Life Lessons learned in running a Marathon

When we lived in Los Angeles, we supported "Hope of the Valley", a Non-profit organization working very hard to end homelessness. Although they have done an amazing job so far, the problem is still there and growing. The government has spent millions of dollars and has failed. Anyway, I was going through some old emails and came accross an email Ken Craft, Founder and CEO of the organization,  sent us back in 2019. He had just completed his 3rd or 4th Marathon, to raise money.  I kept the email because I found it to be very inspirational and applicable to everything we do in life, and I think it is appropriate to share as we enter a new year.

Here we go:

Dear Galen and Sofia,

It's over...we did it! We completed the 2019 Los Angeles Marathon, running from Dodger Stadium to the Santa Monica Pier....26.2 grueling miles, not for self, but for vulnerable moms and kids experiencing homelessness.

Having five and a half hours to reflect on life while running, I came up with a few Life Lessons that parallel running a marathon. 

1. Preparation and training is never wasted time
2. We all need cheerleaders and need to be cheerleaders
3. Don't underestimate the importance of good friends in the race called life, they will help you through the difficult times and bring the best out in you
4. Take one mile at a time and celebrate milestones
5. Refueling is essential if you are going to finish strong
6. Don't compare yourself with others, run YOUR race
7. Pack light, you really don't need all that stuff
8. There is a reward at the end, so live well and don't quit
9. It's not how you start, it is how you finish
10. Life has pain, push through it...Pain is temporary, the glory is eternal

Life is a marathon and I wish you the best in your race! Thank you for your ongoing support as we work to provide Hope, Hot Meals, Housing, Health Services and Healing to the Hungry, Hurting and Homeless!

Ken Craft

Founder and CEO 

Hope you enjoyed the 10 lessons, as much as I did. Since we are entering a new year, I hope you can apply these wise morsels into your life for a successful 2025!

God's Blessings!

Happy New Year

Priceless Christmas Gifts to share......

For a Child.........A good Example

For a Friend........Your Heart

For your Father.....Reverence

For your Mother.....Behavior that will make her proud of you

For your Customers..Your best service

For your Opponent...Tolerance

For your Enemies....Forgiveness

For Yourself........Respect

For all People......Understanding, Kindness, Charity

Have a blessed Holiday Season!

Merry Christmas                     

Thanksgiving is almost here again...let us be thankful

 I am glad the elections are over. Some people are very happy and others are very sad and upset.. Well, that happens with every election. No matter what side you are on, you must act in a mature way and not get too emotional. We all have to endure two, four, six or eight years of a candidate we don't like. We all have survived. Nobody needs to leave the country, but for those who do, I say it's their right to do whatever pleases them. However, as the saying goes...the grass is always greener on the other side. Do you think by moving to a foreign country, you will be welcomed with open arms? No, you won't. Do you think by cursing our country, protesting or burning down places it will make things better for you? No, it won't. It only makes you look ugly, immature and distructive. so, please let us all behave in a mature way, act like adults, live with it and move on. What I have discovered over the years, I guess it comes with age and some wisdom, is that here on earth nothing lasts forever. Most things are temporary, and even if they are uncomfortable, they can be endured, and overcome. It is our atitude and our otlook on life that matters, and that is something that we can control. Most things we cannot control.

I have lived in three countries and have traveled to many. To some degree, my family experienced discrimination. Most countries don't like "foreigners". They may pretend they do, but trust me, they don't. The United States of America is the only country that is open to ALL people, regardless of their race, color, religion or sexual orientation. We have the most rights. Are we perfect, by all means, no we are not, but we still are better than any place else. Why do you think people risk their lives to get through our borders? I don't know of any country that does that. 

My family and I immegrated here legally in 1970. My parents were in their 50's and although they spoke very limited english, they feld the most freedom they had felt in their entire lives. Despite the many adjustments they had to make, they were thankful to be here and could not wait for the day to come to become American citizens. When that day finally arrived it was one of their happiest.

The American dream is well and very much alive and it only takes hard work and determination. You can see it in our latest elections. Some candidates came from humble beginnings and have arrived to the top, and so can anybody else. Instead of complaining and feeling hopeless, work on making things better. I have always said, if you don't have a solution, stop the complaining and the hatred and the name calling. Just move on. We all need to unite and work for a better tomorrow and we need to support each other and our elected officials. What good does it do to resist and obstruct?  Many celebrities and others keep saying they want to leave this country, but they stay. Why? Because deep down we all know that this is the best place, even with our flaws. But of course, if they don't agree maybe they should move and then discover what it is like. Insults and name calling doesn't do good for anybody. It is folly. The world is watching, and most of all God is watching! We have been blessed with so much, let's be thankful for all that we have. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, let us celebrate our freedom and our abundance.

