High Mesa Happenings & Heartstrings

Aloha, Hurray!

This is great news and great hope to me that other states will follow!

Mahalo Nui Loa, Hawaii
"The Hawaii state legislature passed a landmark measure on May 1, that would make the state the first in the nation to require solar water heaters as a standard feature on all new homes. The solar roofs bill, which received unanimous support in the House and only two dissenting votes in the Senate, was the top priority of the Hawaii Sierra Club this legislative session, " announces the Sierra Club.

"This is the type of transformative policy that will define Hawaii's clean energy future," says Hawaii Sierra Club Director Jeff Mikulina. "We are the Saudi Arabia of sun -- every house in the state should be tapping into this free resource."

In all truth, other states are being just as innovative. Visit the Sierra Club  to read about some of them.

Posted by NWH

Light up a Life; polish the glow on your own.

Save the Starship!

This is to supplement the info in the Call for Help that Nadette posted  for us in the May 15th newsletter.
It's about my friend, Michael Schwass, a really cool man. He's a quadraplegic: yeah, all four limbs.

If you don't need the whole story to open your heart, here's the Donate Now link.  I'm hoping for LOTS of money, though, so read on, please.

I want to begin this post with an excerpt from Laura's post of April 26th:

I have come to appreciate something that we don't always acknowledge:

It's easier to raise money for children who so easily capture our hearts and the newly injured when life is much more dramatic and emotions are high for everyone. But, truly, after 33 years, people kind of forget that the needs of the disabled never ever diminish, but, in fact, increase.  In fact, with someone disabled as long as Michael it's almost easy to forget, in a strange way, just how much work his life takes because it's just so normal.  His hands are all contracted and you just get used to it. You don't think about things like how he can't wear gloves in the winter, no matter how cold, because he can't put them on. It just doesn't occur to us and he doesn't point it out. In general, we don't think about 49 year olds needing help and honestly, if you were to meet Michael he is so positive and upbeat that it would be very easy to look at him as someone who has everything entirely under control.  Makes him a joy to be around, a heck of a teacher in dignity, grace and fortitude but yowsa what the man behind the curtain goes through...

So please, if you can, help spread the word to your own networks, or maybe at your own blogs.  This literally is about keeping Michael alive, out of the hospital and as independent as possible. If anyone has any additional ideas for us on ways to get support, I'm all ears.  ...

Thanks everyone!

 

Here's an excerpt from a story about Michael getting trapped in his van recently:

 

Michael's van, affectionately known as "The Starship" has a few "issues" beyond what one would normally expect in a 103,000 mile mini-van. When I met him on Friday with plans to help him get to the Sprint store to replace his failing phone he pulled into the parking lot, rolled down the window and said,

"It took me a few seconds to realize the implications, but look..."

He hit the switch to open the door and extend his ramp only to reveal the door jammed midway open, barring the ramp from extending. He was trapped, quite literally, in his van.

The good news: It was nice weather and the mechanic had agreed to come to meet us in a Quizno's parking lot to free him. Being able bodied, I was able to get in and keep him company for the hour and a half wait.

The bad news: The door jammed again as he was getting ready to head home at 8 pm preventing him from getting into the van.

The good news: The mechanic's home number was listed and he was willing and able to come back out, the thunderstorms had waned to a light drizzle allowing him to work and an hour later we were able to get Michael home. He is now sporting a duct taped running board (which was the culprit jamming the door) to match the bungee cord holding on his front bumper. He has to get into the body shop soon or he really is risking getting trapped again in a much less congenial situation.

And yes, I'm pulling on your heartstrings, I hope. I'm shameless, don't you know. I also believe in seva - in service to others. This job is just bigger than I can handle on my own. So I need you and Michael REALLY needs you. And The Starship needs you.

Here are some links to help you find the rest of the story, and lots of stuff about Michael; how he's one of the good guys, what he's done with his life from the wheelchair, other ways to help - stuff like that.

Thanks so much for taking your time to read this. And thanks for all that open-heart giving that's happening now. You're the best.

