Steal My Deal

When I was about five years old my grandparents bought a home in Florida to spend the winter months away from the hostile winters of the north. My parents decided that it would be fun to escape the frigid Michigan winter, too, and visit them for Christmas that year. While we were all very excited about the trip, Mom and Dad secretly worried that Christmas would be spoiled for my sister and I without the white blanket of snow that always accompanied Santa’s visit. With true pioneer spirit, we braved the journey into the world of warm weathered Christmas’s with the faith that Santa would still find us in the land of sunshine.

My grandparents had not transported their Christmas decorations yet and had waited even to get a tree until we arrived. I overheard my Mother and Grandmother talking. Mom was a bit upset about the lack of decorations but Grandma just told her “Never mind Dona, it will give them something to do.” I didn’t understand what she meant, and am not sure if my Mother did at the time either, but it wasn’t long before we both found out.

The next day my Father and I took a walk into the woods nearby the house. We picked out a great little tree, cut it down and dragged it back home behind us. We then all packed up and went to the Gulf coastline which was only a short drive from their Fort Myers homestead. There the whole family experienced the fun of collecting seashells for the first time. There were more kinds of shells than I could have ever imagined existed. My little bag was stuffed with perfect and beautiful specimens as we headed for the car to return home. What an exciting and wonderful day it had been.

Back at home, there was still much more work to do. We painted, glittered, and glued the shells transforming them into festive ornaments for display on the beautiful little pine. Bowls of popcorn and cranberries were turned in to garlands and wrapped around the branches. A glittering golden starfish was placed on top. Though I never wondered about this phenomena in my younger years, a box of tinsel just happened to be handy to put a final touch to the little tree that had been transformed into a family created work of art.

Christmas morning we all sat at the table eating our traditional Christmas breakfast of sausage, orange slices, and graham muffins before opening gifts. Santa had found us just fine and we children were impatient to get the meal over with. Gathered around the tree after breakfast, we all admired the work of art we had created as we passed around the presents. No one seemed to notice that outside there was green grass instead of a blanket of white. The snow was never missed.

For a child, Christmas is a special time of year every year, but looking back to my childhood, I only really remember one Christmas in particular with any clarity. I remember the Christmas in Florida that didn’t just happen. We had to make it.

©2005 Sally Taylor: Sal is an avid gem and treasure hunter, explorer, writer, and is the owner of http://www.rockhoundstation1.com

Sexual abuse does not heal itself. Time , marriages, children, success, wealth, buying a bigger house, or faster car, changing jobs or relocating will not CURE it. The survivor is robbed of his or her innocence, core identity and trust. It is ‘violence’ that does not require force. The child is thrown into a state of shock. For some the memories remain conscious, while others drive them beneath the conscious level. These coping mechanisms are carried into adulthood and impact the person’s life on every level. Sexual child abuse is the most profound, pervasive and all encompassing injury anyone could sustainit permeates every aspect of one’s being.

Few therapists understand the afteraffects of sexual child abuse. Therefore, it is imperative for your recovery to work with a therapist, who understands and is experienced in the multifaceted process of healing the mind, body and spirit.

Asking the following questions will help insure you have a qualified therapist for sexual child abuse recovery.

If a professional asks: “What is wrong with you?” or “What happened to you?” find another professional. Asking, “What is wrong with you?” or “What happened to you?” implies blame, sickness and fault. Asking, “What did you experience growing up?”–allows the person to begin the process of discovering the source of their pain and healing the wounds.

What is your approach to the recovery process? The basic recovery process is: Discovery, Heal, Discovery, Heal. Processing feelings and uncovering the layers of pain. “Going into the Pain to get out of the Pain.” “There is no gain without pain.” If the professional is unable to give you a process similar to this, thank the professional for their time and call another professional.

Do you allow short phone conversations (10 - 15 min.) between sessions? If the answer is, “NO.” Thank the professional for their time and call another professional. Being able to have short phone conversations between sessions is paramount to the survivor’s ability to develop the deep level of trust required to go through the healing process. Furthermore, people aren’t only in pain on Tuesday at 3 p.m. The recovery process is a 24/7 proposition, the professional’s support between sessions is critical to recovery.

What are the critical emotional issues in the recovery process? The correct answer is: Anger/Rage, Sadness, Guilt, Humiliation and Shame. If the professional is unable to readily list these four emotions, Thank the professional for their time and call another professional.

