A Call to Action: By Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States (1977-81) is known for living his convictions.  Although Carter may not be considered the greatest president, only a naive person would deny Carter’s commitment to the higher ideals of the United States. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2002.

Recently while listening to television, I heard President Carter speak about his new book A Call to Action. I respect Carter as a former president but had not really thought about him in years. As I listened to him I was impressed. He is a “statesman,” a man with ability, qualifications, wisdom and skill in public affairs. One could call Jimmy Carter a global statesman for his work on “The Global Water Crisis and Guinea Worm Disease.”

Carter’s most recent book, published Simon & Schuster (March 25, 2014), is titled, A Call to Action. “His urgent report covers a system of discrimination that extends to every nation. Women are deprived of equal opportunity in wealthier nations and “owned” by men in others, forced to suffer servitude, child marriage, and genital cutting. The most vulnerable, along with their children, are trapped in war and violence.” The book discusses “the suffering inflicted upon women by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare. Key verses are often omitted or quoted out of context by male religious leaders to exalt the status of men and exclude women. And in nations that accept or even glorify violence, this perceived inequality becomes the basis for abuse.”

President Carter, who is known for living his spiritual and religious convictions, “was encouraged to write this book by a wide coalition of leaders of all faiths. President Carter and his wife, Rosalyn, have visited 145 countries, and The Carter Center has had active projects in more than half of them. Around the world, they have seen inequality rising rapidly with each passing decade. This is true in both rich and poor countries, and among the citizens within them.”

Carter’s book presents the facts on human trafficking in developed and undeveloped nations. Seemingly, no nation is free of trafficking and I am sad to say trafficking occurs in my own city in the quiet middle of the U. S.

Trafficking of persons is the crime of displacing people with a view to exploiting them. People are lured, moved to a totally new place and used for crimes like prostitution, drug peddling, slavery, and even removal of organs. It involves recruiting, transporting, transferring of persons by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion.

Human Trafficking Worldwide

•            27 million - Number of people in modern-day slavery across the world

•            12.3 million - Number of adults and children in forced labor around the world

•            49,105 - Number of human trafficking victims around the world who have been identified

•            1.8 per 1,000 inhabitants - Prevalence of trafficking victims in the world

•            1:9 - Ratio of sex trafficking victims to labor trafficking victims, globally

•            800,000 – Number of people trafficked across international borders every year, as of 2007

•            2 million – Number of children exploited by the global commercial sex trade

•            1.2 million – Number of children trafficked globally in 2000

•            80% – Percent of transnational victims who are women and girls

•            50% – Percent of transnational victims who are minors

•            At least 56% - Percent of trafficking victims globally who are women

Human trafficking will only end when good people say, “No More.” Economic and physical slavery of people cannot be tolerated. Carter’s book has suggestions for action. We all need to accept responsibility for our sphere of influence. In my city, St. Louis, hotel and motel workers are trained to recognize the signs of trafficking so that local police can be notified. A local agency, the International Institute, helps immigrants by providing programs and help for those trying to escape victimization. The Salvation Army is active nationwide in the cause against trafficking.

Jimmy Carter Quotes

Our American values are not luxuries, but necessities -- not the salt in our bread, but the bread itself.

JIMMY CARTER, Farewell Address, Jan. 14, 1981

War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children.

JIMMY CARTER, Nobel Lecture, Dec. 10, 2002

To be true to ourselves, we must be true to others.

JIMMY CARTER, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1977

We should live our lives as though Christ were coming this afternoon.

JIMMY CARTER, speech, Mar. 1976

We cannot resort to simplistic or extreme solutions, which substitute myths for common sense.

JIMMY CARTER, State of the Union Address, Jan. 25, 1979

America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense, it is the other way round. Human rights invented America.

JIMMY CARTER, Farewell Address, Jan. 14, 1981

Because we are free we can never be indifferent to the fate of freedom elsewhere. Our moral sense dictates a clear-cut preference for these societies, which share with us an abiding respect for individual human rights. We do not seek to intimidate, but it is clear that a world, which others can dominate with impunity, would be inhospitable to decency and a threat to the well being of all people.

