Daily Habits Impact Mental Health
By Roanne Johns

Too often, the stigma around mental health leads to unhelpful silence. Many people recoil at the mention of disorders like depression or anxiety, as if even mentioning a troubled condition puts one at risk of acquiring it. Yet it must be understood that, especially in this day and age, mental stability is cultivated, not assured, and talking about mental health is far more productive than letting the subject fester in secrets and painful quiet. It’s time to admit that everyone struggles with mental health sometimes and we all must find routines to maintain our psychological equilibrium. Here are four daily habits that can contribute to improving mental health.

Nurture Proper Posture

The way you physically hold yourself can affect your mental well-being. If you’re often hunched over and caved in on yourself, not only will your bones, back, and neck ache—the bodily discomfort will spike your stress and anxiety. In contrast, sitting and standing straight can boost your energy and mood. Your posture might be difficult to improve by yourself, however, so consider investing in ergonomic furniture—equipment designed to optimize your body’s comfort and position. The best ergonomic chairs should be durable and sturdy, with customizable seating to give your back excellent support. For example, the Steelcase Gesture Chair has a 3D Live Back support that adapts to your spine’s curve and movement, allowing you to stay in a healthy ergonomic posture no matter how you sit. Nurture a proper posture to boost your mental health.

Eat Intuitively

Today’s photo alteration tools that divorce image from reality, make the ideal body type more unrealistic and ridiculous. Yet still, many try to diet their way to that ever-elusive beauty standard, deteriorating their physical and mental health in the process.

Complicating your relationship with food that nourishes you can harm your internal well-being. The more healthful option overall is to let go of aesthetic ideals and simply eat when you’re hungry. That doesn’t mean indulging in every appetizing whim, of course. Instead, intuitive eating means paying attention when your body tells you what it needs and giving it sustenance freely.

According to a 2021 study, doing this predicts better psychological health and lower disordered eating. If you’re having trouble adjusting to this mindset, you can leverage a healthy eating app like Way, which encourages you to be mindful of your eating habits. You’ll be able to reflect on your attitudes toward eating and organically shift your behavior. Eat intuitively every day for better mental health.

Take up an Art

Art fulfills an essential function in our lives, and taking up a method of self-expression can help boost your mental well-being. This is backed up by research. For example, a 2021 study found that singing in a choir is associated with better mood and quality of life in healthy older adults. Those who regularly participated had the added benefit of better verbal flexibility. Choir singing provides an accessible way to unleash your creativity and communicate your thoughts and feelings, as well as opportunities for health-giving socialization. If the thought of performing in front of a crowded room doesn’t sound appealing, that’s alright—your art can be anything. Pick up any creative hobby that inspires you, such as painting or baking. Practice it consistently and watch your mental health improve.

Connect with Your Faith

Your mental health is related to your spiritual health. A 2020 study found that spirituality is positively related to psychological well-being and linked to health-related behaviors, demonstrating that undertaking spiritual practices—especially for those already invested in understanding the human mind and spirit—benefits your mental state. How you apply this is up to you and your faith practice. The crucial aspect is that allocating time for prayer, meditation, or your faith’s equivalent will bolster you mentally.

Your mental health is important and should be cultivated with care. Follow the four daily habits above to keep your mind healthy.

Roanne Johns is a stay-at-home mom training to become a licensed planning family consultant. She loves to help others through her writing, whether it be through advice or real-life experiences. Outside of her work, she does volunteer work in her community and caring for her grandfather who has looked after her since she was young.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Share it with a friend or sign up for your own free subscription at HowWiseThen. I will not sell your information. Select a monthly newsletter and/or weekly articles about whatever’s on my mind that week.

Mary Brewster’s Love Life and Mayflower Chronicles: The Tale of Two Cultures: available wherever books are sold. Bookshop.org/Mayflower; Mary Brewster
Amazon.com/Mary Brewster’s Love Life
Amazon.com/Mayflower-Chronicles
BarnesandNoble.com/w/mayflower-chronicles
BarnesandNoble/MaryBrewster
Autographed copies are available on my website.

The post Four Small Steps to Mental Health appeared first on How Wise Then.

Historical Stories Inspire Change

By Arlene Westcott

Stories Entertain, Educate, and Communicate

Storytelling has always been a fundamental component of our cultural fabric. Stories have been used for entertainment, education, and communication, from ancient cave paintings to oral traditions passed down through generations. Stories can also motivate change. Historical writings can shape our shared awareness, challenge cultural standards, and ignite developments for progress. You can use your words to facilitate change.

Stories are a unique and powerful way of connecting people emotionally, transcending space and time, and instilling a sense of identity. We become invested in the characters and their experiences when we hear or read a compelling story. Even though they lived in different times, we identify with their struggles, hopes, and achievements. Historical narratives bridge the gap between the past and present, bringing history to life and making it relevant.

Stories Spark Social Justice Changes

For example, the Civil Rights Movement in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s illustrates the power of historical narratives to motivate change. Stories of African Americans fighting for equality and justice played a crucial role in influencing public opinion and challenging the status quo. The nonviolent Selma, Alabama, protests, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on a bus all became part of a powerful narrative that sparked support for civil rights reform. The tales of these and other gallant people came to symbolize a more significant battle to obtain opportunity and equality. Their stories roused incalculable others to join the cause.

