I was doing research for an article I was writing a few months ago and found this particularly interesting academic paper - on contractable bacteria and diseases easily acquired from pets, specifically dogs. It talks not only about being diligent in cleaning up after them but also, in washing your hands, cleaning surfaces, etc. I was unlucky enough to pick up such a bacteria that now lives permanently in the base of my lungs. I have always been a healthy, fit person and particularly obsessed with cleanliness. .This took me by surprise and when I asked the doctor how I might have contracted such bacteria, he said you would be surprised as to how many people we see each week with such related illnesses. I am not saying people should give up the idea of owning a dog or a cat. However, I don't think one should ever become complacent about cleanliness. It might seem trivial, but if one is not careful or one does not teach young children about appropriate hygiene while caring for or handling animals, they could pay a very big price of being permanently at risk for not only these diseases, but a whole host of others - like leading to limb amputations You can learn more at: One Health Fact Sheet Resource and Research papers
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5319273/ https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/dogs.html https://www.empr.com/home/news/dogs-saliva-caused-bacterial-infection-leading-to-amputations/ https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_leptospirosis https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets-and-antibiotic-resistance.html https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/multimedia/factsheet.html Challenge and success - it is hard not to say ‘why does it happen to me ‘ or ‘why is such adversity on my doorstep - I don’t understand’. Yes, it can be difficult, but true balance and equilibrium exists only in equal measure of opposites. Hence, one can not truly live a full life without loss or tragedy, in the same way one can not experience fullness with joy and success.
Balance truly lives at the nuclei of a life having experienced both. Anything less, can not be called life only an existence - where by the state of being is not affected or is not given energy to, because there is no push or pull from each direction. It is the pushing and pulling of atoms equally that maintains the structure and place of cells in life. Existence is when life pulls only in one or no direction - dragging the cell along for the ride, not able to change, evolve or grow. Equal forces from opposite directions pressurises the cell to move forward - at that point life is initiated. So never complain, why me - the ups and downs it is what gives you life, what gives you energy. The greater that rocking and rolling of life; the greater energy, progress and nourishment received to maintain life’s balance. It all starts with time to create. For many of us, this is a never ending battle with what society wants us to do in order to partake in the world of modernity and what your heart wants and needs to do, in order to find comfort and peace of mind to take you through the wonderful journey of life.
We can all be slaves to the pay check or be slaves to pumping out hundreds of resumes a day to acquire the pay check - because that’s what you must do in order to pay the myriad of bills that enable us to live in a first world country they call technologically advanced, modern and proper. Yet, with modernity comes stress, unrealistic expectations and a way of life that can be unhealthy to one’s natural creative processes and whether or not we say, “but I don’t have time” - we need to make time and make it a priority in order to keep one’s sanity. Without attending to your natural, innate gifts, it is like cutting off a limb - it is what makes you the unique species you are. A rabbit without its ears , would it not be a guinea pig; a possum without its tail might it be a Koala. A butterfly without the ability to fly, would it even be a butterfly? The answer is no. Your gifts and talents are unique to your soul and being. One can no more switch them off than nature can stop creating life. This is the process of natural evolution - society, modernity, mankind should not demand that you even try to forgo nature’s gift. So the next time you tell yourself, “I don’t have time”, ask yourself, “If I don’t engage in my gifts, will it be at the detriment of my uniqueness and what makes me - me? Will I still be the me, nature intended me to be?”
It appears the Murray Darling Basin is in strife and if we don’t take efforts to assist - to stop the constant emptying, restricting, and polluting of the water flow – families, farms, rural and indigenous communities and yes, the environment will suffer beyond what is imaginable.
Once upon a time, communities in the proximity of the Murray Darling Basin all shared water resources with nature. Both sides found time to thrive and prolificate. There was no childish behaviour or squabbling over its use. What nature provided so comfortably was treasured, respected in times of proliferation and scarcity. It was a bond, a silent agreement with nature to respect and savour such an easily fleeting resource - for the sake of all - for the sake of survival.
Not human, animal or the environment was better or more deserving of the life-giving substance; the Murray Darling Basin provided for all.
Mother nature does not dictate the waters allocation or destroy its purity – only mankind takes this upon himself to upset the flow and equilibrium that is so precariously balanced; any interference in this process has disastrous consequences. And yes, all reliant on this balance, are now paying the price for this Godly judgement.
Large Corporations and Government bodies now side together - call the shots – service each other’s pockets - become judge and jury over the Basin’s very existence. They too, have sealed its fate.
