Thought for the Day
“We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.” ~ His Holiness, The Dalai Lama
“We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.” ~ His Holiness, The Dalai Lama
Emotional stress (e.g. disgust) can cause physical symptoms such as stomach pain as well as referred pain to the back. Dis-gustatory story.
“Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, ‘This is the real me,’ and when you have found that attitude, follow it.”— William James (Harvard psychologist, philosopher and professor)
Never underestimate the healing power of laughter. Endorphins are your body’s natural drugs. Just saw “The Hangover” DVD and I am feeling much better about life in general.
Never underestimate the power of water. Many aches and pains that people feel are often the result of dehydration. A general rule of thumb is to take the number of pounds that you weigh and divide by two to determine the number of ounces of water to consume per day (e.g. If I weigh 160 lbs., then I should drink 80 ounces of water or TEN 8 oz. glasses. Not really that hard to do). Drink more water!
Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort – Reliable Charities
Many of my patients from Haiti have family and friends that are in dire need of assistance. The most effective way you can help is to make a donation to a well-established organization that is involved in providing emergency support. I recommend:
Doctors Without Borders
Because Doctors Without Borders already had teams working on medical projects in Haiti at the time of the earthquake, they have treated hundreds of injured people and are working to get more staff into the country. Doctors are setting up medical facilities in tents, since their own buildings have been severely damaged. Click here to donate https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=197&hbc=1&source=ADR1001E1D01 or call 1-888-392-0392.
Partners in Health
This aid organization “is based on solidarity, rather than charity alone,” and is working to coordinate 120 doctors and 500 nurses on the ground in Haiti, evaluating how best to respond to the crisis. PIH’s flagship project is based in Haiti, and it’s where the organization’s broadest range of resources is located. Click here to donate: http://www.pih.org/home.html or call 1-617-432-5256
Oxfam International
Oxfam has dispatched a team of specialists to Haiti and is working to send badly needed medical supplies. Their humanitarian coordinator in Port-au-Prince said, “Our immediate priorities will be providing safe water and shelter material for the people who have lost their homes. Many people have lost their homes and were sleeping out in the open last night.” Click here to donate: https://secure.oxfamamerica.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3560&3560.donation=form1 or call 1-800-776-9326.
International Rescue Committee
The IRC will be working with overwhelmed local aid groups in Haiti to provide life-saving medical care, clean water and sanitation to earthquake survivors. IRC specialists are veteran first-responders who set up immediate and effective emergency programs around the world during violent conflicts and natural disasters. Click here to donate: https://www.theirc.org/donate/donate-now-haiti or call 1-877-REFUGEE.
American Red Cross
You can support the American Red Cross efforts in Haiti by giving to their International Response Fund. Click here to donate: https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?4306.donation=form1&idb=2964399&df_id=4306&JServSessionIdr004=bwm6vgg5b3.app195a or call 1-800-REDCROSS. Texting option: Text 90999 and your $10 donation will automatically be billed to your wireless number. It’s easy, safe, and reliable.