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Sponsored by: New Perspective Financial Solutions. Tayvon Jackson shares how to make a tax retirement plan. For more information call (240) 335-8366.

Author: wusa9.com

Published: 3:38 PM EDT April 22, 2024

Updated: 3:38 PM EDT April 22, 2024

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Making sure you have a tax plan in retirement - WUSA9.com

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Under the Secure Act, certain heirs must empty inherited accounts by the 10th year after the original account owner's death. Otherwise, they could face a hefty penalty. In 2022, the IRS proposed mandatory yearly withdrawals if the original account owner had already started distributions.

Amid questions, the IRS has previously waived the penaltyfor missed RMDs, and the agency on April 16 extended that relief for 2024.

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"It's so confusing," said individual retirement account expert and certified public accountant Ed Slott, speaking about the 10-year rule.

"Even the IRS has to give people a break until they can figure out if [beneficiaries] are subject to RMDs or not," he said.

The latest penalty relief only applies to certain heirs, known as "non-eligible designated beneficiaries," subject to the 10-year withdrawal rule under the Secure Act. Non-eligible designated beneficiaries include heirs who aren't a spouse, minor child, disabled, chronically ill or certain trusts.

The latest IRS update says those heirs won't incur a penalty for missed RMDs for inherited accounts in 2024. But they still must empty the account by the original 10-year deadline.

That "could be a little dangerous because it is potentially just letting you kick the can down the road on making a decision," according to certified financial planner Edward Jastrem, chief planning officer at Heritage Financial Services in Westwood, Massachusetts.

With years of delayed RMDs, heirs with sizable pretax inherited retirement accounts may need larger future distributions to empty the account within 10 years.

Before 2018, the federal individual brackets were 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35% and 39.6%. But five of these brackets are lower through 2025, at 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%. Without changes from Congress, tax brackets will revert to 2017 levels.

Depending on your tax bracket, it could make sense to start making withdrawals in 2024, especially with higher tax brackets on the horizon, Slott said.

Of course, you need to weigh your entire financial situation while planning for inherited retirement account withdrawals. "It's one of many moving parts," Jastrem added.

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IRS waives mandatory withdrawals from certain inherited individual retirement accounts again - CNBC

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If you've inherited an individual retirement account since 2020, you could have a shorter timeline to withdraw the money, which can trigger tax consequences. But there are a few things to consider before emptying an inherited account, experts say.

Under the Secure Act of 2019, so-called "non-eligible designated beneficiaries," have a 10-year window to deplete an inherited IRA.Non-eligible designated beneficiaries are heirs who aren't a spouse, minor child, disabled or chronically ill. Certain trusts may also fall into this category.

Most beneficiaries don't even care about the 10-year rule. They just want the money.

Ed Slott

Individual retirement account expert

Heirs tend to earmark an inheritance for certain expenses and "the money is coming out on the way to the funeral," he said.

Indeed, nearly 40% of Americans expecting an inheritance will use the money to pay off debt, according to 2023 survey from New York Life.

Provisions from the Republicans' signature 2017 tax overhaul are slated to sunset after 2025 and without changes from Congress, individual federal income tax brackets could be higher.

Before 2018, the federal individual brackets were 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35% and 39.6%. But five of these bracketsare temporarily lower through 2025: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%.

Lower brackets through next year could prompt some heirs subject to the 10-year rule to make pretax withdrawals sooner.

But the expected tax law changes are just "one of many moving parts,"according to certified financial planner Edward Jastrem, chief planning officer at Heritage Financial Services in Westwood, Massachusetts.

"To a certain extent, I would lean towards other aspects of a client situation potentially being more important," he said.

Before withdrawing money from an inherited account, you'll need to consider one-off situations like selling a business or a home, which could temporarily boost income. You should also weigh your expected retirement date and when to start taking RMDs from your own retirement accounts, Jastrem said.

"It's the big picture of each unique client's plan," he said.

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Here's what to know before withdrawing funds from inherited individual retirement accounts - CNBC

ROME, Ga (AP) Instead of traditional maroon and gold Tibetan Buddhist robes, Lama Rod Owens wore a white animal print cardigan over a bright yellow T-shirt with an image of singer Sade, an Africa-shaped medallion and mala beads the most recognizable sign of his Buddhism.

Being a Buddhist or a spiritual leader, I got rid of trying to wear the part because it just wasnt authentic to me, said Owens, 44, who describes himself as a Black Buddhist Southern Queen.

For me, its not about looking like a Buddhist. Its about being myself, he said at his mothers home in Rome, Georgia. And I like color.

The Harvard Divinity School -educated lama and yoga teacher blends his training in the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism with pop culture references and experiences from his life as a Black, queer man, raised in the South by his mother, a pastor at a Christian church.

