Filling the Void

Most of us want to find someone special to spend our lives with. We
want that special someone who will complete us, who knows who we are
and takes care of us. We want them to know what feels good to us, and
what doesn’t. And when we’re not feeling well, we want them to know
exactly what to do to make us feel better. Yet how can we expect
someone to do all these things, when we don’t know how to do them
ourselves?

First, we need to get to know and learn how to care for ourselves,
before expecting anyone else to do it for us. People learn from what
our energy tells them. If we haven’t done the work, our energy will
feel needy, like a void that hasn’t been filled. This is true for
every single person, and that’s how it stays, until we make a
conscious effort to learn what it takes for us to fill the void, and
what we need to do to feel truly happy.

Watch where your thoughts go throughout the day. Your thoughts
control your energy and how you feel. If your thoughts are chaotic,
then your energy is chaotic, and that’s what you’ll attract. But if
your thoughts are loving and caring towards yourself, then so is your
energy. If you learn how to truly care for yourself, your energy will
show it, and others will pick up on your energy.

Pay close attention to your thoughts and how you feel about yourself.
Remember, this takes time, so do your best not to rush. Remember,
too, this is your responsibility, not anyone else’s. Yes, it’s
definitely hard work, but that’s what life is all about: working on
yourself, and learning how to fulfill yourself. Then, when that
special someone comes along, they won’t have to be a necessity in your
life. They can simply be an amazing bonus!

Deborah Koan
“Step out of your head and into your heart.”

WEBSITE: http://deborahkoan.com
TWITTER: @deborahkoan
BLOG: http://deborahkoan.blogspot.com
PODCAST: http://deborahkoan.podomatic.com

~March 2011 AstroAware Blog~
~For The I’m Thankful Network~
By: Alisha Mishell

To Truly Live the American Dream, First We Must Wake UP

Uranus (the Awakener) will enter Aries (Initiator) on March 11th. .This extremely dynamic, and somewhat volatile combination will propel our Culture, and World, into innovation and future oriented thinking and cultural “Revolution” or “Evolution”. The last time this combination (Uranus in Aries) reformed the culture was 84 years ago (1927 to 1935). The American populace had spent the entire Uranus in Pisces cycle (7 years prior) in a stern prohibition on alcohol. Jupiter was conjunct Uranus at that time like it has been for the last year. Then, quite suddenly with the ingress of Uranus into Aries, speakeasy clubs and bootlegging alcohol hit mainstream and Prohibition ended in the 1933. When Planets shift into new frequency, we respond naturally. With this combination, surprises are certain and global trends are guaranteed to be affected.

At the exact time, women from all around the world gave up their Victorian gowns and form-inducing corsets to sport straight dresses worn above the knees and short boyish hair cuts. They responded to this dynamic force by choosing extreme reform and innovating their roles as women. I am so thankful for the pioneering spirit of women who came before, as they have created a foundation from which all women can speak, write and teach with more equality and freedom. The 18th Amendment enacted laws against alcohol production and consumption that, by consequence, created the notorious bootleggers and speakeasy clubs. It was indeed the end of an Era and the beginning of a new trend worldwide. The Crash of the economy and the Depression began at the very beginning of the entry of Uranus into Aries (1928). This is a metaphorical display of the unexpected lightening strike, both symbols of Uranus and Jupiter.

As cycles continue to repeat throughout history, today’s prohibition is with medical marijuana and the bootleggers have evolved into inner city gangs and violent mafia. The economy is now teetering in volatile state with looming reports of doom and reform. History repeats itself because cycles are omnipresent whether we are aware of them or not. We have the knowledge now. What are we going to do with it? We have a choice.
The Sun, Mercury, Mars, Chiron are all in Pisces now and Neptune slips into Pisces for a quick inhale of this complex brew until the end of this summer when it turns retrograde back into Aquarius until February 2012. The more open and receptive we are to healing and the energy of good will, Divine Love and Unity consciousness, the faster we will evolve spiritually and psychically. There will be many great spiritual teachers, artists and musicians born during the next 14 years. These souls will literally ground the highest form of love and compassion on the planet as we go into the “Aquarian Age” officially by 2020-2025.

The Archetype of Pisces is the 12th sign in the Zodiac and may well be the most complex or misunderstood of all symbols. While the forces of Aquarius connect the human psyche to the Divine Intellect, Pisces connects our precious psyche to Divine Love. This Force pours thru the faculties of imagination, dreams, intuition and empathy. The symbol is drawn as two connected fish swimming in opposite directions. The fish swimming upward toward the Source indicates striving toward Idealism, Intuition, and Divine Union, while the downward swimming fish reflects the shadow side of this energy expressed as fanaticism, fantasy, escapism and delusion.

Mars in Pisces activates the compassionate sacred warrior who stands up for the underdog. For this entire month, Mars is in this tender sign. The shadow side of Mars (assertion) in Pisces (emotional sensitivity) in harboring suppressed anger and unconscious resentment. Holding back ones truth does not help any one involved. This can lead to passive aggression or neurotic tendencies. This force is not at home in this sensitive sign yet can be expressed creatively through dance, art and music. During this month, Mars can evoke escapist tendencies and indecision in some, but also help us tune in intuitively to the subtle realms.

March 3rd Venus in Aquarius seeks more personal freedom and emotional detachment this month in relationships. She influences the collective by appealing to our humanitarian nature and setting trends toward the unorthodox or the reclamation of unity. Venus values community and quirky friendships. You may find yourself attracted to unusual people and learning to value something out side your realm of normal experience. For some, this is time when friends could become lovers or lovers become friends, especially those with this type of signature emphasized in their natal charts.

