As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     I have written much about health, wellness, and in particular with the focus of caring for the brain, or otherwise known as mental health. With the care for the brain, of course there are many other factors such as physical well-being, or  physiological affects that are derived from the psychological factors. All of which are viewed as factors that contribute to overall health. Societal health can be measured with the collection of statistics, data, and numerical information. These can also be a reflection of ones individual health, however; individual health, healing and bodily response is not always the same as another, or what is reflected in the study of society. This is especially because we are individual human beings. With many of the same human organs, flesh, bones, etcetera. But our functioning is much dependant upon how we ourselves have treated our body, experiences, or accidents that have occurred. This individuality can be equated to human creativity, which in its own sense is as unique as the functioning of our human organs. But for the purposes of bodily healing, we ourselves are faced with layers that affect the healing process, such as: societal conditioning, and the factor of time.

     The clock itself is a creation of the human mind. With time there are certain actions that we do or do not do. For instance: we have morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Each parts of the day are known for performing certain activities, or eating a certain meal at a specific part of the day. When it comes to healing the body or mind, we have to move past the implicit pressures, of doing something at a certain time or part of the day.

     This is where I like to use the term the Internal Clock. We ourselves know our bodies the best. When in a state of physical, emotional trauma, or any other ailment that deregulates us from our normal routines, we must possess the ability to listen to our body, and allow healing to take place at our bodies pace - the internal clock. We can think of cases where sometimes just getting up, and caring for the self is a huge accomplishment. But of course we as humans are designed to do more than merely exist. Our desire to create is as connected to our human nature, as our desire to survive. For this to happen, one must give time for healing, so that the many other parts of our existence can be fulfilled, however that presence is imagined in each of us.  

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on January 31st, 2019.
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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     Most of the time when we turn on the news, the reports that we hear are disasters, murders, the latest in politics and so on. These stories, however gruesome, or negative they might sound are not the fault of the news presenter / anchors, as they are just doing their job. There are good, happy stories that we hear as well. But most of the time, the negative focus is purposely done to evoke a certain emotion within the audience. The natural and humanitarian crisis that take place all across the globe, evoke fear, anguish, anxiety, and inevitably they restrict / limit a persons individual actions, and thought because of fear. Of course there are many other ways individuals hear of the current events, such as: newspapers, or from word of mouth. These are also creating the same effect. Now I don't write this to evoke fear either, but rather to create awareness. Once we do become aware, we should be able to hear current events, without feeling that the stories are trying to mold us. As it is important to know what is happening around you, surrounding yourself and your environment. 

     Another facet of this thought is the emphasis upon negative emotions. This might seem unimportant, but there are underlying responses within the brain, that are constantly forming our habitual thinking. In the context of this writing, we can think about how negativity and fear can affect ones thoughts and actions. But instead of thinking about this response only, how can we overcome to reclaim a healthy emotional state? The answer is quite simple. It is to love. Love.

     One must focus upon the positive emotions. If you think about it, fear can debilitate so much so that we forget our very own basic need to love. Love for the self, and love for each other. The power of love is much more greater that fear. But today we see how fear is taking over, with limiting, control and destruction.  That leaves individuals thinking that this is how they are supposed to live their lives. It is if you continue to feel that. To continuously move forward, you must release the fears. Don't give power to fear. Give power to what you love. It sounds easer that it is. It is far more easier to destruct, than it is to build and create for the purpose of love. But then I wonder what if we gave power to what we love, will we be able to salvage the power of love, will love be able to conquer the evil forces of fear? 

​My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

​Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on January 22nd, 2018.
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     For anything good to come out of any emotion it has to be processed internally. And with this I am thinking about coming to terms with what has taken place, to make some sense. Emotional processing is crucial. We all have different strategies for this. Sometimes silence can be the most effective reliever so that one can be alone with thoughts. Sometimes it is in these moments that we ourselves understand what will help us move forward, to continue upon the path of life.  

