Blogger Highlight-Mrs. Claire Gutknecht

May 13, 2024 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight Mrs. Claire Gutknecht.

Mrs. Claire Gutknecht

Through my blog posts, I’ll take you behind the scenes of my daily life, offering glimpses into the challenges and triumphs of juggling multiple roles. From practical tips on organization and time management to heartwarming stories of family adventures, you’ll find a little bit of everything here.

So, whether you’re a fellow multitasker looking for solidarity or simply curious about the inner workings of a Wife-of-all-Trades, I invite you to join me on this journey. Together, we’ll celebrate the beauty of versatility and the joy of embracing life’s many twists and turns. Welcome to my world—it’s sure to be an adventure!

Her topics range from culinary to everyday tasks, each posts is a surprise in itself.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Anxiety · Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Depression · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Can Moving Out Your Comfort Zone Be Good For Your Mental Health?

May 13, 2024May 13, 2024 Looking for the Light2 Comments

This topic came to mind several weeks ago but I was unsure what to write and where I could find supporting evidence that this is true. Logically it makes sense but my logic doesn’t always apply due to my cognitive impairment. Many of you know snippets of my struggles with my Mental Health and I’m always looking for ways to add joy to my life.

Here is what I found

Each of us has our own “comfort zone” which, more than an actual place, is a psychological/emotional/ behavioral construct that defines the routine of our daily life. Being in one’s comfort zone implies familiarity, safety, and security. It describes the patterned world of our existence, keeps us relatively comfortable and calm, and helps us stay emotionally even, free from anxietyand worry to a great degree. Creating a comfort zone is a healthy adaptation for much of our lives. But so is stepping out of our comfort zone when it’s time to transition, grow, and transform.

In my book Transitions, I describe a major life change and how I was affected and changed by it. Many years ago my husband had a wonderful job opportunity that promised to be very fulfilling but it meant that we had to move across the country. The physical move would be hard for both of us but my husband would be going to the safety of a job and the familiarity of a work environment according to Psychology Today.

I was surprised by the number of articles that came up in my first search. My second search is focused on the facts, reading doctor’s papers written on the. topic. That is where you find out if the theory is accepted as a fact or is still unproven. Unproven papers are good to read is very clear on their theory and if they support the theory of the research.

My second search supported the theory

Like a warm, familiar embrace, a comfort zone can be both encouraging and confining. A popular area of study for mental health practitioners, behavior therapists, and others with careers in psychology, its pros and cons have been widely contemplated. While comfort zones encourage composure and calm, they can also inhibit growth. To make the most of your life, you must learn to balance these forces. When they’re handled well, you can push past personal boundaries to achieve and develop while still keeping a relaxing space in your mind to retreat to when you need to recharge or contemplate.

Acknowledging and wisely deciding when to embrace and break through boundaries is critical to career and life success.

To make the most of the comfort zones in your life, you must learn to balance time in and outside of them. For personal growth, it’s necessary to take risks and endure some ego discomfort;³ however, it’s also important to spend time healing and contemplating in the nurturing environs of your comfort zone. Being aware of your comfort zone boundaries is a great first step—and as time passes, you can expand that space to embrace more activities and experiences.

The Benefits of Leaving Your Comfort Zone By Harvard

As you train for your 5k, you can see how speeding up your walking pace and pushing yourself to jog — getting outside your comfort zone — can help you develop the fitness, stamina, and mental fortitude to run your race.

But there are a number of benefits to moving outside of your comfort zone and challenging yourself to grow beyond just crossing the finish line.

Achieving your goals. Not everything you want to achieve in life will be easy. By moving beyond your comfort zone into the growth zone, you’ll be able to do just that: grow. You’ll find yourself becoming more productive, achieving more, and reaching the goals you set for yourself — if you’re willing to put in the work.

Boosting your self-confidence. Accomplishment brings self-confidence, especially if you worked hard, challenged yourself, and saw it through. And the boost in self-confidence you get after achieving one goal can push you to achieve more.

Expanding your world. Stepping out of your comfort zone means learning new things, meeting new people, seeing new places, and trying new experiences. All of these can serve to help expand your awareness of the world and how you fit into it and may introduce you to new interests or areas of study you want to explore.

Building your resilience. Challenging yourself to move outside your comfort zone can increase your resilience as well. You’ll gain more confidence in how you handle failure or setbacks and become more comfortable with increased levels of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.

Giving you self-agency: Finally, by stepping outside your comfort zone often, you’ll learn more about yourself and gain more control over how you want your life to look and what you want to do with it.

I didn’t find evidence that is an accepted theory but I found articles written over many years that suggest it’s true and for me, that works. There are many reasons why time can be an issue for you not jumping in and made more difficult for the chronically ill and disabled. Keep looking for the little joys in life.

