By Molly Crockett

Now more than ever, schools are encouraging the idea of children practicing mindfulness. Recent studies show that children who achieve mindfulness are more likely to pay more attention in class, respect others, have self-control, and have empathy. 

But with only 1.6 percent of U.S. children meditating, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, we need to help the rest of the child population fend off negative thoughts and behaviors, build self-confidence, and have respect and appreciation for other people and the world.

The good news is, you don’t have to leave it to your child’s school to teach them meditation. In fact, here are five simple ways to teach meditation to your children.

1. The “Peaceful Piggy” Meditation

“Children from ages 3 to 7 love to listen to stories,” says Jayden Wormald, a lifestyle blogger at Essay roo and State of writing. “There’s a book called The Peaceful Piggy Meditation, which you can read to children, during your meditation session. As you read through the story, children will mimic how the little piggies do things in the book, including meditation. This practice helps kids to understand emotions, and helps them keep calm, as they go through the session.”

2. The “Balloon” Meditation

Children can do this exercise either standing or seated. Here’s how to do the balloon meditation:

• Relax the body, and take deep inhales and slow exhales through the nose.
• Slowly inhale deeply to fill the belly up with air, as if you’re preparing to blow up a big balloon.
• Slowly let the air out of the “balloon” (through the nose).
• Continue for several minutes.

With younger children, maybe ask them what their favorite color is, and have them visualize a giant balloon of that color in mind. Have them inhale deeply, and then blow into the “balloon.” And, if you want, have them “pop the balloon” by them poking their belly when they exhale. 

3. “Bear” Breathing

Teaching the correct way to breathe is imperative for children. 

Now, the bear breath involves counting, as you breathe in and out. You breathe in through the nose for four counts, hold it for four counts, and slowly exhale through the nose for four counts. This breathing lets more oxygen get to the brain, and reduces stress in people, including children.

4. “Follow The Leader” Activity

In this activity, ask your child to picture either their sibling or their best friend. Then, ask them who is considered the leader between them two – the person who either does most of the talking, or calls most of the shots. Consider these two outcomes:

• If your child is the leader out of the two, then they are the breath.
• If they are the follower, then they are the mind. 

Next, start the scenario by saying something like, “You and your friend do everything together. Now, let’s pretend that your breath and your mind are best friends, too. For now, your friend is the breath – the leader – and you’re with the rest of the group – the follower.” 

Once you set up the scenario, follow these steps below to guide them through the meditation:

• Sit down and close your eyes.
• Pay attention to your breath and slow it down, deeply inhaling and slowly exhaling.
• The mind will follow the breath—no matter what. Focus your mind on breathing, and follow as you inhale and exhale.
• Count your breaths at the end of each exhale, not before it. Stay focused on the breath.
• Count to 10 slowly, always at the end of each exhale.

5. “I’m Happy, Healthy, And Whole” Affirmation

“Affirmations are important, when ending the meditation session with children,” says Elijah Sands, a spiritual writer at Australian help and Paper fellows. “Kids should imagine creating their protective bubble around themselves, and then say ‘From my head to my toes, I’m happy, healthy, and whole.’ This helps them be more relaxed at the end.” 

Another way to exhibit this affirmation is if you, the parent, practice this. Children tend to model the behaviors of their parents and or other adults. Therefore, if you practice personal mindfulness and meditation, then your children will most likely do the same. 

Conclusion

These great tips will help you get the ball rolling, as you and your family meditate together. Soon, you’ll see that meditation is beneficial for children, since it promotes mindfulness and balance in their lives. 

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Molly Crockett writes amazing articles for Ukwritings and Boomessays. In her spare time, she is an online writing consultant for Academized. As a marketing writer, she shares her unique lifestyle tips and personal development advice with her audience.

By Vivek Roy

There is no denying that herbs have unique properties and since ancient times many hear are being used for multiple things.

From being a necessary ingredient in our food to revolutionizing the medical world, herbs have done them all.

Today herbs are used in the medical industry for a wide range of use and even made its way towards being an essential part of the modern medical world as well.

With helping us growing stronger physically many herbs can also help in mental development and increase memory power.

What are the reasons behind low mental health?

