Thursday, October 10, 2024

Rachel’s Corner-It’s spooky time

In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul. (Psalm 23:2-3)

· Visit: Tubac Golf Resort & Spa – Tubac, Arizona

· An Arizona resort just south of Tucson, Tubac Golf Resort & Spa is a lush, luxurious, and relaxing experience—but thanks to a family of friendly ghosts, it’s also anything but boring. Prior to the hotel’s conception, the premises were home to four generations of the Otero family—after which they were forced to sell Otero Ranch where it went on to become a luxury hotel in the 1950s. Ever since, guests have had run-ins with supposed members of the late family. Those cited include a little boy, a gentleman, a gray lady, and, of course, a cowboy.

· How to celebrate Oct 10th

o You wake up and decide to start your day heading to a nearby park for some fresh air and to respect different cultures. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty while walking around.

o As you continue your stroll, World Sight Day comes to mind. Take some time to appreciate the gift of sight by looking around at the colorful trees and vibrant flowers in the park. Consider how you can support organizations that provide eye care for those in need.

o In the midst of your day, take a moment to focus on mental health. Practice self-care activities like meditation or going for a run to support World Mental Health Day. Take care of your well-being and prioritize your mental health.

o Continue your day by celebrating small joys, like indulging in a delicious Gulab Jamun dessert on World Gulab Jamun Day. Treat yourself to something sweet and savor the flavors of this traditional dessert.

o Before heading home, stop by a local charity or thrift store to donate a handbag in honor of National Handbag Day. Pay it forward by giving back to those in need and decluttering your space in the process.

o As the day winds down, end it on a comforting note by enjoying a warm bowl of porridge for World Porridge Day. Reflect on the simple pleasures in life and appreciate the warmth and comfort that a bowl of porridge can bring.

Best Place to visit in October: Las Vegas[7]

I’m a huge fan of the entertainment capital of the world which is home with jaw-dropping hotel resorts, entertainment shows, and ultra-crazy nightlife! I love to visit during this month as the temperatures are much more bearable, the worst of the crowds have gone and I always find great hotel prices at this time of year.

As well as all the usual ‘Sin City’ offerings, Halloween is also a big deal in Las Vegas. I always make sure I take a stroll down LINQ Promenade which is very Halloween themed during this month, trying the wild Fetish & Fantasy Halloween Ball and going on a fun ghost tour in the nearby abandoned mining town of Goodsprings – it felt like something out of Scooby-Doo!

Visitors Center Address: 495 S. Main St. Las Vegas, NV 89101
Map Location
Average temperature – 75 to 84

My favorite highlights…

Watching the famous Fountain Display at Bellagio Hotel.

Going for a Grand Buffet at the MGM Grand, the long counters crammed with all kinds of food were incredible! Everyone’s plates were piled sky high!
Watching the fun and frightening Zombie Burlesque show at Planet Hollywood.

Thursday Feast

Thursday is the day of the week that our Lord gave himself up for consumption. Thursday commemorates the last supper. Some theologians believe after Sunday Thursday is the holiest day of the week. We should then try to make this day special by making a visit to the blessed sacrament chapel, Mass or even stopping by the grave of a loved one. Why not plan to count the blessing of the week and thank our Lord. Plan a special meal. Be at Peace.

Colorado Dinner Menu or pick a farmer approve dinner.

Coors Beer
Denver Sandwich
Tomato Soup
French Fries
Melon With Ginger

OCTOBER 10 Thursday

World Mental Health Day

2 Samuel, Chapter 12, Verse 26-28

²⁶ Absalom then said, “If not you, then please let my brother Amnon come with us.” The king asked him, “Why should he go with you?” ²⁷ But at Absalom’s urging, the king sent Amnon and with him all his other sons. Absalom prepared a banquet fit for a king. ²⁸ But Absalom had instructed his attendants: “Now watch! When Amnon is merry with wine and I say to you, ‘Kill Amnon,’ put him to death. Do not be AFRAID, for it is I who order you to do it. Be strong and act like warriors.”

David’s family life after the murder of Uriah reads like a mafia tale (or politics as usual) with David being the Don and all his son’s vying for power.