Melinda

References:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-flux/201512/5-benefits-stepping-outside-your-comfort-zone

https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/psychology/resource/the-pros-and-cons-of-comfort-zones

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-flux/201512/5-benefits-stepping-outside-your-comfort-zone

www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/WindTunnel/Activities/first2nd_lawsf_motion.html
www.forbes.com/sites/annlatham/2018/04/11/16-reasons-why-you-should-get-out-of-your-comfort-zone-now/ – 7cfc642062e5

https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/leaving-your-comfort-zone/

Advocacy · Chronic Lyme Disease · Chronic Pain · Health and Wellbeing · Lyme · Lyme Literate Doctor · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

CDC Meeting on Vector-Borne Diseases National Strategy to be Live-Streamed

May 12, 2024 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Lyme is a Vector-Borne Disease and there are several others. The CDC has been slower than a snail in updating the statistics and I’m not confident in their statistics. It’s not just statistics, it’s the fact that the CDC only listens to a small group of doctors who don’t believe in Chronic Lyme to help set policies. This has been an issue for over 20 years and in truth probably much longer.

I may not have a high opinion of the CDC but the fact that they are having open sessions discussing a National Strategy gives me hope for an acknowledgment of Chronic Lyme. The CDC must recognize the chronic nature of VBD and set treatment policies based on reality. The CDC’s treatment policies are used as the standard of care by insurance companies.

I encourage all that can to participate, let’s keep this conversation alive!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will hold a closed meeting and a public webinar on May 23 to share information about the newly developed vector-borne disease national strategy.

Vectors—biting insects and arachnids like mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and lice—can spread infections that make people sick. The VBD national strategy is a plan for how government agencies should address this risk to public health.

According to the CDC, “The full meeting will be by invitation only to ensure representation and inclusion of researchers, clinicians, public health officials, vector control officials, and patient advocates.” However, the opening and closing sessions will be livestreamed to the public, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time.

LymeDisease.org CEO Lorraine Johnson will participate in the closed meeting, as a representative of the Lyme community.

To access the meeting visit this page on the day of the event: https://www.hhs.gov/live/index.html.

As stated in the Federal Register, “The VBD National Strategy was developed by the Department of Health and Human Services in response to congressional direction in the Kay Hagan Tick Act, passed as part of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Pub. L. 116-94). The primary purpose of the meeting is to increase awareness of the VBD National Strategy and inform future implementation efforts.”

SOURCE: Federal Register

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Essential Oils · Health & Beauty · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Easy DIY Moisturizing Detox Bath Soak

May 12, 2024 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

From Brindin.com

Relax in an all-natural moisturizing detox bath that soothes dry skin while you de-stress. This bath soak has the beautiful look and feel of fresh snow PLUS it leaves skin feeling silky soft and promotes better sleep.

Magnesium Sulfate: Popularly known as Epsom Salt. Magnesium is used for treating anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, leg cramps, migraine headaches, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), restless leg syndrome, skin infections and more.
Sodium Bicarbonate: Popularly known as Baking Soda. Sodium bicarbonate makes bath water alkaline which soothes irritated skin, relieves pain or itching, and leaves the skin feeling silky.
Virgin Coconut Oil: Virgin coconut oil is pressed from the “meat” of the coconut. It has a high content of lanauric acid which is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. It aids in skin healing and moisturizing.
Sweet Almond Oil: Almond oil is pressed from edible almonds. It is rich in Vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, and proteins plus minerals and vitamins. It is good for moisturizing and healing skin.
Essential Oils:
- Lemon Essential Oil is distilled from the peel of the lemon. It is high in d-limonene, a powerful antioxidant. Lemon oil is nourishing to the skin, improves mood, and supports the immune system.
- Peppermint Essential Oil is derived from the leaves of the peppermint plant. It helps increase blood flow to the skin, is muscle-soothing, and has a mentally relaxing effect
- Rosemary Essential Oil is distilled from the fresh flowering tops of the fragrant evergreen plant. It is used to stimulate blood circulation, relieve headaches and muscle aches, reduce stress, and boost the immune system.

This all-natural moisturizing detox bath soothes dry skin while raising magnesium levels to aid in de-stressing. This bath soak leaves skin feeling silky soft and supple and promotes better sleep.

Makes: 5 baths

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup Coconut Oil (melted)
1/4 cup Almond Oil
40-80 drops Essential Oils (lemon, rosemary, peppermint)
3 cups Epsom Salts
2 cups Baking Soda

INSTRUCTIONS

Whisk together the melted coconut oil and almond oil.
Stir in essential oils. (10-20 drops lemon, 10-20 drops rosemary, 20-40 drop peppermint)
Add Epsom salts and baking soda, and stir to combine.
The bath salts will have the texture of fresh snow.

