Thank you 2007

I’m thankful at the end of 2007.

I am thankful to the woman I work for, not only for her humor, the respect and trust she has given me, but also to the major bonus I got hehe.

I am thankful for 2 very special friends I have, the ones who know me and understand me in a way that perhaps no other ever has. I can say anything to them and not be judged.

I am thankful for my loving husband and my true best friend. He is the smartest person I know and loves me with his whole heart. And I love the anniversary ring I got this year hehe.

I am thankful for the opportunities that arose that allowed my husband and me to travel more this year then we ever have done.

I am thankful that I have my health.

I am thankful my husband’s career, after many long low paying years, has settled on to solid ground. I’m thankful his struggle to build a career and find a place where he is appreciated is over. Another pay raise is on the way which is even better, to get rewarded!

I am thankful that my own business ventures and work have grown. All the stupidity and stress that I used to deal with is gone. It makes me believe whole heartedly how much I am capable of doing on my own, without others dragging me down. Yet I am also thankful for those who have professionally supported me now, and even thorough the years. I really know now how many people in my profession had respect for me and told me all along about my talents.

I am thankful for my brain, for logic has never failed me. I am a calm person that detests drama and content that I am not an emotional “reactor” which I have witnessed so many other people do.

I am thankful that my intelligence expands enough to see the bigger picture, allows me to see that path ahead and that my instincts are so sharp. I have grown so much in the last 5 years by completely realizing that my instincts are strong and that I can see exactly what is coming. Life is filled with so much less drama when it doesn’t take me by “surprise’.

I am thankful for my dark side, for it keeps me in balance; it lets me question things, and gives me the right to say what I need to say even when it isn’t popular. I am thankful I know how to accept and embrace my own darkness as it is my measure against the side of light.

I am thankful for my talent. I’m a great writer, an above average website designer, a decent graphic designer, and none of which have I been educated in at all. I am completely self taught.

I am thankful for other friends I have that I maintain contact with like : my adopted Italian momma, my breakfast buddy, my convention pals, my circle ladies, the couple we go out with, my British pal, and my long distance friends from school. I’ve been fortunate to maintain these relations for years and still have these people who are so important still in my life.

I am thankful I found some long lost family this year, with whom I see so much hope.

I am thankful that I could afford my new car, that I have a comfy home, and warm fuzzy creatures in it.

I can only sigh. Life is good. I feel lucky, and I am thankful for that. Now it is time to get ready for the P_A_R_T_Y.

Happy New Year.

Use Caution with Alternative Medicine

A while back I wrote a post called The Alternative Approachwhich was about using holistic and alternative methods for healing and general health purposes which can sometimes be dangerous. I wanted to share another personal story from my life in hopes that it can save a life.

A casual friend of mine that I have known for a few years now got pregnant this year. I’m going to call her Emily to maintain her privacy because that’s obviously not her real name. Emily is 35 years old, married, and has suffered from 3 previous miscarriages. Emily is a Buddhist, so sometimes her beliefs and my own can differ in method and process… but our general principles are still similar.

Emily chose to go the route of alternative medicine and holistic process throughout her pregnancy. This would be her first child, she was excited and scared so she did not tell many people about it until she was 5 months along. She was afraid of another miscarriage just didn’t want to put herself in a position where she’d have everyone know if it occurred again.

Emily did herbs, yoga, and everything the natural way. She sought out the assistance of many holistic professionals. She even had her own midwife. I grew concerned for her and her general health. I voiced my concern about all these holistic methods. She shut me down, corrected me, and I let the subject drop. I gave my opinion, and that is all I can do. This was Emily’s choice and even her beliefs. Her in-laws pleaded with her to stop the alternative methods because in their belief system it is all quackery.

I am sad to report that Emily had a still born baby in the hospital yesterday due to severe complications that were brought on by several of the choices she made. Without getting specific (and not betraying her complete privacy), it was connected to her alternative strategies.

Now Emily has to live with this. While it is of course not her fault, it would be impossible for any mother to feel that it wasn’t. In particular, this is true when she had so many of us share a different opinion then her own. I don’t blame Emily for her choices, but she obviously will now. The truly sad part is that it could have been prevented and it could even shatter many of her beliefs in her religion. The healing she will need to undergo will have to include the sciences she is against… such as therapy, and assorted other medical treatments such as medications.

I, again, cannot stress enough to anyone reading this post… to please consult a medical doctor if you have a condition that requires one. Good doctors and bad doctors exist but the medical community at large DOES have the answers. Please do not opt to rely solely on natural treatments, holistic therapies, or alternative health care. Even if they seem like they are working for the moment, they probably won’t long term. Those things are wonderful compliments to our health when we inform our doctors, and use them in combination with science. To go alone with natural treatments can be very dangerous.

May the spirit of little Baby James rest in Peace.

If anyone is interested… this is a great book on this very topic.

Snake Oil Science: The Truth about Complementary and Alternative Medicine