I've been asked what I do to winterize my flock and coop. Here are a few of the things I do:
1. Add Cracked Corn to their feed. They LOVE it! and it is helps keep their body temperature up.
2. I use heated dog bowls for their water, I find them much easier to use than the heated bases and metal watering towers.
3. I wrap my the outdoor part of my coop in heavy plastic so that they can still go outside. They need as much sunlight as possible during the day. By wrapping the coop it turns into a little cozy, sunny greenhouse.
4. I add more mealworms to what I give them each day. It makes them really happy.
5. I obviously go out to the coop every day, but during the freezing times I may go more often and I inspect each bird to make sure their combs and feet are ok. Sometimes I will put vaseline on their combs to protect them from frostbite (i even add some euclyptus oil to it)
6. Check for drafts and fill them.
7. I also use deep bedding for the indoor coop. I think of it like a big blanket for them!
8. Add a bit more protein to the feed. I use Game Bird Feed.
I think that is about it, if I remember anything else I will add it. Oh, don't worry your eggs shouldn't freeze.
Please let me know if you do something else that would be helpful to list.
Later
Liquid Keratin Giveaway!
It's time again for giving. This time I'm really excited to share Liquid Keratin's Filling Leave-In. I stumbled upon this product at the hair show and I was so excited that I bought an extra one just for you!
The giveaway is open to U.S and international contestants. I'll notify the winner via email once that person is selected. The giveaway will be selected on October 15, 2011.
All you have to do to enter is:
p.s. I've gotten a ton of products either sent to me, or I've won them in giveaways and such. Since I'm downsizing my stuff, I will be doing more frequent giveaways in the upcoming months. Be on the lookout.
The giveaway is open to U.S and international contestants. I'll notify the winner via email once that person is selected. The giveaway will be selected on October 15, 2011.
All you have to do to enter is:
- Send an email to relaxedhairhealth@gmail.com titled: Keratin Giveaway
- Follow the blog.
p.s. I've gotten a ton of products either sent to me, or I've won them in giveaways and such. Since I'm downsizing my stuff, I will be doing more frequent giveaways in the upcoming months. Be on the lookout.
The Significance of a Sleeping Brain
As a mother of a newborn, "sleep" is an increasingly interesting and important topic in our household. Not only for my baby, but for my husband and myself - which brings me to the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Weissbluth. Since I'm a psychiatry resident as well as a mom, I'm especially drawn to Dr. Weissbluth's discussion on studies showing sleep linked to temperament and attention in children. Children need sleep in order to develop. A sleeping brain is more than just a resting brain; it is a brain that's able to restore, process, and complete essential tasks that an active awake brain is unable to do. Dr. Weissbluth explains that for young infants, daytime sleeping or naps can help to enhance the brain’s capacity to think. When we become adults, our busy schedules cause us to forget the importance of these daytime respites and restorations. Our hectic grown-up days may not always allow naptime, but naps are essential to raising healthy infants and kids.
The significance of sleep doesn't only apply to young children. Did you know that teenagers need more sleep than pre-teens? So, to all parents who are noticing behavior problems, irritability, decreased concentration, or other changes in your children's moods, focus on their sleeping habits. HealthyMinds.org blogger Dr. Gariane Gunter shares how many hours of sleep a child needs according to his or her age in this post. I've included some of her tips below:
- Birth-6 Months: Children need 16-20 hours
- 6-12 Months: Children need 14-15 hours
- Ages 1-3: Children need 10-13 hours
- Ages 3-10: Children need 10-12 hours
- Ages 11-12: Children need 9-12 hours
- Teenagers need 10-12 hours of sleep per night
Loose Leaf or Tea Bags: How will you get your bamboo silica fix?
I'm happy to announce that both the loose leaf bamboo tea and the bamboo tea bags are now available. My thanks to you who've tried the tea and shared your feedback about how much you are enjoying the tea. It's got such a wonderful, light and pleasant taste that even those who aren't into herbal teas have quickly become fans.
The moment I stumbled upon this wonderful find I knew I had stock up. I'm just so pleased to have the opportunity to share this amazing treat with each and every one of you. My thanks goes out to the grower of the bamboo leaves who graciously offered to give me special pricing so I can offer the tea at an unbeatable cost.
