A good idea for all of us as we go through these challenging days:
Many of us have suffered from occasional or situational back pain but for those who have long term even decades long back pain and cannot now visit chiropractors or acupuncturists here's something worth looking.
"Lower back pain? Self-administered acupressure could help -- ScienceDaily
""Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but instead of needles, pressure is applied with a finger, thumb or device to specific points on the body," says Susan Murphy, ScD, OTR, an associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Michigan Medicine and lead author of the study.
Murphy says that while acupressure has been previously studied -- and found to be beneficial -- in people with cancer-related or osteoarthritis pain, there are few studies that have examined acupressure in people with back pain.
In the study, published in Pain Medicine, the research team randomly assigned 67 participants with chronic low back pain into three groups: relaxing acupressure, stimulating acupressure or usual care.
"Relaxing acupressure is thought to be effective in reducing insomnia, while stimulating acupressure is thought to be effective in fatigue reduction," Murphy says.
Participants in the acupressure groups were trained to administer acupressure on certain points of the body, and spent between 27 and 30 minutes daily, over the course of six weeks, performing the technique."
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190821163805.htm
I have been trying to put out "blue" energy -- positive vibes, not feed the negative beast, as it were. I have to consciously choose to avoid the "red" negativity of the cult of 45. It's been difficult for me since the pandemic because there was more to keep me distracted pre-pandemic, family, work, just -- life! Although I am working from home, it's different when you don't have that separation of home and work, which creates its own stress. Plus, the fact that the pandemic exists and persists is a constant reminder of 45's incompetence and the sycophants' enabling of same.
So -- earlier in the spring, I was searching for something to occupy my thoughts --something creative yet comforting. I planted a garden with custom-made hand-painted garden stakes. I made fairy gardens. I read. I wrote poetry. I worked on helping my son with some of the things he is struggling with in life. I hung out with my husband and binge-watched some great TV programs. I re-organized some shelves, etc, etc.
But -- I wanted something . . . different.
Some may think this is a weird hobby for a woman of a certain age. I have started doing vintage Barbie doll restorations. Hahaha.
How, you ask, did I center on this pasttime?
A little background:
Way back in the '90s, I was a stay-at-home mom and did some free-lance writing from home. One of the articles I wrote was for a magazine called Barbie Bazaar. Bizarre, I know. It was an article about adult collectors who had found communities of other vintage collectors online. Back then it was via AOL and CompuServe. I had never known there were grown women -- and a few men -- who collected vintage Barbie dolls. I was also stunned at how much these dolls go for on the collectibles market. Even the clothes are insanely valuable, it seems. I moved on to write about other things. My kids were young at the time I wrote that article, and soon life took over and I moved on to other pursuits, got my teaching credential, etc.
(Continued)
(Continuing previous post)
Cut to 25 years later. I'm stuck at home in a pandemic. I stumbled across some of my childhood dolls I've been carting around all of these years. It brought back some happy memories. Due to the Barbie doll's checkered past and reputation as a sexist representation of women, I debated over whether I wanted to keep mine or get rid of them. Marie Kondo says keep what brings joy, and so I chose to keep these. Plus -- I think it's worth mentioning that this doll was the first that encouraged girls to aspire to being more than a mommy and a wife -- girls could play at having careers, graduating from college, and so no. Barbie and Ken never even got married, according to Mattel. The doll has a whole backstory that I have not fully investigated. Who has the time?
