WE ARE ALL EARTHLINGS......

As human beings inhabiting this planet, we need to think about a "collaborative" view of our humanity.  Instead of focusing on "differences,"   i.e. I am yellow, red, white, black or any "race color or nationality"
and adding some disparity, we need to think of ourselves as "Earthlings."

One day we will pro-create in a Biosphere on Mars and Astroid and our children go to school with "Martians" or "Astrodians" so as science moves RAPIDLY forward without regard for any isolated groupings, we need to come together as one planetary humanity.

We need to think of ourselves as EARTHLINGS, ONE HUMANITY on planet EARTH.

THE BEAUTIFUL AND INTELLIGENT FLORIDA BLACK BEAR

THE BEAUTIFUL AND INTELLIGENT FLORIDA NATIVE:

BLACK BEARS

MIKE ORLANDO

ASSISTANT COORDINATOR – BEAR MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Since 1980, Florida’s native black bear population has been expanding, estimated, by Florida Fish and Wildlife to number approximately 4,350.  The same year, the human population in Florida numbered 5 million; in 2016, the population grew to 20 million with an expected growth by 2060 to 36 million people. Today, bears and people are living in close proximity but Florida’s black bears still live in the sand pine wilderness, forests, oak scrub, and wetlands, adapting to the encroachment of humans into their native habitat.  It is not the bears that pose the greatest threat to their survival; it is human behavior.  

After the last Ice Age, eleven thousand years ago, Paleo-Indians occupied much of Florida.  Their descendants, the tattooed Timucua Indians, fished and hunted along the upward flowing St. John’s River on Florida’s northeast coast and inland to the Wekiwa River.  Today, one of the most beautiful bear habitats in Florida is Wekiwa Springs State Park, Apopka, Fl, about 20 miles north of Orlando and the origin of a spring that pumps 42 million gallons of water a day into the Wekiwa River from a deep 15 to 20 foot cavern.  The Wekiwa Springs River runs through Wekiwa Springs State Park and is one of the last remaining wild and scenic rivers in Florida. 

Today, Wekiwa Springs State Park, originally a private Sportsman’s Club in 1941, is a large tourist attraction with camping, swimming, canoeing, biking, hiking and horseback riding through the 100 year old pine forest flats.  As the sun rises and dusk veils the forest, visitors can observe white tail deer, wild turkeys, the little known Sherman’s fox squirrel and the dark profile of Florida’s black bear peacefully roaming through the woods.

Mike Orlando, Assistant Coordinator of the Bear Management Program, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says, “The Park is one of the best protected habitats for the black bear to safely survive.”  He dispels the widely held belief that the growing human population in Florida imperils the black bear, as he says, “they have recovered.  It is not true that as the population grows, natural species necessarily decrease.  Today, better education of tourists, residents and good management practices like habitat management has helped the black bear and other wildlife thrive.

For the past twenty years, Orlando has studied the behavior of the Florida black bear, one of the most curious and wondrous species in Florida.  He says, “The male bears have a territorial area of sixty square miles and females, a smaller range of fifteen square miles.”  

At Wekiwa Springs State Park, a housing development butts directly up to the edge.  Orlando calls this a “transitional zone or urban wildlife interface.”  People who live in the residential community are educated to co-exist with their bear neighbors.  However, Orlando brings up a caveat:  “Bears have a keen sense of smell, so residents not only living directly on the park border but the neighborhood need to follow safety procedures to divert an opportunistic bear hunting for food.   It is important to move any eminent food from the area.  In order to save the bear, humans need to be careful not to create life conflicts.  If a bear approaches a neighborhood, it is likely seeking available unsecured human food,” Orlando clarifies. 

“In January or February,” says Orlando, “Female bears, about 3 years old, usually bare their young.  They may  pull together pine needles or fallen trees, whatever is around to build a den like a bird’s nest, and some even dig a hole.  Females usually have 2 or 3 cubs.  The females protect the cubs, teach them how to survive and find food.  If the mother bear learns there is food available in a neighborhood, she will also teach her cubs where to find it.”  FWC literature says if a bear is eating something on your property, take note of what it is and secure it after the bear has left the area.  In Florida, it is against the law to feed bears.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has developed a “cost share program” to help residents afford bear resistant containers.  Residents can purchase “bear proof dumpsters” for their area like the ones at Wekiwa Springs State Park.  Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring has numerous bear sightings and is also installing the new dumpsters.  However, despite the closer proximity of bears and humans, Orlando says, “Bears usually withdraw from an accidental confrontation with humans; however, they are wild animals and deserve respect. 

