One Day at a Time TIPS FOR BEING IN THE MOMENT THIS SEASON
The days may get shorter as the holidays approach, but each one can still be filled with meaning. It can be easy to get caught up in yesterday’s regrets
A Legend Worth Its Weight in Bacon THE FASCINATING TALE OF THE PIG-FACED LADY Ready for a tale that really brings home the bacon? Legends dating back to the 1700s tell the story of women who were a mix of beauty and beast — pig-faced ladies! Myths about noblewomen with hog heads lasted in France, Holland, and Britain for hundreds of years. These glamorous piglets were said to roam the city streets, take carriage rides through town, and show up at fancy parties or homes to beg for money. Let’s ham it up royally and take a porky peek at the pig-faced ladies Londoners talked about for centuries. One of the earliest tales starring a woman with a boarish face was in the 17th century. A pregnant Dutch housewife reportedly had a visit from a mysterious poor woman begging for money for her children. The housewife turned her away, and the cast-off beggar cursed her unborn child to be born with a pig’s face. Stories that followed had similar themes of women cursed to look like pigs. Our swine superstar was launched into legendary status in the summer of 1815 when Londoners were celebrating the recent victory of Britain over Napoleon and France. As people packed the streets, a horse-drawn carriage caught their attention. The passenger was none other than the pig-faced lady. Rumors and interest around the event spread, and London’s growing newspaper industry took the story and ran with it. In the following years, the masses sought proof of these pig-faced women. One woman put out an ad in the paper offering to provide care for a woman with the affliction. Another paper ran a request from a man with a marriage proposal for the elusive “baconess.” The famous author Charles Dickens even referred to her in a book he wrote in 1861. Chances are that people born with physical disabilities inspired the pig-faced lady story and reflected the sad way society treated them. The pig-faced lady likely represented London’s biggest anxieties, like class tensions and women’s limited roles. So, whether she was the embodiment of society’s fears or just a bit of hogwash, the tale of the pig-faced lady shows how the wildest legends can hog the spotlight for centuries.
or tomorrow’s worries and let time slip by. But you can accomplish so much if you take one day at a time and focus on being present. When we face every morning with the understanding that this is a new day, we can embrace it as a fresh start.
Being in the Moment Ultimately, living one day at a time means being present in the current moment.
We often spend much of our energy thinking about past or future anxieties. While we can’t forget the lessons we’ve learned, it’s crucial not to allow the past to control us. The same is true for what’s ahead — we must plan for the future but can’t live there. It’s about taking things moment by moment. To be present, we must acknowledge our thoughts and surroundings in the now, letting go of the past and future we can’t change or control. Time Well Spent Time can feel like it moves way too fast, especially this time of year when things get busy with the holidays and quickly transition back to regular schedules. Taking it one day at a time ensures we don’t waste it. When you are in the moment, you can truly appreciate the small joys that make every day unique, like cooking together or taking a few quiet moments for yourself. Adopting this mantra can help you make more deliberate choices so more of your time can go to what matters most. You don’t want to accidentally lose a day to mindless scrolling, but your day doesn’t have to include a significant achievement to be a success. Spending time with the family, even to do “nothing,” purposefully, without scrolling through phones, can be time well spent. Every day is a chance to be fully present and connect meaningfully with loved ones. Life can feel overwhelming, so just remember to take it one day at a time and embrace the peace these intentional moments can bring.
– Michael Packard
2 PACKARDFIRM.COM
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