The wait is finally over digital access to legendary animator Bill Plymptons feature film library is less than three weeks away, thanks to his new distribution deal with Shout! Factory.

With a unique visual style and subversive sense of humor, often referred to as sick and twisted, but in a good way, award-winning animator Bill Plympton has spent the past thirty years on the forefront of indie animation, creating groundbreaking works that have earned him both a rabid fanbase and international critical acclaim. On October 15th, 2019, Shout! Factory is bringing his feature films to all major digital platforms, including Apple TV, Google Play, and Amazon Video. In addition, Hair High, Mutant Aliens and I Married a Strange Person! feature brand-new HD transfers.

Winner of the recent 2019 Webby Awards Best Animated Series for Trump Bites, Plympton has also been honored over the years with the Cannes Film Festivals Jury Prize and was nominated twice for an Academy Award. He began his career as an illustrator and nationally syndicated cartoonist before making his first animated short, Boomtown, in 1983. Plymptons work has spanned from commercials and music videos to full-length animated features, as well as the animated shorts which he is best known for.

Bill Plympton Feature Film Library Synopses:

A low-rent bounty hunter named Rod Rosse, the one-man posse, gets entangled in a web of danger when he takes on a job from an ex-biker/ex-wrestler turned U.S. senator named "Deathface."

When a scheming woman drives a wedge of jealousy into Jake and Ellas perfect courtship, insecurity and hatred spell out an untimely fate. With only the help of a disgraced magician and his forbidden "soul machine," Ella takes the form of Jake's numerous lovers, desperately fighting through malfunction and deceit as the couple tries to reclaim their destiny.

A morally bankrupt man wakes up one morning to find wings sprouting from his back that make him do good deeds, throwing him unwillingly into a battle for his own soul. Presented by Terry Gilliam.

An outrageous Gothic myth from the 1950s, Hair High is the legend of Cherri and Spud, a teenage couple who are murdered on prom night and left for dead at the bottom of Echo Lake. Exactly one year later, their skeletal remains come back to life and they return to the prom for revenge and their justly deserved crowns. This release features a brand-new HD transfer.

20 Years after astronaut Earl Jensens ship was sabotaged and Jensen was left for dead, he returns to Earth to take revenge on the man who was responsible. Backing Jensen up is a ragtag gang of mutant aliens from outer space. Soon these deadly but lovable aliens reveal their secret powers and not even the worlds strongest army can stop them from accomplishing their mission! This release features a brand-new HD transfer.

This high-spirited and sexually charged comedy is about a young husband who gains the power to make his fantasies into reality. The couple has to battle an ambitious TV executive and a slimy Army colonel who want this power for themselves. This release features a brand-new HD transfer.

Del is a songwriter for the obnoxious Mr. Mega, and in love with Didi, Mega's secretary. His quest to write a hit tune brings him to the wacky world of Flooby Nooby, where he just might learn to write songs from the heart.

Source: Shout! Factory

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Bill Plympton's Feature Library Coming to Main Digital Platforms October 15 - Animation World Network

(WTVF) A 25-year-old native Tennessean wowed the judges of "The Voice" with his rendition of "Just My Imagination" by The Temptations during the show's September 30 episode.

Within seconds of beginning blind audition, judges Blake Shelton, John Legend and Gwen Stefani hit their buzzers for their chance to be Calvin Lockett's coach. Ultimately, Lockett chose to join Stefani's team.

Lockett began singing at the church where both of his parents are pastors, Christ The Healer Church in Clarksville. His parents were cheering him on from the stageside during the audition.

He first became interested in pursuing music when he sang his first solo at the age of 13.

The former Austin Peay student now lives in Durham, North Carolina and hopes to jumpstart his music career on "The Voice." Lockett said the show would help him expand his reach beyond singing in the church.

"Winning 'The Voice' would mean a lot, it would mean a lot to my family," Lockett said after his audition. "For my family and back home, it would mean a lot."

The judges called Lockett's performance relaxing and masterful. Legend and Shelton agreed they each haven't heard someone sound like him before.

Lockett told judge Kelly Clarkson he's interested in making singer-songwriter R&B music.

Originally posted here:

Middle Tennessean wows judges on 'The Voice' - NewsChannel5.com

There are a few things as important as a good nights rest. Anyone can relate to feeling from the morning after having a good sleep; its usually a light, ecstatic and peaceful one. Its also one thats about 7-9hrs long.