“The best precaution to co-exist in a bear habitat,” says Orlando “is to keep attractants away from bears. If a bear is up a tree, usually after dark, it will eventually leave the area on its own when it feels safe.  People sometimes mistake bear ‘posturing’ like standing up on its hind legs as a threat,” he explains.  “The bear behaves like a squirrel. When a bear stands on its hind legs, it is only trying to get a better view or scent.  However, unlike squirrels, bears are powerful.  Males can weigh on an average 250-350 pounds; females, 130-180 pounds.  Because of their power and size, people should respect these animals and stay at a safe distance. 

 Orlando stresses that “pro-active” human behavior is essential to protect bears and all native wildlife.  As people continue to migrate into the sunshine state, bear and people encounters in the woods or in neighborhoods will continue; however, Orlando emphasizes, “People can learn to co-exist with Nature and appreciate the bear.”

“Bears are symbols of the wilderness.  We provide information and teach our visitors about bear behavior, we go to schools and take a bear hide from one accidentally killed on the highway to show children.  We hand out bear whistles and clappers to kids and adults to scare a bear away should there be an encounter.  Most importantly, if we appreciate the natural world and realize we are inherently connected with Nature, we as humans will learn to appreciate the life of wild things in preserving Florida’s wildlife.  We are a living planet and we need to teach a balance of human behavior with Nature exploration.  We have to do our part to save the bear.”

In 2016, FWC provided Florida residents the opportunity for input on the next planned bear hunt.  The Commission was presented with four options to consider as recommended by staff at FWC and biologists.  Each option outlined a different strategy.  Option 1,  was “the same as the 2015 framework with updated hunt objectives;” Option 2 offered more “limited restrictions on hunting bears;” Option 3 offered “a postponement of bear hunting in 2016, creating a zero-hunt objective;” Option 4, opted “to repeal bear hunt rules and not allow bear hunting in Florida in future years.”  The result was no bear hunting for 2016.

Mike Orlando has been studying bears since college.  He earned his BA degree in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Florida and later his Master’s in “Forest Ecology” at the University of Kentucky.  At UF his study of alligators migrated to a bear project at Egland Air Force Base when he worked with graduate students placing radio collars on bears.  At Weeki Wachee Springs on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Orlando expanded his focus on bear behavior which led him to his present position as the FWC Assistant Coordinator of the Bear Management Program. 

Dr. Nancy Dale is the author of 5 books on the true stories of Florida’s legendary pioneer “cow hunters.” UPCOMING BOOK:  PRESERVING NATIVE FLORIDA:  THE LEGENDS, THE WILDERNESS AND THE WILDLIFE.  Books are available: www.nancydalephd.com,

Lake Placid: Lake Placid Feed and Western Wear, Sebring/Avon Park:  Sebring Ranch Supply, Pure Grit Boot Company, SFSC Museum of Art and Culture

YOGA FOR LIFE: CALMING PAIN

YOGA FOR LIFE

YOGA:  CALMING PAIN

By

Nancy Dale, Ph.D.

July 24, 2017

It is amazing that when Life takes an unexpected turn into the world of pain, we are awakened to a state of physical and mental acuteness about our precious health.  Today, in the United States there will be more than l million new cancer cases diagnosed (American Cancer Society).  Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women (National Breast Cancer Society) and more than 160,000 new cases of prostate cancer is expected to be diagnosed in 2017.   Until we or someone dear to us learns that they are the “victim” of a disease or critical accident, we are unattached to actual physical/emotional pain.

Often we “compartmentalize” pain and do not confront it until it is critical and alters our physical/mental/emotional well-being.  Yoga is not a panacea for healing disease or accidental injuries but it can provide a constructive outlet to “unlearn” pain through relaxation and intention.  When our mind give way to chronic stress and pain, we are suppressing the immune system when what we really desire to focus on is reducing  the suffering by re-framing our thinking and reinforcing our healing.  We may not be able to drastically alter physical pain due to conditions but we can alter how we think about it and begin to transmute anguish into a positive healing force.  The “intention” to transpose pain into healing is one of the lessons of Yoga.

LET’S PRACTICE:

1.       Adjusting our “Intention” to overcome an unpleasant experience over time involves our mind/body/emotions in a positive reinforcing activity to re-frame our thinking.

2.      Relax the mind first through slow breathing either by lying down or in a comfortable seated position.  If injury limits mobility, find a way to relax the body physically then begin the slow breathing to relax the mind/emotions.

3.      Observe your intention to “let go” of pain, mentally/physical/emotionally as your breathe.  With each breath go deeper into a calmer consciousness letting go of anxiety. Keep your attention focused on a relaxed mental state and visualize every deep inhale as a “healing breath.” 

4.      Create a fresh mental state of mind releasing negative thoughts about your circumstances and except the present moment with your intention to move forward not dwelling on limitation.

5.      Our solution to pain can be re-shaped and replaced by seeds of positive thoughts leading to positive action and promoting healing.

