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Are you one of the almost half of Americans who did not take a vacation this summer? Do you often find yourself rushing from A to B with no time to breath, working seven days a week and not taking time for lunch? If so, it's time to take a break. When you are building a business or climbing the corporate ladder or assuming others' responsibilities, it's easy to become caught up in work and routines and easy to forget that we are not machines. Taking a break is not only necessary for the well-being of our minds and bodies, but a real need. Ironic, isn't it, that if one waits for the perfect to take a break, it never seems to come, because there is always something to do and take care of, instead of taking care of ourselves and accepting that well deserved break. Summer just came and went. It promised adventure, romance, fun and leisure; but did your dreams become reality this year? Or did you continue to dream of white sandy beaches, quiet cool mountain views, the solitude of the desert, the excitement of an action filled adventure vacation, or even of distant lands? The only thing stopping us from fulfilling our dreams is ourselves. There is always a way if we prioritize. Taking a break doesn't have to be about going away. Over the past ten years more and more people have realized that taking a break can be as simple as not answering the phone or e-mail for a week, hanging out in pajamas all day, spending time alone or with friends, and perhaps best of all not having a single plan of what to do, doing absolutely nothing. How about a retreat with no traveling and no financial outlay? You could simply investigate and experience the sound of silence for a few days. Don't use your voice, communicate when you must with pen and paper. Those who have experienced the bliss of silence are full of praise for the many benefits derived from this simple, yet different approach to taking a break. When was the last time you took a break from those that you love? A friend recently found herself taking a real break alone for two weeks. Her husband and children took a trip aboard and she chose to stay at home. It was her first break on her own for over 25 years. She looked forward to it with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. By the end of the two weeks, she reported that she had thoroughly enjoyed her own company and that the single life was a lot simpler and most enjoyable. Even in the most wonderful relationships we can find ourselves again and breathe a breath of fresh air by taking a break from our partners and being even for a short time separate units. If you feel like you can hardly remember the last time you took a break, check the following ten tips to taking a break from life, reality and yourself. You are guaranteed to start to feel rejuvenated, revitalized and ready to take a real break sometime soon.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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Free Presentations on Self-Healing in the Houston Area Petrene will be giving a FREE presentation followed by a Public Forum on Self-Healing and book signing at:
Click here to tell your friends about these presentations For more details, go to our events section. If you can't attend these events, remember that you can listen online to Petrene's presentation at Transitions Bookstore in Chicago recorded during her US Tour on April. Self-Healing is becoming of hot topic! If you don't have yet your own copy of "The Essence of Self-Healing: How to bring health and happiness into your life", go to your local bookstore now or click here to order today your own autographed copy online. FREE Set of The Power of Positive Thoughts Cards with every book ordered. Help us spread the word and bring health to everyone, ask your local public library to order "The Essence of Self-Healing" by Petrene Soames (FleetStreet Publications, ISBN 0-9700444-0-2). |
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The following letter was faxed to the editor of the 5 major USA newspapers.
Preliminary Note: I only focused my attention in that letter on negatives to bring mainly two points:
Like everyone, I am still in awe after Tuesday September 11th, 2001 dramatic events. I do not and never did support any terrorist actions of any kind. As I never did and still don't support any military action of any kind either. Killing and obliterating human lives has never been and will never be acceptable, under any circumstances. You might say that I am what we call a pacifist. But I am angry. I am angry at our media outlets who have been constantly inciting us - since Tuesday - with messages of anger and retaliation. I understand and realize that the USA cannot just heal their wounds and forget about the event. I understand that accepting such an act of terrorism without action could have dramatic repercussion on everyone safety and the world economy. So I know that something must be done. Is fury the answer to fury? I don't think so. When a crime is committed, we use our judicial system to persecute the criminals, not military action that threatens thousand of innocents in far away countries, and back here at home. I am also still wondering, as European press, why the heads of the FBI and CIA did not immediately resign after showing such an incredible incompetence. And consequently, why Washington has not demanded their resignation. What also makes me angry is the constant use of words and affirmations such as “The Greatest Nation on Earth”, “Freedom”, and “Good against Evil”. Are we really that perfect yet? Has anyone asked yet why people around the world hate us so much, Americans? Did anyone look at the image that we, the USA, project of ourselves around the world? Looking even further, could it be possible that what we represent is, from other nations and cultures perspective considered as Evil, and that we might not be the Greatest Nation on Earth after all, but just a Nation among all the others with its own problems to deal with and still lots to do in order to grow and become greater and greater? Did anyone seriously look at our own concept of Freedom? If we want to grow as individuals or/and as a nation, we need to look with honesty and without arrogance at where and what we are, and what we represent to others. Then, and only then will we be able to move on. The USA is without any doubt the leader of our western civilization. But at what cost? Let's look for a second at our European cousins who share the same ideology, the same political structure and the same religion. Do you realize for example that there are over 1000 public demonstrations in Paris every year? The vast majority of them are absolutely non-violent. These demonstrations are about people expressing their views and disagreements. Such activities are mainly prohibited here in the USA. Do you also realize that most of our European Cousins live in a political freedom that is completely alien to the US society? It is not unusual to see 10 to 15 different parties represented at the presidential elections, ranging from extreme right to