JIMMY CARTER, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1977

http://www.amazon.com/Call-Action-Women-Religion-Violence/

Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/c/carter_jimmy.html#MBE2YbzYW4g6zD4w.99

http://www.victimsofcrime.org/library/crime-information-and-statistics/human-trafficking

http://www.handsacrosstheworldmn.org/resources/Human+Trafficking+Statistics.pdf

Are You Sleep Deprived?

Acknowledging your attitude toward sleep and your own sleep-deprived state is an essential first step to a healthy lifestyle. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Is this your motto?

Seemingly, culture has convinced us to deny the very real human need for sleep. Students stay up late studying or doing projects. Workers skip sleep to meet deadlines. Medical practitioners live with shift work schedules, and 24 hour workdays. “Partygoers” develop poor sleep habits and risk serious problems from sleep deprivation. New parents must live the baby’s sleep schedule.

How much sleep does an adult need? Individual needs are different. An adult should sleep 7 to 9 hours a night. The point is to get adequate sleep to wake rested. Those living with extreme stress (for example physical abuse, war, or refugee situations) and have ongoing sleep deprivation may display altered behavior. 

Dr. Harold L. Williams and associates at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research  found the mental symptoms and effects of sleep deprivation are gradual over time. At first they may be unnoticed but become quiet profound including a “number of mental, emotional, and physical disturbances such as; progressive deterioration of mental functioning, reduction of attention span, weariness, fatigue, and possibly isolation.” After ninety hours of sleep deprivation, one develops vivid hallucinations and may end up in psychosis.

Our reliance on technology creates the conditions for sleep deprivation. Technology is highly stimulating---looking at a monitor answering e-mails, mental problem solving, playing on the Xbox, or watching highly dramatic, exciting TV. The body responds as if you are in the action yourself. Your heart rate and metabolism increase and your mind races to keep up. Once you’re over-stimulated it is difficult to calm down and fall asleep.

It is important to be the master of technology. Take un-needed technology, like the TV and phone, out of your bedroom. Be sure the glow from the radio or clock isn’t too bright to sleep in. Recent research on lighting, including streetlights, indicates blue light disrupts the melatonin sleep cycle. A simple solution to bright tech is to put something in front of the LED bulb.

Children have different sleep needs than adults and react differently to sleep deprivation. Sleep deprived children display hyperactivity and may develop attention deficit disorder. They may display emotional outbursts such as aggression, crying, and inappropriate behaviors and school behavior, while achievement may suffer. Although a child might need a simple night-light, avoid lighted pillows or other lighted, musical toys that might interrupt sleep.

Signs of Sleep Deprivation:

Stress--causes you to crack and fold, you have difficulty solving problems you are faced with. You feel helpless.

Memory Loss--can't recollect anything specifically in your mind, memories are vague, "hazy."

Bad Concentration—inability to focus on anything you're doing, poor focus and mental concentration, reaction time is significantly slowed. This serious effect impacts EVERYTHING you do.

Appetite Changes--you will be super hungry all the time or have no appetite at all. Prolonged sleep deprivation may cause weight gain, or loss.

Irritability---a growing anger and near hatred of everything and everyone.

 Tiredness--- characterized by feeling that any task is overwhelming.

Feeling, or being socially inept—you cannot communicate effectively, and the things people say are incomprehensible to you.

The body recharges and repairs itself during sleep. Vigorous and demanding exercise requires better sleep for the body to recharge to its optimum. In the sleep deprived, the body cannot recharge itself and if the routine is continued exhaustion sets in. We need to understand the cumulative effect of sleep deprivation has serious consequences. These include depressed vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature), impairment of thinking and memory, an inability to think critically or creativity, hallucinations, and even death.

Melatonin is the key sleep hormone and is produced in the brain. Sunset triggers heightened melatonin secretion from the pineal gland. When our biological clock, known as circadian rhythm, is disrupted, sleeping can be difficult. These melatonin levels normally decrease with sunrise regulating periods of sleep and wakefulness. As reported in the November 2004 issue of the journal Sleep Medicine, melatonin supplements may be of use for certain insomniacs and to regulate circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Research has shown melatonin supplements taken at the same time each night improve sleep.

