Cellulose gum seems easy enough to pronounce. And typically the things in foods that are bad for you are hard to pronounce, right? Cellulose gum is also known as Carboxymethyl cellulose. Try saying that three times fast, and then ask yourself how safe it really is for you! 


Cellulose gum is generally used in food as a thickening, emulsifying, and stabilizing agent. Due to its high viscosity, or thickness, cellulose gum is also found in products like toothpaste, laundry detergent (it works as a suspension liquid to remove stains from natural fabrics), water-based paints, diet pills, and laxatives. It can also be found as a lubricating element in eye drops (artificial tears).


Cellulose gum is a polymer derived from cellulose. Cellulose is the main compound that makes up the outer wall of green plant cells. It is one of the most common organic compounds on Earth. Cellulose gum is synthesized through an alkalai-stimulated reaction between cellulose and chloroacetic acid. Confusing, right? Simply put, cellulose and chloroacetic acid (which is a result of the chlorinization of acetic acid) react with each other to form cellulose gum when alkali (a salt) is used as a catalyst. Nobody ever said chemistry was easy! 


Cellulose gum has an E number of E466.  E numbers are basically a food additive safety measuring scale used in the EU (European Union). Every food additive is assigned an E number. The European Food Safety Authority then deems them as N/A (permitted food additions), unpermitted (inconclusive test data to prove any harm), dangerous (may be harmful for people with diseases), and forbidden (proven beyond a doubt to cause disease). Cellulose gum is classified as N/A, meaning it is approved for use as a food additive.

There isn’t any conclusive evidence out there that proves cellulose gum is particularly harmful for us. It’s always best to consume foods with the most natural ingredients that are not the result of chemical reactions, but if you see cellulose gum on a particularly healthy nutrition label, don’t shy away from it by any means. It is technically considered a food additive, but not on a dangerous scale.

Question: I recently got promoted to a new position at work.  I’m thrilled and everyone is giving me the feedback that I am doing a good job.  My problem is I am finding myself procrastinating with a very important project that must get done.  It’s not my nature to put things off, and doing so is causing me stress.  I’m beginning to loose sleep over this, worrying about it.  Every night I promise myself I will get started the next day, but instead I waste hours doing other tasks, leaving myself no time for this one.  How can I stop procrastinating and just get the job done?  I am so afraid that I will lose this great new promotion!

Answer:  Before you can figure out how to stop procrastination, you need to ask yourself why you are doing so. The reason will tell you what your first step towards completion should be. Perhaps the magnitude of the project is so huge, you feel overwhelmed.  If that’s the case, commit to making a prioritized list of every step or task that must be done to get the whole job complete.  Breaking it into small, manageable parts, and assigning a time to work on one piece at a time will give you the roadmap to completion. Or maybe you really don’t understand what’s expected of you, so you need more information.  Go to your boss, a colleague or anyone you can think of that will know, and ask for some clarification. If self-doubt is plaguing you, and you are really afraid you won’t do the job well, think how much worse it will be if you don’t do it at all. Commit to a “first draft” done without concern for being perfect, and go back to polish and fine tune later. If all else fails, commit to 20 minutes first thing every morning before doing anything else.  Set a timer on your computer, if need be, and just buckle down.  Knowing you only have to work at it for a brief period of time will help, and you might even find yourself getting absorbed once you get started.  Don’t forget to build in a reward for after – a brief break with a great cup of latte, or follow it up with work you find fun and inspiring.  Once you get started your stress levels will immediately reduce, and sleep should return. 

Question:  What methods/hypnosis-meditation etc can you learn to change your inner-critic to inner cheerleader/motivator…basically re-frame your thinking?

