2022 July 31 California                  

Dear Readers,

I wish you and everyone around you – wellness, kindness, happiness.

I celebrate these two women -

Ms. Maria Kawah Leung and Ms. Goldie Hawn

Maria Kawah Leung is the author of a delightfully illustrated children’s book about a serious subject matter – domestic violence.   https://mariakawah.com/

LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET:  And How They Stay Strong In An Unhappy Home

(illustrators:  Maria Kawah Leung, Sandra Elyse Chavez, Maren Sleire Aasgaard)

This book is endorsed by Hannah Yeoh who is a Member of Parliament in Malaysia.

The main characters in LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET are Mia (a little girl) and her Happy Dog (who is much much more than a stuffed animal). Happy Dog is Mia’s best friend and confidant.

Maria Kawah Leung - photo by TL

Maria Kawah Leung says:

“I was born in Hong Kong but my family moved to San Francisco when I was almost two years old. I have happily been a teacher of young children for over 25 years and have taught in the USA (California and Massachusetts), China and Malaysia.

“My most rewarding experiences in life were working with children in pediatric wards, studying Chinese in Beijing, China and studying Spanish in Bogota, Colombia.

“I have also traveled to about 30 countries and all the continents except Antarctica. I have always enjoyed writing. Creating this book to help children feel they are not alone has been a life-long goal.

“Empowering children to overcome obstacles is my passion. This is why I wrote the children’s book Little Heroes of Bay Street and How They Stay Strong in an Unhappy Home.”

Ms. Leung adds: “I’m hoping that through my book… that every teacher would get a copy… and school counselors… nurses… so that they can be aware, and, look out for signs, and reach out to these children.”

Maria’s book is available in English, Chinese, Spanish and Bahasa Malaysia

To watch Maria Kawah Leung interviewed by Kim McMillon, PhD    https://youtu.be/p-YMEPfwp2Q   39 minutes

https://mariakawah.com/

Teresa Jade LeYung here …

As I watch Ms. Goldie Hawn’s keynote speech at Teachers College, Columbia University …  I think about Ms. Maria Kawah Leung as teacher, author,  children’s advocate.

Teachers College – Columbia University – Academic Festival Opening Ceremony Keynote Address: Goldie Hawn on Why Mindfulness in School Matters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh5-Pwj9T8E  39 minutes

Ms. Hawn’s foundation is MindUP  https://mindup.org/

Sincerely,

Teresa_Jade_LeYung_wishes_everyone_peace_and_wellness__photo_by_Nan_and_MEK

Teresa Jade LeYung

Proud sister of Maria Kawah Leung and proud auntie of Happy Dog

Story Theme Consultant / Photo Historian / Author / Public Library and Public School Advocate

http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com goes to Teresa’s Blog

Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”

Love Made Of Heart ®

Addendum:  The techniques in Dr. Michael Moskowitz’s and Dr. Marla Golden’s workbook helps me “outgrow” persistent unpleasant sensations  including  pain. 

2021 December 9,  15:18 – 16:18;  December 10, 18:00 – 19:58 California

Dear Reader,

I have been watching episodes of The Jack Benny Program (TV series 1950-1965) and laughing out loud; thank you to the folks who post them on YouTube.

Laughing out loud is good medicine – a mighty elixir – for me.

The world continues to be impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. How can I think about laughing?

I am still dealing with a neurological disorder. How can I think about laughing?

Smiling for one’s self; laughing for one’s self; walking; imagining walking; moving to soothing thoughts – are some of the activities which help our beautiful brains produce beneficial chemicals. What I have learned as an advocate for my papa since 2015 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease … and what I’ve learned and continue to learn – as a patient of persistent unpleasant sensations including pain -  is that there are things I can do for myself to feel better.  Even if the sensation of wellness seems ephemeral… I’ll take wellness moments. Thank you very much!

I remember sitting with Vicki Weiland https://vickiweiland.wordpress.com …knowing that it took our dear friend many days (oftentimes many weeks, even months) to prepare herself for visitors. Awful persistent pain was the symptoms.

On two occasions, I witnessed how laughter was a mighty elixir for Vicki.  Someone in the room said something funny; or Vicki herself said something funny and we all laughed … at that moment Vicki’s entire body expressed wellness.

How we all wished that our pal would have millions of wellness moments.

Angel Vicki,

I’ve been watching my favorite episodes of The Jack Benny Program again and again.  Interestingly, several of them feature James Stewart and his wife Gloria. More about that … at the end of my blog post.

This afternoon – Thursday, December 9, 2021 – while organizing my inventory of greeting cards, I found a note I had written to myself. You had called me on October 8, 2012 at 19:00 from your new home. You said “The trees and mountain are glorious. But my pain is not going away….”