The nodal axis shifts from Capricorn/Cancer to Sagittarius/Gemini on March 3rd until September 2012 – The nodes indicate that our greatest collective growth at this time is to develop deeper social awareness and conscience, to cultivate faith, and to expand awareness to include morals and principles that are more inclusive and liberating. When we seek generosity and faith, we attract opportunity and abundance. It is better to aim high now (Sagittarius) and miss, than to simply talk and think about it in perpetual logical musings (Gemini). This nodal axis highlights the contrast between Higher Truth (Jupiter/the higher mind) and the Trickster (Mercury/the lower mind), which can rationalize and distort its truth to fit a desired outcome. We will see great awakenings this year and many people will feel the need to aspire to higher ideals. Watch out how the cunning trickster or sneaky hubris shows up for you during this period, either personally or reflected thru others.

Jupiter in Aries will be opposite Saturn in Libra on the 28th of March until mid April 2011. This opposition will create instability in the areas of life (houses) that they touch. The retrograde motion of Mercury in Aries (30th of March until April 23rd) exacerbates the frustration of limitations. In order to utilize this energy fully, its important NOT to initiate new projects, instead tune in and tackle what needs to be completed instead. Be patient. Cultivate persistence and confidence. We all will be tested. It comes with the territory. There will be opportunities when Jupiter advances forward and especially when it moves into Taurus this summer.

To best utilize this science as a tool of self discovery and healing is to consciously cultivate YOUR highest awareness and potential in each of the following areas of life experience: Jupiter in Aries encourages boldness in taking our personal leaps into our passions, self development and projects. Saturn in Libra teaches us to create healthy boundaries and harmony thru win/win arrangements in all of our relationships, personal and professional. Uranus in Aries catapults us for the next 7 years to tap into our authentic expressions, liberate us from the ghosts of our past, and reform outdated modes of behavior that doesn’t serve the Highest Good of ALL. Neptune and Chiron in Pisces will soften our hearts and create an atmosphere of receptivity and compassion for all to nourish self and others. And Pluto in Capricorn will continue to insist on impeccability and integrity in our work ethic and that fairness to be distributed among all who rise from the ashes of their own past to be transformed and renewed. This energy coerces us to recognize manipulation styles of our own and what we are subjected to.

The current Pluto alignment supercharges and intensifies all that it touches. It compels each person to make a choice between Assertion and Aggression, Power and Force, Focus and Obsession, Power Struggles and Rehabilitation. Be empowered by remembering that your choices, thoughts, emotions and actions truly matter and make a difference in this profound unfolding. It is our collective response that counts now. It is possible to truly live the American Dream, but first we must wake up from our long slumber.

Many blessing to your sacred heart from mine,
Alisha Mishell
www.AstroAware.com

Please forward this publication to family and friends, place it on web sites,
print it, duplicate it and post it freely. Knowledge is power!
Organic Bytes is a publication of Organic Consumers Association
6771 South Silver Hill Drive – Finland, MN 55603 – Phone: 218-226-4164 – Fax: 218-353-7652

SUBSCRIBE | UNSUBSCRIBE | READ PAST ISSUES | OCA HOMEPAGE | DONATE
Mercola Interview, Obama Betrayal, Do It Yourself Labeling
#263, February 10, 2011
In this issue:
o Interview of the Week: Dr. Mercola Interviews OCA Director
o Millions Against Monsanto Alert: Obama’s USDA Betrays Organics Again
o Announcing the First Millions Against Monsanto Truth-in-Labeling Webinar!
o Millions Against Monsanto Actions: Do-It-Yourself GMO Labels & Facebook Causes
o Censored Story of the Week: Monsanto Nation
o Fair World Project News: Free Publication and Fair World Tours
o OCA International: Via Organica’s Zero Waste Club
o Don’t Forget to Take Action…
o Unchain Your Heart! Give Fair Trade & Organic This Valentine’s Day
o Little Bytes

INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK
Dr. Mercola Interviews OCA Director Ronnie Cummins
“I believe that this is an act of premeditated genetic pollution of the gene pool of alfalfa and related plants by Monsanto. They know exactly what they’re doing. What they understand is that if you pollute enough alfalfa across the country to where it becomes impossible to grow organic alfalfa that isn’t contaminated, perhaps then the organic community will weaken and allow genetically engineered animal feed under the rules of organic production.
“This is what Monsanto tried to do back in 1998 when they pushed hard with the Farm Bureau and corporate agribusiness to say that GMOs should be allowed in organic. It was only because of a campaign that Organic Consumers Association and others led that we were able to keep GMOs out of organic standards, and we’ve been able to keep them out now for 12 years.
“I think Monsanto wants to go in the backdoor now. They want these companies to accept a sort of “peaceful coexistence” with GMOs to soften us up. But then they want to create such a contamination level across the country in organic dairy feed that they believe the organic industry will have to capitulate.”
-Ronnie Cummins, OCA Director, Interview with Dr. Joseph Mercola, Feb. 2, 2011
Listen to the entire interview here

MILLIONS AGAINST MONSANTO ALERT
Obama’s USDA Betrays Organics Again
Tell Secretary Vilsack to Stop Sabotaging Organic!
Two weeks ago we reported that despite receiving hundreds of thousands of letters in opposition, President Obama’s USDA approved Monsanto’s new “Roundup Ready” alfalfa. GM alfalfa will massively increase the use of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide and is certain to contaminate organic dairy, alfalfa sprouts and honey.
Then, last week, just as Organic Bytes reached your inboxes, USDA Secretary (and former Biotech Governor of the Year) Tom Vilsack dropped another Frankenbomb on organic, announcing that GM sugar beets would be planted this spring in defiance of a federal court ban issued to protect organic sugar beet seeds and related crops such as kale and table beets from contamination.
This is outrageous! We’ve got to stop Vilsack and Obama’s sabotaging of organic!
Take Action

FEBRUARY FUNDRAISING APPEAL
Donate and Help OCA Mobilize Millions Against Monsanto and Factory Farms
The powerful antidote to corporate crime and villainy is mass grassroots awareness and grassroots action. GMOs, Factory Farms, and deceptively labeled consumer products pose a mortal threat to public health, the environment, climate stability, farm animals, and all living things. GMOs and organic crops, GMOs and biodiversity, cannot “coexist.” As we speak, organic crops are being contaminated with Monsanto’s GMOs. We need your financial support to educate and mobilize consumers, to protect and maintain strict organic and Fair Trade standards, and to pressure the entire food industry to adopt Truth-in-Labeling practices.
Please Donate

WEBINAR OF THE WEEK
Announcing the First Millions Against Monsanto Truth-in-Labeling Webinar!
Natural News’ Mike Adams joins OCA director Ronnie Cummins for a live discussion on the myth of “coexistence” between organics and GMOs, and how grassroots action and truth-in-labeling can start to drive Monsanto’s genetically engineered crops and foods off the market. This is the first in a series.
When: February 24th, 2011, 7pm Central Time
Registration for this free event is limited. You can go here to register.

