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...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
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...]
Week one with puppy Lucy
I walked into the Kennel on August 10th and found Lucy, my new ShihTzu puppy, in a crate waiting for me to take her home. She was lying on a small blanket, and when she looked up at me with her little black eyes, I had a new understanding of love at first sight. After one week, I am entertained and exhausted instead of lonely and bored. Backing up a bit, I prepared for … [Read more...]
Thoughts on words and life
Jennifer Goble A simple quote passing through Facebook resonated with me: The wrong people will find you in peace and leave you in pieces. The right people will find you in pieces and lead you to peace. One important word in the quote is “find.” Similar to life’s lessons, we usually don’t shop for relationships; they often find us—they show up, develop, or fade away. It’s true, … [Read more...]
Guilt is expensive
Dear Abby, who died at 94, once wrote: “If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we’d all be millionaires.” I believe she is referring to what we have done or not done that we regret—the things that churn in our belly and wake us in the night. Guilt is one of our nastiest emotions. It is right up there with jealousy. The cost of guilt to our mental health … [Read more...]
Mix in a little healing honey
Dear friends, I came to you today with a cast on my right wrist because I fell like a ton of bricks on the 23rd of July. As I watched my grandsons maneuver the high elements at an adventure park, I had no idea what unique skills I had, but I suddenly fell to the right onto the blacktop. Five of the sweetest grandchildren in the world and one grand-dog spent a chunk of time … [Read more...]
When all else fails, HUG A DOG
Last week I wrote about my long days and nights and admitted to claiming the word “bored.” I solved that problem and gave my heart to a dog—Lucy. I don’t have her yet because she isn’t old enough to leave her mama, but I am busy preparing for her homecoming. The pet store overwhelmed me. I could not believe the choices of dry and wet dog food, leashes, beds, harnesses, toys, … [Read more...]
Mental Matters: Bored
I need a plan — how about you? As I look at the date on this article, I think, OMGoodness — it will be Christmas soon. The Hallmark channel has reruns of Christmas movies, and a store last week had a sign at the entrance: 174 days until Christmas. On this day of publication, it is 168 days until Dec. 25. UGH! The older I get, the faster the years fly and the slower the … [Read more...]
I choose Maverick over Parker
This week I watched two movies: Elvis and Top Gun: Maverick. One left me sad and the other exhausted—both had exceptional acting and good yet opposite examples of tenacity and determination. Elvis had a true villain, and Top Gun: Maverick a hero, but both made me think about the fine line between success and failure. In Elvis, Tom Hanks played Presley’s manager Colonel Tom … [Read more...]
Kindness and patience—refreshing
Life’s lessons come to us often unexpected and uninvited. So do blessings. I received one recently in an hour, and all I did was show up and pay attention. It began after the usher guided me to a pew. A woman welcomed the congregation and said she especially wanted to include families with small children. She said, “Noise from our little ones adds much to our spiritual … [Read more...]
Summoned to honor
June is nearly over, and we celebrate the Fourth of July this coming week. I enjoy most holidays, but especially the day when red, white, and blue inundate my vision. Being in the presence of a high American spirit makes me smile all day. Between Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, and now Independence Day, I get national reminders to elevate my levels of gratitude for the who, what, … [Read more...]