The Eden Magazine

September 2020

EDEN T h e

Magazine

YOUR CHOICE CHANGE LIVES

by Nancy E. Yearout

THE WORLD CHANGED OVERNIGHT

by Jean Paul Paulynice

BE A HERO & RESCUE YOURSELF

by Kelly Fuhlman

THE SENSITIVE

PATRICIA

De Leon An Actress, Model, & Animal Activist

SOUL

by Theresa Cheung

WYLAND

FOUNDATION

Dedicated to raising environmental awareness about water conservation and water quality

Table of Contents The world Changed Overnight

20 32

8

PATRICIA DE LOEN

By Dina Morrone

20

THE WORLD CHANGED OVERNIGHT

By Jean Paul Paulynice

30

IMPROVING RELATIONSHIP DURING COVID-19

By Erin Wiley MA, LPC, LPCC

32

NAVIGATING CHANGE

By Angela Dunning

40

36

HOW WELL ARE YOU CLEANING YOUR BODY OF TOXIC WASTE

By Bryce Wylde

40

BE THE HERO & RESCUE YOURSELF

By Kelly Fuhlman

44

Improving Relationship during COVID-19

30 44

IT IS WHAT IT IS

By Joey Santos Jr.

56

ELEVATE YOUR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE & CONNECT WITH YOUR TEAM

By Teresa Lodato, CPCC

60

WYLAND FOUNDATION

62

FIVE PRACTICE THAT CAUSE MONEY MAGNETISM

By Phyllis King

60

Cover Photo by John Russo

10th Anniversary 64

64

WHY IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH

By John A. Chuback

70

GARDEN VICTORY

By Sasha Gary

74

YOUR CHOICE CHANGE LIVE

By Nancy E. Yearout

78

THE GAP INTENTION....INTERPETATION

74

By Michael White Ryan

82

ETERNAL LOVE & PEACE

By Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave

86

THE SENSITVE SOUL

86

By Theresa Cheung

90

DISCOVERING WITH THE OCEAN

By Lavandaia & Marco Nunzio Alati

78 82

92

WALKING TOWARD THE SANCTUARY

By Jayita Bhattacharjee

Eternal Love & Peace

90 92

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EDEN T

H

E

Since 2010

MAGAZINE

The Eden Magazine is a free online publication that focuses on spreading compassion to all Sentient Beings living in a healing and peaceful world FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MARYAM MORRISON EXECUTIVE EDITOR/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER DINA MORRONE COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER ALEXIA MELOCCHI BRAND AMBASSADOR MARIA ELENA INFANTINO COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST GLORIA KISEL-HOLLIS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SASHA GARY PHYLLIS KING JOE SANTOS, JR. ANGELA DUNNING NANCY E. YEAROUT MICHAEL WHITE RYAN MARCO NUNZIO ALATI JAYITA BHATTACHARJEE TARA-JENELLE WALSCH MARGARET TOMASZEWIC CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS + MAKEUP ARTIST EDWARD HAKOPIAN GRAPHICS & PHOTOGRAPHY GREG DOHERTY ISABELLE RUEN SHERI DETERMAN ARTIN MARDIROSIAN WEBSITE

www.theedenmagazine.com 325 N. Maple Dr. Po Box 5132 Beverly Hills, CA 90209 To purchase a copy visit us in www.theedenmagazine.com Eden Magazine is a non-profit monthly online magazine.

We aim to create a better environment where we live among other living beings in peace and harmony. We support artists that their work matches our criteria. If you would like to submit your artwork, article or/and your photography for our future issues please contact Maryam Morrison at; maryammorrison@theedenmagazine.com 4 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

MEET OUR TEAM

Photo by ISABELLE RUEN

Discover the path to a peaceful life among other living beings. We are all made of vibration and light in the universe to manifest our energy around all livingness.

DINA MORRONE

Maryam Morrison

ARTIN MARDIROSIAN

EDWARD HAKOPIAN

MARIA ELENA INFANTINO

ALEXIA MELOCCHI

GLORIA KISEL HOLLIS

TARA-JENELLE WALSCH

ANGELA DUNNING

NANCY E. YEAROUT

SHERI DETERMAN

GREG DOHERTY

MICHAEL WHITE RYAN

SASHA GARY

JAYITA BHATTACHARJEE

JOE SANTOS, JR.

MARGARET TOMASZEWIC

ISABELLE RUEN

SHELLY WILSON

MARCO NUNZIO ALATI

PHYLLIS KING

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P

Patricia

De Leon

By Dina Morrone

P

atricia De Leon is an actress, model, and animal activist. Her passion for animal rights and animal welfare has led her to have recently fronted an anti-bullfighting campaign in Europe. After being crowned Miss Panama, Patricia showed the world that there was much more to her than just her beauty. She hit the ground running, worked hard, and established herself as an actress. Patricia's support for animals earned her notable status as a spokesperson for PETA Latina, lending her face to four campaigns.

She stars as recurring characters on two high profile ABC drama series - STUMPTOWN, as the character 'Laura Alvarez' opposite Adrian Martinez which was created by writer Jason Richman and director Ruben Fleischer. And 'Elena' on the GREY'S ANATOMY spinoff, STATION 19.

The shows created is Stacy McKee, and Shonda Rhimes serves as executive producer. Patricia's two upcoming feature films, CENTURIAN XII, in which she has a starring role as supportive mother and wife, 'Isabella Hall' opposite Billy Zane and Amber Midthunder, and ONE HEART, where she plays 'Ana Torres,' a strong-willed district attorney (Abigail Spencer, Matthew Lillard, Marc Blucas).

Patricia has worked with several highly regarded actors and directors in films such as A-X-L, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, HONEYMOON IN PARADISE, OPERACION: CAUSA JUSTA, CHATEAU VATO, CONFESSIONS OF A WOMANIZER THE GREAT BAKE OFF, YOUR MOVE, FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM, LIGHT FROM THE DARKROOM, BADASS, THE POOL BOYS, HOW THE GARCIA GIRLS SPENT THE SUMMER, CLOUD NINE, and ALL IN, to name a few. She also has worked extensively on television, in shows such as LA QUINCEANERA, NCIS: LOS ANGELES, MAN OF A CERTAIN AGE, NOTORIOUS, and LINCOLN HEIGHTS.

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Photo by Deborah Hanock Makeup by Heather Coopersmith 9 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e August 2020

Patricia, thank you for taking the time to chat with us.

We know you have a very busy schedule!

You have been a vegetarian and spokesperson for PETA for many years now. You've done four campaigns (which we'll get into) and been a fervent voice for ending cruelty against animals. Can you tell us how you became a vegetarian and how you became involved with PETA? I suffered from stomach problems as a child up until my early 20’s. I was in and out of hospitals, doing test after test until I couldn’t deal with it anymore. One day I ended up at the ER with lots of pain. I was sent home on a strict vegetarian diet. I now know my body can't digest the proteins in meat. Not knowing where to start, I went to GOOGLE for recipes, and I ended up bumping into a video from PETA about fur. I cried and cried so hard afterward. I said, that's it. I want to contact them and see how I can get involved. I learned through PETA the respect for the life of an animal, in every sense.

Of all your campaigns with PETA, your antibullfighting stance was the most notable. What made you speak out against this? Do you think things have changed for the better since you did it?

I think that is teamwork. Through my message, I believe I have been able to help other people open their eyes to see that we have choices. People used to tell me, 'but you are Latin, you are supposed to eat meat.' Just because our parents grew up in a traditional Latin home, that we have to have traditional meat and dairy diet is absurd.

Photo by Deborah Hanock Makeup by Heather Coopersmith 10 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

Do you think it's hard to be Latin and vegetarian?

Exactly my point. I think that Latin culture is more aware, more open to listen and inform ourselves.

How have things changed in our society as it has become more acceptable to be vegan/vegetarian?

People are healthier. They have lower cholesterol, heart problems, and children are not developing obesity problems early. It's also much more acceptable to respect the life of an animal.

You’re a successful actress in both Hollywood mainstream and the Latin world. What is it like straddling both worlds? What has one taught you about working in the other?

I miss my Latin world a lot. Getting used to the American market was a bit challenging for me. I am Latin, in every way, which includes being stubborn.

I feel that I’ve taken the best out of both worlds.

Comparatively, the Hollywood mainstream is so organized, on time, strict, and planned. Not that it’s not in the Latin world, but there’s just more flexibility in the way things and times are handled.

In the last several years, there’s been a call for Hollywood to be more diverse and inclusive.

Do you think the movement has made casting directors and showrunners more aware of a need for different voices?

I think the Latin community needs not to speak up but to write better content and tell our stories. We have directors and producers, writers, actors. We need great narratives and to be considered for these roles. If those roles are not written for us, how will we get there? We need more Latinos behind the lens to create better content in Hollywood.

How do you think Hollywood has changed its attitude about Latin actors since you started?

When I first started, I was playing the part of a nanny. Now we have lawyers and doctors, leading roles, not only the janitors, gardeners, or prostitutes. Also, having an accent or speaking Spanish wasn’t a plus like it is today. Now sometimes the scripts we get are in Spanish.

I think that is teamwork. Through my message, I believe I have been able to help other people open their eyes to see that we have choices. People used to tell me, 'but you are Latin, you are supposed to eat meat.' Just because our parents grew up in a traditional Latin home, that we have to have traditional meat and dairy diet is absurd.

Photography by: John Russo StylistL Stefanie Szelo MUA: Authony Merante Hair: Steve Romero 11 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

Photography by: John Russo StylistL Stefanie Szelo MUA: Authony Merante Hair: Steve Romero 12 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

"Celebrating our culture is very important to me. But one thing I cannot support is the senseless killing of animals. From the moment the bull enters the ring, he is destined to die. Outnumbered, frightened, even dragged, or injured, his death will be slow & painful. Tradition is no excuse for cruelty."

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You made a lot of headway this year by being cast in a recurring role on two major shows on ABC: STUMPTOWN and STATION 19. At the start of your acting career, you were cast on ABC’s LINCOLN HEIGHTS. A decade passed between those roles. What has changed in your acting approach in those ten years?

The preparation and focus are the same. I think the most significant approach change has been taking on a guest role and saying to myself, “I belong here, and I am part of the show” instead of tiptoeing like a guest on set. I earned a spot to be here. That’s allowed me to give myself the freedom to make brave, risk-taking choices on set.

Can you tell us about the characters you’re playing in STUMPTOWN and STATION 19? What are the nuances or differences between the parts?

In STUMPTOWN, I play Laura Alvarez. She is Tookie Alvarez’s wife, played by the amazing Adrian Martínez.

They’ve been married for years, and it seems their relationship is in a tough spot. In STATION 19, I play Elena, who creates a big plot twist to one of the main characters.

You have some big film titles in the works with CENTURION XII opposite Billy Zane and Amber Midthunder; ONE HEART with Abigail Spencer, Matthew Lillard, and Marc Blucas; and ONE NATION UNDER GOD working with Kevin Sorbo, Casper Van Dien, and Antonio Sabato Jr. How are you juggling being a full-time actress with auditioning for new roles?

Auditions are part of the job. Sometimes I'm in my trailer shooting auditions with my scene partners. We all help each other. We tape auditions in hotel rooms or on set between takes, with poor lighting. We always get them done under any circumstances. We all help each other reading sides, taping each other.

Do you have a few anecdotes working on the sets of these films?

Hahaha. Many, but one especially. I had a scene with Matthew Lillard, and I had a long monologue. It was a walk and talk — the sun was going down, and I couldn't get it through my tongue and out of my mouth. There was so much pressure because of the lighting, so Matthew turned around and said, “K breathe, YOU can do this. Come on, and you are doing great, Let’s go!!!” It took that to get the take.

Is there a character you strongly connected to or identified with, in one of these three films?

Yes, Isabella Hall in CENTURION XII. It was very challenging, as the character I was playing was losing a

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loved one to cancer. I’ve never been so vulnerable while working and fighting against that to not fall apart and put my best out there. I had the most loving and caring director, Dana Gonzáles, and a fantastic cast and crew.

Shifting to another project of yours, I want to talk about PDL Cosmetics, a lip stain, and lipstick line you're working on. What drove you to start your own line, and will it have the same values of cruelty-free awareness you have in your daily life?

Makeup is a very personal topic for me. Growing up in Panama, I didn’t belong in the pretty group, the most popular click or the academic group. On the contrary, I was more of a wallflower. I wanted so badly to belong and be part of a group. Makeup helped me find my own identity. I remember how back in the day big lips weren’t pretty at all. Matte lipsticks didn’t exist, so I used to put powder over my lips to make the lipstick less shiny, which would minimize their size. I was a teenager, and it goes that deep.

I’ve been working on cosmetics for quite a while now.

I worked on a previous line as a collaboration but decided two and a half years ago to work on one of my own. I wanted to create a luxury line for every woman though I focused on Latin women — we love color and love makeup. You can bet that we [Latinas] are well put together, and our makeup is flawless. Our music, food, style of dress is colorful and happy. I wanted to convey that in my makeup line and include my own animal rights values, which is why the line is vegan and cruelty-free, made in the USA. Some of the profits will go towards a project that helps women in need, those suffering from cancer, going through abuse, or living on the street.

When do you expect it to be available for the public?

It available since May/June 2020.

Where can readers follow you and get to know more about you?

I’m on IG and Twitter @patriciadeleonb Thank You for the interview! We wish you health and safety for you and your family.

Speical Thanks to: Patricia DeLeon Dina Morrone PETA Photography: John Russo, Deborah Hanock Makeup: Heather Coopersmith, Anthony Merante Hair: Steve Romero

Ring; Spring Street The Collection Earring: Natasha Couture Scarf: Free Pree Lipstick: Anise by Patricia DeLeon, Love the Lucy Lipstain Nail: John Russo Beauty, Princess

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Ring; Spring Street The Collection Earring: Vintage Lipstick: Anise by Patricia DeLeon, Love the Lucy Lipstain Nail: John Russo Beauty, Princess 16 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

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Welcoming

V

IT O Trotta

It is an absolute pleasure to introduce and welcome Vito Trotta as our quarterly freelance beauty contributor.

Vito is a celebrity hairstylist whose credits include numerous hit television shows and feature films. His diverse clientele ranges from hollywoods elite to the boy and girl next door.

In his new beauty column, Vito will introduce us to new innovative hair products, as well as luxurious skincare treatments, to help us all look and feel beautiful. Vito will also share his favorite "on Set" musthave products with us, including great advice and tips on how to use them to achieve your desired look.

Even with his busy work schedule, he finds time to co-chair a mentorship program for young hairstylists looking to break into the entertainment industry.

We here at the Eden Magazine are very excited to have Vito on board as part of our team and hope you will be too! Please take a look and enjoy our new column “ HOLLYWOOD CLOSE UP" www.vitotrotta.com

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H

OLLYWOOD CLOSE UP

NEW FAVORITES & MUST HAVES

By Vito Trotta

We live in a world where looking our best and feeling confident is just as essential in everyday life as it is in front of the camera!

Vito Trotta

Freelance Beauty Contributor vitotrotta.com IG: vitotrottahair

I have been using julie hewett rosewater on set for many years now. Although its intended use as a hydrating facial toner is fabulous on its own, my secret tip is to use it on damp hair before blowdry styling. It puts moisture back into hair that is dry or damaged. The end result is manageable hair that smells fantastic!

Julie Hewtt Rose Water | $30 | juliehewettla.com

This new favorite luxurious face cream is unisex and anti-aging.

It primes the skin beautifully before makeup and is a favorite among artists in film and television.

I have tried the entire line, and I am hooked!

The price point is on the high end, but so worth it!

RetrouvĂŠ Dynamic | $235 | retrouve.com

This amazing dry shampoo is always with me on set and when getting celebrities ready for the Red Carpet.

It is a must-have for anyone with fine or oily hair, who need a little extra volume.

Hask Chia Seed Dry Shampoo | $16 | haskbeauty.com

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The World Changed Overnight: Now Its Education's Turn

A 2016 Psychology Today article asserts, "When you teach kids emotional intelligence, how to recognize their feelings, understand where they come from, and learn how to deal with those emotions, you teach them the most essential skills for their success in life."

Photo by Zack Vissels

Plainly put, if you want children and adolescents to value their education, to value their futures, to value themselves and to value one another, a social-emotional learning curriculum is not an "and-to" or an outlier educational concept. It is essential.

The Case For Social-Emotional Learning in Schools and How We Get it Done

To be specific, there are eleven components to a successful social-emotional learning curriculum that must be taught from kindergarten through the twelfth grade, and these elements are just as important to the success of each child and to the success of our species, as math, science, history and English language arts.

By Jean Paul Paulynice MBA,

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Navigating elementary school, middle school, and high school requires a greater breadth and depth of education that academics alone cannot provide. The 2020s are the decade where the rubber meets the road; this time requires social-emotional education and the building of "EQ" or emotional intelligence quotient in schoolage children. For this, we need an addendum to the Common Core curriculum that public schools across the United States have come to rely on. We need a parallel social-emotional education curriculum in all our public schools.

A recent article published in The Guardian titled, “Emotional Intelligence: Why it Matters and How to Teach It” echoes these sentiments, describing emotional intelligence as covering the five main areas of "self-awareness, emotional control, self-motivation, empathy and relationship skills." The article goes on to state, "It is, of course, important for good communication with others – and is therefore a gateway to better learning, friendships, academic success and employment."

Photo by Terricks Noah

W

ith the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, economic uncertainty, the fight for racial equality and a significant disruption to our children's daily routines, parents and educators have their hands full. From distance learning to basic everyday activities, our kids are coming of age in a new, ever-evolving world, a world significantly different from the one we grew up in. Status quo academic education and old-guard ideals will not be sustainable. Before our collective worlds were turned upside down and inside out courtesy of the biggest pandemic to hit our planet since the 1918 Spanish Flu, our kids were already dealing with the perils of highly publicized gun violence and the mental health challenges that come with their enmeshment in social media. The world has been in rapid flux since it has been spinning, but things have reached a fever pitch, and the circumstances that surround us are merely symptoms. The systemic illness is the neglect of emotional intelligence quotient development in schoolage children. Afterall, children become our next generation of adults.

Photo by Gaelle Marcel

Photo by NIkkita

COMMON SENSE TELLS US THAT WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE CAN ESTABLISH A WORTHY ENOUGH LONG-TERM GOAL THAT THEY PERCEIVE AS ACHIEVABLE, THEY PROTECT THAT GOAL BY MAKING WISER, MORE WELL THOUGHT OUT, SHORT-TERM DECISIONS TO SAFEGUARD THEIR FUTURE. Understanding, Managing and Communicating Emotions Emotions are their own language, just like English, Spanish or French, and therefore require attention and mastery to learn and interpret in a healthy way. Another Psychology Today article, titled, “Emotions as a Second Language, Or Should They Be Our First?” explains emotional literacy as "being able to feel, identify, and adaptively use one’s feeling states. This emotional fluency enhances emotional self-regulation, lessens over-reactivity to negative emotions such as anger, and is the basis of interpersonal emotional modulation."

don't share your toys, the other kids won't want to play with you" – social-emotional learning curriculum would instead teach the child that the fear of lack (as in there aren’t enough good toys to go around) should be replaced with love-driven behavior. In other words, the more positivity I put out into the world, the more good things will come back to me.