Proverbs 8, 9, 10 and 11, among many other scriptures in the old testament of the Bible speak about wisdom. I urge you to look them up.

 Proverbs 10:12     Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

Proverbs  10:18    He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool

and....Proverbs 10:23  A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom......

I hope we can all strive to be more wise, rather being fools.

Have a great day 

 

  

 

A Safe Place

We are currecntly enjoying the warm, seemingly endless days of summer. Families are swimming in the lake and some neighbors had amazing fireworks for 4th of July. However, this season is not all sunshine and beauty. It is also known for severe storms that bring lightning, thunder, heavy rainfall and in many cases hail. We had our share of some of these already and it was pretty intense. The thunderstorms and lightnings are very loud and very scary. In Rogers and Bentonville, half hour south of here, they had a tornedo and it knocked down trees and destroyed some businesses as well as some homes and cars where the trees fell. We got spared, but you never know. Unfortunately, some things we have no control over. The good thing is that when some of these things pop up, it is wonderful to be able to run into a dry, comfortable shelter and be protected, until the sun begins to shine again. Here in Bella Vista, I don't know about the rest of the state, when the rain stops the sun comes out fairly quickly and everything gets dry fast enough where you couldn't even imagine that 30 minutes earlier everything was wet and gloomy. I am grateful for that. 

Life is like that too. All is well until, suddenly and often without any warning, difficulties arise. Our lives are full of "storms" of one kind or another. Regardless of what caused them, there is seldom much we can do to stop them from running their course (Recently, both my husband and I had some health issues that were unexpected) and all we can control is how we respond to them and how we move forward. 

Rather than facing these troubles alone, we turn to God in prayer and ask friends and family to keep us in their prayers as well. It is comforting to know others are praying to our Heavenly Father in our behalf. Prayer works. I have experienced it's power many times in my life! God does love us, cares for us and hears our prayers. I believe that He feels our pain. He wants us to rely on Him in our time of distress, and have a relationship with Him as we would have with our loved ones here on earth. 

Some of us are closer to family than others, some of us who are older, have no parents or siblings around anymore, but knowing that we have our heavenly Father who promises to never leave us nor forsake us is very comforting. Maybe we don't see it but if you spend time with God in prayer and meditation you will feel Him near. Like any earthly relationship, the more we spend time with a person, the closer we are to them, so why would it be any different with God? Ask yourself how distant or close you think God is? Spend some time in prayer this week.  Maybe He will reveal some things to you. Everyday is truly a miracle and everyday is a new beginning with new revelations.

1 Peter 5:6-7 

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He will lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you"

1 John 3:1

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God"

Revelation 3:20

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me"

God is real, but because we don't see Him, and don't spend enough time with Him, He feels very distant or non-existent. The storms of nature or the storms of life may feel very distant too, until we experience them personally. Snow was non-existend in Southern California where we lived, but I experienced snow in Sweden, and lots of it, when I lived there. So, just because we don't see or experience certain things, it doesn't mean that they don't exist. Today we can all find safety and refuge under the wings of our living God, no matter what our storms are.

Have a great Month!

 

. 

  

PSALM 46:10

Psalm 46:10 is one of my favorite scriptures. It says: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth". I always buy things that have that quote "Be still, and know...". Sometimes it is a plaque, or a cup, other times a decoration for my garden. It is a reminder for me to slow down and reflect. I am 'guilty' of always being 'busy' and going from project to project. Most of the time the business is a waste of my time, doing some unimportant things. Therefore, I need to make it a point to "be still", schedule it in, so to speak. Put away the phone, turn off the computer, stop reading the book I just bought or the magazine that just arrived. Can anybody relate?  

Go to a tranquil place and just sit and enjoy the moment. Observe nature, the birds chirping, the squirrels and chipmunks running around, the sound of a waterfall, the waves of the ocean, or whatever else is around you. When we are still our creative juices start flowing. When we are quiet we get answers to questions we may have, or answers to situations that need to be addressed or solved. You get more answers with quiet than with noise! Take time to read the Bible, or other inspirational material, pray and meditate. It will calm your soul and remove many anxieties. 