Similarly, Nelson Mandela’s story in the South African anti-apartheid movement exemplifies the potency of historical narratives. Mandela’s long-term detention, followed by his ascent to become the nation’s most iconic and black president, captured the imagination of people all over the world. His story served as a symbol for the fight against racial injustice, motivating many people to resist oppressive regimes. We are constantly reminded of the transformative power of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the pursuit of equality by hearing Mandela’s story.

Historical Narrative Intensifies Change

Historical narratives motivate not only personal change but also societal change. We gain perspective and empathy when we learn about the struggles and achievements of historical figures. Their accounts provide us with significant illustrations and experiences to apply to our own lives. For example, Malala Yousafzai’s story has touched the hearts of millions worldwide. This young Pakistani speaks out vehemently for educating girls and is a compelling example of personal change. Malala stood up for her right to an education and became a global advocate for girls’ education despite threats and violence. Her story encourages individuals to overcome adversity and work toward positive change in their communities by highlighting the significance of courage, resilience, and the pursuit of knowledge.

In addition, historical narratives can reshape our understanding of the past and challenge established narratives. History is often written by those who have won, overlooking the unique experiences and voices of others. Storytelling sheds new light on past events, providing alternative viewpoints. For instance, the accounts of the colonization of native peoples have generally been told through the colonizer’s point of view. Today, we are beginning to hear the stories of resiliency, resistance, and cultural preservation from the perspective of the colonized through indigenous storytelling and the resurgence of indigenous voices. These narratives question the dominant historical narrative. This shift in perspective encourages a more profound comprehension and appreciation of indigenous cultures and their struggles today.

Telling a More Complete History

In an undeniably interconnected world, verifiable stories transcend boundaries to foster a sense of global citizenship. As we learn out more about the experiences and encounters of various societies, we foster a more nuanced comprehension of the world and our place in it. Empathy, appreciation for culture, and awareness of our humanity as a species are all cultivated through historical narratives. Such stories remind us that our histories are intertwined. The trials and tribulations of historical individuals can have a significant impact on our present and future.

Historical narratives can instill a sense of pride and cultural identity. People develop a stronger sense of belonging and a deeper connection to their heritage when they learn about the achievements and contributions of their ancestors. Communities can be empowered to reclaim their narratives, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate their rich history with this sense of cultural identity.

Empowering Resistance and Change

Historical narratives can empower resistance for marginalized and underrepresented communities. These narratives inspire current generations to continue the struggle for justice and equality by highlighting the stories of those who fought against injustice and for equality. Today, we are witnessing advancements in the fight against discrimination and the pursuit of LGBTQ+ rights, mainly due to the stories of LGBTQ+ activists who have fought for equality in rights and recognition.

Verifiable stories shape a nation’s public character by creating a collective memory and fostering a sense of shared history, values, and purpose. As people gain an understanding of their country’s verifiable history, they come to consider both the qualities and shortcomings of their past and work towards a more impartial future.

Learning from History

Telling accurate history and verifiable accounts of it can motivate change. They help people reconsider how we more honestly interpret the past. The stories from social equality activists, political dissidents, and social trailblazers can move people to pursue a more equitable world. These stories transform societies, becoming a force for positive change.

Historical stories have an astounding ability to motivate change in individuals, cultures, and societies. They empower communities, provide cautionary warnings, challenge dominant narratives, and foster empathy. We can harness their potential to drive positive change, promote social justice, and shape a more compassionate and equitable world as we tell and share these stories. Storytelling piques the imagination, elicits thought, and compels action.

Shabnam Yaseen, aka Arlene Westcott, describes herself as an avid reader and writer who strives to create informative and accessible content for her readers. As a Muslim writer, she brings a unique perspective to her work. With a strong understanding of modern technology, she leverages its power to effectively convey her message to a wider audience.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Share it with a friend or sign up for your own free subscription at HowWiseThen. I will not sell your information. Select a monthly newsletter and/or weekly articles about whatever’s on my mind that week.                                            

Mary Brewster’s Love Life and Mayflower Chronicles: The Tale of Two Cultures: available wherever books are sold. Bookshop.org/Mayflower; Mary Brewster
Amazon.com/Mary Brewster’s Love Life
Amazon.com/Mayflower-Chronicles
BarnesandNoble.com/w/mayflower-chronicles
BarnesandNoble/MaryBrewster
Autographed copies are available on my website.

The post Historical Stories Inspire Change appeared first on How Wise Then.

Phoebe Morad, Executive Director of Lutherans Restoring Creation

Tomorrow is Earth Day 2023. We need more than one day a year to remember the impact homosapiens have made on the earth, but a day is better than nothing. I’ve been away this week with a few friends on a getaway to Ohio’s wonderful Amish Country. This blog is from Phoebe Morad, Executive Director of Lutherans Restoring Creation. Her passion for caring for creation is contagious and worthy of a large audience. She speaks wisdom.

Whose Land of the Free?
By Phoebe Morad

Chief Seattle is credited for the sentiment: “The Earth does not belong to us, we belong to the Earth.” Many native peoples share this cosmology. This sentiment has been acquired by many environmentalists, at times with reverence, at other moments, perhaps just as an easy tagline.  As a group facilitator in the eco-faith movement, Lutherans Restoring Creation, I often I casually refer to indigenous teaching; yet, I have no concept as to which community was the original keeper of the lands on which I stand.  Only recently, have I started the practice of including time for “land acknowledgement” before meetings commence.  This offers time to recognize whose ancestors lived on, and/or what people continue to care for, the piece of Earth from which we speak.

