Have you ever felt like you have nothing to lose? Usually that feeling can be centered on anything from starting a new exercise program, changing jobs, or deciding to make a new change in your current situation.

Remember this;   If you feel hopeless, you feel helpless. You were not made to be helpless. Spend today with the attitude that you will approach your challenges differently. Write down two things that you are struggling with.

They can be related to caring for a loved one or about you. Then write down two things you can choose to do about each one. Make it simple-but keep it real. Keep what you can do achievable. Start putting those thoughts into practice. Thoughts are things. You can make change happen, even if it means that you take thirty minutes to sit alone and read to get your mind off the things that are stressing you out. Don’t give in or give up.

Change can happen when you make it happen in small ways. You are amazing. You’ve got this!

                                                                                                    “Now let’s get going!”  xo Sally

No matter what your goal may be, you have to invest your time and energy to make it happen.

Learning new ways to manage concerns or problems, like caring for a loved one, often requires time and energy. There is information out there that can help you be successful. There are support groups and there are a number of on line resources that can support you when you are feeling alone in your struggle.

Start out by realizing that asking for help is the first step.  Let people help you. Contact your local church or senior center to find out what resources they are aware of.  Look on-line for support group information in your area.  Check with assisted living centers and see what groups they are aware of.  Often doctor's offices know of specific groups that meet to discuss certain diseases.  If the situation you are dealing with is a neurological one, check with your neurologist for support group information.

Never feel like you are alone. There are plenty of people out there that are having the same issues you are. Learning how to manage and cope is a process. What are your concerns?

Let us know and we can offer some suggestions. Feel free to leave comments here or on our Facebook page. “Now let’s get going!”  xo Sally

     Falls can be complicated. The injuries that result from falls are many, and frequently are responsible for loss of independence.

A reason for a fall may not be as simple as losing your balance.

Balance is a critical part, but when we couple falls and illness, or we combine falls and the elderly,

the question gets more complicated, and there may not be just one easy answer.

First, do not believe that people fall just because they are old. Living in Southwest Florida, I have had the personal experience of working with patients ranging in age from 70 to 100. It’s not unusual to have patients in their 80s and 90s be independent, live alone, and continue to drive safely.

One thing I know for sure — there’s always a reason that a person falls. A rare fall due to an actual loss of balance can happen to anyone. Whether you’re the patient, caregiver or a therapist, you need to be a detective to figure out the potential reasons for a fall, and follow up with your doctors to define treatment options for your condition

Balance is best understood by realizing that our muscles provide our support system, and the reason we’re able to keep our upright or standing balance is that our muscles work in concert with each other. Agonist and antagonist muscles act in opposite directions. When the agonist produces an action, the antagonist opposes the action. Stability is the result.

So in a perfect world, our muscles support our bones in harmony when we’re standing, and adjust when we take on different postures — walking, moving forward to stand from a chair, getting out of bed, getting on and off the toilet, and so on.  Physical and cognitive problems infludence balance and falls.

Here are six things you should consider before assuming someone is falling due to “old age:”

 Vision. Limitations in vision can impact accuracy of steps, determination of curb or threshold heights, and depth perception. 

Joint pain. If you’re having arthritic pain in a hip, knee, or ankle, you may be unconsciously or consciously shifting your weight to the stronger side to reduce pain. This causes a problem with balance, and can cause damage to the “good side” due to overuse and inflammation.

Aren’t you frustrated with mediocrity? Most of us can relate to what it is like to receive excellent customer service, as well as give it. But our world has changed. Businesses have automated response systems and out-sourced customer service departments. Getting what we need accomplished on the phone is a big challenge.

People are people. We like to be acknowledged and we appreciate good service. Many young people do not know what good customer service is, because they have not experienced it. This happens in healthcare and in other businesses…all the time.

It’s easy to sit behind a phone or a computer and do as little as possible. To be more, you have to do more.

But if you are motivated, and want to stand out in a crowd, follow this advice; be willing to get your hands dirty.

Work hard and make an effort to do more than you are asked to do. Smile and listen while giving eye contact. Be a problem resolver and not a complainer.

You will be rewarded and noticed. It’s a new year. The sky’s the limit. Believe that you have what it takes.                                                                                   “Now let’s get going!”  xo Sally

Here we are.  Happy New Year!  2015 is a new year.  No matter what happened in the past, it's history.  It is time to look in the mirror and be the person you know you can be.

