Karen MacKay's Blog

Have scientists really thought that life could only exist if it were similar to life on Earth?

Karen MacKay — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 01:52:00 +0000

Arrogance never ceases to amaze/annoy me?

“Research conducted by biochemist Dr. Felisa Wolfe-Simon from the U.S. Geological Survey has turned the quest for alien life on its ear, suggesting that phosphorous, carbon, and the other fundamental elements found in every living thing on Earth aren’t the only signs of life.

‘. . . we’ve always defined life as something that has the exact same chemistry as a life-form on Earth.’ The new discovery will likely change that equation, because it means the basic building blocks of DNA are not quite what we thought. ’It’s a paradigm shift,’ says Dimitar Sasselov, an astrobiologist who leads the Origins of Life Initiative at Harvard University. ‘The possibility that Earth-life biochemistry is not universal is a transformational concept. It fills the search [for alien life] with optimism. NASA is moving in a good overall direction. What is needed is to take alternatives for life’s chemistry to heart and fund research work better.’”

I Think I’m Stuck, Too

Karen MacKay — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 23:05:37 +0000

While walking along minding my own business I was called over by Manuel and an older fellow, meaning older than I. With map in hand, he was asking where Amberglenn was. Manuel, who understands and speaks perfect English with an accent, was explaining that he lives on Amberglenn. Obviously he knows where it is. The fellow was insisting that it was somewhere else and that he was on Cornell. In actuality he was on Evergreen. I showed him, Manuel showed him. Over and over again. But no, he insisted it was somewhere else. Befuddled by listening to his lack of listening, I was wondering how we could get some sense into him. I was annoyed and perplexed. After more mind-numbing banter, we finally went our own way shaking our heads and I began thinking about how often I hear or see or think something and continue to insist it is that way. How much do I continue to believe something when it isn’t true for me? When it is outdated? How much of our lives do we lose by insisting on believing what isn’t true? How much of our thought process is outdated? How long am I going to stay stuck and what am I going to miss out on?

Bad Habits Die Hard

Karen MacKay — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:56:11 +0000

Despite what I know, I still use food to hide what I don’t want to see. Those uncomfortable feelings of not doing or being what I want in my life keep cropping up and I acquiesce to my determination not to feel them.

Most Valuable Player

Karen MacKay — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 01:52:21 +0000

My grandchild really knows how to take good care of herself.

She’s using her MVP trophy to make sure her hair is just right.

Karen MacKay — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:49:36 +0000

It has been a long while since I’ve written, I see. Hasn’t the summer flown by? Clients and work and summer fun have been filling my days and I apologize to all of you who have been waiting for success results. Yes, the hypnosis/guided imagery has been a blessing to my well-being. New habits have easily been reestablished and my menu is only good fare. On the few occasions of eating sweets or chips, there has been no devouring of them and no cravings later. Retraining the mind yields fantastic results. I can’t say enough how easy it has been, no trying hard, no struggle. The mind is the key.

Needed Help

Karen MacKay — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:28:18 +0000

Lifestyle changes are happening and that’s really what it’s all about with getting rid of weight. While I was married I began eating in the evening, something I never did before and now I don’t do it at all. And, Ms. Sugar-Junkie here is not even interested one iota in sweets. Besides those two welcome changes, I feel energetic when I wake up and happy to greet the day. Hypnosis and guided imagery take a little time to work but I am grateful they do.

Leo’s Help

Karen MacKay — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:46:07 +0000

Still drifting with the warm weather although I’ve been listening to my guided imagery CDs to keep my mind where I want it to be. No junk food, aka sugar, for me. I’ve even been inspired to write it up as a program. It’s not quite finished yet but soon. The computer desk seems to be the coolest spot because my cat Leo, King of The Weezers keeps laying on the keyboard causing all kinds of strange things to happen on the page. It’s taking longer to proofread than it is to write it.

Goodbye Sugar, Farewell Chips

Karen MacKay — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:12:01 +0000

Another hot one in Portland and another easy day on the food plan. I’ve been listening to “Goodbye Sugar, Farewell Chips” to get my mind more into the game especially for when the whether cools down into the 90s. With a little luck it will still be too warm for me to be interested in snacking. I am continually being mindful of how I am feeling and what I am thinking because it makes all the difference in my success, no matter what the goal or issue. Life is indeed good.

Easy, Easy

Karen MacKay — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:18:04 +0000

Today has been easy. With 104 degrees outside and 90 inside who wants to eat? Exercise? Forget it.

Oops!

Karen MacKay — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:22:32 +0000

Today wasn’t the best in the grand scheme of losing weight. I had the best of intentions. With the 100 degree heat I figured it would be a piece of cake, but the metaphor tells it all. The day started with my fabulous hemp milk, blueberry and banana shake. A patient brought me cherries that I practically inhaled because they were so good and that would’ve been fine except I wasn’t hungry at lunch. The heat and the cherries were too much. Blood sugar off, cravings on. What I ought to have done besides eating some protein was to listen to my recording “Goodbye Sugar, Farewell Chips.” That does it for me. Instead, I said hello candy and welcomed chips. That got me started and I ate popcorn at the movies, too. I’m not going to be upset or discouraged because that will make the next moment more difficult. It’s all about energy and how I feel. What I do know is that today was an oops day but tomorrow is a new day.