Helping to Avert Suicide, by Kay Stroud
Kay Stroud, a colleague and a writer who focuses on the relationship between spirituality, health and trends, offers an alternative remedy for the global epidemic of suicide. In this article, she shares her spiritual insight and a heartfelt testimony of how the power of prayer and the acknowledgment of the power of Love (God) can diffuse fear and anguish resulting in a change of thought to hope and love. Join Kay and read this inspiring article about a spiritual solution to the enigma of suicide.
It’s so heartbreaking to learn that global suicide rates have increased 60% in the past 45 years.
Is there nothing we can do to reverse this tragic trend?
Many are striving to do so. Some are finding ways to reach out and connect with people who are suffering from mental illnesses. Others are helping those struggling with suicidal tendencies to overturn the stereotypes and lead happy and successful lives.
For instance, there are now opportunities to connect with mental health professionals at any time of the day or night via online video technology.
In addition, Facebook is taking action on a global scale. Recently, in collaboration with local mental health organisations worldwide, the social media behemoth offers support to people who may be experiencing self-injury or suicidal thoughts. Friends can reach out directly to a friend who has posted something concerning — and they can also alert supportive organisations about the post.
Perhaps even more key than well-meaning psychological assessments, will be the human connection — the expression of loving care and the sharing of ideas on how to achieve immediate and lasting solutions.
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#mentalhealth #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
A Prayerful Response to #StopSuicide, by Ingrid Peschke
With suicide being the 10th leading cause of death in the United States people from all walks of life are joining together to support national suicide prevention. Ingrid Peschke, a colleague and syndicated writer, who focuses on connecting consciousness, spirituality and health, offers her spiritual perspective on the lure and the cure of this prolific epidemic. She shares her personal experience and an inspiring testimony that reveals how faith in a higher power (God) can and does dispel the darkness and the hopeless thoughts that accompany the contemplation and the act of committing suicide. Take a moment and read this thought provoking article-it’s worth it!
This week people in the United States have rallied around national suicide prevention, many using the #StopSuicide hashtag on social media.
My daughter’s English Literature class also addressed the topic of suicide this week when it analyzed Langston Hughes’s poem, “Suicide’s Note.” It’s a succinct poem, just three condensed lines, but packed with meaning:
The calm,
Cool face of the river
Asked me for a kiss.
My daughter, a Christian Scientist, shared her observation with the class that by personifying the river, the poem suggests that the apparent allure of suicide does not originate with individuals, but comes first as a suggestion to their thought. The poem also expresses how suicide beckons its victim with the cool relief of escaping the pains of one’s problems by the possibility of retreating to a calmer place – but, like a charlatan, its promises are empty.
For those seeking a spiritual answer to assist in preventing what is considered the 10th-leading cause of death, the question naturally arises, “How can I pray effectively about this issue?”
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#health #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Anger – You’re Busted! by Thomas (Tim) Mitchinson
In this article, Thomas (Tim) Mitchinson, a colleague and writer focusing on the relationship between thought, spirituality and health, offers his spiritual insight and experience on ways to overcome the emotional outbursts of anger that can and usually do produce fear and negativity. Tim shares the results of research that shows the detrimental effects unchecked anger can have on our health and mental wellbeing. He gives an inspiring example of how-by turning to God through prayer- anger can be completely annulled and harmony and reconciliation restored. Join Tim and check out this powerful and effective anger buster!
Don’t just manage anger –
When someone criticizes you, do you hold back or do you “let them have it” –in a barrage of emotion and harsh words?
Annie Hinchliff, a chartered psychologist working in anger management has stated, “Anger can have a deleterious effect on our emotional well-being. While some people experience an initial thrill, an angry outburst is usually followed by considerable remorse.” Sound familiar?
The medical journal PLoS One reported on research conducted in 2012 by the University of Granada, Spain. The study found that individuals who were angry over their past were more susceptible to negative physiological effects, including greater sensitivity to pain.
Negative effects aside, many individuals are looking for ways to manage or control the anger they feel. While there are many advocates for various pharmaceutical and psychological therapies, this leads us to consider a further question: Is there a way to actually dissolve the anger that may be building up in our lives? Could it be that we are looking for a peace that not only lowers the anger factor, but also counteracts the pressures building up in us?
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#health #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Healing Power of Spiritual Stillness, by Valerie Minard
In this article, Valerie Minard, a colleague and a writer that focuses on the connection between consciousness, spirituality and health, explores the effect that stillness has on quieting our thought. Having daily periods of stillness has been proven to improve our health and our well-being. She shares her personal experience and spiritual perception on just how stillness opens our thought to unique answers to questions and challenges. Valerie explains how to obtain this spiritual stillness where ever we are and whenever we want or need to.
I recently ran into an acquaintance of mine, we’ll call Kate, while she was running along a bike path. Kate told me that she first started running to stay in shape. But, now over the years, she’s found that running not only clears her head but she’s able to resolve problems just by quiet listening as she runs. She rarely has time to do this with her active family, but 20 minutes into her run she’ll find herself making mental notes about who she should speak to, what to say, and answers to problems. Sometimes, she’ll even run into that person by accident, as if the meeting was pre-arranged.
