Music: Savannah King NO MORE: An organization that “gets it”
Roads to Wellness
The soul of music by Buffalo Artist Amanda Hart
Resolution shortcomings? 5 tips to Be Happy
Vitamin D: Why it’s important
Be Positive. Dance. Lighten up.
Volume 2(1) January 2014
Hot Jam Media Mag Volume 2(1) January, 2014 No part of this website may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. The information on this site is for information and entertainment purposes only. Hot Jam Media assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information contained about each individual, event or organization has been provided by such individual, event organizers or organization without verification by us. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Hot Jam Media Mag. Therefore, Hot Jam Media Mag carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon. Comments on our social media sites are welcome, but they should be on-topic and well-expressed. Abusive, antisocial or off-topic comments will be deleted. Hot Jam Media c 2014 All rights reserved.
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r o t i d E e h ry r t e P m e o nn r a z F u S e g a g s n s i e v o M m p e e k a tt o g a Y
Wahoo everybody, Happy New Year! So hey, let’s get personal. When I revealed my past to the media, I made a conscious decision to put myself in the public eye. Why? Because we all hurt. I want to connect with people just like you, who hurt, who have been hurt, and help them to heal, and live better, stand stronger, be steadfast, courageous and be more resilient. I want you, and everybody, to seriously love their life. All the barriers to happiness that you are thinking of right now… the reasons you are telling me you aren’t happy with your life… (Are you thinking about why you’re not happy right now?) Well shove those reasons the hell out of the way. Stop waiting. Fire everybody that you can’t stand. Don’t keep fake friendships. Don’t use people. Don’t be used. Every obstacle - is a mere ‘challenge.’ Not an end. Not a permanent roadblock. Every one, you can get over, get past, get through, get around. If you can dream it, you can do it! Sharing experiences with others helps you to recognize that hey, you aren’t alone, you aren’t nuts! Odds are you can even find a group or two on Facebook or LinkedIn where others share the same setbacks. Learn from everybody. Discard what doesn’t work. Don’t get all hung up over it. I attempted dating a few years ago. The guy was cool, we enjoyed each other, spoke on the phone daily when we weren’t physically hanging out.. Then one evening I got a text saying he was sorry but it’s not working out. I felt that horrible pit in my stomach.. The flush numbness. You know that feeling, rejection. CHANGE. It sucks. You wonder what the person didn’t like about you to the end that they ended the relationship. How many more times do you read or listen to the message and look for some mystery clues before you realize you just gotta keep on moving.
The world keeps turning no matter what rejections, obstacles and setbacks trip us up. I was pretty hung up on that text message breakup. (How lame!) Since I hadn’t dated in.. oh.. several decades… I was all bent outta whack. I texted back asking for some type of explanation… no response. Meh it sucked, but I decided to eventually just let it go.. Well, after emailing him and texting a few times more over the next few days… just looking for a reason.. (which, is not too much to ask!) Come to know yourself. Realize you are just fine and dandy the way you are. All those quirky things you say and do, are awesome, because that’s what makes you unique. Let’s face it, nobody wants someone who is just like everybody else. Lots of folks are waiting for this issue to drop, and I have to get to work on the February edition to share the awesomeness at the NAMM Show in Anaheim California, so I’ll cut it here. Please enjoy and share our magazine, and if you want to be featured, or to contribute, I’m open, give me a shout. Email me at editor@hotjammedia.com. PS: A year and a half later, that guy came back a’knocking, and I turned him down.
Suzanne Perry “SuzyP”
Hot Jam flew out to Anaheim for NAMM last week and attended the 29th annual TEC Awards. The TEC Awards recognizes and furthers excellence in audio, video, music and other communications media arts. The TEC Awards have become established as one of the entertainment industry's most important annual events. Highlights included a TEC Hall of Fame induction for Sound production master John Meyer, and The Wrecking Crew’s session drummer Hal Blaine, who gave a hilarious acceptance speech. It was really cool seeing Todd Rundgren receive the Les Paul award, and then followed it up with a fantastic performance of some of his way-back hits. Todd’s still got it, hitting his notes with seeming ease. Interviews, excerpts and photos coming in February, but for now, check out the winners list on the following page of 22 categories in Outstanding Technical Achievement in Product Design. For a complete listing of nominees in all categories or more info, click here.
