Lost Time…

Too often we look at the calendar and think we have plenty of time to accomplish what we have scheduled.  And next thing we know “poof” all that time we thought we had — it’s gone!

I just knew I had the month of January to write something wonderful but next thing I knew, my mother was in the hospital.  If that wasn’t bad enough — I had a whole week in February to get things accomplished and mother was back again in the hospital.  There’s nothing worse than laying in a hospital bed all alone — doctors, nurses and aids walking in and out of your room at all hours, everything just seems so crazy to us but ordinary to them.

Mother has Alzheimer’s and has decided that she doesn’t want to eat, drink or take her med’s any more.    So, we’re trying to find alternate ways to keep her hydrated, fed and alert while she travels back in time.

It’s now all about making each day a “Happy Day” and as much about quality of life as possible.  So, we pretend we’re in a different state and tell stories of long ago as if they happened yesterday.  Sometimes, I’m someone else — and that’s ok…because I get to talk with her and tell her “I love you!,” today!

Never waste your time with family and friends!!  Make every moment count by creating wonderful memories to share with each other and others later.

Always know you are Loved — by Someone, Somewhere!!  So, take good care of yourself and Enjoy Life to its fullest!

 

 

Related articles

• Up Close and Personal: My Mother and Alzheimer’s (aarp.org)
• Finding Joy in Alzheimer’s (well.blogs.nytimes.com)

Giving to Yourself

I don’t know about you — but my email box has been filled with sales so I can give to others.  Don’t get me wrong, I love giving to others all year long.  But too often we forget to give to ourselves!

We forget to give ourselves time.  Time to reflect how wonderful our family and friends are and how we are loved by others.

We forget to give ourselves joy and laughter.  Nothing is better for our soul than to spend time enjoying the freedom of worry.  Enjoy life, live, and love!

We forget to give ourselves rest.  Our bodies need good relaxation — sense of “ahhhhh” at the end of the day.  Our bodies need to relax to keep from collapsing into complete exhaustion at the end of the day, so we can wake up refreshed.  I like to combine my time at the end of the day to reflect how great my day has been with relaxation so when I do go to bed, sleep comes quickly and I feel refreshed in the morning.

Most of all — we forget to give ourselves good food!  Good nutrition feeds our bodies so we can live a healthy life so we can continue to enjoy our friends and family for all the years ahead!!

Each year so many people start out with New Year Resolutions — but by February many a rule will be broken.  So why create a list you know you’re not going to keep?

A dear friend of mine once told me: “New Year Resolutions were lists destined for failure, therefore, I’m going someplace new for vacation each year.”  How cool was that?  I wasn’t her only traveling companion on these adventures, but I can say I was privileged to many of them before she passed away with cancer.

Now with 2012 right around the corner — I’m thinking about what my list will look like.  Hmmm.

1. Good Food
2. Good Friends
3. Joy, Laughter
4. Living Life
5. Spending time with family and friends
6. Giving to myself (time, joy, laughter, life, love, relaxation, and rest)

I know some items are on the list twice!    I don’t want to forget those, LOL.

Enjoy,

Giving Thanks!!

Most of us recently faced the challenges of a “Traditional” Thanksgiving feast – but what is that?  Is it: Mom & Dad along with all the kids and close relatives sitting around a large table, saying a prayer of “Thanks to God” for what they have?  Or has it moved into a gathering of kindred minded friends who join hands and give thanks to one another – because they are Thankful they all share a life together.

I participated in both types of celebrations this year – and I’m proud I did!  I love my family and very proud of whom they are becoming but equally important I’m extremely Thankful of my Friends!  Because they help spread joy, laughter, love, and dance throughout the world!

I also give a ton of Thanks to our military (past and present) who keep our country safe and free.  And I do not forget our Police and Firefighters – who stay here in our neighborhoods, like our military keep an open eye every day – all day for our safety.

Giving “Thanks” warms and feeds our Soul.  We should not wait until November to celebrate it – we should do it every day!!

People know you care when you call, write or visit.  It is better to spend a lot of short visits with the people you love than one large visit; it means more and creates more memories.

What are you “Thankful” for?

Simple Pleasures

The most joy in life comes with the simplest of pleasure…just think about it!