Whose Rights Matter Most?

A broader understanding of stewardship is finally drowning out the “domination” reading of the Genesis story.  Earlier generations were eager to utilize the Biblical message as a pathway to conquest via the “manifest destiny” theory.  In The Sacred Contract with America, Caroline Myss reflects on the new-found freedom and equity celebrated by well-meaning colonists who were eager to embrace their rights to till and keep.

However, that genuine self-determination turned sour as patriarchal practices overcame the peaceful beginnings. Initially, some European settler communities did experience peaceful relations with native peoples. But as the numbers of new European arrivals grew, so did tensions of land use.  As Vine Deloria, Jr. explains in Red Earth, White Lies, a fundamentally divergent understanding of land-use was the foundation for broken promises: “The justification for breaking up the tribal land estate was to enable individual Indians to have land of their own – thus taking advantage of the great civilizing forces of private property – and to enable Indians to learn how to manage property.”

Property Managers vs. Property Owners

Through alternative teachings of “stewardship” from progressive Christian traditions, we hear that the duty of a steward is inherently tied to an acknowledgment that what you are caring for is not yours.  It all belongs to God.  How can we, as a contemporary society, reconcile with our past, while we live on and are fed by land that was never ours to re-distribute?

Dr. Tink Tinker, Osage elder, candidly shared the following as part of Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis:

“Never forget that your wealth, the home that you live in (whether you own it or rent it), the salary you earn, comes from the theft of Indian land, the extraction of resources from that Indian land, and the oppression of forced labor on African peoples who were kidnapped and brought here to work this land. And then, in order to keep labor prices low, Asian peoples were brought in to compete with African people after the Civil War. All of this so that your christian people might have and keep all the more. When you’re on the receiving end of that land and wealth, you might see it as “God’s great gift.” But in reality, it is a tragedy. When you’re on the receiving end of that oppression from the christians, their God is an abject oppressor and not at all a savior.”

Listen with New Ears

Woody Guthrie wrote “This Land is Your Land” in 1940, and since then, it has been taken on as an alternative national anthem by people of various political perspectives.  I urge you to listen with new ears as we continue to wrestle with those little prepositions that mean so much.  Is this land that we belong to or come from? Are we a country that cherishes freedom of religion or from religion?  Have we made it a land of the free or are those who are free the only ones with land?

Phoebe Morad is Executive Director of Lutherans Restoring Creation (LRC), a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For updated resources, events, and worship ideas, visit: Lutherans Restoring Creation 

Mary Brewster’s Love Life and Mayflower Chronicles: The Tale of Two Cultures: available wherever books are sold. Bookshop.org/Mayflower; Mary Brewster
Amazon.com/Mary Brewster’s Love Life
Amazon.com/Mayflower-Chronicles
BarnesandNoble.com/w/mayflower-chronicles
BarnesandNoble/MaryBrewster Autographed copies available at my website.

The post Land of the Free? appeared first on How Wise Then.

Unlock the Benefits of Forgiveness: How to Improve Your Mental Health

by Michelle Strickland

Forgiveness is a powerful tool that can improve mental health, reduce stress and anxiety levels, and increase our overall well-being. For senior citizens who’ve experienced loss or hurt in the past and are ready to move forward with their lives, forgiveness is a crucial tool. Forgiveness benefits cannot be understated. Forgiveness has also been linked to improved physical health and increased happiness.

What is Forgiveness?

Forgiveness has always been part of human history. It can be defined as the act of pardoning someone or something as an intentional decision to let go of negative feelings such as resentment, bitterness, and anger towards another person or situation. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean forgetting what happened; rather, it means understanding why it happened and choosing to move forward without holding onto grudges.

There are two types of forgiveness. One is interpersonal forgiveness, which involves forgiving another person. The other is self-forgiveness, which involves forgiving oneself for mistakes made in the past. Interpersonal forgiveness requires both parties involved to come together with mutual respect and understanding in order to heal any wounds caused by the conflict. Self-forgiveness, on the other hand, requires that a person recognize their faults, accept responsibility for them, let go of guilt or shame associated with them, and learn from them so they don’t happen again.

How to Practice Forgiveness

According to the American Psychological Association, forgiveness is an essential tool for healthy relationships and personal growth. By understanding the process of forgiveness, we can learn how to practice it in our lives and experience its many benefits. Forgiveness is an important part of healing and growth, helping us move forward without holding onto grudges toward others or ourselves.

Forgiveness can help us cope with difficult emotions and situations. By letting go of anger, resentment, and hurt we pave the way to move forward with a more positive outlook on life. Understanding the process of forgiveness can be challenging, but it is possible to learn how to practice it effectively.

To forgive someone or something requires first understanding why we feel hurt or angry. Taking time to reflect on our feelings and identify what needs healing will help us understand what has caused the pain as we take steps toward forgiving ourselves or others.

Strategies for Practicing Forgiveness

Once we’ve identified what needs healing, there are several strategies for practicing forgiveness. Writing down thoughts and feelings about the situation can help process these emotions in a constructive way. Talking through them with a trusted friend or family member may provide an additional outlet to express ourselves and gain insights into potential solutions. Meditating on the issue can allow us to connect with our inner selves. Engaging in creative activities such as drawing or journaling is a self-expression tool that could lead toward finding closure. Taking time to work through our emotions enables us to come up with solutions that will ultimately result in forgiving those who have wronged us without condoning their behavior.

