New Years Eve is upon us. If you havent booked a tropical getaway, or are hesitating to travel to the mountains (as Italians tend to do for skiing), try something that takes a little less organization, but still offers an unforgettable experience in Milan.

Classic concerts, toasts in museums, a night at the theater and much more: here's how to say ciaone to 2019.

The Carcano theater presents Eureka. A Katakl Athletic Dance show by Giulia Staccioli that pushes boundaries : beyond human physical limits, beyond gymnastics, circus, and dance. Catch the 10pm performance - it will satisfy your senses and leave you with an exhilarating energy to propel you into the new year.

Piccolo Teatro Strehler puts on Slavas Snow Show. Poetry, emotion, laughter, tenderness, and the warmth of being together with loved ones is the theme. Set against the cold wind of Russia and dark snowstorms, the brilliant "snow show is an event not to be missed for a memorable New Years Eve with your children.

Reveling in small pleasures in good company could be the best way to celebrate new beginnings, without leaving the city. Baglioni Hotel Carlton turns festivities into moments of relaxation, intent on unwinding in peace. After a champagne toast to 2020, they offer a relaxing massage and spa session at their Spiga 8 SPA facilities. On New Years day, enjoy the rooftop restaurant Terrazza Baglioni for a gourmet pre- fix lunch. All of this and a luxury room starting from 580 euro.

Chateau Monfort, the five-star hotel in the heart of Milan inspired by fairytales, offers a buffet breakfast in the Sala del Dolce Aveglio on New Years Day, as well as dinner on December 31st at the Rubacuori restaurant. A midnight toast at the Lounge Midnight Bar with a flute of champagne and oysters, and entry into the Love & Psyche spa are also included in the New Years celebration offerings. Sounds like a well thought out plan, and one that leaves it to professionals. Reservations from 1,300 euro.

Treat yourself to a small break, and head to the Langhe at the end of the year. The Boscareto Resort & Spa welcomes guests with a stay tailored to their needs. Book a three night stay to better enjoy the transition from one year to the next, with well-being the main mission. Included in their package are the New Year's Eve dinner followed by music entertainment, and brunch on January 1st. In addition you will have access to the Sovrana SPA, and a special scrub to be used in the Turkish bath. Rates from 1,780 euros for three nights.

This year the concert in the square organized by the Municipality of Milan hosts Mario Biondi, an artist famous all over the world for his soul, and Annalisa, pop music star. Free. Starts at 9.30pm.

Celebrated chefs Fabio Pisani and Alessandro Negrini bring Italian classics center stage for their New Years Eve dinner at Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia. Eel, a capon and white Alba truffle risotto, and pt are some of the delicacies on the rich menu. For the second dish, try lamb from the Gargano region cooked confit in fresh Trasimeno oil, with fruit mustard. To finish it off have the chocolate and hazelnut desert cake. Dont forget to have a bite of their version of slams with lentils from Castelluccio to bring good luck into the New Year. Price: 250.00 excluding wines.

Step back in time to the 1800s, the year of Queen Margherita and King Umberto I. Returning for the second year, the Villa Reale is the location of a dinner party and evening of dancing. It begins upon entering the grand Scalone dOnore. If this doesnt leave you feeling regal, move into the dining to room and have a seat at the table, which is over 100 meters long. You are welcome to book private sitting rooms and tables for the continuation of the evening. Men in suits, and women in evening dresses, the dress code is fancy too. 130 including dinner, and 40.00 for entry after midnight.

Welcome the New Year with an indulgent meal. Try the brunch event at the La Veranda restaurant at the Four Seasons, hosted in the Chocolate Room, which was decorated with the delicate hand of their in- house pastry chef. A self- described decadent affair, the menu promises Italian specialities, and the ambiance is sure to be one of relaxed conversation that lingers into the afternoon. $120 euros/ person including beverages.

