I'm Where I Need to Be, I Just Didn't Know it.

B'SD

3 Sivan, 5775

I'm mentally and emotionally preparing for the holiday of Shavuot, and thought of an interesting slice of life story to share with you. It happened the day before yesterday in the late afternoon/early evening.

I was rushing to meet a friend giving me a ride to a distant city so I could run necessary errands there in a short span of time. 

Somehow I had not thought of taking my street map with me, and lost my way. 

Eventually I received a message on my cellphone. It indicated that the gentleman doing the driving would be leaving earlier than we'd planned. I needed to arrive to his office faster than I'd thought.

I began to feel frustrated with myself, frantic at the thought of missing the ride (it would have led to several disappointed and inconvenienced people depending on me to arrive in a timely manner) and quite foolish.

A friend tried to guide me via cellphone to the meeting point I sought, and managed to misdirect me into the opposite direction that I needed. We shared an uncomfortable silence as we realized that.

I was unhappy in the 104-degree heat, tired of carrying a heavy bag, and desperate for a quick solution.

My friend begged forgiveness for having misguided a very pressed-for-time me and then berated herself. 

I interrupted her self-flagellation by saying "Stop. I know what's going on I've been through this sort of situation before. Several things are going kerflooey in rapid succession, I have few to zero options and I need to stop what I'm doing to realize that GOD is controlling the situation. I'm not supposed to freak out. 

"I need to keep things in perspective. GOD is running the show. If I can manage to keep my mood in control, He'll pull some nifty trick out of His heavenly sleeves. Who knows? Maybe I'll win the lottery," I laughed. "I'm going to trust my instincts and head in the direction I believe I need. You did your best and I appreciate that."

We ended our cellphone call, I walked a bit, then I hailed a taxi in the hope that I'd quickly meet the guy giving me a ride before he headed out of town. And I wondered "Which blessing is heading my way?"

I entered the taxi and calmly told the driver where I needed to be and in a BIG hurry. He turned around and asked "Are you kidding? It's down the street."

We drove to the juncture I needed within a minute, as I realized that an essential street sign had been missing from its designated spot. No wonder I'd felt lost and confused. But as things turned out, I had been right where I needed to be.

I laugh to think back to yesterday's mad dash to the meet-up, that I'd used a life lesson well instead of condemning myself or my friend, and realized that "I'm where I need to be, I just didn't know it." 

Life's full of such situations. They can help us to grow, or to appreciate the growth we've made.

Growing past your limits is a spiritual activity. I'm sure that you have "I'm where I need to be, I just didn't know it," life lessons to heed, too. Enjoy the moments when you get things right. They're wonderful.

If you wish, let me know the blessings that come your way.

Happy Shavuot (it begins Saturday night). I call it the international bar and bat mitzva party of the Jewish People.

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 





Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism.

Fill your life with self-confidence, one step at a time.

Book Week Celebration!

B'SD

10/11 Sivan,  5774

Israel has a fun annual tradition: Book Week!

Celebrate book week - with an Israeli author who helps the world at large. 

Doctors recomend It's MY Crisis and I'l Cry if I Need to: EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.  (you're gonna  the humor plus Jewish references here and there throughout the text! You'll appreciate the cost-cutting info for 1st-quality medical care, too!)

Did you know that a Methodist minister praised the book on its cover?

You don't have to be Jewish to benefit from 

The fun-filled, informative text if filled with information to help you to "Get your grin back" - even with that mental health or medical challenge before you.

Find out why medical and mental health professionals - and clergy of different faiths - recommend that you read it.

Learn how to cut your medical costs - all around the world. 

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.  

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism. 

Fight fear with humor, confidence and whole new attitude that serves you well.

PS - I'm still studying hard for my ICD9 and ICD10 exams. Coursework increased after April 2nd, when the US changed the law about implementing ICD10 this coming fall. Graduation date has been delayed. I apologize that my homework load has interfered with my ability to post to this blog more often.

 

Happy Passover!

B'SD

I hope to take some vacation time from blogging for the rest of Passover. 

This blog business tends to be so serious.

I prefer to spend my time smiling. 

Here's something that might get you smiling with me! It's from the ever-popular www.aish.com site.

