Latest Posts

On Grief – Part 4 – Hello Anger

I did some art therapy outside today under our big poplar tree.  I got into this technique last fall and found it to be effective.  I began by drawing sad, crying eyes, writing all sorts of words that came to mind.  Tears. Loss.  My friend.  And then – Why?

Why her?
Why so young?
Then I thought of the Billy Joel song, “Only The Good Die Young.”
And paused.

Then, I picked up the black colored pencil.  Held it for a moment.  Black.  That’s a good color for anger.  Then wrote it out.  ANGER.

I AM ANGRY.
Black lines followed, all over the page.  I need more than just black, I thought.  I paused.
Then I picked up the red pencil.  Good color, I thought, drawing a rose with jagged petals and thorns.  Lots of thorns.
“Only the good die young,” I hummed softly.
Why is that?
Seriously, I want to know.  WHY? Continue reading “On Grief – Part 4 – Hello Anger”

On Grief – Part 3

Oh grief, you chaotic, pain-in-my-ass friend.
Friend?
Yes, friend.
How can you call grief “friend”?

I do and can because you, grief, are making me softer and gentler.  You are making me feel at deeper levels how precious life is.  How to share my heart, to share my love, to share me, NOW.  Not later.  For really there is no later.  There is only NOW.  Only NOW is promised.

Continue reading “On Grief – Part 3”

Awareness Of Increasing Dimensional Slippage

Editor’s note:  As I have mentioned, I normally stay clear of channelings, especially posting them on this site.  However, when something resonates with me as this piece does, I will share.  I focus most on the message, less on the messenger.  Months ago, I began saying “not in my reality” then visualizing how I want my reality to appear when I see things like the chemtrails in the skies or hear of the latest political drama or talk of more war, etc.  At times I will literally place up my hand, like Neo in the Matrix does in the end when finally realizing his Power and the truth of the illusion he had been living.  “No,” I will say, hand up.  “Not in my reality.”  Give it a try.  It is effective and enough of us doing this continues the shift to Love.  