MILLIONS AGAINST MONSANTO ACTIONS
Do-It-Yourself GMO Labels: Show Grocers How to Label Their GMO and Factory Farmed Foods!
This month, the Millions Against Monsanto Truth-in-Labeling Campaign will start taking matters into our own hands. We’re sticking “Oh No! Is It GMO?” labels on non-organic foods likely to contain GMOs as well as non-organic meat, dairy, and eggs coming from animals raised in CAFOs, (Confined Animal Feeding Operations), where they are force-fed GM grains. Utilizing OCA’s petitions, you can send grocers photos of your handiwork.
First, download the Non-GMO Shopping guide and our “Oh No! Is It GMO?” sticker from the links provided. Take them to your local grocery store, Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s and label the products that you suspect to be contaminated with GMOs. Take a picture of the product with the new “truth label” and then send it to your grocers using the “See Me” function at the end of the action alerts below.
Not comfortable “guerrilla stickering” in your store? Look in your pantry. Unfortunately, there’s bound to be some GMO products in there too. Put a label on them, take a picture and send it to the grocer you got it from, using the alerts below.
Here are the tools you need:
#1 The Non-GMO Shopping Guide
#2 “Oh No! Is It GMO?” Stickers PDF (Prints on Avery# 5160 address labels.)
#3 The Millions Against Monsanto Petitions: To Whole Foods, to Trader Joe’s , & to the top 6 food retailers
#4 OCA’s Activist Photo Album
Millions Against Monsanto Congressional District Chapters
So far, over 2,000 organic activists have signed up to volunteer to launch Millions Against Monsanto campaign chapters in their congressional districts, but we still need volunteers in the following districts:
AL-1, AL-6, AL-7, AR-1, AR-4, CA-21, CA-34, CA-39, CA-43, CA-44, CA-47, CA-51, FL-3, FL-12, FL-21, GA-2, GA-8, GA-9, GA-10, GA-12, GA-13, IA-1, IA-5, IL-2, IL-18, IL-19, IN-3, IN-4, IN-7, IN-8, IN-9, KS-4, KY-2, LA-4, LA-5, MI-5, MI-6, MI-10, MI-14, MN-2, MN-7, MO-4, MS-1, MS-2, MS-3, NC-6, NC-12, NE-3, NJ-10, NM-2, NY-9, NY-16, OH-3, OH-7, OH-18, OK-2, OK-3, PA-3 PA-4, PA-9, PA-15, SC-3, TN-2, TX-01, TX-14, TX-15, TX-22, TX-27, TX-29, TX-32, UT-3, VA-2, WI-7, WV-2, WV-3
If you are willing to represent one of these districts, please click here to volunteer!
Don’t know which congressional district you’re in? Click here
Volunteers! Do you use Facebook Causes?
Can you create a Facebook Cause for the Millions Against Monsanto Chapter in your congressional district?
Learn More

CENSORED STORY OF THE WEEK
Monsanto Nation
Last week Organic Bytes featured OCA Director Ronnie Cummins’ latest essay, “Monsanto Nation: Exposing Monsanto’s Minions”.
Huffington Post censored the article by Cummins, up until now a regular columnist for Huffington, and posted in the place where Cummins’ articles are archived, an attack on the OCA by Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farm (a subsidiary of the giant multinational corporation Dannon). The attack included an attempt by Hirshberg to gloss over the fact that Organic industry leaders were prepared to accept “coexistence” or “controlled deregulation” of Monsanto’s GE alfalfa until two weeks ago, when their “friend” at the USDA Tom Vilsack and the White House basically slapped them in the face with complete deregulation of GE alfalfa and sugar beets. Perhaps Huffington censored “Monsanto Nation” because Whole Foods and Stonyfield are valued advertisers, or perhaps because Huffington has now been bought out for $315 million by the infamous, profit-at-any-cost media conglomerate AOL. Several dozen other alternative health and political columnists have likewise been recently censored by AOL/Huffington’s thought police.
Please help us spread the word by circulating Ronnie Cummins’ censored essay “Monsanto Nation” far and wide.
And please tune in to these online sites that do not censor the news:
Organic Consumers Association, Natural News, Mercola, Common Dreams, Counterpunch, Firedoglake, Alternet, & Democracy Now!

ALisha MisheLLe,
ASTRO AWARE
February BLOG
“Unity in Our Global Community”

This month, all of the personal planets are couched in the last 3 signs of the Zodiac: Capricorn (10th), Aquarius (11th) and Pisces (12th). These are considered the “transpersonal” signs that connect our individual awareness to Collective and Universal principles. The 2 social planets, Jupiter and Saturn, are in opposite signs of Aries and Libra respectively, radiating energetic themes of optimism and pessimism, expansion and limitation, and buoyancy and sternness in the Matrix of the Unified Field. The key to synthesize the Forces, Jupiter and Saturn, is to integrate these opposing positions into a breadth of vision within functional and expansive limits. The current configuration induces humanity into a new economical, political and cultural era.

