I cheated a little on this one.  I used to attend Progressive Spiritualist church (www.progressivespiritualist.org) and got ordained there.  I no longer attend, but I have a small catalog of the sermons I wrote out, and this is one of them.  I use a Tony Robbins quote on this one, so I went in and found the YouTube video. The link is:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqw0FZdQl-k&t=3s.  I love the holiday season, and this year, with it being a struggle for so many of us, we need to be reminded that we are blessed, and if we show gratitude, we'll find more gratitude.  That's it... 

I'd love to hear from you... [email protected].  Go out and love as many people as you can!!  

Our parents need us as they age. We don't like to look at them as "weak". They raised us, and it's our turn to step up to the plate when they need us.  I've learned, in the past 6 weeks or so, that I have a voice, and when I need to advocate, I'll step up and do it... but maybe I can help someone a little by just having some VERY basic information.   1. Don't wait until you NEED to be there... start now. Get the legal side of things going.  Know what your loved one wants, and have it ready just in case.  Get their Medical Health Care Directive in order.  If there is a DNR, make sure it's available (God forbid).  What care do they want?  What  do they want done to keep them alive if it comes to that?  What is your firm line in the sand for their care in a facility?   2.  You damn well have a voice and your folks need to know you'll use it... ESPECIALLY during a Quarantine when you can't march your ass into a facility to correct something that is not right for your mom or dad.  Here is a website for checking out the nursing homes.   3.  There are resources... you aren't alone.   4.  Do your homework if time allows to find a good facility.  It's scary, and hard to discern... but trust your gut on this.   In Indiana - CICOA can offer all kinds of resources.  https://cicoa.org/ Here is an article on becoming an advocate for your parent.    Here is an article on common issues in nursing homes, but more importantly, how to resolve them.    Here is a little more information on how to handle some of the issues that may arise while your loved one is in a facility.  If you are able to care for them at home, here is a link for some help with that.   You got this.  Go out and love the people you love.  Share a smile with someone.  Drop me a line:  [email protected].

This is my interview with Maria from center4creativehealing.com.  She is a firecracker on every front!!  I hope you enjoy it.  Also, I forgot the link for the church I used to attend, so... progressivespiritualist.org.  

Enjoy!!  Please send me an email at [email protected].  Thanks and take care of yourself and those you love!!! 

I had the opportunity to chat with my dear friend Maria Celeste, of https://center4creativehealing.com/  If you need a reading, some stones or minerals, spiritual guidance, help with meditation ... she's awesome.

Brace yourself, she truly is all energy.    I loved chatting with her, and being able to tap into the way that she believes. I love being able to hear someone who not only has a deep seated faith, but lives that faith every single day.

Have a listen... see you back in a couple of weeks.  PLEASE share the link, and email me at [email protected] any ideas, comments,  or if you want me to shout out to someone.

Cara

Hi there... this one is all about faith... what role does it play in my life?  How'd I get here?  It's made me think.  I am going to work to strengthen my faith.  The thing is... my faith won't look like your faith, and that is A - OKAY.  We get so hung up on what faith needs to look like, that so many of us stop practicing our faith.  As long as you're not hurting anyone, and your heart feels "full"... YOU DO YOU!!!  

This was pretty deep...l and I really hope there is room for all of the notes for this one.  Thanks for being here.  I'd LOVE to hear from you.  My gmail address is:  [email protected]. PLEASE share this with as many as you can.  I'm going to push to see how I can get on Itunes too :)  Thanks all!

I Dare You To Love-- Kelly Clarkson

George Floyd:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/27/us/george-floyd-trnd/index.html

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/05/us/minneapolis-officers-background-george-floyd-trnd/index.html

https://abcnews.go.com/US/officer-charged-george-floyds-death-argues-drug-overdose/story?id=72711824

Breonna Taylor

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/06/03/no-knock-warrant-breonna-taylor-was-illegal/

https://www.npr.org/2020/05/13/855611039/shooting-of-unarmed-black-woman-in-kentucky-raises-a-lot-of-questions

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/502392-rand-paul-introduces-bill-to-end-no-knock-warrants

Jacob Blake

https://nypost.com/2020/08/28/this-is-why-jacob-blake-had-a-warrant-out-for-his-arrest/

MLK Jr  -- September 27, 1966

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K0BWXjJv5s

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mlk-a-riot-is-the-language-of-the-unheard/

https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/coretexts/_files/resources/MLK_Commitment_Card.pdf

https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-martin-luther-king-jr#:~:text=King%20was%20imprisoned%20nearly%2030,mile%2Dper%2Dhour%20zone.

Policing history:  https://theconversation.com/george-floyds-death-reflects-the-racist-roots-of-american-policing-139805

*** Couldn’t get all of the links that I used in here... grrrr...  :(

I sat down with Annette for two interviews.  In one interview, my dog, Lexi, can be hear.  

Annette is a friend and a mentor that is a world class cheerleader for taking on projects that the rest of the world may see an absolutely INSANE... but not her!!! She manages a local Facebook group geared towards massage therapists here in Indianapolis, and had an experience when we were deep in the initial COVID19 lock down that broke my heart.   That incident  is actually what made me think I needed to write about social media and what a load of garbage it is so often... but.. it's not right (in my opinion) to bitch, unless I look for solutions, so solutions were sought!!!  YES.  

My take aways from these chats:  

* Learn to chill!  

* Before you get really started on your day, set the tone!   Roll around, think of things you are happy for, watch the sunrise, have a cup of coffee or tea.

*Limit your social media time.  Just turn the shit off!  

* What you view on social media is up to you.  Self accountability is real... including online!! 

* Someone have you honked off?  Take ... A... Breath... count to three... don't respond in anger! 

* Inchworms matter.  Help re home them if they are circling one of your plants.  

* Love as many as you can.  

I'd love to hear from people.  What would you like to talk about?  My gmail address is [email protected].  Anything is possible... hit me up. Lets see what we can come up with!!!   

I was inspired to write this by a couple of things... We were ass deep in COVID Lockdown v.1 when someone that I respect IMMENSELY was hurt via social media.  Also, I listened to a song from Matthew West called Truth Be Told around the same time, and it Just made sense to me.  This episode is the result.  I'm going to start posting some of my research here in the descriptions so that others can dig into some of where I get/ got my inspiration and information.  If there is something you are interested in, let me know:  [email protected].  Lets start making this more collaborative!!! 

Matthew West " Truth be told" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OLGUW1VHLY

Psychology Today Article:  

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shame-nation/201911/adult-cyberbullying-is-more-common-you-think

Megan Meier Foundation:  -- please DONATE.  

https://meganmeierfoundation.org/statistics

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b33ed96372b964a1d83073a/t/5e8b4a7f7a60de0c3efe08fe/1586186880570/Updated+Statistics+2019+%28website%29.pdf

Stats -- for the nerds in us:  

https://www.broadbandsearch.net/blog/average-daily-time-on-social-media

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/social-media/

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/05/16/facts-about-americans-and-facebook/

What the hell is this all about? What's the why behind this podcast?  Who will we be speaking with?  Will bugs be eaten?  

No bugs are eaten... in THIS episode... but who knows what happens in the next one? This episode covers what I'm about, what I want to accomplish, and whether I'm incredibly selfish.  (hint... all of us need to be selfish at times). 

I'll iron out exactly what the format of my podcast will be as I go along, but for now, here is a bit of what to expect in the first three episodes. 

Episode 1:  drops 9/7

Episode 2:  drops 9/21

Episode 3: drops 9/22

HIt me up with ideas on what you'd like to chat about!  [email protected]. 

Go do something nice for someone!