Winners OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT Ancillary Equipment
iZotope Insight Metering Suite
Audio Apps for Smartphones & Tablets Yamaha CL StageMix Hardware/Peripherals for Smartphones & Tablets Apogee Quartet Microphone Preamplifier Technology Rupert Neve Designs Portico 511 Studio Monitor Technology Genelec M Series Recording Devices Zoom H6 Music Instrument Amplification & Effects Technology Eventide H9 Harmonizer Stompbox Amplification Hardware/Studio & Sound Reinforcement Sennheiser HDVD 800 Headphone Amplifier/DAC Computer Audio Hardware Universal Audio Apollo 16 Musical Instrument Technology/Hardware Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 12 Music Instrument Technology/Software Native Instruments KOMPLETE 9 Signal Processing Technology/Hardware Solid State Logic 500 Series Buss Compressor Signal Processing Technology/Software Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection Sound Reinforcement Loudspeaker Technology JBL Professional PRX700 Series Microphone Technology/Sound Reinforcement Telefunken Elektroakustik M82 Microphone Technology/Recording Royer Labs SF-2 Headphone/Earpiece Technology AKG K712 Pro Headphones Wireless Technology Sennheiser Digital 9000 Workstation Technology Avid Pro Tools 11 Sound Reinforcement Console Technology Solid State Logic LIVE Small Format Console Technology Rupert Neve Designs 5060 Centerpiece Large Format Console Technology Solid State Logic Duality Pro-StationSound & Music
Buffalo Artist Amanda Hart keeping it fresh with ongoing Buffalo Art! Ballerina Cover Art by Amanda Hart • Buffalo Artist
What an eventful year 2013 has been, though I am somewhat sad the year has come to and end , I know for a fact that 2014 will be awesome! There are so many new initiatives that I am a part of and working on.
vacant store fronts. The Vacant storefront windows will feature an artistic rendition of an inspirational celebrity, drawn up by a local artist, that conveys an inspirational message.
I am also a founding board member for UHAA ( the University Heights Arts Association). We will be implementing a strategic way to highlight artists in the University Heights neighborhood by opening up new opportunities for in the neighborhood.
I am also the PR Coordinator for the Niagara Falls Music First and foremost I am and Art Festival, so I will be working with Taylor Made – taking care of all promotional The BCA Studio ( Buffalo Singer of nationally signed and aspects of the festival, such as Custom Art ) will likely be recognized band Future web graphics, banners etc. opening up a gallery there. Leaders of the World and Machina. Wait! Theres more! This year is going to be great! I recently finished Phil Taylor and Amiir Kings Promo Poster , which advertises their bands on Tour with another popular artist Juicy J , also a member of Three Six Mafia. I will be continuing to make promotional artwork for them throughout the year as one of their sponsors.
Project 716, a storefront on Hertel avenue, that offers interior design with a new concrete furniture line has commissioned me to feature custom artwork. It will be featuring my paintings, which will cover a large portion of the wall. They are Buffalo themed with a rustic industrial feel, and will feature my trademark Secondly, I am happy to expressionistic colorful roots. announce that I will be The work will be available to spending more time in Niagara h Falls, as I am in direct contact view January 6 of 2014. with community leaders such April of 2014 I will also be as Seth Picarello and Rick Crogan who have reached out doing a mural for PEGS PLACE restaurant in Hamburg. to help me implement my first This nautical themed mural is step for the Pop Up Pop Art sure to bring joy to new and initatiave. returning customers. It will be giving the restaurant a new Pop Up Pop Art directly involves community artists and look and feel, while keeping its charm.
I can feel the transformation already. Public Art is making a hit in Buffalo and I’m ready to take it on head first and splash as much color and creativity as I can on every wall that needs it. Here is to a healthy new year! Happy 2014 Buffalo! Amanda Hart Buffalo Custom art
Featured artist
Savannah King
I’d been noticing her name in print more and more, and noticing a bit of a buzz. A cable guy came to my place, and in noticing the music stuff on the walls, he mentioned that she is a must-see. One of the trickiest things to do as a musician is to stay fresh in the minds of your friends and fans, without seeming overbearing. She very cleverly accomplished exactly that, with a 26 week series of music videos with The Alphabet Project. Committed and completed. Well done! Though an original artist, her covers are as diverse as her own music and include Coldplay, Black Sabbath and EMF; and she’s a dead ringer for Lorde’s ‘Royals.’ Soft and inviting to bold and gutsy, Savannah is plenty strong enough to stand on her own. Her voice and folksy approach remind me of a modern-day Joni Mitchell. Clever, cute, and creative, and a damn hard worker. Bookings don’t just land in your lap. Savannah has herself booked out thru July. Showing absolutely no signs of slowing down, venues and fans are eating it up. (There should be some joke about alphabet soup here.. But it’s late) Savannah has been touring the northeast this winter. Yay for you, Savannah! Please check out Savannah King’s website here.
