One Nation Under God

Today is Memorial Day. We remember those who passed away before us, our forefathers and ancestors. Most of all we remember those who sacrificed themselves for the sake of this country and their fellow men. We salute those brave soldiers who give their lives everyday for our security and safety. I like to share with you a beautiful video I found:

http://www.interviewwithgod.com/patriotic/index.htm

This verse touched my heart because it goes along with my personal beliefs.

“Without God, there is no virtue, because there’s no prompting of the conscience. Without God, we’re mired in the material, that flat world that tells us only what the senses perceive. Without God, there is a coarsening of the society. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”

– Ronald Reagan

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag reads as follows:
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."


The United States of America were founded on Christian principles, and our system of government is based upon the belief that we are a nation “under God.” Our rights come from God, not from government.

Our Founding Fathers believed in God and government – the idea of “separation of church and state” is nothing more than a myth created by one Supreme Court decision in 1947. Yet, that one decision has resulted in dozens of ill-informed rulings that have undermined religious freedom and exalted secularism as the state-protected religion in America.

The Pledge teaches Americans not to regard their freedoms lightly and eloquently echoes the words of Thomas Jefferson –
“The God who gave us life gave us liberty.”

Faith > Fear

Faith is the opposite of fear. They are actually two opposing forces and cannot exist at the same time. Faith is a deep knowing that something is true although there may not be physical evidence or a way to prove it to others. It is beyond positive thinking.

Faith guides. Fear controls.
Faith creates. Fear destroys.
Faith heals. Fear produces sickness.
Faith gives freedom. Fear brings bondage.
Faith trusts in the unseen. Fear looks for physical evidence.
Faith gives us peace. Fear exists in chaos.
Faith empowers. Fear weakens.
Faith lets us reach for our full potential. Fear keeps us in mediocrity.
Faith is proactive. Fear is reactive.
Faith opens togetherness. Fear makes us feel lonely.
Faith is confidence in the word of God. Fear is depending on our self.
Faith creates positive results. Fear encourages destructive behavior.
Faith activates the heart. Fear needs logic as proof.
Faith looks to the future. Fear likes the status quo.
A faithful person relies on God. A fearful person relies on himself.

Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen".
Here is my favorite poem dealing with our deepest fear:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of god. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make and manifest the glory of god that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."Marianne Williamson – from her book A Return To Love

Some people believe that fear is an acronym for false evidence appearing real.

When we are born we only have 2 innate fears, a fear of falling, and a fear of loud noises. These fears are built into our DNA as a survival mechanism, which means that all our other fears in life have been learnt.

Fear is a negative emotion. The prime and basic cause of all fear is the ignorance of our true nature. Dependent on the external stimulus we have a choice. In the present moment, being conscious of the NOW, there is a split second where we decide to believe in the positive outcome, or we follow the negative emotion which starts a chain reaction in the brain by releasing chemicals that cause the heart to race, fastens breathing and energizes muscles. This process is also called the fight-or-flight response.

Eckhard Tolle wrote a book: The Power of NOW. Eckhard explains how we can harness ourselves with courage to stay in the present moment. The presence of fear always means the presence of resistance. The presence of resistance always means not allowing the Energy of desire to flow through us -- always, without exception. By staying consciously in the present moment, we can develop courage to manage fear. Over time, fear can be our friend to guide us and allow us to live in the NOW.

19 fruits of MonaVie

• Proprietary blend of: Freeze-dried powder and whole fruit juice
  1) ACAI – According the book The Perricone Promise the acai berry is stated as “Hidden within its royal purple pigment is the magic that makes it nature’s perfect energy fruit.” It’s protein profile is similar to eggs; it contains nearly 20 phyto-nutrients, several potent antioxidants, and boasts up to 30 times the anthocyanin content of wine. It also contains vitamin E, and trace-minerals.
  It is beneficial for:


• sexual functions


• energy deficiencies


• immune problems


• circulatory conditions
  
  Fruit juice from concentrate
  2) ACEROLA CHERRY – Acerola cherry gets its fame for its vitamin C content. It also is rich in phytonutrients, potassium, magnesium and other minerals.
  It is beneficial for:


• immune functions


• dysentery and diarrhea
  3) APRICOT – Apricots with their bright orange pigments, are packed with antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and a lot of fiber.
  It is beneficial for:


• eye problems


• heart disease


• stroke
  4) ARONIA BERRY – Aronia berries contain antioxidants, anthocyanins, flavonols, polyphenols, quninic acid, vitamins and minerals.
  It is beneficial for:


• inflammation


• diabetes


• circulatory problems
  5) BLUEBERRY – Blueberry consistently ranks high in antioxidants, anthocyanins, vitamins and minerals.
  It is beneficial for:


• heart disease


• Memory loss


• urinary tract infections
  6) CAMU-CAMU – Camu-Camu fruit is a native to Peru. It is believed to help in the anti-aging process.
  It is beneficial for:


• mood disorders


• immune function


• viral and bacterial infection
  7) CRANBERRY – Cranberries are far more important than part of our Thanksgiving dinner. They contain high levels of vitamin C and proanthocyanins, boths of which are powerful antioxidants.
  It is beneficial for:


• urinary tract infections


• high cholesterol


• antioxidant protection
  8) KIWI – Kiwi contains vitamin E, vitamin A and vitamin C. It helps to protect cell DNA with its antioxidant power.
  It is beneficial for:


