Lock Down or Liberty...

The issues are so weighty...i hesitate to discuss them openly online....
One never knows how my thoughts in black and white will be understood or categorized. The data miners and "little grey men" are indeed watching what we type...and post and like and share.

If we stretch too far in endorsing "liberty" we may be labelled as a rebel and enemy of the state. If we endorse the lockdown for months and months, we may be labelled as fascist.

But yet, we are human, and if we don't get our words out...whether in chat rooms or other social media, we begin to whither. If we can not speak our minds, whether out loud or in type, we become less human.

Some things are so cut and dried for me.... The longer the lockdown in north America, the more our society will become an entrenched welfare state. We can pretend to be a free market, but if a simple individual who leads our province or county can force us to stop working, and accept and eventually become dependent on government handouts....are we really free? Isn't the constitution supposed to protect my personal liberties...my right to thrive?

A Person's own individual choices seem to be an afterthought right now. Those who are "gung ho" about lockdowns are publicly shaming those who simply want to get out and about, get some sunshine and fresh air. I spoke yesterday with someone who wouldn't even accept takeout food delivered to her because she was so afraid that the food was "contagious". Sigh. Fear can be toxic too. Extremism is indeed a disease of the heart and mind....and that in and of itself is something that we need to fight against.

I applaud the province of Quebec for giving parents their own choice as to whether to send their children back to school or not.

Choice rocks.

All of us have different risk tolerances, as well as different tolerances for suffering the consequences of our personal choices.
Some of us are willing to risk exposure to viruses because we have done our homework and figured out how to strengthen our own immune systems. We may be willing to take "calculated risk" based on study and facts and research.

What do you feel? Stay expressive of what you are feeling and noticing right now. Start a private "lockdown" diary, so that you can have a permanent record of what you are experiencing in your corner of the world right now. If you are afraid to share it online, you may have good reason to be very worried about the consequences of what you type. Therefore, you may want to write it in an old fashioned paper diary, with a pen or a pencil. I know it's not as fun as typing....but still you need to be able to express yourself and record a private and honest record of what you are experiencing right now.

The policies that are being crafted and put into practice right now will have implications for your family for years to come. There are freedoms that we have taken for granted for decades that are being "played with" as "negotiable".

My personal freedom is not negotiable. It is not optional. It is my right.

I see how this pandemic era and the government's response to it, has unleashed situations that I have never faced in my life time. I was born in the 60's and I have never before felt like my personal liberties were under attack. I always had the law on my side when it came to my right to go where I wanted to and when.

Now, all those personal rights and freedoms are under scrutiny and subject to negotiation or interpretation. Those who fall on the side of "extra cautious"  are bedecked in hazmat suits just to go to the grocery store. They will not go for a walk by the waterfront. They will not order take out food. They live in fear and feel that everyone should be forced to live with the same level of fear as they do.

I say that we must make our own choices based on what we each know and understand to be true. We must not be swayed by panic and overzealous politicians who relish their newfound power to control and dictate life as we know it. We knew how to live before the pandemic. We will know how to live after it. Give us choice.

Peace,
Carla


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Self Employed or Employee...C'est Ton Choix

Have you ever thought about how completely "opposite" are the mindsets of self employed folks vs those who work for a company or corporation that they do not own?

I think the lines only get blurred when employees are given or earn stock options that, in fact, make them into partial "owners" of the company for which they are also employed. Employees, then empowered by their stock ownership begin to act more like owners/managers because their future net worth will be influenced by their job performance.

Self employed people realize in their heart of hearts....that

" If It's to Be....it's Up to Me!". 

They are usually independent folks, and if they are not independent folks, they find out soon that someone else in their circle will try to run their business for them....take them out of a position of control or influence.

Being an employee is relaxing and stressful all at the same time. It is relaxing....because at the end of the day....the buck does not stop with you. The big decisions are made by management. The bills are paid by the company, not from your own pocket. In addition the direction and mission statement of the company is crafted by management....not you.

But then again ....the stressful part is the flip side. It can be stressful to be a part of a company whose mission statement does not reflect your own values or direction in life. It can be stressful to be a follower, when you have a lot to say and would prefer to be "in charge" to a certain degree.

It can be actually quite painful to be forced into a "sheep like" status when you have leadership qualities and can not fill your potential as an employee of the company.

Have you ever felt torn between these two lifestyles? Employee or self employed..... C'est Ton Choix!


Peace,
Carla




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Appetite for learning

living in this modern age, we have billions of books and blogs and vids and theories about how to control and manipulate our appetite for food. It's a bit rather over done don't you think?

There is so much more to life than food. And yes, we all have an appetite for learning....for more knowledge geared towards our interests and goals.

