Government Shutdown

The impact of the first government shutdown in 17 years was felt across America on Tuesday as offices were shuttered and workers were sent home after lawmakers failed to come to a deal to keep the lights on.
The Statue of Liberty closed its doors, fountains on the National Mall trickled out and the beloved "panda-cam" at the National Zoo went dark, all effects of Congress' inability to keep the government funded. The Centers for Disease Control said it would see “significant impact” to its operations as a result of the shutdown, and government employees feared the long-term effects on their income with no end in sight.

Voters voiced their anger on Tuesday about the shutdown, which came after lawmakers reached an impasse on a bill to finance the government past Sept. 30. The Senate rejected measures passed by the Republican-led House on Monday that would have delayed key portions of the Affordable Care Act while extending funding for a few weeks.

“I’m annoyed as I start my 5:30 a.m. shift of my second job (while going to school) that you’re just not showing up to work,” Sam Budzisz wrote on Twitter with the hashtag #DearCongress.

“Thanks for the shutdown and lack of pay,” Twyla Strogen said in another tweet. “We, the public, your bosses, will return the favor at the polls.”

The Senate reconvened at 9:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday after the House requested a bipartisan conference of lawmakers be convened to hash out the crisis – a plan immediately rejected by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.The shutdown was expected to have sweeping effects across the nation as hundreds of thousands of federal employees faced indefinite furloughs, tourist destinations shut down and services including food assistance and IRS audits are disrupted. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which collects employment numbers, said on its website that it would not “collect data, issue reports, or respond to public inquiries” for the length of the shutdown.

Senators’ state offices shut down, including those of Democratic Senator Tom Carper of Delaware, whose office said in an email that his staff would not be able to answer calls or respond to other requests from constituents for the duration of the shutdown.

President Obama blamed the government shutdown on a “faction” of House Republicans in a statement from the White House on Tuesday. “They've shut down the government over an ideological crusade to deny affordable health insurance to millions of Americans,” the president said. “In other words they demanded ransom just for doing their job.”

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell blamed Democrats, saying that they “dragged their feet for days” and rejected bills passed by the House that would have kept the government funded, if only for a little while.

Barricades were set to go up around the National Mall, NBC Washington reported.

“We have 3,000 permitted events on the Mall every year,” Carol Johnson with the National Park Service told the station. “While the government is shut down, all of those events have to be canceled,” she said, including an “honor flight” Tuesday of veterans from Mississippi. Visitors walked freely around the memorial after a group of visiting veterans bypassed the barricade on Tuesday morning, but remained technically closed. A number of District restaurants and at least one Pilates studio is offering free or discounted services to furloughed federal employees for as long as the shutdown lasts, NBC Washington reported.

“It’s a mess, Congress needs to get their act together. Seriously, they’re like kids on the playground, fighting, fighting for nothing. It’s ridiculous,” said Leathey Chandler, an employee at the Department of Agriculture. “It was ridiculous then and it’s ridiculous now. Get it together, people.”

Another USDA employee, Lawrence Albert, said he was going into work to set up an email away message and change his voicemail before heading home.

“I think it’s miserable, it has nothing to do with democracy or lobbying for causes,” Albert said. “This is not the way government should work at all, it’s a disgrace.”

Employees feared furloughs at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state on Tuesday, where 16,000 civilians work, according to Seattle NBC News affiliate King 5. The base released a statement on Monday saying that civilian employees should report to work on Tuesday, but did not say who would be considered essential enough to stay on.
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“How much more does the federal employee have to endure?” base employee Matthew Hines asked, according to King 5. “We've already been jerked around.”

The CDC would completely close the “vast majority” of its operations, it announced in a release on Tuesday morning. The shutdown would lead to a slower response to public health issues, and its activity monitoring diseases, including flu season, will be severely slashed. The shutdown had some immediate international repercussions as the American Battle Monuments Commission, which manages two dozen U.S. military cemeteries in foreign nations, closed all of its monuments and memorials.