www.SavannahKingmusic.com
The Journey Begins Jill O’Hara, RN Holistic Health Practitioner
We have all been on a journey in this lifetime. Many experiences have brought you to the place you are at right now. There is a reason you are here, a reason you are reading this magazine that highlights the free spirited, creative minded, beat driven, bold and artsy! Your path has brought you to this article and I hope that you will begin the journey to wellness with me.
As a nurse I was taught all about the workings of the body, some of the mind, little of the emotions. As I walked through my journey of 20 years to get to where I realized that we are much more than bodies that become sick: we are a masterpiece of all that we experienced. There is no way to separate the mind, body and spirit. They must be treated as a whole. Once I began my journey on the holistic road to wellness, my entire life changed for the better. Not only did I heal physically, but mentally, emotionally and I realized my spirit had been set free from the cage of conformity.
I was free to live the life I was intended to and I now had a purpose. I let go of the work that was uninspiring, and began building relationships that were healthy, began treating my body as something to nourish and nurture, I was exploring the world in a manner that I assumed before that only was for the privileged few. Learning to live a holistic life is the means of creating a life that serves all parts of you. It is the way to true healing, and benefits not only the person but all the lives you touch. Imagine yourself feeling and being happy, healthy in all aspects, engaging others in a meaningful way, and living your passion. See that in your minds’ eye, envision what your days would be like, you are joyful, confident, inspiring, and living the life of your dreams. Gone are the days when you would wake up and dread doing the things you had to do, feeling sick and tired, wishing you could be somewhere besides where you are. As you envision this life you desire really see it, feel it, and know without a doubt that you can reach it! It begins with baby steps that lead to leaps.
“Many do not pay any attention to how they are experiencing life; they just go about their days on automatic pilot.” When thinking about beginning a journey to wellness I would encourage you to begin by reviewing the following: How do I feel physically? Begin at the top of your head and scan your entire body, feeling (the key word) how each part feels. Note any areas of tightness, tension, or pain. Now ask yourself why you are feeling this. Pay attention to your thoughts for an entire week. Note how many negative thoughts flow through your mind. Write in a journal the thoughts you have. Notice the feel of energy not only in your body, but the energy around you. Is it a good feeling or not. Many do not pay any attention to how they are experiencing life; they just go about their days on automatic pilot. You will know when you are in this mode by the fact that you just go about a daily routine, hear yourself cursing about having to do things, rarely taking a moment to think about why you are doing something and you lack desire to explore new options. Welcome to the Roads to Wellness. This is your starting point. Begin by examining your life as you are living it, decide if this is how you sincerely wish to feel, to live and ask yourself if you are willing to live this way and if not then what are you willing to do to change it. If you are ready to live a fuller, richer and healthier life I invite you to start by answering the following question. Think this over, write down your answers and reflect on those answers until next time when I share further on the Road to Wellness.
If you wish you can share your thoughts with me at roadstowellness@gmail.com Until next time, I hope you will begin to start peeling back the layers that are keeping you from blossoming. Blessings in abundance!!! Jill roadstowellness@gmail.com www.roadstowellness.com
Jill O’Hara, RN, CHHP, RMT, is a Registered Nurse by profession, with 30+ years of experience. She has experienced both the strengths and weaknesses of Western Medicine. She is a Reiki Master Teacher (RMT), as well as a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, with areas of focus including Energy Healing, Chakra Therapy, Herbology, Wellness Mentoring and the Aroma Touch Technique. Over the past 12 years Jill has worked in the WNY community as a Holistic Health Consultant serving all age groups. Her business "Roads to Wellness” provides consulting as well as healing therapies to assist people in reaching their optimal state of wellness. Currently Jill is the coordinator of Alternate Roots Transformational Healing Center in Hamburg, as well as the coordinator for the annual Holistic Health Expo.
