A mere week ago, it was unheard of. But now, a mortality rate of around 12% has the world panicked regarding a flu that began in Mexico and has since spread to the United States, Canada and Spain.

Here in the states, there have been 20 confirmed cases in Texas and California, and another 6 in Canada. The suspected cause for the outbreak? Bad sanitation.

Swine Flu (or Swine Influenza) is a virus that, when it underwent a mutation in it's genetic code, was able to pass from human to human. In Mexico, bad working conditions are the probable cause for the transmission of the new virus from pigs to human workers. Swine Flu is tends to attack the respiratory system more heavily than the traditional strains of flu the U.S. is used to seeing during cold season.

Now, anyone who washes their hands with frequency, drinks lots of water and tends to not share their straws or drinks with other people are a lot less likely to contract any sort of virus or cold. If you hear of breakouts of swine flu in your area, keep a face mask handy in your coat pocket when you're out and about. And Emergen-C tends to be a handy thing, which will at least put your mind at ease if you fear you're at risk for contracting Swine Flu.

Now for the part you've been waiting for. What does this have to do with anything you write here? Well, that one's simple. A great friend of mine once explained that everything, ultimately, is just levels of energy that are swirling around in either positive swirls (love, a good movie, or a healthy glow) or negative swirls (emotional pains, self-inflicted sickness, etc). I say that because that energy can be directed. People who are familiar with the craft are likely to understand what I'm saying here. Younger people who might have experienced their first circle or time at church at a young age might subliminally understand this. Singing hymns in a church, spiral dances, praying.. those are all different ways of raising and directing energy.

I'm not saying the next time you get sick, to dance in a circle naked with mud smeared on your body. But I'm saying that proper nutrition and care of your physical body with the right medication when it's needed, along with the random healing tea or session of reiki is definitely beneficial. Relaxing if you're in a stressful environment is immensely important. So, take a few minutes out of your day and thank whatever or whoever it is you follow for your health, and to reflect on what you've been given. Send healing energy the way of someone you might know who's got a cold, or to just the general idea of world health. It's good for you, and the world. :)

)o(