Happy Halloween! What are your memories of Halloween? I can say that it has never been my favorite day. As a kid I always thought dressing up for Trick or Treat was kind of weird, but I always went along because the pay off with candy made up for it all! And since I don’t like being scared out of my wits, the whole idea of scary houses and sticking your hands in cooked noodles (aka worms) wasn’t too much fun for me.

I do think that setting aside a day for some fun is a good idea. Our kids deserve to have some fun that involves no video games, and actually gets them out of the house around other children…not to mention walking more than they usually do, from house to house, even if it is for candy! J

One thing that we need to do as parents or grandparents is make time for some genuinely fun activities that get you and the kids outside. Enjoy some fresh air and share the goodies! Have a great day! “Now, let’s get going!”  xo Sally

The world has a lot of problems. One thing we can be sure of is that people in different capacities are in charge. People are in charge of places we work, the restaurants we go to, and the stores where we shop. Everywhere we go we are met with different types of people. Some people are efficient and some are not. Some people are friendly and some act like you are inconveniencing them when you need them to do their job.

The reason why this particular statement caught my eye is that whoever said it had a very simple way of explaining the outcome we experience when we deal with a great number of people on a daily basis. Is it accurate? I don’t think it is necessarily always right, but it sure causes you to stop and think.

Intelligent people realize that there are many situations out there that may or may not fit into what their experiences know to be true. Intelligent people are usually open to ideas, willing to hear all sides, and actually admit that what they thought was true, may be wrong and are actually able to change their opinion of things when presented with facts that make sense.

Now, people who are so confident that they close their mind to alternative ways to think, yet stand firm with thoughts and concepts that are not going to produce a positive outcome…that group is another story. Confidence does not necessarily mean you are right. Before you argue your point or refuse to consider another opinion…remember that you will learn more if you are open to try things another way.

Today try listening. See if you can learn something new…. “Now, let’s get going!”  xo Sally

Do you know your neighbors? Once upon a time neighbors knew neighbors, and supporting each other in the community was not only important, it was necessary. 

Whether you lived in a farming community or a city, those people that lived next door to each other, were able to depend on each other. The closest neighbor might be a mile away, but people still were there for each other. The family that lived closest to them might be more dependable than a relative in their own family. 

The way we live in 2013, this may be true in some places, but not in the same proportion that it occurred 20-30 years ago. There is something comforting in knowing that if you needed something right away, you could go to your neighbor for a helping hand. If you do not have that type of relationship with your neighbors, why not? 

Have you spoken to your neighbors? Do you make an effort to reach out and get to know them? Work on that this week. Take a moment when you see someone outside, to stop and talk for a minute or two. Find out who they are and how they are. No one is asking you to be nosey.  

The goal is to start to develop the network of relationships that will be there for your immediate neighbors that currently does not exist. Some of most interesting people are right under your nose. Don’t think someone has nothing to offer because they aren’t like you. Step out of your comfort zone and see what happens!

“Now, let’s get going!” xo Sally

Today is a new day. There is no reason to think or assume that it is going to be difficult, if you can keep a smile on your face. So go ahead and get started with your first smile of the day. 

There is no denying that things that challenge you today may frustrate you. You may even get angry or upset. But if you feel that you are losing your positive energy, just stop yourself. Take a breath and realize that you can control your reaction to whatever is causing you to be upset. 

How do you control your reaction? Maybe you have not controlled your response too well, or you aren’t sure that you can control it at all. You have all the power to change your reaction to those things that cross your path, today and every day. 

Take some time to recognize that your reaction tells people who you are. For you to be successful in getting the people around you to be motivated or encouraged, you have to project the same kind of energy. Start with a smile and see where that takes you. It will take your further than a frown! J “Now, let’s get going!” xo Sally

How often do you use the word NEVER? “I will never do that again!” “She will never keep her word.” “He will never do the job right.” How about: “I will never get married again.” 

Whenever we use never it should mean that we do not intend on having the same experience again. We plan to refrain from whatever behavior or situation we experienced and want to avoid a repeat experience at all costs. 

Interestingly the word never can work in a positive way as well. We can decide on those things that we let slide, or do not do that we should do, and affirm to ourselves that we will stop putting ourselves second. We will start to make choices each and every day that work for us instead of against us. 

So instead of using never in a negative way, try using it in a way that will cause you to improve and excel rather than fall back and not meet your own expectations. How about I will never underestimate myself again! I will never stop trying to reach my goal. You get the idea. 

Make your positive list of what you will never do again. Decide that you are worth it. What you do every day does matter, and if you truly feel that you want to change where you are and what you do, start that never list and stick to it! You can do it! Let us know what you will never do again! Together we can accomplish amazing things! xo Sally

Have you ever felt that you were in a rut?  Stuck? Not able to see your way out of a situation? 

What do you do?  If you are in one of those situations, regardless of what it is, you feel frustrated.  There doesn’t seem to be a difference from one day to the next.  Each day seems like the situation you are dealing with does not change and in fact you feel like you are sinking deeper and deeper. 

So what do you do?  You look at the problem you are dealing with and you stop making it worse.  You stop digging the hole that you are falling into each day.  You have to figure out what you are doing that perpetuates the problem and stop those behaviors. 

That’s easy for me to say?  Well here’s the challenge:  if you stop investing your energy in continuing to dig your hole, and you put your energy into positive thoughts, actions and dreams, you are on your way to making a change.  You have less time to dig your hole.  You are busy investing that time into more important things.  Things that are going to make you a better person and help you reach the goals that you are interested in. 

You’ll never know what your potential is, until you put your shovel down, stop digging your hole and return to the surface.  Your potential awaits you.  Opportunities are out there but you have to make yourself available.  Always know that we are in your corner.  I want you to be the success that you want to be.

“Now let’s get going!” xo Sally

I hear people complain every day. When going from one patient’s home to another, I frequently tell a patient or caregiver that I wish I could take them with me to the next patient’s home so they could compare their situation with someone else’s.

I am sure that if they did, they would choose to keep their problems and have a new appreciation for what is happening in the “real world.” It is so easy to get isolated as a caregiver or patient, and lose sight of what different diseases and conditions are out there, and have no idea of what other people may be dealing with.

Let’s face it folks. Medical problems are lousy. Treatment is not always easy, and people too often feel that their best treatment is going to be contained in a pill. That is not always the case.

There is some real research out there that suggests that our feelings, attitude and lifestyle have a huge effect on our health and well- being.

Look into the benefits of Yoga, Tai Chi, and local group exercise programs that you might find enjoyable. Some exercise facilities are working with the Silver Sneakers Program, and those exercise groups do seated exercises that people can participate in from their wheelchairs or chairs provided at the exercise group.

Have you checked into what your local community has to offer? Get on the internet and see what you can find. If you are in Florida and know of local exercise groups that we can add into our County information, please let us know about them by commenting below and we will add them to our list.

You are the person that is going to change your life. “Now, let’s get going!”  xo Sally