Well, if you are reading or listening to the news you saw that the administration is finally addressing the exorbitant pentagon spending. Did you realize that about 45% of the total budget of 1 Trillion dollars is slated for the military? Incredible, no wonder we have wars.
Let’s get a grip on ourselves and look at how things work. To start off, if you allot, decide that you will spend, x dollars for something then you obviously will spend it there won’t you? Okay, not to sound ridiculous, my point is this. Let’s say I have allotted $1,000 a month to buy a new car. Then when I go shopping for a car I’ll spend as close to that number, if not a little more than I allotted because I said it was okay to do so. I could buy a car for a lot less and spend less and allocate some of it for something else, couldn’t I. I’m sure you’re getting the point.
So can you guess why we are at war so often? That’s right because we said that we needed $500 billion dollars for the military. Let’s face it, the military is not really a peace keeping organization. Okay, so now you’re saying something like well we need $500 billion for the war in Iraq or Afghanistan or wherever we decide to make war. It’s kind of the same old question of “what came first the chicken or the egg?” If we didn’t allocate so much for defense we wouldn’t be so quick to go to war because we wouldn’t have the resources. If you’re a hawk you’ll fight this logic tooth and nail because you like war.
What we hear a lot of is that we don’t have enough teachers or we can’t have more clinics or we can’t have great health care, etc. because we don’t have enough money in the budget. Whoa, let’s hold on doggies. Why don’t we just allocate more money for health and living programs as opposed to killing and dying programs? Seems to me that more people want death and war than they want life and peace. Or is it that the few who have the power want the death and war programs.
Has anyone done a poll to see how many people want to be at war? Now don’t ask the question if we should be at war, just ask if there were no war now and no reason to go to war (is there ever?) how many people would want war? I’m guessing it would be a very small percentage.
You see it is exactly at times like these where we must ask ourselves the hard yet practical question. Where is our money, your money, best spent? How much do we really need to defend ourselves? Remember we are on the offense not on the defense and offense costs a lot more than a defense.
I can buy into having a military to be trained for defending a potential threat and at the same time they could be doing other constructive things barring making war because we think someone is about to do attack us. We could have a much smaller military budget using the money to build infrastructure and help all of us here at home.
We have so many excuses for war and so few for peace. Stand up for your rights, our rights, to make peace, to make jobs, to make love and to make sense. I especially like the make love part. Somewhere I heard someone say, “the pen is mightier than the sword”. Pick up your pen and write your congressman and have them pick up their pen and sign a budget and a bill that makes sense(cents?). Slash that military spending.
Love to hear from you, even the hawks, I am open minded, sometimes.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
End of Days?
What does that mean to you? It certainly has a lot of definitions attached to it. Some believe that the world will end, that there will be some kind of apocalypse. That all evil will be removed from the earth and only the most spiritual and holy will remain. Or the earth will be totally annihilated and nothing will remain. Along the lines of what happened to the dinosaurs and the planet will begin it’s own healing process and perhaps be re-inhabited by man. And some think that it’s all BS.
What is mostly written about today has to do with the Mayan calendar and how it stops in the year 2012, December 21st to be exact. And if you follow the readings and teachings of Cayce, Nostradamus and/or other seers, it has been interpreted that on this day, the Great Cycle ends, time ends, so the Earth must end as well. But how and what does that really mean. I assure you there are few, very few who really have the inside scoop on this. Of course, most of us who have read or followed this information we have our own opinions and interpretations depending on where we are in our lives. What I mean by this is where we are in our beliefs about God, religion, and spirituality.
Although the word is getting out and more and more people are seeking spirituality, very few know of or have read the Kabbalah or the Zohar. These writings go back thousands of years and like the seers I mentioned above have more information and more insight into who we are, where we came from and where we are going. I will mention the bible and the Torah only to say that these books are based on the writings of the Zohar and there interpretation of the Zohar has left us with a lot of, let’s say, misinformation or misinterpretation. Additionally, the Zohar is not a religion it is based on science, unlike the bible and the Torah.
So why am I writing about this today? Because I believe it is important, especially at this time in our lives, to look at who we are, why we are here and why we are in the troubled state we are in today. What is happening around the world is a wake up call. The call that says if we don’t change what we do and how we do it we will doom ourselves.