CHANNELLED BY MICHAEL LOVE
AUGUST 22, 2016
GREETINGS DIVINE LIGHT TRIBE,
ARE YOU SENSING THAT SOMETHING HAS CHANGED ON A GRAND LEVEL AND THE CURRENT REALITY IS A DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT ONE?
FROM THIS AUTHOR’S PERSPECTIVE, I CAN SAY THAT WHILE NO THING HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY IN MY OUTWARD LIFE IN ANY WAY, I HAVE BEEN AND AM RIGHT-NOW SUPER-AWARE OF A SERIOUS DIMENSIONAL SHIFT THAT HAS HAPPENED AND IS HAPPENING WHICH IS INCREASING MORE AND MORE AS WE INCREASE IN INTERNAL VIBRATION.
ITS HARD TO EXPLAIN THIS INNER SENSING OF BEING WAY, WAY, WAY, NOT IN THE SAME REALITY THAT I WAS A WEEK AGO , A MONTH AGO A YEAR AGO? THERE IS ALSO THIS FEELING OF STRANGENESS IN THE AIR, AND THE SOUND OF A LOUD QUIETNESS LIKE A SUPER CALM BEFORE A BREWING STORM!
WHEN I LOOK AROUND AT THE PHYSICAL WORLD I SEE A CLEAR INCREASING OF CHAOTIC PATTERNS IN EVERY AREA OF THE 3D MATRIX! IT IS PHYSICALLY OBSERVED (A 3-D SENSE) IN THE SKIES, IN THE WEATHER, IN SOCIAL UNREST, POLITICS, LARGE GOVERNMENTAL MANEUVERS AND CAN BE DETECTED BY SIMPLY WALKING OUTDOORS AND INTAKING THE ATMOSPHERE OF EVERY-DAY LIFE.
THERE IS AN EXTERNAL OBVIOUSNESS THAT 3D IS GETTING CRAZIER BY THE HOUR AND THAT EXTREME UPHEAVAL AND CHANGE IN ALL SYSTEMS IS UNDERWAY AND INCREASING ON A GLOBAL BASIS.
I REMIND MYSELF THAT THE EXTERNAL VIEW IS ONE THING NOT TO BE SO CONCERNED WITH AND THAT THE INNER IS WHAT IS SPEAKING MORE CLEAR AND TRUE.
IN THIS SEEING THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY, ONE ATTEMPTS TO SEE WHAT’S UP AND TRIES TO COME TO SOME RATIONAL CONCLUSION OF TRUE-NESS AND GET TO THE ACTUALITY OF IT ALL!
HERE IS MY VERSION OF WHAT IS AT THE MOMENT:
IMAGINE THE NEW 5D MATRIX AS ONE LARGE TECTONIC PLATE AND THE 3D AS ANOTHER SMALLER PLATE UNDER BUT LEANING AGAINST THE HEAVIER AND LARGER 5D ONE.
A HUGE SLIPPAGE HAS HAPPENED AND IS STILL HAPPENING, CREATING A FRACTURE AND EVER-WIDENING GAP BETWEEN THE TWO PLATES (DIMENSIONS). THE FORCE AND SHAKING FROM AS THE LARGE PLATE AS ITS INTENSE WEIGHT PUSHES DOWNWARD ON THE 3D PLATE. THIS INCREASING SLIPPAGE REPRESENTS THE OUTWARD CHAOS AND CHANGE THAT IS HAPPENING ON THE EARTH.
NOW VISUALIZE THIS SLIPPAGE AS AN INTER-DIMENSIONAL SLIPPAGE! HAVE YOU NOTICED HOW MANY EARTHLINGS ARE SPEAKING ABOUT THESE STRANGE TIME-LINE JUMPS, PARALLEL REALITIES, MANDELA EFFECTS, ETC?
UNITY IS ULTIMATELY WHERE WE ARE HEADED, BUT UNITY WITH WHO? ACCORDING TO UNIVERSAL LAW, TWO DIMENSIONS (OUT OF SYNC FREQUENCIES) HAVE NO THING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER AND THE TWO SHALL NEVER TWAIN. IS THIS CHAOS MANIFESTING BECAUSE THE TWO DIMENSIONS ARE COMBINING, OR IS IT HAPPENING BECAUSE THESE TWO REALITIES ARE BEING FORCED FURTHER AND FURTHER APART FOR GOOD? WE SAY THE LATTER!
THE GAP BETWEEN THESE TWO SEPARATE WORLDS WE EXIST IN IS NOT UNIFYING INTO ONE TIME-LINE, BUT FORCING APART WITH TREMENDOUS PRESSURE.
THERE ARE MANY SPIRITUAL WRITINGS THAT SAY THINGS LIKE, “THE WHEAT IS SEPARATED FROM THE CHAFF, AND THE LAMBS AND GOATS ARE PUT ON TWO DIFFERENT SIDES, AND ONE IS LEFT BEHIND AND ONE IS TAKEN,” AND SO ON!
IN SUMMARY , WE ARE SAYING THAT THE GAP BETWEEN THE LOW VIBRATION AND THE EXTREMELY HIGH VIBRATION IS GROWING TOO WIDE TO SUSTAIN FURTHER AND ONE DIMENSIONSIONAL REALITY HAS LITERALLY BROKEN AWAY FROM THE OTHER AS THE OLD FALLS AWAY AND GIVES WAY TO THE NEW!
IF WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS SO IT MEANS YOU MUST QUICKLY CHOOSE A SIDE! ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP HANGING ONTO THE OLD THING AS YOU CONTINUE TO ASCEND HAVING YOUR BEING STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT BY THE INCREDIBLE PULL OF THIS DIMENSIONAL SEPARATION, OR ARE YOU ABLE TO COMPLETELY RE-ALIGN YOURSELF WITH ONLY THE HIGHER VIBRATIONS IN SHORT ORDER?
THIS SOUND A BIT LIKE SEPARATION THEOLOGY, BUT WE SAY IT IS MORE ABOUT HOW UNIVERSAL LAW SEPARATES AND GROUPS THINGS ACCORDING TO MATCHING FREQUENCIES.