I've heard from many of you who shared how you are benefiting from the addition of silica into your diet/regimen. Silica supplements are great but they can get a little expensive. Since I now have access to bamboo leaves (which have a higher silica content than horsetail), I can stretch my silica budget much further. Although silica is marketed as a beauty or hair, skin and nails supplement, it's really powerful at impacting our overall health including our joints, bones, organs, etc.
Since having access to bamboo tea, I no longer have the desire to splurge on Figi water for the purpose of increasing my silica intake. All I do is steep a little tea and I'm good. I've been traveling alot lately so I pack a couple tea bags in my purse, pour a little hot water into a cup and I'm good to go. After I've finished my cup of tea, I re-steep the bag and start all over again. Plus, because the tea isn't bitter, I take it straight with no sugar or honey.
What's most amazing about this offer is how fortunate we are to have access to this tea. For those of you who've been searching, you know this tea is not readily available at your local health food store. It's sort of a rare find that I'm fortunate to experience. So now you have a choice, do you prefer tea leaves or loose leaf? Check out the bamboo leaf page to get your silica fix.
Cleaning out my product closet: My way of achieving waist length hair
It all started when I decided to do a quick protein treatment one day via Aphogee's 2 Minute Reconstructor. I rarely do protein treatments but since I recently touched up my hair, I figured now would be a great time to break out my bottle. So there I am standing in front of my hair product closet scanning the contents over and over again in search of the Aphogee. Nothing. I move a few bottles around, take some and put on the floor for easier viewing, and still I can't find it. Weary from looking, I decide to move on with another protein heavy conditioner that I'm able to easily locate. I know that I haven't ran out of my Aphogee. Which makes this experience that much more frustrating. It's in there buried among years worth of collected hair products stemming from various crazes and numerous product junky relapses. Fed up with the collosal mess I've created, I decided to take an action to clear out this massive clutter disguising itself as my hair product closet.
For a while now, whenever I visited the closet on wash day, I would stand there staring at it blankly as my eyes glazed over. After several moments I'd collect various products into my arms not knowing if there was another, more appropriate, product I should be using that was lurking just behind my 1 liter bottle of conditioner.
I'm a strong believer that if one wants results they've never experienced before, they must take an action (or a series of actions) that signify the belief and desire to get there. I call this "building the ark." When Noah was told that a flood would appear and he began to act on it years before the rains came down. When I wanted to land a job where I could work from home, I decided to create a home office space to symbolize my strong intentions to work from home. That, coupled with other actions, led me to realizing this intention. For me this idea of "building the ark" could also apply to my goal of reaching waist length. Waist length hair is a lofty goal for a constant manipulator like myself. And if I continue to maintain the same habits I have today, waist length may elude me or take much longer than it would otherwise. So I wanted to take an action to signify my desire for longer lengths. My hair product closet was in disarray. Could this chaos also be leaking into my hair regimen and routine?
So I went to work, pulling out years worth of products and laying them on the floor before me. Then I grouped them in order by their similarities. Oils were together in one area, conditioners in another, shampoos in another. When I pulled everything out, wouldn't you know it, my Aphogee 2 minute reconstructer was lurking in the background waiting to be discovered once again. I also found some "oldie but goodies" like my Biolage Cera Repair Pro, my pH strips, and various leave-in products that I haven't used in quite a while.
In the end, I threw away numerous bottles of product, both full and empty, that I knew I'd never use again. My end in mind was to create space so I could organize what I would keep. An organized closet gives off a different kind of energy than an over-cluttered, disorganized one. That energy will translate to good feelings for me. Every time I stood in front of my overstuffed closet, I would zone out. Now, when I open the closet, I feel good. I am now present when I'm standing there and I'm making better choices of which products I'll be using. By organizing my closet, and throwing out unproductive hair products, I'm creating a butterfly effect that will hopefully lead to a series of events leading to waist length length tresses.
Since writing this post, I've stumbled on a couple sites that talk of the minimalist lifestyle. I love the idea of everything in my home having a purpose. This way of living is so contrary to who I've been in the past. I'm one of those people who buys 3 of something if I like it. The result of such `ctions is a plethora of stuff. Don't get me wrong, with the exception of my hair product closet, my house doesn't look like an episode of hoarders, but I would love to deplete my belongs to really owning things that I know I will use.
