tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13913678226183803842024-02-08T10:12:32.596-05:00Killer IntuitionOshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.comBlogger212125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-54638704465133795912010-04-20T00:42:00.002-04:002010-04-20T00:42:41.614-04:00The Mechanism Behind Myasthenia<p><b><br /></b></p><p>Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease, meaning that it develops from within the body’s own defense system. In fact, due to remarkable advances over the past 25 years, it is the best understood of all the autoimmune diseases. In this type of condition, a person’s immune system, which normally fights germs and other invaders, produces antibodies that attack his or her own cells. Myasthenia gravis results when the body’s defenses mistakenly produce antibodies that attack the acetylcholine receptors on skeletal (voluntary) muscles.</p><p>To understand how myasthenia causes problems, we must start with how nerves and muscles interact. To move any muscle—to breathe, swallow, speak, smile, or look in any direction—your nerves must transmit a signal to that muscle. An electrical impulse traveling down the motor nerve releases the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The muscle receives this chemical signal in a specialized area, below the nerve, that is tightly packed with acetylcholine receptors. When the acetylcholine released from the nerve combines with the receptor on the muscle, a new electrical impulse is initiated within the muscle, which causes the muscle to contract.</p><p>If something interferes with the signal’s transmission from nerve to muscle, the result is weakness and fatigue. In myasthenia, the problem is that antibodies attack the acetylcholine receptors, leaving too few of them available to receive the signal. The brain itself is not involved in myasthenia gravis, and the body’s mechanisms for initiating movement at the level of the brain and spinal cord are intact. Even the peripheral nerves remain healthy. Only the acetylcholine receptors on the skeletal muscles are abnormal.</p><p>As we have learned more about myasthenia gravis, we have come to recognize it in more people. About 1 in every 7,000 individuals has the condition, and the rate may even be three times that. Females often develop it in their teens and twenties, while in men it usually appears in the fifth to eighth decades. However, myasthenia can occur at any age.</p><p>Why some people’s immune systems erroneously attack their acetylcholine receptors is not clear. The answer in many cases seems to be related to the thymus gland, a lymph gland located under the breastbone that serves its main function during early development. About three quarters of all people with myasthenia have abnormalities of the thymus gland. Eighty-five percent of these show evidence of overactivity (hyperplasia) of the gland, and the other 15 percent have tumors there. We therefore suspect that the immune system’s error may originate in the thymus gland.</p><p>Myasthenia may also occur in association with other autoimmune diseases, such as thyroiditis, lupus, and certain blood diseases. This suggests a more generalized error by the immune system in distinguishing between “self,” which should not be attacked, and “nonself,” which could represent a threat.</p><p>It is rare for myasthenia to be inherited. However, similar disorders of nerve-to-muscle transmission do have a genetic component. These are termed congenital myasthenic syndromes, and they are extremely rare.</p>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-89587885976806353042010-04-20T00:36:00.000-04:002010-04-20T00:39:30.319-04:00CONSERVING ENERGY IN MYASTHENIA GRAVIS<span id="ctl00_cColumn_ConditionCenter1_Callout1_lblCallout"><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p>Many things can exacerbate myasthenic weakness temporarily, including infections (such as a cold, pneumonia, or even a tooth abscess), fever, excessive heat or cold, overexertion, and emotional stress. Here are some everyday tips on how to conserve energy.</p><p>■ Don’t stand when you can sit.</p><p>■ Plan all activities and eliminate extra steps; assemble all the necessary equipment before beginning. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help.</p><p>■ Use a cart, wagon, or basket to carry several things from one part of the house to another, eliminating unnecessary trips back and forth.</p><p>■ To ease difficulty getting up from a sitting position, try leg extenders to elevate chairs.</p><p>■ Try a shoulder pad or intercom phone to completely free your hands when talking on the phone.</p><p>■ Avoid hot and cold weather extremes; they exaggerate weakness.</p><p>■ Try an electric toothbrush and toothpaste pump to conserve hand strength.</p><p><span class="small">Adapted from</span> <a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/"><span class="small">www.myasthenia.org</span></a></p></span>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-35886257361826641372010-04-20T00:05:00.002-04:002010-04-20T00:35:19.011-04:00Two Weeks LaterI feel a lot better than I did when I was admitted.<br />I have my strength back, I am able to move around more so I can say for now I am pretty happy.<br />Still having a "okay now what am I going to do with my life" moment. I have been taking photography classes for a few weeks now, I actually started before I went to the hospital. I am really enjoying it, I only get concerned about the future, when it is time for me to shot someone, since the MG has a mind of its own, how do I know when to set an appointment and when not?<br /><br />I have searched different ways to "conserve energy" and things of that sore, yet I am still a bit nervous. But, I have faith in myself and I will not let this keep me from my dreams.<br />If you have not seen any of my work yet I have a photo blog and I am also on flickr. The links are below:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://earthairfirewaterart.tumblr.com/">Eart Air Fire Water Art</a> <---Photo Blog<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamoshun/">Flickr</a> <----------------------Add me!Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-80717374103944707512010-04-06T15:31:00.000-04:002010-04-06T15:32:56.504-04:00Treatments for Myasthenia Gravis<p class="body" align="justify">Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is no longer considered a fatal disease. Most myasthenics, with the help of either drugs and/or surgery, lead near-normal lives.</p><p class="body" align="justify">However, there is no standard therapy for all myasthenics and there is still much to learn about MG - how it is diagnosed and how it is treated. As is usual with all things myasthenic, the success of one treatment over another is really dependant on the patient. What works for one person, may not work at all for another. And what works for one body part in a patient, may not work for another body part. A doctor may experiment with various therapies and prescription levels to achieve relief from myasthenic symptoms for the patient.<br /><br />There is no one recipe for all situations, so the choice of treatment for an individual patient requires judgment and experience. Patients and their doctors are often required to make decisions even when the evidence is inconclusive. Patients need all the support which doctors, family and friends can offer.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Normally a neurologist is engaged for diagnosis and management of the disease. It would be helpful if the neurologist has extensive knowledge and experience in the management of MG (with the incidence of MG in only 1 person for at least every 10,000 people, it is highly likely that a number of neurologists have had little experience with this condition).</p><p class="bodyBold" align="justify"><a name="menu">Current therapies for MG include:</a></p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify"><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org.au/html/treatments.htm#at">1. Anticholinesterase Therapy</a> - an attempt to strengthen neuromuscular transmission with the use of drugs such as pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon, Mestinon extended-release) and neostigmine (Prostigmin).</p><p class="body" align="justify"><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org.au/html/treatments.htm#it">2. Immunosuppressant Therapy</a> - Prednisone; azathioprine (Imuran); cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan); cyclosporine (Sandimmune); mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept).</p><p class="body" align="justify"><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org.au/html/treatments.htm#p">3. Plasma Exchange</a> - Plasmapheresis</p><p class="body" align="left"><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org.au/html/treatments.htm#iig">4. Intravenous Immune Globin</a></p><p class="body" align="justify"><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org.au/html/treatments.htm#t">5. Thymus & Thymectomy</a></p><p class="body" align="justify"><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org.au/html/treatments.htm#ot">6. Other Therapies</a> - atropine; pro-banthine; ephedrine</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">Hopefully, the neurologist will explain the various forms of treatment to the patient, and suggest the best way forward. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of therapy, and the impact of the therapy could affect one's ability to cope with the condition and such things as self image. Some factors to consider are:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">- the patient's current condition - for example, therapy for somebody in a myasthenic crisis such as breathing difficulties would be different to that for droopy eye lids.</p><p class="body" align="justify">- the patient's reaction to the therapy - some medications may cause undesirable side effects such as nausea, dizziness and stomach pains and so could not be tolerated over long periods.</p><p class="body" align="justify">- the effect of the therapy on the patient's ability to carry on with daily activities eg plasmapheresis requires hospital visits; thymectomy requires several weeks rest after surgery which could have an impact on income and ability to work.</p><p class="body" align="justify">- cosmetic implications - some therapies not only deal with the myasthenia, they will have other physical impacts - a thymectomy will leave the body scarred, some medications may cause bloating, or affect appetite.</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">Normally, the first treatment step is medication. There is no cure for MG, and so the drugs used to combat MG merely provide temporary assistance to help the body function normally. Additionally, the danger of using any drug is that the body may become tolerant of it over time, and so the drug becomes less effective. The choice is then to move to a stronger drug or to a different form of therapy, such as a thymectomy, which offers long term management of the condition.</p><p class="body" align="justify">In under 20% of myasthenics, MG goes into spontaneous remission which lasts longer than a year. No one knows why MG fluctuates or why natural remissions occur.</p><p class="body" align="justify"><br /><span class="bodyBold"><a name="at">Anticholinesterase Therapy (Mestinon, Prostigmin, Mytelase)</a></span></p><p class="body" align="justify">Anticholinesterase drugs include:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">- pyridostigmine (brand-name "Mestinon")<br />- neostigmine (brand-name "Prostigmin")<br />- ambenonium chloride (brand-name "Mytelase")</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">We described the functioning of the muscle in the section <a href="http://www.myasthenia.org.au/html/causes.htm">What Causes Myasthenia Gravis</a>. You might recall that for a muscle to contract, the nerve sends a message to the muscle through a neurotransmitter substance called acetylcholine (ACh). The nerve end releases a large amount of ACh, which travels through the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) (the gap between the nerve and the muscle) and binds to a receptor on the muscle membrane. In MG, the attacking antibodies bind to the muscle's membrane and initiate a series of events that destroy the membrane and prevent ACh from binding. If ACh cannot bind to the muscle, the muscle does not receive the message from the nerve and will not contract.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Anticholinesterase drugs boost the body's ACh by blocking the enzyme which usually breaks down ACh. This allows the build up of ACh to concentrate at the at the muscle receptor, which is where it is needed to transmit messages from the nerves to the muscles, and its effect is prolonged.</p><p class="body" align="justify">The most commonly used anticholinesterase is "Mestinon". This comes in 60 milligram (mg) or 10 mg tablets and is released immediately. “Mestinon TimeSpan" is a 180 mg tablet in which 60 milligrams is released immediately and the remaining 120 milligrams are released over several hours. TimeSpan is usually prescribed for patients who require medication throughout the night (this allows for comfortable, uninterrupted sleep and reasonable strength in the morning). Timespan's uneven release provides less predictable results than with ordinary Mestinon and is usually not recommended for day time use, but some myasthenics prefer taking it. Liquid "Mestinon" syrup is for children and for adults who have trouble swallowing pills.</p><p class="body" align="justify">There are no fixed dose or time schedules for anticholinesterases as muscle involvement and severity vary so much among myasthenics. An increase in muscle strength is usually noticeable within 20 to 40 minutes after taking the medication, and they produce their maximal effects about one to two hours after ingestion (although muscle strength rarely returns to normal). The effects start wearing off after three or four hours. The medication must be taken at regular intervals so that muscle strength is maintained throughout the day. For those myasthenics who have trouble chewing or swallowing, it is best to take medication at a time that will produce optimal strength during meals.</p><p class="body" align="justify">The need for anticholinesterases varies from day-to-day, and during the same day in response to infection, menstruation, emotional stress, and hot weather. Different muscles respond differently; with any dose, certain muscles get stronger, others do not change, and still others become weaker. A "brittle myasthenic" may be adequately medicated during one 3 to 4 hour period and over-dosed with the same dose in the next 3 to 4 hour period. Medication dosage may require frequent adjustment according to one's response to the drug and to hourly/daily activity level.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Anticholinesterases are the gentlest of the drugs available to treat MG. However, some people do experience side effects, including:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">- stomach cramps<br />- queasiness and nausea<br />- gut hyperactivity and diarrhea<br />- vomiting<br />- increased perspiration<br />- increased salivation<br />- muscle twitching and muscle cramps<br />- palpitations<br />- increased urinary frequency<br />- the muscle controlling the pupil of the eye is also affected, and there may be difficulty in focusing<br />- there are Acetylcholine receptors in the heart and so Mestinon may cause a very slow heart beat, which can, in turn, cause dizziness.</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">The presence of these symptoms may be a sign of taking too much medication, in which case the medication should be taken at longer intervals or in lesser amount. Other symptoms of overdose could include the worsening of generalized weakness, swallowing difficulties and respiratory failure (in which case a doctor should be contacted immediately). The myasthenic who is prescribed large daily dosage of anticholinesterase and suffering severe side effects or a worsening of their condition should question their doctor about their therapy.</p><p class="body" align="justify">To lessen the side effects, the drug can be taken with bland foods such as crackers and milk. If the unwanted side effects are particularly intense, they can be prevented or reduced by simultaneously taking other drugs - either anticholinergics (atropine) and hydrozyzine (Vistaril). It is also important to emphasise that all the unwanted effects of Pyridostigmine are short-lasting, and that it does not cause any permanent or long-term problems.</p><p class="body" align="justify"><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org.au/html/treatments.htm#menu">Return to menu</a></p><p class="body" align="justify"> </p><p class="body" align="justify"><span class="bodyBold"><a name="it">Immunosuppressant Therapy</a></span></p><p class="body" align="justify">As the name suggests, immunosuppressant drug therapy attempts to suppress the body's immune system, although no one really knows how they work in MG. They are commonly called steroids (those used for MG are properly known as corticosteriods, not the anabolic steroids used by sports people). Steroids and other immunosuppressive drugs are often very effective in producing remission of symptoms.</p><p class="body" align="justify">The immune system produces antibodies to fights against foreign bacteria and viruses. In illnesses such as MG, the antibodies become overactive and start attacking the body's tissues. Immunosuppressive drugs suppresses the production of antibodies to stabilize an overactive immune system. In MG, it is the ACh receptor antibodies that are suppressed, therefore allowing the receptors to regenerate and function in neuromuscular transmission. Hence, there is a return of muscle strength.</p><p class="body" align="justify">In the use of immunosuppressants, the best responses occur in patients with recent onset of symptoms, but patients with chronic disease may also respond. The severity of disease does not predict the ultimate improvement.</p><p class="body" align="justify">In decreasing order of their frequency of use in MG, they are:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">- prednisone<br />- azathioprine ("Imuran")<br />- cyclophosphamide ("Cytoxan") and<br />- cyclosporine ("Sandimmune").</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify"><br />Except for prednisone, none of these drugs is endorsed by its manufacturer specifically for treatment of MG.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Unfortunately these drugs can make it harder for the body to fight infection, and can also have serious effects, especially after prolonged use.</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify"><br /><span class="bodyBold">Prednisone</span></p><p class="body" align="justify">Prednisone is a synthetic drug which resembles natural hormones produced by the cortex of human adrenal glands, and is used to treat many illnesses. The body depends upon these hormones, called corticosteroids or "steroids," during stress.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Unique to MG is the possibility of increasing weakness during the first two weeks of prednisone therapy, which requires close medical supervision when first administered. Some doctors try to avoid this initial weakening by starting with a low dose of prednisone and gradually working up to a recommended amount of 50 to 60 milligrams every day for several months. Onset of improvement in muscle strength usually occurs within 2 weeks but may take as long as 2 months. Marked improvement or complete relief of symptoms occurs in more than 75% of patients treated with prednisone.