Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Update Beliefs on Animal Testing - It's NOT Necessary

Most people believe that experiments on animals are necessary for medicine and science to progress. However, this is not the case. The belief that we must experiment on animals is being challenged by a growing number of physicians and scientists who are utilizing many research methods that do not harm or kill animals. More and more physicians and scientists are also seeing the negative consequences of using one species to provide information about another species; often the results of animal experiments are misleading or even harmful to humans.

Get information on non-animal testing.

Have questions? Visit the FAQ section.

DO NOT BUY IAMS or Eukanuba pet foods! Your dollars are being spent on animal research. Get more information about this at either of these sites:
www.iamscruelty.com/
www.iamskills.com/

One of the reasons we switched to natural pet foods produced by small non-animal testing companies is so our money would not support animal testing or corporations who are more concerned with making money than with pet health. We use Life's Abundance pet foods, treats and supplements for our pets. They have never had a recall and because of their personal involvement in getting small supplies in the U.S., they won't.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Getting Healthy

by Donna L. Watkins

Years ago I was introduced to a book by Pastor Henry Wright called, 'A More Excellent Way.' It was unlike any book I'd read relating to disease and health issues. It had the foundation that I might be to blame for my ills and woes. Human pride doesn't like to go to those levels, but when you are sick enough, you are willing to consider anything.

©2007 Donna L. Watkins - Song Sparrow
The book has been revolutionary in my life and the lives of many others. We sold the book for years until it became more readily found at bookstores so that we had no need to sell it any longer. When we are willing to take charge of our own thoughts and realize they are sin within us, we can win many battles that will break strongholds in our lives and the lives of those around us."

Some people get pretty comfortable in their sickness. It gives them something to talk about and it may give them the attention they have longed for and didn't receive as a healthy person. Some people believe the sickness is from God so that they will be able to love God more and know Him better.

To that Smith Wigglesworth says, "Why should you, under any circumstances, believe that you will be better off by being diseased? When disease is impurity, why should you ever believe that you will be sanctified by having a great deal of sickness? Some people talk about God being pleased to put disease on His children. 'Here is a person I love,' says God, 'I will break his arm. Then, so that he will love Me more, I will break his leg. So that he will love Me even more, I will gie him a weak heart.' The whole thing won't stand daylight. Yet people are always talking this way, and they never think to read the Word of God, which says, "Before I was afflicted I went astray." (Ps. 119:67)

When somebody is battling illness they feel bad enough without being told that "they" may be the cause of it. However, even the medical world is finding that many diseases are related to anger, stress, bitterness, and unforgiveness. It is certainly something to be considered when you have looked under every rock for an answer and found no relief.

Smith says, "When Satan can get to your body, he will, if possible, make the pain or weakness so distracting that it will affect your mind and always bring your mind down to where the pain is. When that takes place, you do not have the same freedom in your Spirit to lift up your heart and shout and praise the Lord. Disease or weakness is a power of violence that can take the kingdom of heaven in you by force. The same spiritual power that will reveal this to you, will relieve you."

"Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." (I John 4:4)

How much more could you do for your health if you would inwardly claim your rights and deliver yourself?

If you've not been living in the faith realm for awhile (medical terms, diagnoses, and prognoses generally promote fear rather than faith), this may take some time to think about. You may want to fast and pray and ask God to guide you in His steps to healing for you. Renew your mind with what the Word says about health. May God give you great insight as you seek to use His power which is above all power on earth. He will reveal the emotional roots and you will be obedient to follow through with the wisdom revealed.

Smith says, "If I can get you enraged against the powers of darkness and the powers of disease, if I can wake you up, you won't go to bed unless you prove that there is a master in you who is greater than the power that is hanging around you."

We've got so much power within. You can give the devil the boot and tell him never to return. I got the back end of a lovely blue jay on one cold winter day. You see the ice on the tail? It's not penetrating the body's feathers. It just flows down to the tail and falls off. The blue jay doesn't even notice.

That's how we can be with our armor on. The devil will rain hail on our lives and we won't notice because we're wrapped under God's wings. We have healing power in our thoughts and words and actions.