Today, he is an influential voice in a new generation of Buddhist teachers, respected for his work focused on social change, identity and spiritual wellness.

On the popular mindfulness app Calm, his wide-ranging courses include Coming Out, Caring for your Grief, and Radical Self-Care (sometimes telling listeners to shake it off like Mariah Carey). In his latest book, The New Saints, he highlights Christian saints and spiritual warriors, Buddhist bodhisattvas and Jewish tzaddikim among those who have sought to free people from suffering.

Saints are ordinary and human, doing things any person can learn to do, Owen writes in his book, where he combines personal stories, traditional teachings and instructions for meditations.

Our era calls for saints who are from this time and place, speak the language of this moment, and integrate both social and spiritual liberation, he writes. I believe we all can and must become New Saints.

Lama Rod Owens sits in the yard of his childhood home in Rome, Georgia, on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

But how? Its not about becoming a superhero, he said, stressing the need to care for others.

And its not reserved for the canonized. Harriet Tubman is a saint for me, he said about the 19th century Black abolitionist known for helping enslaved people escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad. She came to this world and said, I want people to be free.

Owens grew up in a devout Baptist and Methodist family. His life revolved around his local church.

When he was 13, his mother, who owns a baseball cap that reads: Gods Girl, became a United Methodist minister. He calls her the single greatest impact in his life.

Like a lot of Black women, she embodied wisdom and resiliency and vision. She taught me how to work. And she taught me how to change because I saw her changing.

He was inspired by her commitment to a spiritual path, especially when she went against the wishes of some in her family, who like in many patriarchal religions believed a woman should not lead a congregation.

Im very proud of him, said the Rev. Wendy Owens, who sat near her son in her living room, decorated with their photographs and painted portraits.

Wendy Owens, a United Methodist Minister and mother of Lama Rod Owens, shows her robes hanging in her home on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Rome Georgia. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

He made his path. He walked his path, or he might have even ran his path, she said. Dont know how he got there, but he got there.

A life devoted to spirituality seemed unlikely for her son after he entered Berry College, a nondenominational Christian school. It didnt deepen his relationship with Christianity. Instead, he stopped attending church. He wanted to develop a healthy sense of self-worth about his queerness, and was dismayed by conservative religious views on gender and sexuality. He felt the way that God had been presented to him was too rigid, even vengeful. So, in his words, he broke up with God.

His new religion, he said, became service. He trained as an advocate for sexual assault survivors, and volunteered for projects on HIV/AIDS education, homelessness, teen pregnancy and substance abuse.

Even though I wasnt doing this theology anymore, what I was definitely doing was following the path of Jesus: feeding people, sheltering people.

After college, he moved to Boston and joined Haley House, a nonprofit partly inspired by the Catholic Worker Movement that runs a soup kitchen and affordable housing programs.

Lama Rod Owens poses for a portrait with his beard covered in flowers in the yard of his childhood home in Rome, Georgia on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

There, he said, he met people across a range of religious traditions from Hinduism to Christian Science to all the denominations of Christianity, Buddhists, Wiccans, Muslims. Monastics from different traditions, everyone.

A Buddhist friend gave him a book that helped him find his spiritual path: Cave in the Snow, by Tibetan Buddhist nun Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.

The British-born nun spent years isolated in a cave in the Himalayas to follow the rigorous path of the most devoted yogis. She later founded a nunnery in India focused on giving women in Tibetan Buddhism some of the opportunities reserved for monks.

When I started exploring Buddhism, I never thought, Oh, Black people dont do this, or maybe this is in conflict with my Christian upbringing, Owens said. What I thought was: Heres something that can help me to suffer less. ... I was only interested in how to reduce harm against myself and others.

At Harvard Divinity School, he was again immersed in religious diversity even a Satanist was there.

What I love about Rod is that hes deeply himself no matter who hes with, said Cheryl Giles, a Harvard Divinity professor who mentored him and who now considers him one of her own teachers.

When I think of him, I think of this concept of Boddhisatva in Buddhism, the deeply compassionate being who is on the path to awakening and sees the suffering of the world and makes a commitment to help liberate others, said Giles.

And I love, she said, that hes Black and Buddhist.

Through Buddhism, mindfulness and long periods of silent retreats, Owens eventually reconciled with God.

God isnt some old man sitting on a throne in the clouds, whos, like, very temperamental, he said. God is space and emptiness and energy. God is always this experience, inviting us back through our most divine, sacred souls. God is love.

His schedule keeps him busy these days appearing in podcasts and social media, speaking to college students and leading meditations, yoga and spiritual retreats across the world.

So much inspires him. He wrote his latest book listening to Beyonce and thinking about the work of choreographer Alvin Ailey. Theres Toni Morrison and James Baldwin. He loves Tony Kushners Angels in America. And pioneering fashion journalist Andre Leon Talley of Vogue magazine, who he says taught him to appreciate beauty.