This is indeed a very extraordinary month and it begins with a New Moon in Aquarius on February 2nd at 6:30PM (PST). This New Moon is supercharged with Aquarian energy as Ceres, Mercury, Mars, Neptune and Chiron are all dancing within this eccentric Air sign’s realm. The outcome is an amplification of the Clarion Call to each receptive human being. It is necessary to align our individual needs with the principle of brotherhood, true altruism and Awakening Unity in our Global Community Now.

The Planet Uranus rules Aquarius. This force is commonly called the “Awakener” as it connects us to the higher octave of Intuition and Spiritual Consciousness. This is a complementary aspect to the force of Mercury, which is psychologically connected to our lower rational reasoning mind. The polarity of the Aquarian signature is somewhere between the unconventional eccentric humanitarian genius and the rebellious stubbornly fixed reformist. The prime objective here is to strike a balance, a middle way, to insure a conscious evolution without violent revolution. The World Stage is heating up with impulsive restlessness and the desire for change and innovation. The current debate in Egypt is a direct reflection of these prevailing energies.

The keyword for Aquarius is “Humanity”. As we integrate the energetic offerings of this Archetype, we will begin to experience the reconciliation of Science and Religion, of Eastern and Western philosophies, and of the Conscious and Subconscious aspects of our human experience. The ultimate objective of the psychology behind Astrology is holistic integration and the ability to bring the subconscious patterns into consciousness awareness with an objective detachment. We are all being compelled to recognize our shadow and deal with our proverbial dark side with clarity and integrity. Emotional “triggers” are one of our most valuable tools to heal our selves. Anger is a form of suppressed emotion and Saturn rules suppression and restraint. As this planet journeys thru Libra (until October 2012) we are all being confronted by you/me and us/them programs instilled from (before) birth. Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn are taunting our psyches to examine fear, doubt, control and manipulation and how we use or abuse the energy that we embody.

Saturn went retrograde last week in Libra and will go direct around mid June. Saturn is the stern taskmaster, which evokes limitations and restrictions in order that we may refine and restructure our selves, our projects and our obligations. When we successfully get through the lessons that Saturn offers, we will discover that our foundation is fortified and stabilized. What we began during the Fall 2010 is up for re-view. We may need to re-negotiate, re-visit or re-consider projects or notions set into motion during that time. The full range of this retrograde cycle ends on September 19th 2011.

Saturn also rules the North node in Capricorn. This combination demonstrates that the collective path of “evolution” is connected to duty, responsibility and accountability. And Saturn’s presence in Libra will also restore the balance and restructure our ideas around relating. This is last month that the nodes will be in Cancer/Capricorn until the year 2030. This polarity highlights issues around emotional and financial security respectively. It is forcing us to Re-member and Re-connect to that which sustains us. We must re-member that the fundamental Elements of Earth is what gives us life on this planet. We must regard the Water, Earth, Fire and Air with the pure love of a child toward its mother, as it represents the microcosm within the macrocosm.

The archetype of Cancer also rules the nurturing principle and nourishment itself. In the last 2 years there has been a plethora of information surfacing in the news about the dark side food processing and perverse control around production and distribution thereof. We must encourage awareness about the “cost versus the benefit” of highly industrialized, processed and “convenient” food. What are the long term effects internally in our bodies and externally in the Earth’s body?

The full moon on the 18th of February highlights the Leo and Aquarius Axis at 29*. We are literally at a stage of our development where we are integrating self-conscious and the collective conscious, the benevolent ruler (Leo the King) and the humanitarian scientist (Aquarius). The symbol for this degree suggests Illumination Transcendence and Metamorphosis into One Mind. The Internet is a mechanical reflection of the Inner-Net between us ALL. The eclipses will further the transformation and acceleration. Welcome to the Aquarian Age. We ARE the “Ones” that we have been waiting for.

ALisha MisheLL
www.AstroAware.com

Life Lessons

We are all here to learn lessons. Life is as simple as receiving our lessons, then learning and growing from them. Receiving our lessons can be hard because they usually stem from an uncomfortable situation. When we feel uncomfortable, and life isn’t going our way, we eventually say to ourselves, “Enough is enough.” Only then will we seek change. That uncomfortable situation fuels us to drive ourselves and make change happen. That fuel gives us the energy to move forward
to a new, more positive experience.

If you are experiencing a tough situation in your life right now, just know that it’s really an opportunity to make a positive change, to find a different path. It can be hard to understand this when you’re in the midst of a tough situation. Your emotions can get the best of you during these times. As soon as you can, find that drive to step to the outside of that situation. From the outside, you can see more opportunity. You will see that you have conquered one more of life’s lessons. Stay strong this month, and do your best to reach for positive change.

Deborah Koan
“Step out of your head and into your heart.”

WEBSITE: http://deborahkoan.com
TWITTER: @deborahkoan
BLOG: http://deborahkoan.blogspot.com
PODCAST: http://deborahkoan.podomatic.com

Im Thankful Network RADIO show Katya with HERBAN WELLNESS will be join the show Thursday 9-9:30 please join us for an HERB-formative show! http://www.herbanwellness.net/

Tuesdays’ Tool Box-Business Acceleration

Join us for the upcoming TTB with Mike Rosario of Business Acceleration where we’ll discuss Keys to Strengthen the Core of your Business including how to:

1. Choose a primary marketing strategy and why that’s important. What the different strategies are and how to find the best one for you.

2. Harness the power of cross marketing or cross promoting-Identify businesses who are not in your field but share your target market.

3. Take that cross marketing idea a step further and create a mastermind group. Form an alliance to motivate and hold each other accountable to your goals.

4. Create enticing promotions for your existing clients.

5. Do something to stretch yourself…push your comfort zone to build marketing confidence by doing an “uncomfortable” marketing activity.

Also listen in for the launch of Business Acceleration’s DIY Website Program for Cash-Strapped Entrepreneurs.