Sometimes we have to tolerate knowledge that bores us because we have a more pressing goal that requires the assimilation of mountains of boring material. That's why I believe that it is a also a misnomer to suggest that we should only do that which "makes us happy".

Even when people have found their passion, they still will require the discipline and emotional maturity to endure studies or activities which are boring and dull.

Tony Robbins talks often about how "Progress means happiness"....and I would tend to agree. But for me ....that progress must be definitely and indisputably linked to my main life goals.

I am willing to endure much unpleasantry, whether that be tedious paperwork or mindless dry reading.... in order to accomplish my written life goals. It is a sacrifice that I am willing to make.

What are you doing to feed your learning curve? Which audio or print books have you bought or borrowed lately to help you get even closer to your written goals?

Feed that appetite....it is a precious thing.\

Peace,

Carla

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Now you Have a Good Reason to be Suspicious of Rewards Cards

So, "they".....(sorry I can't be more specific) are considering using rewards cards to track how many family members are shopping in the grocery stores per week. The proposed limit  "they" prefer...is one family member shopping once in a grocery store per week. "They" say this would limit the potential for transmission of the virus.

Hmmm....I know when rewards cards first started gaining popularity, I was all gung ho about the potential freebies. But as time passed, I became aware as to how much data collection goes on with these rewards cards. "They" know where and when you shop, and what specifically you buy.
"They" can come to all kinds of conclusions about your discretionary income based on the data they scrape from your shopping habits. Now it appears that it may become a tool in the hands of "they".


Now the pandemic has given good reason for folks to give up on cash. But this is also a hay day for big brotherish type of activities. The more of our shopping is tracked by debit/credit cards and rewards cards, the less privacy we all have.

What would it take for you or your family to give up rewards cards cart blanche? Or are the rewards simply too tantalizing?

Peacefully alert,
Carla



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Liz Abunaw of Forty Acres Fresh Market | Bootstrapping in America

Hunting for a female mentor? She's well educated, ambitious and thoughtful..



 
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Marshall Law in Canada

Since when is it illegal to walk in the park? to walk along the water front of a lake?

Since when do municipal governments set up snitch lines to "encourage" citizens to report their fellow Canadian for walking down the street?

Do we not see how ridiculous and very "UN-Canadian" this is?

Please do not fall for this fascism. Do not relinquish your love and appreciation for the Canadian constitution...equality and freedom for every Canadian must be protected....even in the midst of a pandemic.

I don't have all the answers. But I do believe that there MUST be a way to protect human rights and freedoms while at the same time protecting public health. Do you agree?



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Are our Civil Liberties At Risk?

I thought I was one of the only ones worried about losing liberty....but apparently I am not alone.

Folks across Canada are wondering if the different levels of government, municipal, provincial or federal are crossing any lines that should never be crossed in a democratic beautiful country such as Canada.

Yes, there is a virus. Yes, much about it is still unknown. However, the learning curve is flattening and as time goes on, the medical profession should have a much better understanding how to best fight the spread and symptoms of this virus, without hurting our national economic machine and our personal liberty.

But in the mean time, what do we do if we feel certain government mandates are going too far?

Is it constitutional for a country to prevent adults from going to work to provide for their family?

And if it is constitutionally "ok" to temporarily restrict work places and individuals from functioning in a "normal" manner....how long is "long enough"??? Remember that once you allow certain governmental powers to control your every move.....you have opened the door to this kind of power usage to becoming accepted as "normal"....THEN it becomes harder over time to label it as fascist or illegal.

Be not afraid....the legal profession and the watchdog organizations are on high alert. If we feel that there is "abuse of power" or "overreach"....there will be a reckoning. Don't allow your democratically elected officials run willy nilly with your civil liberty....they work for you.                                   THEY are ACCOUNTABLE to you!  All levels of government must respect the laws of our land that men and women fought hard to uphold in peace and war time. We are not going to allow a virus to destroy our precious rights and freedoms.

I stumbled across this article from March in the Globe and Mail. I am sure you can find even more current blurbs along the same lines...but here  it is https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-how-measures-to-contain-covid-19-may-clash-with-canadians-charter/


Yes, trust God, but don't let down your guard when it comes to your individual human rights. Take notes about this time period. If you feel that your rights are being trampled....take as many notes and record your thoughts about what has occurred for you and your family personally. If you feel that your workplace has been unfairly shuttered, write it all down, complete with details of the shut down you are experiencing and even note potential credible witnesses who can verify your story. You may at some point want to seek legal advice.

Why? Because we are still a democratic country that is ruled by law. The politicians and "experts" that are calling the shots right now in my province of Ontario and the whole nation must abide by Canadian and provincial law as well as our Constitution.

