On the mend

Squidge had an operation on her ear last night, I stayed with her throughout so she never became too stressed, quite gruesome watching the ear being sliced into, so today she is just wanting to sleep n heal, I would imagne it is throbbing now that the drugs have worn off, but she is happily stuck to my lap and a little later when the sun is up a bit more we shall go sit in the sun and let it do some healing, good ole sun rays.
Del is OK again, though we are both tired this morning, being aware of Squidge all night kept a good night's sleep at bay, but she's worth it and we are lucky enough to be able to chill for the day, nothing of real importance till Sunday evening when Del collects Julio and then on Monday taking Cyn down to airport........
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Dear friends,

This week in Annapolis, US President George W Bush announced a fresh Middle East peace process. Israel and the Palestinian Authority will "make all efforts" to reach a final agreement by the end of 2008. More meetings are planned in Paris, Moscow and the region. But are these talks a major advance toward peace, or a dangerous smokescreen?

Today, we're launching a global interactive poll -- to see if we, citizens around the world, can do any better. Together we will decide the direction of a powerful global campaign on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict over the coming months, pressing leaders on all sides to make the changes necessary for peace. Just click below to participate in the poll (it should take around 3 minutes), or to view other people's responses:

http://avaaz-annapolis.questionpro.com

This poll will decide Avaaz's course on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- an urgent global crisis where hope may soon run out. Many diplomats are warning of "devastating consequences" if this peace process is not genuine. But each of us has the chance to make our voice heard, and to act.

There are already over one and a half million people in the Avaaz network. Coming together in this interactive poll, many thousands of us around the world can share our views and look for consensus on the way forward. Some discussions can be difficult. But it's important to have them, and to listen to each other, because then our campaigning together will become all the stronger.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an old problem -- but we are a new global force for democracy. If we can no longer rely on the politicians, generals and diplomats, maybe people power can help tackle the dynamics that have undermined peace before. We can hold our leaders accountable for doing better. And if we agree a way forward, our campaigning could achieve a lot more.

It all starts with this interactive poll -- so click below to share what you think, and find out what others have said:

http://avaaz-annapolis.questionpro.com

With hope and determination,

Paul, Galit, Ricken, Graziela, Pascal and the rest of the Avaaz team

__________________________________-52

ABOUT AVAAZ
Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in London, New York, Paris, Washington DC, Geneva, and Rio de Janeiro.
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Fear Not

Blessings one and all...

We come to you today in the light of "Standing in your own Truth" and holding your own light.

As we observe all of you Human Angels interact with each other we have noticed an interesting development. There is now great fear around questioning anything in your society, government or the things you perceive around you everyday. We see now more than ever before, that it has being infiltrated by a force that is severely limiting your discourse and discovery of each other and your world.

That force is "fear".

It is apparent that simply questioning anything at this point in time is seen as somewhat of a negative or disrespectful act. It has even been called unpatriotic by some or seen as an attack on the person or institution being questioned. This development can severely hamper your efforts to stand in your own truth and create your world in your highest good . The strongest force which prevents you from speaking your own truth is "fear". To allow yourself to be caught up in this mass consciousness of fear based thinking is a trap with slippery slopes indeed.

There are those who still wallowing in the depths of the old energy, who are fiercely struggling to maintain the status quo even though they sense at their deepest level that it is no longer possible. They still persist and endeavor to keep everyone else trapped their with them. Their fear of the masses embracing the New Energy is far greater than the fear they attempt to generate to control and ensnare you.

Stand firm, Angels of Earth, do not be deceived by their fear mongering or their attempts to silence you with their condemnations, insults or half truths. Hold fast to your own Truth and do not allow fear to prevent you from asking the questions that need to be answered. It is your time to shine and bring your Truth to your World. This group can not prevent the evolution of your world unless you choose to let them.

They will continue to try to veil the truth in lies, deceptions and half truths, you know in your Heart of Hearts when something is truth or not. Trust Yourself! Be all that you can be, you are the standards that will lead the way to a brand New Earth, one which is full of love, understanding, peace and security for all. Do not sacrifice who you really are for the vague promise of their supposed protection. If one is in danger or persecuted, all are in danger of loosing their rights and autonomy! The rights of the "one" can never be scarified for the supposed good of the many!

