A inspirational blog with focus on issues that affect older adults from health, education, family and social issues.
Showing posts with label Sharing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sharing. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
The Shifting Seasons of Life
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This is the time of year that we
see a shift in the weather. Depending on where you live, that could mean a
cold, long and brutal winter with snow and ice, cooler with only an occasional
dip in temperatures, or places many envy with warm climates and palm trees that
appear mesmerizing as they flow in the wind.
Similar to the seasons of Mother
Nature, we experience changes in our lives that collate with the drastic
changes of the weather. Some changes we
welcome with open arms because they bring about joy and happiness. Other
changes are difficult because they involve sadness, loss or unexpected shifts
in our lives.
One can only imagine how joyful it
would be if our seasons were always bountiful or we were always prepared for our
life shifts. The real truth is our lives
never stay the same. Regardless of your age, financial position, occupation or
social status, everything must change.
How do will deal with change? We
prepare ourselves. Like many cities and
states who know they are about to experience a change in climates and
conditions, they prepare for what is about to take place. There is a plan of
action to deal with possibilities that may occur from adverse weather
conditions. Even with the best of
disaster plans, people lose lives, homes, income and other meaningful
possessions. Once the storm is over and the damage is assessed, cities, towns
and communities began to pick up the pieces, rebuild and move on with their
lives.
When we experience seasons of
life, we can hold on to our faith and know that God does not change. Our faith
is our security. Even in our worst
storms, God prevails over Mother Nature. When the winter storms become
unbearable, know that the season will change, flowers will bloom and you will spring
forward into your new season.
Monday, December 30, 2013
What to Do with 2013 Leftovers?
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Moving into the New Year is an
exciting time for many. It represents a new beginning, time to set and
accomplish new goals, and a time to start over. Some may want better financial
and career opportunities and others are on a mission to start or enhance
businesses. We become more motivated to improve our health
and incorporating fitness routines into our lifestyles is a major focus.
Considering some of the same
goals myself, I pondered how I would move into the New Year with some of my 2013
goals still lingering. What was good? What was bad? What do I need to take into
2014 and what do I need to leave behind. Realistically, how can we truly
transition into the future with unwanted leftovers attached to our past? Similar to food stored in the refrigerator,
some leftovers taste better when the seasoning has settled, which enhances the
flavor. Old, stale and molded leftovers that have remained in the refrigerator
far too long need to be removed and dumped in the garbage. The key is doing what should to be done to
move forward.
While there may not be a magical
prescription that works for everyone, we must be willing and open to take steps
to eliminate the things we no longer want to remain in our lives. Personally, I
have found success in creating a Do and Don’t list entitled, Self-Preservation (or
you can replace with your own title). It begins with taking a blank canvas, which
can be a piece of paper or your preferred technical device, creating two
columns and incorporating your title at the top of each column. In the Do column, write down all the things
you want to accomplish in 2014, which can include good things from 2013 that
remain a work-in-progress. On the Don’t column, place all the things you do not
want to take into 2014, to include hardships, depression, debt, poor health, relationships,
or anything that is holding you back. Once you have completed the lists,
eliminate the Don’t by focusing only what you have placed on the Do list for
the next twelve months. Let’s call this the, Do You Resolution.
For this process to be
successful, you have to be realistic about what you really need and don’t need.
After all, we are striving to accomplish goals that assist us in moving to a
better place in our lives in both the natural and spiritual. Remember, when
leftovers are good and tasty, eat them. When leftovers are old and stale, throw
them away. Happy New Year, Happy New
You!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
Spread the Love!
Follow @SheilaAgnew
I was
pondering the emotion of love and wandered how love can be the most powerful
force in the universe and yet, many have such a difficult time understanding,
embracing and expressing the one emotion that is designed to hold us together.
The bible teaches
us to abide by faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love. We are further asked to pursue love and
commanded that we love one another as God has loved us. This is a testimony to the power of love.
Often when
we think of love, particularly during the month of February for Valentine’s Day,
we think of relationships between husband and wife or boyfriend and
girlfriend. Our feelings seem to
intensify with the very thought that we are loved by that special person. Some people spend days, weeks and months
trying to create a clever way to show and tell their sweethearts how they are
loved. That expression is typically done
through a nice dinner, flowers, candy or cards.
These are all beautiful gestures that I appreciate giving and receiving,
but I cannot help but consider if we spread the intensity of that love beyond
our mates, how powerful our relationships would be within our families, friends
and communities.
Do you know
someone that has lost a mate or loved one recently? What about an elderly
parent, relative or even a total stranger in a nursing home? Do you know a
homeless family or even a youth in your neighborhood that would benefit from
just a little dose of a love expression?
Imagine if we reached beyond our personal desires to receive and
consider giving more love on Valentine’s Day.
That’s the power of real love, loving one another.
The power of love lies within each and every one of us.
On Valentine's Day, strength your arms beyond your sweetheart and show a
gesture of love to others. We all like to hear those three words, I Love
You.
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