However, due to our busy schedules and hectic lifestyles as humans in the 21st century, we barely get any sleep at all. Poor sleep is a major cause of stress and weight gain, and puts out at the risk of contracting illnesses. It can also cause a loss of appetite.

In contrast, when you get a good nights sleep, youll find your concentration heighten as you get even more productivity. It also improves athletic performance.

However, it may be hard to find a good sleep on a steady after several years of going without it. So is there something you need to do to find good sleep?

Yes! With few changes in your lifestyle choices, you can begin to experience a much deeper sleep.

Mild to intense workouts are great at battling insomnia and restless leg syndrome. Depending on your daily schedule and body weight, you can engage in as many exercises as you can during the week, and you can choose to either stick to a routine or not.

Some workouts that are recommended include cardio workouts such as running, swimming, and cycling. Engaging in sporting activities that increase the heartbeat rate is very good for the body. Strength conditioning workouts (like weightlifting) are also great for relaxing the body.

A lot of people feel sedated after a little weightlifting in the evening time followed by a warm shower. This however depends on your personal experience; you may feel a burst of adrenaline after working out and it may lead to insomnia which is not what you want.

Practicing yoga is also good for stretching the body, which helps it to relax better. If you already practice yoga, try being more present with it when next youre engaged in it. This eases the mind of endless thinking and calms the body.

The bedroom is a major factor that determines the quality of your nights rest. This has a lot to do with setup and lighting of the room in which you sleep. If youre like most people, youll prefer sleeping with the lights off and the curtain drapes down. However, a creative way of sleeping with lesser lighting is the use of blue or UV lighting. Sleep quality is known to improve with lower lighting.

The temperature of the bedroom also plays a part in getting better sleep. Just a few degrees lower than the temperature of a cool day is just fine for most people. You can slowly adjust to what feels just right for you.

For some people, listening to lovely music helps them to achieve a deeper sleep. Theres no harm in trying to find out whether it works for you too. As regards noise, you may be prone to experience sleep disorders if you live in neighborhoods with clubs that run all night.

It doesnt really occur to people but what you feed your body plays an important role in the grade of sleep you get. You can make changes to your sleep quality by tweaking a few things in your diet to add ingredients with the appropriate characteristics. Some ingredients (like almonds) are rich in melatonin, a hormone that is in charge of the sleep-cycle. Other food items to add to your grocery shopping list for better sleep quality include kiwi, tart cherry juice, seafood, walnuts, and teas like passionflower tea and chamomile tea.

Also you may want to start paying attention to the time you have your meals, most importantly your dinner. Eating at late hours can adversely affect your bodys secretion of melatonin hence the kind of sleep you get. It can also lead to excess weight gain.

Furthermore, minimize your alcohol intake. If possible reduce it to zero. More importantly, do not take alcohol before going to bed. It can aggravate sleep disorders and cause snoring.

Have you ever wondered why it felt more comfortable the last time you slept in a hotel than in your own bed? Its precisely because that they pick out only soft and fluffy mattresses. Regardless of whether you are a back, side or stomach sleeper, a comfortable bed is going to give you a good nights rest and one that entails waking up without any form of pain.

Sleeping on a comfortable bed improves your sleep quality and relieves back pain. The Eight Sleep Jupiter+9(read review) bed is a really cool and comfy mattress. It has a smart system that can connect to your smartphone, track your sleep schedule and even warm up any chosen side of the bed.

It could be a hot shower just before going to bed, or a brisk walk in the cool breeze of the evening. It could even be taking a walk in the park with your loved ones, just do anything that helps you stay relaxed and present.

You could try listening to music that helps you relax, or read a really interesting book/novel. Meditating for about 15 minutes everyday can also bring calm to your body. So, if it works for you, totally go for it. In truth, the more the body experiences calmness while youre awake, the more itll learn to relax when youre asleep.

In addition to that, you can schedule for a massage from time to time. Massages are great for loosening tense muscles, especially around your neck and back. This helps the body to relax more during sleep.

If you think you can afford that personal vacation youve always wanted to go on, then you should do that. A trip away from the busy and crowded life you may be used to is one of the best ways to relax.