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9 great ideas to celebrate New Year's Eve in Milan - Wanted In Milan

PUBLISHED: 11:00 23 November 2019

Emily Cashen

The recpetion at r&r spa Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND

Charlotte Bond

With the temperatures plummeting and the nights drawing in, we could all do with a little bit of R&R to see us through the cold winter months. There's perhaps no better time to indulge in some pampering treatments, and New Street Market's newly-opened R&R spa has got just the thing. So, in need of a little pick-me-up, my friend Charlotte and I headed over to Woodbridge on a Friday afternoon to try out some of the spa's luxurious offerings.

Neatly tucked away from the bustling Woodbridge Thoroughfare, this stylish spa is an oasis of calm. R&R is housed in a historic red-brick building and the space is brimming with character, with its warm and welcoming reception room helping us to feel right at home as soon as we arrived. The spa is led by experienced spa manager Sarah Gregory, who greeted us cheerfully and talked us through both the treatments on offer and the products that her therapists would be using.

The treatment menu puts luxury brand Caudalie front and centre, incorporating these all-natural, antioxidant-packed products into the spa's face and body treatments. From indulgent one-hour, full body massages to express radiance-boosting facials, R&R has something to suit all tastes and time frames. On the day we visited, I opted for the 60 minute 'Fleur de Vigne' body massage, while Charlotte chose the Vinosource anti-oxidant hydrating facial.

Treatments chosen, we were led upstairs to one of the spa's cosy double treatment rooms. We were amazed at just how quiet and peaceful the room was - we couldn't hear a peep from the busy market and cafe below. The soft lighting and ambient music created a soothing atmosphere, and we were given a moment of privacy to get settled under the snuggly blankets on the massage beds. Now, onto those treatments.

The massage

I'm quite used to being slathered in all manner of lotions and potions during a full body massage, with some spas packing as many products as they can into a one-hour treatment. This massage, by contrast, was a breath of fresh air, as it featured just one product. Using the warm oil of a grape-scented massage candle, my 60-minute massage promised to relieve any tension and leave me feeling relaxed.

I asked my masseuse if she could focus mainly on my back and shoulders during this massage, in hopes to ease some of the tension and knots from sitting hunched over at my desk five days a week. I must remember to stop slouching! The massage was equal parts tension-busting and relaxing - just what I was after. My therapist also brought the massage down my arms to my hands, which I appreciated, as I don't think we often notice just how cramped and stiff our fingers can be. Especially if, like me, you've developed a bit of 'iPhone claw'. With my back newly de-knotted, the treatment finished with a stress-relieving head and scalp massage. I very nearly drifted off to sleep by the end

The facial

Charlotte says: As a novice to having a facial, the ladies at R&R spa suggested that I have the Vinosource Anti-oxidant Hydrating Facial, which was a 60 minute treatment. They told me that it was a skin-renewing treatment, designed to moisturise the skin. The facial involved a massage with fresh grapes and a moisturising mask, using the Caudalie products to make my skin feel healthy and glowing. It certainly didn't disappoint!

After a long week of work this was the perfect relaxation treat to rejuvenate my skin and made me feel radiant. This facial included many different Caudalie products from the Vinosource range and they felt and smelt divine on my skin. The whole experience was very relaxing and I would recommend it to anyone who is having a facial for the first time or those more experienced. The ladies at R&R were very kind and helpful throughout and made us feel relaxed and welcome.

The verdict: We both left the salon feeling relaxed and blissed-out, and we agreed that the service had been spectacular. Some spas can feel a bit cold and clinical, but this was far from the case at R&R. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and we felt very well looked after throughout, while the space itself was so cosy and comfortable. I think we might be putting some R&R treatment vouchers on our Christmas wishlists this year!

The Fleur de Vigne body massage lasts for 60 minutes and costs 60. The Vinosource anti-oxidant hydrating facial also lasts for 60 minutes and costs 60. To book an appointment, call R&R spa on: 07766 934486, or email randr.nsm@gmail.com. You can find R&R at 70 New Street, Woodbridge, IP12 1DX.