Have a safe, healthier and healthier spring break. See you next week, if all goes as planned.

 
Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism. 

Find reasons to smile - that's good for inner and outer health!

 

How to Inspire Yourself and Others - Scars and All

B'SD

15 Elul, 5773

Grab the tissues. The Jane Handly Childhood Story is going to have you sobbing with happiness and standing taller for the experience.

One of the key points in 

is that 

"The alternative to coping is worse." 

It means that if you have a medical, mental health or disability situation, you have lots of unpleasant, tedious and tiring work to do. 

If you don't do your work, you will suffer more than you do now. That additional suffering, which can possibly take you very backwards in unanticipated ways, is much worse than the discomforts facing you now.

It pays to focus on what can be done. It pays to focus on the uplifting things you can do in life.

I salute Jane Handly's mom, who cherished her child's soul - not her superficial appearance.

Some of the most wonderful people in the world are not going to win beauty contests. Their souls ennoble us let alone those people themselves.

You have struggles to master? 

So do superficial people. 

But they hardly know it.

Get on with your life. Grab the gusto. Live to ennoble your soul, perhaps those of other people.

You're gonna LUV the Refining Silver story on page 41 in EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 

Buy the E-book or print edition today.




Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism. 

Feel your soul grow, and grow, and grow.


 

Passover for Your Inner Comedian

B'SD

14 Nisan, 5773

Excitement is building throughout Jewish communities worldwide. Here's a funny take on part of what the celebration is about.

 

Passover delivers a message to the world: GOD is in charge and cares deeply about all human welfare.

 
Need a spiritual boost over medical or mental health problems this time of year? Buy the E-book or print edition of a book endorsed by clergy of different faiths: Click on the words EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.  

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism. 

Face painful questions and issues with increased confidence.

   

Less stress and keep your cash, that’s the theme of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 

It teaches you how to organize your medical and/or disability life, plus how to save money on medical costs.

Get your grin back in one reading. Buy it from Booklocker today!

I'll be off the Internet as I enjoy a week's worth of the lovely Passover holiday. Here's some music to underscore the theme of the world's greatest love story What it Means to Be Chosen...

The Book Sheryl Crow Needs to Read

B'SD


17 Sivan 5772


Anyone listening to or reading the news probably knows by now that singer Sheryl Crow has a Meningioma, the very form of benign brain tumor that almost KILLED me!

What are the odds that she'll avoid future complications NOT being addressed in this news item? I'd say low unless she has a far more astute neurologist and neurosurgeon on her medical team. The doctor quoted in this article makes dismissive comments, as if Meningiomas were as harmless as freckles. True, some people get past their Meningiomas easily. But others face deadly implications. Readers need to know that:

•  Meningiomas tend to come in pairs 
• Crush nerves 
• Cause cognitive, vision, balance, hearing and other problems. 
•  One Meningioma can hide behind the other and not be detected on MRIs
• Necessary surgery or Stereotactic Radiation treatments can cause secondary problems
• The potential for further, crippling damage to the person with the hidden tumor is BIG 
•  Meningiomas can cause death
  
  
  What a waste of an opportunity to educate the masses, FOX News. 
  
  
  For some of us mortals, Meningiomas can present life and death situations.

  
  
  That's a medical CRISIS worth crying over.
  
  
  
  
  

A medical crisis - you'd cry too, if it happened to you. Use your tissues and handkerchiefs with my blessings borne of experience. GOD gives you Permission to Weep. And you can say that to any critics after explaining that "It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry if I Need To." Show them page 5 of the book to prove your point.




The Baltimore Sun did a better job of presenting an overview of Meningiomas at Brain Tumor Facts. 

Dry your tears as you read E-book or print edition EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. Buy it at http://booklocker.com/books/3067.html 


Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

Hope and Help for People with Autism - and Their Loved Ones!

B'SD


1 Sivan, 5772


I'm happily counting the days to Shavuot, the Jewish holiday commemorating the giving of Torah at Mount Sinai. It happens this coming Sunday.


I'm further delighted to have read this Autism scientists search for help, for their own kids' sakes article in USATODAY.


Meanwhile,  you're facing some sort of medical, mental health or disability problem right now. Care to read a book endorsed by an NIH researcher plus medical and mental health professionals?