The soul of music M
usic. We hum it, we sing it, we sway and dance to it, we listen to it, tap our fingers and feet to it, and we create it. Everyone is naturally drawn to music. It makes people move and it moves people to tears, to laughter, and to spiritual enlightenment.
by Marina Naples
The magic of music can calm us down or rev us up.
But is it just music? No. Humans and other
Did you know advertisers add certain music to ads
animals create sound. Sound is vibratory. Music is
so the brain accepts the product or service more
vibratory. Each of our organs has its own vibratory
readily resulting in more sales? Sorry to break it to
frequency. Our cells and DNA vibrate at particular
you, but you ‘were played.’
frequencies. When that frequency is off there is illness in the body. Did you know that only ten
But how? What exactly is music and why are we
percent of our DNA is used for building proteins?
wired to respond to it? Music is sound music uses all of the brain. In a study led by Valorie Salimpoor,
The other ninety percent is considered “junk DNA”
a researcher at the Rotman Research Institute in
by most of science. Luckily, Russian researchers
Toronto participants listened to 60 excerpts of music
were convinced otherwise. They convened with
they had never heard before while in a functional
linguists and geneticists to explore our “junk.”
magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) machine. The more activity in the nucleus accumbens the more people had an affinity for that particular music.
The results? Not only does our DNA design and build our
Later it was changed. Thanks mostly to The Sound
body but serves as data storage and in communication.
of Music we can all sing that version which serves
Yes, we are similar to a computer but are far superior!
only as ear-candy and not the original soul-candy as
Our DNA ‘speaks’ and has language rules which it follows
sound was intended.
like our own languages. According to Russian biophysicist and molecular biologist Pjotr Garjajev and his colleagues “Living chromosomes function just like solitonic/holographic computers using the endogenous DNA laser radiation.” This means that they managed for example to modulate certain frequency patterns onto a
Do re me fa so la te do.. The following excerpt is taken from Wikipedia:
laser ray and with it influenced the DNA frequency and thus the genetic information itself. Since the basic structure of DNA-alkaline pairs and of language are of the same structure, no DNA decoding is necessary.”
So what does this mean? In programming one can simply use words and sentences of the human language. This, too, was experimentally proven. Living DNA substance (in living tissue, not in vitro) will always react to languagemodulated laser rays and even to radio waves, if the proper frequencies are being used. I don’t know about you but my response was…..Whoa! That’s a major step
The use of a seven-note diatonic musical scale is ancient, though originally it was played in descending order. In the eleventh century, the music theorist•Guido of Arezzo developed a six-note ascending scale that went as follows: ut, re, mi, fa, sol, and la. A seventh note, "si" was added shortly after. The names were taken from the first verse of the Latin hymn•Ut queant laxis, where the syllables fall on their corresponding scale degree.
into the Star Trek era! And of course with it comes a
Sheet Music for Ut Queant Laxis
somber sense of responsibility. In the right hands, it will
Ut•queant laxis resonāre fibris
do wondrous things. In the wrong hands…disaster is
Mira gestorum famuli tuorum,
imminent.
Solve polluti labii reatum, Sancte Iohannes.
So how does this lead us to the soul of music and how to
The words of the hymn (The Hymn of St. John) were
connect the dots?
written by Paulus Diaconus•in the 8th century. It translates•as: So that these your servants can, with
Those who are more spiritually inclined will focus on
all their voice, sing your wonderful feats, clean the
spiritual attunement. So with this approach we will start
blemish of our spotted lips, O Saint John! "Ut" was
with Hz frequency.
changed in 1600 in Italy to the open syllable•Do, at the suggestion of the musicologue•Giovanni Battista
Hertz is equivalent to cycles per second. One Hz is equal
Doni, and Si (from the initials for "Sancte Iohannes"
to one cycle per second. If you are interesting in feeding
was added to complete the diatonic scale.
your soul, here is the ancient/original musical scale used which resonates to our souls.
The soul of music (Cont’d) In•Anglo-Saxon•countries, "si" was changed to "ti" by•Sarah Glover•in the nineteenth century so that every syllable might•begin with a different letter.•"Ti" is used in•tonic sol-fa•and in the song "Do-Re-Mi".
