Saturday, 15 November 2014
Banking Your Babies Cord Blood!
Hello Cupboard-Fullers!!!
Sadly I was made redundant back in July of this year! At the time, my whole world had collapsed around me. The process did indeed leave me questioning what I was good at and who I was if I wasn't even "good enough" to sell tiles.... Well this post is not about that too much! The tenuous link I guess has been the amazing world that opened up to me after I thought I had experienced a big loss!
Where I have gone is a whole new world and one that has put a whole new perspective on what life is about. As with all great adventures (Alice In Wonderland, Great Expectations, The Hobbit to name a few great pieces of literature), I sort of "fell into" my new role.
It was a lesser known world I must admit and I had abs still have a lot to learn. What makes my line of work so interesting is that I am dealing with people on a daily basis. And it is at the core (or cord!) of humanity.... Literally!!!
I became a Client Advisor for an amazing human tissue and private cord blood bank Biovault Family. If cord blood banking is something you haven't heard about it really is a fascinating topic. What's been so exciting for me, on the inside of this little-known yet potentially life saving investment is that I am learning about the advances in science and also putting my passion for philosophy and ethics to good use. I think historically a lot of people are cautious on having an opinion when it comes to the topic of stem cells. I had always been interested in BioEthics and studied the potential of stem cell research from a philosophical perspective as part of my university education.
Obviously there are ethical lines that we shouldn't be prepared to crossed. Ie: where does it stop if we select genetic information for offspring? Is it right to have one child save another or be born to treat another child with life-threatening diseases? (Just an aside: if this interests you too I highly recommend reading My Sisters Keeper!!!) This is one misconception of what cord blood stem cell storage is.
At birth, many forward-thinking parents are now being savvy in the now and utilising the storage of their child's cord blood. Think how many amazing stem cells are wasted at the point of birth when they could be used to save lives?!! It really does make sense when you think about it. It is fast becoming a procedure that is insuring the quality of life of an individual in later years and is pain free (unlike bone marrow transplants). It's so simple to slot into a birthing plan because the process is uninvasive and only put into action when both Mother and Child are happy and safe.
I don't want to make this post a hard sell because it really is a fascinating topic that is worth considering. A fab independent resource for information about the process can be found at: Parents Guide To Cord Blood. What I have loved about this new role is that I get to make a difference in people's lives. We offer a service that is pretty unique (There are currently seven private cord blood banks in the UK) so it really is an area that has so much potential!!! I am really of the opinion that it is a service that parents can do for their child and is something I will do when the time comes.
It would be greatly appreciated if you, Dear Reader; would take the time to look at what we do. Let any pregnant friends know about us because we cover the whole of the UK!!! If you are interested whizz me any queries.
#StemCells #Science #Pioneering #Treatments #MotherAndBaby #MumsToBe #Tips #CordBloodStorage #BiovaultFamily #Ethics
Ten Habits For An Effective Functioning Human Being!
I guess the point that it can be distilled down to is that YOU choose your own direction, purpose and destiny. I am in that Thought-Camp that life is reflexive and free will plays a massive role in what you lived like in the past, how you opt to make life decisions in the "Now"-Space and how you will continue to live. There are a multitude of paths that are open- but only if you are prepared to transcend any limits that are placed upon you. Certain life choices may seem harder to attain but that is only an illusion that you have constructed in your own minds-eye.
An effectively functioning human being is not passive. They are prepared to say "yes" abs take calculated risks that could potentially optimise their life. It is about having no concept of comfort-zone. Why let yourself settle for what could be half or even quarter of your potential?!! If you can't see that your life is worth as much as the next man and that our citizenship on this planet Earth then you are minimising what the world can do for you. The world instantly becomes a smaller place physically and metaphorically.
The trick is to take those little steps to change your own world so I have compiled a few habits to adopt to maximise positive thinking and improve your own mental well-being.
1) Let go of Life-Limiting thoughts. They may even be sub conscious. The thoughts that hold us back from achieving our dreams or even just doing something that is our true free-will in a day. It's all above moving from a mindset that confines us to a world of possibilities. There is something to be said for a "Can-Do" attitude to life. Even if at first we may not believe the impossible, we could go on to make baby steps into a world that is not dictated by someone else! Give it a try! Tell yourself that you are able to do something that may scare you or challenges you.
"Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast...." ~ The White Queen, Through The Looking Glass.
2) As previously mentioned it is important to get an effective balance on your relationship with the world. You have to accept that life happens FOR you whether you like it or not!!! It does not happen TO you. It is about turning thought to action.
