has long, spiked leaves, which are thick-skinned and contain a clear gel-like substance. The Aloe Vera plant has a wide ability to aid in the healing process, to protect, moisturize, and even extend life. Its gel is often used as a cooling and healing aid for sunburns, skin wounds, irritations, cuts, insect bites, burns, among other injuries. Today, Aloe Vera is found in many products, including cosmetics, skin lotions, and moisturizers.

The Benefits Aloe Vera was used in ancient times for medicinal purposes and one of the first documented users of Aloe Vera was Cleopatra, who lived from 68 to 30 B.C. She is said to have used the gel on her skin as protection from the sun, and to have thought the gel helped keep her skin young-looking. In fact, the Egyptians reportedly used Aloe Vera in their embalming of bodies, among other uses.

Aloe Vera contains numerous vitamins and minerals, enzymes, amino acids, natural sugars, and agents which may be anti-inflammatory. Today, it is not just for external remedies, but now can be ingested by pill or as in a drink. Juice is also taken from the Aloe Vera leaves. The bitter juice is often prepared as a flavored drink and is used to help with digestive problems. Taken internally, it can be used as a laxative and to destroy bacteria and parasites in the intestines.

Aloe Vera is a cellular regenerator and has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects. Studies have shown that animals showed lowered occurrences of various diseases. Aloe Vera plants are very common and some people keep a potted plant in the kitchen for external and internal purposes and used under strict controls.

Be A Kid Again 

Once in a while it is important to allow yourself to being a kid again. Not only is it healthy, but it’s okay! Stopping to smell the roses along the way in life can keep us not only vibrant, but youthful in spirit. Life poses so many different demands and responsibilities, that if not kept in some sort of balance, we can fall prey to becoming old, tired, and bitter well before our time. To find the stillness and silence in our mind and body is to wipe the slate clean, and clear the playing field. From a place of stillness and silence, it’s so much easier to come to new experiences with fresh perspective. Taking a break to center the Self is like soup to the soul.

Reminiscing Childhood

I watched from a park bench with envy while longing for the days of being a young child with little or no responsibility and an uncanny ability to live fully in the moment. Sitting there, I remembered what it was like to being a child without a care in the world, whose thoughts ran wildly and free. If only for a moment everyday, we would stop to notice the beauty that surrounds us and once more become our child self in its most simplest and purest forms, our souls would surely smile. As the Buddha said, “If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.” 

Here are some daily thoughts on how to restore the simplicity of childhood to your life:

1. Walk barefoot in wet grass.
2. Read the funnies. Throw the rest of the paper away.
3. Try to get someone to trade you a better sandwich.
4. Wear your favorite shirt with your favorite pants even if they don’t match.
5. Jump rope and play a game of hop scotch.
6. Eat desert first.
7. Buy some bubble gum and blow the biggest bubbles you can.
8. Walk in the rain without an umbrella.
9. Giggle for no reason.
10. Stay up past your bedtime.
11. Cuddle on a carousel.
12. Buy your lover a stuffed animal and name it together.
13. Challenge each other to a pillow fight.
14. Visit the zoo, theme or water park. Share cotton candy with your partner.  
15. Walk to the park. Have a picnic, lay down and look up at a tall tree. Swing
16. Write your names on a balloon and watch it drift off in the breeze.
17. Hula hoop.
18. Wear your lover’s shirt around the house.
19. Go dancing more often.
20. Watch looney toons on T.V.

The key to happiness lies within the learning of your true Self. By stilling your mind, you learn that happiness is within your very being. When you start to see what happiness really is, then when you become miserable you’ll move in the right direction and establish happiness. You will then look for it where it is rather than where it isn’t. Looking for it where it isn’t  causes you to drop down from beingness.

What Is Happiness?

But what is happiness? Most people call it pleasure, but for most, pleasure is only escape from pain! Most people call themselves happy when they get away from their pain through socializing and entertainment, but this is really only an escape! Unable to be by themselves, with their own thoughts, they run to a movie, a nightclub, visit someone, or just get some action going so they are not facing their own thoughts. A truly happy man does not need those escapes in order to be happy. He is content. Once you become free and have an understanding of this, you can enjoy entertainment far more than before because you are free from the hunger-need for it.

