Lesson 32: Your Body is Your Temple

Today's lesson is to appreciate your body and to take good care of it. When you were born, your body was at its purest state, protected from the outside environment, and hopefully nourished well by your mother during your fetal development. 

While you did not have control over the food your parents fed you when you are young, it is important to nourish it your body well once you do have a say in your diet.  It is also important to go outdoors and soak in some sun for Vitamin D, and it is just as important to protect your skin when you are there. Exercising your body to keep it supple and mobile is critical to live a quality life as you age. 

Reduce the stress in your life. Even if you are physically doing all the right things, stress can take a toll on your physical well-being. Find things to do that make you feel happy and fulfill your personal dreams and goals.

Remember, your body is your temple. Honor it.

Lesson 31: The Cat's in the Cradle



Harry Chapin said it best in his famous song "The Cat's in the Cradle," when he said "I'd like to Dad, if I had the time, but the new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu..blah blah blah." 

Take the time to read the lyrics at http://www.lyricsdepot.com/harry-chapin/cats-in-the-cradle.html.
Analyze your life against the song's message.  Are you taking the time to appreciate what is really important in life?  As parents, we have done the best we can with what we have (had), but it is true that very unimportant things get in the way of what is really important.  The sad part is that we did not know that at the time.  Aging really does make you a lot smarter about life's lessons, and anyway, we never would have believed these things when we were younger and "knew it all."

So the lesson this week is to take the time to consider what is really important in life, and lead your life in that direction.  It is never too late.  At that point, you can say you understand and are reaching for self-actualization.

Lesson 30: Reality

Saw this on a sign today and felt it was worth repeating:

Someone will always be prettier.
Someone will always be smarter.
Someone will always be younger.
But they never will be me.

Lesson 29: Much to Be Thankful For

As the American holiday season starts tomorrow, it is time to reflect on which to be thankful for. Although the economy is bleak, the world appears to be at war, and the continued threat of terrorism looms, we cannot lose sight of what is most important - our families, our friends, our pets, and the support of our local communities.

And why?

The economy has been historically labile...swinging like a pendulum based on man-made decisions as well as natural events. There is not much you can do, but be fiscally responsible for you and your family. Do not spend more money than you have. Work to live - put away as much as you can each pay period to save for retirement, and a little more for a rainy day.  Plan your vacations wisely - if going abroad, chose a location where your money is worth more than in your own country. If you travel nationwide, take advantage of the discounts and deals found through the Internet. Look at package options. There is so much there for so little.

Throughout history, the world has always been at war - somewhere.  It may seem worse, but, in reality, media and technology have enabled us to be more informed. In addition, the fear of terrorism is a reality. Yet, you can't stop living your life for a "what if" scenario.  

Instead of focusing on the big picture, take a snapshot of your small world.  Be grateful for good health, the love that surrounds you, the kindness shared by others, the guidance of those who mentor, and the beauty in the nature around you.

On this Thanksgiving, I have much to be thankful for...good health (I'm a three year Breast Cancer Survivor), a beautiful and loving family, my precious pet companions, and my dearest friends, you know who you are.

Lesson 28: Life Lessons from a Wise 90 Year Old

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the "Plain Dealer", Cleveland, Ohio.

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you, really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Lesson 27: Put ICE in your Cell Phone

This lesson is a life-saving one.  Emergency personnel around the country have instructed all people with cell phones to enter emergency contact information under the initials "ICE."  Should you be in an accident, and are unable to communicate, emergency personnel can look for "ICE" in your address book, and contact the designated person.  This is also helpful if you lose your cell phone.  The finder may look for "ICE" to get the phone back to you.

Disclaimer: Should you password-protect your phone when not in use, this may not be helpful unless you create an image with your ICE names/numbers that you can use for a background when your phone is locked. 

Lesson 26: Trust your Instincts and Be Prepared

Today I experienced what an earthquake feels like.  Living on the US east coast, we do not experience many of them, mostly because the rock structure is knitted tighter and stronger than on the west coast (so the newscaster said today).  Either way, it was a startling experience to feel totally out of control.  At first, we were not sure if it was a gust of wind, but as the house started to shake back and forth, all kinds of thoughts raced through....an earthquake? a terrorist attack (we are so close to 9/11)? an impending tornado (we've been through that before)  a gas leak somewhere? Will my house fall down?  Will we be injured?

My instincts said, "Get to safety."  So, the dogs and hubby and I left the room with the windows where we would not need to worry about shattered glass and went downstairs.  By the time, we reached the space where we could go outside, the tremor stopped.

This event reminded me that we must always be prepared for natural emergencies.  Make sure you have a week's worth of bottled water, canned food with can opener, batteries, flashlights, candles and matches in an easy-to-find location. If you can afford to, purchase a radio that can run on AA batteries, but can also be hand-cranked if you run out.  The American Red Cross endorses an emergency radio that has AM-FM and TV channels, as well as outlets for your cell phone and USB ports.  Hopefully you will never use it, but it's good to have just in case.  We bought ours at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, but I honestly do not know if they still sell them. It's been some time. In the old days, before cable, we also had a portable TV, but since you can't get any channels that aren't digitized today, that's a throwaway.

The final instruction for today is to not fret if your cell phone cannot dial out or in due to high utilization or line damage.  In most cases, texting and email will still function so you can still communicate.