1.      Stress-

Stress can be a major reason for depleting mental health. When a person is stressed they tend to overthink or generate negative thoughts.

Stress can make it difficult for a person to focus and when continued for a longer duration can also lead to a decrease in memory power.

2.      Blood Pressure –

Like any of your organ brain also needs to function properly. If the blood flow fluctuates even by a small fraction, it can cause multiple health issues.

From Migraine to reduction is learning ability, all are dependent upon the blood flow received by your brain.

3.      Depression –

People often don’t realize what impact negative thinking can have on your health. During the depression, a person has multiple negative thoughts and even has low moral.

These things are often avoided or neglected by a person until it reaches a critical stage.

4.      Behavioral Disorder –

Behavioral disorders like Bipolar, eating disorder or OCD are all mental health issues a person faces which causes multiple behavioral changes in them.

They either adapt to a certain behavior or habit which soon becomes a part of their natural behavior.

The reason these behaviors are considered bad for a person is because of the impact it causes on a person.

They are at risk or harming themselves in a way that causes both mental and physical stress to them.

How a person develops these disorders can’t be stated with confirmed reasoning but a certain experience or a certain incident can act as a trigger for such in many cases.

Lets disuses few such herbs –

1.      Vinpocetine –

It is derived from a very commonly found flower Madagascar periwinkle. The flower is used to control many diseases such as dubieties, sore throat and in few cases even cancer.

Vinpocetine is a herb derived from the flower 20 years back in Hungary and has proved to have advantages over mental health and memory growth.

The major reason behind low memory and poor mental health is lack of sufficient blood flow in the brain, Vinpocetine is one herb that can help in increasing blood flow in the brain, resulting in gained memory.

 Madagascar periwinkle is one of the commonly consumed in may delicacies and Vinpocetine is also easily available but the doses for the same are to be consulted by a dietician before consumption.

2.      Brahmi –

For centuries Brahmi has been an essential part of Ayurved and is being used for its multiple advantages.

It is also commonly known as Bacopa monnieri, water hyssop, thyme-leaved gratiola and herb of grace.

This herb has proved to be a gift for the human brain. From treating stress and anxiety, it has also proved to be a great help in improving mental health and memory boost.

Many studies have also proved its impact n improving learning ability and have help in increasing learning ability.

In another study, it has also shown proven results in improving the information processing power of the brain.

Due to its key properties, it is also an entail part of anti-anxiety and stress relieving medicine.

3.      Guarana –

A climber plant with fruits as small as a coffee bean has its origin from Amazon Basin.

It is also known as Paullinia cupana.

It has been used by tribal communities of Amazon for multiple medicinal purposes as its rich in antioxidants and a variety of stimulants in it.

The Caffeine present in the herb can help in the reduction of fatigue making a person more active in their day to day life.

Studies have also shown that it can help in boosting memory power and helps the brain to learn better.

Caffeine available in the herb can also help in increasing focus.

4.      Turmeric –

It is one of the most commonly available herbs and is a vital part of Indian cuisine.

Turmeric has made its identity as an antiseptic herb and is believed to have many healing powers.

But there is more to this herb than just healing, it is also rich in antioxidants and has inflammatory effects, which are both beneficial for the mental health of a person.

Its healing properties can also protect help and its health by inhibiting the breakdown of its nerve cells.

As it’s a key ingredient in Indian cuisine and also used in many curry-based dishes, its consumption is mostly done along with other herbs like cumin and coriander, making the meal overall beneficial for health.

5.      Sage –

Burning sage is often done for detoxification of a place and is considered to have a calming effect as well.

Sage is also a staple herb in many cuisines and belongs to the mint family by origin. When added in the meal it gives a strong aroma to it and adds earth texture.

T is consumed in the form of fresh leaves, dried and crushed like oregano and even used in oil form while cooking.

It helps a person’s mental health as it has a high level of antioxidants and also helps in breaking down of chemical messenger acetylcholine (ACH), which helps in boosting memory power.

With herbs, it is to be understood that each herb when they have a certain effect they can cause side effects as well.

Moderating and managing the mode of consumption of herbs is required.

If consumed in its natural form the made of consumption should be monitored as not all herbs can be consumed directly in its raw natural form.

