Thanks For Giving

Find your passion!

Have you recently gone through some dramatic and transformative changes in your life? Whether these changes are related to your job, relationships, or spirituality, the shift has taken some getting used to and you need something positive to focus on. You enjoy a lot of different pastimes, but you really want to devote yourself to something you simply love doing. How do you find your passion? Perhaps just as important, how do you turn that passion into something meaningful and substantial in your life?

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." --Eleanor Roosevelt

A passion in life isn’t something you’re born with. It’s cultivated by your interests, what stimulates you and what you are genuinely excited about. But what if you want to pursue many avenues and just don’t know which one you’d be the most successful at or want to invest the most time in? Or what if nothing particularly lights the proverbial fire under your bottom, but you have a lot of energy that you could devote to something? Or maybe you’re stuck in a job you despise, but don’t know what other route to take that would truly be fulfilling.

Don’t fear. There are plenty of ideas to get your creative juices flowing to find your passion and make something worthwhile of it.

Answer these Questions
Answering the following questions is a great exercise in deciding where your passion may lie and what direction to go in. Write down your answers and look for a common theme. Your passion might be so obvious that it jumps right off of the page.

What do you love about yourself?

What did you want to be when you were a child?

If money were no object, what would you want to do?

What do you daydream about or think about during downtime?

How do others perceive you?

List five things you really enjoy doing and five things you’re really good at.

Name one thing you’ve always dreamed about doing but never told anyone about.


Look Around
Your passion could be right under your nose, but you just might not be in tune with it. Watch out for signs or for moments that inspire you or move you.

It might come in the form of a movie, a human interest story from a newspaper or neighbor, or a great ending to a great book. Go through your closet or look through old photo albums. You may have simply “stored” away memories of any passions or inspirations you had as a child or before you were married, had children or started in the work force.

Once you’re aware of everything around you, finding your passion might be easier than you originally thought.

Network
You know networking is a great tool to use in job hunting, but it’s also ideal to use to help find your passion and turn that passion into a productive endeavor. Let people in on your passion and dreams: They’ll become more of a reality the more you talk about them, and when an opportunity pops up that relates to that passion, they’ll let you know!


If the passion you’ve discovered has to do with a dream job, keeping the lines of communication open with all sorts of people will only increase your chances of pursuing your passion and achieving a goal.

Get Involved
Getting involved in volunteer projects is a fantastic way to test the passion waters. Start out by volunteering with one group. It can be at a soup kitchen, animal rescue group or reading to children at the library for an hour.

Really begin to feel what it means to do something positive for someone else – many people associate their passion with service. They feel it’s their purpose and their calling. Volunteer where you are drawn to, and then volunteer with something at the opposite end of your passion spectrum.

The more projects you’re able to experience, the more your imagination will be sparked.


Reach for the Stars
Nobody can live your life for you - your destiny is in your hands. If you’ve found your passion, you’re already on your way. If you’ve found a passion that seems a little more intangible than others, give it some serious thought, but don’t be afraid to go for it.

Too many people don’t follow their passion because they let the possibility of failure stop them before they even try. How will you know if things are possible if you don’t put yourself out there? Be proactive, reach for the stars and turn your passion into something productive and meaningful that will enrich your life and the lives of others.

What is Heart Disease?

Heart disease results from a blockage or narrowing in the coronary arteries, which carry blood towards the heart, or an infection or other health problem, impairing the functions of the muscles or valves in the heart, according to the Mayo Clinic. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to MedlinePlus.


Significance
In 2006, 631,636 men and women died of heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fatalities from heart disease were almost equal for men and women in 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Risk Factors
People who have a family history of heart disease, smoke cigarettes, abuse alcohol, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, are overweight or obese, do not exercise regularly and/or are over 55 have an increased risk of developing heart disease.

Associated Problems
Heart disease puts people at risk for having a heart attack, stroke or aneurysm; developing angina; going into cardiac arrest and/or developing heart failure.
Symptoms
People with heart disease often do not have symptoms, according to the Nemours Foundation. Some people with the disease develop pain in their back, neck, chest or shoulder; light-headedness; shortness of breath; a rapid or slowed heartbeat; a swollen abdomen, legs or feet and/or fatigue.