Tourist destinations in New England braced for the full impact of the shutdown, darkening the Fanueil Hall Visitor Center in Boston and closing down Acadia National Park in Maine, according to the Boston Globe.

“It’s going to be a kind of ripple effect,” Sean Hennessey, spokesman for the National Park Service, told the newspaper. “There’s a significant economic impact that our national parks have in their communities.”

The partial government shutdown was even felt in sports competitions at the nation’s military academies as the Defense Department said it has suspended all contests.

Whether two football games – Air Force vs. Navy and Army vs. Boston College – would be called off was being reviewed by Pentagon lawyers, who are determining if money for the games comes from congressionaly approved funds, The Associated Press reported.

Army is scheduled to play Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass., on Saturday.

"We have been in close communication with Army athletics officials regarding the potential effect of the government shutdown on this Saturday's football game," Boston College said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that the two schools had not reached a resolution. "Obviously our intention is to exhaust all possibilities to play the game."

Ohio resident Maureen Brown told local affiliate NBC 4 that she was worried about the effect that shutdown would have on government workers in her area.

“You think the government is a secure job that you don’t have to worry about stuff like that, but nowadays you do, nothing is secure anymore,” Brown, herself a former government employee, told the affiliate. “If they don’t work then they don’t go shopping, they don’t buy a house and that affects everybody and it makes the economy worse than it is.”

The shutdown found a supporter in Missoula, Mont., where resident Dennis Curtis told NBC Montana that he believed it would help cut costs.

“We really need a shutdown and we need a shutdown for months,” Curtis said. “How long are we going to continue to borrow from China and Japan and all of these other countries because we just can’t do it? We’re going to collapse this country.”

Many others said that even a short-term furlough could cut deep into their finances, including 23-year-old park ranger Darquez Smith.

“I've got a lot on my plate right now – tuition, my daughter, bills,” Smith, a ranger at Ohio’s Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, told the Associated Press. “I’m just confused and waiting just like everyone else.”

Department of Veterans Affairs employee Marc Cevasco told the AP he was going to work on Tuesday, but planned to be furlough indefinitely after that.

“Even if it’s just shut down for a week, that’s a quarter of your pay this month. That means a lot to a lot of people,” Cevasco, 30, told the news service.

Twenty-eight poison ivy-eating goats were removed from the Gateway National Recreation Area in New Jersey after their owner became worried that a government shutdown would shutter the park where the goats had been recruited to eat the pesky weed, according to the Asbury Park Press. The goats had been a “tremendous hit” with park goers, the president of the Sandy Hook Foundation told the paper.

Symptoms of Survivor Guilt

In one of the final scenes of the amazing movie “Schindler’s List”, the character of Schindler has an agonizing break down. He had spent many war years saving the lives of a small group of people. In this scene, he is being honored and thanked by some of those survivors. Rather than accepting their appreciation, Schindler apologizes. He becomes totally distraught that he had not saved all the people on his original list, some of the survivors’ families. The gold ring on his finger becomes a symbol of his perceived selfishness, because he kept it rather than use it to save one more person. He can’t see the good that he did. He can’t accept the love and gratitude of the people he saved. He feels it is wrong that he lives when so many million died, so horribly.

Mr. Schindler had an extreme case of Survivor’s Guilt.

It occurs when there is a national disaster, like war, 9/11, school shootings, bridge collapses, airplane crashes.

It occurs when there are natural disasters, like Katrina, tornadoes and hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes.

It occurs when there has been an accident.

It occurs when someone dies of a disease or infection, violence, or suicide.

Survivor Guilt (SG) needs professional help, as soon as the symptoms develop. Most often, it is not addressed. The person goes on in life, but not living. They don’t allow themselves joy or happiness, and feel even worse if they enjoy something even for a short time.

