Posts Tagged With ‘ @HEALTH & WELLBEING ’

On April 23rd, I’ll be leading a discussion in Salon 360˚. The title of the session will be the same as the title of this post. Inspired by some of my recent experiences with a longtime friend, the discussion has ties to the Herman Melville short story, “Bartleby the Scrivener”; to Unsheltered: Voices from the Street, a book being compiled and published by 360˚ Nation and Peggy Willms — and to A Bronx Tale. In short, the session will be about reconciling: The desire to bring about what we believe to be favorable outcomes The illusory and presumptuous nature of control The relinquishing... Continue Reading

In a world filled with fleeting moments and transient experiences, the concept of legacy stands as a testament to the enduring impact individuals can have on society. But do we really need to leave a legacy? According to the Population Reference Bureau, 117 billion members of our species have been born on Earth since the beginning of time. How many of these do you actually remember? Understanding Legacy Legacy, in its simplest form, refers to the mark individuals leave on the world long after they’re gone. It transcends mere material possessions, encompassing the intangible aspects of one’s... Continue Reading

Growing older is a natural part of life’s journey, yet for many, it comes with a sense of loneliness. When we were kids, teenagers, and young adults, we often determined our self-worth by the number of friends we had in our circle. As we begin to get older, we may prefer having fewer, but closer friends with more meaningful connections sharing the same hobbies, philosophies, and likes. What do we expect from our relationships as we grow into our baby boomer years and beyond? According to the Perspectives on Psychological Science, older adults’ relationship expectations include: Having opportunities... Continue Reading

Those of you who’ve been to the dance with me likely know of my baby brother, Woody. I’m his legal Guardian and Conservator. The day before Thanksgiving, he wasn’t feeling well. One of the staff members from his group home took him to the emergency room (ER). His blood pressure was 66/45. He was kept in the ER for a while, hydrated with IV fluids, and sent home. The doctor who called me said Woody would be fine to join us for dinner the next day. On Thanksgiving morning, my phone rang. It was the Program Manager from Woody’s group home, calling to tell me Woody was on his way to the hospital... Continue Reading

According to the United States Census, 1 in 6 people in the United States are 65 and older. That compares to 1 in 20, a hundred years ago back in 1920. Social Security benefits are received by 48.6 million Americans. 10,000 Baby Boomers are turning 65 each day. Introduction Retirement is a significant life transition that marks the end of our professional careers and the beginning of a new phase. For many, it’s a time of excitement and anticipation, but it can also bring about feelings of uncertainty and apprehension. How we handle retirement can greatly impact our quality of life during our... Continue Reading

My name is Daniel. That won’t matter to you because you won’t see me. You’ll pass me by. But you won’t see me. So, my name won’t matter to you any more than I do. But I’m Daniel, nevertheless. Image By Leroy Skalstad From Pixabay.com I can’t decide If it’s odd that you don’t see me. On one hand, it strikes me as odd because I am you. On the other hand, it’s not odd at all. If you can walk by me without seeing me, I suspect you don’t see yourself. You don’t see yourself in me. You don’t recognize the humanity we share. You don’t recognize or are afraid of the responsibility... Continue Reading

I have a theory. Most of my theories are now buried, layers deep, in the Great Trash Heap of Failed Ideas. But this one seems to possess some merit, to have legs as we say in the marketing biz. Try it on: Ignorance breeds fear, which breeds hatred, which breeds abuse, violence, and sometimes death. This theory seems to hold true because what we don’t know tends to make us afraid. Because we’re disinclined to learn what we don’t know — about people, thoughts, beliefs, cultures, ethnicities, traditions, religions, rituals, et al. — we feel threatened. We adopt righteous, defensive postures... Continue Reading

Introduction As parents and educators, we often find ourselves wondering, “Why do kids struggle in school?” This question has been a topic of concern and discussion for generations. Every child is unique, and their struggles in the academic environment can stem from various factors. But a factor that has affected most kids today is the untimely pandemic that kept them out of school. According to the recent release of the Nation’s Report Card the average score of 13-year-olds in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), declined 4 points in reading and 9 points in math comparing... Continue Reading

I received an email last week. I don’t imagine I was its sole recipient. It was from Quest Diagnostics. The subject line was, “Last chance to shop our summer sale.” Summer sale? Wait! Medical testing is now a retail operation? Yep. The body of the email said this: Our summer sale ends soon. Regular testing is an important part of overall health. Don’t wait — now’s the time to get tested and save 20%. Sale includes tests ranging from overall to those that focus on your stress levels, metabolism, or health risks for certain chronic conditions. No promo code needed. Whether you’re... Continue Reading

According to UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund), only a third of 10-year-olds globally are able to read and understand a simple written story, which means that 64% are unable to cover the minimum proficiency in reading comprehension. This is up from 52% pre-pandemic. Obviously not going to school during the pandemic interfered with the student’s reading fluency which is fundamental for academic development because the reading you learn in second and third grade is crucial as students read to learn about other subjects as they make their way into later grades. Reading plays a... Continue Reading