• Good Food
• A Friend asking about your Day
• A Wonderful Sunrise or Sunset
• A Perfect Night’s Sleep

Anything that puts a smile on your face or in your heart.  Or something that makes you feel at ease with yourself or the world.  Some things do not cost money, in fact – most are free – they just take time.

We should have several simple pleasures throughout our day.  Moments in time where we can just say or think “awwww” this is really nice. 

But too many times we rush around, meeting deadlines, hitting traffic jams, listen to ringing telephones, face long email lists – thinking this will never end.  Face each day with yesterday’s left overs.  And the pile never ends.  When is enough – enough?

Today!!  Today is the day!  Tomorrow isn’t here yet, yesterday is gone – you need to start today!  Take a moment to find that simple pleasure today.  What will bring you the simplest pleasure?

With winter approaching, I like a large cup of hot chocolate, a cold night with a blazing fire and a good book! And I just sink into a comfy chair and “ahhhhhhhh.”

Samples of Other Simple Pleasures: (these things are meant for the moment…not while multitasking)

• Handwritten Note from a Friend or Love One
• The Smell of Fresh Great Tasting Food (not processed food)
• The Smell of Fresh Flowers (not refrigerated ones)
• The Smell of Fresh Fruit
• A Telephone Call to a Good Friend
• A Stroll in the Park
• Listen to Music and Relax
• Read a Book
• Cuddle by a Fire
• Long Hot Soak in the Tub

Enjoy,

 

Time Management – Running Through Life

How many times do we get up, go to work, come home, deal with personal issues, go to bed and start all over when the sun comes up again?  Some call it the “rat race” or what I like to call it ‘running through life’ without a second glance.

Where does the time go?  We try to spend time with friends and family but next thing we know another holiday is here and gone.  At work — we rush through, hoping we can catch up and take a breather.

Here’s a great little video created by Jacob Frey and Harry Fast called “Bob” that provides a wonderful visual example… Enjoy!  (Please watch all the way to the end!  You’ll see why.)

Next time you’re on a mission…

1  Know what it is you want to accomplish. 

2.  Know all your facts.

3.  Know all your restraints.

You’re Not Alone – Taking That First Step

You’re going through life or your business career and everything seems just fine — then all of a sudden boom!  Things change.  What was once familiar is now all different.

In life it could be a change in personal settings, in business it could be a promotion or it could be a move to a new area — but things are no longer the routine you set up for yourself…things like this can become scary and set fear in our hearts.

Where do you turn?  If you go to the bookstore — is there a ‘self-help’ book?  No. or Maybe.  or Yes.  but Not Always.  Are you the type of person that reaches out to others?

Did you realize that Dr. Ruth uses the ‘turtle‘ as her symbol because the turtle has to stick his head out of his shell each time he wants to take a step.  I never thought about the turtle before I heard this.  Now I love the turtle — just for this reason!

Everyone has to take that first step sometime!  The glory about it, we are never alone!!  We just need to know where to look to find that hand to help us.  To guide us.  To help reassure us — to let us know if we fall, someone will lend a helping hand back up.

In our lives, no matter whether it’s personal or business, we have made first steps for ourselves and have lended helping hands to others by providing examples.

The two key elements in life and business are:

1.  Know when you need a helping hand

2.  Provide an excellent example for others

It’s All About Choices

Ever wonder how some people seem to make it further in the world than others?  It’s all about making the right choice.  But how do they do that?

Think Before You Act

First, don’t make any decision with haste.  Weigh out all your options.  When you think you have enough information – look for more.

Review your situation.  Take a long hard long look at your situation from all angles — you could be missing something by looking at it from one angle.

Talk it over with friends, family or someone you trust.  Sometimes just talking it over will bring about new options or areas you didn’t see before.

Create a plan!  Can you mentally see your plan in action?  Or the end result with the options you have?  If not, find more options.

Finally, know when you have to make your final decision!  Don’t jump to conclusions!  Too often we think the finish line is right in front of us when in reality we have plenty of time to make the right choice.

So often we set out thinking we have the best intentions only to discover that around the corner, if we had just waited a couple more days, we would have made better decision.  If we had only known.  Research and talking things over can be our best friends!  Act only when you know you have a clear choice.

Think about it!!