BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS

Writing has always been a personal passion. For years I didn't even dare really do it consistently in dread of bringing down the wrath of my ex who would pick apart and demean everything. When I was younger it was my mother - and I wouldn't write except when I had to because my diaries were opened and made fun of and journals became frustrating when I learned I had to edit myself to keep secrets. Teachers would read my words and evaluate them. But every day what we write & say is being evaluated by the hearts and minds of those who hear them, as well as the One who hears everything. I believe words have energy. In my Torah classes we often discuss how something was written, why it was used once or twice, how the sentence was constructed and its deeper meaning. No matter how many times we read passages, I still find something new in them. And Gematria breaks down the numerical value of words and names to their cosmic elements and energy. How we use language can...

How to Help Others Relate to Your Chronic Illness by Ellinorianne One of the biggest challenges for those of us struggling with Chronic Illness is that we may not "look" sick and those around us may not get how we are forced to make compromise with our lives at every turn. For me, it has had a lot to do with work and trying to communicate to my coworkers how my Fibromyalgia affects my ability to deal with everyday tasks. The last few weeks have been rather difficult, just Tuesday I spent a good twenty minutes staring between my computer and my work trying to figure exactly what it was I needed to do. My brain fog was just kicking in, I hadn't been getting enough sleep and I was not fully functional. I probably LOOKED fine but I was not okay and had to leave early. I was almost in tears because I was so frustrated, tired and hurting. Symptoms of Fibro-fog The severity of Fibro-fog fluctuates from day to day, as well as from person to person. The following is ...

I was just a teen when Earth Day was started. I remember going out with a few friends from school and cleaning up a park. I was excited about doing something to really help. I didn't know it was a drop in the bucket. Today I am replaced all my light bulbs as they burn out with energy efficient ones, I am probably renting solar panels for my roof soon. I recycle. I love gardening and plant and keep my yard beautiful by getting compost from the NYC Composting Project as well as the stuff I 'make' myself. But am I doing enough? Probably not. Learn more about Earth Day and what you can do: EARTH DAY FROM THE E.P.A. EARTH DAY NETWORK NYC WASTELESS

by Judith Orloff MD Growing up, my girlfriends couldn't wait to hit the shopping malls and go to parties, the bigger the better--but I didn't share their excitement. I always felt overwhelmed, exhausted around large groups of people, though I was clueless why. "What's the matter with you?" friends would say, shooting me the weirdest looks. All I knew was that crowded places and I just didn't mix. I'd go there feeling just fine but leave nervous, depressed, or with some horrible new ache or pain. Unsuspectingly, I was a gigantic sponge, absorbing the energy of people around me. Thank goodness, as my intuition matured, I had a life-changing revelation. From conversations with other healers and from working with patients I realized I was experiencing intuitive empathy: the ability to sense what's going on in others both emotionally and physically as if it were happening to me. Amazing at times, but also challenging. Let me explain the dynamics o...