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      "author": "kazwrites",
      "body": "![Under Tree Guana.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmagSaPSiqY9zFXXcnkenbMq1LrTpDGDbPYDVnyZaL3fbn/Under%20Tree%20Guana.jpeg)\n\nI love to travel.\n\nI don't know many people who don't love to travel.\n\nWhether we travel worldwide, within our continent, our country, state or region, it's always worth it.\n\nTravel is GOOD for you.\n\nIt opens you up to new cultures, cuisine, language, dialects, geography, attitudes, climates, and outlooks on life.\n\nIt helps you relax, breathe deeply, and release stress and tension.\n\nWhen you choose wisely travel can be one of the most restorative things you do. \n\n(Mind you, you MUST choose wisely.  Travel can also be stressful, frustrating and anxiety provoking. Once you set your boundaries, know what kind of travel WORKS FOR YOU, and do your best to stick to those boundaries, getting \"away\" is replenishing and expansive. I,  personally, am done with the rush, rush, too many places in too few days travel.  If you travel abroad you can't avoid the red-eye travel. BUT get where you are going and ease into it, if at all possible.)\n\nWhat came to me recently when I was walking through a beautiful park about 10 miles from my home was:  \"I feel like I'm far, far away from home. I feel like I'm somewhere exotic, unusual and refreshing.\"\n\nI was in the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve near Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.\n\n​It was a cloudy day in winter and most everything was dormant, but it was still stunning.\n\nIt felt like it could be ANYWHERE tropical.\n\n​The landscape is lush, full of birds, lizard and, yes, gators. \n\n​There are 5 trails of varying lengths - 2 to 5 miles - to explore. \n\nTake a short walk, take a long walk or one in-between.\n\nLanguish by a river or sit on a bench on a marsh. \n\nListen to the wind in the trees, the birds singing, and the water flowing.\n\nIt can be so quiet that you almost hear the grasses grow. \n\nIt was hard to imagine that THIS oasis was in my \"backyard\". \n\n​No matter where you live there are parks, preserves, reserves, sanctuaries, forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers that are made for \"escape\" and renewal. \n\nSome of us spend so much time desiring to travel to far-off continents and lands we feel are much more interesting, or have much more to offer, that we miss places close to home.\n\n(I can't tell you how many friends of mine from New York City say they've never been to the Statue of Liberty, Staten Island, the Empire State Building or ridden a ferry around the island. That would include ME when I lived in NYC!!  I only visited the Empire State Building. I lived in San Francisco for several years and NEVER went to Alcatraz!)\n\nThere IS a great, big, beautiful world out there. If you CAN explore it, then by all means HIT THE ROAD.\n\nBUT...\n\n​... if for some reason you can't fly long, long distances, can't leave home for extended periods of time, have health issues that prevent you from trekking to parts unknown, don't have the (sometimes very costly) means to traverse foreign soil, THEN discover what is in your \"neighborhood\".\n\n​I guaranteed there are a myriad of destinations much, much more within reach.\n\n​You might be amazed at what your town, county, state or region has to offer.  \n\nNeed some ideas?\n\nDon't hesitate to contact me and I'm happy to give you some ideas in your own \"backyard\".\n\n\n\n\nAs always, thanks for reading.  \n\nSee you again next time.",
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      "body": "![mantis.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTW8ZzJNM8x87KNquWaDK1pf5RFqYJidG6GofSqAmbAA7/mantis.jpg)\n\nAs we age stress, high levels of cortisol the dreaded cortisol dump from the fight or flight response), people-pleasing, not standing up for ourselves in appropriate ways, and not living our best lives is, well, AGING!!!\n\n​It shows on our faces, in our joints, in our digestion, through our concentration and through our emotional stability.  \n\nThere is no reason we can't face our fears of others' reactions to what we need or want especially when it is not outrageous but just a part of living a healthy life.\n\nThis means through ALL of our aging  - from the time we begin BEING in relationships until we are elderly. \n\n\nAfter 25 years of a really difficult relationship I decided to release my fears of retribution, abandonment, and judgment and be completely honest and transparent. \n\n\nBy expressing myself genuinely, and with integrity (for the betterment of the relationship) it took letting go of my fears.\n\n\nWhen I addressed the pain in this relationship, and took responsibility for my actions, emotions and behavior, a magical thing happened.\n\n\nDon't get me wrong, the person was definitely resistant in the beginning.\n\n\nTypically there would be escalated yelling, walking away, slamming down the phone or non-communication for months on end.\n\n\nI refused to allow this to happen.\n\n\nI was very frank.\n\n\nAnd, BOY, did I set myself up for epic failure.  Not too many people  are willing or able to have a mirror put up to their face and take a good hard look.  I'll admit it took me a while to become a student of my own behavior.  \n\nIt pays off in the long run.\n\n\nHow could I stand around for one more minute without at least trying to make the situation better?\n\nHow could I turn my back on all of my meditation and healing arts training without feeling a complete charlatan?  A fraud? \n\n\"Do as I say, not as I do\"?\n\n\nIn the end things are changing and efforts are being made.\n\n\nBeing honest and transparent, in a loving way, has had an overarching affect on my ENTIRE existence.\n\n\nReleasing the fear of confrontation and accepting that confrontation happens released fear in many areas of my life.\n\n\nHey, better late than never. CLICHÉ but true.\n\n\nHow has it manifested in other areas of my life?\n\n\nI’m not fearful of speaking up when I get bad service.\n\n\nI WILL send food back with a pleasant tone in my voice, a smile and a please and thank you.\n\n\nI’m not fearful of calling it out when someone is rude, unkind, discriminatory or out right nasty.\n\nFirmly AND kindly.\n\nA genuine smile, please, thank you, and NOT FLIPPING OUT, goes a LONG way.\n\n\nIn general, this has been greeted with little or no pushback which surprised me on many levels.\n\n​I have been gently warned by those closest to me that caring too much what others think can be paralyzing.