Are you playing it safe? Are you hedging your bets, trying to live life in a rest stop until . . .? Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone. This moment is what we have. We are the creators of this moment. We can make each of our moments special. We can fill them with love, hope, and joy. We can step out into the sunshine or rain and enjoy it all. What are you waiting for? Life is waiting for you. Life wants to see how you dance. Feel the beat and live on.
Month: November 2022
Today’s Poem ~ Encouraged
Encouraged
Paul Laurence Dunbar
Because you love me I have much achieved,
Had you despised me then I must have failed,
But since I knew you trusted and believed,
I could not disappoint you and so prevailed.
Had you despised me then I must have failed,
But since I knew you trusted and believed,
I could not disappoint you and so prevailed.
Today’s Inspiration ~ Stumbling Blocks Need Not Stop You
“There will always be rocks in the road ahead of us. They will be stumbling blocks or stepping stones;
it all depends on how you use them.”
Today’s Health Tip ~ Foods to Eat While Going Through Menopause
Foods to Eat During Menopause
Calcium-rich foods – While you’re dealing with hot flashes and night sweats, your bones are going through changes of their own throughout menopause. This may not be something you feel right away, but bone loss becomes more prevalent during this time and can even lead to conditions like osteoporosis.
Try foods with high sources of calcium like:
- Skim milk.
- Cow’s milk.
- Soy milk.
- Yogurt.
- Low-fat cheese.
Vegetables – Don’t skimp out on those healthy greens. . . .Not only do leafy vegetables help with managing weight, but they can also help with bone health. Veggies like spinach, turnips and collard greens are great sources of calcium. Other veggies to work into your diet that help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce the severity of hot flashes include:
- Broccoli.
- Cauliflower.
- Asparagus.
- Brussel sprouts.
- Kale.
Lean Protein – You’ll want to focus on leaner meats and proteins to keep your menopause symptoms as happy as possible. This switch can help with weight management, but it also ensures you’re increasing bone strength and muscle mass. You can have red meat once in a while, but we have to be careful with cholesterol.
Some lean protein to work into your diet:
- Grilled chicken.
- Tuna.
- Turkey.
- Lean beef.
- Tofu.
- Lentils.
- Beans.
Soy products – Soy from food products may alleviate hot flashes and night sweats in some women. According to some studies, soy products may help ease menopausal symptoms because they contain phytoestrogens — a chemical that’s similar to estrogen. But it can be a hit or miss for some. Not everyone carries the certain enzyme that converts the soy from phytoestrogen into estrogen.
Some soy-based products include:
- Soybeans (you probably know them by the name edamame).
- Soy flour.
- Tofu.
- Soy milk.
Think About It
I love the holiday season in the US. It runs from Thanksgiving (the end of November through New Year’s day). It’s festive. I see family and friends I haven’t seen in a while. I like to hear the stories of those I haven’t seen in a while. And, to hear their stories of their dreams for the future. The best gifts I will receive will be the gifts of their presence. I can’t imagine anything more valuable than that for me.
Today’s Power Thought ~ It’s a Matter of Trust
How well do you trust others? When we trust someone or when someone trusts us, risk is involved. We’ll never know if a person is trustworthy until we take the risk. When we show our trust in another person, we give that person a chance to prove he/she is trustworthy. In my experience, taking the risk is worth it. I’ve seldom been let down. The act of trust builds a bond between the person doing the trusting and the person who is trusted. People in great relationships know that trust is the glue that binds their relationship.
Today’s Poem ~ Courage
Courage
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
CARELESSLY over the plain away,
Where by the boldest man no path
Cut before thee thou canst discern,
Make for thyself a path!
Where by the boldest man no path
Cut before thee thou canst discern,
Make for thyself a path!
Silence, loved one, my heart!
Cracking, let it not break!
Breaking, break not with thee!
What If taking Responsibility Were Commonplace
What if taking responsibility were commonplace? Taking responsibility is easier said than done. It’s easy to point fingers at others and say, “He/she should take responsibility.” Responsibility begins when I own it. When I take responsibility, for better or worse, for my actions or duties in relationship to myself and to others. Responsibility means I recognize what is required of me as a man/woman and act accordingly. When society values responsibility families are stronger, neighborhoods are healthier and safer, and doing what’s right triumphs over self interest.
A Better Life ~ Gaining a Greater Sense of Freedom
When we need another’s affirmation to be happy, we become a prisoner to that person’s whims. When another’s affirmation is viewed as not central for our happiness, we gain a new sense of freedom. Our not needing another’s affirmation creates a relationship on a more equal basis and not one of subservience.
Today’s Joke
Joe: “My girlfriend works at a bank. She told me she wanted to break up with me.”
Pete: “Did you ask her why?”
Joe: “She said she was losing interest.
