April is Unfolding Nicely with a One (Mon), Two (Tue), Three (Wed), so hope you feel in Sync with All That and This Post Too

Thanks Deep and Ope for giving US All Hope (and Marianne.com too whose running for US Pres but needs 65K donors at a dollar a piece before April 15th...to get in the debates as do the other Dem. Candidates..Who knows How Much Grassroots participation counts?

That'd be everyone in small towns and even in bustling communities in the cities... when people Slow Down Enough to Make a Point of Doing something meaningful (like donating of voting), Change happens like Magic!

By the way a wonderful speaker at Noble Horizons (Dr. Bogdonovics from Torrington's Charlotte Hungerford Diabetes Support Group and Practice) highlighted many ways small changes could make a big difference for everyone looking at improving their metabolism, particularly if one has diabetes or a pre-diabetic status.

I will put more on my blog livfully.org. Some highlights were Knowing Everyone is or will be Pretty Much at Risk in the world..it's not just genes or extra weight. Hypertension, being over 45, having elevated A1C levels (above 5.7 for prediabetes, or above 6.4 for diabetes) and more are some things Everyone Should be Screened for (and some insurance may cover that but others not, so Be Your Own Health Advocate. That counts for things like symptoms from tick bites, such as rashes, feeling aches and pains, flu-like and more. Half of tests for Lyme may come back negative, so again 'Trust Your Gut.'

Don't let your doc get you down. Have support and take symptoms for anything (stroke--not being able to smile or sing Happy Birthday etc), trouble breathing, feeling weak, heart pains or other pains in the chest, arms and so on need attention and ideally by a friend helping not driving yourself to get it. But back to tips about preventing or improving one's diabetic or compromised metabolic condition. Check with Your Doctor before doing any exercise or serious diet program or even travel (especially if pregnant or otherwise having health factors to consider. That's my free advice.)

Exercise is a healthy drug so to speak, with 30 minutes five days a week or 150 min a week (so 22 min a day for 7 days) such as a fast walk can be a big help.

Going easy on carbs and knowing there are support people online and in groups can help one feel more in control and understand symptoms. He was very entertaining and a great role model, looking fit even having dealt with Type 1 himself. See OneDrop.com and American Diabetes Assoc for more info.

I would also recommend looking at the ayurvedic and Chinese health insights (acupuncture, herbs) and basic yoga (why not check yogabycandace.com for some basic coaching and tune into some music online with the healing, relaxing chants.) Susan Cain offers calming and energizing practices at Be Well Yoga as does Suzanne Mazzarelli...and of course others, but nice to 'do yoga locally.' Here's to everyone's health and overall sense of wealth, counting blessings and taking in the lessons of life with grace and growing wisdom.

Enjoy some tips from The Compassion Book by Thom Bond also to be more clear about communication options..finding out whether someone has the time and interest to hear an idea or request or info...then asking them to summarize what they heard if they do.

Then asking for their input or response. and summarizing what you heard. Whether that's two people or two groups (or more) that basic strategy can go a long way toward sharing time and power of a conversation.

Breaks can be taken, maybe emails and such made before hand to allow one time to explore what they want to express and clarify needs for security, safety, respect, clarity, routines, creativity and socialization or productivity and so on. All students and families, elders and others could try these things out and see how that feels for themselves and if others are appreciating the 'new way of doing business' and communicating.

Also drop by the Southern Berkshire Toastmasters group to visit a meeting for free sometime (twice a month mainly on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at BCC from 11:30 to 1:15 (the meeting starts promptly at 11:45pm and may end early, then we enjoy lunch at the Berkshire Co-op which is also a wonderful spot to meet before it switches to its grand new location next door by June.)

Okay so that's plenty of easy-does-it fun to tap into as spring awakens the dreamer and gardener is everyone... that term used creatively to note everyone's contributing efforts as community members near and in wider circles.

Hope many can get to the program at Hotchkiss on Mon April 8th to talk about the local challenges of housing, schools, volunteer services etc at 7pm. Check the Lakeville Journal at a library or online etc for details...

Maybe brainstorm a bit here (see ideas on my blog for that too which I'll hopefully touch upon but see Turtle Garden Permaculture Game online to get the ball rolling for any project. The Maker Fair at Hotchkiss on Sunday April 7th from 10a to 3p should be a ball too to get the creative juices flowing... Thanks to all who are putting their best foot forward whether moving forward, relaxing or even getting a good night's sleep!

On one last note, I wrote to the Lakeville Journal about the difficult loss in Sheffield MA last month of a family likely to domestic violence. I will be going to a conference in Albany to learn a lot more about advocacy and educating our country and families as well as the public. Thanks for any support toward my attendance (PM me) or a donation to the worthy effort, Batttered Mothers Custody Conference which will be reviewing some of the #MeToo movement efforts as well.

All women, men and youth have a role to play in healing our communities across the nation and beyond. Now is our time to be stronger and wiser about using our voices and choices to steer our policies and provisions toward a higher standard of safety and inclusion.

We need to let our neighbors in our towns and other states, near or farther out, know we have their best interests at heart and will help promote safety and well-being for all without shame, blame or other control game throwing us off course. Thanks for considering these difficult issues. It's all part of our collective healing and strengthening wellness journey.