If there are some areas of civil liberty that you don't feel that you know enough about, feel free to contact a lawyer or law professor from a local college or university who can advise you further as to whether what we are experiencing right now is appropriate or an abuse of governmental authority.

And yes, for the record, I am not really taking pleasure in being a **it disturber....but rather, I am adamant about upholding our democracy and my individual human rights. I love my country. Personal liberty is an ideal that I hold close to my heart. Do you?


Peace....but keeping my eyes open,

Carla.




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I Would Trust Them More if They DID THIS

yes, yes, I was ranting a bit yesterday....but hey ...it's my blog and I can rant if I want to.

So, today is a new day and I am still processing this new "reality" that is afoot in my beloved country.

Is capitalism going to die in Ontario for the next 18 months?

Are all kids in Ontario going to learn online for the next 18 months?

Are all government and health care workers going to get paid even if the institutions they work for are shut down for the same 18 months?

I notice that most, if not all Ontario local parks and national parks are closing. Are all those parks and rec employees going to be paid while the parks are shut down?

Is the government going to turn all these fine hard working Ontarians into               "government handout beggars"?

The conclusion I came to yesterday, is that I would profoundly trust the politicians and health "experts" who are shutting down workers and businesses in this province if they Offered to do this one thing....WHAT ONE THING?  If they offered to go without out pay until every single business was allowed to reopen in Ontario. Why? Because only then would they begin to feel the same sense of dread that the rest of Ontarians feel when faced with this wacky provincial shut down that is being forced upon us.

Yes, that is ALL that it would take to even out the playing field. You wanna shut down capitalism in Ontario for the next 18 months?? Well, go right ahead, BUT then you must surrender your government and/or health "expert" paychque until we as a whole province re-open for business.

You politicians and health "experts" can live off your investments and savings or wind up accepting government handouts in the same manner that you are telling the rest of Ontario to do.

The CERB pays 2000 cdn dollars per month to those who lost their employment due to the virus.
 That money is not a gift. It is an apology.

Why do people apologize? Because they know that they are doing something that is going to hurt....a lot of people.

Peace,
C.








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Another Word on Garlic

Those who are wary of garlic will for sure not even bother to continue to investigate it's properties and heroic powers. But those who find it's simplicity and strength compelling....please do read on.

Today I was reading once again from Stephen Fulder PhD's and John Blackwood's book entitled
"Garlic.... Nature's Original Remedy".

Specifically I am going to quote directly word for word from Pg 30 the first paragraph:

"Yet, if one examines them carefully, a pattern does emerge. Firstly, garlic helps digestion and elimination. Edema and swellings are caused by poor functioning of the kidneys, or by poor blood circulation, which garlic also helps ("it clears the arteries"). It acts against various kinds of inflammations and infections, including ciughs, respiratory problems, and even tuberculosis ("spitting of blood or pus"). It is an anti-toxin for poisonous bites and stings and it kills internal parasites. It gives energy; we have already seen that the Greeks and Romans regarded it as a general tonic. "

Soooo... there you have my friends and colleagues. Written from the lips of a doctor.

I highly recommend his little book "Garlic.... Nature's Original Remedy"    so that you can explore the different thoughts the two authors have and all the vast research they divulge in such a tiny book.

As I've mentioned before, it was easy to order online....just google it.
Kind Regards,
Carla



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This Works For Me

Big Fat Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am not qualified in any way to give any kind of medical advice. Please get medical advice from licensed medical professionals. This blog post is just for conversational purposes and is not intended as any kind of advice or recommendation.


Now you understand that I am not liable for speaking what works for me:)
 Permit me to share what has always, for the past ten years, worked for me in strengthening my immune response to illnesses that were trying to slow me down. The simple item that I take often, is just one raw clove of garlic, taken after socializing (yes the scent is unpleasant)  with water.                ( of course I peel the skin from the clove first before chewing it). Truth be told, sometimes swallowing the garlic is so unpleasant that I shudder grimacing from the "ick" factor, and gulping cool water as quickly as i can.
By the next morning, the scent of the garlic will have abated and the raw garlic will have done some work. It seems to strengthen me, reduce puffiness in my face, and help me combat whatever illnesses are stalking me at the moment. I have also noticed that certain skin blemishes have healed over several weeks or even months of regular raw garlic intake.  The energy boost is quite quick for me, but the blemishes heal gradually over time.
I can not count how many times I have used this simple trick. And yes, raw garlic is a feisty item. If I get a piece of raw garlic trapped in my teeth, it can actually feel like it is burning the inner cheek. But, since I am not allergic to garlic and can handle the somewhat unpleasant experience of chewing one raw clove of garlic at night, I can handle this method. It works for me.

The bonus, is that the cost of raw garlic is currently between one to three Canadian dollars at any local grocery store. If I want to spend a bit more then I splurge on some organic garlic bulbs.