Store in an air-tight jar.

HOW TO TAKE A MOISTURIZING DETOX BATH

Take a magnesium bath at night just before going to bed for best results. The magnesium will help you relax while the moisturizing ingredients soothe and soften the skin.

To prepare a bath: Fill the tub with hot water. Add the Magnesium Detox Bath salts then soak for 20-30 minutes. Add music, candles, a good book, or an interesting podcast to make bath time more enjoyable.

Make sure to have a cold glass of drinking water within reach to rehydrate during the bath. After soaking pat dry and go to bed.

DETOX BATH WARNINGS

If you have any medical conditions or take prescription medicines you should consult with your doctor before taking a moisturizing detox bath. Hot bath water can cause dehydration and dizziness. You should drink lots of water while taking a detox bath and never take a detox bath when using drugs or alcohol.

Enjoy!

It sounds very easy to make and it’s great that you can make 5 baths worth per batch. Makes a great gift too.

Melinda

Advocacy · Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month

May 12, 2024 Looking for the Light3 Comments

Last year my husband was diagnosed with Leukemia and we are thrilled he is in the earliest stage. The most surprising result of Leukemia is that he has developed Skin Cancer which is common with Leukemia. He has had many lesions removed and some were very deep. It is recommended that you see a Dermatologist once a year and check your skin regularly.

Support

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the largest nonprofit funder of leading-edge research for every type of blood cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other rare types of blood cancers.

We make thoughtful investments in blood cancer research that will lead to scientific breakthroughs that will improve and save the lives of patients.

The LLS Research Team oversees the organization’s research agenda and manages our portfolio to support cutting-edge research for every type of blood cancer.

We are taught at an early age about why wearing sunscreen can cause Skin Cancer yet I’m guilty of not putting on sunscreen. Most of the skin damage happened on my neck and chest area. Are you guilty too?

Melinda

References:

https://www.lls.org/lls-research

Advocacy · Caregiver · Chronic Lyme Disease · Chronic Pain · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Lyme · Medical · Men & Womens Health

National Lyme Disease Awareness Month

May 11, 2024 Looking for the Light6 Comments

My journey to a diagnosis of Lyme disease started with spending a year with a Neurologist in 2012 and even though all of my tests were abnormal she had no idea what was wrong. My search knowledge has improved greatly so I set out to find what was killing me. I took keywords from the test and combined keywords in other tests. I was very lucky to pin down what I thought was Lyme disease by knowing I did not have the other chronic illnesses mentioned.

I started the second part of my journey by searching for a Lyme-literate Doctor, which I tell you is not an easy task and it’s not getting easier. I had to track down what association Lyme doctors belong to, I contacted them and it was a secretive process. I called ILADS and told them I was looking for a Lyme doctor in the area, they took my number and said someone would call me back.

The first doctor was on crack so I dug deeper to find one on my own and found a highly respected Infectious disease doctor in Washington, D.C. and now my journey really started. I went through close to 18 months of IV Infusion treatments which felt like death to me.

If you think you’ve been bitten by a tick and a month has passed, your Primary Care Doctor can no longer help you. Find a Lyme Liturate doctor right away.

Here’s the timeline before Lyme becomes chronic.

If you have a bulls-eye rash go to the doctor right away. They can prescribe antibiotics for 2-4 weeks and you are lucky. It’s important to know that 30% of people do not get the rash, I didn’t have a rash so I had passed the point of short-term antibiotics and moved into the Chronic Lyme disease phase.

The most important is to remember doctors only test for a few strains of Lyme and they have a high failure rate. If you feel strongly, ask for a full panel on Lyme disease. If they don’t want to retest you have the option of using an outside lab to run the test but at your expense. The money spent on tests could save your life.

The treatment for Lyme was not covered by insurance and we spent close to $150,000 on my treatment which meant a second mortgage on our house. Be prepared for the cost, there are no shortcuts with Lyme.

Wikipedia explains Ticks:

Ticks are parasitic arachnids of the order Ixodida. They are part of the mite superorder Parasitiformes. Adult ticks are approximately 3 to 5 mm in length depending on age, sex, species, and “fullness”. Ticks are external parasites, living by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. The timing of the origin of ticks is uncertain, though the oldest known tick fossils are from the Cretaceous period, around 100 million years old. Ticks are widely distributed around the world, especially in warm, humid climates.