If you are going for supplements of such herbs or any herb-based medication then it is always advised to consult a doctor or a silenced dietician.

Though these herbs are natural they have multiple properties, some herbs which might work for one person can cause side effects in another.

Understand the nature of the herb, consult a doctor and understand the need of your body before adding any herb into your diet to make sure maximum benefits can be achieved.

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Vivek Roy is an enthusiastic Yoga and Ayurvedic blogger from India. He regularly writes for a Luxury Ayurveda Beauty Store blog. He loves to share the knowledge of yoga and Ayurveda around the world. For more information about him visit his website Zoem Skin Essentials.

By Michele J. Copley

We live in a world that’s not amazing, or least sometimes it can be hard to see it any other way. From heartbreak and poverty to war and day to day stress and anxiety, it’s so easy to get caught up with the peaks and valleys of life, and with so much negativity going around, it’s not hard for it to rub off and make us feel bad.

However, while everyone has different ways of getting themselves back on track, watching TV shows can be a great way to lift your mood and get you back up with a smile on your face. Today, we’re going to share with you the best, so you know what to look out for!

How Do TV Shows Affect Your Mood?

There are endless studies out there that have solid results that watching television shows can greatly affect your mood, both positivity and negatively. From discovering new favorites to rewatching the classics that stay with you for years, the mental impact TV shows have on us is actually quite profound.

This is all because TV shows have characters or situations we can relate to. We emotionally connect with the characters and can easily find ourselves rooting for them and wishing them well. We connect with their pain and their struggles (which, of course, are things many of us go through) and then seeing them come out the other side with their head’s held high, conquering whatever life puts their way, and this gives us hope that we can do the same.

“TV shows can make us laugh. They can make us cry. They can make us swell up with positivity, and they can make us re-evaluate our whole lives. In essence, TV shows are just another form of storytelling, an act of humanity which has occurred since cavemen drew on rock walls,” explains Jason Nuvell, a health writer at Draftbeyond.com and Lastminutewriting.com.

No matter how you’re feeling right now, if you’re looking for positivity, these are the TV shows you’re going to want to check out.

TV Shows to Watch for a Quick Pick Me Up

Queer Eye

A reboot on Netflix from the original ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,’ if you need a quick lift, this is the show for you. Five gay men go around giving other men complete makeovers with their entire lives to helping them find themselves and become the best versions for who they want to be.

Friends

“No list of TV shows would be complete without a mention of friends. The show has run for decades and has never fallen out of popularity, and for a good reason. Goofy, fun, and light-hearted, Friends is an easy watch to make you laugh, cry, and help remind you of the power of friendship” shares Nick Berry, a journalist at Writinity.com and Researchpapersuk.com.

The Good Place

A new addition to the Netflix inventory, The Good Place has been hailed as a fun philosophical masterpiece mixed with silly fart jokes. With lovable characters and obvious ties on figuring out people’s good and bad sides, this is a journey of self-discovery you can’t help but love.

TV Shows to Make You Laugh Out Loud

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

While somewhat darker humor to what some people may be used to, It’s Always Sunny is a fantastic take on life as the bar-owning group tackling some of the biggest issues that society faces; all with their own unique, hilarious, and slightly disturbing, take.

The Office

Whether you’re watching the original British version or the American reboot, there’s a reason everyone has heard of The Office. A mockumentary-styled service, this is one of the most colorful shows in the world, and it’s basically impossible not to laugh.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Andy Samberg is hilarious at the best of times, so mix him up with writers Michael Schur and Dan Goor, and you’ve got side-splitting humor you won’t be able to get enough off. Whether you’re looking for a quick laugh or you just want to take a break from the world and binge the day away, the silliness of the Brooklyn cast will have you in stitches.

TV Shows to Make You Feel Positive About Life

How I Met Your Mother

Easily one of my favorite shows, follow Ted Mosby and the gang as he looks for love in New York City. The gang is lovable and funny, and there’s not an episode that goes by that won’t leave you with a smile on your face.

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Michele J. Copley is a mental health blogger and advocate at Nursing Assignments and Gum Essays. She has strong experience in helping people make the most of their lives, finding happiness and fulfillment, and unwinding from long, overwhelming days. Michele also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education, and she is working towards becoming a Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP).

