Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

Palo-Santo-Candles

It’s All Good With the Right Attitude

Mar 03, 2024 09:56AM ● By Jerome Bilaos

Would you agree with me that life is better when we have the right attitude, when we are grateful, when we see what is good and what is possible? It’s like a bright, sunny day in early spring. The temperature is just right, the air is fresh and the sky is the most perfect blue. When I have the right attitude, I see things differently and hear things through a much more tolerant and clearer filter. For me, it brings an appreciation for living, good friends and family even more than I have every day.

The research is clear that having an attitude of gratitude can improve mental health in addition to physical health. When my attitude is right, I sing more, dance more, play more, and my inner child appears more. I feel more creative and alive, and I’m able to accept life as it comes to me with a better approach to dealing with it. I handle situations, problems and even business challenges differently. I really like the way I act and interact when I’m on a great attitude high, and the rewards I reap in that state feel exceptional.

I truly wish that I could stay in that place though, where every minute of the day is filled with over-the-top excitement aligned with the good things that come with a great attitude. Yes, that would be extremely hard to maintain. But, as we all know, if you want great things, the key is practice, practice, practice. Then, as they say, rinse and repeat.

With peace, love and laughter,

Joe & Asta Dunne, Publishers

In-Print, Inspiration publisher's letter March 2024
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

 

Upcoming Events Near You
Follow Us On Facebook