By Barb Elgin, MSW, LCSW, Certified Singles Coach

America's Favorite Lesbian Love Coach

 

Today as I write you, I am closing up shop so I can 'get out of town'.  I'll be heading home tomorrow to Baltimore to spend some holiday time with family and friends.  How about you?  How will you celebrate Independence Day?   Whether or not you are doing the usuals - fireworks, cooking out, etc. - be sure to set aside some quiet, uninterrupted time this Independence Day season to reflect upon what freedom means to you and what you are grateful for as an American.  Yes, every single one of us defines freedom and what we are grateful for differently.  And the blessing is that, in this country each of us enjoys the mental and spiritual 'space' to define freedom for ourselves, unlike many other places on our planet, where freedom is, as yet, an unknown word or, at best something people can only wish for in secret.   I know that, for me, I am glad to live in a country where GLBT rights are progressing, on many levels.  Yes, other countries are in some ways 'ahead of us', and we're still surrounded by way too many bigots and people who don't even know or understand us but are working to take away our rights (sometimes rights we don't even have yet, like here in Florida where there is an anti-marriage amendment on the November ballot!).  However, then I remember the plight of women and GLBT's in the middle east where Sharia Laws prevail and I am thankful.  At least I can attend a gay pride parade and not have to worry I will be shot.  At least there are gay pride events to attend.    So, you say, what Barb are we supposed to do about all that we see as 'wrong' in our world today?  Focusing on the negative isn't all bad - when doing so inspires you to DO something to make a difference.  And, that's where YOU come in.  There are no accidents.  It is true that we can't change the whole world, but it is true that we can focus on making things better in our own communities.  You are here right now at this time in human history for as high a purpose as you are willing to pursue.  So - I just have to ask - how would you really want to live your life, if you knew you could succeed?  Would you change your life and live it differently, if you had greater courage about who you are and why you are here?  Be sure to write down whatever comes to your mind and up from your heart as you reflect this Independence Day season...and then DO something about what you discovered about yourself.  Lastly, email me and let me know what you are doing, to put your life purpose into action!   I'd like to thank our country's founders, who paved the way for every American to become all they were meant to be.  Will you take the challenge???   Keep living your life to the fullest and I'll 'see you' next month!  

 

Sustainable blog: Tree Hugger

 

Organic beauty & skin care products: Saffron Rouge

by Dr. Vittoria Repetto 

A while back, a fellow member of an e-mail list server that I belong to, asked the following:
"What do you take for calcium if you are not getting enough from diet. I used to take Tums, but now I heard that they don't do anything. Any suggestions?"

I said there are 10 facts you need to know in order to make sure that you are getting the calcium that you need and not wasting your time or money.
The first fact that you need to know is that that you need an acidic ph in your stomach to help absorb the calcium. Our bodies supply this naturally w/ our own stomach acid. If you have a healthy digestive system that has not been abused w/ antacids, you are ok. But as we get older some people's stomachs secrete less acid; to safeguard against this...