World Suicide Prevention Day Sept 10th Who thinks about suicide? It is estimated that 5% of the Canadian population has thoughts of suicide at one time or another (ASIST BC Crisis Centre). Loss of people we love, relationships, jobs and money are all possible reasons to want to escape a problem that seems insurmountable. We are wired to find solutions to our problems. Most of us naturally reach out, talk to someone, and together find solutions other than death. September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. I urge you to seriously listen to someone that is talking about suicide, ending it all, or not having a choice. Help them discover their choices and reasons to live.
Community News
Recipe for Fermented Dills
Fermented pickles provide healthy pro-biotic digestive enzymes, make the nutrients more bio-available and are easy to make. In a clean, 1 quart glass Mason jar, place a horseradish leaf in the bottom. Tightly pack with washed cucumbers, making sure there are no air pockets. Add sprigs of dill and cloves of chopped garlic evenly throughout the jar and top with bits of horseradish leaf. Add 1 heaping tablespoon of course sea salt and fill to top with clean, filtered water. Cover with a Mason jar lid and leave on the counter for 5 – 7 days to ferment and then store in the fridge.
A Place for Women to Gather
Are you a woman, feeling isolated, longing for the support of like-minded women? A monthly gathering for women lead by a Ladysmith clinical counsellor and psychotherapist will be starting in October. It will be safe and sacred space to share what’s in your heart, your joys and celebrations as well as your sorrows, burdens and pains. You can be witnessed and feel heard in a circle of mutual love, compassion and support. Come to help heal one another through the power of intent and sing songs for healing the planet. Attendance by donation; funds will be used for earth greening and sustainability projects. Contact: [email protected]
Using Essential Oil Around the House
Essential Oils are used for many things around the house. * Fix Smelly Shoes – put a drop or two of Purification into each shoe. * Get Rid Of Pests – deter spiders, mice, and other pests from coming into your home by putting a drop of peppermint oil onto a cotton ball and leaving it where the pests are coming in. *Make Your Home Smell Great- add a few drops of Thieves™ oil to a new furnace filter before installing it. The air will flow through the filter, and carry the scent of the oil throughout the house
Theatre Production: Glorious
Glorious, the outrageously hilarious comedy about the worst singer in the world, brings the story of Florence Foster Jenkins to life on the Chemainus Theatre Festival stage this fall. First premiering on London’s West End in 2005, this delightfully comedic play portrays the story of “An extraordinary woman who had the guts to follow her dream”. Known as ‘The first lady of the sliding scale’, Jenkins’ charm lies somewhere between Norma Desmond and Lucille Ball. During World War II, the amateur singer and flamboyant socialite was the squeaky soprano du jour, singing her way into the hearts of New York society.
Keeping the Immune System Strong
Supporting your immune system is important all year round, and with the coming of the fall season and busy back to school, it becomes even more so. Stay on guard and keep yourself and your loved ones healthy! Eating a well balanced and natural diet, eliminating processed sugar/carbs, and maintaining personal hygiene like hand washing offers a good baseline for keeping well. Herbal supplements can be helpful when needed, and filling in missing gaps with necessary vitamins and superfoods can be essential. Wishing you much wellness and healthy energy levels this autumn!
Happiness Runs
Making music with another person is like having a conversation without words. A conversation that goes deep. One day in the adolescent unit of the hospital where I worked as a music therapist I was playing guitar and singing softly in the corridor. In a room close by I knew that there was a young man who’d been admitted for attempting suicide. He quietly emerged from his room with a guitar and sat down opposite me. Soon he joined in the music. We made eye contact once. He smiled. Without speaking we had already shared so much.
Movement is The Door to Learning
Movement-based learning is an adventure that fires up the brain! Did you know that simply adding physical activity to everyday school lessons can help your child be more focused, organized and relaxed? How great is that! Imagine your child learning multiplication tables while doing physical activities and enjoying the whole experience. Brain Gym exercises activate cognitive functions and flood the body with endorphins, while helping with depression and anxiety. Movement is a powerful experience and can make education stimulating and fun! Unlock your child’s full learning potential today and create a healthier future for tomorrow.
Feeling Stuck?
Life can get sticky sometimes – maybe it’s a job you don’t want, or you notice you’re not doing the stuff that will help you feel okay. Or maybe you are finding other people really hard to bear. We can struggle to be effective at times, and blame ourselves – or we feel blamed by the people who are getting us down to begin with! How to change your circumstances? Counselling can be a safe and neutral place to consider your options – whether you want to find new boundaries, bounce back, act in new ways, find acceptance, or support yourself better.
Foot Care for Seniors
It’s important for seniors to keep their feet in good condition so they can remain mobile. There are several things you can do to keep your feet feeling their best. Ensure that you wear good quality running shoes or shoes that are specifically designed for walking. Have your foot care professional treat your corns, callouses, and ingrown nails, as well as evaluate your foot mechanics for any structural imbalances. Gentle exercises and stretching of your feet and legs can reduce tightness, improve mobility and flexibility, and increase circulation. Finally, get involved in a walking program to keep you moving!
Teach Children Financial Literacy
The end of summer means kids are jumping back into their normal school routine of learning. This school year, add financial literacy into your family’s daily routine to help your children learn the importance of money management. You can do this by:
•Walking your kids through making smaller payments (e.g., paying for dinner).
•Using the opportunity to teach budgeting and saving skills when they receive money from chores or as gifts.
•Opening up a bank account for them to manage.
•Teaching your older kids about using cash versus credit, reinforcing the idea that “money doesn’t grow on trees” and credit is borrowing money you’re promising to pay back.