Life-style Steps to Improve Sleep Quality

Avoid alcohol, tobacco and especially caffeine. Eat light meals more often through the day. Do not eat within two or three hours of going to bed. Fatty and oily foods, sweets, ice-creams are stimulating and difficult to digest

Try to go to bed at an early hour so that you spend more time in the relaxed state. According to Ayurveda and research, it is easiest to fall asleep and the quality of rest is deeper if we go to bed before 10 p.m.

Avoid stimulating activities like talking intense conversation, or watching an exciting movie after 10 PM or you may find sleep eludes you, or you wake feeling depleted.

Make sure that the room is perfectly dark. Reduce noise levels to the absolute minimum. These changes can get you more rest, and can help alleviate the effects of insomnia

Many sleep problems are due to the inability of the mind to relax and be in the moment. Meditate for 15 minutes or so before going to bed and your mind will be quieter and the more restful your sleep.

Go to bed only when you feel drowsy as this short circuits anxiety about the arrival of sleep, which is a major cause of sleeplessness. If you don’t fall asleep within half an hour of going to sleep, wake up and meditate or read a book. If you awake in the middle of the night don’t fret or fight to get sleep.

If you worrying about sleep onset listen to calm, soothing music, or some audio books to distract yourself. Insomniacs find it hard to fall asleep is because they think too much about falling asleep.

Drink lots of water through the day, to flush out toxins and help support the kidneys. But minimize water intake after 6 pm to avoid disturbing sleep for urination.

Oil massage is an effective way to de-stress and relax. The oil massage encourages toxin elimination, lubricate joints, improve complexion, relieve fatigue and increase energy levels. Recommended oils: sesame oil (some find it a bit hot), coconut oil, or my favorite Egyptian Oil. Warm the oil bottle a bit in a wide bottom dish of water to heat the oil. Massage the oil all over your body with circular motion over flat areas like abdomen and chest and straight strokes for arms and legs. Rest for at least 30 minutes then have a warm shower.

Regular daily exercise increases alertness and raises body temperature. Stop exercise five to six hours before bedtime makes the body temperature drop which facilitates faster sleep. Exercising close to bedtime is stimulating and disrupts sleep patterns. Exercises that cause exhaustion should be avoided.

Quick Fixes for Insomnia

Ensure the bedroom you sleep is peaceful with adequate ventilation

Keep your bedtime and wake time consistent from day to day, including on weekends

Do a small prayer before retiring to reduce stress

Two drops of sesame/castor oil applied to foot will make you sleepy

Soak your feet in warm water for ten minutes before retiring

Take deep breaths--breathe in, imagine happiness and positive energy, and breath out exhaling stress, worries and tension.

Get out of bed when you're not sleeping.

Avoid trying to sleep--read or watch television in another room until you become very drowsy, then go to bed to sleep.

Use your bed and bedroom only for sleeping or sex.

Create a relaxing bedtime ritual, such as reading, soft music, breathing exercises, yoga or prayer.

Avoid or limit naps--limit a nap to no more than 30 minutes and don't nap after 3 p.m.

Some people like subtle background noise, such as a running fan, to help drown out other noises.                       

Check your medications---some contribute to insomnia (also check the labels of over-the-counter products to see if they contain caffeine or other stimulants, such as pseudoephedrine)

If you take a pain reliever take enough to control your pain while you sleep

Set your alarm so you know when to get up but then hide the clock, wristwatch and cell phone in your bedroom--you'll sleep better.

Alternative Tactics (check with your health care professional)

Melatonin. The body’s sleep cycle naturally produces melatonin, releasing it into the bloodstream starting at dusk, increasing through night, and tapering off toward morning. Older adults seem to benefit more from melatonin. Considered safe to use for a few weeks. The dosage for over the counter Melatonin is usually between 0.3 and 5 milligrams (mg) a day usually taken 1-2 hours before bedtime.

