So, Happy New Year everybody. The New Year is such an exciting time. It's a renewed time for everything – WOW, I know people that are gonna change themselves from head to toe. I'm one of them! I'm going to be half of myself and lose 100 lbs. in 2005. And then I enter the real world and realize “that thought” is possible, but what do we do about the baggage and mind set that for me says, “Are you kidding, your healthy lifestyle and diet gimmicks last about three days and sometimes are reduced to three hours.” Wanting to change, lose weight, control your anger, stop feeling guilty, stop the need to control others, stop living in fear and lack – It is just not easy. That's the problem!

I had a conversation with my friend Caroline who's a Brain Gym teacher, and we were talking about how the brain works or doesn't work, and how everything is controlled from there. That if people had the tools (information), they could actually check to see if their brain was fired up. There are ways to switch the lever from power on to power off. The whole brain thing is so fascinating.

But, you can know every diet, you can have all the tools (information), and have your brain on, but at some point you've got to be willing to take responsibility. Set some really good priorities in your life and stick to them. Some of you may not have all the information, so for you it means taking the responsibility for finding it and getting it!!! We'll never have it all because someone is always showing us a new and different way. Becky Arrington was recently featured in the Journal-Constitution because she lost 60 lbs. using spiritual means – well not all spiritual means – but she has a different approach than those you might know about and is doing a workshop on it. Look for her ad in Aquarius.

My point is this: Trigger your brain, use spiritual practice to lose weight, do inner-child therapy to release some unwanted demons and old habits, use healing modalities that manipulate the body and stir up your energy – but take responsibility. If you think you won't know what to do because it all sounds good, and, let's face it, many of us can't afford to do it all, but you can fit something into your budget and do it systematically. I'll give you a recent example of what happened to me. I had a few headaches (very unusual for me) and felt slightly dizzy. These symptoms seemed to stay with me for a few days – long enough to grab my attention. While I was shopping at a super-store, I came across a blood pressure machine, put my arm in the thing, and it showed very high. Again, very unusual for me. So I decided on a game-plan. I'll try what I know first and if that doesn't work, since I'm not stupid, I'll go see a doctor.

I immediately called my friend Dr. Liu, who does Chinese Tui-Na massage and acupressure, and asked him if he could help me and scheduled an appointment. I also realized that I was over-stressed and excited about some changes that are occurring to make Aquarius and the entire community more successful and better known. (More on that later) But, I did realize the state of mind I was in and immediately bought a blood pressure machine (you know they don't call it the hidden killer for UN-known reasons). I wanted to track how I was doing. I took long, warm bubble baths with candles and calming music. I did some deep-breathing exercises. Lets say that I did what I knew to do instead of going on medicine. I paid attention and was responsible, and so far it's worked.

Unfortunately we aren't always tune in enough to know how our bodies are reacting to events in our lives. It's so important to use massage, New Age music, meditation, baths, oils, and anything else that helps to bring down the pressures of the day to normal levels. Try going to bed relaxed instead of going to bed to relax.

In my opinion, the drug companies become more and more unreliable and less responsible every day. Taking medicine today is like playing Russian roulette.

Please take care of yourselves. Use the knowledge of our advertisers, and remember that Alternative Medicine is preventative medicine, and that means use it before something serious happens, not after the fact.

I truly enjoy writing this column each month because you're all my friends. That's how I feel, and I write this as though you feel the same. Being a part of this awesome community for over twenty years, I've met many of you and hear quite often that you enjoy my personal writing style. I learned along time ago that you can't please everybody all the time – but I'll keep trying!

We have some wonderful things happening – first our TV guide will be a paid subscription starting in March. Enjoy the next two months free as usual and, if you haven't used it yet, please check it out and support us. http://www.aquarius-atlanta.com/tvguide/ This area will continue to grow... from a spiritual TV guide that hand-picks worthwhile programs at a glance, to soon becoming a full entertainment theatre that will feature: TV for the soul, movie reviews, New Age teachers and their speaking schedules and books. In addition there will be a book and music listing of the top twenty-five sold world-wide each month, the newest titles available, and much more – a very worthwhile reason to join for only $1.00 each month.

Our TV commercials will air on cable channels in March 2005 You can start supporting us now by joining the “SpiritualCinemaCircle” http: //www.spiritualcinema circle.com/?af=14075

Bye Honeys,