WE CAN ASSURE YOU THAT IN THE END OF IT ALL, THERE IS UNITY BECAUSE THOUGH A BEING CAN GO BACKWARDS OR NOT PROGRESS FORWARD FOR A TIME FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, BUT THE EXTREME LIGHT PRESSURE THAT WILL CONTINUE BEARING DOWN ON THEM WILL LITERALLY OBLITERATE THEM BACK INTO THE LIGHT, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!
SO MANY ARE COMING IN FEAR ASKING WHERE IS IT ALL GOING? WHAT WILL HAPPEN AND WE SAY ,THE CHOICE IS UP TO YOU BY WHAT STATE OF BEING YOU CHOOSE AS YOUR NOW-HERE REALITY!
AS EXTREME FORCES OF LIGHT OVERTAKE THE OLD DARK MATRIX ONE MUST MAKE A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO GO ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
WE ARE HERE TO GIVE YOU A QUICK REMINDER THAT YOU ARE VIBRATING MUCH, MUCH HIGHER THAN YOU WERE MONTHS AGO, SO STOP FORGETTING THIS AND BE EXTRA, EXTRA CAREFUL WITH YOUR VIBRATIONAL FOCUS! YES, NOW MORE THAN EVER, LOCK IN YOUR NEW EARTH NOW REALITY AND STAY HERE! THE CHANGE AND CHAOS CAN BE EXTREMELY DISTRACTING AND CAN DRAW YOU BACK INTO A STATE OF UNCONSCIOUSNESS IF ONE IS NOT CAREFUL AND HOPEFULLY YOU ARE ABLE TO BE AWARE ENOUGH TO STOP LOOKING AT THE EXTERNAL AND BRING YOUR FOCUS BACK ONTO THE BEAUTIFUL DIVINE WORLD YOU HAVE ALMOST MANIFESTED INTO THE PHYSICAL REALM!
YOU ARE CLOSE DEAR ONES, SO KEEP YOUR EYES FORWARD AND FOCUSED ON THE FINISH LINE.
DO NOT BE DRAWN BACK DOWN INTO THE LOWER WORLD BECAUSE YOU ARE TRULY LIFTING OFF THE GROUND NOW AWAY FROM THE OLD EARTH AND YOU ARE HEADED INTO THE BRIGHT LIGHT OF A NEW WORLD WHERE THE OLD ENERGIES LITERALLY DO NOT AND CANNOT EXIST.
NOW WE ASK YOU TO TAKE YOUR FOCUS COMPLETELY OFF OF WHAT YOU SEE WITH YOUR 3D EYES BECAUSE THIS INCREASING CHAOS IS A NATURAL BY-PRODUCT OF INCREASING LIGHT ENTERING INTO THE DARK FADING 3D MATRIX. SEE IT AS THE PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION AS PART OF THIS WHOLE DIVINE PROCESS.
YOUR LIGHT IS DISSOLVING THE OLD HARMFUL ENERGIES THAT NO LONGER SERVE YOU AND THAT CANNOT PASS WITH YOU INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH!
THE CONTROLLERS ARE USING THIS NATURAL CHANGE-RELATED CHAOS THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU TO TRY AND KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON IT. THEY WILL SHOW IT AND SHOW IT BUT JUST REMEMBER THE EXTERNAL IS 100% ILLUSION AND WILL NOT AFFECT YOU IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO OBSERVE IT!REMEMBER AS AN ANGELIC BEING IN A HUMAN BODY, HERE TO ASSIST HUMANITY, YOU MUST WAKE UP FULLY, MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND START BEING WHO AND WHAT YOU TRULY ARE QUICKLY! YOU KEEP THINKING YOU ARE A PRIMITIVE, POWERLESS, UNCONCIOUS HUMAN, YOU ARENT, YOU ARE AND ADVANCED STAR BEING WHO CAME HERE WITH INTENTION AND ON A MISSION TO HELP THEM!KNOW THAT THE INCREASING CHAOS COMING TO THIS WORLD AND THAT IS ALREADY HERE IS FOR THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN PROGRAMMED TO BELIEVE THIS REALITY AND WAY OF BEING IS ALL THAT EXISTS, WITH SOME HOPE OF HEAVEN AFTER DEATH, BUT NONE OF THIS IS SO! THERE IS NO DEATH FOR YOU TO EXPERIENCE AND THERE ARE INFINITE REALITIES THAT YOU CAN CHOOSE RIGHT NOW AS YOURS AND IT SHALL BE! THE CHAOTIC UPHEAVAL INCREASING ON THE EARTH IS NOT AIMED AT YOU AT ALL AND YOU HAVE THE INTELLIGENCE AND ABILITY TO TRANSCEND THE HARMFUL INSANITY OF THE 3-D MATRIX WHILE STILL IN YOUR BODY.WE CAME FOR THE PURPOSE OF GUIDING YOU THROUGH THIS GREAT TIME OF CHANGE, WHERE THE LOWER CHAOS HAS NO EFFECT ON YOU WHATSOEVER.CONTACT US AT MICAHGUARDIAN@GMAIL.COM AND WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO DEAL WITH THESE GRAND EARTH CHANGES IN AN EASY AND EFFECTIVE WAY AND WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO CROSS THE DIVINE TIMELINE COMPLETELY IN A SHORT TIME IF YOU ARE READY AND WILLING!

