5 Tips to Eat Your Way to a Better Mood
The holidays have come and gone and now we may be facing the added pounds from all those Christmas goodies. There can be a feeling of disappointment or even disillusionment as we pack away the Christmas decorations. Those New Year’s resolutions are already a challenge to keep. Maybe we can look to food to improve our mood and avoid further negative thought. . We have all heard that eating a healthy diet can help cut the risks of illnesses especially as we age. Now studies are showing what we eat can affect our mood. I am part of a task Force at Sierra View Homes Retirement Community to study and…
Chaplain’s Corner: Savoring Life
Do we use our time to really live or do we allow time to use us up? I recently encountered this question in Kathleen Norris’ book, Acedia & Me and it was another reminder that the time we have is a gift from God. The way we use it matters. As a culture we sometimes worship at the altar of productivity. We boast of how many hours of overtime we put in this week or how little sleep we’re running on. We fill every evening with activities and when those brief moments of open time do appear, we pull out our phones. Jesus was undoubtedly productive during his time on…
Happy Fall!
The seven wonders of the world are not places, but…
Chaplain’s Corner: The Fear of Fear is Community
I had the opportunity to take our youth group to our biennial church conference in Kansas City several weeks ago. Dustin Gaylon, one of our speakers speaking during a morning worship session, made the comment that “the fear of fear is community.” In the Gospel of John, as the end of his time on this earth nears, Jesus promises his disciples that he will not leave them comfortless. Before he is taken up into the sky the disciples receive the power of the Holy Spirit. But we should also not forget that as Jesus hung on the cross in John 19:25-27 he also instructs his followers to care for each…
Laughter Is Good For You
Laughter is contagious. It is a way to create friendships and give everyone the opportunity to be part of something. Recently, I visited the Sierra View Homes Kings Canyon Dining Room during the evening meal. As I encountered the people at each table, I asked for a “good Joke.” I said I was writing an article about humor and its effects on people and I needed some jokes to add to the mix. There were smiles all around and then the person who always has a joke ready responded “You know I have had several good years in my life.” but they were all tires.” It took a moment for…
Dementia is Hard Work for Both Sides
Recently, while attending an educational conference, I attended a class taught by Laura Wayman. She has written a book on “A Loving Approach to Dementia Care.” Dementia is not a specific disease; it is a term used for a group of brain disorders. Many diseases can have a dementia component. Alzheimer’s disease is probably the most prevalent. Recent studies show there are many more diseases that can result in dementia. What is dementia? How can I tell if my loved one is on this path or could the problem be rectified? According to the Alzheimer’s Association, here are some symptoms that should not be ignored. Symptoms from the list include…
Chaplain’s Corner: Embodying Resurrection
It may come as no surprise that I have been reflecting a lot on resurrection this month. This is the season we focus our attention on the event of the resurrection. Anticipation builds in the church as we near the end of Lent. We sing hosannas on Palm Sunday, take communion on Maundy Thursday, reflect on the seven last words of Jesus on Good Friday, and show up for the highest attended Sunday service on Easter morning to celebrate the resurrection. But how do we keep from losing that energy when we head back to work on Monday? I believe one way to do so is by understanding resurrection as…
Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal – What’s the Difference?
Service and emotional support animals are becoming more and more common. The last time I flew to Kansas, in the Dallas Fort worth airport I counted at least three dogs that the owners kept near and one service dog helping its handler to maneuver through the crowds safely. It seems more and more people are realizing the benefits of having an animal in their life. A bakery in Morro Bay has a whole display case full of doggie treats so people who are vacationing can purchase something yummy for their dog as they sip their coffee and have a sweet roll. When we opened the Terraces at Sierra View Homes…
Chaplain’s Corner: Finding Yourself in the Story
As Christians we believe the Bible is the living word of God. What does that mean exactly? It means that alongside studying the context of what the text meant to its original audience, we are also called to ask what the text is speaking into our lives today. There are many ways to do this, but the way that I have found particularly powerful the last few years is the question, “Where do you find yourself in the story?” Asking this puts us into a story in a new way, not as the reader, watching passively from a distance, but as a participant. We should be encouraged to ask wondering…
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Defining Self-Care
The month of Valentine’s has arrived! Of course, soon after Christmas, the popular Cupids and red hearts were up to remind us to be in good cheer and spend some money on goodies for our loved ones. Let’s have a little different perspective this time. I would like to remind you to take care of yourself first. Taking care of yourself fuels the good you can do in the world. True self-care is more than a collection of sayings, self-indulgence or surface-level practices. It’s taking stock of your humanness and building yourself up. Each one of us has dignity as God’s Children. From the womb to death, each one is…