In addition to forgiving others, it is also important to practice self-forgiveness when necessary. This means accepting responsibility for any mistakes made while also being kinder towards ourselves by recognizing that everyone makes mistakes from time to time and learning from them instead of dwelling on them indefinitely. Aging.com points out that therapy can be helpful during this process and provides information on finding online options. Additionally, setting boundaries with people who may not be supportive during this process is an important part of protecting mental health. This can still allow room for growth within relationships later if desired.

The Impact of Forgiveness on Mental Health

Forgiveness can be a difficult but rewarding process. With patience and understanding, we can learn to practice forgiveness and reap the benefits of improved mental health. This is important because holding onto unforgiving attitudes affects our mental health.

Forgiveness is an especially important part of mental health for older adults. Unforgiving attitudes can lead to a variety of negative emotions such as anger, resentment, and bitterness. These feelings can cause stress and anxiety, which can have long-term effects on physical and emotional well-being. Holding onto grudges or refusing to forgive someone who has wronged us can also lead to depression and isolation from others.

Clinging to unforgiving attitudes towards people who have hurt us in the past prevents us from moving forward with our lives. We become stuck in a cycle of ruminating over what happened instead of focusing on the present moment or looking ahead into the future. This kind of thinking leads to increased levels of stress hormones like cortisol, which can weaken our immune systems and make us more susceptible to illness or disease. It also makes it difficult for us to form meaningful relationships with others because we are focused on what happened in the past rather than building new connections with those around us now.

Impact of Grudges on Aging Issues

Research suggests that holding onto grudges can cause people’s brains to age faster than normal aging would suggest, leading us down a path towards cognitive decline earlier in life. This puts seniors at greater risk for dementia-related diseases if left unchecked, as elevated levels of cortisol weaken the immune system and decrease vulnerability against illnesses like colds or flu. Furthermore, studies have shown that holding onto grudges increases one’s risk for heart disease by up to 30%.

Forgiveness allows us to:

• Move forward.
• Free ourselves from the burden of resentment and anger.
• Create healthier relationships with those around us.
• Reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions.
• Promote feelings of peace and joy.

For seniors, especially, understanding how to forgive others as well as ourselves is an important step in creating a more meaningful life experience. By taking the time to learn about what forgiveness means and how to apply it, seniors especially will reap the rewards of its many benefits.

As we age, it is important to practice forgiveness to bring about a sense of inner peace and calmness that we need to live happily and contentedly during our later years. It can help us forgive ourselves for mistakes made throughout life and extend compassion towards those who have wronged us.

Thank you for joining our growing online community. If you appreciated this post, share it with one or more of your friends. Or, sign up for your own FREE subscription at HowWiseThen.

Mayflower Chronicles: The Tale of Two Cultures is still available wherever books are sold. Now so is the follow up story of Mary Brewster’s Love Life: The Matriarch of the Mayflower. 
Bookshop.org (Support local Bookshops)
Amazon.com/Mary Brewster’s Love Life 
Barnes and Noble
Order Autographed copies directly from me. Or ask your local bookstore to order a copy for you.

The post Health Benefits of Forgiveness appeared first on How Wise Then.

Thank you Bishop Rinehart for your thoughts about applying an ancient practice to our very modern challenges. Though appropriate any time, Lent seems a particularly good time to incorporate this practice into our lives. Lent begins next Wednesday with Ash Wednesday.

Lent and Learning to Fast Again

by Michael Rinehart

God cannot fill what is full. — Mother Teresa

The three disciplines of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Jesus instructs his followers on these three disciplines in Matthew 6:1-21, encouraging them to beware of showy self-righteousness. We tend to pray and give pretty well, but fasting is another matter. It is a blessing worth our attention.

Everybody fasts.

You have fasted many times. In fact, you fasted today. If you slept eight hours last night, you fasted or went without food for at least eight hours. If you finished dinner at 7:00 p.m. and ate breakfast at 7:00 a.m., you fasted for 12 hours. Your “breakfast” broke your nighttime fast. All of us fast, often without thinking about it. What would it look like to fast intentionally? What might be the benefits?

Partial Fasting

Fasting is not necessarily completely giving up all food. Much of the fasting in the Bible is partial fasting – giving up certain kinds of food or drink for a time. Additionally, fasting is more than abstaining from food. Fasting is abstaining from anything for a period of time: food, alcohol, sweets, smoking, speaking, sex, the internet, or television. If you’ve ever set aside or given up something for a time, you’ve fasted.

People fast for many reasons. A diet is a kind of fast. People fast as a way to protest or draw attention to injustice. Some fast for clarity. Others fast for health reasons, to reset their digestive system.

Fasting for Spiritual Growth

While all of these are good reasons, our focus in the 40 days of Lent is religious fasting for spiritual growth. In my own life, fasting has helped me become more attuned to the things of the Spirit, to listen for the voice of God, and to focus my prayer. Fasting has aided me in turning away from the god of the belly. We fast to empty ourselves, if only for a moment, so that there is room for God to fill us with love, joy, peace and so on. Fasting is powerful. A denied impulse focuses us. An empty stomach draws our attention away from the usual distractions of life, back to the reason for our fasting.

Christians have used the word “kenosis” (self-emptying) to describe the practices of humility, fasting and self-denial. Paul says in Philippians 2:7 that we are to have the mind of Christ, who did not exploit his divine status, but emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus calls his followers to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him.

