Community spirit
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How’s your social life?
“The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives.” ~Esther Perel, author and psychotherapist Are you looking for ways to increase your longevity? Gathering with good friends should be part of your lifestyle plan. Medical experts report that people who socialize regularly are healthier — both mentally and physically. Loneliness can shorten your life span, but keep in mind that difficult or unfulfilling relationships also undermine your wellbeing — and there’s plenty of research to support the fact. “Relationships defined by drama and conflicts that never seem to get resolved, be it with family, friends or neighbors, all can add a boat-load of stress to daily life,” explains…
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Deep roots
“True friendship withstands time, distance, and silence.” ~Isabel Allende During my recent bout with COVID-19, I had to cancel all social plans until I recovered. Being in isolation for nearly a month was hard, but I was cheered by the “check-in” messages from friends and neighbors who worried about Doug and me. Sometimes I took car rides while in quarantine — just for a change of scenery. Driving back home through my neighborhood, I got to thinking about all the friendships I have within blocks of my home — friendships that have grown richer through shared history and experience for more than 30 years. Even when I don’t see these…
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Small changes
“Few of us will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” ~John F. Kennedy Are you paralyzed by the notion that you’d have to make a huge effort in order to make the changes you’d like to see? Yes, it’s so much easier to snack in front of the TV while we criticize the current state of affairs or complain about everything that’s wrong in the world. But as John F. Kennedy reminded us, each of us has a sphere of…
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Redefining “family”
“Family was a bigger word than I imagined, wide and without limitations, if you allowed it, defying easy definition. You had family that was supposed to be family and wasn’t, family that wasn’t family but was….It was possible to lack whole, honest love and connection from family in lead roles, yet to be filled to abundance by the unexpected supporting players.” ~Deb Colette, The Secret Life of Prince Charming The winter holidays traditionally shine a bright light on our family relationships. Sometimes that’s a beautiful thing, and sometimes … not so much. It’s weird, when you think about it. Relatives we don’t see as often, know as well, or like as…
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A tourist in your hometown
“Home is everything you can walk to.” ~Jerry Spinelli Remember when taking a summer vacation wasn’t considered a risk? There’s no denying that COVID-19 has changed how and where we travel. And with another variant of the virus on the rise, many people are opting to hang out on their own deck or patio. It’s a good time to rediscover the attractions of your hometown — and reboot your sense of community. Is there an outdoor cafe, farmers’ market, boutique, bakery, park, or nature trail you haven’t visited near your neighborhood? A small change of scenery will do you a world of good — and benefit your local economy. ~CL…