Copyright and Reprint Information
The photo(s) and article are copyrighted. You may use them if you include the following credit and active link back to this website:
© 2009 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission from TheNatureInUs.com.
The link URL is: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com

Friday, January 26, 2007

Get Your Bird Houses Ready for Nesting

From Cornell Birds

© 2006 Donna L. Watkins - Eastern Bluebird
It's time to get new birdhouses placed before the breeding season begins. In the south, that's by February and in northern areas, it's March. If you want to build your birdhouses as an indoor project during the winter, here's a site with lots of plans.

Because different species of birds prefer different kinds of nesting habitat, the habitat surrounding your box will play a role in determining which species will nest in it. Get detailed information on types of boxes needed and habitat to place them in for specific birds at this site:

A word of caution:
Don't attract birds to an area that will poison them. Avoid areas where pesticides and herbicides are used. They are harmful to birds and decrease necessary insect populations that the birds rely on as their primary source of food. Golf courses, cultivated fields, gardens, and yards are potentially good habitats if there are no chemicals used.

If you are looking to attract a variety of species to your nest boxes and have ample room, you might consider pairing your boxes. This involves placing boxes in pairs on poles 15 to 25 feet apart; or you can put two boxes, back to back, on a single pole. Birds such as Tree Swallows and bluebirds will nest closely to one another. Pairing boxes has the advantage of allowing more birds of both species to coexist peacefully within the same habitat.

In a pinch, small nest boxes can be mounted on fence posts or trees. If you wish to attach a box to a living tree, do not use nails. Rather, slip a strand of galvanized wire through the vent holes and attach a bungee cord to both ends. Stretch the bungee cord around the tree, preferably over a limb. Remember however, that hanging boxes from trees provides an easy route for predators to reach the box.

Whichever method you choose to erect your boxes, be sure your box is secure enough to withstand high winds and severe weather. The best way to erect small nest boxes is on free-standing metal poles or PVC pipes. These pipes or poles offer several advantages:

* Nest boxes can be mounted higher than when mounted on a fence post.
* Many predators find poles difficult to climb.
* Poles can also be easily equipped with a predator guard.

View construction plans for predator guards.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

The Winter Joy Of A Blooming Amaryllis


The week after Christmas a dear friend gave me an Amaryllis bulb she had planted in a small pot. I had never had one so I was excited to see what it would do. It took weeks of growing a tall stalk with 5 buds on it.

It was fun to watch it grow and watch the buds open. It still has the one center small bud to open, but I've been enjoying the plant immensely for weeks now. It's absolutely beautiful and with no flowers in sight for winter, it's made me smile and laugh many times. How much joy one bulb has brought to my life is an amazing thing.

God's Creation is to make us laugh and smile and be full of joy and of His love for us which is why He created it all to begin with. There is much beauty in the world. Focus on it. Leave the bad stuff behind. You worrying and grieving over it will not change it, so move on! Be in control of what you can control - your own outlook and beliefs. If those beliefs don't make you happy, but fearful and anxious instead, then change those beliefs. Investigate your thoughts. Take them all to court and put them on trial.

I've sure had a bunch of friends and neighbors getting the flu this year. We are blessed to be able to work at home, but we're still exposed to the world's bugs being out and about for church and volunteering. We always include something in our daily supplements that will support the immune system, but in winter, we pay special attention to doing this.

One of our favorite anti-viral formulas is Elderberry Defense. Elderberries have long been used to fight the common cold. During the winter, the people of England historically took a teaspoon a day of a rich syrup made from the elderberry to prevent winter diseases. I prefer to swallow mine in capsule form and Nature's Sunshine has added Echinacea, Royal Jelly and Olive Leaf to the Elderberry Defense formula.

If you need a children formula to keep them healthy while they are around a bunch of sick kids, Herbasaurs Elderberry Plus is a great choice. We raised our son on herbal supplements and in the 19 years he lived at home, he only got sick 4 times and we were able to get him through that in only a couple of days. Herbs can really support a body weakened by organisms by boosting our natural immune system to win the battle.

Health is an issue that is on many minds these days. It seems healthy people are becoming a rare thing. Our nation continues to drop in rank on the World Health Organizations list of the health systems. Depending on the year you look at we're around 38 on that list.