\n\nI have asked myself numerous times: \"How did you go for so long being a people-pleaser and FEARING the ramifications and repercussions of standing up for yourself and expressing yourself?\"\n\n\nI used the excuse that I was in entertainment for SO many years and was trained to give people what they wanted in terms of my behavior.\n\n\nIt's an industry of insecurity, of desperation and of awe-inspiring creativity. Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? \n\n\nAn industry where you may be flying high one moment and road kill the next.\n\n\nRemarkable highs and soul-killing lows.\n \n\nYeah, so what?  So are most big industries.\n\n\nIt's an excuse.\n\n\nHere's a non-sequitar:\n\n\nThe incredible thing is my lifelong fear of spiders has disappeared.\n\n\nI love all of Mother Nature’s creatures, even the creepy ones.\n\n\nI have no problem with snakes and lizards, but I really struggled with spiders or centipedes.\n\n\n....or any bugs from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.\n\n\nI was standing in my driveway and a spider crawled in front of my toes.  Instead of stepping on it, screeching,  or running away I knelt down and watched it.\n\n\nHave you ever watched a spider? It’s nothing short of mesmerizing.\n\n\nI’ve started watching spiders build webs on my lanai.\n\n\nNow I gently wrangle them from inside the house and take them outside.\n\n\nIt makes me think of Charlotte's Web by E.B. White.\n\n\nThey are fascinating creatures.\n\n\nGranted, we recoil from anything with a myriad of appendages. It's just alien.\n\n\nNOW I’m excited and thinking \"What’s next?\"\n\n\nWhat other lurking fears  - conscious, subconscious or unconscious  -  can I acknowledge as unfounded when they bubble up?\n\n\nOf course, I don’t plan on being reckless.\n\n\nI still listen to my fight or flight responses... the dangerous ones.\n\n\nFor instance...\n\n\nI live near alligators and sharks.  I have a healthy respect and admiration for them AND I keep a respectable distance.\n\n\nEven in my travels abroad a healthy fear includes staying safe amongst exotic creatures and unfamiliar peopled places.\n\n\nMaybe it’s because I watch the youth of our country stand up for their own safety, protection, and freedom of expression to live healthy, happy and productive lives.\n\n\nIf they can do it, why can't I?\n\n\nThat being said, I STILL deal with claustrophobia. \n\n\nI know EXACTLY where that manifested... \n\n\n...from a mean little girl - the child of my parent's friends when I was young.\n  \n\nShe used to lock me in the basement laundry room of our apartment building and turn out the lights. \n\n\nOR hold me under water in the swimming pool.\n \n\nI get it. \n\n\nShe had her own issues.\n\n\nLuckily, I still love to swim. \n \n\nAND I'm not afraid of the dark.\n\n\nI made peace with those pesky little demons years ago.  \n\n\nNevertheless, forget about getting me into one of those dark, haunted houses. \n \n\nOr an MRI machine...\n\n\nI'm not taking baby steps anymore but, unfortunately, all the shadows don't disappear overnight. \n\nBUT WAIT!!!!!!!!!\n\n​You aren't going to tell a bunch of stories and end the article with no examples on what you do to address your fears, are you?\n\nNo, I'm not!\n\nMindset, Meditation, Movement, Music AND...\n\n...learning to love myself. \n\n\n​What fears are you overcoming to pro-age?\n\n​\n\nAs always, thanks for reading.\n\nSee you again next week!",
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      "body": "![Alpaca Peru.JPG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZP6qp4KjbVzb9Kuc5pFZPGycSzTvNzqvBzVacytp7Ucm/Alpaca%20Peru.JPG)\n\nI love nature.\n\nSuffice it to say, I'm a nature fanatic.\n\nI love the flora and fauna.  \n\nBeing in nature is the highest form of meditation for me.  \n\nI'm the most at peace and the most at one with everything when I'm in nature.\n\nI adore the ocean.\n\nI am transfixed by mountains.\n\nRivers?\n\nMajestic.\n\nLakes?\n\nSerene.\n\nWild creatures??\n\nExciting!\n\nThe smell of herbs, flowers, and grasses?\n\nINTOXICATING.\n\nIt seems that I have a way with animals and kids.  \n\nSince I was very young I've been around animals of all kinds, both domesticated and wild.\n\nWhen I travel I do my best to visit animal sanctuaries and schools.  I make room in my suitcase for some supplies for struggling  youth and students and for animal rescue and rehabilitation centers.\n\nOn our next trip to Costa Rica we are making a contribution through a program called \"Pack for a Purpose\".  \n\nIf you ever go to CR and want to help, here's the link: www.packforapurpose.org/destinations/central-america/costa-rica/\n\nYou actually can help schools throughout the world through this program.\n\nI have a way of communicating with animals and children that seems to work. \n\nI can just BE with them, doing my best to \"get them\" without putting too much effort into it or without forcing it. \n\nI've walked into dog parks with our dog and been surrounded by every dog in the park.  The owners wonder if I smell like treats OR have treats with me.  They jump around me and play as if I'm an old pal. \n\nIt's pretty uncanny AND it took no getting used to.  It seems I was made for it.\n\nOn my lanai geckos and lizards will let me stroke their bellies without fear.  I think it's their way of thanking me for the limitless bugs they find in the crevasses of the lanai. \n\nChildren will walk up to me and just start talking.\n\nIt happened to me at a doctor's office recently. \n\nA little girl of about two and a half years old made a bee-line for me once I sat down, and said, without taking a breath:\n\n\"Hi. What's your name?  Why are you here? Are you sick?  You have nice hair. Do you like my dress?  Is that your dog?  I have a dog.\"\n\nAt that moment I saw her family looking slightly distressed.\n\nI told them:\n\n\"This happens to me all the time. AND, yes, I understand \"stranger danger\". I may be a stranger but there is no danger here. And, no, she's not bothering me.\"\n\nI turned to her and answered all of her questions. \n\n\"Hi, I'm Ms. KaZ.  I'm here with my husband.  No, I'm not sick and neither is he.  Thank you, I like your hair, too.  I DO like your dress. Yes, that is our dog (my husband has a service dog). What kind of dog do you have?\"\n\nI answered her questions in rapid-fire succession and she got it! She took it all in.\n\nKids are remarkable.\n\nAND so are animals, plants, flowers, trees, bugs, birds -  you get the point.\n\nWhat we can hear, see, feel and learn from them is mind-boggling.\n\nAND...\n\nI'm taken aback by what they hear, see, feel and learn from us.  You might be VERY surprised.\n\nIf animals interest you at all I recommend that you pick up a copy of the magazine: The Ultimate Guide to The Animal Mind from Centennial Media published by Ben Harris and Sebastian Raatz.  If you have any interest in animals it's eye-opening.\n\nFrom flowers to frogs, egrets to echinacea, belugas to birch trees... \n\nTHAT'S exactly what I'm going to talk about in my newest blog \"KaZ Talks About: Nature\".\n\nhttps://www.kazakers.com/nature\n\n\n\nAs always, thanks for reading.\n\nSee you again soon.",