So what are the benefits of silence? The benefits can include enhanced creativity, focus, self-control, self awareness and spirituality. Most of all it allows us to be connected to God beyond what words can express, and it enables us to let God reach out to us. Now more than ever, we need to spend time in silence and listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance, so that we can be prepared to face each and every day.

Have a great day!

Tomorrow is a new month-Welcome May!

Before we know it, it will be 4th of July. Time is flying by. I was cleaning up some old notes and magazine clippings, as I often do. I found this interesting article I had cut our from the Arthritis Today magazine. I had it for a while. At the time I cut it out, I had no issues with pain. It was my mom who had knee and back pain. She constantly complained about her sciatica pain. Well, guess what! I now find myself complaining about back and sciatica pain. Anyway, this article had some very helpful tips, worth mentioning. The title of the article is "27 secrects to help you transform your life and help you feel your best". I picked 10 of them to share with you.

1. In a study, people who ate about an ounce (18 halves) of walnuts a day experienced a lower blood-pressure response to a high-stress situation than people who didn't eat the nuts! (Now I know why Galen is so calm, he eats walnuts daily!!). Walnuts are rich in inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids. I don't know if you are aware, but our diets are high in Omega-6 fatty acids, and low in Omega-3 fatty acids, so it is important we eat foods with high Omega-3. Salmon and other fish for example are very high in Omega-3 also.  
2. Eat more beans. Beans are packed with protein, fiber and antioxidants, and are practically fat-free. They have the power to prevent muscle shrinkage, help keep your muscles stronger and your joints moving freely. Age and inactivity cause muscle shrinkage, whether we like it or not. Red beans, small kidney beans and pinto beans rank among the top antioxidant foods. (There again, Galen scores very high...he loves beans. If I let him, he would have them every day. Hmmm maybe I should).
3. To heal a wound faster-whether from a scraped knee or surgical cut-reach for pumpkin seeds. The high zinc content promotes healing and helps repair and regenerate tissue faste. When I was growing up, I remember we ate a lot of pumpkin seeds. They were our snacks, instead of potato chips or popcorn. (Again Galen likes seeds...he eats papita seeds and sunflower seeds, and it is true he heals very fast when he has any kind of cut or surgery procedure)
4. Sweet potatoes protect your knees and spine. Sweet potatoes are brimming with both Vit C and Beta-carotene. These two nutrients are linked to a reduced risk for knee and spine osteoarthritis. Try this: Chop sweet potatoes into chunks and toss with olive oil, cumin and ginger (two spices with anti-inflammatory properties) and roast them. (Well, believe it or not, Galen eats these potatoes at least three time a week. He likes to steam them and put a little bit of olive oil and cinnamon. Actually, they taste pretty good). 
5. Extra Virgin olive oil. It has anti-inflammatorycoumpounds that act similar to ibuprofen. 
6. Cherries mimic the effects of NSAIDs like Advil, without the side effects. Osteoarthritis patients who drank tart cherry juice twice a day for three weeks experienced a nearly 50% drop in inflammation.  
7. Eat turmeric. It eases arthritic pain. Turmeric works along the lines of a prescription COX-2 inhibitor, but without the side effects. Stir turmeric into side dishes or sprinkle it on fish or chicken. The taste is pretty mild. I have been using it on and off for many years. My Indian neighboor in California swore by many different spices, especially turmeric and ginger.  
8. To get to sleep faster and sleep more soundly, take a bath or a shower before bedtime. Your body temperature will spike in a warm bath or shower, and as you cool down, you will get drowsy, making it easier to nod off, like a baby and wake up refreshed. 
9. To boost your happiness, let the sunshine in. Sunlight stimulates the production of serotonin, which can make you happier and ease aches and pains. A study showed that back surgery patients in rooms on the sunny side of the hospital required less pain medication than those in dimly lit rooms. Pull back the curtain and let the light shine in! I totally agree with this one. I love having lots of windows and light! 
10. Well, last but not least, make sure you do some stretching exercises for stronger back and arms. Do some exercises for balance and to prevent falls. Try some easy exercises to help improve your grip strength, and ease joint pain. And please eliminate tripping hazards, such as rugs, cords and other obstacles. 

I hope you found this valuable and easy to do. I know I need to listen to Galen more when it comes to food choices. But you know how it is, we don't listen to family, but we will listen to a "third party endorsement". Well, whatever it takes. Let's us be aware of some simple things that will make us healthier so we can continue to enjoy life.

Have a wonderful month!