The more I read and study healthy and dis-eased people, the more I am convinced that more than genes, our health is controlled by our personalities and thoughts. What we believe (our thoughts become our beliefs), seems to determine what our cholesterol, blood pressure, heart disease, and other health information is going to be.

I have an aunt that eats tons of chocolate. From what I'm told most of her diet is sugar and she eats gallons of ice cream every week. This has been going on her entire life. She's older than I am and has never complained of a health problem.

Don't we all know people like that? It's not her genetic history. There were a lot of children in that family and some have died and some still live with major health issues. What's the difference? You gotta think about it!

Monday, January 22, 2007

Moist Dog Food Without The Can

DryWater Ultra Dog Food - Stir and Serve Fresh

A moist dog food without the can. Tear open the pouch, pour into the bowl, add hot water for a fresh, tasty, warm, and all-natural meal with veggies for your dog. Stir and serve it.

100% Usable Meal

No wasted food
No unpleasant smell
No unappetizing appearance
No dangerous and smelly metal cans
No dried-out leftovers
Available in 3 lb. and 9 lb. sizes.

Get more information on DryWater Ultra Dog Food.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Environmentally-Friendly Rental Car Agencies Provide Eco Cars

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has been adding biodiesel vehicles to its fleet of cars in many cities, testing customer demand for environmentally friendly rentals. The Jeep Liberties in Portland come filled with bio-fuel and can be refilled at 4 local stations or with regular diesel.

Check out this Rent An Eco article for more news.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Never Throw Away Books or Magazines

The disposable mentality sometimes doesn't cause us to look beyond our own use of something, but when it comes to printed matter, there are many out there who can benefit from what you are ready to discard.


Besides the typical options of public libraries and church libraries, books and magazines and inspirational pamphlets are a great aid to rehabilitation for those who've been sent to prison or juvenile detention centers. Please search out a correctional facility in your area to donate published materials of any kind.

You can also contact some neighbors to form a magazine swap. Make a list of what each neighbor has and when it's compiled let each participating neighbor check off what they'd like to swap around. Then give that list to each person with magazines to share. They can attach a sheet of paper to each issue with the names of those interested so that it can continue to be passed on till they are all checked off. If the person wants the magazine back, their name can be put on the list also.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Getting Healthy

by Donna L. Watkins

Years ago I was introduced to a book by Pastor Henry Wright called, A More Excellent Way. It was unlike any book I'd read relating to disease and health issues. It had the foundation that I might be to blame for my ills and woes. Human pride doesn't like to go to those levels, but when you are sick enough, you are willing to consider anything.

© 2007 Donna L. Watkins - Song Sparrow
The book has been revolutionary in my life and the lives of many others. We sold the book for years until it became more readily found at bookstores so that we had no need to sell it any longer. When we are willing to take charge of our own thoughts and realize they are sin within us, we can win many battles that will break strongholds in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Some people get pretty comfortable in their sickness. It gives them something to talk about and it may give them the attention they have longed for and didn't receive as a healthy person. Some people believe the sickness is from God so that they will be able to love God more and know Him better.

To that Smith Wigglesworth says, "Why should you, under any circumstances, believe that you will be better off by being diseased? When disease is impurity, why should you ever believe that you will be sanctified by having a great deal of sickness? Some people talk about God being pleased to put disease on His children. 'Here is a person I love,' says God, 'I will break his arm. Then, so that he will love Me more, I will break his leg. So that he will love Me even more, I will gie him a weak heart.' The whole thing won't stand daylight. Yet people are always talking this way, and they never think to read the Word of God, which says, "Before I was afflicted I went astray." (Ps. 119:67)

When somebody is battling illness they feel bad enough without being told that "they" may be the cause of it. However, even the medical world is finding that many diseases are related to anger, stress, bitterness, and unforgiveness. It is certainly something to be considered when you have looked under every rock for an answer and found no relief.

Smith says, "When Satan can get to your body, he will, if possible, make the pain or weakness so distracting that it will affect your mind and always bring your mind down to where the pain is. When that takes place, you do not have the same freedom in your Spirit to lift up your heart and shout and praise the Lord. Disease or weakness is a power of violence that can take the kingdom of heaven in you by force. The same spiritual power that will reveal this to you, will relieve you."

"Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." (I John 4:4)

How much more could you do for your health if you would inwardly claim your rights and deliver yourself?

If you've not been living in the faith realm for awhile (medical terms, diagnoses, and prognoses generally promote fear rather than faith), this may take some time to think about. You may want to fast and pray and ask God to guide you in His steps to healing for you. Renew your mind with what the Word says about health. May God give you great insight as you seek to use His power which is above all power on earth. He will reveal the emotional roots and you will be obedient to follow through with the wisdom revealed.

© 2007 Donna L. Watkins - Rear View of Blue Jay
Smith says, "If I can get you enraged against the powers of darkness and the powers of disease, if I can wake you up, you won't go to bed unless you prove that there is a master in you who is greater than the power that is hanging around you."

We've got so much power within. You can give the devil the boot and tell him never to return. I got the back end of a lovely blue jay on one cold winter day. You see the ice on the tail? It's not penetrating the body's feathers. It just flows down to the tail and falls off. The blue jay doesn't even notice.

That's how we can be with our armor on. The devil will rain hail on our lives and we won't notice because we're wrapped under God's wings. We have healing power in our thoughts and words and actions.

Prayer
Pour your healing love through my soul. Bring my inner thoughts to light and direct my steps, Lord. Wash my mind with Your Word, creating in me a clean heart, oh God. Show me my iniquities and I will repent and do what You direct me to do. Reveal your Truth to me as You guide me in Your Word. Surround my mind with protection that the Evil One cannot have a place as I seek to do Your will in my life.

Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:
© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription.
Link URL: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com

All Creation Groans

by Donna L. Watkins

I asked the Lord one morning, and certainly many mornings over the years of my life, how people can find joy and peace in this world full of suffering and grief. Anybody with a tiny ounce of compassion is moved to tears at the thought of how much pain there is in the world. The children that die every hour from starvation alone grieves my heart with any passing thought of the matter.

When I ask, I seem to hear, "It is in knowing that My plan is complete and perfect. You do not see the entire plan."

Dying is not the ultimate sorrow for the one departing to heavenly realms and we also know that those left behind with the sorrow of loss can use that loss for great and excellent things, even if it's only to draw nearer our Lord and Savior who was very familiar with suffering.

What we see here on this earth in this spiritual realm of reality .... as they call it these days .... is not the majestic tapestry of life that God has made for mankind. Eternal life begins the day one accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior. We can experience His joy and peace in the midst of all things. "For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ." (2 Cor 1:5)

Have you ever done embroidery? What a beautiful scene the front of the fabric shows, but what about the back? All those knots and crossed threads provide no hint at all of what the real picture is. It just looks a mess. We live in the midst of that mess here on this Earth's "tapestry" but we can see beyond with our spiritual eyes to better places and better purpose in all of the evil around us.

God promises us to use ALL for our good if we love Him. Isn't that an awesome thing? To know that no matter how much evil the devil dumps into our lives, we can be assured it will be used for our good, if we but love the Lord. Loving the Lord includes trusting in Him for all things. We know in our hearts that no matter how bad things look in the reality realm, there is a greater tapestry being wrought in the spiritual realm.

We need our Faith eyes to see beyond the evil to the beautiful that comes from suffering. We share in Christ's sufferings here on earth. Our pain shapes who we are for the better or the worse. Paul counted all things loss in order to know Christ and the fellowship of His sufferings. (Phillipians 3:8-11)

Pain shapes who we are. Happiness is but a fleeting emotion, a momentary happening to enjoy. Joy comes from knowing Him, intimately. Knowing that the providential will of God (that which He allows to flow into our life for a good purpose) is shaping us for the real life that is beyond.

Consider Romans 8

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.

23 Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.

24 For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees?

25 But if we hope for that which we don't see, we wait for it with patience.

26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.

Keep your perspective amidst the trials of life. Don't let the devil steal your peace and joy that can found in the midst of any storm.