Ticks belong to two major families, the Ixodidae or hard ticks, and the Argasidae, or soft ticks. Nuttalliella, a genus of tick from southern Africa, is the only member of the family Nuttalliellidae, and represents the most primitive living lineage of ticks. Adults have ovoid/pear-shaped bodies (idiosomas) which become engorged with blood when they feed, and eight legs. Their cephalothorax and abdomen are completely fused. In addition to having a hard shield on their dorsal surfaces, known as the scutum, hard ticks have a beak-like structure at the front containing the mouthparts, whereas soft ticks have their mouthparts on the underside of their bodies. Ticks locate potential hosts by sensing odor, body heat, moisture, and/or vibrations in the environment.^[1]

Prevent Tick Bites: 13 Things Ticks Won't Tell You | Reader's Digest

Take all safety measures recommend to prevent tick bites.

Melinda

References:

Reader Digest for tick photo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tick

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Communication · Friends · Fun · Health and Wellbeing

Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt is “Loan/Lone “

May 11, 2024 Looking for the Light6 Comments

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “loan/lone.” Use them any way you’d like. Bonus points if you use both. Have fun!

This morning, JoAnna shared her take on the process of buying a house and the mounds of paperwork, and it sparked memories of buying my last house. After my divorce in 1999, I bought my first new house, oh how good it felt picking all my options and upgrades and I loved the house. Yes, there was a lot of paperwork but not as much since I bought from a builder. The house was more like a garden home with a little yard in front and less in the back which was perfect for me, Sasha, and Truffles. The HOA took care of the entire yard, flowers, and trees.

My ex-husband was a Contractor and he gave me solid advice on how to do the final punch list. The builder didn’t like it but I was buying the house, right? On the last punch list, I told the builder that I would do the punch list by myself at a slow pace and then we could compare notes and move to closing. His advice paid off, my punch list was long and we would not close after all.

I jumped for joy on the day of the final walk-through, signing of the contract, and the loan like it was yesterday. Not only did I have a new house, my payment was less than the house we shared.

Melinda

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream-of-consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write. 2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop. 3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a particular subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started. 4. Ping back! It’s important so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below. 5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back to their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post. 6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get! 7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views. 8. Have fun!

For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at Linda G Hill

Depression · Mental Illness · Bipolar Disorder · Men & Womens Health · Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month, My Journey

May 10, 2024May 10, 2024 Looking for the Light12 Comments

I don’t write about my Mental Health often but it’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and I can’t think of a better time.

I’ve been stable for about three years and it was a long journey during that depressive period. After being stable for several years I spiraled into a dark depression, getting numb and darker by the day. I tried four different drugs before finding the drug I’m on. It has worked like a miracle.

That’s how my life has gone since I was 19 years old. Stable or depressed or hypo or manic or dark depression or unable to function. It’s been a difficult journey and one that I almost didn’t make several times. The first time I tried to kill myself was at nine years old, that should have been a sign that something was wrong with me.

I have been hospitalized several times sometimes for up to a month at a time and have had 21 Electro Convulsive Treatments. The journey has been very dark at times and I’m so thankful I had family and a husband who fought hard when I wouldn’t.

The only thing I can say to anyone who is suffering from Mental Illness or a Mental Health challenge is that it can and often will pass. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, some Mental Illnesses reaching stable is as well as you will get, and that’s a huge achievement.

I have Bipolar Disorder and for the past 25 years have been on the depressive side. For the prior 20 years, I lived in a blissful Hypo Manic state. It was blissful until I fell off that cloud and crashed so hard I almost didn’t make it up.

One key to my success is having a Psychopharmacologist as my main doctor and seeing a therapist regularly. I know Psychopharmacologists are more expensive and harder to find but they know the brain in detail and how medications work so they can connect the dots with what symptoms you’re having with the medication you need. I’ve seen my doctor for 30 years and it scares me he is about to retire and I don’t know who is going to take his practice.

I believe strongly that for ongoing challenges with Mental Health/Mental Illness medication is required for some time. For me, it’s a lifetime, for others, it’s until they’re stable.

I also believe strongly that seeing a Therapist regularly is as critical as medication. Sometimes we sabotage ourselves and a Therapist can help us through negative self-talk. The key to remember is what each doctor or Therapist does as a specialty. If you’re seeing a Psychiatrist/Psychopharmacologist you are only going to get medication, you are not going to get any therapy. There are also different types of Therapists, make sure you are getting a referral for the right type of support you need.

I’m almost 58 years old and sometimes didn’t think I’d ever see 30 years old. It takes everything you have and more to deal with your Mental Illness or Mental Health and it’s worth the effort.

