Joe: “I live near a children’s zoo.”
Pete: “How’s that working out?”
Joe: “Last week four kids escaped.”
Month: July 2023
Poem for Today
Hope
Theodore Henry Shakelford
O Hope! into my darkened life
Thou hast so oft’ descended;
My helpless head from failure’s blows,
Thou also hast defended;
When circumstances hard, and mean,
Which I could not control,
Did make me bow my head with shame,
Thou comforted my soul.
When stumbling blocks lay all around,
And when my steps did falter,
Then did thy sacred fires burn
Upon my soul’s high altar.
Oft’ was my very blackest night
Scarce darker than my day,
But thou dispelled those clouds of doubt,
And cheered my lonely way.
E’en when I saw my friends forsake,
And leave me for another,
Then thou, O Hope, didst cling to me
Still closer than a brother;
Thus with thee near I groped my way
Through that long, gloomy night
Till now; yes, as I speak, behold,
I see the light! the light!
Daily Quotes to Brighton Your Journey
“Hating people is like burning down your own house to get rid of a rat.”
Feeling Good Tip
Are You Prepared for the Stormy Season?
I’m sitting at my desk at 7:45 a.m. and across the way workers are putting a new roof on a neighbor’s home. The roofers got an early start because the high today will be 103 F (39.44 C). The neighbors are taking steps to replace a worn roof before the stormy season hits. It’s the same way with us. We don’t know when our stormy season will hit, but it will. We can take steps to ensure that we are strong, resilient and ready to handle any challenge. We can rate ourselves on the following scale from 1 to 5. One being low, 5 being high.
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- How strong are my family and friendship connections.? 1 2 3 4 5
- Am I eating healthy? 1 2 3 4 5
- Am I taking time each day to relax and quiet my mind? 1 2 3 4 5
- Am I getting 150 minutes a week of exercise? 1 2 3 4 5
- How strong is my spiritual life? 1 2 3 4 5
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When you finish review your scores, you’ll know where to improve to meet the challenges of your stormy season.
Thinking Out Loud
Trust Your Instinct
In today’s post I begin sharing my thoughts as I read Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay, Self Reliance. Self Reliance can be downloaded for free at qutenbern.org under the titleEssays by Ralph Waldo Emerson. According the American Poetry Foundation, “Emerson New was a England preacher, essayist, lecturer, poet, and philosopher—was one of the most influential writers and thinkers of the 19th century in the United States.”
In his work, Self Reliance, Ralph Waldo Emerson writes, “To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, —that is genius.” P. 110
NOTE: Emerson encourages us to believe in the wisdom of our thoughts. It’s the intuitive sense that assesses the thought and instinctively knows that this thought is the right path. Once our instinct is screaming at us, it us up to us to act upon it. I recall, during my time in academia, searching for a methodology that would benefit one of my doctoral students. I stumbled (or was it serendipity) across a methodology called appreciative inquiry. It made all the difference for my student. And, it made all the difference for me. I made the methodology the central piece of all my research.
Healthy Lifestyle Tip
Am I Eating Healthy?
I provided my plans for dinner tonight with ChatGPT and asked if my dinner is healthy. Here is my question and ChatGPT’s answer:
I am going to make dinner tonight. My dinner will have hummus, broccoli crowns, strawberries, and a wild field green salad that includes tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and mixed with EVOO and balsamic vinaigrette. Give me the reasons this is a healthy meal?
Your dinner sounds like a healthy and balanced meal with a variety of nutrient-rich ingredients. Here are the reasons why it’s a healthy choice:
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- Hummus: Hummus is primarily made from chickpeas, which are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber. It also contains healthy fats from olive oil and tahini, which can help promote satiety and support heart health.
- Broccoli Crowns: Broccoli is a nutrient powerhouse, rich in vitamins C, K, and A, as well as folate and fiber. It also contains various antioxidants and phytochemicals that have been linked to potential health benefits, including supporting the immune system and reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases.
- Strawberries: Strawberries are low in calories and high in vitamin C, manganese, and antioxidants. They are excellent for supporting immune function, promoting healthy skin, and reducing inflammation.
- Wild Field Green Salad: The mixed greens in your salad likely include a combination of spinach, arugula, kale, and other leafy greens. These greens are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and they offer a great source of fiber for digestion.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and lycopene, a potent antioxidant known for its potential to reduce the risk of certain cancers and promote heart health.
- Onions: Onions contain antioxidants and sulfur compounds that may have various health benefits, including reducing inflammation and supporting cardiovascular health.
- Cucumbers: Cucumbers are hydrating and low in calories, making them a refreshing addition to your meal. They also provide vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K and potassium.
- EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil): Olive oil is a healthy source of monounsaturated fats, which can help lower bad cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease when used as a replacement for unhealthy fats.
- Balsamic Vinaigrette: While balsamic vinaigrette does contain some added sugars, the overall salad dressing can still contribute to the meal’s healthy aspect, especially if used in moderation. The mixture of olive oil and vinegar enhances the flavor of the salad and increases the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins from the greens.
By incorporating these nutritious ingredients into your dinner, you’re providing your body with a wide range of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats, supporting overall well-being and potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!
Word Jumble Challenge: Unscramble the Nutrition and Fitness Word
Today’s Word: shmumu
Yesterday’s Word: stress management
The Answer to Today’s Word will appear in tomorrow’s Word Jumble Challenge
Healthy Lifestyle Tip
It’s Strawberry Season & They’re Packed with Good Stuff
Daily Quotes to Brighten Your Journey
“Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines
but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.”
Buddha
