Blog archive
September 2023
Rumor of Humor # 24
09/22/2023
Various Perspectives on Racism
09/16/2023
Rumor of Humor # 23
09/14/2023
A DIfferent Perspective
09/10/2023
Racism I Have Experienced
09/05/2023
1619 " Rump" Session
09/04/2023
August 2023
1619 Project Discussion Group explores the Arroyo Seco
08/28/2023
Beyond the Village - Judith Harris
08/28/2023
Board of Directors: Strategic Planning Updates
08/28/2023
Men's Time Brunch
08/28/2023
One Village, One Book
08/28/2023
Pasadena Racism, Past and Present
08/28/2023
Profile of a Leader: Ron Stoffers
08/28/2023
Remember John and Thelma Orr
08/28/2023
Volunteer & Leadership Training
08/28/2023
Gardenias
08/21/2023
Current Events Including the RICO Indictment of Mr. Trump
08/19/2023
Shining a Light on Current Racial Inequities
08/07/2023
Shining a Light on Current Racial Inequities
08/07/2023
RofH#22
08/06/2023
July 2023
Arroyo Seco Development, Past and Present
07/24/2023
From the President
07/24/2023
Rumor of Humor #20
07/23/2023
VMC Conference 2023
07/21/2023
Strategic Plan Progress: Program Teams
07/17/2023
From the Executive Director
07/14/2023
Reflections from Villager Monica Hubbard
07/14/2023
SCOTUS: Rulings on Cases with No Standing
07/10/2023
History and Future Development of Arroyo Seco
07/09/2023
What I Like About Being a Villager
07/09/2023
June 2023
Dick and Sharon, Mixed Race Marriage
06/19/2023
Conversations with West African Art
06/09/2023
Bridget Brewster Discovers Village Benefits
06/04/2023
Communications Project with Cal State LA
06/02/2023
Creative Aging
06/01/2023
May 2023
One Villager's Story
05/31/2023
Pasadena Area Liberal Arts Center
05/31/2023
Pasadena Village Responds to Rainbow Flag Burning at Pasadena Buddhist Temple
05/31/2023
Plan Ahead - And Be Prepared
05/31/2023
Tuesday, May 23 Pasadena Celebrated Older Americans
05/31/2023
Reparations, Social Justice Activity
05/24/2023
Rumor of Humor #14
05/19/2023
Rumor of Humor #13
05/12/2023
Issue #12
05/09/2023
Science Monday - Review of Meeting on April 10, 2023
05/09/2023
Conversations Re African American Artists Before 1920
05/08/2023
Beyond the Village – Suzi and Phil Hoge
05/01/2023
Congratulations Wayne April! Honored at UNH
05/01/2023
Table Topics
05/01/2023
Volunteer Appreciation at the Village
05/01/2023
“ACCIDENTAL HOST—The Story of Rat Lungworm Disease”
05/01/2023
April 2023
Jumbo Joy
04/24/2023
Pasadenans Recent Experience With Racism
04/23/2023
Recent Events Reflecting Racism
04/23/2023
Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschetta
04/18/2023
Photography for Social Justice
04/11/2023
Issue #8
04/07/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Catherine Deely
04/06/2023
Creative Writing in Older Adults
04/06/2023
Gifts of Love
04/06/2023
March 2023
February 2023
2023 DEI Progress
02/27/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Doug Colliflower
02/26/2023
CONVERSATIONS WITH ART
02/26/2023
GREAT DECISIONS
02/26/2023
OLDER ADULTS RESOURCE FAIR
02/26/2023
The Important, Influential Books in our Lives - Revisited
02/26/2023
History, Resolution of the 710 Freeway
02/19/2023
Eminent Domain, 710 Highway
02/13/2023
Bernard Garrett, 710 Freeway
02/06/2023
Men's Times Gatherings
02/03/2023
January 2023
Pasadena's Senior Commission
01/30/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - JIM HENDRICK
01/27/2023
GRATITUDE - IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!
01/27/2023
JEFF GUTSTADT - FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST
01/27/2023
Bernard Garrett, Incredible Black Entrepreneur
01/17/2023
What is the "Spirit Talk" Group About?
01/16/2023
Same Ol’ New Year, Brand New Me
01/12/2023
Review of 2022, Consideration of 2023
01/06/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - PATTI LA MARR
01/03/2023
FROM THE CHAIR
01/03/2023
WALK WITH EASE
01/03/2023
GRATITUDE - IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!
By Susan KujawaPosted: 01/27/2023
Gratitude Might Be a Cure-All
I have a gratitude journal with space to write 3-4 items that make me feel grateful. I choose to begin the day by looking forward while drinking my morning coffee, (which I am always grateful for.) I review the previous day and ponder things for which I’m grateful. I try to note something new each day. This small change in my thinking colors my day and hovers around in my mind for the day. Sometimes its as simple and basic as that “the lights didn’t go out in the storm”, or “having my kitty home after she had been boarded for several weeks during Christmas”, or “a good night’s sleep”. More complicated was wading through my new insurance plan online with a helpful assistant. (Bless pleasant and patient customer service folk.)
During the pandemic, all I could see was four walls and woes. All were isolating, no one was close, not even my kids who live a half a mile from me. We had coffee and a few meals outside when it was warm enough. I was complaining to my daughter and she told me she was keeping a gratitude journal. She juggles work from home, house, family, hockey and makes time for me, a really stressful life. I asked her what she wrote that morning and she said her boss and the crossing guard. She can’t change her world, but she brings smiles and sunshine wherever she goes. A good lesson for me.
Thinking about what I am grateful for changes how I see my day and how I see my life. I am more content than I was a few years ago. One question in the journal asked what is my favorite emotion? I noted that I feel joy when all is right with my world. I know where I am and who I am, fitting like the correct puzzle piece.
Information from Mayo Clinic states, “Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease.” If a pill could do this, everyone would be taking it. Your brain is designed to problem-solve rather than appreciate. You often must override this design to reap the benefits of gratitude. Simply stated, gratitude should be practiced daily — just as you'd take that magic pill if it existed. Try starting your day by thinking of someone or some event you're grateful for. It could be appreciating a friend who sends you funny texts, a friend who recognizes your gifts, or the barista who hands you your coffee and shares friendly conversation.”
Practicing gratitude literally changes your body’s chemistry. Behavior changes biology. Gratitude can boost neurotransmitter serotonin and activate the brain stem to produce dopamine. Dopamine is our brain’s pleasure chemical. Positive gestures benefit you by releasing oxytocin, a hormone that helps connect people. Some people call it the love hormone. Yoga instructors describe this feeling as a warm feeling that spreads from your heart throughout your body and into the world.
Inexpensive gratitude journals are readily available on Amazon as simple or as complex as you may desire, making this an easy way to begin your gratitude journey.
What am I grateful for this morning? As I sit warming my hands my note reads, “I’m grateful for my cup of hot coffee.” I’m going to have a great day.