I want people to feel the same way when they experience something that I talk about or write about, Owens said. Thats part of the work of the artist to help us to feel and to not be afraid to feel. To help us dream differently, inspire us and shake us out of our rigidity to get more fluid.

Associated Press journalist Jessie Wardarski contributed to this report.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

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Lama Rod describes himself as a Black Buddhist Southern Queen. He wants to free you from suffering - The Associated Press

In high school, my friends often asked me about the Buddhist take on social justice issues.

What do Buddhists think about abortion? How about gay rights? Do Buddhists eat meat? Are you allowed to own a gun? Sometimes I had an answer, but for other issues, I wasnt sure. I knew I had my stance, but I didnt know what I was supposed to believe.

Some of my religious friends seemed so set on their opinions, and part of me envied their strong conviction even if I didnt agree with it. As someone who wanted things spelled out in black-and-white terms, the ambiguity of Shin Buddhism felt frustrating. Just tell meits never OK to kill, right?

Even today, part of me still wants a clear path on what I should do and think as a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist follower. With issues of social justice, I want to be told that my religion validates my own beliefs. Ive talked to some people in the Shin Buddhist community who also crave this clarity, and Ive heard arguments that Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) leadership should take a stronger organizational stance on social issues to advocate for justice and change. The most recent issue being the war in Gaza.

I cant begin to understand the anguish, fear, and horror that Palestinian and Israeli families are currently enduring. I struggle to find words that convey the heaviness of this collective suffering. Families have been torn apart, and heartbreaking killings continue with no end in sight. The ripples of trauma will be felt for generations.

I feel so helpless absorbing news from the safety and privileges of my home, feeling like theres nothing I can do to ease such pain. With Jodo Shinshu being such a key part of my identity and community, I find comfort in knowing that our religious organization stands firmly against evil.

But do we? As I struggle with how to wrap my mind around war conflicts, Im reminded of a passage from one of the exhibits of the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle, Washington.

This beautiful museum focuses on the art, culture, and history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. One of the permanent exhibitions includes a brief walkthrough of the history of various Asian American diasporas, with a section featuring Cambodian Americans. This part of the exhibit includes historical depictions of the Cambodian genocide.

As disturbing as it is to be reminded of such a brutal part of history when millions of people were killed, I appreciate that the museum does not shy away from the truth. At the end of the description, it states:

To simply finger a brutal regime, however, is to risk missing a valuable lesson from the Cambodian genocide. The initial aims of the Khmer Rouge were hardly evilthey did not set out to decimate the Cambodian people. Instead, Khmer Rouge leaders were swept away in an ideology. They were corrupted by power and abandoned common sense in an attempt to make a flawed belief system work. The lesson of the Cambodian genocide is not that the Pol Pot was evil; it is rather thatlike goodevil lurks in the heart of every human being. Dont view the exhibition here and wonder only, How could they be capable of such evil? Instead, as well, How could I be capable of such evil? and pledge to prevent it from happening again.

To me, this feels very much aligned with Shin Buddhist thought. Shinran Shonin (1173-1263), the founder of the Jodo Shinshu school, talks at length of the cruel realities of the world and the evils of human nature. Not only the evils of humans in general, but specifically our own capacity. Our sufferingthis burning house is fueled by our own human anger, ignorance, and greed.

In the Tannisho, Shinran has an interaction with Yuien-bo, one of his followers. He challenges Yuien-bos loyalty by telling him to kill a thousand people.

Yuien-bo responds: Though you instruct me thus, Im afraid it is not in my power to kill even one person.

Shinran replies: By this you should realize that if we could always act as wished, then when I told you to kill a thousand people in order to attain birth, you should have immediately done so. But since you lack the karmic cause inducing you to kill even a single person, you do not kill. It is not that you do not kill because your heart is good. In the same way, a person may wish not to harm anyone and yet end up killing a hundred or thousand people.

As shown in this passage, Shinran points out that Yuien-bos ability to refuse to kill anyone is a privilege of his circumstances rather than a testament to his morals. If Yuien-bo feared that his family would be hurt if he didnt comply, then he may have acted differently.

Shinran explains this further: For those who make their living drawing nets or fishing in the seas and rivers, and those who sustain their lives hunting beasts or taking fowl in the field and mountains, and those who pass their lives conducting trade or cultivating field and paddies, it is all the same. If the karmic cause so prompts us, we will commit any kind of act.

When I think about the violence in Palestine and Israel, I find myself wondering, What kind of people kill and rip others from their homes and families? and How could people drop bombs and make decisions that lead to tens of thousands of civilian deaths?

Surely, I could never do the same. However, Shinran reminds me that the more I tell myself that there is a moral disparity between myself and militant fighters, the more I conclude that they must be morally flawed for enabling such suffering. As I result, I am less likely to value their lives and extend compassion and understanding.