With these interesting tips, you can make changes to your lifestyle to get more restful sleep. Some other things you can do to enjoy better sleep include taking melatonin supplements and sticking to a sleeping schedule. If you feel that you need to consult a doctor before making these decisions, then feel free to do so.

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5 Changes that You Need To Make in Your Lifestyle for a Good Sleep - CLNS Media

Last night we dreamt about Ikea lighting. It's not that odd: Realhomes.com took at trip to Ikea this week and a decent amount of time was spent marveling at the latest lighting innovations (more on that tomorrow).

Anyway, back to the lighting. There was a massive range of new buys we'd not seen in the flesh. More pleasing still was the amount of smart lighting on sale. And we mean techy smart, as well as just, well, smart.

And while for some smart lighting might be a turn off (no pun intended), if it's low tech enough that your gran can embrace it, it's really worth having in your bedroom. The great news? Your bedroom revamp doesn't need to be dramatic to benefit from most of these (quite seriously) life-improving lighting solutions.

So, whether youre thinking new lighting as a working parent, for a uni student or for an excitable little one, keep scrolling...

For more bedroom lighting ideas, see our design gallery.

(Image credit: Ikea)

Kids up in the night unsettled by the dark? Other half crashing into furniture? Forever stubbing your toe as you stumble into bed long after your partner has gone to bed? This clever idea will put paid to all that: a remote controlled light strip fixed under the bed (above). Turn it on as you come into the room; it won't disturb your partner/kids/the dog but it will light your way to bed. Genius.

(Image credit: Ikea)

Ikea has both battery and mains-run light strips; and you'll need to use the TRDFRI Remote control, 15 to control it. This clever little gadget (above) can remote control up to 10 Ikea LED light bulbs, light panels or light doors at a time. And when we say 'control', we mean dim, switch on and off, choose colours and change light from warm to cold. You can even use the TRDFRI gateway and IKEA Home smart app to create groups of lights to control in different ways. You can even use it to control lights inside a dark wardrobe. Count us in.

(Image credit: Ikea)

(Image credit: Ikea)

Bedroom lighting is the key to relaxation. After a hard day, going back to a bedroom, dimly lit with an emerald hue can't fail to relax you. This Tokabo table lamp is a moody piece perfect for the bedroom you want to turn into a restful haven.

What else about it will aid restful calm? The price: it's only 8.

(Image credit: Ikea)

Hanging pendant lights in a cluster over dining tables has been a thing for a while. Now, so is hanging them over a bed to create that 'look at me!' vibe you really want in a bedroom. It's a brilliant ruse in both traditional and contemporary bedrooms, and it needn't cost a fortune: these SOLLEFTE lamp shades are just 5 each.

(Image credit: Ikea)

Lets be honest, we are pretty much never going to get tired of fairy lights, are we? But that doesnt mean we cant revamp the classic sparkling beauties and opt for a fluffy, scrunchy, floral alternative. The cute white netting on Ikeas new fairy lights softens the glow of the LED and makes them the ideal bedroom lighting option.

One (of the many) wonderful things about fairy lights is their versatility when styling them. Drape them over your mirror, on the railings of your bed, or embrace the boho vibe and create a living wall, with plants or polaroids. LIVSR LED lighting chain with 24 lights, tulle white, 12.

(Image credit: Ikea)

If you're looking for total relaxation, an escape from the real (and virtual) world, where you can get lost in a book and sleep and unwind, these are definitely the lights for you. There's no denying that candles are a timeless classic when it comes to warm light. However, there's also little denying the fact that there are a few health and safety issues there. That's why the led block candle is our holy grail, creating a tranquil and warm ambience and giving a classic look to your bedroom.

We love the Godaftom LED block candle in/out is just 7 for a set of two.

(Image credit: Ikea)

So, you've noticed the price tag and are asking yourself, how could Ikea betray us like that? But, not so fast, this is a lamp and speaker in one. If you're somebody who likes to drift off with your favourite relaxing music lulling in the background, it's your lucky day.

The aesthetic is simple and blends well into any interior, meaning that your technology needn't be an eyesore. It's also ideal for when space is at a premium.SYMFONISK Table lamp with WiFi speaker, 150. Alternatively, opt for a speaker pillow (we've just compiled a fab guide).