Even though you were ill, you gave your time to call and to ask about Sasa Southard  https://sasasouthard.com and other friends at Women’s National Book Association and San Francisco Writers Conference. How I wish a physician with Dr. Michael Moskowitz’s insight about persistent pain was your physician. The workbook that Dr. Michael Moskowitz co-wrote with Dr. Marla Golden was published only three months after your phone call (in January 2013), however, I didn’t know about it until last year (2020) when I was battling persistent pain myself.

I wish you Bliss, mon amie, and humbly ask you to help more people find Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION

With deep gratitude,

Teresa Jade

TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION 

written by Michael H. Moskowitz, MD  and  Marla D. Golden, DO 

http://neuroplastix.com

Your Brain On Pain

Why doesn’t the pain stop?

Listen to your body talk.

Use your brain to stop your pain.

Below are chapter / section titles of the workbook:

Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s Instructions for Using this Workbook

“This worbook has been designed to be helpful for practitioners and people experiencing persistent pain. It is a practical, visual guide to neuroplastic treatment approaches for treating persistent pain.”

“Neuroplastic Transformation provides a model that approaches persistent pain where it transforms from a symptom to disease. It also gives the person experiencing  pain’s relentless persistence, a chance to treat it with the same neuroplastic phenomena that created it, restoring balance to pain processing.”

At the end of each section is “Reining in the Runaway Brain” (patients share techniques they use)

http://neuroplastix.com

Sections in the workbook:

pages 4 – 16  Section 1 – Introduction

Brain Facts (page 4);  Brain Change (page 5);

Neuroplasticity Definition

• New Learning Changes the Brain

• The Brain Changes the Body

• The Body Changes the Brain

Neuroplasticity Rules
Workbook page 5

• What Gets Fired Gets Wired

• Use It or Lose It

• When You Break ‘Em You Make ‘Em; When You Make ‘Em You Break ‘Em

• Fight Fire With Fire

• Reverse the Forces That Have Caused Pain to Persist

• Restore Normal Pain Responses

R.A.F.T. (page 9)

–  Rescue

–  Adjustment

–  Functional

–  Transformation

Persistent vs Acute Pain
Workbook pages 10, 11

Counter-Stimulating Pain
Worbook page 11, 12, 13

• Pain Reassigns Brain Cells

• Take Back Brain Cells

• Use Graphics to Counter-Stimulate Pain

• Become Active in Your Own Care

• Counter-Stimulate Your Brain

Shrink the Pain Map by Flooding the Brain (page 13)

• Push Back Against Pain Spikes and Intrusions

• Get Inside Your Own Head

• Always Counter-Stimulate Your Pain

Active vs. Passive Treatment

Practice Makes Perfect

M.I.R.R.O.R. (page 14) MIRROR is:

– Motivation

– Intention

– Relentlessness

– Reliability

– Opportunity

– Restoration

N.O.R.M.A.L  (page 14) NORMAL is:

Neuroplastic Optimization and Reduction of Medication for Adaptive Living

• Rebalance Pain Processing Circuits

• Body and Brain Act Together

• Persistent Pain is a Learned Activity

 People Taking Back Control of Their Pain (page 16)

pages 18 – 24  Section 2 – Touch

Mom the Neuroscientist – It Takes a Mother’s Touch (page 18)

Hands That See (page 21)

Healing Touch (page 22)

pages 26 – 33  Section 3 -  Neuroplastic Brain and Body

NO BRAIN, NO PAIN.   Nociception.  (page 26)

The Brain Learns Pain; Too Smart for It’s Own Good (page 27)

Brain and Body (page 28)

Fire and Wire … Or Not

Cause and Cure for Pain Persistence (page 29)

pages 35 – 41   Section 4 – Pain Gone Wild

Limbic Activation (page 35)

Pain Makes Pain; Making a Bad Thing Worse (page 36)

Unpleasantness – As if the Pain Wasn’t Enough (page 37)

BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE – Over the Edge – Amygdala and Hippocampus (page 38)

IN THE AMYGDALA – Where the Wild Things Are (page 39)

Pages 43 – 52  Section 5 -  Soothing

Oh That Smell; The Nose Knows  (pages 47, 48)

BELIEF IS RELIEF (page 49)

Pages 54 – 64  Section 6 -  Mood and Pain

Pain and Mood Circuit (page 54)

Relax, Calm, Soothe – GABA to the Rescue (page 55)

Limbic Deactivation – Emotional Calm (page 57)

Access the Brain with  THOUGHTS  IMAGES   SENSATIONS  MEMORIES  SOOTHING EMOTIONS  MOVEMENT  BELIEFS  (page 58)

[ This wonderful workbook helps me understand just how awesome the beautiful brain is, however, my initial success was due to the coaching I received from Dr. Danielle Rosenman who was trained by Dr. Michael Moskowitz. The techniques helped me "outgrow" persistent pain. ]