Although most people think of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa when they hear the term “eating disorder,” the National Eating Disorders Association shows that binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States.  Binge eating disorders symptoms are defined by binge eating episodes (in which a person eats a large amount of food in a short period), feelings of shame or and guilt following the episode, and a compulsion to repeat these behaviors repeatedly.  BED can result in severe health risks, mostly relating to obesity, and mental health complications such as depression, OCD, and even suicide.

The stereotype that eating disorders only happen to women has some small relationship to the truth; they do occur more often in women than in men. Recently, though, therapists at eating disorder treatment centers have seen an increase in men receiving treatment – largely because of changes in traditional gender roles as they apply to therapy.

While women have usually been diagnosed with eating disorders at a much higher rate than men, binge eating disorder may be the exception that proves the rule. According to Psycom, 40 percent of binge eating cases are observed in men. 

How Is Binge Eating Disorder Different for Men?

The most important factor in the previous underreporting of BED in men is a cultural one. For centuries and even to this day, men are less likely than women to express emotional distress or admit to mental health issues. Sadly, cultural influences lead many men to think that this would be a sign of weakness or failure. This reticence to admit that there may be a problem can lead to other difficulties unique to men with BED:

• Refusing to ask for help–As with other types of mental health or behavioral health disorder, men tend to try and “tough out” the situation rather than asking for help from a family member or even a professional.
• Taking part in “avoidance behaviors”–An “avoidance behavior” is like an ostrich sticking its head in the sand – ignoring a problem rather than addressing it.  This can manifest as avoiding using the scale or seeing a doctor and instead just hoping the problem will go away on its own.
• Anger at confrontation – Certainly, many women are angry at being confronted by friends or family about their disordered eating.  However, studies have shown that men to reply more frequently to these situations with anger than women do.

What Are the Causes and Triggers for BED?

A “trigger” in eating disorder treatment terms is a situation or feeling that impels a person to engage in one or more binge eating sessions. These triggers are common in men, although not exclusive to them in the least:

• Frequent dieting and calorie restrictions –Men who feel overweight will sometimes go on crash diets to lose weight, leaving them underfed and hungry. This can lead to secretive “cheat days” or other kinds of binge eating episodes. 
• Trauma and PTSD–Just as with women, binge eating episodes are often related to past trauma – binge eating releases dopamine into the brain which alleviated anxiety and depression temporarily.  Symptoms of PTSD can trigger BED-associated behaviors as a coping mechanism.
• Suppressing Feelings–Men are culturally influenced to have more difficulty expressing how they are feeling. Males that are not able to communicate effectively may internalize their emotions, causing them to turn to food for comfort.  

How Can I Spot Symptoms of BED in a Loved One?

Some symptoms may require the help of a doctor to identify, but several are noticeable by the people closest to the individual in question:

• They often eat even if they’re not hungry.
• Eating past the point of being full
• Stockpiles of junk food, hidden away, or lots of food wrappers being found suddenly in the trash
• Feelings of guilt or shame after eating.
• They may experience extreme changes in weight.
• High blood pressure, cholesterol and other health conditions associated with obesity

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: CARRIE HUNNICUTT

With 20 years of behavioral health business development experience, Carrie combines world-class marketing, media, public relations, outreach and business development with a deep understanding of client care and treatment. Her contributions to the world of behavioral health business development – and particularly eating disorder treatment  – go beyond simple marketing; she has actively developed leaders for her organizations and for the industry at large.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

—Gandhi

By Laura Staley

When my twenty-two-year marriage ended, I created “Laura Staley, Single, Happy, Free.” This motto or vision became my inspiration that got me out of bed in the morning and singing “A dream that will need all the love you can give, every day of your life, for as long as you live.” from Rogers and Hammerstein, The Sound of Music. I became totally motivated by who I could become, that I could finally be free of the long-term emotional pain, the internal to my psyche and external conflicts that had persisted and been fueled in part by my own unhealthy co-dependent ways and words. I knew I had to dive even deeper and break free from limiting beliefs that choked the life of my being. When I remembered to eat, I ate courage for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

This declaration created a future I could become in the present moment. Besides, we know from neuroscience that the brain goes where we focus our attention. I noticed I became happy, free in the “going through.” I also wept buckets and buckets of tears throughout this personal painful time of constant storms both huge and small. I used the expression “F the F-ing, F-er” a great deal with my closest friends who had not really ever heard me drop the “F” bomb. Simultaneously, something became unleashed, emancipated from deep inside of me. 