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      "body": "![fullsizerender_orig.jpg](https://cdn.st\"Who wants to live forever?\"\n\n\"Who wants to live forever?\"\n\nAn interesting question posed by Queen.\n\nWritten in 1986 by Brian May for the film Highlander, and recorded by Queen with Freddie Mercury singing lead vocals.\n\nThe Highlander, Connor McLeod, had to endure the aging and subsequent death of his beloved wife, Heather, because he himself was immortal. \n\nThe song became a sort of private anthem for Mercury due to his battle with AIDS.\n\nToday it’s the fifth most requested song at funerals.\n\nWow.\n\nWho DOES want to live forever?\n\nWouldn’t it be remarkable to see the advancements in our world through science if we lived indefinitely?\n\nTo watch our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and mature. \n\nTo see illnesses cured and the environment healed.\n\nYes, and no.\n\nIf no one died it would certainly be a very crowded planet.  \n\nAnd at what age would we stop aging?  In our 20’s,  30’s, 40’s, 80’s?\n\nAn entire industry - the anti- aging industry -  would be wiped out.\n\nPerhaps even the vitamin and supplement industry.\n\nWhat about hospitals, physicians and medical researchers?\n\nNo need for them if we are immortal.\n\nBUT could we still get sick or injured and would we be relegated to live sick and injured forever?\n\nTrust me, I’ve spent a bit of time thinking about this.\n\nOn the other hand, what if we were able to live long, healthy, extended lives, into our 100’s? Then one day the body just gives out or we decide we're done. We feel complete.\n\nWe have accomplished goals, made contributions to the planet and our community and family.  \n\nWe have lived life fully and with gusto.\n\nWe haven't taken our time, our health, our planet or the people around us for granted. \n\nWhat if we knew exactly what we have and used that time wisely? We taught each other the value of a life well lived. A life that is not simply ego-centric, ethno-centric or money-centric. \n\nLife lived without fear of judgment or ridicule. \n\nWe didn't harm ourselves, or harm others. We didn't get our good off of the backs of others.\n\nWhat if exercise is a pleasure and done to keep the body healthy and happy. It’s a big part of what we naturally do and not what we HAVE TO do.  We incorporate it into our lives effortlessly. \n\nThe planet is respected and protected because we know it has to sustain us for the long haul. \n\nAlternatives to plastics and fossil fuels are the norm, and not the exception, to keep us and our world thriving.\n\nImagine how many diseases this behavior would eradicate.\n\nFarmers would farm organically and use natural means to prevent pests. We wouldn’t be putting pesticides in our bodies, water and air, therefore, preventing cancers, and lung, heart and digestive diseases. \n\nWe could live longer and do more.\n\nBuild more schools, homes, wells, and sanitary disposal methods.\n\nClean drinking water for all.\n\nThe few would not need to hoard or amass untold wealth because simple pleasures would be easily attainable, respected AND appreciated. \n\nIf you knew you were going to live for 100 years or more would you want to live with hate, filth, and corruption KNOWING it was a long haul and you would have to endure those conditions for centuries?\n\nThen WHY do we do it now knowing our lives are relatively short?  \n\nDon’t we know that aging is a precious gift and not everyone around us will have the luxury of aging?\n\nInstead of being so nonchalant about our lives, bodies, minds and environment we need to nurture ourselves to have the best life possible, for as long as possible.\n\nIt reminds me of the song by Blondie: “Die Young, Stay Pretty.”\n\nYou CAN live long, live healthily and, yes, stay pretty, if that is important to you. (Remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That would be YOU!)\n\nIt’s possible. It’s MORE than possible, it’s achievable.\n\nI hear people saying right now “but I haven’t taken care of myself. I have all these problems.”\n\nThere's no time like the present to turn your life around to be the best it can be right now.\n\nIt may not be perfect. But what is perfect?  It WILL be better.  \n\nI have a picture of myself at age 2 or 3. In the picture is me, my father, my grandmother, my great-grandmother and my great, great grandmother. Five generations!!! Not many can say they have lived long enough to have a photo taken of five generations of their family. \n\nMy earliest family was from hearty stock. They lived at a time where medical advances were taking hold AND when life wasn’t full of toxins, disposable conveniences and distractions. They also lived at a time where money and stuff wasn’t the sum total of your worth.\n\nExercise, healthy food, a sense of community and  a positive outlook were integrated into their lives.  These were not elements they had to seek out, pay for or make time for in the course of the day.  This WAS the course of the day.\n\nWHO HAS TIME TO LIVE WELL AND BE HEALTHY??\n\nYOU DO! WE DO!\n\nWe now have modern conveniences to help us live simpler lives.\n\nYou can pick up a bread maker, food processor or air fryer at a local thrift or consignment store. Most likely they’ve barely been used and are a fraction of their original costs. These machines practically do all of your chopping, kneading, blending and cooking for you. Set it and forget it. The next thing you know you have healthy, no preservative or additive bread wafting delicious smells throughout your kitchen.  \n\nDo some of the prep on the weekends. \n\n\"But I don't have time.\"   YES, YOU DO.  Get the kids to help. It's fun and good training for them.\n\nListen to your favorite music or a class lecture while you slice, dice, blend and bake.\n\nI am by no means a goddess in the kitchen but with a few inexpensive and simple machines assisting me with meal prep we eat a lot healthier.\n\nGrow some herbs on your balcony, patio, or in your garden. Inexpensive and easy. A little tending and you have fresh basil in your pasta sauce. It’s other worldly. Basil from a plant instead of a bottle!\n\nPark your car farther away from the entrance to a store and get a little walk in. \n\nClimb the stairs.\n\nIf you can’t do that turn on your computer and find a chair workout on YouTube. \n\nWhat interests you? Read about it. Can’t afford a book? A library card is free and so are the books. Or spend a quarter at a library book sale.\n\nYou can hack the heck out of life to make it better. \n\nAging doesn't need to be a slog.\n\nIt isn’t forever.  \n\nYou say you were dealt a crappy hand of cards?\n\nYou have the power to change the hand you were dealt. \n\nYou get the whole lemons into lemonade thing, right?\n\nThere are people much worse off than any of us and they are - as they say- CRUSHING IT!!!\n\nIf we just sit around feeling sorry for ourselves we rot. We disintegrate and fade from existence.\n\nThere is so much out there within our grasp to make life better.\n\nNot perfect, but better.\n\n“Who wants to live forever?”\n\nForever can be lived in a day. \n\nOne beautiful day.\n\n​SO...\n\nLive it.\n\n\n\n\nAs always, thanks for reading.\n\nSee you next time!",