So, I was reminded of that article I wrote, and I started poking around online. I bid on some doll auctions and won some sad little specimens in need of help and some TLC. I tuned in to YouTube and learned a few things. I figured, what the heck? I'd try some of the restoration techniques, see how it went and if it went well, I'd re-sell them at a small profit. I repainted one. I re-created an original ponytail wrap on another. I treated a few more for a greenish discoloration that sometimes occurs if a doll's earrings are left in for too long. Very difficult to get rid of the nickel oxide embedded in the vinyl. I've restored some clothing, too
The sense of satisfaction I felt/feel after restoring these sad little dolls was surprising. I haven't sold any of them which surprises me even more. I am kind of attached to them after having worked on them. Some seemed like lost causes and doomed to the trash heap until I worked a little magic on them. Doing these restorations is relaxing. It's distracting. It takes me back to childhood a bit. It is creative. It's engrossing. But -- it's a little embarrassing, so I don't tell many people about it. 8^D
So -- back to that blue energy. So here I had all of these dolls -- what do I do with them? I am displaying them in a curio cabinet in my living room. SO -- BLUE ENERGY! I decided to dress them all in blue in honor of the blue wave I was hoping for. I have also discovered there are a lot of hand-made doll-sized clothes out there on Etsy and eBay and other places that remain in very good condition and often very chic, believe it or not. Just looking at these blue-clad dolls makes me smile, and the display reminds me to keep the faith and be hopeful -- I did see Biden taking the oath when we did remote viewing a while back. I wasn't the only one -- lots of us did. Seeing the little "blue party" in my cabinet reminds me to think of what's important -- not what's temporary. Focus on hope.
I know it's an odd little hobby, but I like it. Here's hoping for a BLUE outcome!
A 40 million dollar gift by a donor will pay for law school for 50 future civil rights lawyers.
I love this!
Here are some good news stories during this Texas storm crisis.We can all use some good news. Feel free to add more.
Volunteers saving thousands sea turtles in danger from the cold.
A coffee shop owner donating and creating shelf stable food baskets for people in need.
Overnight, dozens of volunteers showed up to cook 2,000 donated eggs and make 800 breakfast tacos for those in need.
@lovendures. These thousands of acts of kindness are just what we all need right now. Thank you.
The Tokyo Olympics Chief stepped down after a 22-year-old female called him out. This is a sign of the rise of matriarchy.
https://twitter.com/i/events/1362563616252325889
I love a story with a great ending.
In Texas, a young teen gave up the money she saved to attend Barnard College, an Ivy League school, to help her single mom pay rent.
And people donated to help her. A lot.
https://abc13.com/society/teen-gives-up-entire-college-savings-to-help-her-mom-pay-rent/10322295/
This story had me tearing up and thanking the Creator for people like this couple. A wonderful heart warming story.
Austin delivery driver gets stuck in the storm. She stayed with strangers for 5 days - CNN
www.cnn.com/2021/02/20/us/austin-storm-delivery-driver-trnd/index.html
Jeanne, thought you would want to read this article, cuz...trees.
@lovendures I loved it. Thank you! I made a screenshot of the photo so I could enjoy it.
Homelessness is a growing and urgent problem which needs a humane and caring solution. I have often felt tiny home communities might be a good and positive solution, especially if social, mental and physical health needs were addressed.
This looks like a wonderful solution. I hope it catches fire across the USA.
Welcome to Eden Village. I hope you enjoy the video and feel the hope like I do.
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/eden-village-tiny-homes-for-homeless
/ https://edenvillageusa.org/springfield-mo/
@lovendures Thank you for sharing that!!!!! I have read about that happening in several states and always given Light , Love and supportive Energy for those creating these areas to meet the needs. I love it... Love -In-Action!!!
LOVE this story!!
Imagine that you throw a no-hitter in your big league baseball debut as starter. Now imagine accomplish this feat after not even playing baseball in 2020 after the minor league season was wiped out by the pandemic.
Arizona Diamondback pitcher Tyler Gilbert, a former aspiring electrician, delivered a shocker for the history books on Saturday night as he threw a no-hitter on his first big league start. HE was only the third Diamondback pitcher to accomplish a no-hitter.
Joyous Diamondbacks players threw their gloves in the air and rushed the mound, mobbing the 27-year-old, who had spent six seasons in the minor leagues. He had pitched three times in relief since making his major league debut earlier this month.
“Crazy,” Gilbert said. “It’s not going to hit me for probably another day. I don’t know what just happened.”