This instills an abundance mindset rather than a lack mindset (there are more than enough good toys to go around).

Learning to Set and Achieve Individualized Goals Many studies have been conducted to establish the correlation between long- term goals and short-term decision making, and how a substantial long-term goal can incentivize people to make better short-term choices. Yet, common sense tells us that when young people can establish a worthy enough longterm goal that they perceive as achievable, they protect that goal by making wiser, more well thought out, short-term decisions to safeguard their future.

Learning to make independent and positive choices How many times have we heard that old parental cliché line, "If your friends were jumping off the Empire State Building, would you do it too?!" You laugh, but peer pressure is the analogous equivalent of how a virus operates in the body of someone with a weakened immune system; it completely takes over. Peer pressure will never go away, but we can inoculate our kids by instilling the importance of listening to and trusting their own intuition, and learning to trust their own opinions and ideas when they differ from their peer groups' opinions and ideas. Children with a healthy sense of self tend to be independent thinkers who make more positive choices.

Learning to Work and Play Well with Others It may sound elementary, and in fact, it is. One of the greatest lessons that children should take away from their elementary school years is the ability to feel empathy for their peers, and to learn the value of teamwork, sharing with others and learning healthy forms of socialization. The elementary school years teach us how to interact and socialize in a healthy way.

But we need to take this one step further. Instead of simply instilling behavior modification through devaluation - "If you

Identifying Their Unique “Superpower” Children love superheroes, from Marvel and the Avengers to their favorite sports figures, a parent, grandparent or even an older sibling. They are hungry for role models, people to emulate and to juice their sense of imagination and inspiration. A child's own sense of self begins with observation of the prototypes around them, and it is a healthy part of their dvelopment process. In emotionally healthy children, this should eventually give way to the child being able

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UNCERTAINTY CREATES FEAR. FEAR IS A NATURAL HUMAN EMOTION WHICH LEADS TO STRESS. HOW WE PROCESS, EXPRESS, AND CHANNEL THAT FEARFUL ENERGY CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN EVERYTHING FROM OUR HEALTH TO OUR RELATIONSHIPS TO OUR FUTURE. to identify what his or her own superpower is; something they bring to the world that is unique to them. A TIME Magazine article titled, “The Secret to Happiness is Helping Others,” declares that "scientific research provides compelling data to support the anecdotal evidence that giving is a powerful pathway to personal growth and lasting happiness." Add to that, we all want to feel important and useful. It is our unique contributions to our community and to our world that provide many of the building blocks for good self-esteem and self-worth.

Handling the Emotional Complexities of Adolescence Self-discovery, or the process of acquiring insight into one’s own character, helps us identify our abilities and learn how we can leverage and develop them. It is the foundation of transformation, personal growth, and individual development. Research indicates that inner-directed discovery can be an incredibly motivating process and a very formative one in the lives of adolescents. The effect of intentional reflection, exploring one’s passions, and connecting values to purpose allows us to discover who we truly are. A recent article on popular Australian parenting portal, raisingchildren.net.au, titled, "Social and Emotional Changes: 9 – 15 Years" makes the point that during these tween and teenage years "your child’s brain is still learning how to control and express emotions in a grown-up way." Up until now, save for the occasional conversation with a parent, middle or high school guidance counselor or perhaps a therapist, your adolescent child has been going it alone, without the benefit of a structured education in how to healthfully manage the emotional part of their brain.

Photo by Sam Balye

Developing Coping Strategies to Deal with Fear and Uncertainty Uncertainty creates fear. Fear is a natural human emotion which leads to stress. How we process, express, and channel that fearful energy can make the difference in everything from our health to our relationships to our future. Children and adolescents experience these emotions tenfold, because emotions we perceive as negative feel enormous and overwhelming to an unexperienced brain that is still developing. The development of good verbal communication skills and written communication skills are an excellent outlet for feelings of fear, as they allow children to verbally express these emotions to family members, friends, a therapist, an educator, or another positive adult role model. Well-developed written communication skills allow the child to journal their less comfortable thoughts

and emotions. Physical activity and creative pursuits are also paramount for processing and exorcising fearful thoughts and emotions. The more a child experiences positive results through these outlets, the more confidence they develop in their ability to regulate uncomfortable emotions.

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Entering an Adult World with Innovative Techniques for Success If there is anything this global pandemic has taught us as a nation, it is the importance of adaptability and innovation. Our daily lives abruptly shifted, and we all acclimated to learning new ways of doing old things. For today’s youth, gaining innovative skills are the cutting edge to re-imagining adult success. Now more than ever before, young people benefit from having the agency to freely and courageously express their creativity, while mapping out unconventional pathways to success. This new era presents a wonderful opportunity for young adults in their teen years to be supported in their pursuit of establishing their own playbook for success. Go to college, graduate from college, get a job and keep that job for forty years was largely a twentieth century construct.

So why haven’t parents and educators evolved beyond that rulebook? Why is the tail wagging the dog as we see more and more young people starting businesses out of their dorm rooms? Young people are starting to innovate and design their lives in a non-linear fashion that suits the twenty-first century, but they need structured support along the way.

Learning to Make Complex Choices Based on Core Values Life can be hard, and 2020 has been no exception to that rule. Young people are bombarded by societal pressures, social media, and peer influence. Gaining the autonomy needed to make healthy decisions is critical to overall wellbeing and success. Research shows that children who truly understand themselves and can identify their core values are more likely to successfully navigate complicated life decisions than their peers who are unable to identify their personal core values. Learning the critical skills needed to make complex choices is a fundamental aspect of healthy development and a key indicator of potential success. Young people who understand themselves and their values are much better positioned to take on the challenges that life presents.

IRL (In Real Life) Social Skills and Healthy Social Adaptivity In the era of Instagram and TikTok, it is easy for young people to lose sight of the importance of building healthy interpersonal skills, specifically the skills that occur faceto-face and voice-to-voice, and not behind a screen. It is all too easy for young people to forget that they are surrounded by IRL (in real life) communities who care for their well-being, when they are so outwardly focused on social media approval from anonymous strangers. Learning how to re-focus on the people in your life and how to positively interact with all kinds of people, especially those from different backgrounds or lived experiences, is essential to adult success. ChildMind.org reported on a survey conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health, 24 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

which asked 14 - 24 year olds in the UK how social media platforms impacted their health and wellbeing. The survey results found that Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all led to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image and loneliness. What we are witnessing is a generation of young people who are facing more opportunities to experience mental health challenges, while being unarmed with the self-esteem-building education to put it all in proper perspective. When children learn meaningful social-emotional skills, they enrich their own lives and enhance their future potential.

Developing a Strong Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ) and Empathy Emotional intelligence refers to an individual’s ability to identify and manage their own emotions, while social intelligence refers to the ability to understand and appropriately respond to another person’s feelings. While many children experience pressure to excel academically from an early age, few mature realizing that social and emotional intelligence is equally important, if not more important, than academic excellence. Developing empathy for others and increasing social- emotional capital is essential for the wellbeing and success of young people. Research shows that children who develop a strong social-emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) are more likely to exhibit strong coping mechanisms when faced with challenges. They are also more likely to make healthy, value-based choices. Children are more likely to excel academically and gain future success in their chosen field, as well as in their adult relationships, when they have a strong emotional intelligence quotient as their foundation. As a bonus, children with high emotional intelligence quotient are more likely to become adults who raise their children with high emotional intelligence quotient.

Jean Paul Paulynice holds an M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, is author of the bestselling book, From Idea to Reality, hailed by Forbes as "one of the best books for startup founders and first-time entrepreneurs,” and winner at the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards. He is creator of the 11 week social-emotional learning curriculum Empowering Confident Youth, with four distinct course curricula for elementary school, middle school, high school and home-schooled children.

Visit JeanPaulPaulynice.com.

What’s in the Name?

The name Caldera + Lab was inspired by the Yellowstone caldera, a crater that was formed when the supervolcano that sits just below the surface of Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area erupted 640,000 years ago.

Caldera + Lab launched in 2019, is the world’s first men’s line to be certified by ECOCERT COSMOS and MADE SAFE®, the two most stringent certifications it comes to formulations and ingredients. After years of living a fast-paced life in Los Angeles, founders Stacy Keibler and Jared Pobre built themselves a quiet home in Jackson Hole, nestled in the heart of the Teton Mountains. Jared began noticing that the crisp mountain air was taking a toll on his skin, especially during ski season, and the idea for Caldera + Lab was born. Caldera + Lab develops and manufactures 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-approved formulas by capturing the active nutrients from wild-harvested botanicals in the mountains near the founders’ hometown. Caldera + Lab has a deep dedication to ingredient integrity and social justice; they are a certified B-Corp and have committed 2% of revenues to social causes.

When creating Caldera + Lab, Stacy and Jared wanted to embrace the power of the local environment. The pair hired a team of experts to harvest potent wild botanicals near the Teton Mountains surrounding their home, a step away from Yellowstone. Because the area sits on the edge of one of the largest calderas in the world, Caldera + Lab’s ingredients grow in a fiercely challenging environment that can include ash, harsh sun, strong winds, and what many local healers would consider a concentration of energy. The environmental difficulties in the mountains surrounding the Yellowstone caldera create plants that have evolved to be strong and resilient. It is from these powerful plants that Caldera + Lab’s active ingredients are created.

A New Kind of Skin Health Instead of focusing on single skin issues, Caldera + Lab approaches skin health from a holistic point of view.

Similar to the much-discussed gut microbiome, the skin contains a delicate balance of microbes that play a vital role in maintaining skin health and protecting the skin from common issues such as acne, dryness, eczema, and inflammation. Caldera + Lab focuses its research and development on how their products can best nurture the skin microbiome, a field of study that is still developing.

botanicals. Stacy, Jared, and their researchers found what they were looking for during a medicinal nature walk with a local botanist who has spent his entire life studying plants used by Native American healers and shamans.

The team found themselves deeply inspired by one bright botanical - wild fireweed.

Fireweed is one of the most resilient plants found in nature and has been used for centuries in Native American medicine as a soothing healer for burns and wounds. Harvested from scorched volcanic earth at high altitudes in the rich mountain ecosystems of Wyoming and Montana, this resilient antioxidant-packed botanical is the first to grow after extreme climatic events, such as forest fires. Fireweed is also critical to the wild ecology because of its ability to regenerate life on the forest floor. It is believed that this incredible plant passes on these same rejuvenating properties to the skin.

The Caldera + Lab team set out on a journey to capture the same resilience and regeneration in their serum. In the beginning, Caldera + Lab focused all efforts into launching one single, excellent product - a multi-functional, easy to use, one-step facial oil serum for men called The Good. This flagship product contains plant extracts and nothing else and delivers an incredible 3.4 million antioxidants in one single drop.

The Road to The Good After several months in the Lab searching for the perfect skin supportive

“Life’s turning points are often the best opportunity for creating a new you.

Starting a family and moving to the mountains was ours.

Our inner compass navigated us towards experiences, people, and products that improve our health and quality of life.That’s why we created the Caldera + Lab. To help inspire the best inside of you.”~Stacy & Jared, founders @ Caldera + Lab 26 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

Skin Care Innovation Caldera + Lab hired a team of top chemists and green formulators who began their work by assessing more than 2,000 botanicals. Once they determined the best skin supportive wild botanicals, they worked to transfer the most potent extraction of each botanical into The Good. Caldera + Lab’s researchers carefully chose cutting-edge green processes such as cryogenics, supercritical extractions, and patented processes to create one of the most innovative skin serums on the market. All formulas then passed multiple stringent tests and scientific assessments, including microbial, stability, efficacy, antioxidant studies, and dermatological testing.

The precision that goes into creating The Good has been vetted by several esteemed governing bodies such as ECOCERT, MADE SAFE®, and B-Corp.

“We repeat a thorough R & D process until we land on a synergy of antioxidants, adaptogens, calming, and healing elements. It takes several years to perfect each formula, and we’re proud that every stage of our production meets the standards of several cutting edge certification agencies,” says founder Jared Pobre.

The Future “Our team of leading scientists, natural formulators, and herbalists have put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into creating the most rigorously tested and clinically-proven facial treatment serum for men. For us, is just the beginning. In the immediate, we plan to expand our product line. Long term, you’ll see us doing the work to continue forging a path for luxury, wellness-focused, non-toxic men’s skincare,” said Jared and Stacy.

27 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

-

ONE STEP. BRIGHTER, YOUNGER SKIN How did we create a game-changing serum for men? Science.

Meet Green Tech Skincare, born in nature,

Based in Jackson, WY we select botanicals that are

And our big claims? They’re substannated by

perfected through science. Your me is beeer spent living your life, rather than following a complicated rouune. We designed The Good to be a one-step regimen for men, replacing everything you

clinically-proven, 100% fair trade, wild-harvested or organic, and sourced from the most potent variety no maaer where on the planet that is. The product is then meeculously formulated in a state-of-the-art

sciennfic data from our clinical trial. Your saasfaccon is ensured with a simple commitment: Love it in 60 days or your money back. Our industry leading cerrficaaons and proven performance have

need at night except for your cleanser.

ECOCERT-cerrfied manufacturing facility.

impressed magazine editors and industry insiders now it’s me for you to be impressed.

To learn more and purchase visit:

www.CalderaLab.com

29 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

DURING COVID -19

Photo by Elahe Motamedi

IMPROVING RELATIONSHIPS

By Erin Wiley, MA, LPC, LPCC A global pandemic. The world shuts down. With only essential workers leaving their homes, the rest of us try finding a new rhythm for Life-in-Quarantine. For the first time, couples and families have been forced to bunker down with each other, with next to zero reprieves from the constant togetherness.

Some family members have found great joy in this, but most struggle. People are tired, worried, overwhelmed, angry. Disappointed and stressed.

30 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

For couples in a healthy place, this is a time for greater connectivity, and for meeting new challenges together. For couples already in distress, COVID just adds more strain on an already tenuous relationship. Regardless of where you and your partner started back in March, there are things you can do now to help you find meaning and deepen connection during these difficult times.

With the combination of financial instability, work-fromhome stress, managing childcare over summer break, and predictions of a second wave, people can use ideas to strengthen the relationships that are most significant to them. Making your romantic relationship a priority takes time, dedication, and commitment.

Here are three suggestions that I use with the couples I treat in therapy that will help you come back to each other despite all the struggles in the world, helping you reconnect in a meaningful way.

My first suggestion for connecting during stressful times is spending time walking together. As simple as it sounds, there is a great benefit to getting out of the house and spending time with loved ones while moving our bodies together. Having a change of scenery and getting away from the distractions of a home gives us time to clear our minds and have conversations that count. Even simple talk about your day and what plans are in the near future will help strengthen your bond with each other. Whether you are taking a stroll in the park, or a heart-pumping walk through your neighborhood, walking together signifies that you are both willing to take time out of your busy schedules to prioritize time with each other. That kind of commitment of time and energy speaks volumes to your partner about the importance of your relationship. That, plus the conversation and stress-relieving chemicals in your brain from moving your body, all add up to a simple yet effective way to connect.

Speaking of getting away from distractions at home, how about spending less time engaging with electronics over people? We are all guilty in one form or another: news followers, social media addicts, recipe hounds, text warriors, video game aficionados, streaming media binge viewers, or constantly accessible workaholics.” Electronics can be a fun way to pass some free time, or they can become a maladaptive coping skill that we run to as a means to escape reality: that we are stressed, overworked, overwhelmed, dissatisfied, exhausted, and disappointed with life. Start to track your use. Rather than insist upon strict parameters for use right away, observe how often you are using electronics, and at what times you find yourself reaching for them. Maybe instead of zoning out together in front of the television, you have a conversation. Maybe instead of sitting in the same room with each other scrolling through staged pictures of other peoples’ lives, you go make some memories of your own. Take that walk, I just suggested.

Cook a meal together. Plan a new project for your home.

Just talk. Read. Or just BE in the same space, in the quiet.

We are not used to living without constant stimulation but, practicing slowing down and getting away from the screens and games and shows gives us a better chance for the deeper connection we all long for.

My third and final suggestion is to spend some time processing your feelings and sharing them in conversation with each other. Being healthy emotionally is the key to having a great romantic relationship. People are often dysregulated when upset or irritated, and we need to learn how to get ourselves back into a healthy headspace when we are upset. The way we do that is to share our feelings openly. You are able to tell your partner that you are sad or upset about something that builds connectivity. Being open to hearing what your significant other has to say about their own emotions is just as important as sharing yours. Validating the emotions that someone expresses, even when they don’t align with the listener’s, completes the cycle of sharing. I advise my couples to spend specific, scheduled, purposeful time discussing emotions together.

The format I have found to be most helpful is first to identify the emotion you are experiencing, then share why it is you believe you are experiencing the emotion, and process why this is significant to you. The last step in this format is to identify our needs in response to that emotion, and, if fitting, ask your partner for help meeting those needs.

This type of high-level, emotionally intelligent skill is fundamental skills for weathering hard times together, and thriving rather than surviving, Undistracted time together. Intentional time together.

Meaningful time together. As a couples’ counselor, these are the simple, yet highly effective objectives that I have my clients working toward in therapy right now. Growing closer in times of stress can be done. Consider sharing these suggestions with your significant other and scheduling some time to try them. I wish you the best moving forward in your relationships through this year. Here’s to all of us deepening our meaningful relationships during this unprecedented time of world-wide strife.

Erin Wiley, MA, LPC, LPCC, is a clinical psychotherapist and the Executive Director of The Willow Center, a counseling practice in Toledo, Ohio. She leads a team of 20 other therapists in their goal of meeting the counseling needs of the people and families of Northwest Ohio & Southeast Michigan, in addition to clients state-wide through telehealth. The clinical focus of her therapy work is marriage, family, parenting, and relationships. She has extensive training in marriage counseling from the Gottman Institute, located in Seattle, Washington.

Her most recent area of research involves the study of the management and regulation of emotion as it pertains to mental health. Visit: https://erin-wiley.com

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RECLAMING YOUR TRUE SELF

Photo by Tabitha Turner

Navigating Change

By Angela Dunning

Change is a complex and difficult process. It involves many stages. It's not a straightforward linear process and often involves many false starts, detours, setbacks, and discomfort, if not pain. Our ego resists change at all costs and prefers the status quo. As a society, we also collectively resist change, and yet as we are experiencing right now, sometimes swift and huge change is forced upon us, and we must respond. Whether it is this kind of externally forced change or we have reached a point inside and in our outer life where we know we can't continue as we are, change involves a number of stages that must be navigated as best we can.