</p><p class="body" align="justify">When prednisone is taken in doses higher than 20 milligrams daily for longer than a week, the body's natural production of adrenal hormones begins to decrease. This is called "adrenal suppression," and is an undesirable but inevitable effect of taking high doses of a synthetic steroid. Once this occurs, prednisone cannot be stopped all at once but must be slowly tapered down over several months to give the adrenal glands a chance to "wake up" and begin producing natural adrenal hormones again.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Prednisone has a great many potential undesirable effects, usually related to dose and duration of drug use. In order to lessen the chance of undesirable effects, a gradual transition to alternate-day therapy is made after about two months of daily therapy, so that eventually twice the usual dose is given every other day for several more months. As soon as is feasible (3 to 12 months), the drug is very slowly tapered over many months to a long-term maintenance dosage (around 5 to 10 milligrams every other day) sufficient enough to keep myasthenic symptoms at bay. The choice of prednisone therapy is thus a long-term commitment lasting several years.</p><p class="body" align="justify">30% of myasthenics on high-dose prednisone therapy experience a drug-dependent symptom-free remission, and another 50% obtain marked improvement. However, 25% of patients also experience serious complications from this drug.</p><p class="body" align="justify">The side effects of using Prednisone (and any other steroid) are:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">- Risk of developing osteoporosis - this is probably the most serious long-term effect. It results in thinning and consequently in weakening of bones and particularly those of the spine and the pelvis. The effect is worse in those who are already at risk of thinning of their bones such as the elderly or women past the age of childbearing. Exercise, particularly weight-bearing exercise such as walking and aerobics, is highly recommended (although some myasthenics may find this difficult). Diet should be high in calcium, protein and Vitamin D. There are now also available drugs (such as etidronate) which are being used successfully to treat bone thinning.</p><p class="body" align="justify">- Increased susceptibility to diabetes - steroids make the body less capable of dealing with glucose and other sugars, which affects diabetic patients. It may also induce mild diabetes in patients who didn't previously have it. Strict dietary control may be necessary to counter this side effect.</p><p class="body" align="justify">- Thinning of skin and wasting of muscles - steroids tend to break down body tissues, and deplete them of protein. This can be counteracted by strenuous exercises, which again may be difficult for people with MG. Thinning of the skin leads to it being easily cut or broken, delayed healing of wounds, and also to increased susceptibility to the affects of sunlight.</p><p class="body" align="justify">- Increased risk in developing glaucoma and lens.</p><p class="body" align="justify">- Irritation of stomach lining and gullet causing indigestion, increased acid in the stomach and possibly ulcers.</p><p class="body" align="left">- Sodium and water retention, causing some puffiness or swelling</p><p class="body" align="justify">Other side effects include:<br />- mood changes and insomnia<br />- increased appetite and weight gain<br />- decreased resistance to infection<br />- high blood pressure<br />- increased sweating, especially at night<br />- increased hair growth<br />- acne on the face, back, and chest<br />- thrush (Candida) growth in the mouth</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">Patients on prednisone should:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">- watch their weight<br />- keep as active as possible<br />- eat a balanced diet (high in protein, calcium and potassium but low in salt, free sugar and fat)<br />- stay out of crowds in enclosed areas (to avoid people with infections)<br />- see their doctors regularly.</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify"><span class="bodyBold">Azathioprine (brand-name Imuran)</span></p><p class="body" align="justify">Imuran also suppresses the production of ACh receptor antibodies. It is used an alternative to prednisone where the patient either cannot tolerate prednisone or does not respond to it. Others respond better to treatment with both drugs than to either alone. In some patients, imuran is used as an aid to decreasing the dosage of prednisone.</p><p class="body" align="justify">The beneficial effects of Imuran seem to take months to occur, and often emerge so slowly and subtly that they are apparent only in retrospect. Because the response to Imuran is delayed, both prednisone and imuran may be started simultaneously with the intent of rapidly tapering prednisone when Imuran becomes effective. If Imuran is working, after about 3 to 12 months (or even longer in some patients), the myasthenic should notice a gradual improvement in how they feel. This improvement can be measured clinically by:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">- Decrease in the number or severity of symptoms<br />- Need for less prednisone or Mestinon<br />- Need for less frequent plasmapheresis treatments<br />- Lower AChR antibody titer</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">Remissions which occur on Imuran are drug-dependent. Imuran is a long term treatment and a patient may have to stay on this medication indefinitely. Once improvement begins, it is maintained for as long as the drug is given, but MG symptoms recur 2 to 3 months after the drug is discontinued or the dose is reduced below therapeutic levels.</p><p class="body" align="justify">As with any immunosuppressive drug, it is important that the patient take Imuran exactly as prescribed by their doctor.</p><p class="body" align="justify">The undesirable effects of Imuran are less varied than those of prednisone but they can be very serious:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">- Some people have a hypersensitivity or allergy to Imuran and develop fever, chills, joint and muscle pains, vomiting and dizziness. This usually occurs soon after commencement of treatment. When this unwanted reaction occurs, treatment must be stopped and cannot usually be restarted.</p><p class="body" align="justify">- Women who may want to have children should avoid this drug, because it has a known potential for producing fetal deformities.</p><p class="body" align="justify">- Imuran depresses the formation of new blood cells, just as it depresses antibody forming cells. It is therefore necessary to have complete blood counts of red and white cells frequently at the start of treatment, and three to four times a year once treatment is established. If the count drops significantly, it may be necessary to stop treatment temporarily.</p><p class="body" align="justify">- Liver function may be upset by Imuran. This can be monitored by blood tests. The effects are reversible on stopping treatment or reducing the dose.</p><p class="body" align="justify">- Susceptibility to infection - as Imuran depresses immunity, it increases susceptibility to infections. Special care must be taken to avoid contact with shingles and chicken pox which are much more severe in patients with lowered immunity.</p><p class="body" align="justify">- There is still much to learn about Imuran, including answers to such worrisome questions as whether it may increase the risk for cancer many years later. This is the most controversial, unwanted effect of Imuran. There are reports of an increased frequency of tumours mainly of the lymph glands in patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking Imuran. The sort of tumours that occurred in these patients were those that respond well to treatment once Imuran is stopped. However, a more recent report in 755 patients taking Imuran for bowel disease and who were followed for up to 29 years found no increase in the number of tumours of any sort. There are no comparable figures for MG Patients, but, on the basis of current knowledge, there is little cause for alarm.</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">Approximately one-third of patients have mild dose-dependent side effects that may require dose reductions but do not require stopping treatment.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Imuran is generally tolerated without serious adverse effects. The patient should check with the doctor immediately if any of the following occur:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">- Nausea and vomiting<br />- Fever or chills<br />- Loss of appetite<br />- Upset stomach<br />- Skin rash<br />- Diarrhea<br />- Cough or shortness of breath<br />- Cold sores in the mouth or on the lips<br />- Blood in the urine or stool<br />- Unusual bruising<br />- Fatigue<br />- Missed menstrual period<br />- Yellowing of the eyes and skin<br />- Hair loss<br />- Muscle or joint pain<br />- Darkening of the skin and fingernails</p><p class="body" align="justify"> </p></blockquote><p class="body" align="left">More information about Imuran can be found at: <a href="http://www.gsk.com.au/gskinternet/publishing.nsf/Content/Imuran">www.gsk.com.au/gskinternet/publishing.nsf/Content/Imuran</a></p><p class="body" align="justify"><br /><span class="bodyBold">Cyclophosphamide (brand-name Cytoxan)</span></p><p class="body" align="justify">Cytoxan is considered only for the most severe cases of MG when other therapies have failed. It is used either intravenously and orally for the treatment of MG.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Whilst experience from the Philippines reports good results with complete drug-free remission for a year and a half in three out of four MG patients who were treated with Cytoxan, the side effects are common and can be quite serious. They include:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">- hair loss (almost universal occurrence on the drug)<br />- risk of bladder hemorrhage and bladder cancer.</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">These effects may be reduced by having the drug taken intravenously or orally once a week instead of daily. This drug usually requires the assistance of a rheumatologist or oncologist who is more familiar with it than are most neurologists.</p><p class="bodyBold" align="justify">Cyclosporine (brand-name Sandimmune)</p><p class="body" align="justify">Sandimmue is an immunosuppresion used during organ transplantation, and could be of benefit to myasthenics in reducing the dose of prednisone. A preliminary study without prednisone suggested that such a dose of cyclosporine could produce significant improvement in some MG patients if they could tolerate the side effects of this medication, the most prominent of which are elevated blood pressure, headaches, and increased body hair.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Most patients with MG improve 1 to 2 months after starting cyclosporine and improvement is maintained as long as therapeutic doses are given. Maximum improvement is achieved 6 months or longer after starting treatment. After achieving the maximal response, the dose is gradually reduced to the minimum that maintains improvement.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Adverse effects of this medication include:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">- renal toxicity<br />- hypertension<br />- many drugs interfere with Sandimmune metabolism and should be avoided or used with caution.</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify"><br /><span class="bodyBold">Mycophenolate Mofetil (CellCept)</span></p><p class="body" align="justify">CellCept is a relatively new immunosuppressive drug that was originally developed to prevent immune rejection of transplanted organs. Whilst its treatment of MG is still being investigated, it appears that it may be of assistance to myasthenics who have found prednisone and other immunosuppressive drugs ineffective.</p><p class="body" align="justify">In a pilot trial conducted by Dr Donald Sanders (director of the MDA clinic at Duke University in Durham, N.C.), 8 out of 12 patients on CellCept for several months gained strength or were able to reduce their need for prednisone. In another study, 92 patients in Chicago were prescribed the drug for 3 to 45 months. Improvement was seen in 67 of these patients, including 5 who went into complete remission (<a href="http://www.mdausa.org/news/030404mg.html" target="_blank">http://www.mdausa.org/news/030404mg.html</a>).</p><p class="body" align="justify">The advantage of CellCept over other immunosuppressant drugs is reported to have more rapid onset and fewer side effects. The drug has been reported to cause birth defects in animals, and so women of child bearing age should avoid getting pregnant whilst on the drug as the effect on unborn babies is unknown).</p><p class="body" align="justify">A pamphlet on CellCept can be found on the websdite of The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) at <a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/information/CellCept.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.myasthenia.org/information/CellCept.pdf</a></p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify"><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org.au/html/treatments.htm#menu">Return to menu</a></p><p class="body" align="justify"><br /><span class="bodyBold"><a name="p">Plasma Exchange (plasmapheresis)</a></span></p><p class="body" align="justify">Plasmapheresis is a blood purification procedure used to treat several autoimmune diseases. It involves the exchange of the blood plasma which contains antibodies and other substances that interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses and replacement with fresh or artificial plasma.</p><p class="body" align="justify">The need for plasma exchange, and its frequency of use is determined by the response in the individual patient. The procedure is expensive, time consuming and not totally risk free, and is not meant for long-term treatment. So why is it used?</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">1. To stabilise the condition of patients in myasthenic crisis where the condition is life threatening.</p><p class="body" align="justify">2. To reduce moderate to severe muscle weakness before thymectomy.</p><p class="body" align="justify">3. Some myasthenics do not respond sufficiently to more traditional forms of treatments, and so plasmapheresis offers their only relief from near paralysis and life-threatening respiratory problems.</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">The course of the exchange normally involves six to ten exchange treatments over two to ten weeks. To access blood, one tube is inserted into a large vein (possibly in the crook of the arm), and another placed in the opposite arm or foot. Around 3 to 4 litres of blood (depending on one's body weight) is removed from the first tube. The blood passes through a blood separator, which works in one of two ways - either by spinning the blood at high speed to separate the cells from the fluid; or by passing the blood through a membrane with pores so small that only the fluid part of the blood can pass through. The plasma, which contains the antibodies, is discarded. The red blood cells are returned in artificial plasma (albumin and saline solution) via the second tube. Anticoagulant is added to the blood to keep it from clotting, but most of the anti-clotting agent is removed prior to returning the blood to the patient. Treatment, which can be uncomfortable, but is not painful, can take 2 to 5 hours. The patient lies down only during treatment but is able to walk around before and after treatment.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Maximum improvement may be reached as early as after the first exchange or as late as the fourteenth, but exchanges do not have a cumulative benefit.</p><p class="body" align="justify">The following difficulties may arise during the procedure:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">1. Sometimes it is not possible to achieve adequate blood flow from veins in the arms. Therefore, alternative blood access, which might involve some minor surgery, will be necessary.</p><p class="body" align="justify">2. Although the latest technology blood cell separators remove only a small portion of blood from the patient at any one time, the changes in blood volume or the type of replacement fluid utilized my make some patients feel dizzy or lightheaded. Patients should immediately tell the medical staff if they begin to feel uncomfortable or if they suffer numbness, tingling associated with the mouth, eyes, fingers or toes and leg cramps, dizziness and mental confusion (all of which may indicate a low blood calcium or potassium level). Tiredness usually occurs after treatment.</p><p class="body" align="justify">3. The anticoagulant used to keep the blood from clotting and certain types of replacement fluids might cause a patient to notice a sour taste in the mouth, tingling around the lips, or sharp pains, like pins being stuck in the fingers or toes. Patients should immediately tell the medical staff if they have any of these symptoms.</p><p class="body" align="justify">4. The procedure isn't selective about which antibodies it removes, and so it may result in excessive suppression of the immune system. The body can replenish anti bodies in time, but day patients may have to take special precautions against infection.</p><p class="body" align="justify">5. Patients with clotting disorders may not be suitable for this sort of procedure.</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">Plasmapheresis does not cure MG - it only temporarily reduces the level of circuiting antibodies that attack the neuromuscular junction. It does not prevent the production of more antibodies, and usually the patient is given medication to help combat the condition.</p><p class="body" align="justify"><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org.au/html/treatments.htm#menu">Return to menu</a></p><p class="body" align="justify"><br /><span class="bodyBold"><a name="iig">Intravenous Immune Globin</a></span></p><p class="body" align="justify">Intravenous immune globin (IVIG) is the opposite of plasmapheresis - instead of drawing off the offending antibodies, IVIG swamps the body with pooled gamma globulin antibodies from many donors.</p><p class="body" align="justify">The process does not require special equipment, and the usual dose is small (eg 400 mg per kilogram per day infused for five successive days). Whilst the mechanism of action remains unknown, IVIG is thought to have a nonspecific suppressive effect upon the production of antibody by the immune system. It produces rapid improvement to help patient through a difficult period of myasthenic weakness. In patients who respond, improvement begins within four or five days, and may be sustained for weeks to months.</p><p class="body" align="justify">The process is quite expensive, and like plasmapheresis, the treatment is short term. As with plasmapheresis, its use is really limited to critical patients or those who are not responding to traditional treatments. It should be noted that there is a theoretical risk of transmission of blood born infections, although this has not happened now for some years.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Adverse reaction occur in fewer than 10 percent of patients. Symptoms include headache, fluid overload, and in rare cases, renal failure. Plenty of fluids should accompany the treatments to minimize the severe headache which can occur.</p><p class="body" align="justify"><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org.au/html/treatments.htm#menu">Return to menu</a></p><p class="body" align="justify"><br /><span class="bodyBold"><a name="t"></a>Thymus & Thymectomy</span></p><p class="body" align="justify">It is accepted that there is a connection between the thymus and Myasthenia Gravis (MG) but the reason for the connection is not fully understood.