Archive for May 18, 2018

Ramadan–Why Care?

May 18, 2018 Comments Off on Ramadan–Why Care?

We’re two days into the holy month of Ramadan (May 17 – June 15), when Muslims fast (even from water), study the Quran, and atone for wrong-doings. Many non-Muslims are mystified by the practices, which do vary somewhat throughout the world.  This article, When Is Ramadan 2018? Everything You Need to Know (But Were Afraid to Ask), gives a good overview of this Muslim observance and answers some common questions.

Why bother reading about it? Why care? Well, there are 1.84 billion Muslims living on this Earth with us–that’s 24.38% of the world’s population. Understanding them and their peace-centered religion (not the radicals who bastardize Islam, of course) can only make our neighborhoods–locally and world-wide–more peaceful and just.

A blessed Ramadan to my Muslim friends, relatives, and neighbors!

 

Uncategorized , , , , , , , ,

Mystical Wisdom

May 17, 2018 Comments Off on Mystical Wisdom

This Thursday Thought quote from a tribe of Peruvian mystics just made me feel good.

“Looking behind I am filled with gratitude.  Looking forward I am filled with vision. Looking upwards I am filled with strength.  Looking within I discover peace.” — Q’ero Inca saying

 

Uncategorized , , , , ,

Drug Interaction Tool

May 16, 2018 Comments Off on Drug Interaction Tool

You were just prescribed a new medication. Is it compatible with other meds you’re taking? Or is there a possible reaction that would interfere with one of your other meds or otherwise affect your health? Doctors are not always on top of what you’ve been prescribed, especially if you have more than one physician. Besides, it’s been many years since they took a course in pharmacology.

Your doctor tries to watch out for you.  So does your pharmacist. It doesn’t hurt, though, if you look out for yourself, as well.

AARP has an easy way to help you do that.  Try their Drug Interaction Checker.  Be safe.

 

Uncategorized , , , ,

This Saturday, Clean Up!

May 15, 2018 Comments Off on This Saturday, Clean Up!

Next Saturday (4/20) is National River Cleanup Day. Do your part locally. For details, go to

http://www.cleanacreek.org/volunteerinformation.asp.

 

Uncategorized , , , , ,

Help Your Friend with Mental Health Issues

May 14, 2018 Comments Off on Help Your Friend with Mental Health Issues

During this month of May, which is Mental Health Awareness month, I think about people struggling with depression or who are bipolar or have other conditions–friends with mental illnesses they try to hide, and friends with a mental illness that is very apparent.  You probably do, too, since one in four people experience it within any given year.   Sometimes, dealing with them isn’t easy.  Because I care for them, I want to support them; I want to make their lives more livable.  But I’m not a professional, and I don’t want to do or say something that would be harmful to them.

I’d like to share with you a short yet helpful article.  I’ll give you its five recommendations here.  For an explanation of each, read “How to Help a Friend with Mental Illness.”

  1. Listen to what they are saying.
  2. Validate what they are saying.
  3. Ask what they need.
  4. Educate yourself about their experience.
  5. Keep being a friend.

I’m trying to apply these steps to my friends.  I hope others will apply them to me when I need them.

 

Uncategorized , , , , , ,

If I Were a Tree….

May 12, 2018 Comments Off on If I Were a Tree….

At age 40, how many of us can say we’re doing this much for the world?

Uncategorized , , ,

The SAT: A Valid or Racist Test?

May 11, 2018 Comments Off on The SAT: A Valid or Racist Test?

What does the SAT really indicate? We sweat bullets over it, knowing that it plays a big part in whether our kid (or we) will be accepted into a college. It began as an IQ test, which its creator realized was very much flawed and let everyone know it was. There’s evidence that it is racist and based on income. Watch this interesting video for details.

https://youtu.be/MPBSHj2815c

Uncategorized , , , , , ,

This is NOT a Fable

May 10, 2018 Comments Off on This is NOT a Fable

Aesop is known for his fables that contain bits of wisdom, and in today’s Thursday Thought quote he offers some words to live by.

Uncategorized , , , , ,

Help for the Weary Caregiver

May 9, 2018 Comments Off on Help for the Weary Caregiver

Many of us find ourselves in the position of being a primary caregiver, whether to a child, a spouse, a parent, or a grandparent.  Yet, we need to keep our jobs, too.  This makes for a very full–and tiring–life.  But we do it out of love.

There are ways to ease our burden of love, though.  AARP has a few tips to do just that.  Learn about those tips at their Balancing Work & Caregiving.

Uncategorized , , , , , , , ,

Repairs & Clean-Up–Too Much!

May 8, 2018 Comments Off on Repairs & Clean-Up–Too Much!

WHAT A MESS!  The weather’s getting nicer, but there’s too many repair and clean-up chores.  What to do?!!!  Help yourself and someone else’s family by hiring a day-worker from a local day-worker center (e.g., St. Vincent de Paul).  Find one on Yelp or Google or even an old-fashioned phone book  Pay is usually $10-$15 an hour, and the center sends you people who are qualified to do the job you need done.  When not out on a job, these people spend their time in training, improving their English, and gaining skills that make them better workers for you while building a brighter future for themselves and their families.  So, what’s there to lose, except for that broken fence, or that peeling paint, or the hopelessness that these willing workers have felt in the past?

Uncategorized , , , , , , ,
« Older Entries   Recent Entries »