This coincides with what researchers at Bar Ilan University in Israel have found. According to PhD student, Shira Baror, “When you reduce mental [stress], people have a tendency to avoid the ‘obvious solution’ and instead access unique thought in their mind.”
Some people think of this just as a function of the human mind or subconscious. But for others, accessing that “unique thought in their mind,” might be thought of as prayer, in which all true, enlightened thought comes from God, the divine Mind. In fact, when I mentioned this to Kate, she agreed. Even though she doesn’t think of herself as a “praying person,” she felt her quiet time running was her time to commune with God.
Perhaps that’s why the Bible tells us, “When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Going into the closet doesn’t require a small room but a means to get mentally still. Nor is it simply to empty our minds. But it does require shutting out distractions and fearful thinking so we can make room to receive thoughts from God and listen to the “still small voice” within consciousness, as described in the Bible.
Please click here to read the entire article
#wellbeing #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Healing Addiction through Prayer, by Debra Chew
The use of opioids in the United States and the resulting possibility of death by overdose is staggering. In this article, Debra Chew, a colleague and a published writer who focuses on the connection between thought, spirituality and wellness, explores this alarming problem. She shares her spiritual perspective on a remedy which has been proven to be effective in curing addiction of every kind- turning to God. Debra follows a case of an addict who has found complete freedom through spiritual understanding and prayer alone. Take a moment and read this amazing story of discovery and hope.
No matter where I reside, I am always happy to get news from “back home.” However, the recent news was not good. An online site listed my hometown area as number one No. 1 on its list of top 10 cities for opioid overdoses. And, it listed my current city as No. 8.
A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation reports that 44 percent of Americans know someone who is addicted to opioid painkillers. To bring more awareness to what is being called a “nationwide opioid epidemic,” CBS News started a series called, “In The Shadow of Death: Jason’s Journey.” It’s about a 30-year-old Boston man who started experimenting with the expensive painkiller OxyContin when he was in college, and soon after became addicted to heroin. The series is following him through rehab as he tries to find freedom from addiction.
Jason’s story of many attempts at recovery is all too familiar. Sadly, most people suffering from addiction only find treatments that act as coping mechanisms, helping them temporarily to avoid relapse but never really curing the addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 40 percent to 60 percent of addicts relapse from their treatment plans and recovery back into former habits of addiction.
When I hear statistics like that, I have to wonder what the statistics would be if every addict sought freedom through spiritual means. Interestingly, some people have found that, through prayer, addiction can be cured, not just coped with, and they are sharing their inspirational stories.
Please click here to read the entire article
#health #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Thinking Faster, Higher, Stronger, by Steven Salt
Chronologically, as our life expectancy continues to rise, perhaps we need to reexamine how our own thinking influences the quality of our lives. In this article Steven Salt, a colleague and writer covering the nexus of science, spirituality and health, shares his spiritual insight along with documented findings and opinions of others on the impact that our thinking has on how we age. He explains how thought influences our actions and wellbeing-both physically and mentally. Steven discovered how re-thinking life from a purely physical perspective to a mental-even spiritual mind set-can enhance the unfoldment of our “golden years”.
At times aging seems like an Olympic sport. Successfully maneuvering through this time of life depends on a certain amount of preparation, perseverance and endurance. It can be a Herculean effort that requires not a little confidence.
“Perhaps two-thirds of all the people who have ever lived to the age of 65 are alive today.” Peter Peterson’s, Gray Dawn, points out some sobering statistics about the aging of the world’s population and its impact on society. It’s unchartered territory.
And that’s what makes preparing for the “golden years” such a challenge. This many people living this long is a relatively recent phenomenon. Never have so many faced this situation. And it is creating a lot of angst for individuals and planners.
By what standard do we qualify as old? When measured chronologically it’s just an arbitrary figure. In fact, the threshold keeps getting pushed back. Sexagenarians and septuagarians today have the healthy attitude of quinquagenarians a few decades ago. Older individuals don’t think of themselves as ancient. And perhaps that could be a clue as to how we look at aging and prepare for the challenges of advancing years. Aging is a mental game/exercise.
Please click here to read the entire article
#health #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Reconnect the Dots Between Spirituality and Health, by Wendy Margolese
In this article, Wendy Margolese, a community blogger who focuses on the relationship between thought, spirituality and health, explores the link between the belief in a divine source and the positive effect that belief has on health. She shares examples of her own personal experience with health and her strong belief in God. She also, offers evidence from a Harvard Medical School study that documents the power this spiritual link has in promoting good health. Join Wendy and see what she has discovered about this eye opening subject.
Centuries ago, Greek philosophers and the physicians had a more holistic view of man (including woman) than we modern humans do. They saw man as made of more than just the physical body that his wholeness was also comprised of things of the Spirit.
But, over the last few hundred years, especially in the last century, we have come to believe that spiritual things belong to the clergy and health issues belong to some system of care focused entirely on the mechanics of our bodies the latest recommending for example that we diagnose disease through our DNA and track our diet and exercise through wrist wear.