 

Words to live by

• You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.   Ralph Waldo Emerson

• Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.........Cicero

• Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.......John Wooden

• Be the change you wish to see in the world.....Gandhi

• No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another.....Charles Dickens

Two friends of ours passed away a week ago, within days of each other. One of them had been suffering from cancer for the past three months, and so everyone knew that the end was near. However, the other one had a massive stroke and passed away in the hospital the same day. You can see, we never know when our time is up, or the time of those we love. I hope we all take heed of the words to live by.......

Let us make this the BEST week of the year!!

 

Mardi Gras, Lent, "Sarakosti"

What do all those things mean? 

Mardi Gras as we know it, is a two week celebration of festivities, and we are most familiar with the ones in New Orleans, Louisiana, although they are celebrated in other states as well, and I believe, around the world. Where I grew up, in Istanbul, it was called "Apokries" (in Greek). People dressed up in costumes and festive attires and visited with friends and relatives. It was a lot of fun. Anyway, the word  Mardi Gras is french and it means "Fat Tuesday", symbolizing the last day you can indulge in eating, just before Lent. Itis the tuesday before "Ash Wednesday", which is the first day of Lent... 

When I was growing up, I remember my mom observed all the rituals that went with the church holidays. She made us follow them as well. "Sarakosti" is the greek name for Lent. It is the beginning of the fasting and abstinence season in anticipation of Easter. Before starting the 40 day fast, we also had what was called  "Kathari theftera" (clean monday) and we ate "nistisima" (fasting foods), in preparation for the real thing. We ate vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, bread, seafood and legumes. In other words, healthy foods. This I believe starts 50 days before Easter, and this date changes every year, because Easter also falls on different days and months every year. In 2024 the Eastern Orthodox church celebrates Easter on May 5 (they follow the Julian Calendar), whereas the West clebrates on March 31. Anyway, we fast for 40 days. Why is it 40 days? Well, 40 symbolizes many events in the Bible. In the Old Testament Moses fasted for 40 days, before God gave him the ten Commandments. Daniel fasted for 40 days before he got a revelation from God.  The prophet Elias fasted for 40 days, and the Israelites wandered for 40 years in the desert before going into their promised land. In the New Testament Jesus went to the desert  for 40 days and encountered many temptations and trials before starting his ministry. Therefore, the number 40 symbolizes many things in the Christian faith. Lent starts the Wednesday after Mardis Gras, and ends on Thursday before Good Friday, commemorating the Last Supper between Jesus and his disciples.

When we fast our bodies go through many challenges. It is not easy to do. Even when we have to fast for 12 hours before going to the doctor for lab test, we stress out, so, going for these many days, seems impossible, but of course it is doable. I hated doing it when I was young, and haven't done it too often after I got older, although I really should. I know some friends who do it religiously. Actually, there are many benefits to fasting. Fasting cleanses our body and spirit. It is a time for testing and renewal. It highlights self-discipline and repentance of our thoughts and actions. After a few days we get used to it. Besides it doesn't mean we deprive ourselves from everything, mainly from meats, dairy products and indulging in excess food that is too heavy etc. Within a few days, actually the body adjusts and feels lighter and healthier.   

I know that when we think of fasting we think of staying away from food. However, if we also were to apply fasting and abstaining from certain bad habits, bad behaviors, excesses or 'vices' that we have, we would definitely emerge as a better person at the end of the 40 days. Wouldn't you agree? So what if we wrote down bad habits, behaviors and words we use and worked on substituting them with more pleasant, loving and joyful alternatives. Work on as few or as many as you feel comfortable. Maybe we can start with the most prevelant one in our daily life first. At the end of the 40 days, I think it would make a HUGE impact for us and those who we interact with.       

OK, so here is the List........

FAST FROM                        FOCUS ON                           

Anger                                    Patience

Bitterness                              Forgiveness

Complaining                         Appreciation

Critisism                                Praise & Encouragement

Discontent                              Gratitude

Discouragement                     Hope

Fear                                        Trust in God

Internet                                   Read a good book and the Bible                                                 

Jealousy                                  Love & Contentment                                           

Idle gossip                               Purposeful silence

Pride                                        Humility

Resentment                              Peace & Pleasant Disposition

Self-concern                            Compassion for other

Selfishness                               Giving to others     

Self pity                                    Joy & counting your blessings

Text Messaging                        Spend time with family

Watching TV                            Enjoy Nature/Outdoors

We are all guilty of saying some nasty words from time to time, and behaving in an unpleasant way. The list can be expanded to many more "vices", but this is a start. If we started to pay attention to what we do or say and make positive changes, one little thing at a time, we will feel so much better. This is a perfect time to fast from food as well as bad habits. It will bring us closer to God, and to our families and friends.

