Focus and Get Back to the Boat
With everything going on in the world, we thought you could use a reminder that while life is full of unexpected twists and turns, we still get to choose how we react. Navigating Life’s Unexpected Twists and Turns Looking back at some of the previous newsletters, we came across a story reminding us of just that. Ashley and Chris shared their experience of rafting down the Rogue River, and in it, Ashley also talked about her first time falling out of the boat:
Of course, as beautiful as the river is, she’s not without her tests.We encountered plenty of rapids, mostly Class III, but there were a few Class IVs that got a little hairy.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF FAMILY GARDENING
During a previous trip in Colorado, I fell out of the boat. It was shocking — I hit the cold water and felt instant panic. I tried to catch my breath between waves, but it was only when I worked through that initial panic that I was able to remember what I needed to do: focus and get back to the boat. It’s definitely a character-building experience. While I still feel some apprehension when I see big rapids, I know I can handle them. We encounter tests every day. We face difficult situations at work that test our patience and make us feel powerless. We realize our marriage is no longer serving us and our spouse is preventing us from living our best life. We go through situations that we think will break us — but they don’t. We get through them, and we come out stronger.
GIVE YOUR KID THE GIFT OF A GREEN THUMB
Yes, there will always be football season, basketball season, and soccer season, but right now, it’s gardening season. That means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and play in the dirt. If you’ve been searching for a way to get the kids away from technology and engaged with the real world, gardening is the perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy. Not only is it fun, but it’s also beneficial for your kids’ development. For example, gardening can improve your children’s analytical abilities. As Dr. Wendy Matthews says, “Gardening exercises important reasoning, initiation, planning, and organization skills.” Furthermore, several studies, including one at Texas A&M University, suggest that gardening improves a child’s attitude toward fruits and vegetables and may make them more likely to choose them as snacks. Gardening helps kids identify with where their food is coming from, and nothing tastes better than a freshly picked strawberry or pea pod they grew themselves. Jack Gilbert, a scientist at the University of Chicago and a parent himself, and his co-author, Rob Knight, emphasize the health benefits of garden time in their book, “Dirt Is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System.” The two found that exposure to different microbes, like those found in a garden, strengthens a child’s immune system and makes them less likely to develop allergies. If this is your first time gardening, you don’t need much to get started. Grab a few shovels, a pair of gloves for each family member, and fresh potting soil, and you’ll be set. Then, you can decide together which plants you’d like to grow! Carrots are fun because of the surprise factor — just imagine your child discovering that the part they eat grows below the ground! Peas are tasty and fairly easy to grow, as are strawberries. The options really are endless. Depending on the growing season in your area, you can choose to buy seeds or opt for rooted plants.
Now more than ever, remember that you will get through difficult situations, and you will come out of it stronger.
Through this time, we are here for you. We will do our utmost to continue serving you and providing you with the excellent representation you deserve. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.
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Last but certainly not least, the best part of gardening as a family is the healthy, fresh produce you’ll get to enjoy all summer long!
2 • BrucePA.com
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