TIME OUT

Murray Gellen

    I think it’s a good idea to do some mental reflections regarding who we are. After all, we are senior residents living in a retirement community. As such, we have an abundance of life experiences to think about. You may have moments of reminiscence that you might share with one another, or you might find yourself having nostalgic moments nagging you from the past.

     It’s moments of nostalgia that could trap your feelings of the past which can be depressing BUT! You are resilient and very able to move forward. If you spend too much time allowing yourself to long for the past, you will find yourself not really using your memory but even feeling so depressed that you could become resentful for the present.  

    Nostalgia can sometimes be kin to homesickness.  Reminiscing allows us to remember the past without delving into self-pity and offers us memories we can handle with ease. It seems like it’s more comfortable to share our past by reminiscing.  

    It can be a comforting experience.  Sometimes, we find ourselves smiling as we recall those past times when we just woke up over our past years.  They were and always will be precious. In our final reflections it’s “carpe diem”. It’s the present that counts. !…….…

“Seize the Moment”

 

                         WHAT IS THE TRUTH

    Most of the time I guess we think that what we say or believe is the truth. That’s fine. But keep in mind that what we consider to be the truth is only because we assume that we have an accurate concept of what we know. Maybe we need to have the patience to accept the idea that we don’t have enough evidence to conclude that we know the whole truth. It requires a certain amount of self-acceptance or humility to recognize that we don’t know the whole truth. A sense of humility can go a long way in helping us become a mature person. It takes much courage to open our minds to seek truth!

                      “Our hearts may be in the right place, but our minds need to catch up!”

   

 

 

 

                                                                          DECISIONS

                                                                       Murray Gellen    

     There are times when we are responsible to make a choice. If it is to decide what food to eat that could be easy. Why? Because it’s just for you. But if the choice relates to how you are going to decide how much to pay someone for work that was done for you it becomes more important.  Now, it means to decide the value of what was done for you. Such a decision becomes more important. It is not as easy because the decision is based on several factors such as the quality of the work done and even the personality of the person who did the work. 

   There are many more conditions and situations in life that come into play. So, even though we always have a choice as to how to react or behave, making decisions is always important. Suppose you are invited to a party and the host tells you that there will be people there who you know but have usually avoided on other occasions. What will you decide to do? Cancel your invitation? Attend the party and avoid those you have usually avoided at other times? Hmmm!... Now you have some decisions to make! The answer is all yours! 

                                 😉    “Think! …It will be an interesting experience.”   😌

 

W0RLD MONUMENT

    What you are about to read may open your mind to something you never thought about before. My wife and I have travelled around the Caribbean Archipelago over the years and visited many of the islands, but it was really an enlightening experience to learn about a very unusual place called the fortress of La Citadel Lafrenière. It is a fortress built by Henry Christophe, the Haitian revolutionary general who led the slave rebellion of freedom in 1804.

    This fortress has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1982   Although there are several smaller forts across the country of Haiti this fortress is the first example of African-derived colonial architecture.  

   The Citadel was constructed by over 20,000 ex-slaves, built inland 3000 feet on the mountain as a means of providing the optimal military vantage point. The location enabled Haitian forces to strategically keep watch over a vast distance, from the nearby valleys to the coastline. Cap -Haitian and the adjoining Atlantic Ocean are visible from the roof of the fortress.

    It is the largest fortress in Haiti and one of the largest in North America. The turbulent political situation principally in the central region has deterred visitors from visiting the very interesting tourist destination of the mountain Citadel.

    Maybe, this short monument may encourage you to explore another adventure at

    the “Caribbean Archipelago.”  See the Citadel below.

4-19-23

 

 

 

SPRING IS HERE

    Now is your time to wake up and smell the roses because they are all around you. Can’t you smell them?  Their aroma takes you to new views of life.  Give them a chance. You are the captain of your ship. You can go in any direction at any moment. Now is the time to make new decisions that will allow you to take new steps toward new adventures.  You need not be a genius.  Just be comfortable with what you feel, and you can steer your ship wherever you choose to go.

    There are many places or dreams you have yet to reach. It is up to you to visit any of them that meets your wishes. Just keep in mind you are always the captain of your ship. Have a good trip and enjoy every moment.

“Remember! One who hesitates can get lost.”

"😊😊😊😊😀😁😄"

😃HAVE A NICE  DAY😄

 

WHO CARES

     I wonder if there really is anyone who really lives with an indifferent attitude about life and people around you.  Sometimes and somewhere I hear people give an opinion or viewpoint about just about anything.  Whatever I hear is always  meaningful.  I don’t even ask for an opinion.  It just seems to come from anyone who speaks. There is usually a comment or two that indicates you have some remark that may be critical or even judgmental about something.  I can appreciate hearing comments that are complimentary, but I wonder why I often hear complaints or criticisms about someone or something.  Are my observations telling me you are uncomfortable or you may be annoyed?

    If you talk about life and the people you know and meet with a friendly attitude, then I am comfortable because it helps me feel you care about life.

     As it has been said:  No one promised us a rose garden.

    According to Albert Einstein:

 “Be kind to people who are different from you."

The ideals that have lighted my way, and time after time

           have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been.

  Kindness, Beauty, and Truth.”

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

    Take your time before you decide what you want to do. Yes, the holiday season is just around the corner. There is so much excitement and joy beckoning for our attention. It’s almost mind boggling to make choices. But that’s ok if we don’t resort to impulsive decisions.  We are all not out of the woods with corvid or many social problems.  Being cavalier, that is not serious or caring enough about matters that other people are serious about can be neglectful of their feelings. Even amidst the joys of the season it pays to be cautious and avoid risks to our personal health.

    Keep in mind we all have the privilege to choose what we like and don’t like to do. Take some time to ask yourself what is most important to you. There is no rush to find answers to your thoughts.  It takes patience to avoid impulsive wishes. When we look around the world is here for us, and we can enjoy each day if we care about what is available to each of us.

    Relax and look carefully at our options for feeling comfortable. They keep popping up at us yet, we don’t have to jump to them.

“Look before you leap.”

12-1-22                                          "😄😄😄😄"