@lovendures I loved that story and that boy. What a smile. I also loved the way this team rushed to congratulate him. Sure, they loved winning, but mostly they were happy for him.
I love to help people. It's probably in my DNA.
Actually it is probably in everyone's DNA right?
I just know I have often felt compelled to help make situations better for others since was a child.
I am in charge of the Christmas Angel program at our church which has partnered with our city for nearly 30 years helping local families in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas time. The entire church comes together and supports 10 families each holiday season. We gather basic need items such as cleaning and hygienic supplies, kitchen items such as new posts and pans, food pantry staples, towels, blankets, paper goods as well as gifts for every member of the family, not just the children. All items are new or as in the case of a few blankets, created by hand and love.
During the year if I see a fantastic deal on something I know will be appreciated by a family, I try to purchase it since it is often much more costly in November and December. I give myself a small budget for these year round purchases and I will tuck them away in my "angel drawer" at home or in my "angel space" in the garage.
Walgreens has been my friend during the pandemic, it is a quick in and out trip for me. It is close to my house and when they have a clearance, they can really have fantastic prices. I bought some great baby items after Christmas 2 years in a row that were 80-90%off and a few great kid toys for the same 90% off after Easter.
Yesterday I was feeling a great deal of angst about everything happening in Afghanistan, especially the young girls and families whose lives are forever altered. Other than prayers which I continue to offer, it is frustrating knowing there isn't anything I can do to help. There isn't even an an NGO with boots on the ground currently which can be supported in some small way to help.
And so I found myself walking through Walgreens yesterday afternoon. I had a $4 off $4 coupon I wanted to use which was going to expire soon. I didn't know what I was going to purchase, but I wanted to use it wisely. While quietly walking through the aisles I was feeling heavy, sensing what I believe was the overwhelming pain and need of those on the other side of the world mingling with my own sadness.. It was a helpless feeling. I was lost in thought when an endcap caught my eye because of the sea of orange clearance stickers it had covering the shelves. I moved closer in for inspection.
There in front of me was a variety of 6-8oz bottles of hand sanitizer and liquid soap and small packs of sanitizing wipes. Each for the incredible low price of .25 cents. Yep! This was about 95% off the regular price.
I was so excited!! haha. I realized this was something I COULD do. I couldn't help those suffering across the world, but could help my local community. I began collecting a variety of these endcap items making sure to leave some for others who might also appreciate and need the deal as well.
In total with the coupon, I bought a combo of 38 hand sanitizers, liquid soap and wipes for $4.50.
I will be packing away those items in my "angel draw" later today, with a grateful heart and a reminder that there is always an action I can make to help someone.
An act of love and kindness, even through a simple kind word, gesture or .25 cent purchase can matter. We just have to remember to look for an opportunity and take the action step. I needed that reminder and it was beautifully presented to me in such a cool way to discover once again.
Hopefully, sharing mine own personal discovery story with you here will speak to one of you, perhaps providing your own inspiration.
Wishing you a kind and gentle rest of your day.
@lovendures Love,love,love this!!! I have been helping local peeps, that are down with injuries or other restrictions with cooking for them and delivering meals when I can. It's the small things that bring hope and are so appreciated.
I posted this over in The Great Turning thread, but thought it could be helpful here too:
***
Here is some news that might give you hope in humanity.
You may or may not be familiar with the "memer" Quentin Quarantino (he makes funny memes and posts them to instagram and began doing so on March 13, 2020).
Well when Rush Limbaugh died he immediately started a donation to Planned Parenthood in Rush's honor and ultimately raised 2M.
Now - he's once again using his following for good and started a GoFundMe to rescue trapped Afghans. He raised 2 million in FIVE HOURS. It's currently up to 5.5 M. He is coordinating with some major power players (see link below for more info) and is going to save THOUSANDS of lives.
It was never about those in charge - it's up to each individual to light the way forward.
Details here: How a man with a meme account raised over $5 million to fund rescue missions in Afghanistan