extreme left. What about workers rights and compensations? Most of our European Cousins benefit from 4 to 7 weeks paid vacation a year, just after one year at the job. Overtime is rare. Not mentioning work protection and security. Social security has been a reality since the 1950's. Western Europeans also have access to large amount of newspapers and information, nationwide, expressing views from all kinds of positions, including foreign press. To how many newspapers do you have access to in your hometown? We could go on and on. When is the last time you read a foreign newspaper? Watched a foreign movie? Now, looking at our US society, we have over 54% of overweight people in the US. The vast majority of citizens live - as reported 2 years ago or so - in a state of misery. That means that, if you look at the amount of debts that you are carrying, your real annual revenue if far below zero. In other words, although we live in large houses and own lots and lots of things, we are basically poorer than the average citizen in what we call Third World Countries. A clear consequence of that is that most Americans cannot afford even a week vacation. Most spend huge amount of time working just to be able to pay the credit card interests. Not to mention the stress that this brings to their personal lives and relationships, and of course health. Americans suffer from Heart Diseases and Cancer more than anyone else on this planet. It's also amazing to see today that 18 to 20 years young adults are already struggling with thousands of dollars in debts, having no hope whatsoever to see financial independence in the next 10 or 20 years. The US is also the Number One consumer in the world of illegal drugs. Not to mention Pharmaceutical drugs which are sold with margins of over 1000% more than to our European Cousins. And what about alcoholism? What about the level of racism and hate crimes in the US? Another scary news that I read a few weeks ago (almost in small prints) is that the majority of Americans receive their information mainly from advertising. In other words, our way of life, our perception of the world, our thoughts and ideas are mainly the result of a 50+ years marketing campaign. Does this make us the Greatest Nation on Earth? Born Western European, I consciously chose to become an American Citizen a few years ago. It is a great country, and USA being the leader of our Western Civilization, I thought that this is the only place where I have a real chance to bring a change for a better tomorrow. Most of you who are reading this now are probably born American. I feel that now is the time to consciously choose to be an American. I do believe that the US is a great country. I do see many positives here and I believe that the US can clear its own negatives and lead as an example to other peoples and countries, with a real willingness for positive change, which is what the whole world over wants: peace and happiness for everyone. If I did not believe that America could do this and that it is possible, I would not live here and would not have chosen to become a US citizen. But I believe also that we still have a lot to do to improve our society and our live. Focusing on negatives does not mean ignoring the positives. Right now, I feel more concerned about transforming the negatives into positives. There are people from other places around the globe who hate us. We know that per sure now. I don't feel good about that and I want it to change. Let's focus on what they hate from us and see how we can make ourselves better so their feelings towards us become positive ones too. Events such at the September 11th, 2001 tragedy are here to remind us that it is essential to re-look at our image in the world, not only of the country where we chose to live, but our own and personal image too. This is not a question of agreeing vs. not agreeing, fitting vs. not fitting. It's a question of being truthful to oneself, honest and non-judgmental to others who might have a different opinion or a different interest in life. If your neighbor were to hate you so much as the individuals responsible for this current situation, wouldn't you wonder why? Wouldn't you wonder what is it that you did, said or brought that got them to think so badly about you? Wouldn't you re-look at your own image and do whatever it is to make sure that you are not projecting one that inflames hate against you? So let's bring justice, not revenge. Let's bring understanding not blind judgment. Let's share our richness instead of imposing it. Let's appreciate and not condemn or try to dominate and change other societies and cultures. Let's re-look at the image that we project of ourselves and our society and let's all express our will to our political leaders of a future of peace, tolerance and human brotherhood. Love and best wishes, Etal P.S. Please share your thoughts with us. Click here to use our special public forum. |
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If you wish to contact Major US Newspapers, here are a few fax numbers: | ||||
Houston Chronicle: |
713-220-6677 |
USA Today: |
703-247-3108 |
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San Francisco Chronicle: |
415-896-1107 |
Washington Post: |
202-334-6138 |
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Chicago Tribune: |
312-222-2550 |
New York Times: |
212-556-3815 |
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Upcoming Four-Hour Workshop in Houston |
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Mark your calendar… Upcoming Self-Healing Four-Hour Workshop In Bellaire (Houston - Galleria Area): Saturday, October 6th - 2:00-6:00 PM
Click here for more information on this upcoming workshop or to subscribe to our Workshop Mailing List and receive a notification by e-mail when workshops are offered in your area (City, State). |
We are adding new interviews weekly to Petrene's schedule, go to to our Radio/TX section and bookmark this page to stay informed of Petrene's radio and TV appearances. |
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Ingredients:
Let's put everything together... Use a medium to large pot. Fry at low heat the onion and garlic for 3 or 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and raise to medium heat. Let's make sure that the mix is not dry. If so, add a little bit more oil. Then, sprinkle the flour on top and keep stirring integrating the flour. After 1 or 2 minutes, raise the heat to high and add 1/4 cup of the broth. You should get a nice mixture forming. Now add the rest of the broth and lower the heat. Keep stirring. When the mixture gets to be hot, it will get thicker. Now add a touch of vinegar or white wine. If it gets too thick, add more broth. Cook at low heat for 5 minutes then add salt, pepper, herbs and the "Better than cream cheese". Cook for another 2 minutes making sure the "Better than cream cheese" is well dissolved. Let it stand of heat for 5 minutes, and enjoy! Note: This is great with Mashed Potatoes or any of your favorite veggies! Interesting web sites about vegetarianism: |
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