When "one is made lesser ", all are diminished from their true preciousness as a living soul upon the Earth. Everyone is a part of the whole, the Unity of All That Is!

If you allow another to be brought down to a level of worthlessness, you diminish yourself in the same measure. You may have different ideas, beliefs, skin colours and sexes but you are all Angels of Earth, each with your own part to play in the evolution of the Planet Earth and All That Is.

Make your choices with discernment and do not allow fear to be your guide. Step into the full light of who you really are and see those who would try to prevent you with fear for what they really are, frightened and desperate souls.

We realise these are difficult times for all the Angels of Earth, but Dear Ones we ask that you Trust in that which you know in your Heart of Hearts to be truth and not be hampered by what transpires around you. You are so close to fulfilling all that you have worked for in so many lifetimes, let that promise strengthen and embolden you on the last leg of your journey!

Our hearts over flow with love for all you have accomplished and will accomplish! You are the Heroes, you are the standards, you are the Angels that will succeed in doing something that has never been done!

You will bring Heaven to Earth and change the fabric of All That Is!

It is with great love that we hold you to our Heart of Hearts and ask you to do the same for each other.

Blessings one and all...

The Guardians

Check out the "What's New" section on the Web Site!

Mensaje de Los Guardianes " Español" NUEVO

Interesting times

Trying to reach as many as poss with this one, having been out of touch for so long :(
Melonie I hope the wedding goes well - will be thinking of you - the years are passing but you will NEVER grow old - phew :)

Eli - the tests are still coming at you - I sent you the Spanish translation of what is below - hopefully it will shed some light and you can rest easy once more

Sarah - I will be in touch very soon, the phone lines are acting up here at the moment - had an email from Juddith - a good solfest had by all then hehehehe - guess you n the boys are just settling back into the ole routine and Maria how is she - enjoying life in Ed?! Silly question that lady has so much energy and focus!! Have you seen or heard anything from TGTeahouse? Maybe I get you to take my stuff back with view to giving it to Heather for her stall or you keep a hold of it till you get your shop up n running orrrrrr if you are over in CD see if Mairi will have it - shrug shoulders -no hassle - your thoughts/opinions appreciated :)

Christine how are you? - have you heard from Teresa and Ray - do you know that they are taking over the running of a bar in Yunquerra - they move up next month I think, hopefully this is right up their street and will give them a chance to get properly settled and sorted, they enjoyed and made a success of the pub they ran back in the UK, also gives Teresa the chance to exercise her vocal chords on a regular basis without having to go far, Leigh n Keith are thinking of renting their place once they get back from their jaunt to Morocco, they are planning on going at the end of this month for 3 weeks. Would you like us to keep spare keys here in the village in case anyone pops over and R n T are not here?

Mairi how are you? Hope your summer has been good - do you know when next you´ll be out here¿

Nick hang on in there - sorry I haven´t been in touch but my thoughts have often been with you

My guests said goodbye and thanks yesterday as they leave early this morning and of course Frank doesn´t want me up there this morning as he would have to pay me!! Also he likes to grab everything that is left foodwise despite every set of guests saying it was for me, hey ho. And if it weren´t for the fact that I sabel had already told me I wouldn´t know when next he wants me - as far as I know there is no-one till the end of the month, so guess I´ll have to wait until then for my pay - ah how it is for an immigrant worker LOL - like I have said before I will ride it for the rest of this year - BUT next year there will HAVE to be certain changes - Frank is too keen on taking advantage
Have to say big thanks to Del who has kepy house n home togther this week and fed me well each day :) Also his appreciation of what I do - he said he would sweep outside for me come in see it had only taken 10 mins and realised I did this kinda thing for 4 hours without break, so understood my tiredness xxxxx
I know I have missed a few folks out here but I shall have a chance to catch up this week

Blessing n thanks to all at Care2
Oh another good series on Radio 4
Heather Payton meets some of the UK's high-profile philanthropists. 1/5: Entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter {Scotsman} recently pledged a billion pounds to charitable causes