Untreated, this is passed to the next generation, and the next. A person with SG can’t be allowed pleasure, and can’t permit anyone around them to have it, either. While a SG mother won’t allow herself a good, hot meal, she’ll prepare one for her family. But the meal is accompanied by comments on amounts of food taken, remembering when she was lucky to have a cup of broth. Heaven forbid food should be left on a plate, when so many are starving in the world. In time, no one can enjoy a meal. Little ones learn to associate pleasure with guilt, and take that with them into adulthood. They think this is the way to live. A third generation will learn it, too, unless someone stops and thinks it all through logically.

Learning to be thrifty with money was not the only byproduct of the Great Depression. Many think of that term – Great Depression – as an economic one. It also describes the Nation’s emotional state of the time. SG closely resembles depression, but it’s not the same

Survivor Guilt needs professional help, as soon as the symptoms develop. As soon as you recognize them in yourself or those around you.

Untreated SG adversely affects one’s life, relationships, the ability to hold a job, concentration and follow through, sleep, self image, ability to handle even mild stress, anger management, reaction to even small changes, and the ability to feel emotion.

SG may manifest itself in anxiety, depression, irritability, withdrawal, and psychosomatic symptoms of the stomach and heart. There may be an obsession with the past and a fear of persecution.

SG is defined as UNJUSTIFIED reaction to traumatic situations. Unjustified! If you had gone back into that burning house, you wouldn't have saved another life, you would most likely have lost your own.

Now, if you were the one who set the fire, if you were the drunk driver in the accident, if you were the hijacker, this is another issue completely. This article is not addressing that.

Here is a list of possible SG Symptoms

• Sleeplessness. 
• Nightmares. 
• Flashbacks 
• Inability to get along with others, especially in close relationships
• Paranoia and distrust
• Unwillingness to discuss, or visit the site of, the trauma
• Persistent, intense fear and anxiety
• Easily irritated or agitated
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feel numb or detached
• No pleasure in previously enjoyable activities
• Feel helpless, out of control
• Preoccupied with the traumatic event

Physical symptoms –

• headaches, 
• stomach, 
• heart, 
• dizziness
• Suicidal thoughts, gestures, plans

Survivor Guilt needs professional help, as soon as the symptoms develop. There is treatment. There is recovery. There is hope.

TODAY I AM ME

I actually came clean today with what makes me tick, my hang ups, my inhibitions, and put it out there for the entire world to see. I am a living survivor with survivors guilt that has ran rampant for years. This is not a easy thing to do to come out and tell everyone your flaws. I have tried to explain myself 1000's of times, but was unsuccessful in doing so. I am a survivor of many things and I shall find a way to overcome this as I do with everything else. But, love is a matter of the heart that you really have no control over. So on this first day of October 2013 I promise myself that I will love myself again. That I will stop blaming myself for Jason's death and that I will try to see him as a common man and not a saint.

I have so much to give and to receive. I haven't allowed anyone to truly love me since I could not find it in me to love myself. I am taking baby steps, since everything I jump into with both feet fails. I want to be a new me the part that I have kept hidden from the world. I should be a academy award winning actress with my stellar performance of the smiling girl that make others laugh and feel good about themselves. Meryl Streep doesn't have a thing on me I tell you.

TODAY I AM ME 

To Love Me

I have so much advice for others, but when it comes to me I haven't been living it. I bet you ask yourself "Why is this intelligent woman so messed up emotionally?" The answer is plain and simple I am a giver not a taker. I receive more by giving than receiving. I always have. For you see this has been one of the many anniversaries of mama and Jason's deaths. I can never get through it without living it all over again in my head. But, now I had a epiphany I know why I do this now. I know why I still love Jason the way I did so many years ago, I learned to love him more than myself. With me everything is about Jason and not me. I made a saint out of him. No one can compete with a saint. I suppose I will always love Jason I have no doubt of that, but I have to learn to love myself again. I need to put me first again, and I haven't for a long time.