Answer:  Changing your inner voice from critic to cheerleader has more to do with your awareness of what you are doing and the desire to change, than any particular process. If you recognize the voice in your head is being overly critical or sabotaging, the great news is you get to talk back.  Because that voice is yours!  Just as you wouldn’t allow anyone else to verbally abuse you, or you wouldn’t use that talk on someone you love, make the decision that you won’t accept that kind of talk on yourself. Tell yourself, STOP!  Then state what you would tell someone you care deeply for if they were talking about themselves that way. “So, I made a mistake, everyone does.  Learn from it and move on.” “OK, so I didn’t do so great with my food plan today, but I’ve been doing a super job all week. This situation was challenging.  I’ll do better tomorrow.”  “No, you are not stupid, fat, ugly; ……you’re just not feeling great right now.  I’ll go work out, because that always makes me feel better.”  See what I mean?  You might even want to practice in the mirror, talking back to yourself out loud.  Just make sure you have some privacy. LOL!  If you notice that a particular situation keeps bringing up that gremlin, such as your body image, relationships, or your ability to balance your career and home life, working with a wellness coach could prove helpful.  Quieting your inner critic has a lot to do with building self-esteem and self-efficacy. If this is a problem that plagues you all the time, consider working with a therapist. 

Question: Is it possible to be loved unconditionally by someone other than God? By unconditionally, I mean that another human being fully accepts us and has no expectations for us to be any different than who we are; strengths, weaknesses, quirks and all.

Answer:  I believe it takes a very special kind of person to love another unconditionally, but yes, it is very possible.  And I think it starts with “self-love”.  When you are able to appreciate your strengths, understand your own weaknesses, and accept your “quirks and all”, than it becomes easy for someone else to do so as well.  If you fall madly in love with the person you are, it is contagious, and others will want to love you that way too. That being said, if you feel great about yourself and confident in your own value and worth, you won’t waste time with anyone who won’t accept you unconditionally.  Just keep in mind that that does not mean another will agree or support all your personal habits, quirks and beliefs, but they will respect those differences and love you despite them.

Question:  This past year I lost quite a bit of weight through healthy eating and daily walking. I’m feeling great about myself, my blood pressure has decreased, and my cholesterol levels have changed favorably. My problem is I am having a hard time maintaining the loss. I haven’t changed my eating habits since losing the weight, but it seems so hard to keep the pounds off.  When they begin to creep up, I cut back on my calories, which leaves me feeling hungry, tired and irritable.  Help! I like my new body and want to keep it.

Answer:  The sad truth is that maintaining weight loss is often much more difficult than losing weight. Once you have taken off a significant amount of weight, your body no longer needs the same number of calories to function as it did when you were heavier. However, you don’t want to decrease too low, and I would encourage you to aim for approximately the same number of calories you were taking in while still losing weight. If you go below that, aside from feeling hungry and irritable, you’ll slow your metabolism and potentially lose more muscle mass, which is exactly what you don’t want to do.  Muscle is metabolically more active than fat tissue, so it requires more calories to exist than fat cells.  So, if you could increase your muscle mass, you’ll be able to maintain the same calorie count and your new body weight. That means it is time to add a strength-training component to your exercise regime. Whether with free weights, machines, bands, calisthenics or strength classes, if you build muscle, maintaining your weight loss will be easier, and you’ll be thrilled with the definition and toning of your new slimmer body. Just be sure to get the help of a good exercise specialist who can teach you proper form and technique to avoid injury.

Lisa Michaels, author, dancer, facilitator, and founder of the Natural Rhythms Institute assists others to learn from nature through her products, workshops, and classes. Lisa’s work has helped thousands of girls and women ignite their inner gifts, activate their personal power, access deeper levels of grace and inner wisdom, while enlivening their ability to create. Claim your FREE Natural Rhythms Starter Kit at www.naturalrhythms.org.

Scorpio
 
When Venus embraces your Scorpio sun   
Love and Romance fill your plate with fun   
Passion grows stronger each and every day
Concentrate on work- Never-You Play
Venus in Scorpio- let the pleasures begin
All the attractions will begin without  sin
Attractive energy will grow as well as it should
With Mars in Scorpio no one is safe in the hood
Passion will flow with these two Planets around
One can feel your Thunder when You are in Town

YOUR 3 MONTH OUTLOOK (the description of the houses are below)

Virgo (August 223 to September 22) Happy Birthday- In September when Mercury goes direct on the twelfth in your first house of self start a self-improvement project by eating properly and working out, even if it is walking.
In October with Mars in you third house of short trips, you will enjoy local adventures especially to out-door events.  Venus retrogrades into the second house of money from November 7 to 18, so reexamine your resources and make those necessary changes.
 