So to get back to my title, “End of Days” and what it means is this. We must stop the greed, the violence and the selfishness. We can no longer tolerate having a few people take advantage of, or sacrifice, others for their pleasures. That’s it. It’s really that simple. We are spiritual beings clothed by bone, muscle and skin, and if we striped it all away we would all look the same. There would be no physical way to judge others and we would choose non-judgmental ways of doing things. We all chose to be here, to experience and enjoy what this planet has to offer and to share its offerings with everyone. To live in harmony, not balance, but harmony where everything is in tune. We are here to experience love and to give love. We are here, together on this one orb floating in space; and that in itself should be enough for us to want to have peace, which creates a place of joy and tranquility for all, not just a few.
I know you are seeing the change and many of you are getting the message and practicing harmony. So every day please stay aware and practice love, giving and tolerance with a smile. “Pay it forward” as they say and stop waiting for the love to come. For it will come to you as you give it. We have a choice to change the world and change the final outcome. End of days does not have to mean apocalypse. We have the power to heal the planet; all we have to do is be it.
I look forward to your thoughts.
Namaste,
Arthur
What is mostly written about today has to do with the Mayan calendar and how it stops in the year 2012, December 21st to be exact. And if you follow the readings and teachings of Cayce, Nostradamus and/or other seers, it has been interpreted that on this day, the Great Cycle ends, time ends, so the Earth must end as well. But how and what does that really mean. I assure you there are few, very few who really have the inside scoop on this. Of course, most of us who have read or followed this information we have our own opinions and interpretations depending on where we are in our lives. What I mean by this is where we are in our beliefs about God, religion, and spirituality.
Although the word is getting out and more and more people are seeking spirituality, very few know of or have read the Kabbalah or the Zohar. These writings go back thousands of years and like the seers I mentioned above have more information and more insight into who we are, where we came from and where we are going. I will mention the bible and the Torah only to say that these books are based on the writings of the Zohar and there interpretation of the Zohar has left us with a lot of, let’s say, misinformation or misinterpretation. Additionally, the Zohar is not a religion it is based on science, unlike the bible and the Torah.
So why am I writing about this today? Because I believe it is important, especially at this time in our lives, to look at who we are, why we are here and why we are in the troubled state we are in today. What is happening around the world is a wake up call. The call that says if we don’t change what we do and how we do it we will doom ourselves.
So to get back to my title, “End of Days” and what it means is this. We must stop the greed, the violence and the selfishness. We can no longer tolerate having a few people take advantage of, or sacrifice, others for their pleasures. That’s it. It’s really that simple. We are spiritual beings clothed by bone, muscle and skin, and if we striped it all away we would all look the same. There would be no physical way to judge others and we would choose non-judgmental ways of doing things. We all chose to be here, to experience and enjoy what this planet has to offer and to share its offerings with everyone. To live in harmony, not balance, but harmony where everything is in tune. We are here to experience love and to give love. We are here, together on this one orb floating in space; and that in itself should be enough for us to want to have peace, which creates a place of joy and tranquility for all, not just a few.
I know you are seeing the change and many of you are getting the message and practicing harmony. So every day please stay aware and practice love, giving and tolerance with a smile. “Pay it forward” as they say and stop waiting for the love to come. For it will come to you as you give it. We have a choice to change the world and change the final outcome. End of days does not have to mean apocalypse. We have the power to heal the planet; all we have to do is be it.
I look forward to your thoughts.
Namaste,
Arthur
Friday, February 6, 2009
New Years Resolutions in February?
Okay, Okay so you’re not done partying yet are you. And you’re still contemplating making some resolutions. Like most of us, and like most years, you begin by talking about something and how things will be different this year. I’m really going to stick to my diet. I’m definitely going to the gym 5 times a week. I’m putting my resume together and I’m going to find that perfect job or I’m finally going to start that business I’ve been thinking about for years. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You and I have made these statements before and have heard the same talk from others and not just at the beginning of every new year. So what’s stopping you?
Lot’s of things , which are really lot’s of excuses. I don’t have enough money. I don’t have the time. It’s only another year before the kids are out of the house. It’s the same old, I don’t have, I can’t right now and it’s only. The excuses pile up one after another. Or should I say the reasons and justifications you have in your bag of “not right now”. Wow aren’t you good at sabotaging yourself.