Amnon was the heir-apparent to David's throne; Amnon though is best remembered for the rape of his half-sister Tamar, daughter of David with Maachah. Despite the biblical prohibition on sexual relations between half-brothers and sisters, Amnon had an overwhelming desire for her. He acted on advice from his cousin, Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, to lure Tamar into his quarters by pretending to be sick and desiring her to cook a special meal for him. While in his quarters, and ignoring her protests, he raped her, and then expelled her from his house. King David was angry about the incident, but could not bring himself to punish his eldest son, while Absalom, Amnon's half-brother and Tamar's full brother, nursed a bitter grudge against Amnon for the rape of his sister. Two years later, to avenge Tamar, Absalom invited all of David's sons to a feast, and then had his servants kill Amnon after he had become drunk with wine.[1]

David’s sin had found him out. After he killed Uriah, it was like killing his own self and now he was not holding his children accountable. They became monsters. David’s youthful heart of gratitude and love for God was sorely wounded. David never regained the law of the Sacrifice. Yet, from David’s line comes Jesus Christ; His sacrifice saves us all and you can, “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” (Lk. 21:28)

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Day 120

Mission - a requirement of the Church's catholicity

849 The missionary mandate. "Having been divinely sent to the nations that she might be 'the universal sacrament of salvation,' the Church, in obedience to the command of her founder and because it is demanded by her own essential universality, strives to preach the Gospel to all men": "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and Lo, I am with you always, until the close of the age."

850 The origin and purpose of mission. the Lord's missionary mandate is ultimately grounded in the eternal love of the Most Holy Trinity: "The Church on earth is by her nature missionary since, according to the plan of the Father, she has as her origin the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit." The ultimate purpose of mission is none other than to make men share in the communion between the Father and the Son in their Spirit of love.

851 Missionary motivation. It is from God's love for all men that the Church in every age receives both the obligation and the vigor of her missionary dynamism, "for the love of Christ urges us on." Indeed, God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth"; that is, God wills the salvation of everyone through the knowledge of the truth. Salvation is found in the truth. Those who obey the prompting of the Spirit of truth are already on the way of salvation. But the Church, to whom this truth has been entrusted, must go out to meet their desire, so as to bring them the truth. Because she believes in God's universal plan of salvation, the Church must be missionary.

852 Missionary paths. the Holy Spirit is the protagonist, "the principal agent of the whole of the Church's mission." It is he who leads the Church on her missionary paths. "This mission continues and, in the course of history, unfolds the mission of Christ, who was sent to evangelize the poor; so the Church, urged on by the Spirit of Christ, must walk the road Christ himself walked, a way of poverty and obedience, of service and self-sacrifice even to death, a death from which he emerged victorious by his resurrection." So it is that "the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians."

853 On her pilgrimage, the Church has also experienced the "discrepancy existing between the message she proclaims and the human weakness of those to whom the Gospel has been entrusted." Only by taking the "way of penance and renewal," the "narrow way of the cross," can the People of God extend Christ's reign. For "just as Christ carried out the work of redemption in poverty and oppression, so the Church is called to follow the same path if she is to communicate the fruits of salvation to men."

854 By her very mission, "the Church . . . travels the same journey as all humanity and shares the same earthly lot with the world: she is to be a leaven and, as it were, the soul of human society in its renewal by Christ and transformation into the family of God." Missionary endeavor requires patience. It begins with the proclamation of the Gospel to peoples and groups who do not yet believe in Christ, continues with the establishment of Christian communities that are "a sign of God's presence in the world," and leads to the foundation of local churches. It must involve a process of inculturation if the Gospel is to take flesh in each people's culture. There will be times of defeat. "With regard to individuals, groups, and peoples it is only by degrees that [the Church] touches and penetrates them and so receives them into a fullness which is Catholic."

855 The Church's mission stimulates efforts towards Christian unity. Indeed, "divisions among Christians prevent the Church from realizing in practice the fullness of catholicity proper to her in those of her sons who, though joined to her by Baptism, are yet separated from full communion with her. Furthermore, the Church herself finds it more difficult to express in actual life her full catholicity in all its aspects."

856 The missionary task implies a respectful dialogue with those who do not yet accept the Gospel. Believers can profit from this dialogue by learning to appreciate better "those elements of truth and grace which are found among peoples, and which are, as it were, a secret presence of God." They proclaim the Good News to those who do not know it, in order to consolidate, complete, and raise up the truth and the goodness that God has distributed among men and nations, and to purify them from error and evil "for the glory of God, the confusion of the demon, and the happiness of man."