We have upon us, in the very near future, an enormous, pivotal, awesome,
and incredible opportunity for a real and true ascension!
It is amazing to see, and difficult to put into words. This is what we have been
preparing for, for the past three months (or really, several years).
This is what many have been feeling was on the horizon of late, but may
have not known exactly what was up. An opportunity like this, I have only seen
once before, when the ascension process began in earnest nearly 6 years ago.
This will be an enormous endeavor, and a dramatic leap dimensionally. We
literally have an opportunity to cross over into another reality…into
another world….into another place entirely. We will be able to jump dimensions and arrive in a different world…one that we have never seen before while in these particular
bodies.Our spiritual evolutionary process involves much see-sawing, as we evolve
from one vibrational ladder to another over time. We shift, release, integrate, and evolve, over and over again. But this particular shift on the very near horizon is quite different from all the rest.Why is it different? The shift through the September 11th portal, during the time
of the solar eclipse (BUT KNOW THAT THERE IS A WINDOW AROUND THIS TIME
AS WELL, AND WE ARE ALREADY STARTING TO EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE MAGIC AND RAPID MANIFEATATION), will literally separate two worlds. A vast an
incredible opening will occur, and many will go through this gate. This
will be a dramatic ascension. The heavens will open, and many will literally
fall through. And know that in going through this gateway, we will not
go “up.” We will go “through,” as ascension involves returning to the depths of the earth herself. You see, heaven is really on earth. It all happens here. It is where heaven and earth meet.
Returning to earth is a vital and crucial part of the ascension process.
Thus, it is through the earth that we ascend. She is our gateway.
We have been leading up to this ascension most intensely the past several weeks, as
we have been held back (and certainly protected) from re-entering, or becoming involved
with the old world. This was because the old world will begin its great
fall even more intensely after the ascension of the 11th occurs. We were
protected and held back in readiness for the ascension in September. We
were at the train station, with our bags packed (or unpacked!), having
left our old homes and old lives, waiting for the train to arrive (and
waiting, and waiting), and arrive it will….very soon. And it will be quite dramatic indeed.
I have been reporting that things will again begin forward movement in September,
but I need to clarify that it will be a different kind of forward movement.
It will again be a very magical time, and I say “again” as we have been in this magical energy
before, for limited periods of time, as it “peeked” through the clouds. This time,
the energies will not so much be arriving for us to experience, but
instead, we will be “going” to another reality which embodies them 24/7.
(With negative and fear based thinking, along with buying into the
illusions of the old world, we can also bounce out of this new reality, if we are not careful.
But we are only humans, so this will most likely occur,
but we will quickly learn how to navigate the dimensions by the way we are
feeling and by what we are experiencing.)On the other side of the
portal, our very thoughts will manifest with near immediacy, we will be in
instant energy, we will be supported as if a gentle, but strong and powerful
hand is under us, guiding us in every way, and gifting us with incredible
things and opportunities that come directly from the mind of Source, and we
will feel awe and amazement on a regular basis. It will be a time like no
other. All of our needs will be met, as if by magic. Like giddy children just
released onto a playground of beautiful gardens, rainbows, fairies, and magic
wands, we will experience much joy and awe, and just plain fun! And
“ease” and “flow” will be the words of the day.At times, when the energy
of the light returns after a so-called absence, it can arrive with great
force and dramatic movement. This time, it will be different. It will be
much more magical, light-filled, shimmering with the fairy dust of
illumination, and love and gratitude will be in the air in any given moment.
This is the energy that exists on the other side of the portal. On this side,
there is no war, anger, fear, or abuse. On this side there is no
insecurity, pain, or suffering. There is only an effortless existence in a
world that literally floats with little or no density.The three months
that led us up to this point were challenging indeed. At times, we may have
doubted our faith, we may have reviewed each and
every thing a dozen times, we may have done a life review and pondered at how we
got here, in this space of no energy and so much pain in the world around us, we
may have wondered if we were where we needed to be, or perhaps if we
were worth anything at all. We may have felt disappointment in how things
had turned out…or even surprised at how things turned out. Or asked
ourselves, “What was the point of all of it anyway?” And we may have
wondered if things would ever be good again, or ever, ever change.
This was the energy of dis-connect. Like hearts that have been removed from a body
during a by-pass surgery, we will once again be replaced and ready to beat again.
Recently, it was revealed that Mother Theresa had a 50 year crisis of
faith. For the last 50 years of her life, she had felt disconnected from Jesus and God,
did not feel the presence of God in her life, and described her crisis as living in hell.
And she felt this way for 50 years, but still continued on with her service.
“Jesus has a very special love for you. But as for me --- The silence and the emptiness is so great --- that I look and do not see, --- Listen and do not hear.” MOTHER
THERESA TO THE REV. MICHAEL VAN DER PEET, SEPTEMBER 1979
In our times of confusion and doubt, it can be challenging to keep our faith alive. But this is
what faith is all about. It is a knowing that the unseen does indeed
exist…a belief in a higher power that knows more than we do. It is a knowing
that all is always in divine and perfect order, because in the end, we seem to always find
out that things were always right on track, and unfolding according to a divine
and perfect plan.What of those who have seemingly been left behind? What