A study has shown that melatonin treatment significantly reduces the time it takes to fall asleep, increase sleep efficiency, and increase the overall duration of sleep.

Valerian. A dietary supplement sold as a sleep aid has a mildly sedating effect. The recommended dose of valerian is 400 to 900 mg daily with an extract containing 0.4 to 0.6 percent of valerenic acid.

Acupuncture. A practitioner places numerous thin needles in your skin at specific points on your body’s energy meridians.

L-Tryptophan is an amino acid naturally occurs in the body. It contributes to the manufacture of serotonin, (a neurotransmitter) in the brain, which promotes better sleep. Tryptophan is converted into serotonin, a natural sleep-inducing chemical, which enhances the brain's melatonin production.

Magnesium deficiency is responsible for nervousness that prevents sleep, and can cause leg cramps. Magnesium is essential for normal sleep and has a calming effect on the brain. Magnesium is taken 1 hour before bedtime.

Inositol enhances REM sleep and helps with the body’s ability to fall back asleep after waking in the night.

http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/Sleep/sleep_ins_nutrition.htm

http://www.effectsofsleepdeprivation.net/symptoms-of-sleep-deprivation/

http://www.sleeptracks.org/symptoms-of-sleep-deprivation.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/insomnia/DS00187/DSECTION=causes

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/inso/

http://naturalinsomniatreatment.net/

http://www.relishinglife.com/6/natural-ways-to-treat-insomnia/

Chakra Health Reflects Your Wellness

“Chakras are large nerve centers aligned to the spinal column that code messages to the brain.” (Griffin, 1997). This precise definition says it all. I have been searching for a way to express the importance of the Chakra System to the Western mind and culture.

We sometimes get lost in discussions of Chakra energy and the topic sounds foreign. We need to consider that our bodies are biochemical engines and our nerves are very like metal wires transferring messages using molecules that contain metals such as copper, iron, and zinc that have an electromagnetic charge. We use the EEG to track the brain’s electrical processing. So why are we adverse to the discussion and reality of other energy systems in the body? Body heat represents energy movement in the body for the destruction of bacteria, and dozens of other processes.

The Ayurvedic system of traditional Indian medicine has identified and described the Chakra energy hubs. Ayurveda is a holistic system that uses a constitutional model to provide guidance regarding food and lifestyle. So healthy people can stay healthy and those with health challenges can improve. A basic principal is to live in harmony with nature and utilize the Laws of Nature to create health and balance within one’s being.

The Chakras are not located in the physical body but exist outside the physical body. To work with charkas is to accept that all of life is intertwined mind, body and Spirit. Mind, body and Spirit are energy systems and charkas are nexus points where these systems touch and connect. Learning to understand the Chakra system gives us one more tool as we manifest good health and well-being.

There are basic principles of energy healing. Everything is energy and we are energetic beings. Because energy follows thought and our attention is like a beam of energy, we affect whatever we focus on in mind, body, or Spirit. We have an energy anatomy just as we have a physical anatomy and they interact with each other.

The physical body is the densest expression of the human energy field. As an analogy consider the states of water. Water is H2O; two hydrogen atoms bonded by energy to one oxygen. It is the energy bonds of all the elements in the body that create the seeming denseness of the body.

For example consider water. As more energy affects the water molecule through heating, the heat energy activates the water molecule. And as the molecules move faster this creates steam. When we reduce the energy the water becomes cooler. The water changes in state of being to mist, then fluid rain, snow and finally hard ice. In ice the energy of the water molecules is barely moving making the ice dense. We know that when the body is exposed to cold, the energy slows down in our own body and the water in the body will freeze, which can lead to death. Man’s natural state is to have an energetic equilibrium equal to the fluidity of water.

The point to remember is the body is biochemical in nature. And all Nature is created and held together by energy. We can learn to purposefully use the existing energy of the body for healing and enhanced well-being.

The human energy field is expressed in the body and changes occur over time reflecting the well being of mind, body, and Spirit. Healing is facilitated by greater rhythm, flow, and balance in the energy field. The free flow of energy is essential to maintain mind, body, and Spirit well being.