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What are the treatments like at Woodbridge's new R&R spa? - East Anglian Daily Times

I'm reclining on a sun lounger on the deck of the Marella cruise ship Explorer 2 under a blazing Mediterranean sun, the obligatory pia colada in hand - well, it would be rude not to - when the giant TV screen splutters into life.

It's cruise director Matthew Shaw - who'd been on sister ship Explorer on our previous Marella cruise - being asked his take on the differences between the two vessels. 'This ship is very much like its sister' he says, 'both excellent and special, but the Explorer 2 is perhaps a bit quirkier'.

He sums up my feelings exactly. I was amazed at the luxury and thoughtful design of the first ship, but can see that a few heads got together and made even more of space, layout, decor and content. My wife and I are on Marella's Mediterranean Gems itinerary, which on my week-long cruise visits Toulon in the south of France, Tarragona in Spain and three Italian ports - Livorno, Civitavecchia and Olbia in Sardinia - but more of that later, as there's much more of the ship to explore.

So where to start?

Food and Drink

Everywhere you stroll exudes class, from the luxury cabins to the gleaming stairwell balustrades, from the rich pile carpets to the elegant fixtures and fittings. Dining is no exception to this, with a selection of enticing places to eat and drink, whatever your whim or fancy. The Market Place restaurant is open throughout the day for self-serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner - ideal for those who don't want any fuss, and there is an amazing selection for every mealtime (Tip: take a waistsize-larger pair of trousers for later in the trip).

For those who do like the fuss, you can visit either Vista or Latitude 53 restaurants where every courtesy is extended by the hard-working waiters, and these are included in your all-inclusive price, as are pizzas and pasta dishes in Nonnas, Beach Cove (in the day) and the Snack Shack on the pool deck.

For those who want to try something that extra special in the evening, for an additional cover charge why not try the ship's a la carte restaurants which include The Dining Club for a gastronomic food and wine tour de force, Surf and Turf for a steak or fish prepared just as you like it, Kora La for a Pan-Asian fusion experience second to none and the BBQ-inspired Beach Cove for a bellybusting bonanza (see the amazing ferris wheel dessert spectacular on the video!)

Did I just say all-inclusive? Yes all Marella Cruises are all inclusive, so once you've paid your fare it's fine fare all the way, and all your drinks are included, be it in the restaurants mentioned or in the ship's nine bars.

Entertainment

There's always something to do on board. If it's sunny there's nothing much better than enjoying a cocktail or three by the pool or relaxing in the whirlpool baths, and entertainment is always provided whether it's a live band, one of the entertainment team performing DJ duties, or something of interest on the giant TV screen. A bulletin for the following day is delivered to your cabin each evening with a packed programme of activities around the ship including quizzes, competitions, informative talks and much, much more.

Try your hand at the minigolf while you take in the panoramic views, or stroll along the Broadstreet Shops. One of the newest attractions is the 19th Hole bar where you can take up a seat in a golf buggy, order a themed cocktail and tee off on one of the golf simulators for a little extra. Explorer 2 also has its own Champneys Spa, where you can relax with a massage or treatment, including facials and acupuncture to name but two, or gaze out to sea in the impressive infinity pool.

In the evening the bars come alive with the sound of music and laughter with live bands, comedy acts, piano music, pub quizzes and audience participation fun. The silent disco in Indigo is a must. Put on the headphones, decide which of the two songs you want to dance to and get boogieing! (...then take them off for a second and see people dancing to apparently nothing!)

The jewel in the ship's crown is the Broadway Show Lounge with an amazing 12 professional shows on offer - and big enough to rival a theatre on, well, Broadway!

Ports and excursions

We joined and left the ship in Naples - Italys most red-blooded city and one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world and, for those already on the ship or staying for a longer cruise, it's from here you can visit the time-frozen cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, whose citizens were stopped in their tracks by the famous Mount Vesuvius eruptions of 79 AD.