Mike Rosario
Branding & Marketing Coach
425.582.7167 Direct
Email: Mike@BizAcceleration.biz

Business Acceleration site: www.BizAcceleration.biz
Career Coach Seattle site: www.CareerCoachSeattle.com

Please tune in Tuesday, January 25th at 9:00 am when I will appear as guest on the I’m Thankful™ Network Radio Program. Simply go to www.ImThankful.com and click the VIEW LIVE or LISTEN LIVE buttons. Locally in Seattle, tune into 1150am ~ KKNW Alternative Talk Radio. Please find my contact information on the GUEST BOOK page.

Join us as we learn about what is going on in the Stars and the Energies around us when Alisha Michelle joins the I’m Thankful Network.
www.astroaware.com

January 18 Score More Sales: Gain Visibility and Create a Digital Identity

Lori Richardson I (206) 972-0265
Score More Sales
Sales Strategy & Business Development
www.scoremoresales.com (follow the sales blog!)
@scoremoresales on Twitter

Deborah Koan
Intuitive, Empath, Guide

Are you feeling frustrated or stuck? Do you lack direction or purpose? Deborah can help you understand why you are in the situation you’re in, and why you attract the same type of relationship over and over. Deborah can assist you with your weight loss goals, and help you to find your passion in life. You’ll get answers to your questions about relationships, career, family, health, even your children and pets. Deborah can also provide guidance in developing your spirituality and intuition, or help you create your own style of meditation.

When you book a reading with Deborah you’ll receive clear, easy-to-follow guidance, along with simple tools you can use to achieve your goals and create the life you want.

Every 2nd Thursday on “I’m Thankful Network”, Deborah will be giving free mini Intuitive Readings. Call in to get your mini Intuitive Reading, 9-10am(pst) 425-373-5527.

www.DeborahKoan.com
info@deborahkoan.com

Blog for January

Loving Yourself

Have you ever asked yourself, “Do I love myself?” Have you ever thought about how much you care for yourself? We all want to love ourselves, or at least we hope that we love ourselves. Most of us probably treat our friends better than we treat ourselves. Really, would we have any friends if we treated them the way we treat ourselves?

Taking care of ourselves and loving ourselves doesn’t come naturally to most of us. When you do take care of yourself and love yourself, you embody that positive energy. You emanate that energy to others. People will feel it coming from you. It’s really quite fun and amazing to see how others respond to that energy.

Take a look around you. Do you like who you’re attracting into your life? If your answer is no, then turn your attention and energy inward, toward yourself. Get to work on you. Do your best to take care of you, and love love love you. The fun part of taking care of you, and loving you, is that you get to learn more about yourself. You find out what you like and what you don’t like. Then you get to share that with others. And that means you’ll be developing deeper relationships.

Take a good look at yourself this month. Take note of how well you care for yourself, and how much you love yourself. Do your best to love yourself the way you want others to love you. You’ll see the difference in who you attract into your life and in the people who are already in your life. They’ll feel the difference in you. They’ll learn how to treat you from your energy, and how you treat yourself. It’s a total win-win for everyone. So enjoy your month, and most of all enjoy loving you.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Media Contact:
Blair Ciecko
Celtic Marketing
708-655-2045
blairc@celticchicago.com Northwest Contact:
Katie Hultquist, NW Regional Director
Friends of the Orphans
425-646-3935 office or 206-353-7756 cell
khultquist@friendsus.org

Friends of the Orphans Reflects on Progress Made In Haiti
On One Year Anniversary of January 12 Earthquake

Establishment of numerous programs assists orphaned, abandoned
and disadvantaged children and spotlights need for continued support

CHICAGO and BELLEVUE, WA—January 7, 2011—As the one-year anniversary of the tragic Jan. 12, 2010 Haitian earthquake arrives, Friends of the Orphans and Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos/Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs (NPH/NPFS, Spanish and French for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”) reflect on events and those affected by the disaster, and remain committed to advancing programs established to help transform the lives of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children.

During the past year, under the watchful eyes of physician and priest Fr. Rick Frechette, the National Director in Haiti, NPH/NPFS and Friends of the Orphans have expanded their continually growing mission. Today, with on-the-ground and financial support from individuals and organizations across the Northwest and the U.S., that mission now encompasses two new orphanages, St. Damien’s Premier Pediatric Hospital, the establishment of new schools, child protection camps, outreach and Cholera medical clinics, and emergency response programs. Since January 2010, the efforts have directly assisted more than one million people.

“A year after the earthquake, hundreds of thousands of Haitians are just now beginning to come to terms with the devastating long-term effects complicated by other factors,” explained Friends of the Orphans President and CEO Sharon Saxelby, referring to the recent Cholera outbreak, extensive flooding and political unrest Haiti has also endured.

“It’s been a frustrating year for many Haitians because of the slow lack of progress on many fronts, but Friends of the Orphans is an example of an organization that has fully committed its resources in a fast and efficient manner. Through identifying and addressing the most pressing needs, Friends of the Orphans and NPH/NPFS have been as responsive and encompassing as possible to their situations, and we will continue to make their plights known and encourage donations.”

In addition to NPH/NPFS’ already broad footprint in Haiti, additional programs established in direct response to the earthquake include:
• Fr. Wasson Angels of Light School: Named after NPH/NPFS founder Fr. William B. Wasson, this includes a primary on-site school with room for 750 children displaced by the earthquake; another eight schools offsite for more than 1100 children; and a meal program for 2,500 students.
• St. Louis Child Protection Camp: A temporary home located in Tabarre for 118 vulnerable and displaced children, with long-term capacity for approximately 350.
• St. Anne Baby House: A medical facility for children 6 years and under who need specialty medical attention. Its capacity is 40 children.
• Maternity and Neo-Natal Wards at St. Damien’s Hospital: To provide care to the most vulnerable pregnant women and infants.
• St. Philomena Rehydration Center: This 130-bed facility assists those suffering from the recent Cholera outbreak and provides lifesaving medical attention.
• Expansion of the St. Germaine Rehabilitation Center to address ongoing orthopedic and prosthetics issues for those who lost limbs during the earthquake.