World Mental Health Day[2]

World Mental Health Day seeks to raise awareness of mental health illnesses while educating the population and mobilizing efforts to support mental health. Mental health, which includes a person's emotional, psychological and social well-being, has become increasingly important in recent decades as an estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. In 1992, the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) established World Mental Health Day in an effort to promote education and advocate for mental health sufferers. The Foundation aims to provide further awareness and assistance for those suffering from a wide range of mental disorders in the hopes of saving lives and increasing quality of life for these individuals. World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on October 10th.

World Mental Health Day Facts & Quotes

· Depression can lead to suicide. More than 800,000 people worldwide take their own lives every year. Compare this to the 200,000 from COVID to get an idea of the problem.

· Suicide is the third leading cause of death in the world for individuals 15 to 44. Suicide rates have increased by 60% over the past 45 years.

· 10-20% of children in the world experience a mental disorder. It is the leading cause of disability in youth.

· I used to think that the worst thing in like was to end up alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone. - Robin Williams, actor who committed suicide in 2014

World Mental Health Day Top Events and Things to Do

· Volunteer your time at an organization that works with child mental health. Depression is a growing concern among children and organizations such as Big Brothers and Sisters of America, Teen Mental Health, NAMI and Children's Mental Health can help you find a local area to help your youth.

· Watch a movie that touches on mental health issues or particular disorders. Some of our favorites are

1) Bipolar: Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
2) Schizophrenia: A Beautiful Mind (2001)
3) OCD: As Good as It Gets (1997)

4) Suicide: The Virgin Suicides (1999)
5) Alzheimer's: Still Alice (2014)
6) Borderline Personality: Girl, Interrupted (1999)
7) Depression: Inside Out (2015)
8) Post Traumatic Stress: Jacob's Ladder (1990)

· Read a book about mental disorders. Some of our picks: The Bell Jar, Thirteen Reasons Why and All the Bright Places

· Evaluate your own mental well-being or that of someone you are close to.
- Are you always sad?
- Do you have suicidal thoughts?
- Do you feel that you have no reason to live?

· Visit a psychologist to discuss any problems that have overwhelmed you lately.

Keys to Healthier Mind Development[3]

Emotional intelligence (EI) is defined as the ability to monitor one’s own emotions, as well as those of other people, to discriminate between different emotions, and to label them appropriately. while applying EI, we are guiding our thinking and behavior with an educated focus on healthier mind development.

Emotional quotient (EQ) is a testing measurement of our ability to understand and apply our own minds emotionally. Although a comprehensive ambition, EQ testing is meant to reveal how well we have learned to manage the harmful and helpful effects of emotions for the purpose of facilitating healthful thoughts, communication, and behavior. Researchers now realize that emotional literacy helps to prevent and solve myriad problems that we experience in our personal and professional lives. The more we understand about our mind’s emotional component, the more valuable assets we possess as individuals-namely emotional stability, security, overall intelligence, and physical health, as well as our ability to treat other people and other things in healthier, more meaningful. Emotional intelligence is the secret to building healthier minds, getting the best out of life, and developing a behaviorally safer world. With the emotional state of the world today, emotional intelligence is our strongest hope for an optimistic future.

Epigenetics[4]

Epigenetics is a relatively new branch of genetics that has been heralded as the most important biological discovery since DNA. Until recently, it was believed you were stuck with the genes you were born with. But now it’s known that your genes get turned on and off and are expressed to greater or lesser degrees depending on lifestyle factors. Let’s take a look at what epigenetics is, how it works, and what you can do to improve your chances in the health lottery.

What Is Epigenetics?

The “epi” in epigenetics is derived from the Greek word meaning “above” or “over.” Epigenetics is defined as the study of any process that alters gene activity without changing the DNA sequence. More simply, it is the study of gene expression — how external factors turn genes on and off, and up and down. The Human Genome Project has identified 25,000 genes in human DNA. DNA is widely regarded as the code the body uses to build and rebuild itself. But genes themselves need instructions for what to do, and where and when to do it. Epigenetic modifications, also called “tags,” provide the instructions. Several of these tags have been discovered, but the two main ones involve methyl groups (made of carbon and hydrogen) and histones (a type of protein). To imagine how tags work, think of a gene as a lamp. Methyl groups act as an on-off switch that turn a gene on or off. Histones, on the other hand, act like a dimmer switch, regulating gene activity up or down. It’s thought that we have four million of these switches that are triggered by lifestyle and environmental factors.