Fusing French Riviera glam with the feel of a traditional old town, Toulon is a gorgeous gateway to the Cte dAzur, where you can follow the sound of popping corks and clinking champagne flutes to ber-stylish St-Tropez, or venture into Aix en Provence and find out about its dual identity. This place is known as the Town of Water thanks to its fountains and the Town of Art because of its many museums.

Once a Roman capital of Spain, beautiful Tarragona is brimming with historic landmarks and monuments. In the old quarter, with its magnificent Gothic cathedral, we were especially pleased with how reasonable prices were in cafes, shops and restaurants - well worth a trip off the ship with buses laid on by the local tourist board.

Our first port of call in Italy was Livorno, where we were able to embark on our eagerly-anticipated trip to Pisa. We were not to be disappointed as we entered through the walled gateway and the vista of the leaning wonder suddenly came into view. Unforgettable. Cue many, many photos.

Civitavecchia was our next stop, and from where we joined the ship's Express to Rome excursion. In less than an hour by train we were in the capital on a breathtaking tour which included the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and St Peters Basilica in the Vatican, with some fantastic pasta dishes and wine thrown into the mix.

Olbia in Sardinia was an altogether more laidback experience following our excursion exertion the previous day and a place where you can simply spread out a towel and relax on the beach. Or, if youre an active traveller, there are plenty of ways to explore this tranquil spot. Bike rides take in charm-filled villages, while boat trips allow you to experience the French island of Corsica and the peaceful La Maddalena archipelago.

Wi-fi packages, premium drinks upgrades, cabin types - there is simply not enough time and space here to write about all the fabulous facilities on board this magnificent ship and the amazing places it takes you to. Please watch the video for an extra insight into this thoroughly gem-orable experience.

At the time of writing a Mediterranean Gems cruise costs 1001 pp for a week's all-inclusive cruise on May 6 with direct Manchester flights, and from 812 from other airports. Visit https://www.tui.co.uk/cruise/

Aspire Lounge

A great way to start your holiday is to relax in VIP surroundings before your flight. In the Aspire Lounge you can help yourself to tasty, wholesome food and let the bartender pour you your favourite drink complimentary, of course. Whether you wish to work, have some much-needed quiet time, or relax with the family, your journey gets off to a perfect start. Available in T1 & T2 at Manchester, prices start from 22.49 per adult. Visit http://www.executivelounges.com/aspire

Holiday Extras

Holiday Extras is the market leader in UK airport parking, hotels, lounges and transfers, and 98% of the time Holiday Extras can find you a hotel and parking package thats cheaper than the cheapest airport parking on its own (based on two-week breaks). Booking an Airport Hotel with Parking ensures that you can enjoy more holiday without the hassle, as we found by checking into the first-rate Clayton Hotel. To book the Clayton with eight days hotel parking at Manchester Airport for 135, visit HolidayExtras.com or call 0800 316 5678 (Price searched on 15 October 2019 for arrival on 15 February 2020).

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A true gem of a cruise in the Western Mediterranean on the Marella Explorer 2 - Kenilworth Weekly News

Nov. 22, 2019, 2:31 AM UTC

Kanye West has been denied a permit to build a massive amphitheater on his Cody, Wyoming, ranch Tuesday but NBC News has learned that West has purchased a second lot of land just an hour away.

The rapper applied for a permit with the Park County Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 21, requesting to build a 70,000 square-foot amphitheater on his Cody Ranch. The request, filed by his Psalm 2019 LLC, was called the "West Meditation Large Impact Structure."

West's original request claimed the space was to be used for "meditation only" and did not have any plans to include utilities, such as sewage or lighting, according to the filing. He then changed his request on Nov. 8 to include a residential space and was denied.

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He is still able to submit a new request with the zoning commission.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department also noted concerns that any construction between Nov. 15 to April 30 would leave mule deer and other game animals vulnerable to human activity in the winter.