If you’d like to read more about my journey with Bipolar Disorder, check out Mental Illness and Me and dive into my archives for more posts.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Friday Quote · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Friday Quote

May 10, 2024 Looking for the Light2 Comments

I’m glad you stopped by and hope to see you soon.

best inspirational quotes most motivating inspiring quotes to read and share

Melinda

Celebrate Life · DIY · Essential Oils · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Natural Seasonal Allergy Relief

May 9, 2024 Looking for the Light4 Comments

Willow & Sage by Stampington

By Kaetlyn Kennedy

These are some great tips from one of my favorite book-a-zine, Willow and Sage by Stampington, I also subscribe to Field Guide and have read several others over the years. These are not your typical magazines, they have a hard softback, over 1/2 thick and the content will blow you away.

Made from stinging nettle plants, organic nettle tea can help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms with its natural antihistamine. You reap all the benefits of antihistamine symptom relief without taking conventional medicines. You can drink the daily as a preventative or as needed.

Spirulina is a superfood full of amazing plant nutrients, like iron, calcium, vitamins A and C, and protein. While great for overall health, spiraling may be beneficial during allergy season because it is high in antioxidants and has been shown to protect the body from anything that might compromise the immune system. It is high in chlorophyll and is detoxifying. Other superfoods like Kale, turmeric, mace powder, hemp, and flax reduce inflammation and boost your immune system.

A probiotic can help boost your gut and immune system health, which plays a big part in seasonal allergies. You can digest probiotics by eating fermented items like sauerkraut, and kombucha, or by taking a supplement. Make sure it is a high-quality probiotic from an organic source.

Apple Cider Vinegar is detoxifying and practically a remedy for everything. Taking as little as 1 tablespoon a day can help you feel and be healthier, which will, in turn, reduce your allergy symptoms. Make sure you purchase unfiltered organic Apple Cider Vinegar.

Essential oils, such as melaleuca, peppermint, lavender, frankincense, lemon, and eucalyptus, help with seasonal allergy relief. I like to fill a roller bottle with carrier oil and 5-10 drops of each chosen essential oil. I apply this to my nose, temples, and behind my ears when I begin to feel swollen or puffy, as well as to the bottom of my feet. You can use these as needed as well as preventative.

Here’s to your health!

Melinda

Repost from 2020

Abuse · Caregiver · Children · Communication · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Travel

Child-Parent Alienation Is A Form Of Abuse

May 9, 2024 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

In the modern world of divorce, we are seeing that fathers are being left behind. Child separation from their parents, no matter if it’s the father or the mother, is traumatic. They will find themselves without one half of their guiding light and they will have a lesser view of the world because of it. Parents are supposed to be teachers and when children and parents don’t have the opportunity to spend time together, valuable lessons are not learned. Fathers are the hardest hit, as mothers tend to get sole child custody, 80-90% of the time. Let’s look deeper into why this is a problem that we need to talk more about.

Separation as a weapon

Sometimes, parents who have custody of the children will use this as a way to ‘get back’ at their former spouse. This is as horrible and vindictive as it sounds. However, this kind of child alienation can have a bad effect on the parent that is being forced out, and the children. The children will sense they are being used as pawns in your personal vendetta and the parent that is being kept from seeing them will grow distant from them. If you are also making up lies about the former spouse, or think that they are, your children will likely believe them as they are their sole caregiver. This kind of turning against tactics can be devastating in the long term to the point that relationships may never heal again.

A need for guidance

Both parents will give their children a guiding light in life. And when one of them is not there to do this, it can lead to a skewed view of the world. It’s rare for one parent to assume both roles and it can never really work even when they try. A dad’s perspective on life is different from the mother’s and vice versa. Therefore making sure that both parents can fulfill their role as a torch of knowledge in their children’s lives is vital. When one of them can’t do this because of child alienation by the other parent, this can be so harmful that the child will lack a certain type of life experience or knowledge that will end up hurting them more.

What can you do about it?

Can you sense not being able to see your children as you normally would at visiting times? Maybe you can’t even visit them anymore because of what the former spouse is doing to separate you from your children. You shouldn’t give up, even if the court has previously ruled something. You can use a good Family Law Firm to build a case that shows you are being unfairly treated and kept from your children. Fathers especially should look into this, as they will usually face a tougher stance from the family courts.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Repost from 2020

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward · Music

Just Pondering

May 8, 2024 Looking for the Light6 Comments

Where do you go when you need to quiet your mind?

Melinda

Caregiver · Childhood Learning · Children · Communication · Education · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Mother’s Day Is On May 12th

May 8, 2024 Looking for the Light6 Comments

Babies bond with their mothers long before birth while mothers are forming their own bond. During this bonding time, many are probably overwhelmed with ideas about how you will protect their child, you’re hopes and dreams for them as adults.

Mothers are always there even if in the background.