(Image credit: Ikea)

We love a bedroom hack. This one (above) is made by creating a lit DIY bedside table with two Mosslanda picture ledges and a Molgan light. Take look at our step by step to learn how to make it yourself it only costs a tenner!

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7 ways Ikea lighting can revolutionise your bedroom revamps - Real Homes

When it comes to homework, teachers have heard every excuse in the book, and for good reason; it's hard for students to focus on homework when there's so much of it to do.

Students are devoting hours each evening to their take-home assignments, some say to the tune of 17.5 hours per week.

In a survey of 1,000 Brainly users comprised of students in middle and high school, 70% said they have trouble focusing on their homework.

Brainly, the world's largest online learning community, asked respondents to pick any of the following five options that distract them from their homework at least once a week. Here are the results:

Changing habits like these takes repetition and dedication. Luckily, there are five actionable habits students can use to make homework more focused, more efficient, and eventually more successful. They can be easily remembered with this simple acronym:

Nearly half of the respondents cited environment-related options as a diversion from homework. This included 46% of middle-school students choosing video games, 51% of high-schoolers selecting social media, and 39% overall picking a noisy home environment.

It's essential to make after-school workspaces as clean, quiet, and distraction-free as possible. Clean means organized and clear of disturbing clutter. Check the writing surface and surrounding area. How much more likely would a student be to grab a device sitting at arm's reach than if it's put away?

Another crucial aspect of this process is noise. Separation from attention-grabbing sounds, like TVs and chatty family members, keeps a student's mind following the pages their eyes are seeing. Another good tip is to put phones on silent (not vibrate) and place it face down, far away from the desk. This ensures students aren't encouraged to check it habitually and can focus on the task at hand.

Try and keep the designated homework space as consistent as possible. Stick with a repetitive location whenever possible, which will allow a student's brain to put on its thinking cap more quickly. And just say "no" to homework in bed!

Although necessary for college resumes, extracurricular activities proved to be detrimental to homework productivity for 24.5% of respondents. Jobs and work affected 12% of middle school students, as opposed to 25% of high school students. Of the users Brainly surveyed, those in middle school said they have more time to finish their homework. 40% said "always/yes," as opposed to 28% of high school students. Only 6% said "rarely/no," as compared to 13% of highschoolers.

Balance is critical to keeping a sane, realistic after-school schedule. If students are overloaded with extracurricular activities, they'll struggle to find time for everything else. At the same time, if they spend too much time on homework they'll start to lose quality in their answers. If students have activities after work, they should make to also schedule in homework time. Furthermore, if a student is finding it hard to fit all their homework into their schedule, it might be time to reconsider chosen activities. The key to prioritizing success is to plan.

A problem set or multi-page assignment can look insurmountable, especially if someone's not feeling totally comfortable with the material from class. It's easy to get lost in preparation. Don't waste time trying to understand everything; get hands-on and hit problems one issue at a time.

Something started is one step closer to being finished! Break the questions down into what is already known, and use those parts to work towards the answer. Taking a step towards the solution makes a person more invested in getting there. If a snag is hit while trying to answer the problem or question, that's a great time to go back into the concepts to try and find the specific resource. Students can use a glossary, textbook, or notes from class for a reminder of what was taught.

As long as they're scheduled and not abused, taking breaks can actually help a student finish their homework! A quick pause can help to rejuvenate some of that motivation that got them started.

If stress sets in, take the opportunity for a quick break. Students can close their eyes and take a few deep breaths. If it helps, put on some relaxing music. Another way to take a proactive break is to do something active. Stand up and stretch to get more oxygen flowing to the brain. If this is a more extended break, do some quick physical exercises or walk around outside for a few minutes. Everyone gets through their work a lot faster when their minds are feeling alert!

Even a regulated screen break can help students refocus. Taking a minute to check newsfeeds, respond to messages, or play a quick game can enable the brain to decompress and ready itself for the challenge ahead. Be careful to limit these breaks so as not to waste time. To start, keep it at 10 to 15 minutes and try to accomplish at least an hour of work before taking another one.

Whether it's a tough question or just a seemingly endless assignment, it's easy just to give up. But, when a student is equipped with everything they need and keeps their focus forward, they can get through it.