“I AM ARCHANGEL MICHAEL, THE DEFENDER OF MY PEOPLE AND I AM WITH YOU EVEN TO THE END OF THE OLD WORLD. BEHOLD I SAW A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH, AND I SAW YOU AND I PLAYING THERE!”

GOD-SPEED, ARCHANGEL MICHAEL

AUTHOR: MICHAEL LOVE
Sourced from:  https://www.projectfreedomearth.com/archangel-michael-awareness-increasing-dimensional-slippage/

The Biggest Shift Is Happening Now

The Biggest Shift Ever On The Planet Is Happening NOW: Be In The Mission

BY GOSTICA · AUGUST 12, 2016

Cannabinoids: The New Vitamin ‘C’?

Editor’s note: I am going to be juicing with the leaves and will report any positive differences I experience.  I cannot smoke it for a variety of reasons and desire to have the health benefits without the psychoactive effects.  Juicing w/the leaves does just that.  

Dr. Matthew Buckley, PSc.D., Contributor

Throughout the nation, one of the hottest social and political discussions right now is whether or not we should legalize marijuana. I believe that when examining what is known about the utility and the importance of the marijuana plant, specifically as it relates to health, it becomes clear what a grave mistake it is to deprive ourselves of this truly nutrient rich plant. I believe that its cannabinoid compounds meet the definition of “vitamins”, not just any vitamin, but a vitamin that may be necessary for controlling our bodies ability to eliminate cancerous cells, in addition to supporting numerous bodily functions.(1)

It’s worth pointing out that this post is not about marijuana or hemp’s numerous other uses as a food, fuel, or fiber.

A vitamin is defined as “any of a group of organic compounds that are essential for normal growth and nutrition and are required in small quantities in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the body.”

What is a “non-essential” vitamin?

A non-essential vitamin is an organic compound that is necessary for normal growth and function, that can be produced within our bodies.

What is a cannabinoid?

Cannibinoids are chemical compounds which act on cell receptors (CB 1) and (CB 2) within the body. In a normal, healthy state, the human body can produce two chemicals, possibly more, which act on these receptors: anadamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG).These are called “endogenous cannabinoids”. Outside of the body, the hemp or marijuana plant are known to produce a number of forms of cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids), such as THC, or CBD, which also act on these receptors.(2) These are called “exogenous cannabinoids”, or phytocannabinoids.

What do cannabinoids do?

