Putting Gratitude into Action

Last weekend Sara wrote about how practicing gratitude positively impacts our well-being. The recent Thanksgiving holiday served as an opportunity to notice the good, and it helps ground us in appreciation. But gratitude doesn’t have to stop at reflection; it can also be a good motivation for action. Reflecting on the many things we are... Continue Reading →

Poems of Gratitude

With Thanksgiving coming up this week, I am thinking about gratitude and how important it is to our mental and physical well-being. Julia's post about World Gratitude Day in September referenced an article published by Harvard Medical School discussing how practicing gratitude not only improves our mood but it also can extend our lives. Some... Continue Reading →

Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast cancer risk was a major topic of discussion at my annual appointment with my gynecologist earlier this year, and she recommended that I see a specialist. That sounded like overkill to me, because I keep up with my routine mammograms and breast exams, which have been healthy in the past. But a few months... Continue Reading →

Apple Season

Two different friends happened to mention separately to me this week that this time of year makes them feel like eating apples! How fortunate, then, that it is apple season in our region. There is no better time to be craving apples than right now. A few days ago, I took Julia's advice about embracing... Continue Reading →

Practicing Gratitude

Today--Sunday, September 21--marks World Gratitude Day. Formally recognized by the United Nations in 1967 and credited to spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, the day's objective is to create a global movement of thankfulness.  Since then, research has demonstrated a correlation between gratitude and lower mortality rates, with the Mayo Clinic reporting “Studies have shown that feeling... Continue Reading →

A Gift of Life

Every few seconds, someone around the world needs a blood transfusion. It might be due to an accident, during surgery, or even as part of cancer treatment.  While medical innovations have led to everything from artificial limbs to devices that keep the human heart running, there’s still no true substitute for human blood. The first... Continue Reading →

Camp Friends

My son Hank is having the bittersweet experience of acclimating back to life at home after I picked him up on his last day of summer camp earlier this week. As the youngest in our family, all three kids have now officially aged out of camp, and we have mixed feelings about that. For those... Continue Reading →

Connecting With Nature

Spending time in nature can be refreshing, and research shows it's essential to our well-being. Beyond emotional relief, nature plays a powerful role in stress reduction and often improves overall mood. When life feels overwhelming, retreating to an outdoor space can provide refuge and a sense of connection. The Mayo Clinic Press reported last spring... Continue Reading →

Melanoma Awareness Month

Longer days in May are a welcome reminder that summer is almost here. For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived for my family’s annual summer trip to the beaches of Cape Cod. And in June I’m headed back to the Cape for the first time since 2022 with my now larger, blended family.... Continue Reading →

Supporting Women and Girls

Every year on March 8th, International Women’s Day (IWD) serves as a powerful reminder of the progress women and girls have made in many areas of life. And it's an opportunity to celebrate achievements and raise awareness about the challenges women still face. Started in the early 20th century as part of the labor movement,... Continue Reading →

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