Many Biblical Examples

Jesus fasted at the beginning of his ministry. Consider the list of biblical characters that fasted: Moses, David, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Ezra, Jehoshaphat, Elijah, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hannah, Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego, Anna, Jesus, his disciples, Paul and others. You can meet many of these people in the pages of Learning to Fast Again: A Full Life through Self-emptying.

Fasting is not limited to Christianity of course, or even the Abrahamic faiths. Zoroaster fasted, as did Confucius. Plato fasted, along with Aristotle, Socrates, and Hippocrates, the founder of modern medicine. Gandhi was a famous 20^thcentury leader because of his deliberate practice of fasting through difficult times.

It was common in antiquity to fast for multiple reasons. We tend to medicate our way through digestive and other maladies, but throughout the history of the world, especially among the poor, fasting was the way to feel better. Even today, many of us have heard from parents, “Starve a cold, feed a fever.” People would fast as an act of prayer or devotion. People would fast before battle.

Fast for Enlightenment

Learning to Fast Again is not about fasting to lose weight. It is about fasting for spiritual growth, awareness, and enlightenment. It is about making space in our lives for God to speak and act. We fast not to climb our way to God, through acts of self-righteousness, but rather to empty ourselves, so that we may be more open and aware to the movement of the Spirit.

Fasting is not universally commanded in the Bible. There is no legalistic case for fasting. We see fasting as an opportunity. We are under the freedom of the gospel.

A Word of Caution

A word of caution: Not all kinds of fasting are for everyone. Children, pregnant mothers, and the aged should not fast. Some medical conditions preclude skipping meals. If you are considering a complete fast, please consult your physician first to get clearance.

Learning to Fast Again is a 40-day devotional, study and workbook on fasting. It is the second in a series on the three disciplines of Lent: prayer, fasting and giving. Learning to Pray Again, Learning to Fast Again and Learning to Give Again cover the spiritual practices Jesus describes in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6.

Start Slow and Grow

Consider reading a chapter a day. Pick a few ideas that work for you and try them out. Start small. When one takes up running, one does not begin with a marathon. When one learns to play the piano, one doesn’t start with a Rachmaninov piano concerto. Start simply. Even if you’ve fasted before, begin again with the basics. Start with baby steps: a few hours of silence, or a meal. Find a group to fast with you and discuss the experience. Fasting in community is a powerful experience. It also provides support. Sometimes buddy power is stronger than will power.

When you fast, include prayer. Prayer and fasting appear together in the Bible constantly. Consider taking notes to record your experience. Start a prayer journal. Talk about it with a friend. In fact, if you or your congregation isn’t ready to jump into the topic of fasting Just yet, start with Learning to Pray Again: Peace and Joy through an Ancient Practice.

Fast with Joy

Above all, if you choose to fast, fast with joy. Fasting can be an act of contrition and humble repentance, but it can also be a powerful vehicle to invite a spiritual encounter. I pray these pages will spark your imagination into the joys of fasting.

Thank you Bishop Rinehart for sharing your insights into this ancient and beneficial practice. Michael Rinehart is the bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod with offices in Houston and New Orleans.

His new book is available now at Amazon

Thank you for being part of this growing online community. If you appreciated this post, share it with one or more of your friends. Or, sign up for your own FREE subscription.

Mayflower Chronicles: The Tale of Two Cultures: available wherever books are sold.
Bookshop.org (Support local Bookshops)
Amazon.com/Mayflower-Chronicles-Tale-Two-Cultures/
BarnesandNoble.com/w/mayflower-chronicles-kathryn-haueisen/
Autographed copies are available from my website.

AND, a companion story about the women who made the journey will be available soon.

The post Lent and Learning to Fast Again appeared first on How Wise Then.

Backstory 

In recognition of her fortieth birthday, my daughter wrote a list of the things she has done – significant and ordinary. They tracked a life well lived that produced a mature woman of strength and well-defined values.   It got me thinking.  So much learned and so much left to comprehend.

Life

I was thinking the other day about the things I’ve learned in life so far.

• On a positive note, I’ve learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
• I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles four different things – a rainy day…the elderly…lost luggage, or tangled Christmas tree lights.
• I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life.’
• That children grow up much too fast, right before your eyes.
• That it’s a lot better to do it right away than to put it off.
• I discovered that life sometimes gives you a second chance, and sometimes a third and a fourth.
• I believe you should not go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back sometimes.
• I’ve learned that if you pursue happiness, it can elude you. But if you focus on family, friends, and the needs of others, happiness will come looking for you.
• I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

P.S.  Learning is essential to our existence. Today’s inclusive culture requires discovering new ways of relating to people, both those who have been staples in our lives and the new acquaintances evolving.  What an exciting time to learn anew and expand our individual worlds.

Thanks for stopping by. In addition to Mother’s Day, this is graduation season. What life lessons have you learned that you’d like to pass along to today’s graduates? How much of your mother’s wisdom has helped you in life? Share the best Mom advice you got that you think others should know. If you got this form a friend, you can sign up for your own free subscription to my weekly articles and/or monthly newsletter at HowWiseThen.I focus on good people doing great things in our global village.

Mayflower Chronicles: The Tale of Two Cultures covers the Pilgrim’s escape from England and much more of the interaction between them and the Pokanoket people. Available wherever books are sold in paperback, eBook, and audio.
Bookshop.org (Supporting local Indie Bookshops)
Amazon.com/Mayflower-Chronicles-Tale-Two-Cultures/
BarnesandNoble.com/w/mayflower-chronicles-kathryn-haueisen/
Autographed copies available from BlueWillowBookShop.com/book/

The post Life Lessons from Annette Petrick appeared first on How Wise Then.