3) Do something new every day. Or as much as possible!!! It is hard because the majority of us are indeed "working for the man" so to speak. We have a structured day in work and I am sure you will agree there is very little time for play!! But playing essentially frees the mind. Set small goals- maybe to read a paper on something that interests you in the field of psychology for example, find a fact a day to share with a friend/colleague/family member. To function effectively as a human being it is very much about developing yourself which comes from expanding the mind. This in turn inspires others to find topics that interest then. The gift of knowledge is a powerful thing.
4) Take the time to step back. Find a place of natural beauty or somewhere that inspires you and visit that place at least once in a month to remind yourself that the world is so much bigger than you, than us, than social systems and constructs, than the media, that man-made creations. The natural world is amazing and terrifying in equal measure. There is an expanse out there! See yourself in relation to the wider world and remember that you are just a small part of the whole. But also remember that your actions impact the world and our collective habits can be damaging. Do your best to champion the world on a daily basis- the small things can make a difference.
5) Do a good-deed a day! Step outside of your own bubble to recognise the need of another global citizen. Even something as simple as a smile can change someone's little world so much. It's not even about giving a gift that has monetary value. Time is precious. Give that to another person and they will know that they were the centre of someone else's world even just for a minute! That's got to be a gesture that is good for the soul. There is the potential for this type of gift to be paid-forward to another person. Create a chain of good life events.
6) Look after your body! I am as guilty as the next person for being known to associate good feelings with food that is actually pretty bad for your over all health!! Again, as in all aspects of life it is about achieving balance in input and output. One thing I do stick to is eating my five a day in some form! I would also recommend switching tea/coffee with green tea drinking as there are so many health benefits to be experienced.
7) Laughter is my favourite form of medicine. Being able to step back and see the world for the absurd construct that it is offers a little peace-of-mind. It isn't perefect and often you find yourself in situations that you had never envisaged at the start of said decision-making process. But what do you do when life gives you lemons???!!.... You make lemonade and have a chuckle about it with good people. It may add character to your face (what I like to call "Smiley Lines"!) but a happy face is a face that can draw people in and expresses the goodness that can be found in life... If we don't take it too seriously!
8) Don't be delusional, be illuminating! Understand your limits too. It's all very well being super-pioneering but sometimes you have to learn that you have your part to play in the wider world. Take a step back and breath! You will never be perfect. Do not strive for an illusion. Take steps that will contribute to situations and to people's lives in real time.
9) Share good vibes! Now I am guilty of being a little bit of a moaner if I have had a "bad day" but is neither effective not very nice for people to see your Keyboard Warrior persons that is using social networking as a way to vent in a negative way. I think the worst thing to do is clearly post about another person then say nothing is wrong. It is healthy to talk about what is upsetting you in a way that is loving and encourages acceptance then a moving-forward. Feelings are temporary but you may find that what you say in the heat of the moment has permanent and negative side-effects!
10) In the words of Dr Seuss: "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no other person you-er than you!!" Embrace your individuality, embrace what you can throw at life, embrace your loves, passions, future plans. Be proud to fit into the patchwork quilt of life and being your quirks and best bits to the world and be ready to share this with other people too! Don't be told what to believe in. Go and forge your own path and be proud of it!!!
An effectively functioning human being is not passive. They are prepared to say "yes" abs take calculated risks that could potentially optimise their life. It is about having no concept of comfort-zone. Why let yourself settle for what could be half or even quarter of your potential?!! If you can't see that your life is worth as much as the next man and that our citizenship on this planet Earth then you are minimising what the world can do for you. The world instantly becomes a smaller place physically and metaphorically.
The trick is to take those little steps to change your own world so I have compiled a few habits to adopt to maximise positive thinking and improve your own mental well-being.
1) Let go of Life-Limiting thoughts. They may even be sub conscious. The thoughts that hold us back from achieving our dreams or even just doing something that is our true free-will in a day. It's all above moving from a mindset that confines us to a world of possibilities. There is something to be said for a "Can-Do" attitude to life. Even if at first we may not believe the impossible, we could go on to make baby steps into a world that is not dictated by someone else! Give it a try! Tell yourself that you are able to do something that may scare you or challenges you.
"Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast...." ~ The White Queen, Through The Looking Glass.
2) As previously mentioned it is important to get an effective balance on your relationship with the world. You have to accept that life happens FOR you whether you like it or not!!! It does not happen TO you. It is about turning thought to action.
