““You must pay for everything in this world one way and another. There is nothing free except the Grace of God. You cannot earn that or deserve it.” ~
Month: November 2021
🌾 Today’s Poem ~ I Have Loved Hours At Sea
I Have Loved Hours At Sea
Sara Teasdale
I have loved hours at sea, gray cities,
The fragile secret of a flower,
Music, the making of a poem
That gave me heaven for an hour;
The fragile secret of a flower,
Music, the making of a poem
That gave me heaven for an hour;
First stars above a snowy hill,
Voices of people kindly and wise,
And the great look of love, long hidden,
Found at last in meeting eyes.
I have loved much and been loved deeply —
Oh when my spirit’s fire burns low,
Leave me the darkness and the stillness,
I shall be tired and glad to go.
✒️ Writers’ Wisdom ~ Wondering What to Write About?
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
~ Louis L’Amour
🍎 Today’s Health Tip ~ Eating for Brain Health
Foods that Positively Brain Health
Eating certain foods (and avoiding others) has been shown to slow brain aging by 7.5 years, and lessen the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Here’s what that looks like:
Load up on vegetables – researchers found that green leafy ones like kale, collards, spinach or lettuce were specifically shown to lower the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Greens are packed with nutrients linked to better brain health like folate, vitamin E, carotenoids and flavonoids.
Make berries your sweet treat – In a 20-year study of over 16,000 older adults, those who ate the most blueberries and strawberries had the slowest rates of cognitive decline.
Snack on nuts (and pass on the packaged stuff) – Nuts may be high in calories and fat, but they’re packed with fat-soluble vitamin E, known for its brain-protective qualities.
Cook with (mostly) olive oil – Another Mediterranean diet staple that has a home in the MIND diet is olive oil. Researchers recommend using it as your primary cooking oil, and avoiding butter and margarine.
Embrace meat-free meals – Brain-healthy eating encourages consuming meat sparingly Beans, lentils and soybeans, which pack protein and fiber, make a worthy substitute. They’ll keep you full and are rich in B vitamins, which are important for brain health.
Have fish once a week – Adults age 65 and older who ate fish once a week or more scored better on memory tests and tricky number games than those who had seafood less often.
Feel free to savor a glass of wine – Studies suggest that light to moderate drinking may lower the risk of dementia. Given the risks of alcohol, it’s probably not a good idea to start drinking it just for the possible brain benefit. But if you enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, you can continue the habit on the MIND diet
Today’s Smile 😃
Joe: “Two years ago my girlfriend borrowed a hundred dollars from me.”
Pete: “Did she pay it back.”
Joe: “Yesterday, we broke up and she returned exactly one-hundred dollars. She said she lost interest in me.”
👊 Today’s Power Thought ~ Learn From Today and Head Toward Tomorrow
Just because you couldn’t figure out how to do it today has no bearing on you being able to do it tomorrow. Today taught you a lesson on what not to try. Try something different, charge ahead.
🌞 Today’s Inspiration ~ Want to Achieve Your Goal?
“It’s just a matter of understanding what’s necessary and discipline yourself to do it.”
~ Arthur Lydiard
💡 Something to Think About
Look straight ahead. What do you see? Got it all in mind? Even if your peripheral vision is perfect, you’re only getting half of the picture. You need someone to help you see what is behind you to have the full picture. When we listen to only one slant or take on events we get part of the picture, not the whole picture. When we listen to different perspectives our perspective is broadened.
✒️ Writers’ Wisdom ~ What is Plot?
“Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow after your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations.” ~ Ray Bradbury
🌾 Today’s Poem ~ Next Time
Next Time
Mary Oliver
Next time what I’d do is look at
the earth before saying anything. I’d stop
just before going into a house
and be an emperor for a minute
and listen better to the wind
or to the air being still.
the earth before saying anything. I’d stop
just before going into a house
and be an emperor for a minute
and listen better to the wind
or to the air being still.
When anyone talked to me, whether
blame or praise or just passing time,
I’d watch the face, how the mouth
has to work, and see any strain, any
sign of what lifted the voice.
And for all, I’d know more — the earth
bracing itself and soaring, the air
finding every leaf and feather over
forest and water, and for every person
the body glowing inside the clothes
like a light.
