Gratitude for vision (or please give your spare specs to me!)

I've had a couple of moments recently where I've been re-reminded how lucky I am.  The last one was this morning - I lost my specs.  For anyone not quite as visually impaired as me you might not quite understand what this meant to me... So if you just imagine a little mole out there in the world trying to find his little blind way around you've probably about got it.... I searched and searched (with my nose hovering about 10cm off my table/floor where they should be) then in the end had to gave up on my gorgeous Vanni specs and went with contact lenses.  I had the choice to do that.  Some people can't, don't and haven't any other option.  And not just when they lose their glasses. They may not have any in the first place.

I'm collecting unwanted spectacles for an amazing project I've been honoured to be involved with a teeny bit last year. Jeremy and Camilla Sherr's Homeopathy for Health in Africa project re-distributes glasses to people who need them in Tanzania and will be pleased to accept your single vision specs, bifocals and varifocals.  I'll happily collect glasses from homes in the Skipton area or you can drop them into John Exley Optician on Otley Street, Skipton who are helping collect them for Homeopathy for Health in Africa.  Camilla Sherr recently mentioned that just about everyone over 40 needs them. That's a lot of specs!

Each time (which fortunately isn't that often!) I lose my glasses I do give thanks that I've got them in the first place... then normally shout Isla to help me look for them (and feel thankful that she can see for miles and has nothing like her mother's mole-vision).  So if you have any spare glasses, friends with a drawer full of unwanted specs please give me a shout or drop them into my favourite Opticians in town.

Many, many thanks!

These became....

these.  They were first bought from John Exley Optician recyled back to there and here they are in Tanzania in their new home...

Thoughts on joy...

 The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out the joy.   Jim Rohn

 I remember a time for me that the quote above from the great, late Jim Rohn sums up well.  My ex-husband had just moved out, there was me and our soon to be 1 year old daughter and I was, at times unable to sit and read a book to her.  It was just a bit too much to face.  I still have the book, as much because she loved it as to remind me of then - in a very positive way.  I've come so far. We all have.  I knew that that time wouldn't last forever and I wouldn't hurt one day like I was doing then.  

I also had moments (which is why I mention the time at all) of absolute peace, bubbling joy and excitement about life.  They came, not from my mind which was quite occupied with my 'story' at that time, but from somewhere deep within me, the me without the past or future - the me that was truly present in the now.  It could be some blossom on a hawthorne bush or birdsong which could have stopped me in my tracks but the most pure feeling of absolute joy would wash over me.  I shut out neither, and experienced both as fully as I could.  (Big, big thanks to any of my amazing family or friends who may be reading this and were there then - I may never be able to repay your fabulous support!)

Fast forward 4 years and I've finally got around to meditating more regularly (which has been an intention for years), re-discovered Byron Katie and discovered Eckhart Tolle (and the Tao Te Ching, The Prophet and many others thanks to The Dynamis School).

There's been lots of times of joy in between, and plenty of learning experiences but never as much lasting peace and joyfulness as there is right now.  A combination of a great homeopathic remedy, my Mindful Meditation month, Byron Katie's 'Loving What Is' (really makes so much sense to me - you're not going to stop the rain by complaining so let's get on and learn to dance in it!) and Eckhart's Power of Now have all come at a great time and would recommend them to everyone.  Starting, of course with a great homeopathic remedy....

Yours, so very happily,

Em

Snowy days and Sundays...

I was so excited this morning to wake up with snow on the trees (well that was all I could see to start with from the bedroom window) and when I peeked outside the back door lots of lovely thick snow on the ground.  Snow, salapettes, sledges - we were all set...  After a bit of baking and waiting for our lovely friend to arrive we were ready - off to the sledging field to rediscover childhood! 

It was a day of treats - we had the pub to look forward to for Sunday lunch next, a wander round a craft centre then aforementioned baking, warmth and sofa (although with my late night last night (2.30am? I'm not 18 any longer!) a quick nap would have made it entirely perfect...)

Anyway enough of my lovely day and onto the homeopathic aspect of the blog!

After a little wobble off course and collision with a fence (fortunately no harm to either Isla or the fence) I have a poignant reminder that Arnica would be a great remedy to have at hand on return - or even in the field with you for the fun related knocks and bruises that can result.  I'd usually take the 30C potency and wait - whilst symptoms have improved don't do anything then repeat as necessary.