Libra (September 23 to October 23) Happy Birthday- In September Jupiter is in your sixth house of work and services, which gives you an opportunity to free yourself from restrictions so that your daily routine improves to your liking.  Mercury in the first house self in October has you speaking clearly about what you want and don't want.  Having Mars in the third house of everyday life and environment in November, you may think you are joking but what you say may hurt the feelings of others.
 
Scorpio (October 23 to November 22) Happy Birthday- In September having Venus in the first house of personality, you receive so many compliments that you know you are the popular one.  When Mars joins Venus in October in first house of self, it is the right time to make those passionate decisions and proceed ahead towards your goals.  In November Jupiter goes direct in your fifth house of pleasurable emotions giving you more confidence in romance, creative pursuits and even some gambling.
 
Sagittarius (November 23 to December 21) In September when Venus enters your twelfth house of secret thoughts, you day dream about long lost lovers.  Jupiter is retrograde in you fourth house of home, so expect delays in undertakings regarding land and property.  Mars moves into the first house of self in November and your personality becomes charismatic, influencing yourself and others to make big changes for the better.
 
Capricorn ( December 22 to January 19) In September Saturn in your tenth house of career and social status encourages you  to develop skills, for your mind is focused on the highest of aspirations.  In October when Venus turns retrograde in your eleventh house of friends, you will have opportunities to reunite with old friends and colleagues.  Mercury enters your twelfth house of secrets in November, so be careful how much you may give away of strictly confidential information.
 
Aquarius ( January 20 to February 18) In September when Mercury goes direct in your eighth of legacies and partner's money, you will become very busy getting financial information concerning vested accounts and taxes. In October having Uranus retrograde in your second house of financial affairs avoid being overconfident and irrational in spending because you may get unexpected news about your cash flow.  Mars is in your eleventh house of hopes and wishes in November, so be aggressive in social situations because you may get what you have been wishing for.

Pisces (February 19 to March 20) In September having Venus and Mars in the ninth house of higher truth, your desire for intimacy is deepen by another sensitive soul.  Uranus continues to be retrograde in your first house of self in October, so continue to reevaluate yourself and make those changes you so desperately need.  Neptune goes direct in your twelfth house of fantasy in November and you receive a vision in a dream that you are ready to implement in your life.
 
Aries (March 21 to April 20) In September with Saturn in your seventh house of partners, you need to evaluate your current situation by shattering your illusions of someone.  In October Jupiter retrogrades in you twelfth house of secrets; it's time to consider held back decisions you need to make in your personal life.  Mars in your ninth house of distant travel in November has you passionately  thinking about taking a trip to a foreign place for the holidays.
 
Taurus (April 21 to May 20) In September Jupiter in your eleventh house of hopes and wishes brings new opportunities into your life that you have been dreaming of.  Venus goes retrograde in your seventh house in October, so find ways to increase the depth of emotion in your relationships.  In November Neptune goes direct in your tenth house of career and social status giving you a new found enthusiasm to pursue those professional goals.
 
Gemini (May 21 to June 20) In September having Mercury retrograde in fourth house of home and security, it is time for you to resolve family issues from the past.  Jupiter goes direct in your tenth house of career in November, which could bring renewed interest and opportunity to get a new job.  In November Venus in the sixth house of health will have you feeling and looking better in your day to day life.
 
Cancer (June 21 to July 22) In September having Mercury retrograde in your third house of communication and short trips has you frustrated trying to deal with unfinished business.  Venus in your fifth house of creativity in October sends you a new inspiration and you are focused on artistic endeavors.  Mars travels through your sixth house of health in November, which pushes you to take better care of your body so you can enjoy all those activities you have scheduled.
 
Leo (July 23 to August 22) In September when Mercury goes direct on the twelfth in your second house of finances, it's time to get back money owed to you. In October when Venus goes retrograde in the fourth house of emotional memories, you try to break free but those memories of good times in the past  that continue to haunt you.  In November Mars is direct in your fifth house of love affairs and  you want to have romance and fun, so go for it.

All astrology charts are divided into twelve houses, each one ruling different areas of life and influenced by a different sign.  When planets move through the zodiac signs, they also transit through the houses in a person's chart.  The twelve houses have a connection to the twelve signs, but in an individualized chart the signs in each will vary based on the rising sign or ascendant.  The rising sign is determined by the exact time and place of birth.  If a person does not know his/her rising sign, then the sun sign is used. Check the dates after the sign to find the your sun sign.  In these scopes we use your solar house, which is your sun sign or first house.
 
