All hope abandon ye who enter here

More Tips From WebMD

Stress Management

A stress-free life probably isn't realistic. But stress management is.

* Epel cites these stress-control techniques:

• Moderate exercise
• Good sleep
• Managing your expectations and goals
• Acceptance -- not trying to control things you can't
• Finding meaning
• Strengthening meaningful social ties
• Spiritual or religious beliefs

* Elissa Epel, PhD, from the University of California, San Francisco's psychiatry department

From Our Home to Yours . . .

Wishing you and your loved ones peace, health, happiness and prosperity in the coming New Year.

Should Saddam's execution go ahead?

I'm gonna have to go with NO on this one. If I had any voice at all in this matter, I would say STOP THE INSANITY! Enough is enough. Look at all the people who have died in this pointless war - and there's no end in sight. What do you think will come of this?

I've heard the confidence of the Bush administration, but it does not add up to me. It just strike me as being wrong. We are on the wrong path.

Corporal Punishment from Webmdhealth

Corporal punishment is the intentional use of physical force to cause bodily pain or discomfort as a penalty for unacceptable behavior. Corporal punishment includes any action that produces discomfort, such as:

Corporal punishment can also have emotional and psychological effects, both short- and long-term, such as:

Research has shown that positive reinforcement is more effective than corporal punishment. Catch your child doing something right and praise him or her. Don't wait until your child has done something wrong to notice his or her behavior.

Love Generation

Christmas

Christmas may be over, but the Christmas spirit is alive and well! Check it out...

Relaxation Techniques

I've decided to quit smoking. I found some good resources on Webmd which has some smoking cessation strategies.

I've also cut down on caffeine, and while I'm at it put alcohol on the list. It's not a big part of my life and who needs it anyway?

I'll keep you posted.

Guided Imagery

The mind is a very powerful tool. When you close your eyes and visualize a place or a feeling, your body responds.

To prove this to yourself, simply close your eyes and think about a lemon. Concentrate on the deep yellow texture, the spray that leaps from the peel, the fragrance, and the delicious tartness of lemon juice. In just a moment you notice that you begin to salivate, merely for the image!

You can employ this mind-body mechanism to help you cope with stressful situations, especially as you quit smoking. You can take a guided imagery tour to any place or time that suits you.

By sitting quietly and focusing on your breathing, you can enter a relaxed state of mind and then weave your image as you go. This can last for as little as five minutes or as long as you like. If you notice your mind wandering, simply bring it back to focus and move on. This takes a little practice, but everyone can do this simple form of relaxation.

A Walk in the Woods

As I enter the park it is still dark, just before dawn. The air is crisp, I can see my breath. The trail is clear and the sun begins to rise, burning off the morning mist. The new spring flowers are in bloom with the dew glistening off their delicate blossoms. The trees are covered with soft moss and the hills have ferns and ivy trailing in abundance.

I pause on the bridge and listen to the creek babbling over the rocks. I breathe and exhale. Here I am at peace.

Do It Now

Think about someone you appreciate or admire, someone whom you may not have appreciated out loud in a long time, or perhaps ever. Decide what you would like to tell them. Keep it brief and real. Then tell them today. And note their response. If it is dismissive, tell them just to say, 'thank you'. If it is warm and receptive, enjoy it. Then do it again in a week or so.

Everyday the world pulls us down, shakes us up, slices into us, laughs at our attempts and belittles our triumphs... Notice what is good and say it.

- Time to Think by Nancy Kline

Everyday Drama

Yesterday, my mom put hand lotion on Emily's hands to help combat the eczema she's been suffering. Her hands have been so dry and cracked that scabs have formed where the skin broke. Emily cried when the lotion started to burn her hands.

"I don't know why it's burning. There's no alcohol in this," my mother said defensively.

"Let me see that," I said.

I read the label and sure enough alcohol was listed in the ingredients. I showed the label to my mother and said, "there's alcohol in here."

My mom must not have liked the criticism or maybe she thought I was trying to prove her wrong because she seemed very angry, and went into the other room, ranting about how I told her there was no alcohol in the lotion I bought.