Change is ALWAYS uncomfortable and involves leaving our comfort zone: Even when we know it's in our best interests, change can involve a disquieting mix of fear, anxiety, stubborn resistance, denial, sadness, grief, and regret. These can manifest as physical, or mental and emotional symptoms if we don't express this cocktail bubbling away within our discomfort.

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The funny thing is, we tend to forget this each time, and so with each new change, we're surprised all over again and, therefore, must remind ourselves that change is messy, disorientating, and hard work. Always, time is needed in the immediate aftermath to process and digest what we've done slowly and to create space for where we are now heading, giving it room to unfold gradually.

has a way of giving us a nudge. If we don't heed the nudges, then the pushes become stronger, sometimes even leading to a crisis that can be stressful if not traumatic. Often we prefer to stay where and as we are, reluctant to make changes. We prefer certainty, security, familiarity, and comfort. Yet, whatever become too easy and too comfortable is often counter to what the soul requires to keep moving us forward in our growth.

In addition, we often view stepping out of our comfort zone as a wholly conscious act. As if all the tools we need to do it are will-power, thinking, and intention.

While these are indeed valuable tools to help us take the step, we must remember that beneath and behind our conscious desire is a whole host of unconscious impulses and desires which are very likely railing strongly against the very idea of leaving this comfortable cocoon we live in each day.

Whatever we need to be doing and changing in our lives needs to happen. If we keep just letting time pass without making the necessary change, then outer circumstances will transpire to make this change unavoidable. Then there's the jolt we need; the lightning strike; the proverbial final straw. Something makes it no longer tolerable to stay put and propels us out of our sleepiness, and finally, we are awake.

In our unconscious reside our deepest fears, our primal fears, our child-selves, our undeveloped parts, and our most wounded parts. The last thing those parts of us want or need is to be forced out into the light of day and be exposed to potential harm again, so honoring the fears of those parts of ourselves is a vital part of moving through change.

We must find ways to dialogue with ALL of ourselves BEFORE we try to shunt ourselves, kicking and screaming into a new, risky place. This is all the more important because the very act itself makes us feel even MORE vulnerable and is why our attempts at leaving our comfort zone are usually unsuccessful because we fail to take our unconscious-selves fully along with us.

We must bring consciousness and unconsciousness into a relationship. Watch our dreams for where our true fears are; listen to our pounding heart and ask her what she is most afraid of; feel into our energy and respond accordingly, and above all, not be cruel to ourselves by forcing ourselves over a cliff edge, because we may not actually yet be ready to jump.

The skills involved in this process then are many more than will-power, thinking, and intention. It also requires sensitivity to timing, listening to and honoring our feelings and intuition, deep self-love; body-awareness; dream-tending; self-compassion; energy-awareness, and an ability to tune into our own deepest sense of alignment with life.

Resistance to change: When to push through and when it's more prudent to listen: Whenever we resist making a necessary change, life

THEN the motivation and energy are suddenly there, and NOW we can act and go forward toward that which is in our best interests. Fear transmutes into a helpful increase in energy, possibly involving anger if we've stayed in a relationship or situation too long, which has not supported us in a healthy way. And we can now ride this new energy like a wave out of our stuck-ness and into the new.

However, it's also really important to listen to some of your resistances.

When you feel a push away from a certain direction, choice, person, or situation, honor that resistance.

Like all emotions, your resistance could be offering you some vital guidance and wisdom. Yes, it could be your ego needing to strengthen its defenses for fear of further pain or loss of control. But, it could also be your soul communicating something vital to you, often through the body, giving you a clear indication that a certain direction is not in your best interests.

It's also important not to fall for the societal pressure always to push ahead; to ignore gut feelings and soul whispers. Don't override your no's; even if to-date, this has been your pattern. Instead, honor your resistance as guidance from the wise one inside of you, the one who has your best interests at heart; always.

Sometimes the message behind our own resistance isn't clear to us, and it can take a while before we understand why we felt that way, and that's okay as this is being kind to ourselves. This is self-care and self-respect, no matter what others say or how our decisions look to the outer world. This is paying attention to our deep truth.

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Breaking patterns IS hard: Changing patterns of a lifetime is incredibly difficult and takes a long time. It happens gradually over time.

In incremental steps, default habits, thought patterns, and attitudes have to be broken down and released, little by little, before they can be transformed into something new.

This is the gradual shedding of all the layers you have accumulated, often based on others' expectations of you, and at the same time, it is a gradual process of growing into who you really are. It is a REMEMBERING involving a return to what you truly loved as a child before that was stripped away from you and repressed through the comments, expectations, and barriers placed on you by parents and others. It is a RECOVERING of your Soul's true longings and gifts.

We slowly begin to see that one particular habit of doing a particular thing came about because of something one or both of our parents or other significant adults in our life at that time said to us or did. Then, we can make the conscious choice not to go down that road again and instead to choose a path in alignment with that which we really love. For example, this might involve job and career choices that unconsciously are still being chosen in order to please your mother or father, at the expense of spending time nourishing and developing your own creativity and pursuing that which interests and drives you the most.

To begin to break free of these almost imperceptible yet still present expectations in your unconscious is no small feat. We are talking about going against enormously powerful psychic processes, as well as risking disapproval from family, friends, etc. And, at the same time, trying on a whole new way of living, which in itself involves risk. This is not easy. And whenever you make a breakthrough and see a chink of light, celebrate! For you're on your way home at last.

An essential stage: Change requires sacrifice: If we are serious about wanting change, then we must accept that a sacrifice of some kind is an inherent aspect of change. We must be ready to relinquish something: an attitude; a belief; a sentimental attachment to something, someone or somewhere; a death of some kind must take place first to make room for the new to be seeded and then have the space to grow.

If we can't accept the sacrifice and death part of the cycle of growth, then nothing new can ever be born, and then change happens either only briefly or superficially and can't be sustained.

The final stage: Letting go:

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Whatever our main modus operandi is in this lifetime, you can be sure that life will present us with experiences that greatly challenge this. Our boat will be well and truly rocked time and time again.

For example, if we feel the strong need to tightly control everything - from how we feel; how we relate to our bodies; to our true needs and desires, to our working habits and our relationships with others - then we will be met with situations which force us to relinquish this control. Over and over again, as necessary, until we can really let go and trust LIFE. Through the onset of illness, tragedy, accidents, loss, big life changes, and traumas, again and again, we must face our particular demon. Face it fully and actually change how we go through life.

We must learn the art of surrender.

No longer can we move through our lives in the same way. No longer can we hold on so firmly. We have to find a way to let our fingers start to uncurl, our mind to relax, and to settle down into a new way of thinking and to be. We are forced to let the waters of life move around and through us, and the only way to go about this is to surrender and go with it.

Each challenge and period of change enables us to drop down into another layer of our mode of being, each time bringing us closer to a state of surrender to life, and ultimately, grace. The beauty of going through such experiences, even though they may be very frightening, sad and upsetting, is a new found love and appreciation for the gift of being alive every single day, as we learn to accept that nothing else really matters.

This is a real change. The sort of change that is permanent and enduring, as you know deep in your heart, is that there's no going back now.

Angela Dunning is a regular contributor to The Eden Magazine. She is the author of The Horse Leads the Way: Honoring the True Role of the Horse in Equine Facilitated Practice. Angela writes regularly on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehorsestruth/and Patreon: www.patreon.com/angeladunning.You can learn more about Angela and her work helping people and horses at: www.thehorsestruth.co.uk.

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How well are you clearing your body of toxic waste?

Photo by Aiony Haust

By Bryce Wylde

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The body continually makes toxins, called endogenous toxins, as part of the metabolic process. We’re also exposed to toxins as part of everyday life. “Our ability to efficiently dispose of all these toxins, also known as free radicals, can have a direct impact on our health,” explains Functional Medicine expert Bryce Wylde, BSc, DHMHS, Homeopath. “We can all use a little support, which is why most of us make a point of consuming antioxidants. But few people realize the body already makes the most powerful antioxidant of them all, the master antioxidant called glutathione.”

Wylde estimates there’s a huge percentage of folks who can’t seem to get rid of toxins that may be building up in their bodies. “Consider your home. No matter how good you are at throwing out the trash, it will accumulate until the city picks it up. Glutathione, with the support of other antioxidants, helps keep your body – your house – clean.”

Your body detoxifies every second of every day. Functional Medicine expert Bryce Wylde reveals how you can support your body’s master antioxidant, glutathione.

Whether you’re a modest detoxifier or a good detoxifier, an advantage is an advantage.

Wylde explains that toxins lurk everywhere.

“These include bleach in the laundry room and chemicals in foods and cosmetics. They are in you urinate, stool, sweat, or breathe out these toxins. When your output is less than your input, your health may be compromised. Antioxidants are one way to help the body sweep up the mess.”

Even if you follow a healthy diet and lifestyle, your body may not be able to keep up with the detox process. That’s where antioxidant supplementation gives you an advantage. “Many antioxidants have different objectives,” explains Wylde. “Vitamin A has a high affinity for the back of the eyes. Vitamin C supports the immune system. Vitamin D is also incredible for the immune system, and our bodies can manufacture it. But in the summer, we apply sunblock, and in the winter, we may not get enough exposure. So, we supplement.”

Why a glutathione supplement may not be the best choice “Other antioxidants don’t add up to the power of glutathione, which is made by every cell in your body,” says Wylde. And much as we may need to supplement our vitamin D, the body may also need an extra boost to help maintain

adequate amounts of glutathione due to such variables as advancing age, toxin exposure, and even genetics.

“In addition to everyday exposure to toxins, about 20% of the population are born with a genetic anomaly that limits their body’s ability to make glutathione.” Wylde also noted that low glutathione levels are associated with many chronic diseases.

But, he explains that oral glutathione supplements may not be the best choice. “Science reveals that while there is some benefit, most supplements aren’t bioavailable to our bodies.

While some of these supplements may get the glutathione into the bloodstream, they don’t get it into the cells where it does much of its work.”

This is why a precursor is more effective. “Think of a precursor as the yeast that’s necessary to start the carbon dioxide reaction that causes bread to rise. Skipping that step and spraying carbon dioxide into the dough doesn’t work as well. Similarly, the body needs a natural compound called gamma-glutamylcysteine (GGC) to encourage more glutathione production inside the cells. Glyteine is a proprietary name for nature-identical GGC. “Research has shown that Glyteine raises the cellular levels of glutathione rapidly, within an hour or two. Taking it on a regular basis may help your body be better prepared to manage the toxins we’re all exposed to on a daily basis.”

Glyteine is available over the counter as Continual-G.

Bryce Wylde BSc (Hon), DHMHS is a leading health expert specializing in integrative and functional medicine, homeopathy, clinical nutrition, and supplementation. As associate medical director at P3 Health in Toronto, and director of My Health Report, he blends the latest in science and technology with traditional and ancient remedies. Wylde is the author of three national best-selling books, previous host of CTV's Wylde on Health, and regular guest health expert and medical advisor on “The Doctor Oz” show.

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“What many people don’t realize is that the endocannabinoid system of all mammals – vertebrates and invertebrates -work the same,” said Gil Laureiro, CEO and co-founder of SilverLeaf Global, the foundational platform for NanoSol™ Pro and NanoSol™ Pet hemp-based products.

“We want to educate the public about the health benefits of CBD for our pets.”

While many CBD producers have product lines for pets, Laureiro and his partners at NanoSolä Pet set out at the onset to design and formulate hemp-based products intended to promote better health and lifestyle for our four-legged friends.

“Our goal for ourselves and our furry friends are safe and verifiable products that promote our cells to work optimally, also called Cellular Optimization. We accomplish cellular optimization through cellular supplementation and thereby, minimize cellular disruption. Said differently, NanoSol™ formula is designed to optimize cellular activity by minimizing endocannabinoid deficiencies.”

Please tell us why did you get into CBD? Why pets?

My co-founders and I have spent years advancing healthcare solutions about both human and pet medical markets.

We expanded our business strategy in adopting Hemp-based products due to their ability to non-invasively and significantly contribute to cellular optimization. Our business development experience directly influences our Hemp product initiative and expertise in the FDA cleared field of non-invasive cellular regenerative medical device solutions launched into the healthcare market.

Both non-invasive cellular regenerative medical devices and hemp-based products contain similarity in that they provide diagnostic and therapeutic solutions to animal and human medicine and health optimization markets. Like humans, animals, as scientifically proven, contain an endocannabinoid system and suffer similar symptoms when the endocannabinoid system becomes deficient.

How does an animal’s endocannabinoid system work?

Humans and animals contain the endocannabinoid system (ECS), comprised of cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoid molecules, and their metabolic enzymes. Together they include a crucial molecular system that the body uses to help maintain homeostasis.

The endocannabinoid system is recognized as an important modulatory system that directly affects the function of the brain, endocrine, and immune tissues. Cannabidiol Hemp Oil acts through cannabinoid receptors located on cells throughout an animal’s body, which address deficiencies of the endocannabinoid system.

Cannabinoids affect the pet’s body, as they contain receptors that are made to bind to specific cannabinoid molecules.

How is the animal endocannabinoid system different than humans? The human and animal endocannabinoid system very similar regarding its intended function and symptoms experienced

38 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

from a deficiency. Hemp Oil supplementation health benefits similar to animals and very much the same for humans.

Humans often don’t know if they are taking full spectrum or broad-spectrum hemp oil. Does this matter for animals?

Full Spectrum hemp oils, by definition, contain legal limits of THC, and when the Hemp is processed, the THC present is not filtered out. Broad-spectrum processes Hemp a step further to ensure THC is removed, and therefore when tested, no trace amounts of THC are detectable. Science tells us that any tracible amounts of THC ingested are cumulative and may be harmful, and therefore, pets should only take Broad Spectrum hemp oil.

To ensure you are buying a non-detect THC product, a Certificate of Analysis (COA) should accompany the product, and a certifiable independent testing laboratory must provide the COA. We know dosing for humans can sometimes be a matter of trial and error. What about hemp oil dosing for animals?

Pet dosing is calculated by weight, and dosing should be clearly suggested on the product label. No different than humans, observing your pet during the first few weeks of dosing helps you determine if the applied dose is working, or possibly the dosing should be increased or decreased.

Do vets recommend hemp oil for pets?

Hemp oil recommendations by veterinarians vary from state to state. There is a large number of veterinarian practices that not only recommend hemp oil for pets but who carry the product in their practice and sell directly to their clients.

Many studies are being conducted due to the empirical evidence already obtained, that supplementing with Hemp Oil may contain several animal health benefits.

The more these studies are made public or published, the more the Veterinarian will recommend Hemp Oil supplementation.

BE THE

HERO

AND RESCUE YOURSELF

By Kelly Fuhlman I was born a girl in a world that sees me as a trophy to decorate your arm.

To have in the room as proof of your success and doused with diamonds upon my chest.

My worth is my beauty, and the size of my waist always to be seen, and never the fact that I am a person.

A person you see who has dreams to be...

I am a women, a person you see that has dreams to be...Perfectly me.

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41 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

C

reating the Inner Courage to Wear Your Own Cape

Have you ever wished a superhero would come down and rescue you in those chaotic moments in your life? The easiest thing to do is to wait for someone more qualified to come along and fix what has been broken for so long. What if I told you that hero was you? From dyslexia, drug addiction, and trauma, there were many times when I didn't think I would make it, even times when it felt better if I didn't. The truth is, the only person who can save each of us is ourselves.

I hope you laugh, cry, and allow yourself to learn how to become your own hero and save yourself!

As you become your own hero, and those steps rot or even disappear from underneath you, I hope you will have the power to put on your cape and fly right over them to the next chapter of your life!

Each one of us has an evolution that occurs over time. Are you who you were a decade ago? Most likely, that past, you aren't who you are today. So many things change through time, experience, tragedy, and joy. You may have changed your actions, mindset, or belief systems to match who you are now. I've changed through the years, just like you have, and I'm grateful for the peaks and valleys of life. I am even more grateful for all I learned along the way. I'm still learning every day.

I hope to help people understand and realize who they are, flaws, wrinkles, and all.

Today, as I am finishing the work on this book, I was laid off from an organization where I thought I would be for a very long time. What happens when those steps disappear? Well, the entire staircase vanished on me! So I have to pull out my own cape and fly through this new lesson in my life.

I never imagined at forty-one years old my story would read a little like this.

Leave Beaumont, Texas; earn two degrees, one of those an MBA; become a beauty queen; be addicted to drugs; go through recovery; compete in fitness competitions; work for The Walt Disney Company; then get laid off, or even write my own book!

We all go through things in our life, have skeletons in our closet, and learn and evolve as we go.

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Maybe you even did things that aren't proud of. You think to yourself that I am not the best person in the world, but that We all make mistakes, and it's unfair to allow that self-talk in your mind to continue. You are enough. Despite everyone striving for a false sense of perfection, the key is to know that even the biggest heroes have flaws. This allows us to lean in and listen to truly.

You need to change the perception of the mistakes you made in the past and take those stories and use them to reach your community with the tools and the knowledge that you have learned through those trials in your life.

We aren't perfect, and it can take a long time for people to learn that lesson when they are coming from place of failure or constant struggle. Whether it is a learning disability, a health problem, or you were just awkward, the only way to survive as a kid and as an adult is to silence others' negative voices. When I was diagnosed with dyslexia, I was told that because of my learning disability, I would never graduate from college. As I grew up, my parents would never let me us my dyslexia as an excuse. They gave me the time and space to create goals, and they supported those. My first goal was to own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

My dad had me riding on the gas tank of his bike when I was two years old. It was in my blood. I bought my Harley in 2004 and have been riding it as much as the Texas heat will allow.

My parents weren't rich by any stretch, but they saved and invested in putting me through college so that I could start my life with no debt. I knew college was the next step after high school, but my parents let me know really fast that the money they saved was for college. They knew I would not achieve the goals I had without a college education. My parents believed in me, decided that I was going to college, and I walked away with two degrees: a bachelor of science in communications and a master of business administration.

Our parents do their best to shape our belief systems, and then it's up to us to commit to growth.

Why do you need to read this book? Life is and will continue to be hard. People will try to hold you down or make you feel less than worthy in an effort to elevate themselves. Come back to this book to remind yourself that you can never take no for an answer. You can never allow yourself to be mistreated by yourself or others.

That's right; it might be you who creates the worst inner monologue about your own life and who you are.

Isn't it ironic that we get offended the minute that someone talks down to us, or we perceive that they said something less than glowing about us? Even when your colleague or manager gives you constructive criticism, you may feel as if they are the problem, not you. Yet we can go all day long talking negatively about ourselves and our subconscious without even realizing it and accepting it as if it's okay.

Lewis Howes says, "Whatever voice you have in between your two ears, make sure it's not your own worst enemy; make it your biggest cheerleader." So often we defeat ourselves before we even start, and we end up walking away from a blessing, opportunity, or amazing people because our inner voice says no, stop, they will make fun of you, or you will fail! Be your own cheerleader.

