A New Heroine — Alice Stewart

Posted on March 15, 2011 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Alice Stewart 1906 - 2002, British Epidemiologist

Good Morning, God!

A new day — and a new gift! Thank You, God, for showing me yet another unsung woman hero.

It was when I was reading the book Willful Blindness yesterday, that I learned about Dr. Alice Stewart an English epidemiologist — famous for her 1950s discovery that “exposing pregnant mothers to X-rays doubled the risk of cancer in their children.”

One might have thought, God, after that study was published, that would have been the END of exposing pregnant mothers to X-rays! But, they kept right on doing it, criticizing her data.

Her data was excellent! But, there were problems: 1) the medical profession was thrilled with X-rays — a new toy. 2) doctors — like the rest of us — resist knowing that they may have harmed people, especially babies. 3) there was a theory that radiation didn’t hurt us until it reached a “threshold” amount.

The threshold idea was particularly attractive — in fact, scientist even thought a little bit of radiation might be good for us. Alas, ANY X-ray a pregnant woman was exposed to harmed the fetus. Gosh God, this heroine seems quite relevant TODAY with our renewed worries about nuclear power plants.

Alice Stewart kept on researching, working and speaking out. She didn’t retire until she was 90. But she was so unpopular with the establishment, because of her findings, that the British embassy in Oslo wouldn’t even send a car to pick her up when she arrived to receive an award.

Change IS hard. And I am afraid, God, that most of us find it TOO HARD. I’m now coming to believe that CHANGE might best begin with repentance and humility. Sigh. Please, God, help me repent of my busyness.

Posted in busy, Changing, choices, courage, health

A “Failed” Sabbath — is Still a Gift

Posted on March 14, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

CUC Spire early morning

Good Morning, God!

Yesterday was another Sabbath. I was going to say another “failed” Sabbath, but I’ve decided to reframe it as a “learning” Sabbath!

I don’t like confessing failures, God. And that is in spite of my dramatic experience back ’08 where I was given the gift of 90 minutes of confessing to “sacred strangers.” It was an incredible gift!

I felt SO CLEAN and FORGIVEN and WHOLE!

But, as You so clearly showed me — confessing is a bit like upchucking. It makes us feel much better. But, we have to feel really bad before we do it.

As if to further make that point, yesterday’s sermon was based on the 32 Psalm in which the psalmist said in verses 3 and 4 “When I kept silent, [not acknowledging my sin] my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

The psalmist starts by talking about how BLESSED is the one whose transgressions are forgiven. Ah, God, I have experienced that relief! So then, let me confess that I had intended to “just take care of myself” yesterday. That being my current version of “rest.”

But, as the day went on, I found myself angry and grumpy — mostly at myself, but my dear Kit got the spill over. Angry because my life is too full. Angry that I am not “taking good care of myself.” And, maybe just ANGRY!

Ah, but that is where the learning came in. My feelings knew they needed to be FELT and up they came in all their ickiness — to be dealt with — ready or not. I hope/intend God, that those FEELINGS will lead to CHANGE — with Your help!

Posted in A Spiritual Spring Cleaning, confession, sabbath rest

Working Together — Making Music & Donating to Quake Relief

Posted on March 13, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Trombones -- in the Honolulu Community Band

Good Morning, God!

Yesterday evening we went to what was to be a joint concert with the Honolulu Community Band and the Omiya Community Band. Only their flight from Japan was scheduled for two hours AFTER the earthquake! They couldn’t get out!

But, the concert became an opportunity to collect donations for the quake relief efforts. After the performance we went to Kaimuki and walked by a Japanese restaurant that was also accepting donations.

I thought about B.J. Fogg and his “triggers.” It really helps to Put Opportunity in the Path of People! So, anyone who wants to donate to the quake relief via the Red Cross can just click on the underline word, Red Cross.

Honolulu Community Band

But, back to the Band! Kit is going to rejoin the band. He was one of the charter members back in 1973 when the band began. I’m very pleased he is returning as he really loves music and playing his trombone.

The concert ended with the Stars and Stripes Forever — REAL band music. MARCHES!

As the band was playing, God, I was thinking about how marvelous it is to see so many people working so harmoniously together for the greater good. It made me wonder why it is that we don’t have MORE examples of that, God? Is it for lack of good conductors? Or lack of the equivalent of “musical scores?”

Now that I think about it, God, I’m sure we have LOTS of examples of “volunteers” working together — it’s just that their work doesn’t lend itself to offering concerts! Thank You, God for people working together to help!

Posted in Giving, meaningful work, Music, organized, supportive organizational structures

Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Awareness is Key

Posted on March 12, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A Thermographic image of IBC

Good Morning, God!