</p><p class="body" align="justify">The thymus gland is an organ involved in the development of the immune system. It is located in the upper chest under the breastbone and is composed of many small lobes. During the formation of the fetus, the thymus migrates from the neck into the chest, and in adults it lies beneath the breastbone (sternum). Like tonsils and adenoids, the thymus is large in infants and gets smaller, to be replaced by fat, as we get older, making it hardly functional.</p><p class="body" align="center"><img title="" src="http://www.myasthenia.org.au/assets/images/thymus.gif" width="436" height="305" /></p><p class="body" align="justify">The myasthenic adult has thymic abnormalities. The thymus could be enlarged (as seen by CT scan) or it can contain more cells than normal (as seen under the microscope) - this is called hyperplasia and is often seen in myasthenics of many years standing.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Around 10% to 15% of myasthenics have tumours, called thymomas, which are usually relatively benign, but may become malignant. Thymomas are normally removed as soon as possible to prevent local spread (although, only around 30 to 50% of people with thymomas also have MG - and in some, MG develops after they have their thymectomy!). The risk of development of thymoma has led to thymectomy as well for MG patients without thymoma. (For more information on THYMOMAS, go to the Myasthenia Gravis Association UK website [http://www.mgauk.org/]. There are two excellent papers by Dr Nick Willcox of the Institute of Molecular Medicine , University of Oxford on The Mysteries of Thymoma and MG.)</p><p class="body" align="justify">If most of the thymus gland is removed at surgery, myasthenic symptoms usually lessen and in some individuals go away completely. Although the relation of the thymus glad to myasthenia gravis is not totally understood, it appears that the thymus gland is linked to the production of acetylcholine receptor antibodies or other substances that interfere with neuromuscular transmission.</p><p class="body" align="justify">A thymectomy is the removal of the thymus gland by surgery. The goal of thymectomy as a treatment for MG is to induce remission, or at least improvement, permitting a reduction in immunosuppressive medication. Remission is the complete elimination of symptoms without medication.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Drug therapy, plasmapheresis and IVIG are short term treatments and do not completely relieve the symptoms of MG. They are beneficial, but in some patients may not be sufficient to allow the patient to return to full activity. Eventually the myasthenic with more than just mild disease, must decide on what to do next to attempt long term remission. This is especially true for patients with serious trouble swallowing or breathing, for whom long-term treatments may protect against rapid deterioration of these functions.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Most neurologists will therefore advocate thymectomy as the next step for the management of the condition - particularly for patients with generalised MG. Factors influencing the decision may include:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">- age<br />- duration of the disease<br />- severity of the disease<br />- response to medication<br />- allergies<br />- cosmetic considerations.</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">In 1937, Dr. Alfred Blalock removed the thymus of a myasthenic patient when the thymus was found to have a tumour. He discovered that the symptoms of MG in the patient showed improvement. Since that time, thymectomy has been used as a normal course of treatment for myasthenics around the world, although the precise reason why it is beneficial is still not known.</p><p class="body" align="justify">In the past, it was thought that thymectomy would not benefit older patients (over 45 years old), or people who have had the disease for over 5 years. Yet some older patients and some long-standing MG patients have benefited from thymectomy, so now the recommendation for this procedure has to be considered on an individual basis. Although, there is uncertainty about the persistence of thymic tissue in such patients after the age of 60.</p><p class="body" align="justify">After a thymectomy, remission or marked improvement occurs in more than half of cases. Those who had thymomas do not usually improve as much as in young myasthenics without a thymoma.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Access to the thymus can be gained either by:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">1. transsternal thymectomy - the incision is made length-wise on the chest and the breastbone (sternum) is split open; or<br />2. transcervical thymectomy where access is gained through the neck.</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">There are advantages and disadvantages to each approach. The splitting of the sternum is more traumatic than surgery through the neck, and the recovery time is longer, but it is more common because it more thorough allowing easier identification and removal of all thymic tissue (some doctors believe that leaving any remnant of thymic tissue in the body will increase the likelihood of the procedure failing).</p><p class="body" align="justify">About 30% of MG patients without a thymoma who undergo thymectomy eventually go into complete drug-free remission, and another 50% experience marked improvement. This improvement usually does not occur immediately after surgery, but may take up to several months or years to reach its peak effect. You cannot predict beforehand who will benefit from thymectomy, and even after benefit occurs there is still a small possibility of subsequent relapse. However, thymectomy itself rarely worsens the long-term course of MG.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Even invasive thymomas are not always detected with imaging tests and have been discovered during thymectomy surgery. Such experiences would argue in favor of eventual thymectomy over immunosuppressive drug therapy in otherwise healthy young or middle-aged MG patients, once the patient is up to the surgery. The possibility of an eventually complete symptom-free remission after thymectomy without the need to take any drugs, compared to a remission dependent upon the continued treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, is another significant advantage of thymectomy.</p><p class="body" align="justify">It is normally preferred that children wait until puberty before undertaking thymectomy because of the established role of the thymus in development of the immune system.</p><p class="body" align="justify">The process for a thymectomy is as follows:</p><blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">1. An x-ray is taken of the patient's chest to determine the location of the thymus and to determine the existence of a thymoma.</p><p class="body" align="justify">2. An anesthetist will consult the patient about the anesthesia plan - how the patient will be put to sleep, the use of any special drugs that will be needed to help the patient relax before surgery, and how the patient will generally feel after surgery. It is important that the patient tell the anesthetist about any allergies or reactions to any foods or medicines.</p><p class="body" align="justify">3. Food and fluids will be withheld after midnight, or on the day of surgery. Routine medication for Myasthenia may or may not be given.</p><p class="body" align="justify">4. On the morning of surgery, a pre-operative medicine may be given by injection. This medication can cause relaxation, drowsiness, and dryness of the mouth.</p><p class="body" align="justify">5. After surgery, a one to three hour stay in the recovery room is required. The patient will then be transferred to Intensive Care Unit for 12 to 24 hours to ensure that everything is proceeding normally. In this phase of the recovery, fluids and medication will be given by means of a needle in the vein called an intravenous, or I.V. They will then be transferred back to their ward. Very occasionally if the patient has some breathing difficulties he or she may temporarily be connected to a ventilator so as to ease this problem.</p><p class="body" align="justify">6. Once fluids are tolerated by the mouth, the intravenous fluids will be stopped. Solid foods will be started slowly, and the patient's medication will once more be given by mouth. If progress is maintained, the patient will probably be allowed home in 7 days (although length of stay in the hospital varies for each patient).</p><p class="body" align="justify">7. Most patients complain of some chest soreness and pain after surgery. This can be lessened with pain medication. At intervals, the patient will be asked to do coughing and deep breathing exercises to clear the lungs of mucus. This does cause discomfort which can be lessened by hugging a pillow and supporting the chest while coughing. Pain medication can be taken prior to any activity or exercise to alleviate after-surgery discomfort.</p><p class="body" align="justify">8. The recovery period away from work varies. Most patients take 4 - 6 weeks off work for convalescence. Those with jobs which require heavy lifting or any strain on the chest may need a longer recovery time so that the chest is more fully healed before starting work. The patient should discuss this with the surgeon prior to the surgery in order to plan the recovery time.</p></blockquote><p class="body" align="justify">After surgery there may be an increase in muscle weakness in some patients. However, treatment will be adjusted to meet individual needs.</p><p class="body" align="justify">Thymectomy may lessen the severity of the myasthenic symptoms; however, the degree to which the symptoms are lessened differs in each patient. The mechanism by which thymectomy produces benefits in MG is still uncertain. In general, ACh antibody levels fall after thymectomy, although there are conflicting reports. A study published in 1983 study findings found as high as 85% of patients who underwent thymectomy showed clinical improvement, and the maximal favorable response generally occurs 2 to 5 years after surgery (but some people may experience better health 7 to 10 years after surgery). The best responses to thymectomy are in young people early in the course of their disease, but improvement can occur even after 30 years of symptoms. Patients with thymomas do not respond as well to thymectomy as do patients without thymoma. The worst response rate to the surgery was from those who had surgery when they were over 60 years of age.</p><p class="body" align="justify">When considering surgery, it is important for the myasthenic to tell their neurologist and their surgeon of any concerns - the length of time of surgery, the effects of the anesthetic, the resultant scar, after surgery care, pain management.</p>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-48865467447748244572010-04-05T13:09:00.001-04:002010-04-05T13:12:23.675-04:00What is Myasthenia Gravis (MG)?<h1><br /></h1> <table style="width: 659px; height: 801px;"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="20"> </td><td> <p> <a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_whatismg.cfm">Myasthenia Gravis</a> comes from the Greek and Latin words meaning "grave muscular weakness." The most common form of MG is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that is characterized by fluctuating weakness of the voluntary muscle groups. The prevalence of MG in the United States is estimated to be about 20/100,000 population. However, MG is probably under diagnosed and the prevalence may be higher. Myasthenia Gravis occurs in all races, both genders, and at any age. MG is not thought to be directly inherited nor is it contagious. It does occasionally occur in more than one member of the same family. </p><p> The voluntary muscles of the entire body are controlled by nerve impulses that arise in the brain. These nerve impulses travel down the nerves to the place where the nerves meet the muscle fibers. Nerve fibers do not actually connect with muscle fibers. There is a space between the nerve ending and muscle fiber; this space is called the neuromuscular junction. </p><p> When the nerve impulse originating in the brain arrives at the nerve ending, it releases a chemical called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine travels across the space to the muscle fiber side of the neuromuscular junction where it attaches to many receptor sites. The muscle contracts when enough of the receptor sites have been activated by the acetylcholine. In MG, there is as much as an 80% reduction in the number of these receptor sites. The reduction in the number of receptor sites is caused by an antibody that destroys or blocks the receptor site. </p><p> Antibodies are proteins that play an important role in the immune system. They are normally directed at foreign proteins called antigens that attack the body. Such foreign proteins include bacteria and viruses. Antibodies help the body to protect itself from these foreign proteins. For reasons not well understood, the immune system of the person with MG makes antibodies against the receptor sites of the neuromuscular junction. Abnormal antibodies can be measured in the blood of many people with MG. The antibodies destroy the receptor sites more rapidly than the body can replace them. Muscle weakness occurs when acetylcholine cannot activate enough receptor sites at the neuromuscular junction. </p><p> Common symptoms can include: </p><p> </p><ul><li>A drooping eyelid </li><li>Blurred or double vision </li><li>Slurred speech </li><li>Difficulty chewing and swallowing </li><li>Weakness in the arms and legs </li><li>Chronic muscle fatigue </li><li>Difficulty breathing</li></ul><br /><br /><br /><br /><h1>Myasthenia Gravis: Frequently Asked Questions</h1> <table><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="20"> </td> <td><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" height="20"><strong>Symptoms/Diagnosis</strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#1">What is myasthenia gravis and what are common symptoms?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#2">I think I have MG. What do I do?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#3">How does the doctor test for MG?</a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" height="20"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="20"><strong>Medications/Treatment</strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#5">How is MG treated?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#6">Are there medications a patient with MG should not take?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#7">Why aren’t my medications working?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#8">Will my MG go away?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#16">Is it safe to switch to generic Mestinon® (pyridostigmine)?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#17">Can people with MG receive the flu shot?</a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" height="20"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="20"><strong>Causes</strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#4">How did I get MG?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#9">Is MG hereditary?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#10">Is MG contagious?</a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" height="20"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="20"><strong>General Facts</strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#11">How many people have MG?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#12">At what age do most patients get MG?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#13">Will my children get MG?</a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" height="20"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="20"><strong>Pregnancy</strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#14">Will I be able to have children?</a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" height="20"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="20"><strong>Work</strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#15">Will I be able to continue working?</a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" height="20"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="20"><strong>Doctors</strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#18">Can you refer me to a specialist in myasthenia gravis?</a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" height="20"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="20"><strong>Literature/Research</strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#19">Where can I get information to show my doctor?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#20">Where can I get more information on MG?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#21">Where can I get the Practical Guide or Survival Guide?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#24">Where can I get more information on research?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#29">Do you have a newsletter?</a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" height="20"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="20"><strong>Chapters/Support Groups</strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#26">Do you have a chapter in my area?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#27">Do you have a support group in my area?</a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" height="20"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="20"><strong>Donations</strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#28">How do I make a donation to MGFA?</a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" height="20"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="20"><strong>Financial Assistance/Scholarships/Research Fellowships</strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td width="8"> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#22">Where can I get more information about Social Security Disability?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#23">Can MGFA provide me with financial assistance for my medical needs?</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td> </td> <td><a href="http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_faqs.cfm#25">What can you tell me about research fellowships and scholarships?</a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-4517724931773113142010-04-05T10:54:00.002-04:002010-04-05T13:06:42.870-04:00Me and My Dis-Ease: Living with Myasthenia GravisIn August of last year when I was first hospitalized due to not being able to breathe, I was under the impression that it may have been just an asthma attack. And boy was I wrong. It turned out that I was having a <a href="http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/myasthenia+gravis+crisis">Myasthenia Crisis</a>. Basically the muscles around my respiratory area became so weak that I was unable to breathe. This was followed by not being able to speak coherently, swallow, open my eyes fully and other symptoms.<br /><br /> Now, before last year, I did not have insurance, which meant every time I went to the hospital for one of my symptoms, I was sent out the same day. All they kept telling me was anxiety this, panic attack that and while I do have experience with them both, clearly that was not the only issue. So all thru out 2007 and 2008 I was being lied to. Lied to only to become worse. In the less than a year, Dec08-Aug09 I went from 182 to 127 because I could not swallow my food and/or keep liquids down. Sad? Hell yeah. At this point I was also becoming weaker, unable to feed myself, walk on my own, do my hair, and other every day activities that we all take for granted which clearly led to depression. And I know the line "It could be worse" all to well, and at this point I am tired of hearing it.