List of Houses and Influences:
 
First House rules appearance, self-interest, personality, personal view of life and the world.
 
Second House rules finances, possessions, values, and self-esteem.
 
Third House rules communication, siblings, day to day routines and short trips.
 
Fourth House rules home, environment, land, property, family, roots and conditions at the end of life.
 
Fifth House rules love affairs, pleasurable emotions, romance, creativity and children.
 
Sixth House rules work environment, health, sickness and small animals or pets.
 
Seventh House rules business partners, marriage, relationships, contracts, lawsuits and known enemies.
 
Eighth House rules intimacy, death, legacies, sex, and shared resources.
 
Ninth House rules higher education, travel. intuition, dreams, spiritualism and philosophy.
 
Tenth House rules career, ambition, social status, life's work and public reputation.
 
Eleventh House rules hopes and wishes, friends, groups and associations.
 
Twelfth House rules secret activities and enemies, unexpected troubles, subconscious feelings, hospitals, prisons, illusions and seclusion.
 

Tomatoes are typically found in such abundance and so easily sneak their way into our daily diets that they often go overlooked for their outstanding nutritional value. You find them sliced on sandwiches, diced and tossed in salads, and in just about every Italian dish you can think of. Tomatoes come in so many varieties, but one thing is true for all of them: they are one of the best foods you can eat to promote overall health.

You’ve probably been hearing a lot of buzz in recent years about lycopene and its health benefits. And as the ketchup bottle will tell you, tomatoes are an excellent source of this particular antioxidant. Unlike other phytonutrients, lycopene has been extensively studied in humans as opposed to animals. Research has shown that lycopene helps the production of DNA in white blood cells, helps protect cells and other structures of the body against oxygen damage, and helps combat various forms of cancer, such as breast, prostate, lung, and pancreatic cancers. The lycopene found in tomatoes is especially effective when paired with healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocado, and nuts. The reason is because lycopene is a carotenoid, and carotenoids are fat-soluble and are absorbed into the body along with fats. Research has also shown that the lycopene found in tomatoes is more effective at maintaining overall health than just a lycopene supplement alone because the lycopene found in tomatoes works in conjunction with other phytonutrients found in tomatoes to combat certain kinds of cancer and keep cells protected from free radicals.

Tomatoes are also effective at combating atherosclerosis. Tomatoes are a good source of potassium and niacin. Niacin has been used for years as a safe way of lowering cholesterol, and diets rich in potassium have been shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Research conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA also linked the lycopene in tomatoes with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in women.

Italian researchers reported in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that a daily glass of tomato juice can help lower the inflammation marker, TNF-alpha, by 35% within a month. Tomatoes are also a good source of Vitamin K, which helps prevent bone loss by activating osteocalcin, which keeps calcium molecules in the bones. Get migraines? The riboflavin found in tomatoes can help reduce the frequency of attacks.

The list goes on an on, but the bottom line is to get your tomatoes any way you can! A good hearty tomato sauce laced with delicious olive oil, a nice refreshing bowl of gazpacho, or just slice ‘em up with some fresh mozzarella and basil and drizzle them with olive oil and some nice robust aged balsamic vinegar. Whatever way you slice ‘em, just make sure tomatoes keep sneaking their way into your daily diet so you can stay healthy and combat cancer and heart disease!

Yes, there was a time when I did not appreciate myself, for the simple reason that I was overweight. It didn’t matter that I was hardworking, successful, honest, ethical, highly respected in my community, and a loving devoted mother. All that mattered was that I was fat. I felt inadequate because of my obesity. I felt that there was something wrong with me because I could not achieve what most people seemed to do effortlessly, which was to be a normal healthy weight.  I used food to stuff down my emotions, rather than learning to stand up for myself and to love and appreciate myself.

I remember asking myself one day…” How come, I can make sure that my family gets plenty of rest, exercise, eats breakfast, packs a lunch etc., but I don’t do that for myself?” I usually was running around by the seat of my pants, making sure that everyone else was looked after except for me. I realized that I needed to appreciate myself and take the time to look after myself or I would be so unhealthy that I would not be able to look after anyone and I would eventually become a burden on others.