At this juncture I did not want to be labeled by anyone. 

Besides I cannot stand labels. I did not ever want to become just a survivor of anything and I have come through a great deal. There’s too many containers to stuff and label. They would take up an entire grocery shelf that currently needs to be available for toilet paper, lots of healthy food, masks, gloves, and disinfectant. 

Rather than surviving, is it possible to become people who thrive, who engage the pre-frontal cortex of conscious, thoughtful choices even in the midst of chaos and change?

What if we could apply a declaration to our current situation like Vibrantly Healthy, Connected and Clear or Creative, Curious, and Contributing or Deeply Vulnerable, Real, and Compassionate. 

Who can we become during this chaotic crucible of persistent, ever-changing stormy seas of challenge, implode, disruption, and change?

So many people are dying while simultaneously I believe something is being born deep inside of the psyche and souls of human beings. 

May we take the time to create a vision that inspires us to wake up full of vigor and vitality even as our hearts continue to break wide and forever open.

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About the author:

Laura Staley – Founder Cherish Your World: Passionately Helping People Thrive. Author of Live Inspired, Let Go Courageously and Live with Love: Transform Your Life with Feng Shui & Cherish Your World Gift Book of 100 Tips. For more information, please visit www.cherishyourworld.com

By Niánn Emerson Chase

It has always impressed me, in my study of the life of Jesus (as found in The URANTIA Book), that he often spent time in nature, away from the energies of busy towns and bustling people. In a family of several children, as the eldest son—who (at the age of 14) took the place of a father figure when their father Joseph died in a work-related accident—Jesus often took his younger siblings out on walks in the surrounding hills, pointing out various things they came across, teaching the children not only about the scientific facts of the natural world but also bringing in practical, moral, and spiritual lessons that related to what they observed in nature.

Throughout his adulthood Jesus continued taking respite from the pressing things of life by spending large amounts of time in the natural world. He spent many hours in the hills and mountains praying, reflecting, meditating, and communing with the Universal Father, with even two separate periods of being completely alone in the wilderness—one for six weeks and another encompassing forty days. 

When Jesus became more active in his public career as a spiritual teacher, he and his close associates spent more time outdoors than inside—for relaxation and recreation, for work and meetings, for speaking before large groups of people, and even living outdoors for weeks at a time. He knew that by spending quality time in nature, we humans could better learn the value of meditation and the power of intelligent reflection.  

——

In her book The Sun Is A Compass, wildlife biologist Caroline Van Hemert describes a 4,000-mile “human-powered” journey that she and her husband took in 2012 into the Pacific Northwest wild lands—starting from Bellingham in northern Washington and ending in Kotzebue, Alaska, far above the Arctic Circle. In those months of being constantly in the natural world, away from human-created societies and environments, Dr. Van Hemert gained a broader and more attuned perspective of life, experiencing a gamut of emotions and situations as she and her husband blissed out in the majestic wonder of rose-tinted dawns, gold-laced dusks, and other peace-bringing incidences, and, paradoxically, at other times struggling in their fear and desperation to simply stay alive in a harsh and unforgiving environment. 

In a recent article about one episode on this trip, Dr. Van Hemert describes how closely observing a herd of hundreds of migrating caribou for a couple of days taught her some very important life lessons, which we need in these times of the Coronapocalypse. We humans are very much like our animal counterparts in our needs and tendencies. Like the caribou, we are individuals by ourselves or with small nuclear-family units for whom we try to provide and protect, and we also have an innate need to belong with a herd in order to survive all of life’s challenges. 

In her observations of the behavior of the animals in their mass migration, Dr. Van Hemert saw at times what appeared to be chaos and confusion as they encountered various challenges that blocked their rhythmic and orderly travel. However, solutions were found, often by one or two caribou, who would take the lead and the herd followed. It was as if “behind the chaos was a collective need to move” forward and so solutions naturally emerged. It was as if “each animal’s actions were driven by something larger than itself.” She never saw any shoving or pushing aside in those very crowded conditions, even in times of “frantic motion.” “It was as though a safety bubble hovered around each animal with an unspoken, absolutist rule shared among the herd:  Do not harm thy neighbor.” Though at times the caribou’s movements might not have seemed synchronous, Dr. Van Hemert “could see how they were intimately and essentially connected.” 

