While organizing art supplies, I found the following quote by an unknown author. The letters were rough as though typed on an old typewriter, and the business card-size paper was yellow and aged. The creative message entertained and challenged me years ago, and it still does today. I hope you too enjoy it: “This is a story about four people: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
Thanks to all those who make basketball games so enjoyable
We’re in basketball season, and I am thrilled to have three grandsons playing: one at NJC and two (11 & 9) at Wray. The little ones play in Brush every Sunday—beyond cute. My kids all played basketball, so I have spent many (MANY) hours sitting on bleachers asking questions such as, “What just happened? Was that a foul? What did the ref mean by that?” Besides benefits … [Read more...]
Nobody’s a living saint
Challenging is the word I think of when family and friends experience dementia. It seems to creep in slowly and never goes away. Dementia is a noticeable adjustment for the person with the disorder, as it is for those living with or around them. It is also disturbing and stressful. My sister has been in an excellent Arizona group home for over three years. I’m thankful to … [Read more...]
I like that sweet thought
A friend recently lost her dad, and she said, “I was able to spend 3 1/2 weeks 24/7 with Dad and Mom before he passed away at home. Precious memories.” I replied, “I’m so glad you could be with him. I don’t know if many people realize how comforting and settling it is to have that experience and memory.” Of course, her comments made me think of loved ones I’ve lost in the … [Read more...]
The impossible or improbable is possible
On January 1st, I went to the movie, “Boys in the Boat.” It was worth my time and an excellent motivation for the new year. It was a simple, true story about nine boys joining a university rowing team in Seattle during the Depression to pay tuition, eat, and sleep on a bed. Most of them had no rowing experience, just grit and survival instincts. I won’t tell the rest of the … [Read more...]
It only takes ten minutes
Jennifer Goble (Courtesy photo) Welcome to 2024. It’s 357 days til Christmas. Google says we also have 6,069 waking hours (if we sleep 7 hours/night) and 102 ten-minute segments daily. Our choices of how to spend this time are endless: We can thrift or throw away what we no longer use, call a friend, bake cookies, wash the bathroom mirrors, take a nap, walk, clean our sock … [Read more...]
What do YOU hope for 2024?
I wish you a Happy New Year—2023 is ending with good, bad, and likely a few ugly memories. 2024 is on the horizon—a blank canvas for which we can draw, paint, or imagine whatever we want. Isn’t that a lovely thought? What do you think about as the new year approaches? Making and keeping a budget, losing weight, exercising more, cleaning the garage, or taking a trip is the … [Read more...]
Recycled, repurposed, and renewed
I look at a blank screen today and wonder what to write about the week before Christmas again. I’ve written about this week for thirteen years and decided to dig into the archives. I chose a tad from many articles and summarized what remains relevant. Ponder these thoughts as we prepare for Jesus’ 2023 birthday party. Listed with no order of importance: Give more smiles … [Read more...]
Be authentic—it reaps the rewards now and forever
I’m writing this the morning after I attended a dear childhood friend’s Celebration of Life and also heard that my Estes Park friend, who chose in January not to undergo radical and invasive cancer treatment, passed. We all know death is a part of life, but it still hits hard. Two factors contribute: Finality and loss. Death is final—there are no do-overs, and it is a loss … [Read more...]
How do you deal with loneliness?
At 95, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, America’s most famous and least likely sex counselor, has a new career path: New York’s Loneliness Ambassador. She believes the United States has a loneliness epidemic. Loneliness is a problem. And it doesn’t just affect older adults—young people and couples can also experience lonely days and nights. I recently watched the movie Hope Springs with … [Read more...]
Get out of the way and let it happen
Around Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday, an interviewer called him the only unifying figure in this country. When asked what he thought could bridge what seems to be intractable division in America, Willie said, “I think you wake up every day and imagine what you want to see happen today, and then get out of the way and let it happen. It’s worked for me. I take it one day at a … [Read more...]
It’s hard to beat a win-win
Here we are the day before turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. For many, that is reality; for others, like me, it’s waiting for an invite to dinner or making a reservation. It’s also about sitting around a beautiful table, holding hands while saying grace, and then talking freely and laughing loudly. As it was for the Pilgrims in 1621, its primary intent is … [Read more...]
She thinks I’m a keeper
While at the post office, a pleasant man with a sweet smile stopped to pet Lucy. He said, “Hi, this must be Lucy, the one you write about.” I thought, “How sweet is that? Little Lucy Lou has another friend.” Also, every week, I post my article on Facebook, which transfers readers to my website. Sometimes, a dozen, give or take, people will write a comment or send a thumbs-up … [Read more...]
Think about it and do what you can
It’s challenging to find a mental wellness topic this week. I ask myself and you, my readers, to search for what we believe and want. What do you stand for? Do you want peace or war? Compassion or hate? Civility or combat? Democracy, Communism, or Monarchy? Do you want to tear down or build up? I’m worried about us. Sterling, CO, is not protected from suicide, homicide, or mass … [Read more...]
Heed the wisdom of Mother Nature
How can it be 11-01-2023? A few weeks ago, I decided I resembled Venus—like the planet of love, my days are longer than my years. I also realized that I’ve been in denial—I’m not getting old; I am old. I don’t feel so old, and then someone takes a photo of me and posts it online, and there’s no way to remain in denial. 2023 is old, too, so I’m in good company. The green … [Read more...]