Prayer
Father, give us insight into another realm of this world. We seek to know Christ and who He is and who we shall become through Him. Forgive my weak soul that expects daily pleasure and allow my faith to see into the realm of goodness that you surround me with. Thank you for directing my steps. Help me to daily surrender my will and control to your providential protection. Thank you for being a perfect Papa. Amen.

Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:

© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com, for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.thenatureinus.com

Monday, January 15, 2007

Virginia Nature Preserves and Chrysler Museum of Art

Although our recent trip was scheduled for business, we had plenty of time to enjoy the natural wonders around the Norfolk area of Virginia while the weather was in the 70's. Those warm days are again gone as we experience a bit of winter. I'm glad we took the opportunity to "enjoy the moment" while we had it.

The highlights of our trip were captured in photographs. View the individual albums from these links:

Grandview Preserve - Hampton, VA

Sandy Bottom Nature Park and Nature Center - Hampton, VA

Chrysler Museum of Art - Norfolk, VA
I was amazed that they allowed non-flash photography.

Virginia Living Museum - Newport News, VA

The Virginia Living Museum brought mixed emotions. It was wonderful to see the non-releaseable animals being cared for and knowing they would live out a longer life than they would've in the wild, but I also had that agony in my heart for them. To have once been wild and free, and now to be "trapped" in a body and environment that no longer was what it was created to be.

Friday, January 12, 2007

Garden of Eden Wetlands Recovered After Saddam's Destruction

Fifteen years after nearly being annihilated by Saddam Hussein, almost half of Iraq’s fabled marshlands of Mesopotamia, considered by some to be the original Garden of Eden, have been restored with water and wildlife, thanks to a multi-million dollar program managed by the UN Environment Program, UNEP.

Satellite images released this week showed that almost 50 percent of the total area, one of the world’s largest wetland ecosystems, had been re-flooded, in sharp contrast to agency images in 2001 revealing 90 percent of the marshlands had already been lost.

Read story.

Pet Scam on Dog Adoptions

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a warning regarding online frauds targeting people interested in adopting companion animals from locations outside of the U.S. Many of these internet scams offer the purebred animals at no cost, as long as the prospective pet parents agree to pay for the shipping expenses.

Typically, once the prospect pays the freight costs, an extra charge will be claimed for additional vaccinations, necessary for the companion animal to enter the U.S. legally. In some cases, not only is the pet never delivered, he or she never existed in the first place! The CDC urges caution when dealing with overseas pet adoptions. It is always best to deal with recommended sources for purebred animals. If you don’t know who to ask, check with your veterinarian, groomer or pet sitter for reliable breeders.

Better yet .... adopt a dog that isn't bred. Save one from death at a shelter near you or look online at Pet Finder.com. They have photos so you can find just what you're looking for ... and they've got purebreds too. You can search by breed, gender, zip, age and more. Search for barnyard animals, birds, cats, dogs, horses, pigs, rabbits, reptiles or other small and furry animals.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Warm January Day in Charlottesville, Virginia

What a delight to have a warm day in January. 76 degrees!

It got us out of the house and taking some time to tour a bit of the city we live near. Charlottesville has many wonderful attributes and getting to see them on an unexpected day out made them even more delightful.

Photo Album:
January Day in Charlottesville, VA

Dogs: Ear Infections, Dermatitis and More

Sent to me by Tracy R.

"Most people have heard of Acidophilus and know that it is good for the digestive tract. It's especially useful while taking antibiotics as it helps to replace the "good" bacteria that antibiotics kill off. But here is a lesser known, but equally beneficial use for acidophilus.

Simply open two (2) capsules of
Garlic and put into 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Let it cool to room temperature and add two (2) capsules of Acidophilus and you have a potent healing rinse! This is a good combination to use on those red, inflamed ear flaps that accompany ear infections. It also makes a great rinse for dogs who suffer from vaginitis and certain types of dermatitis."

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Migratory Bird Treaty Act

This law implements the treaties that the U.S. has signed with a number of countries protecting birds that migrate across our national boarders. It makes illegal the taking, possessing or selling of protected species.