Look in the mirror and say, "Let's get fired up" or give yourself a little wink every once in a while. It is called self-love!

Have you ever had someone tell you that you aren't smart enough? Intelligence isn't what gets you through life. It isn't what determines success, and, of course, beauty isn't either.

It is grit, perseverance, purpose, and hard work. You are what determines what you can do.

Invest in yourself and surround yourself with great people who can support you and give you that swift kick in the butt when you need it. It can be easy to forget to take care of ourselves. That is why you need to be surrounded by a strong life team. Iron sharpens iron (Prov. 27:17 NIV). The key is the people you choose to hold your feet to the fire.

They cannot be afraid to hold you there and be honest.

It is my hope that you learn and grow from this book in order to see yourself and your life more clearly. As you read the lessons and stories within, know that I'm not perfect. I have flaws, failures, and problems plenty. I'm just like you. We are all just working our way through

this life, hoping to make an impact that lasts.

It is time to disrupt the "self-help" book industry that promises a better life with ten easy steps! Life is not built on ten easy steps, and what happens when those steps rot, break, or even disappear? Inside this book are lessons (not chapters) of my experiences. As you read, I hope you laugh, cry, and allow yourself to learn how to become your own hero and save yourself! As you become your own hero, and those steps rot or even disappear from underneath you, I hope you will have the power to put on your cape and fly right over them to the next chapter of your life!

Through my journey, I am going to share how to seize back your life from waiting for the hero to becoming your own. No matter what the condition of your life or your heart, we will journey together to see proof that no matter how far you fall, you can get back up. You can be courageous and be the hero and rescue yourself!

It's time to dust off your cape and step into your purpose and healing as your own hero.

This book was written and designed to work as a hybrid book/journal. Think of it as a tool that you can write in. Be inspired to ask yourself those hard questions and truly change your life for the better.

As you read the stories and lessons within, the intention that you'll experience in your own growth and the inner journey of the soul, by the end of this book, you will have read essential lessons and also learn how to apply the concepts to your life, business, and relationships to become your very own hero!

Author, Speaker and strategic planning expert, Kelly Fuhlman has been helping Fortune 500 companies, working for universities and Disney Institute, sharing best practices in leadership, marketing and business development. Equipped with an MBA and Bachelor in Communication, she helps create strategy and relationship building within companies and teams. She has increased revenue through branding and marketing, giving companies an edge over their competition. As a speaker, Kelly helps youth and adults recognize the hero within and how to change their own story to empowering them to become their own hero.

She lives in Texas with her husband and son as she continues to build a legacy around family, faith and a commitment to excellence. https://kellyfuhlman.com.

43 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

THE WAY I SEE IT

By Joey Santos, Jr.

"

t Is hat

WItIs Photo by Erwann Letue

"

45 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e August 2020

Is it? And what is “it"? What "it" is, is nothing we can interpret. So, how can "it" be? This year has been a rollercoaster ride for the ages. The ups, downs, twists, turns, only to find ourselves dizzy and nauseous with no operator to slow it down or turn it off. Yet, we maintain hope.

Hope. As fires rage, storms destroy, lies believed with millions of people still sick, and thousands of people still dying. But, still, there's hope. And what exactly is hope?

Where does hope come from? Where do we find it?

How do we maintain it? Hope lies beside faith. We find it in our consciousness, in our hearts, the same place we find our Spirit, our "Guide," our God. It's that sense of something greater, more powerful than ourselves, imagination, or realm. That place where truth is born, lives, and flourishes. In silence and calm. In peace. Think about it. Where is it we go when we feel conflicted, troubled, confused, lonely? Those of us who are "unhealthy" or lost usually go toward the dark—going outside of ourselves, turning to substances, people, or places that remove us from our path. Confusing our reality, even more, leading us to the quick fix. The distraction, the lie, the high.

Whatever and whoever we can find to take us away from hearing our truth (often too painful to bear ), making it so much easier to drown out. That's the road to selfdestruction, despair, anger, helplessness, regret, fear, and isolation. The oneway road called "False Hope." For some, strangely, it takes this to turn one around to find the enlightenment we deep down all crave and ultimately seek.

We are all so individual in our approach to realization and contentment. It can't be determined or sorted under one blanket. Everything we do in our lives is calculated and determined by our experiences and by the way we react to them. "Healthy" people go toward the light.

The brighter, the better. Our energy reflects that light, drawing us closer by warming the Spirit, and calming the soul while invigorating our bodies and our minds.

Clearing a path for choices, decisions, and people to complement our every day, and removing doubt, unhappiness, negativity, and uncertainty, providing consistency and character. I don't believe we are born to think and react negatively. I believe certain people are encouraged to do so. I believe inherently we all come from love and are in a constant search towards greater love. The one thing we are not born with is a GPS giving us direction, warning us of construction, weather, detours, or accidents ahead.

Those are for us to discover the hard way. What we are responsible for along the way is our "vehicle." Ensuring that it is properly maintained, inspected, fueled, and able to run smoothly.

We are also responsible for its' passengers. As we embark on life's journey, we must be certain of those we ask to join

46 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

us. Are they good, kind, respectful? Are they patient and calm? Are they interested in seeing, learning, experiencing, sharing? Or are they merely hitchhikers looking for the next stop?

The best part of our lives is full speed ahead of us, but only if we choose it to be. Again, choices and they are insurmountable. We must be prepared. All lives depend on it.

ALL LIVES! I choose, as I drive along this road of life to keep my eyes on the highway. Using my rear-view mirror to be respectful to where I come from. My side-views to keep check of those beside me, aware of the signs ahead, using caution, keen to my speed and reactions but always enjoying the music with my windows open and the convertible top down. That to me, "Is, What It Is"!

Joey Santos Jr. was raised in NYC, Malibu, and West Hollywood Hills.

He is son to Film & Television Actor Joe Santos. His Mother, Mary, was a former Showgirl who became a "stay at home Mom," and a wonderful cook who loved hosting lavish parties in their homes. Joey's Grandfather is World-Renowned Latin Singer Daniel Santos, and his Grandmother Rose was a Business Woman who owned Nightclubs in NYC, Havana, Miami, and LA. She also started a Record Label and a Film Studio. Early on, Joey worked as an actor. He had a recurring role in NYPD Blue's, as Officer Aiello, and also performed on stage doing live theater. He then embarked on a singing career, recorded a couple of CDs, and performed in various venues throughout the US. His ultimate passion, however, was the result of following in both his Grandmother's and Mother's footsteps.

He became a Restauranteur - (Co-owned the El Mocambo in LA, Owner and Chef of JoJo's Americana Supper-club in Saugatuck, and JoJo's Juke Joint in West Hollywood). This experience would lead Joey to embark on his own very successful private business of catering/ hosting events for the Hollywood elite.

For the past four years, he as been Private Chef to Brad Pitt. Since 2016, Joey writes a monthly column, "The Way I See It " for The Eden Magazine. He is teaming up with life-long friend ( Literary Agent ) Alan Nevins, to develop a PodCast called, "Two Guys From Hollywood" where they will talk about everything you always "didn't want to know!"

47 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT

Rita Reimers

Cat Behavior Expert, Founder of Club Cattitude, Podcaster and Author

Following the story of losing Sadie, Rita shares resources where people can get help with the grief of pet loss.

Born and raised in Buffalo, Rita never had the luxury of having a pet cat growing up consistently. From 2005 until 2008, Rita was heard live weekly as an on-air personality and Associate Producer of the "Lighten Up with Richard Simmons" show, heard exclusively on Sirius Satellite radio station Stars 102.

Cat behavior expert, the founder of Club Cattitude, Podcaster, and author, Rita Reimers, has always been drawn to animals, cats in particular, and she possesses a unique ability to communicate with and understand the delicate nature of cats.

Rita's "cat magic" comes from her over 30 years of experience as a multicat owner and cat rescue worker. Understanding cats and their behaviors is a natural ability for Rita, and she considers it her "calling" in life. In her advice column, "A New Cattitude," featuring in CATSTER, she combines humor with practical solutions for feline behavior challenges. She also writes regularly for websites such as Chewy.com, Pet MD, and Pet Central.

You can find Rita hanging out in Club Cattitude, section of her website, RitaReimers.com. You can ask Rita and the staff cat questions and enjoy a community full of other cat-loving people.

She is the author of the book, Sadie's Heart, Loving and Losing Our Beloved Cat Companions, where Rita shares the joy of the deep bond owners share with their cats and the inevitable heartbreak of saying goodbye.

48 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

Rita founded Just For Cats Pet Sitting, with locations in Charlotte, NC, and Rock Hill, SC. Rita recently merged her Beverly Hills location with the celebrity loved Meowtel. Rita is a member of the Animal Behavior Society, a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), and is a Professional Member of the Cat Writers Association.

We are pleased to sit down with Rita for this exclusive interview.

Please tell our readers how and when you decided to become a Cat Behaviorist?

I have always had an innate understanding of cats. After starting my cat sitting business, Just For Cats Pet Sitting (which was acquired by Meowtel earlier this year), our clients started asking me for behavior help.

Then I began volunteering with cat rescue and saw cats being surrendered for reasons that could be corrected if people knew. So, I began my career as a behaviorist, helping cats to remain in their homes by educating people about their natural behaviors and needs.

Cats learn as quickly, if not faster, than dogs. In your opinion, why do cats refuse to follow commands?

Dogs do it to please their owners, but there needs to be some payoff for doing a spe-

cific behavior for cats. It can be as simple as a chin rub, but there needs to be some reward associated with a response, so the cat knows what's in it for him/her and will repeat the behavior to get the reward.

Please share with us the most impactful experience you had with working with your cat's client.

Anytime I help a cat parent learn how to correct unwanted behavior, thereby allowing the cat to remain in their home, it is very emotional for me. Usually, it's helpful with unwanted peeing outside the box, or integrating a new cat into a household that are the most rewarding experiences for me.

What would you say is the difference between being a trainer and a behaviorist?

In my opinion, a trainer is there to teach a cat to do a certain trick or behavior upon command. A behaviorist is there to assess a cat's unwanted behaviors and teach humans how to correct it.

What is the main problem you see your clients dealing with their cats?

Boredom in the cat that leads to unwanted chewing/clawing of their human's belongings happens quite often. Cats need both mental and physical stimulation every single day. Without cat trees and shelving to climb, toys to hunt, scratching posts to use, a cat will become restless and bored, and decide to find other things to get into.

Declawing is a cruel procedure for cats, and studies show that by declawing the cat, another bad behavior can arise. What would you suggest would be an alternative to declawing?

Provide plenty of paw stimulation by way of cat scratchers and cat trees. Cats need to scratch to maintain the right paw and nail health, which is never going to stop.

Providing "good" things for a cat to scratch and making no-no places unattractive will eliminate the need for declawing.

As we all go through time with quarantine life, would you say this is harder for cats than dogs, or does this change of lifestyle not affect our cats' lives?

I would say it's a little different with cats because they spend so much of their day sleeping. At first, when we all started staying home, cats were "hey, why are you home sitting on my sofa? I want to take a nap!" and yes, it disrupted their routine. Cats like routine and predictability; now, they are used to us being home, so we may see some separation anxiety issues happen when cats go back to being home alone all day.

When a cat owner notices specific behaviors, i.e., not urinating in the litter box or not playing, what steps are needed to determine whether it's a medical reason or behavioral issue?

The very first step is always to see your veterinarian. All the behavior advice in the world won't correct a problem that is a medical issue. Once the medical issue is ruled out or treated, if the problem remains, it may well be behavioral.

Do you feel a house with multiple cats can affect a cat's behavior?

A house with multiple cats does affect a cat's behavior, often for the positive. For example, if you bring home a very young kitten, his behavior as a single kitten will be very different than if he has another kitten to play and learn with. Two kittens together are often much happier and better adjusted socially than a single kitten. On the other hand, a cat that may be older and used to being an only cat may initially accept another cat. In my experience, eventually, it becomes a positive experience even for grumpy cats.

Any advice you would like to share with our readers who own a cat?

Spend time with your cat, both in play and cuddling.

Please get to know his subtle ways of communicating his feelings and needs with you. Once you figure out what your cat wants, you will have a much closer relationship.

Where can our reads follow you?

Please visit my website, RitaReimers.com, and listen to my podcast on Pet Life Radio, 19CatandCounting.com. On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, you can follow me @MultiCatExpert, and on YouTube @RitaReimers and https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/19-catsand-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com/id1516339436 49 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

An excerpt from the book, Simplify

Become a Warrior,

Photo by Marklawlessart.co.uk

Not a Worrier

By Bob Hillary

50 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

In today’s digitalized world we are constantly switched on, scrolling and stressed. Bob Hillary made a decision to reject this way of living after it made him gravely ill. How did he cure himself?

He abandoned city life and moved completely off the grid, living in a yurt in the Welsh mountains for two years. He relied completely on the produce of the land. No Internet. No telephone. No running water. Nothing.

Simplify is the result of this experience, offering advice and practices in order to ground us in these modern times. Times that demand we think and act faster, grow impatient and restless quicker.

We have become careless as we care less about the world around us, causing more damage to our surroundings and ourselves.

“Navigating life in 2020 means that we are coping with around five million percent more stimuli than we were just fifty years ago.”

In this book, you will discover how to combat this world with: • The secret of “Slow Living” – Sustainable, Local, Organic and Whole.

• Key tips on downscaling, removing technology and living off the fruit of the land.

• Finding and accepting yourself away from the pressures and expectations of society.

• Not only envisioning a better future but creating one.

Simplify provides 21 practices to help you simplify your life. These practices range from being still for a few minutes before rushing out of bed in the morning, to learning when to say ‘no’ in your everyday life when you are feeling overwhelmed. Easy, practical advice that we can all incorporate into our daily lives.

This short, practical, and ultimately simple book is a manual for navigating modern life and making the right choices to result in a more peaceful, stable and happy way of living.

I

t takes a certain amount of bravery to step out with determination on the path to a simpler life, in tune with yourself and with the Earth. As discussed, way back in the introduction to this book, I encourage you all to become warriors for the Earth. By doing so, I guarantee you will learn to let go of all the things that are cluttering your life and limiting you in so many ways – you will truly learn to simplify and to stay sane in a crazy world.

A warrior goes slow in this world. Not too slow. But slow enough so that they are fully present with every step they take. They can also move fast when needed, but only when it is required. A warrior does not rush. They are methodical and powerful in their measured pace, and they honour themselves at all times.

enough to be able to listen to their heart.

• A warrior is healing their own conditioning, wounds and blocks.

• A warrior listens to their intuition and lives to be ‘in service’.

• A warrior is in touch with both their masculine and feminine sides.

They are strong and soft, soft and strong.

• A warrior lives to bring change to old structures that aren’t serving the world anymore. They will not stop until they change for the better.

So, aim to become a warrior, make some changes in your life. Be someone who gives, someone who shares, someone who cares. Be an example. Be the change – step into it and see how good it feels.

This must not be mistaken for laziness – oh no, laziness is a completely different matter. A warrior is not lazy, although they also know when to let loose a little and take it easy. It’s highly important for a warrior to allow plenty of 'down time', to keep the batteries topped up so they are full for warrior duties.

The world does not need any more headless chickens running around – there are enough of these already. You know the ones? Those people running around caught up in a permanent state of drama and panic. Strive not to be one of these people. Being in a state of stress and rush does not serve anyone.

A warrior is someone who is doing their inner work, someone who is facing their emotional stuff. A warrior is someone who has ‘got out of their own way’, and who humbly goes about their work, carrying light and unafraid to shine brightly for all to see with no shame or fear of judgement.

• A warrior lives not from the ego, but from the HEART. • A warrior lets their heart lead the way in life, using their mind as a tool.

• A warrior has calmed their mind

Bob Hillary is a young musician and writer, and this is his first book.

He is signed to a wellknown record label and has released 4 albums to an International fan base. He is a regular blogger with a loyal following and also writes articles for Kindred Spirit. He has played at Glastonbury festival and tours the alternative, spiritual music festival scene in New Zealand, Australia and Europe. Bob spent a year living off grid and it is this experience that formed the basis for his book. www.bobhillary.com

51 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

Coping Techniques Everyone Ought to Know During Uncertain Times Photo by katerina plotnikova photography

By Shelly Wilson

52 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COMe September 2020

53 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e August 2020

We have been experiencing extreme, and perhaps unprecedented, times for months now. Many states have enacted and even re-enacted stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders as well as are encouraging social distancing, wearing face masks, and taking other measures as a means to combat our current global health concerns related to the coronavirus known as COVID-19. New information is being provided every day, yet we still need to cope with this situation. The best way to do that is by being present, adaptable, and flexible.

Living with uncertainty is challenging for most people because we tend to be an immediate availability and instant gratification society. Most everything we seek, including having our questions answered, is available to us most of the time, and now it is not.

By far, becoming aware of where we tend to reside energetically is most important when coping with the stress of uncertainty.

Being present also involves acknowledging, recognizing, and then silencing the voice inside our head, otherwise known as mind chatter — the flow of words in the form of thoughts and questions that stream through our mind continuously causing doubt and uncertainty.

54 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

Over the months, non-essential businesses have been ordered to shut down. That includes most of our entertainment options, including concerts, sports events, movie theaters, and even dining in restaurants. Thankfully, carryout and delivery options are still being offered in several locations. For a time, businesses providing services, such as hair salons, spas, and nail salons, were required to close. Although we may feel inconvenienced, we must abide by the restrictions to prevent the transmission of the virus or at least slow down the transmission.

In his best-selling book, The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz gives four principles to practice in order to create love and happiness in our life. Now, more than ever, these principles or agreements can provide us with a solid foundation to guide us during these uncertain times.

For those unfamiliar, The Four Agreements are: 1. Be impeccable with your word 2. Don’t take anything personally 3. Don’t make assumptions 4. Always do your best The first agreement reminds us that

words are power and invites us to speak our truth. We must express what we feel and communicate what we need. We must also listen to what others are expressing as well and do so from a place of non-judgment.

The second agreement is a reminder not to take things personally. This means that what other people say and do is a reflection of themselves, and we shouldn’t take their words and actions or inactions personally. Obviously, emotions are running high right now, and sometimes words are expressed that may be more reactive than responsive. The global health concerns are not directed at any one person, nation, race, or gender. It is affecting everyone in one way or another, so we shouldn’t take the coronavirus personally either.

Don’t make assumptions is the third agreement and offer us a reminder to ask questions, do research, and also refrain from reading between-the-lines. We have no way to determine, even with scientific input, when the virus effects will subside, and life will return to a new normal.

The fourth agreement encourages us always to do our best, knowing that we will function better when we feel healthy and balanced and will not do as well when we feel unhealthy and imbalanced. We are certainly facing trying times, so it is imperative that we focus on our physical health and mental/emotional well-being.