If only more of us humans would allow that innate knowing of certain universal laws of survival within divine pattern to come forth in us and learn to flow in those rhythms, then we too would deeply know “like the caribou, that community is everything.” 

——

I was a nature child, who spent more time outdoors than indoors, roaming the vast desert lands around my home in Arizona, and through osmosis I began to “know” some of the Creator’s laws found in the natural world. In a way, it was as if Jesus (through the Spirit of Truth) was by my side, teaching me about divine pattern through nature’s lessons. And, like all peoples of all generations who try to live in harmony with the laws and lessons of the earthly ecosystems, I sensed the essence of the Universe Mother Spirit within Mother Earth (Gaia). 

I too have experienced the easy-going aspects of nature as well as the more brutal parts, though to a much less extent than Dr. Van Hemert (on her 4,000 mile adventure into the wilderness) or those who are suffering great loss from the current pandemic and its domino effects on the economic, medical, educational, and other social systems of society. Nor have I yet been impacted by great personal loss from the effects of  global weirding, which includes worldwide extreme-weather events that result in increased crop-killing droughts, copious snow and rain followed by ravaging floods, destructive winds (including more-than-normal tornados and hurricanes), or raging fires due to extreme heat and drought-like conditions. Neither have I personally suffered from debilitating emotional and mental illness, which in these times of anxiety is increasing.

However, deep within my being I grieve over the terrible loss Gaia (Earth) is experiencing worldwide, including diminishing and disappearing animals and plants (due to harmful human encroachment of habitats), decreasing clean water, air, and soil (due to human-behavior-caused toxicity), and entire eco-systems collapsing (due to human-generated acceleration of global weirding).  

In the southwest bioregion where I live, I feel great sadness as I observe the near disappearance of Gila monsters, tarantulas, and horned toads, and I see much less of jack rabbits, the various raptors, varieties of water fowl, several species of songbirds, butterflies, bees, and so on than in the past decades.   

My heart literally beats erratically to the rhythm of my awareness of the unraveling web of life on earth and of the human instigation of this tragedy. My lungs strenuously breathe in and out the tainted air particles caused by human selfishness and greed. And at the same time, my heart and lungs rejoice in all that is good and true and beautiful on this world, and there is much of that too. So I and my body reflect the paradox of joy and sorrow, but more joy, and an underpinning of a “peace that passes all understanding,” for I know that in spite of the coronapocalypse and global-warming calamities that threaten so many lives, a new world will emerge in the near future.  

——

These current times of great upheaval have been spoken of and foretold for hundreds of years, and today they are referred to (by those with a more philosophical and positive outlook) as the Great Turning or Great Transition, both terms indicating a great change from one reality to another. Many with a scientific leaning refer to these times as the Anthropocene—“anthro” meaning man and “cene” meaning new—which is a term defining “Earth’s most recent geologic time period as being human-influenced, based on global evidence that atmospheric, geologic, hydrologic, biospheric, and other earth system processes are now altered by humans,” and not in a good way. Elizabeth Kolbert explains these times in her 2015 Pulitzer-Prize-winning book The Sixth Extinction:  An Unnatural History. 

I mention just a few terms that fit the nature and description of the times we are living in, but there are many others.  And though I have focused more on the degradation of the natural world and extreme climate change due to centuries’ worth of culminating human choices, those choices—based on selfish and materialistic values, outside of the Creator’s divine pattern—have also caused the degradation of societal systems. Thus we have debilitating poverty, burgeoning social inequities, soul-destroying immorality, expanding mental illnesses, dismantling of humanitarian services, and unbridled, peace-threatening militarism. 

However, in spite of this dire situation, there is always the possibility for this era of the Great Turning or Great Transition to transform our violated earth and troubled societies into regenerated ecosystems and redeemed cultures, actually becoming a new, or renewed, world. I (and I am sure many others) have carried within us a knowing of a beautiful reality here on earth, coexisting with the ugliness and devastation, and also having an assurance of a better future that is based on harmonious existence with God, the Creator of everything. After all, good does eventually completely overcome and transform evil.

