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Thursday, September 6, 2007
Behind The MaskBy: Michael PollockPublishing Guidelines: May be freely published w/bylines.Please notify me if you use my article. I'd love to meetyou!It's the final week of October and with it comes Halloween.Children don their masks and their costumes and run aboutthe neighborhoods gathering as much candy and goodiesas they can carry. At the end of the evening, off comethe masks and an assessment of the evening's eventsensues.Each year, there seems to always be at least one child whoshows up on the doorstep without any costume whatsoever.We think to ourselves "that's a little odd." We may even askthat child where her costume is, only to get an answer suchas "I don't have one," or "I'm dressed as myself." Costumeor not, that child receives the treat anyway and proceedsalong on her journey.When you think about that, it takes a great deal of couragefor that child to venture out on Halloween night without acostume. At first, the child may even feel a littleuncomfortable as he walks from house to house collectinghis treats and explaining - each time - that he has nocostume. All the children have costumes except him, but hemoves on to the next house as it becomes easier and easierto explain he has no costume. At the end of the evening,he's counting his candy just like all the rest with no harmdone.For some of us adults, daily life seems very much likeHalloween. We awaken each day and begin the process ofdonning our own costumes - our work clothes, so to speak.We shower, we shave, we wash and dry our hair. Most womenspend some time to "put on their face." We tend to attireourselves in clothing that we wouldn't be wearing unless wewere going to work, especially if your job requires auniform of some sort. That's all pretty common and we don'tthink much about it.For some of us, this daily ritual goes beyond just theexterior costume. Many times, it seems as though we alsotake on an entirely different personality. We thinkdifferently, we talk differently and we act differently. Webecome a secretary, an accountant, a teacher, a salesperson,a corporate executive or whatever role we play on our jobs.If we're not careful, we can become our particular role 24hours a day. We see nothing else of ourselves. You mighteven say we can get lost in our various roles.Consider the idea that there is a part of you behind themask which is real and unchanging. There is a part of youthat thinks and feels beyond your particular roles. This isthe part of you that dreams big dreams, laughs at thesilliest things and cries when you hurt. This is the partof you that sees a grander vision for yourself, your familyand your world. Consider the idea that this part of you isthe person your Creator intended you to be.What would it be like to go out each day as that person,without your mask? At first, you may feel somewhatuncomfortable as you explain that you're not wearing yourmask today. Others may respond to you differently and mayeven think you're a little odd because everyone's wearing amask except you. In time however, it will become easierand easier to move forward and be the person behind themask - without the mask.Yes, it does take courage to do that. You'll have to decideif you want to be the person you were created to be. Onlyyou can decide if it's worth it for you. But let me ask youthis question: have you ever gotten to know somebodybeyond their outer mask? Have you ever discovered howreally great this person is behind the mask? What was thatlike? Have you ever let someone know you beyond your mask?I can tell you from my own experience that each time I lookbehind someone's mask to see the real part of them, I nevercease to be amazed at what is there.Spend this week looking at the person behind your mask.What is that person like? What makes you laugh and cry?What touches you? Describe the person you were youcreated to be. When all else falls away, who is left behindthe mask?Pick a day and be that person behind the mask. If peoplethink you're odd or ask where your mask is, just tellthem "I don't have one" or "I'm dressed as myself." At theend of the day, you'll still have as many goodies aseveryone else. Have a great week!It's your life. Create it the way you want it!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Michael Pollock is a writer, Personal Coach and Founder ofSuccessful Life Solutions. He works with proactive peoplewho are determined to make their lives all they want themto be. You can find him on the World Wide Web at:http://www.successfulifecoach.com or email him at:mp@...
Inspirational/Seasonal: Plentiful Harvest
Plentiful Harvest(c) 2000Julie Jordan ScottNovember is one of my favorite months. In the colder climates,the chill in the air requires mittens and warm coats. Saturdayafternoons are spent at football games with spectators bundledup under blankets, drinking hot chocolate. In the United Stateswe celebrate gratitude.Cynics refer to the Thanksgiving holiday as "Turkey Day". Instead,I inviteyou to look at its true message of abundance and gratitude.I am naming November "month of Plentiful Harvest."What is a Plentiful Harvest?Plentiful describes having an ample, rich supply. Plentiful is theoverflowing basket of fruit, the Spring waterfalls of Yosemite aftera snowy Winter or the giggles of a happy baby. Plentiful is thedeep satisfaction of contentment. Plentiful is sitting in front of aroaring fire surrounded by loved ones, sighing in quiet delight.Harvest is a time we collect the bounty of our planting. Weglean rewards from a time of concentrated effort.The Parable of the Sower speaks of spreading seeds everywhere,on fertile soil, on less rich ground, in rocky terrain. The sowercontinually and constantly spreads the seed so that the richnessof the harvest spreads beyond his (or her) existence. It growsinto the hearts and experiences of others as well.Henry David Thoreau said, "The true harvest of my daily life issomewhat as intangible And indescribably as the tints of morningor evening. It is a little star-dust caught, A segment of the rainbowwhich I have clutched."Have you noticed the artistry in a sunset recently? Have you seenthe blending of colors into an awe inspiring, divine masterpiece?Have you taken your consciousness from the "stress maker du joir"and put it instead on the magnificence of the Plentiful Harvestaround each of us, every single day of our lives?Decide to make the shift towards abundant, ample living. Chooseto be content. Spread your seed wide and far. Reach out andreceive the star dust. Take out your paint brush, spread the colorsabout you. Sing a song of great joy. Celebrate your PlentifulHarvest.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Julie Jordan Scott is a Certified Life Purpose Coach who workswith action oriented, creative people who are ready to live each momentwith passion. Dare to Discover Your Passion, Decide to live YOURDestiny by subscribing to Julie's daily ezine. Send an emailnow mailto:DiscoverYourPassion-subscribe@egroups.com orvisit her website at http://www.5passions.com[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Are Your Houseplants Safe?