Related Reading:
Life | Pains Birthed
Culture | Stigma or Excuses?

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

    Similar to the thoughts I wrote yesterday, my thoughts once again stem from the same thought post entitled: Life | Pains Birthed. This time I wanted to focus upon the point that was written in the dedication section, geared towards the emergency services. We could take one of these which are the police. With a duty to serve and protect. However, fear, hatred, racial profiling, and prejudices often overrides this mission. We can relate this view to the silent movement started by Colin Kapernick, however; I wanted to think about the idea of minority populations working and living alongside majority populations. This can only be achievable if all segments of the populations realize that, services such as the police are working for the common good of all members of society. If this view was held by all, including racialized populations, then maybe the previous ideas of police brutality or racial profiling can be diminished, or even on the road to being diminished. Because really the focus needs to turn upon action, behaviours, and what is deemed harmful for individuals, communities, and the common good of society. Now I'm not saying that racism / discrimination does not exist. I am saying that just as what what is preferred within a culture is selected or discarded, the same can be said about the ownership of individual actions. Sometimes it is easy to lay the blame on racism, rather than accepting a behaviour.

     This is also where we can think about the idea of normalizing - sometimes behaviours that are termed as bad by some, may actually be thought of as good and quite normal. Especially where there are invisible cultural norms that must be abided by, to create a sense of group belonging. However, when actions, behaviours cross limits, boundaries and become hurtful to others and even the self, then this is really where the idea of the common individual / societal good is laid as a priority.

     Whilst a behaviour can be termed as good or bad, and there are consequences for this. Individuals must realize that there is also opportunity for rectification, resolutions, to once reintegrate in a flourishing healthy society. For the purposes of identifiers it is important to understand what the behaviour is and why it is labeled as good or bad, the dichotomous labelling has to be removed when the individuals seek to rehabilitate for integrating back in a society. Especially when actions are not directly the fault of the individual, but part of something larger. 

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on January 19th, 2019.
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Related Reading:
Life | Pains Birthed

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     Many of our readers will know that I have written a lot about mental health, or what I like to call brain health. Especially because there are many stigmas associated with the term "mental". I have focused upon youth and adults, with the use of research, as well as many life experiences, that have caused psychological responses. I don't think that this is something that one should be ashamed or embarrassed about, because even the day to day stressors, can simply be a source of anger, pain or anxiety inducing. The psychological responses become much more serious, when they are also producing physiological responses. So really we are thinking at a level of prevention, intervention, rehabilitation and restoration. Whilst the seriousness of brain care cannot be reiterated, I also wanted to focus upon some ideas that were produced from my previous thoughts, with regards to culture and cultural stigma. 

     We could say that cultural stigma with regards to mental / brain health is present in every culture, but the amounts of stigma can also be associated with ones level of awareness of consciousness. For instance, we could very well be living in a western society where the field of psychology has evolved much more, however; there can also be areas where there are pockets of the population, who are not as aware of the impacts of mental / brain health. Whilst this thought can hold as true, I also do think that we can't and shouldn't use culture as an excuse to not heighten / increase one's level of awareness. 

    When we think about culture I'm still thinking about western societies and nations, especially because of the diversity that is contained within these nations. Sometimes individuals or segments of the populations possess a diverse background, but who are living in the west. They decide to be selective about what pieces of the culture they choose to embrace in their home and host nation. Sometimes individuals will choose what works for then in their favour, and discard the rest. We can take the example of mental / brain health where the topic still carries shame and therefore discarded, but should this be the case? No it shouldn't. But what interests me more is why brain care is still received in this way?

   In my view, I really do strongly believe as I have always said, that it does go back to language and terms. Just as I have written in previous writings and research I continue to wonder: What if mental / brain care was viewed the same as heart care, or any other organ in the body? I believe it can be so, because if you take the time to think deeper, we realize that any health issue that is related to any other organ in the body, is produced from internal and external factors, including human behaviour, choices and decisions. The same can be said for the brain. But why is there still a cause for so much shame? The very shame is also a source to produce many other anxiety provoking responses. Which is why the need to talk openly about the internal and external thoughts and behaviours, associated with brain care. Caring for the human brain arrives with honesty and openness. To build trust with relations and the community of care givers. 

