Join the laughter club

One song at a time

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Music soothes, brings joy and a healing vibe. Thank you, Musicians on Call.

Hardcore sitting

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Ever seen someone in a wheelchair do a back flip? Meet Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham, born with Spina Bifida, and in a wheelchair since early childhood. Asked how he would define his condition: “A great opportunity”. Hardcore sitting, hardcore inspiration – watch his story.

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Food: the disease and the cure

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Again, some food for thought after reading ‘In defense of food‘ by Michael Pollan.

At the moment several food related diseases, like obesity and diabetes, are booming. But instead of using common sense, people rely on health care. Already doctors are excellent in keeping people with heart diseases alive. And they are on its way with obesity and diabetes. Diabetes is accepted as completely normal more and more. Apparently it is easier or any how much more profitable to change a disease of a civilization into a lifestyle, than change the way that civilization eats.

Forgive me if that sounds too cynical. But to me it’s important to take responsibility for my own life, for my own health. So, please take this advice from Dr. Matters: eat your veggies and live juicy.

Get in shape

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Maybe something for you? The Hawaii Chair: ‘To get fit you only have to sit’. Talkshow host Ellen DeGeneres demonstrates this ‘workout machine’ in her own show.

Is this for real? It makes me smile anyway. At least my laugh muscles are at work. And you know, smiling is free therapy…..

The Horse Boy

A couple of days ago I saw a documentary called “The Horse Boy”. It’s the heartwarming tale of 6-year old Rowan, who has autism, and his parents’ quest to find healing, relief and improve the quality of their son’s life.

Having tried all sorts of therapies, diets, textbook advice to get a hold of his stressful tantrums, Rowan finds a real sense of relaxation and enjoyment sitting and lying on the back of a horse. And it inspires his dad, and after some back-and-forth also his mum, to go on an epic journey to and through Mongolia – known for its horse riding nomads and its shaman traditions.

What follows is a story of doubt – taking Rowan out of his trusted environment: are we good parents, will the stress not traumatize their little boy. A story of adjusted expectations. And a story of love, hope and joy.

Watching The Horse Boy left me with a sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the sensibility of the animals – in this documentary ranging from horses to goats and reindeer – and the patience and care they showed towards Rowan, helping him to relax and open up. And gratitude for the mysticism of nature and beyond, and the people most connected to it. You almost want to pack your bags and spend the rest of your life in a yurt… Almost…

Go watch it, here is the trailer.

Walk on… back to the roots

Step by step I am walking my life. I can change my life by changing my direction. But since last week I realise that I can also change my walk. Simply by putting on different shoes. And by different I really mean different, an anti shoe as they call it themselves. It is made by MBT, which stands for Masai Barefoot Technology.

The natural way of walking, barefoot on soft ground, is imitated by wearing this shoe. It distinguishes itself by the form of the sole and it influences the whole body positively. Back, knees and ankles are spared during the standing and the walking.