I'm Always Going Back to Square One

QUERY:

It seems I have to go back to the basic tools which I learnt to get out for sometimes which I started from yesterday. 

RESPONSE:

It’s true for all of us. We need to start all over every day. Start with meditation, gratitude that we are alive and get up and do our best each moment. When we fail one moment, we regroup, gather our wits and begin again with the next moment. This is the great gift of life. Every moment can be a new beginning.

A. B. Curtiss

I am Fearful at Work

QUESTION:

Two months before I noticed one of the work mates was acting unethical practices to myself, caused me to have deep fear for some days since it was first time I see such actions. I went to complain to my boss about this guy and my needs from him to support me to transfer the work mate to another place which did happen by the boss.

I started to fear the boss might one day tell about this story since me and the work mate are from same country and he might take this advantages.

I am trying to strengthen myself and I am on Vacation for few days just to relax.

My fear affects my work day and family as well. Really have hard time controlling my fear.

ANSWER:

Meditation would help you in this situation. When you feel the fear, decide to look at the fearful situation in a different way. Not through the eyes of fear but in a more meditative way, as if you are simply the observer rather than the sufferer. It takes a lot of courage but it makes you a stronger person.

Here is a helpful visualization you can use. Remember that fear is always about the future, which could really be all right. You can decide to put the fear in a mental box and close it so it doesn’t bother you.

You must avoid making yourself sick over something in the future. Decide that you are “all right in this moment”. Say to yourself “at this present moment I am safe.” Always pull back from negative thoughts about the future to the present moment where we are always safe. A. B. Curtiss

Beat the Zika Virus

How to Beat the Zika Virus

By A.B. Curtiss

Suppose the daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes that comes from the Zika Forest of Uganda wouldn’t bite you? In that case you would never have to worry about getting the Zika virus. Right now a lot of people are worried they might get bitten.  Because the only cure at the moment for contracting this virus and getting the fever symptoms is--rest.

The symptoms themselves are not terribly dangerous for most of us. Even if you get it, you may not even be aware that you have the virus. It causes only a mild fever which is gone in a few days. But if you are in the early stages of pregnancy, there is every reason to be greatly concerned.

The Zika Virus has been found to cause symptoms in pregnant women which are associated with intrauterine growth restriction which can include abnormal brain development in the developing fetus through mother-to-child-transmission. This may result in a miscarriage.

Or it may result in microcephaly where the baby’s head is smaller than normal, due to abnormal brain development. Again, there is no cure for this. No pill you can take.  No shot you can get. No vaccine yet to prevent contracting the symptoms.

So far, the only suggestion from the health community is that if you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant, you should avoid going to places where the mosquitoes are. That’s not terribly helpful, is it? Especially if you live in Florida, which has already experienced the presence of these nasty creatures. You are not going to want to move to Alaska, right?

Okay. So what reasonable precaution can you take? Here is a better suggestion than avoiding the mosquitos. Get the mosquitos to avoid you. That’s right. This is perfectly possible and I can’t imagine why all the doctors and clinics are not getting out the word and suggesting it. There is a natural remedy in a simple homeopathic solution made up of pure water and 3 essential oils. Not harmful to pregnant women or young children. The solution is:

For each 1 ounce of pure water add:

1 drop lemon essential oil (any brand essential oil)

1 drop lemongrass essential oil (any brand essential oil)

1 drop R.C. (Young Living Essential oil or any brand R.C. essential oil—a combination of several Eucalyptus oils)

I usually make 16 ounces at a time. This means you add 16 drops of each oil to 16 ounces in pitcher of pure water and then pour into a spray bottle. I once had a terrible flea and gnat problem where I had to seek professional help because my pregnant grand-daughter was allergic to any insect bites. No more. We sprayed it on the dogs. We sprayed it on us, including our hair.