Treatment
Drugs that are used to treat heart disease often reduce blood pressure, help control irregular heartbeats, prevent blood-clotting, treat heart failure, reduce cholesterol levels and/or increase blood flow towards the heart. During bypass-graft surgery, doctors attach a functioning blood vessel to a blocked artery to restore blood flow towards the heart, according to USA Today. Balloon angioplasty is a procedure where a catheter device with an attached balloon is used to expand a blocked artery.


Heart disease is still considered as one of the most sources of death. In fact, heart disease is the number one killer in the United States, England, and Wales. Although this condition is very worrying, the good news is that the number of deaths due to heart disease has decreased considerably over the years.

This improvement happens because a lot of studies and experiments have been conducted to treat coronary disease. Our knowledge and technology concerning drugs for heart attacks and surgeries to repair heart problems has never been better. The result is real and fatalities due to heart disease are decreased significantly.


Preventive measures for heart disease
Besides better knowledge and technology for treating heart disease, other factors have come up and contribute in reducing the fatalities due to heart disease. A number of preventive measures have been put in place to oppose heart disease. People are also more educated and proactively protect themselves against heart disease by proper dietary habits, stop smoking, do not do drugs, and spending time to do some exercises which can strengthen the heart.

This condition does not mean that heart disease is not a serious issue anymore. Even now heart problems usually cannot be treated easily. You cannot undermine the dangerous of heart disease even with today's knowledge and technology. The one thing that you need to keep in mind is that heart problems are not a hopeless situation compare to the condition years ago.

Regular check-up to prevent heart disease
The best way to diagnose heart disease before it becomes a life threatening situation is to do a regular check-up. It may not prevent heart disease to happen, but it surely can identify early symptoms and help the doctor to give you early treatment immediately. With early treatment, the successfulness of correcting heart problems is much higher. Due to this benefit, if you are someone who is at risk for heart disease, you should undertake regular check-ups.

Are you at risk for heart disease?
It is important to check your family history for any kind of heart disease. If you find any congenital or hereditary heart problems in your family tree, you need to consult with doctor for advice. Regular check-ups are highly recommended to identify any symptoms. Do this to prevent anything serious happens in the future. Prevention is much better than treatment or curing.



Heart Disease Statistics

Every 34 seconds a person in the United States dies from heart disease.

More than 2,500 Americans die from heart disease each day.

Every 20 seconds, a person in the United States has a heart attack.

At least 250,000 people die of heart attacks each year before they reach a hospital.

Studies show that under-educated people are more likely to suffer heart attacks.

The countries with the highest death rates from heart disease are the Soviet Union, Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia. The countries with the lowest are Japan, France, Spain, Switzerland, and Canada.

Almost 6 million hospitalizations each year (in the United States) are due to cardiovascular disease.

Since 1900, Cardio Vascular Disease has been the number 1 killer in the United States for every year but 1918.

Every 33 seconds, a person dies from Cardio Vascular Disease in the United States.
Men suffer heart attacks about 10 years earlier in life than women do.

911 -Warning Signs

HEART ATTACK WARNING SIGNS

CHEST DISCOMFORT Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
DISCOMFORT IN OTHER AREAS OF THE UPPER BODY Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
SHORTNESS OF BREATH with or without chest discomfort.
OTHER SIGNS may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
STROKE WARNING SIGNS
SUDDEN: - NUMBNESS OR WEAKNESS OF THE FACE, ARM OR LEG, ESPECIALLY ON ONE SIDE OF THE BODY.

- CONFUSION, TROUBLE SPEAKING OR UNDERSTANDING

- TROUBLE SEEING IN ONE OR BOTH EYES

- TROUBLE WALKING, DIZZINESS, LOSS OF BALANCE OR COORDINATION

- SEVERE HEADACHE WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE
- NUMBNESS OR WEAKNESS OF THE FACE, ARM OR LEG, ESPECIALLY ON ONE SIDE OF THE BODY.

