A wrap-up of some of the highlights of recent weeks follows…

 

Female doctor with the stethoscope holding smiling heart

Words that resonate: I’m not afraid

December 16th, 2020

I don’t worry. I’m not afraid: “I’ve done a lot of thinking about what I want my life to look like as I age. Two of the most important things for me are maintaining my physical mobility and strength and staying mentally sharp. And I’m grateful that I can say these aspects of my health have actually improved since my younger years … More…

 

Stack of zen stones with words Mind, Body, Soul on white background

Celebrating soul care

December 17th, 2020

Not long after being introduced to Gaby, a graphic artist skilled in animation and a graduate of the university here in Guanajuato, I received an unexpected offer. She and Zyan, Gaby’s friend and fellow graphic artist, proposed some design upgrades on our magazine which had just been launched a few weeks before! While unexpected, the offer came at a time when I was already questioning our tagline and realizing that … More…

 

heart shape with hands on sunset

Stop pathologizing! Start humanizing!

December 23rd, 2020

“People without dementia are not used to enforced isolation, or social and physical distancing, whilst people with dementia experience it from the day we dare to share our diagnosis.” – Kate Swaffer, Author, Academic, Speaker…  More… 

 

 

Happy Danish woman holding flag_Denmark_Hygge_Well-being

Why Denmark dominates the World Happiness Report rankings year after year

December 15th, 2020

Needing some hygge?  In this last week, I was perseverating on the word “hygge.” I recalled writing about it in 2016 for our physician blog. This prompted me to find this excellent article written in 2018 – before the pandemic. As 2020 closes out, maybe we could all use more hygge! … More….

 

Miss Ethel in Singing Collage

Still Miss Ethel

December 24th, 2020

“A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.” – (Author unknown)  We liked all kinds of sacred music and Broadway show tunes, but overdosed on Southern gospel, because of its bold, colorful imagery. It fit with our use of metaphors. We were, after all, “The Ranchers” who lived at “The Ranch.” … More…

 

Joy during hard times

Finding joy in 2020? It’s not such an absurd idea, really

November 14th, 2020

One of my favorite articles of the year! It began with the photo and the spirit expressed behind the mask! Who would not be drawn to such resilience?! … “Joy, on the other hand, has a mysterious capacity to be felt alongside sorrow and even – sometimes, most especially in the midst of suffering … More…

 

 

Brixen, Italy - Organ and choir loft above the entrance of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Cassiano in Bressanone.

“Music gives a soul to the universe”

December 25th, 2020

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” (Plato) From my apartment on the 33rd floor, which I dubbed “the perch,” I had a great view of the city. It was a run-walk through the park to the Art Institute and the Fine Arts Theater for a Saturday afternoon respite … More…

Ushering in 2021  –  hold onto what is good! See you on the other side of January.

Author: Susan Troyer