I went through a complete body, mind and spirit makeover. During this process, I eventually lost 100 pounds. I had to learn to love myself for who I was and not for what I looked like. I had to rebuild my self-esteem. I had to learn to say "No" and quit allowing others to treat me like a doormat because I somehow felt inferior because I was overweight. I had suffered in a bad marriage for many years because I felt like no one else would want me because I was fat.

I remember the day very specifically when I finally stood up for myself and started appreciating myself. My husband at the time, had a dog, but it was always understood that this was his dog. I wanted to get a dog of my own, so I finally went out a got a little bijon shitzu. I was so happy when I returned home with my little puppy , but when I came home, my husband through a tantrum and told me that it was either going to be Him or the dog. I calmly told him, that I choose the dog.  That was a turning point in my life. I realized that I didn’t deserve to be treated so poorly just because I had a few extra pounds.  I started to appreciate how beautiful of a person I was and I have never looked back since. I have left that unhappy marriage, I have learned how to say “No”, I have found a wonderful man who treats me the way I deserve to be treated and I am living each day to the fullest.  I have decided to coach others who are struggling with weight of self-confidence issues and I have written a book on health and happiness which I hope will help others, who need to appreciate how wonderful they truly are.

Remember, please don’t judge anybody on their beliefs, as some are still figuring it all out. We all are permitted to have our own beliefs and faiths. Afterall, it’s a part of our identity.

Now, onto Identity! Guess what? We are celebrating our four year anniversary!  I’m proud to say that Identity has grown fifty percent from 2008 to 2009 and on target for another fifty percent for 2010!

I’m also proud to say that Identity will soon be launching its first “Magbook”  providing Identity offline. The book acts like an archive of all the main articles that have been posted on Identity since 2006! However, there is more online than the book when it comes to the certain sections and topics. The book offers something extras as well, but you'll have to buy it to see it  

If you’re a regular reader of Identity, you know that September 1st means a whole new issue is live with over 35 articles to read, share, and even blog on some!  I hope you enjoy the content as much as I did and receive some inspiration, support, motivation, and happiness.

Feel Beautiful Everyday!

Susan Vernicek – Founder

1. Every morning my husband has the coffee set and ready to go. I always get up earlier than him, but it is always waiting for me. It’s nice every single day. I never tire of the gesture or fail to appreciate it. -Diana

2. It absolutely is the little things in life. I am a published cookbook author, podcast host and former guest on The Food Network. I am very grateful for the big things that have happened in my life, but the small things are what I find move me the most and keep me working towards bigger and better things. When I receive an email from a customer that says, "The note you signed in the cookbook I bought touched a wonderful lady I love and made our Mother's Day even more special." Or when someone says, "I lost my mother a few years ago and couldn't recreate one of her recipes until you worked through it with me. For the first time in ages, I felt like I was with my mother again." The big things that happen in life are always a fabulous bonus. But, I believe that it's an attitude of gratitude and the little things that will nourish your soul and inspire you to creating even more inspiring things down the road. – Angela

3. The little things ARE the most important. My husband and I are both full time in the wine industry, which is often viewed as a glamorous, easy career. We travel extensively, entertain often, and tire ourselves out with day-to-day non-glamorous items such as compliance and paperwork. Last year was particularly grueling for me; I was on the road a lot, had an abnormal amount of management to do, and dealt with some major economic hurtles in the small business I run. I decided to take some time for the little things.

4. For me, the little things are the ones that bring you the most happiness with the least amount of effort, like my husband and two bulldogs, the loves of my life. Some of these have developed into hobbies. I took up cheese making as a stress free "fun" activity, and it's turned into a really fun little thing that brings me so much happiness. Beekeeping is another. Gardening (which I'm learning). But the important lesson is to take the time to pay attention to and evolve your "little things" so that they're constantly bringing you the most enjoyment.