Be informed about the law and inform others also. Download a PDF of the entire law documentation at this website:
www.pacificwildlife.org/info/Online%20Docs/mbta.pdf

Sunday, January 7, 2007

Weary of the Doing

by Donna L. Watkins

© Donna L. Watkins - Male Wood Duck
If somebody were to represent your lifestyle in an artistic endeavor, would it be a still painting that one could sit down and ponder and find hidden treasures amidst the scenes? Or would it be one of those current videos that runs by your mind so fast with flashing images of here and there? So much content that your mind can't even absorb it all, as you watch the scenes fly by.

We are living in a fast-paced world with value being determined by beauty, title or what you do. The sad part is that the beautiful don't even believe they are, and focus just as much on being beautiful. Those who are wrapped up in the doing never feel like they've done enough. There is an inner driving force set into motion that doesn't allow a relaxed mode of operation.

Some are busy about doing good in ministry, but even the spiritual side of "doing more" can come from being infected with the mad rush of society to do it all. Even Jesus rested and He had quite an agenda to accomplish in a short period of ministry on earth. You might like to read an article I did many years back entitled, "Walking Like Jesus."

I have always had a challenge in life with wanting to do. I didn't know how to excuse myself from duty and I sometimes wearied myself all day without really accomplishing anything that I truly considered priorities for my life. Nothing satisfied me in the area of accomplishment.

I pondered if there were statements I heard as a child that enslaved me to this mentality. Neither of my parents were over-achievers but I do remember my Dad making comments to my Mom about her being lazy. She was a very private person and didn't talk about the pain she had with health challenges that limited her energy and abilities, so I'm sure she never shared her difficulties with my Dad.

Overhearing those accusations as a teenager must've set something into my mind that said I was never going to be called lazy - nobody would ever accuse me of not getting everything done. And so lifestyles are set into motion from situations that we did not fully understand with our childhood minds. My Daddy was a kind and generous man and I have never recalled a bad word spoken to me from him. He always believed in me and bragged on me. I was a Daddy's girl so maybe his admiration drove me to great expectations of myself to be sure to please him more. I remember many times in my twenties and as a mother in my 30's that he would tell me to slow down.

Both of my parents died in the mid-80's and now over 20 years later, I still have to mentally rein myself in when it comes to scheduling tasks vs. taking time to just be me. With the limitations rheumatoid arthritis places on me, it's even more important to be sure that I am satisfying my need to be me, more than performing to all others expect me to be.

Some people have set up lifestyles based on bad and negative comments from their fathers. They have trapped themselves in the performance mode to find some approval from their fathers, believing that at some point, they will accomplish what it takes to get the acceptance from their dads for who they are. Isn't it amazing how total opposite situations of childhood can bring about the same sad results?

You cannot let the past determine your today and your future!

Dr. John Sarno in the book, "Mind-Body Prescription," links buried emotions as the reason for pain. Unexpressed and undealt with these emotions express themselves in pain. This line of research follows a belief I have had for a very long time and one that links in with Pastor Henry Wright's book, "A More Excellent Way." If we don't deal with emotions they will produce sickness.

I have realized that something caused the drivenness that was part of my nature, and although I know that I received a new nature when I accepted Christ, I did not implement the mentality or thought process to walk in it. I allowed my mind to be driven by old tapes. No matter how much I accomplished each day I would still lie down late at night and think of the things I did not get done.

There is nothing we can do to warrant or earn anybody's love. Nothing! Love is a God-given gift within us that we have to choose to release towards ourself and others. It must be freely given. So .....

Performance-based acceptance is an absolute farce! A lie of the Enemy that seeks to destroy our lives. There is nothing that brings more peace to my soul and spirit than taking the time to be me and to nurture a love for myself so that I can give love to others. Matthew 19 says we should love our neighbor as ourself. That implies to me that if I don't love myself, I won't have any love to love my neighbor.

It's a new year, a fresh slate, a time for new beginnings. Determine to take time for you each day. No matter how small. Those with a job and children and marriage have a lot to juggle, but there are a few moments each day that you can take to make yourself feel special. Some of us have more time we can spend depending on what season in life we are in. It's not about things. Not about shopping or using L'Oreal because you are worth it. You are worth more than adding stuff to your life that you will have to manage and maintain. Go within and find out what makes you feel really good that is lasting. It's probably not about some extra trinket or piece of cloth.