“It’s not how much you make but how much you spend.” Growing up in a middle-class family from Iowa, my parents repeated these words to me time and again. Neither of my parents held a college degree and neither of them made what would be considered a significant amount of money. And yet our bills were paid, we took a nice vacation every year, and we never wanted for anything.

As I grew older, I came to realize that my parents were disciplined in exactly one thing: deciding whether something was a need or a want, and not giving in to the temptation of wants.

The High Cost of Lessons Not Learned

How fortunate I was to have been brought up in a household where I learned this from a young age. Most families – especially those from disadvantaged communities – never learn this simple principle that can mean the difference between surviving and thriving.

Since 1994, RaiseUp Families has been laser focused on ensuring childhood learning by stabilizing families. When a family falls behind financially, the effects can impact generations.

Parents who must choose between paying the rent, the car note, auto insurance, utilities, or purchasing groceries to feed their children experience an enormous amount of stress. That stress is passed to children who sleep less, worry more, struggle to pay attention in school, and oftentimes act out.

The Price Children Pay

Pre-COVID, the average American family was just $600 away from an eviction. Most low-income families live paycheck to paycheck so one car repair, one major medical expense, or the loss of job (or a global pandemic) can easily force a family out of their home.

One of the unintended, and unnoticed, consequences of an eviction is the interruption in a child’s education. When a family is evicted from their home, most families seek temporary assistance from a friend or relative. Children often miss weeks or even months of school during this time and once a family finds new housing, children are usually enrolled in a new school district. This type of disruption places them significantly behind their peers academically.

The trauma of losing their home coupled with leaving a school, teachers, and friends they know to begin in a new school – usually with a different curriculum – and new children and faculty is devasting to a child’s development.

We All Pay When Children Suffer

One in four children in Harris County live below the federal poverty line ($26,850 annually for a family of 4), totaling more than 300,000 children. Low-income students drop out of school five times faster than their higher income peers, and 28% of Texas students fail to graduate from high school. Statistics like these can feel overwhelming. What can any one of us do to make a difference?

Affecting change starts by partnering with those who are dedicated to breaking the cycle. RaiseUp Families addresses the social, economic, and educational divides in our community through our signature nine-month “Hand Up” program. Rooted in personalized and comprehensive case management, we begin by conducting a needs assessment with each new client that informs their self-sufficiency plan.

Individual Support Key to Change

While clients work on individual goals and seek or retain employment, RaiseUp Families assists with basic living expenses, such as rent, utilities, transportation, childcare, job-related education and training until the family is able to cover these expenses.

Every month, clients bring bank statements, receipts, and paystubs to meet with their Case Manager to go over their budget. Case Managers help clients identify wants and needs, and make a plan to reduce spending on wants and make better choices around needs.

Whether as a couple or single parent, RaiseUp Families clients are required to accept an active role in overcoming obstacles with the support of case managers by participating in financial literacy courses, job skills training, job search and interview development, parenting and life skills courses, individual counseling as needed, and peer support groups to ensure a stable home environment that allows children the long-term opportunity to succeed in school.

A Hand Up; Not a Hand Out

Our Hand Up program creates sustainable change evidenced by our outcomes. In the past fiscal year, our clients experienced an average 35% income increase. Only 46% of clients held full-time employment upon entering our program, while 72% had secured full-time employment upon exiting. 100% of our clients remained in permanent housing one year after graduating our program, and 100% of their children remained in their same school or school district.

Every one dollar invested in RaiseUp Families generates approximately $20 in social benefit.  This includes both future lifetime earnings and avoided social costs for children, who are less likely to drop out of school simply by having a stable home environment.

An Approach That Works

Most rewarding of all are the stories our clients share with us.

“My daughter has always struggled in school,” Cynthia told us. “She is the kid who is constantly acting out and distracting others. Today, she came home so proud because she received her first award in school – ever. I know it is a result of being in the RaiseUp Families program. I am less stressed because my bills are caught up for the first time in ages, and I have a plan to move forward. She sees that, and it makes it easier for her to focus in school.”

Blessed to Be a Blessing

Through the support of good people who believe in lifting families up out of poverty and providing them with the tools and resources they need to create the life they have always wanted for their children and themselves, our program changes lives for generations. RaiseUp Families is 100% privately funded to allow maximum flexibility in meeting client families’ needs.

One of my favorite sayings has always been, “If I knew better, I would do better.” I am fortunate that, when it comes to personal finances, my parents taught me “better” from a young age.  Not everyone had that opportunity, and that’s where RaiseUp Families comes in.

What can you to do shrink the social, economic, and educational divide in our community? Support RaiseUp Families or our partner organizations.  Your gift will change a life.

I met with several groups in February – in person or on-line – to talk about the amazing Mayflower story. Contact me through my website  to make arrangements to speak with your group.  Mayflower Chronicles: The Tale of Two Cultures available now wherever books (in print, digital, and audio) are sold, including these places:

Bookshop.org (Supporting local Indie Bookshops)
Amazon.com/Mayflower-Chronicles-Tale-Two-Cultures/
BarnesandNoble.com/w/mayflower-chronicles-kathryn-haueisen/
Autographed copies available from BlueWillowBookShop.com/book/

The post RaiseUp Families in Houston appeared first on How Wise Then.