Happy Mother’s Day to all who visit, you have carried many burdens and deserve the best Mother’s Day ever!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Chronic Lyme Disease · Chronic Pain · Fun · Photography · Travel · Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday-Statue of Peter The Great In St. Petersburg, Russia

May 8, 2024 Looking for the Light4 Comments

I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and hope to see you again soon.

Statue of Peter The Great in the square in St. Petersburg, Russia 2001

I had the great privilege of staying at the Astoria Hotel, one of two five-star hotels in St. Petersburg and this was the view from my window. I keep the memories of my trip to Russia close to my heart. My trip was scheduled for 9/11/2001, and all flights were canceled for two weeks, but when I arrived it was a special moment. People knew I was American and they would come up to me and say how sorry they were about what happened in America. A special time indeed.

Melinda

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Communication · Education · WordPress

Two Kinks In Theme, I Need Help With

May 7, 2024 Looking for the Light8 Comments

This them is more user-friendly and easy to navigate so It may be the keeper. Two areas are tripping me up.

One is the Date and Comment are hardly noticeable, I haven’t found the section to change the color darker.

The other issue is similar, the Categories section has a color that makes it hard to read the name of the Category.

If any of you have any ideas, PLEASE come forward. If they don’t bother as they are, Please reply too.

I take pride in my site and want to make it not only interesting but that you can find what you are looking for and get a calm feeling when you visit.

Thanks.

Melinda

Advocacy · Caregiver · Childhood Learning · Children · Family · Friends · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Parental Abuse

3 year old kills 18 month old Brother with Semi Automatic Weapon

May 7, 2024May 7, 2024 Looking for the Light10 Comments

Repost from 2014

Nothing has changed since 2014, and this happens all the time 10 years later. Thankfully two parents are currently serving jail time for their child’s decision. I hope to see more parents held accountable for their actions and the actions of their children when it comes to guns and death.

PAYSON, Ariz. – Police said an 18-month-old boy is dead after being shot in the head by his 3-year-old brother, reports CBS affiliate KPHO.

The boys were at a neighbor’s apartment in Payson, Ariz., on Tuesday when they found a semi-automatic gun that belonged to the man they were visiting, according to the station. Police said the toddler’s 3-year-old brother picked up the weapon and pulled the trigger. Payson Police Chief Don Engler said officers found the boy’s mother carrying the wounded child in the parking lot outside the apartment after they received several 911 calls about a child with a head injury. The boy was pronounced dead after being rushed to Payson Regional Medical Center, KPHO reports.

“The apartment that this occurred in was a family friend of the mother and two children,” said Engler. “The children had slipped into another room unobserved by the mother and the 78-year-old occupant of the apartment,” Engler said, noting that the family had been visiting for about 10 to 15 minutes before the shooting. “Even though many of our young officers have children of their own, certainly it’s difficult for our officers in those circumstances.”

According to KPHO, police have not released the names of anyone involved in the incident. Suzy Tubbs, the director of Payson Community Kids, a nonprofit located across the street from the apartment, said the young mother often visited with her two sons. “I was always so impressed with a mom who wants to give back and help out…. [The boys] were really cute, playing on the playground, playing hard, getting dirty… typical little boys.”

This tore my heart out and left me pissed off with irresponsible gun owners. I’ve been around guns my entire life. My gramps kept a loaded shotgun by his side of the bed. When we were very young He took my brother and me to where the gun was and explained what the gun was for, what it could do, and how it could hurt somebody. He said don’t ever touch the gun, and we never touched the gun.

It’s time for accountability from people who leave a gun where a child can get access.

A semi-automatic????? Was this a drug house?

The person responsible for leaving the gun where the kids could reach it has blood on their hands. What happened to gun locks? Gun safes?

I’ve owned guns since I was fourteen, a shotgun, and two 38 Revolvers. When a child came to my house, I would unload guns, put on locks, and hide away. How could that adorable two-year-old even pull the trigger?

Have we become a society that no longer takes responsibility for our actions?

Parents need to parent their children and parent themselves. This doesn’t apply to all, JUST THE DUMBASSES RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEAD CHILD. Put them in jail as if they pulled the trigger. That will get attention, and people might think twice in the future.

I don’t have children, yet I’m human and compassionate. Too many children have died at the hands of a parent, family member, or while at a friend’s house. Stop this madness. It only takes a minute.

Warrior

Balance Issues · Business · Celebrate Life · Depression · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care · Working From Home

Tips To Stay Healthy While Working From Home

May 7, 2024 Looking for the Light2 Comments

As many of us are finding ourselves at home for work at the moment, it can feel a little disorientating having to go back and forth in the same space. With that being said, there’s a lot that you can do to make working from home a more enjoyable experience. Remote working might be something that’s even more common in the future so it’s worth exploring what you can do to make it a healthy environment for yourself. Here are some tips to stay healthy whilst working from home.