Finding the Joy Within

The happiness that Lester Levenson taught, a physicist and engineer who held seminars in his quest to enlightenment, wasn’t the escape-from-misery kind. It was the joy that results from being your own real Self. Once you begin to let go of attaching happiness to people and things, you will begin to see that the joy is only in you, abiding as your very own Self. Once you discover this, you will no longer look for joy where it is not. You then finally reach the place where you need no one and no thing to be happy — you are just happy — all the time!

Some lessons to help towards your quest are:

• Sitting with yourself, perhaps in meditation, in nature, yoga etc, and learn to quiet your mind of all external thoughts for a period of at least 20 minutes once or twice each day. Once you learn to let go of all your thoughts, you will discover that you are an infinite Being with infinite happiness and God-given powers.
• During this period, learn to move toward happiness in the direction of your inner Self, and see that happiness is your Self’s basic nature. It’s this basic nature that never changes. You will see that this world cannot touch you, and no one and no thing can disturb your basic and natural infinite peace.
• Learn that true answers cannot be found externally, for they always lie within. If you can learn to seek within, your Self will always lead you to the truth. Therein lies your true essence and happiness.

A natural healing art, reflexology is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands which correspond to every part of the body. By stimulating and applying pressure to the feet or hands, you are increasing circulation and promoting specific bodily and muscular functions. Kevin Kunz, one of the pioneers of reflexology, puts it best –

Imagine stepping on a tack. Your whole body reacts because of something perceived by the foot. Reflexology with a full range of pressure sensors, utilizes the same body system of fight or flight to relax the body.”

Indeed, the feet and hands are more sensitive than most people realize. Similar to how we use our eyes to detect light, the hands and feet detect pressure, stretch, movement and weight distribution.

So if you rub or massage a specific part of your foot, not only will your foot feel better, but so will the corresponding body part! Here’s a quick overview on what you need to know about reflexology to give a great foot massage:

• When rubbing the ankle area, you are connected to your body’s reproductive area
• Reach down and feel the base of your heel - this whole area is related to the back bone
• When you rub the bottom of the foot, you are hitting the adrenal areas to detox the body
• The areas between the toes are related to the sinuses, eyes, ears, nose, and the facial area.
• The base of the big toe is related to the base of the neck

Reflexology works to release negative energy as well. So next time you give a foot massage, try it and see what they think!

Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum) 

Many herbalists believe that Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum) is the most useful and valuable herb in the herbal kingdom, not only for the entire digestive system, but also for the heart and circulatory system. 

Cayenne pepper is a medicinal and nutritional herb. It is a very high source of Vitamins A and C, has the complete B complexes, and is very rich in organic calcium and potassium, which is one of the reasons it is so good for the heart, and is an excellent choice to use in desired recipes.   Dr. Schulze once stated, “If you master only one herb in your life, master cayenne pepper. It is more powerful than any other.”Dr. Christopher stated, “In 35 years of practice, and working with the people and teaching, I have never on house calls lost one heart attack patient and the reason is, whenever I go in–if they are still breathing–I pour down them a cup of cayenne tea (a teaspoon of cayenne in a cup of hot water), and within minutes they are up and around.”

“Cayenne pepper– prized for thousands of years for its healing power. Folklore from around the world recounts amazing results using cayenne pepper in simple healing and in baffling health problems. But cayenne pepper is not just a healer from ancient history. Recent clinical studies have been conducted on many of the old-time health applications for this miracle herb. Again and again, the therapeutic value of cayenne pepper has been medically validated.” Dr. Patrick Quillin, author of The Healing Power of Cayenne Pepper.

Digestion

Cayenne can rebuild the tissue in the stomach and the peristaltic action in the intestines. It aids elimination and assimilation, and helps the body to create hydrochloric acid, which is so necessary for good digestion and assimilation, especially of proteins. All this becomes very significant when we realize that the digestive system plays the most important role in mental, emotional, and physical health, as it is through the digestive system that the brain, glands, muscles and every other part of the body are fed.