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      "body": "![IMG_0035.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTuh3pdNtHBrcKg9gwXgNqgZkv1SwkPH3XAZ3bPG4zhef/IMG_0035.jpg)\n\nOn recommendation of my acupuncturist I've decided to start a new blog about what it means to age and what it has meant to ME to age.\n\nIn my humble opinion, everyone needs an acupuncturist.  They're remarkable. Part therapist, part holistic practitioner, part nutritionist, part friend.  ALL BRILLIANT. (For those who are reticent it's virtually pain-free, relaxing, transformative, healing, and so much more.)\n\nNo two aging stories are exactly alike. \n\nBUT...\n\nso many stories are similar and have similar components.\n\nI 'm NOT into the whole \"anti-aging\" movement. You may have read that on my other blog. I'll repost it here soon.\n\nI am into PRO-AGING. \n\nI'm all FOR aging.\n\nGracefully.\n\nHealthily.\n\nRealistically.\n\nAND... \n\n...with a plan.\n\nYou plan your vacations.\n\nYou plan your retirement.\n\nYou plan your work \n\nSO...\n\nwhy aren't you planning your positive aging?\n\nIf you take a look at the side bar to the right you'll see that I've lived a BIG life.  A life that was not sustainable for the long haul.\n\nI sustained it for about 35 years and that was plenty.\n\nTHEN I realized in my body, mind, intellect, spirit, and emotions that I needed to transition to the next phase of my life.  I have taken many elements with me and have left many elements to fond memory.\n\nFace it, we can't do everything forever.\n\nOf course, you can teach, consult and write until you drop (if you so desire and if you so desire).\n\nYou can travel with a long list of conveniences for comfort.  \n\nIn addition, the most wholesome things you can do are read, learn, perform appropriate exercises, meditate, volunteer, spend time in your community and eat a clean and healthy diet.  Making the most of those components age may not really be an issue for you.\n\nI do recognize that many of you are facing health challenges and adjustment has become your middle name. \n\nSO adjust!\n\nI adjust all the time and when my ego gives me negative feedback I tell it to STICK IT and continue on my merry way.\n\nI've even been experimenting with chair exercise. Not because I'm relegated to exercise in a chair but for variety and to give my battered body a break. PLUS IT WORKS! \n\nIf you can't exercise standing up, SIT DOWN!\n\nAnd if you can exercise standing up, MOVE IT!\n\nPLEASE don't be like generations of my family who reached their 60's or retirement age and proceeded to sit in front of the television and let the world pass them by. They weren't particularly debilitated or ill. They just gave it all up. \n\nAND THAT is when they began to deteriorate.  None of them ever had anything major wrong with them UNTIL they stopped moving and didn't eat food with substance and didn't keep their minds active.\n\nSome things took their toll quickly but with others it was a slow burn. \n\nAll in all the inactivity, inattentiveness to healthy eating, and disuse of their brains contributed MORE to the onset of illness and disease than anything else.  \n\nJust because you retire or transition from your original, active occupation doesn't mean it's over. \n\nFar from it!\n\nI'm in AWE of people in their 70's, 80's and beyond who are still very active in all aspects of their lives. \n\nThey are living life by example to all of us..  \n\nWe can all be examples to each other in our outlook on aging. \n\nAging is not a curse, or a malady.\n\nThose who dismiss us will be lucky to age with health, dignity and wisdom.  \n\nMove it or lose it is not some kitschy catch phrase.  It's essential to longevity.\n\nStart where you are. \n\nYou may be in your 40's or 50's. If you didn't start caring for yourself or you were burning the candle at both ends in your 20's and 30's, TODAY IS THE DAY to start.  \n\nStart with your mindset then bring your body along.  \n\nYou will be amazed what a few positive thoughts about the beauty of aging will do for you inside and out.  \n\nYOU are the person people will come to for advice, insight, feedback and input.\n\nYou are a wealth of knowledge whether you know it or not. \n\nTime on this planet gives us a cornucopia of insight regardless of our walk of life.\n\nI plan on getting into the nitty-gritty of aging from my personal perspective and from the perspective of my elders and teachers in the articles to come. \n\nAs my grandfather would say on each of his birthdays\n\"I'd rather being having a birthday than not.\"  \n\nHappy birthday to us!\n\nEach and every year.\n\n\nThis week's article is dedicated to my remarkable beyond words acupuncturist, Mimi Vreeland. Thanks for everything!\n\n\n\nAs always, thanks for reading.\n\nSee you again soon.\n\nHappy aging.\n\nhttps://www.kazakers.com/aging",