Yet, in the evolution of human thinking and understanding about the real essence of who we are, Jesus the unparalleled healer of all human ills proposed what he saw as the source of our health when he noted that we all have the “kingdom of God within”. (Luke 17:21) To me, this speaks to the divine nature of God expressed by each one of us.
Furthering this point with imagery, Jesus admonishes us to take less thought with what we eat, drink or wear, i.e.the physical, and to trust the wisdom of the universal source of all intelligence, God. “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin,” he avers,”yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.” (Mat. 6:28,29 NRSV)
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#health #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Conquer Fallout of Identity Theft, by Cindy Sheltmire and Deborah Sherwood
My colleagues, Cindy Sheltmire, a Christian Scientist and Deborah Sherwood, a writer who focuses on spirituality and health, share their personal experiences with the growing epidemic of identity theft taking place in the United States. They each have spiritual viewpoints on a unique solution for the fear and trauma that identity theft can invoke. Cindy and Deborah chose to turn to a higher power and the Bible for guidance and safety. Read this article about the individual journey each one had in overcoming fear and how they regained their trust in good and their sense of security.
Millions are affected annually by what is considered one of the most prevalent crimes in the United States: identity theft. It strikes a chord close to home. “Missouri is the state with the highest per capita rate of reported identity theft complaints,” according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s 2015 Data Book, which was released in February. And we see this reflected in local news reports.
Although wise preventive measures are considered an essential part of any personal or organizational plan, statistics also indicate all the precautions in the world might not effectively protect us from a proficient adversary.
A recent symposium prompted us to think about our own experiences with identity theft and the lessons we have learned. For both of us, the approach went beyond the ordinary practical measures to ensure security to searching for a more reassuring and solid basis of security and identity that would rebuild and fortify our well-being.
At first, we had the same emotions and fears many victims of identity theft face: feeling violated, angry, overwhelmed, stressed and vulnerable to harmful ripple effects. But we learned to stand up to those emotions by elevating our mindset and shifting to a more spiritual resolve.
Please click here to read the entire article
#wellbeing #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Fighting the Stigma of Homelessness, by Marilyn Johnson and Deborah Sherwood
The impact of being homeless not only affects adults in this country it is devastating to children. In this article colleagues, Marilyn Johnson, a Christian Practitioner and Deborah Sherwood, a writer who focuses on spirituality and health, share their spiritual input on this heartbreaking enigma. They give an example of a young girl who faced great adversity but chose to turn to the Bible and her belief in God to overcome the stigma associated with homelessness. Marilyn and Deborah deliver a strong message of hope in this powerful article.
Considering what homeless children face, it’s easy to understand why they may feel unloved, hardened and hopeless. It’s also easy to see why some people misunderstand them, are afraid of them and see them as a drain on community health, safety and resources.
In a video trending on Facebook around 9 million views, teen Becca Cala tells how her mental illness led to being beaten, which led to a life of homeless-shelter-hopping and being labeled, feared and shunned. But her story can inspire anyone to look beyond the surface view of a broken and indigent individual to a more substantive and accurate view, though it may not be
While the Springfield News-Leader has reported on people and organizations doing good and extensive work to address the community’s struggle with childhood homelessness, it’s also noted that the number of children considered homeless is now above 800. It’s heartbreaking to read the personal stories that led to their homelessness. Many have fled their homes, choosing the streets as a safer place.
If we think deeply about the mental and physical strains and pains that this crisis inflicts on individuals and communities, we might ask ourselves: In addition to supporting organizations that contribute to solutions, how can we as citizens help address the crisis and alleviate the pains?
Please click here to read the entire article
#health #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
California’s “Death with Dignity” law and the true meaning of life, by Eric Nelson
Eric Nelson, a colleague, Christian Science Practitioner and writer who focuses on the link between consciousness and health, explores a very controversial and current topic – the ‘death with dignity’ law that was just enacted in California and is being considered in other states. His spiritual insight and understanding of life is inspiring and poignant. Perhaps the emphasis needs to shift from the ‘right to death to a new understanding of our inherent ‘right to life’. Join Eric and learn how this paradigm shift speaks for Life!
It’s time we shifted the focus of our discussion about end-of-life issues from our ‘right-to-die’ to our right – and innate desire – to live.
Last week, a new law went into effect in California that allows doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of drugs to terminally ill patients wishing to die on their own terms. Prompted in large part by the experience of Brittany Maynard, a former Bay Area resident diagnosed with cancer who moved with her husband to Oregon to take advantage of that state’s lenient “death with dignity” laws, the law aims to honor what State Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) considers an individual’s freedom while providing “appropriate protections to prevent any abuse.”
Although the public debate surrounding this issue continues to focus largely on the right to die, perhaps now is as good a time as any to examine the much less talked about issue: the desire to die.
Unfortunately, the tendency is to charge headlong into such a discussion with little more than one’s personal opinion or, worse, personal condemnation of anyone who doesn’t share our own belief, paying little if any attention to those actually struggling with this desire. Neither is helpful.
Please click here to read the entire article
#health #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