What tools and techniques do you use to facilitate the recovery process? If the professional is trained in sexual abuse recovery, he or she will name all of the following techniques: Guided Imagery, Hypnosis/Regression, Therapeutic Journaling, Dream Analysis, Using Affirmations, Using the book, “The Courage to Heal Workbook” by Laura Davis, Hypnosis/regression, Cell Memory Releasement.

The following techniques, or some variation, are optional, but highly recommended:

• Meditation

• Exercise

• Dance

• Music

• Movement Therapy

The majority of therapists treat symptomsi.e. depression, anxiety, panic, MS, chronic fatigue, PMS, etc. What is the difference between treating ’symptoms’ and treating ‘root cause?’

Treating symptoms focuses on the symptomatic coping mechanisms the survivor used to survive the pain, i.e. drug/alcohol abuse, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, co-dependency, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine headaches, arthritis, cancer, MS, sexual addiction, etc. Treating ‘root cause’ focuses on the experience the survivor endured–the sexual abuse and the ensuing aftereffects. Uncovering the pain and healing the emotions associated with that pain. Note: Question above regarding the emotions indigenous to sexual abuse.

Last, but not least, if the professional fails to answer any one of these questions with similar or exact answers thank him/her for his/her time and call another professional. If you are unable to find a professional through the yellow pages or referral contact www.gen-assist.com and go to Ask the Expert.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, international speaker, specializes in: Mind, Body, Spirit healing and Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention and Recovery. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life’s challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening. http://www.drdorothy.net

A palm tree symbolizes life and its continuance, as well as joy and happiness. Dante mentions that Christians travelling to the Holy Land were known as “palmeros.” palm trees have been a part of myths as well as religion. The palm tree in the primal garden, the Garden of Eden, was known to be the tree of Life. Palm trees were also where the Goddess Astarte or Tamar resided.

A festival known as “palm Sunday” is celebrated by Christians to commemorate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem just a few days before his crucifixion. People welcomed Jesus by waving palm fronds and carpeting his path with palm leaves.

The palm family of trees has approximately 202 genera and 2,600 species. The palms are native to tropical and subtropical climates, and commonly known palms are date, coconut, and areca nut. Known to have existed around 80 million years ago, palms are among the oldest varieties of flowering plants.

The trunks of the palm have been used since ancient times to build catamarans or special boats. Dates are harvested from palms. Palms produce coir ropes, mats, and bags, and palm oil is extracted from palms, along with palm wine.

In the US, different species of palm are native to Florida, California, Hawaii, Southern Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas. In fact, South Carolina is popularly known as the Palmetto State after the palms that line the coast.

As with all other things, many species of palm are facing extinction and are under threat from urbanisation, natural disasters, hybridization, and a lack of knowledge amongst common folk. Destruction of natural habitats, forest clearing operations, mining, clearing of mangroves, and dumping of trash are all detrimental to the survival of palms. Like other plants, palms are also prone to destruction by nature and disease.

Ornamental palms are a luxury and can cost from fifty to several hundred dollars.

Today the palm, the “Prince among trees,” needs care and attention. Otherwise, a tree that has lasted centuries will not remain for centuries to come.

Trees provides detailed information on Trees, Palm Trees, Christmas Trees, Tree Houses and more. Trees is affiliated with Silk Palm Trees.

Studies have shown that about 20 million Americans receive some form of depression treatment on an annual basis. Twenty Million Americans! Considering how grave an illness depression is, this is a rather worrisome number. As a result recognizing the symptoms of depression as a step for depression treatment may perhaps be the first move to make.

Like any other illness, depression, characterized by insomnia, mood swings, frustration and loss of appetite amongst other things, is a disorder that starts little but left unattended to can increase in intensity. Thus all efforts should be made to attend to the symptoms of depression and for best results; this should be in its beginning stages.

Now, the symptoms of depression may be caused or aggravated by other diseases (for example, in my case it was years and years of acne and asthma as a teen and adult), stress, use of drugs, Improper diet, Loss of a job or loved ones. The list is endless friends. However, as a famous writer once said, in regards to depression here is one helpful thing to remember: “Life’s problems are like knives, which either serve us or cut us, as we grasp them by the blade or the handle: Grasp a difficulty or problem by the blade and it cuts; grasp it by the handle and you can use it constructively”

In order to not allow depression to take over your present situation and consequently hinder you from overcoming it, below are its symptoms in no specific order.

