What Lies Within Us

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

You may have heard about Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple Computer, and his pancreatic cancer. When you think about what lies within you (besides the mental intricacies) think about your internal organs. Yoga and/or a 'silence of the mind' will take you deeper. You are your best doctor.

Before bedtime place your hand gently below your abdomen (just under the belly button) and sense the movement of your breathing. It is something I learned in my THE FOURTH R (Relaxation) class taken in college. It's a therapeutic do-it-yourself meditation. Do you detect something within? If you do it may be time for a thorough examination immediately. Be proactive, not reactive when it comes to your inner self.

A woman sat in the front seat of an airplane to reapply her lipstick, blot her lips with tissues from her purse, pinch her cheeks for color, and check her hair. She is so concerned with her exterior. What lies within her? What lies within you?

Today in Bellflower, California a woman gave birth to octuplets. Yes, that's right! Eight newborn babies born all at once (six girls and two boys). These infants are no longer within this mother (Thank God for the relief). Imagine that delivery! Phew!

Jan 27, 2009 2:45 pm US/Pacific
Doctor Says Newborn Octuplets Appear HealthyBELLFLOWER, Calif. (AP) ―

Doctors Karen Maples, Harold Henry, and Mandhir Gupta speak on Jan. 27, 2009, at a news conference after a mother gave birth to eight babies at the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center in Bellflower, Calif.

Newborn octuplets in Southern California are a feisty bunch that appear healthy even at nine weeks premature, a doctor said Tuesday.

Three babies are being given oxygen but appeared to be doing well, said Dr. Mandhir Gupta, a neonatologist at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. Two of the newborns were initially on ventilators but no longer need them.

At least four could be ready for their first oral feeding later Tuesday.

"All the babies were delivered vigorously, crying and kicking," he said.

The mother, who has not been identified, gave birth Monday to the six boys and two girls weighing between 1 pound, 8 ounces, and 3 pounds, 4 ounces. She was resting comfortably Tuesday and was elated at welcoming eight children to her family, Gupta said.

The eighth baby surprised the parents and doctors who had prepared to deliver seven children.

"It is quite easy to miss a baby when you're anticipating seven," said Dr. Harold Henry, chief of maternal and fetal medicine and one of 46 doctors, nurses and assistants who delivered the children by Caesarean section.

Two of the newborns -- the second live octuplets born in U.S. history -- were initially put on ventilators but were later removed.

The mother checked into the hospital in her 23rd week of pregnancy. Hospital officials would not say whether she had used fertility drugs, which make multiple births more likely.

The babies -- dubbed with the letters A-through-H -- will probably remain in the hospital for at least two months and the mother could be released in a week.

The world's first live octuplets were born in March 1967 in Mexico City, but all died within 14 hours, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

The United States' first live octuplets were born in Houston in 1998, three months premature. The tiniest died a week after the birth. The surviving siblings turned 10in December of 2008.

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 27, 1984

7:15am-"Rise and shine!" I thought to myself. Believe me I was not shining. I was sleepy after the late night I-BEAM dancing of the previous night. I made it to work any way. I actually sold nine custom calling features by the end of the day.

I popped over to 'Jack-In-The-Box' on Broadway all by my lonesome for lunch. The people around there were pretty cruddy looking. Ugh!

I made a point to call mom on my break to see what she was up to.

Friday's are nice.

I arrived home and intended on an evening bike ride but my Dad called and put a damper on it. He wanted me to pay the February rent tonight.
"Whoa, it's not due until February 1st," I reminded him. And so that's when he'll get it. I can't blame him for wanting to clean up his monthly books early though.

I received a birthday card from Pat Shikuzawa. It freaked me out. I guess she thinks my Birthday is January 26th instead of May 26th. What a "wench"! I have four months to go. I need to remind her to "NOT" rush it for me.

Suzy Miller called while I was reviewing the California College of Arts & Crafts Spring Extension catalog program. I want to take Calligraphy and a Production & Design course. It's only $200 cheap (but 'what the hell', it's only money). I have to think about the enjoyment I shall get from it. I am going for "it" in 1984. It will be the beginning of my extensive journey into the field of ART.

I believe Suzy wanted to go to a movie but I can't really afford it now, so I avoided the topic of 'going out'.
"Why don't you come over here," I suggested.
"...but I'll fall asleep like last time," she laughed.
"Horse feathers," I said, wondering where I heard that phrase before.
If she really wanted to see me she'd come over 'for me' and not suggest an outing for me to drive and pay her way into a $5.50 flick. Haha. I am feeling cheap tonight.

My dad called me two more times to simply talk. It was nice of him to do that. Did he think I might be lonely?

I still haven't found my gray BeBe jacket. I need to back track in my mind and figure out where it could be...

I found my jacket. Later that evening I found it in the washing machine. It's an indicator of how often I open my washing machine. Smiles.