<br /><br /> Anywho, my lovely neurologist put me on some lovely meds called <a href="http://www.mestinon.com/index.jspf">Mestinon</a> which only suppressed the muscle weakness giving me a few hours of the day to get what I need done and then like Cinderella at Midnight I was a hot mess all over again.<br /> So what did good ol doc do? She upped the dosage. From one pill a day to 2 1/2 pills a day. This was in Dec09. Mind you I am still falling on my face. As a matter of fact, Dec 21 while at the DFW Airport, I fell on my face, in what felt like slow motion, and no one helped me up. Fucked up? Hell yeah. Rude ass Americans. In between Dec09 and now, I have fell down stairs, in my house a countless amount of times and what has me in the hospital now? Getting out of bed and standing long enough to fall and hit my damn head. (I'm not that clumsy I swear) I have been here for a week tomorrow.<br /><br /> Why am I here so long? (Thank goodness for fine ass nurses) Because what they thought was only Class II MG, turned out to be, what seems like Class III or IV. I can walk again now, but they want to discuss surgical procedures to have my <a href="http://www.umm.edu/thoracic/myasthenia_gravis.htm#noG">Thymus Gland removed</a>. Which by the way, will not cure me. Only make life not as bad as it is now OH and it MIGHT lower the dosage of meds I need. If I do not have the surgery, I will be on the meds I am about to be released on which is 3 different pills a few times a day. Well, let me specify, I take three in the morning, one 4 hours later, another one four hours later, then three more. Yeah, I know, it could be worse. But that is 8 gotdamned pills [insert smirk here] Not to mention the IVIG i was just on for five days and will have to take once a month if I do not have surgery. (Let the doctor tell it)<br /><br />Anywho if you have any questions about ANY of that just <a href="http://www.poethicsoul.com/contact.html">email me</a> because I did skip thru a lot of the smaller issues. But I will be keeping you updated as often as I can. Especially since I am joining <a href="www.ga-mgfa.org">GA State Chapter for MG</a>. I will also be posting a lot of links and info for others who have this issue.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Now, the reason why I am writing this blog<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It is said that auto immune disorders are brought on by suppressed issues, ie childhood traumas, shit that has happened and we have yet to deal with, etc. Well, I am sure a lot of you are aware of my many horrors. Anywho, right before all of my symptoms started occurring I was in a bad car wreck. Bad enough that makes me want to never drive again. That along with everything I was ALREADY suppressing must clearly have something to do with my body attacking itself from the inside. Which is basically what is happening. T</span>he immune system can't tell the difference between healthy body tissue and antigens. The result is an immune response that destroys normal body tissues. It is all still a mystery as to WHY it happens this way but physical and emotional <a href="http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/stress.htm">stress</a> and <a href="http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/infection.htm">infections</a> can induce episodic attacks as well as aggravate the symptoms of the disorder that are already present. To read more about autoimmune disorders you can go to <a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000816.htm">Medline Plus</a>.<br /><br />I heard <a href="http://twitter.com/fatbellybella">Erykah Badu</a> say "When you’re spending all of your time and energy, worrying or crying or fearing or thinking about the future or the past, which to me is a waste of time,you begin to borrow energy from your tissues. And because the blood is not pumping as rapidly as it should to these organs then your organs and tissues began to suffer….. The healthier your body is the better you can deal with stress and the more energy you have."<br /><br />Now, when I heard organ, my mind took me straight to a conversation <a href="http://twitter.com/Enoch7thProphet">Enoch</a> and I had about <span style="visibility: visible;" id="main"><span style="visibility: visible;" id="search">the seat of emotions<em></em> being in the liver. With that being said, it is clear that different emotions affect different organs in our body. </span></span>When we get angry, this mixes hormones and other chemicals, which go to various parts of the body, to get that area ready for action. Fear, jealousy, joy--all these emotions have an effect on our body, depending on the strength and duration of the emotion. I read that: "When the liver is overloaded, increased amounts of toxins circulate through the blood affecting most of our body systems. Our liver must transform the hormones released during emotional states, so they can be eliminated. When the liver is not functioning properly, emotional states that should come and go. stay around longer than necessary. <i>When our environment is full of excess emotions, this puts a burden on the liver.</i>" and honestly I never thought of it like that. Every emotion I have ever had and held on to, especially the negative ones, are literally destroying me. I am destroying me. And of course there are physical levels of healing which include shit like diet, herbal and vitamin supplements, deep breathing, and body work and exercise. But there is also a much deeper level of healing which would be emotional and then of course the spiritual act of it. And lets not forget the mental because we do not need that shit lingering around in our minds. Anywho, down below are the ways of healing in in the emotional, mental, and spiritual manner and I hope it helps you as well as it will help me. I'm on my way to recovery! (I'm Rick James bitch would have sounded so much better)<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><p align="left"><span style="color:#4a0000;"><b> THE EMOTIONAL LEVEL OF HEALING</b></span></p> <p align="left"><i> The LIVER</i></p> <p align="left"> </p><ul><li>Color - Green</li><li>Senses - Sight, (Eyes are external apertures)</li><li>Healing sound - SHHHHH</li></ul> <p align="left"> They say laughter is the best medicine for good reason. Our emotional states affect our physical body. <i>The liver represents our desires and creativity.</i> When healthy, we can respond to changes in a flexible manner; when impaired, we have a tendency to be overcontrolling/undercontrolling, rigid, inflexibile, irrational, irritable and short-tempered. Through visualization you can engage in a process of healing yourself emotionally. Bio-feedback allows your mind at an emotional level to change your bodies physical state. In this section we will give you two techniques for doing this. <br /><br />The liver is the seat of anger, and it stores not only your anger but the anger from others, as well, especially your parents. The toxic energy stored in the liver affects the liver's function. Anger injures the liver's yin energy which results in a flare up of liver yang energy. This rising liver yang ascends to the heart and head--causing headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, and mental confusion. Irritability, a short temper, and outbursts of anger further damage the liver and create a cycle of disease and destructive emotional energy. <br /><br />Since we're dealing with depression (anger), you will find the following techniques important and worthy of practice. We are going to lead you through some techniques to discharge the storage of anger in your liver. You will become acquainted with your liver and will be able to sense your liver in ways you've never experienced. <br /><br /><b>Healing Sound Technique<br /><br /></b>1. Find a comfortable, quiet place to sit with your hands in your lap (right over left). Find the location of your liver from the <a href="http://www.healingtheself.com/chart1.htm"><b>chart</b></a>. Connect mentally to the location of the liver because the use of the healing sound and light for the liver will be employed. The better the connection, the quicker the results will be. <br /><br />2. Practice your breathing as earlier explained. Bring your breath deeply (through your nose) to the bottom of your lungs and link up mentally to your liver. As you start to exhale, tilt you head back with teeth clinched, tongue to the roof of your mouth. <br /><br />3. Exhale and sub-vocally (heard only internally) say SHHHHH. You may want to orally practice this sound for a while. The sound is like HUSH. Once you have used this sound for a while, it becomes easy to remember. <br /><br />4. Repeat this technique at least 4 times. You may do it as many times as you wish but in multiples of 3. Your are ventilating the toxicity in your liver so the more you practice the greater the results. Practice it also during times of anger and stress. <br /><br />The next technique will be coupled with the healing sound. Each organ has an associated color. The color for the liver is green--bright dark green--like emerald green. We will use two things to impact the liver-the smile-down and healing light. Think of an event in your past that was the funniest thing you've ever experienced. Just thinking about this event causes you to laugh. This is the smiling energy you'll use to help your liver. After doing the healing sound for your liver begin this technique. <br /><br /><b><span style="color:#4a0000;">Smiling Energy and Healing Light Techniques<br /></span> <br /></b> <table><tbody><tr> <td align="left">1. Using the same breathing technique, take that smiling energy after a deep breath and hold the breath while smiling down into the liver.<br />2. Exhale through the mouth. Smile down into the liver as many times as possible, at least 3 times. Sense the energy in your liver. <br />3. Use the same breathing technique and inhale through the nose and breathe deeply into your lungs, hold, and look down into your liver and see it being covered with waves of emerald green light. Do this at least 3 times.</td> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.healingtheself.com/images/animatedliver.GIF" border="2" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> IT IS IMPORTANT TO END YOUR TECHNIQUES BY MOVING ANY EXCESS ENERGY INTO THE NAVEL. </p> <p align="left"> On completion of the above listed techniques perform the following:</p> <p align="left"> </p><ul><li>Stand, and walk around for a while.</li><li>As you are walking, use your hands and your thoughts to move the energy from your liver into your naval area.</li></ul> <p align="left">These are some basic techniques that can detox the liver and remove the charge of anger stored there. With daily practice you'll find the depression lifting and the triggers that used to key your anger no longer working. Practice becoming the observer.</p> <hr /> <p align="left"><span style="color:#4a0000;"><b> THE MENTAL LEVEL OF HEALING<br /></b></span><br />The mind can be a great builder or destroyer. The system you came out of helped create destructive mind sets which must be changed. Our brain is much like a computer. The programming from our past creates predictable results. That programming starts at birth and continues until we die. For depression, the mind set, or programming, is based upon those experiences of life. Those recordings of our past experiences will play a major role in our perceptions of events and behavior. When there is another similar event, our recordings of past begin to play, and we have a predictable outcome. Part of our programming perpetuates our depression. We also see ourselves as victims of all things-childhood, parents, husbands, wives, bosses, society, and events. We learn to react to those things in a very predictable way.<br /><br /><b>Reprogramming the "Old Tapes"</b><br />Unfortunately, we can't just erase the old tapes, but we can write over them. As an example, If I have a mind set of lack, I have lack. If I believe I'm unloved, them I'm unloved, etc, etc. As earlier stated, the mind is a powerful thing. Our experiences helped create that knowing, so we have to change our experiences--new experiences that have positive outcomes. We start by learning not to react to the old tapes and substituting new tapes in place of the old. Rather than reacting, practice becoming the observer of the old tapes and place stoppers in the old tape. You can control that tape by consciously stopping the internal dialogue and placing another tape to be played. The new tape has to do with a different perspective and outcome--through visualization. Create the event mentally by seeing it with a filter. This filter cleans out the old tape and leaves only the event as it is, without the tainted projections, assumptions, interpretations, or justification. The event just is!<br /><br />With depression we usually have less mental power. Because of our suppressed anger, our programs are tainted and have little happiness or joy. Create a picture of the event(s) with different outcomes--then use positive affirmations. "I choose to break free of my past and experience life from a positive perspective."</p> <p align="left"><b><span style="color:#4a0000;"> THE SPIRITUAL LEVEL OF HEALING<br /></span></b><br />With depression most people are disconnected from that spiritual link. To open this link to God, practice the breathing techniques. God has always been there, but we're the one that has closed that channel. The things that have wounded us, the conditions we are in, and our negative experiences were not God's punishment. God's love for us is so great that he/she has allowed us to live out our issues without interference. The wounds are from man, not God. The parents didn't know that to the child they were God. They fell short and so does man. By doing this work you can link up with God and carry a lighter burden. <b>Ritualize</b> more things in your life--giving thanks for what you do have, and you'll be led to Grace. With practice and more technique you'll discover and be led into the Stillness.</p></blockquote><span style="visibility: visible;" id="main"><span style="visibility: visible;" id="search"><em></em></span></span></div></div>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-91255819061943400032010-02-13T05:15:00.003-05:002010-02-13T06:47:00.584-05:00Molesting my Molester : Regaining PowerWe were at this familiar house, had to have about three rooms, the master on one side of the kitchen the other two rooms on the other end and then of course the the living room, dining room, there was a "game-room" like den and it was well furnished.<br />Everyone had left and my mother stated that she would be back which left the house to just the two of us.<br /><br />Me and him.<br /><br />He and I<br /><br />Us<br /><br />we<br /><br />alone.<br /><br />I was in the corner of the hallway quietly watching him work his way around the kitchen, cleaning and putting things in their appropriate places and right when he turned the light off to leave the kitchen i walked up behind him and wrapped a rope like [<span style="font-style: italic;">maybe it was a belt?</span>] object around his neck until he became weak and fell to his knees. This made me feel a sudden rush that i had never felt before. It felt like all the blood in me immediately rushed to my clit, it became hard and i could feel myself getting wet, so wet that it began to run down my thigh.<br />Once he was unconscious i yanked and tugged at him until i could get him to the bedroom where i tied him to the bed.<br /><br />Arm...<br />...arm...<br />...leg...<br />...leg<br /><br />And woke him by pouring cold water on him. He jumped up out of shock and began questioning why i had him tied up, why was i treating him this way..<br /><br />I slapped him, hard enough for his lip to bleed and told him that i would ask all of the questions and he was to speak only at that point.<br /><br />The look in his eye was of straight terror.<br />Like he had inverted back to a little boy and i was the boogie man.<br />That look turned me on even more.<br /><br />I grabbed him by the throat and began to slowly kiss him, pulling his penis thru the hole in his boxers and slowly stroking him until he became hard, as soon as i could feel the hardness of him peaking thru i blind folded him and taped his mouth because i only wanted to enjoy the fact that i was in charge.<br /><br />Right before i put the blind fold on i could see tears streaming from his eyes and sadly enough i did not give a damn at this point i was ready to cum.<br /><br />I dug my nails into the side of his stomach, deep enough to carve my name and then i began to suck him<br /><br />slowly<br /><br />allowing him to<br />grow inside of my mouth<br /><br />large enough for it to<br />hit the back of my throat<br /><br />and release a small amount of nut<br /><br />I suppose that was my cue to<br />climb on top of him<br /><br />i ripped the tape off of his mouth<br />and as he yelped i stuck my nails<br />in his throat as i tilted his head back whispering in his ear<br />"tell me you want it"<br />he shook his head no so<br />i slapped him<br />and repeated the demand<br />"TELL me you want it"<br />he nodded slowly<br />i asked<br />"what the fuck does that mean?"<br />he whimpered<br />"i want it"<br />i told him to repeat it<br />he yelled out slightly louder<br />"i want it"<br />i then proceeded by<br />telling him to<br /><br />fuck me<br /><br />like he meant it,<br /><br />like he wanted it<br /><br />like he craved it<br /><br />like he loved it<br /><br /><br />he thru his pelvis<br />digging himself deeper into my<br /><br />i yelled fuck me harder<br /><br /><br />my every wish was his command<br /><br />and i could feel him<br />becoming apart of me<br />like i was transforming into him<br />i began to love myself<br />and despise myself at the same time<br />and right at this point is when i came<br /><br />then i woke up out of my sleep<br />wet?<br />i had actually came in my sleep<br />first time ever...<br /><br /><br />now in this dream was i regaining power or losing my mind?<br /><br />I was taking back what he took from me.<br /><br />I was not angry.. just yearned for power.<br /><br /> <p> The power rapist/molester usually is someone the victim knows: a friend, a date, an acquaintance, a relative. </p><p><br /></p><p>Or maybe i was a bit angry since i used violence... The power rapist rarely threatens the victim with physical violence beyond the sexual assault itself, and does not usually injure the victim.</p><p><br /></p>But i wanted to inflict pain, and i wanted to cum in the process. I wanted to him to feel the humiliation he put me thru and altho it was never any pain brought to me [<span style="font-style: italic;">outside of fucking me</span>] what i wanted for him was the total opposite.<br /><br />Two different profiles i read:<br /><blockquote><p> The <strong>Power Rapist</strong> is very different. He does not want to hurt the victim. Rather, he is seeking a conquest. He wants to have a woman and to control her. He always wants her to like him. He wants to "score" and is willing to use whatever means are necessary to force compliance. Thus, he is capable of hurting his victims. Power rapists often have fantasies about taking a woman by force as a way of fulfilling his fantasy. He often keeps the victim with him for hours, making normal social conversation and may even ask her for a date in the future. Power rapists are usually men who have been unsuccessful in interpersonal relationships in their lives in general. They rape to compensate for feelings of inadequacy. </p> <p> The <strong>Sadistic Rapist</strong> uses brutal, violent force and usually the force is lethal. Aggression is eroticized in his mind and anger and sexuality are fused into one. The attack is premeditated. Sadistic rapists commit the most grotesque crimes. Therefore, they often get the most publicity, creating the false impression that sadistic rapes are more prevalent than other types of rape. </p></blockquote><br /><br /><br />Maybe it was just a dream pr maybe it was me wanting to feel Powerful again...