I have went through the motions all this time. I lost my true identity out on that dark, desolate stretch of road the night Jason died. I put everything into my studies, my work, my career with no thought of being with anyone else. Yes, I tried to love another yet it deemed unsuccessful. I do love, I know how to love, but I love everyone but myself. Everyone knows that to be loved you first must learn to love yourself  first and foremost. I forgot how. Why? Because, I blame myself for Jason's passing. If only I had been riding out front maybe I would have saw that deer. If I hadn't had to stop at that service station to pee we would have missed that deer completely. I am constantly to this day going through all the would've, should've, could've, and if this would have a different ending. My answer now is NO!

I know now I cannot change the outcome. I never could. No amount of praying for God to take me would not or will not ever change the outcome of Jason being dead. He is DEAD!!! I am ALIVE!!! I have been living with survivors guilt for a long time, and I need to change that now. I have to find a way to love me again and know I am worthy of living and loving again. Looks can be deceiving- We can put on our fake smiles telling ourselves and everyone around us that we are fine when we are actually dying little by little each and everyday in front of there very eyes. They don't have a clue unless we ourselves reveal it to them.

I am through blaming myself for Jason's death when there was nothing I could do to save him. It was much easier to tell the people that didn't know him that he died of a rare form of brain cancer, than to tell them that he was decapitated on a farmers barbwire fence when he hit a deer on his bike. This is the graphic details that I live with daily. Still at night sometimes I am all alone out in that field holding just his body and telling him everything will be okay when I was a medical student at that time and knew better. I can't do anything for Jason I never could when I found his body and held him for 35 minutes until the paramedics came.

I have to stop this..and learn to love me again.    

Rape victim sentenced 200 lashes by Saudi court

September 24, 2013
"The victim's sentence was increased because her lawyer had spoken out..."

When the defense attorney for a raped Saudi Arabian woman appealed a Sharia Court decision that the 90-lash sentence against his client was unjust, all that was succeeded was the more than doubling of the punishment meted out to the woman who was raped and beaten by seven men, as reported by the women’s rights-centered news portal The Clarion Project on Sept. 22, 2013.

A yet to be publicly identified female gang rape victim was initially found guilty and sentenced to 90 lashes for violating the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's (KSA) rigid Islamic law on segregation of the sexes.

The Kingdom’s General Court determined the woman sat in an automobile with an old school chum to whom she was no blood relation, hence, she violated Islamic Sharia Law of gender segregation.

The victim’s lawyer Abdul Rahman al-Lahem had plead to the international community for help in freeing his client or at least pressuring the Saudi government to grant an appeal.

From Bad To Worse…

And an appeal he got -- along with an increase in sentence from 90 lashes to 200 along with a six month prison sentence tacked on for good measure.

The KSA Ministry of Justice implied the victim's sentence was increased because her lawyer had spoken out to the world’s news outlets.

As carried by the government’s official Saudi Press Agency:

For whoever has an objection on verdicts issued, the system allows to appeal without resorting to the media.
The statement also said that the "charges were proven" against the woman for having been in a car with a strange male, and repeated criticism of her lawyer for talking "defiantly" about the judicial system, saying "it has shown ignorance."

The Lead Up…

The victim was attacked in 2006 while she was attempting to retrieve a photograph from a male high school student she knew.

While in her acquaintance’s vehicle, two other men got in the car and drove the woman and her friend to a secluded area where five other men met them.

It was in this remote area where all seven men raped the woman.

The Clarion Project also cited that the woman’s friend was in turn “attacked” by the assailants, but it is unclear if he was beaten, raped or both.

The Price of Questioning Saudi Law...

Abdul Rahman al-Lahem has since banned him from further defending the woman, the KSA has confiscated his law license and summoning him to a disciplinary hearing later this month.

Reiki Healing Health Benefits

One of the greatest Reiki healing health benefits is stress reduction and relaxation, which triggers the bodies natural healing abilities, and improves and maintains health. Reiki healing is a natural therapy that gently balances life energies and brings health and well being to the recipient.
This simple, non-invasive healing system works with the Higher Self of the Receiver to promote health and well being of the entire physical, emotional and psychic body. Therefore it is truly a system of attaining and promoting wholeness of Mind, Body and Spirit.