will become of those who are still grasping at the old energies, at the old manifestations
of power and security? What of those who do not see? Choices will
be given again and again, as there is always opportunity for a new arrival on
the other side, for each and every individual on this planet. As the old world
begins crashing down, a willingness will be created…created for the
purpose of surrender to occur. Those then, who were holding on in fear
or ego based power, will have the opportunity to let go and agree to
different ways of living and being. The longer one chooses to hold on, the longer their stay in “hell” will be. Contrast always serves to create a willingness and desire for something
different. It reminds me of experiences I had when assisting trapped souls
who had not crossed over after death. You see, all that exists in any
given reality, exists here on the earth, as we create these illusions in our
minds. No new news here…what we believe and choose to see or look for, will
manifest as our own individual world or reality. We need not be trapped.As we go
through the gates of September 11th, saying good-bye to the old world, we will find
ourselves in our own heaven. We will be in our own versions of what we believe
heaven to be. We will be safe and secure in our own sanctuaries which we have
created from the simplicity of life, without the connection to the old systems.
And we will most certainly and always be in the moment…in the now. For this is
where heaven resides. So how do we get through the gate? The more we pull
out and remove ourselves from the old world, the more we will experience the new
world. Our supports will arrive as if by miracles and magic. There will be much
more compassion and oneness with our fellow man… a softer reality will emerge.
Surrender is the key. Allowing is the key. I remember when I began a big
ascension leap in 2001. I totally freaked out. I was told that if I relaxed and
let go, and really trusted, all would be fine. Similar to the dying process while in the
3D world, the more we fear and resist, the more difficult the process. And
as we are continually dying while we are alive, the same is true. A few
weeks ago, my star being companion (or guide, or higher aspect of myself,
whichever feels best to you), told me that I would be leaving this world and
not be returning. I wondered if I had a terminal disease, but now I know
what he was referring to. If we can simply go with what is being revealed to
us, trust that we will greatly be taken care of, and let go, we can ride an
amazing wave that will deposit us in heaven. When I married my husband
in May, I had only known him for three months. I was terrified, as I had never been
married. But it was an arranged marriage by our star being families, and I had
to just trust….BLINDLY TRUST. I am now in heaven with this man, and this is how
it is with ascension. Whenever I had fear, we had a rocky time. The same with
ascension. TRUST, TRUST, AND TRUST SOME MORE.When we get out of our own way,
or ego minds, or views of how we think things should be, a new and much more
wonderful plan will arrive for us. My husband is nothing like what I might have
imagined for myself. I so resisted him at first, as he did not fit my ideal, but none-the-less, I felt
such an enormous pull to him and knew this is where I belonged, even if it
did not make sense. Oprah Winfrey once said that hosting a TV show was not
something that she would have ever thought of on her own…..and now look at her!
If we continue to focus on what is being revealed in the news or even in the old world of
illusions, we will stay where those manifestations are taking place. And this is what is falling.
We don’t want to stay there. Heaven is here now. If we focus on that, this is where we will be.
We continue to step over it, don’t see it, do not realize that it is right in front of us, and
remain connected to the old illusions. The old illusions are what we
need to let go of in order to get through the gate. We need to see where
we truly are now, not where the media or outside world would like us to believe we are.
Going through the gate of September 11th will transport us to a safe
haven, no matter where we are. Higher vibrations cannot be affected by lower
ones. If we are desiring to locate to a new geographical area, we are usually
guided by a passion, joy, and strong desire to experience somewhere new which
more closely matches our new and higher vibration. This is a perfectly
orchestrated coincidence to get us to where we need to be as well. Continually
going toward what feels better, whether geographically, with our work or
passions, or with individuals, is a good and true guide to get us through the gate.
(Another scenario is present as well. My husband Phil and I discovered
that the ancient Mogollon culture suddenly departed because they knew that a
lower vibrating faction was due to arrive, and the higher vibrating society of
the Mogollons could not share space with this newly arriving energy. Currently,
the same scenario is unfolding, but it an opposite way. Here in the small town
where I currently reside in Northern Arizona, there is a substantial movement
about to occur. The individuals and energy that have claimed to have been the
first settlers of this valley, are preparing to depart. They can no longer reside here.
Businesses are closing right and left, and although this process may
take a while, it is beginning. So then, certain areas, organizations, and
thus, will depart or greatly shift so that more higher
vibrating and light filled energy can replace them. These, then, will become our places of heaven. And these places will arrive for us according to where
we believe heaven is for each and every one of us.) If we can be still,
sit still, be in the now, and allow and accept that where we areis truly
heaven on earth, we will instantly be catapulted through the gate. Heaven is
in the stillness…it is in the “here.” Moving through and pushing ahead takes
us away from this space and away from heaven. Navigating from an ego or
intellect and analytical mind, takes us away from heaven. Living in pure
simplicity and acceptance takes us through the gate.
Allowing takes us through the gate. Heaven is here now, and being still allows
us to connect to what is right at our feet. It moves our focus to where we are,
which is truly in heaven. If we open our eyes, we can see it right in front of
us. And the portal of September 11th will open the gate for our arrival. Are
you ready to go?