Of course, I wanted her to know that I never said there was no alcohol in there, because all over the counter skin and hair products contain alcohol. Period. But that wasn't the point. She was getting really mad and it was unnerving.

I thought for a second and then I asked her, "are you angry? You seem angry." She continued to rant but I persisted, "I'm sure you aren't angry but I want you to know that you come across as being angry and that makes it difficult to talk to you."

I helped Emily to rinse her hands in cold water, blot them dry with a bath towel, and put some antibacterial ointment on them. Then I put clean socks on her hands. They seemed to be better this morning. When I asked Emily how her hands felt she simply answered, "they don't itch anymore."

I have got to get her eczema medicine. I'm not even sure it was the alcohol that burned her skin. Perhaps it was the fragrance...

Oh Mother

Poetry: Ode to a Single Mother

She's fixer of sinks
and drier of tears
Anxious, yet valiant
allayer of fears.

She works a full day
Commutes home, and then
She works another
full-time job, again.

She's master accountant
And counselor, too
She sets aside worries
to listen to you.

There's laundry and cooking
and cleaning to do.
Homework, then bathtime
A story or two.

She's finder of toys
And righter of wrongs.
She's busy. She's tired.
She's lonely. She's strong.

When the day is done,
The kids safely in bed,
No energy's left
for the thoughts in her head.

She turns them all off
along with the lights.
Crawls under covers -
Gives in to the night.

Before the rise of the sun
She'll be up and back to it.
There's no other option
No one else to do it.

If you, too, know this woman
(she goes by many names)
Applaud her, she belongs to
no ascribed hall of fame.

But a tacit sisterhood,
Arduous like no other,
Of extraordinary women
Also know as Single Mothers.

Written by Tamara Sue Appelman, Butyoudontlooksick.com, © 2006

Just a Dream

I had a dream early Thursday morning. I had a dream today, too. First I'll tell you about the dream I had today. It happened while I was napping upstairs on my bed. In the dream, I was shopping in a large mall with my mother. From what I recall, we were on the upper level. I think the stores must have been closed, because although I didn't get any shopping done I wanted to leave.

It wasn't easy finding the elevator; we walked for some time searching for it. When we finally got on the elevator, it didn't go straight down like I had expected it to. I seemed to be spinning, like a tornado. I had the distinct feeling of spinning. It then occured to me that I must have been dreaming. I tried to remember falling asleep but I couldn't.

I thought, this must be a dream but how did I get here?

The dream I had on Thursday morning, right before I woke up, was not scary. I was getting ready to perform for open mic, trying to chose a song to sing. I only had the lyrics for 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover. I was reluctant to sing it, thinking that my voice could not do it justice. And besides, I thought, this song is way too old.

To my surpirse, when I began to sing everyone in the audience knew the lyrics and sang along (I love when that happens). And today on the radio, I heard that song.

Palul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

Slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don't need to be coy, Roy
Just listen to me
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free

How!

My son's class had a little Thanksgiving Sharing Day. He dressed up like a pilgrim, and I wore this headdress for the picture. It was fun!

Separated at Birth

Psychic

I met with a psychic at the company holiday party. I picked 3 cards from her mystical deck: harmony, forgiveness and new love.

She told me I am going to move next year. And then I will find a new love. I asked her if it was someone I haven't met yet.

She said "either it will be someone you don't know or someone you know just as a friend."

I asked her the big question. Will I get a promotion next year?

She said "yes!"

Just another blog? No way!

I like this blog... I highly recommend it. Stay of Execution

periwinkle

Earth Island Journal says scientists have discovered natural ways to clean up old munitions sites. If you plant periwinkle and parrot-feather plants in soil that's been bombed with TNT, they'll soak up and neutralize the noxious stuff. Likewise, pondweed absorbs and transforms nitroglycerin in land where explosives have been detonated. I urge you to find the metaphorical equivalents of periwinkle, pondweed, and parrot-feather plants this week, Scorpio. It's a perfect moment to detoxify the places in your life where past battles left behind toxic debris.