But today, because of medical advances with stem cells, he is living a healthy, normal life. He’s able to walk his dog and resume normal activities.

Cathcart, who along with his wife, Betty, now lives in Franklinton, is getting back to things he’d missed, including walking his poodle, Buddy, without needing his defibrillator to shock him to get his heart started again.a

The Catharts first learned about the experimental adult-stem-cell procedure when their daughter and son-in-law saw a television news show about adult stem cells and the possibility of it repairing heart damage.

“We’d been living with the idea that he only had so long to live; that’s not a life you want to live,” wife Betty said. “I was so afraid he might not survive that when Dr. Gabriel Lasala [the surgeon] came out and everything had gone well, I just fell into his arms. I was just bawling my eyes out. Dr. Lasala believes that everyone deserves a chance.”

It’s important to realize that the stem cells used to repair Cathcart’s heart were not embryonic stem cells which is the subject of much political debate but rather stem cells supplied by his own bone marrow.

Good news starts from within. On some levels, we all know that. We are not victims but co-creators in this Universe. We’ve discussed the importance of positive self-talk in our daily life but did you ever think that your immediate environment can affect your positivity?

Today, try a small experiment. Change a few things in your household that naturally lift your spirits.

Light a candle - nothing warms up a room than a lit candle. Because of its elemental properties, it resonates deep within us, providing us with natural comfort (try to burn the good candles such as soy or beeswax - not the overly perfumey, toxic ones!)

Add a little greenery - you don’t need to buy a dozen roses. Walk around your yard and snip a few pieces. Even in winter, I’ve put some evergreen in vases with bright red berries. Beautiful and soothing.

Sage - if you don’t know what sage is, do a little research. Sage is a wonderfully fragrant herb that has been used by Native Americans to rid people and areas of negative energy by an act called “smudging.” The nice part with sage? It naturally cleanses the air. No need for aerosol cans laden with all sorts of junk!

Color and Light - Since Spring is nearby, look around your home for ways to add a little color and extra light. Again, you don’t have to break the bank. It could be as simple as cleaning your windows or opening your curtains a bit more. Or maybe a new cover for a bed or couch. Or some bright throw pillows.

Positive environments encourage positive moods encourage positive news. Its that simple!

What constitutes a medical miracle? It usually has something to do with defying the odds, like 8-year-old Kaitlin Clutter, diagnosed with a severe form of spina bifida, a malformation of the spine and spinal cord.

Kaitlin was told she would never walk and now sings, dances, cheerleads and swims. She chosen by Children’s Miracle Network to be one of the Champions Across America so she could help inspire other children, according to the report.

“I think that it’s great that you never give up, and that you try over and over and if you can’t do something just try again and be strong,” she said.

Don’t let the medical world fool you! They don’t know everything. They don’t know you. If you or a loved one are contending with a serious medical diagnosis, remember who owns the body and go from there.

Ron is a man who lost his sight over 30 years ago because of a degenerative disease in his retina. Seven months ago, he was fitted with a bionic eye. This eye uses a camera and video process mounted on glasses which captures images wirelessly to a tiny receiver on the outside of the eye.

The receiver then passes on the data via a tiny cable to an array of electrodes which sit on the retina. When these electrodes are stimulated, they send messages to the optic nerve and then to the brain, which is able to perceive patterns of light and dark spots corresponding to which electrodes have been stimulated.

What does this mean for Ron?

“For 30 years I’ve seen absolutely nothing at all, it’s all been black, but now light is coming through. Suddenly to be able to see light again is truly wonderful.

“I can actually sort out white socks, grey socks and black socks.”

“My one ambition at the moment is to be able to go out on a nice, clear evening and be able to pick up the moon.”

It’s hard to think there’s much good to be said about negativity. First of all, there’s plenty of it in the world. Second, negativity can cause a substantial amount of stress and discomfort and color situations. So how can you work negativity to your advantage?

Many people eschew a positive attitude because they don’t find it entirely realistic. If you feel badly, they say, you feel badly. Why deny it? Why force a smile on a frowning face? It’s just not natural.

To some extent, they have a point. When you are feeling negatively about a relationship or a work situation or just the world in general, try the following:

1. Sit with it. Negative emotions are often indicators that you are feeling some deeper pain or anxiety. One of the hardest aspects for many to comprehend when feeling badly is that, while its uncomfortable, sitting with difficult emotions is the key to moving forward. Many people automatically “run for the hills” in a myriad of ways: addictions, work, petty arguments, “tuning out.” Sitting with an uncomfortable mental state is looking at the demon in the eye and taking the fear element out of the equation.

