If you missed Part 1 of my blog, please click here before you read Part 2 below. My time on the farm has helped me to see that there are very few material things that make me happy, but having balance in my life creates an enormous amount of joy. I look at everything as an exchange of energy.  A week or two of work affords me a month on the farm.  I forgo expensive vacations because instead I spend months in my hammock, overlooking picturesque mountain views on the farm. The job flexibility allows me to spend quality time with my family in Ohio. And my time off lets my creative juices flow.  I sold my cows and now have an organic coffee plantation.  I am also holding retreats in Ecuador to show others how to cultivate joy inside, find balance in their lives, and go for their dreams. Now I know some of you may be thinking, “Sure she can do it, but I have children, a husband, a house... I need medical insurance etc.�  You don’t have to move to a Third World Country, but traveling can allow you to [+]

Today's post comes from Cheryl, a Travel PT from American Traveler. Thanks Cheryl! When I was a new grad from PT school, I remember learning about travel therapy.  Because I was not fond of change, the thought of starting a new job every three months did not sound appealing to me, but rather intimidating.  Now, having been a traveler for the past eight years, I can’t think of my life any other way.  I love the people I get to meet and the new places I get to see. I learn new customs in my very own country because each area has its own little twist on life. (For example, I “might could� eat BBQ every day of my life in Texas if I had a fixin’ to do so!)  But what I love the most about travel is that it allows me to live a very unique life. Fifteen years ago I stumbled upon a little country called Ecuador in South America when I signed up as a volunteer physical therapist for two weeks. I fell head over heels in love with this special place. Some years later, I purchased [+]

The U.S. Senate passed legislation to reauthorize the FDA’s ability to approve prescription drugs, medical devices, and other medical products, sending the bill on to President Obama to sign into law. To read more about this pending law, click the FDA bill link. Some of the positive things the FDA bill does: Expedites FDA’s approval process for innovative treatments for people with rare diseases Cracks down on prescription drug abuse Protects the safety of prescription drugs from counterfeits and contamination. Ensures that medications manufactured abroad are safe Promotes drug supply chain integrity American Traveler’s Clinical Nurse Manager, Deborah Bacurin, R.N. is pleased with the bill, having experienced firsthand how aggravating it is for registered nurses when they must prescribe a certain medication simply because there is a shortage on a better drug – or the other side of the coin: being a patient and having to use the generic brand because the drug that was originally ordered for you is no longer being made. This FDA legislation will save many patients and their healthcare team from having to deal with this. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) thinks the bill is positive too; he helped co-author it. A [+]