Month: March 2024

Today’s Word: Loyalty

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Loyalty: Loyalty is a virtue that involves a strong feeling of support or allegiance to someone or something. It encompasses faithfulness, dedication, and an unwavering commitment, regardless of the circumstances. Loyalty can manifest in various aspects of life, including personal relationships, professional environments, and patriotism to one’s country. It implies a mutual respect and trust between parties, where one remains steadfast in their support and defense of the other.

NOTE: Loyalty, for me, is a big deal. Loyalty requires a person to commit to another or something bigger than him or herself. Loyalty is a two-way street. One cannot expect to give loyalty to another when loyalty is not returned. It often means putting another’s interest above our own interest. I have a friend whose loyalty to me is beyond question. I can count on this person in good or tough times. I can count on this person even if it means self sacrifice and it often has. I am equally loyal to this person. Perhaps in some small businesses there is loyalty between the owner and employer. It’s more difficult to expect loyalty from large corporations. Yet, within the large corporation there exist opportunities for loyalty between the worker and his/her supervisor. Loyalty makes relationships work. I can trust you. Can people say that of you? Can you say that of others?

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: Persevere – Never Quit

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There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul. ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Solidarity Song: A Poem by Bertolt Brecht

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Solidarity Song

Bertolt Brecht

Peoples of the world, together
Join to serve the common cause!
So it feeds us all for ever
See to it that it’s now yours.

Forward, without forgetting
Where our strength can be seen now to be!
When starving or when eating
Forward, not forgetting
Our solidarity!

Black or white or brown or yellow
Leave your old disputes behind.
Once start talking with your fellow
Men, you’ll soon be of one mind.

Forward, without forgetting
Where our strength can be seen now to be!
When starving or when eating
Forward, not forgetting
Our solidarity!

If we want to make this certain
We’ll need you and your support.
It’s yourselves you’ll be deserting
if you rat your own sort.

Forward, without forgetting
Where our strength can be seen now to be!
When starving or when eating
Forward, not forgetting
Our solidarity!

All the gang of those who rule us
Hope our quarrels never stop
Helping them to split and fool us
So they can remain on top.

Forward, without forgetting
Where our strength can be seen now to be!
When starving or when eating
Forward, not forgetting
Our solidarity!

Workers of the world, uniting
Thats the way to lose your chains.
Mighty regiments now are fighting
That no tyranny remains!

Forward, without forgetting
Till the concrete question is hurled
When starving or when eating:
Whose tomorrow is tomorrow?
And whose world is the world?

Source

Get Healthy: Feeling Great or Depressed? It May Be In the Food You Eat

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Foods can play a significant role in affecting our mood, both positively and negatively. Certain foods can boost serotonin levels, which is often referred to as the “feel-good” hormone, while others can lead to inflammation or cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels, potentially leading to mood swings or depression. Here are five foods known to help boost one’s mood and five that may contribute to depression:

Foods That Boost Mood

  1. Fatty Fish: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and albacore tuna, these fish are known for their role in improving brain function and are associated with a lower risk of depression.
  2. Dark Chocolate: Contains flavonoids, caffeine, and theobromine, which are compounds known to improve mood. It’s important to consume it in moderation due to its sugar and calorie content.
  3. Berries: High in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries can help manage inflammation associated with depression and mood disorders.
  4. Nuts and Seeds: Especially those high in omega-3 fatty acids, like flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts, can contribute to brain health and help improve mood.
  5. Fermented Foods: Such as yogurt, kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut, can improve gut health. A healthy gut microbiome is linked to mood regulation through the gut-brain axis.

Foods That May Lead to Depression

  1. High-Sugar Foods: Consuming a lot of sugary foods and drinks can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can negatively impact mood and energy levels.
  2. Highly Processed Foods: Foods that are heavily processed, including fast food, snacks, and ready-made meals, often contain unhealthy fats, added sugars, and high levels of sodium, which may be linked to depression.
  3. Alcohol: While it may temporarily seem to lift your mood, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that can worsen mood over time and interfere with the brain’s neurotransmitters.
  4. Caffeine: In high amounts, caffeine can cause anxiety, restlessness, and disturb sleep patterns, potentially leading to mood disturbances.
  5. Refined Grains: Similar to high-sugar foods, refined grains like white bread, pasta, and pastries can cause blood sugar levels to spike and crash, which may lead to mood swings.

It’s important to maintain a balanced diet focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods and to limit the intake of processed foods, added sugars, and unhealthy fats to support overall mood and mental health. Individual responses to foods can vary, so it’s also beneficial to pay attention to how specific foods affect your mood and well-being.

Today’s Joke: Joe Tries to Help a Blind Man

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Joe: “I walked into a store and a blind guy with a dog was in there swinging his seeing eye dog over his head in circles. I asked him if I could help him.”

Pete: “What did he say?”

Joe: “He said, ‘No, I’m just looking.'”

Today’s Joke: Joe Went Out for Breakfast

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Joe: “I went out for breakfast and ate the farmer breakfast.”

Pete: “How was it?”

Joe: “The food was great, the farmer was livid.”

Healing Through Telling – Understanding and Coping with Grief

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Welcome to Episode 70 of “Journey from Grief to Healing” with Dr. Ray Calabrese. In this episode, Dr. Ray shares his experience with well-intentioned people who offer quick fix solutions to grief and underscores the complexity of the emotional process. There is no straightforward path to healing, as he likens grieving to peeling an onion – revealing deeper layers as you progress. It is not about searching for immediate cures but understanding and coping with the journey.

During the episode, he emphasizes the power of shared experiences and the importance of storytelling and active listening in the healing journey. He details his personal encounters, giving perspective on how sharing grief stories plays an essential part in the healing process. Painful as it may be, sharing your untold story enables deeply buried emotions to be released. And within these shared experiences lies the seed of healing.

What makes this episode special is the light it shines on support and understanding within the grieving community. The grieving process is significant to our shared human experiences. And in this mutual understanding and sharing, an empathetic connection with others going through the same journey is fostered. It’s about turning our wounds into a source of light.

You can listen to Episode 70 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 70.

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

Today’s Thought:

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You have a choice. You can throw in the towel, or you can use it to wipe the sweat off of your face. The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare. ~ Juma Ikangaa

NOTE: You never know! I like those three words. You never know what will happen if you keep on trying. You never know when you’ll get a surprise opportunity. You never know. What I do know is if I stop trying I’m not going to get anywhere. Trying implies focused, dedicated work done consistently, day after day with one eye on the goal and the other eye on the task. Sometimes surprises happen and we succeed beyond our dreams. Sometimes our hard work makes good things happen. Sometimes we may fall short, but we know we gave it all we had and didn’t hold back. When that happens, you never know what door just opened and what new opportunity is waving at you. Dig down deep and never quit.

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

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