Aquarius Papers - Mercury comes out of retrograde this week, so it's time to begin to crank things up after recent weeks of rehearsal, review, research, and preparation.

No Hard Edges - Creating Space In The Body
Our minds and bodies are interconnected, and the
condition of one affects the condition of the other. This is why meditation is
such a powerful tool for healing the body, as powerful as physical
therapies. When our minds are cluttered with thoughts, information, and
plans, our bodies respond by trying to take action. When the body has a
clear directive from the mind, it knows what to do, but a cluttered,
unfocused mind creates a confused, tense body. Our muscles tighten up, our
breath shortens, and we find ourselves feeling constricted without
necessarily knowing why.When we sit down to meditate, we let our bodies know
that it is okay to be still and rest. This is a clear directive from the
mind, and the body knows exactly how to respond. Thus, at the very
beginning, we have created a sense of clarity for the body and the
mind. As we move deeper into meditation, the state of our mind reveals itself,
and we have the opportunity to consciously decide to settle it. A meditation
teacher pointed out that if you put a cow in a small pen, she acts up and
pushes against the boundaries, whereas if you provide her with a large, open
space, she will peacefully graze in one spot. In the same way, our thoughts
settle down peacefully if we provide them with enough space, and our bodies
follow suit.When we settle down to examine and experience our consciousness,
we discover that there are no hard, definable edges. It is a vast, open
space in which our thoughts can come and go without making waves, as long as
we let them by neither attaching to them nor repressing them. As we see our
thoughts come and go, we begin to breathe deeper and more easily, finding
that our body is more open to the breath as it relaxes along with the mind.
In this way, the space we recognize through meditation creates space in our
bodies, allowing for a feeling of lightness and rightness with the world.

Climate changes........

well we are certainly experiencing them here, the storm finally drifted into the distance in the early hours and we could get some sleep and this morning I have awoken to a *white out* - can't see the village as we are submerged in cloud and the rain is torrential - a very quiet village as the workers are having a lie in, no work today for those who work the land or are building.