ABOUT Michael - bio-type stuff:
http://laurayoung.typepad.com/rollingrishi/about-michael-schwass.html

Mike's own request.
http://laurayoung.typepad.com/rollingrishi/contributions.html

a post about Michael's book
http://laurayoung.typepad.com/rollingrishi/about-dont-blame-the-game.html

Mike's blog – pages of great info, and insight into the man.
http://laurayoung.typepad.com/rollingrishi/

Laura's 1^st req.
http://laurayoung.typepad.com/dragonslaying/2008/04/scenes-from-a-f.html

Laura's update & 2^nd  request
http://laurayoung.typepad.com/dragonslaying/2008/04/were-on-our-way.html

the donate now link.
http://www.typepad.com/t/app/public/tj?__mode=tip_confirm&id=192136&user_id=469601

 

 

The Green Life

I don't know about you. I know that the more i clean, the more dirt is settling into my house. I guess something about the winds. So much whirling energy! So i resolve myself to clean, mustering only so much enthusiasm after years, it seems, of 'that'. I consider that my patience nowadays  has come to success. Nope, still cleaning. However with products that i feel comfortable using because they're green, support the environment and are more available. For example, the Sierra Club has now officially endorsed the line "Green Works" as safe and green cleaning agents. Click on both links to find out if you like what you see. Also click  HMHC Merchandise/Books to find other products that are environmentally friendly and which feel sooooo good. Nope, not the cleaning ones.

But once the cleaning is done, ahhhhhhhh !                          

Posted by NWH

Founders of The Ultimate Gift Foundation: Seeking House Sitting

Founders of

The Ultimate Gift Foundation

seeking  House Sitting while creating

the 7 Rays Ranch for children

Boyd and Kelly are the founders of the non-profit 501 (C) 3- The Ultimate Gift Foundation and have recently moved to the Ruidoso community to create the 7 Rays Ranch for children and rescued horses.

"While creating the ranch we are looking for the opportunity to care for your home, and maintain and secure your property while you are away and are open to short term such as 2-3 months or longer.  We will do this in exchange for rent, and may offer you a $1000 per month tax deductible donation receipt through our foundation.

            

We have over 3 years of excellent references and are currently house caring in Ruidoso.  We are looking for a new opportunity to housesit as the current owner has just sold her house. Our vacate date is 5/15.

Also included in our references is our support from Barbara Mader and the High Mesa Healing Center in Alto.  We are currently on staff for the Peace Village summer camp for children.

If you would like to know more about us and our 7 Rays Ranch Project, please visit: www.7raysranch.org and see our 7 minute video “For Our Children”. 

Please give us a call today!  We look forward to meeting you."

Phone: 505-258-7342 Email: inthenameofhope@msn.com   

Posted by NWH            

W.A.L.K. in the Woods: HMHC Style

Paula, HMHC Business Manager, reports below on HMHC presence as a sponsor, during the Health and Safety Fair event, last Saturday, May 3. Kate Winner was there to take pictures to share with us. Thank you all!

W.A.L.K. in the Woods: HMHC Style

HMHC personnel and colleagues turned out in fine style for the “W.A.L.K. in the Woods” Health and Safety Fair last Saturday, May 3.

Barbara and Paula were joined by colleagues Linda Schreiber, Jim Blackburn, Vanessa Armstrong, Boyd Sibley, Kelly Lynn, and Shiva Reinhardt.

Wind was definitely an issue with our display boards, but it never swept away our smiles and attitudes as we greeted passersby.  Walkers were many and we had ample opportunities to share a bit about HMHC and the therapies, classes and programs we have to offer!   

Way to go, HMHC Team!  . . . we had a great time and we’ll be back next year! 

 

Left Picture :

Vanessa Amstrong of Village Wellness/HMHC Pilates Instructor;

Right Picture (Left to Right):  Vanessa Amstrong; Jim Blackburn of Village Wellness, HMHC T'ai Chi Instructor; Paula, HMHC Business Manager; Kelly Lynn of 7 Rays Ranch Project, and Shiva Reinhardt, Mountain Meadow Massage School/HMHC Forrest Yoga Instructor.

Posted by NWH

National Nurses Week: A Special Gift from HMHC to All Dedicated Nurses

To honor their dedication to the health of others, High Mesa Healing Center is celebrating National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2008, with a Complementary Healing Touch Session for nurses. The gift also includes free Migun Bed Sessions.

Please read on how Barbara Mader, RN,CHTP and HMHC Director, is expressing the passion and dedication of her own vocation, and of those who chose to serve others in the Health Care field.

"A Profession and a Passion"

Often described as an art and a science, nursing is a profession that embraces dedicated people with varied interests, strengths and passions because of the many opportunities the profession offers. As nurses, we work in emergency rooms, school based clinics, home health and homeless shelters to name a few. We have many roles- from staff to educator, to nurse practitioner and nurse researcher and serve all of them with passion for the profession and with a strong commitment to patient safety.