Some people might not see this thought process as an issue. After committing such atrocities, are they even worthy of our compassion and understanding? I would argue that trying to understand and extend compassion does not mean were passive or complicit. We can form opinions and take action, while understanding that our perspectives stem from our own subjective causes and conditions.

I think Shinran helps us understand that someones actions are not theirs alone, but rather a result of their causes and conditions. This includes situational circumstances, subjective perspectives, implicit biases, and fears that dictate ones judgment.

Instead of condemning individual actions and seeing groups of people as the problem, I believe that Shinran challenges us to look upstream at the karmic conditions that inform these choices.

How do anger, ignorance, fear, and greed contribute to patterns of oppression, imperialism, colonialism, and war, and how do we stop our own evil nature from becoming corrupted by and contributing to these powers?

It seems that Jodo Shinshu Buddhism doesnt tell us what we should and shouldnt do because navigating these decisions is something that we must go through ourselves with our individual karmic conditions. While I think its OK for leaders to express opinions and reflections about current events, I can see why BCA would struggle with the issue of taking a strong stance on behalf of everyone in the organization. As a collective of foolish beings, no one can speak for everyone.

However, I want to be clear that not having a unified organizational position does not mean that we need to be passive. In our community, I believe its essential to create space to address heavy topics that are on our minds and discuss how they relate to Jodo Shinshu thought.

At Palo Alto Buddhist Temple, where I am a member, we often have discussions after service where people can talk about whats on their minds. The topics have included controversial issues.

During the discussions, I dont always agree with everyone and sometimes hearing a different perspective sets me even more firmly into my own thought process. However, as my outlook shifts and grows, Im always grateful to have gained insight into what others are thinking and feeling. With skilled facilitation, some trust, and lots of practice, I feel that weve been able to express and receive our opinions and reflections with respect.

Amidst violence and seemingly endless cycles of suffering, Ive noticed that I feel less alone and helpless after these discussions. As I awaken to my own internal biases and capacity for evil, I also know that I am embraced by a community. A community of foolish beings whose collective wisdom and compassion is deeper than Im able to grasp alone. I am eager to continue discussions with our sanghas about Palestine and Israel, exploring the depths of our wisdom and practicing compassion as we walk the Shin Buddhist path together toward a more peaceful world.

As seemingly pessimistic (or perhaps, realistic) as Shinran was at the capacity of humans to overcome their greed, anger, and ignorance, he also talked about the infinite wisdom and compassion of Amida Buddha and the promise of universal liberation for all sentient beings.

When we discuss and process the heavy realities of human evil and suffering, I know that we, like Shinran, can create space that fits both critical self-reflection and hope as we strive for a future with more compassion and peace.

This essay was originally published in the PABT Sangha newsletter and subsequently published in the December, 2023 issue of Wheel of Dharma, the official publication of the Buddhist Churches of America.

Sydney Shiroyama

Sydney Shiroyama is a Ministers Assistant at the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple.

Originally posted here:
Good, Evil, and Gaza - Lion's Roar

Thekchen Chling, Dharamsala, HP, India - Today, the clouds had lifted, and sunlight played on the courtyard as His Holiness the Dalai Lama walked to the temple. People sat on either side of the walkway to greet him, with white silk scarves in their folded hands.

Six Mongolian laypeople sat before His Holinesss throne and recited the Heart Sutra in Mongolian while many of their compatriots sitting in the body of the temple joined in.

His Holiness addressed the congregation: Today, we have here Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhists, as well as people from elsewhere who are interested in learning about Buddhist teachings. They are attracted by their discovery that Buddhism is based on reason and has a bearing on peace of mind as well as peace in the world.

As for me, I have reflected on cultivating the awakening mind of bodhichitta and an understanding of emptiness since I was a child. Ive found them helpful and Im happy to share what Ive learned with other people.

We Tibetans here are living in exile because we lost our country. But where we are doesnt matter that much because we rely on the Nalanda Tradition that the great Indian master Shantarakshita established in Tibet at the invitation of King Trisong Detsen. This tradition has spread all over Tibet and the Himalayan region. Conditions may change but we have a custom of responding to each other warm-heartedly. This is something worth preserving.

Tibetans in Tibet continue to wish to follow the tradition introduced by Shantarakshita, and they place their trust in me. Not only in Tibet, but also in mainland China, growing numbers of people are taking an interest in Tibetan Buddhism and its essencewarmheartedness. Tibetan Buddhism includes a thorough understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions, which interests scientists. Other people are keen to know more about training the mind and tackling their emotions.

Because I meditate on the awakening mind and emptiness every day I have peace of mind and sleep soundly at night. True peace is to be found in our inner world.