Test
For a while now, whenever I visited the closet on wash day, I would stand there staring at it blankly as my eyes glazed over. After several moments I'd collect various products into my arms not knowing if there was another, more appropriate, product I should be using that was lurking just behind my 1 liter bottle of conditioner.
So I went to work, pulling out years worth of products and laying them on the floor before me. Then I grouped them in order by their similarities. Oils were together in one area, conditioners in another, shampoos in another. When I pulled everything out, wouldn't you know it, my Aphogee 2 minute reconstructer was lurking in the background waiting to be discovered once again. I also found some "oldie but goodies" like my Biolage Cera Repair Pro, my pH strips, and various leave-in products that I haven't used in quite a while.
(The picture below doesn't show all the products I owned at the time of the closet cleaning).
In the end, I threw away numerous bottles of product, both full and empty, that I knew I'd never use again. My end in mind was to create space so I could organize what I would keep. An organized closet gives off a different kind of energy than an over-cluttered, disorganized one. That energy will translate to good feelings for me. Every time I stood in front of my overstuffed closet, I would zone out. Now, when I open the closet, I feel good. I am now present when I'm standing there and I'm making better choices of which products I'll be using. By organizing my closet, and throwing out unproductive hair products, I'm creating a butterfly effect that will hopefully lead to a series of events leading to waist length length tresses.
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Live Longer by Making Mental Wellness Your Mission
By Felicia Wong, M.D.
September is National Recovery Month, and this year, SAMHSA announced the first National Wellness Week (September 19-25, 2011) to show why "wellness" is so important. Did you know, people with mental and substance use disorders die decades earlier than the general population, mostly due to preventable medical conditions?
September is National Recovery Month, and this year, SAMHSA announced the first National Wellness Week (September 19-25, 2011) to show why "wellness" is so important. Did you know, people with mental and substance use disorders die decades earlier than the general population, mostly due to preventable medical conditions?Each day, we face all sorts of demands and drama which can lead to insomnia, lack of concentration, problems in our relationships, and other mental health issues. In May, I suggested using these tools to cope better with stress and boost your overall well-being. Here's my "Top 8 Tips for Mental Wellness;" I hope you will take another look and share with your loved ones this week.
1) Help Others. People who consistently help others experience less depression, greater calm, and fewer pains.
1) Help Others. People who consistently help others experience less depression, greater calm, and fewer pains.
2) Take Care of Your Spirit. People who have strong spiritual lives may be healthier and live longer. Spirituality seems to cut the stress that can contribute to disease.
3) Stay Positive. Positive emotions can boost your ability to bounce back from stress.
4) Get Physically Active. Exercise can help relieve insomnia and reduce depression.
4) Get Physically Active. Exercise can help relieve insomnia and reduce depression.
5) Get Enough Sleep. Not getting enough rest increases risks of weight gain, accidents, reduced memory, and heart problems.
6) Eat Well. Eating healthy food and regular meals can increase your energy, lower the risk of developing certain diseases, and influence your mood.
7) Deal Better with Hard Times. People who can tackle problems or get support in a tough situation tend to feel less depressed.
8) Get Professional Help if You Need It. More than 80 percent of people who are treated for depression improve.
Which tips on this list are missing in your life? Today is the perfect time to take action! Your wellness matters.
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From Kinky/Course to Silky/Smooth: Must see pics of Liquid Keratin treatment results
While at the Bronner Brothers hair show, I came across a booth that immediately gained my interest for several reasons. First off, this booth was quite busy as they had a crowd of fans surrounding them. It took me a little maneuvering to get close enough to see what was going on.
Once I got close enough, I realized this vendor as the folks who created Liquid Keratin. I thought to myself, "how could I have missed this booth when I walked by here several times the day before?" It probably had something to do with the crowd of potential customers who created a barrier keeping the booth concealed.
After a few moments the crowd subsided and I realized what all the commotion was about. Liquid Keratin's hair models were all sporting a half curly/kinky look and a half straight style. They had a mix of relaxed and natural ladies showing of their "half-do's" but there was one model who was the draw of all the attention. This young lady had beautiful, very thick, course type 4 hair that felt someone dry to the touch (and believed me, I touched it). Her other half, on the other hand, was silky, shiny, and soft.