Buy it at Booklocker.com

http://booklocker.com/books/3067.html

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

Masculinity and Healing

B'SD


26 Iyar 5772


I read an Is Social Media too Feminine? article. Then I wondered "How many men are inspired to heal from social media?" One glance at the sites mentioned in the article had my gut churning with big doubts about that.

So I'm giving male readers 

a sneak peek 

into some manliness-oriented 

content of

Here you go:

Spend Time on Spirituality
Shore-up your Spiritual Life in Practical Ways.
A medical challenge can make a person want to question GOD's wisdom and compassion.


Plato spoke throughout the ages when he said, "If the head and the body are to be well, you must begin by curing the soul."


It's easy to be spiritual when life makes sense and rewards seem to follow good deeds. But watching someone suffer or being that sufferer tears at someone's confidence in a loving GOD. The problem calls for an intensified spiritual understanding and appreciation of what is going on in the affected person's life. Challenges can present themselves in mystifying ways. I describe a few of them below and present tools for potential solutions.


The Isolation Challenge: Some people isolate themselves from others as they try to hide painful truths from themselves and others. I call it "Sitting Shiva (mourning) for Yourself." It's a downward road to more suffering that you don't have to take. You can leave that road if you're already on it.


You or your loved one might be finding it difficult to accept comforting words and certain teachings. That's normal. It is not denial of your belief in GOD or a rejection of sound psychological principles. It is a cry of pain.


GOD gave you the challenge you're facing, and He knows better than you do how vulnerable you are to feeling angry, hurt, lost and more. He is also observing how you choose to handle the situation. He is also keeping all possibilities open for your spiritual response to this medical challenge. Among those possibilities are an enhanced relationship with Him, a greater awareness of your capabilities (some are showing up for the first time, others might be improving), and inner growth.


This is an opportunity to let the intellect rule over the emotions. Sounds dull and impossible? Hang on. The reward for letting your intellect rule over your emotions is a richly rewarding, much more meaningful emotional life. And that enriched meaning of life means a lot less stress. And it's all a matter of pretending until you believe in what you're doing. Think of a baby flopping to the floor every time it tries to walk. The baby never lets depression rule the situation. Nope, the baby gets up and tries again. Even if it walks like a Frankenstein monster, the baby will repeat using its legs and feet until he or she hits a smooth stride.


Changing the way we think is the same technique. You flop around until repeated practice helps you to master the task.


Skeptical that you can feel happy? Consider this reality. I've mentioned babies a few times in my text. The reason is this: we are born cheerful. We feel secure, interested in our lives and surroundings. We eventually realize that our thoughts and actions are effective. Happiness is our natural state. It is when other people or circumstances hurt us and we make mistaken conclusions or choose to hold grudges that we fill up, maybe overflow with, feelings of insecurity, boredom, irrelevance, and/or depression. The solution is intellectual and emotional. We need to choose to our focus, to stay with it, and to develop the tenacity to return to states of gratitude, acceptance, and happiness. GOD gave us the tools so it could happen. We have the ability to control how we think and feel!


Here's your homework assignment for Strengthening Your Spiritual Life. Set priorities. You're the first priority, particularly in regard to your physical and spiritual health...


Praying is a priority. To be realistic about it, be honest about the fact that you want to cry, scream, beg and dialogue with GOD. You want answers, help, and an easier life. That stuff tends not to show up in prayer books. My solution? Pray from the heart rather than a script. GOD has more intelligence than you or I can measure. He'll understand you with all the love that a Heavenly Father has. He's with you in all this. If the only prayer you can come up with is to crack your knuckles, sigh or change the speed of your movements in a rocking chair, He'll "get it." Stock up on soothing books, magazines and recordings of spiritual philosophy that help your sense of perspective.


Say these statements out loud: I have to be happy in order to heal. When I am happy, my body chemistry is receptive to healing therapies. Happiness also helps my body to heal itself to some extent.


Now set your next priority.


Say this statement out loud: I need help in order to heal.


