Stress and Depression are Killing Us! – Stress Management
Stress and Depression are Killing Us!
Paul Shearstone
A short generation ago, families could set their watch by the time the father got home from work each day. My dad always walked through the front door at precisely 6 PM and supper was served at 6:10. We
Is There a Fungus Among Us – Home
Is There a Fungus Among Us
Wallace Conway
Mold has taken hold! Not that the microbes have reached out and grabbed us, but rather they have captured our attention. A rash of recent high profile media stories have petrified many people with concerns for both their health and finances. While it is true in some situations that variations and concentrations of mold can kill us both physically and financially, in the vast majority of cases mold problems can be remedied simply and economically.
Molds exist naturally all around us. Molds play a vital role in the decomposition of organic waste such as in a compost pile. Other molds are essential in the creation of some of our finest foods, such as wine and cheese. But, when mold growth occurs in an inappropriate place or in extreme concentration, the health of our home and family can be at risk.
All molds need two basic ingredients to grow, food and water. The favorite food of mold is cellulose. In our home, cellulose is a common constituent. Wood, paper, cotton, and drywall are plentiful in construction and are great sources of cellulose. Water is everywhere in our homes, both on the surfaces and in the air.
As the tightness of our homes has increased in response to a desire to conserve energy, the unintended consequence has been the trapping of moisture. The increase in moisture in our homes has in some cases resulted in a relative humidity above the 60% level needed to sustain mold growth in interior spaces. In some cases, the moisture level of the interior spaces is below the mold growth threshold, but the exterior wall cavities retain the required moisture level for rapid mold growth within the walls. To make matters worse, this condition is also perfect for accelerated wood rot and termite infestation.
So what is a reasonable person to do Much like a physical exam is the first step in a plan for personal health, a home inspection is the first step in a mold survey. The intent of the inspection is to seek out all sources of moisture that may contribute to an environment that is attractive to mold and to visually identify any existing mold colonies. Roof leaks, plumbing leaks, and improper sprinkler positioning are among the more common sources of mold-causing moisture problems. After identification of the moisture source, a reasonable and practical remedy can be prescribed.
Areas with visible mold colonies can be thoroughly cleaned with detergent, followed by wiping with a bleach and water solution. Porous materials such as ceiling tiles and carpet are difficult to clean and often require removal and replacement in all but the most minor of outbreaks.
In most cases, testing to determine mold species is not necessary to solve the problem. If an individual has an extreme or specific health risk factor, testing may be of value in assisting the medical professional in addressing the specific health situation. If the outbreak of mold is extreme, testing maybe wise in ensuring safety during remediation. The choice to test or not should always rest with the homeowner or potential homebuyer, but the decision should be an informed one made with the assistance of an ASHI certified home inspector who has received additional training specific to mold management.
With a basic understanding of the management of moisture, household mold maintenance is simple. Molds have been around forever and will never be gone, and it is good that they are here. But like so many things, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Stay informed, but dont get caught up in the hype. Remember, its about knowing!
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Will the Angels Abandon Us – Women
Will the Angels Abandon Us
Skye Thomas
If we dont behave according to a specific churchs doctrine, will our guardian angels turn their backs on us If we are struggling with our overall belief in God or were questioning the validity of the holy books, will the angels abandon us What if we believe in God and in the Bible, but we just feel like screwing off for awhile Will they desert us Do we have to be good and pure and perfect in order for angels to look after us
I can only speak from my own experience. I was not raised in a church because my father is an atheist and my stepmother just didnt care either way. I have always had a few paranormal gifts that would come and go without warning. In my studies and research to figure out the scientific understanding of the paranormal, I found my own connection with the spirit world. I did not go out searching for guardian angels. They found me. They helped me with my studies and as a very skeptical person theyve had to work very hard to prove to me that they were real and that they had my best interests in mind.
They have never left me. I have come to find signs over the years that long before they ever made their presence known to me, they were there looking over me. I had a rather wild and rebellious time during my late teens and early twenties. I absolutely did not believe in any kind of a god and I did not believe that the Bible was anything more than a bunch of greedy power-hungry mens rules for keeping the rest of humanity under wraps. Nevertheless, for all my negative beliefs, the angels watched over me. There are too many really stupid dangerous things that I did that should have killed me, too many times there is no other answer other than someone was looking over me and saving me from my own youthful choices. It wasnt until long after Id calmed down and was behaving myself that they made themselves known.
I have spent a lifetime questioning the various religions, their churches, their leaders, their rules, and their lifestyles. I have never come to a rock solid conclusion that any of them are completely right or completely wrong. I may never know without a doubt that any one holy book is the one and only holy book. I personally have found a peace in knowing that all religions root in love. Love one another. Love yourself. Love your journey no matter where you are. My religious beliefs are a bit eclectic and I sort of like it that way. It works for me. I have no need to recruit anyone over to my beliefs because I cant even prove that what I believe is how it really is. My guardian angels have never ever left me because I question these things. They have never tried to convert me to any one religion. I get the sense that they know me well enough to know that its the nature of me to question and explore.
Some say God created us in His own image. Then God must be an intelligent independent explorer. Some say we create God in our own image. Then God must be an intelligent independent explorer. Either way, wouldnt it make sense that if each of us is a unique and different person that each of us is going to have a unique and different version of what defines God My angels never get angry or threaten to abandon me when I ask these kinds of questions. Instead, they beam out love and light and smile lovingly like proud grandparents watching their favorite grandchild explore the wonders of the earth. I only feel loved and blessed. Never have I sensed that they would ever leave me. They have promised that they wont.
I have had some very dark times since finding out that they are with me. Ive gotten really angry at them. Ive screamed at the heavens shaking my fist and cussing. They agreed to leave me alone for awhile but assured me that when I was ready, theyd be back. I was still protected but we didnt have the close chats about life that Id come to love. Once, I wanted to do incredible harm to someone who had hurt me and my children. I was in the darkest ugliest most un-Christ-like place a person can be. Even through my angels refused to help me carry out my dark plots against this person, they never left me. When I was sorry for being so dark and was ready to heal and be happy again, they were right there to help me. Angels wont help you do bad deeds no matter how righteous you may feel, but theyll help you when youre ready to shift away from those dark desires.
From my own personal relationship with my own angels, I have to say no. No they wont leave you. They will always love you and will do everything they can to keep you on a good path, but if you want to screw up your life, they will stick by you but you wont get that loving beam of warmth. No matter who you are or what youve done, your angel is still there waiting to connect with you. If you dont want to connect they wont force you. If youre life is going fairly well, they may not even need to tell you that theyre there. They arent pushy. Others are more needy of that spiritual connection and need to feel the comforting and loving energy from them. Perhaps the reason mine have been so vocal is because I am such a brat at times Some of us need to hear it loud and clear in order to believe it. Blind faith is a bizarre and twisted lesson, but Im working on it.
Copyright 2004, Skye Thomas, Tomorrows Edge
About The Author
Skye Thomas is the CEO of Tomorrows Edge, an Internet leader in inspiring leaps of faith. She became a writer in 1999 after twenty years of studying spirituality, metaphysics, astrology, personal growth, motivation, soulmates, and parenting. Her books, articles, and astrological forecasts have inspired people of all ages and faiths to recommit themselves to the pursuit of happiness. To read more of her articles and to sign up to receive her free weekly newsletter, go to www.TomorrowsEdge.net. To download free previews of her books, go to www.SkyeThomas.com.
Skye@TomorrowsEdge.net