What if I had a conversation with myself, would I find it interesting? Would I find myself interesting? Would I talk only about myself and not allow my other self a chance to speak? My experience is that most people like to talk about themselves, their lives, problems and work. It’s only incidental that they draw an other into the conversation. When we view a conversation as an exchange of ideas or experiences, we are likely to find each other interesting.
Month: December 2022
Today’s Poem ~ A Psalm of Life
A Psalm of Life
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
What the heart of the young man said to the psalmist
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream! —
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act, — act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
Today’s Positive Thought ~ Peace is Always Beautiful
“Peace is always beautiful (Walt Whitman).” It’s not healthy to work in an environment where one has to worry about his or her emotional or physical safety. It’s not healthy to live in a world where leaders believe that war and destruction is better than living in harmony and peaceful competition. Working for peace is hard work. It takes courage to listen to different ideas. It takes courage to let go of past grievances. It takes courage to let go the myths that hang around our necks like anchors. If we have the courage to do so, peace is possible and how beautiful peace will be.
Today’s Health Tip ~ 6 Ways to Lose Belly Fat
6 Evidence-Based Ways to Lose Abdominal Fat.
Losing abdominal fat, or belly fat, is a common weight loss goal. . . . Losing excess visceral fat can have significant benefits for your health.
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- Limit sugar and sugar sweetened drinks.
- Eat more protein.
- Consider a low carb diet.
- Eat fiber rich foods.
- Exercise regularly.
- Track your food intake.
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Most people can reduce fat in the abdomen by taking on key lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet packed with lean protein, vegetables and fruit, and legumes, and exercising regularly.
Think About It ~ It’s Time to Dream
2022 is near the end. It’s a time for reflection and for dreaming. I think dreaming is the more important of the two. Dreams give us hope. Dreams touch something deep inside screaming at us that something better is waiting for us. It is a time for great dreams, dreams you’ve may never had dared dream because you felt you may not have been worthy of them or believed them to be impossible, Don’t believe it. You are worthy of great dreams and if you can dream it, it is possible.
What if I went to my library and checked out a book?
What if I went to my library and checked out a book? I enjoy going to my library, online or in person. My branch library is loaded with books, computers, exercise equipment to ride while one reads, and free WiFi. When I go to the library I take my laptop, find a table and work on my writing. I”ve gotten to know the librarians and they me. It’s a friendly place. Most of the books I read I take out digitally and read on my iPad. Check out your local library and discover all the great things it has to offer you. I love my library.
Today’s Joke
Joe: “I told my friend Al that my mother-in-law is an angel.”
Pete: “What did Al say?”
Joe: “He said I was lucky, his mother-in-law is still alive.”
Today’s Inspiration ~ Kindness Wins
“Wherever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference.”
~ Kevin Heath
Think About It ~ The Fog Will Lift
Have you every driven or walked through fog so thick you could barely see ten feet (3 meters) in front of you? I have, many times. I grew up fairly close to the Atlantic Ocean where, at times, the fog was thick enough to slice it with a knife. Walking is fine, but driving can be scary. Life is like that when troubles surround us and there is no apparent end in sight. In the same manner as negotiating our way through a dense fog, it is time to slow down until the fog lifts. It will lift, it always does. Our troubles will go away, they always do. We have to have the tenacity to stay the course, move slower, be careful of our steps, and move confidently knowing our troubles will lift away and we will once again have smooth sailing.
Today’s Health Tip ~ 5 Ways to Live with Arthritis
Physical or occupational therapists can be very helpful in teaching you how to modify activities and accomplish daily tasks more easily. But there are simple things you can do for yourself, starting today. Here are five of them:
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- Keep moving. Avoid holding one position for too long. When working at a desk, for example, get up and stretch every 15 minutes. Do the same while sitting at home reading or watching television.
- Discover your strength. Put your strongest joints and muscles to work. To protect finger and wrist joints, push open heavy doors with the side of your arm or shoulder. To reduce hip or knee stress on stairs, let the strong leg lead going up and the weaker leg lead going down.
- Plan ahead. Simplify and organize your routines so you minimize movements that are difficult or painful. Keep items you need for cooking, cleaning, or hobbies near where they are needed (even if that means multiple sets of cleaning supplies, one for your kitchen and each bathroom, for example).
- Take advantage of labor-saving devices and adaptive aids. Simple gadgets and devices can make it easier to perform daily activities such as cooking, gardening, or even getting dressed. Long-handled grippers, for example, are designed to grasp and retrieve out-of-reach objects. Rubber grips can help you get a better handle on faucets, pens, toothbrushes, and silverware. Pharmacies, medical supply stores, and online vendors stock a variety of aids for people with arthritis.
- Ask for help. People with arthritis often worry about the possibility of growing dependent on others. But only a very small percentage of people with arthritis become severely disabled. Still, the emotional burdens of arthritis can be considerable. Educate family members and friends about how arthritis affects you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Source: Harvard healthbeat newsletter