3) Do something new every day. Or as much as possible!!! It is hard because the majority of us are indeed "working for the man" so to speak. We have a structured day in work and I am sure you will agree there is very little time for play!! But playing essentially frees the mind. Set small goals- maybe to read a paper on something that interests you in the field of psychology for example, find a fact a day to share with a friend/colleague/family member. To function effectively as a human being it is very much about developing yourself which comes from expanding the mind. This in turn inspires others to find topics that interest then. The gift of knowledge is a powerful thing.
4) Take the time to step back. Find a place of natural beauty or somewhere that inspires you and visit that place at least once in a month to remind yourself that the world is so much bigger than you, than us, than social systems and constructs, than the media, that man-made creations. The natural world is amazing and terrifying in equal measure. There is an expanse out there! See yourself in relation to the wider world and remember that you are just a small part of the whole. But also remember that your actions impact the world and our collective habits can be damaging. Do your best to champion the world on a daily basis- the small things can make a difference.
5) Do a good-deed a day! Step outside of your own bubble to recognise the need of another global citizen. Even something as simple as a smile can change someone's little world so much. It's not even about giving a gift that has monetary value. Time is precious. Give that to another person and they will know that they were the centre of someone else's world even just for a minute! That's got to be a gesture that is good for the soul. There is the potential for this type of gift to be paid-forward to another person. Create a chain of good life events.
6) Look after your body! I am as guilty as the next person for being known to associate good feelings with food that is actually pretty bad for your over all health!! Again, as in all aspects of life it is about achieving balance in input and output. One thing I do stick to is eating my five a day in some form! I would also recommend switching tea/coffee with green tea drinking as there are so many health benefits to be experienced.
7) Laughter is my favourite form of medicine. Being able to step back and see the world for the absurd construct that it is offers a little peace-of-mind. It isn't perefect and often you find yourself in situations that you had never envisaged at the start of said decision-making process. But what do you do when life gives you lemons???!!.... You make lemonade and have a chuckle about it with good people. It may add character to your face (what I like to call "Smiley Lines"!) but a happy face is a face that can draw people in and expresses the goodness that can be found in life... If we don't take it too seriously!
8) Don't be delusional, be illuminating! Understand your limits too. It's all very well being super-pioneering but sometimes you have to learn that you have your part to play in the wider world. Take a step back and breath! You will never be perfect. Do not strive for an illusion. Take steps that will contribute to situations and to people's lives in real time.
9) Share good vibes! Now I am guilty of being a little bit of a moaner if I have had a "bad day" but is neither effective not very nice for people to see your Keyboard Warrior persons that is using social networking as a way to vent in a negative way. I think the worst thing to do is clearly post about another person then say nothing is wrong. It is healthy to talk about what is upsetting you in a way that is loving and encourages acceptance then a moving-forward. Feelings are temporary but you may find that what you say in the heat of the moment has permanent and negative side-effects!
10) In the words of Dr Seuss: "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no other person you-er than you!!" Embrace your individuality, embrace what you can throw at life, embrace your loves, passions, future plans. Be proud to fit into the patchwork quilt of life and being your quirks and best bits to the world and be ready to share this with other people too! Don't be told what to believe in. Go and forge your own path and be proud of it!!!
Well hello there Cupboard Full'ers!
Let me start by setting out the premise for my future ramblings. At heart, I am a philosopher and nothing is more exciting than the human mind. I guess, like most the ideal is to reach a point of utter happiness- as yet I am unsure whether this is in a hedonistic sense. I feel that I may have surpassed this point. I guess it's all about looking for answers and forging a life that is happy to lead and is happy-making in relation to those around!! I love the idea of a symbiotic lifestyle- it sounds a little clinical as far as the terminology goes but the core of it as unrealised potential is really quite an exciting concept!
So why refer to "Cupboard Love"? It all sounds very A Level Psychology Class- and yes, yes it is!! I remember that particular lesson on John Bowlby and developmental psychology and attachment theory. I guess it is a place to start, and in my opinion the basis of a comfortable and happy life. I guess Cupboard Love is an expression of the idea of bonds between an individual and a care-giver. It starts with a Mother and Child but I believe this notion can transcend this one type of relationship.
Essentially- we are all "Care-Givers" in this cosmic community that we call humanity.
Of course, it is a jovial little play-on this concept because I believe becoming whole as a person is through giving to those around you, providing a forum for free thought, sharing life-enhancing experiences and living a life that is as good to others as to yourself!!
So this blog is a starting point for me to share little things that make me smile and may just brighten up your day. If I can remind people of the good in the world that would be nice. Sharing is caring, knowledge expands the brain and laughter reminds us that essentially we are all good! It's nice to channel happy thoughts. I know it is a simple and humble blog. It has come from nothing, but like is all I would hope for it to grow and realise it's potential.
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