His Holiness noted that the main disciples for the teaching were Mongolian. He recalled that there has long been a special affinity between Tibetans and Mongolians. Many Mongolians became scholars in Tibet. In his own case, he said, his principal teacher of philosophy and dialectics was a Mongolian called Ngodrup Tsognyi. He remains very grateful for this teachers kindness and is happy to repay it to some extent by teaching others, particularly Mongolians.

He observed that spirituality is not just a matter of words. It entails practice and developing good qualities within. Its not enough for Buddhist monks and nuns to wear the robes; they need to study what the Buddha taught and integrate it within themselves.

My Dharma friends, His Holiness observed, its good to remember that we are able to study and practice now due to the traditions passed down by past masters. The Chinese Communists have tried to destroy Buddhism, but many other people in China are showing an interest in Buddhism. We Tibetans need to think carefully about the significance of sharing what we know of the Buddhas teachings with interested Chinese.

His Holiness announced that he would like to discuss the awakening mind of bodhichitta. He declared: Bodhichitta is very precious. It brings peace of mind. It is a powerful way of serving others. There is the Seven-fold Cause and Effect method and the more powerful Equalizing and Exchanging Self and Others approach.

Taking account of all sentient beings and cultivating the mind that cherishes others more than oneself is powerfully transformative. It brings confidence and peace.

He advised the congregation to meditate briefly on this. Next, he pointed out that we all have a mind characterized as clarity and awareness and that it is powerful to use it to help others.

As human beings, he remarked, we were nurtured by our mother from the very start of our lives. She planted a seed of kindness within us. Think of all sentient beings, especially the human beings of this world, and imagine extending that sense of kindness to all of them. We can build temples and institutions with a view to preserving the teaching, but what is ultimately most important is to cultivate the the thought of cherishing others more than ourselves. This is how well achieve a life at ease.

Like us, all human beings wish to be happy. We are the same. Thats why we need to be warm-hearted to everyone. Cherishing others is the source of all good qualities. Cherishing only ourselves is a source of misery. We survive due to the kindness of others, therefore, showing kindness and good heartedness are the simple key to happiness.

His Holiness counselled his listeners to reflect on the shortcomings of self-cherishing and the advantages of cherishing others. Think, he said, how good it would be if all human beings were happy. Wishing others to be happy brings peace of mind. Think of other beings as friends. The best offering you could give to me, he suggested, would be to cultivate the wish to benefit others.

My Mongolian Dharma friends, His Holiness told them, practice is not just about the prayers you say, its about transforming your mind and cultivating a good heart. Reciting mantras is not as effective as cultivating a good heart. When I was a child I came across a parakeet that could recite Om mani padme hung, but with no sense of what it meant. We dont want to be like that bird. The real way to benefit others is to generate the awakening mind. What you can do is to visualize Avalokiteshvara on the crown of your head and as you recite your manis seek his blessings that you may develop a good heart.

We Tibetans have a custom of reciting manis whenever we can, but if, while were doing so, our minds wander after jealous thoughts, then its not helpful at all.

His Holiness gave the transmission of the mantras of the three Long Life Deities:

Amitayus Om amarani jivantaye svaha White Tara Om tare tuttare ture mama ayuh punye jnana pushtim kuru svaha Ushnishavijaya Om drum svaha om amrita ayu dadai svaha

Representations of the body, speech and mind of enlightenment in the form of a statue of J Tsongkhapa, a silver chrten and a precious scripture were presented to His Holiness by the Lamaiin Gegeen.

As a thanksgiving mandala was offered, he made an appeal to His Holiness as follows:

The nature of the kindness showered on the faithful people of Mongolia in general, and upon the successive members of the Lamaiin Gegeen lineage, by your previous incarnations, and particularly by Your Holiness yourself, who are the Buddha for us, and brought to us by the strength of our prayers, is such that even if the entire universe were filled with the seven kinds of precious objects and offered, it would be difficult to repay. Since the welfare of sentient beings and the Buddha Dharma depend on Your Holiness, the Great Treasury of Compassion; and since for us your disciples, otherwise bereft, you are our impeccable refuge, like the eyes in our brows and the hearts in our chests; and since we will have no higher refuge than you in all our future lives, we make this fervent request to you:

Again, in the future, through your unceasing and successive emanations, may you never release us from the hook of your compassion. This is the sole supplication that has lingered long in our minds.

Your great compassionate activities are unending like the rolling of the ocean's waves, and although it is difficult to make this request, we offer this fervently unflinching supplication:

Just as when a piece of stone is treated as gold, you have showered your compassion on us. In your future incarnations may you continue to be our sole refuge, our supreme field for accumulating merit. May we never be separated from you, who manifests as a monk, wearing the robes and upholding the three vows-Pratimoksha, Bodhisattva and Tantric. From the sphere of your primordial wisdom, may you, the Omniscient One, kindly ensure that we are not separated from the supreme Avalokiteshvara, but are kindly led by him.

