Month: February 2024

Today’s Word: Generous

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Generous: Generous is an adjective describing a person who is willing to give more of something, such as money, time, or resources, than is strictly necessary or expected. It denotes a kind and liberal nature, often associated with being unselfish and caring towards others’ needs.

NOTE: There are areas where we can express our generosity. We can express it monetarily in the form of cash or gifts. We can express it in the sharing of our time to benefit another person, group, or cause. We can share our gifts/talents by putting the things we do well to use in the service of others. The research indicates that when we are generous we experience feelings of happiness, satisfaction, and well being. Generosity works for both the giver and receiver. In either case, the giver and receiver can share one important value, gratitude. The giver can be grateful he/she had the personal and material resources to generously share. The receiver can be grateful because they received an unexpected generous gift without strings attached.

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

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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:  

QUIZ START

Today’s Inspiring Quote: Make It Happen

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It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things. ~ Leonardo da Vinci

The Sun: A Poem by Mary Oliver

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The Sun

Mary Oliver

Have you ever seen
anything
in your life
more wonderful

than the way the sun,
every evening,
relaxed and easy,
floats toward the horizon

and into the clouds or the hills,
or the rumpled sea,
and is gone–
and how it slides again

out of the blackness,
every morning,
on the other side of the world,
like a red flower

streaming upward on its heavenly oils,
say, on a morning in early summer,
at its perfect imperial distance–
and have you ever felt for anything
such wild love–
do you think there is anywhere, in any language,
a word billowing enough
for the pleasure

that fills you,
as the sun
reaches out,
as it warms you

as you stand there,
empty-handed–
or have you too
turned from this world–

or have you too
gone crazy
for power,
for things?

Source

Get Healthy: This May Happen When You Eat a Spinach Salad Made with EVOO Everyday for One Month

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Eating a spinach salad dressed with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) every day for a month can have several positive effects on your body, thanks to the nutrient-rich profile of both spinach and EVOO. Here are some potential benefits and considerations:

Nutritional Benefits

  • Rich in Antioxidants: Spinach and EVOO are high in antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
  • Heart Health: EVOO is a good source of monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, which can help lower bad cholesterol levels and improve heart health. Spinach contributes potassium, which helps manage blood pressure.
  • Bone Health: Spinach is a good source of vitamin K, calcium, and magnesium, essential nutrients for bone health.
  • Improved Digestive Health: Spinach is high in fiber, which can aid in digestion and prevent constipation.
  • Weight Management: A salad is generally low in calories and high in fiber, which can help you feel full longer and manage weight effectively.
  • Enhanced Absorption of Nutrients: EVOO can enhance the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E, and K) found in spinach, making it a synergistic pairing.

Considerations

  • Variety is Key: While spinach and EVOO are nutritious, relying solely on them for certain nutrients might not be ideal. It’s important to include a variety of foods in your diet to ensure you’re getting a broad spectrum of nutrients.
  • Pesticides and Oxalates: Spinach is known to contain higher levels of pesticides and oxalates. Opting for organic spinach can reduce pesticide exposure, and moderating consumption can mitigate the risk of kidney stones in susceptible individuals.
  • Caloric Intake from EVOO: Although EVOO is healthy, it is also high in calories. Moderation is key to ensuring you don’t consume too many calories, especially if you’re watching your weight.

Overall Impact

Adopting a diet that includes daily consumption of a spinach salad with EVOO can lead to improvements in overall health, particularly in areas like cardiovascular health, digestive health, and nutrient intake. It’s a great way to incorporate more leafy greens and healthy fats into your diet. However, balance and variety are crucial for a healthy diet, so ensure you’re also consuming a wide range of other fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources to meet all your nutritional needs.

Source: ChatGPT

Today’s Joke: Joe’s Ex is Into Comparisons

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Joe: “My ex compared me to the weather.”

Pete: “How so?”

Joe: “She says, “There’s nothing she can with either one.”

Embracing the Gift of Love and Loss

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Welcome to Episode 66 of the ‘Journey from Grief to Healing’ podcast with Dr. Ray Calabrese. In this episode, Dr. Ray discusses the value of cherished moments and the inherent gift that love provides, even amidst the pain of loss. He draws insights from a poignant conversation among characters in a television series, reminding us to embrace every moment we share with our loved ones.

He further explores the concept of physical gifts, specifically those which hold deep sentimental value. Whether it’s an unexpected surprise from a loved one or a cherished memento from a lost friend, such gifts act as symbols of our shared bonds and carry deeper meanings. They illuminate our journey, sparking momentary joy during the grieving process.

Dr. Ray invites listeners to consider their own treasured gifts, acknowledging the comfort and clarity these tokens bring despite the ongoing pain of loss. He quotes Arthur Dean Koontz’s ‘Odd Hours’, highlighting the transformative power of grief and the awakening that occurs in the face of loss.

Looking at life as an ongoing, evolving story, he urges listeners to appreciate the influence of our lost loved ones in our daily lives. Drawing on the wisdom of Carter Crocker, he affirms the enduring presence of those we have lost, reminding us that they continue to guide and inspire us, even in their absence.

As always, Dr. Ray offers words of encouragement and hope, reinforcing the belief that healing is possible and that brighter days lie ahead. Keep faith, stay strong and remember, love always wins.

You can listen to Episode 66 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 66.

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

Today’s Word: Encouragement

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Encouragement: Encouragement is the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope. It involves positive feedback that highlights the good in effort or achievement, aiming to strengthen motivation and enhance the continuation of desired behaviors or the undertaking of new challenges. Encouragement is not just about praising someone; it’s about providing the courage and strength to continue or try harder.

NOTE: We can be on either end of encouragement. We can encourage another and lift their spirits giving them our confidence that they can accomplish the task set before them. We can also be on receiving end of encouragement. We can be in a highly anxious state in a critical situation when someone whose word we trust makes all the differences to us. I’ve been on the receiving end and the encouragement I received made all the difference. In one instance, I was a high school junior on the high school baseball team. I came to bat with the bases loaded in a tight game. I was tense. Coach Stan must have seen the tension in my arms. The count was three balls and two strikes when he called time and called me over. I had no clue what he wanted. He smiled, patted me on the back and said, ‘You got this.’ I did. I hit the next pitch for a long double and cleared the bases. Thanks Coach Stan for the vote of confidence.

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

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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:  

QUIZ START

Today’s Inspiring Quote: Never Quit, Never Give Up

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A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying. ~ B. F. Skinner

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