GREAT ADAPTATIONS

Can you remember what a normal morning was like fifteen years ago? Well, some of you weren’t actually adults then, you cute little things. The rest of you out there who were in the work world in 1993, or the college world, or some equivalent, think back.

Attack of the Killer Web

We were already in information overload. But in ’93, we could still afford to ignore a lot of the distractions. Attention deficit disorder was something that a few unfortunate children seemed to have. We had pagers (”pay-jerz”), they actually made some things more convenient. And we were sanguine in our ignorance, oh, if only we knew. Technology was deepening its grip.

Zoom forward to today. The Internet is a freak of nature, a pulsing million-tentacled relentlessly self-improving spider-bot and every thin little leg of it carries potential we can scarcely afford to ignore. What you need to know is that processing information, especially visual information, takes a huge toll on our energy and our brain’s reserves.

How do our brains deal with this? Well, there’s overload, overwhelm, overcommitment, over-the-top, martinis and restless nights. And that does not bode well for the big gray ball in your skull. Not at all.

Feed the Processor

The human brain keeps surprising us, and I bet it always will. From the 80s, with Peter Russell’s depiction of a “Global Brain,” right through today and beyond, we keep expanding our ability to think as individuals and as a collective. If we can keep our individual brains healthy, there really is no limit to the brilliance we can attain – the problems we can solve – the fun we can have – the innovations we can achieve - and indeed, the money we can make. All this information processing we do upstairs is making demands that we can supply if we just pay a little attention to what’s needed.

So here’s the “little shift” du jour:

Make a note and post it next to your screen. It should say this:

BREATHE IT – DRINK IT – MOVE IT

BREATHE. (Those 70’s middle management types had it right.) And do it right now. Breathe deep, slow, hold it for a count of four, breathe out, slow, all the way, more than that, until you trigger your diaphragm to pull in the next breath. HEY! You just reset your breathing, and your brain is much happier. Do that two more times.

DRINK WATER. (Tap water is highly likely to be just fine, by the way.) Put lemon in it. Add a little juice or something, but mostly, drink water. There’s plenty of evidence that we are chronically dehydrated, so for heaven’s sake, have a glass of water.

GET UP AND MOVE. Circulate, stretch, shake your arms, do a little jig, go walk your dog, sweep the porch, walk, run, jump. This should be at the top of the list, but all three of these are super important.

Say Thanks.

Shift your brain chemicals into the green zone, the go zone, the keep-it-brilliant zone, by loving life, paying attention to what you love, and embracing the day with gusto.

How do you balance the brain drain? Know any good tricks?

Suzanna

 

 

COMMUNITY – CONVERSATION – CONNECTION
I’d hate for you to miss it, so I’m going to tell you a story about how everything has changed in our virtual world. It happened quickly, like everything in technology, and now of course it seems inevitable. It is absolutely a good thing. Rejoice!

The Internet has grown up. It was loping along behind old paradigms, while the global community of web users made their way through a bunch of learning curves. Here’s our online world as I see it:

The Three Cs:

Community: The group that belongs to you. You create it out of your own deep interest, your skills, experience, and passion. Your community looks to you for information, honesty, entertainment, and love. Wow.
Conversation: Being yourself, being trustworthy, offering consistent and valuable content, speaking from the heart, facilitating the community’s conversation with thought-provoking questions, responding to their comments.
Connectivity: Your facility with technology. Optimizing what is available so that you are able to create the community and engage the conversation with the greatest possible ease and consistency for everyone, including yourself.

WHAT COMES OF IT:

You can take those three concepts, each an ocean unto itself, and turn them into a very nice living. That’s one benefit. You can also put yourself into it, as I was showing in the definition of Community, as the whole person you are. You can bring your deep love and passion to the table, articulate it for your community, and be paid for sharing your knowledge.

WHAT IT TAKES TO DO IT:

Thanks to guys like Yaro Starak, Darren Rowse, Brian Clark, and Jeff Walker, among quite a few others, this process is being articulated so well we can all have access to it now.

Short version of the answer: It takes your interest – elevated to a passion, an investment of time (investment can be translated to focus and commitment), a little bit of money, some soul-searching, and courage. Nothing more. If you have less money, well, it will just take a little more time. But you can’t get out of the soul-searching. You will have to give it up from the core. That’s what makes a community love you, trust you, and want to pay you for your knowledge. And that passion I mentioned? That’s what carries you, and makes your imagination, creativity and innovation available.

Encouraging Background Note: Rest assured the old paradigm of advertising on the Internet is transforming. Websites dominated by pushy advertising belong in the category Jeff Walker calls “Hope Marketing,” as in “I HOPE it works!” These are being overwritten, so to speak, by systems which run on real community created by people who understand these paradigms. Sure, you’ll likely advertise and use affiliate programs and all of that – that’s integral – but the core of the business has changed. With that change, the whole face of marketing is changing. And that’s about the most refreshing thing I’ve heard this millennium!