Part of the help you need in order to heal is medical. Other necessary help is the love and practical support of people helping you with daily tasks. If you are debating the manliness of receiving such help, I ask that you consider King David, Forefather Jacob and Forefather Isaac. They were very masculine men. And they accepted medical, emotional, and spiritual assistance without losing one iota of their male egos. So has Lance Armstrong, the professional bicyclist who won the body-busting Tour de France seven times in a row after recovering from testicular cancer and metastasis to his brain and lungs...


More content is coming for men. Part 2 is scheduled to appear after the weekend.




Buy the E-book or print edition today for a brighter, healthier you: Click on the words EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 


Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.
Like a MAN.

The Haveil Havalim Blogpost Carnival is Coming Here Soon!

B'SD

1 Iyar 5772


Readers, I have a dynamic E-mail correspondence going on behind the scenes with some of you. I'm delighted with the diversity of the readership here. It's a privilege to be helping and interacting with people I'd never otherwise "meet"! The fun and wonder will grow on April 29 as I hostess what's called the "Haveil Havalim" blogpost carnival.


Various bloggers from around the world will be sharing their links with me in the next few days. I'll post selected entries that serve public interests and purposes on April 29th. No snarky remarks from contributors, please. Share something thoughtful, innovative, educational, helpful, or soothing to serve public interests. Send your URL to giveretgolani@gmail.com.


Here's a quick FYI if you're wondering what Haveil Havalim means in English: Vanity of vanities. It's a catch-phrase repeated in Ecclesiastes (kohelet in Hebrew), the famous passage written by King Solomon. We learn in it to focus on spiritual meaning, to rise above our present limitations (moral, physical, emotional, intellectual, etc.).  Why? Selfishness is not destined for eternal value.


Looking forward to April 29th!






Buy the E-book or print edition to EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge so you rise above your health-related limitations as much as possible. 


Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

How to Make a Commitment - and Keep it!

B'SD


25 Adar 5772


Last night I met some of the most remarkable people for audience members on the way to, at, and on my way home from my speaking engagement. 


Each was a "doer" who'd made significant achievements in their lives. Proud of themselves for staying the course in tough times (widowhood, prejudice, poverty, illness, politics, religious issues), they wanted to hear me speak for one reason: "You and your book are all about how to achieve goals!" one person said. "We've heard  about you," or "We've read about you" remarked other listeners.


I was awed. Before me were people who'd innovated solutions to problems admirably. They had suffered and refused to continue suffering. They had DONE something to end the stalemates they and other people were in.


One woman asked me how I go on with my future, though my vision remains less than what's considered "normal" and that I must compensate for those deficits.

"I refuse to surrender to despair," I replied.

As one listener remarked "That's what all of us have in common. Victims say 'I'll try.' They make some sort of attempt and give up because of difficulties they need to overcome. Leaders say and believe 'I commit to X' and then they do all the hard work to achieve their goals. That's why we want to read your book. It's showing ill people how to achieve their goals."


One woman bought multiple copies for her acquaintances to read!

Ready to achieve YOUR goals? Read EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 






Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

Why the Blazes Do You Pray?

B'SD


12 Adar 5772

One of the topics addressed in

is prayer. In my live appearances I speak about the surprising effect that someone else's unknown-to-me prayers had upon my recovery. It's a rather shocking turn of events. It caught an already religious me by BIG surprise!

But praying can seem 

distasteful, even repulsive, 

to some people.

When a person experiences unremitting suffering, pain and heartache, praying can seem to be a cruel concept.  Ill and disabled people might wonder "Why should I pray? Doesn't GOD know how and what I feel already? I mean c'mon, what kind of GOD is it if S/he can't figure me out?"

But we're supposed to pray. Why?

To help ourselves to figure out what we need. Suffering can lead to confused thinking, or result from it. Prayer is a private audience with the Creator. Spend time in it. Speak your heart out; pour on the anger, shame, sadness and fear. Explore possible solutions. Ask for those you can't even imagine. Hone in on what's truly important to you. And say thanks for things going right. You could be in for some surprises.


Be sure to share those thoughts with people you trust. The results can be life-saving in many more ways than you presently imagine.


Go ahead. Read pages 4, 5, 6, page 36's Shore Up Your Spirituality and other pages. Look for the book's License to Cry, too. Tears are a form of prayer. I explain all that in EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 






Buy the E-book or print edition today for a brighter day and rest of your life. May your prayers be answered to your benefit. 


Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

How to Cope with Stressful Times

B'SD


6 Adar 5772


Readers, I recently experienced a series of unusual circumstances that have left me physically drained and increasingly aware of the psycho-social pressures building up around the world.


Sad to say, I've encountered people who have sabotaged the lives of their families and neighbors, let alone themselves. Many of those saboteurs seem to be operating on some sort of auto-pilot, not thinking things through with clarity and honesty. Their minds seem muddled with inconsistent thoughts and contradictory priorities. 

My conversations with mental health practitioners at a recent conference underscored the drama of what I've mentioned above. They're witnessing the same phenomenon.


I ask that all of you step back, reflect on and clarify what you believe to be your core values, and whether or not you're living up to them. Do what you can to shore up your clarity of mind, to refresh your spiritual take on life. Improve your relationships. 


Do a reality check. Clarify your values with reputable therapists or trusted confidantes who function in constructive ways.

Integrity is when 

your beliefs and actions 

remain consistent 

with each other.

Build inner and outer worlds. Don't destroy them with preventable mistakes.






Boost your spirits with the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. Buy it from Booklocker.  Medical and mental health professionals recommend it.



Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

All Systems GO for the Refua Radio Show and...

B'SD


8 Shvat 5772


I spent yesterday working on the Shvat 19/February 12 launch of the Refua Radio Show. Healing music has been loaded into the files I plan to use in helping you and other listeners to "Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity and to Face Your Future with Optimism."


My graphic designer has created terrific visual messages for inspiring you to do just that.


Here are some of the thoughts I'll be sharing on the show:


Disabled? Sick? Scared? Carl Jung taught that "I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become."

Learn how to make that mindset yours, no matter how or what you've suffered. 

Read

EMPOWER Yourself TODAY. Discover how easy it can be to improve your health, save money and feel safer than before.

Medical and mental health experts who've praised the book on the cover and in their offices are sure you'll enjoy the results at  http://booklocker.com/books/3067.html

Buy the E-book or print edition today for a brighter today and tomorrow: Click on the words EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 


Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

Seeking Families with Children Who Have Fanconi Anemia

B'SD


8 Tishrei 5772

 

Today's blogpost is a 2-parter. The first part is a plea for communication about coping with Fanconi Anemia:


From: Beineinu <beineinu@beineinu.org>
Date: Wed, Oct 5, 2011 at 8:32 AM
Subject: Beineinu Parent match--Fanconi Anemia--PLEASE FORWARD!!
To: Beineinu <beineinu@beineinu.org>


 HELP ANOTHER FAMILY------
PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO YOUR ENTIRE CONTACT LIST


Dear "Beineinu Family", Thanks to all of you, we have been able to make many successful parent matches between families dealing with the effects of their children's diagnoses.  This is especially helpful for those families dealing with the devastating effects of some of the rarer disorders. We have received a request from parents looking to talk to another family dealing with "FANCONI ANEMIA", which is a genetic disorder causing bone marrow failure, kidney, heart, gastrointestinal or bladder abnormalities, arm and finger deformities (such as misshapen or missing fingers, underdeveloped or missing forearm bone), light brown birthmarks, and short stature.


Children with fanconi anemia usually need to undergo bone marrow transplants due to bone marrow failure, and are at higher risk of cancer.


If you know of someone matching this description, please ask the family if they are willing to talk to another family dealing with the same issue.  They are looking for the information and support that only another family can give. The requesting family talks English and some Hebrew.  They are willing to call or email anywhere in the world. If you can help, please contact Golda@Beineinu.org. We will forward the information to the requesting family.


Thank you again for all of the help that you have given so far.  May Hashem grant you many years of good health for your entire families. Golda Turner
Beineinu International347-743-4900www.Beineinu.orgGolda@Beineinu.org
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Part two is a scintillating review of some deep spiritual meaning that's perfect at this High Holiday time of year. Fascinating presentation. PROMISE!

Fleeting Glimpses into

Upper Worlds

Need some kid- plus adult-friendly and/or spiritually uplifting reading material for your medical, disability or emotionally stressful situation? Buy and read EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.  TODAY!

PS - be sure to review some sensible guidlelines about the Yom Kipur fast: 10 Tips for an Easier Fast.

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.