Holiday Greetings 2015: Have the Merriest Christmas!

A lot happened to me in 2015 and here are some of the highlights:

The best thing that happened - BB Soovi!

Her curly hair

Crispy Pata iyang paa :=)

Attending IDEA Global 2015 - Radisson Blu

Seeing start up movers up close

Celebrating Auntie Em's Birthday

Rare family bonding

Rare shot with Lola Urfia

Radisson Blu Hotel Up Close

Kiddie Pool!

Work, work, work!

Relax!

View from the top

Last shot before take off.

Inspiration from Percy Bysshe Shelley

Stand ye calm and resolute,
Like a forest close and mute,
With folded arms and looks which are
Weapons of unvanquished war.

And if then the tyrants dare,
Let them ride among you there,
Slash, and stab, and maim and hew,
What they like, that let them do.

With folded arms and steady eyes,
And little fear, and less surprise
Look upon them as they slay
Till their rage has died away

From the always inspiring Zen Habits

How to Balance a Busy Life: The Importance of Spending Time with Family

Little moments you share with your family can be some of the most important ones in your life. Work helps you to put food on the table, and school assists in educating your mind, but without family, you lose an important network of support. Spending time with your family will strengthen five key areas of your life and leave you feeling more confident than ever.

Life's Short

Even if you justify working a lot because you're trying to build a better life for your children, one day you'll wake up and they could be full-grown. In the blink of an eye, your kids will moving off to start their own families, so remember to cherish the precious moments. 

Nothing Lasts Forever

Sadly, older generations of the family will pass on, but new generations will be born. As we look back, we begin to long for additional moments and time with loved ones. Put more effort into your relationships now, so you won't be filled with a deep sense of regret and longing later. Cherish your time with family while everyone is still around.

Choose Your Time Wisely

A big raise or the possibility of a promotion looming before your eyes can be very motivating, and you might be convinced, at least for a while, that this is the most important thing out there. However, your company isn't your family. Money, possessions, fancy cars, and brand-name clothing can’t replace the memories you created with your family. Don’t wait until it’s convenient for you to build relationships, it may be too late by then.

Stress-Free Friends

We can get so caught up in our regular tasks that we don’t realize how stressed out we’re actually making ourselves. Moving from job to job and racing from activity to activity takes a ton of energy from us. Spending time with your family can be the breath of fresh air you need. Relaxing around your family allows you to let your guard down and enjoy how cool your family can be.

Knowing Each Other

Even if you feel as though your co-workers have become your family, careers and people may change, but your family stays the same. Making time for family is paramount to maintaining a strong support network in case of relocation or a switch in careers. You’ll always have someone to fall back on and help in any circumstance.

Spending time with your family may be annoying or tedious now, but who knows? Maybe with a few family outings, you’ll find out that you and your relatives have more common interests than you thought. After all, these are the people you grew up with, and the people who’ll continue to nurture you for years to come.

Renee Watson is an army veteran and mother of three who enjoys to write articles about relationships, family, self-help, and the Best Military Colleges.

Senior Health: Ideas to Help You Overcome Your Physical Activity Challenges

Kids seem to have all the energy. They play and run around without managing to lose any ounce of strength. Then we grow up, and our bones and muscles begin to swell and ache.  When you enter senior citizenship, you don’t have to live a sedentary life. Many obstacles to moving around are actually quite manageable. Don’t let age get you down. Instead, use these ideas to help overcome the physical challenges that may come with your golden years.

 

 

Senior Aerobic Classes

Look at community center, library, senior living centers, and other public posting areas to find classes designed for senior citizens wanting to stay physically active. The leaders of these groups know methods to help you get active without straining and hurting your muscles. You’ll learn better ways to work out that can easily be mastered. You may even be reimbursed for the costs by your insurance company for attending.

 

Know Your Limits

Especially if you’ve been injured recently, getting back to physical activity can seem daunting. While you definitely don’t want to exert yourself or put yourself in a more intense situation, you shouldn’t be frightened of moving again. Getting back out there and engaging in physical activities is great for your body, and it’ll also help build your mental and spiritual strength.

 

 

Do a Little

Just because you’re ready to start participating in more physical activities doesn't mean you’re ready to start racing to the football field. Take as much time as you need getting yourself marathon ready. Get started by going for a walk around the block with a couple of your friends or throw a ball back and forth against the wall. This’ll help you build strength and endurance until you’re ready to try more advanced activities. After some training, you could be climbing mountains or doing other more rigorous activities!

 

Don't Feel Alone

As noted before, don’t feel like you’re the only one facing these challenges. Look around and you’ll find that family and friends are there to help you overcome any obstacles. You’ll find members of your community in the same place you are, so don’t worry about not being able to run a mile. There are many different levels of fitness. Enroll in classes with your friends to motivate yourself to stick with those classes. All of you’ll start to see changes for the better − together!

 

Visit The Doctor

No matter your age, it’s highly recommended to consult with your doctor before beginning any sort of exercise regime. You don't want to injure yourself or aggravate any conditions that you may have. This is particularly important for senior citizens, as bodies wear down with time and tend to not be quite as strong as they once were.

 

 

As you can see, being a senior citizen doesn't have to limit what you can and can’t physically do. Just be aware of your limits. With these tips you’ll be on your way to a happier, healthier life when you start moving to the beat of an active lifestyle.

Kathy Flute is a resident nurse who works in an assisted living facility. She enjoys writing about mental health, physical fitness, offering advice to expectant mothers, and the 10 Best Online Nursing Masters Degree MSN Programs.