Saturday trip to the Lake

We live 2 miles from the Arizona border with Utah.

Then it's only about 15 more miles till we're in Nevada

Passing by the Valley of Fire Park

Beautiful red rocks brighten up the surrounding desert

After 1.5 hours of driving, we spot Lake Mead in Nevada 

This is Echo Bay's boat ramp on the North end of Lake Mead

Lots of speed boats and fisherman out on this nice day

Allen looks at the lake where he hopes to launch his boat

One day he may learn to sail on this mostly empty lake

Maybe another year and the boat will be ready

Article #268 Challenged or Handicapped?

            The politically correct word these days is challenged NOT handicapped. Years ago individuals with disabilities were called physically or mentally handicapped and considered limited in their abilities to achieve. Life was competitive and those born with disabilities were to be forever labeled as disadvantaged. Instead, the word CHALLENGED indicates problems to overcome, but not necessarily limiting one’s personal progress.

            How many of us label ourselves as HANDICAPPED? I hear often, But…I didn’t graduate from college or never married or had any children or had a hip replacement. As if our circumstances were a judgment against any further personal development. Being in the older generation now, I meet too many handicapped people and fewer challenged individuals. Although, I think it’s more of an ATTITUDE problem than a real handicap that stops them from achieving their goals.

            It’s possible to handicap yourself by your NEGATIVE THOUGHTS about your situation, age, weight or any number of other factors like baldness, wrinkles or lack of mobility that requires you to use a cane or walker to get around. Yet, I see many continuing to meet the challenges of each day with COURAGE and positive energy. How does one develop an OPTIMISTIC SPIRIT? Is it possible to develop an attitude of gratitude for whatever life brings your way?

            As I watched an older gentleman walk slowly toward our community center to participate in an activity, my thoughts wandered back to his past. I wondered what his life was like decades ago, probably rushing off to work or some activity with his growing family. Never realizing that someday in the future, he would TAKE FOR GRANTED the ability to be continually busy and mobile. When your body slows down, it’s easier to remember days in the past when you were younger and long for that time rather than MAKE THE BEST of your challenges now and be thankful for whatever mobility is yours. Having a cheerful attitude and positive spirit about your situation isn’t easy.

            If you are a golfer competing in tournaments, you’ve probably heard about handicaps. If you are a poor player, many times your composite scores are gathered and you are assigned a handicap number. So that when you play with others who are better players, you have an aid to enjoy competing. Maybe our higher power gives the elderly the GIFT OF WISDOM and hopefully a SENSE OF HUMOR as a bonus to help us overcome our earthly handicaps or challenges. 

NEXT TIME: Become an Observer. 

Priorities and Focus

In our BUSY WHIRL of daily activities

there is never enough time to do it all. 

So, it's important to CHOOSE wisely and

hopefully according to our PRIORITIES.

Although sometime SURVIVAL seems

to push its way into seeming to be

a priority while more important matters

take a back seat, like flossing our teeth.

I only mention that because it's one of my sins

of OMISSION. I do brush, but floss seldom.

One day too soon, I will/am reaping

the results of not focusing on myself.

I ALWAYS get the laundry done and meals

on the table, grocery shopping accomplished, 

the house vacuumed, but not dusted. Things

in general order though not my computer desk!

It reminds me of my mind, cluttered with

too much JUNK to even focus on what are my

priorities. Certainly relationships are more

important than housekeeping, aren't they?

BALANCE is called for to quiet my busy mind.

Establish some routines to give order to my life.

First personal hygiene, exercise, diet + spiritual 

nourishment for my day-prayer and scripture study!

Then time to look towards my chosen COMPANION

with love and tenderness, consideration for his needs.

Reaching out to others is important, especially my

extended family-children and grand children...