The earthquake has not only affected those in Haiti, but families and friends here who lost loved ones during the disaster. Friends of the Orphans volunteer Molly Hightower, from Port Orchard, WA and visitor Ryan Kloos from Arizona lost their lives when a building they were in collapsed. Their families and friends here in the U.S. have remained steadfast in carrying out their mission to help the children in Haiti, and have rallied financial and widespread community support that has significantly heightened visibility since January. Friends of the Orphans is pleased to launch a new scholarship, The Hightower Kloos Legacy Fund, in honor of Molly, Ryan, and Ryan’s sister Erin (who volunteered at NPFS in Haiti). This scholarship will be available to international volunteers who have been accepted to Friends of the Orphans to help pay for their health insurance and provide funds for special projects during their time with us.

In the Northwest alone, nearly 2,000 people have donated more than $400,000 to our relief efforts in Haiti. And dozens of volunteers from the Northwest have traveled to Haiti to assist in our work there, including two orthopedic surgical teams, medical volunteers tending to the sick in our cholera treatment center, and several others. Last summer Molly Hightower’s family returned to see the place Molly loved and where she died, and most recently, Molly’s friend Rachel Prusynski, who survived the earthquake, returned with a group of physical therapy students to volunteer in our hospital.

Molly’s family, Rachel, and other Northwest volunteers will share their firsthand experiences with our community of supporters and the general public at two upcoming events: Wednesday, January 19th at 6pm at the Mercer Island Community Center in Mercer Island, WA and Wednesday, January 26th at 6pm at the University of Portland in Portland, OR. More details can be found at www.friendsoftheorphans.org/NW.

In a recent email update to Friends of the Orphans supporters from Haiti, Fr. Rick wrote, “It was a year that revealed to us what we are made of, strength we never knew we had- an ability to bind wounds while we ourselves were wounded, to offer hope when you could only hope to even have hope, to be steady and calm in overwhelming tragedy.”

Saxelby said, “During the past year, the dedication of our staff and volunteers, and keeping true to what Molly, Erin, Ryan and others envisioned have been incredibly poignant, and we will continue working to transform the lives of thousands of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children in Haiti.”

To donate to Friends of the Orphans, please visit www.friendsoftheorphans.org
or call 425.646.3935.

About Friends of the Orphans
A 40-year-old nonprofit organization with regional offices in six states, Friends of the Orphans supports the network of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”) homes and their outreach programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Together, Friends of the Orphans and NPH transform the lives of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children by creating families for life through values of unconditional love, shared responsibility and education. This enables children to transcend poverty and grow into caring and productive members of their communities. Friends of the Orphans Northwest raises over $1million annually from individuals, families, schools, faith communities, and businesses across the Northwest; and places and supports approximately 15 long-term volunteers from the Northwest annually in our homes.
Since its founding in 1954, NPH has assisted nearly 16,000 children and currently cares for more than 3,600 in Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. In 2010, NPH outreach programs, including the premier pediatric hospital in Haiti, assisted one million children and adults. By making a difference in the lives of the children through volunteer and donation opportunities, our supporters’ lives are enhanced as well. For more information about Friends of the Orphans, please visit www.friendsoftheorphans.org.
###

January 4, 2011

I’m Thankful Network
By, Alisha Michelle at www.AstroAware.com

The Absence of Evidence is NOT Evidence of Absence

Welcome to 2011! Take a deep and deliberate inhalation.

Now, give yourself a pat of the back for “showing up” and being present for the Most Incredible Paradigm Shift of this 26,000 Year Cycle. This year promises to touch us all profoundly and alter our pre conceived ideas and notions about life, nature, history, science and technology. Time is accelerating and the invisible is becoming visible. People all around the World are awakening to their spiritual, healing and intuitive faculties and gifts. We are becoming aware of the Holographic Universe in which we live, breath and move in everyday.

Remember Humanity is an Amazing Creation! Question the hyper-negative media that spawns fear, lack, doubt and separation! It’s an Amazing Time to be here on this planet right now! We can change the outcome of our “story” by changing our perceptions. Energy follows thought! We are literally in the birth canal at the height of the pain, the chaos, the messiness and the beauty simultaneously. The pain and suffering is a part of a global process of the new humanity being born. We learn by contrast. The time has come to Re-Member. We are all here to participate and to add our personal “tone” to the Global and Cosmic Song, the Music of the Spheres.

This month begins with the last of 3 conjunctions between Jupiter and Uranus in Pisces hours after the New moon and Solar Eclipse on January 4th. We are experiencing a “Season of Eclipses”, which in and of it is extremely auspicious. Since we are connected to the movements within our Galaxy, we are subtly (sometimes not so subtly) influenced by the influx of energy pouring through the Cosmos. The new influx of Energy released with this outpouring literally breaks up old conditioning patterns and brings fear to the surface for evaluation and elimination. You will notice this for the next 6 months, as our personalized ruts will be disturbed. These disturbances wear many masks. They can manifest as a financial or relationship crisis, an illness, or issue with work or our children. We are being offered opportunities to break away from our most compulsive, unconscious and childish patterns. Empower yourself by recognizing when you run from pain and run toward pleasure instead of engaging and confronting your self and/or issues. When we recognize what the polarity of pain and pleasure teaches us deeply about our personal nature, we will grow by quantum leaps.

This month, Venus joyfully enters mutable Sagittarius on the 7th after spending an enormous amount of time in deep smoldering Scorpio. She launches her attractive social force in to the last fire sign until Feb 4th. No matter what your Sun or Venus position, we are all feeling the energy lighten up in our relationships right now. It’s a perfect time for spontaneity, some out doors adventures and a little freedom and even some time alone exploring your chosen realm of excitement.