There is nothing more attractive and cheerful than a room filled with healthy green houseplants. They offer aesthetics to the interior of our homes, improve indoor air quality, and often provide emotional satisfaction to the caregiver in getting the plant to bloom or produce new growth. However, did you know that plant exposures are some of the most frequent poisonings reported to poison control centers?
There are more than 700 species of poisonous plants in the United States and many of these can be found around the home. According to the American Association of Poison Control, poisonous plants are among the three most common causes of accidental poisoning in children under 5 years old.
Some or all parts of a plant can be poisonous including the roots, stems, berries or even the nectar and pollen. There are several chemical compounds capable of poisoning that can be found in a variety of plants. Chemicals concentrated in the cells of roots, leaves, bark and seeds serve as the plant’s defense against insects and animal attacks. Some of these compounds can be toxic, especially if ingested or touched by humans.
The word “poisonous” generates many kinds of reactions and the majority of them are non life-threatening. Among the key effects of poisonous plants are allergic reactions (caused by spores, pollen, or naturally occurring volatile compounds emitted into the air by plants), skin rash or dermatitis (caused by direct or indirect contact with allergenic or irritant compounds), and internal poisonings or irritations (caused from ingesting plants or plant parts).
There are many houseplants which are perfectly safe to grow and others which appear harmless but are toxic and dangerous. It is important to be as knowledgeable as possible about the plants you have growing in your home. According to the Washington Poison Center, the following houseplants (listed by common name) are considered safe and non-toxic, but still should not be ingested:
• African Violet
• Aluminum plant
• Birds Nest Fern
• Boston Fern
• Cast Iron plant
• China Doll
• Christmas Cactus
• Coleus
• Corn plant
• Dracaena
• Gardenia
• Goldfish plant
• Jade plant
• Mosaic plant
• Orchids
• Peperomia
• Piggyback plant
• Pink Polka-dot plant
• Ponytail plant
• Prayer plant
• Purple Velvet plant
• Spider plant
• Swedish Ivy
• Sword Fern
• Yucca plant
• Zebra plant
The Washington Poison Center reports the following houseplants (by common name) to have some level of toxicity and therefore are considered to be toxic and/or poisonous. Also listed are the parts of the plant that can be toxic and what effects it has on humans if ingested.
Caladium: a showy plant with variegated, heart-shaped leaves. The whole plant is injurious and causes irritation to the lips, mouth, and throat if ingested. This plant can also be dangerous for animals if ingested.
Calla Lily: a flowering plant with smooth-edged arrow-shaped leaves which grow on long stalks. The leaves are toxic and cause intense burning of the lips and mouth if ingested. Contact dermatitis is also common.
Devil’s Ivy: a climbing vine with large heart-shaped leaves that are usually streaked with yellow. The whole plant is toxic and causes a burning sensation in the mouth when eaten and dermatitis when touched.
Dumb Cane: tall, erect plants with large oblong leaves splotched with ivory markings. The leaves are toxic and chewing on the leaves produces immediate and intense pain followed by swelling of the mouth.
Jerusalem Cherry: an ornamental houseplant that has bright red berries about the size of cherries. The leaves and berries are toxic and causes a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, followed by gastric irritation and fever if ingested.
Philodendron: climbing vines with aerial roots and heart-shaped leaves. The leaves are toxic and cause painful burning of the lips, mouth, tongue, and throat if ingested. Contact dermatitis is also common and can be dangerous to animals if ingested.
Children under the age of six are at the greatest risk for accidental poisoning. They are curious by nature and often investigate their surroundings by putting things in their mouths. Obviously, the best prevention of plant poisonings is to teach your child to avoid the plants that are dangerous to touch and to resist the urge to taste even the most tasty looking berries and sweet smelling flowers. Below are five more suggestions to help you and your family avoid possible plant poisonings:
1. Learn the names (common and scientific) of all plants in your home, garden, and landscaping and know which ones are poisonous. Make a list of these plants and keep it handy in case of an accidental poisoning.
2. Put all poisonous houseplants out of the reach of children and pets.
3. Stored labeled bulbs and seeds out of the reach of children and pets.
4. Do not use flowers or other plant materials for food decorations or in cooking unless they are labeled “edible”.
5. Don’t assume a plant is safe because birds or other wildlife eat it.
No matter how careful we are, accidents can and do happen. It is important to place the Poison Control Hotline phone number (800-222-1222) near the telephone so you can reach them quickly in the event of an accidental poisoning. To better assist the poison experts, you will need the common and/or scientific name of the plant in question. If at any time you are in doubt about a particular houseplant, take it to your local nursery or garden center for identification and what possible toxic characteristics the plant may have.
Finally, the above lists name just a few of the non-toxic and toxic plants that exist today. You should consult the appropriate reference books or poisonous plant guides for a complete list. To research non-toxic and toxic plants on the internet, visit www.poison.org or visit www.vth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/report/search.cfm.
About the Author:
Lesley Dietschy is a writer, jewelry designer, and the founder of a network of popular websites including http://www.HomeDecorExchange.com and http://www.HomeGardenExchange.com. Both of these websites feature valuable information and resources to assist you in decorating your home and garden.
Also visit http://www.TheJewelryPlaza.com for your ultimate jewelry resource.
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