I’m using a thermographic image of Inflammatory Breast Cancer — so as not to be TOO graphic. Ever since one of my dear friends came down with IBC I’ve been aware that most of us women are NOT aware of it. The problem is that what we have learned about regular breast cancer doesn’t apply. There are No Lumps with IBC.

My friend is VERY fortunate that her dermatologist is up on these things and spotted it right away. Some poor doctors have told women “It’s just a bug bite” and sent them home. AURGH! Not to blame anyone, God, we all make mistakes.

In fact, I just bought a book entitled Willful Blindness about how we let fear keep us from “knowing” and “doing.” Perhaps, God, “not knowing” is part of how we keep the knowledge of Death away? Anyway, I feel called to share because being aware of this type of cancer really can keep death a bit further away!

Please, God, help us be willing to learn. Please help folks watch this piece on YouTube about IBC by clicking on the colored word IBC. Gosh, God, it is so much easier to let people know about things now than even just a few years ago.

Meanwhile, God, I’m also asking You to help us to find cures for cancer. Please, God, gifts of wisdom and knowledge for researchers — and for all of us who just want to lead healthier lives — wiser lives.

Posted in a prayer for healing, health, so much to learn

Hawaii’s Tsunami — Thankfully, SMALL

Posted on March 11, 2011 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Our own "personal" Tsunami Siren

Good Morning, God!

It’s a rather late morning for me as this Tsunami Siren — 100 yards away in the neighboring park — went off at 10 p.m. and every hour on the hour until our tsunami’s scheduled arrival around 3 a.m.

This siren is NOT one that you sleep through — which is as it should be!

And I am VERY thankful, God, for all the early warning devices we have in place to help us know when to go to higher ground.

Last night at 10:00 p.m. the online tsunami zone maps were too busy for me to get to them. But, at 11:00 I was able to determine we did not live in the updated evacuation zone. That was comforting. And, yes, I should have known that BEFORE the siren went off.

Prediction of Tsunami Wave Amplitude

Actually, now that I am more awake I am feeling VERY thankful. I have seen the news from Japan and watched one live video of the shaking in one person’s apartment. Oh My! Watching the water bring in boats and cars and houses in the port city Sendai — oooh!

Thank You, God, that Japanese buildings seem to have stood up very well. Thank You for early warning systems. Thank You that even more didn’t die!

I am not quite able to thank You for earthquakes . . . but I can see how they put “the work of our hands” in perspective. They do give us pause to re-evaluate what’s important — like family and friends and our fellow human beings. And for THAT God, I AM thankful!

Posted in a matter of scale, a surfeit of sound, thankfulness

Getting Healthy — A Focus on Food

Posted on March 10, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

The Blonde Vegetarian by Rebecca Woodland

Good Morning, God!

Hey! My friend Becky hasn’t just published a GORGEOUS cookbook — she is about to go off to a 10 day conference to learn how to SHARE IT! As a breast cancer survivor, Becky has a passion to let people know that they CAN help themselves by eating well. Please help her, God! We NEED her message and her enthusiasm!

The idea that what we EAT influences our HEALTH goes way back. Hippocrates (460 to 370 BC) said “Let food be your medicine.” He taught that disease was not punishment from the gods but rather the product of environmental factors, diet, and living habits.

Funny how hard it is to “take charge” of our diet and living habits. Hard, but KEY! Becky’s cookbook helps with simple recipes that taste good and are good for us. She uses lots of onion and garlic and herbs. Way to go, Becky!

Meanwhile, our medical profession is decades behind the nutritional curve. They are still worrying about saturated fats, cholesterol, and they are recommending vegetable oils. That last one really upsets me, God. The switch from butter (from old fashioned grass-fed cows) to vegetable oils is one of the reasons for the horribly high level of slow (omega 6) fats in our diet. THAT FAT IS SUBSTANDARD. Our brains and bodies NEED the fast (omega 3) fats. A couple of fish oil capsules won’t really do it. AURGH!

We need help,God. Please help Becky as she goes off to get ideas on how to Spread the Word! Thank You, God, for people like Becky who CARE and want to help us to care, too.

Posted in Changing, Cherishing our Bodies, Eating for health, food questions

A Day Full of Diverse Joys

Posted on March 9, 2011 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Good morning, God!

Such a FULL DAY — starting with sipping coffee with Kit and then running with Kit. After a shower I took off to 15 Craigside, by way of Arcadia — to pick up a book truck.

Once at 15 Craigside I began the long awaited job of putting books on the shelves. 24 shelves and four hours — my body gave out right around the time I ran out of book ends. I love handling books. I love books.

We, well, MOSTLY Jean, have been collecting, screening, reviewing and selecting books for the last 2 years. Property stamping them, putting on plastic jackets, determining a call number, printing out call numbers and bar codes, afixing them and then entering them into the data base. LOTS of work, God, before the books got out on the shelves.