Cannabinoids have been found to profoundly influence the immune system, with CB1 exerting its activity primarily through the brain and central nervous system, and CB2 exerting its influence over the gut, lymphatic system, spleen, pancreas, endocrine system, bone and peripheral nervous system. (3)

Due to the broad range of tissues which demonstrate cannabinoid receptors, cannabinoids are reportedto have near panacea type benefits, both anecdotally as well as from orthodox science. Perhaps most notably, cannabinoids demonstrate broad range anti-cancer benefits at even low doses, however some experts indicate that high doses are needed in the oral form (not smoked) for anti-cancer benefits.(4)(5)(6) Also notable, are the reports of cannabinoids being effective in the treatment or management of autoimmune conditions. Given the connection between disruptions in the gut lining and virtually every autoimmune condition known to man(7), one would expect to find some sort of regulatory action of cannabinoids in maintaining gut lining integrity, and research is clearly showing that to be the case.(8)

Currently, the governmental scientific research repository, pubmed ,returns nearly 12,000 research papers on the search term “cannabinoids”. Clearly, the scientific community recognizes something very important here. It’s worth noting that the US government owns a patent on cannabinoids due to their proven anti-oxidant and neuro-protective effects, which should seem odd since one of the prime justifications for not allowing medical marijuana to be legal in every state is that our governmental overlords claim that marijuana lacks medicinal value.(9)

Should cannabinoids be considered vitamins?

I believe that it’s simply a matter of time before cannabinoids, such as those derived from cannabis and the hemp plant, will be recognized as “n
on-essential” vitamins.

thc_anandamide

Biotin is a non-essential vitamin. Just as the microbes in our bodies can produce vitamin B7, biotin, it’s possible for deficiencies to occur due to various disruptions in the balance of intestinal microbes. (10) Therefore, there are times when it becomes necessary to supplement with biotin if we are to prevent the deleterious effects of a lack of this vitamin.

Likewise, it appears that in times of stress that our bodies require an increasing amount of cannabinoids in order to regulate the “endocannabinoid” system, which either directly or indirectly influences every cell in the body.(11) It stands to reason that if the body can not produce sufficient levels of anadamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) to exert their influence within the endocannabinoid system, that an outside source would be required otherwise normal cell growth and function could not be achieved. The best source for these exogenous sources of cannabinoids appears to be compounds found within marijuana and hemp, although other sources have been identified (12).

Clearly, if it is demonstrated that cannabinoids are necessary for the “normal growth and function” of the the body, which the research appears to be showing, then by definition, cannabinoids should be classified as “non-essential” vitamins.

Taking vitamins shouldn’t be a crime.

While non-THC containing hemp (CBD) oil, which only influences CB2 receptors, is legally available over the counter in every state of the US, THC and its CB1 influencing cannabis oil is still under heavy regulation, and unavailable (outside of the black market), throughout most of the US. The significance of this is that it appears that stimulation of CB1 may be most critical in order to exert the anti-cancer benefits found within the endocannibinoid system, and it also appears that it is primarily the CB1 action that appears to be regulating the integrity of the gut lining, which is important when addressing ANY chronic illness, especially autoimmune disorders. With 1:2 Americans predicted to be diagnosed with cancer, and 1:3 challenged by chronic illness at some point in their life, this should be of concern to every American. In time, perhaps, cancer may be revealed to be a “vitamin deficiency”, if it’s demonstrated that adequate amounts of cannabinoids do indeed regulate control over our bodies ability to properly eliminate cancerous cells. More research is needed in this area, however.

If you’re interested in helping to end the draconian drug laws related to the prohibition of marijuana, the “National Organization for Marijuana Reform Laws” is a good organization to support. Clearly drugs laws do not prevent drug usage, their availability, or their potency. Many people within law enforcement arenow speaking out about this. The current drug laws seem even more absurd when you consider that such laws appear to be creating vitamin deficiencies that may be fueling much of our current chronic disease epidemic.

About the Author

Dr. Buckley is a 2002 graduate of Logan College of Chiropractic.  Dr. Buckley entered the health care field largely to understand and resolve his personal struggles with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia which began late in his teens.  His ongoing study of functional medicine, nutrition, nutrigenomics, applied kinesiology, and energetic medicine has provided him with keen insight and understanding into the holistic dynamics of the body and how we lose and maintain our health.  He has maintained a busy practice in Austin, Texas for the past 13 years and works with people of all ages interested in maximizing their health, and overcoming the modern scourge of all forms of chronic illness. 

Sourced from: http://www.wakingtimes.com/2016/08/17/cannabinoids-the-other-vitamin-c/

Time Is Speeding Up

Editor’s note:  I have indeed noticed this phenomenon.  I simply cannot accomplish all that I used to be able to – and recently this has increased.  I have read where we are headed for the “void” – where time ceases to exist.  