5. This might sound kind of random, but they're little ways of getting in touch with the world around me while it's spinning pretty quickly. – Laura

6. It sounds very weird, but I love it when there is NO traffic on a stretch of highway that ALWAYS has traffic. I am constantly battling the metro area traffic to be on time for my work as a wedding officiant, and getting someplace really early is a rare treat. I love having JUST enough quarters for the parking meter; getting real mail (not email) and finishing the milk just as it's going to expire… set your bars low! – Celia

7. The little things in life that I enjoy are sitting in front of the fireplace with a nice book and a fresh tea or coffee on a rainy day. We complain about the weather, which is silly when you consider there isn't much that can be done about it. So…find something to do indoors that you enjoy. I enjoy playing games at the table with my husband and kids (who are all now adults) and laughing at silly things that we've done over the years. I love being outdoors – particularly in the warm sunshine. Every now and then, I just put life 'on hold' and enjoy wasting a day. Watching my grandson playing with his toys; or holding him to read a story before bedtime; and when he holds my hand, I just melt (He's almost 2 years old). The older I get, the more I find I enjoy the little things. – Kellie

8. We were staying at a hotel with my 5 year old granddaughter. We did not have any of her books to read. So as she snuggled in bed, I read to her from a book about the Hershey font-family – Wendy

9. When I retired from the field of pet grooming, I was forced to seek other means of making a living. Being a pet groomer for almost 15 years, my options were limited, so I called on my love of writing to become a freelance writer. At first, I was depressed and missed getting up and going out into the world everyday. Starting out in a new profession from scratch after having been an expert in my prior field was not easy. However, my repetitive motion injuries making this a permanent state of being, I knew that I would have to come to terms with my situation. Soon, I began to work on my long neglected garden, and I not only reconnected with my love of nature, but with myself. Sometimes, as I pulled the weeds, I would cry. Other times I would just sit outside and listen to the birds sing. Something about the feel of the dirt in my hands, the breeze in my hair, and the smell of fresh air just made my spirit come alive. One morning, I awoke at dawn before everyone else in the house, and stood outside and just listened. The doves were singing their mournful song while the crickets were chirping, and there was stillness in the air…and somehow, I knew that I had come home. – Heather

10. It's the little things that make having a 10+ year best friend so much fun: calling to share that they just heard "your song" on the radio, understanding that phone calls aren't ignored- you're just busy, letting you vent over a tub of ice cream w/o letting you know it's probably not good for you, bringing you extra tissue because there's no one else you can cry your heart out to over a breakup. – Julia

11. It's the little things that others take for granted that mean the world to me. I have severe Rheumatoid arthritis plus four other forms that are all extremely painful .The mere act of getting a hug from my children can sometimes bring severe discomfort, chatting on the phone and being able to hold it, walking with a friend and chatting, preparing a meal or just sitting through a movie are all a challenge. So when I am having good days I cherish each and every moment. I live my life in that moment as if I will never see another. I focus on the smell of the air, the color of the sky, the animal sounds as they scamper about, the smell of beautiful flowers but more importantly those moments I spend with my family and friends. Those wonderful hugs, laughs and hours of idol chatter. In the end that is what life is about family and friends. Everyday painful or not is a blessing from God. -Mel

12. I enjoy driving in the car with my kids with all electronics off. Just an errand to the cleaners yields some really great discussions. I cherish this time with my kids because we really get to know each other as people and getting beyond the standard mom/child conversations. – Jann

13. A teaspoon of crushed ice I had had multiple injuries from a ski accident and had been in intensive care on a respirator for the better part of a week. Being on a respirator means that your mouth is continually open and your lips and mouth are always dry — at least when you are conscious enough to be aware of it. No food by mouth, of course. When the nurse took me off the respirator, she said I must resume eating slowly and offered me a teaspoon full of crushed ice. I want to always remember that as the best "meal" I ever had. By the way, I have completely recovered. – Jo

14. Unspoken actions of kindness are one of the little things in life that have made me a happier person. I strive to complete one good deed each day. It allows me to wake up each morning and instead of focusing on the negativity, I try to focus on what I can do for someone else that can brighten their day. Try it for just a week and I guarantee it will create more happiness in your life than you realize! – Molly

15. Having just returned from several years of international travel, and after spending 2003-2004 on a motorcycle traveling through mostly third-world and developing nations, I am in much more in awe of the "little things" in life. Here are my Little Things:

Hanging out with my kids, just chatting – now that they are grown and have their own lives this is a bit challenging, but much more doable than when they were here and I was in another country, for sure!