Nursing is a calling, a lifestyle, a way of living, a profession that cannot be lived in isolation; nurses rely on each other for the synergistic effect of teamwork of care giving. It is appropriate that we honor nurses this week in May for the difference they make by stepping into people's lives. Nurses are the heart of healthcare."

Please come out to enjoy a wonderful, loving and relaxing session with Barbara. It is a time to pamper yourselves and to receive thanks for caring for others. Call HMHC at (575) 336-7777, or email at HMHC to reserve your special space.

Thank You to all Nurses!

When you're a nurse you know that every day you will touch a life or a life will touch yours. Author Unknown

Thank you Linda G. for sharing picture and quote.

Posted by NWH

Open Circle: A New Gathering at HMHC

-Open Circle-

Starting Sunday, May 25, 2008, and every Sunday following, there will begin a regular gathering called Open Circle.  This meeting begins at 9:30^AM and is over at 10:30^AM. The Open Circle gathering will be held in the Yurt at High Mesa Healing Center in Alto.

About the facilitators:

Barbara (MSW in Social Work/Counseling), founded the El Paso Juarez International Attitudinal Healing Center in El Paso, Texas, and later co-created with Pierre, Open Circle in Ajijic/Chapala  Mexico.

Pierre is an ordained Unity Minister (35 years,) and has taught world religions/philosophies in his ministry.

Mission Statement:

The purpose of Open Circle is to provide a space of transformation. We encourage the best of all sacred teachings be expressed or shared. Our purpose is not to change beliefs, but to offer universal truths as expressed in all spiritual paths, while celebrating our Oneness.

Posted by NWH

HMHC staff is excited to offer on a regular basis the new practice above.

Welcome to facilitators and participants!

After Duty: Seeking a Safe Home to Rest

"The idea of supporting the troops should apply to all veterans, not just the human ones," declares a supporter of the Military Working Dog Foundation. There is a point. If you are looking for a devoted family furry friend inquire about those pups. They have  many skills and talents:
1. ) They are TRAINED (MWD's have more than $75,000 in education;)
2.) They have more commands than you will ever need to know;
3.) They are protective!
4.) They behave great around kids and other pets!
5.) They "are" your home security
6.) And most of all, they are loyal and loving!
Even though they are no longer on military patrols and sniffing for drugs (Hint, Hint…great for your local police department), they can be anything but retired. In addition of being family pets, their training will easily get them to become a Certified Therapy Dog, visiting hospitals, including the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital near you (just an idea,) or homes for the elderly. From the moment a MWD is declared "excess," the dog  has about four months to be adopted or else... We can help: inquire about adopting a pup or donate to help the foundation assist the Department of Defense to find a well deserved, good loving home.

Visit www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com just to see what about these pups and the MWD Foundation, and/or contact info@militaryworkingdogadoptions.com  for questions, and assistance in considering adoption.

Thank you, Cindy W. for forwarding to us!

Posted by NWH

Why not Get Along Like That?

This is an amazing video of one of the homeless in Santa Barbara and his pets. They work State Street every week for donations. The animals are pretty well fed and are mellow. They are a family. The man who owns them rigged a harness up for his cat so she wouldn't have to walk so much (like the dog and himnself.)  At some juncture the rat came along, and so no one wanted to eat anyone else, the rat started riding with the cat and often, on the cat. The dog will stand all day and let you talk to him and admire him for a few chin scratches. The mayor of Santa Barbara filmed this clip and sent it out as a Christmas card.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D85yrIgA4Nk&feature=related

Makes you think. Thank you, Barbara. Posted by NWH

From Barbara's Desk: Click!

Maybe it has come around your desk, maybe not. Either way, click! Barbara, and other friends of HMHC, want to wish you a great day !!!

And if your click doesn't click-me, click or type the following:

http://www.frontiernet.net/~jimdandy/specials/onedayatatime/onedayatatime.htm

Posted by NWH

THIS IS JUST Beautiful ! click me

For Earth Day: April 22, 2008

Tuesday, Earth Day!

"Earth Day is a name used for two different observances, both held annually during spring in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern hemisphere. These are intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment. The United Nations celebrates Earth Day, which was founded by John McConnell in 1969, each year on the March equinox, while a global observance originated by Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in, and since January 1970 also called Earth Day, is celebrated in many countries each year on April 22."  (From Wikipedia)

Visit the official site of International Earth Day to find a ton of information on when, why, and how John McConnell came to write the Earth Charter, to view the Earth Magna Charta document, to read about McConnell's biographies and his thoughts on Global Peace. The site also explains the origin of St Francis Day and the Minutes of Peace, both practiced in December. 

Earth Day Flag, designed by McConnell

According to USAToday, this past Sunday, people "picked up garbage, turned in old cellphones and computers and took nature walks at pre-Earth Day events Sunday. Environmental leaders are aiming for an even bigger effort Tuesday, when they hope 1 million Americans will call their congressional representatives to lobby for legislation to fight global warming. On a more modest scale, grocery stores in Los Angeles will give away 50,000 reusable bags today and Tuesday, and, starting Tuesday, Whole Foods Market stores will no longer offer plastic bags."(Traci Watson, USAToday, April 20th)

Easy, simple things to do for each of us, every day...

Take a child, your family or friends to The Nature Conservancy Plant A Billion Trees interactive website where clicks take the viewers to The Atlantic Forest, to vitually "see" trees grow while reading their descriptions,etc. This is simply a cool, colorful, attractive browsing while learning about Trees.

Plant a tree if you have the space around you. Plant a virtual tree if you can click...

Go to A Sierra Club Quiz to figure out how soon an Energy Efficiency Buyer gets money back in the pocket while  shopping "green." I bet you'll do fine. Or be a wise crack like me, and completely fail the test!

Visit periodically Earth friendly sites to keep practicing Earth conscious living. One step at a time...

Heritage School Earth Day Drawings,NICKR- 5-09-01

Posted by NWH - Happy Tuesday!

Join Turn Off Week: April 21-27th

The Leaders and Staff of Peace Village at HMHC join Barbara in supporting  the National Turn Off Week, from April 21th to April 27th. 

The  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institute of Health, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute declare this coming week the National Turn Off Week.

"Children and teens who spend more than a couple of hours a day on average in front of a TV, video, or computer screen, are more likely to be overweight than their peers who limit their screen time. Turnoff Week, April 21-27, is an excellent time to start limiting recreational screen time and boosting physical activity and healthier living. "We know that the more time a child spends in front of the TV or computer, the more likely he or she is to be overweight," said Acting U.S. Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H. "Kids are spending more time sitting in front of screens every day than they do anything else except perhaps sleeping. For Turnoff Week, we are asking parents to turn off the screens
and get active with their kids."
Although the Turnoff Week awareness campaign formally lasts only seven days each year, Galson added, "We encourage parents to regularly limit recreational screen time to fewer than two hours a day."

More than 12.5 million American children and adolescents are overweight, putting them at increased risk for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and asthma. To help families make important lifestyle changes to prevent childhood overweight, the We Can! program offers sensible, evidence-based guidance and tips for parents to help them not only reduce screen time, but also to encourage physical activity and better nutrition choices. "Today more than ever, parents need help to keep their kids at a healthy weight," said Karen A. Donato, S.M., program coordinator of We Can! and of the Obesity Education Initiative of NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). "By doing simple things like keeping TVs out of our kids' rooms or logging screen time to get an accurate picture of daily habits, parents can begin to address this very real problem in a productive, positive way."
At the national launch of 2008 Turnoff Week, held at the University of the District of Columbia, Robert Kesten, CSTA executive director, pointed out some stark realities: "Many kids are spending more than six hours every day in front of screens, when they really should be spending less than two. As parents, we play a large role in changing this reality, and Turnoff Week is a great opportunity to start."

Consider the facts:
-- Every day, children ages eight to 18 spend more than six hours watching TV, playing video games or using the computer for recreational purposes.
-- The more time youth spend in front of the screen, the more likely they are to be overweight.
-- Overweight is highest among children watching four or more hours a day.
-- Research has shown that children who reduced their screen time showed decreases in body mass index (BMI), which measures body fat related to height, and decreases in unhealthy weight gain.

WE CAN! offers the following tips for parents:
-- Agree to limit screen time to no more than 2 hours a day.
-- Don't put a TV in your child's bedroom.
-- Make screen time, active time by doing simple exercises during commercial breaks.
-- Take a family walk after dinner instead of turning on the TV.
-- Turn off the TV and play ball at the park.

Parents and others can download a free screen time log to help assess the amount of time children and other family members spend watching TV, playing video games, or using the computer for recreational purposes. The log sheets and other strategies to limit family screen time are part of the We Can!
curriculum for parents, We Can! Energize Our Families, which is offered by hundreds of community sites nationwide. In addition to ideas for parents to turn screen time into active time, We Can! offers lessons for youth to adapt healthier lifestyles, including the Student Media Awareness to Reduce Television (SMART) curriculum and Media Smart Youth: Eat, Think, and Be Active! A Curriculum for Youth.

For more information, on We Can!, visit <http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov> or call toll-free 866-35-WE CAN (866-359-3226).
For more information about NIH and its programs, visit <www.nih.gov>.
-----------------------------
RESOURCES:
-- WE CAN!, <http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov>
-- WE CAN! Wean the Screen,
<http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/live-it/wean.htm

Posted by NWH

Under the Rock: from a Reader and a Poet

We love to hear from our Readers! Thank you, Linda G.P.

Under the Rock

My soul whimpers under a rock

Of shoulds, woulds, and coulds

Barely intact or stirring

But, wisps of gratitude

Joyfulness and creativity

Escape occasionally

Into the heavens

As ethereal smoke

Sending signals

To protest casualty

Letting troubles know

There is hope

In trusting myself

Trusting others

Nearby is resilience

Even strength

Behind the shady

Side of my interment

During the passage of life

Or this passage of death

The weight of stone

Disintegrates, illuminates

When I concede

Crawling under granite

To escape my own light

Linda Grau Powell

April 5, 2008

Posted by NWH

HMHC Website Revised: Wow, Check it Out !

Kate & Joel have just finished a major revision of High Mesa’s web site. They are fairly confident that they have caught any glaring errors, but they would like to remind you that you are welcome (and in fact, invited) to report any typos or broken links – anything – that you might find wrong there. A link to Joel, our webmaster, is on the Contact Us page.

We’re especially proud of the first edition of our Merchandise/Books page. It will grow over time.
We hope you will bookmark that page and use it when you shop Amazon or any of our other ‘affiliates’. These affiliations allow us to offer you an opportunity to shop conveniently for some of the products we use and recommend, and allow you to send a little financial help our way through the affiliate fees we earn when you use these links. One you’re already familiar with, I’ll bet, is with Amazon. Many of us out in the hinterlands shop with Amazon. We invite you to bookmark our page, and shop through our links (if you are not already supporting a cause closer to your hearts). Shaklee is another company with whom we are affiliated. We use their products and are proud to associate with a company so completely dedicated to the care of our planet. Use the link on our site, or bookmark this one to explore or shop Shaklee.

Thanks for your support over the years as High Mesa has grown and evolved, and thanks for following us into this new (to us, anyway) technology.

Thanks!

Smiles, Kate

Posted by NWH

Incredible Elephant Artist

Click http://www.komando.com/videos/4-9.asp to find out about a most atypical artist.  Atypical I say because I've never taken the time to ponder or research about animals and their expression of fine art. I really enjoyed the video. I remain puzzled though. I know a bit about training dogs. How does one train an elephant so s/he draws, stroke after stroke. I know they have an extraordinary memory. That helps. I do guess they draw for peanuts.

Posted by NWH; Thank you Jim for sharing!

A Message from Barbara: HMHC, an Enlightened Collective

As I was reading Eckhart Tolle’s book “ A New Earth”  I came to the part about enlightened consciousness and enlightened collectives, it was then  I  realized that is the direction  we are moving toward here at High Mesa Healing Center. And it is an exciting time and place to be , here on planet Earth as she moves from the third dimension to the fifth dimension.

Tolle says “As new consciousness emerges, some people will feel called upon to form groups that reflect the enlightened consciousness. These groups will not be collective egos. The individuals who make up these groups will have no need to define their identity through them. They no longer look to any form to define who they are. Even if the members that make up those groups are not totally free of ego yet, there will be enough awareness in them to recognize the ego in themselves or in others as soon as it appears. However, constant alertness is required since the ego will try to take over and reassert itself in any way it can. Dissolving the human ego by bringing it into the light of awareness -----this will be the main purposes of these groups…….Enlightened collectives will fulfill an important function in the arising of the new consciousness. Just as egoic collectives pull you into unconsciousness and suffering, the enlightened collective can be a vortex for consciousness that will accelerate the planetary shift.”

For me this seems to describe the people and the groups that are a part of HMHC.That is what makes this a strong yet flexible spiritual community in the process of becoming what we came here to be and to do .

These are strong individuals who know who they are and what they want out of life. They seem to come to HMHC to meet and work with likeminded individuals and to learn and grow on all levels. These strong individuals have created some very strong groups i.e. : the Course of Miracles Study Group, the Wisdom Circle, Science of Mind Study Group, the Meditation Group, the ITP Group and the folks who follow the Native American tradition of the Sweat Lodge.  In these endeavors not only are they enlightened but the communit