The Will to Win: A Poem by Berton Braley

The Will to Win

Berton Braley

If you want a thing bad enough
To go out and fight for it,
Work day and night for it,
Give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it
If only desire of it
Makes you quite mad enough
Never to tire of it,
Makes you hold all other things tawdry and cheap for it
If life seems all empty and useless without it
And all that you scheme and you dream is about it,
If gladly you’ll sweat for it,
Fret for it,
Plan for it,
Lose all your terror of God or man for it,
If you’ll simply go after that thing that you want,
With all your capacity,
Strength and sagacity,
Faith, hope and confidence, stern pertinacity,
If neither cold poverty, famished and gaunt,
Nor sickness nor pain
Of body or brain
Can turn you away from the thing that you want,
If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it,
You’ll get it!

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Today’s Joke: Joe’s a Fan of Teamwork

Joe: “I’m a big fan of teamwork where I work.”

Pete: “You see its benefits?”

Joe: “Yah. If I screw up, I can blame someone else.”

Get Healthy: Make Optimism a Way of Life

Why Optimists Are Happier Than Pessimists

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to radiate happiness, no matter the circumstances? The secret might lie in their outlook on life. Research shows that optimists, those who generally expect good things to happen, tend to be happier than pessimists, who often anticipate unfavorable outcomes. This blog post delves into the reasons behind this phenomenon, shedding light on why adopting an optimistic viewpoint could be a key to a happier life.

Positive Expectations Shape Reality

Optimists are champions at viewing the glass as half full. This positive expectation influences their perception of life events, enabling them to see opportunities in challenges rather than mere obstacles. Their hopeful outlook makes them more resilient in the face of adversity, as they believe that negative situations are temporary and can be improved. This resilience not only helps them recover from setbacks more quickly but also contributes to a higher level of overall happiness.

Optimists Cultivate Healthier Relationships

Optimism fosters a positive environment that encourages stronger and more supportive relationships. Optimists tend to spread their cheerfulness, making them more likable and easier to be around. Their ability to see the best in people and situations can lead to deeper, more meaningful connections. These positive social interactions further enhance their happiness and well-being.

Better Health and Longevity

The benefits of optimism extend beyond mental health. Optimists often enjoy better physical health and may even live longer. Their positive outlook encourages healthier lifestyles and stress management practices. Furthermore, optimism has been linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases and improved immune function. By taking proactive steps towards their health and well-being, optimists not only live happier but potentially longer lives.

In conclusion, the happiness of optimists can be attributed to their positive expectations, healthier relationships, and better physical health. Embracing an optimistic attitude may not change the world overnight, but it can certainly change one’s experience of it, leading to a more fulfilling and joyful life.

Episode 61:If You’ve Experienced a Loss You Probably Experienced Grieving

In Episode 61 of my podcast, Journey from Grief to Healing, I talk about how grieving is a multi-dimensional construct that affects nearly everyone who experiences a loss. The loss can be a loved one, job, limb, health, home or something else. We all have to navigate our way through the stages of grieving. I offer four brief lessons to help those on this journey.. 

You can listen to Episode 61 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 61.

Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button to receive notifications of future episodes.

Thinking Out Loud

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

NOTE: Whether things go good or bad for us there’s no way we can hold onto them, we’re obligated to leave the past behind and move on. Our destiny lies ahead of us. If we linger in the past, we may miss the opportunity to become what we are capable of becoming. The world will miss our gift. Let go of the past, let go the things that get you down, think only of moving ahead, reaching the goal for which you are destined to reach.

Today’s Inspiring Photo: Your Destiny Awaits

Your Destiny is On the Other Side – Start Climbing!

It’s Time to Exercise Your Brain – Take the Anagram Challenge 

Today’s mind sharpening anagram is a two or three word phrase. Can you unscramble the anagram to discover the two or three word phrase? It’s time to exercise your brain! 

Today’s Anagram:  

Today’s Inspiring Quote: Cast Worry Aside, Move On

“Do not trouble your hearts overmuch with thought of the road tonight. Maybe the paths that you shall each tread are already laid before your feet, though you do not see them.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

The Courage That My Mother Had: A Poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay

The Courage That My Mother Had

Edna St. Vincent Millay

The courage that my mother had
Went with her, and is with her still:
Rock from New England quarried;
Now granite in a granite hill.

The golden brooch my mother wore
She left behind for me to wear;
I have no thing I treasure more:
Yet, it is something I could spare.

Oh, if instead she’d left to me

The thing she took into the grave!—
That courage like a rock, which she
Has no more need of, and I have.

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Foods That Contribute to Healthy Gums

Maintaining healthy gums is crucial for overall oral health and can impact your general well-being. Certain eating habits can significantly contribute to the health of your gums:

  1. Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are essential for gum health. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, like apples, carrots, and celery, can help clean your teeth and gums naturally by removing plaque as you chew.
  2. Vitamin C Rich Foods: Vitamin C is essential for gum health as it helps in the formation and maintenance of connective tissue and accelerates bone regeneration. Foods rich in Vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers, and broccoli.
  3. Dairy Products: If you consume dairy, products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are beneficial for gum health because they are high in calcium and contain casein, a protein that plays a role in stabilizing and repairing enamel. For those on a plant-based diet, almond milk, fortified soy milk, and tofu are good alternatives for calcium.
  4. High Fiber Foods: Foods high in fiber help in cleaning the mouth and teeth. They also stimulate saliva flow, which is nature’s way of washing away acids and food particles in the mouth, thus protecting the gums.
  5. Tea: Green and black teas contain polyphenols that can help slow the growth of bacteria associated with gum disease.
  6. Water: Drinking plenty of water, especially after meals, can help wash out some of the food particles and bacteria. It also helps maintain saliva production, which is critical for healthy gums.
  7. Foods Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, and in flaxseeds and chia seeds, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help protect against gum disease.
  8. Avoid Sugary and Acidic Foods and Beverages: Sugar feeds the harmful bacteria in your mouth, leading to plaque formation and gum disease. Acidic foods and beverages can erode tooth enamel and irritate gum tissue. Limiting or avoiding sodas, candy, and acidic fruits can help maintain gum health.
  9. Limit Snacking: Frequent snacking can increase the risk of gum disease by allowing bacteria to thrive in the mouth. If you do snack, choose healthy options and try to brush or rinse your mouth afterward.

Incorporating these habits into your diet can help support not only your gum health but also your overall health. Remember, good oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing and flossing, are equally important in maintaining healthy gums.

Source: ChatGPT

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