Travel can provide wonderful AHA moments, even if the trip is just a few minutes from home. Such has been the case in 2023 with 1) drives to family occasions bringing experiences of love and joy as reminders of the value of relationships; 2) Italy adventure (summary HERE) with perspective on religion, history, art, natural beauty, power of people and more; 3) walking Cincinnati and reminders of the incredible beauty and history right near us

Then there’s the incredible joy in the groundedness of home. Regularly scheduled family lunches, volunteering, music gatherings, brain health events, joyful noise experiences and more, much more. These times bring recharging moments, caring opportunities plus sharing of many stories (and accompanying wisdom from so many good folks.) 

Some experiences/sharing to highlight

• MEDITATION (link HERE)  – what a wonderful way to start the day! Lovingkindness meditation (link HERE) plus translational music listening/stretching are favorites
• BEST LAST DAY – reflecting on what your ideal closing hours would entail provides excellent insight on priorities today. Willing to give it a try? Templates are links HERE as printable format (.pdf) and HERE as editable format (.doc)
• PHOTOGRAPHY – continues to be a wonderful hobby with some favorite shots HERE. The past few years, the focus has been on “gratitude shots” (link to those HERE)
• MUSIC – what a blessing! Whether with Chapel Folk, Guitar Guild, Joyful Noise Boys, Joyful Noise Crew, Brain Health & Memory Matters, church choir, hospice or other endeavors, I’m so glad my folks encouraged me to get involved originally
• MOVIES – check out the IMDb APP and all it brings (streaming services the show is on, ratings, actor profiles, etc..) You can even share favorite shows easily – – some of my/our favorites are in this link HERE, including several Christmas holiday films
• TRAVEL – if you’re taking US Interstate Highways, check out the iExit APP; EXCELLENT for finding services available, how far off the highway they are, which side of the road, etc.!
• CHRISTMAS LIGHTS – if you’re in the SE Cincinnati region, a listing of potential light displays to visit is a link HERE

Okay, that’s more than enough from me. If you have passions and tips to share, please send them along via email – I’d love to check them out. Collaboration has been – and will hopefully continue to be – a wonderful experience!

Sending you and yours much love this holiday season coupled with lovingkindness meditation…

Steve

P.S. if you know someone in the Cinci area seeking a FREE, 25 year-old Showood slate pool table (nearly full-sized, about 5′ x 8′) in good condition – complete with ball return – please let me know as we’d like to find it a good home

** the Long holiday note is HERE, in case you’d like to see it and it hasn’t arrived yet…

Today, many in our world are recalling historical epiphany experiences and perhaps a few of us are having personal epiphanies regarding goals/actions we want to achieve this year.

One of my goals? Making more regular connections with those from my past and present.

Since it’s closing in on a year since the last post here, today seems a good day to mention…

• Mindfulness has become something of a focus, resulting in a “constantly under-construction” webpage HERE
  • If you have suggestions for books, materials, videos or other thoughts on this topic, please let me know (son Sam and I plan to review The Miracle of Mindfulness together)
  • The NYT article HERE shares helpful ideas on the subject (the section Managing Anxiety and Stress includes timely tips)
• Our family Epiphany 2023 letter just went out – please email me at salong_now @ yahoo.com if you’d like to see what’s up and were somehow missed from the distribution list
• COVID has invaded many in our family, though thankfully none dangerously. Most of us have been vaccinated and boosted – we encourage that. Coupling vaccine boosting with healing drugs now being available, many are feeling more comfortable being in public without a mask
• If you have the inclination, consider writing a “living eulogy,” the 4^th day of activity of the 7-Day Happiness Challenge HERE

To keep this a little lighter (can we get too many grins/laughter in a day?)

• This quote tickles me and is relevant to my relationship with you too: “It seems to me that trying to live without friends is like milking a bear to get cream for your morning coffee. It is a whole lot of trouble, and then not worth much after you get it,”   ~ Zora Neale Hurston
• This webpage contains links to funny YouTube segments, comic strips, music and more

When you get the inclination, I’d love to hear how all is going for you. Please call, email, text, …

Have a great day (perhaps with “mindfulness time” … who knows, it may even evoke an epiphany?!!)  😊

Steve

A few chuckles as we start?

• Cancel the exorcism (WuMo)
• On Washington’s 290th birthday, THIS JOKE seems appropriate

HAPPINESS FOCUS!

Laurie Santos, from The Happiness Lab podcast, in a recent New York Times article says:

… if you can get yourself to do it — to meditate, to volunteer, to engage with social connection — you will be happier. It’s just much easier if you have a cultural apparatus around you.

Can each of us find an appropriate “cultural apparatus?” Here’s hoping we can!

Clearly the approach needs to be different for each of us. Some of my notes are below** Please email me at salong_now @ yahoo.com if you have any AHAs or good articles to share.

Want a happiness tip relating to social media you might choose to share with your loved ones? (from the article cited above)

I teach students — this comes from the journalist Catherine Price — the acronym W.W.W.: what for, why now and what else? When you pick up your phone, what was that for? Was there a purpose? Then: Why now? Did you have something to do, or were you bored or anxious or fighting some craving? And then, what else?: actively noticing the opportunity cost. It could be studying. It could be talking to your roommate.

Looking for some supportive listening on specific efforts for feeling happier? Check The Happiness Lab items HERE including this 20 minute segment with Laurie Santos on her background and personal recommendations/reflections

Looking for help falling asleep? Check out this TEDx Talk: How to Trick Your Brain Into Falling Asleep (short-cut to the “brain tapping” at the 7 minute mark HERE)  Over 5 million watches of this one! 🙂

May you have a joyful, safe day – with feelings of being strengthened and supported – knowing how important your presence is in our world!

Steve

** For me, the “cultural apparatuses” have been the church, our family and friend groups – – the folks there help me stay grounded and supported. Thanks to each of you making a difference for me and others as part of such apparatuses!

Designing the Christian Playbook has been a help with meditation, study and getting outside myself for connection. Helped by expert commentary, those daily practices are expanding to include options for stretching, meditating and more. Such efforts are proven by research to make happiness easier, especially when coupled with connecting with friends via phone, Zoom, coffee gatherings, etc..

• HERE: https://www.ajokeaday.com/jokes/best
• OR HERE: New Hitchhiker Tips – Speedbump
• OR HERE: Tim Conway funny clips

For those in the Cinci area – or U.S. Grant fans wanting a road trip – check out U.S. Grant Days 2022 – celebrating 200 years. