awarenessact--2020-04-16--A Rare Magical Day Of Manifestation – Celestial Bodies Creating The Perfect Atmosphere For Growth

As you may know from the night of the 14th to the 16th there will be three planets in the night sky forming an almost straight line .
This including the planets Mars , Saturn , and Jupiter which when together like this brings us a lot of interesting energies .
Now , it is important to also note that Pluto will also be taking part in all of this .
These things when working together on an energetic level provide each and every one of us with the things we need to truly grow .
If you ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent months , this is your chance to break free within reason .
This alignment itself makes us all more willing to embrace change and will in many ways provide some of us with what we need to clear our minds .
Right now is the perfect time to take charge and work towards manifesting whatever it is you wish for the most .
Because this ( April 15th ) day is the middle of the three associated with this event today and tonight should be your best bet for really ramping things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go over each sign and some of what you should expect when it comes to manifesting with these energies .
While this line might not look like much in the sky , its energies hold a lot of power over us .
Things are not always what they seem and even the smallest celestial events can make big changes in our lives .
Don ’ t hold back too much , see where this kind of thing takes you .
These energies are going to make you a bit more on edge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
You ’ re going to be feeling out of place but you should do your best to try and make the most of things .
Right now you should be focused on manifesting within your personal life and not your professional life .
Taking your mind off of work is important for the present moment .
These energies are pushing you to be more productive and making you really want to get things done .
As time continues to pass if you use these energies to manifest properly you may see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you handle things .
You might not fly off the handle anywhere near as badly .
These energies are going to be intense for you , more-so than for others .
You ’ re going to be quite confused about what you should be doing and where you should be headed .
Don ’ t let things get too serious , you will figure them out in time .
These energies are going to tug at your heart in the sense that they ’ re going to make you want to let go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While normally you would hold tight to this person even though they bring you pain , you ’ re finally fed up .
Let this be a lesson .
These energies are intense and stressful but for you , they won ’ t be too terrible .
You ’ re going to be holding your head high as you know exactly what you want and what you deserve .
Your self-discipline has always set you above the rest .
These energies are going to have you focusing more on your lover right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your own heart .
You have a lot of pent up things within that need to be processed , work on processing them .
These energies are going to bring out your more active side .
You ’ re going to be wanting to take action and get things done .
While this is all new for you , it is important to put these energies to work .
These energies will remind you to put emphasis on the people who matter the most in your life .
For some reason , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that needs to be worked through .
Things are not always what they seem and you need to get your mind back to where it needs to be .
These energies are going to help you heal in big ways .
You ’ ve been stuck for too long and it shows .
Right now you need to break free and if you don ’ t you ’ re going to regret it forever .
These energies are very strong and they ’ re going to remind you that you have obligations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Quitting this time around is not an option .
You must get things done , period .
These energies might not feel that intense right now , as the days pass they will ramp up .
Pay attention to the world around you and the things people are doing .
While it might be confusing right now , things will make sense soon .
These energies are going to get your expectations up for something amazing and well , if you let them do-so for too long you may be let down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now and looking for a way out , you can ’ t just expect that to manifest before you .
Right now you need to work harder and try to get things done on your own above all else .

As you may know from the night of the 14th to the 16th there will be three planets in the night sky forming an almost straight line. This including the planets Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter which when together like this brings us a lot of interesting energies.
Now, it is important to also note that Pluto will also be taking part in all of this. These things when working together on an energetic level provide each and every one of us with the things we need to truly grow. If you’ve been feeling a bit held back in recent months, this is your chance to break free within reason. This alignment itself makes us all more willing to embrace change and will in many ways provide some of us with what we need to clear our minds.
Right now is the perfect time to take charge and work towards manifesting whatever it is you wish for the most. Because this (April 15th) day is the middle of the three associated with this event today and tonight should be your best bet for really ramping things up properly. Below I am going to go over each sign and some of what you should expect when it comes to manifesting with these energies.
While this line might not look like much in the sky, its energies hold a lot of power over us. Things are not always what they seem and even the smallest celestial events can make big changes in our lives. Don’t hold back too much, see where this kind of thing takes you.
Aries
These energies are going to make you a bit more on edge than usual but not in a bad way. You’re going to be feeling out of place but you should do your best to try and make the most of things. Right now you should be focused on manifesting within your personal life and not your professional life. Taking your mind off of work is important for the present moment.
Taurus
These energies are pushing you to be more productive and making you really want to get things done. As time continues to pass if you use these energies to manifest properly you may see great improvement when it comes to how you handle things. You might not fly off the handle anywhere near as badly.
Gemini
These energies are going to be intense for you, more-so than for others. You’re going to be quite confused about what you should be doing and where you should be headed. Don’t let things get too serious, you will figure them out in time.
Cancer
These energies are going to tug at your heart in the sense that they’re going to make you want to let go of someone who has been hurting you. While normally you would hold tight to this person even though they bring you pain, you’re finally fed up. Let this be a lesson.
Leo
These energies are intense and stressful but for you, they won’t be too terrible. You’re going to be holding your head high as you know exactly what you want and what you deserve. Your self-discipline has always set you above the rest.
Virgo
These energies are going to have you focusing more on your lover right now and trying to mend things within your own heart. You have a lot of pent up things within that need to be processed, work on processing them.
Libra
These energies are going to bring out your more active side. You’re going to be wanting to take action and get things done. While this is all new for you, it is important to put these energies to work.
Scorpio
These energies will remind you to put emphasis on the people who matter the most in your life. For some reason, you’ve been a bit preoccupied lately and that needs to be worked through. Things are not always what they seem and you need to get your mind back to where it needs to be.
Sagittarius
These energies are going to help you heal in big ways. You’ve been stuck for too long and it shows. Right now you need to break free and if you don’t you’re going to regret it forever.
Capricorn
These energies are very strong and they’re going to remind you that you have obligations that you need to follow through with. Quitting this time around is not an option. You must get things done, period.
Aquarius
These energies might not feel that intense right now, as the days pass they will ramp up. Pay attention to the world around you and the things people are doing. While it might be confusing right now, things will make sense soon.
Pisces
These energies are going to get your expectations up for something amazing and well, if you let them do-so for too long you may be let down. While you’re stressed right now and looking for a way out, you can’t just expect that to manifest before you. Right now you need to work harder and try to get things done on your own above all else.


awarenessact--2020-04-16--Indiana Man Expecting $1,700 Stimulus Check Found $8 Million In His Bank Account

While many of us here in the United States are patiently waiting for our stimulus checks , some people already seem to be getting them as of the past few days .
Now , while your average person will get around $ 1,200 there are some people who will get more based on their dependents and other things of the sort .
Now , even those running the system that sends out these direct deposit stimulus checks or even the paper ones can make mistakes , you would never expect one like this .
Sure , this could be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the sort but somewhere in all of this , interesting things happened .
According to WGN9 a man in Indiana who was expecting $ 1,700 in stimulus payment actually ended up having millions deposited instead .
Yes , you read that correctly the Feds might have accidentally sent him eight million dollars .
As you would expect Charles Calvin that Indiana man who happens to be a volunteer firefighter was extremely shocked .
Sure , he was expecting payment but nothing like what he was sent .
Sure , most people would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up at the bank but the money was actually in his account , he tried his card more than once to check his balance and it still continued to say the same thing .
Calvin told WGN9 as follows about this mind-blowing mix up : “ I went to the ATM at the Family Express and once I withdrew $ 200 out of my account I looked at the available balance still left in my account , ” While assuming there was some kind of mistake he didn ’ t spend the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they did not see that amount in his checking anymore .
This meaning that it was no longer there .
That being said , his stimulus money was there .
This was in itself definitely some kind of error and for Calvin was kind of sad because as you ’ d expect no one likes to see that kind of money disappear even if it wasn ’ t supposed to be there in the first place .
WGN9 reported as follows on the topic : Now the volunteer firefighter is left wondering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and if taxpayers are receiving way more or less than they should .
“ It kind of sucks , ” he said .
“ You go from being a millionaire one second then back to being broke again .
But hey , once you ’ re poor you don ’ t have anywhere else to go but up.
” Calvin still isn ’ t sure if this was an error on behalf of the federal government , his bank or the particular ATM he used , but he said he ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount he was entitled to .
What do you think about this and has something similar ever happened to you before ?
While I wouldn ’ t know what to do with that much money it would truly change my life and I ’ m sure that others would agree .
Could you imagine seeing your bank account reflect such large numbers ?

While many of us here in the United States are patiently waiting for our stimulus checks, some people already seem to be getting them as of the past few days. Now, while your average person will get around $1,200 there are some people who will get more based on their dependents and other things of the sort.
Now, even those running the system that sends out these direct deposit stimulus checks or even the paper ones can make mistakes, you would never expect one like this. Sure, this could be a mistake at the bank or something else of the sort but somewhere in all of this, interesting things happened. According to WGN9 a man in Indiana who was expecting $1,700 in stimulus payment actually ended up having millions deposited instead. Yes, you read that correctly the Feds might have accidentally sent him eight million dollars.
As you would expect Charles Calvin that Indiana man who happens to be a volunteer firefighter was extremely shocked. Sure, he was expecting payment but nothing like what he was sent. Sure, most people would assume it was some kind of mix up at the bank but the money was actually in his account, he tried his card more than once to check his balance and it still continued to say the same thing.
Calvin told WGN9 as follows about this mind-blowing mix up:
“I went to the ATM at the Family Express and once I withdrew $200 out of my account I looked at the available balance still left in my account,”
While assuming there was some kind of mistake he didn’t spend the money and instead called his bank but they said they did not see that amount in his checking anymore. This meaning that it was no longer there. That being said, his stimulus money was there. This was in itself definitely some kind of error and for Calvin was kind of sad because as you’d expect no one likes to see that kind of money disappear even if it wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place.
WGN9 reported as follows on the topic:
Now the volunteer firefighter is left wondering if there was some sort of fluke and if taxpayers are receiving way more or less than they should.
“It kind of sucks,” he said. “You go from being a millionaire one second then back to being broke again. But hey, once you’re poor you don’t have anywhere else to go but up.”
Calvin still isn’t sure if this was an error on behalf of the federal government, his bank or the particular ATM he used, but he said he’s just glad he did end up with the amount he was entitled to.
What do you think about this and has something similar ever happened to you before? While I wouldn’t know what to do with that much money it would truly change my life and I’m sure that others would agree. Could you imagine seeing your bank account reflect such large numbers?


awarenessact--2020-04-16--Fireballs Could Shoot Through The Sky During The Upcoming Lyrid Meteor Shower

As we get closer and closer to the date of the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower , we will likely be seeing more and more shooting stars in the night sky .
The peak for this shower is on the night of April 21st and moves into the early morning hours of April 22nd .
For those who do not know this shower in itself while only expected to send about 10-15 meteors per hour , we could have an outburst .
You see , sometimes the Lyrid shower can send out as much as 100 meteors per hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time around , it still could .
Earth Sky wrote as follows on the topic : We expect Lyrid meteors to be flying early this week , beginning late at night around Sunday , April 19 , 2020 , probably peaking in the predawn hours on Wednesday , April 22 .
The follow morning ( April 23 ) might be good too , if you ’ re game .
Generally , the greatest number of meteors fall in the few hours before dawn .
That ’ s when the radiant point – near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – is highest in the sky , and when you ’ re likely to see the most meteors .
Note for Southern Hemisphere observers : Because this shower ’ s radiant point is so far north on the sky ’ s dome , the star Vega rises only in the hours before dawn .
Thus the radiant will be lower in the sky for you than for us farther north on Earth ’ s globe , when dawn breaks .
That ’ s why you ’ ll see fewer Lyrid meteors .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watching before morning dawn on April 20 , 21 , 22 and even 23 .
Good news for all of us this year : The moon turns new less than one day after the expected peak , leaving the night sky dark for meteor-watching .
This specific shower is known to sometimes produce exceptionally bright meteors which many refer to as fireballs as well .
So , whether you see a lot of shooting stars or not the ones you do notice are bound to be spectacular .
This is a shower that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each year and where I am , it ’ s always well worth watching .
As far as viewing goes the more out and in the open , you are the better .
While you won ’ t catch as many shooting stars in the big city those who live out in more isolated areas should be in store for a huge treat .
For more information on this meteor shower check out the video below .
Will you be taking the time to check for meteors in your night sky ?

As we get closer and closer to the date of the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower, we will likely be seeing more and more shooting stars in the night sky. The peak for this shower is on the night of April 21st and moves into the early morning hours of April 22nd.
For those who do not know this shower in itself while only expected to send about 10-15 meteors per hour, we could have an outburst. You see, sometimes the Lyrid shower can send out as much as 100 meteors per hour. While not expected to happen this time around, it still could.
Earth Sky wrote as follows on the topic:
We expect Lyrid meteors to be flying early this week, beginning late at night around Sunday, April 19, 2020, probably peaking in the predawn hours on Wednesday, April 22. The follow morning (April 23) might be good too, if you’re game. Generally, the greatest number of meteors fall in the few hours before dawn. That’s when the radiant point – near the star Vega in the constellation Lyra – is highest in the sky, and when you’re likely to see the most meteors.
Note for Southern Hemisphere observers: Because this shower’s radiant point is so far north on the sky’s dome, the star Vega rises only in the hours before dawn. Thus the radiant will be lower in the sky for you than for us farther north on Earth’s globe, when dawn breaks. That’s why you’ll see fewer Lyrid meteors. Still, you might see some! Try watching before morning dawn on April 20, 21, 22 and even 23.
Good news for all of us this year: The moon turns new less than one day after the expected peak, leaving the night sky dark for meteor-watching.
This specific shower is known to sometimes produce exceptionally bright meteors which many refer to as fireballs as well. So, whether you see a lot of shooting stars or not the ones you do notice are bound to be spectacular. This is a shower that I do my best not to miss each year and where I am, it’s always well worth watching.
As far as viewing goes the more out and in the open, you are the better. While you won’t catch as many shooting stars in the big city those who live out in more isolated areas should be in store for a huge treat. For more information on this meteor shower check out the video below. Will you be taking the time to check for meteors in your night sky?


awarenessact--2020-04-15--Taurus Season Is Coming And It’s Time To Take Charge

As we move into Taurus season which begins on April 19th things are changing .
The energies around us are shifting and this might in many ways bring out the more aggressive side of each of us .
While we need to embrace these energies on some levels we should also do our best to make the most out of them considering the things we ’ re facing right now .
One of the biggest things we should keep in mind during Taurus season is that we can still take charge without making a huge scene and causing a stir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment but in the long-run , it doesn ’ t do anything for us .
In regard to some of the energies that this is going to bring forth Numerology Sign ’ s website wrote as follows : Venus is the planet that rules the sign of Taurus .
Venus is one of the “ benefics ” in astrology , which means , as the word suggests , that she is very beneficial !
She ’ s all about love , romance , pleasure , art , creativity , and beauty – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentiments !
‘ Tis the season to fall in love , make a deeper commitment in your existing relationship , move in together ( isolation-permitting ) or simply nest at home with all your favorite things around you ( think a good series , a warm bath , scented candles , and yummy food ! )
.
Don ’ t let this Taurus season get the best of you , instead , make sure you ’ re grounded properly and focused in the areas you should be focused .
Taurus season itself is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us feeling like we ’ re running around all over the place whether we are or not .
There will be a lot of celestial events happening while the Sun is in Taurus , and we are going to be having to maneuver through these energies as best we can .
As we all become more determined and forward-thinking we should also be working to make sure that we ’ re still keeping our own well-being in mind .
While I know this might sound all over the place , that in itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be .
When you think you ’ re going one way , you ’ ll find that you ’ re headed another .
Just because things feel intense doesn ’ t mean you can not get through them .
You are capable of so much and you need to keep that in mind as time passes .
This season might be intense but it is going to help you grow in some big ways .
Let the power of the Taurus help you to find more out about yourself and perhaps spend what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

As we move into Taurus season which begins on April 19th things are changing. The energies around us are shifting and this might in many ways bring out the more aggressive side of each of us.
While we need to embrace these energies on some levels we should also do our best to make the most out of them considering the things we’re facing right now. One of the biggest things we should keep in mind during Taurus season is that we can still take charge without making a huge scene and causing a stir. Blowing up might feel better in the moment but in the long-run, it doesn’t do anything for us.
In regard to some of the energies that this is going to bring forth Numerology Sign’s website wrote as follows:
Venus is the planet that rules the sign of Taurus. Venus is one of the “benefics” in astrology, which means, as the word suggests, that she is very beneficial! She’s all about love, romance, pleasure, art, creativity, and beauty – and her season echoes all of these sentiments!
‘Tis the season to fall in love, make a deeper commitment in your existing relationship, move in together (isolation-permitting) or simply nest at home with all your favorite things around you (think a good series, a warm bath, scented candles, and yummy food!).
Don’t let this Taurus season get the best of you, instead, make sure you’re grounded properly and focused in the areas you should be focused. Taurus season itself is going to be quite busy and have us feeling like we’re running around all over the place whether we are or not. There will be a lot of celestial events happening while the Sun is in Taurus, and we are going to be having to maneuver through these energies as best we can.
As we all become more determined and forward-thinking we should also be working to make sure that we’re still keeping our own well-being in mind. While I know this might sound all over the place, that in itself is how Taurus season is going to be. When you think you’re going one way, you’ll find that you’re headed another.
Just because things feel intense doesn’t mean you cannot get through them. You are capable of so much and you need to keep that in mind as time passes. This season might be intense but it is going to help you grow in some big ways. Let the power of the Taurus help you to find more out about yourself and perhaps spend what moments you can really picking that apart.


awarenessact--2020-04-15--Mercury In Aries – Restlessness In A Time Of Chaos

Now that Mercury is in Aries we are all going to be a little more impatient than usual .
While Mercury being in Aries is a great means for us to become more encouraging and working a bit harder in life but only if we put the right energies to work .
According to CafeAstrology , when Mercury is in Aries we are much more willing to think things through and focus on learning in general .
Aries people are overall very charming , but they take criticism a bit too serious .
While Mercury is present in this sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excited about life and more willing to adopt new means of getting things done .
Tarot.com wrote as follows on the topic : We ’ ll all get straight to the point when mental Mercury is in assertive Aries !
Aries waits for no one , so this transit is a time when our minds may grow a little ( or a lot ) more restless and impatient .
We won ’ t stand still or replay the tape in our minds over and over again — we ’ ll want to charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mercury in Aries is also great for opening the lines of communication and giving us the encouragement we need to say exactly what we think and feel .
Since Aries is the sign of “ me , ” we ’ ll have the confidence to speak our minds .
However , our desire to say exactly what we ’ re thinking could become a problem when cooperation , compromise , and sensitivity are required .
Our thoughts and speech may become more courageous and innovative when Mercury and Aries get together .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to think of fresh solutions to problems that have been hanging over our heads for too long .
Don ’ t second-guess yourself — your first thoughts are often your best ones during this transit .
Catch this inspiration as fast as you can , because the Aries influence means these bursts of brilliance will disappear just as quickly as they appeared .
Allow yourself to be more expressive during this time and see where things go .
Don ’ t hold back but do your best to be honest and kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it might not sound like much right now as these energies come forth , you ’ re going to see that in a lot of ways .
If you have this celestial movement in your natal chart , the things mentioned above may end up being much more intense .
While these energies are overall positive , they should still be kept in check and you should do your best to remain grounded as you move forth .

Now that Mercury is in Aries we are all going to be a little more impatient than usual. While Mercury being in Aries is a great means for us to become more encouraging and working a bit harder in life but only if we put the right energies to work.
According to CafeAstrology, when Mercury is in Aries we are much more willing to think things through and focus on learning in general. Aries people are overall very charming, but they take criticism a bit too serious. While Mercury is present in this sign, you may feel a bit more excited about life and more willing to adopt new means of getting things done.
Tarot.com wrote as follows on the topic:
We’ll all get straight to the point when mental Mercury is in assertive Aries! Aries waits for no one, so this transit is a time when our minds may grow a little (or a lot) more restless and impatient. We won’t stand still or replay the tape in our minds over and over again — we’ll want to charge ahead and move onto the next thing.
Mercury in Aries is also great for opening the lines of communication and giving us the encouragement we need to say exactly what we think and feel. Since Aries is the sign of “me,” we’ll have the confidence to speak our minds. However, our desire to say exactly what we’re thinking could become a problem when cooperation, compromise, and sensitivity are required.
Our thoughts and speech may become more courageous and innovative when Mercury and Aries get together. Flashes of insight make it easier for us to think of fresh solutions to problems that have been hanging over our heads for too long. Don’t second-guess yourself — your first thoughts are often your best ones during this transit. Catch this inspiration as fast as you can, because the Aries influence means these bursts of brilliance will disappear just as quickly as they appeared.
Allow yourself to be more expressive during this time and see where things go. Don’t hold back but do your best to be honest and kind to yourself as a whole. While it might not sound like much right now as these energies come forth, you’re going to see that in a lot of ways. If you have this celestial movement in your natal chart, the things mentioned above may end up being much more intense. While these energies are overall positive, they should still be kept in check and you should do your best to remain grounded as you move forth.


awarenessact--2020-04-23--4.5 Million Flowers Bloom Across Japanese Park – A Magical Sea Of Blue

Every year around this time around 4.5 million blue flowers come out to greet those who visit this Hitachi Seaside Park .
All of the green turns into an ocean of blue and yes , it ’ s mesmerizing .
The period during which these flowers first bloom each year is called ‘ Neophilia Harmony ’ and it usually occurs in April .
These flowers are called Nemophila flowers , and they consist of about ten different species .
However , most people just refer to them as baby blue eyes because well , as you can see they look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan people from all over come each year to see these captivating flowers in all of their glory and with good reason .
The Hitachi Seaside Park is located in Ibaraki prefecture and while it usually features tons of different kinds of flowers throughout the year , the baby blue eyes are truly something else .
From late April to mid-May , these beauties are quite prominent and truly just as magical as you ’ d expect them to be .
As you can see in the photographs below , throughout the years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during this period and while they are only present for a short while , they leave lasting impressions on those who see them .
I for one would die to see this kind of thing in person .
About these flowers Kitachi Kaihin wrote on their website as follows : Known as Rurikarakusa in Japanese , nemophila is an annual herb native to North America .
The plant grows up to 20cm tall and produces flowers between 2 – 3cm in size .
The small flowers mean nemophila usually plays a supporting role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sheer number of flowers creates an almost neverending sea of blue that flows seamlessly into the blue Spring skies .
To get an even better view of this beautiful event check out the video below .
How would you feel seeing this kind of thing in person ?
I ’ m sure it would blow most people away .

Every year around this time around 4.5 million blue flowers come out to greet those who visit this Hitachi Seaside Park. All of the green turns into an ocean of blue and yes, it’s mesmerizing.
The period during which these flowers first bloom each year is called ‘Neophilia Harmony’ and it usually occurs in April. These flowers are called Nemophila flowers, and they consist of about ten different species. However, most people just refer to them as baby blue eyes because well, as you can see they look quite like baby blue eyes. In Japan people from all over come each year to see these captivating flowers in all of their glory and with good reason.
The Hitachi Seaside Park is located in Ibaraki prefecture and while it usually features tons of different kinds of flowers throughout the year, the baby blue eyes are truly something else. From late April to mid-May, these beauties are quite prominent and truly just as magical as you’d expect them to be.
As you can see in the photographs below, throughout the years these blue flowers seem to be everywhere during this period and while they are only present for a short while, they leave lasting impressions on those who see them. I for one would die to see this kind of thing in person.
View this post on Instagram 【茨城 ひたち海浜公園】 ☆Hitachiseasidepark Ibaraki Japan. 去年の。 A post shared by Japan Nikon 大輔 (@daisuke_clover) on Apr 14, 2020 at 4:38am PDT
About these flowers Kitachi Kaihin wrote on their website as follows:
Known as Rurikarakusa in Japanese, nemophila is an annual herb native to North America. The plant grows up to 20cm tall and produces flowers between 2 – 3cm in size. The small flowers mean nemophila usually plays a supporting role in gardens but at Hitachi Seaside Park the sheer number of flowers creates an almost neverending sea of blue that flows seamlessly into the blue Spring skies.
To get an even better view of this beautiful event check out the video below. How would you feel seeing this kind of thing in person? I’m sure it would blow most people away.


awarenessact--2020-04-23--Video Chat Fatigue: Why Video Chat Interactions Wear Us Out

We ’ re all more connected during this time of social distancing because of technology but that doesn ’ t mean it ’ s not taking a toll on us .
While we might enjoy being able to video chat with our friends and family , if it ’ s leaving you drained then you ’ re not alone .
I recently came across an article by Doreen Dodgen-Magee who happens to be a psychologist in Psychology Today that touched on video chatting and how it ’ s wearing us out and well , I relate .
In her article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encounters seem to leave us more drained than actual ‘ face-to-face encounters.
’ She also noted that many people are left feeling lonely after talking with the people they care the most for through these means , that being something that I am going through myself .
While I haven ’ t taken a lot of time to think about this until recently it makes a lot of sense .
We as human beings crave physical touch , and we want to do more than just hear and see someone .
We want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engage with them properly .
Sure , video chatting is a great alternative during these times , but we should work to better understand how it is affecting us and why we are feeling the ways that we are .
Dodgen-Magee also touched on something most people overlook which goes as follows : Another dynamic that plagues video-based connection is the constant presence of one ’ s own image as they interact with others .
Spontaneous and authentic communication is benefitted by the ability to be fully in the moment without the kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oneself during a conversation .
For anyone with even a mild version of an inner critic , this can have a massive impact on how one is , or is not , in the present moment of a conversation in an authentic and available way .
There ’ s a certain kind of cognitive dissonance here .
We are on the call to connect with another but our ambient awareness of ourself redirects our attention .
Finally , the odd new way in which time moves is likely a contributor to our feelings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interpersonal interaction .
When we were moving about in the world , every request for a get together was made with an awareness that peoples ’ calendars were full .
Very likely we felt as though we had greater agency and options in responding to peoples ’ requests of us .
Now that all of our connections are done from home , I find people responding in primarily one of two ways to interpersonal offerings .
One response is fear , guilt , exhaustion , or resentment which comes from feeling as though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying no to a gathering or event since everyone knows we ’ re all home and “ available.
” The second is an automatic “ yes ” to as many offerings as possible to distract from the realities of our present situation .
The truth is video calls will never be able to replace seeing people in person , especially people who are not far away .
The screen may freeze up , you may have audio issues , and overall things just won ’ t be as proper as you would hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing by many people is being referred to as video call fatigue and it is quite real .
Honestly , our virtual social lives may be more exhausting than our actual social lives .
Don ’ t forget to recharge and give yourself some transition time when it comes to things like this .
Right now we should be working to spend a little less time on our phones and a little more time caring for our own well-being .
While it might not be something everyone is facing it is something a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this pandemic will be over eventually right now we are forced to interact in this manner and that we must adapt to .
This will pass but we must be patient .

We’re all more connected during this time of social distancing because of technology but that doesn’t mean it’s not taking a toll on us. While we might enjoy being able to video chat with our friends and family, if it’s leaving you drained then you’re not alone.
I recently came across an article by Doreen Dodgen-Magee who happens to be a psychologist in Psychology Today that touched on video chatting and how it’s wearing us out and well, I relate. In her article, she goes over how these virtual encounters seem to leave us more drained than actual ‘face-to-face encounters.’ She also noted that many people are left feeling lonely after talking with the people they care the most for through these means, that being something that I am going through myself.
While I haven’t taken a lot of time to think about this until recently it makes a lot of sense. We as human beings crave physical touch, and we want to do more than just hear and see someone. We want to be able to smell them and engage with them properly. Sure, video chatting is a great alternative during these times, but we should work to better understand how it is affecting us and why we are feeling the ways that we are.
Dodgen-Magee also touched on something most people overlook which goes as follows:
Another dynamic that plagues video-based connection is the constant presence of one’s own image as they interact with others. Spontaneous and authentic communication is benefitted by the ability to be fully in the moment without the kind of acute self-awareness that comes with watching oneself during a conversation. For anyone with even a mild version of an inner critic, this can have a massive impact on how one is, or is not, in the present moment of a conversation in an authentic and available way. There’s a certain kind of cognitive dissonance here. We are on the call to connect with another but our ambient awareness of ourself redirects our attention.
Finally, the odd new way in which time moves is likely a contributor to our feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm in regards to interpersonal interaction. When we were moving about in the world, every request for a get together was made with an awareness that peoples’ calendars were full. Very likely we felt as though we had greater agency and options in responding to peoples’ requests of us.
Now that all of our connections are done from home, I find people responding in primarily one of two ways to interpersonal offerings. One response is fear, guilt, exhaustion, or resentment which comes from feeling as though there is no “excuse” for saying no to a gathering or event since everyone knows we’re all home and “available.” The second is an automatic “yes” to as many offerings as possible to distract from the realities of our present situation.
The truth is video calls will never be able to replace seeing people in person, especially people who are not far away. The screen may freeze up, you may have audio issues, and overall things just won’t be as proper as you would hope for them to be. This whole thing by many people is being referred to as video call fatigue and it is quite real.
Honestly, our virtual social lives may be more exhausting than our actual social lives. Don’t forget to recharge and give yourself some transition time when it comes to things like this. Right now we should be working to spend a little less time on our phones and a little more time caring for our own well-being.
While it might not be something everyone is facing it is something a lot of people are facing. While this pandemic will be over eventually right now we are forced to interact in this manner and that we must adapt to. This will pass but we must be patient.


awarenessact--2020-04-23--13 Signs Your Family Is Toxic And How To Overcome That

In life , we all have to come to terms with the things we ’ re going through and sometimes that ’ s harder than it sounds .
While we all deal with toxic people in our own ways , they can be a bit hard to spot when they ’ re too close for comfort .
Just because you grow up with someone in your life does not mean that someone has your best interests in mind .
Sometimes even our family members can be more toxic than we want to admit .
Of course , some people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help them grow but not everyone is provided that much .
Some of us have to do more than we should to make up for the lack of proper function within our homes .
We are forced to let our own needs fall through the cracks and whether we ’ re being abused in some way or just used by those who should be taking care of us , we have a lot to overcome .
Below I am going to go over some of the more common signs of a toxic family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should do if you feel your family is toxic .
I know these things are not easy but understanding what you ’ re facing is the first step towards making changes in your life .
13 Signs Your Family Is Toxic And How To Overcome That : 1 .
You ’ re always dealing with conflict within your family .
If you ’ re always having to deal with people fighting or attacking you within your family then they ’ re probably toxic .
They always seem to have something negative to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alright they only get worse .
This is never a fun thing to go through .
2 .
You ’ re not getting the emotional care you crave .
Throughout the years you ’ ve been neglected emotionally .
You ’ ve never had someone in your family you could just sit down with and talk about your feelings to .
You ’ re either scared the people around you will use your feelings against you or you know they won ’ t hear you out anyways .
Toxic people are terrible at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the highway and it shows .
You can ’ t just come to them and try to talk things out , that just never seems to work .
4 .
Someone in your family works to control all you do .
If you ’ re facing some kind of toxic person in your family chances are one of the biggest signs will be that the specific person in mind tries to control you .
Toxic people love to be in control of other people and won ’ t stop until they get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them in your life the worse things become .
5 .
You ’ re constantly being talked down to and pulled apart .
Toxic family members love to talk down to the people they believe are ‘ less than ’ they are .
They may hate on you for the things you wear , the things you do , or just how you live life in general .
6 .
You have had to do more for your parents than you should at your age throughout your time growing up .
Sometimes toxic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot on the children .
If you growing up had to take care of your parents and basically be there for them when they weren ’ t there for you , you have experienced true toxicity .
Instead of being able to live your life and enjoy your childhood , you were taking care of your mom or your dad and worried all the time .
7 .
Someone in the family is physically violent with you .
If someone in your family is physically violent with you in any way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tolerate this kind of thing and should always report this to the proper authorities .
Sure , it might be hard to call the cops on your mother or father but sometimes it is necessary for your own well-being .
8 .
There is no room for compromise .
Toxic people don ’ t like to compromise .
They want things their way and that ’ s it .
You can ’ t try to reason with them , it just doesn ’ t work .
9 .
You are expected to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it puts you behind .
Toxic families tend to push the things they want or need onto others .
Instead of going out and working for something a toxic family member might lean on you to help them out time after time .
You give in because you want them to be happy but in the end , you ’ re only hurting yourself .
These toxic family members may even bring up things like you owing them when you don ’ t owe them shit .
10 .
Growing up you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents tend to pick one child to treat worse than the rest .
That child gets punished for everything .
If one child acts out they might get in trouble but because you allowed them to do it , you ’ re also getting in trouble .
Sure , you didn ’ t have anything to do with it but that doesn ’ t matter to the toxic parent .
11 .
Nothing you do is ever enough and you ’ re always being judged .
Toxic people are very judgmental .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others feel bad and don ’ t feel like anyone is ever as giving as they should be towards them .
You could be waiting on them hand and foot yet you would still not get any kind of real thanks .
12 .
You ’ re treated like a toddler even as an adult .
Sometimes toxic parents turn their offspring into toddlers even into adulthood .
They raise them in a way that leaves them still reliant on them and then treat them as if they are idiots .
We , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to be more independent and if you ’ re not allowed to do that , it should be seen as a red flag .
13 .
Your boundaries do not matter to these people .
Toxic family members or people , in general , won ’ t care about your boundaries .
They will never be willing to give you the privacy you deserve and your limits will always be pushed .
This is because you don ’ t matter to them even if they say that you do .
Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this kind of thing and distancing yourself from the toxicity you have to get out on your own and either cut contact depending on the severity of the toxicity or limit contact drastically .
You should not let these people keep bringing you down , stand on your own two feet , and leave them in the dust if you have to .
For more on how to live after going through a toxic household growing up check out the video below .
This kind of thing is more common than you might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shape or form , alone .

In life, we all have to come to terms with the things we’re going through, and sometimes that’s harder than it sounds. While we all deal with toxic people in our own ways, they can be a bit hard to spot when they’re too close for comfort.
Just because you grow up with someone in your life does not mean that someone has your best interests in mind. Sometimes even our family members can be more toxic than we want to admit. Of course, some people have great parents and siblings to want to help them grow but not everyone is provided that much.
Some of us have to do more than we should to make up for the lack of proper function within our homes. We are forced to let our own needs fall through the cracks and whether we’re being abused in some way or just used by those who should be taking care of us, we have a lot to overcome. Below I am going to go over some of the more common signs of a toxic family and from there break down what you should do if you feel your family is toxic. I know these things are not easy but understanding what you’re facing is the first step towards making changes in your life.
13 Signs Your Family Is Toxic And How To Overcome That:
1. You’re always dealing with conflict within your family.
If you’re always having to deal with people fighting or attacking you within your family, then they’re probably toxic. They always seem to have something negative to say and when you try to make things alright they only get worse. This is never a fun thing to go through.
2. You’re not getting the emotional care you crave.
Throughout the years you’ve been neglected emotionally. You’ve never had someone in your family you could just sit down with and talk about your feelings to. You’re either scared the people around you will use your feelings against you, or you know they won’t hear you out anyways.
3. Proper communication is severely lacking or nonexistent.
Toxic people are terrible at communication. They are very my way or the highway, and it shows. You can’t just come to them and try to talk things out, that just never seems to work.
4. Someone in your family works to control all you do.
If you’re facing some kind of toxic person in your family, chances are one of the biggest signs will be that the specific person in mind tries to control you. Toxic people love to be in control of other people and won’t stop until they get exactly that. The more you allow them in your life, the worse things become.
5. You’re constantly being talked down to and pulled apart.
Toxic family members love to talk down to the people they believe are ‘less than’ they are. They may hate on you for the things you wear, the things you do, or just how you live life in general.
6. You have had to do more for your parents than you should at your age throughout your time growing up.
Sometimes toxic families come in a form that puts a lot on the children. If you growing up had to take care of your parents and basically be there for them when they weren’t there for you, you have experienced true toxicity. Instead of being able to live your life and enjoy your childhood, you were taking care of your mom or your dad and worried all the time.
7. Someone in the family is physically violent with you.
If someone in your family is physically violent with you in any way, that is toxicity. You should not tolerate this kind of thing and should always report this to the proper authorities. Sure, it might be hard to call the cops on your mother or father, but sometimes it is necessary for your own well-being.
8. There is no room for compromise.
Toxic people don’t like to compromise. They want things their way and that’s it. You can’t try to reason with them, it just doesn’t work.
9. You are expected to give all that is asked of you, even if it puts you behind.
Toxic families tend to push the things they want or need onto others. Instead of going out and working for something, a toxic family member might lean on you to help them out time after time. You give in because you want them to be happy, but in the end, you’re only hurting yourself. These toxic family members may even bring up things like you owing them when you don’t owe them shit.
10. Growing up, you were often punished without reason.
Toxic parents tend to pick one child to treat worse than the rest. That child gets punished for everything. If one child acts out they might get in trouble but because you allowed them to do it, you’re also getting in trouble. Sure, you didn’t have anything to do with it, but that doesn’t matter to the toxic parent.
11. Nothing you do is ever enough, and you’re always being judged.
Toxic people are very judgmental. They go out of their way to make others feel bad and don’t feel like anyone is ever as giving as they should be towards them. You could be waiting on them hand and foot, yet you would still not get any kind of real, thanks.
12. You’re treated like a toddler, even as an adult.
Sometimes toxic parents turn their offspring into toddlers, even into adulthood. They raise them in a way that leaves them still reliant on them, and then treat them as if they are idiots. We, going into our teenage years, should be working to be more independent and if you’re not allowed to do that, it should be seen as a red flag.
13. Your boundaries do not matter to these people.
Toxic family members or people, in general, won’t care about your boundaries. They will never be willing to give you the privacy you deserve, and your limits will always be pushed. This is because you don’t matter to them, even if they say that you do.
Now, when it comes to moving on from this kind of thing and distancing yourself from the toxicity, you have to get out on your own and either cut contact depending on the severity of the toxicity or limit contact drastically. You should not let these people keep bringing you down, stand on your own two feet, and leave them in the dust if you have to.
For more on how to live after going through a toxic household growing up, check out the video below. This kind of thing is more common than you might think. You are in no way shape or form, alone.


awarenessact--2020-04-23--The Healing Power Of Gardens – The Psychological And Physiological Comforts Of Nature

For those who do not know , Oliver Sacks was a neurologist as well as an author and while he died back in 2015 he left behind a lot of knowledge .
Dr. Sacks in his book ‘ Everything in Its Place ’ touted the power of gardening and well , with good reason .
Gardening overall holds great rewards for all , especially those who may be facing issues with their brains .
This be it some kind of brain injury , neurological disorder , or other things of the sort .
While not everyone realizes this there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dementia in regard to gardens overall .
Just having access to a garden can be quite the treat .
As follows was written on the topic in the Lancet : “ In the case of Alzheimer ’ s disease and other forms of dementia , we now know enough about the implications of changes in spatial cognition to create gardens that are accessible , supportive , and prosthetic ” , explains Clare Cooper Marcus ( University of California , Berkeley , CA , USA ) .
“ For example , the Living Garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Martha Tyson ) in Grand Rapids , Michigan ( USA ) , is [ first ] designed to be safe for patients .
It is visible from a frequently used indoor space since residents may forget it is there .
Entry from a single door to a level garden path , which is a simple figure-of-eight loop with recognizable landmarks along the way , enables people to navigate with no confusing right or left turns or dead ends that could give rise to agitation or anger .
The return of the path @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as to how to re-enter the building , and all parts of the garden are visible to the staff.
” Now , the garden won ’ t prevent the person with dementia from getting worse eventually and ultimately meeting the things that come with that but it will help their transition go much more smoothly and give them something safe to do .
Gardening overall has also been used to help those who have faced neurological damage and it has been proven as quite a positive thing in their lives .
Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit lets get back into Dr. Sachs .
Something from Dr. Sacks ‘ Everything in Its Place ’ that goes over gardens and the use they bring has been making its rounds again lately .
It is an excerpt from the book and really explains in more ways than most can find words to in regard to this whole topic .
An excerpt from ‘ Everything in Its Place By Dr. Sacks : As a writer , I find gardens essential to the creative process ; as a physician , I take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All of us have had the experience of wandering through a lush garden or a timeless desert , walking by a river or an ocean , or climbing a mountain and finding ourselves simultaneously calmed and reinvigorated , engaged in mind , refreshed in body and spirit .
The importance of these physiological states on individual and community health is fundamental and wide-ranging .
In 40 years of medical practice , I have found only two types of non-pharmaceutical “ therapy ” to be vitally important for patients with chronic neurological diseases : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardens was introduced to me very early , before the war , when my mother or Auntie Len would take me to the great botanical garden at Kew .
We had common ferns in our garden , but not the gold and silver ferns , the water ferns , the filmy ferns , the tree ferns I first saw at Kew .
It was at Kew that I saw the gigantic leaf of the great Amazon water lily , Victoria regia , and like many children of my era , I was sat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a baby .
As a student at Oxford , I discovered with delight a very different garden — the Oxford Botanic Garden , one of the first walled gardens established in Europe .
It pleased me to think that Boyle , Hooke , Willis , and other Oxford figures might have walked and meditated there in the 17th century .
I try to visit botanical gardens wherever I travel , seeing them as reflections of their times and cultures , no less than living museums or libraries of plants .
I felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Botanicus in Amsterdam , coeval with its neighbor , the great Portuguese Synagogue , and liked to imagine how Spinoza might have enjoyed the former after he had been excommunicated by the latter — was his vision of “ Deus sive Natura ” in part inspired by the Hortus ?
The botanical garden in Padua is even older , going right back to the 1540s , and medieval in its design .
Here Europeans got their first look at plants from the Americas and the Orient , plant forms stranger than anything they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was here , too , that Goethe , looking at a palm , conceived his theory of the metamorphoses of plants .
When I travel with fellow swimmers and divers to the Cayman Islands , to Curacao , to Cuba , wherever — I seek out botanical gardens , counterpoints to the exquisite underwater gardens I see when I snorkel or scuba above them .
I have lived in New York City for 50 years , and living here is sometimes made bearable for me only by its gardens .
This has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When I worked at Beth Abraham , a hospital just across the road from the New York Botanical Garden , I found that there was nothing long-shut-in patients loved more than a visit to the garden — they spoke of the hospital and the garden as two different worlds .
I can not say exactly how nature exerts its calming and organizing effects on our brains , but I have seen in my patients the restorative and healing powers of nature and gardens , even for those who are deeply disabled neurologically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature are more powerful than any medication .
My friend Lowell has moderately severe Tourette ’ s syndrome .
In his usual busy , city environment , he has hundreds of tics and verbal ejaculations each day — grunting , jumping , touching things compulsively .
I was , therefore , amazed one day when we were hiking in a desert to realize that his tics had completely disappeared .
The remoteness and uncrowdedness of the scene , combined with some ineffable calming effect of nature , served to defuse his ticcing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at least for a time .
An elderly lady with Parkinson ’ s disease , whom I met in Guam , often found herself frozen , unable to initiate movement — a common problem for those with parkinsonism .
But once we led her out into the garden , where plants and a rock garden provided a varied landscape , she was galvanized by this , and could rapidly , unaided , climb up the rocks and down again .
I have a number of patients with very advanced dementia or Alzheimer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very little sense of orientation to their surroundings .
They have forgotten , or can not access , how to tie their shoes or handle cooking implements .
But put them in front of a flower bed with some seedlings , and they will know exactly what to do — I have never seen such a patient plant something upside down .
My patients often live in nursing homes or chronic-care institutions , so the physical environment of these settings is crucial in promoting their well-being .
Some of these institutions have actively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open spaces to promote better health for their patients .
For example , Beth Abraham hospital , in the Bronx , is where I saw the severely parkinsonian postencephalitic patients I wrote about in “ Awakenings.
” In the 1960s , it was a pavilion surrounded by large gardens .
As it expanded to a 500-bed institution , it swallowed most of the gardens , but it did retain a central patio full of potted plants that remains very crucial for the patients .
There are also raised beds so that blind patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can have direct contact with the plants .
Clearly , nature calls to something very deep in us .
Biophilia , the love of nature and living things , is an essential part of the human condition .
Hortophilia , the desire to interact with , manage , and tend nature , is also deeply instilled in us .
The role that nature plays in health and healing becomes even more critical for people working long days in windowless offices , for those living in city neighborhoods without access to green spaces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those in institutional settings such as nursing homes .
The effects of nature ’ s qualities on health are not only spiritual and emotional but physical and neurological .
I have no doubt that they reflect deep changes in the brain ’ s physiology , and perhaps even its structure .
To hear Dr. Sacks speak about the New York Botanical Garden please check out the video below .
Clearly he loved that garden and with good reason .
Do you like gardens or gardening as a whole ?

For those who do not know, Oliver Sacks was a neurologist as well as an author and while he died back in 2015 he left behind a lot of knowledge. Dr. Sacks in his book ‘Everything in Its Place’ touted the power of gardening and well, with good reason.
Gardening overall holds great rewards for all, especially those who may be facing issues with their brains. This be it some kind of brain injury, neurological disorder, or other things of the sort. While not everyone realizes this there are tons of benefits especially for those with dementia in regard to gardens overall. Just having access to a garden can be quite the treat.
As follows was written on the topic in the Lancet:
“In the case of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, we now know enough about the implications of changes in spatial cognition to create gardens that are accessible, supportive, and prosthetic”, explains Clare Cooper Marcus (University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA). “For example, the Living Garden at the Family Life Center (designed by Martha Tyson) in Grand Rapids, Michigan (USA), is [first] designed to be safe for patients. It is visible from a frequently used indoor space since residents may forget it is there. Entry from a single door to a level garden path, which is a simple figure-of-eight loop with recognizable landmarks along the way, enables people to navigate with no confusing right or left turns or dead ends that could give rise to agitation or anger. The return of the path to that single door prevents any confusion as to how to re-enter the building, and all parts of the garden are visible to the staff.”
Now, the garden won’t prevent the person with dementia from getting worse eventually and ultimately meeting the things that come with that but it will help their transition go much more smoothly and give them something safe to do. Gardening overall has also been used to help those who have faced neurological damage and it has been proven as quite a positive thing in their lives.
Now, since we’ve gone over that a bit lets get back into Dr. Sachs. Something from Dr. Sacks ‘Everything in Its Place’ that goes over gardens and the use they bring has been making its rounds again lately. It is an excerpt from the book and really explains in more ways than most can find words to in regard to this whole topic.
An excerpt from ‘Everything in Its Place By Dr. Sacks:
As a writer, I find gardens essential to the creative process; as a physician, I take my patients to gardens whenever possible. All of us have had the experience of wandering through a lush garden or a timeless desert, walking by a river or an ocean, or climbing a mountain and finding ourselves simultaneously calmed and reinvigorated, engaged in mind, refreshed in body and spirit. The importance of these physiological states on individual and community health is fundamental and wide-ranging. In 40 years of medical practice, I have found only two types of non-pharmaceutical “therapy” to be vitally important for patients with chronic neurological diseases: music and gardens.
The wonder of gardens was introduced to me very early, before the war, when my mother or Auntie Len would take me to the great botanical garden at Kew. We had common ferns in our garden, but not the gold and silver ferns, the water ferns, the filmy ferns, the tree ferns I first saw at Kew. It was at Kew that I saw the gigantic leaf of the great Amazon water lily, Victoria regia, and like many children of my era, I was sat upon one of these giant lily pads as a baby.
As a student at Oxford, I discovered with delight a very different garden — the Oxford Botanic Garden, one of the first walled gardens established in Europe. It pleased me to think that Boyle, Hooke, Willis, and other Oxford figures might have walked and meditated there in the 17th century.
I try to visit botanical gardens wherever I travel, seeing them as reflections of their times and cultures, no less than living museums or libraries of plants. I felt this strongly in the beautiful 17th-century Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam, coeval with its neighbor, the great Portuguese Synagogue, and liked to imagine how Spinoza might have enjoyed the former after he had been excommunicated by the latter — was his vision of “Deus sive Natura” in part inspired by the Hortus?
The botanical garden in Padua is even older, going right back to the 1540s, and medieval in its design. Here Europeans got their first look at plants from the Americas and the Orient, plant forms stranger than anything they had ever seen or dreamed of. It was here, too, that Goethe, looking at a palm, conceived his theory of the metamorphoses of plants.
When I travel with fellow swimmers and divers to the Cayman Islands, to Curacao, to Cuba, wherever — I seek out botanical gardens, counterpoints to the exquisite underwater gardens I see when I snorkel or scuba above them.
I have lived in New York City for 50 years, and living here is sometimes made bearable for me only by its gardens. This has been true for my patients, too. When I worked at Beth Abraham, a hospital just across the road from the New York Botanical Garden, I found that there was nothing long-shut-in patients loved more than a visit to the garden — they spoke of the hospital and the garden as two different worlds.
I cannot say exactly how nature exerts its calming and organizing effects on our brains, but I have seen in my patients the restorative and healing powers of nature and gardens, even for those who are deeply disabled neurologically. In many cases, gardens and nature are more powerful than any medication.
My friend Lowell has moderately severe Tourette’s syndrome. In his usual busy, city environment, he has hundreds of tics and verbal ejaculations each day — grunting, jumping, touching things compulsively. I was, therefore, amazed one day when we were hiking in a desert to realize that his tics had completely disappeared. The remoteness and uncrowdedness of the scene, combined with some ineffable calming effect of nature, served to defuse his ticcing, to “normalize” his neurological state, at least for a time.
An elderly lady with Parkinson’s disease, whom I met in Guam, often found herself frozen, unable to initiate movement — a common problem for those with parkinsonism. But once we led her out into the garden, where plants and a rock garden provided a varied landscape, she was galvanized by this, and could rapidly, unaided, climb up the rocks and down again.
I have a number of patients with very advanced dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, who may have very little sense of orientation to their surroundings. They have forgotten, or cannot access, how to tie their shoes or handle cooking implements. But put them in front of a flower bed with some seedlings, and they will know exactly what to do — I have never seen such a patient plant something upside down.
My patients often live in nursing homes or chronic-care institutions, so the physical environment of these settings is crucial in promoting their well-being. Some of these institutions have actively used the design and management of their open spaces to promote better health for their patients. For example, Beth Abraham hospital, in the Bronx, is where I saw the severely parkinsonian postencephalitic patients I wrote about in “Awakenings.” In the 1960s, it was a pavilion surrounded by large gardens. As it expanded to a 500-bed institution, it swallowed most of the gardens, but it did retain a central patio full of potted plants that remains very crucial for the patients. There are also raised beds so that blind patients can touch and smell and wheelchair patients can have direct contact with the plants.
Clearly, nature calls to something very deep in us. Biophilia, the love of nature and living things, is an essential part of the human condition. Hortophilia, the desire to interact with, manage, and tend nature, is also deeply instilled in us. The role that nature plays in health and healing becomes even more critical for people working long days in windowless offices, for those living in city neighborhoods without access to green spaces, for children in city schools or for those in institutional settings such as nursing homes. The effects of nature’s qualities on health are not only spiritual and emotional but physical and neurological. I have no doubt that they reflect deep changes in the brain’s physiology, and perhaps even its structure.
To hear Dr. Sacks speak about the New York Botanical Garden please check out the video below. Clearly he loved that garden and with good reason. Do you like gardens or gardening as a whole?


awarenessact--2020-04-23--UK Researchers Trying To Train Dogs To ‘Sniff Out’ COVID-19 Infected People

Back in March , it came forth that researchers believed they could train dogs to sniff out those with the novel coronavirus .
Since then those researchers have been working on training dogs and well , we now have an update .
Sure , we ’ ve known that dogs could be great tools in finding things like bombs , drugs , and other things of the sort but the idea that they could figure out who was infected with COVID-19 to many sounds outlandish .
However , according to ABC11 the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent times have uncovered that dogs could be used to detect Malaria infections which made them wonder whether it would be possible to do something similar with the current pandemic virus we ’ re facing .
While things are still up in the air right now they are working on training these dogs , and they could be able to essentially screen up to ‘ 250 people per hour.
’ Isn ’ t that mind-blowing ?
Though it does make sense , if they can sniff out Malaria and cancer perhaps they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
It has been said that these dogs if able to do as such could be used at places like airports to prevent further spreading of the virus itself .
Though they would not replace traditional testing they would help big time considering how few tests we have and how many we truly need .
As follows was noted on this in a release posted on the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine ’ s website : Dogs searching for COVID-19 would be trained in the same way as those dogs already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parkinson ’ s , and bacterial infections – by sniffing samples in the training room and indicating which contains the disease or infection .
They are also able to detect subtle changes in temperature of the skin , so could potentially tell if someone has a fever .
Once trained , dogs could also be used at ports of entry to identify travelers entering the country infected with the virus or be deployed in other public spaces .
Dr. Claire Guest , CEO , and Co-Founder of Medical Detection Dogs says : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that dogs could detect COVID-19 .
We are now looking into how we can safely catch the odor of the virus from patients and present it to the dogs .
“ The aim is that dogs will be able to screen anyone , including those who are asymptomatic and tell us whether they need to be tested .
This would be fast , effective , and non-invasive and make sure the limited NHS testing resources are only used where they are really needed.
” “ If the research is successful , we could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the epidemic to rapidly identify people carrying the virus .
This would help prevent the re-emergence of the disease after we have brought the present epidemic under control.
” What do you think about all of this ?
Could dogs truly be a game-changer in all of this ?
I for one do believe canines might be capable .
For more on this topic please check out the video below .

Back in March, it came forth that researchers believed they could train dogs to sniff out those with the novel coronavirus. Since then those researchers have been working on training dogs and well, we now have an update.
Sure, we’ve known that dogs could be great tools in finding things like bombs, drugs, and other things of the sort but the idea that they could figure out who was infected with COVID-19 to many sounds outlandish. However, according to ABC11 the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is working on exactly that. These researchers in recent times have uncovered that dogs could be used to detect Malaria infections which made them wonder whether it would be possible to do something similar with the current pandemic virus we’re facing.
While things are still up in the air right now they are working on training these dogs, and they could be able to essentially screen up to ‘250 people per hour.’ Isn’t that mind-blowing? Though it does make sense, if they can sniff out Malaria and cancer perhaps they too could sniff out COVID-19, right?
It has been said that these dogs if able to do as such could be used at places like airports to prevent further spreading of the virus itself. Though they would not replace traditional testing they would help big time considering how few tests we have and how many we truly need.
As follows was noted on this in a release posted on the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s website:
Dogs searching for COVID-19 would be trained in the same way as those dogs already trained to detect diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s, and bacterial infections – by sniffing samples in the training room and indicating which contains the disease or infection.
They are also able to detect subtle changes in temperature of the skin, so could potentially tell if someone has a fever.
Once trained, dogs could also be used at ports of entry to identify travelers entering the country infected with the virus or be deployed in other public spaces.
Dr. Claire Guest, CEO, and Co-Founder of Medical Detection Dogs says: “In principle, we’re sure that dogs could detect COVID-19. We are now looking into how we can safely catch the odor of the virus from patients and present it to the dogs.
“The aim is that dogs will be able to screen anyone, including those who are asymptomatic and tell us whether they need to be tested. This would be fast, effective, and non-invasive and make sure the limited NHS testing resources are only used where they are really needed.”
Professor Steve Lindsay at Durham University says:
“If the research is successful, we could use COVID-19 detection dogs at airports at the end of the epidemic to rapidly identify people carrying the virus. This would help prevent the re-emergence of the disease after we have brought the present epidemic under control.”
What do you think about all of this? Could dogs truly be a game-changer in all of this? I for one do believe canines might be capable. For more on this topic please check out the video below.


awarenessact--2020-04-23--Big Asteroid Shows Itself Ahead Of Earth Flyby On April 29th

Asteroid 1998 OR2 is set to zip by our planet on April 29th and while it ’ s not going to hit us , it is going to be quite the experience for those who put their telescopes to use .
This asteroid is huge and in recent times astronomers were able to snap some ‘ fresh images ’ of it .
This close encounter we ’ re going to be facing will be the closest one we ’ ve had with this asteroid in at least a century according to RT and while it will still be a safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth , that ’ s closer than you might expect .
Two astronomer teams were able to catch some images of this asteroid recently and in their images , you can tell that this asteroid is getting brighter and brighter .
While this might not sound that exciting to the average person , this gives sky watchers the chance to learn more about this asteroid and really work to understand it on a deeper level .
The more we learn the more we will in the future hopefully be to protect ourselves from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do end up hurtling towards Earth .
Lots of astronomers are watching this asteroid and will continue to do so until it has passed by safely .
Space.com wrote as follows about this asteroid : Astronomers estimate that 1998 OR2 is between 1.1 and 2.5 miles ( 1.8 to 4.1 kilometers ) wide — big enough that an impact could threaten human civilization .
But , to repeat , there is nothing to fear here ; the asteroid will miss us by a large margin on April 29 .
Indeed , you should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be running rampant in your head .
NASA has found and tracked the vast majority of giant near-Earth asteroids , and none of them pose a threat to Earth for the foreseeable future .
If you don ’ t happen to have a telescope , don ’ t worry you can still watch this asteroid pass if you click here on the 29th to see a life webcast of it passing .
Things like this will always be truly fascinating and who knows what more the future could hold in regard .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out for sure .

Asteroid 1998 OR2 is set to zip by our planet on April 29th and while it’s not going to hit us, it is going to be quite the experience for those who put their telescopes to use. This asteroid is huge and in recent times astronomers were able to snap some ‘fresh images’ of it.
This close encounter we’re going to be facing will be the closest one we’ve had with this asteroid in at least a century according to RT and while it will still be a safe distance of around four million miles from Earth, that’s closer than you might expect. Two astronomer teams were able to catch some images of this asteroid recently and in their images, you can tell that this asteroid is getting brighter and brighter.
#TeamRadar and the @NAICobservatory staff are taking the proper safety measures as we continue observations. This week we have been observing near-Earth asteroid 1998 OR2, which looks like it’s wearing a mask! It’s at least 1.5 km across and is passing 16 lunar distances away! pic.twitter.com/X2mQJCT2Qg — Arecibo Radar (@AreciboRadar) April 18, 2020
While this might not sound that exciting to the average person, this gives sky watchers the chance to learn more about this asteroid and really work to understand it on a deeper level. The more we learn the more we will in the future hopefully be to protect ourselves from any of these big space rocks that do end up hurtling towards Earth. Lots of astronomers are watching this asteroid and will continue to do so until it has passed by safely.
Space.com wrote as follows about this asteroid:
Astronomers estimate that 1998 OR2 is between 1.1 and 2.5 miles (1.8 to 4.1 kilometers) wide — big enough that an impact could threaten human civilization. But, to repeat, there is nothing to fear here; the asteroid will miss us by a large margin on April 29.
Indeed, you should quell any general death-from-above fears that may be running rampant in your head. NASA has found and tracked the vast majority of giant near-Earth asteroids, and none of them pose a threat to Earth for the foreseeable future.
If you don’t happen to have a telescope, don’t worry you can still watch this asteroid pass if you click here on the 29th to see a life webcast of it passing. Things like this will always be truly fascinating and who knows what more the future could hold in regard. I for one will be getting my telescope out for sure.


awarenessact--2020-04-22--Being Married To A Addict Is Draining And The Way Out Isn’t Always Clear

While you might look down on those who are married to or in love with addicts , things are not always what they seem .
The way you look at these people is not always correct and second-guessing yourself is something you should do .
No one ’ s story is the same as anyone else ’ s and you don ’ t know how those addicts became addicts or what the people who love them are going through to try and help them as best they can .
While you may call them ‘ dumb ’ or worse for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day that is the person they love more than anyone else in this world , and they feel like they must try to save them as best they can and so they try until they can not try anymore .
Sure , addicts make choices that turn them into addicts but things are not always so cut and dry .
The truth is we are all fighting and doing our best to get by in this world and being someone who is married to an addict is much harder than you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a decision of when to leave or how to move on but more-so a conflict within on whether or not you should give up on the person you care so much for and believe in so deeply .
When you ’ re married to an addict you could go through years of good moments and spend so much time while your partner is clean getting used to living life like normal again all for things to change overnight .
Your lover could give back into that monster on the way home from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened , and he or she does not know how to cope .
The person you love so much turns into a monster , a version of his or herself you ’ ve never seen before and when they come to you begging for help because they know they need to stop , sometimes they just can ’ t .
Don ’ t get me wrong , there always comes a point where you must choose to move on and leave that person behind if he or she is bringing you down and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t something you get to overnight .
Sometimes addicts are still able to function , they go to work , and they come home just like everyone else but all the while they ’ re using .
Sure , they stick with you and on the outside looking in life may seem fine but is it really ?
You ’ re still slipping away from one another and your still struggling .
Addicts come in all different shapes and sizes .
Sometimes they are merely sneaking money out from under their partners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as normally as possible to fly under the radar and sometimes they are flying off the handle and spiraling more and more out of control .
Whether someone becomes and addict because of prescription medications or because they find means of dealing with the things they ’ re facing in places they shouldn ’ t , doesn ’ t really matter when you get down to it .
When you ’ re married to an addict you have to fight every day for the person you love if you truly want to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You have to see them suffering even though you know locked within that addict is the great person you fell in love with .
You promised to stick by this person ’ s side in sickness and in health and now , he or she is sick .
While this is a sickness that must be worked through on the inside and then overcome on the outside you are torn apart as well .
You must live your life and deal with all of the people who think they know best for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll have some who push you to leave and others who tell you that you ’ re making things out to be worse than they are even when you know you ’ re not .
You don ’ t know who to trust or how much more you can take and you just want your life back how it should be .
You stick by that person ’ s side and do all you can until they either get better and stay clean or you leave because they have far too many times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change .
Sure , the question of when it ’ s time to leave is a hard one to answer but you will know when you ’ re there , I can assure you of that .
Those who marry addicts endure a lot more pain and internal conflict than you might expect , and they are trying their best to help in the ways that they can .

While you might look down on those who are married to or in love with addicts, things are not always what they seem. The way you look at these people is not always correct and second-guessing yourself is something you should do.
No one’s story is the same as anyone else’s and you don’t know how those addicts became addicts or what the people who love them are going through to try and help them as best they can. While you may call them ‘dumb’ or worse for sticking around, at the end of the day that is the person they love more than anyone else in this world, and they feel like they must try to save them as best they can and so they try until they cannot try anymore. Sure, addicts make choices that turn them into addicts but things are not always so cut and dry.
The truth is we are all fighting and doing our best to get by in this world and being someone who is married to an addict is much harder than you’d think. It’s not just a decision of when to leave or how to move on but more-so a conflict within on whether or not you should give up on the person you care so much for and believe in so deeply. When you’re married to an addict you could go through years of good moments and spend so much time while your partner is clean getting used to living life like normal again all for things to change overnight.
Your lover could give back into that monster on the way home from work or even just because something bad happened, and he or she does not know how to cope. The person you love so much turns into a monster, a version of his or herself you’ve never seen before and when they come to you begging for help because they know they need to stop, sometimes they just can’t. Don’t get me wrong, there always comes a point where you must choose to move on and leave that person behind if he or she is bringing you down and refusing to change but that point isn’t something you get to overnight.
Sometimes addicts are still able to function, they go to work, and they come home just like everyone else but all the while they’re using. Sure, they stick with you and on the outside looking in life may seem fine but is it really? You’re still slipping away from one another and your still struggling.
Addicts come in all different shapes and sizes. Sometimes they are merely sneaking money out from under their partners and doing their best to get by as normally as possible to fly under the radar and sometimes they are flying off the handle and spiraling more and more out of control. Whether someone becomes and addict because of prescription medications or because they find means of dealing with the things they’re facing in places they shouldn’t, doesn’t really matter when you get down to it.
When you’re married to an addict you have to fight every day for the person you love if you truly want to find the life you once had with them. You have to see them suffering even though you know locked within that addict is the great person you fell in love with. You promised to stick by this person’s side in sickness and in health and now, he or she is sick. While this is a sickness that must be worked through on the inside and then overcome on the outside you are torn apart as well.
You must live your life and deal with all of the people who think they know best for you and your marriage. You’ll have some who push you to leave and others who tell you that you’re making things out to be worse than they are even when you know you’re not. You don’t know who to trust or how much more you can take and you just want your life back how it should be.
You stick by that person’s side and do all you can until they either get better and stay clean or you leave because they have far too many times shown that things are not going to change. Sure, the question of when it’s time to leave is a hard one to answer but you will know when you’re there, I can assure you of that. Those who marry addicts endure a lot more pain and internal conflict than you might expect, and they are trying their best to help in the ways that they can.


awarenessact--2020-04-22--The More We Stay Home The Less Air Pollution There Is, According To These Before And After Images

With so many people staying home in different parts of the world , we ’ re seeing drastic reductions in air pollution and that ’ s huge .
While this won ’ t last forever , it ’ s something very special and shows just how much of a difference we the people can make .
Lots of different organizations have been coming out with before and after photos showing the differences in certain places or bigger cities and honestly , they ’ re mind-blowing .
You see , the things we do the most like driving our cars to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest differences without us even stopping to think about them .
With highly populated areas turning into ‘ ghost towns ’ essentially it really does seem like things are changing for the better when it comes to air quality , at least for now .
Below you will be able to find several different before and after examples .
While some of these are different places here in the US , other countries are included as well .
India to me is one of the biggest changes and seeing it even just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can see , things are not what they once were at all and according to CNN major cities that suffer from the world ’ s worst air pollution have seen reductions of up to 60 percent in regard to ‘ deadly particulate matter.
’ This is at the very least a light in all of this darkness .
It might not sound like much and these levels will likely rise when lockdowns are over , for a little while Mother Nature is getting a break .
CNN wrote as follows on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in pollution : Air pollution is already a global public health crisis , as it kills seven million people each year , according to the World Health Organization .
Reducing global heat-trapping emissions is the best way to clean up our skies and prevent avoidable pollution-related deaths , scientists say .
The report ’ s authors say that while they do expect air pollution to rise again when economies restart after coronavirus , “ out of these extraordinary circumstances , we can see how changes in our society ’ s activities can have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the air we breathe , ” said IQAir ’ s marketing specialist Kelsey Duska .
The Indian capital New Delhi — which frequently tops the world ’ s most polluted city lists — saw a 60 % reduction in PM2.5 levels from March 23 to April 13 from the same period in 2019 .
Both New Delhi and the country ’ s commercial center Mumbai experienced their best March air quality on record in 2020 .
During the initial three-week lockdown period , the number of hours rated as “ unhealthy ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 to 17 % in 2020 .
On March 25 , India placed its entire 1.3 billion population into lockdown , closing factories , markets , shops , places of worship and suspending most public transport services .
The world ’ s largest lockdown was then extended to May 3 .
India is one of the world ’ s most-polluted countries and an average resident is exposed to air pollution that exceeds the World Health Organization ’ s target for annual PM2.5 exposure by more than 500 % .
What do you think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be something done to help keep these pollution levels down since we ’ ve now seen such a difference ?
Is there anything that could be done at all ?
I for one think that depending on how things are handled , we could at least keep the levels from getting back where they were .

With so many people staying home in different parts of the world, we’re seeing drastic reductions in air pollution and that’s huge. While this won’t last forever, it’s something very special and shows just how much of a difference we the people can make.
Lots of different organizations have been coming out with before and after photos showing the differences in certain places or bigger cities and honestly, they’re mind-blowing. You see, the things we do the most like driving our cars to get back and forth make some of the biggest differences without us even stopping to think about them. With highly populated areas turning into ‘ghost towns’ essentially it really does seem like things are changing for the better when it comes to air quality, at least for now.
Below you will be able to find several different before and after examples. While some of these are different places here in the US, other countries are included as well. India to me is one of the biggest changes and seeing it even just in a photograph is fascinating.
California, USA
India
Before
After
New York, USA
Before
After
Europe
Before
After
China
As you can see, things are not what they once were at all and according to CNN major cities that suffer from the world’s worst air pollution have seen reductions of up to 60 percent in regard to ‘deadly particulate matter.’ This is at the very least a light in all of this darkness. It might not sound like much and these levels will likely rise when lockdowns are over, for a little while Mother Nature is getting a break.
CNN wrote as follows on a report that was published covering the reduction in pollution:
Air pollution is already a global public health crisis, as it kills seven million people each year, according to the World Health Organization. Reducing global heat-trapping emissions is the best way to clean up our skies and prevent avoidable pollution-related deaths, scientists say.
The report’s authors say that while they do expect air pollution to rise again when economies restart after coronavirus, “out of these extraordinary circumstances, we can see how changes in our society’s activities can have a momentous impact on our environment and the air we breathe,” said IQAir’s marketing specialist Kelsey Duska.
The Indian capital New Delhi — which frequently tops the world’s most polluted city lists — saw a 60% reduction in PM2.5 levels from March 23 to April 13 from the same period in 2019.
Both New Delhi and the country’s commercial center Mumbai experienced their best March air quality on record in 2020.
During the initial three-week lockdown period, the number of hours rated as “unhealthy” in New Delhi dropped from 68% in 2019 to 17% in 2020.
On March 25, India placed its entire 1.3 billion population into lockdown, closing factories, markets, shops, places of worship and suspending most public transport services. The world’s largest lockdown was then extended to May 3.
India is one of the world’s most-polluted countries and an average resident is exposed to air pollution that exceeds the World Health Organization’s target for annual PM2.5 exposure by more than 500%.
What do you think about all of this and should there be something done to help keep these pollution levels down since we’ve now seen such a difference? Is there anything that could be done at all? I for one think that depending on how things are handled, we could at least keep the levels from getting back where they were.