Heart

Cayenne pepper has been known to stop heart attacks within 30 seconds!  When a 90 yr. old man in Oregon had a severe heart attack, his daughter was able to get cayenne extract into his mouth. He was pronounced dead by the medics, but within a few minutes, he regained consciousness. On the way to the hospital, he remained in a semi-conscious state, but the daughter kept giving him the cayenne extract. By the time they got to the hospital, he had fully recovered and wanted to go home and mow the lawn. The doctor asked what she had given him, as he said it was the closest thing to a miracle he had ever seen. Heart Attacks: Cayenne

Emergencies

It is a good idea to always have some cayenne extract on hand. Dr. Anderson carries capsules of cayenne with him in the car and whenever he goes hiking, backpacking or mountain climbing. If hemorrhage occurs in the lungs, stomach, uterus or nose, it is suggested that a tsp. of extract be given every 15 minutes until crisis has passed. For external bleeding, take cayenne internally and pour cayenne directly on the wound.

The Number 1 Rule for Teenage Weight Loss

A lot of teens seek weight loss advice and seem desperate to lose weight for their school Prom. But by doing so, you must first start by educating yourself and getting the facts. A story I once read about reminds me of a teenage girl who wanted to lose about 25 pounds in 3 weeks. She was told this could not be done in such a short period of time. So she went off and starved herself for 3 weeks. What do you think happened? She lost about 7 pounds, and then developed a HUGE mass of spots. (ouch) Point is, when we stop eating, we stop giving our body the goodness it needs to stay healthy and fit. So whatever you do, be an informed idiot and don’t attempt to starve yourself without having the facts of what the unfavorable, end results will be. The lesson here is that starving yourself will only make you fatter. Oh, and BTW, the teenage girl never made it to the Prom. So let’s take a look at the facts.

Why Healthy Eating is Better Than “Dieting”

One of the reasons that adults experience weight problems and ill-health, is because they followed drastic or unhealthy weight loss diets during their teenage years. Dieting to reduce weight is not recommended until growth (including internal physical development) has ceased, usually around the ages of 17 or 18. If you are younger than this, and very overweight, your doctor can help you by putting you in contact with a dietitian who will create a healthy eating plan to allow growth to continue but prevent further weight gain. Ideally, discuss this with your parents.

How “Dieting” Causes Problems For Teens
Health research shows that even a short period of very strict “dieting” during your early teens can lead to low bone density, which causes weak bones in later life. Between 12 -17 years of age, up to 90 percent of adult bone mass is laid down, so this is not a time to limit your intake of calcium, vitamin D or Vitamin C, all of which are essential for proper bone growth.

“Dieting” may also lead to poor intakes of folic acid and iron. Both these nutrients help to prevent anemia, a condition which leads to constant tiredness as well as impaired intellectual performance. If you lead a busy life at school, with exams, sports and so on, you can’t afford to suffer from the ill-effects of anemia!

Strict “dieting” won’t make your weight or health any better. Instead, by focusing on eating healthy foods and taking in daily exercise will improve your weight and health permanently.

What Does Healthy Eating Really Mean?

There is no single “healthy diet.” As long as you eat a variety of foods, from the main food groups (fruit, vegetables, grains [rice, pasta, oats, etc] lean meats, dairy, fats) you should get all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrition you need. A healthy diet doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of higher-calorie foods, like rich ice cream, cheeseburgers and fries. You can enjoy these and other similar foods, but in moderation, or as occasional treats especially if you are participating in P.E. or other sports in school.

Thoughts are powerful. All of the amazing and even terrible creations of humanity began as thoughts. From thoughts came a plan, from a plan came an action, and from an action came the object. Whatever we are doing this very moment began as a thought.

All the wars of this world began as thoughts. All the spectacular, fine, and creative acts of humanity were born from a single thought. Victor Hugo may have said it best, “An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.”

Thoughts create and where we are is the result of a lifetime of thinking, whether positive or negative. If one stops to ponder his thoughts, he can easily look around himself and his environment and therein lies the product of his thoughts.