<br />Either way this dream scared the hell out of me, what do you think?Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-28923807518138657462010-01-18T10:51:00.000-05:002010-01-18T10:52:40.026-05:00Forgiveness<p><b><a name="Forgiveness"><br /></a></b></p> <p>The conventional understanding of forgiveness is of some absolution or pardon–something along the lines, "I know you did wrong, but I’ll overlook it this time." But the original meaning of forgiveness is very different. The ancient Greek word for "forgiveness", is <i>aphesis</i>, meaning "to let go." When we forgive another we let go of the judgments we may have projected onto them. We release them from all our interpretations and evaluations, all our thoughts of right or wrong, of friend or foe. </p> <p>Instead we see that here is another human being caught up in their own illusions about themselves and the world around them. Like us, they feel the need for security, control, recognition, approval, or stimulus. They too probably feel threatened by people and things that prevent them finding fulfillment. And, like us, they sometimes make mistakes. Yet, behind all these errors, there is another child of God simply looking for peace of mind. </p> <p>Even those we regard as evil are seeking the same goal. It is just that for one reason or another–who knows what pain they may have endured in their childhood, or what beliefs they may have adopted–they seek their own fulfillment in ways that are uncaring, and perhaps even cruel. Deep inside, however, they are another spark of the divine light struggling to find some salvation in this world. </p> <p>Forgiveness is not something we do for the other person so much as something we do for ourselves. When we let go of our judgments of others, we let go of the source of much of our anger and many of our grievances. Our bad feelings may seem justified at the time, but they don’t serve us–in fact, they usually cause more damage to us than they do to the other person. The freer we are of our judgments and grievances, the more at peace we can be in ourselves.</p> <table width="400" align="center" border="3" cellpadding="20"><tbody><tr><td> <p>There is nothing more painful than walking around with bitterness in your heart.</p> <p class="right">Hugh Prather</p> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>This change in perception is the essence of a change of consciousness. When I first heard of higher states of consciousness, I imagined they would bring awareness of subtler dimensions, possibly new energies, or some other aspect of reality that was beyond my everyday perception. Over the years, I have gradually realized that enlightenment is seeing the same world, but in a different light. It is not seeing different things so much as seeing things differently.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>-P.Russell<br /></p>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-49445588075360535592010-01-15T22:34:00.002-05:002010-01-18T10:56:08.967-05:00random [7729] watch whos spirit you swallowStart at the Bottom [#35] and work your way up. You've done this before i am sure<br /><br /><ol id="timeline" class="statuses"><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7813546672"><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">Tantra</span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7813433850"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7813433850" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">Your Pastor not teaching you this stuff? Get a divorce.</span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7813433850"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7813298779"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7813298779" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">HA! The "devil" is the reason for this madness @<a class="tweet-url username" href="http://twitter.com/StarChyld2525">StarChyld2525</a></span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7813298779"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-StarChyld2525 share status" id="status_7813288205"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="big-retweet-icon" title=""></span> <strong><a href="http://twitter.com/StarChyld2525" class="tweet-url screen-name" title="StarChyld">StarChyld2525</a></strong> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7813259477" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">@<a class="tweet-url username" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun">iAmOshun</a> Imma need you to tell the truth and shame the devil..</span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7813252694"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7813252694" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">rt @<a class="tweet-url username" href="http://twitter.com/OmoOba59">OmoOba59</a> wonder y u can't stop calling him, cause he's in u. Literally <---YES! see. i aint crazy yall</span> </span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7813242331"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7813242331" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">rt @<a class="tweet-url username" href="http://twitter.com/OmoOba59">OmoOba59</a> I agree. So many ppl don't know how spiritually attached they become to ppl because of those deposits.</span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7813174767"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7813174767" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">Thank you for allowing me to vent. That was something my Spirit told me to tweet.</span><span class="meta entry-meta"><span></span> </span> </span><span class="status-body"> </span> </li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7813103738"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7813103738" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">Somebody swallowed the Unfollow Spirit. And thats fine.</span></span></li><li class="hentry u-ChanelSaysSo share status" id="status_7813032352"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="big-retweet-icon" title=""></span> <strong><a href="http://twitter.com/ChanelSaysSo" class="tweet-url screen-name" title="Chanel Timmons">ChanelSaysSo</a></strong> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812988446" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">@<a class="tweet-url username" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun">iAmOshun</a> ppl dnt undrstand how much interchangng of auras & spirits occur during sex...I 4got it myself. Smh. I'll never 4get again.</span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7813006039"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7813006039" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">He/She got a bad attitude? You might not want to swallow him/her.</span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status last-on-page" id="status_7812977530"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812977530" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">"When Erica got with Ashely she started stealing cars" <---Power of the Poisoned Juices</span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7812977530"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812923316"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812923316" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">"Ever since LaTavia got with Jonjon she been acting different. Lyin and stuff all the timme" <--thats cause Jonjon got them Lying Soldiers</span> </span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812850274"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812850274" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">LAUGHING OUT LOUD</span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7812850274"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812793028"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812845053" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">Yall be dickmatized by those liquid droppings of spiritual poison.</span> <span class="entry-content"><br /></span><span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7812793028"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812777468"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812777468" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">And straight women. Yall letting these dudes bust nuts in you then wonder why you walking different. </span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">It has nothing to do with how he dicked you down. But all to do with that injection of bullshit he just shot up in you</span> </span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812739010"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812739010" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content"><a href="http://twitter.com/search?q=%23liespeopletelll" title="#liespeopletelll" class="tweet-url hashtag">#liespeopletelll</a></span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7812739010"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812732824"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812732824" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">Oh please. We are all grown. We have all swallowed. Even it was on "accident".</span> </span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812651310"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812651310" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">"Its the God in Me" Literally</span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7812651310"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812630913"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812630913" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">Im done. For now</span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7812630913"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812622360"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812622360" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">I need you to be some type of God like for me to swallow you. Or else im upping chuck.</span> </span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812604532"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812604532" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">And just cause they pretty, handsome, fine, etc dont mean they spirit is right.</span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812566650"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812566650" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">Ever give oral sex and mentally not feel right afterward? Attitude change, having mood swings, ITS TRANSFORMING YOU</span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812459618"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812459618" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">Its all spiritual</span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7812459618"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812322996"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812322996" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">Be cautious of who you Swallow. Who knows what energy they are carrying.</span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812307295"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812307295" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">Why would you want that spirit in you? You don't.</span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7812307295"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812283601"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812283601" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">Sucking on someone with tendencies of lying, cheating, stealing. Now Its apart of who you are.</span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7812283601"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812267776"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812267776" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">thats why you cant eat/suck everybody up. Once a drop of them goes into you, their spirit is in you. Thats why half of yall are crazy</span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7812267776"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-beisme share status last-on-page" id="status_7812155704"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812233257" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">No girl will want you if you are afraid to swallow her juices. It forms a connection between the two of you @<a class="tweet-url username" href="http://twitter.com/MdBBrowder">MdBBrowder</a></span> <strong></strong></span><br /></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812095980"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812095980" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">I think its the fact that its white. Long story bro. Childhood issues @<a class="tweet-url username" href="http://twitter.com/Graffititech">Graffititech</a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812078853"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812078853" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">I crack myself up</span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7812078853"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812073720"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812073720" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">I have "32 Flavors" by Alana Davis (<a href="http://bit.ly/7FoFUd%29" class="tweet-url web" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/7FoFUd)</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/search?q=%23pandora" title="#pandora" class="tweet-url hashtag">#pandora</a></span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7812073720"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812065404"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812065404" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">I am a fan of swallowing Protein tho. It's good for my skin. Thats why my complexion is so flawless.</span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7812065404"></a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7812044699"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7812044699" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">I don't have a gag reflex UNTIL it comes to that. And yogurt?!?! *gags* @<a class="tweet-url username" href="http://twitter.com/osodelio">osodelio</a></span></span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7811954009"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7811954009" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">My Belief is in God. And i am God so my Belief is in Me. @<a class="tweet-url username" href="http://twitter.com/BinLadenMinaj">BinLadenMinaj</a></span> </span></li><li class="hentry u-iAmOshun mine status" id="status_7811904358"> <span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a id="status_star_7811904358" class="fav-action non-fav" title="favorite this tweet"> </a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content">I am not a fan of: ranch, white gravy, whip cream, sour cream, or anything else that is white with thick consistency</span> <span class="meta entry-meta"><a class="entry-date" rel="bookmark" href="http://twitter.com/iAmOshun/status/7811904358"></a><span></span> </span></span></li></ol>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-68938714938092364202010-01-05T06:53:00.000-05:002010-01-05T06:54:38.429-05:00The Four Agreements :Agreement Three:<br />Don’t make assumptions<br />OBJECTIVE<br />At the end of this instruction, you will be able to:<br />• List ways to avoid making assumptions<br />• Understand the “ABCs” of emotions<br />• Identify ways to calm an angry person<br />INTERNAL ASSUMPTIONS<br />The ABC’s of emotion tell us about how and why we make internal assumptions. First, there is an<br />Activating event that helps us set up an assumption. Then, we establish a Belief system. This belief<br />may be either rational (based upon observable, factual data) or irrational (not based upon facts).<br />Finally, we develop a Consequential emotion that is triggered by our belief. It is important to<br />recognize when an irrational belief could be beneficially changed to a rational one.<br />ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT CONFLICT<br />We tend to make assumptions about conflict, namely that all conflict is bad and should be avoided.<br />However, while some might view conflict as a contest to win and something to avoid, conflict is<br />often times a good way to explore other points of view and to discover opportunities to grow.<br />DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS<br />We create drama by making assumptions, by taking it personally, and by gossiping about our<br />assumptions. We perpetuate this by not asking for clarification, defending our assumptions, and<br />trying to make someone else wrong based on our assumptions.<br />To avoid making assumptions, it is important to gather more facts about the situation and about our<br />own beliefs. It is also important to gain knowledge about the facts, about how others perceive the<br />situation, and about your own beliefs.<br />CALMING AN ANGRY PERSON<br />To calm an angry person you can:<br />Listen<br />Stop talking and give your attention<br />Acknowledge feelings<br />Seek additional information<br />Don’t assume<br />Restate your understanding of the<br />problem<br />State areas where there is agreement<br />Brainstorm a “preferred future”<br />Identify all the possible solutions<br />Agree on next stepsOshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-79328308151683706832010-01-02T01:00:00.000-05:002010-01-02T01:03:25.543-05:00The Four Agreements :Agreement Two:<br />Don’t take anything personally<br />OBJECTIVE<br />At the end of this instruction, you will be able to:<br />• Describe what “Don’t take anything personally” means to you<br />• Practice not “taking anything personally”<br />DON’T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY<br />Nothing other people do or say is because of you. What people do or say is a result of their own<br />dream world. When we take things personally, we feel offended and react by defending ourselves,<br />creating drama.<br />It is important to understand that people may give compliments or criticism, but what they say is<br />about them and how they feel at that moment and about their own needs. What they say is not just<br />about you.<br />When we avoid taking words personally, we take away the power other people try to have over us.<br />We become immune to manipulation. If you refuse to take things personally, even if someone is<br />trying to draw you into their dream world and is being critical, you can remain peaceful.<br />SETTING LIMITS<br />When someone asks you to do something, listen intently and repeat what the person is asking. Don’t<br />take the request personally even if it is presented with criticism or with a compliment. You can<br />simply ask, “You would like to…” or “You want me to…” to clarify the person’s request. Be sure to<br />clarify if you correctly understand what someone is communicating to you.<br />Set limits by being impeccable with your word. Use your words to speak truth and to encourage<br />yourself and others. There are several techniques that can help:<br />Use “I” statements.<br />Don’t put yourself down.<br />Don’t use excuses or blame others.<br />Offer any possible alternatives.<br /><br /><br /><br />ACTIVITY<br />Use this role playing scenario to practice not taking anything personally and to set limits.