From our side, as your disciples, under your unexcelled guidance, with the support of the Gaden Phodrang, we remain committed to observing our pure and unwavering commitment. We will please you by obediently carrying out your instructions. We have been sincere until now and there will be no change in the future. We will persevere by every possible means to obediently please you.

May you live long, unwavering, like an indestructible diamond.

His Holiness smiled in acquiescence and as the congregation recited the Mig-tse-ma prayer he left the temple saluting well-wishers as he went and returned to his residence.

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Teachings for Mongolians Second Day | The 14th Dalai Lama - Dalai Lama

Dr. Augusto DaSilva of New York is a plastic surgeon based in East Northport, whose expertise and commitment to patient care have earned him recognition across multiple hospitals in the region. Affiliated with institutions such as St. Catherine of Siena Hospital and Good Samaritan University Hospital, Dr. Da Silva brings over two decades of medical experience to his practice. A graduate of St. Georges University School of Medicine, he is renowned for his dedication to surgical excellence and compassionate patient-centered care. In the following article, Dr. Augusto DaSilva of New York delves into the complex intersection of body positivity and cosmetic procedures to understand how individuals navigate their journey towards self-love and self-improvement.

In recent years, the dialogue surrounding body positivity has gained significant traction, urging individuals to embrace their bodies in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Concurrently, the popularity of surgical procedures continues to rise, driven by the desire to enhance ones appearance. However, the intersection of body positivity and cosmetic surgery poses intriguing questions about self-acceptance, societal norms, and personal empowerment.

At its core, body positivity advocates for the acceptance and celebration of all body types, free from societal judgments or unrealistic beauty standards. It encourages individuals to cultivate a positive relationship with themselves, regardless of size, shape, or imperfections. Embracing this involves challenging harmful stereotypes, promoting self-confidence, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and acceptance.

The Rise of Cosmetic Surgery

Conversely, cosmetic surgery offers individuals the opportunity to modify or enhance their physical features, addressing perceived flaws or insecurities. Dr. Augusto DaSilva of New York explains that from rhinoplasty to breast augmentation to liposuction, these procedures promise transformative results, often bolstering confidence and self-esteem. While cosmetic surgery can be a powerful tool for self-improvement, its essential to approach it with careful consideration and realistic expectations.

Navigating the Intersection

The intersection of body positivity and cosmetic surgery presents a nuanced landscape, where personal beliefs, societal pressures, and individual autonomy converge. For some, going under the knife aligns with their journey towards self-acceptance and empowerment. It may serve as a means of reclaiming agency over ones body, addressing long-standing insecurities, or enhancing self-confidence.

However, Dr. Augusto DaSilva of New York believes that the relationship between the two can be more nuanced than critics suggest. While its true that some view elective procedures through a lens of perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards, Dr. DaSilva emphasizes a different perspectiveone that celebrates individual choice and empowerment.

According to Dr. DaSilva, cosmetic surgery offers individuals the opportunity to enhance their confidence and self-esteem, not necessarily to conform to external ideals of beauty, but to align their outer appearance with their inner sense of self. For many patients, cosmetic procedures are not about chasing perfection, but about feeling comfortable in their own skin.

In Dr. DaSilvas view, cosmetic surgery can be a tool for self-expression and personal transformation. Rather than detracting from principles of body acceptance, Dr. DaSilva believes that cosmetic surgery can complement a journey towards self-love by enabling individuals to take control of their appearance and embrace their unique beauty.

By educating patients about their options and guiding them through the process, he ensures that each individual is informed to make choices that align with their personal goals and values.

Ultimately, Dr. DaSilva sees cosmetic surgery as a positive force for enhancing both physical appearance and emotional well-being. By reframing the conversation around cosmetic procedures as a means of self-empowerment rather than conformity, he hopes to promote a more inclusive and accepting approach to body positivity.

Empowerment vs. Conformity

Dr. Augusto DaSilva of New York explains that its crucial to recognize that the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery is deeply personal and multifaceted. Factors such as cultural influences, personal experiences, and mental health considerations can all play a role in shaping an individuals choices. As such, blanket judgments or criticisms fail to acknowledge the complexity of each persons journey towards self-acceptance.

Promoting Informed Choices

In navigating the intersection of body positivity and cosmetic surgery, education and informed decision-making are paramount. Individuals considering cosmetic procedures should thoroughly research their options, consult with qualified medical professionals, and critically examine their motivations.

Dr. Augusto DaSilva of New York notes that by promoting inclusivity and acceptance, we can create a more supportive environment for individuals to navigate their relationship with their bodies.

The Role of Mental Health

Additionally, its essential to address the role of mental health. For many individuals, body image concerns stem from deep-seated insecurities or past traumas. While cosmetic surgery may offer temporary relief, its not a panacea for underlying psychological issues.