West has purchased a second ranch about an hour east in Greybull, Wyoming, NBC News confirmed Thursday. The more than 6,000-acre ranch, Bighorn Mountain Ranch, was listed at nearly $14.5 million but the final purchase price for the land is unclear.

It's unclear whether West plans to build his "meditation" amphitheater on the second location on Bighorn Mountain Ranch. A representative for West did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The 42-year-old rapper has been notably outspoken about spirituality in recent years and has begun hosting what he calls "Sunday Service," a church-like concert that began as a performance for close family and friends. West has since expanded his "Sunday Service," hosting the concerts at Coachella and recently at Joel Osteen's megachurch in Houston, Texas.

West told a crowd of nearly 16,000 people at Lakewood Church before his performance Sunday that "God has been calling me for a long time and the devil has been distracting me for a long time."

The speech came a month after West released a Christian rap album called "Jesus is King."

He also announced on Twitter Sunday that he would performing an opera, "Nebuchadnezzar," at the Hollywood Bowl on Nov. 24.

Diana Dasrath is Entertainment Producer and Senior Reporter for NBC News covering all platforms.

Doha Madani is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

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Kanye West denied permit to build 'meditation' amphitheater on Wyoming ranch - NBC News

HATLEY Chad Houston of Hatley describes himself as a laid-back dude. Thats about right.

His graying hair and goatee, warm voice, and gentle mien suggest a person at peace with himself and his world.

Houston said his mellow outlook is thanks in part to a practice he began three years ago: mindfulness meditation.

Meditation helps me live in the present, he said. It helps you realize how your thoughts are affecting your emotions, your body, your relationships, and how you project yourself to the world.

A roaring fire crackles in the wood stove in Houstons light-filled zen den, where he often comes to meditate. Its just down a wooded hill from the home he shares with his wife and two teenage sons. In the garage, a yellow 72 Volkswagen minibus bears the stickers of Houstons favorite bands.

The 48-year-old Monroe County native just finished leading a four-week-long workshop in mindfulness meditation through Amorys annual Lifelong Learning Series. He said teaching the full-capacity class gave him an opportunity to share what he has learned.

I dont claim to be a mindfulness guru, he said. I wanted to teach the class because Ive seen the benefit and I just wanted to testify. I just wanted to share the love.

Like many, Houston said he struggles with seasonal depression. He said mindfulness meditation has given him a tool to offset the effects of this annual ennui.

Last year was the first time in a long time that I made the stretch from Thanksgiving to New Years without getting in a serious funk, he said. Mindfulness meditation has helped me see how my brain works so I can stop the cycle of out-of-control emotions. Having even a small measure of control over that is huge.

In its simplest form, mindfulness is about learning to be more present in the present, according to Houston.

Mindfulness is all about learning to pay careful attention to the present moment, he said. The present moment is all we have. Its all well ever have.

Using an analogy from a popular movie, Houston said mindfulness is about developing a higher level of consciousness in daily life.

Most of us walk around in a semi-conscious state, like in The Matrix, he said. Our minds go a million miles a minute but we never stop to focus on the present moment. If youre happy in the matrix thats fine, but the longer you meditate, the more you learn theres more to human consciousness.

While mindfulness meditation has roots in Buddhism, Houston said the practice has benefits for people of any religion, or no religion.

The type of mindfulness I practice is pretty secular and straightforward, he said. Its not like some forms of meditation where the goal is enlightenment. This is more about just learning to be present and learning to manage emotions like depression and anxiety. You dont need to call on a particular deity.

In his recent workshop, Houston said he encouraged participants to begin by paying attention to their own breath.

Focusing on your breath is a way to ground yourself, he said. You dont need a mantra; your breath is always there with you. You start by just paying close attention to the sensations of breathing. Youll be surprised how hard it is.

For those who are new to the practice, mindfulness meditation can be unsettling, Houston said.