Positive thoughts yield positive results just as negative thoughts yield negative results.  If we keep a vigilance on our thoughts we can make profound changes in our lives to reflect the changing of our thoughts.  

Wow, who would have thought but Rock legend Robert Plant snagged a CMT award with his  duet with Alison Krauss. Their song, “Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved on).”  But the biggest winners of the night were Taylor Swift  who won the nights biggest award, and Kellie Pickler who took home three trophies for herself. It was a fabulous show, and the full list of awards are below. And if you missed the show last night, not to worry, you can watch it  here. 

Video of the Year
Taylor Swift — “Our Song”Duo Video of the Year
Sugarland — “Stay”Female Video of the Year
Taylor Swift — “Our Song”Male Video of the Year
Trace Adkins — “I Got My Game On”Wide Open Country Video of the Year
Alison Krauss and Robert Plant — “Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On)”

Collaborative Video of the Year
Bon Jovi featuring LeAnn Rimes — “Nothin’ Better to Do”

Performance of the Year
Kellie Pickler — “I Wonder” — 41st Annual CMA Awards

Tearjerker Video of the Year
Kellie Pickler — “I Wonder”

Supporting Character of the Year
Rodney Carrington — “I Got My Game On”

Video Director of the Year
Michael Salomon (”High Maintenance Woman” — Toby Keith, “I Got My Game On” — Trace Adkins, “Love Me If You Can” — Toby Keith)

USA Weekend Breakthrough of the Year
Kellie Pickler — “I Wonder”

Group Video of the Year
Rascal Flatts — “Take Me There”

American Experience aired tonight April 14 on PBS showcasing Walt Whitman’s Selections from Leaves Of Grass, as one of the greatest writer/poets ever known. It was a wonderful show and if you missed it you can find it here http://www.pbs.org/

Walt Whitman’s form was unique and musical; the lines themselves kept its rhythm, and there was virtually no internal meter. But his themes were universal, ranging from the equality of all people to the divine nature of the self. Born May 31, 1819 on Long Island, New York, he spent much of his time as a journalist, but largely, was self-educated.

Some of his most famous quotes:

 ”To the real artist in humanity, what are called bad manners are often the most picturesque and significant of all.”

“You must not know too much or be too precise or scientific about birds and trees and flowers and watercraft; a certain free-margin, and even vagueness - ignorance, credulity - helps your enjoyment of these things.”

A beautiful and powerful short read for reflection and growth:

The Window

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’ s only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model
boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can ‘ t buy.

“Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.”

The Titanic, Day In History 

April 14, 1912 noted as one of the worst disasters of all time, the Titanic luxury ocean liner struck an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland and sunk to the bottom of the sea claiming over 1,500 lives. Only a fraction of her passengers were saved. Today, the sad 96th anniversary offers a chance to recall the many lives aboard “the unsinkable ship” who died in the icy Atlantic. The titanic, carrying 2,200 passengers and crew, went down more than halfway through its voyage from Southampton, England, to New York.

According to Ulster Titanic Society Chairman, Stephen Cameron, most of the people who died did not drown but rather from hypothermia. Others died when they jumped from the ship. He continues saying, “What is remarkable looking back on it today is that the male first class passengers stepped back and let their wives and children get off. Today is the time to reflect on those people who lost their lives.”

There have been several books written about the Titanic, but the most successful film of all time was reported to have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the Oscar-winning movie, “Titanic.“ Writer/director James Cameron quotes, “Titanic is not just a cautionary tale - a myth, a parable, a metaphor for the ills of mankind. It is also a story of faith, courage, sacrifice and, above all else, love.”

If you haven’t already filed for the appropriate tax extensions, when the clock strikes midnight Tuesday April 15, all Federal income tax returns must be on its way to the Internal Revenue Service. Last-minute tax filers can expect long lines at the post office causing this to be a particularly stressful day. But if taypayers know they will miss the April 15 deadline, be sure to complete Form 4868 to insure a six month filing extension which would move the filing deadline to October 15. However, this extension is allowed only for filing, not for payment of owed taxes that are due. Be sure all payments are received by the IRS by the April 15 deadline to avoid penalties.