2. Write about it. Sure, sure…you’ve heard it before. The power of journaling. But when was the last time you took ten minutes out of your day to simply vent on paper? The beauty of it is, you can say anything you want! The sky’s the limit! You can live out your dark side without fear of reprecussion. Don’t censor yourself. Say it all. Burn the paper if you want afterwards

3. Meditate. It’s elusive, it’s not easy - but meditation is a masterful tool. Don’t know how? Yes, you do. Meditation is simply our natural state - free of worries and anxiety. Spend 10 minutes, sitting quietly and breathe. Focus entirely on your breathing, letting thoughts go with every out breath. Don’t feel like you have to perfect it. There is no “perfect” meditation. It just gives your poor overworked brain a chance to rest and regroup.

Ultimately, we all feel negatively at times. No need to run from it. Listen to it. What’s it telling you? What’s it want for you? It’s alright to hurt, it’s alright to be angry, it’s alright to express yourself. Negativity can be your friend.

ABC Together, which is a subsidiary of charity Wirral Mind, is addressing the issues of unemployment among the mentally ill by encouraging challenged people to, at first, volunteer at their recycling center, ABC Supabed in Moreton, England.

This allows people who are getting back on their feet again develop necessary skills and experience in order to re-enter the workforce.

The chief executive of Wirral Mind, Sandra Gilbert, had this say: “Employers are fearful at times; this person has never had a job, they have no work experience, no track record of timekeeping, no referee even. We are developing a model where you can start as a volunteer first.”

What is ABC Supabed? It’s another great company that’s creating animal bedding out of recycled cardboard. One of the most recent potential clients is a leading racing stable in Portsmouth.

This is a multi-layered ethical business model that’s worthy of our respect!

Olive oil provides Palestinian farmers with close to 50% of their annual income. But because of conflict the region, Palestinian farmers are facing serious obstacles that stand in the way of their livelihood.  . Almost 75% of Palestinians live below the United Nations poverty line.

Fairtrade olive oil will offer an economic lifeline for Palestinian farmers. The oil,  Zaytoun, will give a real economic boost to the Palestinian farmers.

The product will be launched to coincide with the start of Fairtrade Fortnight (23 February – 8 March).
The olive oil will be launched at a Co-operative store in Archway, London by Palestinian farmer Mahmoud Issa.

Learn a little more about Fairtrade products on link above.

Fairtrade is an immediate step you can take in your life to help others in the world…and get incredible product to boot!

What’s the big deal? There are a lot of calves born, right?

Not one that represents a peace between the Hindu communities across Britain and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). Last year, Gangotri, a cow dearly loved by everyone, was killed by the RSPCA at Bhaktivedanta Manor’s farm. The RSPCA believed the animal was in pain and needed to be put down but the caretakers at the Manor felt differently. A heated dispute ensued.

A task force was created that raise the awareness of why all life is so sacred to all Hindus. The RSPCA has since apologized, and as a gesture of peace, offered a new cow by the name of Aditi. Within months, Aditi gave birth to the beauty in the photo above.

Kapil Dudakia, the chair of the Gangotri Task Force said:

“The whole community is ecstatic with this tremendous news. Only last month we saw the arrival of Aditi to the Temple in all her splendour and today the birth of Gangotri has brought in an auspicious era for all our diverse communities to celebrate life and a new beginning together.”

Isn’t it a beautiful thing, to see animals so lovingly tended to and revered? Shouldn’t we take a moment to take note of this type of deep reverence for animal life?

Animals are a beautiful gift to this world.

Be kind and revere them.

They deserve it.

All the time.

Never underestimate the power of light in your life. And I’m not talking about the metaphysical kind. I’m talking about good ol’ fashioned L-I-G-H-T!

There’s a friend of mine. I’ll call her Sherry. She was going through a rough time: a divorce and the loss of a job. She was feeling pretty down. She invited me over for lunch one day and I was shocked when I entered. Her place was almost pitch dark! The curtains were closed and she had one small lamp lighting the entire room.

After lunch and some talk, I suggested we try opening those curtains of hers. We pulled them back and let the light in. Then we started cleaning up a little, doing a bit of rearranging. We even went to the grocer downstairs and picked up some flowers. Nothing major. But wow…her place felt entirely different. And guess what? So did she!

In the middle of winter, we are receiving less light. Optimize your light during the day. When I wake in the morning, I stand by the window for a minute and just bask in the rising sun. Just a minute or two. But I can feel the difference it makes.

Today, let some extra light into your life!

Sounds like the name of an epic novel, doesn’t it? It’s not fiction, fortunately, but the actual ecological truth. The beavers are returning to Detroit after over 75 years of skipping town because of unclean living conditions.

John Hartig serves as the Detroit River refuge manager for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and explains that the beavers’ return signals that a multi-layered effort to clean up the river has finally paid off.

“It’s part of that larger story of ecological recovery,” Hartig said, who cites the return of many species to the Detroit River area in recent years including sturgeon, whitefish, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, walleye, and, now, a beaver.

“If it’s cleaner for them, it’s cleaner for us, too,” says Hartig.

The river’s ecology is finally recovering, said Tim Payne, Southeast Michigan wildlife supervisor for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

“There’s no question that having a cleaner river is having an impact on species coming back,” he said.