She stood there patiently as random strangers repeated molested her hair. I was probably the worst of all offenders. I would run my fingers through her straighted hair, then touch the natural side, then run my fingers again through the straightened hair, then back to the natural side. I'd also step away and carry on a brief conversation with one of the other models. Soon thereafter, I was behind this model again, staring at her hair, amazed at the wonderful contrast and touching again as if it was the first time.
I also had the opportunity to speak with David, the guy who created the product line. He shared with me the story of how Liquid Keratin came into existence. It was after his wive went for a keratin treatment, years ago, that she started having concerns with the potential health issues related to an ingredient found in most keratin treatments at the time, formaldehyde. Soon thereafter, they sought to create their own product which could produce the same amazing results but without the health risk. Plus they wanted to make this treatment available to consumers who wanted to do this at home. After years of testing and formulation, Liquid Keratin was born. My conversation with David was really engaging. This guys passion for healthy hair was undeniable. He talked fervently about all the years of testing to make absolutely sure his products were safe for "even his little girl tn use." I admired him for his intensity. He also mentioned that a Professional Line of Liquid Keratin products would be available soon at the salons. My conversation with David influenced me to take a closer look at his products. I've seen Liquid Keratin at the stores before but had yet to try them. So I figured now is my chance since I sitting here talking to the founder. I don't do much blow drying and flat ironing so the straightening product wasn't as attractive to me. What caught my attention, however, was the Liquid Keratin Filling Leave-In. That's why I bought two of them. I love the idea of rubbing a leave-in on dry or damp hair that contains one of the building blocks of healthy hair, keratin. Although my hair doesn't do so well with using too much protein, for some reason, keratin products always seemed to work well for me. I bought two of them, not because I am greedy (which I kind am when it comes to great products) but because I would love for one of you to win one. Yes that's right, I'm giving one away to one of you. Stay tuned for details.
Once I got close enough, I realized this vendor as the folks who created Liquid Keratin. I thought to myself, "how could I have missed this booth when I walked by here several times the day before?" It probably had something to do with the crowd of potential customers who created a barrier keeping the booth concealed.
After a few moments the crowd subsided and I realized what all the commotion was about. Liquid Keratin's hair models were all sporting a half curly/kinky look and a half straight style. They had a mix of relaxed and natural ladies showing of their "half-do's" but there was one model who was the draw of all the attention. This young lady had beautiful, very thick, course type 4 hair that felt someone dry to the touch (and believed me, I touched it). Her other half, on the other hand, was silky, shiny, and soft.
She stood there patiently as random strangers repeated molested her hair. I was probably the worst of all offenders. I would run my fingers through her straighted hair, then touch the natural side, then run my fingers again through the straightened hair, then back to the natural side. I'd also step away and carry on a brief conversation with one of the other models. Soon thereafter, I was behind this model again, staring at her hair, amazed at the wonderful contrast and touching again as if it was the first time.
I also had the opportunity to speak with David, the guy who created the product line. He shared with me the story of how Liquid Keratin came into existence. It was after his wive went for a keratin treatment, years ago, that she started having concerns with the potential health issues related to an ingredient found in most keratin treatments at the time, formaldehyde. Soon thereafter, they sought to create their own product which could produce the same amazing results but without the health risk. Plus they wanted to make this treatment available to consumers who wanted to do this at home. After years of testing and formulation, Liquid Keratin was born. My conversation with David was really engaging. This guys passion for healthy hair was undeniable. He talked fervently about all the years of testing to make absolutely sure his products were safe for "even his little girl tn use." I admired him for his intensity. He also mentioned that a Professional Line of Liquid Keratin products would be available soon at the salons. My conversation with David influenced me to take a closer look at his products. I've seen Liquid Keratin at the stores before but had yet to try them. So I figured now is my chance since I sitting here talking to the founder. I don't do much blow drying and flat ironing so the straightening product wasn't as attractive to me. What caught my attention, however, was the Liquid Keratin Filling Leave-In. That's why I bought two of them. I love the idea of rubbing a leave-in on dry or damp hair that contains one of the building blocks of healthy hair, keratin. Although my hair doesn't do so well with using too much protein, for some reason, keratin products always seemed to work well for me. I bought two of them, not because I am greedy (which I kind am when it comes to great products) but because I would love for one of you to win one. Yes that's right, I'm giving one away to one of you. Stay tuned for details.
