Autoimmune Epidemic

http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/80129

Read this article about a book written by a strong woman who has done her research on why many Americans still know nothing about autoimmune diseases while they remain the strongest category of disabling disorders. The environment is increasingly more toxic which increase the incidence of autoimmune strains disease. It is a good cautionary story of taking good care of yourself and the planet. Also of how the media gives no attention to it because things like cancer, heart disease and erectile dysfunction. Think about it. Have you ever seen a commercial for a new exciting treatment for lupus? Yet it is said that one in nine people have an autoimmune disorder.

What can we do? Write your letters to senate. Write your local media and start learning. There will be an increase in this area if we do not educate people. Knowledge is power and there is much hope if we all do our best to make aware the public on how our environment and bodies are directly related. We each handle it or our bodies express it differently. Some experience depression, cancer, lupus, anger, anxiety, heart attacks or just plain ambivalence. We each have our bucket to carry up hill and that is life. Perhaps you do not have time to help but you can share this link with your friends, especially female loved ones. It can save a life.

On that note I am down with a cold but feeling better and it is a lovely full moon and equinox is close at hand as is Easter. With the change from winter to spring I feel a need to rest and pull in energy before the springs begins to bloom and days are filled with light and endless possibilities of new growth and new life. I find this a metaphor for my own inner growth and that which our world is going through. I think of Tibetan Monks having to fight for their home and right to practice meditation. (China should be ashamed, but then so should our government for forcing businesses to move to China, for borrowing money from them and for making them the super power they have become. ) But if you pay attention to the world, which is crazier everyday( just turn on TV for five minutes and you can see) we are in a new and strange world, but the good news is that people are waking up and taking a stand. This is growth. We can each do our part to shed light on whatever topic(s) is most important to us. We can help our neighbors and donate some time to a good cause. We can write to our politicians about what is important. This is how we change. By having a voice and using it for a positive change with out anger or violence, but with dialog and understanding. A little compassion goes a long way, but our voices can still be loud and strong. Think of a crocus reaching for the sky. It does not ask how or why it just forces itself up naturally. Then it blooms into a lovely gem only to fade away. Life is like that and now we are able to make it a gem before it fades away to the next generation. My wish for all is that we see this connection to nature and how it affects our bodies, minds and spirits. Happy Spring!!