Aconite can also be a handy one to have for coughs and colds that start suddenly as a result of being out in a cold dry wind.  Again as with the arnica advice above, I'd take the 30C potency and wait - repeat if needed.

Both great remedies to have around for these cold, snowy days. 

If you've repeated several times with no improvment it would be worth stopping and if necessary consulting a Homeopathic practitioner for further advice - it may be a different remedy would be more helpful for you.

Please also note that this blog in no way should be taken as medical advice.

Homeopathy for babies and children

Are you looking for a way to improve your child’s health?

Homeopathy can be effective in helping children deal with anything from allergies to autism, OCD to ear infections and lots in between.

It is a gentle, holistic therapy and is safe for use by pregnant mums, newborn babies and children.

One young patient’s mum says of her child who had Homeopathy for stomach pain, nausea and anxiety:

‘Improved school attendance, confidence. Very few episodes of nausea since. Emma is so good at listening to young people.’

If you would like more information about Homeopathy or to book an appointment call Em on 07734 861297 or through The Craven Clinic on 01756 796690.

www.homeopathyskipton.co.uk  em@homeopathyskipton.co.uk

 

A German study involving 493 patients seen in general practice found that treatment by a homeopath gave better outcomes than conventional treatment for similar costs[4] 4. Witt C, Keil T, Selim D, et al. Outcome and costs of homeopathic and conventional treatment strategies: a comparative cohort study in patients with chronic disorders. Complement Ther Med, 2005; 13: 79-86
Find out more...

This study published in 2005 was commissioned by a German health insurance company to see whether they should continue to cover homeopathic treatment. The outcomes and costs of homeopathic and conventional treatment were compared in patients being treated for chronic conditions commonly seen in general practice. These included headache, low back pain, depression, insomnia and sinusitis in adults, and atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma in children.

Results: The analyses of 493 patients (315 adults, 178 children) indicated greater improvement in patients' assessments after homoeopathic versus conventional treatment and concluded that Patients seeking homoeopathic treatment had a better outcome overall compared with patients on conventional treatment, whereas total costs in both groups were similar.

In a study involving 499 children aged 18mths to 4 years, homeopathic treatment was found to be more medically effective and cost-effective than antibiotics in the treatment of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections[5] 5. Trichard M, Chaufferin G Nicoloyannis N. Pharmacoeconomic comparison between homeopathic and antibiotic treatment strategies in recurrent acute rhinopharyngitis in children. Homeopathy, 2005; 94: 3-9

A French study compared homeopathic and conventional treatment of recurrent acute rhinopharyngitis in children. Homeopathic treatment gave significantly better results than antibiotics in terms of medical effectiveness (e.g. number of episodes of illness) with lower direct medical costs (88 Euros vs 99 Euros) and significantly less sick-leave (9.5% of parents vs 31.6% of parents).

Out of 103 children in the homeopathy group only 5 needed antibiotics. The children receiving homeopathy had faster pain relief during the initial infection and fewer ear infections over the following year. The study published in the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics concluded that homeopathy should be the first line treatment for acute otitis media in children. [8] 8. Friese K-H, et al. Homeopathic treatment of otitis media in children: comparisons with conventional therapy. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther, 1997; 35: 296-301
 

A German study involving 493 patients seen in general practice found that treatment by a homeopath gave better outcomes than conventional treatment for similar costs[4] 4. Witt C, Keil T, Selim D, et al. Outcome and costs of homeopathic and conventional treatment strategies: a comparative cohort study in patients with chronic disorders. Complement Ther Med, 2005; 13: 79-86
Find out more...

This study published in 2005 was commissioned by a German health insurance company to see whether they should continue to cover homeopathic treatment. The outcomes and costs of homeopathic and conventional treatment were compared in patients being treated for chronic conditions commonly seen in general practice. These included headache, low back pain, depression, insomnia and sinusitis in adults, and atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma in children.

Results: The analyses of 493 patients (315 adults, 178 children) indicated greater improvement in patients' assessments after homoeopathic versus conventional treatment and concluded that Patients seeking homoeopathic treatment had a better outcome overall compared with patients on conventional treatment, whereas total costs in both groups were similar.