Our will, desire and assertive force (Mars) spearheads into independent and unorthodox Aquarius on the 15th for 6 weeks. You may find yourself feeling a bit intolerant of restraints, rules and the status quo. The combination of Aries ruled Mars in Uranian ruled Aquarius could produce strong reformist or rebellious tendencies in the Unified Field. This is especially true with those who have a strong Aquarian signature in their natal blue prints. The danger here is an impulsive reactionary energy and discarding the traditional methods before finding a more constructive path or resolve. In other words, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water”. There is also great potential for this energy to fuel humanitarian, inventive or scientific achievements. This is especially true when combined with the energizing Uranus and Jupiter conjunction. This month, take your biggest sip of this Cosmic Cocktail, as this is the last conjunction of these 2 planets until 2024.

Jupiter springs into Aries on the 22 of January until June 5th of this year. Those of you born with an Aries Sun or strong Aries signature will feel the exuberance, the buoyancy and perhaps restlessness that come with this planetary Ingress in a very tangible way. Jupiter is the principle of expansion, adventure and higher consciousness. As Jupiter travels thru this constellation you may feel the need to go, to do and to experience at all costs, sometimes against better judgment. The fiery power of Aries, in its higher aspect, manifests as a pure and creative Spirit looking for new ways to create and lead humanity into ideal initiatives. In the lower aspect, it can manifest an impulsive, impatient, reckless and self-absorbed dynamic. Tune into Jupiter in Aires to boost your confidence and ability to lead, to Inspire and take charge while guarding against wastefulness, and a dominating or selfish attitude.

The nodal axis is in Cancer/Capricorn until Valentines Day. We have a few more weeks to soak up this archetypal pattern of the Mother and the Father of the Zodiac. Cancer and Capricorn represent the 4th and 10th houses respectively. The Cancerian archetype emphasizes our domestic sphere, our feeling nature and our roots, our traditions and the Earth. The complementary energy of Saturn ruled Capricorn compels us to take charge of our lives by taking responsibility and being solely accountable for the thoughts and feelings that we harbor. Saturn motivates structure in finding our calling and mission in this life. This planetary axis also exemplifies our connection the to Intelligence of the Earth. The daunting earthquake in Haiti, the massive Oil Spill travesty in the Gulf, floods, fires, drought and dust storms are the voice of Nature speaking to Humanity. This can be compared to our own body’s intelligence. Our body also communicates with its “host” thru symptoms, upheavals and Dis-ease. Are we listening? What did we learn? How did it change our perceptions? Its crucial that we tend to our lakes, rivers and sources of water. As this IS the blood, veins and arteries of the Earth. How long can we be in denial about the Living Intelligence behind Nature? Like the Ocean, the Earth is Living Organism that is interdependent, interconnected and intricately interwoven by invisible grids of force at ALL Times. We ARE the Microcosm in the Macrocosm. We need only to Remember.

Nebulous & Sensitive Neptune and the archetype of the Chiron as the Mentor and Healer enter Pisces this spring for the first time since its discovery. We are collectively evolving out of the 3rd dimensional level of ego, which keeps people trapped in the 3rd chakra in a numb state of arrested development. In the last 2 decades many of us have begun to experience the 4th dimensional realm by becoming aware of the Emotional/Astral Realm of our Multi Dimensional Reality. As we evolve and open the Heart, we now begin to realize our 5th Dimensional Consciousness. This is realm of Unconditional Love & authentic Self Love, Compassion, Mercy, Grace, Peace, Forgiveness and Oneness memories. The fact is, the dimensions are interpenetrating and interdependent. It exists now, in the past and in the future. And it is, was and will always be there regardless if we are aware of it or not. The collective consciousness has begun its ascent back into the paradise realms of Oneness. This IS the ascension process spoken of in all of the major religions and indigenous philosophies, only in different words and labels. We are living in the time where the mysteries are being unveiled and when we will remember our majestic connection to each other, the Universe and All that is. Welcome Home Everyone! It’s been a long journey.

May Unsurpassable Peace and Unity reside in ALL Hearts in 2011,
Alisha Michell
www.astroaware.com

Creating the site is Allen Nation at www.nationmanagement.com

Lori Richardson is a sales strategist to thousands of small business owners, entrepreneurs, and sales professionals. She works like a “sales detective” to uncover specific ways to help businesses grow. Lori blogs with million-dollar tips and ideas at AllBusiness.com, is a Focus expert, and also at www.scoremoresales.com. Take small, strategic steps to grow revenues now!

Tuesdays Tool box with Lori Richardson. Join me as we learn to navigate through the sale maze.

Lori is participating and doing a lot of blogging you can find her at www.scoremoresales.com
In addition, She is a www.focus.com expert, writing about sales, marketing and customer service
On the board of www.topsalesworld.com, and a contributor
member of www.salesshebang.com
and continues to be a long-time blogger at www.allbusiness.com (owned by Dun & Bradstreet)

Dec. 21 Score More Sales: Understanding your Target Market and Niche

January 18 Score More Sales: Gain Visibility and Create a Digital Identity

Feb. 15 Score More Sales: Create a Process and Method for Recurring Revenue

Join Sue and Alish as we wrap up 2010 and blast into 2011. We have some incredible news. Alisha will also be taking mini readings be sure to call in.

Deborah’s practice is about transforming the patterns of the past, so you can live more fully in the present. Once you
transform your patterns, your life will no longer be dictated by your past experiences. You will be completely free to choose
the life you want, and live it any way you desire.
Deborah’s work deals with the true meaning of our existence: Learning and growing from our life lessons. You are on this
earth to learn something, just like everyone else. You could be a celebrity, a world leader, an executive or just someone
walking down the street. We’re all the same. Whether you know it or not, you are addressing your fears and working on
your patterns, each and every day.

