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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

Palo-Santo-Candles

Direct Your Life

This month’s issue focuses on personal empowerment. I thought to myself what does that really mean? The obvious answer is taking charge of one’s life. Is that so hard? Well, for those of us who have managed that task it seems easy, now. For some it has never been an issue. But in reality, for many of us, it is a monstrous task. Taking charge of one’s life when you live in someone else’s hands (or believe yourself to be), you’re a slave to an addiction, or in an abusive relationship makes personal power a mountain very hard to climb. Why is that? My experience has been that the problem is the overwhelming sense of fear. Fear of the unknown, fear to take a leap of faith, fear of failure, or just the thought of change can paralyze us; and so we stay put—stuck in our situations. So what does it take to achieve a sense of empowerment when you can only dream of it?

Who knows what will move us to change, take charge, go forward. Taking charge of one’s life is so personal, it is so situational. What you want, what you do is all up to you, mine is up to me. One thing I do know it is possible; it is worth it. I have always been amazed and consider myself privileged when people share their personal struggle and process of change. When you watch people grow and take charge of their lives, watch as they move to self-confidence, a higher sense of self, stand up for themselves, and understand their bill of human rights, I am always inspired by their courage.

If you’re looking to change your life, seeking that sense of self, need to feel confident, take your personal power back. Then take the risk, go for it, direct your life. Each and every one of us deserve it, and each and every one of us is worth it.

Wayne Dyer who has graced our cover occasionally, and contributed to Natural Awakenings over the years has devoted his life’s work to helping people grow. I have to thank him for inspiring me.

I love the theme of this month’s issue, and I’m excited for you, our readers, to enjoy our contribution to awareness. I keep thinking if Natural Awakenings just helps one person make a difference in their life, then we have accomplished something special.

In peace, love and laughter,

Joe

 

personal empowerment publisher's letter
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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