Scores of wildlife have left the area or died; the environment is no longer a breeding ground for lush vegetation; farming communities have more than halved; farmers have up and walked off their land; job losses are at a record high and the next generation of youngsters will never see the Basin as it was – pristine, uncompromised and life giving. Sharing is what nature does best, a trait mankind could adopt to ensure its survival, too. Mankind is a passing visitor to this planet, a spectator if you like, but none the less its survival is fleeting - just like the rest of its inhabitants. Yet, nature must be preserved, maintained, and restored so it is here for the next generations. It is not a matter of enjoyment. It is a matter of priority - equally as needed, precious and pressing as maintenance of the Great Barrier Reef – an eco-system built on and totally reliant on preserving nature’s delicate balance. Mankind should not even have to question this process, but it does. It judges. It decides. It destroys for the sake of monetary gain. Where will it end? No longer can we be bystanders in the process of natures’ abuse. It is time mankind worked together for the common cause – survival for all. It takes just one to make a difference in the world. :)
Learn more about the plight of the Murray Darling Basin, below.
There is nothing like life to test our resilience. It prods at us with its hot iron - pushing us forward past the pain, past the difficulties, past the disbelief. It gives us reassurance when needed, direction when required and life skills to carry with us on our journey of survival. It takes great courage, a huge sense of self worth and understanding to move forward - as each step is one of blind belief, in life’s plan. Staying the course carved out for you, can be trying - to say the least and without laying down your plan of stepping stones, it is easy to detour off course. ...But if you find time to ponder, time to reflect, time to rest, gather your strength and give thanks for all you have - life can be a blast! Humbly, you take everything at face value - learn from it and move on - to even greater things.
Everything we do in life, everything we learn throughout our schooling and into our tertiary education - even in the workplace - information has at some point been written, recorded and accessed through books. Whether they are physical or digital books; texts, manuals or procedures - the data has been saved for now and forever, for future generations to enjoy and access. We are very much reliant on the process of recording the written word and without such, generations of people would not progress - could not push past the last generational successes, because they would always be reinventing the wheel. We as a society - need researchers, educators, writers to keep knowledge and information current; and we need to pass down this art form to new generations so we continue to progress and push the boundaries. Instill a love of learning and literature; create a fervent passion to discover and absorb knowledge in your family. Visit elk-publishing.com - support what we do, suggest or purchase a book for gifting. Knowledge is the best gift you can give. 1. At the top of the list, has to be to meet friends and family you haven’t seen for ages. I know you’ll say, “I saw them at Xmas!” Yes, but did you have a great, big bash with long lost friends? There are only so many hours in a day. So, here’s your opportunity to catch up or to make amends because you’ve been a bit slack over the years. 2. If you haven’t already worked it out - it’s the party of the year – the New Year and who in their right minds would sleep through New Year? Well maybe you - last year, but it’s time to renew your dusty feathers and fly off to a wonderful party of infinite possibilities. I mean, if you’re up for it. Then, the third reason makes perfect sense. 3. A kiss under the remaining mistletoe; Auld Lang Syne; fireworks galore - while supping on a drink or two - surrounded by great, memorable company with lots of shared laughter is definitely the way to go. This has to be a draw card for anyone, right? You might even find the love of your life… 4. One might dust off the cobwebs, sharpen up the old pen - to work out what your New Year’s resolution might be - to point you toward greener pastures. You will be surrounded by like-minded individuals, who will therefore be keen to keep you accountable and on track. That means everything if you’re going to follow through, to keep your New Year’s resolution alive and kicking. 5. Not to mention, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on how your year went. What were the highlights and what were the lows? Congratulate yourself on jobs well done and give yourself a good talking to, if you haven’t quite come up to par – but don’t be too hard on yourself. One has to enjoy life along the way. 6. Give thanks for all your blessings and the warm, kind, considerate and loving people who support your life – in highs and the lows. Both are equally important, for without which we would not truly sample a full life. Our helpers bring validity to our burdens; cheer and celebrate our strength, resilience and success when life shares its fruits. 7. It is a night of celebrations – of who you are as an individual and as a human being; a night that tells the world you have survived and tasted another year of life’s treasures. 8. It is a time to celebrate your relationships - the friends you have been blessed to meet, the family you bore to cherish, and it is a time to thoughtfully remember those who have set sail for heavens pearly gates. 9. New Year holds an opportunity to rest and wind down. Yet, it is a period of renewed energy, hope and vigour when we can set our sights on new horizons, new goals or on the realisation of past ones. 10. It is time to say sorry to oneself. To say, “I didn’t get it right or everything done, but don’t sweat it because it’s a New Year and I promise to do better, be better than the year now fading.”
And you know, that’s all we can do - for we are all students of the greatest classroom on earth. We all sit life’s tests – some of us pass, some fail, some of us study hard, some of us fly by the seat of our pants, while others cheat the system - trying to find all the short cuts. Yet, at the end of the year we can only sigh and say, “Well that was interesting. I wonder what life will throw at me this year?” |
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