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| Beautiful garden pond. |
According to this report, I just saw a blurb on the US TV show, Sunday Morning, explaining that as a result of 535 terror attacks, 3635 have lost their lives throughout the world so far in 2017. This isn’t even the “tip of the iceberg” when considering the hundreds of thousands who have died at the hands of terroristic regimes and governments.
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| Blue, as a less common color in nature, always catches our eye. |
Our hearts and prayers for the injured in last night’s terror attack in London and for the families and friends of those who lost their lives. Will this ever end?
We live in dangerous times, not only from terrorism but also from disease. For example, from this site:
“This annual report provides the estimated numbers of new cancer cases and deaths in 2017, as well as current cancer incidence, mortality, and survival statistics and information on cancer symptoms, risk factors, early detection, and treatment. In 2017, (in the US) there will be an estimated 1,688,780 new cancer cases diagnosed and 600,920 cancer deaths in the US.”
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| Tom is smiling at the edge of a garden pond. |
We live in dangerous times. With our promise not to express “politically” based views on this site, we steer our discussion in a different direction. “How do we keep our families and ourselves safe?”
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| A golf course like neatly trimmed grass. |
Do we really have some control over our personal safety, health, and well-being? To an extent, we do. We can take care of our health even amid the endless confusing reports on what is actually “healthy” and what is not.
We can siphon out what we know for sure; a healthy diet, a positive outlook, reducing stress, staying active and engaged with others, avoiding toxic chemicals, relationships, and excesses all contribute to pointing us in the right direction.
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| Pretty flowers line a walkway to a gate. |
For those who so choose, incorporating a spiritual aspect into their lives may be instrumental in improving theirs and their family’s odds for longevity, health, and well-being.
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| To see the entire gardens in time to return for the meeting time at the van, we maneuvered our way through the crowds. |
As for the risks of terrorist attacks, becoming victims of crimes, involvement in accidents and injuries, we still have a degree of control in some circumstances (of course, not all). Do we avoid high-risk locations, events, and scenarios? Are we careful and conscious of our limitations when we perform or engage in specific tasks or activities?
Many may say we are overly cautious. We don’t zip line, skydive, bungee jump, scuba dive, or snorkel. Based on the constraints imposed by my precarious spinal condition, we avoid those activities that have the potential to put an immediate end to our world travels.
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| Perfect expansive lawn. |
We may travel to some higher-risk countries, but we try to avoid public venues as much as possible, even quickly hurrying through airports, train stations, and other forms of transportation. We avoid outdoor cafes in high-risk areas. We do the best we can. But, no precautions regarding terrorist attacks are foolproof.
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| Fountain garden. |
Even staying indoors isn’t 100% effective when many lose their lives in household accidents each year. From this site:
“Did you know that more than 18,000 Americans die every year from injuries that take place in the home? This makes it the second most common location for such fatalities. Why are home injuries so prevalent? Most Americans are unaware that they can prevent such accidents. From minor burns to poisoning, electrical shocks to suffocations.”
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| Lush evergreen at Butchart Gardens. |
We are saddened by the loss of lives and injuries incurred by terror attacks throughout the world and often ask ourselves, “What is the answer?” Ideally, we can only hope and pray that our leaders across the globe can make the best decisions to enhance our safety against these pointless attacks.
We pray for the safety, health, and well-being of you and for those you love.
Photo from one year ago today, June 4, 2016:
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| As we exited the bedroom in Bali to make our cheese plate, we spotted this considerable Nursery Web Spider. Although their bite may be painful, it’s not life-threatening. Tom was able to scoot it outside with the broom. No screaming. Just photos. For more details, please click here. |