GIVE YOUR HEART TO LIFE

Life with its ups and downs needs more love and well heart. Our hearts allow us to live. They beat inside our bodies and blood flows. But metaphorically giving your heart and soul to something means more than just living. It brings joy to those around you. It brings love. It brings support. So bringing lots of heart to the table makes for a meaningful life.
#lifewithagoodheart#life'supsandowns#heartandsoultolife#lifewithjoyandheart#meaningfullife#livelifetoitsfullest

FEBRAURY THE SHORT MONTH ENDS WITH HOPE

Yes hope for Spring to be around the corner. Hope the Spring bulbs pop up through the ground. Hope to win the lottery. Oh that has nothing to do with February. It was an eventful month that is ending well enough. Chronic issues prevail but are manageable. Hope to continue as is. At least there was a long weekend. And Valentine's day with chocolate. The Olympics- didn't Canada do great! So February 2018 will be memorable. How was your February?

HELP HAS ARRIVED

Some things can be done alone. But some things do need the help of others. So reaching out to those in our lives for some support is always a good thing. What jobs are doable alone and what jobs need some other expertise! As a Social Worker, the support of family and friends is always advisable to patients and clients. Not going it alone is the new mantra. How about you? Do you need the support of others to get through the day?
#gettingthroughtheday#usingthehelpofothers#stressmanagedbetterwithsupport#SocialWorkskillsandsupport#friendsandfamilyhelpoutinapinch#whatjobsneedhelp

SPRING FLOODS IN WINTER

I wish February would just stay cold so when Spring arrives the ground thaws. The frozen ground and rain do not mix. Some water in the basement and trying to find the spots outside where it is coming in is always disheartening. Usually one little spot that needs to be plugged with a rock. One year it was a stone on the bricks on the pathway so the water would continue down the path. There are areas in Southern Ontario that are flooding so I guess I should not complain. But when there is already enough on my plate, one more aggravation is too much sometimes. Doable but a pain. How is your Winter Spring going? Hope it is going well!
#waterinthebasement#springrunoff#floodinginOntario#frozenground

NANA SAYS REVIEW SPRING SAFETY RULES

Canadian weather is fickle. Already in February rain and flooding and fast rivers are issues. So remind children to stay away from water. Yeah right. Water draws the little ones so adults be vigilant to all potential water problems. With thaw and freeze, ice under snow or water can be another issue. So proper boots are the name of the day. If winds remind children to watch out for branches and flying debris. Rain wear, winter wear, boots and whatever helps with safety. Clear all sewer basins near your house too to allow for proper drainage on the roads.
#safety#watchoutforfallingbranches#springflooding#rainfalls#properfootwearforchildren#Februaryrain#fastmovingriversandcreeks

HOPE FOR THE BEST! PREPARE FOR THE WORST!

Adversity can bring false hope. Praying for a miracle does not cut it for some people. To get as well as you can is the realistic mantra. Having several plans in place. Worst case scenario- what needs to be done. Second worse- how to cope and how to get by. Things are better but still support and planning. Almost back to normal but what needs to change. Having realistic plans and ideas has always helped me in situations. Knowing if something is doable. Then what needs to be done. What can be done alone and what help may be needed. As humans it is okay to hope for the best especially when we love someone or something. Preparing for the worst keeps us grounded and well realistic.
#knowingwhentohopeforthebestandreparefortheworst#hope#adversity#havingplansinplace#realisticmantra#life'schallenges

LOVE OF FAMILY DURING ADVERSITY

Knowing when to hold them and when to fold them was in a Kenny Rogers song I always loved. The Gambler! When dealing with adversity, it stands true. When to reach out to family and friends and when to go it alone. It is always a lonely journey but knowing there are people at your back means the world. As a Social Worker, I have always advised people to gather those in their lives that can be their support team. Using email, texting, phone calls and personal visits give lots of support as sometimes we do not know what we need. Letting people in your life give back. Always be the rock and the strength, it can be hard for some people to take the support. But take the support. Let everyone from the little grandchildren with a good hug to sharing hospital visits to food offerings and just a good listening ear gives the care and love needed in difficult times. Love of family- there when it is needed.