Your brain is running out of control, he said. Thats the first insight of mindfulness. We like to think were in charge of our brains and what we think, but it only takes one minute to realize were not. It can be unnerving.

Learning to slow down and be present takes patience and discipline, Houston said.

Its a workout for your brain, he said. The key is practice. You wont get anywhere doing it once or twice a month. You need to do it every day. Surely theres 10 or 15 minutes in your day when you can stop telling yourself your story and bring your attention back to the present.

While he said enlightenment is not the immediate goal of his form of meditation, insights await for those willing to slow down, breathe, and listen.

You can try all you want to stop the world and keep bad things from happening, he said. But once you start meditating you see that changing how you react to the world is just as good as changing the world itself. Thats a powerful insight that I only found when I started meditating.

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Mindfulness meditation: Learning to live in the moment purpose of practice - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

We might assume that the way our brains work is fixed but theres been more and more research into the potential of neuroplasticity. It is, in some ways, the best and worst thing about being human. We do have the capacity to change the way we think and it isn't inherent that we function in an anxious, stress-induced, hyperaware state. But we also live in a world where that state is encouraged in order to be, or at least feel like we could be, a success by current standards, we must put more pressure on work to reflect our performance (and consequently our worth) than ever before. And while it is not impossible to radically change the way the entire world works, it is a much smaller change to find ways to work within that world and not let stress or anxiety or our deteriorating attention spans contort us into the most unhappy, disillusioned, even distraught versions of ourselves.

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Everything I Tried To Finally Get Into Meditation & What Worked - Refinery29

I have a confession: even though I'm a yoga instructor, I'm not a fan of meditation. It's not that I don't want to revel in the present moment, reduce stress, embrace stillness, and all that good stuff. It's that I don't like how it feels like time just disappears. I've done all kinds of meditations from totally silent to chanting the same word for 60 minutes straight, and even though I've felt serene afterward, my first thought when it's over is, "Where the hell did that hour go?" It freaks me out a little.

I'm also the kind of person that has a really hard time quieting my thoughts, which is probably why I need meditation but it wasn't until I discovered Zentangle that I truly found the type of meditation that works for me. Zentangle, in simple terms, is meditative drawing.

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After 3 Weeks of Zentangle Before Bed, I've Never Slept So Well and Woken Up So Calm - POPSUGAR

Jacob twice swindled his brother, Esau, then had to get out of Dodge for his own good. After Jacob had done him dirty, Esau swore hed make sure his younger brother wouldnt be long for this world once their father died. The boys mother, who easily favored Jacob, shooed away her youngest so he could stay with her brother, who wound up being as big a cheat as his nephew. (The name Jacob can mean trickster.)

Along the way, Jacob tired from the journey, stopped in a forlorn spot, picked out a nice-sized rock for a pillow and fell fast asleep. While sleeping, Jacob dreamed a dream that has gone down in history. The song We Are Climbing Jacobs Ladder set it to music years later.

The part of the story you may not remember is when Jacob woke up, remembered Gods promise to bless him and his whole family and then exclaimed, The Lord is in this place, and I didnt even know it (Genesis 29:11). The whole business can mightily annoy scrupulous folks, wondering at the choice of somebody like Jacob, who did not change his spots for years to come. Put him in the same cast of characters as the prodigal son and the eleventh-hour workers, those that offend eye-for-eye ethicists.

What do you do with a God who gives nice dreams and fulfills promises to a scoundrel? Theologians like the notion of prevenient grace, which comes before you can wrap your mind or your character around it all. Human conceit tricks you into thinking there is no such thing as a free ride. But even if you dont believe in things like prayer, basic human sincerity should make you thank your lucky stars that things like grace and mercy exist at all. And make you say thanks one more time if youve never had to learn it by way of bitter trial and error. What do you have that you did not receive? (1 Corinthians 4:7).

The Rev. Eugene Stockstill is pastor of Ebenezer United Methodist Church and Myrtle United Methodist Church in Union County.