We never did go to the free food on Sunday as we found out it was put on by the fascist party only, so we stayed at home and had another nice quiet day, Del phoned Sammy and I phoned Lau, so a family day. Voting is this Sunday, so I shall be giving mine to the new Independent party, who are going to work for the collective rather than a few individuals, well that is what they say, also they are the greenest, advocating renewable energy and helping agricultural work; there seems to be an awful lot of the Spanish who are backing this guy which is good, but some say the mayor will get back in as he now has a woman as his side kick, would be a shame as this guy is very much into lining his own pocket and was only stopped from reopening a quarry here a couple of years ago due to strong pressure, he has also told many folks that they would get planning permission for house building on the campo, knowing full well that the Junta of Andalucia is clamping down hard on new builds and then they come along and tell people to knock em down, the fascists don't really stanbd a chance I am glad to say, especially as they want to bring industry to the village - arggggggg, anyway we shall see what occurs.

While I am at it here is a big moan to the UK - Sammy sneaked her phone into hospital so she could text us a.s.a.p. apparently the reason folks can't take their phones into hospital in the UK is because of a deal set up between the national health board and one of the phone companies, I shall find out which to name and shame later, this deal says the hospitals ban the use of personal phones so that folks have to use this company who charge something like 80p per min to phone in and 60 to phone out, work it out, it is just such a scam and taking advantage of very vulnerable people, makes my blood boil......oops we keep getting power cuts and surges, thanks be to our cpu units.......

Back again, had to reboot as that was quite a long cut out
I received this in an email from a friend this morning and thought I would share - I have never had a mammogram and never intend to, much to the horror of the ladies of my age - who all went along for one a few months ago, I was the only one who didn't, I believe that traumatising the body in any way and yep this is a traumatic experience for the body, is detrimental and can cause more problems than actually help, this story just adds more fuel to my fire and funnily enough someone was advising me the other day to try hrt, they think I am mad because I said no way josé, I said no for the cruelty reasons but I see from this article that there are other reasons for giving it a body swerve, anyway I have gone back to taking sulphurC, which does the job without any nasties

