I offer this up, in gaining more appreciation of our heritage. Interesting discovery, Leonard Kratz was born 200 years before I, and on Jared’s Birthdate Feb 14th, 1756.

click here

Let me first define the “socio-ecological” domain that impacts health. As I have described in other writings, the World Health Organization (WHO), has described five domains of health as “physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual”. I have expanded on these concepts to include ecological, inter-relational and cultural domains, that are not well defined under the previous context. As you reflect on some of the biggest news of the past 3-5 years, there has indeed been a greater emphasis on aspects of the environment and ecological considerations. Global warming, water safety and supply, energy consumption and the consequences of how that energy was produced (electricity produced by coal-burning plants), greenhouse gases, the threats of pesticides, herbicides and use of anti-biotics and growth hormone in feed stock, just to name a few. Most of these qualify as “socio-ecological” threats, in that, they have come about as ways of living, as normal “necessities” in modern society.

I would like to applaud the Canadian Nurses Association and the authors/nurse researchers, for the articles published in the January 2007 edition of Canadian Nurse, regarding water safety, threats in the environment and their admonition for other nurses to advocate for greater attention be made regarding the environment’s impact on health.

We all have a stake in, and should be accountable for the Ecological Domain. We all should research and enhance our understanding of the many influences on policy development in all areas that impact health, inclusive of the environment. May we be powerful advocates for the future of our children and grand-children. Leave a legacy of positive impact.

The topics I present here will certainly “heat up” the discussions on many a blog site. While we can look forward to “new releases” of movies that resemble Science Fiction rather than projectable realities (have you seen Children of Men?), we should have our “ear to the ground” over the talks of global warming (Al Gore, “inconvenient Truth”) and Peak Oil.

Best not to bury ones head in the sand,…or to get out of the sun and into air-conditioned comfort, thinking all of this cannot be true, as we love our comfortable lives too much to change…please click here

and then

click here

As I sit and read for my more reflection exercise, I decided to visit the website of Dr. Wayne Dyer, and to a particular article regarding the war in Iraq. If I am truly a humanitarian then I cannot bury my head in the sand, and not grieve. I give you the article link here for you to visit, and do your own reflection on this very tragic topic.

BE well, BE Loving, BE open to positive transformation,

Dave

Or should I quip, “WELLcome, 2007″ ?

I like many others on the planet are reflecting back on the year, while making some goals and commitments for 2007. Where should I begin, what should I include? Should it only be about health, fitness or weight management? These are the areas that get the most votes I imagine, quitting smoking also near the top of the list.

How about this to top the list? To be more loving, beginning with loving myself more. This, if we think about it, would be the number one factor to assure success of all the other goals I mentioned. If we intend each day to begin with an attitude and ethic to love each person more, with ourselves as the first and foremost priority, then we will lose the weight, get fit, stop the destructive behaviours and habits. The bottom- line needs to be,…to love life, to love ones self, and to be intentional in showing love, to all others we may meet. We should intend to go out into the world that is sadly lacking in demonstrations of love, and begin to transform our environments…the workplace….the home…the community …and on the road…and in our generosity…we can be co-creators of a preferred future.

May you find love in your heart for yourselves, begin to nurture the same, so as to spread more love in every part of this tiny planet,

Much Love,

Dave