Set Up A Separate Workspace

A separate workspace is something that you want to try and incorporate as best as you can. Even if you’re setting up a temporary wall in your living or dining room area so that it can feel like you’re stepping into an office. If you have a study room, then you certainly want to take advantage of this as this can provide the workspace you need to thrive. When you’re working from home, the last thing you want to do is to be sharing the communal spaces or using space like the living room or your bedroom and blurring those lines. If you’ve had a hard day at work and you’ve been doing it in the living room, you’ll probably want to avoid that space from then on. It can end up hindering your home space, so it’s worth finding a setup that can work in the home but is not going to encroach on the space where you relax at the end of the day.

Take Advantage Of Lighting Features On Your Devices

When it comes to your electronic devices, whether that be your laptop or your phone, it’s worth tweaking the lighting. This is when you need to adjust it during early morning starts or late nights. The light from our phones and computers can be quite harsh on our eyes so knowing how to go into dark mode here can be beneficial. It’s always good to know what the dangers are when it comes to spending too much time in front of a computer screen. It’s important to find options that can help reduce the impact of screen time, and it may be worth you getting some glasses that can block blue light. This can be helpful in your eyes and give them a rest from the harsh lights that come from our screens.

It’s important to focus on your break times when it comes to working from home. You want to ensure you’re still getting those breaks to help you reset your batteries and give yourself a break from the workload that you have. When it comes to regular breaks, make sure you’re stepping away from your desk and stretching your body. You mustn’t be sat down in a seat for hours on end. You should be getting up and going for regular walks around the home to help keep your body moving. Be sure to take a proper lunch break as well and practice eating away from your desk if you tend to eat at the desk.

Schedule Your Day

Scheduling your day is important because it’s going to help keep you motivated to do the work you’ve set out to do. Try to incorporate the breaks into your schedule so you know when you have some free time coming up and that it won’t interrupt anything you’re doing that might break your productivity. Some people like to schedule their day hour by hour, whereas others like to do it morning and afternoon. Others might find that they just have a to-do list that’s in order of when they do it. It’s good to find and practice what works for you so that you’re getting the most out of your day.

You might want to buy yourself a physical planner or perhaps look at online platforms that you can use to set out your tasks. Explore what’s possible and what works well for your productivity levels. We’re all different so we’ll all need to work a little differently!

Stick To Your Working Hours

Your working hours should be the same as they were if you were in the office. So if you’re starting at 9am, start at 9am. Be strict with yourself and your employer because, for some, they may try and take advantage of the fact you no longer have the commuting time to factor in. It’s still important that you’re doing the hours that you’re paid to do and that you’re not overworking yourself. That’s not something that’s going to be helpful for you, and we’re all only capable of doing so many hours of creative work before we burn out. Your working hours might not be exactly the times you usually do but try and get as close to them as possible.

Continue To Eat Healthily

To stay healthy, it’s important to continue to eat healthy when working from home. When working at home, there can be a lot of temptation within your kitchen cupboards, and if you’re doing more hours from home, then you may do your weekly shopping accordingly. This might be that you have more food than you would while in your workplace. Try to be strict with your food intake and be sure to not eat too much throughout the day as it’s going to leave you feeling lethargic, especially if you’re not doing much exercise. Try to keep yourself fit and healthy both in body and mind, which a lot of it can be influenced by the food we eat.

Staying healthy while working from home can prove to be a challenge, but it’s important to do. Use these tips to help stay healthy during these remote working occasions.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Repost

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Communication · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

I’ve Settled On A New Theme But Still Have A Few Tweeks

May 6, 2024 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

I liked the other Theme better but I could not get the widgets to work, so I went back to a Theme I used a long time ago. The only thing I still have to work on is the date is not standing out. Of course, I will play with the fonts more, it takes me some time to pick, and I love looking at all the options.

I hope the headline doesn’t look as big once published.

Have a great day.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Cooking · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Eating · Men & Womens Health

Why You Need To Keep Your Immune System Healthy

May 6, 2024 Looking for the Light2 Comments

So just why do you need to keep your immune system healthy? When there are so many things to do that range from work to personal hobbies, isn’t taking care of the immune system just one more job that really should be left to its own devices? Isn’t that something the body can do by itself?

Yes and no. The immune system can do a lot, and your body will try to protect it as much as possible, but the reality is that if you don’t play an active part, it’s not going to be as healthy as you might hope and want it to be. The immune system is often taken for granted until it starts to fail, but it’s actually one of the most vital aspects of our health, and maintaining a healthy immune system is about protecting our health in all ways. With that in mind, read on to find out when you need to keep your immune system healthy, as well as what you can do to make it happen.

What Is The Immune System?