The real reason is that you don’t truly believe in yourself, you fear failure and sometimes success and you don’t have any support. So what will you do this year that’s different than last year? Maybe believing in yourself and knowing that you deserve all the things you want. Maybe getting a coach will be the start to get you moving and helping you reach those deserving goals. That’s just a few of the things you can do to get yourself on the road you’ve always wanted to travel.
So tell me have you made a resolution or two? And how do plan to make it stick and get what you want? I really need to hear from you.
email me at: arthurjames@thecoffeehousecoach.com
Lot’s of things , which are really lot’s of excuses. I don’t have enough money. I don’t have the time. It’s only another year before the kids are out of the house. It’s the same old, I don’t have, I can’t right now and it’s only. The excuses pile up one after another. Or should I say the reasons and justifications you have in your bag of “not right now”. Wow aren’t you good at sabotaging yourself.
The real reason is that you don’t truly believe in yourself, you fear failure and sometimes success and you don’t have any support. So what will you do this year that’s different than last year? Maybe believing in yourself and knowing that you deserve all the things you want. Maybe getting a coach will be the start to get you moving and helping you reach those deserving goals. That’s just a few of the things you can do to get yourself on the road you’ve always wanted to travel.
So tell me have you made a resolution or two? And how do plan to make it stick and get what you want? I really need to hear from you.
email me at: arthurjames@thecoffeehousecoach.com
How Healthy Are You? It’s not just about your weight!
Did you know that 66% of the population of the US is overweight. Here’s what the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey states: About two-thirds (66%) of adults in the United States are overweight, and almost one-third are obese. By the way some surveys actually put the overweight now at 70%.
The most commonly used method today to calculate if you are overweight is the body mass index (BMI). BMI is an index of weight adjusted for the height of an individual. Calculating BMI is simple, quick, and inexpensive—but it does have limitations. One problem with using BMI as a measurement tool is that very muscular people may fall into the “overweight” category when they are actually healthy and fit. Another problem with using BMI is that people who have lost muscle mass, such as the elderly, may be in the “healthy weight” BMI category (BMI 18.5 to 24.9) when they actually have reduced nutritional reserves. BMI, therefore, is useful as a screening tool for individuals and as a general guideline to monitor trends in the population, but by itself is not diagnostic of an individual patient’s health status.
An easy way to calculate your BMI using pounds and inches, multiply weight in pounds by 704.5,* divide the result by height in inches, and then divide that result by height in inches a second time. (You can also use the BMI calculator at http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bm.
Here are some of the problems with being overweight and obese: (Remember that we’re talking about those with a higher FAT ratio than MUSCLE ratio).
Overweight
♥ diabetes
♥ coronary heart disease
♥ high blood cholesterol
♥ stroke
♥ hypertension
♥ gallbladder disease
♥ osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage and bone of joints)
♥ sleep apnea and other breathing problems
♥ some forms of cancer (breast, colorectal, endometrial, and kidney)
Obesity
♥ complications of pregnancy
♥ menstrual irregularities
♥ hirsutism (presence of excess body and facial hair)
♥ stress incontinence (urine leakage caused by weak pelvic floor muscles)
♥ psychological disorders, such as depression
♥ increased surgical risk
♥ increased mortality
Here’s the US statistics.
Age 20 and older who are overweight
All adults: 133.6 million (66 percent)
Women: 65 million (61.6 percent)
Men: 68.3 million (70.5 percent)
Age 20 and older who are obese
All adults: 63.6 million (31.4 percent)
Women: 35 million (33.2 percent)
Men: 28.6 million (29.5 percent)
Age 20 and older who are at a healthy weight (not necessarily healthy)
All adults: 65.4 million (32.3 percent)
Women: 38.1 million (36.1 percent)
Men: 27.4 million (28.3 percent)
Here are the stats on children and adolescents:
Approximately 17.5 percent of children (age 6 to 11) and
17 percent of adolescents (age 12 to 19) were overweight
If you aren’t already thinking about the following I’ll give you a head start on the ramifications of being overweight.
♥ Increased health care costs—both direct and indirect – cost $117 billion (2002).
Direct health care costs refer to preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services such as physician visits, medications, and hospital and nursing home care.
Indirect costs are the value of wages lost by people unable to work because of illness or disability, as well as the value of future earnings lost by premature death.