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Story

By Sherrill Sellman Every October since 1985, the recognizable symbol of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, pink ribbons, are displayed on TV, poster and magazine advertisements as well as proudly adorn women's lapels. The multitudes of runs, hikes, walks and other fundraising events raise hundred of millions of dollars to conquer that dreaded scourge of the modern woman, breast cancer. High-profile companies like Avon, Lee Denim and Revlon have joined ranks along with the Susan G. Komen Foundation's "Race for the Cure" and the L.A. City of Hope Hospital's "Walk for Hope." Popular celebrities lead the charge. Each year 180,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 44,000 will die of the disease. The U.S. has one of the highest breast cancer rates in the world. Fifty years ago the incidence for a woman's life-time risk was one in 20. Now it has skyrocketed to one in eight. Clearly the so-called war on cancer has not even made a dent in to the breast cancer epidemic as the rates continue to climb at the rate of 1 percent a year. The motto of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is "Early Detection is Your Best Protection." The National Cancer Institute stated in 1995 that "Breast cancer is simply not a preventable disease." This tune was reiterated in 1997 by the American Cancer Society's announcement that "there are no practical ways to prevent breast cancer -- only early detection." [1] So mammograms are the front line of defence. Celebrities like Rosie O'Donnell offer free t-shirts with the honorable words "I've been Squished" if you'll just make a date with your local x-ray department. So let's all join in and wave our pink ribbons and don those running shows and take to the roads, right? Before you get swept up by the emotional frenzy of this call to arms, there is something you must know. Breast Cancer Awareness Month's primary sponsor and the mastermind of the event in 1985 was Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, now known as AstraZeneca. Zeneca is the company that manufactures the controversial and widely prescribed breast cancer drug, tamoxifen. All TV, radio and print media are paid for and must be approved by AstraZeneca. It is less known that Zeneca also makes herbicides and fungicides. One of their products, the organochlorine pesticide acetochlor, is implicated as a causal factor in breast cancer. Its Perry, Ohio chemical plant is the third largest source of potential cancer-causing pollution in the U.S., spewing 53,000 pounds of recognized carcinogens into the air in 1996. [2] When it comes to the environmental carcinogens found in pesticides, herbicides, plastics and other toxic chemicals, there is booming silence by all Breast Cancer Awareness Month programs. Did the alarming increase of breast cancer rates just mysteriously happen? Or perhaps, the focus on the cure has conveniently ignored the cause? After all, it wouldn't really be good PR for Zeneca to have it known that their chemical products directly contribute to the breast cancer epidemic. Many experts predicted as far back as 30 years ago that cancer rates would increase citing an explosion of synthetic chemicals. From 1940 through the early 1980s production of synthetic chemicals increased by a factor of 350. Billions of tons of substances that never exited before were released into the environment. Yet only 3 percent of the 75,000 chemicals in use have been tested for safety. [3] These toxic time bombs are everywhere -- in our water, air and food. They are also found in the workplace, in schools, in household cleaners, cosmetics and personal care products. Women who live near toxic waste dumps have 6.5 times the incidence of breast cancer. A survey conducted by Dr. Mary Wolff of Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York found that women with breast cancer had four times the levels of DDE found in non-carcinogenic tumors. [4] Also, another study investigating why upper-class women in the community of Newton, Massachusetts had higher breast cancer rates than the lower economic women. [5] The researchers attributed the increase to greater use of professional lawn care service and more dry cleaning. The pesticide/breast cancer link was stunningly highlighted in research from Israel, which linked three organochlorine pesticides detected in dairy products to an increase of 12 types of cancer in 10 different strains of mice. After public outcry in 1978 forced the Israeli government to ban the pesticides benzene hexachloride, DDT, and lindane, breast cancer mortality rates, which had increased every year for 25 years, dropped nearly 8 percent for all age groups and more than a third for women ages 25-34 in 1986. [6] The American Cancer Society was founded with the support of the Rockefeller family in 1913. Members of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry have long had a place on its board. Could that have something to do with the fact that the American Cancer Society's latest report on cancer prevention makes no mention of environmental factors? Perhaps we can forgive Zeneca's involvement with carcinogenic chemicals, since it researched and patented the most popular breast cancer treatment, Tamoxifen, grossing $500 million annually. Perhaps not. On May 16, 2000 the New York Times reported that the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences listed substances that are known to cause cancer. Tamoxifen was included in that list!! [7] It is known that tamoxifen causes uterine cancer, liver cancer and gastrointestinal cancer. After just two to three years of use, tamoxifen will increase the incidence of uterine cancer by two to three times. The treatment for uterine cancer is a hysterectomy. In addition, tamoxifen increased the risk of strokes, blood clots, eye damage, menopausal symptoms, and depression. The biggest shock of all is the fact that tamoxifen will increase the risk of breast cancer! The journal Science published a study from Duke Universtiy Medical Center in 1999 showing that after 2-5 years, tamoxifen actually initiated the growth of breast cancer! So, Zeneca, the originator of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the manufacturer of carcinogenic petrochemicals, carcinogenic pollutants and a breast cancer drug that causes at least four different types of cancer in women, including breast cancer. Is something wrong with this picture? Since the Breast Cancer Awareness Month spin doctors claim that breast cancer is "simply not a preventable disease," the focus has shifted to the theme of early detection. Women are now encouraged to get their early mammogram. At one time, only women 50 years or older were told to get this screening. Now the campaign is targeting 40-year-olds and even women as young as 25. However, detecting breast cancer with mammography is not the same as a protection from breast cancer. Questions are being raised about the validity of mammograms. A mammogram is an x-ray. The only acknowledged cause of cancer by the American Cancer Society is from radiation. When it comes to radiation, there is no safe level of exposure. "There is clear evidence that the breast, particularly in premenopausal women, is highly sensitive to radiation, with estimates of increased risk of up to one percent for every RAD (radiation absorbed dose) unit of x-ray exposure. Even for low dosage exposure of two RADs or less, this exposure can add up quickly for women having an annual mammography," notes Samuel Epstein, M.D., professor of occupational and environmental medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health. "More recent concern comes from evidence that one percent of women, or over one million women in the United States alone, carry a gene that increases their breast cancer risk from radiation fourfold." [8] In addition, mammography provides false tumor reports between 5 and 15 percent of the time. False positive results cause women to be re-exposed to additional x-rays and create an environment of further stress, even possibly leading to unneeded surgery. "Furthermore," says Dr. Epstein, "while there is a general consensus that mammography improves early cancer detection and survival in post-menopausal women, no such benefit is demonstrable for younger women." Still, the American Cancer Society recommends annual or biannual mammography for all women ages 40 to 55 or earlier. "Mammograms increase the risk for developing breast cancer and raise the risk of spreading or metastasizing an existing growth," says Dr. Charles B. Simone, a former clinical associate in immunology and pharmacology at the National Cancer Institute. Safer and even more effective diagnostic techniques like infrared thermography have been vigorously attacked by the Breast Cancer Awareness organizations. [9] It is also noteworthy to point out that General Electric, a major polluter in PCBs in the Hudson River, N.Y., manufactures mammography machines. So all the hullabaloo that comes each October, enlisting women's support and hard-earned cash does nothing to really eliminate the cause of this devastating disease. Instead, women's heart-felt desires and good intentions to find the cause and cure are usurped by the hidden agendas of major transnational corporations pushing their toxic drug treatments and diagnostic tools that actually create even more breast cancer. Is it really profitable to find safe, non-toxic cures and screening methods? Women can make the difference in eliminating breast cancer. The breast cancer epidemic is not some great mystery. The causes of cancer are already known. Toxic diets, toxic lifestyles, toxic environments, toxic drug treatments and toxic diagnostic techniques cause cancer. Corporations are only interested in increasing their profits and ensuring their tentacles of control not in actual solutions. When it comes to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, women must invest their time and money into other projects, initiatives and treatments that will truly create change. Some of the most immediate steps women can take toward creating a preventative program include: Eating as many organic foods as possible. They are not only free of harmful chemicals but also have much greater nutritional value. Eliminate all commercial household cleaning products and toxic garden pesticides -- replace with safe, organic and biodegradable brands. Drink pure, filtered water. Refuse steroid hormone treatments such as HRT and The Pill -- these are known to initiate and promote breast cancer. Seek out the many natural approaches to regain hormonal balance. Detoxify the body and reduce stress. Investigate safe screening techniques such as thermography, especially if you are premenopausal. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is indeed a powerful time to educate, awaken and empower women to the real causes, preventative measures and truly effective cures for breast cancer. But, let's not be duped or compromised in the process.