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      "body": "![for-choking-blog_orig.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmf86bzxkNf7YAwNjw3HB3USCsAeiYSPU4S9GYmjW1U6h2/for-choking-blog_orig.jpg)\n\nToday I want to talk about my son.  \n\nRight about now he’s rolling his eyes, but that’s ok.\n\nWe all love our children and want the best for them, and I’m no exception.\n\nWe brag and we dote.\n\nHOWEVER, I owe my son a debt of gratitude because when he was 14 years old he saved my life.\n\nI don’t mean it figuratively or as a “saying”. I mean, he LITERALLY saved my life.\n\nIt was because of his quick thinking that I’m here today.\n\nHere’s what he did: \n\nI was very active in health and fitness.\n\nAt that time I was dedicated to fitness for myself and for others.\n\nI ate right, exercised 6 days a week to my optimum level, took supplements as needed, and meditated.  \n\nI was doing EVERYTHING right.\n\nBUT…\n\nThe one thing I did OH SO WRONG was take a lot of supplements at one time. \n\nI had done it more than once before.\n\n(That may give you an inkling of where I‘m headed with this story.)\n\nAbout six years ago I was in the kitchen of the townhouse he and I shared.\n\nHe was watching television in the adjacent living room.\n\nI had done my workout and was eating my morning oatmeal.\n\nI loaded up my hand with a fistful of vitamins.\n\nI put the entire handful of vitamins in my mouth, took a big gulp of water and swallowed.\n\nTRUST ME when I say this was a VERY BIG MISTAKE.\n\nI quickly realized they weren’t all going to go down.\n\nI drank more water.\n\nThey wouldn’t go down.\n\nI drank more water.\n\nNo water flow and…\n\nno air flow.\n\nI tried to cough.\n\nNothing.\n\nI grabbed my throat knowing I was choking.\n\nI couldn’t call out to my son because…\n\nno air, no sound.\n\nSO…\n\nI stepped around the corner of the kitchen to face the living room and banged hard on the wall.\n\n\nHe finally looked over at me and saw the international sign for choking. (if you don’t know it, it’s two hands on your throat.  Pretty simple, eh?)\n\nTHEN…\n\nAs calm as a Buddhist monk he walked into the kitchen and immediately, AND PERFECTLY I might add, applied the Heimlich maneuver to me.\n\nIt took several attempts and then the vitamins catapulted out of my throat across the kitchen.\n\nI gasped for air.\n\nI just looked at him acknowledging the implications of what might have happened and what actually DID happen.\n\nHe hugged me, looked at me like a wise old soul and said “You ok, now, Mom?”\n\nWith tears streaming down my face I nodded and hugged him again.\n\nI said, ”You just saved my life. Do you realize that?\"\n\nHe said, “Yea, ok, just don’t take so many vitamins next time.”\n\nThen he walked back into the living room and sat down and watched tv.\n\nI thought to myself. “THAT GUY IS SO COOL! I want to be that cool. What did I do to deserve such a cool son? And WHERE did he learn the Heimlich?”\n\nI'll never forget those moments, or the details.\n\nTime slowed down to a crawl.  I can see it frame by frame even today.\n\nAND…\n\nTo this day I’ve never taken more than one supplement at a time.\n\nWhat does this have to do with travel?\n\nThat incident goes with me wherever I go.  I‘m ultra careful with food and supplements when I travel.  \n\nNot to mention that right after the incident I marched down to the nearest Red Cross for renewal of my First Aid, AED and CPR certifications. \n\nI’ve used them more than once. \n\nMost recently, two weeks ago, on a motorcyclist who crashed on the highway I was traveling… \n\n\n\nHe lived.\n\n\n\n\nAs always, thanks for reading.\n\n\nSee you next time!\n\nhttps://www.kazakers.com",
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      "body": "![Walking in Matanzas.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmev55T4md71QRiAtK7LtjwiRsX6BVqaTf8TPfJADnRoTL/Walking%20in%20Matanzas.jpeg)\n\nHere are a few more meditations I wanted to share with you (in addition to my articles two weeks ago) to take on the road or to use at home.\n\nMy definition of \"on the road\" is while traveling, at work, at school, or anywhere in between.\n\nI have used these exercises in places like the New York Subway (Although, I don't close my eyes!!), the Rome train station (busy, chaotic, and a wonderful crash course for my stilted Italian), near the roaring Hawaiian surf,\n\nAND...\n\nin line at the grocery store. (Sometimes you REALLY need it there!).\n\nSince the death of my friend last week I certainly have been digging down into my bag of meditation tricks and treats!\n\nHERE WE GO!!\n\n\n1) Smile Exercise: \nWith your eyes closed, sit still and do your natural breathing in and out of your nose. Curl the edges of your mouth up in a little smile or grin. Breathe slowly and naturally. Think of the Mona Lisa, the Buddha. or someone with a peaceful, content smile.  This releases the feel-good hormone oxytocin.  A perfect time to do this is before bed, or when you wake up, or in the middle of the day. Actually ANYTIME!  Continue with this exercise until you feel a natural conclusion.\n\n\n2) Hallway Visualization: \n(Read this through once so you have an idea of where you are going with it.) \nClose Your Eyes and take 3 deep breaths.\nDon’t heave your chest, just do it naturally in through the nose and out through your nose.\nYou are standing at the end of a VERY long hallway.  It appears as you picture it.  It may be light or dark. There may be candles, windows, flowers, birds, trees, paintings, a fish tank, photographs – this is however YOU see it. \nBegin by picturing yourself walking slowly down the hall noticing everything along the way.\nTake  your time, there is no need to rush.  Enjoy the walk.\nWhen you reach the end of the hallway, there is a door. \nYou really want to open the door because there is something important behind it.  \nWhat?\nOnly you know.\nOpen the door and walk through. \nTake a few moments to experience what is past the door. \nYou may see yourself in a life dream you have.\n...a new home, a new pet, a new or current relationship, traveling, swimming.  \nYou name it. \nThis is YOUR visualization. \nEnjoy the experience.  \n​Stay there as long as you like.\n​When you are ready open your eyes and come back to the room.  Wiggle your fingers and your toes.\nTake a few deep breaths.\nAllow your body to assimilate the experience.\n\n\n3) ​Energizing breath: \n(Also known as Breath of Fire in Kundalini Yoga) \nThis breath is done in and out of the nose.  \nInhale, expand your stomach or diaphragm. When you exhale pump your stomach inward pulling your belly button in. Start slowly then increase the speed.  \nBecause we are shallow breathers you may feel a bit light headed or tingly. That is common. \nIt is actually very energizing and exhilarating.  \nIf you feel dizzy, stop the exercise and come back to your natural breath. \nRepeat the breath until you feel you have maximized its benefits. Slow down, then stop and normalize your breathing. Return to your natural breath.  \nWhenever you need energy or to wake up, this breath is very effective.\n\n\n​4) Happy Person’s Stance:\n(For confidence) \nStand up,  hands on the hips, one foot in front of the other. \nYou are grounded in the now and also have one foot ahead of you in the future OR whatever is coming next. It’s a confident stance that you can do at any time.  Hold it for a moment. Breathe naturally then take a few deep breaths.  \nAdd a smile or grin.\nLook ahead.\nLook OUT THERE.\nStand there until you feel that wave of confidence. (You may feel a little like Wonder Woman or Superman.)\nAgain, you release those feel good hormones.\nWhen you are done rub your hands together, quickly, for a minute or two, breathing in and out deeply. \nNow shake your hands and arms. \nBreathe in deeply and exhale with force shaking down your hands and arms.  \n​Return to the room.\n\nAND THAT'S IT!!\n\nEnjoy the feeling!\n\nHave a wonderful day and week!\n\n\n\n\nAs always, thanks for reading.\n\nSee you next week.\nhttps://www.kazakers.com",