<br />As a consumer leader, you are asked to sit on a state level policy-making committee. You attend<br />several meetings where you are warmly greeted but your input is not asked for. In fact, you believe<br />your opinion is being ignored by the chair and other members of the committee. You are beginning<br />to feel like a “token consumer.” This is made worse by the fact that you seem to be the only<br />consumer on the committee. When you ask about this you find that there are two other consumer<br />appointees that don’t attend very often. When you talk to them, they don’t share your concern<br />about consumers being ignored.<br />How might you address this situation?<br />Remember: Use “I” statements to explain how you feel. Don’t put yourself down. Don’t use excuses<br />or blame others. Explain possible alternatives.Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-33053841741487069562009-12-28T15:57:00.001-05:002009-12-28T15:57:55.435-05:00ForgivenessA friend realized something rather amusing yet enlightening. He became a more forgiving person when he realized that he had been letting himself off again and again, readily forgiving himself for his own misdeeds to others big and small, while being easily unforgiving and grudge-bearing towards others for their little mistakes. He realized how fat his ego was. It was as if he alone had all the right in the world to be wrong and forgiven, while the rest of the world should do him no slight wrong.<br /><br />Being a forgiving person is part of the path of practice towards Enlightenment. Forgiveness liberates both pain and guilt. It unties knots of tensed negative karma, stops ill seeds from growing into greater hatred. Being unforgiving is nurturing our sense of hatred.<br /><br />However, forgiving another does not mean we allow the same wrong to be repeated. We have to realize that while it could be our negative karma that we are wronged, we should put in the effort to prevent the person who did us wrong from doing more harm, creating more negative karma for himself. By being complacent, we could well be creating more negative karma for ourselves! Remember - forgiveness is "for giving". It is a gift of reassurance - it sets both parties' hearts and minds at peace.Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-48936509548171551262009-12-27T06:43:00.002-05:002009-12-27T06:44:53.452-05:00The Four Agreements :Agreement One:<br />Be impeccable with your word<br /><br /><br />OBJECTIVES<br />At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:<br />• Describe what it means to be impeccable with your word<br />• Practice being impeccable with your word<br />BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD<br />To be impeccable with your word means to:<br />Speak with integrity<br />Say only what you mean<br />Avoid using words to speak against yourself<br />Avoid using words to speak against others<br />Use the power of your word for truth and encouragement<br />OUR WORD<br />Our ability to use words sets us apart as humans, but this ability is also a two-edged sword. Words<br />can create and words can destroy. When we misuse our words, we can create major problems, but<br />using our words impeccably heals and empowers others.<br />GOSSIP<br />Not only does gossip destroy others, but it is also produces conflict and creates drama. Gossip works<br />like a computer virus. Once it is introduced, your thoughts become mixed up and you stop<br />producing good results. With gossip, one little piece of information can break down other<br />communication. Gossip infects everyone it touches. With a computer virus, we have safety<br />precautions that tell us “Don’t open this file” because once you do, it’s too late. When we gossip, we<br />act like hackers who intentionally spread a virus to destroy how others think and to cause drama.<br />BEING POSITIVE AND TRUTHFUL<br />Keep in mind that your opinion is just your point of view and not necessarily true. Remember, your<br />opinion comes from your own dream world, your own beliefs and “rules.” When you speak well of<br />people and yourself, and when you stop yourself from demanding everyone live by your rules, you<br />feel good and at peace with yourself. Use your words to speak truth and to encourage yourself and<br />others.<br /><br /><br />ACTIVITY<br />The Telephone Line<br />Sit in a circle and have one person start a “rumor” by whispering a one sentence statement to the<br />person to his or her left. The statement should be something that is simple like, “Did you know that<br />Lance Armstrong recently won his sixth Tour de France?” Once you whisper the statement to the<br />next person you cannot repeat the statement. Send the statement around the circle one person at a<br />time and have the last person say what they heard out loud.<br />Questions for discussion:<br />• Did the statement change?<br />• If the statement changed, how could confusion have been avoided?<br />• What would you have done to make sure you understood the statement?Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-26923912891431635922009-12-27T06:43:00.001-05:002009-12-27T06:43:16.872-05:00Message of The DayLife is unpredictable - prepare your mind now for the unexpected. Remain receptive to other peoples moods so that you can attend to what you wish to produce. Look deeper into the situations that surround you so that you can fully understand them. See if the actions and behavior of others are aligned with the thoughts and ideas that they are expressing. <p>Prepare your mind for vibrations that could demand quick decisions causing you to act immediately. Trust and believe that all change will eventually be more beneficial. Believe in your mastery of practical thinking and your commitment to quality and excellence. You have detached yourself from a situation which requires more force. You are "limiting" your viewpoint - having become obsessed with your problems and your inability to do anything about them. You require strength, courage and optimism now - expand your mind and exercise it. Renew your perception and revitalize your mind.</p> <p>An extreme distortion of characteristics...overly curious or apathetic - mental stagnation or rambling inefficiency with too much going on. Generating too many ideas with no follow-through. Inefficient communication.</p> <p><b>Questions to Answer:</b> What do you have to say? What fears must you face? What of significance have you just learned through the media? Who is trying to communicate with you?</p>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-39131587139918498082009-12-23T18:03:00.003-05:002009-12-25T00:53:48.589-05:00random[excrements]yesterday was not a very strong day for me emotional.<br /><br />feeling a lack of intimacy, understanding, friendship, and acceptance<br /><br />like they all were missing.<br /><br />i only have like this many friends *holds up right hand* and i can not expect them to stop everything they are doing to cater to me, although, i do want that at times LOL i can not help that though.<br /><br />isolation<br />separation<br />detached from everybody else,<br />a FEELING of being all alone.<br />I read that we need to realize that loneliness is nothing more than a feeling.<br /><br />But its such a painful ass feeling lol<br /><br />I found this info on a "personal development" site, and while i can say, i am really the ONLY one who can pull me out of this feeling, <a href="http://www.personal-development.com/chuck/loneliness2.htm">Chuck</a> did help a little.<br /><br />Words are a lot like cars. Both are loaded with power. Cars are used to drive home. And words are used to drive home a point. Words and cars are very useful, but when used improperly, they can harm us. There are many poor drivers and poor thinkers because we learn about cars and words from unqualified instructors, such as our parents or friends. Now, let's get to the point. Did you ever say any of the following to yourself or others? "I am lonely." "I am sad." "I am angry." If you did, that is a misuse of language that leads to harmful effects.<br /><br />Here is something to think about. The words we use imprison us or set us free. For example, if I were to say, "I AM lonely." That is just like saying, "I AM white." or "I AM a male." You see, there's nothing I can do about being white or a male. There is nothing I can do to change what I AM. So, when I say, "I AM lonely," the implication is that I cannot change. In other words, I use words to imprison myself with false beliefs.<br /><br />However, when I acknowledge that loneliness is a feeling by saying, "I FEEL lonely," I open the door of my prison cell because feelings can and do change. Of course, as long as I continue to say, "I feel lonely. I feel lonely. I feel lonely," nothing will change. For although I opened the door, I have chosen to remain in the cell. To completely set myself free I have to take that extra step by saying, "I feel lonely, SO I'M GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT."<br /><br />Loneliness is much more than an inconvenience. Left unchecked, it can be a precursor to the solitary confinement of drug and other addictions. For the pain of loneliness may cause one to look for solace in drugs, alcohol, sex, or gambling. There is also the danger of loneliness developing into anxiety and depression. One can become completely immobilized by feelings of self-pity and helplessness. Also, one may try to mask pain by oversleeping or putting in long hours at the office. Finally, the stress imposed by loneliness leads to a weakened immune system, heart disease, and other physical ailments. The moral is clear. If we're suffering from loneliness, it's time to decide to do something about it.<br /><br />All right, I feel lonely and want to do something about it, so what must I do? Start by understanding a simple law of life which can help solve almost any problem. That law is: You have to give away what you wish to receive. Our actions are balls that bounce back to us. A corollary of that law is: Don't give others what you don't want to receive. If I punch someone, they will punch me back. If I hug someone, they will hug me back. It's as simple as that. And that is the wisdom contained in the teaching, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."<br /><br />Now, let's see what happens when we apply the above principle. I feel lonely. As I sink into the sea of loneliness, I decide to reach out. For the pain I experience reminds me how others must feel. So, I resolve to help lessen the suffering of others by becoming a volunteer or a friend. Perhaps I visit seniors, the bedridden, or those in prison. Or, I may befriend a lonely classmate, coworker, or neighbor. As I do so, what do you suppose happens? Yes, others eagerly look forward to my visits. By becoming a friend, I have gained friends. By offering support, I have won support. By healing the loneliness of others, I have healed myself.<br /><br />Another corollary of the law of life mentioned above is: You will receive the most when you give the most. So, give of yourself, expecting little in return. Think of others, not yourself. Don't be needy because that will drain the energy of others and drive them away. Don't be needy, be a friend. And build that friendship slowly. Don't overwhelm others with your own problems. Learn to listen to others and they will listen to you. Learn to comfort others, and you will be comforted. Practice the principle of Tennessee Williams (1914 ~ 1983), who wrote, "When so many are lonely as seem to be lonely, it would be inexcusably selfish to be lonely alone."<br /><br />How can you love someone you don't know and don't spend time with? What is true for others also applies to yourself. How can you love yourself, if you don't spend time alone to get to know yourself. Being alone need not be the same as being lonely. For being alone is an opportunity for reflection, self-discovery, and growth. You will never be lonely if you like the person you are with. And no matter where you go, you will always be accompanied by yourself, so get to know and like that person.<br /><br />The strongest trees are those that grow alone. The greatest dreams are those conceived alone. God can speak to you only when you are alone. Your purpose and life's meaning will be revealed to you only when you are alone. Yes, solitude is not the hovel of a recluse, but the mansion of a master. It is a place of joy. Yet, don't retreat to it to such an extent that you neglect others and deny yourself the blessings of friendship and companionship.<br /><br />There's nothing questionable about the power of questions. If you're feeling lonely and don't know why, that's because you haven't been asking questions. Take an inventory of your behavior. Are you a show-off? Domineering? Moody? A complainer? A gossiper? Unreliable? Nosy? Short-tempered? A taker that doesn't know how to give? Do you build walls instead of bridges? Would you want to be friends with someone like you? Questions provoke thought and point to solutions. How can you take corrective action unless you ask yourself what you are doing wrong? If you are still mired in loneliness, is that because you're waiting to be rescued? (Don't hold your breath because help isn't on the way.) If you need a hand, you'll find it at the end of your own arm. There are lots you can do such as join a support group to master people skills. Learning about self-esteem, assertiveness, and how to overcome shyness and win friends can be a great deal of fun and put an end to your loneliness for good. Don't deprive others of the blessing of knowing you; be a friend!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I no longer <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">AM</span> lonely<br />i just <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">FEEL</span> lonely</span><br /><br /><br />xoxoOshunOshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-70234369444837214712009-12-23T02:07:00.000-05:002009-12-23T02:08:29.673-05:00Live In The MomentLive in the moment,<br />from moment to moment;<br />not moment with moment.<br /><br />Living "moment to moment" is to live from point to point,<br />with each point full of awareness in the present instant.<br /><br />Living "moment with moment" is to live with attachment<br />to the bygone past or yet-to-come future.<br /><br />Crossing the river of time,<br />we move from one stepping stone to another.<br />If we can only be physically on one stone at a time,<br />so should we be mentally -<br />to prevent falling.Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-77193409959089376312009-12-19T10:37:00.001-05:002009-12-19T10:37:21.441-05:00Living in the Present<div class="bodytext"><br /><p><b>Living in the present is to be aware of what is happening to you, what you are doing and what you are feeling and thinking.</b> It is being conscious of your thoughts and focusing them on the present. In this way you look at situations as they are, without coloring them with your past experiences. Living in such a way makes it easier to deal with whatever you are doing at the present moment. You see things as they are, without being influenced by fears, anger, desires or attachments.</p> <p>Next time you catch yourself thinking idly, watch the thoughts that flow through your mind, what are they? Are you trying to relive the past? Maybe you are reassessing past behavior or events? Maybe you are thinking how it would have been if you acted differently. Are you enacting past events in your mind? Even thoughts and daydreams about the future are colored by past experiences.</p> <p>If your past experiences of relationships were pleasant and positive, that is how you going to think about your future relationships. If the experiences were negative, that is how you are going to visualize your future. It is always the past recreating your life.</p> <p>You probably think sometimes about what someone told you, how someone treated you, how you did this or that. It is always about the past. You are letting the past captivate you and influence your behavior. Reliving the past is recreating it constantly. You are not letting change enter your life. It is all right to recreate the past if it was pleasant, but why repeat in your mind if it was unpleasant?</p> <p>There is a story about two friends traveling by train. One was very nervous, restless and full of complaints the whole trip. He was impatient to reach his destination, and disliked every moment of the trip. He did not pay attention to his surroundings, as his mind was full of impatient, restless and grumpy thoughts.</p> <p>His friend, on the other hand, enjoyed the scenery, drank a cup of coffee, ate a piece of cake and chatted with the other passengers. He enjoyed every moment the trip. He lived in the present moment and made the most of it. On arrival he was fresh and felt good. His friend, as expected, arrived exhausted, tired and unhappy.</p> <p>It is a matter of the right attitude. Life becomes a happy and enjoyable trip when the attitude toward it and its events is positive, and the present moment is used in the best possible way.</p> <p><b>Living in the present means concentrating on what is happening now, enjoying it and making the most of it.</b><br />Do you know how many opportunities are missed due to dwelling on the past, instead of seeing and being conscious of what is happening at the present moment? When our mind is elsewhere we behave like robots, and repeat the same mistakes of the past, do the same things, and then complain that our life is dull and uninteresting.</p> <p>Wake up to the present moment and live in it. The past happened and passed, so what is the use of reliving it? Do you enjoy reliving it? If it is a pleasant experience that's okay. You may wish to relive it and recreate it in your life. But why repeat the same event again, if it was an unhappy one? Why do you repeat something that has caused you pain?</p> <p>We are usually unaware of the process of thinking that is going on in our heads. We repeat the same thoughts as a matter of habit. They come and we do not resist them. We welcome them even if they are unpleasant. We get used to our thoughts and habits, even if we do not admit it. In this way they become stronger and more powerful. As our minds recreate our past, we find that the present is always the mirror of the past. Then nothing new happens and we complain that life is always the same, that nothing changes. Weird, foolish, tragic and funny at the same time, isn't it?</p> <p>By being aware of your thoughts and feelings, it becomes easier to be a little more detached. When you are detached you become able to choose how to react to people, events and circumstances, which can save yourself a lot of inconvenience, trouble and embarrassment.</p> <p><b>Living in the present means concentrating on what you are doing each moment.</b><br />This develops and strengthens your powers of concentration and attention, which among other things, enhance your ability to study and do your work more quickly and efficiently. Concentrating on what you are doing also helps you to make fewer mistakes and conduct yourself and your affairs in a better way.</p> <p>You become enslaved by thoughts and emotions and lose your freedom by living in the past, and thinking and visualizing events that have already happened. On the other hand, concentrating on the present moment, on what is happening or what you are doing right now, frees you of unnecessary, burdensome and unpleasant thoughts, and <b>you gain peace of mind.</b></p> <p>Stop reading for a moment, and remind yourself of several occasions, when you were engrossed in what you were doing, and believe me, there were a lot of these moments. Did you ever read a book and forgot for a while everything else? Were you engrossed in a pleasant movie, enjoying your hobby or eating very delicious food? In these moments you did not think about anything else. You were happy, calm and content and free from obsessing and futile thoughts. You were concentrating on what you were doing. This is the great power and meaning of living in the present.</p> <p><b>Remember, the present moment is very brief. It always turns immediately into the past. The future has not happened. Live in the present.