Start by getting equipped with everything needed. Finish by keeping the focus forward and knowing when to move on. Before starting, gather everything that can help with the homework. Textbooks, print-outs, and websites all qualify. This way, when a student gets stuck, they've got everything that could help right in front of them. If resources have ran out, it's best for the student to take their best guess, make a note, and move on.

These are all critical steps to success. Use what is known to make the best possible educated guess, and remember to ask a teacher or mentor about it the next day. And move on quickly, so the brain stays motivated to attack what's next.

For information about the survey methodology and key takeaways, visit https://brainly.com/insights/homework-distractions/.

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Brainlys Tips to Conquer the Top 5 Homework Distractions of 2019 - Patch.com

CUTTING EDGE Pat Fadden with one of his mowers at Westport Golf Club.Pic: Michael McLaughlin

NORMALLY I would start work at 7am, but the week before the Cups and Shields national finals recently it was 5.30am or 6am and wed work straight through to 3pm.We get the hole changing and pin positioning out of the way first, before cutting the greens, which needs to be done before the golfers go out, but the longer you can leave that the better, as they grow very fast.If you cut the greens at 6am, theyll have a half days growth by 6pm, and that could be quite a lot because its such a fine cut. We cut them seven days a week. We also double cut the fairways leading up to the championship.On other weeks, my mornings usually start with mechanical work on all our machinery. We have so much that theres always something breaking down. Other morning work would include checking the course to see what needs to be done, drainage work, raking bunkers and general repair work. Westport Golf Course is 270 acres of parkland course, so its very growthy compared to a links course. Weve a team of seven; five full-time and two lads for the summer. The weather is everything for us. Its an uphill battle when its raining because the course always needs to be cut and maintained. Bad weather means you sometimes have to do jobs twice. I first started as a greenskeeper in Westport Golf Course in 1974 and have been there since. It took ten years to receive your greenskeeper certificate back then. The whole job has changed an awful lot now. When we started back then, we were tipping out sand and soil mix on the greens by shovel and trailer. All cutting machines were pedestrian too - there was no such thing as a ride-on mower!Back then it took four men over four hours to cut the 18 greens, where as now, one person can do it in less than three. Standards back then were not as high as they are now though. Ive seen over the years the standard were able to have the course at. Its all down to money and having a good committee like we have at the moment. They give you what you need in terms of machinery, and when you have the committee and staff pulling together, it makes a huge difference. I really enjoy the outdoor work. I could never see myself working inside. What you see at 7am on a nice morning in Westport Golf Course is just beautiful scenery; you couldnt find a nicer place in the world. Mind you, you dont get an awful lot of beautiful mornings, but when you do it makes up for the bad ones. I played golf myself for a few years, but I found it hard to go back on the course when youre finished a hard days work. At the time I was playing, I was also working seven days a week so it was hard to find time in the evenings and weekends. I always enjoyed it and meant to go back, but Im also doing a bit of farming and landscaping and I dont have much time other than that. One of my main hobbies is playing music and I have done it in the pubs all my life. Myself and a friend, Mick McLoughlin, used to do it together but not anymore. I play the banjo and guitar and it was all session stuff in the pubs. It was very enjoyable and I loved it, but we always said that if it ever became work then we would pack it up, and in the end it did, because the atmosphere in the pubs changed through the years. One of the more satisfying parts of my job is when you get nice comments about the course from complete strangers. They might come up to you, tourists, and tell you that theyve played such and such a course recently, some of which would be Irish Open courses, and you might hear that they think Westport is actually better. There was a great feeling in the club when Westport won the Junior Cup recently. It very easily could happen that a club was hosting the tournament and might not have a team in it, so to win it in your home course meant a lot. Gar Golden [who passed away on September 20] was heavily involved in the club for years and I dealt with him a lot. He was gentleman to deal with at all times and no doubt he would have loved to have been part of it.

In conversation with Ger Flanagan

FactfileName: Pat FaddenFrom: Carrowholly, WestportOccupation: Head Greenskeeper at Westport Golf Club

Quickfire questions

Tell me something about yourself we dont know?I love fishing. I have a boat and I like to bring it out on Clew Bay. Unfortunately I dont get enough time to do as much as I would like.

Favourite place in the world?Probably Westport. Ive been in a lot of places and theyre lovely to visit, but overall, I dont think you will improve on Westport.