Symptoms of Depression:

1. Irritability and mood swings.

2. Hopelessness and extreme pessimism (a negative outlook on life)

3. Loss of energy, extreme fatigue and tiredness.

4. Loss of interest in hobbies, having a good appearance and even associates and loved ones.

5. Extreme feelings of helplessness and no self worth.

6. Suicidal thoughts (in extreme cases)

7. Insomnia (lack of) or excessive sleep.

8. Inexplicable weight loss or gain thereof, triggered by eating disorders.

Though not a conclusive list as characteristics vary by patient, these symptoms of depression listed above are the most common ones. If you happen to experience any of these symptoms, the first step, in my opinion and based on research will be to look within and ask why this may be occurring. Thoroughly assess your situation to see what it is that could be triggering these symptoms of depression within you. Could it be a failure at something or the loss of something or someone of importance?

If you go over the problem carefully, you would be able to target the cause and consequently solve it. Remember, the mind is the most powerful force on the earth, He who can control it can control all things my friend.

You will notice that I have made little or no mention of drugs or members of the medical fraternity. That is simply because I believe a drug-free alternative of treating depression and its symptoms will be the safest route to go. What with all the side effects of popular depression medications, why aggravate an already disturbed health with such unwanted side effects as nausea, weight gain and even sexual dysfunctions as reported in some cases.

With a drug-free approach of Positive Thinking, a carefully selected diet (yes, it matters friend) and some form of physical exercise-my personal recommendation being Yoga-you can tackle the symptoms of depression at any stage and empower yourself to lead a healthier and happier life.

Other things you can add to these three limbs are to take time to relax more, enjoy your favorite music (remember David playing for Saul in the Bible, yes music is soothing for depression friend), seek uplifting entertainment, read more self-help books, Heck, if you’re of a Christian background go to Psalms 23 or 91…they help. Seek out the company of those you know make you laugh. Or if need be, let out a good cry (don’t abuse it and you are not weak if you do, it’s part of being human.), clear the mind and empower yourself (if need be with positive affirmations repeated mentally or aloud) and tackle your problems because YOU CAN DO IT!

May Happiness be yours.

Beat the Symptoms of Your depression starting today.

Foras Aje is an independent researcher and author of Fitness: Inside and out, a book on improving physical and mental health naturally. For additional information on depression treatment go to: http://www.bodyhealthsoul.com/depression.htm

Learning to read is not like climbing a mountain. You do not
simply lead your child over a peak and they then become a
skilled reader.

Instead there are a series of skills and building blocks that
children gradually acquire and then continue to build on for
years before they become truly proficient readers.

One of those essential skills is vocabulary. Vocabulary refers
to the words we must know to communicate effectively by
listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Vocabulary plays an
important part in learning to read. Children use words in their
oral vocabulary to make sense of the words they see in print.
Vocabulary is also important in reading comprehension. Readers
cannot understand what they are reading unless they know what
most of the words mean.

While vocabulary is essential to reading children begin building
their vocabulary long before they begin learning to read and
continue building their vocabulary long after they have mastered
the basics of reading. In fact, for most people, vocabulary
building continues as a lifelong endeavor. Children can be
taught vocabulary both indirectly and directly. Children learn
the meanings of most words indirectly, through everyday
experiences with oral and written language. We teach children
the meaning of words as we talk to them and explain the world
around them. We expand vocabulary through reading to our
children and eventually our children will add to their
vocabulary by reading extensively on their own.

Children learn vocabulary directly when they are explicitly
taught both individual words and word-learning strategies. It is
useful to teach children specific words before reading because
it helps both vocabulary learning and reading comprehension.
Repeatedly exposing children to vocabulary words in a variety of
contexts brings greater depth to their understanding of the word
as well as recognition. It is also important that children learn
how to use dictionaries and other reference aids to learn word
meanings and to deepen knowledge of word meanings.

Children who are learning to expand their reading vocabulary
also must learn how to use information about word parts (such as
affixes, base words, word roots) to figure out the meanings of
words in text through structural analysis or how to use context
clues to determine word meanings.

If you want to expand your child’s vocabulary there are two
additional strategies you can employ. First, don’t talk down to
them. Use the same vocabulary you would use with an adult. They
will learn some words from simple contextual clues you provide
but they will also ask what a word means offering you the chance
to add that word to their vocabulary. The second strategy is to
expand your own vocabulary. Making learning new words (and
adding them to conversation) a game or fun activity for the
whole family.

The more books and conversation are a part of your child’s life
then the more their vocabulary will continue to grow.