Here is the ancient Solfeggio Scale in Hz (Hertz): 174 285 396 = Ut Liberation from fear
Marina Naples
417 = Re Facilitates energy change/dense to higher 528 = Mi is the frequency to repair DNA 639 = Fa Heart Chakra 741 = Sol Self healing 852 = La is the return to spiritual order 963 = The crown chakra
432 Hz is a natural musical pitch.
396 frequency
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJUu-xiJPx8
417 frequency
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylKfVxV3kwU
528 frequency
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgbDoakV40M
639 frequency
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5xZyvbxUeY
741 frequency http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knuKfaSd1LA 852 frequency
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja5SzgVd078
963 frequency http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b-HpcoDbYE 963 frequency
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAtt-oy9uog
Marina Naples (Liaros) was raised in a psychic/spiritual home starting in the 1960’s and throughout her life. She was naturally drawn to the healing field and practices this in all aspects of her life. Marina was attuned with a true 1st level of Reiki in the 1980’s by Virginia•W. Samdahl who was the first occidental to obtain the rank of Reiki•Master in 2,500 years. Marina is currently a WNY Realtor. She also owns Marina’s Luscious Body which creates all natural body care products in small batches. A portion of sales is donated to no kill shelters and rescues that pull animals from kill shelters. Her other company Real Estate Cleanup Crew; is a property preservation company for clean outs, renovations, repairs, grounds maintenance, and cleaning. In quiet moments she works on writing fiction novels. She believes in tithing and was a foster mother to nine children, served as a Guardian Ad Litem in Florida, and was a volunteer at a Crisis Nursery. Marina lives in Niagara County, New York, with her husband, four cats, and a dog. All their pets were rescued, never bought.
DR. KRISTEN LATONA-BRZEZINSKI My name is Dr. Kristen Latona-Brzezinski. I am a chiropractor and the owner of Natural Pain Management and Wellness. Our multidisciplinary wellness clinic, located in Clarence, New York, specializes in chiropractic, nutrition, massage, yoga, meditation, and weight loss. In our office, we treat patients with a plethora of conditions, and each of our providers has a further area of specialty and expertise. Personally, I have advanced training in treating pregnancy pain and pediatrics. I am a graduate of both the University at Buffalo and New York Chiropractic College. I have been practicing in the Buffalo area for 4 years. My column features articles on medicine, wellness, alternative health practices, recipes and general practices for leading a healthy lifestyle. In my personal life I try to live all of the things I teach to my patients, including family time yoga with my little boy Braeden! If you have any questions or would like to see something specific featured in this monthly column, email us at npmaw@yahoo.com or send us a message on our website, www.npmaw.com. We would love to hear from you!
Vitamin D : Why you need it
DR. KRISTEN’S CORNER
The latest studies are also showing that low levels of Vitamin D3 in adults is linked to obesity.
So how can I make sure that I get enough Vitamin D every day?
Your body can make Vitamin D3 naturally by
WHY IS VITAMIN D SO IMPORTANT?
having your skin exposed to the sun for 1520 minutes every day. This is a hard one to
There is so much hype in recent months about the importance of
accomplish in the winter here in Buffalo,
Vitamin D. If you are like most of my patients, you might be thinking
which is why supplementation is so impor-
to yourself, why is it so important to have extra Vitamin D in my diet,
tant in the winter months.
I eat well isn’t that enough? You can also increase the intake of foods The answer that I give most of them is no!
that are high in Vitamin D; fish, dairy prod-
The amount of Vitamin D that even the healthiest diet supplies is not
ucts, eggs, mushrooms and fortified soy
enough to keep you healthy and disease free, especially in Buffalo
products.
during these dreary winter months. Finally, and probably the most efficient way The RDA recommends 600 IU of Vitamin D daily, but that alone is
to make sure you get enough Vitamin D ev-
not enough to combat the serious health effects that a deficiency
ery day is to take a supplement. Most of my
may have. Most individuals will require 1000 IU per day as a daily
practice does this during the winter months
maintenance dose above what they take in from their normal diet.
to prevent disease and the winter blues dis-
What role does Vitamin D play in my health?
cussed earlier. Just remember, Vitamin D is fat soluble,
A deficiency in Vitamin D can cause many serious health problems.
which means you need to eat fat to absorb it,
Those with a deficiency in this essential nutrient may develop cer-
so I instruct my patients to take it with food
tain types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression, cognitive
always!
impairments, rickets, and an increase in asthma symptoms.