Listening to our bodies is essential, and taking mental health breaks is necessary.

Staying hydrated, getting adequate sleep, and eating nutritionally sustaining foods is required.

As humans, we function in the linear aspect of time. We need to know specific dates and times to plan our schedule and life accordingly. Not knowing the outcome of having a specific end date can be extremely stressful because we tend to be so detail-oriented. Therefore, the most significant gift we can give to ourselvesat this time, and actually any time, is being present.

Many of us, unknowingly, allow the energies around us to affect our energy, which can result in frustration and aggravation. When we feel anxious and tend to dread certain people, places or things, it’s a good idea to take a moment to breathe in deeply and let go of the lower and heavier vibrational emotions of fear, worry, doubt, regret, guilt, shame, anger and frustration as we breathe in the higher vibrational energies of love, peace and compassion.

Subsequently, we can also allow ourselves to acknowledge those individuals and situations that are triggers for us as well as those people, places, and things that push our buttons so that we can clear those triggers from affecting us anymore.

When we notice a tightness in our jawline and recognize that we may grind our teeth or clench our jaws, this can be an indication of holding in the frustrations. It may also mean that there are words that we are not expressing.

It could also just say that we are stressed, or perhaps, it is all of the above. If we realize that we are not expressing ourselves fully, we may be guided to at least say what we need to telepathically/energetically if we feel that we are unable to verbalize the words.

In those instances that we feel annoyed, bothered, or triggered, we can state aloud or in our mind, “This bothers me. This is affecting me. I feel annoyed.” Express whatever wordage that would apply. In doing so, we are choosing to clear the energy at that moment rather than allowing it to build and fester into something more.

By far, becoming aware of where we tend to reside energetically is most important when coping with the stress of uncertainty. Being present also involves acknowledging, recognizing, and then silencing the voice inside our head, otherwise known as mind chatter — the flow of words in the form of thoughts and questions that stream through our mind continuously causing doubt and uncertainty. Focus on living, being, and breathing at the moment as an intentional practice of being present. Being present also entails being present with those in our presence.

It should be noted that linear time does have relevance, especially when we have obligations and commitments.

We have places to be and people to see, such as a doctor’s appointment, work meeting, or personal rendezvous. The element of time is significant, but can also be restrictive and stressful, especially when the outcome is uncertain.

Here are a few simple, actionable tips and coping techniques to overcome frustration and live life more fully, especially during these uncertain times: Tip #1 - Be Present

Focus your energy on being present in this moment. Being present involves living in the moment rather than focusing on the future or dwelling in the past.

Tip #2 – Breathe Take a moment to become conscious of your breath.

Visualize yourself breathing in healing energy, then exhaling the uncertainty. Breathe in peace, love, ease, and compassion as you exhale the pain, hurt, fear, frustration, worry, and doubt.

Tip #3 - Ground Your Energy Grounding your energy keeps you present and at the moment. It completes the energy circuit and anchors your energy to the earth below. Visualize your legs as tree roots growing deep into the earth. Going barefoot and staying hydrated helps to ground as well.

Tip #4 - Center Your Energy Centering your energy involves finding that calm spot deep inside yourself that is eternal being-ness. Take a few deep breaths and bring awareness inward to the central essence — that place that is peaceful and serene no matter what the external circumstance.

Tip #5 - Surrender Surrender and release to the Universe anything you cannot control. The five things you can control are your own thoughts, words, actions, emotions, and responses.

Of course, we would appreciate having all of our questions answered and knowing the outcome as well as the time frame, but that just isn’t possible in many instances. Adapting to our current circumstances is ultimately essential for our physical health and mental/emotional being. Using these coping techniques can assist us tremendously.

Shelly Wilson is an author, intuitive medium and conscious creator who is passionate about helping people wake up to their greatness. She supports others as they navigate their own journey into consciousness to experience aliveness.

Shelly’s books, 28 Days to a New YOU, Connect to the YOU Within, Journey into Consciousness and Embracing the Magic Within are available in paperback and eBook. She is also the creator of Cards of Empowerment and Clarity Cards.

ShellyRWilson.com EmbracingTheMagicWithin.com 55 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

The following is an excerpt from “Why Aren’t You Listening to Me?”

Elevate Your Emotional Intelligence and Connect with Your Team

By Teresa Lodato, CPCC

I

Photo by John-Mark Smith

have been incredibly curious about people, their beliefs, and why they do the things they do, as well as observing the results they get through their actions. This lifelong love affair with people, cultures, beliefs and personalities has been a path of seeking. I have taken all this knowledge and condensed what I know about people here so that you too could gain from the wisdom of my education and experience. Over the years I have helped many people transform their lives by being mindful of the way they communicate. I advised them on how to make adjustments in the moment by being present, how to create a way of working and being that is in relationship with themselves and others in a way that nourishes their bodies and gets results. It all comes down to one thing: choice. If you are anything like my clients, you are living your life doing all the things that have to be done, that you should do, responding to things that need your attention. I would like to invite you to think about your life right now. When is the last time you used these words: have to, should, need? I bet it is a large part of your vocabulary whether you are telling someone else they have to, should, need to do something, or whether you tell others that you have to, should, need to do something. The words we use have a great deal of power and reflect what we value in life. Have you ever thought about the words you use or why you use them? What values are you telling the world you hold?

56 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

Photo by Andre Hunter

Exercise: Masculine and Feminine Within each of us are masculine and feminine qualities. These are the undergarments of the costumes we wear, the way of being we project out into the world. Take a look at the list below and place a checkmark beside all traits you value in your life: A Structure Stability Directness Concise Providing Competition Self-Discipline Hard-working Take action Task-focused

B Collaboration Community Connection Intuitive Healing Loving Nurturing Open-hearted Play Introspection

If you chose more A’s over B’s, you are aligned with your masculine qualities. Words from column A are action-oriented, the directive, form more structure, are yang, linear, and precise in nature. They are the straight line between A and Z. Words from column B are the pauses in life, the space between the action, yin in nature, and where we listen for signals and

information which guides our way. There is nothing inherently wrong with either column, but rather a launching point in which we can begin.

Lauren discovered she valued many of the facets in column A, and that many facets in column B made her feel uncomfortable and are a bit “out there.” When I asked which ones, in particular, she struggled with, she told me intuitive, healing, nurturing, lean back, and play. I immediately knew this was where she could begin the process of understanding where she is right now and give her a starting point in which to examine how she is living her life. I explained to Lauren how we all have innate gifts within us, and when we accept these gifts, we utilize the qualities and achieve greater results with a lot less effort. She was curious about how this could be done, so I shared with her the gifts I noticed in her.

“Lauren, I bet you are strong, resilient, and overcome just about all your challenges. I bet you get great results when you are in control of a task, and I bet the task gets done professionally and directly.”

She stifles a smile just enough for the corners of her lips to curl upward. She looks amused.

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“I also bet that you are not getting the results you used to get because you have a lot more people on your team that are much different from you. I bet, too, that you are frustrated that you are the one being asked to change the way you communicate. Tell me what that is like for you?”

The look in Lauren’s eyes intensifies as she details the story of her boss, asking her to change despite her getting exceptional results. I interrupt and ask her again, “Tell me what being told to change your style of communication is like for you to hear from your boss?”

before you cross the street or else you could get hit by a car,” but much of it was just regurgitation of the beliefs and perspectives that were fed to your parents by their parents and caretakers. Quite frankly, many of us have beliefs and perspectives in place that we do not even agree with right now. But like a song playing in the background, you tune out the noise and forget it is playing. Examining these beliefs and perspectives is taking account of the automatic systems you have in place, which are the foundation of your professional and personal relationships.

She stares at me for a few moments, looking like she is deciding whether to attack what I just said.

“Why do I always have to be the one to change? Why is it I am not okay the way I am?” Tears fill her eyes.

I inquire, “What is in your tears?”.

“Stress. Exhaustion. Pain”.

“What’s it like to feel so much stress, exhaustion, and pain?”

“It’s tiring. I just want to get things done, but it seems I am being blocked every time I turn around ever since I took this promotion. I don’t know what happened to stop me from getting the results I used to get!”

Has this ever happened to you? You are cruising along with a plan, and then wham! Something happens, and you begin to question if you took a wrong turn somewhere. The truth is, every step you took was a choice made by you. Before you balk at what I just said, hear me out. Every step is a choice made by you either consciously or unconsciously. The latter is where we will focus for now, as these are the beliefs and perspectives that are formed throughout our lives to help us understand and interact with the world around us. It is basically our lizard brain (the amygdala) that doesn’t speak spoken or written language. It is highly skilled at doing just one thing, keeping your body alive. When this part of your brain makes decisions, it is doing so from past experience. When you were a little child, you were told beliefs and perspectives that your parents or caretakers had. Some of it was very useful, “Don’t touch the hot stove or your hand will get burned,” “Look both ways

Teresa Lodato, CPCC, is a conscious leadership and relationship coach who helps her clients create and strengthen healthy and supportive relationships with themselves and others, identify blind spots and improve communication skills, so they realize more success with less effort. She is an expert in conscious and transformative studies, ecotherapy, dream therapy (mentored by Jeremy Taylor), neuroscience of coaching, and Reiki. Lodato offers her services to support the United Nations staff and other organizations working around the world through the Humanitarian Coaching Network. Currently, Lodato resides in Pleasanton, CA. To connect with her, please visit her website: www.teresalodato.com.

Quite frankly, many of us have beliefs and perspectives in place that we do not even agree with right now. But like a song playing in the background, you tune out the noise and forget it is playing. Examining these beliefs and perspectives is taking account of the automatic systems you have in place, which are the foundation of your professional and personal relationships.

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Wy l a n d

Foundation

Founded by renowned environmental artist Wyland, the Wyland Foundation inspires people everywhere to discover the importance of healthy oceans and waterways through public art programs, classroom science education, and live events. Programs like the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge, Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience, National Art Challenge and countless community events are leading the way to inspire millions of people to become creative, positive, and solution-oriented stewards of our marine resources.

Conservation partners this year included Pitbull, mayors across the country and the National League of Cities among others.

Marine-life artist and environmentalist Wyland on bringing people together for water conservation 2020 marks the ninth year of a monumental nationwide effort to encourage residents across the country to reduce their plastic use and water consumption for cleaner water and air.

Wyland has worked to change the way people think about our ocean when he started painting life-size whales on the sides of buildings in the 1980s and 1990s. Now, the Wyland Foundation which the artist founded to promote clean water and healthy oceans approaches a milestone 30 year anniversary.

Its National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation collaborates in partnership with over 200 cities on an annual basis to encouraging green living on a local level.

In the wake of the current pandemic, the campaign will provided residents with more opportunities to get involved safely from home, including making water-friendly lifestyle changes on behalf of their city, undertaking home-based environmental projects that added up to cleaner, safer communities, and sharing tips and strategies with friends and neighbors. Last year, mayors from 39 states encouraged residents to

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make more than 740,000 pledges to promote drought resiliency, protect watersheds, and reduce stress on aging water infrastructure.

“It’s more important than ever to maintain smart habits that support the health of the world around us -- especially when it comes to our water and air, “ said marine life artist and conservationist Wyland. “If Covid has taught us anything, it’s that we can change behaviors for the benefit of everybody.”

Despite school closures, teachers working remotely were encouraged to engage their students to take part by accessing a special section of the website to make a series of water-saving commitments with their classes and win classroom supplies and gift cards for their schools.

The non-profit campaign, which has included numerous live events, educational tours, and hundreds of city-led activities over the past decade, also works in association with Toyota (electric vehicle division), The Toro Company, EPA WaterSense, National League of Cities, Conserva Irrigation, and Earth Friendly Products (makers of ECOS) and PETAL (withpetal. com) The Challenge encourages residents to

follow their city’s progress and to use that information to encourage friends, neighbors, businesses, and civic groups to get involved.

“We started the foundation with a focus on protecting the ocean through the arts,” Wyland said.

“But as it became clear that many of the problems we see in the ocean originate far upstream, we expanded our mission to address our impact on our vast watersheds. It also became clear that inspiring people through the art, then encouraging them to broaden their understanding through science, would be instrumental to sustaining these critical ecosystems.”

Significant ongoing programs by the foundation creatively incorporate science and art in ways to make conservation accessible to larger audiences.

In addition to Wyland’s 100 monumental marine murals in over 17 countries, the foundation created an eco-friendly marine-life line of jewelry including pendants in gold, platinum, and silver.

Free of lead and nickel, made with recycled metal and natural stones. All hand-crafted in SoCal https://wylandfoundation.org/product-category/ jewelry/. Proceeds directly support the Wyland Foundation's annual educational campaigns for clean water and healthy oceans.

“It’s more important than ever to maintain smart habits that support the health of the world around us -- especially when it comes to our water and air, “ said marine-life artist and conservationist Wyland.

“If Covid has taught us anything, it’s that we can change behaviors for the benefit of everybody.”

The Wyland Foundation is a non-partisan and non-advocacy 501c3 non-profit public charity dedicated to raising environmental awareness about water conservation and water quality. Learn more at www.wylandfoundation.org

61 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

Abundance Corner

By Phyllis King

FIVE PRACTICES THAT CAUSE

MONEY MAGNETISM M

oney represents a flow of energy. To attract a steady money-flow, we must learn to view money not merely as a thing, but as an expression of energy...an expression of our energy.

Photo by Katie Harp

In acquiring money, we don't just manipulate forces in our favor. Rather we attract money to us. The other side of this is that failure to acquire money is essentially an act of repulsion of money on our part, mostly unconscious. We may even push it away from us when we imagine that we are doing our best to acquire it.

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How do we do this?

The most common way we do this is that we resist the present moment. We judge and reject what life offers to us. We neglect to see value at the moment we are in.

The practice of accepting each moment as if we chose it, is the inner dance we all must master for abundance to flow.

The second most common way we push away abundance is that we neglect to acknowledge our divine birthright to receive and be abundant. We genuinely believe we do not deserve to have all our needs met beyond expectations. We must deprogram the false narrative that spreads this lie.

It is imperative we understand our divine value.

When we accept the present moment with trust and joy, and our value is no longer in dispute, it becomes simple to remain in the flow of abundance. Worry, concern, frustration, and self-doubt cease to be factored in our creative process.

What follows are five potent truths that cause us to become magnetic with money and anything else we deem to fall in the category of abundance: It is an inner discipline first. If we want to be at peace around money, we must first be at peace around money. When we worry and stress-out about "not" having enough, we are pushing abundance away. Learn to replace worry with trust that there is always enough.

Refuse to give up inner peace to the idea of lack in any form, but especially with money.

The attraction is intentional. If we think of abundance as something we attract, we are not "waiting" but engaged in the art of attraction. We must draw abundance to us by using high energy vibrations. We do that by intentionally choosing high vibration responses and deliberately shifting energy as needed. We take charge of our energy and our minds and do not allow a lack of any kind to run the inner narrative.

Strive to create balance daily. There is no abundance formula that works every time other than creating balance.

Balance inspires alignment to like vibrations. Balance is unique to each person on any given day. It requires a willing spirit, an open heart, and an honest desire to know our truth. In that, we can master balance on any given day, causing us to align with our highest good.

Perspective creates reality. We are as rich or poor as we

believe our self to be. Some people equate wealth with investments, savings, income, and property. Yet if one is wealthy in mind or spirit, they may require very few material possessions to be perfectly satisfied with life.

If one only considers wealth through material riches, they may be convinced they are poor even if they have millions of dollars. Wealth is the consciousness of abundance. Poverty is the consciousness of lack. Develop a wealth consciousness. You will love your life and feel rich. All your needs will be met.

Become a buoy in the ocean as a way of being. Control is an illusion. It limits our ability to receive. We do nothing alone. Everything is collaboration. The more we understand, we are part of a greater reality, and one wave in the ocean of energy that is consciousness, we free ourselves from the burden of the manifestation process. Our role becomes that of being fertile soil for all that divine consciousness wants to share with us. We achieve that through neutrality, trust, and expectation that we will be showered with anything we need.

Becoming magnetic to money is about your frequency.

It's about preparing yourself to receive and then taking action that feels in alignment with your goals and desires. Take time to consider the meaning of the words, balance, alignment, frequency, and receiver. They have very little to do with any action you may take. Often we do have to take action to realize a goal or desire. The most important steps of attraction happen before any action is taken.

We are all born with a certain level of magnetism based upon our karma. Any of us can raise our frequency and increase our money magnetism by training ourselves to be open receivers to the unlimited wealth that belongs to this universe and us.

Known as the Common Sense Psychic (tm), Phyllis King has worked with tens of thousands of people in 25 countries. She is known for her practical and down to earth approach.

She has been featured on, ABC, CBS and NBC TV, radio programs across the country, and has been published in over 70 print and online publications.

She has four books, including Bouncing Back, Thriving in Changing Times, with Dr. Wayne Dyer.

Her latest book The Energy of Abundance is available in bookstores now. Phyllis holds a B.A. in Sociology. www.phyllisking.com

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ealth

Y

rH

Why It’s N

u Yo

e v e

Take Con o t e t a t L rol o o of rT

By John A. Chuback, M.D

ou have probably heard the proverb, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This is meant to say that once we settle into our opinions and habits, there is not much that can change them. Just think, after 60 years of eating mostly processed foods, it is hard to give up the sugar, salt, and fat that makes food taste so dangerously good. But the proverb is wrong for both dogs and people: a person can change at any age, no matter how set in the ways they are.

As a board-Certified cardiothoracic surgeon, many of my friends and colleagues are working on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the first things medical professionals observed was that the patients who suffered the worst symptoms, compli64 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

cations, and died were mostly over 60 and generally obese and morbidly obese.

This fact hits close to home. One colleague and friend of 20 years was among those who died. Even though he was a physician and dedicated his life to taking care of others, he didn’t make his own health a priority. After contracting Covid-19 from taking care of his patients in New Jersey, his age and health compromised his ability to fight off the virus.

I wish my friend had changed his habits long ago, and I hope that at the very least, the Covid-19 pandemic can show more people the importance of a healthy lifestyle. No matter how long they have neglected to make it a priority, it is never too late to incorporate these healthy practices into your life.

Eat Plenty of Colorful Vegetables We’ve heard it since we were kids and it still is true: eat your vegetables.

Fruits and vegetables, especially if you are eating a variety of brightly colored plant material, give you the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals your body needs to maintain a strong immune system. Vegetables are the best way to get enough fiber and critical elements such as zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin A.

Photo by Nutriciously

Photo by Tyler Nix

Exercise Daily Exercise doesn’t have to be hard. You don’t even need to go to the gym. A simple 30-60 minute walk promotes general cardiovascular fitness and endurance. If you can add in calisthenics, resistance training, and core strengthening exercises, these can also improve your overall wellness.

Eat to Promote a Healthy Weight For those carrying around extra pounds, I suggest restricting calorie intake and eating a well-balanced diet. Go online to calculate your ideal body mass index (BMI) and how many calories per day you can eat to achieve and maintain that goal. Many of these websites are free.