Reiki is a specific type of subtle energy work in which healing is performed by the touch of the hands, allowing the flow of the energy from a limitless source (God Force) to the patient via the Reiki practitioner. It is extremely powerful, yet gentle energy that can be easily channeled to yourself and others, just by intention.

Reiki healing is a pure energy form. When it is combined with the sincere Desire of the Healee, who is willing to effect a cleansing within their emotional and spiritual consciousness, a total healing can occur.


POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF REIKI HEALING TREATMENTS
When the flow of the "Life Force Energy" is disrupted, weakened or blocked, emotional or health problems tend to occur. Imbalances can be caused from many situations occurring in our lives, such as: emotional or physical trauma, injury, negative thoughts and feelings, including fear, worry, doubt, anger, anxiety, negative self-talk, toxicity, nutritional depletion, destructive lifestyle and relationships, neglect of self and lack of love for oneself or others, from emotions that are not expressed in a healthy way...

Reiki is excellent for healing any physical, mental, emotional and spiritual issues of any kind and it gives wonderful results.

Some Of The Reiki Healing Health Benefits:
Creates deep relaxation and aids the body to release stress and tension,
It accelerates the bodies self-healing abilities,
Aids better sleep,
Reduces blood pressure
Can help with acute (injuries) and chronic problems (asthma, eczema, headaches, etc.) and aides the breaking of addictions,
Helps relieve pain,
Removes energy blockages, adjusts the energy flow of the endocrine system bringing the body into balance and harmony,
Assists the body in cleaning itself from toxins,
Reduces some of the side effects of drugs and helps the body to recover from drug therapy after surgery and chemotherapy,
Supports the immune system,
Increases vitality and postpones the aging process,
Raises the vibrational frequency of the body,
Helps spiritual growth and emotional clearing

When we are relaxed, stress-free, we are able to restore our natural ability to heal.

Long term practice of whole-body reiki will restore the general condition of the body. It will open the energy channels and this will allow the body to deal properly and naturally with stress and build-up toxins and cope with anxiety and depression.

When a person is in good health, regular therapy will increase the bodies built-in defenses. This will manifest itself as confidence and outward harmony in dealing with everyday events. The person will gain a positive outlook on life.

Reiki will also provide additional energy required to recover from illness.

A Reiki healing session can induce an extremely comfortable state of being that can bring alteration in the clients consciousness.

If used with other natural therapies (meditation, crystals, aroma therapy, Bach Flower remedies, homeopathy, etc.) Reiki will reinforce their effect.

It can be used also as complementary therapy, because Reiki is truly a complementary care. It complements and enhances the health care the patient receives in the hospital or from other health care providers.

Reiki healing complements Eastern and Western medicine and everybody can benefit from it.It is beneficial to the health of woman (even pregnant), man, children and it is also excellent to be used on animals (dogs, cats, horses), plants, water, etc.

Reiki healing energy is a tool for use at any moment, any time, any where for on-the-spot stress release, pain relief and quick energy.


ABOUT THE USUI SYSTEM OF REIKI HEALING
This natural healing modality originates in Tibet. The name "Reiki" (rey-key)comes from the technique as re-discovered by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist in the early 20th century.

"Re" means "Universal" and it is a general term for spirit or unseen spiritual quality, which serves as channel for "Ki" or "Life Force Energy" (some call it God, Buddha, Chi, Qi, Prana, Love Energy, or similar). It relates to the superior, all-encompassing cosmic energy from which all other minor energies in the universe draw their power. Everything in the Universe is made up from energy particulars which form the Omniscient, All-Knowing Blueprint for Creation. The Vital Living Energy Force comes in different manifestations of energy and one of these being the frequencies in which Reiki was born.

The Usui System of Natural Healing teaches us also the "Secret Art" of "Inviting Happiness" into one's life which can be achieved by working with the Five Reiki Ideals and the Three Degrees of Attunements. The Five Reiki Ideals help us realize that improving oneself is an essential part of Reiki healing.


