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MAKING ROOM FOR MINDFULNESS THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING TIME IN OURSELVES
Naturally, there are times when our to-do lists and life responsibilities take over. During periods when the demands on our time are extreme, it can be easy to forget to take time for self-reflection and focus on yourself occasionally. After the holidays is a great time to step back and examine how we can recharge and practice mindful living. Let’s take a closer look at what mindfulness is. In general, it’s a state where we are focused on what we are feeling or experiencing at a particular time. That could include the individual elements we notice in our environment, where our thoughts and emotions are, and how our bodies are feeling.
In addition, mindfulness is also about not judging ourselves for how we are feeling in that moment. One of our human tendencies is to put our thoughts or actions into a category, such as right or wrong. But really, it’s about just tuning in to how we feel at the time. It’s important for us to feel refreshed every week. Each of us has our own methods for doing that. Ashley enjoys spending time with animals, especially her cats and horses. And it doesn’t have to be overly time-consuming. She can take a few minutes during a break from work, give out a few kitty treats and catnip, and feel better. Even that short amount of time does wonders for clearing her mind. Every week, she spends time with two family horses at the barn. One of her favorite things is brushing them, riding them, and caring for them. Those activities let her get away mentally for a little while. Christopher will get away every few months and go fishing with his father on their family boat. While catching a few sailfish or a highly coveted marlin are nice achievements, for him, it’s about something much more than fishing. It’s about spending time with his father and preparing their vessel for the trip. After a weekend with his father, Christopher is ready for his next adventure. On a more long-term basis, we enjoy getting to the forest and mountains whenever possible. The Florida beaches are wonderful and scenic, but the mountains always call us. This past Thanksgiving, we spent four nights in the Smoky Mountains in Unicoi State Park, just outside Helen, Georgia. A few days of hiking, campfires, leaf hunting, and bird watching rejuvenated the soul.
As you look ahead and search for ways to live your best lives, we challenge you to take up an activity or just spend a few hours a week where you focus solely on yourself and your mind. It’s natural to put off taking time for ourselves. But when we do it, we are investing in ourselves. The actions we take, the people we help, and the achievements we reach tomorrow all begin with the foundation of where we are today. The stronger that foundation, the better our chances are of having the kind of life we all hope for. –Ashley and Christopher Bruce
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History is more than just a chronicle of battles and treaties; it’s a rich tapestry woven with odd and almost unbelievable events that can mystify us now. A dive into the quirky corners of the past can reveal historical anomalies, including ancient beverages and victories from beyond the grave. Besides entertaining us, our history shows our ancestors as multifaceted, creative, and peculiar as we are today. ANCIENT BREWS TO GHOSTLY WINNERS! UNLOCK HISTORY’S STRANGEST SECRETS
WAYS OF LIVING WITH MINDFULNESS
PUTTING SELF-CARE INTO PRACTICE
The First Beer In ancient Sumeria, people were not just trailblazers in writing and architecture but also avid brewers. Archaeologists unearthed a 5,000-year-old Sumerian tablet depicting individuals consuming a beer-like substance through reed straws from a shared bowl. This ancient concoction, possibly the earliest known beer recipe, underscores the longstanding human passion for alcohol and communal gatherings.
We may understand the importance of a healthy mindset, and we may have the desire to work toward a healthy mindset, but reality sometimes intrudes — we may be so busy that we’ve forgotten how to take time for ourselves.
Here are six tips for putting mindfulness into practice in your daily life.
Be Alert Remember to stop and smell the roses. That’s the approach here. During quieter times each day, shift your mindset and focus on the small details of life around you, including sounds, sensations, flavors, scents, and sights. This way, you’ll be more aware of yourself and things around you. Focus on the Good “The best things in life are free.” That phrase reflects a mindset of gratitude. When you look for the good in the world, you’ll find it and likely experience more joy. Give Yourself a Break Rise above the negativity around you. Instead of focusing on yourself with only a critical eye, occasionally recognize your gifts and accomplishments. Take a Breather You can choose to get off the roller coaster. Sit, close your eyes, and focus on breathing in and out. You might feel better after just a minute. Go for a Walk The act of walking or hiking can make a positive difference. You can take a few steps even if you have a small space. As you do, focus on your physical being, including how your muscles move as you step and how the parts of your body work together. Take Inventory Head to Toe Lying on your back with your hands by your sides and the palms of your hands facing up allows you to be very aware of how each part of your body feels. Start at your feet, moving up your legs, over your body, arms, and head. Being mindful and self-reflective doesn’t need to take much time or space. All it takes is the ability to quiet your mind momentarily, focus your awareness, and connect with what you are feeling and thinking. Go ahead. Take time for yourself!
Racing to the Grave One of the most astonishing stories in sports history involves jockey Frank Hayes. In a 1923 horse race at Belmont Park, New York, Hayes achieved victory from beyond the grave. Suffering a fatal heart attack mid-race, he miraculously remained in the saddle, and his horse, Sweet Kiss, crossed the finish line in first place. This extraordinary event remains the sole known instance in sports where a participant posthumously claimed the gold medal. A Smoking Monkey Looking to the East, North Korea’s Pyongyang Zoo featured another oddity in 2016: Azalea, a smoking chimpanzee. Trained to ignite and puff on cigarettes, this chimpanzee was a peculiar draw for visitors. In sparking controversy over animal rights, Azalea illustrates the bizarre and often questionable ways humans have historically interacted with animals. These stories demonstrate that the annals of history are not just repositories of conventional wisdom and significant events but also a collection of the bizarre, the unusual, and the extraordinary. These peculiar tales help us gain a more nuanced and colorful understanding of our collective past, shedding light on the complexity and eccentricity of our history.