Some things to be aware of are the tax scams that include phishing. Eric Erickson, IRS spokesperson said the IRS wants taxpayers to file on time and receive the economic stimulus package. Some information he offers are listed.

• To receive the economic stimulus payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number, $3,ooo of qualifying income and file a 2007 federal tax return. He also states retirees, disabled veterans and low-wage workers who usually are normally exempt from filing a tax return must do so this year in order to receive the rebate. The U.S. Treasury will begin issuing economic stimulus payments in May. For more information, taxpayers can visit the economic stimulus information at IRS.org.
• Taxpayers earning $54,000 or less qualify for free electronic filing at IRS.org.
• Workers with low incomes should see if they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. As many as 20 to 25% of Americans who qualify do not claim the EITC, which can be as much as $4,716. The EITC Assistant on IRS.org can help taxpayers determine eligibility.
• Many postal services will extend its hours on April 15. Check for local listings.

Maya Angelou On What I’ve Learned 

A mesmerizing vision of grace, the Great Maya Angelou born Marguerite Ann Johnson on April 4, 1928, was an undeniable important figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. A poet, public speaker and writer who had authored twelve best-selling books including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, A Song Flung Up to Heaven, and Even the Stars Look Lonesome was indeed a unique and powerful visionary who had been highly honored by her work as one of our greatest leaders.

But I sit here having a chance to share some of her brilliant words of wisdom and a chance to remember on one particular, April day, the Great Maya Angelou sat down with and was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And there on television, she said it was “exciting.” Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day…like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.  The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:

“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.”

“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”

“I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.”

“I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life.’”

“I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.”

“I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.”

“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.”

“I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.”

“I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.”

People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.”

“I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.”

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

“I’ve learned there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

“Love life, engage in it, give it all you’ve got. Love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.”

Love can be explained in its most simplest terms, yet to some, it can be one of the most complex subjects ever to behold. Centuries have passed, relationships have bloomed but only to have past. They say love is war, easy to begin but hard to end. Love is a violin; the music may stop, then start again leaving its strings, its only remains. Love is friendship set on fire. Love is quicksand that buries a soul. Love feels pain, love cuts deep, love will hurt that leaves none sane. Love is a moth driven to a flame. Love carries hostage and frees no one. Love entangles, love is cold, love breaks hearts and cages the soul. To others, love goes on even when you’ve stopped breathing. Love is endless and measures not a thing. 

No matter how one defines love, its mysteries will remain. Metaphors abound the fantasies born in the crevices of our mind, but what is love? It is the only eternal existence upholding mankind. Love is patient, love is kind. Love is not proud nor bares to envy. It rejoices and only seeks truth. Love protects, preserves and only yields in hope. Love should be experienced not just felt, love should be constant not just a day.

Love can be explained it its most simplest terms. Love is, and all-encompassing. Love is, unspoken.

American Idol’s shocking elimination on last night’s show had the audience booing and American fans devastated. Did America get it wrong? We’ve seen it happen before, what with Chris Daughtry; but more probable, America’s lack in votes for one of the top, talented contestants this Season was due, more in part, the feeling that Australian born, Michael Johns, 25, was in no real danger to begin with. His rendition of “Dream On” by Aerosmith was a well-suited performance for his genre, but possibly it didn’t help that he opened Tuesday’s show. Hearts are heavy, and posts abound in fight for his return. But this is American Idol, folks, and it should remind us of this very hard lesson to remember to vote for our favorite each time. Hearts are heavy which even left the judges in shock; their mouths seen agape, their heads shaking.  “I’m going to miss you. You’re a very good singer, and a very, very nice guy,” Simon Cowell said. Paula held him tight after his farewell song, while Randy Jackson was seen offering condolence to him; his family in the audience crying. Very moving, it always is.

We wish him the best, and hope to see more of him in his new endeavors because, without a doubt, he has a talent!

We will miss you, Michael Johns.

The quality of mercy is not strained; it dropeth as the gentle rain from heaven; upon the place beneath; it is twice blessed; it blesseth him that giveth and him that takes.

                        -William Shakespeare