With winter coming.
A few articles that may help with chicken questions.
And HERE about bees.
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And HERE about bees.
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How a pumice stone reminded me of what I need to do to keep my hair healthy.
Last weekend I treated myself to a pedicure. In the past, I tended to reserve pedicures for special occasions or once or twice a year. But ever since my gas station experience, one of the commitments I made to myself was to take pride in my appearance. So there I am sitting in the chair, enjoying my experience, when all of the sudden, I realized something. The women sitting in the chairs next to me were all getting their feet "shaved" with a pedicure razor. First off, let me tell you that I've always hated having that razor used on me. My biggest fear was that my pedicurist would inadvertently shave live skin and thus cause massive hemorrhaging. So you can image how elated I was when I realized that my pedicurist had skipped this step. Did she forget? No. The reason I was spared this horrible experience was because there was no need for it. Same goes for my previous pedicure months earlier at a different salon. How could a woman who barely gets her feet done not have to require the use of this specialized tool? The answer to this question is the key to everything.....
It all started nearly a year ago when I stumbled upon a video from youtube user yasjencon aka "yepantherone". In it she describes how regular maintenance keeps us from having to use more extreme measures to get the results we want. She shared a great tip of keeping a pumice stone in the shower so I could scrub every say while in the shower. I immediately took action and moved my stone from my pedicure kit to my shower. Scrubbing my heals in the shower has been a consistent habit since that day and, because of this, I can avoid the unwanted result of having my feet shaved.
I'd like to expand this wonderful learning to other areas in my life. There are so many habits I want to develop but, to be honest, sometimes I'm a little disheartened because of my past cycles of being motivated, starting something new, then stopping. This habit, however, has stayed consistently with me for over a year. When I look to the success achieved in the "pumice stone experience." Here's why I think this method worked for me:
It all started nearly a year ago when I stumbled upon a video from youtube user yasjencon aka "yepantherone". In it she describes how regular maintenance keeps us from having to use more extreme measures to get the results we want. She shared a great tip of keeping a pumice stone in the shower so I could scrub every say while in the shower. I immediately took action and moved my stone from my pedicure kit to my shower. Scrubbing my heals in the shower has been a consistent habit since that day and, because of this, I can avoid the unwanted result of having my feet shaved.
I'd like to expand this wonderful learning to other areas in my life. There are so many habits I want to develop but, to be honest, sometimes I'm a little disheartened because of my past cycles of being motivated, starting something new, then stopping. This habit, however, has stayed consistently with me for over a year. When I look to the success achieved in the "pumice stone experience." Here's why I think this method worked for me:
- I set myself up for success by moving the stone (my tool) to a place where it was likely to get more use. Since I wasn't really doing at home pedicures consistently, it made no sense that I would use the stone consistently. On the other hand, I take showers daily so if the stone was in my shower, I automatically increase the chances of me using it daily by 100%.
- The act of scrubbing my feet daily was not associated with a final result so I didn't loose motivation from not seeing a result. I was scrubbing my feet with the stone for the sake of scrubbing my feet with the stone. There was no goal attached that could demotivate me. Because I wasn't attached to an outcome, it became much easier to continue the habit.
- In the beginning, the act of scrubbing my feet daily was a conscious decision. Soon, the process became more of a subconscious act. It never fails, whenever I'm near the end of my shower, I always reach for my pumice stone, without even thinking about it. It became part of my shower ritual.
How do I take the lessons I learned from this and apply to a toner body, beautiful skin, and healthier hair? What are the actions that I can take daily (or every few days), that will lead to the creation of healthier hair? One thing I can do is continue whatever actions I take whenever I have a setback. For example, whenever I notice an area suffering from breakage, I take my sweet time in applying product, whether it be moisturizer or conditioner, to very small sections of my hair. On the other hand, when my hair looks and feels healthy, I start to get a little lazy and apply product to larger sections. This shouldn't be. I don't stop using the pumice stone just because my feet seem to look better. I continue my habit daily no matter the appearance of my feet.
I'm really inspired when I think of the possibilities of taking small, daily actions that allow me to reach my goals. There's so much more I could do daily with regards to moisturizing, massaging my scalp or nurturing my follicles with proper nutrition. Small daily, consistent, actions will create the results I want by next touch up (and going forward).