HOW REIKI HEALING ENERGY WORKS?
The body is more than just a collection of functioning parts. Since everything generates a frequency, the body and its organs have their own energy field which is continually changing. All conditions of disease are rooted in this energy system. If our "life force" is low or blocked, we are more likely to get sick. But if it is high and flowing freely, we can maintain our health and well being.

Reiki Healing Energy provides means to balance the human energy fields (Auras) and energy centers (Chakras) to create conditions needed for the bodies healing system to function.

The Reiki practitioner assists the client to heal themselves spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically by a simple laying on of hands. By the use of ancient healing symbols the practitioner channels the Universal Life Force energy allowing it to flow where is needed to bring the energy centers into alignment.

The Reiki practitioner must be a clear vessel through which the healing energy flows. He/She plays an instrumental part in the healing process, but ultimately it is up to the healee to manifest harmony and balance in their own life.

• DISCLAIMER: This Blog was created in order to share the information about the wonderful health benefits of the Reiki Healing Energy. It is therefore for educational purposes. Please note, that Reiki is not a substitute for medical care. Information on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.You should consult with the appropriate health practitioner in case of any medical condition.

Tips for Staying Healthy and Active During the Winter Months

Eat smarter
Parents and children can find it challenging to maintain healthy eating and exercise habits during the holiday season. With childhood obesity rates at an all-time high, making sure kids eat healthy and get plenty of exercise has perhaps never been more important. Our weight management experts have provided a few simple tips parents can use for making sure their families enjoy the holidays while still maintaining a focus on their health and wellness.

Be active every day. Because the kids are out of school, the family has an opportunity to be active together – whether it’s going for bike rides if the weather permits or having a snowball fight in the front yard. Perhaps create a new holiday tradition – go to Zoo Lights, or walk the neighborhood looking at holiday decorations. See additional tips for staying active below.
Limit the calories from drinks. Try to ensure that your children only drink holiday favorites such as egg nog and hot cocoa in moderation. Calories from these treats add up quickly!
Give your children a light snack such as string cheese, yogurt or an apple before going to a holiday party. They’re more likely to overeat at a party if they arrive hungry.
Avoid leaving out plates of cookies or candies in your house – they will only promote excess eating and grazing out of boredom. Also, when you bake sweets, make only enough to give as gifts or as a treat that will be around for a day or two.
Remember that overeating one day will not make or break your family’s plan. Return to your usual eating plan the next day without guilt.
“Moderation is the key. Make a plan – know which holiday foods you particularly love and which ones you can do without, obesity.

Watch our video about preventing childhood obesity.

Get moving
In addition to maintaining a healthy diet, it’s important to stay active.

“Winter actually offers a whole variety of options for being and staying active,” says Porter. “It sometimes just requires a little bit of creativity. We tell people not to be discouraged by the cold, but to put on their coats, hats and gloves and get outside and get moving. Of course, if the weather is just too bad, it’s a great excuse to spend time with family and friends indoors playing an active game – be it basketball at the local recreation center or a spirited round of Wii™ bowling in the living room.”

Renee Porter and Michael Witten, exercise specialist for Children's Hospital Colorado’s weight management program, offer parents creative ideas below around how to keep their families moving during the cold winter months.

Don’t let the cold weather stop you. Bundle up, go outdoors and have fun doing some of the following activities:

• Build a snowman
• Have a snowball fight
• Go sledding, snowshoeing or ice skating
• Walk around the neighborhood with your family looking at holiday lights
• Build an igloo with snowballs
• Organize a scavenger hunt with friends/family
• Organize a game with friends/family (basketball, football, baseball)
• If you live near the mountains, try skiing or snowboarding

Or try one of these indoor activities:

• Have a family dance contest
• Try out a new class at your local recreation center
• Go swimming at an indoor pool
• Go for a walk at the mall (be sure to wear your pedometer)
• Play games like Twister™, Simon Says or Red Light/Green Light
• Set up an indoor obstacle course for you, your family and friends
• Buy or make some fitness dice. Roll the dice and then perform the exercise however many times the numbered die tells you to!