Dr. Augusto DaSilva of New York says that therapeutic interventions such as counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy can provide valuable support for individuals grappling with body image issues. Moreover, consulting with a mental health expert can assist individuals in discerning whether a cosmetic procedure aligns with the patients long-term goals and aspirations.

Conclusion

The intersection of body positivity and cosmetic surgery is a complex terrain shaped by personal beliefs, societal norms, and individual experiences. While body positivity advocates for self-acceptance and inclusivity, cosmetic surgery offers a pathway to self-improvement and empowerment. Navigating this intersection requires nuanced conversations, informed decision-making, and a commitment to promoting diversity and acceptance.

Ultimately, whether an individual chooses to embrace their natural features or undergo cosmetic enhancement, the most important factor is cultivating a positive relationship with their body. By fostering a culture of self-love, acceptance, and empowerment, we can create a world where every individual feels valued and celebrated, regardless of their appearance or surgical choices.

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Dr. Augusto DaSilva of New York Navigates the Intersection of Body Positivity and Cosmetic Surgery - DOWNBEACH - Downbeach.com

As Taurus embraces the day on April 13, 2024, the stars arrange themselves in a pattern that speaks to both comfort and upheaval, signaling a period of significant personal growth. The steady earth under your feet might feel a bit more pliable today, urging you to adapt and consider the beauty in change. This day challenges you to step outside your comfort zone, promising that growth lies in unfamiliar territories. While change may not always be comfortable for a Taurus, the cosmic energies at play encourage you to trust in the process and find stability within yourself, rather than in external circumstances. The realms of love and relationships are under a particularly reflective aspect, highlighting the importance of communication and mutual understanding. For those in partnerships, today is an excellent opportunity to build on the foundation of your relationship, addressing any issues with a calm and open heart. The planets suggest a time for healing and deepening the emotional connection with your partner through honesty and vulnerability. Single Tauruses might find themselves introspecting about what they truly seek in a relationship, potentially leading to a revelation about past patterns that could be hindering their path to love. Embrace these insights, as they pave the way to a more fulfilling love life. In your professional life, the influence of Mercury encourages a focus on detail and organization. Its a day where your methodical approach will shine, allowing you to tackle complex tasks with ease. However, the stars also warn against becoming too entrenched in routine; innovation and flexibility could open doors to unexpected opportunities. Consider this a nudge to balance your natural preference for stability with a sprinkle of Taurus tenacity and willingness to explore new avenues in your career. Health and well-being take center stage, with the cosmic advice leaning towards nurturing both body and soul. Your sign often revels in the sensual pleasures of life, which can be a source of great comfort and joy. Today, however, consider integrating activities that also feed your spirit and mind. Whether it's a peaceful walk in nature, experimenting with a new healthy recipe, or dedicating time to a hobby that soothes your soul, the focus is on holistic well-being. April 13, 2024, marks a day of introspection and gentle growth for Taurus. The stars encourage embracing change, fostering deeper connections, innovating in your career, and caring for your holistic health. As you navigate the day's energies, remember that stability isn't just about resisting change but also about finding your inner equilibrium amidst life's ebbs and flows.

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Taurus, Horoscope Today, April 13, 2024: Embrace change for personal growth - The Times of India

The BMC, along with SNDT university, will develop an application for sale and delivery of products manufactured by women self-help groups across Mumbai. The civic body intends to create an online marketplace, besides market and brand products manufactured by women self-help groups in the city by developing an application for the same. The BMC will tie up with dabbawalas in Mumbai for delivery of these products. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Sudhakar Shinde directed the administration to develop a proper system for an online marketplace for products of the SHGs through the application. The Additional Commissioner also directed those products, which are sold on the online marketplace, should meet a certain quality standard. A delegation of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association met Shinde on Friday. The Dabbewala association also agreed to deliver products created by the women self-help groups all over Mumbai. According to a BMC release, there are about 10,000 women self-help groups in Mumbai, and more than a lakh women are engaged in producing various types of products including food and other items. The BMC has signed an MOU with SNDT university for developing the app. The app will also include photos and videos of the women, who are making products.

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BMC to develop online marketplace, application, along with SNDT university, for sale of products manufact - The Times of India

Our wellness routines can quickly fall apart like a flimsy house of cards in the fast-paced hustle and bustle of modern life where maintaining a consistent gym schedule competes with learning the art of skincare and staying hydrated feels like amission.

Enter 75 Hard, the wellness challenge sweeping the streets of social media, which wellness experts describe as the solution to transforming your life from the inside out while flexing your mental toughness and commitment muscles.

The 75 Hard challenge, which has taken social media by storm (1.3 million hashtags for #75hard and counting, not to mention the more than a billion TikTok views), is not your garden-variety, slim-down scheme or a get-fit-quick plan.

