As I approach my 65th birthday, I look around and note how many of my friends, and people who I know are either ill or no longer around. Yes I have my aches and pains and I cannot do all the physical things that I did in my younger days but I am learning to appreciate the things that I can do, that besides my resolved cardiac problem and my ongoing arthritis that living is a gift. I feel blessed that I can still experience life, feel grateful and try to live each day to its fullest. Enjoy the now because tomorrow is not promised.

I experience a sense of love during my daily walks in nature along the river. The sounds of songbirds chirping, seeing them and the turkey vultures carelessly gliding overhead, the lapping of water as it crashes into the rocks, the blowing of the wind through my hair and the peace of tranquility overcomes me. Every day I do my walks i fall in love again and again. I feel rested and recharged ready to face life and what it will bring to me. In second place is my first taste of coffee n the morning. As it passes my lips, and goes down my throat, I feel a sense of loving it’s taste and enlightenment 😁😋☺️

Dealing with someone and particularly a loved one who is going through their own personal dilemmas can be difficult. You might want to be there for them, to support and offer help but they prefer to deal with their problems by themselves. They may seem to be withdrawn from you, want their own personal time by themselves. You may give suggestions to them such as them seeking help, or explaining how gratitude and thankfulness would help but they are no willing or ready to try. By showing your own personal gratitudes, by acknowledging to them how grateful they are in your life, hopefully they will see how you react and decide to make the move to self help. You can’t self beat yourself up over their own misfortunes and suffering

I’ve experienced many challenges throughout my life that have psychologically affected me. anxiety and depression have been part of my life due to my experiences. I am finally learning to look at those experiences, admit how I really feel about them and learn how to use tools to confront and deal with them. I am learning the life is made of good and bad experiences and that they both bring life lessons and growth. I still struggle at times with my anxiety and depression, but at least I am making progress. Perhaps , as with alcoholism ( something that I’ve overcome), they be a lifelong part of my life. I try to look at trying to welcome each day as a new beginning, a new start in my life journey.

How much of an affect this pandemic has on people especially those close to you. My wife has been going through moody times over the past while. She is fortunate that she is able to telework from home. Generally speaking, like me she is introverted and usually does not mind spending her weekends home. With the extensive work at years end, trying to find staff to replace those who are moving on has been a challenge for her. Yesterday afternoon during a break we were discussing about replacing our deck and whether or not we should replace it now or wait until after the pandemic is finished. I abruptly mentioned that this could go on for maybe 5 years by the time things settle around the world. After work she approached me and explained that my comment affected her, that she is entering a depression. She admitted that she missed seeing friends in person, going out for the occasional meal, seeing shows at times, probably needs sick time off but if she did take off time, there’s nothing to do so it would not be to her advantage. I listened and recommended that perhaps she should contact her psychologist and have a meeting but she says that she has one in June and doesn’t see any sense in going. I’ve known her difficulties somewhat but I really know now her situation, this is giving me a new perspective and re evaluating how I can be more supportive yet at the same time take some self care. I tell her about my meditation and daily self work but she explains that it’s not for her. I need to be there for her yet be careful of what I say or how I am reacting..