What do you miss most about being a child?I had a good childhood. I cant say I particularly miss anything, apart from the way of life and the pace of it. It was a lot easier and more relaxing when times were slower, but now, the more technology that comes in, the less time we have to do other things.

Whats the best advice you were ever given?As regards work, I remember we heard one time that someone was complaining about the course. I remember saying to the late John Hanlon that theres no thanks for the work we do, and he said: If youre looking for thanks, you will never get it. It stuck with me.

Who was your first hero?A lot of mine would be in music. I was never into big sporting heroes. Music was my thing. I remember seeing Roy Orbison when he was huge in the Starlight in Westport, people often cant believe that. It was amazing to see at the time.

Most famous person you ever met?I was very friendly with Matt Molloy and his late wife, Geraldine, so I met a lot of musicians through them in the bar. The favourite I met was John Prine. I played a few songs with him. Real down to earth, genuine gentleman. For a man who wrote so many songs for so many famous people, all he wanted to do was sit down and hear me singing something. He was very genuine.

Three things always in fridge?Red meat usually Im afraid, cheese and probably fish of some kind.

What makes you nervous?I dont tend to get too nervous if I can help it. I dont think I get nerves with anything to do with work. I just like to take life as it comes. I try not to worry about things; if they dont work out, there is a reason.

Whats your most prized possession?If I was to save something if everything else was going, it would be my guitar.

If money was no object what would you do?I always loved to travel. It was great to come home, but I love seeing other places; how the ordinary way of live music and golf courses is done in other places. One of my favourite places is New Orleans.

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A Day in the Life: Greenkeeper Pat Fadden - Mayo News

Having someone who is willing to hear us out allows us to feel less alone not only in our mental health journey, but through life overall. Here are 4 ways we can be a better friend and listener to those around us:

Beingable to have someone who is able to listen is important. In her book Is ThereNo Place For Me?[1],Kate Richards provides an example of how we can approach the conversation:

Do you want to tell me about it? Wecan sit and talk. We can just sit. Ill sit here with you and hold you in thisspace and Ill listen because I care and I wont let go of you until youreready to walk in the world again on your own.

Howcan we be attentive? We should not be on our phones as our friend is sharingabout a tough week they had. We should only pursue the conversation furtheronly if they are comfortable talking about it. Non-verbal language such asnodding can assure our friend that we are following the story they are telling.If we are comfortable, they too would be comfortable to share. If we were fidgetyand acting uninterested in the conversation, this would be discouraging forpeople to open up and talk.

Whenwe are seeking for someone to rant our problems to, finding a solution may notalways be at the forefront of our mind. You are not expected to fix. Sometimes,we just need to be present and hear our loved ones out.

Justbe still, listen, and seek to understand the whole person. People are made upof more than just their mental health condition. Someones mental healthcondition may form as part of who they are, but it does not define the whole ofwho they are.

JosephAddison, a seventeenth-century poet, wrote: Thegrand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something tolove, and something to hope for. Two of the most important things thatgive life meaning are knowing that someone cares about you, and having theopportunity to make a positive difference in someone elses life.

MattHaig wrote in his book Reasons To Stay Alive on the importance of having asupport system: Having people who loveyou and who you love is such help. This doesnt have to be romantic, or evenfamilial love. Forcing yourself to see the world through loves gaze can behealthy. Love is an attitude to life. It can save us.

Lovecan be shown in many ways. A warm hug. Spending time to talk with each. Goingout for a cup of coffee to catch up on life. Giving notes of encouragement. Gettinga gift because it reminds you of them. Being comfortable enough to express youremotions to each other. Mike McHargue shares, People grow when they are loved well. If you want to help others heal,love them without an agenda.

Notall of us are professionals. However, taking an interest in being up-to-datewith our friends progress is another way to show that we care. Accountabilityhelps to encourage a person further in their journey to achieve their goal.

Allin all, we should encourage the people in our lives to be kind to themselves. Whetherit be celebrating milestones, eating well, resting, or daring to ask for help,lets be there for one another in anticipating another day ahead.

[1]Kate Richards, Is There NoPlace For Me?: Making Sense of Madness (Penguin Books, 2014) p.40

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4 Ways To Be A Good Listener To Our Peers - Thrive Global

Among the troublemakers in any urban homeless atmosphere there is an alpha, one homeless person who all others respect. Mentally ill or not, this alpha could be coerced to control the rest. In the worst of the general population in prison societies it will happen that one leader is responsible for most of the group behavior.