Make a new year resolution to fall in love with yourself!

Prayer

Father, you are a perfect Daddy. You have created me to do good things and to show Your love to those around me and to myself. Your Word says I am to love. This is your greatest commandment. Help me to trust in Your love and to choose to release the past experiences that I did not understand with my childish mind and to accept them in faith, knowing they will be good to my life, if I trust in You to control my life. As I look at the life I have created with my own will and control, I know it is lacking in peace and joy. Today, Lord, I choose to set things right. I will forgive and release what I need to in my past and move forward because the only real thing I can effect with my will is to choose to let go. Thank you for showing me how to do that. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:

© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com, for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.thenatureinus.com

Friday, January 5, 2007

Weight Loss and Claiming Your Life

by Donna L. Watkins

Donna and Randal and Shy Squeek
I hope you had a good month of December and have many goals for the new year. The photo is from our Christmas Day. There I am with my hunk, Randal, and our little kitty girl, Squeek, in her Christmas collar. She's being camera shy.

If one of your new year's resolutions is to lose weight, may I suggest a cleanse to begin the pathway to weight loss? Dieter's Cleanse is a safe, simple, convenient cleansing program.

The body uses fat to sequester and store toxins; therefore, without good elimination, the body will not release fat stores. This product is not available in California, so Clean Start would be a great alternative.

The holidays do not promote eating healthy, so cleansing is a great way to begin the new year. There is so much room for improvement in our lives as we move through each year. The business world is all about goals, but we need personal and spiritual goals because we regress if we are not moving forward.

Life passes by so quickly, even when days seem so long from boredom, so it's best to grab hold of the reins and be responsible for it. No matter how long you wait, nobody else will take over that responsibility for you. You may have some controlling people in your life, but that doesn't take away your power to make life what you want it to be.

As a child and young adult I was a real whiner. I wasn't lazy, but I wanted life my way and when it didn't go that way I would whine. It got me nowhere because whining doesn't produce anything good in life. We can whine or win, it's totally our choice. Playing the blame game can waste your entire life away. God gave us Abundant Life, but some of us don't claim their gift.

It's there with your name on it ... reach out, take hold and go for it!

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© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com, for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.thenatureinus.com

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

2006 Bluebird Cove Blooms and Critters

tHere's the links to our photo gallery for last year's Bluebird Cove (our name for our one acre wildlife habitat) critters and garden.

The Critters - 2006

The Garden - 2006

Cat Scratching Destruction

by Cheryl Falkenburry
CenterHillSchool.com

We just got a cat and she’s scratching on our furniture. I don’t know what to do with her. I heard that declawing a cat is cruel, but I can’t take much more of this.

All cats need to scratch to help keep their nails sharp and shed the outer layer of their claws. You can teach a cat to do this in appropriate areas by providing cat scratches of various heights. Every time the kitten scratches undesirable surfaces, pick her up and bring her to the appropriate area.

Do not force her to scratch, but take a toy on a string and encourage her to climb and chase after the toy all the while scratching on the cat scratch. If the cat still returns to your furniture, temporarily put double-sided sticky tape on those areas to discourage her. Cats don’t like the feel of tape on their paws. She will soon learn that her cat scratch is much more comfortable, and eventually you can remove the tape.

Declawing a cat can cause behavior problems.

When a cat is declawed they lose the first knuckle of each toe. Since this takes away their first-line of defense, many cats turn to biting instead, not to mention how weird it must feel to walk without that part of their foot. It’s much better to take a little time to train the cat to scratch and stretch in appropriate places so everyone in the house is happy.

Ask About Your Pet's Behavior Problem

Cheryl Falkenburry has traveled the world helping people make sense of mind-boggling animal behavior. Working with animal behaviorists in Tucson, Arizona and England, majoring in psychology, and becoming a certified parenting educator prepared Cheryl to teach both humans and animals. Cheryl recognized that the concepts of positive parenting and loving leadership worked whether her clients were parents of human children or furry ones and applies her positive parenting skills to her animal training sessions. She has helped thousands of people develop new and exciting relationships with the animals who share their lives. Get details on phone and email consultations.

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