​Recommendation:
Whilst there are many cultural stigma present in communities with regards to mental health. There are also many factors for the cause. Including generational, educational, and levels of awareness. Which is why I think that there is a greater responsibility placed upon present and future generations, to spearhead initiatives to continuously reduce stigma and shame associated with the health of the brain in various cultures. 

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand written on January 17th, 2019.
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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     I think that natural birth is the best way to give birth to a baby, however; with the many interventions in place, sometimes we could say that these are for the sake of protecting the unborn life, protection of the birthing mother, or for the sake of the mother and the baby. On another level we can also think of giving birth to a baby as a test, for our ability to endure pain, that is non-life threatening. I count myself lucky that I have birthed three children naturally. Natural birth does not mean that there was no pain. The pain that was felt during these hours of labor, contractions, and birth reveal the intensity of giving birth. As well as what parents, care-givers, and guardians have to endure throughout the life of raising a child.

     In an ideal situation the child is reared by both mother and father, sharing the many rewards and sacrifices that arrive with parenting. Sometimes there are incidences, experiences, that are perpetuated by environmental, situational, or behavioural, that effect the natural parental relationships that are derived from birth. When instances as these occur, I think that decisions need to be made. Especially where relations and environments become toxic, and unhealthy for all parties that are concerned. The decisions could be viewed as selfish by some, including the cultural stigma associated with children who are provided care from trained professionals, as opposed to parents. However, cultural stigma should not be held so great that what is important is overlooked, which is the best interests of all concerned.    

     Sometimes when parents do decide to make a decision, that is tough as the birthing pain one endures, the roughness or toughness should be viewed as what is best for all, not in the sense of giving up on human life, that was birthed naturally through the mother, but to simple reveal and accept that relations have become unhealthy, and its time to try to make these healthy again. Along with time, space, and efforts to rehabilitate and regain, one can truly salvage any relationship. Teared relations do require effort, interventions. Parties must be willing to recognize and realize this. But most importantly, for anything to become healthy once more, one must invest in self-care, and love the self to truly engage in any kind of healthy relationship. The individuals themselves must take steps, with the effective supports to heal and regain a healthy control of the mind, body, soul and spirit. As easy as it does sound, in some cases self-care must also learned.

    Dedication:
 These thoughts are dedicated to the many professionals who work effortfully to keep communities, families and youth safe. The many professionals who act as care-givers and guardians often bearing the similar pains of birth. To the emergency services who are often stigmatized with ideas of racial profiling, which does exist at times, but also there are missions to serve and to protect that cannot be overlooked.

    In many areas, especially the urban metropolitan, which is constantly shifting and changing, due to the many socio-economic, political, technological, socio-psychological factors. These affect at the macro level of the community. Factors associated with urbanization transcend to the level of the individual. Often resulting in the many micro factors that are responsible for behavioural shifts, that are enough to tear relations apart. To once again hopefully salvage and restore, with the assistance of trained professionals. Who possess a genuine public duty to care, rehabilitate individuals, for the sake of the individual, community, and the greater good of society. 

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on January 15th, 2019.
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Related Readings:
Reflection: Political Fear
Cumulative Factors?
6th Mass Extinction

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     So I heard the President was in town, and thought to offer a comment about his presidential address, as well as his latest visit to Texas. While I have taken a side step, especially as to responding to his presidential address, this was not because of his lack of care, but simply because I have written and researched a lot about the topic. Continuing to provide reasoning and rationale, simply felt like I was going around in circles. But it is always important to continue conversation, even if it does seem repetitive. As you delve into your thoughts, you never really know what you'll find. This is how I felt as I was reading about American history, pertaining to alliances with Mexico and France. The findings were interesting as they showed how a nations priorities change, with the relations forged with other nations.