If the community is tired of the political arena taking all of their tax money with no results, rather than turning to mob mentality, control it from within. The strongest advocate for the position of positive change in the comments section of this newspaper happens to be a mental health professional on the verge of homelessness, due to all of the funds/resources (no matter their source) being vacuumed into the democratic led swamp of bureaucracy, and not being targeted toward the source of the problem.

Homeless people are not dumb, they know how to work a broken system. Although the majority of the homeless might have mental defects, they understand the struggle to survive and can adapt well to environments established with empathy and structure, whether the rest of society chooses to engage or ignore that reality will determine the outcome of the situation.

Once the situation is recognized as a prosperity issue and not a homeless issue, the community at large can foster solutions. The biggest hindrance to solving homelessness is that Kona residents keep demanding the least effective policies. If your livelihood depends on tourists dollars and the first person a tourist encounters is a drugged-out, dirty, mentally ill homeless person, youre going to be dependent on that interaction and its outcome for your livelihood to flourish.

Ending homelessness will require Kona to systematically repair all the cracks in the countys brittle, shattered welfare and low-income housing system. From drug treatment to rental assistance to subsidized child care, the only way to address the crisis is through a concerted and costly expansion of government assistance.

County politicians keep proposing quick fixes and simple solutions because they cant publicly admit that solving homelessness is expensive. The money is there, but has been systematically diverted to political concerns that do not reflect the communities best interests. If West Hawaii is a declining tourist attraction due to the homeless situation, and the county chooses to ignore funding viable solutions, then the most important basis of the economy will dissolve so quickly everyone will be homeless but the politicians, whose incomes depend on the very taxes that are not being spent on solutions.

If this is not met head on with a one-on-one sponsorship attitude where an affluent leader of the community takes the responsibility to indirectly sponsor an individual homeless case, then those homeless individuals stay as ghosts, and haunt the community that wants them gone but wont get involved in corrective solutions. With a responsible attitude of fostering each homeless person on a case-by-case evaluation for hands on and direct involvement, tracking progress and reaching set goals becomes achievable priorities and could turn the worst homeless cases into the greatest community assets.

Or it could go on being ignored, and you might as well line the homeless up and show them off every time the cruise ship comes in because thats all the visitors are going to remember: their negative exchange with some drugged-out, screaming, dirty homeless person jumping out the bushes in the village shaking them down while the cops are off patting each other on the back for how many tickets they wrote that day on the citizens of the community miles and miles away from the epicenter of the business community of the west side of the Big Island.

Timothy Estabrook is a residentof Kansas City, Missouri.

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My Turn: Community could fix homelessness if it really wanted to invest - West Hawaii Today

In the chaotic world we live in, taking stock of our wellbeing such be on your agenda daily. How, you ask? How do you feel emotionally? Your emotional guidance system is a clear indicator of how you really feel. According to the US National Library of Medicine (2013) A widely available instrument called the Wellness Wheel refers to 7 types of wellness physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, social, occupational, and financial and allows individuals to reflect on current life balance and self-care.

Our physical, emotional , spiritual, social ,occupational, financial, and environmental health all work in tandem. There must be balance, with all of the above mentioned parts of the wheel. If your occupational life, and home life are out of balance, the other parts of the wheel are in disharmony. This is where an honest introspection of your wellness wheel will come in handy through mindfulness. What is mindfulness? The definition of mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing ones awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting ones feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, also used as a therapeutic technique. According to the US National Library of Medicine (2013) Mindfulness meditation involves developing purposeful attention, in the present moment, and cultivating a kind, nonjudgmental attitude towards self and others. So how do we use mindfulness to check-in with our emotional health? Our thoughts are key indicators of how we feel emotionally. If your thoughts are about doubt, fear, anxiety, or lack. Changing the thought immediately, by replacing those thoughts with affirmations, appreciation, empowering, and acceptance. Your perspective will change, and so will your emotional mood. It takes practice, but once you replace them, you are on your way to harmony.