Two of 27 boxes of Fiction up on the shelves

So, actually PUTTING those books on the shelves FELT like a CELEBRATION! Of course, it was work too, and I do feel a few twinges. But, mostly it was a JOY.

I took this photo after the first two boxes were put on the shelves. I then discovered that boxes 3, 6-8 were MISSING! Down to the other storeroom to tug and move and shift and FIND the four boxes. Not to laugh, God, but when I carried the lost box #3 up I felt as if I were carrying the “lost sheep.”

Then, after box 20, I was off to buy book ends, home to relax and chat with a friend, off to visit my mom, home to cook dinner and to linger in conversation with Kit and my brother. A Wonderful Day! Thank You, God!

Posted in A God given diversity, Abundant Life, JOY, meaningful work

Hope from a Five Year Old

Posted on March 8, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Gifts of Food for the Hungry -- a Five Year Old's Birthday Presents

Good Morning, God!

There is nothing like comparing ourselves to a “child” to feel humble. What I want for my birthday is an iPad2.

What five-year-old Mikey wanted was donations of food for the hungry. He goes to Central Union Church Preschool and that is what he “asked for” for his birthday.

The church has been giving out blue recycled bags for folks to put donations of canned goods into and carry back to church. I guess Mikey “caught” the idea.

And although I know it isn’t theologically correct, it does call up the verse from Isaiah 11:6: “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.” That is a prophecy about the return of Christ. But, still, God, it seems appropriate here.

I’m really tired, God, of having Billionaires held up as “role models” — unless it is one of the 40 or so billionaires led by Warren Buffet that are giving half their wealth to charities. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?,” it says in Mark 8:36.

Mikey has done a Good Thing, God! And I am going to get out my blue bags, put canned goods on my shopping list, and try to follow his example. Thank You, God. Thank You for Mikey and for all the opportunities we have to help one another.

Posted in Choosing Meaning, Choosing to respond, Compassion, letting the Holy Spirit flow through us

Rest and Raindrops — Stepping out of Time

Posted on March 7, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

driving home from church through showers

Good Morning, God!

Yesterday was a lovely day. I did do some work that I needed for this morning — but I did it very slowly and with a relaxed attitude.

It comes to me, God, that I take my “work” too seriously. I’m not in balance. Life is a gift to be savored — not rushed through. Efficiency is only ONE virtue. Being able to Step into Timelessness is — maybe not a virtue — but it is surely a Gift from You.

So, my office is kapakahi and papers are strewn around. But, I am peaceful and rested. I shall pick up later.

Kit went with me yesterday to the 7:00 a.m. service. I love that service. It is small enough so that I know most of the people. It was good to be there and to walk forward — one of many — to receive communion — a very Special Gift.

The raindrops on the windshield going home reminded me that I still have Grief Work to do. I am very fortunate, God, in being a Biological Optimist. My natural inclination is to “put a good spin” on things. Ah, but we relentlessly positive souls, still have to work at cleaning up our Emotional Bodies.

I am pretty sure, God, that the running helps — sweating, soaking in an epsom salts bath afterwards — both seem helpful in getting in touch with old, old feelings. Those FEELINGS have WAITED. I know that now. And now I have my therapist, Mavis, to help me go back — back in Time and back Inside me. Thank You, God, for all the gifts You have given me!

Posted in a series of molts and upgrades, A Spiritual Spring Cleaning, an invitation to abundant life, healing

Exercise: Creating a Positive Cascade

Posted on March 6, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

: an iPhone with a LogYourRun app

Good Morning, God!

Before, my motivation for exercise was mostly vanity. Now, my motivation is more about my “Brain Health.” I’ve just finished the book, Spark, the Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. And while I cannot give the science details — I am totally convinced God, that You designed us to MOVE!

Move, as in running and fast walking and exerting ourselves. When we get our heart rate up for even 30 minutes a day our entire being works better. It isn’t just that we are healthier — our mood is improved — and our brain works better. In fact, our brain is stimulated to rebuild itself when we run.

But, even KNOWING all that, God, changing my daily pattern to include exercise has been difficult. Change is difficult. Taking personal responsibility for myself is HARD.

Hmmm. Maybe the effects of getting my Body Moving will help me with other changes? I confess, God, I am hoping for a Positive Cascade in my Life as well as my Physiology!

Oddly enough, God, the computer is helping me. Not the same computer I spend too many hours every day sitting in front of — but the one in my iPhone! I have downloaded LogYourRun app. I call it up, tap START and off we go together with my iPhone showing my route, and showing me as a small blue ball cruising along. It’s fun!

So, PLEASE, God, help me put what I KNOW into practice. Help me be willing to start small and build habits before I build muscles and new brain cells. And thank You for “toys” that help!

Posted in asking for help for myself, authority over my life, exercising, health