Consider the following

"Life" is a gift to you. How you live your life is your gift to those who come after you. Make it a fantastic one.

Live it well! Enjoy today! Do something fun! Be happy! Have a great day!

Remember:

· Health is real wealth, not pieces of gold and silver.

· Live happy this year and every year!

Lastly, consider the following:

·  Today is the oldest you've ever been, yet the youngest you'll ever be so enjoy this day while it lasts.

·  Your kids are becoming you...

·  Going out is good. Coming home is better!

·   You forget names... But it's ok because other people forgot they even knew you!!!

·   You realize you're never going to be really good at anything

·   The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.

·   You sleep better on a lounge chair with the tv blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".

·    You miss the days when everything worked with just an "on" and "off" switch.

·   You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..." when?"... "what?" . ???

·   Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.

·   You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!

·   What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

·   Everybody whispers.

·   You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.

·   But old is good in some things: old songs, old movies, and best of all, old friends!!

·   Stay well, "old friend!" send this on to other "old friends!" and let them laugh in agreement!!!

                           ·  It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind                                 of life you have lived 

AND THEN IT IS WINTER

 This is another good news story that is circulating on social media, I received it a few days ago. In the post I received there is no reference to th author, I did a search ad as far as I can tell this post was written in 2019 by Ward Tanneberg I have linked to his site, if you want to read more of his words you can..

You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.

It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?

I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. But here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower, and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me...but I see the great change....Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show, and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!

But at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...it's NOT over. A new adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.

So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!

Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!

"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.

Coping with Loneliness

In today’s society, many individuals live alone due to personal choices or life events like a spouse’s death or a relationship’s end. Loneliness is a common experience that can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or circumstances. While it's natural to feel lonely at times, persistent feelings of loneliness can have negative effects on our mental and physical health.

Fortunately, there are many ways to cope with loneliness and improve our overall well-being. Here are some strategies you can try:

Giving your time and skills to others remains one of the most fulfilling ways to cope with loneliness. Today, you can explore not only in-person opportunities at hospitals, schools, and community centers but also virtual volunteer roles. Many organizations now offer remote positions, such as tutoring, online event hosting, or providing companionship via video calls to isolated seniors.

Grief is deeply personal, but knowing you’re not alone can make a difference. In 2024, it’s easier than ever to find support groups—both in-person and virtual—that focus on grief, loss, and loneliness. Websites like GriefShare, Reddit, or specific social media groups are excellent for connecting with others who understand your experience.

Mindfulness has become a widely recognized tool for coping with stress and emotional pain. Apps like Headspace or Calm provide guided meditations to help you process difficult emotions and find peace in the present moment. Establishing a routine of mindfulness can help you accept the emotions that come with grief and cultivate resilience.

Lifelong learning is easier than ever with the abundance of free or affordable online courses available. Platforms like Coursera and edX offer courses in a wide range of topics, from personal development to professional skills, providing both a mental challenge and a sense of accomplishment. Engaging in learning can be an excellent way to shift focus and find new purpose.

In 2024, it’s easier to maintain connections through social media, messaging apps, and video calls. Schedule regular virtual or in-person dinner dates with friends or family, use services like Meetup to find local groups that share your interests, or reconnect with people through technology to strengthen social bonds.

Getting outside and staying active remains critical to mental and physical health. However, now you can integrate tech tools like fitness trackers and apps that gamify exercise or help you join virtual walking groups. Exercise not only boosts mood but also helps break the cycle of isolation, whether through local fitness classes or nature-based activities like hiking or gardening.

Digital platforms now offer countless ways to stay engaged with hobbies, entertainment, and personal development. Whether you're exploring virtual museum tours, attending live-streamed theatre performances, or playing multiplayer games online, technology can help you find joy in new experiences. Consider apps like Goodreads for book recommendations, or explore YouTube for free tutorials on everything from art to cooking.

Recognize that it's okay to feel lonely and that you're not alone in your feelings. Treat yourself with kindness, understanding, and patience.

Challenge negative thoughts: When you're feeling lonely, it's easy to get caught up in negative thoughts. Challenge these thoughts by reframing them in a more positive or realistic light.

Build a support network: Surround yourself with people who support and care about you. This can include friends, family, or a therapist.

Practice forgiveness: Let go of any resentment or anger you may be holding onto. Forgiveness can help you move forward and reduce feelings of loneliness.

Remember, loneliness is a common experience that can be managed and overcome. By incorporating these strategies into your daily life, you can improve your mental and physical health and build a more fulfilling life.

Memories are made of this 2

High school wasn't exactly a blast, but in hindsight, it was a blur of average grades and extracurricular overcommitment. I didn’t study much (B’s and C+'s are nothing to brag about), but I was involved in everything—sports, the yearbook, the school newspaper, student council. I even managed another band (this one lasted three whole shows!). My big athletic claims to fame? I received a school letter for my athletic contributions in track and field, I was part of a community football team that won the Canadian Championship and a community softball team that won the BC Championships. Despite these achievements, if you ask me about fitting in, I’d say I never quite did. I had friends in town that didn’t mesh with my school friends, and reconciling those worlds was like trying to mix oil and water. Or, in my case, rock and roll and algebra

Grade ten rolled around with our history teacher crying over JFK’s assassination, and we all got the day off. Emotional milestones, indeed.

I loved rock and roll, attending all the local dances, even though I couldn't dance to save my life. I saw Roy Orbison, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and even sneaked into a Beatles concert by exploiting a security lapse – though, surprisingly, I wasn't that impressed.

At my first high school reunion, I met people who remembered me and our times differently. It was a humbling experience that taught me to never underestimate the impact I had on others. The high school reunion helped me realize two things: 1) Some people actually loved high school, and 2) Some people remembered me far more fondly than I remembered myself. Apparently, I was more helpful than I thought. So, I learned this lesson you might not realize the impact you have on others until decades later.

Finally, off I went to Simon Fraser University, where, as one of the charter students, I dove headfirst into extracurricular activities by helping to start the first newspaper, "The Tartan," and was involved in setting up the student government and dance-planning ventures. We put on several dances and put all of our hard-earned  profits back into one big formal to honour our President. All of the money was spent on a President’s Ball. I was practically a model of student initiative—just with more confetti.

University was a time of fun, initiative, and learning that life is too short to be held back by anything but your own self-imposed limitations.

What did I learn through it all? In the end, memories are often a mix of fact, fiction, and the stories we tell ourselves. The second thing I learned was that the only real limits are the ones we put on ourselves. High school was fun, weird and not what I thought it was. University was hard work, fun, and life? It’s short, so enjoy the ride.