This solution totally cured my flea problem and eye gnat and mosquito problem for when I work outside. If I lived in Florida, I would use this several times a day to make sure I’m not a target for mosquitos. Periodically when insects are prevalent, I use it several times a day here in San Diego. Don’t forget to use it on your hair as well. This is totally homeopathic, simple, easy and besides all that, it makes both me and my two German shepherds dogs smell good.

Jealousy is Repressed Fear

QUESTION:

Hello Curtiss, Hope you keeping well,

I am getting Progress and more control over depression. My query is that how to relieve negative energy from our mind. sever negative jealousy shows in my face  when communication with people about their good things. It holds my feelings back without further communications. How this related with negative energy. OR is it connected with repressed fear. 

Always Thanks Curtiss for support.

ANSWER:

Again let me congratulate you on your progress with English. And yes, you are right about jealousy being connected to repressed fear.

Being jealous of others is the same thing as being angry with others. We are only angry and jealous when we are seeing the world through our own fear. Jealousy is more about our own fear than anything else. When we deal with the world though a haze of fear it is not the same as seeing the world through the eyes of love. Usually we are full of a lot of repressed fear left over from childhood unless we start to make an effort to get rid of our old repressed fear. Read Chapter 10 in the book Depression is a Choice. I know you have the book. A famous psychiatrist once said “Love is Getting Rid of Fear.” For when you work through your fear, love is what you are left with.

Need Help with PTSD

QUESTION:

Hi A.B. Curtis,

 I’ve read and love your books and wanted to say thank you for all the great information.  I was wondering what your take is on PTSD and how to deal with it or treat it.  I'm also thinking about seeing a therapist for help with a dysfunctional relationship I'm in, and with getting my life more organized, what type of therapy would you recommend and what types to avoid. Thank you

RESPONSE:

PTSD is a problem with brain chemistry in that one cannot get out of the fight or flight response and therefore suffers with chronic anxiety. Another good  book for chronic anxiety is by Dr. Claire Weekes called HOPE AND HELP FOR YOUR NERVES. 

As far as relationship problems. iF you are not dysfunctional yourself, you cannot be in a dysfunctional relationship. Once you get yourself functional you will be able to help others.

The problem today is that all the institutions that used to support functional relationships have disappeared. The functional unit of any society is the family. When that is downgraded, we are all adrift and don’t know where the heck we are or where we are going or why. It’s not just you, who are searching for some kind of sanity. This whole culture is. You are definitely not alone.

Read some books by Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra. Just keep looking for higher ground. I would also suggest meditation. Hope this helps some. If you have specific questions about specific interactions I can help with that. We have to start small and build on that. A. B. Curtiss

Love Your Book DRAGONS GUARD THE ZOO

LETTER TO AUTHOR:

Hello! I live in Carlsbad, California and I have been writing picture books for the last couple of years, and so far have not been published. I make it my habit to read a children's book every night--mostly "random pulls" from the Children's library.

A couple of days ago I began reading Dragons Guard the Zoo. I am crazy for poetry--and I can't tell you how much I am enjoying your book! I wish you had been a family member of mine! What a wonderful gift you have given your children and grandchildren! I will intentionally look for your other books at the library now. (:

RESPONSE TO LETTER:

Thank you so much. It is letters like yours that make writing such a rewarding experience for me. A. B. Curtiss

May I have your Permission

REQUEST

My eldest daughter and I met you in San Diago Zoo some years back when you signed a copy of in the company of bears to her from the author. I have since those many years passed been asked to read in the company of bears to second grade class.

I myself an published recording artist of Instrumental Music understand copyright covers any reproduction, Furthermore, I know to request of the author permission to read this book to a class of students as it is my copy not property I own. Finally, I will not be accepting compensation in any way.

Therefore, I humbly ask your permission Miss AB to read In The Company of Bears to my daughter's class, please?

RESPONSE

Of course you have my permission to read In the Comany of Bears to your daughter's class with my blessings. A. B. Curtiss