     Previously, history revealed that the U.S. needed Mexico to reduce, eliminate and expel the powers of Napoleon III. With the assistance of Mexico the U.S.A. was able to regain power, and form business and trading relations with Mexico. Examples include, the flourishing cotton industry that was thriving in Texas, as well as the purchase of weapons and bonds that occurred as far north as New York. The U.S.A. elites found opportunity with investing in  Mexico, and so did Mexico - who at the time was very vulnerable, and benefited from the trading relations. We see remnants of this history, where there are U.S.A land owners along the U.S.A and Mexico border. Who do not want to sell thier land, where there are no proposals for building a wall. Now I don't write these thoughts to stir up anger, or to bring brutal histories to surface, that are associated with the U.S.A relationship with France, but it is really to make a point, and add another layer to the complexity of building a wall. 

   This history reveals the deep interdependency between the U.S. and Mexico. However, today we can think about this history and current relations as a type of usury. That Mexico was indeed used. Within the contexts of political policy, immigrations and the topic of the wall. We can also think of the issue of the wall as inflated. An issue that is getting bigger and bigger, because there is more focus on the problem. We can of course think of the immigration crisis as manufactured, as well as a social construction. But we have to remember that much of what is happening was also taking place during the Obama administration. Child custodies, child separations, and migrant deaths, did not just start happening because President Trump became president. But of course issues have revealed themselves much more overtly, because of the macro politics, and media attention along with the immigration policy of "zero tolerance". Of course the crisis' are created, but there is also the problem of drugs, crime, and gangs. Whilst of course this is a problem that is prevalent within America, and actually other nations as well, such as Canada. America could indeed benefit to look at how improved technologies, at border checkpoints could enhance customs and border patrol. But the President's view has also shifted to also include a humanitarian lens. We could also question this stance, especially because of the firing of tear gas at migrants. Humanitarian responses are going to be much more successful with working with Mexico, and officials from both sides of the southern border. Whilst history has revealed an interdependency between Mexico and America, today we see how ruptures have been caused to this relationship.  

   A Note of Hope
   Whilst corporations have often been criticized from scholars or academia, today we can actually commend business organizations such as the FIFA World Cup, who is trying to unite the nations of USA, Mexico and Canada, with the 2026 World Cup. These efforts are an example of trying to create unity. But quite often we also see and experience fractures at the level of the individuals. Where there is fierce opposition, that harms the creation of unity individually and communally. Once again as I have stated that the creation of the wall is much more political than it seems so, it also exemplifies how Mexico has been used historically and to the present day. As for the President who wants to weld relations with the Northern border, but really the welding should occur both North and South, from macro and micro efforts.

​My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

​Further Reading:
Hart, J, M. (2002). Empire and Revolution: The Americans in Mexico since the Civil War. CA : University of California Press, Print.

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on January 11th, 2018.
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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

   It seems like there is so much comotion in Washington, with all the buzz of the presidential address, amidst a Government shutdown, however; I wanted to take a step back, and offer a comment upon the new speaker of the house, Nancy Pelosi. I wondered why a house minority leader would be elected speaker of the house as well? I question how her political beliefs would intersect with the role of being speaker of the house? We cannot say there will be no overlap or intersections, because without even thinking or questioning, we know that there will be overlap for sure. But what bothers me even more, is that Washington politics allowed for this to happen. Which contradicts previous political decisions. Such as the U.S. withdrawal from organizations such as UNESCO, and criticism of the UN, and the US mission to the UN. Particularly emphasizing the need for change within the organizations, as well as the biases found by the Trump administration.