As Covid-19 has taught us, light and lean people can better protect themselves from the worst parts of this disease and others.

Clean and Eat Clean When you bring your groceries homes, clean whole fruits, and vegetables with soap and water, this obviously helps mitigate the coronavirus from spreading, but in any circumstances, you should do this to wash off transmissible microorganisms, chemicals, and pesticides. If you can access and afford organic foods, I recommend them as a more natural choice of food.

Avoid Saturated Fats When it comes to protein, you can find plenty of vegetables, beans, and grains. These are ideal because they don’t have saturated fats, which are bad for cardiovascular health. If you prefer animal proteins, avoid red meats and opt instead for lean fish and chicken in small portions.

Say No to Sweets and Simple Carbs When you bring your groceries homes, clean whole fruits, and vegetables with soap and water, this obviously helps mitigate the coronavirus from spreading, but in any circumstances, you should do this to wash off transmissible microorganisms, chemicals, and pesticides. If you can access and afford organic foods, I recommend them as a more natural choice of food.

Avoid Saturated Fats When it comes to protein, you can find plenty of vegetables, beans, and grains. These are ideal because they don’t have saturated fats, which are bad for cardiovascular health.

Say No to Sweets and Simple Carbs Even though sweets and simple carbs taste good, they are terrible for the body and cause a lot of the comorbidities that complicate cases of Covid-19. It is best to eat a low sugar diet and reconsider simple carbs like white bread, pasta, and cookies.

Instead, try small quantities of whole-grain breads and pasta, brown rice, sweet potato, and beans. These all have complex carbohydrates that have more nutrients and fiber. Complex carbs are also better for satisfying hunger, which means you won’t feel the need to eat as much.

The Covid-19 pandemic can show more people the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

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John A. Chuback, M.D., is Board Certified in General Surgery and Cardiovascular Surgery. He received his MD degree from Rutgers University and has been in private practice in New Jersey for 18 years.

Drink Water Water helps your body digest food and absorb nutrients, improves circulation, maintains your body temperature, and a number of other important bodily functions. If you are thirsty, try your best to go for water instead of sugary sodas.

You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day. If you must drink something other than water, avoid drinks that have high levels of sugar or high fructose corn syrup.

Minimize Alcoholic Drinks If you drink, keep it minimal. Alcohol impacts your body directly by harming the liver, pancreas, and heart and indirectly by inhibiting judgment, which makes it too easy to eat mindlessly or partake in risky behavior. Not only that, but alcohol also acts as a demotivator, which can be detrimental to your daily exercise routine.

Every bit of this advice can help you live a longer and better life through the novel coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

Health is critical, yet so often it’s put on the backburner for our daily lives. I wish, deeply, that my colleague had cared for his personal health just a bit more in the years leading up to Covid-19 so that he could still be here for his family and patients. Just remember that your health status now is not permanent, you can always improve.

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Dr. Chuback practiced open heart surgery for the first 6 years of his career and then made a paradigm shift and focused on laser treatment of varicose vein disease. The doctor is also a successful entrepreneur.

He is the Chief Medical Officer at Chuback Medical Group, and founder of BiosupportMD, a nutraceutical company that produces dietary supplements to support good health. He is also a patent-holding inventor and visual artist.

He is the recipient of many honors and awards in the field of medicine and surgery. Dr. Chuback also created Chuback Education, which offers programs on weight management, smoking cessation, personal development, and academic achievement.

He is the author of Make Your Own Damn Cheese: Understanding, Navigating, and Mastering the 3 Mazes of Success and Kaboing! 50 Ideas That Will Springboard You To Academic Greatness. He has more titles on the way in the very near future.

Dr. Chuback’s greatest ambition is to educate as many people as he can about the incredible truth: their personal potential for achievement, success, happiness, and service is nearly limitless, and the key to unlocking this immense resource lies in their own magnificent mind.

Have you seen Gretchen?!

Missing since 11/11/2016 Please contact us

info@theedenmagazine.com

One Minute Meditation Take this moment to close your eyes and consider the following possibility...

Photo by Aaron Burden

• WHAT MATTERS TO ME MOST? • HOW AM I CENSORING WHAT I REALLY THINK OR FEEL? • HOW MUCH DO I TRUST MYSELF? • DO I WAIT FOR OTHERS TO SOLVE MY PROBLEMS? WHY IS THAT?

68 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e July 2020

69 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e July 2020

Victory Gardening

By Sasha Gary

T

he beauty of seeing how the earth was correcting itself during this isolation of the pandemic period around the world was incredible! As people stayed home and not driving their cars, nitrogen dioxide had significantly reduced from 2019 to 2020.

Environmental factors like deforestation, air pollution, and urbanization contribute to the pandemic of COVID 19 and could become worse in the future if we continue to rob and pillage this beautiful planet. We all need to take more responsibility for our actions and help the earth. Right now, as I write this, California is burning again!

At the beginning of this pandemic period, I was out-of-town and came back to what seemed like the apocalypse had descended upon us. I went to my local grocery to restock my fridge from being out-of-town, and it seemed like everyone had lost their minds. I genuinely felt scared. I went home and isolated like everyone else and tried to figure out what was happening.

Photo by Helena Yankovska

After two months of isolation, my anxiety was higher than normal only when I went to the grocery store. I realized that if I had a way to get access to fresh produce at home, I wouldn't have to go weekly. I realized the importance of owning my Tower Garden Home, which my company sold, and I had yet to buy one. My reasoning so far, as it was amazing to have but thought it was a luxury item to own. How ridiculous was my mindset? I had already donated one to my local school from donations from my neighborhood of Venice. I knew the value of owning it, but my mindset was still stuck.

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at the grocery stores, so the trucking companies weren't able to keep up with the demand. This was the distribution problem that had never occurred before.

Living in an urban city like Los Angeles, and at the beach, I don't get much sun on my patio at all. The sky is covered by fog, June gloom, July why, and August foggiest as I like to call it.

Growing indoors was my best option to be able to live a more sustainable life.

This period of time really made me value my company, my product, our mission to inspire healthy living around the world.

I wasn't the only one experiencing this thought process of needing to grow your own food.

It's been the most favorite coping mechanism across the country. Gardening was back in!

'Victory Gardens' were known as war gardens were grown during World War I and World War II to help supplement their rations and also boost morale. At one point, there were 20 million victory gardens in the US. I finally ordered one of our new models, the Home version, which was smaller and sleeker looking and would fit perfectly in my studio apartment. As an environmentalist, I knew how cost-effective, helping the planet to reduce CO2 and release oxygen in the air, and how amazing it would be to grow and harvest my food. In many parts of the country, they were out of basic produce due to a distribution problem. Store shelves were empty, and toilet paper was impossible to find. Food distribution relies on industry and consumers. Restaurants and hotels shut down, and there was a high demand

One way to save the planet is by growing your own food with aeroponic technology. If you have access to your own home gardens, that is just as sustainable with the right soil. I no longer use plastic bags to put my produce in at the store. There are no containers. I harvest right off of the tower and onto my plate. I don't have to wash it off and waste more water. No soil means no pesticides, and my hands don't get dirty. I source all local from my home!

I am not sourcing from other countries where most produce comes from. The average prepared meal in America gets its food from five countries, which is shipped in, flown in, driven in, and adding to the CO2 problem on the planet. On average, it takes 1500 miles for fresh food to get to your grocer and onto your plate. Mine takes about 4 feet from the kitchen to the tower. The planet is experiencing a water crisis, and my Tower Garden uses less water than traditional farming or gardening.

It can save up to 98 percent more water.

In Los Angele, there are many restaurants that are using this amazing technology to harvest their own produce.

Superba, Venice Beach, The Getty House, the home of the Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has 14 Tower Gardens from LA Urban Farms, and the harvest goes to the People Concern a charity. The Union Church of Los Angeles has a 10 Tower Garden associated

with giving Urban Farms. Step Up on Vine has 25 Tower Gardens, is a LEED Platinum certified, solar power shelter for the chronically homeless. There are sustainable ways we change lives in an urban city like Los Angeles.

It's my mission to help educate, show people how to grow their own food, and help the planet. I have worked as a volunteer with Heal the Bay and Surfrider for many years, helping our planet has been so important to me.

Growing is fun! I am harvesting kale, spinach, bibb lettuce, arugula, and so much more. We only have one planet, and every one of us can help in our own way. We are all connected. Doing our part here in the United States helps someone else in the amazon jungle.

Small sustainable choices like this help everyone. Whether you have enough room to garden in your backyard or for most of living in an urban city, knowing these Tower Gardens are available and easy to keep up is just the beginning. It's the way of the future, and the future is now! In Zac Efron's new show on Netflix Down to Earth, he visits a hydroponic farm in Puerto Rico owned by a Chef. This technology isn't new, it's been around, but now is the time to grow your own. I am now an indoor beach gardener, and I love it!

Sasha Gary is Gratitude Life Coach. actress, writer, and Transformation Life Coach at www.balancedbellasonline.com is a 16 week online health program for women that shows you how to implement small sustainable changes one by one to help you with whole food nutrition, self-love and a conscious movement. Sasha is a yogi of 25 years, a crystal healer, and an avid sound bowl meditation participant and lives in Venice California!

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72 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e August 2020

HIGH ROAD TO HUMANITY

By Nancy Yearout

Your Choices Change Lives

Photo by Oldadine Odunsi

Part One

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You are about to read how one person's choice impacted a child's life into adulthood. The life choices we make influence many others. Therefore, it is so important that we think before we choose.

The year was 1930; a healthy baby girl was delivered to a family in Pennsylvania. Their baby girl arrived a year after the great depression began in the United States and around the world. Many people lost their life's savings during those years. The proud young couple named their daughter Hope, as they felt the name was fitting for the times.

She grew up when life was simpler than it is today. People thought and acted differently during such economic hard times. Hope was the youngest of six brothers and sisters.

They all stuck together like glue to survive. Each helped one another as often as they could. Their mother and father did the best they could to provide for their family with limited resources, as did most folks. Hope often wore hand me down clothing from her older sisters. She said later in her life that she felt fortunate to have warm clothing to wear while growing amid the depression. Kids who grew up in the 1930s understood that times were tough financially and humbled. People learned to appreciate things more during those hard times.

This was a time in America when having a place to call home and a warm meal in your stomach was a blessing for a large family like Hope's. Often, staples such as milk, bread, eggs, and sugar were not available to purchase even if you had enough money to pay for them. Food was rationed, war ration books were given to people.

Hope was growing up to be a beautiful, smart woman focused on becoming an actress. This is what kept her spirits high. She loved performing in school plays and joined the drama club in high school. She was awarded the lead role in her Junior and Senior years in high school. Hope dreamed of becoming a famous actress, a star! As time passed, her brothers and sisters left home one by one. Soon all her siblings were married or had joined the military. Her dream remained the same, to be a professional actress. She joined the local theatre group and felt that she was on her way to becoming a star. Hope wanted to fulfill her dream.

She and her partners had different ideas of what her future looked like. Hope's parents encouraged her to marry a man who would take care of her. This was the mentality of the day as the recent depression influenced people's motivations. This was not a concern of Hope's as she was dating a wonderful man from a wealthy family. She adored him and her. They spent many Sunday afternoons picnicking at her family's home in the country or visiting the movie theatre in town. His name was William, and she called him Billy.

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He attended all of Hope's acting performances, the two of them were inseparable. Hope bragged to her friends that he was the love of her life. They dated for a little over a year when Bill's family forbid him to see her any longer. His parents felt the relationship was getting too serious and did not feel Hope was up to his standards. His parents wanted Billy to marry a girl from the same social class. Billy was heartbroken, yet he had to be honest with Hope about his family's wishes. He had no choice but to follow what his parents told him or give up his inheritance. Hope is not the girl for you to marry; they told him. They said that the two families were from different social circles. He was about to receive quite a large inheritance from his parents. He would receive a large portion of it when he is married. He told her that his family felt that she was a simple country girl and insisted he marry someone who came from a" higher class of wealth" is how he put it when he gave Hope the news.

The poor girl was heartbroken by Bill's rejection of her and their relationship. The heartache caused by the betrayal of Bill's parents and his choice of the inheritance over her was more that she could bear. The shock to her heart and soul was strong. Why had he not stood up for her and their relationship? She was heartbroken, and Hope thought Bill loved her. The hurt was so deep inside of her heart and soul that she decided to never open to love within herself. She would never give in to the feelings of love again. It was not worth the pain that she felt deep inside her heart and soul. She vowed never to allow love in her life for as long as she lived.

Hope knew she still had her acting to look forward to.

She would focus on her career, but her parents did not accept that decision. They insisted she marry a nice man who would take care of her. They did not support a single girl running off with some theatre company to perform.

That was not a proper life for their youngest daughter, they told her. "We will not support this lifestyle." her father had said.

Her father mentioned that there was a nice fellow that stopped by while you were out. His family has the farm up on the hill with the white fencing, not too far from here. He said his name is Paul. The young man looks healthy and strong. He inherited the old farmhouse when his Grandfather died and is remodeling the place.

He said he knew you, so we invited him to supper to get to know him better.

Hope could not believe it! Her world was utterly crashing down around her. Her heart was still aching from Billy's rejection of her, and now her parents were not supporting her theatre ambitions. She could not possibly give up her dream to become a famous actress and marry 76 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

Paul. She had to admit he was a handsome fellow, and he seemed kind enough, but she was still in love with Billy.

She fought with her father as she wanted to be an actress.

Her mother went along with whatever his father said. He said that they would not support her if she left to pursue a theatre career. He told her to marry a nice man and start a family.

Blessed by the parents, Hope and Paul married a year later. Paul adored Hope, and she respected her husband.

Hope continued to act with the local theatre company when she could. Their daughter Molly arrived a year later. With Hope devoting much of her time to their daughter, her dreams of an acting career were again put on the back burner.

Nancy Yearout is an Psychic Reader, Intuitive Life Coach, Author and Inspirational Speaker. Her religious and spiritual work has enabled her to help many people to live the life they desire!

Nancy feels inspired to share the wisdom and the messages she receives with others. Her real-life experiences are shared each week on her Radio Show/Podcast, High Road to Humanity where insightful, spiritual guests share their story. This is Nancy’s way of each sharing new insight about raising the vibration and consciousness for all of us to create a healthy, Loving and kinder people as well as a safe harmonious place to live. My Credentials: Sales Coordinator for General Motors Corporation, Sales Manager for multiple, Owner and Qualifying Broker of The Harville Estates Real Estate & Development LLC, Owner of Energy Girl Publishing LLC., Author of, Wake Up! The Universe Is Speaking to You, Author of Monthly Contributor to Eden Magazine, Motivational/Inspirational Speaker, Intuitive Personal Coach Intuitive card reader, Energy Healer, Radio Host/Podcast High Road to Humanity.

Today she is happily married to the love of her life.

Nancy Yearout Hosts a Radio Show/ Podcast every week on Toginet radio and iTunes called High Road to Humanity.

Visit her website www.NancyYearout.com or her Podcast www.Highroadtohumanity.com

Have you noticed the used gloves and masks that are littering the parking lots of grocery stores and gas stations lately?

Tossits is a handy way to dispose of them, and any other garbage for that matter. Tossits are trash bags made from 100% recycled plastic. Hang these on the back of a car headrest and fill with trash. When the bag gets full, tear it off the pack, seal it (and germs) by removing the adhesive strip, and toss it away! Price: $23.99 for a pack of 3 Available at http://tossits.com/ and Amazon.

Tossit's mission is o create cleaner earth with less trash on our streets and highways. Teaching kids to throw away their waste in a bag and not on the floor or tucked away in the seat. We want to prevent messy, melty chocolate from sitting on seats in the hot sun and allow mothers to have a clean car once and for all! TOSSITS™ designed to fit around all headrests. And can be placed on the front or back of the passenger seat or back of the driver seat.

Our bags are Eco-Friendly and made from post-industrial recycled material.

TOSSITS™ aims to change the way people dispose of trash in their car while becoming moving billboards for brands. The traditional method of waiting until your home or at a gas station is over.

We plan to inform and educate people about the damages that throwing trash out your window can cause and how clean your car can stay – even with kids and untidy passengers. We plan to partner with environmental groups to help spread this message. Please contact us if your organization would like to partner!

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LANGUAGE OF SPACE

By Michael White Ryan

Photo by Kristopher Roller

THE GAP INTENTION…INTERPRETATIONS

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They say we are in interesting times; there have only ever been interesting times? Words conjure up self-created visions, add powerful meaning to our everyday life. So powerful, in fact, as the ripple effect flows out through the minds of man and woman, the end result of a misplaced gossip could equally be classified as being equivalent to the end result of a war. What else can one do, considering the evolved collective human mind remains floundering nose deep in the murky waters of awareness-lack. As each day passes, the GAP between intention and interpretation widens, as we just get in line and follow suit. Sadly it’s the destiny of human failure, unable to communicate from one person to another, as words forever remain “in confinement definition”!

What is fascinating, words come in pairs. I have chosen two pairs. Let us first examine our chosen, intention, and interpretation. There isn’t a person out there who hasn’t had the experience of being judged incorrectly due to a misdiagnosed intention. We can throw the blame as we do, on a thousand reasons, yet it remains, our language is incomplete when communicating from one human to another. Rather than expand our vocabulary, it has remained stuck at a kindergarten level, unfit for human functionality.

We have reduced, allowed ourselves to settle for the same insane confinement that exits within word definitions.

He, She said He, She thinks divided are we So now, let’s place our focus on what baggage or action comes when a missplaced self-interpretation occurs? At that exact moment, it goes something like this. Imagine there are two large bubbles standing in front of you, it’s the everyday crossroads of choice. The first possibility, when one interprets, we step into the bubble of past knowledge, feelings, experiences, hence the consistent, boring repeated end results. The second opportunity is, if we listen to the meaning, the intention of what is being said, heard or seen, we step into the other bubble of here and now, which basically says we are actually here in this present now-reality. A moment entirely unrelated to all past knowledge. We find ourselves engaged in a new first-time experience. Thus the end result, standing in a new real self-created personal evolutionary process! Sounds scary!

How, Why do either probability or opportunity happen, you may ask? Listening is a well-known skill, yet not fully understood by most. Take notice, what is it we hear when words are spoken, better yet, what or where does the source of our hearing originate from? When words are spoken, are we aware we have a choice to listen from two different sources?

1. I hear the person’s intention, the source from within their spoken words, flowing from them towards me, or.

2. I interpret those words, and I become the source of those words, now these words are flowing out of me towards me.

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In the first instance, one is engaged with the person.

In the second instance, one is completely disconnected, unengaged with the speaker. One is encapsulated within one’s owned interpretation, sourced from within one’s existing knowledge bank. I believe this has been given a special term, and it starts with the letter m?