It doesn't matter how old you are, what color your hair is, or how aggravated you are with your situation.  This is the year we have to take responsibility for who we are.  No more excuses. 

If we are angry and we make our families miserable, we need to own it, and we need to change.

If we need to get in better shape and improve our health, we are the ones that will benefit.  (actually so will our families...)

There is no need to say things like; "I can't," "That doesn't work," "What does it matter,"...no those comments are going to be forbidden in 2015.

The reality is that you can change.  You can improve.  You can lose weight.  You can do whatever you believe you can do.  The catch is that you have to believe it.  You have to have the faith you can be successful.

Who wants to join in?  We want to know what you intend to improve.  We want to help you make that happen.  Share stories and frustrations, just know that whatever battle you are fighting, you are not alone.

It is easier to fight negative feelings when you have others fighting the same battle.  Email us and let us know what battle you want to win in 2015.  We'll get emails and groups going on the web site and on our Facebook page.  Join in.  It's all about winning your own personal battle in 2015.  We've got our gloves on and we're going to fight right along side you.  "Now let's get going."  xo Sally

How consistent are you? Are you predictable? Do you panic when you are forced to “color outside the lines,” and feel like you are out of control?

We are living in a time when flexibility is the name of the game. If you refuse to try to grow with some new thinking and give things a chance, you may find yourself limited to your old ways. You may miss out on learning something new.

Are consistency and predictability good things? Absolutely. But you need to have an open mind for new things. You need to feel like you can leave the same pathway you’ve traveled many times, learn a different approach and grow in the process. Be flexible today. Try something new. You’ll live through the experience…and learn in the process. “Now let’s get going!”  xo Sally

One of the hardest things to overcome is struggling with how to get your point across without being a nag.

Whether it is with your children or with co-workers, the goal is to help people learn new ways of doing things and try new approaches, without giving the impression that you think your way is the only way. If you share your vision and let people around you see the big picture, chances are they will move forward with the plan.

Appreciate what you have, where you are going and make the journey full of excitement. Motivate and Accelerate into 2015. “Now let’s get going!”  xo Sally

Happy New Year!  Let's bring in 2015 believing that you are blessed and that you are able to make positive strides toward your goals.

Believe that you are worth it.  Believe that God will support you.  Believe that you are able to reach for goals that you have not yet seen come to pass.

We all have baggage.  We have all made mistakes.  Put those things behind you.  Move forward.  You have what it takes to rise above where you have been. 

Surround yourself with positive people that support you.  You are amazing.  Believe it!                    

I want you to "Start A New Story" and I will help you along the way!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        "Now let's get going!"  xo Sally

Challenging situations and challenging people can create many things. Some good…some not so fabulous.

It is great to be in a challenging environment. It can help you develop your skills and grow as a person. But each challenge you confront does not mean that you have to sit back and “take it.” For a challenging environment to help a person grow, it needs to teach you something. Sometimes it teaches you that the type of person presenting the challenge is personally motivated and abusive…well that changes you too.

Recognize what type of challenges you are up against. Which ones are positive and which ones are negative. Challenges do change you; that is for sure. You need to pick out which ones are challenging you for the better. Those are good. The others…you need to move away from. This coming year, you want to “grow goodness” in you. There is no room for negative energy. Pass it by. Learn other ways. Focus on growing a good life. “Now let’s get going!”  xo Sally

As we are ending 2014, it is time to get our priorities and goals in order to make 2015 the best year ever.

One of the things that we all can relate to, but rarely enters our minds when we are setting out a plan to improve our life or reach our goals, is to recognize how important it is to be kind.

I know I talk about this a lot, but in our world of “selfies” and having life revolve around “me,” we don’t connect with some very important realities. When it comes down to what matters, we all want to be treated well and appreciated. If you are a business person and are rolling your eyes right now, understand that if you do not treat your co-workers and employees with respect, they will leave.

We have reached a point with technology and automated “everything,” that the personal touch is frequently left out. People need to interact on a personal level. You need to feel like you matter, whether it is in a relationship or on the job. How can you add that into your plans for 2015? I guarantee that if you focus on service, and treat your customers, co-workers and family well, you will exceed your goals. Believe it.

                                                                                                         “Now let’s get going!”  xo Sally