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MEDITATION: Jacob's dream should inspire thanks-giving | Religion - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

Actor Christopher Eccleston has written a deeply personal book about his life and career. File photograph: BBC Pictures

I Love the Bones of You: My Father and the Making of Me by Christopher Eccleston Simon & Schuster, 20

Christopher Eccleston is well known for his portrayal of complex and often marginalised characters, and this account of his life and career to date sheds some light on the philosophy behind his particular acting craft. Eccleston bills the book as an exploration of an essentially ordinary yet truly extraordinary man in the figure of his father, and the impact this man had on his life, his values and his character. Deeply personal revelations and insights resonate throughout the book, with Eccleston commenting in depth on his struggles with anorexia and mental health issues. A celebration of the particular in the universal, written in an accessible, conversational style, Eccleston has produced a haunting meditation on identity, fatherhood, and the interconnectedness that both oppresses and saves us. Becky Long

The Sea Cloak and Other Stories by Nayrouz Qarmout Comma Press, 9.99

These stories give insights into life in Gaza, without melodrama or exaggeration, and in language that is clear and rich. They tell of ordinary lives, mainly those of women, lived in one of the most volatile places on Earth. Stories such as The Sea Cloak, The Long Braid and Breastfeeding convey the struggle of girls and women to assert themselves against the restraints parents and conservative teachers would impose on them. Black Grapes shows the vicious racism of an Israeli illegal settler and his utter indifference to a Palestinian life. White Lilies is a powerful and shocking story involving a drone killing and the maiming of a little girl the callous brutality is heartrending. But this book isnt about victims; its about the triumph of managing to live in appalling circumstances. Brian Maye

Resist! How to be an Activist in the Age of Defiance by Michael Segalov Huck, 14.99

Here is a very timely book a sort of Protest For Dummies. From the first chapter, titled Bash Down Doors about identifying who has the power to affect change re the issue you are protesting this book covers all bases in your campaign efforts. Its one part PR and marketing, one part legal advice, one part nuts and bolts of protest (meeting points, post-action debriefing, protest paraphernalia: banners, placards etc) and one part protest pep talk: Respond to accusations by stating that the right to protest is at the heart of any democracy. There are many excellent case studies of successful campaigns from around the world (eg Black Lives Matter) that provide both practical information and inspiration. Succinct content and excellent graphics. Kevin Gildea

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Browser: Christopher Eccleston offers a haunting meditation on fatherhood - The Irish Times

The federal government hosted a Mindfulness & Resiliency Summit in August where 450 employees from the IRS and other agencies spent two days receiving new-age wisdom, learning to meditate, and receiving on-site massages, photos of the event and a website show.

Participants sat through an hour of talks before taking a half-hour stretch and self-care break. Next, they heard a 90-minute talk fromGretchen Rohr, an activist working for George Soros Open Society Foundations who presented about restorative justice and overcoming trauma, according to a schedule obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation.

Then they adjourned for a two-hour lunch and returned for two hours of advice from Ashanti Branch, who teaches young men of color to hold safe space. He presented a bizarrely capitalized PowerPoint that included lines such as the Longest distance most people Travel is the 18-inches between their head and their heart, a photo shows.

They let out at 4 p.m. to rest up for the next day, the schedule shows.

The Mindfuless & Resiliency Summit will gather 450 federal employees from various departments (Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol, IRS, Department of Justice, and more) to engage, learn, and practice mindfulness and wellness tools, the summitswebsitestates.

The USDA Forest Service is cohosting with Wisdom 2.0 the 2-day summit, held in the Jefferson Auditorium on August 6-7, 2019, it continues. Jefferson Auditorium is in the Department of Agricultures headquarters, and the Forest Service is part of the USDA.

The two-day summit took up a combined 7,200 hours of federal employees time.

The session also included ABC News correspondent Dan Harris hawking advice from hisself-help book 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, according to a conference booklet, which is called an Inspirational Journal and encouraged attendees to doodle.

