Many times in my life, I have thought that I should not be allowed to drive because of how little I know about vehicles. Today, I’m thinking the same about my iPhone. Last night, my screen went wacky. All the letters were giant, and I couldn’t swipe or minimize anything. Emergency services received an automatic call in my attempt to shut it down for resetting, and my three … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
Learning improves our mental health
A former priest in my parish recited the names of the US Presidents backward as a brain exercise. Impressive. A friend tried, with no luck, to teach me to list the 45 men in order. I met an artist, John F. Thamm, who painted and exhibited all the presidents in art galleries. According to Google, over a trillion books have been written about these monumental … [Read more...]
Spread much-needed joy
Driving west on Main Street, I noticed a woman walking. She was thin, dressed in a mid-length plaid coat, and wore a stocking cap. We arrived at the stoplight, turning into Walmart around the same time. Instead of walking toward the store, she crossed the street and gave the man holding a sign some money. He shoved it in his front pant pocket. The woman and I entered the … [Read more...]
Be you, that’s it
Jennifer Goble (Courtesy photo) Roses, hearts, and chocolates—today is the day of love. Whatever you think about Valentine’s Day, it has been a thing since 496 AD, and the history of St. Valentine isn’t a bed of roses—it involves a decapitation. Valentine’s Day started as a religious event and has evolved into a mid-February day for us to spread love to our extra special … [Read more...]
Meet nobody, somebody, anybody, and everybody
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...]
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...]