In a study involving 499 children aged 18mths to 4 years, homeopathic treatment was found to be more medically effective and cost-effective than antibiotics in the treatment of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections[5] 5. Trichard M, Chaufferin G Nicoloyannis N. Pharmacoeconomic comparison between homeopathic and antibiotic treatment strategies in recurrent acute rhinopharyngitis in children. Homeopathy, 2005; 94: 3-9

 

A French study compared homeopathic and conventional treatment of recurrent acute rhinopharyngitis in children. Homeopathic treatment gave significantly better results than antibiotics in terms of medical effectiveness (e.g. number of episodes of illness) with lower direct medical costs (88 Euros vs 99 Euros) and significantly less sick-leave (9.5% of parents vs 31.6% of parents).

Out of 103 children in the homeopathy group only 5 needed antibiotics. The children receiving homeopathy had faster pain relief during the initial infection and fewer ear infections over the following year. The study published in the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics concluded that homeopathy should be the first line treatment for acute otitis media in children. [8] 8. Friese K-H, et al. Homeopathic treatment of otitis media in children: comparisons with conventional therapy. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther, 1997; 35: 296-301
 

'Slow down - you're moving too fast...

...you've got to make the morning last
Just kickin' down the cobble-stones, lookin' for fun and feelin' groovy

Feeling groovy

Hello lamp-post, what's cha knowing, I've come to watch your flowers growin'
Ain't cha got no rhymes for me, do-it-do-do, feelin' groovy

Feeling groovy

I've got no deeds to do, no promises to keep
I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me

Life I love you, all is groovy'
Simon and Garfunkel's Feeling Groovy

It's so easy to keep going from the one thing to another, and then, when someone tells you to 'chill out', 'slow down', 'relax' it's not always so easy to do.  I'm no stranger to the 'have to's - as a single parent if I don't do it then it might not get done so yes, there are things that we each 'have to' do.  But what if we could change our perspective on life, living, love and ultimately the universe? What if we could slow down - and - still get the things done we needed to do?

You might or might not know I've set myself a little challenge - I've called it '13 for 13' and for each of the 13 months leading up to 2013 (I started in December) I'm learning or developing a skill.  It can be anything I choose and ranges at the moment from knitting to pole dancing, yoga to rollerblading.  Some will stay and I'll continue and others it'll just be for a 4 week period....  My reason for mentioning this is that Mindful Meditation was my January challenge.  This is one that's here to stay and am absolutely loving it.

I started off signing up to the Be Mindful Online course and have really appreciated the videos, exercises and way of working that they use.  Since then I've explored YouTube meditations (there's loads), done a workshop on the Pain Release Technique run by Absolute Specialists and am really excited about starting to do more with The Work by Bryon Katie. 

That all sounds a little busy but it's not - it's been one step at a time and one thing has led to another in a lovely path.  My January Mindful Meditation has been enjoyable, relaxing, insightful and at it's most I would venture to say life changing.  A great way to start off a great new year!

Homeopathy for the New Year - Newsletter Issue 7

I've been thinking... about hayfever

... and I couldn't really tell you why.  Except that it's probably a great time to start to treat hayfever with homeopathy right now.  Yes, before there are even little buds trying to come through and the treat of pollen is way off (along with the thoughts of those long, summery, warm evenings sat in a beer garden whiling away the hours... or long walks barefoot on the beach with the birds chattering away happily overhead...)

So why now? Why in the bleak midwinter would we think about something so far in advance? Well for starters (and not just because I consider myself relatively optimistic) it's not that far away.  4 months takes us into mid-May.  Only 16 weeks!

But really, and what I consider the most important reason is that the Homeopath would be able to look for a remedy to suit you as a whole person, as opposed to a specific for the hayfever symptoms (which can be helpful in the midst of the hayfever season too - more on that another time).  By working this way, you may well find that symptoms are reduced, possibly even not there by the time the sun shines down and the flowers bloom.

I think I'll leave the (almost) final words from a client who came to see me for help with his hayfever...

‘After treatment I didn’t have any symptoms – for the first time in years!  Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend – very professional and friendly service.’  

If you'd like to get in touch to talk further about how homeopathy may be able to help you please feel free to get in contact with me on em@homeopathyskipton.co.uk.