Before starting a new diet or any supplement regiment, talk with your doctor to create an
By increasing Vitamin D intake, bone disorders such as osteoporo-
appropriate plan for you as very high levels
sis and osteopenia can be prevented. Rates of inflammatory dis-
of any type of nutrient have potentially harm-
eases and cavities are also lower in those with higher levels of
ful effects. If you have any more questions
Vitamin D. It also helps regulate blood pressure and cholesterol.
about Vitamin D or health and wellness in general, please feel free to call my office
Research suggests that vitamin D could play a role in the prevention
716-616-9000 or contact us via email,
and treatment of a number of different conditions, including type1
npmaw@yahoo.com
and•type 2 diabetes and MS.
I didn’t provoke it.
It’s a sensitive, ugly topic that makes people cringe and hope you go away.
My family’s lives were threatened if I ever left again.
I’ve been talking about domestic violence for about 5 years now, across I would shudder and flush with fear a multitude of environments and when I knew the tenants were leaving institutions. for work, the kids gone for school and I’ve witnessed those cringes, I’ve seen that we would be alone together. terror in people’s eyes, or their lips quiver. I too have shared tears to hear I dealt with forced sex because he yet another person has been killed by was my husband. I reluctantly a domestic partner or family member. accepted it. At the other end of the spectrum, I have watched people put on faces of disgust, “looking down” at a victim in a demeaning, intimidating way, or refusal to acknowledge something so offensive could happen in their family. I have stared in dismay as some have had the audacity to say, “S/he must have provoked it.” “S/he must have done something to deserve it.” Not only did I see denial in the general public - I lived it. My reality was downplayed. The ignorance was grotesque and painful, but it also did what they intended. It made me think, “Maybe it was a one-off, maybe I was over-reacting, maybe it wasn’t that bad...”
My crying pleas to stop just seemed to give him a smug satisfaction. Mentally, I just went away; I left my body, until it was over. Any orifice would do, any vulnerable position, with occasional restraints. I would cry in pain and beg him to stop. I never quietly accepted it, I couldn’t. It hurt too much. Although I finally made it out alive six years ago, I am still discovering deeper truths and pains of it all. After the first year out, I finally decided to go public with my story. I came forth and shared how I’d suffered financial, emotional, mental abuse and physical violence.
On a mission to borrow money to feed my husband’s habits, I asked for help, It was comforting to connect with other survivors. even if just for acknowledgment. The family member actually turned away, covered her ears and said, “No, he wasn’t raised like that. He would never do anything like that! I don’t believe it. I don’t want to hear any more.”
Yet, I still wasn’t being totally honest. I was still hiding the sexual abuse. I didn’t have the heart. How do you tell your father that you had been beaten, raped, sodomized, and falsely imprisoned, over and over, for years?
I went home, and was beaten for being gone too long.
I chose not to confront my Dad with it. He knew enough, it’s behind us now.
It has only been recently that I admitted to myself that it was rape. That it was sodomy. I realized for the first several years, I was not facing what it really was. Again, tapping into the pool of many survivor networks out there, was comforting. There are so many, on all levels: town, county, state and federal agencies, that counsel and refer, that shelter and treat. I’m none of that. I am just like many, who lived to tell and want to help others to heal and learn to enjoy life again. I want to work independently and not under the governmental umbrella of mandates, percentages and commitments how to spend money. I don’t want red tape, lies, or misconceptions. I don’t want to sponsor pizza parties. I want to share and empower people. And finally, I tripped upon an organization called . NO MORE directly addresses domestic violence and sexual assault, and doesn’t ask me for anything back.