- CONFUSION, TROUBLE SPEAKING OR UNDERSTANDING

- TROUBLE SEEING IN ONE OR BOTH EYES

- TROUBLE WALKING, DIZZINESS, LOSS OF BALANCE OR COORDINATION

- SEVERE HEADACHE WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE
CARDIAC ARREST WARNING SIGNS
SUDDEN LOSS OF RESPONSIVENESS

No response to tapping on shoulders.


No response to tapping on shoulders.

NO NORMAL BREATHING The victim does not take a normal breath when you tilt the head up and check for at least five seconds.


Dial 9-1-1 Fast

Heart attack and stroke are life-and-death emergencies — every second counts. If you see or have any of the listed symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number. Not all these signs occur in every heart attack or stroke. Sometimes they go away and return. If some occur, get help fast! Today heart attack and stroke victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to patients in years past. For example, clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks and strokes in progress, reducing disability and saving lives. But to be effective, these drugs must be given relatively quickly after heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear. So again, don't delay — get help right away!


More about heart attack

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help.

Immediately call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number.

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.

For more information, visit our heart attack website.

More about stroke

Immediately call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If given within 4 1/2 hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. tPA is the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of stroke within three hours of stroke symptom onset.

A TIA, or transient ischemic attack, is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs may reduce your risk of a major stroke. The usual TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, only temporary. The short duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain injury is the main difference between TIA and stroke.

For more information, visit our stroke website.

More about cardiac arrest

If these signs of cardiac arrest are present, tell someone to call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number and get an AED (if one is available) and you begin CPR immediately.

If you are alone with an adult who has these signs of cardiac arrest, call 9-1-1 and get an AED (if one is available) before you begin CPR.

Use an AED as soon as it arrives.

For more information, visit our website:


http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/Heart-Attack_UCM_001092_SubHomePage.jsp

http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/


http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/CardiacArrest/Cardiac-Arrest_UCM_002081_SubHomePage.jsp

March Awareness Month

Why not find a passion volunteer and or donate if you can it is up to you to make a difference in the community you live in! Here are some great causes worth looking at! Enjoy volunteering!










American Red Cross Month
Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization.

Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.

Read more about the... http://www.redcross.org/


Mental Retardation Awareness Month
The Arc is the national organization of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families. It is devoted to promoting and improving support. The association also fosters research and education regarding the prevention of mental retardation in infants and young children. The Arc is a grassroots organization with 140,000 members who are affiliated through approximately 1,000 state and local chapters across the nation.

Read more about... http://www.thearc.org/page.aspx?pid=2530


National MS Education and Awareness Month
National MS Education and Awareness Month is an effort by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF) and affiliated groups to raise the public's awareness of multiple sclerosis. The vital goals of this campaign are to promote an understanding of the scope of this disease, and to assist those with MS in making educated decisions about their healthcare.

Read more about the... http://www.msfacts.org/


National Kidney Month
The National Kidney Foundation, Inc., a major voluntary health organization, seeks to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation. One in nine Americans has chronic kidney disease.

Comedian George Lopez is getting serious about a mission that's close to his heart, or rather, his kidney. The co-creator and star of the hit ABC sitcom "George Lopez" and his wife, Ann, have been named national spokespeople for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF).

Read more about the... http://www.kidney.org/


American Diabetes Alert Day
The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of communities.

Read more about the... http://www.diabetes.org/



This is only a few ways to help - check with your local community paper and or Radio Stations to see how you can make a difference!

Volunteering makes you a better person and it even can bring a smile to your day!

Enjoy!

IHOP National Pancake Day Miss America Video News Release

Get your stack of pancakes for a great cause at any local IHop today!

IHOP National Pancake Day - March 1, 2011


About National Pancake Day
March 1, 2011

Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $5.35 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. While IHOP's National Pancake Day typically takes place on Shrove Tuesday, this year, the company will host its free pancake event one week earlier on Tuesday, March 1 to build buzz and excitement prior to Shrove Tuesday. With your help, we hope to raise $2.3 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities!

Known also as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, National Pancake Day dates back several centuries to when the English prepped for fasting during Lent. Strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products...hence the name Pancake Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday.



About Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds for 170 children's hospitals across North America, which, in turn, use the money where it's needed the most. When a donation is given it stays in the community, ensuring that every dollar is helping local kids. Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of our mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at CMNHospitals.org.