This is where self-carecomes in; not to be confused with self maintenance. Yes, life happens! There is so much in life that we cannot control. However, we should focus on how we react to the storms of circumstances that we encounter in our daily life. Self-care should become a priority. Some might call it selfish, I say that in order for you to be able to help others, you have to take care of yourself first. In summary good self-care is key to improved mood, reduced anxiety, anger, fatigue, and less distractibility. Improving the odds of a harmonious wellness wheel.

Here are some simple things that you can incorporate to your daily life, to help you align. 1. Salt Bath A bath will help you slow down your thoughts, and reset. 2. Nature Walk Absorbing the energy of nature will help you steer your thoughts to appreciation. Therefore, helping you see things from the appreciation prospective. 3. Eating healthy & often Healthy combination of vegetables, fruits and proteins. 4- Meditation Helps you to analyze your thoughts better, without distraction.

Article Resources

Caring for oneself to care for others: physicians and their self-care https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3974630/#R49

Wellness Wheel http://www.clarion.edu/student-life/health-fitness-and-wellness/office-of-health-promotions/wellness-wheel.html

Image courtesy of http://www.naturalkerr.com

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Emotional check up! Tips on how to balance your wellness wheel. - Thrive Global

A panel of senior legal experts have urged ministers to invest more money into the criminal justice system in a bid to improve outcomes for vulnerable people and those suffering with mental health conditions.

Speaking at a fringe event organised by the Society of Conservative Lawyers and Justice, Dr Ben Spencer, an NHS consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, said the criminal justice system was often a gateway for them vulnerable people getting access to proper treatment.

For many patients, the criminal justice system is the first point of contact for getting into care and getting treatment for their mental disorder, he said.

But it is really important that recognise this and that that contact goes well. That is their first experience for the rest of their care for mental illness, so it is also about how the CPS is going to make sure they are supported and that they are treated well and are secure.

But Richard Atkins, Chair of the Bar Council, said extreme pressures on time and funding made it impossible for vulnerable people to be provided with the level of support they need.

You need a lot of time with the vulnerable. Either they have difficulty understanding and if they do have mental health issues its another issue, he said.

And when you get to my level you are dealing with people who have committed some fairly major offences, and trying to deal with people who have obviously got mental health problems and then trying to persuade the courts that they have mental health problems is one of the most difficult things we have to do.

He added: It comes down to money and attitude, because most of the people we have to deal with do not have funds to represent themselves and pay privately.

They rely on the public funding in the system, and Im afraid for far too long the funding for the vulnerable has been far too low.

Simon Davis, President of the Law Society, said this lack of funding had led to legal advice deserts in some parts of the country where advice on issues such as benefits, housing and family law were needed most.

But Mr Atkins said there was some green shoots of hope with the new funding packages which could bring more money into the system and provide valuable support for vulnerable people.

He added: They need to fund the prosecution, they need to fund the advocates, the need to fund the probation. But maybe there is a glimmer of hope in the current administration and that they are picking up on that.

Meanwhile, Andrea Coomber, director of Justice, said a growing awareness of vulnerable people in the legal system had led to welcome changes in how courts operate, bringing not only benefits for people with mental health problems, but improving the quality of the courts decisions.

There has been an increasing accommodation for vulnerable people in the last few years, she said.

You can now pre-record evidence in certain circumstances, there are screens up for certain vulnerable people which are all very welcome for a number of reasons.

One, it is because court becomes more accessible and more comfortable for people who are already lacking comfort.

But secondly, it improves the quality of evidence. So, courts are actually able to take better decisions, and we should expand the use of these things, but as we know, they cost money.

And returning to the issue of funding, Mr Atkins said without more support from the government there could only be a rearranging of the deckchairs.

We need to find a way of helping the vulnerable get their help at an early stage, he said.

Some will have no prospect of success, but trying to explain that to someone who has trouble grasping it or has a mental health problem is very complicated.

Without any more money it is a rearranging of the deck chairs. And its reliant on the very members of the professions, whatever side they are on, to help out.

Im afraid it is money which is necessary, but I appreciate there isnt a pot of gold and there isnt money to go everywhere.

He added: We are much more alive to the issues of how to deal with vulnerable people in the system. Its a long way to go, we are doing it, we are getting there. I hope the promises of funding will continue.

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Government must commit more money to support vulnerable people in the criminal justice system - PoliticsHome.com