According to a 2012 study completed at Johns Hopkins, over 250,000 people die each year from medical error. Since then, that figure has been hotly debated for many reasons. Most prominent is the question: How is medical error defined? Is it an adverse, avoidable event that leads to death? A procedure that should have been done, but wasn’t? If an adverse event occurs but the patient doesn’t die, should that count as medical error?

The good news is that for the last twenty years procedures have been put in place to track medical error (all types of them) and hold people accountable. Risk management teams spend their days ensuring patient safety is a priority within a health system. Peer review organizations, both within health systems and outside as well, meet regularly to assure clinicians maintain and improve procedures and care. Most physicians agree that you are safer now than ever before when you enter a health system.

Fictional Dr. Angela Brennan’s Medical Error Nightmare

Dr. Angela Brennan isn’t so fortunate in my contest-winning novel, Devil’s Grace. She loses her husband and son in a car accident, only to watch her daughter die after surgery in the very hospital where she is chief of Cardiac Surgery. When she begins asking questions about the medical error she believes led to her daughter’s death, Angela finds herself pitted against the very colleagues she used to call friends.

I often refer to Devil’s Grace as being “borne of Light.” I was busy writing another book when a friend, who regularly communicates with those who have passed, texted me and told me I was supposed to be writing about “the Light.” Neither of us understood exactly what that meant, but then I remembered two real-life stories my healthcare executive husband told me. I mentioned them to my friend and suggested that perhaps I could create a novel by combining the two stories. She laughed and said, “That’s it. That’s the Light.” I started writing Devil’s Grace that day.

Devil’s Grace – Not About Death

You see, Devil’s Grace is not about death and dying. Or even about medical error. Sure, it starts that way…that’s the basis, the roots of the tree, so to speak. But the real value for the reader is what grows from the roots. It’s about the relationship between those who have passed and those left behind to complete their own missions. It’s about choices each of us make in our daily lives related to morality, spirituality and personality. Angela is a scientist who uncovers irrefutable proof that she has been communicating with ghosts.

Losing Her Mind?

She believes that she’s losing her mind. But the advice offered by these spirits aids in her quest to discover why her daughter died, so she begins to accept her “new normal.” With her newly discovered ability to communicate with the beyond, the emotional walls she has so carefully constructed begin to crumble and leave her swaying with her emotional tides. Yet over time, as she begins to acclimate, she transforms into a more compassionate, patient, kind person. And, in turn, a better physician.

Devil’s Grace is, at its heart, a medical thriller/mystery wrapped in a spiritual drama. Angela could implode after losing her entire family, but instead she’s surprised to find a fortitude and patience she didn’t know she possessed. These traits allow her to forgive instead of scorn, to love instead of hate. In the end, Devil’s Grace is about the Light: kindness, forgiveness and hope, each of which are sorely lacking in today’s climate. I hope that readers can immerse themselves in the story and find their own emotional release and growth, even as Angela struggles through the transformation herself.

The universal themes outlined in Devil’s Grace make it great reading for book clubs around the world. I’m hoping the book generates discussions about medical error, the role of kindness in society, and issues surrounding balancing work and family.

About Author Splaine

Splaine grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and received her MHA from UNC Chapel Hill. She worked in healthcare administration for eleven years before turning her creative mind to writing. She entered Devil’s Grace in the When Words Count writing competition in which not only is the author’s writing judged, but her marketing plan, cover copy and the book’s cover as well. Splaine’s operatic performance background came in handy when she completed the required public reading, as she memorized the novel’s prologue and kept the audience rapt throughout the reading. When not writing, Splaine teaches voice at Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School. She lives in Rhode Island with her husband, sons and dogs. Devil’s Grace, her third novel, is published through Green Writers Press. You can reach her through her website: www.elizabethsplaineauthor.com.

The post Beth Splaine – Devil’s Grace appeared first on How Wise Then.

Getting It Right

The cognitive psychologist Elizabeth Spelke says, “It’s not about being right. It’s about getting it right.”

Kathryn knew The Mayflower Chronicles required extensive research to ensure the inclusion of everyone’s facts and voices, including the Pokanoket people the Pilgrims confronted upon their arrival in Plymouth. On the other hand, I thought I would write a funny little book about moving in with my father when I was in my early sixties and he—a retired U.S. Army full colonel–was in his eighties.

My real-life and social media friends and followers thought my posts about life with Dad were great. They thought my father and I were hysterical together. They posted about how we were a model adult child/parent combo. Sometimes, they told me my stories made them cry. “You should write a book,” they said. “I wish I could have that kind of relationship with my father,” they told me.

The Incomplete Truth

Based on what they read on my pages, they were right. I wrote humorous, poignant, and sensitive snippets. I programmed tasty and easy to swallow bites on my social media feeds. They only saw what I wanted them to read because I controlled the narrative. I was truthful. But I did not provide all the facts.

I avoided some topics like why I moved in with my Dad, how he knew I needed to before I did, and what it took to realize the shape I was in before making changes.

Before I make it sound like my memoir will reveal deep, dark secrets, let me be transparent. My father was not The Great Santini. My family was ordinary in some contexts and extraordinary in others. Like all families, we had our joys and dysfunctions. But as a military brat, I grew up spending only about fifty percent of my childhood with my Dad around. Then I lived away as adult children tend to do for over 40 years.  So why, when I moved back in with him, was I surprised that we did not know one another as well as I had assumed?