Pages  66 – 74  Section 7  -  Pleasure – the Antidote for Pain

BLISS – Anandamide (page 69)

WELL BEING – Endorphins (page 71)

ALL WE NEED IS LOVE – Oxytocin (page 72)

Page  75  Section 8 – Conclusion – A New Beginning

Below are names of the writers who were credited for these particular episodes of

The Jack Benny Program which brought healing laughter

Written by Sam Perrin, George Balzer, Al Gordon, Hal Goldman -

James and Gloria Stewart are celebrating their wedding anniversary at a restaurant; Jack has invited himself and has brought girlfriend Mildred who sings (loudly) to Mr. Stewart when the band plays the French song “La Vie En Rose” (according to https://frenchmoments.eu/je-vois-la-vie-en-rose-the-story-of-the-song/ the music was composed by Marguerite Monnot and Louis Guglielmi aka Louiguy,  lyrics and also sung by Édith Piaf)

 ”Jack In Paris” (guests: Mary Livingstone, Maurice Chevalier) – according to https://www.imdb.com this show is Season 7, Episode 14  – Oh to see Arc de Triomphe  et la Tour Eiffel!

Written by  Sam Perrin, George Balzer, Hal Goldman, Al Gordon -

“The Income Tax Show” is hilarious! -  Season 15, Episode 4; October 16, 1964

“Jack Directs Film”  Season 14, Episode 6; Oct. 29, 1963  Jack finds out that Gloria Stewart is in James Stewart’s new movie and wants to congratulate her on the set.

Written by Sam Perrin, George Balzer, Milt Josefsberg, John Tackaberry

Jack Benny Program “The Jackie Gleason Show” is hilarious!  Wanting to impress Jackie Gleason, Jack and Rochester are staying in the penthouse suite in the Saint Regis Hotel. Yes, Jack is staying there (at no cost)

Again, thank you to the folks who post them on YouTube.

Thank you for reading Teresa Jade LeYung’s  blog post: “Wellness, Laughter, Writers, Jack Benny Program, Dr. Michael H. Moskowitz, Dr. Marla D. Golden, TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN Workbook”

For other posts related to our Beautiful Brains, Pain, and Neuroplasticity  in my blog  https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog …  If you scroll to top of page, look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to the topic.

I wish you new vitality, total wellness!

Sincerely,

Teresa_Jade_LeYung__photo_by_Nan_Nooanan_and_Mary E. Knippel

Teresa Jade LeYung

(formerly Teresa LeYung-Ryan)

Story Theme Consultant / Photo Historian / Author / Public Library and Public School Advocate

http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com goes to Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog https://LoveMadeOfHeart.com/blog

Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”

Love Made Of Heart ®

“MIT new study – Time spent indoors increases risk of COVID at 6 feet or 60 feet…”
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/23/mit-researchers-say-youre-no-safer-from-covid-indoors-at-6-feet-or-60-feet-in-new-study.html

To read Chi Nei Tsang Master Healer and Master Teacher Gilles Marin’s tried and true methods to attack viruses and neutralize them
https://www.chineitsang.com/post/prevent-getting-the-flu-and-help-eradicate-covid-19-contagion?mc_cid=186e80f0ec&mc_eid=ad8adb3075

Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog Post #604

Last week, I was at a place not far from where I live -  to escape from construction noise (neighbors modifying their house to “age in place”).  While I am happy for anyone who can do that … the persistent noise produced by power tools and hammers reactivated my persistent pain pathways in such a way that I don’t have words to describe the sensations. For sure they are “unpleasant” and “undesirable”.

On March 10, at this place of tranquility, I woke up to the sound of power pruning.  NO!  I thought Am I being tested?

On March 11, another unpleasant incident occupied my thoughts.

On March 12, I read the email from kindhearted mentor author Margaret R. Davis.  Margaret asked: “Teresa, can’t you apply the very same principles you use to reduce pain to block out the irritation of the construction noise?”

Margaret is referring to what I have learned and what I continue to learn from Dr. Norman Doidge, Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Dr. Marla Golden, Dr. Danielle Rosenman, Professor Lorimer Moseley about retraining my brain / practicing neuroplasticity.

Thank you, Margaret! Thank you to ALL the dear hearts in my life who care about my well-being.  I am most grateful!

Soothing thoughts. I thought about LaH who delivered me to this lovely place and how MT, SS, NN individually visited me and brought delicious foods, and, everyone who sent cards, emails, text-messages, voicemail, thoughts, prayers.

On the evening of  March 13,  2021, I wanted to watch the movie PRIVATE BENJAMIN (starring Goldie Hawn) again.