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When “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” dropped on Netflix in 2019, it was fairly divisive. Audiences were split between loving and hating her method of mindful tidying. Let’s take a second look at the KonMari Method and see how it can work to declutter both mind and home as we enter the new year. What is the KonMari method? Kondo describes her method as one that “uses a unique selection criterion — choosing what sparks joy!” That may sound nebulous, but let me explain. It’s really a mindfulness technique. That dresser drawer that no longer shuts probably makes you anxious. You may ignore it until you need something that can only be found there. Then, you’re faced with the clutter within. The KonMari Method prompts you to face the clothes within the drawer, and in the dresser at large, to discover which pieces of clothing actually make you happy. This spark of joy you experience when picking the shirt you bought on your latest trip is what lets you know that this will stay in your wardrobe. You probably won’t feel that happiness for every piece of clothing you own, and Kondo encourages you to part with the pieces that don’t spark joy. A SECOND LOOK AT THE KONMARI METHOD Spring-Cleaning Came Early
What about the things I need to get rid of? You may be sentimental about a particularly ratty T-shirt. Kondo says that’s alright! Sit with those feelings, thank the piece for its place in your life and the memories it provided, and then let it go. This works for everything from books to toys to electronics. It can also help to donate whatever you’re decluttering to a charity shop like Goodwill, Savers, or The Salvation Army. It’s nice knowing that your much-loved item won’t just rot away in a dump but will continue its life with another person who needs it. This method will help you keep your mind uncluttered from anxiety about your home while directly contributing to keeping it clean. It’s a perfect loop. You’ll have a significant headstart once spring-cleaning comes around. Working from category to category in the KonMari Method will ensure you remain mindful of your mental health and your home’s betterment.
Valentine’s Day means heart-shaped everything, even desserts! Bake these puff pastry berry hearts for Valentine’s Day or any other day. PUFF PASTRY BERRY HEARTS
Have a Laugh!
df
Ingredients
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1 package frozen puff pastry, defrosted
1 cup heavy cream 1 tsp powdered sugar
1/2 cup fresh raspberries (or berries of your choice)
Inspired by Weelicious.com
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Unfold the puff pastry and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut into heart shapes. 2. On a baking sheet, place puff pastry hearts and bake for 10–12 minutes or until golden brown. 3. In a standing mixer, whip the cream on medium-high speed for 2–3 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and beat on high for 30 more seconds or until thick and fluffy. 4. Remove hearts from the oven and allow to cool completely. Slice each heart in half between pastry layers to create 2 hearts. Top the bottom half with whipped cream and berries, and place the other half on top to form a sandwich.
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Self-Care Begins With Mindset page 1
Ancient Brews, Smoking Chimps, and Ghostly Wins! Self-Reflection Tips page 2
The KonMari Cleaning Method Can Declutter Your Mind and Home Puff Pastry Berry Hearts page 3
Helping Young People Learn Fiscal Responsibility page 4
BEYOND BUSINESS TEACHING TEENS WEALTH MASTERY
In today’s challenging financial world, equipping high school students with personal finance tools is essential. Arming young adults with the skills necessary to navigate the monetary challenges they’ll face is much like any traditional academic discipline. Here are a few of the tools they’ll need in their repertoire. Building a Robust Financial Foundation Helping students learn fundamental financial skills like budgeting, saving, and investing instills a deep respect for the value of money. Parents and school classes can help them understand credit, loans, and debt management to steer them away from potential financial pitfalls when they later make decisions about loans and credit cards. Practical lessons on tax filing and understanding employee benefits are invaluable, preparing them for adulthood and independence. Sharpening Decision-Making Abilities In personal finance, high schools can play a pivotal role. Students can be encouraged to read the financial news to understand market trends and make more informed financial decisions. Teaching them how to set
realistic financial goals for significant life events, such as attending college or purchasing a vehicle, teaches planning and discipline, key aspects of successful financial management.
Parents and guardians can make a considerable impact in lobbying local school districts to value and include personal finance education in high school and teaching it in their homes. Young people will be able to face life’s financial challenges confidently. As we nurture our youth for their future roles, their financial literacy is vital to fostering a society of economically stable and responsible individuals.
Fostering a Culture of Financial Accountability
Educating students about saving money and sound investment strategies promotes fiscal responsibility. They learn about the long-term benefits of compound interest and regular investing. Teens can build on their financial knowledge as they see the benefits of sound financial decisions.
Addressing the Wealth Gap and Adapting to Change
Financial literacy is a powerful tool in bridging the wealth gap. Providing all students, no matter their background, with financial knowledge is a step toward leveling the economic playing field. As the global economy evolves, young people with personal finance skills are better prepared to adapt to changing job markets, investment trends, and saving strategies.
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