On-site massages were also offered, according to pictures of the venue, presentations, and materials obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation.

The second day was dominated by presentations from Michelle Reugebrink, who works full-time as the Forest Services Mindfulness & Resiliency Program Manager with the Work Environment & Performance Office, at a $102,000 salary, pay records show.

Our mind is an instrument do not let it play you, Reugebrink taught in one PowerPoint presentation. Our minds can give us fake News recognize how easy it is to take personally so many things.

They are narratives . Like why I am not good enough? Who would I be without that thought? If they had what we had or we had what they had, it continued.

In aprofileon the Forest Services website, Reugebrink said:

I teach mindfulness and compassion practices that enable all of us to not just survive but also grow from exposure to stress. Mindfulness and compassion practices are core skills that foster high performance and promotediversityand inclusion. I do a lot of coaching and I am also passionate about bringing restorative justice practices to our work environment.

Forest Service employees include firefighters who can experience life-threatening situations, but it is unclear why employees of the IRS and others would need to learn about meditation, trauma, and restorative justice.

At another conference appearance, Reugebrink also revealed the government held a meditation conference at a luxury retreat in California where the whole government was planning on coming, and that it occurred during the longestgovernment shutdownin historya stalemate over federal funding in early 2019.

We started the Mindfulness Compassion Inclusivity Summit, and 1440 Multiversity helped host us, Reugebrink said. It was beautiful we held it in January, and we had big plans for the whole government, like, to come and then we got furloughed. So I did it on my own.

1440 Multiversity, which bills itself as a luxury retreat in the redwoods of Scotts Valley, California, uploaded video of aUSFS Summitthat took place Jan. 15 to 17, 2019. A room with a queen bed at 1440 Multiversity costs$645 a night.

She made those remarks at a Wisdom 2.0 Conference in March, which Reugebrink said shed attended for the past seven years. She spoke about Mindfulness in the Federal Government in an interview with host Soren Gordhamer, who also presented with her at the August government conference.

How do you actually have a job teaching mindfulness as a firefighter? Gordhamer asked with a laugh.

Its been a journey, she said. I started seeing a lot of change in me. And I had a conversation with leadership: What would it look like if we got out of our own way? What if we taught mindfulness-based stress reduction in the government and see what happened? And I can tell you I have 2,000 people in my class right now for the winter MBSR [mindfulness-based stress reduction] class.

This is to government employees? Because I have this notion that government employees Gordhamer asked.

Reugebrink said she had employees from FEMA, the Office of Personnel Management, and the IRS, and that it was also open to nongovernment employees.

Who OKd this, by the way? Gordhamer asked, with the audience bursting into laughter.

Civil rights thats where the most movement happened, she replied. The civil rights director and deputy, the chief of the forest service, I went and talked with Congressman Tim Ryan.

She said she offers monthly guided meditations and mindfulness webinars on a different theme. Last month is happiness, this month is self-compassion.

On herYouTube channel, she teaches about 20 minute sitting, in which she invites federal workers and others to simply sit and stare blankly ahead for 20 minutes. They should not become attached to any thoughts, and concentrate on their breathing instead, she said.

Reugebrink is a regular presenter at events like the Forest Bathing International Conference, which is held by afor-profit organization. The 2019 conference was sponsored by the Forest Service.

In forest bathing orforest therapy, people participate in healing activities that can be incorporated into a walk in a forest or any other natural area. At the association affiliated with Forest Bathing International, trainers who specialize in social justice andsocial changecharge $3,170 to teach people how to teach others about forest bathing.

Meghan Rodgers, a political appointee who serves as press secretary for Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, did not respond to repeated questions about the mindfulness conferences, including what meditation had to do with diversity or civil rights.

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Feds Hosted Meditation, Massage, and Social Justice Retreat for 450 Employees, Including IRS Workers - Daily Signal