Well, not only did I find clips on YouTube, but also, I was rewarded with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZsGZZA3LNM  Ms. Goldie Hawn’s inspiring presentation  “Importance of Mindfulness” 

I was overjoyed listening to Ms. Goldie Hawn’s sharing stories of children learning about how their brains work, and talking about their amygdala, prefrontal cortex … what is neuroplasticity, practicing “Brain Breaks” (meditation) with their teachers three times a day in school, using soothing thoughts to quiet their hardworking brains, and, the children going home to share their knowledge with their parents and other family members.

At 19 minutes Ms. Hawn shows the audience a film on MindUP – the signature program for children of the Goldie Hawn Foundation.

At 39 minutes  Ms. Hawn talks about intentions; to witness thoughts, and not get attached to them.

[ Teresa Jade LeYung here…

“Wow, witness my thoughts but not get attached to them. I thought about my lineage….  If as children my grandparents on both sides were given the opportunities to practice this skill, then, as adults they would have passed it onto their children (my parents), and my parents would have passed it onto me and my siblings.

“My parents were young people during World War II; my mother was orphaned; my father had to leave home to find work and send money to support his mother and siblings; then, they experienced colonization . . . such chaotic lives . . . and no one to teach them how to create peace for their beautiful brains.

“Last week, while I was at that lovely place that turned out to be not so tranquil, I said to my pals ‘I am what I think.’  If I am to truly heal from persistent pain and unpleasant sensations (all produced by Beautiful Brain), I must practice detaching myself from worrisome thoughts, and, use soothing thoughts to create pleasant sensations.” ]

 * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * *

Above graphics of the brain is from TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION workbook

by Michael H. Moskowitz, MD & Marla D. Golden, DO

http://www.neuroplastix.com 

https://shop.neuroplastix.com/Neuroplastic-Transformation-Workbook-92-W8PZ-LIIY.htm

 [ Teresa Jade LeYung here…

“I wonder if Dr. Moskowitz, Dr. Golden or Dr. Danielle Rosenman know about Ms. Hawn’s foundation and that the children in the MindUP program know what their Amygdala, Prefrontal Cortex and other parts of their brains do and how they (the children) learn to develop mental fitness.

“In our family, no one taught us anything resembling mental fitness.

“The adults were inept. In the 1970s, my escape was watching movies from the 1940′s, but, many of the characters in those films were lost souls. Our brother turned to music. Our little sister relied on her imagination; her stuffed animal companion Happy Dog was her loyal and gentle confidant.

“As an adult, my sister always chose careers that involved helping children.  She is Maria Kawah Leung – author of LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET: And How They Stay Strong in an Unhappy Home.  The protagonists in her illustrated book are Mia and Happy Dog.   To hear a reading of Maria Kawah Leung’s book by Hannah Yeoh, a member of Parliament in Malaysia, and to hear Happy Dog’s message to children, and Maria’s comforting words to children and adults … watch on Youtube  https://youtu.be/9k8DLcJlvVg

“If MindUP had existed during our childhood . . . I can just see my little sister coming home to show our parents how to “quiet their hardworking brains” ]

* * * * * * *

 https://mindup.org/

The heroes at MindUP announce:  “We are happy to announce MindUP will now be rebranded to MindUP For Life.  Evolving the visual identity to embody its new holistic direction.

We are thrilled to unveil our new brand identity and share with you that MindUP is evolving to become MindUP for Life. After many years as a school-based program for educators, MindUP for Life will now also be available to parents, families, and adults. This rebranding marks an exciting time in MindUP’s history, as we are launching the 2nd edition of our curriculum as well as an interactive online platform projected to launch this spring to support our growing audience. Over the last few months, we have worked with the amazing team at Le Parc Design to create a new image that would accurately depict our growth and helps us impact as many individuals as possible.

 * * * * * * *

Dear Readers,

Thank you for reading this blog post:  Author and Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Everywhere I go, I learn about our beautiful brains. This week, MindUP, Ms. Goldie Hawn’s foundation”

I wish you and your beautiful brains – safety, kindness, excellent health, clear water, blue sky, delicious eats, smiles, sweet laughter, soothing thoughts and more soothing thoughts!

Sincerely,

photo of Teresa Jade LeYung by Sasa Southard, world adventurer

Teresa Jade LeYung

Theme Consultant / Platform-Building Coach

Coach Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication.  Reach out, not stress out.”
www.TeresaJadeLeYung.com

Coach Teresa’s workbook -
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW  — print edition and ebook

author Teresa Jade LeYung (mask and photo by Emily)

http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com   takes you to Story Continuity / Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung’s blog - resources regarding our beautiful  brains  / persistent pain / depression  / wellness

Love Made Of Heart ®

Teresa Jade LeYung says “Be kind to our beautiful brains.”