#family#support#reachingouttopeoplethatloveus#KennyRogers#adversitysucks#lettingpeoplehelpusthroughthetoughtimes#socialworkergivesadviseonhowtogetsupport#emailtextingphonecallshospitalvisits#foodintoughtimes#lonelyjourneydealingwithasickperson#love

5 WAYS TO ENJOY VALENTINE'S DAY

1. Have a honey to be around.
2. Go to dinner, make a dinner, sip wine or your favourite beverage.
3. Give Valentines to little ones.
4. Dress in red or pink or both.
5. Last but not least. Eat lots of chocolates.
Hope everyone enjoyed their Valentine's Day.

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

The light at the end of the tunnel is a wonderful expression. But it could also be the light on the train that is about to hit you. Sometimes our lives take a dark and ominous route. It feels that there is no end in sight for the bad times. Seeing the light and working on better times is always a goal. However, life can throw lots of other curves, Waiting can be detrimental. So putting in positive elements in life is important too. Looking for the light but perhaps getting one's own light and carrying it to the end of the tunnel. Being proactive in the difficult times gives a sense of some control in a bad situation. How is your life lately? Do you feel too overwhelmed? What are strategies that work for you?
#lightattheendofthetunnel#negativeexperiences#positiveexperiences#hardtimes#lifetakestwistsandturns#carryyourownlight#strategiesforapositivelife

5 THINGS THAT ARE BETTER IN PAPER THAN DIGITAL

Yes I know the whole trend to go digital. Go paperless. Save the environment. But aren't there rays or whatever that may not be so harmless about digital. Save the environment- the tree is already dead and the paper is now recycled anyway.
So what is good about some paper.

1. My newspaper. My magazine. My book. Map. It is much easier to read. It is fun to peruse. I can read those items anywhere. Cozy in a chair. At the beach. In bed.

2. My bills. Easier to read. Can file and every so many years shred the lot. Sure can save in files online but it may take longer to find the one sought. I like putting the information of when the bill was paid. Yes I have an amazing site- EVERNOTE which is my online backup for important documents and genealogical research. And an amazing modern scanner- SCAN SNAP to send items there. But some items in paper works too.

3. Paper/coin cash gives a reality of how much money is being spent.. Debit and credit is too easy to do.Some cash purchases keep us aware of how easy it is to spend money

4. Can save dozens and hundreds of photos. But flipping through a cell phone to see pictures doesn't cut it. Printing many and scrapbooking is enjoyable. The occasional ones in a nice frame and put in a place to see. Even making those lovely photo books with a theme. Still love to see my 45th anniversary book. Sure all the pictures can be saved digitally but what are you going to do with 20000 photos in 10 years? In the cloud! What if the cloud bursts? Some backup printed ones may be your salvation.

5. The postal code book. It takes so much time to find a postal code online. The old postal code book with all the streets can be reviewed and the postal code found in less time than it takes to go into the Canada 411 site online. No need to go through every person with the same name.

I am a modern Senior. I use all the modern gadgets. I use all the old fashioned ways of doing things. I use whatever works in a specific situation. I take pictures with my SLR/Digital camera as well as some on my cell phone. I am versatile and can do things differently. It really can not be said for many of the modern generation.
#digital#paperless#paperisokay#whythisseniorcanbeversatile#don'tbeconfinedtoonewayofdoingthings#Seniorsuseallsystems#Evernote#Scansnap#postalcodebook#isdigitalbest#paperworksforsomeactivities.

FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT

Sometimes the insecurities of life creep up on us. So acting in control and competent can help until the reality of handling the situation is manageable. Being an adult. Being reassured. Knowing where the competence lies in activities. Just acting in control can help in becoming in control. Not reacting to emotional hijacks. It is hard when there is little respect. Some people love to catch others off guard. Be in control of the little things. Matching one's clothes. What to eat for dinner. Making the bed every morning. Grasp the areas of life where there is some control. Review old accomplishments. Say to yourself you are a good person, smart and capable of facing the challenges of the day. Keep doing this! So Fake it until you make it. You will get there!
#challenges#fakingituntilyoumakeit#accomplishments#emotionalhijacks#respect#keepingcalmwhenbeingcaughtoffguard#gettingsomecontrolinlife#knowingyouareagoodperson#knowingyouareasmartperson#lifecanbefunandproductive#smallareasoflifewherethereiscontrol

5 WAYS TO SURVIVE AN AUTOCRATIC MANAGEMENT TEAM

There are different types of leadership. Laissez faire. The Participative leader. The Transactional leader. The Transformational leader.
For those under the rule of the Autocratic leader, it can be a stifling work environment. So how to survive.

1. Recognize that this is the style of the manager or workplace. Research the style. Okay if in the Army but most workplaces suffer under this leadership style. Like it or lump it attitude. Do it my way!

2. Keep yours ideas and thoughts to yourself. The leader does not care how you feel. Even in group discussions thinking outside the box is not welcome. The manager wants head nodding and approval of his or her ideas. Not yours.

3. Find ways to put meaning in your job. Keep your professional integrity. Whatever your discipline use the knowledge base you have. Concentrate on the client group.

4. Understand the Autocratic leader may have many insecurities. So be careful. Often perfectionists!

5. When the style just becomes intolerable, start to put in place your own confidential exit plan. Life is too short to live under a dictatorship at work when living in a democracy. Autocratic managers create unwarranted stress and anxiety in their workforce personnel. Your own mental and physical health is worth more to you.

#autocraticleaders#stiflingworkenvironment#personalideasnotwelcome#justlikeadictatorship#stressful#anxiety#professionalintegrity#

FEBRUARY- MONTH OF SPORTS

Today is Super Bowl Sunday. American Football at its best! An excuse to have a good meal of wings and pizza while watching football. The half-time show is the best. Then the Olympics from South Korea. Time to be patriotic and root for out home grown athletes. Those of us who buy the red mitts every year from Hudson's Bay are already on board to support them. February can be a time of heightened depression so having some fun events to cheer works with the doldrums. Of course indoor exercise or going to the gym is always a way to keep pace with our athletes. Many families skate or ski together. My daughter on blog  House of Kerrs reviewed The Bentway a new skating trail in downtown Toronto. Of course across the country there are many places for outdoor skating. So watching, participating and cheering any favourite team makes February fun for sports.
#HouseofKerrs#theBentway#Olympics#SouthKorea#chickenwingsandpizza#SuperBowl#patriotic#athletes#Canadianredmittens#Februaryamonthofdepression#skiing#outdoorskating#indoorskating

WELCOME TO FEBRUARY-MONTH OF LOVE

So Valentine's Day is in February and we think of love. Some say a contrived card company event. However, the red and white and chocolate make it fun. An excuse to have a dinner out with hubbie or family. Time to buy flowers or other little treats. For most Canadians we think it is the last month of winter.Ground Hog Day to let us how long until Spring is vital!  Yes I know March can be brutal and cold but February takes us 1 month closer to Spring. So we live in hope.There is also Super Bowl Sunday if a sports fan. There are some family birthdays, another excuse to have a cake. Well it is okay to have cake anytime! Another winter month to consolidate plans and finish indoor projects. Taking care of business like the song goes. Personal stuff! I look at the January cleanup of some areas of my home so it entices me to continue the process. Every box packed. Every closet cleaned is validating. Some goals achieved. But there are fun events to enjoy! So bring it on February, the short month of the year!

#February#Februaryfun#Valentine'sDay#GroundHogDay#chocolate#fun#cake#sportsfan#SuperBowlSunday#love#family#familyfun#planning