Gregg Prescott, M.S.
Editor, WooWoo Media

Are you one of the people who feel like time is speeding up?  If so, you may be one of the people who are about to move into the next density.

Many people across the world are experiencing a feeling as if time is speeding up.  While a day is still constituted in 24 hour increments, time seems to be moving faster than ever for many people.

There are several explanations for the time speeding up phenomenon.  The most popular explanation is that time isn’t speeding up, but our consciousness is, which makes it seem like time is speeding up.

 Ian Lungold believed that time was speeding up because creation was speeding up. In other words, more was happening in less time. “When more is possible to happen in every moment,” stated Lungold, “there is more possible outcomes which opens the door to things called miracles.”

What many people aren’t taking into account is vibration.  Everything in existence revolves around vibration as atoms vibrate to create our 3rd dimensional reality.  As the atoms vibrate faster, the illusion of time speeding up is created because, physiologically, our bodies are sensing the speeding up of “something” but we cannot attribute it to anything familiar other than time.

The reason we cannot physically see higher dimensions is because they are vibrating at a higher rate.  As our bodies start to vibrate at a higher rate, we begin to feel as though time is also speeding up.

Look no further than the drastic changes within our solar system.  For many years in the past, our sun was a bright yellow in color but has since turned into a bright whitish yellow as it reflects the changes in vibration within our solar system.

In alchemy, the statement of “as above, so below” applies.  As our solar system is going through dramatic climate changes, so is our planet.  As our planet goes through dramatic climate changes, the inhabitants of this plant will experience drastic changes.  One of these changes is in the vibratory level of the spin in the atoms of our bodies.

Days, weeks and years seem to fly by quicker than ever. This isn’t just a physiological symptom of those who are progressing in age as every age genre from teens through the elderly is experiencing this phenomenon.

The easiest way to raise your body’s vibratory rate is through meditation. Other ways include showing kindness to all forms of life, radiating unconditional love and doing kind deeds for others.

A simple way to raise your vibration while helping to raise the vibrations of others is to mentally express love and appreciation to random people through positive thoughts and intentions.  For example, if you were to take a walk on the beach or even a stroll through the mall, try envisioning that everyone is part of your family.  As people walk by you, mentally tell them, “I love you.  You’re beautiful and perfect just the way you are.”

Related: Why Raising Your Energy Vibration Is So Important

The bottom line is that your 3rd dimensional body may be preparing you for the 5th dimension as your atoms continue to vibrate at a higher level.

Sourced from:  http://www.woowoomedia.com/time-is-speeding-up-phenomenon/

Could A Nap A Day Save Your Life?

Editor’s note:  We take daily naps/rest periods in this house.  When missed, mama bear comes out and no one wants that…

AUG 17, 2016 by DR. JANE GILBERT

Could a Nap A Day Save Your Life?

Napping is not just for dogs and children. Some of the world’s most influential thinkers and leaders have catnapped every day. Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Salvador Dali, John F Kennedy and Calvin Coolidge all found that a short snooze left them refreshed, recharged and ready to work. Science confirms that napping can help beat the post lunch slump and boost cognitive performance, but now there is evidence that a siesta could also save your life.

You probably don’t need me to tell you that a nap can make you feel better; more alert, sharper and less grumpy. Research has shown that naps can improve our problem solving abilities and our memories, naps can also enhance perceptive skills and speed up reaction times. But the benefits go way beyond that. Short daytime sleeps have been shown to be good for the heart, decrease blood pressure, help our bodies cope with stress and even help us battle the bulge.

Naps and the heart

Regular naps have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.Those who have a siesta at least three times a week were shown in research to be more than a third less likely to die of cardiovascular disease.

A leading scientist from the extensive study, Dimitrios Trichopoulos of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston said

“Taking a nap could turn out to be an important weapon in the fight against coronary mortality.”

The effect proved to be particularly strong for working men. Those who regularly took a little time out from their working day to have a short snooze had a sixty-four percent lower risk of death from heart disease. However, even non-workers showed a benefit. Those occasionally napping had a twelve percent lower coronary mortality rate and those who systematically napped had a thirty-seven percent reduction in death from cardiovascular events.