Enjoy the Season

 

                                   

Cats vs Dogs

 If you have been fortunate enough to have owned a cat and also a dog, you know well how different they are! Lately, I have been watching these short videos of the clever things these animals do. They are so cute and so smart. They put a smile on my face and make me laugh. You can say they have me "hooked", which means I spend too much time watching them instead of doing something productive. I do enjoy them and I give a lot of credit to the people who make it a point to post them on line. So, the other day I decided I needed to go thru and clean out some old files and emails I had kept over the years. They were mostly inspirational stories or funny cartoons etc.. I found this really cute one from a friend who has passed away. It was sent in April, 2007 (!) and it is as true today as it was then. It is about how a dog spends his/her day vs a cat! It is funny. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. What makes it even funnier today than it did then, is that I did not own a cat then. The cat came to us in July of 2007, and of course I was prepared...:))

The DOG

8:00AM-Dog food ! My Favorite!

9:30AM-A car ride! MY Favorite!

9:40AM-A walk in the park! My Favorite!

10:30AM-Got rubbed and petted! My Favorite!

11:00AM-Went to the Vet. Bummer.

12:00PM-Lunch! My Favorite!

1:00PM-Played in the yard! My Favorite!

5:00PM-Milk bones! My Favorite!

7:00PM-Got to play ball! My Favorite!

8:00PM-WOW! Watched TV with the people! My Favorite!

11:00PM-Sleeping on the bed! My Favorite!

The CAT:

CAT DIARY

Day 983 of my captivity. My Captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. 

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am...Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies". I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. 

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assasinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow-but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The Dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released-and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. 

The Bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.

For now.....

So there you have it, in a nut shell.  A day in a Dog's and Cat's life. 

On a serious note, I received a message the other day that one of my friend's cats passed away a few days ago. She has several cats, but this one was her favorite, and she was 2 months short of 20 years old. She was the sweetest cat and we are all very sad over this loss. Her memory will be in our hearts forever.

WISHING YOU A  BLESSED AND HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Happy New Year! WOW 2024

 It's 2024 ! I remember 1999, watching the festivities around the world on TV.  We were all stressing out about Y2K, and how all the systems could fail us, since we were converting from 1900 to 2000. We worked very hard at the phone company making sure we had a good transition into the year 2000. Well, happy to say everything worked out. There were no major problems or glitches, at  least that I know of. We all worried for nothing. What a waste of our energy.  

New Year's Eve was cold here in Bella Vista. We stayed home and enjoyed watching all the fireworks and festivities around the world. Every year seems to be the same. Some countries really go all out! It is a good feeling to welcome the new year with an anticipation that it will be better than the last one.

I know 2024 will be a GREAT year! We need to keep our eyes and minds open to what God has in store for us and what He is doing in our lives. God is always working behind the scenes, even when we experience extreme circumstances. He is always with us, although many times He seems to be very far away. We always ask, where was God in the middle of all the natural disasters, fires, wars, extreme weather conditions and other personal tragedies experienced worldwide.  

So, my advise to you and me, is this: Let's leave the past behind. Let's move forward. Write down your goals and dreams, and don't worry if you had the same goals and dreams in 2023, and they were not accomplished. This is 2024. It is a fresh start. A new chapter. Maybe you had some obstacles last year, or the last several years. Do not dwell on that. This year is a new beginning. There were many things we wanted to do and see last year, but we had some health issues and some unexpected events that put us behind schedule. Well, that's life! As many financial advisers say: "Past performance doesn't guarantee future results". In other words, our past should not be an indicator of our future.

So, this year let's focus on our goals with a positive attitude, and let God guide us in everything that we do. If Plan A doesn't work, switch to Plan B. Make sure that you always have a Plan. There is no limit to what we can all accomplish.

I have heard and read the following quote many times. I have no idea where it came from, but I like it. .

"Don't let yesterday's failures bankrupt today's efforts". One more thing I would like to leave you with is what the ancient philosopher Socrates said...."Beware of the barrenness of a busy Life". Being "busy" doesn't always make us productive, so be careful where you spend your time. I need to definitely spend less time on line, reading the news or watching short, but fun videos. I need to ask myself: Is what I am doing add value to my life or to the life of others. 

Have blessed year!