WHAT I’M DOING ABOUT IT:

These early innovators in the Blogosphere have given a gift which extends deep into live communities worldwide. I want to give something back. My way of saying thanks, and becoming part of this intriguing conversation, is to create a way for beginners to board this train. I have developed a short “primer” that will take people from total confusion about online incomes and blogs to a place of basic understanding about the complexities of blogging as a business and enjoying everything the Blogosphere has to offer. People who will benefit most from this program are casual bloggers who want to get serious, professional writers who are starting to blog, and Boomers and new users who are learning about the Internet or starting to go beyond just using e-mail.

If you want to learn more about it, subscribe to my e-mail list in the upper right column of this page. Just type in your e-mail and click subscribe. Then you’ll receive a special short series called “Before You Begin.”

WHAT’S YOUR PLAN?

So now that you know that you can quickly learn to present your offerings to an eager public, create a great income for yourself, and enjoy your own online community, what are you gonna do? I’d really like to know. What’s the first action you’re going to take?

Suzanna Stinnett

When you think it’s a good idea to start shopping around for something extra to keep your brain in shape, where do you begin? You can stand around in a store reading labels, I’ve done it. I’ve also left the store without anything but more confusion running around in my head.

After all, you probably aren’t thinking as clearly as you’d like, or you wouldn’t be there in the first place. Here is the low-down on finding quality supplements. Use it as a starting point, get your brain jump started, and take it from there if you want more information.

BRAIN SUPPLEMENTS WORK

Let’s start here, with the good news. There are indeed some very effective vitamins, or supplements, you can take to improve your brain function. After that first handful (fistful is what it comes down to) you will have to do some experimenting on your own to know what your particular brain can use.

THE GOLDEN FIVE:

Lecithin - Niacin - CoQ10 - Vitamin E - Fish Oil

Where the brain is concerned (and where the most current research points us), those are your Golden Five. Yes, gingko biloba has a pretty good reputation. Yes, B vitamins are important (for a lot of reasons). Yes, ginseng helps some people think better.

But let’s stick with the basics. Once those are up to snuff in your blood chemistry, it won’t be so hard to navigate the rest of ‘em.

WHAT MAKES A VITAMIN GOOD?

The main criteria you’re looking for in a worthwhile supplement is this:

Manufactured responsibly. How do you know? The best companies will tell you a great deal about themselves. You should be able to see their website online, learn who the principals are, how long they’ve been in business, what their philosophies are, and how their company is run. Keep reading. You should also be able to see their guidelines for research, manufacturing, and delivery of their products. There should be a guarantee.

Now while you’re looking at all that information, look for their story about how they make their vitamins work for you. In general, if a company is revealing information about their sources, has staff who do innovation and continued research, and clearly articulates why they are proud of their products, they are in the upper crust of vitamin manufacturers.

Companies I Use

For online availability, the company I have found that holds very high standards is Wellness Resources (see link below). I have been very satisfied with their products. They’ve been around for over twenty years. When I buy in stores, I look for the brand called Jarrow for my brain supplements.

Your drug-store generic vitamins are often inadequate as they are cut with fillers, made with inferior ingredients, and just plain stale. If you have used vitamins and felt they didn’t do a darn thing for you, you might consider trying the very best you can find. There is a very big difference. Some companies provide sample packages, so you can try them without a big expense. Check your health food store for samples.

START WITH THE BASICS

Get started with the Golden Five for your brain. Lecithin, CoQ10, Niacin, Vitamin E and Fish oil are spectacular for a number of aging-related problems. CoQ10 has been shown to slow tumor growth. Niacin helps keep blood circulating around the joints. Vitamin E is shown in some studies to lower stroke incidence. Like all aspects of brain health, when we are taking great care of our brains, we are taking great care of the whole body.

See you soon,

Suzanna

Here’s the link for Wellness Resources:
Wellness Resources

Peter Russell changed my life with his video, “The Global Brain.”

I first came across it in 1986, while teaching a workshop in deep ecology in Oakland, California. I don’t think I realized at the time how profoundly this man’s work would affect my own life.

The video and the book which inspired it have received international acclaim as challenging, compelling, and definitely before its time. It’s easily available on his website, The Global Brain, and I passionately recommend it.

Peter Russell’s imagination has not stopped its feats of engineering, as he has continued to develop his ideas about our participation in our changing world. When I look at my path of study of the imagination, awareness, and the brain, I can see how many ways his imagination has affected my own. Because of his inspiring expression, I altered my course to become technology-friendly, and began my own exploration of the unfolding potential of our times. I’m sure there are many, many others who have been encouraged along their way by Peter’s brilliance and his comprehensive, compassionate articulation.

From the description of “The Global Brain,”

Peter Russell, who holds advanced degrees in theoretical physics, experimental psychology and computer science, makes no apologies for presenting what may seem like a Utopian theory. He advises, “The image a society has of itself can play a crucial role in the shaping of its future. A positive vision is like the light at the end of the tunnel, which, even though dimly glimpsed, encourages us to step in that direction.”