If you’re a person who has to constantly explain yourself due to other misinterpretations of your intent, again, you have two choices. You either adapt to their thinking, or you are with the wrong people. One thing is certain. It’s time to take into account which you are and go find people who don’t judge you before you act or speak. This will save you a lot of heartache and hardships that are already waiting for you in the future. Difficult decision yes, hard to swallow, yet so worth it in the long run.

One’s life worth belongs to no one only to self Which brings us to the next common pair, I know, and I understand. A colleague, after many years of study, recently attended extensive advanced training in their chosen field. They gladly explained how they now have a greater understanding of the subject. 3D reality check, “there exists a natural order of things”, firstly more information has now been gathered.

After continued active exploration, said information might transit, become knowledge. After further investigation, said knowledge might transform into understanding. When we look outward, take notice, observe all the various functions existing within our physical world. Are they not in some form of sequential order?

Ask, why is it, we humans think it’s any different to how we function?

Here is an example worth investigating. Walk into a forest and observe. Due to an active mindset, one will experience thoughts, feelings, sounds, and smells, all concepts, and sensations previously existing in one’s knowledge-bank. One may see wood to build a home, and the entrepreneur may see a business in the making, the conservationist thinks nature evokes happy feelings, and so on. What remains unseen, the forest remains unseen, due to a lack of pre-present-awareness overshadowed by one’s active mindset?

Is it possible, as humans, within our present understanding, we are unknowingly repeating, reliving previous sense-based experiences?

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Living out self-constructed definitions as we move through life, never knowing, experiencing the depth of wonders, which exists out-there, beyond definitions?

Change something that is fundamentally binding… it’s a great catch cry, does thinking it, make it happen?

The other included aspect worth touching on is this ongoing concept about the differences between men and women. Ok, there are noticeable differences, yes.

Now we need to ask, is there the slightest difference when both genders feel the same compassion when feeling emotional pain, the joy when success finally arrives, when our instincts are summoned to protect another human person or child? The answer is highbeam obvious! Could this so-called difference be strictly within one’s individual makeup and have nothing to do with gender difference? It’s the 21st century, and in case you missed it, change has dumped itself all over us big time. Collectively, we as a species, in this our present evolved-maturity, are still paying out segregation, while pretending it doesn’t exist in” I.” Maybe we need to put our hands together and look upward, more often, and know why we are committing to such action!

Until we meet next time.

Michael White Ryan is a co-founder with his wife Pamela Edwards of Language of Space.

They are leaders in sustainable business growth via Performance Design and Performance Code. Sustainable design encompasses both Western and Easternphilosophies including advanced Feng Shui principles, \Environmental Design, Buildings, Alternative Health, Business Advisory Consultants and 20 plus years as entrepreneurs.

Recognized in the top 100 globally and are Americas Leading Feng Shui BusinessConsultants.They are on faculty at CEO Space International one of the oldest business organizations in America today, currently operate in 7 countries and reside in Australia. www.languageofspace.com

81 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e August 2020

Eternal Love and Peace

By Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave

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he eternal reflections in this new volume have flowed through the tides of time to soothe the spirit. This special gift book with gilded edges takes the reader on an uplifting journey with inspirational quotes that are as relevant today as they were years, even centuries, ago. Stunning photographs of water, and its beauty in nature, are framed by rare 16th-century illuminated manuscript borders to showcase poignant messages of love, joy, grief, resilience, gratitude, enlightenment, and peace. Author Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave’s moving introduction, in which she writes of her personal loss, inspires the reader to re-embark on the spiritual journey started in Love & Wisdom.

A stunning sequel to Love & Wisdom, combining exquisite sixteenth century art from the Smithsonian’s Freer|Sackler Gallery with contemporary photographs, many from the National Geographic Image Collection and Getty Images.

While some are ready to die upon receiving a hopeless diagnosis, my beloved husband, Arnaud, was not. After confirmation of incurable cancer, he would sit next to me and say, “I don’t want to leave you.” In his typically brave style, Arnaud was ready to suffer whatever was necessary to fight for more time. We were defeated at every turn in seeking treatment, until one day he wistfully declared, “Someone up there wants me.” I lay down beside him, enfolding him in my arms as the tears fell silently down my cheeks, knowing our 47 years of unbreakable love were drawing to a close. Yet deep within me, I found myself clinging to the faith that our story would not end here, that we were inextricably linked in life and death.

Our journey together towards Arnaud’s death began with a prayer two years before he fell ill. As he was in his eighties, I wished for more of a divine presence in our lives. One day I received a surprising email, the first indication of an answer to my prayer. It was from a Brother Gabriel from the Dominican House of Studies in DC. He wrote that he had

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received a copy of my book Heavenly Order and wanted to invite me to Evening Prayers in their chapel and supper in their refectory. Arnaud immediately exclaimed, “I’m coming with you.”

me we were still connected and understood all that I was experiencing. I was filled with a sense of peace and felt comforted beyond measure. I kissed the card and put it back by his photograph.

Brother Gabriel and his friend, Brother Innocent, met us inside the chapel. Glowing in the setting sun that streamed through the windows was an exquisite gold Madonna from Belgium. My heart felt that this was another response to my prayer since Arnaud was born Belgian. Over supper, Arnaud astutely understood the true meaning of this contact, and with his marvelous jokes and tales, turned the encounter into the making of a special friendship. In Arnaud’s last months, I would invite the Brothers to tea.

Their spiritual reflections, steeped in the teachings of Saint Dominic, of the power of learning and worldly deprivation, were immensely consoling to us both.

To me, these remarkable signs from Arnaud are confirmation that our spirit continues on, and that love transcends all boundaries into eternity.

To me, these remarkable signs from Arnaud are confirmation that our spirit continues on, and that love transcends all boundaries into eternity.

At the moment of Arnaud’s death, the Brothers blessed him with, “Godspeed Arnaud.” Shortly thereafter, as if perfectly timed, the Brothers were ordained and sent to new parishes. They had entered our lives in our time of need like two angels and left, their mission of comfort completed.

Arnaud had promised he would do his best to send me a sign to prove the spirit lives on. That first night on my own, a kind friend said, “You must play some music so you won’t feel so alone.” As I got into bed and put out all the lights, I turned on a random music system. I was stunned to hear “It’s Time to Say Goodbye” in Andrea Bocelli’s beautiful voice. Surely, I sensed, Arnaud had chosen that song.

Six months later, he sent me another sensational sign. A dear friend invited me to the theatre. Before leaving, I was sitting at my desk with the chair turned sideways to watch the news. Arnaud loved to hand out one-line joke cards to make everyone laugh, and I had kept a favorite card on my desk next to his photograph as a precious reminder of his unique sense of humor.

The emotive performance had me return home with profound sadness. As I entered my bedroom, the chair was as I had left it, but I saw with a shock that the little joke card that had been sitting at the back of my desk was neatly placed in the center of the seat. I knew immediately Arnaud had put it there to cheer me up. He reassured

As Madame de Staël penned so eloquently in 1807, “Love is the emblem of eternity; it confounds all notion of time, effaces all memory of a beginning, all fear of an end.”

Love & Peace: 37 Eternal Reflections by Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave is published by D Giles Limited

Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave has seven books to her credit and has built a reputation as an author, poet, photojournalist, and philanthropist.

Her photographs have appeared on the covers of internationally renowned publications, such as Newsweek and Paris Match.

She is the co-author of Villard: The Life and Times of an American Titan(Nan A. Talese/Doubleday), a biography of her great-grandfather,railroad magnate and financier Henry Villard, who masterminded the creation of General Electric. Alexandra is also the author of Healing Light, Heavenly Order, and Beloved Spirit (Glitterati Inc.); To Catch A Thought (Light of Healing Hope Foundation); and Love & Wisdom (D Giles Ltd.). Her latest inspirational book, Love & Peace: 37 Eternal Reflections (D Giles Ltd.), is scheduled for release on September 1, 2020.

Based in Washington DC, Mrs. de Borchgrave founded the Light of Healing Hope Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in 2010 with the mission of giving books as gifts to hospitals and hospices to bring comfort and healing to those in need.

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Taking care of the planet that we live on is extremely important, now more than ever. Between 200 and 2,000 extinctions per year occur due to humans' mistreatment of Earth. This past winter, AP reported that 37.7% of honeybee colonies died, which is alarming as honey bees are responsible for ensuring that crops and plants are pollinated and that our food supply does not collapse.

Initially developed by a beekeeper, BeeSpa, founded by spa owner Diane Cook perfected the recipe and launched BeeSpa. Ethically sourced, sustainable, and works like a charm. BeeSpa products are made of 16% beeswax and support the local beekeepers in North Dakota, where the beeswax is sourced. It is part of BeeSpa's mission to give bees a home where populations can grow and continue to work their magic. It's quick rise to fame in the beauty community, a testament to BeeSpa's promise of a more beautiful you! Consumers are paying more attention to what they are putting onto their skin and choosing products with no harsh ingredients, no artificial fragrances, and never tests on animals.

Photo by Nicole Pearce

Fortunately, there are small steps that you can take to help the bees — purchasing goods from brands like BeeSpa that is not only ethically sourced and sustainable but also works as advertised. Bee products such as BeeSpa are sustainably sourced and help support beekeepers and their honeybees – which need our help.

BeeSpa provides instant relief for dry, cracked skin. Beeswax carries antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties essential to healing and preventing dry, chapped, or cracked skin. Using this natural ingredient, Cook has created a product that has become a spa favorite. One of the most significant benefits of BeeSpa is how quickly it works. While other treatments can take weeks to show results, BeeSpa begins healing skin immediately.

When it comes to a cream that is effective in hydrating skin while also helping soothe skin from irritations and infections like eczema and sunburns, BeeSpa's Luxury Body Cream is the way to go. The cream uses a mixture of all-natural beeswax, coconut oil, and essential oils to soften and soothe the entire body while not being too thick or leaving a residue. The body cream works for both men and women, but it is safe for children as well. This one, all-natural product will help smooth and nourish both adults and baby skin, leaving soothing dryness and cracked skin a thing of the past.

To keep hands and feet feeling soft and silky. BeeSpa's Hand + Foot Cream is the all-natural must-have product to have in your arsenal. The cream helps repair and revitalize your feet with this nourishing natural foot cream made with botanical, vegetable-based, and vitamin-rich ingredients selected for their proven effectiveness, including beeswax and shea butter.

Available online at retailers like Amazon and high-end spas around the country, BeeSpa meets the highest demands of spa directors and clientele and allows you to enjoy a little spa treatment at home.

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The Sensitive Soul

An excerpt from The Sensitive Soul

86 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e August 2020

By Theresa Cheung

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n this excerpt "The Sensitive Soul", Theresa explains some of the common misconceptions about sensitive people…

Spreading the word I sincerely want to help gentle people recognize their own true worth and feel empowered and at peace, rather than fragile and conflicted and ashamed of feeling things deeply. I would like to offer gentle people coping tools to help them manage their emotions and navigate in sensitive environments. I would also like to help sensitive people identify the red flags of toxic relationships.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that sensitives typically attract self-serving narcissists and energy vampires into their lives, and in some cases, it can take their forgiving hearts a long time to wake up to the damaging emotional abuse. Last, but by no means least, I also want to eliminate damaging misconceptions about being sensitive.

Setting the sensitivity record straight Here are the most common and frustrating misconceptions about sensitivity or being sensitive, followed by some facts that challenge them: • Sensitive people are shy and introverted. There are sensitive extroverts, too – about 30 percent of sensitives are extroverts.

• Sensitives are fragile, ineffective ‘snowflakes.’ Many defining characteristics of sensitive people, such as their empathy, passion ,and creativity, make them exceptional business leaders or influencers on the world stage, for example, Walt Disney, Jacinda Arden, John Lennon, and Princess Diana to name but a few.

• Sensitive people are pushovers who have no firm convictions of their own. Empathy is a defining characteristic of sensitives, but it is not an endorsement of another person’s viewpoint; rather, it’s simply respecting and listening to that viewpoint.

• Sensitivity is a women’s issue. Up to 50 percent of sensitives are men.

• Gay men are prone to being sensitive. This is a social stereotype that equates being gay with being more feminine, and, as stated above, sensitivity is not a feminine issue.

• Highly sensitive people are prone to depression and anxiety. There may be an increased risk of anxiety and depression, but it is important to point out that depression is a serious medical condition that needs treatment, and many factors contribute to the likelihood of depression, including past trauma, chemical imbalances, and genetics. Lack of self-awareness, whether a person is highly sensitive or not, can also increase the risk.

• There is a strong link between hypersensitivity and autism. Those with autism may well have sensory issues, for example, finding things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, but this does not mean that everyone with sensory issues has autism. There are major differences between high sensitivity and autism, but chiefly autism comes with ‘social deficits’ (less response in brain areas associated with empathy) and high sensitivity does not.

• Sensitive people are too weak and self-doubting to become effective leaders, stand up to narcissists. or succeed in a harsh and critical world. Not so. Once they are armed with self-awareness and the tools and techniques to turn their gentleness into a strength, sensitive people are an unbeatable force.

• Sensitive people are empaths because they feel what others feel. But not all empaths are sensitive, i.e,. they soak up emotions but not all the other stimuli from an environment as sensitives tend to do.

• Sensitive people need to ‘toughen up.’ They can’t, because being sensitive is who they are. They are born that way.

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I used to buy into all these negative associations – until I knew better. This is all this fake news, especially the notion that a sensitive person needs to ‘toughen up’. They simply can’t.

It’s like telling someone who is taller than average that they should be shorter. Just as being tall is not a flaw, being sensitive is not a flaw.

It is not an illness, or a choice people make, either. It is how they are born. According to experts, it is an innate trait with research indicating that at least three sets of genes may contribute to it. Some highly sensitive people may have all or some of these ‘sensitive’ genes, and intriguingly, all three impact the brain and nervous system in some way.

Excerpt printed by kind permission of the publisher, Bookoutre.

Indeed, the fact that the genetic coding for sensitivity continues to survive natural selection suggests that for evolutionary reasons, for the survival of the human race, it is beneficial that some people can see, feel and sense things others cannot.

Sensitive people are born to be gentle and to experience life on high alert through the lens of their feelings and senses. They are not better or worse than anyone else, just different.

Although they may have traits in common, they are not all the same. Every sensitive person is unique, just as every person who is taller than average is unique. Indeed, the fact that the genetic coding for sensitivity continues to survive natural selection suggests that for evolutionary reasons, for the survival of the human race, it is beneficial that some people can see, feel and sense things others cannot.

It offers an evolutionary advantage and exists and will continue to exist because it is the one true force that drives humanity towards greater connection. Empathy, intuition, creativity, gentleness, and compassion are personality traits that unite rather than divide, and they are all defining traits of the highly sensitive individual. In a nutshell, we are all born with a unique genetic code.

What is DOES? To identify whether a person or a child is highly sensitive, psychologists from the American Psychological Association use a special identification or measurement scale, which asks simple questions to identify highly sensitive traits. Examples include: Do the moods of others impact you? Are you aware of subtleties in your own environment? Do you often feel the need to withdraw? Are you easily overwhelmed? Are you highly sensitive to pain and hunger?

However, according to Aron, all highly sensitive people, whether introvert or extrovert, possess four main traits, which can easily be remembered by the acronym DOES:

D: Depth of processing – highly sensitive people analyze everything, considering every possible scenario before making a decision.

O: Overstimulation – they can easily get overpowered by sights, sounds, and the environment they are in.

E: Empathy and emotional responsiveness – they don’t just identify with what others are feeling; they feel it themselves.

S: Sensitivity to subtleties – they hear, see, feel, and sense tiny details that others easily miss.

The implication of Aron’s research is that the remaining 80 percent of the population do not possess the four defining DOES traits. I am not a scientist or a psychologist, but I have been writing about and collecting stories from sensitive people for decades now. I have come to the conclusion that although the remaining 80 percent may not display DOES traits as consistently or acutely as a person who is born highly sensitive, they still have the potential to manifest highly sensitive traits. Sensitivity can be triggered in anyone, whether diagnosed highly sensitive or not, by traumatic events, such as bereavement, heartbreak, or other life crises, or simply by a sudden and unexpected desire to go within and find deeper meaning.

Theresa Cheung is a Sunday Times bestselling author. She has over two decades of experience, both personal and professional, with a Master’s degree in Theology and English from King’s College Cambridge.

Theresa has had her work featured in the Daily Mail, Daily Express, The Guardian, and appeared on ITV, GMTV, BBC radio, and Russell Brand’s Under the Skin podcast. Most recently, Theresa has set up her own podcast, White Shores, interviewing some of the world’s greatest minds, and sharing inspiration on personal growth. More about Theresa here: www.theresacheung.com

Buddha Board

This blank slate offers you a chance to paint away the daily stressors that sap us of our creativity and energy without needing a long list of supplies or a lengthy chunk of time.

Simply grab your board when things start to get overwhelming and let the act of putting brush to tablet absorb your focus. Water “paint” in the abstract, make a picture, or give shape to your feelings. As the water evaporates you’ll be left with a clean slate and a clearer mind.

Buddha Board Highlights:

• Designed with a sleek, modern aesthetic • Reusable • Quick to set up • Painting is truly MESS FREE • Encourages mindfulness • Doesn’t add to your digital footprint • Taps into your creative side • Fun for all ages • Helps kids explore the creative process judgment free • Perfect for relieving stress at home, in the office, or when traveling • Original Buddha Board measures 12” x 9.5” x 1/4”

Take care of yourself, and you’ll help take care of the world with a little help from Buddha Board 89 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

By Lavandaia & Marco Nunzio Alati

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DISCOURSES WITH THE OCEAN

Photo by RawFilm

oday, there would be a walk to the Ocean, Lavandaia thought. After the house was tidied, the emails being answered, and breakfast for her son being served, it was time to walk. It was time to embrace one's self, to thank, and to just "be." Lavandaia smiled, took in a long, deep breath, and set out for the water.

Once on the sand, Lavandaia stepped out of her shoes. She looked out at its vastness. What a magnificent sight, she thought. Children laughed loudly as the cold water hit their feet, birds sang as they soared high in the clear blue sky, and an elderly couple walked hand in hand in the distance. The chill of the water on her feet was purely invigorating. And in that moment the ocean spoke: "The purification of karma is surrender to God. It is total devotion to God, and it is self-realization. When this

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happens, the whole mind and all the senses will be purified, and consequently, every action will be "right and good". If the mind is not established in the self and in the love of God, for God, and with God, then the senses will become the enemies, and karma will be thrown on the individual.

The senses unveil karma. Remember that the self is like gold. It is necessary to bring awareness to the self, and, from there, we will externally show love and harmony in all fields. Once love increases, it will be the measure for you humans to understand how close you are to gold, to the self, to God. Everything is already there, and it just needs to be integrated. Nothing needs to be sought, and nothing needs to be found. Be - never try to be; you already are, you all already are! Everything is already there, and you just need to express more love, more joy, more beauty.