It's not about counting almonds or achieving Schwarzenegger-esque biceps but rather about embarking on a journey of self-improvement through five rather unique "rules".

But in a world drowning in fitness fads and nutty nutrition advice, the burning question remains: is 75 Hard the real deal or just another flash in the wellness pan?

Is it safe, effective, and most importantly worth sacrificing your Netflix binges and late-night snack sessions for?

As per the 75 Hard website, the appeal lies precisely in its rule-driven regime. However, whether it's the path to enlightenment or just another wellness wagon to fall off is up for debate.

The 75 Hard Challenge was created in 2019 by Andy Frisella, a public speaker, entrepreneur, and podcast host.

But what can you eat on 75 hard, exactly, and what does it all involve?

The 75 Hard challenge consists of a few components: following a specific diet, completing two 45-minute workouts, taking progress photos, staying hydrated, and reading daily.

Specifically, there are five core rules to follow:

75 Hard routine boasts that this intense challenge will "permanently change your life," focusing on mental toughness and discipline.

What is the best 75 Hard diet?

75 Hard does not feature a "diet" plan. The ideal eating diet is one that you decide on and try to follow through on for the entire challenge. Selecting a diet plan that complements your lifestyle and fitness goals is the aim, as there is no one "best" diet.

Sample 75 Hard Diet Meal Plan

Following an analysis and validation of the challenge's feasibility in a recent Yahoo post, Miami-based dietitian and nutritionist, Roxana Ehsani, RD, created seven complete days' worth of meal ideas that you can try:

Monday

Breakfast: Overnight oats made with low-fat milk, berries, almond butter and a coffee or cup of orange juice.

Lunch: Whole wheat wrap filled with lettuce, tomato, turkey and low-fat Swiss cheese.

Snacks: Apple and string cheese.

Dinner: Salmon with roasted broccoli, cauliflower and sweet potatoes.

Dessert: Strawberries dipped or drizzled with melted dark chocolate.

Tuesday

Breakfast: Whole wheat English muffin with scrambled eggs, avocado, spinach and tomatoes.

Lunch: Mixed green salad topped with grilled chicken and veggies of choice (like bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers) with quinoa and olive oil vinegar-based dressing.

Snacks: Whole wheat naan with hummus.

Dinner: Lean turkey chilli with beans, veggies and a slice of whole-grain cornbread.

Dessert: Popcorn.

Wednesday

Breakfast: Chia seed pudding made with Greek yoghurt and topped with bananas, berries and walnuts.

Lunch: Tuna salad made with avocado oil-based mayo or mashed avocado, chopped carrots and celery.

Snacks: Guacamole, baby bell peppers and low-sodium tortilla chips.

Dinner: Tacos filled with cabbage slaw and mixed salad on the side.

Dessert: Trail mix.

Thursday

Breakfast: Smoothie bowl made with a protein powder of choice or Greek yoghurt, baby spinach or kale, banana, strawberries, and topped with granola, dried fruit and nuts.

Lunch: Chicken tortilla soup topped with avocado and with mixed green salad on the side.

Snacks: Pears and cashews.

Dinner: Stir-fry with mixed veggies like snap peas, broccoli, tofu and brown rice.

Dessert: 2-ingredient cream made with frozen bananas and cocoa powder.

Friday

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach with whole wheat toast and low-fat cream cheese or avocado

Lunch: Snack plate consisting of veggies like bell peppers, carrots, Persian cucumbers, hummus or guacamole, almonds or pistachios, whole wheat pita bread, hard-boiled eggs and apple slices.

Snacks: Dates and walnuts.

Dinner: Grilled sirloin steak (or another protein of choice) with portobello mushrooms, zucchini and corn on the cob.

Dessert: Fruit popsicle with no added sugar.

Saturday

Breakfast: Whole wheat bagel with smoked salmon, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, capers and veggie low-fat cream cheese.

Lunch: Caesar kale salad with grilled chicken on top.

Snacks: Mixed fruit salad.

Dinner: Lentil soup with whole wheat dinner roll.

Dessert: Celery sticks dipped in peanut butter.

Sunday

Breakfast: Whole wheat pancakes or waffles topped with nut or sunflower butter and bananas.

Lunch: Grain bowl made with brown rice or quinoa, chicken or tofu, avocado and veggies of choice.

Snacks: Greek yoghurt topped with berries.

Dinner: Veggie soup (like minestrone) and grilled cheese made with whole wheat bread and low-fat cheese.

Dessert: Yoghurt topped with dark chocolate chips.

So, if you're someone who thrives on strict schedules and clear-cut commands, 75 Hard might just be the challenge that turns your world upside down or adds a dash of excitement to your daily grind.

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75 Hard Challenge: The ultimate test of self-improvement beyond wellness fads - IOL