Getting To Know You – Again

Once I moved in with Dad, we started to have tea each afternoon. He began to tell me about his childhood. We shared our memories of the times and places we lived together. We talked about what it was like when he was not with us and stationed far away.

I realized that I did not know as much about him as I thought. He seemed genuinely surprised by many of the things I told him. It took some time before I realized that the personal narrative that I had constructed to explain my life was inaccurate because I did not have all the facts. My story needed some verification.

When an author creates fictional characters, she creates their stories, personalities, triumphs, and traumas. But she must consider each of them within the entire cast of characters she composes. The people in my memoir are not fictional. They have lives, emotions, dreams, and disappointments. There was so much I did not know despite assuming I did. I began to doubt my own story.

Family History

When I confronted the character from the personal narrative I had internalized on my memoir’s pages, she startled me.  Some days I was ashamed. Some days I wanted to be gentler, more compassionate. There were times I laughed at her. And there were times I was proud and amazed that she was still standing. The distance the words on a page must travel to one’s mind and heart allows time to process and distill the truth.

I finished Tea with Dad, sure that I had told the entire story and had all my facts straight. But as fate would have it, I was wrong. As I share in the book, Dad let me know that a family story about my great uncle was not true.

“Uncle Al was not a polygamist. That’s ridiculous,” Dad said. “He had three wives, but not at the same time.”

Family Connections

Last month Uncle Al’s granddaughters, Erin and Eileen, met us for the first time on Zoom. As they compared notes, Dad cleared the air (just in case they were worried, which they were not) by correcting the rumors about Uncle Al.

“He only had three wives,” he told them.

“Oh, there was a fourth one,” our cousin Erin replied. She was so unphased. She went on to let us know that they had documents—the announcement of the annulment of the third marriage and then her grandmother’s divorce papers dated after the annulment announcement.

“There’s a fourth?” Dad asked, surprised. “She slipped in before…”

“My book is wrong!” I gasped.

“A fourth.” Dad was stunned. He shook his head.

“My book is wrong!” I repeated. No one paid any attention to me.

Get It Right – Again

I have decided to view this philosophically. Erin and Eileen provided us with information we did not know. This meant a lot to my father as he was so fond of Uncle Al and his young cousin Jacqueline. There is documentation. We will edit the family story though it is too late for my book.

I did the best I could to get my book right based on the information available to me when I wrote it. History as we know it changes as new evidence appears. As someone else said, “If you don’t get it right the first time, keep trying until you do.”

Tea with Dad is being published by Green Writers Press and is for release April 27, 2021. It is available for pre-order now at Amazon/Laird Young. Nancie lives in Maryland where she writes and continues getting to know her Dad better.

The post Nancie Laird Young & Family Life appeared first on How Wise Then.

My four-year-old dog Becka and I live and travel full-time in an RV, telling and writing the stories of the Westward Sagas. Becka is the third Labrador retriever to share my travels. I lost Daisy in 2013 and Lulubelle in 2014, both from old age. Those dogs saw the Grand Canyon, frolicked in the water of two oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. I picked Becka up on April 7, 2017. She was just six weeks old. Since then, we have traveled much of the U.S. and Canada. Making friends along the way. RV owners make happy and friendly neighbors. Maybe it is because they have everything they need! No frivolous stuff cluttering closets or minds. No yard to mow and a different view anytime they want.

Home Rolling Home

My home and the place I write is a 40’, class A motor coach, built by Tiffin Motorhomes. Instead of the usual drivers-side sofa. Tiffin installed a workstation for a computer, printer and anything an author might need. RVing inspires me to write. Camping near where an epic event in history took place allows me to better understand and describe the scenes in my books. My novels are based on the story of my Grandmother’s family. Book 1, Spring House, begins in Pennsylvania during Colonial times. The sequel Adam’s Daughters is the story of my great grandmother and her sisters in Tennessee, just prior to statehood. Children of the Revolution is the story about the family after the American Revolution. Comanche Trace is about their arrival in Texas and their fight for survival amongst hostile Indians. My next book, a sequel to Comanche Trace, is about Texas Ranger Will Smith and his mission to keep peace on the Mexican border after the Mexican-American War.

Becka and I have spent Christmas and New Year’s ’20- ‘21 in San Antonio staying away from two-legged critters that might have COVID-19. Once I get my COVID-19 vaccine, I am heading to the Rio Grande Valley for research on the next book of the Westward Sagas. We always go to the Hill Country for the Spring. Once the Bluebonnets lose their blooms, it will be time to head to Angel Fire, New Mexico for storytelling at the Angel Fire RV Resort.

The Mobile Community

According to the RVIA (Recreation Vehicle Industry Association – an RV trade group), there are over ten million plus RV owners in America and one million plus that live full-time in an RV. The sales of new RV’s in 2020 were up 43% from 2019. The COVID-19 virus, social distancing, and a need to work from home created the best year ever for the industry. If you think the RV lifestyle is something you might want to consider, make sure your significant other is on board with the concept first! You might find Gerri Almand’s two books on that subject useful: The Reluctant RV Wife and Home is Where the RV Is. Traveling solo solves fifty percent of the baggage and closet problems. More and more singles travel alone and because of this, there are organized singles groups for RVers. I prefer traveling with Becka. She sits quietly beside me looking at the view mile after mile. Becka has never asked “Are we there yet?”

Follow David and Becka’s travels at https://westwardsagas.com or email david@westwardsagas.com.

The post David Bowles – RV Writing appeared first on How Wise Then.