My Lucy just turned six months old, and I’ve decided we’re tenacious females because we’re both still alive and kickin’. As I write this week’s article and look forward to holiday festivities, I ask Lucy to forgive me for all my unkind thoughts and words. This week we had a conversation. I said, “Lucy, I promised not to get so upset with you when you pee or poop on the … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
Embrace the past and present magic
“Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November. All the rest have thirty-one, excepting February alone, and that has twenty-eight days clear, and twenty-nine in each leap year.” This Mother Goose “Leap Year Poem” I found on Google isn’t exactly how I memorized it many decades ago, but I smile when I use it. The last time was a few minutes ago when I started this … [Read more...]
Let’s count our blessings
Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as national Thanksgiving day. That was in 1863. Various sources claim the first Thanksgiving to be in 1619, 1621, or maybe even 1598. No matter the day of origin, I’m glad, through recorded history, we know people have given reverence to what is good in their lives. Meister Eckhart, a medieval German theologian, … [Read more...]
You are the boss of your circle
American author, Leo Buscaglia, also known as “Dr. Love,” is credited with saying, “To love others, you must first love yourself.” Sounds easy. Who doesn’t love themselves? I recently listened to a Chopra meditation titled “Journey to Well-being: Self-Love” by Dr. Sheila Patel. She spoke about loving ourselves by honoring our natural abilities and giving ourselves the … [Read more...]
Win a little—lose a little
After surviving another election with supposedly intelligent adults being mean, nasty, and rude to each other, I’m thinking of how the rest of us can have conflicting points of view without putdowns, character defamation, talking over and louder, and permanent damage to relationships. Most of the candidate commercials, uninvited into my living room between my few TV programs, … [Read more...]
Twelve hugs a day
Hugs have always been a natural part of my life. Raised in a family of five girls, throughout the decades, we hugged when we came together, when we left, and many times in between. In fact, as children, our mother made us hug and say, “I love you” when we fought with each other. Hugging is natural in my world. The comforts of hugs carried forward to my love relationships; … [Read more...]
Halloween—Participate big or small or not at all
We don’t have to look far to know goblins, witches, and ghosts have joined us in the transition from summer to falling leaves, sweaters, and football. Over the years, I’ve wondered why Halloween is so popular and seems to grow more colorful and lively each year. I’ve decided it’s because the holiday holds no vast responsibilities such as big family dinners, presents, or … [Read more...]
Join me in brainstorming, “What do I want?”
I enjoyed two particular Ted Talks this week. One was “The 4 phases of retirement” by Dr. Riley Moynes, and the other was “The Question I Almost Didn’t Ask And How It Changed My Life” by Rita Wilson. Both struck accuracy as I thought of my own experiences. Finances are a vital retirement consideration, but we often don’t consider psychological impacts. The topic is relevant … [Read more...]
I’m paying attention and taking my time
My grandson told me the date of his first basketball game. He is a senior, and I don’t want to miss his games this year because I love watching him play and know this could be another last in my life. I’ve had many lasts recently, and I find with things I do and people I see, I’m thinking, this could be the last time. I’m not feeling negative, just realistic. I was lucky … [Read more...]
Let’s get up, dress up, and show up
I’ve had a variety of experiences in the last few days. First, I hiked with friends in the mountains. I had not done that since I was a kid, and according to my friend, who knows the Rocky Mountains from the bottom of her boots, we went on an easy trail. We enjoyed lunch before beginning, she loaned me a walking stick with a spike on the end, and off we went. The weather was … [Read more...]
Let’s set the standard for good manners
Jennifer Goble Have you been around anyone who exhibits rude behavior? Have you personally been rude? I’m guessing the answer is “yes” to both questions. I think being rude is more generally accepted by people than in past decades. I was not only taught but expected to say please, thank you, and confront issues with someone in private. We all have short fuses at one time or … [Read more...]
The good news—different realities enhance our life stories
My life is full of birthdays this time of year. My daughter’s, my son’s, my sister-in-law’s, a good friend’s, and my birthday all fall within seven days. I’m not sure any of us are thrilled to be a year older, but we are glad to have a birthday. Many don’t. As I get older, life gets weird. Maybe I’m the weird one? Either way, I wander around wondering what just happened. … [Read more...]
Exchange anger for freedom—a pretty smart trade
The Priest started with a riddle: “What does everybody need to do, nobody wants to do, and most people don’t know how to do it?” I guessed death. Wrong. The answer was FORGIVENESS. First, yes, everybody does NEED to forgive. Our lives are miserable if we hold anger and angst in our minds. Daily activities lose joy, and we neglect our future by wasting precious energy … [Read more...]
Negative thoughts interfere with new season joy
Fall is my favorite season, and here we are in September—the colors, sounds, scents, and knowing a break from yard work is just around the corner brings a sense of calm and closure. They say summer is lazy and hazy, but for me, it’s autumn. I like the time of being in-between blazing heat and icy sidewalks, the need for a light jacket, and the time to reflect, evaluate, and … [Read more...]
It’s not all bad; we’re still in love
I’ve had one and only one goal for the last two weeks—house-training a three-pound puppy. My online class said never to use the kennel as punishment and always reward after each successful “potty.” It also said to remember “I” am the boss. I’m becoming less enamored with the puppy and the training. What the experts claimed isn’t applicable when it comes to Lucy. She uses her … [Read more...]