A basic understanding of the Chakra System allows us to take proactive action in self-healing. There are many in-depth books and websites on the Chakra System. This is a brief introduction to the charkas, their locations, associated emotional issues, and dietary needs related to the Chakra.

To use this outline first work with what you know. For example if you have stomach issues think about the emotional issues outlined for the solar plexus Chakra. Are you feeling confident in your ability to live life effectively? When one works with the interconnectedness of Spirit, mind and body the opportunity for healing is increased because one is addressing the whole life plan.

1. Allow your Mind to objectively understand the concern—write it out and identify flaws in your thinking. 2. Meditate and reflect—allow your Spirit to guide you to positive thoughts and actions. 3. Feed the Body foods that are consistent with the Chakras dietary needs. Before making extreme changes in your diet discuss them with a nutritionist, or physician---do your self-responsible homework. Research has confirmed that hopeful, proactive action contributes to healing potential.

The 7 Chakra Hubs

1. Root Chakra represents our foundation and feeling of being grounded. Location: Base of spine in tailbone area. Emotional issues: Survival issues such as financial independence, money, and food, as well as sexual identity, personal power, and self-acceptance. Dietary needs: oxygenating foods high in iron, B12, folic acid, vitamin E, phosphorus and zinc.
2. Sacral Chakra represents connection and ability to accept others and new experiences. Location: Lower abdomen, about 2 inches below the navel and 2 inches in, and is related to the urinary, genital, and adrenal organs. Emotional issues: Sense of abundance, well being, pleasure, sexuality, a sense of direction/purpose and stress response/immunity. Dietary needs: B3, niacin, magnesium, B6, and pyridoxal phosphate (enzyme needed for B6 metabolism).
3. Solar Plexus represents the ability to be confident and in-control of our lives. Location: Upper abdomen in the stomach area (effects metabolic process for heat and energy). Emotional issues: Self-worth, self-confidence, self-esteem, a sense of community, and vital coping energy. Dietary needs: VitaminsC/K/P/B5/B17. Pantothenic acid, PABA, para-amino benzoic acid, choline, and biotin.
4. Heart Chakra represents our ability to love. Location: Center of chest just above heart. Emotional issues: Love, joy, inner peace, self-trust, faith, intimacy, breathing easy. Dietary needs: Increase green plants, chlorophyll, inositol, vitamins D and F, calcium, copper, potassium
5. Throat Chakra represents the ability to communicate. Location: Throat. Emotional issues: Communication, self-expression of feelings, speaking self-truth, creativity, heart-brain balance. Dietary needs: iodine, vitamins A/B1/B2, thiamine, riboflavin, chromium
6. Third Eye, or Brow Chakra, represents our ability to focus on and see the big picture. Location: Forehead between the eyes. Emotional issues: Introspection, intuition, imagination, wisdom, ability to think and make decisions, motives and actions. Dietary needs: vitamin K, manganese, sunlight
7. Crown Chakra is the highest Chakra and represents our ability to be fully connected spiritually. Location: The very top of the head. Emotional issues: Inner and outer beauty, our connection to spirituality, pure bliss, and the union of spiritual ideals with physical realities. Dietary needs: Lipoic acids from flowering plants.

There are many good books and websites on the Chakra System which discus the many ways to work with Chakras for well-being. This knowledge is not new or foreign it is a system developed over centuries of observation. Many of the techniques we have intuitively found for ourselves.

The Ayurvedic Chakra System also identifies colors, sounds, and types of music, flowers, flower essences, oils, jewels and minerals that have resonant energies for healing. Does a yellow room make you feel energetic? Does the smell of cinnamon calm your nerves? When you wear a diamond or pearls does your confidence increase? Does music set your spirit free?

https://www.educate-sustainability.eu/kb/content/characteristics-water

Griffin, Judy.  Mother Nature’s Herbal. (1997) Random House. New York.

http://heartofhealing.net/energy-healing/human-energy-field/chakras/

http://eocinstitute.org/meditation/meditation-chakra-healing/?bingads18253