Lifestyle Factors Affect Your Genes

Dr. Rudolph Tanzi is a professor of neurology at Harvard University Medical School and he states “You are not simply the sum total of the genes you were born with. You are the user and controller of your genes, the author of your biological story. No prospect in self-care is more exciting.” It means that you’re not at the mercy of your genetic makeup at birth. You actually have a great deal of control over your health and your future no matter what genetic hand you have been dealt. The field of epigenetics is in its infancy and there is still much to learn, but so far, the evidence shows that there are many fundamental lifestyle factors that can alter gene expression.

Not surprisingly, diet can affect the health of your DNA. A diet high in refined carbohydrates that promotes high blood glucose attacks your DNA. On the other hand, compounds like sulforaphane (found in broccoli), curcumin (turmeric), epigallocatechin gallate (green tea), and resveratrol (wine) can slow or potentially reverse DNA damage. Inadequate sleep also disrupts genetic activity. A team of researchers that included sleep science and genetics experts examined the influence of sleep on gene function and discovered that just a single week of insufficient sleep altered the activity of over 700 genes. It’s well accepted that physical exercise is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and mental well-being. Now there’s evidence that physical exercise can positively affect gene expression. A recent study of the brains of elderly mice found 117 genes that were expressed differently in the brains of animals that ran regularly, compared to those that were sedentary. If you are interested in starting a program of fitness, try the Iceman’s Universal Man Plan.

Stress, Relationships, And Thoughts

Not only do tangible factors like diet, sleep, and exercise affect your genes, so do intangibles like stress, your relationships with others, and your thoughts. One of the most powerful stress reduction techniques, mindfulness meditation, turns down the expression of pro-inflammatory genes thus reducing inflammation. Chronic inflammation is an underlying cause of seven of the top ten leading causes of death including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. You might expect that you’d have to meditate for years to change gene expression sufficiently, but measurable changes have been observed in as little as eight hours of meditation. However, these effects were stronger in experienced meditators than in those new to the practice. Dr. Dawson Church is an award-winning author whose bestselling book, Genie in Your Genes: Epigenetic Medicine and the New Biology of Intention, has been hailed as a breakthrough in the field of epigenetics. In his book, Church cites over 400 scientific studies that show how intangibles like the expression of gratitude, acts of kindness, optimism, and mind-body healing techniques like the Emotional Freedom Technique positively affect the expression of genes. And just as in the meditation study, these epigenetic benefits were often experienced immediately. It’s not only positive habits that affect your genes though. So do the bad ones. Substance abuse, addictions, inactivity, malnutrition, and exposure to toxins negatively affect the way your genes express themselves. Researchers have found that emotional factors such as trauma and stress can activate harmful epigenetic changes.

There are numerous diseases thought to have an epigenetic component including asthma, Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, immune disorders, kidney disease, glaucoma, muscular dystrophy, and pediatric syndromes as well as many psychiatric disorders including autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. In 2008, the U.S. National Institutes of Health committed to investing $190 million into epigenetics research to hopefully find new and better ways to treat these diseases.

Words of Wisdom from a Superman^{^[5]}

Although he never planned it that way, Christopher Reeve[6] became a hero for our time. His legacy of determination, commitment, compassion and courage continues to inspire men and women across the globe. Playing the role of Superman in the movies he became, to many of us, “The Man of Steel.” When a riding accident changed his life forever, we cried, and we worried… but somehow knew the super man within would prevail. And he did. The way he lived, and the amazing way he spoke about living, became a powerful source of motivation and inspiration for people living with paralysis and disabilities. His words have touched all our hearts. We share some of our favorite Christopher Reeve quotes.

· What is a Hero? "I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."

· Once you choose hope anything is possible.

· "Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool, or you go out in the ocean."

· "If I can laugh, I can live."

"You've got to give more than you take."

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Restoring the Constitution

· do a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.

· Religion in the Home for Preschool: October

· Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Drops of Christ’s Blood