Since Lucy was in training, I took advantage of my freedom and signed on for a tour with people I had never met to an area I had never visited. I had a great time, met friendly people, and laughed often. On the flight home, I was stuck in the middle, like always, and tried shrinking into my seat so the shoulders, elbows, and man sprawl on both sides of me didn’t make … [Read more...]
Patience is necessary for every life—every day
Lucky for Lucy and me, I learned patience early in life. I was the little sister with no seniority or clout, so I learned to wait and wait and wait. I’m the fourth of five girls, so patience was woven into my upbringing. Last week I wrote about frustration, and this week offered more of the same, but I focused on the value and need for patience. My exasperation started with … [Read more...]
Feel frustrated and then rise above
My problems don’t involve a lack of a home, food, water, or healthcare, but that doesn’t keep me from wishing for Santa or the Easter Bunny. Average life makes this growing-up stuff more complex than my parents admitted or modeled. It’s called frustration. Webster defines it as a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems … [Read more...]
Let’s laugh together as we begin this beautiful month
Humor is one thing I have found that helps my mental health—especially when I laugh at myself. As I get older, I find laughing is more effective than criticism, apologies, excuses, or trying to pretend I didn’t notice. On this first day of June, I thought you might enjoy a collection of quotes on the humor (or trauma) of aging. There is nothing wrong with crying, but … [Read more...]
The vultures are back
Walking my little grand-dog on April 3, I saw Turkey Vultures playing in the sky. My neighbor said he first noticed them on April 1 and counted forty-something of them the day before. He previously told me their exact arrival date in the spring and departure in the fall. Maybe they contribute to the saying, “Creatures of habit.” The vultures are ugly with their featherless … [Read more...]
We want physical and mental health holding hands
Here we are in March, and the wind outside my window makes me think of the expression, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” I envision March teetering on a fence, wondering whether to jump to the side of winter or spring. Mental health is a little that way—a balancing act. I’m always talking about mental health—what is it anyway? We have physical health, … [Read more...]
Chickens have no teeth
I saw a large sign the other day: “A chicken doesn’t have teeth, don’t be a chicken.” I know I don’t get around much, but I wondered what in the heck that meant. Did it mean, don’t be a chicken, have courage? Upon turning to my friend, Google, I learned it is a slogan for a dental office. I thought, Oh, that makes sense. Duh! Truthfully, I didn’t know a chicken didn’t have … [Read more...]
Do what you can while you can
This week I was inspired by an article in the Fence Post: Your Trusted Source for Ag News & Information. “As iron sharpens iron: Stories of mental health from rural Colorado” was written by Rachel Gabel and published on October 29, 2021. Gabel is an agriculture journalist, author, and member of one of Colorado’s beef-producing families. The complicated subject is rural … [Read more...]
What wears YOU out?
The DC thing, the political thing, and the COVID thing wear me out. It’s all depressing and discouraging. I bring it up because I know if I am feeling unsure, some of you are too. We don’t suffer in isolation. If I need something, I know someone else also does. As I see it, I could rant and rage about this, that, and another, trying to sway others to my point of view, but it … [Read more...]
A matter of balance
A matter of balance Robert Fulghum, author of All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, wrote: “Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.” Wise advice! Balance affects many subjects: checkbooks; work and family; budgets; scales; tires; meals; investments; we even have shoes called New Balance. … [Read more...]
Humility takes time to perfect
Humility takes time to perfect Humility is defined differently by many: lack of pride; modest; meek; shy; primary virtue; unpretentious; down to earth; self-abasement; sense of one’s own unworthiness; etc. Benjamin Franklin said, “Humility makes great men twice honorable.” I am learning the art of being humble: I am playing duplicate bridge twice a week. I play with … [Read more...]
Challenges contribute to mental health
Challenges contribute to mental health My “Bucket List” included being a bartender. So, I enrolled in a Bartending Academy. It was a grueling, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., ten day class. I surprisingly passed both the written and speed tests and was awarded a certificate. Whew! You might ask what this has to do with mental health. It has to do with challenging our brains, our … [Read more...]
Use it up, wear it out…or do without!
Use it up, wear it out...or do without! I did not live through the great depression, but during that period of history, 1929-1939, frugality was considered a virtue, and the phrase, “Use it up, wear it out, and make it do, or do without!” was the guiding principal in most households. Those were the years when nothing was wasted. Women sewed clothes for the family, and then made … [Read more...]