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      "body": "Hello, this post has been curated for @altruisticbot.\nSteem on!",
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      "body": "![2FC17D0D-610B-4405-BBFE-A351283A42A1.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmec4g7dT4GMEYGCPi9L2G3VKYvNoRmA7aTYQ2iocsCvYt/2FC17D0D-610B-4405-BBFE-A351283A42A1.jpg)\n\nToday I was going to continue with a few more meditation exercises to use while you are on the road.\n\nBUT I decided to talk about something more pressing and more important.\n\nFriendship.\n\n\nThus far in my life I've moved 46 times.\n\n\nI've met a lot of people and many marvelous people.\n \n\nI have made short term, for the moment or situation,  long term and life long friends.\n\n\nI’m fortunate that my friends are spread throughout the world.\n\n\nIt’s heartbreaking when you find out that one of those beautiful people has a terminal illness.\n\n\nI just found out that my friend is in hospice. I wondered why I hadn't heard from her in a while.\n\n\nMy first reaction was tears. \n\n\nThen ANGER. (BUT anger does me no good. Who am I going to blame?)\n\n\nLater Sorrow.\n\n\nNOW?\n\n\nJOY!!\n\n\nJoy because I know her. Joy because she is in my life. \n\n\nAND\n\n\nJoy because when she is gone she leaves an INDELIBLE impression on my heart.  \n\n\nHow many people can we say that about?\n\n\nFor me, quite a few.\n\n\nYou know who you are.\n\n\nYou are in Spain, Germany, France, South Africa, Canada, California, New York, Florida, Missouri, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Ontario, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, and Tennessee,\n\n\nI have very little family left in the world (I started off with a really small family to begin with) and these friends ARE my family.\n\n\nJust to make sure there is NO misunderstanding. \n\n\nI love you.\n\n\nI love each and every one of you.\n\n\nI do my best to say it as often as I can in person, by email, text, What's App, Signal, etc.  \n\n\nIf there is a mode of communication to use, I am going to use it.\n\n\nDoes it scare me to express my love?\n\n\nAbsolutely not. \n\n\nNot everyone can express it as openly as I do, and that's ok.  \n\n\nI have friends who, culturally, it's not in their nature to hug and express verbal love. BUT THEY DO WITH ME!!\n\n\nMy mother used to chastise me when I was a child because she said that I never met a person I didn't like.  (I 'm a little less like that now. You know time and experience has a way of shaping you. I do my best to be open AND cautious these days.)\n\n\nMy friend is a kind, caring, generous, funny, and compassionate person. \n\n\nWhy her?\n\n\nSo many questions and most, I know, will never be answered.\n\n\nSometimes answers are REALLY overrated. \n\n\nDoes she know how much I treasure her friendship?\n\n\nIn this fickle world of here today, gone tomorrow friends, this friendship stuck, even when I moved out of the country, thousands of miles away from her. \n\n\nShe vacationed in the town where I moved and I got to see her every year. She made a point of letting me know when she was going to be in town. \n\n\nWe would have lunch, breakfast (she always insisted on paying. I tried but...generous) or would make me a scrumptious meal at her home.\n\n\nThe last time I saw her she had mutual friends over for dinner and we had a blast.  \n\nWhenever I was in town we did our best, given our schedules, to see each other. \n\n\nWe became even better friends once I moved than we were when we lived in the same town.\n\n\nIt’s funny how that works.\n\n\nSome friends simplyfade away when you aren’t in close proximity. Life has a way of moving forward and despite our best efforts friendships just fade.\n \n\nAND THAT'S OK!  It doesn't mean you are loved any less.\n\n\nThen when you least expect to there are some friends who make an effort to stay in touch. \n\n\nOr to visit.\n\n\nHer illness and rapid decline have left me in shock.\n\n\nAnd...\n\n\nIn tears.\n\n\nThat is NOT what she would want.\n\n\nI stayed awake most of last night thinking about her. About us.  \n\n\nShe would want me to CELEBRATE her! \n\n\nLift a glass of wine to her. (Preferably Prosecco.)\n\n\nName an outfit after her.\n\n\nShe would want me to dance the day she leaves on. her continuing journey.\n\n\nSo...\n\n\nI will.\n\n\nAlthough I know she cannot see or speak due to her advancing illness, still, I wrote her an email.\n\n\nAn email she will never read.\n\n\nI did it anyway.\n\n\nIt’s the best way for me to say “bon voyage.”\n\n\nTell them NOW how you feel.\n\n\nWithout fear.\n\n\nGive them a generous hug. \n\n\nWho cares who hears or sees it? \n\n\nMy friend would not want me to be kept awake at night grieving for her. (\"You need your beauty sleep.\" Then she would laugh this raucous laugh.)\n\n\nShe would tell me to live my best life. To be the ambassador of my own happiness. \n\n\nTo celebrate every precious day and NOT to forget how precious every day is.\n\n\nShe loved to travel so I will continue to travel carrying her with me in my heart - seeing it through her eyes.\n\n\nI won’t say I miss you. I know by just thinking about you that you are always here with me.\n\n\n*NOTE:  I was just now on the phone with her best friend and we were talking about our relationship with our mutual friend.\n\n​Immediately after we hung up she got the call that our friend had passed away 10 minutes before.\n\n\n​While we were talking about her.\n\n\nSo....\n\n\n...guess what I'm doing now?\n\n\n​DANCING!!\n\n​",