• DNA damage


• eye problems


• cardiovascular conditions
  9) LYCHEE – Lychee fruit is a tropical fruit from South China. It is low in calories but packed with vitamin C and potassium, with lots of dietary fiber.
  It is beneficial for:


• gastrointestinal health


• overall wellness
  10) NASHI PEAR – Nashi pear is also called Asian pear and has a refreshing taste. It contains beneficial fiber, B vitamins and vitamin C.
  It is beneficial for:


• red blood cell production


• gastrointestinal health
  11) PASSION FRUIT – Passion fruit has a reputation to help with anxiety, depression and sleep disorders. It is also rich in vitamin C, potassium, and other minerals.
  It is beneficial for:


• urinary tract infection


• anxiety


• insomnia


• asthma


• spasmodic coughing
  12) POMEGRANATE – Pomegranate has a name for its high nutritional properties. It contains polyphenols, vitamins and anthocyanins.
  It is beneficial for:


• arteriosclerosis


• heart disease


• diabetes
  13) PRUNE – Prunes are dried plums. In the process of drying their antioxidants properties are increased 600 %. Studies also show that they can help prevent osteoporosis. It is beneficial for:


• age-related conditions


• prevent bone loss
  14) PURPLE GRAPES – Purple grapes are not only good for wine but have many healing properties. Studies have shown that extracts from grapes can inhibit the formation of cancer cells by limiting the activities of certain types of free radicals.
  It is beneficial for:


• anti-aging


• cardiovascular problems


• eye problems
  15) WHITE GRAPES – White grapes have similar benefits as purple grapes. They are high in vitamin C and dietary fiber.
  It is beneficial for:


• gastrointestinal health


• antioxidant protection
  16) WOLFBERRY – Wolfberry contains 18 amino acids and 21 trace minerals. Like acai, wolfberry is also known for aiding sexual health.
  It is beneficial for:


• damaged DNA


• sexual dysfunction


• FRUIT PUREES
  17) BANANA – Banana is favored for its potassium content. It also contains fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C and magnesium. It contains no fat, sodium or cholesterol.
  It is beneficial for:


• sleep and nervous health


• blood cell health
  18) BILBERRY – Bilberry has its fame for helping protect our eyes. It also contains high levels of flavonoids, antocyanins and resveratrols. According to a Canadian study, blueberries can help prevent progression of neuro-degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's.
  It is beneficial for:


• eye problems


• arthritis


• heart attack and stroke


• diabetes


• prevent nerve damage


• diarrhea and dysentery
  19) PEAR – Pears are liked for their mild flavor. They are high in potassium, vitamin and dietary fiber.
  It is beneficial for:


• gastrointestinal health


• blood glucose/diabetic conditions

All information is for educational purposes only and should not replace a medical doctor’s advice.

To learn more about the MonaVie juice, please visit: http://www.the-team.biz/MV991215.

For a brochure with more details, please contact me at: Jutta.Tobkin@the-team.biz

Plan – Do – Check – Adjust

Today I like to refer to an interesting article by Orrin Woodward, the founder of TEAM, a leadership development service provider and education system for adults. Orrin was a systems engineer for one of the leading automobile manufacturers in Michigan before he and Chris Brady started the TEAM. Since then, they build a huge organization of dedicated and loyal men and women who are determined to restore moral and ethical values and create large communities of people who can be free personally and financially and help others do the same. Being healthy, wealthy and wise is a good condition to be.

PDCA can be used for many different circumstances; in business to make profits, in any organization and in personal life for growth, and to avoid frustration. Like with any goal, action is needed and if the action doesn’t bring the desired result adjustment is needed.

Orrin writes a blog every on leadership. This article appeared in November of 2007: Success Process:

1. Plan – “Those who fail to plan are planning to fail.” You must have a plan to accomplish practically anything in a positive direction. It has been said, “Any dead fish can float downstream, but it takes a live one to swim against the current!” To be a live fish you must have a plan; otherwise, you are floating downstream.
2. Do – “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.” Many would be leaders were planning on doing something great, but never got around to it. One of my favorite quotes is, “When all is said and done, much more is said than ever done.” The best plan in the world won’t accomplish anything unless it is implemented. Develop the plan and then have the courage to begin. A job well begun is half done!
3. Check – Many people fail at this point. They set a plan and begin the work, but never check to see if the plan is moving them in the right direction. Life is more like taking a canoe down a river. There are many course corrections along the way. Factors like the river current, obstacles in the water, and bends and turns will make you constantly seeking feedback. Without feedback you will run ashore and wonder why the plan didn’t work. By checking your results you will know which factors are different than you originally assumed and be in a position to make the necessary changes.
4. Adjust – After checking your results and identifying areas for improvement—the next step is to make the necessary adjustments. This does not mean your plan was bad, but only that we are human and cannot predict all the possible outcomes. By following this PDCA process—the destination will be met by adjusting the plan after you have checked for feedback. If we were all knowing, our plan would work by planning and doing. As human beings we must plan our work, do our work, check our work and adjust where necessary.

Here is the link to the full article:
http://orrinwoodward.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2007/11/26/3376242.html.

I trust in Orrin’s leadership and spend many hours listening to his advice and wisdom. He is not only a very smart man, but also leads a very balanced and generous life. He and his wife Laurie have four children and are fully dedicated to bring victory through the TEAM. To learn more about the TEAM, please visit:
http://www.the-team.biz/