Change and challenge

  • Book review,  Change and challenge,  Health & wellbeing

    Dry January

    “Like a garden, you can choose to either let yourself wither and struggle to find your own light, or you can learn how to give yourself the light you need so that all your colors shine brightly, beautifully, and more boldly.” ~Jennifer Ashton, M.D., M.S., The Self-Care Solution: A Year of Becoming Happier, Healthier & Fitter — One Month at a Time As Chief Medical Correspondent for ABC News, Dr. Jennifer Ashton knows a thing or two about health and wellbeing. So, when I saw her Self-Care Solution at the bookstore late last year, I didn’t hesitate to purchase it. I’d already promised to make some serious changes in 2023…

  • Change and challenge,  Health & wellbeing,  New Year quotes

    New year, new chapter

    “New year — a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours.” ~Alex Morritt Today’s quote inspires and challenges me to write the future I want for myself. In fact, the fresh invitation of a blank page is one of my favorite things about starting a brand-new year. What do I need to change? What will I keep? Where will I explore? How do I want my life to look in 2023? I hope the first pages of your new year find you in good health, with a positive outlook for your future. Here’s to a wonderful New Year! ~Cindy…

  • Change and challenge,  Motivation,  New Year quotes

    Time and change

    “Think before you act. You may desire change, but prematurely forcing issues will leave you vulnerable. Bide your time, listen, observe, and calculate the best way to expand your interests.” ~Daily Horoscope for Leo, Dec. 27, in The Oakland Press Once in a while, I find the best maxims in — of all places — the daily horoscope in the newspaper. Last Tuesday’s guidance for those born under the sign of Leo is also great advice for anyone who’s planning to make significant changes in the new year. Change can be scary — even when it’s for the best, and even when we think we’re ready for it. Whether we’re…

  • Change and challenge,  Inspirational quotes,  Motivation

    Wild weather

    “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” ~Benjamin Franklin If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, this is your year. By now you’ve heard about the “monster storm” that’s slamming parts of the country (including our Midwest) and putting the skids on holiday travel. In metro Detroit, we’re not exactly sure how many inches of snow to expect, but we’ve been told to prepare for high winds and possible power outages. Most of us have made a few trips to the grocery to stock up. But seriously, Ben Franklin, what else can we do to prepare for dangerous weather? Whether we’re bracing for hurricanes in the south or…

  • Aging well,  Blair Memorial Library in Clawson,  Change and challenge

    “Aging with Grace & Courage” discussion and journaling group

    “When it comes to aging, women are held to a different standard than men. Some guy recently said to me: ‘Don’t you think you’re too old to sing rock ‘n’ roll?’ I said: ‘You’d better check with Mick Jagger.’ ” ~Cher Last year, I coached a journaling workshop that focused on aging topics such as facing retirement, finding new purpose, rebooting our social lives, maintaining optimism — and so much more. We also discussed the challenges and roadblocks we face in our senior years. (We’re never too old to rock ‘n’ roll, as Cher points out.) The workshop inspired a new spin-off program — an informal aging support group that…