I'm really inspired when I think of the possibilities of taking small, daily actions that allow me to reach my goals. There's so much more I could do daily with regards to moisturizing, massaging my scalp or nurturing my follicles with proper nutrition. Small daily, consistent, actions will create the results I want by next touch up (and going forward).
Video: Creating a smooth sleek look & Protecting your hair during a workout by Johnny Wright
While attending the BB Hair Show, I had the pleasure of attending a seminar taught by Johnny Wright. He is best known for creating the beautiful, healthy looks on First Lady Michelle Obama! As Johnny shared his story, he told the audience that he's been doing hair since he was a child. By the time he turned 16, he secured an assistant to help manage his ever growing clientele. At the session, he had the stylists in the room mesmerized as he shared how he was able to gain celebrity stylist status. During the question and answer session, most asked about how to increase clients and network with celebrities. I wanted to ask about tips on keeping the hair healthy. Unfortunately I didn't get to ask him any healthy hair tips. The good news is that he has great informational some videos online with some nifty hair tips that I'd like to share with you today. Before you watch the vids, keep in mind that he brought in some hair models during the talk to demonstrate his work. Their hair looked incredibly healthy! This first video is on how to creak a smooth sleek look. I learned a good tip from watching this vid that I can't wait to try.
I never thought to use a comb or brush for tension as I flat iron. I think this tip will help in two ways:
1. The tension will help promote a straighter result which means less passes with the iron.
Less passes=Less heat=Less Damage.
2. The tension provided by the comb may allow for straightening on a lower heat setting than if used without the comb.
Lower heat setting=Less Heat Damage.
The only thing I have to make sure I'm extra careful to use a suitable comb that can glide through the hair without promoting breakage. Did you guys notice the comb she used strarting at 51 seconds into the video? If anyone knows where I can get one of those, plelase leave a comment with the details.
In the next video, Johnny shares tips on how to maintain your hairstyle before and after your workout
I really like the tip of adding a heat protectant to the hair line. It's a new idea to me but it makes sense. When Johnny talked about how our sweat contains salt, I thought about how whenever I first used the steam room at my gym, the salt levels in my sweat were so high they would sting my eyes. But after continuous use, the sweat would no longer have the same level of saltiness. A theory I have is that the less salty my sweat was, the better my hair is able to maintain after a workout. If you don't have access to a steam room, perhaps another option would be to drink lots of water as Johnny suggested in the video. Sweat is one method of detoxing the body, urination is another. The more water you take in, the clearer your urine. This could mean less toxins in your sweat because you're constantly flushing yourself out. Hopefully this will translate to a "purer" sweat that won't be as drying to the hair. Again, it's just a theory so who knows.....
I never thought to use a comb or brush for tension as I flat iron. I think this tip will help in two ways:
1. The tension will help promote a straighter result which means less passes with the iron.
Less passes=Less heat=Less Damage.
2. The tension provided by the comb may allow for straightening on a lower heat setting than if used without the comb.
Lower heat setting=Less Heat Damage.
The only thing I have to make sure I'm extra careful to use a suitable comb that can glide through the hair without promoting breakage. Did you guys notice the comb she used strarting at 51 seconds into the video? If anyone knows where I can get one of those, plelase leave a comment with the details.
In the next video, Johnny shares tips on how to maintain your hairstyle before and after your workout
I really like the tip of adding a heat protectant to the hair line. It's a new idea to me but it makes sense. When Johnny talked about how our sweat contains salt, I thought about how whenever I first used the steam room at my gym, the salt levels in my sweat were so high they would sting my eyes. But after continuous use, the sweat would no longer have the same level of saltiness. A theory I have is that the less salty my sweat was, the better my hair is able to maintain after a workout. If you don't have access to a steam room, perhaps another option would be to drink lots of water as Johnny suggested in the video. Sweat is one method of detoxing the body, urination is another. The more water you take in, the clearer your urine. This could mean less toxins in your sweat because you're constantly flushing yourself out. Hopefully this will translate to a "purer" sweat that won't be as drying to the hair. Again, it's just a theory so who knows.....
Helping Others Helps Your Mental Health: Why Volunteering Makes Us Happier
By Roberto Blanco, M.D.
