BOOST YOUR BRAIN POWER

    “It is normal to have occasional episodes of minor forgetfulness
but some types of memory loss are more substantial than others as we
age,” says Arthur Kramer, a professor of psychology and neuroscience
at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  “For example, you
meet someone at a party and want to remember their name, what they
looked like and what you talked about,” Kramer added.  The memory
takes different pieces of information and puts them all together.  The
brain is surprisingly adept at compensating, and other types of memory
can improve or remain intact over time to help retain a vigorous mind.

    In late adulthood, the brain region is responsible for forming
some types of memories – the hippocampus – shrinks one to two percent
annually, leading to memory challenges.  Regular aerobic exercise
encourages the use of new brain cells even when workouts are not
strenuous.

    In a trial published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences in January 2011, older adults were asked to either exercise
or stretch.  Exercises began with 10-minute walking sessions,
extending them by one minute each week until they walked for 40
minutes three times a week.  Over a year their hippocampal volume
increased by two percent on MRI brain scans, reversing age related
loss by one to two years and improvement of memory.  Those who only
stretched showed a decrease in hippocampal area.  Aim for at least 30
minutes a day, five days a week of moderate intensity aerobic
exercise, such as brisk walking or hiking.  Social people are more
likely to retain their brain power.  Over an average of five years,
the rate of decline on a broad range of cognitive abilities, including
several types of memory, was 70 percent lower in least socially
active.

    Regular consumption of fish, fruit and vegetables protect mental
ability.  Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh tracked the
diets and using MRIs, the brain volume of 260 older people with
cognitive function in a study presented at the Radiological Society of
North America in November of 2011.  After 10 years, those who ate
baked or broiled fish at least once a week had larger and healthier
cells in brain areas responsible for memory and learning.  Listening
to mellow music, visualizing pleasant scenes and writing your thoughts
all helps retain memory.  Stop smoking if you do and limiting alcohol
are good ways to relieve stress.

THE MYSTERY

Does each question beg and answer, the mystery that it holds,

Sacred in its inner self, through silence to unfold,

Am I me, yet one with Thee, how can this thing be,

A presence near , that feels right here,

Together on the path of life, awareness, one in heart,

An inner essence, guide and friend, to practice spiritual parts,

A path to choose, a life to use, to practice spiritual art.

A path to make, a life to take, together as a team,

Joyous in the sacred self, and on God's wisdom lean.

Still myself, as spirit grows, within God's holy sphere,

An all embracing comfort place, a presence very dear,

At times your presence seems to leave, and flown to different climes,

Let me once more feel Thee near, and at Thy table dine.

You say, "I never went away, I'm with your living soul,

Your purity of love seek, a cleansing sacred goal."

I cancel impure thought streams, and send the far away,

Into the abyss of the past, I'm free to live new ways.

Once more embracing soul's ideal, eternal spirit lives,

A corpuscle in the heart of God, that only He can give.

Conjoined within His sacred trust, in work and all I do,

In fellowship to live and learn, as daily life renews.

Thank you for your patience, that cleaning out soul needs,

Resisting every grudge and thought or other careless deed.  

Messages From the Earth

My eyes behold the sweeping landscape,
The rivers wide their stories tell.
Then rippling grasses dance in sunbeams,
While the mountains cast a mysterious spell.
God's message comes in the silent waters,
Can change change into a raging storm,
Then whispers soft in evening twilight,
Restoring the soul, our inner home.

Attuning to this inner wisdom,
Our conscience guides throughout each day.
To each a guardian angel spirit,
Provides us with protective rays.
And shows a bond with all creation,
The smallest flower, the tallest tree,
Each with its special song of wonder,
That blends its sound through earth
and sea.
To join in universal service,
With challenges still more refined,
Within, without, a heavenly kingdom,
To love and serve throughout all time.
With challenges, alone we conquer,
And walk with those on ancient roads,
Alone to see heaven's dazzling welcome,
To join those loved,in new abodes.

How to Avoid Prostate Trouble

Cancer is caused by the bottling information of negative emotions. It is not what we eat, but what eats us. At the mental and spiritual level we can avoid cancer by forgiving those who cause us harm and forgiving those who caused us harm. Cancer seems to occur more readily which is avoiding it to begin with.