6.      Self-healing begins in the mind to let go of how an injury/disease is perceived.

7.      Visualize yourself surrounded by “beauty” and visualize your recovery.   Place yourself by a tranquil stream in the cool of the morning watching the clouds float by.  Discover your own place of tranquility to “escape” and clear time to experience this emptiness where you are completely present without negative thoughts about pain.  Think of pain as part of the “healing process.”

Yoga is a practice, as we always say, so “just do it!”  You will find a way.  Being with your intention to practice a few of the Yoga postures we have discussed will awaken our presence with into positive transformation.  We are responsible for how we perceive life as it happens.

This is a Yoga meditation practice.  Reaffirm your intention to focus on a healthy mind/body/emotions and regenerate the Spirit of life

 

“What You Can Do, or Dream You Can, Begin It; Boldness Has Genius, Power, and Magic in It.”

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

YOGA FOR LIFE: WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

YOGA FOR LIFE

BY

NANCY DALE

“YOGA PRACTICE FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT”

Oct 30 2017

Each day we have the opportunity to re-evaluate our present reality, create new goals, transmute negative, self-defeating habit patterns. such as overindulging in food, into a healthy lifestyle.  Sometimes life presents us with challenges that makes us realize we need to reinvent ourselves. We begin by taking an inventory of our mental/emotional/physical consciousness.  We may realize that an emotional state, grief, loss turned our pain into seeking relief from food, alcohol or drugs.  However, the good news is that if we are breathing we are alive and with awakened consciousness we can create a new philosophy and action to move forward we just have to begin it!  So let’s turn our attention for weight and pain management over to a healthy Yoga practice.

“Fighting fat” through a Yoga practice does grab our attention as we learn certain postures to increase fat burning.  Throwing out the Yoga mat everyday for 15 minutes is a positive beginning in breaking our food addictions and works towards tightening up the muscles, burning fat and feeling more fit.  Lifestyle changes begin in the mind and are transmitted as energy throughout the body.  Before you know it, you begin to reflect a new “you” in mind and body with continuous practice.

There are a number of specific Yoga postures that induce the body to burn fat.  These postures emphasize slow movement and holding the form as long as possible with concentration, deep inhales and exhales moving in and out of poses.

LET’S BEGIN WITH “WARRIOR TWO” POSTURE:

Stand in “Tadassana” which means standing with feet shoulder width apart, directly aligned with the outer edge of the hip, taking a deep breath then stepping or jumping the legs widely apart, extended out on each side.  Be sure to keep the back long and straight over the hips.  Keep the toes of the feet pointed forward.  Keep widening the legs to lengthen the inner thighs.  Next, extend the arms out to the sides even with the shoulders.  As your feel the breath extend into he fingertips, note the “vibratory frequency” as the fingers come alive and strong to the very tips.  Hold this posture in the beginning for three minutes then bend the right knee over the ankle, (not a runners pose, to avoid injury) and turn the head to the right over the shoulder.  Walk the back food back as far as comfortable. Keep the heel of the bent knee leg in alignment with the arch of the back foot and turn the back foot into a slight angle towards the other leg.  You can find a picture of Warrior Pose on the internet to assist you in aligning your posture.  Hold this pose for 3 minutes then turn the feet inward, step or jump together.  Repeat Warrior pose 5 times and hold each time for 3 minutes. You will be surprised at how this simple posture will take “your breath away” and eventually the fat.

Now you know what it feels like to be a Warrior,” so stay with your new practice and you will gradually feel and see changes in the mental/physical body.  Enjoy the new you!

WE ARE ALL EARTHLINGS!

I have returned!

Supporting Life, I will be posting my "YOGA FOR LIFE" column which is pro-active Yoga that reflects as a living practice.  The columns published every week in the health section of the Highlands News Sun, are articles relating to self-awareness of our bodies, lengthening muscles, tissues, deep breath which is part of a Yoga practice integrated in to a daily lifestream to support health, healing and regeneration.  I have been a Yoga Instructor many years, I am a Journalist and author.

I am going to publish other info on contributing to a positive lifestyle and healing the planet which also means healing "Earthlings" i.e. contributing to positive views of life whatever our circumstances, cultural differences or beliefs, begin with an energy change within when we simple "smile" through whatever difficult circumstances that life presents. What else can we do--- become angry, resentful, take our anger out on others?  How does this attitude contribute to Life,

"WE ARE ALL EARTHINGS" brings to our attention that Earthling  is really WHO we are.  When the astronautts begin to build biospheres on other planets/astroids such as Mars...there will be cohabitation and "Martians" will be born.  Our great grandchildren will probably go to school with "Martians."

On employment applications when they ask the "races" (which no pure race exists and "Hispanic" on those applications is not even a "race")..we need to check off  "OTHER" and put down in the blank:  EARTHLINGS.

If you have pro-active solutions of interest to advance "Humanity" that is not addressed anywhere in the so-called "media," send those ideas to me and I will pursue,

Let's move forward as Earthlings.