A FRESH LOOK AT INTIMACY

I recommend reading the posting by Douglas LaBier at the link included here.
His interview on Huff Post Live was a disaster. The moderator allowed additional participants to take control and walk all over the interview, so it was difficult to get anything out of it. I was tantalized by the concept though, and tracked down this article by Dr. LaBier and I'm glad I did.
Pointing out the difference, in the interview, between honesty and transparency was an interesting enlightenment.
Honesty, the way we humans use it in this age, can be wielded as a weapon of cruelty and manipulation. Transparency is soul-revealing non-judgmental sharing, requiring full participation by both parties.
Transparency, practiced in this way within an intimate relationship, can lead to greater and deeper intimacy and fulfillment.
Healing ourselves often requires healing work within a relationship as well. Not to be selfish about it, and not to seek to change the other, but either the intimacy is right, or it is something to let go of. Letting go can also be an important step in healing.
I say this in this context, but it is also important to let go of belief in dis-ease in order to overcome its manifestation.

Plaintain, A Remarkable Herb

Plaintain is, like the dandelion, thought by many to be a weed. It is not!
This precious herb will, under undisturbed conditions, grow abundantly in most areas throughout the U.S. and beyond.
Used in healing by the Native Americans and other indigenous people, it fell out of favor along with so many other herbs as a result of two things: the witch burnings, and the so-called advances in modern medicine and pharmaceuticals.
Reputed to help treat epilepsy, bites, infections and inflamations, the leaves and seeds can also be used in cooking and the young leaves are good in salads. Both varities of the plant are replete with significant amounts of several essential vitamins. It is also reported to aid in smoking cessation.
Anecdotally speaking, when I was a small child, I recall sitting beneath my favorite tree and 'feeding' plaintain to my dolls and stuffed animals. I knew intuitionally, that it was good, but my Mom had made me promise to never eat anything I found outside. Bummer.

GASPEITE

Gaspeite has become one of my favorite stones to work with. It has many lovely properties and the one that has helped me the most is it's ability to enable one to let go of those things in one's life that no longer serve.
To embrace the ability to let go allows one to clear the clutter and to be more open to change of circumstances as well. In preparing to move, gaspeite has allowed me to easily dispose of and give away many, many things out of my closets and garage and use up things that have limited purpose and will not be re-acquired.
Originally, gaspeite was discovered on the Gaspe Peninsula of Canada and is now also found in Australia.
The spiritual aspects of life are brought more into practical experience by the presence and use of gaspeite.
Used in healing, it helps to improve the condition of the heart, bladder, liver, gall bladder and lungs. Another lovely property is that it helps remove blocks to abundance, so that it can be said to help heal financial ills as well.
It comes in an array of greens, from celedine to chartreuse.
See the picture posted nearby.

Look At The Way We're Living

AS WE HEAL, SO DOES THE WORLD

For personal as well as planetary healing, bear in mind the following:
PATIENCE
WATCH
FAITH
REST
VALOR
PEACE
LOVE

Patience to await the appropriate time and method of response.
Watch and be aware of the situations you encounter, of the developments in society and the political scene. Awareness is key.
Faith: Hold on to faith that: A. All is in divine and perfect order. B. You do receive wisdom and guidance along the way.
Rest at appropriate times to maintain your peak performance and maximize your health and awareness and restore your spirit.
Valor in troubling times is necessary by all of us. Step up to the plate to defend principle, freedom, and honor for yourself, humanity and the world.
Be peace. Be an instrument of peace. As you stand for principle, do so with strength and in a state of peace. That is very Zen, but is in tune with WWJD in every sense of the word.
These virtues will aid in the healing of our troubled times.
And remember, The greatest of these is Love. Love heals all ills, physical, emotional, mental and societal. Love is the fundamental law of all of creation.

LOOK AT THE WAY WE'RE LIVING, BY OLIVE

Actually, I wanted this in a side bar, but have been having extreme technical difficuties. This is a cultural commentary that I could have posted in any of my blogs. the reason I chose to put it here is because it points up very clearly, scores of healing opportunities that exist for us today. (Sometimes we call them problems, but that does not solve them.)

Trees, Oxygen and Leaves

Today I watched a video by NextWorld.com. I really enjoy some of their videos.
The brief one I enjoyed (see link)this morning answered, in a way, a question I have pondered since my early childhood.
This is what I learned:
On an average Oak Tree, there is about four (4) acres of leaf surface area. This means that each tree has four acres of oxygen-producing photosynthesis activity happening each year.
You may recall from your science class in school, that green plants suck up carbon dioxide (CO2) and give off life-giving oxygen (O2). So think about all the trees in your yard or in your nearby park. Think about how they work for you from sun-up to sun-down, providing you with fresh oxygen and cleaning the CO2 from the air.
Go out and hug a tree and give it your love and gratitude. Then go out and plant some more trees.
Many precious trees have been burning down this summer and putting out much CO2 as they die their firey deaths. Let us each vow to plant at least one new tree for every member of our family this year and every year thereafter. This is something we can all do to help our planet and ourselves.