The self is out of time, it is eternal, omnipresent, and we are THAT! Please, do not waver with the mind, stay in the heart. The self is manifested through love.

Knowing the self, we will be eternally content while remaining in the world, but we will live differently.

Remember, it is not about detaching yourself from the world or living isolated on top of the mountain.

No - you have to know the self, and, from there, every single manifestation in the world will be experienced as the manifestation of the self. You don't have to go away from the world, but bring awareness to every area of your life. Live it, be it. The self must be known in this life, in the next or in the one after it. There is no time, and you humans cannot give up on it, on THAT, on the self. Please, please, do not delay!"

What a truly amazing moment, Lavandaia thought!

She stepped back into her shoes, and gratitude overwhelmed her. Time to head back, with the smell of salt in her hair and Joy in her heart, she smiled and walked home showing nothing but love to the ocean, to God, to the self.

After graduation in Industrial Biotechnology, Marco played a key role in international research projects in Canada, Austria and Spain. He stumbled upon the Reconnection by mere chance and it enlightened him in ways he hadn't realized he needed. Three months after that unique experience, he left his job in biotechnology and embarked on his journey to become a full time Reconnective Healing Practitioner, and one of the two Italian Mentors and Teaching Assistants of Eric Pearl’s direct Team. He is currently living in Los Angeles and collaborating with a number of independent scientific studies that are exploring Reconnective Healing and its extraordinary benefits.

For info contact: marco.alati@gmail.com 323-617-2289 “Description” is all in the eyes of that who is experiencing, thus “description” of “who” becomes irrelevant. And the truth is, that describing Lavandaia using “words” is like trying to catch a fragrance. Scent cannot be caught, it can only be enjoyed and discovered through the experience itself. Who Lavandaia “is” is her mission, Giving clarity and divine knowledge to those who are willing to move forward in life and explore how to express their highest self.

For more information visit www.lavandaia.org, or contact us at paola.seed@gmail.com 91 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

WALKING TOWARDS

THE SANCTUARY

By Jayita Bhattacharjee Part One 92 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e September 2020

Weave a beautiful connection with the angels heeding to the inner call of our voice Emerging from our souls; Encounter and feel the rich and sacred weaving of the beauteous wonders, hidden in this miraculous universe; Welcome and embrace the sacred beauty with open arms and a spring of joy. Unfold the hearts of all the Earth Angels and hidden inside is a sacred heavenly paradise on Earth. That is the place where heaven has descended gladly to melt with the intricate earthly designs of nature with a gleaming joy. By knowing our truest essence, we enable our souls to convey the sacramental message of a conscious evolution that is wafting in the breeze around.

Breathe and blossom in love exhaling the essence around like nature's intoxicating primordial wine, flooding all the souls with its perfume. Find the doorway to the gentle healing and an immersing peace within your soul.

Look for it within and unlatch the doorway to the paradise in a place of drowning joy and a soul-soothing, heart-healing, deep peace. That which the gentle breeze murmurs of, the running brook sings of, the moonbeams gleam, and the sunbeams radiate of, therein dwells the wellspring of life in its truest form and essence.

Look beyond what is visible, see beyond what is unseen, think beyond the realm of thinking, and the clarity will penetrate your vision's deepest depths. Embrace the abundant blessings that shower on you with every waking dawn. Enwrap your body, mind, heart, and soul in the touch of it to get the feel of a singing joy. Spring of joy makes this life a breeze of inspiration in its every breath. Let us have a commingled breath of harmony and contentment in this paradise of abundant blessings that intertwine to create a wondrous miracle. This sacred Mother Earth and Father Sky have endowed our lives with a myriad of magnificent grandeur. Their magnificence leads to the children of one swirling, whirling cosmos dance where the oceans of love flow joyously from one heart to another. The flowing joy awakens our spirits and showers the droplets of gentle beauty on the multi-facets of our lives.

May our hearts carry the breeze of that spiritual transformation that heightens our inner awareness levels and takes us to a higher evolution where the soul speaks and spirit bows! Let us welcome the awakening with love in every waking breath. Scattered are the myriad awes of truth, peace, love, and compassion. Their encounters enrich our hearts' landscape with a glowing beauty, illumi-

nated by the gems of the truest wisdom that life offers to us. Let us be the celestial birds to fly across the azures of a joyous harmony, a divine love, a graceful beauty, and a divinely hued rainbow to find ourselves soaring in the heights of universal truth. Embracing love in all aspects of our lives leads us to the doorway of realization that life is a joyful dance of our souls, and we are the ecstatic dancers. Bowing in gratitude, conveys the sacred air of transformation of our thoughts and beliefs in our hearts and guiding it on a blissful path to a much- fulfilled life makes contentment waiting at every moment. By nurturing our hearts, we live as being alive in every moment, with an air of positivity singing in the breeze around, flowing with the humming of inspiration to awaken our souls.

May we embrace the joy that sings its holy song in the notes of gentle blessings! May we dream of our lives' richest dreams that weave the fabrics of our moments into a beautiful tapestry of blissful love and compassion for all the souls throbbing in this universe! May we walk with the holy angels, as we leave our footprints on a paradise of sanctified bliss while the universal love touches all the souls setting them free of the illusion of separation! May the glory of the holy spiritual light bathe all the souls and give them the bliss of salvation, the sacred liberation enfolding them in heaven's splendid glory. Let us experience the sacred joy of shared blessings and celebrate life in its flow of mystical thoughts. May life unfold the joyful moments along with the knowledge that tomorrow comes with all unknown surprises waiting for us to be explored! Let us celebrate life as we embrace the glorious beauty of it, as we extend a heart of understanding to all the souls in this world. May we do so to behold the blooming of consciousness that gently breaks the bud of humanity blossoming it to a richly hued floral beauty! Let us all carry the light of a divine purpose, an angelic soul with a holy mission to spread the sacred love and a soul guiding light. Let that light turn our souls into an oasis enriched with the positivity and a mystic consciousness that brings myriad transformations in the levels of spiritual awakening. Let our divine mission be to gather the petals of love from all the hearts and cluster them into a multi-hued, blooming flower of peaceful and blissful love that showers the rain of heaven on earth. May our hearts be nurtured and nourished in the lush garden of universal love that reaches the empowerment through our soul's mystic views!

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WORSHIP THE BLISSFUL WISDOM MANIFESTED IN THE SILENT LANGUAGE OF AN ENLIGHTENING SOLITUDE! LET OUR SOULS BE ADORNED WITH THE BEAMING RAYS OF THAT SPIRITUAL LIGHT IN THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND LOVE. LET THE REALIZATION DAWN INTO OUR HEARTS THAT WE ARE AN AWARENESS DWELLING IN A SUPREME BLISS RADIATING IN THIS UNIVERSE. WE CONVEY A SACRAMENTAL MESSAGE OF UNIFIED WHOLENESS, A UNIVERSAL ONENESS.

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May that mysticism breathes love into our souls, engulfing it with a peace that floods all over this universe! Let the mystic light shine on our hearts, and may we become seekers of a spiritual truth that satiates all the soul- searching thirst. Let the golden light of an awakening dawn flood all over the hearts, as it shines on this universe in all its radiance. A sense of an inspiring positivity can sow the seeds of an inner transformation that turns this universe into a paradise of compassion. Recognition of the indwelling divine nature cultivates the soil of this universe with a rich kinship that connects the souls. That thread of connection acts as a nexus amidst all the souls that are twinkling as distant stars in this vast sky of the universe. Let us nourish the hidden awareness within us that rejuvenates our spirits, to find the spring of contented life.

May the healing waters reconnect our souls with deeper joy and a meaningful insight! May the gentle walking on this Earth with all angels soak our spirits in eternal bliss and a silent understanding of this cosmic harmony! Life is the language that our hearts speak in silent words. The mystic language of life is the divine wisdom that serves as a sacred bridge between the earth and the doorsteps of heaven. The very moments of life unravel the mysteries that penetrate us to convey a mystic understanding of what is tenderly secret in our lives. From the pieces of life, the rain of enlightenment will descend and will shower our spirits that are going to settle our minds in the depths of stillness. Let love be our life, and it will open the portals of a blissful, peaceful place where our spirits dance in ecstasy, having known the joy of infusing unconditional love in our lives.

As we dance, a holy, mystic light comes and kindles our slumberous spirits and ignites our souls. The radiance turns all the pangs of our pain into something beautiful, which we can connect to for a deeper understanding of this journey of life. Love leads to the ever-flowing sea of blissful joy and peaceful thoughts, and the waves of our souls ripple in the ocean of oneness.

Let love be our merger in every waking moment of this divinely gifted life. May

we be gifted with the hearts that melt in a joy of love and sharing, which is a state of indescribable bliss, one that leads our spirits to the road of truest liberation! May we infuse love in the prayer of our hearts!

May we bow to love as our prayer when we immerse our spirits in the vast treasure of stillness and calmness!

Worship the blissful wisdom manifested in the silent language of an enlightening solitude! Let our souls be adorned with the beaming rays of that spiritual light in the celebration of life and love. Let the realization dawn into our hearts that we are an awareness dwelling in a supreme bliss radiating in this universe. We convey a sacramental message of unified wholeness, a universal oneness. Walk this path, this journey on the roads of compassion, which leads our souls to breathe in the spiritual well-being and miracles of every moment. May it give birth to the magnificent awakening of our divine glory! The magnificent beauty of the inner essence is the soul that nourishes the flower of truth, which exhales a purity of joy hued with blessings in this garden of humanity.

As we bow in deep gratitude and heartfelt thankfulness, we cultivate love in the purest and truest essence that stirs our souls and awakens our inner being. That soul-stirring awakening attunes our life in harmony with the rhythmic tunes of the entire cosmos. As we discover ourselves in this path of mystic self-discovery, we learn the art of being alive that opens the portals to the enrichment of our inner spirits.

May we embrace life as a sacred womb of miracles at all the moments of it! We are spiritual beings on this mystic journey of life. We are the whispers of a joy singing in the hearts of all. We are the gentle touches of compassion on afflicted souls drooping in spirit. We are the morning's first tender glory blooming in tenderness. We are the radiant sunrises in every waking heart.

Embrace the holy earth's enwrapping love, and it will unlatch the gateways to a joyful place where love and bliss cascade all over.

Embrace the divinity within you. You are beautiful, born to radiate your divine beauty in this God-created universe. Believe in your sacred, divine spark that will ignite other souls as you cross their paths in this sacred journey.

You are born with a divine purpose to light up this world, flooding it with a heavenly luminosity.

Make your life a richly hued garden of tender beauty blushing in love's gracility. It is our love that dances on the tip of all petals of every human soul. Our lives are the passing touches on this universe, which dances as the rippling wave and breaks upon the beaches of our hearts.

May that life flows into an ocean of a timeless eternity!

We are the waves of kindness that brings a surge in the ocean of universal consciousness. Let your soul be a harbinger of the joyful message of hope and miracles that embrace life. May your life be a bud unfolding with the touch of mystic gifts of this journey! Celebrate this life as a song of love that sings the tunes of compassion and blessings.

Let that song enlighten every soul in this cosmos. May we all join our holy hands in this sacred overflowing oneness that leaves its imprint on the hearts of all! As moments of life slip away, as it is destined to be, we need to be able to behold the vision of yesteryears of our lives. Let those memories be washed away with an ineffable joy of a life lived in the depths of our heart's truest feelings. May life be mingled with the passion's gladdened dance and an ecstatic delight etched in our souls! Let us be aware at every moment of the precious now captured in the expanse of eternity. May we open our hearts to gently step into the realm of feelings, by letting go of the attachments, the need to cling to something or someone in this lifetime! Carry the imprints of the treasured moments in our hearts and rejoice in those feelings. May we look in the mirror of contemplation as we settle our souls in the land of self- reflection before the bloom of life passes us by!

Our life is soaked with the bejeweled memories captured in the moments of eternity. May we experience the pulsating life at every split second! Our hearts are filled with its passing touch as it breaks down on the idle seashores of our souls before the next wave of tomorrow washes it all away! May we spend every waking moment making other souls sing in joy, dance in ecstasy! They vibrate in tremulous happiness, as it lets the bud of their hearts burst forth in gladdening laughter aroused by the awakening of this universe. May we hear the angelic whisper as we gently press our ears to the hidden song silently sung by the swaying flowers of this earth! May we never forget that our souls take delight in the dancing beauty that waits on the tips of the dew-drenched leaves, as the earth rejoices in the sacred song of earthly wisdom! As we attune our souls to the song of life, may our souls be adorned with an enlightening beauty that clothes our hearts with the

warmth of inspiration! May those blanket our minds with the sacred joy of the miraculous gifts that life presents us with every greeting dawn!

May we write the chapters of our life with tears of joy rolling down our cheeks as we remember the bygone times with a touch of happiness! May our hearts celebrate life in all the festivities of our souls! May we turn the pages of our lives by celebrating love as a gentle blessing of our hearts! If we open our inner eyes and muster the strength to alter our thoughts, we have a glimpse of the mystic visions of life with a spiritual meaning to it. That change instills a spiritual fountain spilling its waters of life's mystic experiences that embellish us with a note of gratitude and gracious thankfulness! May the waters of mystic awakening spring from the soul fountain of our inner wisdom! May we embrace the adornments and the safety cradle of Mother Earth and Father Sky that illumines our souls in the light of a celestial awakening! Opening our hearts to the blooming of love, gathering it to give it away freely to the hearts of others, nourishes the balancing harmony among all the souls that blossom in this garden of humanity. Happiness can be traced back to our lives if we hearken to the inner voice of wisdom calling from deep within our souls.

Jayita Bhattacharjee was born in Calcutta, India and later on pursued education from University of Houston in Economics, she had chosen her career as a trustee and teacher.

Her Indian residence is in the vicinity of the famous Belurmath.

Currently, she is settled in Tampa, Florida. Her love for writing on a journey of heart and soul was hidden all within. Looking at the moments captured in love and pain, joy and grief, the hidden tragedies of life...it was a calling of her soul to write.

Her books "The Ecstatic Dance of Life', " Sacred Sanctuary", " Light of Consciousness", "Dewdrops of Compassion" are meant to shed light on what guides a person to respond to the mystical voice hidden inside, to soar in a boundless expansion with the limitless freedom of spirit."It is in the deepest joy that I write with every breath of mine."

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Birds Are Getting Caged

In at Brazil’s Savanna This story originally appeared in "AGU's EOS Magazine.”

It is republished here as part of The Eden Magazine partnership with Covering Climate Now, a global journalistic collaboration to strengthen coverage of the climate story.

By Meghie Rodrigues @meghier Deforestation and climate change threaten life in the Cerrado. A new study shows how few places there are left to go.

Photo by Syed Ahmad

Poor land-use, combined with the onset of climate change, is putting the Cerrado under severe strain. According to the World Wildlife Fund, this tropical grassland in central Brazil is the world’s most biologically diverse savanna, home to 5% of the planet’s plants and animals. It’s also the world’s most threatened savanna. Scientists recently studied how much refugia, or land available as habitat for species that are crowded out of their native areas, would be left in the Cerrado by 2050.

Brazilian researchers chose birds for their study, selecting 103 species out of the 856 the Cerrado harbors, focusing on those that rarely or never leave the savanna.

They looked at how climate change factors—specifically, temperature and precipitation—would change in kilometer-square grid cells across the biome. The scientists then incorporated something that few do when studying long-term habitat changes: land use predictions. Using maps projecting out to 2050, the scientists categorized each grid cell as either “high native vegetation,” meaning an area that’s likely to stay untouched, or “low native vegetation.” Indicating the location has been or will likely be transformed for urban or agricultural use.

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Forced Migration After evaluating possible refugia, Loyola and his colleague Fábio Borges looked specifically at how Cerrado birds would fare given these projections.

Nearly three-quarters of the birds in their study would be living mainly within the highest-risk areas, those prone to the most changes due to both climate and land use—in fact, nearly 100% of the species would be in areas that had transformed to agricultural or urban use. Only four out of the 103 species studied live primarily in the potential refugia.

The paper identifies four bird species as being in the most danger. The crimson-fronted cardinal, the Araguaia Spinetail, the Goiás parakeet, and the Bananal antbird—the last two of which are threatened species—are endemic to parts of the Cerrado outside the potential refugia and have shown low responsiveness to changes in their climate.

“The fact that a broad study like this was able to spot the vulnerability of these species is really alarming,” said Renato Pinheiro, a professor of conservation biology at the Federal University of Tocantins in Brazil who was not involved with the study. He said the study is innovative in the sense that it crossed future climate and land-use changes to build a predictive model because studies of this kind usually work on one aspect or the other, rarely intersecting both.

Pinheiro’s team studies the Orinoco goose, a species that lives in both the Cerrado and the Amazon basin and has been attempting to adapt to habitat changes. “The reduction of floodplain areas in the Cerrado has driven these birds to hibernate in rice culture areas since they end up having more nutrients,” Pinheiro said. Such behavioral changes expose birds to diseases and pesticides.

Photo by Yohanes Dicky Yuniar

Areas projected to have both high native vegetation, and low impact from climate change amounted to only 13% of the Cerrado—a small area of possible refugia for these birds in the next three decades. And even that area is not guaranteed: “The bad news is, these are not protected areas,” said co-author of the study Rafael Loyola, scientific director of the Brazilian Foundation for Sustainable Development and a professor at the Federal University of Goiás. Only a little more than 10% of that potential refugia is within the land that’s legally protected from land-use changes.

Protecting the Cerrado “The Cerrado has strong agricultural potential because of its fertile soil, many watersheds, and good rainfall regime. A considerable chunk of Brazil’s gross domestic product comes from there.” The Cerrado has strong agricultural potential because of its fertile soil, many watersheds, and good rainfall regime. A considerable chunk of Brazil’s gross domestic product comes from there,” said Loyola.

Such richness attracts economic interests. According to the World Wildlife Fund–Brazil, 40% of the Cerrado is used for agribusiness, and roughly half the biome has been clear-cut for pastures and other agricultural uses. From August 2018 to July 2019, the Cerrado lost 648,400 hectares to development—4 times the size of the metropolitan area of London. According to the MapBiomas project, in 2019 alone there were more than 7,000 deforestation alerts in the Cerrado.

Conservationists are trying to work with farmers to make the land they’re already using more productive, rather than increasing their crops by spreading out over more land. If those tactics aren’t followed, the biome is at risk of losing another third of its area to soy production by 2050 in a business-as-usual scenario, said Loyola. More than 80% of the Cerrado might be lost by the middle of this century. “If this happens, we could lose over a thousand animal and plant species, 480 of them endemic to that area,” said Loyola. Borges and Loyola’s study was published in Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation.

Citation: Rodrigues, M. (2020), Birds are getting caged in at Brazil’s savanna, Eos, 101, https://doi. org/10.1029/2020EO147949. Published on 11 August 2020.

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