I had just sat down for Dr. Norden’s Neuroanatomy class when one of my classmates, who had just walked into lecture late, announced he heard on the radio that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center Towers. As was her way, Dr. Norden showed immediate concern, and before I knew it, we were watching another plane fly into the second tower live on CNN in the front of the lecture hall. It was a surreal scene in Light Hall on Vanderbilt’s Medical campus; one that I did not expect to experience. The rest of the day was a blur of events and emotions – people in a state of shock, tears shed, classmates comforting each other, and Dr. Norden attempting to put things in perspective. Class was dismissed for the day, and the rush to call loved ones in New York City and Washington, D.C. began. My thoughts immediately turned to family members who lived in New York and worry when I was unable to reach them.
10 years ago, the world of every American changed. In response, the country and the world came together in support of the victims of the terrible tragedy. People from far and wide drove, some for thousands of miles, to reach New York City and care for complete strangers. People sacrificed their time, sweat, and a good portion of their lives and livelihoods to help those in need. Donations flooded in to support the victims’ families. A rush of prayers, love, and aid from across the globe also streamed in for those affected. It seemed that the world was one in giving to those who had lost.
I recently wrote a blog post here on happiness, human fulfillment, and flourishing. In that posting, I discuss human fulfillment and flourishing as the real definition of happiness and the final aim of all of what we do. A great way to help yourself and your own mental health is to help others. Feeling useful and needed is a wonderful way to work towards human fulfillment and recognize all you have for which to be grateful. Serving others is a sign of individual and community emotional health. Volunteering your time and talents also leads you to finding the love within yourself that you didn’t know you had. When faced with those who have lost and are truly in need, just like on September 11th, the true beauty of mankind comes out.
For Sunday's 10th Anniversary of September 11th, President Obama is calling for a national day of giving in memory of those who passed during the attacks. His goal is to have over 1 million Americans engaged in volunteer work on September 11th. The American Psychiatric Association has joined "Give an Hour" in aid of military members, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and their families as part of the “I will” campaign to encourage that same spirit of service that was felt in the days following the attacks. So, think about joining us in giving by helping build a house for a needy family through an organization like Habitat for Humanity. Volunteer to distribute food or give to your local food bank. Help a friend move. Donate time or resources to a homeless shelter, spend time with the elderly, or serve at a local hospital. This September 11th, let’s honor those who died by helping a member of your community in need.
In photo: Dr. Blanco and another volunteer work together to build a home through Habitat for Humanity
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10 years ago, the world of every American changed. In response, the country and the world came together in support of the victims of the terrible tragedy. People from far and wide drove, some for thousands of miles, to reach New York City and care for complete strangers. People sacrificed their time, sweat, and a good portion of their lives and livelihoods to help those in need. Donations flooded in to support the victims’ families. A rush of prayers, love, and aid from across the globe also streamed in for those affected. It seemed that the world was one in giving to those who had lost.
I recently wrote a blog post here on happiness, human fulfillment, and flourishing. In that posting, I discuss human fulfillment and flourishing as the real definition of happiness and the final aim of all of what we do. A great way to help yourself and your own mental health is to help others. Feeling useful and needed is a wonderful way to work towards human fulfillment and recognize all you have for which to be grateful. Serving others is a sign of individual and community emotional health. Volunteering your time and talents also leads you to finding the love within yourself that you didn’t know you had. When faced with those who have lost and are truly in need, just like on September 11th, the true beauty of mankind comes out.
For Sunday's 10th Anniversary of September 11th, President Obama is calling for a national day of giving in memory of those who passed during the attacks. His goal is to have over 1 million Americans engaged in volunteer work on September 11th. The American Psychiatric Association has joined "Give an Hour" in aid of military members, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and their families as part of the “I will” campaign to encourage that same spirit of service that was felt in the days following the attacks. So, think about joining us in giving by helping build a house for a needy family through an organization like Habitat for Humanity. Volunteer to distribute food or give to your local food bank. Help a friend move. Donate time or resources to a homeless shelter, spend time with the elderly, or serve at a local hospital. This September 11th, let’s honor those who died by helping a member of your community in need.
In photo: Dr. Blanco and another volunteer work together to build a home through Habitat for Humanity
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