From what I have read, there are certain chemicals that are released when garlic is chewed or crushed, that are NOT available in cooked or fried garlic.

I have also taken to talking to my relatives about my experience with it and even bought a book about garlic to give a fresh"outsider's" perspective on it. It is named "Garlic ...Nature's Original Remedy" written by Stephen Fulder, PhD and John Blackwood.
You can find that book for sale online.

Well, that's all for now, have a good day,
Peace,
Carla




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Falling Asleep to revelation

There's nothing like the old rugged version...the king james version of the holy bible, spoken by

the legendary Alexander Scourby ...speaking gently the book of revelation.

Even the frugal beagles among us, can appreciate these free youtube vids...



Peace,

carla.

More Time Indoors

yes, i do believe this season of virus is temporary....but in the mean time, what to do when
you or your family is cocooning indoors?

• Books,
• audio books,
• Scrabble anyone?
• painting the interior of your home....a clean coat of paint lifts everyone's spirits eh.
• talking to one another
• more laundry then you ever thought possible
• youtube has a huge volume of valuable sources of information which can be selected based upon  your field of interest. M.I,T has free online courseware with top notch professors and classes.

Wishing you a blessed productive time while you may be in seclusion.

Peace,

Carla.

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Corona Sites

For the past few days I have been hunting for the best websites to determine what is currently updating in the "corona virus" world.

Here are the links to the two that I have viewed most recently.

I hope you that you all will do your own due diligence to find those sources of factual intelligence and updates that are most relevant for your particular location.

worldwide:

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/85320e2ea5424dfaaa75ae62e5c06e61


For Ontario, Canada only:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus#section-0

Wishing you wisdom and grace as we humans make our way through this global health struggle with God's help.

Peace,
Carla
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Only For Self Led Learners

Self led learning has revolutionized how I look at learning. It took all the bitterness I picked up in formal schooling and transformed learning into something delicious and uniquely fulfilling.

When is the last time you did something that you taught yourself on your own terms?

How did you feel? If you have never learned anything new based on your OWN initiative, then you are really missing out on a personal gift to yourself.

It is a special and very powerful event to see that you can set a written goal for yourself and move toward that goal and then look in your rear view mirror and see that not only have you passed that goal for yourself, but that your life is gaining momentum and you are moving towards your dream life.

Anything really is possible when you believe in yourself and you come to understand that God's love and blessings are available to you.

Never be afraid to read a book you don't understand. Never be intimidated to watch videos that are "above and beyond" your current educational level. What you think is leading no where.....can lead somewhere splendid, when you allow your own personal curiosity to uncover new knowledge and skills you never knew you could develop.

When you have faith in you.....you come into agreement with God, who has had faith in you since your beginning.

Peace,
Carla


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The Markets are a Thing?

It irks me when folks regard and talk about the "stock market" as if it is an inanimate object.

The market is anything but a lump of "thing".

It is more of a lively beast, reactive, calculating, and at times manipulative and seductive.

Some people state that the market is simply a set of algorithms and that there isn't any human involvement in it anymore.

 In my own kwirky understanding of the market I'd like to say the following:

Yes, of course human beings are going to use artificial intelligence more and more and more as time goes on, to maintain a financial edge and semblance of "control" in markets. But that doesn't make the market "less human". No, using A.I. is akin to  using your sharpest knife in the kitchen when you are trying to carve up a steak.....it just works better than a dull butter knife.

Behind every A.I. program is a programmer. Those programmers don't just set an A.I. system loose on the markets and trust it's instinct. A.I. does not have instinct. A.I. does precisely what it is programmed to do, and not a tad more than that. Programmers and traders work in tandem to tweak and adjust their A.I. algorithms to maximize trends and take advantage of unpredictable market events. The programs maintain the priorities that are set into their systems, and stick to script, unlike humans who often lose their priorities when their emotions run hot.

So, yes, we don't see  many folks running around the trading pits with papers strewn all over the floor, and traders making weird hand signals to brokers to complete trades. ( however, that still does happen in certain circles) But, the market is still very reactive and lively. Behind the screens, laptops, mobile phones, rooms filled with processors and huge monitors across the globe..... are very real and very wonderfully emotional human beings...determined to make a buck. The more computerized are our interactions with the markets, the more that we can use these preset tools to overcome our emotional weaknesses. Computers can cross the gap that sometimes prevents us from doing what is logical and rational, because of our own stubbornness and hot-headed-ness.

The events over the past two days should show us once again, that the market is a lively beast being controlled by humans.....humans with strong opinions, beliefs and emotions.


Well, that's all for now. Just wanted to put that out there.

Have a peaceful day friends.

Carla.








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