At its heart, your immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that all work together to defend the body against harmful bacteria, germs, and other problems like viruses. The immune system is set up to be able to identify and then effectively neutralize these things, which means we don’t get sick (or at least not as sick as we would otherwise do).

When it’s working as it should, the immune system uses a lot of different ways to keep us protected, including putting up physical barriers like the skin, using white blood cells and antibodies, and more. These all work together to keep us healthy, so it’s clear that taking care of the immune system is crucial.

Why Is The Immune System Important?

A strong immune system isn’t just important for fighting off infections but for overall health. For one thing, it can help with disease prevention because a good immune system is really your body’s first line of defense against infectious diseases, reducing the chances of you getting sick and minimizing symptoms if you do get unwell. Plus, with a good immune system, you’ll usually have a faster recovery time because it responds quickly to any problems and that means you’ll be ill for a shorter period of time.

Then there’s your long term health to consider Chronic stress, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, and plenty of other lifestyle factors can all lead to a compromised immune system, and that means you’re more susceptible to illness over time. If you can make sure your immune system’s health is a priority, you’ll build more resistance and stay healthy for longer.

Developing Primary Immunodeficiency

While it’s essential to keep your immune system as healthy as possible, some people might come across other challenges when it comes to doing that, and one of those challenges is primary immunodeficiency.

This is a rare, genetic disorder that has a variety of symptoms and variations, which is why it’s best to get a doctor’s advice and listen to their ideas about treatment if this is something you suffer from. You’ll have to undergo regular monitoring, receive immunoglobulin replacement therapy, and you’ll also need to make sure you’re very careful when it comes to infections, so there’s a lot to think about. The good news is, this condition can be managed, and that’s the important thing to remember.

How To Boost Your Immune System

If you’re able to make your immune system stronger, that’s definitely something you’ll want to do, and there are a few ways to go about it. Your diet is going to play a big part in keeping your immune system strong, so make sure you eat a healthy, well-balanced one that includes a lot of fruit and vegetables.

You should also make sure you get enough sleep because when you sleep, your immune system can repair itself and become stronger, helping you fight off more infections and diseases. Try to get around seven to nine hours a night if you can, and that will make all the difference.

Stress can also take its toll on your immune system, and you’ll often find that the more stressed you are, the more unwell you get. If you can, reduce stress when possible, and if that means getting help from a doctor or therapist, then that’s the way to go. Stress can play havoc with your physical and mental health, so you need to handle it well if you want to be healthy.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight-Nine Cent Girl

May 6, 2024 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight Nine Cent Girl.

Nine Cent Girl

Welcome to my blog, Nine Cent Girl, which is my musings on family, food, and fashion, basically all life brings. This is not a philosophical or an epicurean or haute couture site, but instead a place to affirm all your own notions. I hope my nine cents will encourage you to live life fully!

Moira writes on many topics which is rewarding and her energy pulls you in. Check out her blog.

Looking for the Light

Advocacy · Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

Clean Air Month

May 6, 2024May 5, 2024 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Clean Air Month is observed each year across the United States during May. The month focuses on ways we can contribute to making our air cleaner. There has also been a renewed focus on improving the quality of indoor air. In addition, the day brings to light the many ways in which we can reduce our carbon footprints and keep in check our use of fuels and other non-renewable energies.

Clean Air Month is an important observance as it encourages people to make our planet greener, healthier, and more liveable for future generations. By putting in the time and effort, we can significantly contribute to making the air cleaner.

HISTORY OF CLEAN AIR MONTH

Clean Air Month is observed in May each year in association with the American Lung Association. It started as a week-long event in 1972 and turned into a month-long one in 1994. Clean Air Month awareness campaigns aim to educate everyone about the impact of air pollutants and the importance of clean air for a healthy life. The celebrations also encourage people to adopt steps to improve air quality, both locally and globally.

Clean Air Month also celebrates the improvements that have been made to make the air cleaner in the last 40 years since the campaign kicked off. The Clean Air Act, initiated by Clean Air Month, was included in legislation in 1970. Poor air quality can have serious repercussions on one’s health and can pave the way for cancer, bronchitis, allergies, and asthma. Poor air quality has also been linked to the deterioration of our emotional and mental well-being.

Every time we reduce our carbon footprint, we reduce pollutants that can lead to more serious health problems.

Melinda

References:

https://nationaltoday.com/clean-air-month/

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Communication · WordPress

New Theme-Under Construction

May 5, 2024May 5, 2024 Looking for the Light4 Comments

I had the itch to change Themes and now I have to rebuild my widgets, they didn’t transfer for some reason. Over the next week, I hope to have it completed.

If you would like to provide feedback now about the new Theme, please do.

Thanks for your understanding.

Melinda