DAYLIGHT SAVINGS-AN ADJUSTMENT IN LIFE

Twice a year we change the time. Spring forward. Fall behind. An hour disruption can cause more havoc than it helps. More accidents! Tired people for a week or more. Readjusting our sleep patterns-particularly difficult for children and little babies and probably old people. Called Daylight Savings makes sense in the Spring. In the Fall, it means that night time comes sooner. Dark at 5 p.m. is not fun. Drivers adjusting to night driving takes some time. Who would have thought one little hour brings readjustment! In life, little things are often perceived as being nothing, just get over it! "You can cope!" How many little "things" happen to us and we find ourselves stressed or anxious without being able to identify what is going on. Changing the hour on the clock is in our face. But many things piling up in our lives is more insidious! It is like the first wrinkle on our face. Before we know it more have arrived! Gaining or losing weight- one pound or in some countries kilos happens slowly. Family members with new adventures in their lives- new baby, new job, thinking of moving and normal annual activities like Christmas with all its work and fun- festivities can make us tired too! Adjustment do happen but at what cost to our mental and physical health! By identifying those changes in our lives and finding strategies to cope helps! Too often others around us can be in denial mode, pretending nothing fazes them so we may look like we just can not handle everything! Well, don't be fooled! As a clinical Social Worker, I recognize denial and avoidance like a sore thumb! Other disciplines work well in denial! To stay healthy, accept your own adjustments and work with them. It is not necessary to share your feelings with everyone nor how tired or cranky you may feel! Know your own adjustment limitations! Like the new time on the clock, this too shall pass! How are you doing with the time change?

A WAR MEMORIAL IN EVERY TOWN

Hard to believe that it will be 100 years next year since the start of WWI. Monuments throughout the country have honoured Canada's contribution to the war effort. It was that great war that consolidated us as a nation. There are no more veterans from that era but there are many women and men alive today that served in other missions and conflicts as soldiers or peacekeepers. We do not remember them to glorify war but to acknowledge and reflect on the sacrifices made that bring us to where we are today. Wear a poppy and remember!

NANA SAYS VETERANS WEEK CAN TEACH OUR CHILDREN ABOUT OUR HISTORY

Veterans week gives a great opportunity to connect our children with the history of our country. Not to glorify war and world conflicts but to show how another generation fought to give us the freedoms we enjoy today. Taking children to war memorials and placing wreaths is an easy activity. Going to a Remembrance Day service connects with many generations. Schools often have talks and assemblies for Remembrance day. There are student groups now going to places in Europe like Vimy Ridge to demonstrate Canada's role and sacrifice for peace. New immigrants should be invited along to learn about our country's history. Learning and reciting a poem like " In Flanders Field" not tells us about a Canadian poet but is good literature. The War Museum in Ottawa gives centuries of our history. There are some amazing paintings as well. Not all history gets captured on a cell phone! Get a poppy and have your child wear one. In our busy schedules, slow down and stop to reflect on where we are today and who brought us there! Work on peaceful ways to settle conflicts. Support our troops in their peacekeeping missions. Teach your children that Canadians play a role on the world stage. Keep it simple! Depending on the child's age, monitor the information they need to know. My Dad gave a talk for grade schoolers one time. He concentrated on the planes he flew and generally what he did. As a Vet he did not want to scare the children! If you have a veteran in your family, give them a hug!

VETERANS WEEK CANADA 2013-FINDING LOCAL WAR MEMORIALS

Every town and city has a War Memorial in Canada. The names of the local men and women are engraved to honour their efforts. On trips for various reasons to locales near home, I always look for these monuments.

Here in Cambridge, Ontario in the town square there are several dedications to Canadians who served.

Honouring women who served is front and center......

On the insciption above the City of Galt honours the women who served. Cambridge includes the City of Galt as it is an almalgamated city now. In Cambridge, however, the various areas are still honoured. I bet some people did not know women served in the Navy!  So as we honour our veterans this week try to learn more about the service of people from your own area.

THE SOUNDS AND SIGHTS OF A CANADIAN FALL

Although the leaves on trees look so beautiful in the Fall, walking through them and hearing the crunch under one's feet brings memories of childhood joys. Do you like that sound of Fall? Are there other sounds that bring thoughts? Flocks of birds flying south for the winter. There are still some groups making their way here in Ontario. The sunrises and sunsets are quite spectacular too. They do not make sounds but maybe the people viewing them with oohs and aahs! Fall the time before winter! Nicer than often thought!

Looking up at the blue sky on a Fall day is an image with lots of symbolism. What do you think? What thoughts do you have?

APPETIZERS OF LIFE

Appetizers are the little tease before a meal that keeps us anticipating the main event. Life has other appetizers such as buying that special dress for a big event.  The fisherman who can't wait to try the new fishing reel! Buying the car and waiting to have it delivered. An appetizer lets us be excited about what is next! What appetizer do you have today? Why are you excited?

NOVEMBER-TIME FOR CELEBRATION AND PLANNING

November-often considered the dark month as the sun continues to move away from the Northern Hemisphere. With the reving up for Christmas and the festive season ahead, it can be a time for planning and celebration. Our family has two birthdays and dinner parties to consider. Looking for the bright moments amidst the rainy days and nights. Today Novemember 1 is "All Saints Day" for some people. A new month always brings some anticipation of good times yet to come. Of course, the monthly bills must be addressed. Pulling out the winter garb and knowing where the boots are located for that first trek to work in them is a chore to be done. Knowing November is still Fall so the spring bulbs can still be planted. I actually have about 40 to put in a small garden that can be seen from my kitchen window- a new package as well as some misc ones that came with the Easter tulips and others that were mistakenly pulled when pruning the tulip leaves! The remainder of the leaves to be raked and placed on the gardens to protect the other bulbs hibernating under the earth. Of course, a good month to finish all that Christmas shopping. Mid-month after Remembrance Day, the Christmas lights will go up! The month is actually busier than most people give it credit. For many students, the mid-terms are probably happening. Today, just enjoying the aftermath of halloween and trying to decide who gets all the leftover candies! Welcome November and all the big and little joys it will bring! What do you feel about November? Is it just another month to you? Any plans? Any celebrations?