“My prostate was in good shape until five years ago when the doctor examining me said it was enlarged which explained some urinary changes that I had noticed.It suggested a massages of olive oil and peanut oil every evening before retiring. Last fall I had another medical exam during which my doctor commented that I had the prostate of a 20 year old (I was 68) I reminded him of the first exam which he had forgotten. I mentioned my success to a friend who had prostate problems. This man experienced the same salutary results.”

Resisting every grudge or other careless deed . God's spirit dwells in everywhere, on standby and on call, responding to each sincere prayer to answer one and all and I am finding my sincere prayer will answer one and all. How beautiful and different our present world challenges would be when we feel and practice this forgiveness.    

THE DREAM

Slim and trim and sleek and suave is what they hoped to be,

Esteemed, admired and sought by all, "Best dressed of all," said she.

With furs ad finery to shape their her figures lean and bold,

A social register to make, all masked a heart ice cold.

Each whim or stylish fad of time that fashion might dictate,

A selfish hand reached forth to grasp, their ego to inflate.

And then one night a dream took shape, they stood upon a plane,

Where earth and time rolled back the years, each moment to reclaim.

They watched those hands of time reverse, unneeded furs were shed,

A white coat floated from each form, to seals no longer dead,

They saw a parents rich brown eyes awaken as in dream,

From nightmares that had rode the floe, the pups were white and clean.

No more their naked bodies lay, in bloodied splattered snow,

No more the sealers sullen ships, waited by the floe.

No more were mothers brutalized protecting babes they bore,

No longer did the voice of doom decree their death in gore.

She saw the years these hapless slaves provided fuel and food,

Cosmetic oils to smooth their hands, and warm coats for the cool.

If this be dreams, let me awake, this is so sad for me,

Let me awake that I may help those helpless from the sea.

Fast forward on the tapes of time showed writing on the wall,

The numbered days of many forms, she heard their desperate call.

The mercury poisoned waterways no fish or birds should use,

Life's fragile chain of smaller forms, so carelessly abused.

Those dwindling numbers herded back, she marked their areas small,

The elephants hard pressed for space, the songbirds lingering call,

Man called it progress, asked for more, demanded death for all -

Who hindered his voracious lust for money making sprawl.

As psychic symbols moved to view, a silver chord appeared,

That blended every form of life, their balance to revere.

For when man slashed at Mother Earth, her roots were wounded too,

A lifeline touching psychic needs, for peace and values true.

The poisons seeped into both souls that carelessly were thrown,

As waste in Mother Nature's store, a store that was his own,

She watched man join the march of death whose slow and ghastly pace,

Marched through a vale of drugs and tears, mutations sad disgrace.

For with man's plunder of the earth, the poisoned soil and air,

No more could bring the needs of health, from nature's squandered fare.

But hope may spring eternal still and change to better ways,

The dream declared that love and care could bring a better day.

THE UNWELCOME IMMIGRANT

Among the huddled masses that from Europe came,

A tiny golden visitor staked its claim to fame,

Somewhere in steerage passage with no ticket by my side,

I threw a shoot and anchored roots, in new lands far and wide.

Content to live in wastelands, my golden flower thrived,

In backyard tenement clutter, 'twas just thrilled to be alive.

On barren ground or homestead, this hardy alien grew,

Its puffballs - games for children, to scatter joy anew.

Unlike the dashing rosebud, whose thorns a child may fear,

The friendly dandelion waves, a stately stem with cheer.

Strong winds and rain may damage other dainty flowers,

But this sturdy willing immigrant stands tall through every shower.

Just weave me into garlands, I am a friendly flower,

To bed I go at sunset and rise a decent hour.

Like you, I love America, my new home top to tip,

Sharing nourishment and beauty, I am grateful for my trip.

THE INJURED TREE

High on a hill a bent plum tree, lies half prone, where it started free,

A lightening bolt from a windblown board, bowed it low where the damage scored.

Its neighbors proud, stately and prim, towered above with their branches trim.

Yet a special charm embraces the eye, as hopeful branches their leaves hold high.

Summer will pass and a message tell, how a child can reach its fruit so well.

Its sturdy bole - a fine seat make, so handy to reach when its fruit we take.

What may have seemed like a mishap grim, has risen to bloom with hope from within.

Spreading its beauty and service free, a special delight - like no other near tree.

A message to all, soft breezes will tell, Its sturdy root still nourishes well.

The sun and the rain no favorites show, As small birds fly to branches so low.

Small children can reach its fruit so well, to share with their friends or even to sell.

"Don't feel sad that this plum tree fell, we can now reach its fruit, the children all tell."