I am officially placing Peter Russell in the Luminaries Hall of Great Adaptations. Applause!

Suzanna

 

#1 IN THE SERIES: CoQ10

CoQ10 is short for “co-enzyme Q10.” It is the antioxidant ubiquinone, and has a different form called ubiquinol.

CONSISTENT RESEARCH RESULTS

CoQ10 has been studied for over 50 years and the results are consistently spectacular. Daily use of CoQ10 may be one of the most effective things a person can do to protect heart, brain, and all the body’s cells from the effects of aging and toxins in the diet and environment. In 1978, Peter D. Mitchell won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his discovery of the significance of CoQ10 in energy production. Lester Packer, Ph.D., University of Southern California, refers to CoQ10 as the cellular spark plug. This antioxidant triggers our cells to produce energy, causing the mitochondria within the cell to release adenosine triphosphate, the fuel for all cell activity. When cells fall short of CoQ10, they become sluggish and unhealthy.

WHEN WE’RE SHORT OF THIS ANTIOXIDANT

Shortages of CoQ10 are more of an issue as we age. Taking statins (such as Lipitor) further reduce the cell’s CoQ10. Muscle pain and weakness are some of the possible results of a lack of CoQ10, as every cell and system is distressed by this shortage. The brain is especially compromised by the deficit. Noticeable problems are memory decline and learning disabilities. The brain may also become more vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease.

CoQ10 IS SAFE

CoQ10 is considered to be very safe. Reports of mild GI symptoms are reported in less than one percent of users. Pregnant and lactating women are advised not to take CoQ10, not because of any reported symptoms, but due to the lack of evidence of safety for the fetus or baby. Some research may have shown CoQ10 can lower anticoagulant effects of coumadin. Coumadin can be monitored and adjusted if this is an issue.

THE FORM OF CoQ10 MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Different forms of CoQ10 have very different levels of effectiveness. The more absorbable CoQ10 is also more expensive to buy, but it is much more efficient. Taking CoQ10 with meals or a little fat such as olive oil or peanut butter increases its absorption. Dosages range from 10 mg per day for preventative use to as much as 400 mg per day for people fighting cancer. An average person would benefit from 100 mg per day.

RECENT RESEARCH TO CONSIDER

A recent study shows another form of CoQ10 to possibly be more potent than the commonly found ubiquinone. This form, called ubiquinol, is actually converted from the more common ubiquinone. What is now suspected is that as our bodies age, our ability to convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol is significantly reduced. This conversion is necessary to utilize the CoQ10. Apparently the two forms of CoQ10 have different positive effects, so researchers are currently suggesting that a combination of the two may be the most effective for older people. Extensive research on human subjects to evaluate the effects of ubiquinol have not been completed. (See Claim Scrutiny)

 

BUYING SUPPLEMENTS ONLINE
Wellness Resources is a supplement company that I trust. They are one of the few independent companies that remain in the industry. I suggest you read more about them on their site at Wellness Resources. I have used their CoQ10 products and find them to be on par with the best supplements available. When you go to their site, search in the search field under CoQ10.

***Claim Scrutiny***

I like to point out the possible flaws in any scientific research that I put on my website. While I don’t mean to argue with myself, I think it’s important that you know I care about “who said what and why.” Companies that research their own products are certainly suspect, although they are not necessarily trying to get away with anything! The above article contained information about “ubiquinol.” There is a reference in my materials that points to a CoQ10 manufacturer, Kaneka, as “receiving” a case study about a 65-year-old man whose symptoms of low heart function were greatly reduced when he switched from ubiquinone to ubiquinol. My online research showed that Kaneka did perform a very small study in February of 2007. No one appeared to suffer from the use of ubiquinol. The research on CoQ10 in its ubiquinone form, however, has been going on for fifty years and is consistently positive. CoQ10 is also shown to restrict the growth of tumors.

LINKS TO THE BIG FIVE: CoQ10, Omega Fats, Lecithin, Lipoic Acid, Vitamin E

Be well,

Suzanna

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This is an original article by Suzanna Stinnett.

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How is commitment related to dendrite growth and brain health?

Commitment implies a return-to, perhaps a repetition, as in a daily discipline, a weekly gathering, a monthly board meeting. This process creates brain connections which strengthen with the repetition. The imagination is engaged to create conditions in which the commitment can be upheld. Commitment also engages the emotional being, when one determines that a person or project is valued enough to warrant commitment.

I found the following description in the Unitarian Universalist’s membership information. This is a beautiful formula for brain health and dendrite growth.

“Your signature is your affirming symbol of commitment to an open-minded, inclusive, reasoned, seasoned, compassionate and contemporary approach to life.”

These words effectively describe the conditions which lend themselves to healthy brain growth, and vibrant aging.

Enjoy your community this season,

love and blessings

Suzanna