Reclaiming Our Resilient SpiritWritten by Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE
Our spirits are taking a beating. The daily barrage of bad news, violence, shrinking resources, global warming, and economic slowdown can put us in a state of frustration and paralysis. Some days, getting out of bed can be a challenge. Within word "resilience" are actions we can take to reclaim our bounce-back ability. R:Remember to breathe. The ability to calm down is critical in order to take stock and move forward. E:Enlist support of others. Love people and be lovable in return. A supportive family (whether genetic or hand-picked) is what keeps people alive. The English word wretched comes from Middle English word wrecche which means "without kin nearby." S:Stay focused. Intentionality lays groundwork for what we want in our life. See it, say it and claim it. Don't let external forces cloud your vision. I:Identify your strengths. Energy and good health are two of most essential ingredients in resiliency. Work on your physical well being first because it is quickest way to gain control over a world that is uncontrollable.
| | Adventuring-We All Need to Do it!Written by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
Even in times when we are being encouraged to be more careful there is a part of each of ourselves that needs adventure and daring. I certainly know that I have that part of me-it craved travel when I was young and nagged at me until I went to Europe on my own with a friend at 20. And it still nags at me. Fortunately, I have discovered as I age that we can often find adventure right in front of our noses. That is what happened to me this week.On Wednesday, I went to NYC to do my monthly television show, The Enchanted Self. I took subway (or I should say, I tried to take subway) downtown to Chambers St. to do a bit of shopping beforehand. As I waited on platform I saw one of those truly unique characters that could only be either a true eccentric living in NYC or a character actor. Which was he in his frock coat and derby hat? I was so busy imagining! Suddenly we were on same train together. He asked how to get to Chambers St. and I told him. Then I suggested he cross platform at 14th St. to hop express, which I was about to do. He did and that was beginning of an adventure. First of all, subway car started and we suddenly realized it was going uptown, not downtown. Secondly, he told me that he had to get downtown to Chambers St. to stop in at new home of The New York Sun magazine. He had been hired by them to promote new paper. Ah! He was a character actor. I was so excited. I asked him whom he was portraying. He told me that he does Teddy Roosevelt, all over country. His name is James Foote. Well, next thirty minutes were as if in a dream. He kept going in and out of character. He gave me Teddy's opinions on world as it is today-by way there was plenty of turmoil 100 years ago! He also explained that White House was called as such by Teddy. Prior to that it had been executive mansion! He told me sad story of how Teddy lost his first wife and mother within a couple of days and how he went into wilderness for a couple of years to restore his sense of well-being and optimism.
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