For over twenty years, Deborah has studied throughout the United States, Egypt and Mexico, on numerous energetic realms.
Over time, she has created her own practice. Deborah is educated in the art of Intuitive Psychogenic Counseling, which
uncovers the origin of patterns in the mind and the emotions in an intuitive manner, and Transformative Energywork, which
converts mental and physical pain, addiction, or even disease into a healthy balanced state.
Deborah has developed my own style of Meditation, and is a naturally gifted Empath, Intuitive and Alchemist. These are
some of her official titles: Empowerment Coach, Intuitive Psychogenic Counselor, Transformative Energyworker, Certified
Spiritual Healer, Registered Counselor, Teacher of Meditation and Intuition, Human and Animal Empath, Ordained Minister,
Diplomat of Earth Stewardship.
Deborah has been gifted with the ability to see why you are the way you are, identify how your patterns originated, and
know what it will take for you to change them. Through her work, you will be given the necessary tools to achieve your
goals and find your passion and purpose in life. You will be shown how to access your energy to heal yourself. You will
learn to use your intuition and inner knowledge to create the life you want, and master any of life’s hurdles.
Deborah consistently offers Sessions and Classes. She creates a monthly Podcast, and writes a monthly Column. She has
recorded a meditation CD, Heart Play. For more information, and to hear her podcast and a clip of her CD, log onto her
website: www.deborahkoan.com
Deborah’s mission is to teach people throughout the world
to heal and empower themselves by using
their own gifts and inner wisdom.
info@deborahkoan.com
www.deborahkoan.com

Gary Zukav Gary Zukav for years has conveyed the most complex insights in language all can understand. Over and over, he challenges us to see the depth of our potential in the world…and act on that awareness. He is the author of four consecutive New York Times Bestsellers. In 1979, The Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics, plumbed the depths of quantum physics and relativity, winning The American Book Award for Science. In 1989, The Seat of the Soul led the way to seeing the alignment of the personality and the soul as the fulfillment of life and captured the imagination of millions, becoming the #1 New York Times bestseller thirty-one times and remaining on the New York Times bestseller list almost three years. Soul Stories (2000), as well as The Heart of the Soul: Emotional Awareness (2002) and The Mind of the Soul: Responsible Choice (2003), both co-authored with Linda Francis, also became New York Times bestsellers.
His gentle presence, humor, and wisdom have endeared Gary Zukav to millions of viewers through his many appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Six million copies of his books are in print and translations have been published in twenty-four languages. Gary Zukav grew up in the Midwest, graduated from Harvard, and became a Special Forces (Green Beret) officer with Vietnam service before writing his first book.
Linda Francis
Linda Francis has been practicing the creation of authentic power since she read The Seat of the Soul in 1989. In 1993 she met Gary Zukav and they created a spiritual partnership which is in its sixteenth year. During that time she has co-authored with Gary two New York Times bestsellers (The Heart of the Soul: Emotional Awareness and The Mind of the Soul: Responsible Choice) and co-founded the Seat of the Soul Institute, the premiere organization dedicated to assisting individuals in the alignment of the personality with the soul – the creation of authentic power. She has been in the healing profession for three decades, first as a registered nurse and then as a chiropractor, and at the present time is involved fully in co-creating curricula and events with Gary.

A Spiritual Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe:
Travel Tips for the Spiritually Perplexed

By
Paul Rademacher

Synopsis:

At the fringes of our awareness lies the encounter with infinity. In the twilight zone between sleep and wakefulness live vistas of breathtaking wonder. To brave that domain is to place our lives and this world in an utterly new context. It is to become alive, perhaps for the first time.

Jesus’s name for this infinity was “the kingdom of heaven.” Despite what many of us have been taught, that kingdom is not an after-death reality reserved for those who have been good. It is, instead, a state of consciousness accessible to ordinary people in the present moment. Jesus knew that state intimately. We can too.

This is the true story of one man’s search for the mystical dimension. While keeping up appearances as a mild-mannered Presbyterian pastor, his was a secret life of exploration into forbidden realms. Ultimately that search led him to the discovery of what Jesus called, “The Pearl of Great Price,” a domain so wondrous that nothing would ever be traded for it. It was a journey that ranged far beyond the confines of traditional religion to embrace the wisdom of the ages.

About the Author:

Paul Rademacher is Executive Director of The Monroe Institute, in Faber Virginia, known for its pioneering work in the exploration of human consciousness. The Institute conducts intensive 6 day and weekend programs that help participants to experience profound states of inner exploration and expanded awareness.

Mr. Rademacher’s interest in consciousness exploration was sparked by a mystical experience that resulted from a construction accident in 1981. That profoundly life altering event convinced him to enroll at Princeton Theological Seminary from which he graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree in 1985.

During his 15 years of service as a Presbyterian pastor, he studied extensively in the fields of consciousness and spirituality, seeking to bring together traditional meditation techniques with contemporary expressions of spiritual exploration.

He is also a former building contractor, designer, and journeyman carpenter. Paul is an experienced public speaker, seminar leader, artist, closet musician, husband and father of three. His book, A Spiritual Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe: Travel Tips for the Spiritually Perplexed, was released April, 2009 by Hampton Roads Publishing.

“To Do” actions :

1. Go to http://bizacceleration.biz/media.html and download the WIIFM Worksheet to help create an appealing and engaging message and make a connection with your target audience.
2. Subscribe to my mailing list at http://bizacceleration.biz/index.html to receive The Biz Quiz: 31 Key Indicators Affecting your Income, Profitability and Growth. This diagnostic tool will help you assess where you need to most focus your business efforts.

Tune every last Tuesday of the month to join our discussion on Branding and Marketing with Mike Rosario is the Principal of Business Acceleration, a branding & marketing firm that helps entrepreneurs find their TRUE voice in business to accelerate their growth and profitability.
Topic:
The Eternal and obsessive question (The BIG One) that you must answer successfully in your marketing materials! And the steps to take to strengthen your answer to this question.
Mike Rosario
Branding & Marketing Coach
425.582.7167 Direct
Email: Mike@BizAcceleration.biz
Business Acceleration site: www.BizAcceleration.biz
Career Coach Seattle site: www.CareerCoachSeattle.com

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