Efficient processes in businesses – spend just one day navigating the bureaucracy of Chile's businesses (like banks or retail operations where no less than three people handle your transaction) and you'll know why this was on my list! lol

High-speed internet (heck, just an internet connection at home is wonderful!)

Running, clean water – turn on the tap and there it is (we so take this for granted here in the US)

Product choices – ok, the number of choices we have available to us can also be overwhelming, but it's wonderful having more than one brand or style to choose from

Just hanging out – as a former Type A, must-be-going-and-doing all the time kind of gal, I learned to "just be" as a result of my travels and limited activities in some remote places

16. My girlfriends – although I have some "online friends" and had occasional access to email, there's just nothing like hanging out with your girls, the ones who "get you."
- Stephanie

17. The most recent story (paragraph) to share is: The university (UNCC) in my area had recently built new construction.  I was curious about the new addition to the area, but never took the time to go take a peek.  My husband had joined his job's flag football team.  One day he came home from practice, which was at the university's soccer field.  I thought it was the old soccer field, until he mentioned that it was the new one.  Where? In that newly built construction!  So one day while driving around in the sunshine and running errands, I told my husband that I wanted to head over to where he practiced.  He was with it and so were our girls.  I was so excited to see a typical, grassy soccer field.  My daughter asked, "Mommy why are you so excited?"  I told her, "It's the little things."  I explained that it isn't so much the soccer field as it is being interested in what her father does.  I also explained that one must enjoy the little things, because the big things are bonuses in life; if the big things are only anticipated, life is passing by. – Itiel

According to dictionary.com, resentment is:  the feeling of displeasure or indignation at some act, remark, person, etc., regarded as causing injury or insult. Recently, I had a life-long friend make a decision that was incredibly hurtful to me.  For weeks I felt various emotions: hurt, sad, disappointment, anger, and resentment. I recently came to realize that I needed to forgive that person for their decision, as hard as it was going to be. Why? I needed to forgive not for the other person’s sake, but for my own sake so that I would be emotionally free from the negativity I was surrounding myself in about the other person and their decision.

Of course, this is easier said than done. Most people hold grudges, but some for longer periods of time than others. One emotion behind the grudge is resentment. Most of us are likely to feel resentful when: others try to tell us what to do, how to feel, or how to think, others act superior to us, others act in hypocritical ways, others don’t meet our needs, or we feel falsely judged, labeled, or invalidated.

When we feel resentment, it’s about our ego and our need to self protect. And the person who has “wronged” you made their decision to say or do something that was hurtful to you not because they wanted to hurt you but because of their ego and their need to self protect. When people are in pain, unhappy, or miserable sometimes they can’t help but try to spread that energy onto others, and when people say or do things that are hurtful to you it’s not personal—it’s actually a reflection of the other person’s internal state of mind.

Confusing? Yes. It took me many sleepless nights, many conversations with trusted friends (to vent and get advice), and many Google searches to fully understand the emotions I was feeling about what had happened and how I should react to what had happened. After all, we cannot control what others say or do, we can only control our reaction to what others say or do.

So, I chose not to confront this person on their hurtful decision. I didn’t want to engage and create more negativity. Instead I chose to understand that although on the surface it appeared this decision was a personal “attack,” as I dug deeper I learned it was more about the other person's perceptions and their own prejudices, assumptions, and sadness. Plus, what other people think about you doesn’t have to become your truth—and life is too short to dwell on the past or others’ opinions of us.

The next step was forgiveness (as I mentioned above), which is a gradual process. If forgiveness isn’t attempted, the only person harmed will be one’s self.  As Buddy Hackett said, “Don't carry a grudge. While you're carrying the grudge, the other guy's out dancing.”

Although I have shared an example from my own life, I think the approach of understanding and forgiveness can be applied to anyone who feels resentment towards someone else. When you choose understanding and forgiveness imagine what that will say about your personal internal state of mind. You may come to understanding the other person differently (perhaps you would want to confront the person you felt wronged by), but regardless of how you get to understanding and forgiveness all that matters is that you get there.

“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” Catherine Ponder