However, we humans must take part in this Great Turning. As is pointed out in The URANTIA Book, “The ideas, motives, and longings of a lifetime are openly revealed in a crisis.” The afflictions we suffer now can awaken us to the root of the problems troubling us and our world. We are forced to reflect deeply on the circumstances we are in and reassess our own values, choices, and behavior. As we become aware of the causes of the dismantling of that which is good, life-giving, and health-sustaining—within ourselves as well is in our social systems—then we can take action to make the changes necessary to heal ourselves and our earth. 

As we recognize our fragility and mortality, realizing that there is something much larger than “us,” we begin to walk the path, the Tao, that leads to the Source of all life, all truth, all beauty, and all goodness—the Universal Creator Father/Mother. Love and goodness are of eternal value; the hateful virus of evil, in all its forms, is temporary and will eventually dissipate; its evil contagion will fade away. However, “love is truly contagious and eternally creative.” 

——

On a lighter ending note:  In “A Recipe for Difficult Times:  Anxiety Soup,” Pulitzer-Prize-winner writer and poet Alice Walker gives three essential ingredients needed for “this period of emotional, psychological, ideological, and financial instability.” Her soup for these difficult times is meant to help us manage our anxiety, to lessen it, to put it into proper perspective.   

“First of all, Anxiety Soup keeps growing and expanding; it is eclectic, it is self-choosing, and it is already within your reach. The main thing it assumes is that you are coming to it in your right mind:  that you’ve put the liquor bottle back on the shelf, said no to drugs of all kinds, and made the manly or womanly decision not to pick fights. In fact, it assumes you consider yourself free. That being so, you are ready for ingredient number one.” 

Ingredient number one is dance, and ingredient number two is sitting meditation. Ingredient number three is actual soup that “you make yourself from scratch” with a variety of vegetables and anything else healthy you might have on hand. “Soup, no matter what’s in it, always tastes good. This is part of soup’s magic; you can only go wrong if you have no sense of taste whatsoever.” 

As we dance, meditate, and cook through these tough times, taking the higher way of truth and goodness, as Alice Walker says, “May we continue to be a hardy race that outlives our tormentors.” And may we no longer be tormentors ourselves.

About the author

Niánn Emerson Chase is a world-renowned spiritual leader, educator, activist, and prolific author with many articles on culture, society, spirituality, and sustainability. She is co-author of the book Teachings on Healing, From A Spiritual Perspective and co-founded Global Community Communications Alliance, a multifaceted global change nonprofit, comprised of approximately 120 change agents from five continents. She is the co-founder and Director of The University of Ascension Science & The Physics of Rebellion located in Tumacácori, Arizona. She is also a counselor.

Niánn’s website is: https://niannemersonchase.org/

Citations and References:

 1. “What the Caribou Taught Me About Being Together and Apart” by Caroline Van Hemert, published in The New York Times, 4/6/2020. 

2. “Coronapocalypse” became almost overnight a meme used in social and other media in reference to these times of the Covid-19 pandemic and the domino effect it is having in other areas of our lives.

3. According to Greek mythology, “Gaia” was the ancestral mother of all life, the primal Mother Earth goddess. In more recent times, Gaia is also used as a synonym for Earth.

4. Global weirding” is a term that identifies what happens as global temperatures rise and the climate changes. In these times, the acceleration of the natural cycle of climate change, which usually happens over thousands of years, has been accelerated at an alarming rate due to the human-caused greenhouse blanket around our planet, which holds in heat. This is blamed on the huge amount of carbon released by human activity, especially through machinery and industry.

5. Definition from Encyclopedia of the Earth by Erle Ellis, published in 2013. The term “Anthropocene” was popularized in the year 2000 by atmospheric chemist and Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen.

 6. The URANTIA Book, Paper 187, Section 2, Paragraph 4

7. Ibid. Paper 188, Section 5, Paragraph 2

8. From The Cushion in the Road:  Meditation and Wandering as the Whole World Awakens to Being in Harm’s Way, a collection of contemplative journaling by Alice Walker.