</b></p> <p>Constant living and awareness of the present develop a new kind of awareness-consciousness. It is awareness of freedom, of being alive, of happiness and joy. You come to realize the peace, calmness, joy and freedom from thoughts that the mystics talk about. You find out experimentally that what they are talking about is nothing mysterious, mystical or out of this life. You find that this is a most natural and positive state.</p><br /><b>Refuse to relive the past. Change the videocassette in your mind!</b><br /><br /><b>Enjoy the present moment!</b><br /><br /><b>Find the positive, good and useful in each moment!</b> </div>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-62841410817444398072009-12-19T10:27:00.000-05:002009-12-19T10:29:19.970-05:00Spiritual Growth Benefits, Tips and Suggestions<div class="bodytext"> By Remez Sasson<br /><p>Spiritual growth is an important inner process, not only for people who live in far away and secluded places, and who seek spiritual awakening. Spiritual growth is of paramount importance for a better, happier and more harmonious life, free of tension and strain, fear and anxiety.</p> <p>Spiritual growth is the process of getting rid of wrong concepts, thoughts and beliefs about who we are and about the world in which we live. Through this process we increase our awareness of our true inner being, the true spirit that we are. It is a process of looking inside us, shedding our illusions and uncovering our true essence, which is always present, but hidden beyond the ego-personality.</p> <p><b>Why should we be interested in spiritual growth? What are the signs that we are growing spiritually? What are the benefits? Here are a few signs and benefits:</b></p> <p># We develop detachment, which leads to inner peace.</p> <p># We learn not to let outside circumstance affect our moods and states of mind.</p> <p># We become more patient and tolerant.</p> <p># We learn to rise above frustration, disappointment and negative feelings.</p> <p># Inner power and strength increase.</p> <p># This process leads to increased feeling of happiness.</p> <p># Our intuition gets sharper.</p> <p># We become better citizens of the world.</p> <p># Our understanding of our inner essence, what we are, and why we are here grows.</p> <p>How can one grow spiritually? The term spiritual growth is not really correct. The spirit is perfect and does not need to grow. It is a term that describes a process of becoming more aware of what and who we are, growing to look at our life and circumstances from a different, more detached point of view, and of putting things into the proper perspective. It is a process of shedding negative and limiting habits, thoughts and beliefs, and letting the inner self within us shine out.</p> <p>Imagine a radiant bulb of light, hidden beneath layers of various materials. To let the light of the bulb shine out and illuminate the surroundings, you do not have to strengthen the light or change the bulb. All you have to do is to take away the layers that are covering it. As you remove layer after layer the light shines more radiantly and strongly.</p> <p>How do you remove the layers that are covering the light of your inner self? You do so through positive thinking, reading spiritual literature, reading spiritual quotes, and by practicing concentration, meditation and other inner training techniques. If you browse this website, you will find a lot of information, advice and instructions for spiritual growth.</p> <p><b>Here are a few suggestions to start you on the road of spiritual growth:</b></p> <p># Acknowledge the fact that you are a spirit with a physical body, not a physical body with a spirit. If you can accept this idea, it will change your attitude toward many things in your life.</p> <p># Look inside you, and try to find out what it is that makes you feel alive.</p> <p># Make an effort to think positively. If you find yourself thinking negatively, immediately direct your mind to thinking on something positive. Open the door for the positive and close it for the negative.</p> <p># Always try to look at the bright side of life. Your inner self is stronger than your circumstances. Don't let circumstances and situations dictate to you how to feel or think.</p> <p># Endeavor to focus your attention on everything you do, instead of letting your attention go wherever it desires.</p> <p># Start learning and practicing meditation.</p> <p># Do your best to be tolerant, patient, tactful and considerate.</p> <p># Thank the Universe for everything that you get.</p></div>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-8531354041974467282009-12-12T08:05:00.007-05:002009-12-12T09:09:19.123-05:00Strange Fruit<center><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNjA2MjY2NDAwMjcmcHQ9MTI2MDYyNjY*ODc3NCZwPTE4MDMxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPTAwZGQzYTZiZTQ4ZTQ*MTg5ZTcwOGFjMDgyOGMzMGM2.gif" width="0" border="0" height="0" /><center><p style="visibility: visible;"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://assets.myflashfetish.com/swf/mp3/mff-touch.swf" style="width: 235px; height: 390px;" width="235" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://assets.myflashfetish.com/swf/mp3/mff-touch.swf"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="scale" value="noscale"><param name="salign" value="TL"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="flashvars" value="myid=37901030&path=2009/12/12&mycolor=C92C2C&mycolor2=CF6123&mycolor3=F3C363&autoplay=true&rand=0&f=4&vol=100&pat=0&grad=true&ow=235&oh=390"></object><br /></p></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;">[warning graphic photo]<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9guV6V4McEs/SyOYWLKzENI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/2GKZbjzXbJM/s1600-h/strange+fruit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 381px; height: 357px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9guV6V4McEs/SyOYWLKzENI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/2GKZbjzXbJM/s320/strange+fruit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414338683752091858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith were African-Americans who were lynched on August 7, 1930 in Marion, Indiana. They had been arrested the night before, charged with robbing and murdering a white factory worker and raping his girlfriend. A large crowd broke into the jail with sledgehammers, beat the two men, and hanged them. Police officers in the crowd cooperated in the lynching. A third person, 16 year old James Cameron, narrowly escaped lynching thanks to an unidentified participant who announced that he had nothing to do with the rape or murder.A studio photographer, Lawrence Beitler, took a photograph of the dead bodies hanging from a tree surrounded by a large crowd; thousands of copies of the photograph were sold.</span><br /><br /><br /><p style="text-align: center;" class="style10"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color: rgb(125, 125, 255);"><b><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color: rgb(125, 125, 255);">(1) </span></span></b><span style="color: rgb(125, 125, 255);"><b><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color: rgb(125, 125, 255);"> <span style="color: rgb(125, 125, 255);"><b><span class="style3"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Teal;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Teal;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style=";font-family:Swis721 BT;color:Black;" ><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;color:Red;" ><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style=";font-family:Swis721 BT;color:Black;" ><span style="color:Red;"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;color:Black;" ><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;color:Red;" ><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Red;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;color:Black;" ><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Teal;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><span style="color:Black;"><a href="http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAmeeropolA.htm">Abe Meeropol</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><b>, </b><i>Strange Fruit</i>, (1939) </b><br /> <br /> Southern trees bear a strange fruit,<br />Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,<br />Black body swinging in the Southern breeze,<br />Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.<br /><br />Pastoral scene of the gallant South,<br />The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,<br />Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh,<br />And the sudden smell of burning flesh!<br /><br />Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck,<br />For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,<br />For the sun to rot, for a tree to drop,<br /><span style="color:Black;">Here is a strange and bitter crop.</span></p><p class="style10" align="left"><br /></p><p class="style10" align="left">The song began life as a poem written by Abel Meeropol, a schoolteacher who was living in the Bronx and teaching English at the De Witt Clinton High School, where his students would have included the Academy award-winning screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky, the playwright Neil Simon, and the novelist and essayist James Baldwin. Meeropol was a trade union activist and a closet member of the Communist Party; his poem was first published in January 1937 as "Bitter Fruit", in a union magazine called the New York School Teacher. In common with many Jewish people in the US during this period, Meeropol was worried (with reason) about anti-semitism and chose to publish his poem under the pseudonym "Lewis Allan", the first names of his two stillborn children....</p><p class="style10" align="left">Meeropol wrote "Strange Fruit" to express his horror at lynchings, possibly after seeing Lawrence Beitler's photograph of the lynching of Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith in Marion, Indiana. Though Meeropol/Allan had often asked others (notably Earl Robinson) to set his poems to music, he set Strange Fruit to music himself. The song gained a certain success as a protest song in and around New York. Meeropol, his wife, and black vocalist Laura Duncan performed it at Madison Square Garden.Barney Josephson, the founder of Cafe Society in Greenwich Village, New York's first integrated nightclub, heard the song and introduced it to Billie Holiday. Holiday performed the song at Cafe Society in 1939. She said that singing it made her fearful of retaliation. Holiday later said that because the imagery in "Strange Fruit" reminded her of her father, she persisted in singing it. The song became a regular part of Holiday's live performances.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="style10" align="left"></p><blockquote>"The germ of the song was in a poem written by Lewis Allen. When he showed me that poem, I dug it right off. It seemed to spell out all the things that had killed Pop (Holliday's father had died of pneumonia in 1937 after several segregated southern hospitals refused to treat him). Allen, too, had heard how Pop died and of course was interested in my singing. He suggested that Sonny White, who had been my accompanist, and I turn it into music. So the three of us got together and did the job in about three weeks."<span style="font-style: italic;"> -Billie Holiday</span></blockquote><p></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="style10" align="left"><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="style10" align="left"><span class="style10"><span style="color: rgb(125, 125, 255);"><br /> </span>In interviews, Holiday said that whenever she performed <i>Strange Fruit</i> in the South there was trouble. She told one newspaper that she was driven out of Mobile, Alabama, for trying to sing it. In fact, Holiday made few southern tours, and there's little evidence that she sang <i>Strange Fruit</i> when she did.<br /> <br />Claims that the song was banned from the radio are equally hard to document, but not hard to believe; radio stations played few records then, and rarely anything controversial. "WNEW [in New York] has been trying to get up the courage to allow Billie Holiday, singing at <span style="color: rgb(125, 125, 255);"> <span style="color: rgb(125, 125, 255);">Café Society</span></span>, to render the anti-lynching song - <i>Strange Fruit Growing on the Trees Down South</i> - on one of the night spot's regular broadcasts," the <i>New York Post</i> reported in November 1939. "Station turned thumbs down a week ago, but approved the number for last night's airing. Then it said 'no' again, but has agreed to let Billie sing it tonight at 1 o'clock." According to one published report, the song was also banned from the BBC.</span></p><p class="style10" align="left"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="style10"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is when music had a message ... what is <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 255, 153);font-size:130%;" >YOUR</span> music teaching us?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p class="style10" align="left"><span class="style10"></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div></center>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-85813826411552255292009-12-09T09:38:00.000-05:002009-12-09T09:40:27.289-05:00Color Healing 1 Red<center style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><h3>Red</h3> <p> <img src="http://www.crystalinks.com/redcolor.jpg" /></p></center> <p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red">Red</a> is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 625-740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared, or below red and cannot be seen by the naked human eye. Red is used as one of the additive primary colors of light, complementary to cyan, in RGB color systems. Red is also one of the subtractive primary colors of RYB color space but not CMYK color space. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">In human color psychology, red is associated with heat, energy and blood, and emotions that "stir the blood", including anger, passion, and love. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630-700 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared, or below red and cannot be seen by human eyes. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Red's wavelength has been an important factor in laser technologies as red lasers, used in early compact disc technologies, are being replaced by blue lasers, as red's longer wavelength causes the laser's recordings to take up more space on the disc than blue lasers.[10] Red light is also used to preserve night vision in low-light or night-time situations, as the rod cells in the human eye aren't sensitive to red. Red is used as one of the additive primary colors of light, complementary to cyan, in RGB color systems. Red is also one of the subtractive primary colors of RYB color space but not CMYK color space. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">One common use of red as an additive primary color is in the RGB color model. Because "red" is not by itself standardized, color mixtures based on red are not exact specifications of color either. In order to produce exact colors the color red needs to be defined in terms of an absolute color space such as sRGB. As used in computer monitors and television screens, red is very variable, but some systems may apply color correction (so that a standardized "red" is produced that is not in fact full intensity of only the red colorant). </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">A red filter used in black and white photography increases contrast in most scenes. For example, combined with a polarizer, it can turn the sky black. Films simulating the effects of infrared film (such as Ilford's SFX 200) do so by being much more sensitive to red than to other colors. Red illumination was (and sometimes still is) used as a "safelight" while working in a darkroom, as it does not expose most photographic paper and some films. Though many more modern darkrooms use an amber safelight, red illumination is closely associated with the darkroom in the public mind. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </p><center style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Etymology and Definitions</center> <p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The word red comes from the Old English read. Further back, the word can be traced to the Proto-Germanic rauthaz and the Proto-Indo European root reudh-. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> This is the only color word which has been traced to an Indo-European root. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> In Sanskrit, the word rudra means red. In the English language, the word red is associated with the color of blood, certain flowers (i.e. roses), and ripe fruits (i.e. apples, cherries). Fire is also strongly connected, as is the sun and the sky at sunset. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Healthy people are often said to have a redness to their skin color (as opposed to be appearing pale). After the rise of socialism in the mid-19th century, red was to describe revolutionary movements. The word is also obviously associated with anything of the color occupying the lower end of the visible light spectrum, such as red hair or red soil. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Red Indians is a British term for Native Americans, American terms for this ethnic group include redskin, redhead and red man, though they are not the preferred terms. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </p><center style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">In Nature</center> <p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> In <b>astronomy</b>, stars of spectral type M (the stars with the coolest temperature) are classified as red stars. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <a href="http://www.crystalinks.com/mars.html">Mars</a> is called the Red Planet because of the reddish color imparted to its surface by the abundant iron oxide present there. Astronomical objects which are moving away from the observer exhibit a red shift. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <a href="http://www.crystalinks.com/jupiter.html">Jupiter's</a> surface displays a Great Red Spot, a football-shaped area south of the planet's equator. Astronomers believe the spot to be some kind of storm. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Oxygenated blood is red due to the presence of oxygenated hemoglobin. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Red light is the first to be absorbed by sea water, so that many fish and marine invertebrates that appear bright red are black in their native habitat. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> When used about animal coloration red usually refers to a brownish, reddish-brown or ginger color. In this sense it is used to describe coat colors of reddish-brown cattle and dogs, and in the names of various animal species or breeds such as red fox, red squirrel, red deer, Robin Redbreast, Red Grouse, Red Knot, Redstart, Redwing, Red Setter, Red Devon cattle etc. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> The usage for animal color appears similar to that for red ochre, red hair and Red Indian. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Red appears to be rarely used in names of animals which are a brighter blood-red or scarlet color (Carmine Bee-eater, Scarlet Tanager). When used for flowers, red often refers to purplish (red deadnettle, red clover, red helleborine) or pink (red campion, red valerian) colors. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </p><center style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Symbolism</center> <p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Aggression, anger, blood, blushing, stop, Communism, courage, danger, guilt, energy, fire, hate, hell, honor, leadership, passion, socialism, sacrifice, sex, sin, violence, negativity, warning. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> A biblical example is found in Isaiah: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." Also, The Scarlet Letter an 1850 American novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, features a woman in a Puritan New England community who is punished for adultery with ostracism, her sin represented by a red letter 'A' sewn into her clothes. This all comes from a general Hebrew view inherited by Christianity which associates red with the blood of murder, as well as with guilt in general. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Another popular example of this is in the phrase "caught red-handed", meaning either caught in an act of crime or caught with the blood of murder still on one's hands. At one point, red was associated with prostitutes, or now, with brothels (red-light districts). </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> In Roman Catholicism, red represents wrath, one of the Seven Deadly Sins. In Christianity, Satan is usually depicted as colored red and/or wearing a red costume in both iconography and popular culture. Statistics have shown that red cars are more likely to be involved in accidents. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The color red is associated with lust, passion, love, and beauty as well. The association with love and beauty is possibly related to the use of red roses as a love symbol. Both the Greeks and the Hebrews considered red a symbol of love, as well as sacrifice. Psychological research has shown that men find women who are wearing red more attractive. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </p><center style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Courage and Sacrifice</center> <p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Red is also used as a symbol of courage and sacrifice, as in blood spilt in sacrifice or courage in the face of lethal danger. Examples of this are found in the flags of many nations including the United States, as well as in the novel The Red Badge of Courage, in which a soldier in the American Civil War discovers the meaning of courage. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Besides the association with guilt previously mentioned, in Christianity, red represents the color of Christian martyrs who suffered death for their faith. It is sometimes used for Holy Thursday and during Eastertide, and red green and white is the color scheme of Christmas. In Roman Catholic tradition it is used for all feast days of Christian martyrs as well as Palm Sunday in anticipation of the death of Jesus. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Along the same lines, red is associated in Roman mythology with the god of war, Mars. A Roman general receiving a triumph had his entire body painted red in honor of his achievement.The phrase "red-blooded" describes someone who is audacious, robust, or virile. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> In English heraldry, red (called gules) denoted ardent affection or love, while crimson (blood-color) stood for boldness, enthusiasm, or impetuosity. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Warning </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Red catches people's attention, and is often used either in a negative way to indicate danger and emergency, or in a positive way in advertising to gain more viewers, or in nature, as a ripe fruit announces its readiness with its red color. Several studies have indicated that red carries the strongest reaction of all the colors, with the level of reaction decreasing gradually with orange, yellow, and white, respectively. Because of this, scientists have repeatedly recommended red for warning signals, labels, and signs. Because of these recommendations, red has seen widespread use as a danger signal, in stop signs, to warn people of extreme heat or flammability, and even to signal warnings in sports such as soccer. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </p><center style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">In Religion</center> <p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Red may represent fire and so may symbolize the presence of God. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> In Christianity, red is the liturgical color for Pentecost. Also, in the Catholic Church red is the color of a martyr. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">In Islam red is the color for sacrificement and courage. Many Islamic states have it as a sign of the courage of Muslims and the sacrifice of their lives for what is good. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </p><center style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">In Metaphysics</center> <p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> In metaphysics red connects with the <a href="http://www.crystalinks.com/chakras.html">root chakra</a>. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Alice Bailey developed a system called the Seven Rays, where she classified humans into seven different metaphysical psychological types, the "sixth ray" of "love-devotion" is represented by the color red. People who have this metaphysical psychological type are said to be "on the Red Ray". </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Psychics who claim to be able to observe the aura with their third eye report that a red aura is associated with a love of sports and physical exercise. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <a href="http://www.crystalinks.com/gemstones.html">Red Crystals</a> </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </p><center style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">In Non-Western Traditions</center> <p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">In China, red is the symbol of fire and the south (both south in general and Southern China specifically). It carries a largely positive connotation, being associated with courage, loyalty, honor, success, fortune, fertility, happiness, passion, and summer. In Chinese cultural traditions, red is associated with weddings (where brides traditionally wear red dresses) and red paper is also frequently used to wrap gifts of money or other things. Special red packets called hong bao as in Mandarin or lai see as in Cantonese - are specifically used during the Chinese New Year to give monetary gifts. On the more negative end, obituaries are traditionally written in red ink, and to write someone's name in red signals either cutting them out of your life, or that they have died. Red is also associated with both the <a href="http://www.crystalinks.com/yinyang.html">feminine yin and the masculine yang</a>, depending on the source. When someone commits suicide, especially a female, and wants to haunt their loved one, they will dress in red from top to bottom before carrying out the act. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> In Japan, red is a traditional color for a heroic figure. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> In the Indian Sub-continent, red is the traditional color of bridal dresses, and is frequently represented in the media as a symbolic color for married women. The color is associated with sexuality in marriage relationships through its connection to heat and fertility. It is also the color of wealth, beauty, and the goddess Lakshmi. </p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">In Central Africa, Ndembu warriors rub themselves with red during celebrations. Since their culture sees the color as a symbol of life and health, sick people are also painted with it. Like most Central African cultures, the Ndembu see red as ambivalent, better than black, but not as good as white.[39] In other parts of Africa, however, red is a color of mourning, representing death. Because of the connection red bears with death in many parts of Africa, the Red Cross has changed its colors to green and white in parts of the continent. </p>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-90785615084200470102009-12-08T16:34:00.000-05:002009-12-08T16:36:13.031-05:00The Power of Positive Attitudeby Remez Sasson<br />Positive attitude helps to cope more easily with the daily affairs of life. It brings optimism into your life, and makes it easier to avoid worry and negative thinking. If you adopt it as a way of life, it will bring constructive changes into your life, and makes them happier, brighter and more successful. With a positive attitude you see the bright side of life, become optimistic and expect the best to happen. It is certainly a state of mind that is well worth developing and strengthening.<br />Positive attitude manifests in the following ways:<br />Positive thinking.<br />Constructive thinking.<br />Creative thinking.<br />Expecting success.<br />Optimism.<br />Motivation to accomplish your goals.<br />Being inspired.<br />Choosing happiness.<br />Not giving up.<br />Looking at failure and problems as blessings in disguise.<br />Believing in yourself and in your abilities.<br />Displaying self-esteem and confidence.<br />Looking for solutions.<br />Seeing opportunities.<br />A positive attitude leads to happiness and success and can change your whole life. If you look at the bright side of life, your whole life becomes filled with light. This light affects not only you and the way you look at the world, but also your whole environment and the people around you. If it is strong enough, it becomes contagious.<br />The benefits of a positive attitude:<br />Helps achieving goals and attaining success.<br />Success achieved faster and more easily.<br />More happiness.<br />More energy.<br />Greater inner power and strength.<br />The ability to inspire and motivate yourself and others.<br />Fewer difficulties encountered along the way.<br />The ability to surmount any difficulty.<br />Life smiles at you.<br />People respect you.<br />Negative attitude says: you cannot achieve success.Positive attitude says: You can achieve success.<br />If you have been exhibiting a negative attitude and expecting failure and difficulties, it is now the time to change the way you think. It is time to get rid of negative thoughts and behavior and lead a happy and successful life. Why not start today? If you have tried and failed, it only means that you have not tried enough.<br />Developing a positive attitude that will lead you to happiness and success:<br />- Choose to be happy.<br />- Look at the bright side of life.<br />- Choose to be and stay optimistic.<br />- Find reasons to smile more often.<br />- Have faith in yourself and in the Power of the Universe.<br />- Contemplate upon the futility of negative thinking and worries.<br />- Associate yourself with happy people.<br />- Read inspiring stories.<br />- Read inspiring quotes.<br />- Repeat affirmations that inspire and motivate you.<br />- Visualize only what you want to happen.<br />- Learn to master your thoughts.<br />- Learn concentration and meditation.<br />Following even only one of the above suggestions, will bring more light into your life!Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-31992896852269568552009-12-08T16:28:00.000-05:002009-12-08T16:29:35.202-05:00Message of The DayYour true challenge is your own boredom - this lack of a new direction or stimuli. Have more patience, don't spoil things by being over anxious - organize and bring order to your personal life. Clarify things in order to prevent any misunderstandings and do not allow anyone or anything to dominate your thinking. You have lived in this unpleasant, unsatisfying situation long enough - it is time to make a change! You are becoming confined by non-universal, puritanical and moralistic beliefs that inhibit your total personal expression and the liberation of your human potential. You will have the energy you need to move in new directions. Apply yourself - remain balanced and in harmony with the energy that surrounds you. When you jump into a new experience, leaving behind safe situations and past successes to enter the unknown - you liberate so much emotion and energy that you cannot avoid the wonder and enchantment or the fear that goes with it. Allow yourself to experience this freedom!<br />There may be difficulty in taking this step, in understanding its implications, in choosing the correct discipline for yourself. There may be many choices competing for your dedication or it may be hard clarifying a choice already made. Some of what beckons you must be regarded with care, much as with the calls of sirens at sea. Pursue your visions with a discerning eye, ever cautious that the discernment does not deteriorate into discrimination.<br />Questions to Answer: What two ideas are you bringing together in a new and different way? What are you planning to accomplish? What are you competent at? What conflicting desires do you wish to integrate? At what threshold do you stand? What options do you have?Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-4953499919409837572009-12-07T11:21:00.000-05:002009-12-07T11:22:34.863-05:00A NOTE ABOUT EVIL<p align="left"><strong> AND THE ABSENCE OF SATAN</strong>:<br /> In traditional Ifa, there is no hell and there is no Satan or devil. Olodumare (God) is the creator of all things and all forces. The breath of Olodumare gives life to all that exists in heaven and earth. The result of Olorun's life-force is balance. It is harmony, equal and opposite potentials in all things, forming what we know as all things in nature, physics, and basic mathematics. Even the smallest definitive particle of matter, the atom, is built of negative and positive forces which have formed in harmony to make one cohesive thing. Disrupting that balance results in destructive energy, causing severe disaster. Such disruption is called “atomic explosion”. Conversely, balanced flow of potential results in productive energy. We see the results of such productive energy in the use of lighting, heating, machines, appliances, and other things. The productive energy is generated by a balanced flow of sub-atomic particles, in which the balance of negative and positive potentials within each atom is maintained.</p> <p align="left">Each human, as well as each spiritual entity, has negative and positive potentials. Good and evil are the results of using these positive and negative potentials toward productive (good) or destructive (evil) energy. We see the results of productive energy in acts of love, kindness, nurturing, generosity, and helping. In expediting such acts, our potentials remain balanced. The results of our own destructive energy are seen in acts of greed, violence, cruelty, and bigotry, to name a few. In these acts, our potentials are pushed out of balance. We ruin ourselves and hurt others around us. The only evil we can ever face is that evil which we may become if we choose imbalance and destructive energy. We can end up battling our own evil or the evil of others. Regardless, evil is only the result of a choice. It is not something brought on by the guidance (or misguidance) at the hand of some purely malevolent entity.</p> <p align="left">There is no devil, in this physical world or in the spirit world, to blame for the evils in human history. A purely malevolent entity can not exist, exercising it's destructive energy. When the atomic bomb is used, it's negative and positive potentials are forced out of balance and it's destructive energy destroys the designated target and everything around it. In doing this, the bomb itself, the source of the destructive energy, is also destroyed. Hence, any purley malevolent entity is also not balanced, and would destroy itself. With this knowledge, humans can not continue to disclaim responsibility for their own choices. We can not continue to blame some non-existent demonic entity for the evils committed on earth. We must be responsible people, making our choices wisely, and doing our best to promote human life. We must choose balance over imbalance, good over evil. It is all within our own potential.</p> <a href="http://www.efbrown.com/osebiile/basics.htm">© 2005 <strong>Awo Ojelola Ifasakin</strong></a>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-48108315781069127922009-12-06T13:14:00.000-05:002009-12-06T13:15:09.769-05:00Message of The DayYou are experiencing the despair felt after a defeat. See how your mind creates doubt and pessimism - look directly at your defeatist thinking. You defeat yourself with your own doubt and skepticism. It is time that you look at changing your own attitudes - let go of your pride and release this narrow view point - your own "ego" is inhibiting you. An old wound has been opened and you are experience fear associated with that memory - thoughts that history might repeat itself or that you could be hurt again. Your vision has been distorted by the past. Allow yourself to be sensitive to this deception in a personal situation - be receptive to the things that are causing you all these emotional problems. When you are involved in an unfair decision that is hard to correct - be patient with your emotions. <p>Too much or too little mental freedom - uncertainty. Too many or too few choices. Mind looks at itself ineffectively and will tend to be too passive and lax or will be over enthusiastic and cause havoc. Criticism of self and others can be harsh and inaccurate. A sharp tongue. A sense of mental loss rather than gain. Anger, confusion, argument, covering things up, impulsive, impatient, hasty, nervous, stubborn, complacent. Inappropriate worry, sadness, depression, disappointment, guilt or shame. The general is concentrating on his plan of retreat.</p> <p><b>Questions to Answer:</b> Do you expect to get "stung" in this situation? What are you afraid of? What is causing division in the solidarity of your group? Why don't you feel good about what you are doing? What do you need in order to feel good? What would be the ethical thing to do? What is so important to you that you have to prove everyone else wrong?</p>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1391367822618380384.post-59938717453729083922009-12-06T13:13:00.001-05:002009-12-06T13:13:45.226-05:00Feed Thy Soul<p>Adapted from <i>Mindful Moments for Stressful Days,</i> by Tzivia Gover (Storey Books, 2002).</p> <div id="GlStoryContainer" class="story_wrapper"><p>If of thy mortal good thou art bereft<br />And of thy slender store two loaves alone to thee are left,<br />Sell one, and with the dole<br />Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.<br />–Saadi</p> <p>Most of us make a list every week of what we need to fill our pantry. How about making a weekly grocery list for your soul as well? </p><p>This simple, delightful how-to gives fresh energy and focus to our body-mind-spirit connection. It’s so easy, and so much fun! Making a Grocery List for your soul is a great first step toward honoring the needs of your inner self. Prepare to be more nourished and satisfied with your life: here are the easy directions. </p><p>First, give some real time and thought to the activities or things you need in order to continue nourishing a conscious lifestyle. </p><p>Now make a “shopping list” of the things you love, the things your heart and soul need. A morning set aside to garden? An hour alone? A long, hot bath? A half-hour to read poetry? A massage? Fresh flowers in your bedroom? A visit to your spiritual home, be it a church, synagogue, or spot in nature that inspires awe in you? A simple meal and heart-to-heart with a close friend? A trip to a museum or art gallery? A long walk in the woods? </p><p>Make a commitment to your inner self to take time every week for at least one of these things. It is important to feed the Spirit no less than the body: help yours feel full.</p> </div>Oshunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922774125231742633noreply@blogger.com0