The NO MORE symbol has been in the making since 2009. My advocacy effort is called and the simple mission is victim empowerment and public understanding. It’s a Facebook page, a website and a YouTube channel, for people to share stories, resources and media. I plan to develop it into an inspirational media network by resilient optimists; because I believe that from every evil, good can come. Many are surprised to meet me after hearing my story first. They just don’t expect my enthusiasm, energy and optimism. Twenty-two years as a punching bag, a sex toy, of numbness, of sadness, and not seeing any light at the end of the tunnel… to now live in freedom - not fear, doing everything I have ever wanted to do, and far more! I’d also recommend checking out self-defense courses, and incorporating it into your daily lifestyle. Live with all of your senses. In fact, reach out to my friend and Chain of Defense instructor KathySue Dorey. Learning the Self Defense Training Course based on pure Krav Maga was a fantastic experience. She has courses for ALL ages, physiques and backgrounds. Here is her Facebook page Now, back to the No More campaign. This is an organization that “gets it.” It’s all about one, unified symbol amongst the hundreds of organizations on all municipality levels, social classes, religions and denominations. It’s going to be seen in airports, on TV, has dozens of celebrity endorsements and above all, IS NECESSARY. We NEED to FACE problems and talk about things that are ugly. Why? Because if you think of 4 women in your family, one of them has been victimized. For every 6 men, one has been victimized. Do the math, that’s far too many people to ignore. For more information please visit: No More www.NoMore.org Love Shouldn’t Hurt.TV www.LoveShouldntHurt.TV Chain of defense www.facebook.com/The-Chain-of-Defensetm PS: Please be sure and mark your calendar for the 5th annual EXPOSURE Concert: Because love shouldn’t hurt! Live streaming around the world to expose domestic violence...
It was developed because of a need that was recognized by those working to prevent and serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault: that despite the pervasiveness of these issues, they still remain very much hidden and misunderstood. It was agreed that a new, overarching symbol, uniting all people working to end these problems could have a real impact on the public’s awareness.
Losing weight, spending more time with family, getting a better job.. Now that it’s the end of January, how are you doing on your New Year’s Resolutions? But wait, a minute, a list of what would make you happy? by Suzanne Perry If I asked you, “What would it take to make you happier?” What would some of your answers be? When asked what it would take to make people happy, most people drop the usuals, ‘more money’ ‘better job’ ‘lose 20 pounds,’ or ‘find Mr or Ms Right.’ Most people don’t actually dig to realize what honestly would bring them more happiness. We know money can’t buy happiness. Being in love doesn’t bring happiness (but it is a contributor). Things and other people don’t bring us happiness. We create our own happiness, by doing the things that we enjoy, and sharing those positive experiences with others who share similar interests. We alone are in charge of our own happiness.
Learn to choose yourself first. Vow to do things that bring Take some risks, but don’t be stupid.
joy.
Here’s 5 tips to happiness, no treadmill needed! Drop dead weight. What’s dragging you down? What is holding you back? If it isn’t bringing you joy, if it isn’t making you smarter, better, or helping you get closer to your goals, drop it. It could be a regular event you attend, it might be a friend or family member. If it, he, or she isn’t on your team, it’s working against you. Drop it. Follow your heart. It’s hard to set goals if they are not aligned with what really makes you burn inside. What really gets you off? What can you produce that will bring you the most joy? Performing? Writing? Bike riding? Painting? Poetry? Cooking? Define it! Live with purpose. When you wake up, what first comes to mind? Do you think, ‘Ah shit I don’t want to go to work! My boss is an ass! My coworker is a backstabbing drama queen! If this sounds like you, you need to make adjustments. Simplify it. Get a different job, that aligns in the broad category of #2 above. Instead of thinking, “What will today bring?” I want you to change your mindset and approach by saying and thinking out loud the following. “What can I bring to this day?”
Define it, set it, and make it happen! Hold yourself accountable to make it so, and then do it. This doesn’t need to be something huge like climbing a mountain, but to get accomplished, like sort and file the pile of paperwork that’s on the kitchen table, or cleaning the microwave, for example. Learn to say ‘No.’ I saw an interview with someone I look up to, (Sir) Paul McCartney, and that was one of his greatest pointers. Learn to say ‘No.’ If you say ‘yes’ every time someone asks you to watch their house, kid or dog, or cover their shift, or volunteer at the soup kitchen.. As great as a need and a cause, you simply can’t save the world. You have to maintain a balance of your time so that you can be gaining momentum daily to your goals, your happiness. Giving of yourself is very rewarding and I definitely recommend volunteering and helping those who need it, but if you donate too much time, you will start to feel stressed and resentful. 5. Once you pass #1 here, you will feel way better. Practice the other 4 and when you get here to #5, nothing will get in your way, because you won’t let it. You will feel more in control of your life, and will definitely feel more valuable, more confident, and be able to cover lots more ground. BECOME UNSTOPPABLE!
Watch for our NAMM Coverage in February!
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