♥ Lost productivity – cost is $3.9 billion (2001)
Beyond those more measurable costs there are the following potential effects:
♥ Early death - Leaving young children without a parent
♥ Loss of mobility causing others to care for you
♥ Lack of self-esteem
♥ Inability to function or participate in certain sports
♥ Loss of a job or being overlooked for a promotion (yes it is judgmental)
♥ Transportation difficulties
♥ Clothing costs
♥ Auto gets lower gas mileage because of additional weight
I’m sure you can add to the list.
Just so you know I have no judgments about overweight people as I have some very great friends who are overweight, hard not to have any with 66% - 70% of the population in that category. I only point this out to be clear that getting on the healthy side of life has many advantages not just for the overweight person, but also for friends, family, the economy (theirs and ours) and the environment.
I really look forward to your perspective and comments.
Send them to: arthur@lifenhealthcoach.com
The most commonly used method today to calculate if you are overweight is the body mass index (BMI). BMI is an index of weight adjusted for the height of an individual. Calculating BMI is simple, quick, and inexpensive—but it does have limitations. One problem with using BMI as a measurement tool is that very muscular people may fall into the “overweight” category when they are actually healthy and fit. Another problem with using BMI is that people who have lost muscle mass, such as the elderly, may be in the “healthy weight” BMI category (BMI 18.5 to 24.9) when they actually have reduced nutritional reserves. BMI, therefore, is useful as a screening tool for individuals and as a general guideline to monitor trends in the population, but by itself is not diagnostic of an individual patient’s health status.
An easy way to calculate your BMI using pounds and inches, multiply weight in pounds by 704.5,* divide the result by height in inches, and then divide that result by height in inches a second time. (You can also use the BMI calculator at http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bm.
Here are some of the problems with being overweight and obese: (Remember that we’re talking about those with a higher FAT ratio than MUSCLE ratio).
Overweight
♥ diabetes
♥ coronary heart disease
♥ high blood cholesterol
♥ stroke
♥ hypertension
♥ gallbladder disease
♥ osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage and bone of joints)
♥ sleep apnea and other breathing problems
♥ some forms of cancer (breast, colorectal, endometrial, and kidney)
Obesity
♥ complications of pregnancy
♥ menstrual irregularities
♥ hirsutism (presence of excess body and facial hair)
♥ stress incontinence (urine leakage caused by weak pelvic floor muscles)
♥ psychological disorders, such as depression
♥ increased surgical risk
♥ increased mortality
Here’s the US statistics.
Age 20 and older who are overweight
All adults: 133.6 million (66 percent)
Women: 65 million (61.6 percent)
Men: 68.3 million (70.5 percent)
Age 20 and older who are obese
All adults: 63.6 million (31.4 percent)
Women: 35 million (33.2 percent)
Men: 28.6 million (29.5 percent)
Age 20 and older who are at a healthy weight (not necessarily healthy)
All adults: 65.4 million (32.3 percent)
Women: 38.1 million (36.1 percent)
Men: 27.4 million (28.3 percent)
Here are the stats on children and adolescents:
Approximately 17.5 percent of children (age 6 to 11) and
17 percent of adolescents (age 12 to 19) were overweight
If you aren’t already thinking about the following I’ll give you a head start on the ramifications of being overweight.
♥ Increased health care costs—both direct and indirect – cost $117 billion (2002).
Direct health care costs refer to preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services such as physician visits, medications, and hospital and nursing home care.
Indirect costs are the value of wages lost by people unable to work because of illness or disability, as well as the value of future earnings lost by premature death.
♥ Lost productivity – cost is $3.9 billion (2001)
Beyond those more measurable costs there are the following potential effects:
♥ Early death - Leaving young children without a parent
♥ Loss of mobility causing others to care for you
♥ Lack of self-esteem
♥ Inability to function or participate in certain sports
♥ Loss of a job or being overlooked for a promotion (yes it is judgmental)
♥ Transportation difficulties
♥ Clothing costs
♥ Auto gets lower gas mileage because of additional weight
I’m sure you can add to the list.
Just so you know I have no judgments about overweight people as I have some very great friends who are overweight, hard not to have any with 66% - 70% of the population in that category. I only point this out to be clear that getting on the healthy side of life has many advantages not just for the overweight person, but also for friends, family, the economy (theirs and ours) and the environment.
I really look forward to your perspective and comments.
Send them to: arthur@lifenhealthcoach.com
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