Naps and stress

We’ve all been there, after a few late nights it can be difficult to deal with the stresses and strains of the working day. Little problems suddenly seem insurmountable and it’s not just our minds that struggle when we’re sleep deprived, our bodies suffer too.

When we’re under psychological pressure the body releases chemicals designed to help us fight or flee. When we’re tired even more of these stress hormones flood through the body. That was great when we were cavemen fighting sabre-toothed tigers, but in the modern world when stress is sustained and psychological the results are potentially deadly. The hormones can ramp up blood pressure and blood sugar levels predisposing to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.

The good news is that research shows that naps can mitigate the effects of too little sleep, decrease the release of these stress chemicals and help protect our bodies from the negative effects of stress.

So if napping is so good, why are many of us so embarrassed or ashamed of it? I mean let’s face it, whether it’s called a siesta, bhat gum or rice sleep, an afternoon snooze is ingrained into many cultures. But in the US, the UK and many other western societies, sleeping in the daytime can be seen as laziness, a sign of getting old or lacking drive. With 650,000 Americans dying of heart disease every year, maybe it’s time to change the way think and the way we work.

How to have the perfect power nap

Keep it consistent. Try to nap at the same time every day. This helps your body adjust its normal circadian rhythms and ensures you get maximum benefit. Schedule it in your diary and make it a regular part of your daily routine.

Sleep or stimulants? Do you slug back a strong cup of coffee to beat that post-lunch slump? If you do, you may not be taking the best approach. A study compared the effectiveness of caffeine, day time naps and getting more night-time sleep as ways of overcoming the afternoon dip and the nap won hands down.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to bin the Java. Both napping aficionados and scientific researchers at Loughborough University recommend having a cup of coffee immediately before your nap. When you wake twenty minutes later, the caffeine will have kicked in so that you get a double boost.

It’s all about the adenosine. Adenosine is the chemical responsible for our feelings of tiredness, it slows down nerve cell activity making us sluggish and slow. Adenosine levels naturally decrease when we snooze and caffeine blocks our body’s response to the chemical- so together you have the ultimate power nap.

Afternoon delight. Most of us start to flag between one and four pm. It’s the result of our in-built body clock and the build-up of adenosine. Stop the slump by scheduling a short snooze after lunch.

Short is sweet. Do you wake up from a nap groggy, confused and fit for nothing but rolling over and going back to sleep? If you do, you may be sleeping for too long. Avoid this “sleep inertia” by setting an alarm and aiming for no more than twenty to thirty minutes max.

Turn off the lights. Our bodies are programmed to respond to darkness and light. Flicking the switch or using an eye-mask will help you doze off and plenty of bright light will reenergize you when you’re awake.

Cover up. When we sleep our metabolism slows down and our body temperature drops, a light blanket or an extra sweater will help you stay comfortable.

While you’re waiting for the culture at work to catch up with medical research, it’s still possible to enjoy a siesta and avoid getting fired. Try snoozing in the car, under your desk or even in a stationery cupboard during your lunch hour.

Napping could improve your work performance, your health and your wellbeing. So what are you waiting for? Remember, It’s not laziness, it’s a way of rebooting your system so that it is better able to cope with challenges. So if you find your eyelids drooping when the clock ticks past midday, make like Coolidge and Kennedy and catch some ZZZZs.

 Sourced from:  http://preventdisease.com/news/16/081716_Could-Nap-A-Day-Save-Your-Life.shtml

Love Is Who We Are

Editor’s note: Saw this on an article earlier today and it moved me to tears…

“It’s safe again to be meek.  It’s acceptable again to be innocent.  It’s wise now to trust again.  It’s clear that unconditionally love wins the day.  AS unconditional love is who and what we are.  Love is what it means to be human.   Love is meant to be generously shared and received.  Love is who and what we are made of.  Love is our genetic coding.  Love is the truth.  And God is love.  So must we be.”

Sourced from: http://www.ascensionwithearth.com/2016/08/birth-announcement-sitrep-140000-est.html#more