Gifts From The Universe
Accepting Your Family

Families can contain a fascinating grouping of personalities. Despite the potential
for so many to have similar traits, there are many different ways to express them.
As people marry into families and have children, even more personalities enter the
picture. There may be some people that we would not choose to be related to, but
that's what friends are for. 

If we trust in a universe that has a higher purpose for everything, then we must
believe that family members are in our lives for a good reason. These reasons may be
easy to see and appreciate with some, but others may offer us a challenge. With
those, we can look for something we can learn or perhaps teach. In the modern world
where everyone seeks to be individuals, many move far away from their families in an
attempt to escape them. But when we've successfully built a world around us that
requires no one's help, our families are the people who are still attached to us. We
can still choose whether or not to honor the family ties, and how to treat each
other, but the fact remains that we are energetically tied to our families. 

Our families help us see where we have come from so that we may more clearly decide
where we'd like to go. If we can learn to accept our families for who they are, then
we go out into the world armed with the ability to deal with anyone. Some families
are better than others at preparing us for the world. What we learn from our
families, even if they are simply blank spots on our family trees, becomes the basis
of our identities as individuals. Rather than denying our connections, we can choose
to accept their presence in our lives. Acceptance does not mean we have to like
them; we simply acknowledge that we are connected to them and honor that connection
for like it or not, there is a reason. When we can embrace all that they bring into
our experience, we may be grateful for all we have learned from them and have to
learn, while we experience everything that comes with family fully and completely.