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      "body": "![IMG_2743.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWvyAQ7CRmo5EjZxTS9ou7Ca83ZbCjGySmXRZR2LbQV5Y/IMG_2743.jpg)\n\nMeditation and mindfulness are the new, old buzz words. \n\nEveryone is meditating or trying to meditate or taking meditation classes or watching meditation videos.\n\nI say, GOOD FOR YOU!\n\nI've been meditating for 27 years and teaching for 24 years.\n\nI have tried all sorts of styles and techniques.\n\nWhen I get away from meditation I'm less calm, and allow less to roll off of my back.\n\nWhat works for YOU, works for you.\n\nHere are some recommendations.  \n\nI use these exercises on the road, and have taught them in class. They feature various techniques.\n\nTake what works, and leave the rest. \n\nIt's YOU on meditation.\n\n*Always remember that meditation is NOT a substitute for medical care or medical advise. It is one of many tools for your health and well-being.  Please see your doctor if you are experiencing any  emotional or physical challenges that remain with you or come on very suddenly.*\n\nMeditation has a myriad of reactions in the body and mind.  \n\n​You may feel relaxed, fall asleep, laugh, cry or simply feel content. It is all normal and there is no need to judge your experience. \n\nThose who are participating in meditation techniques are part of a growing population tired of feeling tired or stressed.\n\nYou don't have to believe anything or NOT believe anything. Apply what works for YOUR life.\n\nMeditation is a terrific way to relax.  Who doesn’t want to relax? Or need to relax?  By relax I mean doing something more than watching tv, having a drink(s) or scarfing down big plates of nachos. \n\nThe term \"Mindfulness\" is also used often in business and in professional sports.\n\nYES!  Your favorite athletes are most likely practicing mindfulness.\n \nWhether you use the word meditation, mindfulness or relaxation it’s all about the journey. You can call it paddling up the Mississippi for all I care. As long as you are taking the time to DO IT is all that matters!\n\nThe technique I developed focuses mainly on breathing. \n\nThat sounds pretty simple, right?\n\nAnd it is.\n\nIf you are alive you are breathing.\n \nWhat do you expect to get from doing these techniques or what would you LIKE to get out of doing these exercises?\n \nIf you've been curious, and have never done anything like this before, you might feel a little awkward at first.\n \nI don't insist you sit in lotus position (just sitting upright and comfortably works) or repeat a phrase or word, or put your hands in certain mudras (hand positions). This is about focus and as long as you stay AWAKE you will get a lot of benefit.  \n\nThere are some breathing exercises that may seem weird but they all have a point. \n\nJust go with it.\n\nWe are in this together, and no one is watching.\n\nYou may ask “How long do I need to do these exercises?\n\nThat is an indication that your brain is resisting. \n\nThat’s hard, right?  \n\nControl issues? \n\nWho me?\n\nYou need to go with it and release control. Do one exercise until you feel you are ready to go on to the next exercise.\n\nIf you work with customers, and sometimes challenging or irate customers, certain types of breathing will get you through tough situations and help you keep your cool.\n\n​If you travel (and we all know travel can be REALLY stressful) keeping a cool head will go a long way with the flight attendants,  the check-in staff and the counter staff at the gate.  Plus, it might even get you a decent upgrade!!\n\nOne artist I worked with came to see me in a terrible panic about his upcoming concert.  He knew that I did breath and relaxation work.   I gave him simple counting breath and body relaxations exercises.\n\nHis anxiety was greatly decreased by the time he left my office.\n\nWe all come in contact with all kinds of people, all the time.  Knowing what calms you down translates calm to others.  When you are calm, those you encounter may become calmer, too.\n\nWhen you do some of the exercises below you may feel a bit light-headed and that is perfectly normal. \n\nIf you feel dizzy, stop what you are doing and return to your natural breathing.\n\n​We are getting a lot more oxygen into our bodies and our cells with these breathing exercises.  \n\nOur bodies aren't used to that unless we have been practicing for a while.  We talk quickly, take shallow breaths, run around during the day, not to mention that the body is used to quick inhalations.  \n\nKeep this in mind.\n\nWhen you are consciously breathing your mind cannot run amok.  It's very hard to focus on two opposing things at once.  Your mind will try to pull you away from what you are doing.  It will struggle, argue, tell you that you are bored and you aren’t getting anything from this. \n\nBUT if you continue, you WILL feel a difference.\n\n\nMake sure you put your phasers to stun. (Turn off your phones for non-Star Trek fans) \n\nPlace yourself in a comfortable position making sure you can stay awake and engaged.  \n\nRead through the exercises FIRST then do your best to duplicate them with your eyes closed. Move from exercise to exercise at your own pace. Asking yourself \"does that exercise feel complete?\" before you move on. \n\n​You may do these exercises with your eyes open or closed. I find I get more from them with my eyes closed.\n\nHere we go!!!\n\n \n1) Put your attention in your feet. Relax your feet.  Moving up relax your legs, relax your hips, relax your torso, relax your chest, relax your shoulders, relax your arms, relax your hands, relax your neck, relax your jaw. Breath through this for a few minutes.\n \n2) Breath naturally in and out through the nose.  REALLY focus on the breath. Stay here for a few minutes. \n\n3) Put your hands on your rib cage.  When you breathe, in you expand your ribcage, when you breathe out you release your ribcage.  Repeat.\n\n4) Breath in the through the nose and out through the mouth. SLOWLY. Repeat.\n\n5) Ocean breath – breathe in through the nose. Open the mouth and breathe out from the back of throat.  It sounds a bit like water rushing out to sea and then coming back to shoe,. or like air rushing through a cave. Repeat.\n\n\nYou can take a break here or continue.\n \n\n6) Take deep breaths through your nose for a slow count of 5. Then exhale through your mouth for a slow count of 5. Repeat.\n\n7) Breath to the beat:  Inhale through the nose for a count of 4, pause for a count of 4, breathe out through the mouth for a count of 4, pause for a count of 4. Repeat.\n\n8) Cannon Ball Breath or Cooling Breath – form your mouth in an small O. Draw air in through your mouth slowly then release keeping the lips pursed. Repeat.\n\nYou can take a break here or continue.  \n\nOR do the next exercises at another time.\n\nThese breath exercises originated in Qigong.  They have been shown to be effective in different parts of the brain where particular emotions reside.  \n\nDo each exercise for a few minutes OR one at a time to relieve impatience, worry, sadness or depression, fear and anger.\n\nAll these breath exercises start with inhaling through the nose. Each breath is released SLOWLY. \n \n9) To Release Impatience – Inhale through the nose, open your mouth and exhale as if you were going to say HAWWWW.  