The New York Times

     
     Now I wonder further, what about the biases that will be present within our democracy, and democratic exchanges? What about giving the voices of politicians an equal chance, without the presence of implicit, and the very explicit biases? These are derived and arrive from a Democratic house minority leader, who is also speaker of the house. To me, while there might be disagreements with the current administration, we have to remember that: just as we fight for the voiceless, marginalized, or the very cause of democracy; the very politicians that fight for the causes, raise awareness, and present the issues, must feel that their voice can be heard without the biases that are now present.

​​     Of course we can commend the fact that a woman has attained the flagship role, but what about her oath ceremony? And her speech after taking the oath, as the 116th congress opened? Especially the assembly of children, with the following words: 

The New York Times

​What about all other segments of the population? Do they not matter? You see, you have to remember that the very children that are of course pivotal for the future, are also nurtured by care-givers, parents, guardians, and all the adults that they intersect with. Through their growth from childhood, youth, young adults and so on. Whilst I agree that children are born for the world, to leave a mark however, small or grand they choose. But I do feel that Nancy Pelosi discarded many segments of the population during her ceremony speech, What about the many women who can't, or don't want to bear children, should they be discarded? Or told that they do not matter? No, or course not. But in having heard what was said, sometimes if not most of the time, what is left unsaid, is probably heard much more loud and clear. 

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on January 9th, 2019.
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As I close my and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

   The other day I wrote the above thought via twitter. Sometimes I like to write a thought and allow the reader him / her self, to infer meaning from the words. Just like the art work that calls for an interpretation, words can also cause a similar response. Given the importance I placed upon these words, I have decided to share what was thought, when I wrote these words. 

   Often when we think of math, we think of numbers, and with symmetry, we think of measurement. But we have to think of these words and their meanings metaphorically, when we transfer them to a life thought, or a life teaching. Where mathematical symmetry is equated to our point of desire.

     Often we are placed in a situation / circumstance that our heart, mind, and body does not agree with. We carry out our actions. Live a pretence. And realize that living the pretence is hurting the heart, mind, and body, to eventually re-think how we can continually progress to achieve out points of desire, in a way that is healthy. In a sense sometimes we have to go through experiences to learn if they are for us or not, hence, the symmetry is achieved.  

    Another way to explain this thought is to think about cognitive dissonance. As humans we tend to experience discomfort, if we have to adjust our values, beliefs and ideas. The level of cognitive dissonance, and the discomfort we experience is also connected to points for our survival. Sometimes while it is unhealthy, humans experience cognitive dissonance because their survival, situations, and circumstances make it that way. But again these tendencies are either reduced or eventually eliminated, because as humans we eventually realize that the situation or circumstance is unhealthy. And that adjustments need to be made in various areas of life, living, and for the ways where survival is sought. Hence, once again achieving the points for mathematical symmetry.   

Rough Sketch - Mathematical Symmetry.

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on January 7th, 2018.
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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     The truth is that as the new year arrives, changing from the last day of a year, to the beginning of a new number, a new year; as humans we tend to think of this time for a renewed sense of hope, beginning, and a time where we set goals for ourselves. Of course we don't have to if we don't want to, but as a reminder: whilst we think and re-think, act or in-act, in our own sorrows, griefs, hopes or joys, there are those who  probably don't even possess what we do. Or even the capacity to deliberate upon the +/-'s of life. 

     So once again, I think a new year should also be a point where we return to a point of gratefulness. Thankful with what we do have, in things and in relationships. Even if it they are not viewed as perfection. Because to truly find love, support, care, healing, in our imperfect selves and other beings, is much better than: cruelty, anguish, pain, jealousy, and emotional trauma, in what is viewed as perfection. However, the irony of this thought is that the secondary emotions that I have listed above, are also signs of the imperfect self. So what we call perfect, is quite often imperfect. Maybe it is each others imperfections that make us feel whole? Maybe human imperfection was purposely created?

So as we turn to 2019 we could simply say we carry ourselves with the +/-'s, hopes, dreams, desires of 2019, that are additions from 2018.

​My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 
Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on January 7th, 2018.
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