Release the breath without vocalization. \n\n​10) To Release Worry  - Inhale through the nose and form the word WHO. Release the breath as if saying WHO without sound.\n\n11) To Release Sadness or Depression – Inhale through the nose and exhale forming SSSSSSSS -  like steam escaping through the mouth. \n\n12) To Release Fear – Inhale through the nose and exhale as if blowing out a candle with a long exhale. Note: this is different than #10.\n\n13) To Release Anger – Inhale through the nose and release the breath while similulating SHHHHHHH through the mouth.\n\nReturn to your natural breath. \n\nOpen your eyes slowly. \n\nCome back into the room. \n\nStretch. \n\n\nI hope you can use some, many or all of these exercises in long, medium or short sessions. \n\nThey can be done anywhere inside or outside but do not do them while driving or operating machinery.\n\n\nTake them on the road for a calmer and more peaceful journey!\n\n\n\nAs always thanks for reading.\n\nSee you next time!\n\nhttps://www.kazakers.com",
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      "body": "![IMG_0097.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXipMrhjisjBeMxwJ2dbjCdx7EeDh2Y2tHVzh95YEFQYe/IMG_0097.jpg)\n\nI don't know about you but for me other's experiences, insights and wisdom really inspire me.\n\nInspiration is everywhere.\n\nI've even made random comments that seem to resonate with people. They weren't pre-meditated. They just seemed to pop out of my ever-active brain.\n\nSo here are some quotes I've either heard, mentioned or read while traveling.  \n\nI hope one, some, or many resonate with you.\n\nEnjoy!\n\n1. \"Not another hour to your life will worry add.\"\n1. \"Everyone and everything is an opportunity to serve. The filament of your destiny lies not in your awesome capacity but in your capacity to love and to sacrifice.\" Both quotes by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (I read these on the wall of a cafe in Portland, Oregon)\n3. \"Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.\" Gustav Flaubert. (From travels in France).\n4. \"I'm in love with cities I've never been to and people I've never met.\" Melody Truong (incorrectly attributed to John Green. Not sure where I read this, but I love it!)\n5. \"Take only memories, leave only footprints.\" Chief Seattle (Seen in Colorado.)\n6. \"If it’s all gone to shit, lets have a dance.” English singer Paloma Faith. (I heard this on the Graham Norton show. It made me think of the story below.)\n\nThe preceding quote reminded me of a poignant story I heard from the taxi driver who picked us up at the Copenhagen, Denmark airport. He was a  very personable and REALLY content person.  He was also a tour guide and had a million stories about his Copenhagen home.\n\nHe was born and raised in Copenhagen. He moved away for a brief time and returned home because he said there was no place as relaxed and easy to live as Copenhagen. We discussed what it was like to be a citizen and the advantages they have economically, in healthcare, for families, and financially.  It was definitely enticing to fantasize about living there. The story he told, to emphasize their happiness quotient, went something like this:\n\n\"I have a friend who as an adult lost his eyesight. Regardless, he is the happiest, most easy-going person I've ever met.  He has a little daughter.  One day the daughter came up to her father and said 'Daddy look at me in my pretty princess dress.'  Her father reminded her that he could not see her dress but said he could imagine that she looked very beautiful. He said \"I can't see your dress SO let's dance!'  Then they both danced around the room.\"  No matter what your concerns and challenges - go ahead and dance!\n\n7. \"It’s not right or wrong, it’s sense and nonsense.\" Carl Jung Originally heard in a discussion of morals in Scandinavia. I believe it was in Stockholm, Sweden. \n\nWhile staying in a Marriott hotel in Moab, Utah these are the messages that played over and over again in a video loop:\n\n8. Make indifference a forgotten word.\n\n9. Human being - Be good at being human.\n\n10. Neighbors be neighborly.\n\n11. Share! Greed is absurd.\n\n12. Do everything you can.\n\n13. Mankind = Kind men, kind woman.\n\n14. \"Let’s see what the universe is going to do.\"  \n (I took this to be a message about patience.)\n \"You can’t make a mistake, because you don’t have to conform.\"   \n \"Always be a tree growing a different branch.\"\n \"An oak is an acorn’s way of becoming other acorns.\"\n \"The chicken is one egg's way of becoming others.\"\n \"It doesn't matter what other people think about you.\"\n​From the inimitable Alan Watts. I was watching a video about him on a long train ride from Rome to Verona, Italy.\n\nFrom my personal experience:\n\n15. \"The only real way to affect change is by living by example. Words are, well, words. You can influence more people by your positive, change-making actions. I admire people MORE for what they DO and how they live their lives, over what they say.\" \n\n16. “Life is so...life”\nI recently wrote this to a friend in Vancouver, Canada. We were discussing some challenges we were facing in our lives. She said \"That needs to be on a t-shirt.\" It’s kind of my mantra. Similar to the Tibetan monk who answered every statement made to him, whether it appeared to be positive or negative, with:  “We’ll see.”  \n(Refer to quote 14. Maybe Alan Watts got it from a Tibetan monk??)\n\n17. \"Always look for someone’s motivations and agenda.\"\nYoruba Chief, Luisah Teish, when I visited her in Oakland, California.\nI don't see this as a negative or pessimistic quote.  When my intuition starts to raise doubts then I refer to this quote. It's never wrong. When we follow our IMMEDIATE intuition we are always lead in the perfect direction (as long as we don't second guess it). Or at least, that's MY experience. When I ignore my intuition, I end up purchasing some TERRIBLE piece of property in a barren desert! (Metaphorically speaking.)\n\n18. La Vida tranquilo - the peaceful or calm life. (Sign me up!!)\n \"As long as you do your part, the earth is going to accept you.\"\nOverheard on a Peru Rail train ride from Aguas Calientes (at the foot of Machu Picchu) to Cusco, Peru.  In my estimation, a peaceful and calm life is when Mother Earth is happiest. Right now I think she needs a lawyer!\n\n\n​That's it for this week!  I hope you enjoyed this offbeat post.\n\nAs always, thanks for reading. \nhttps://www.kazakers.com\n\n​See you again soon!",
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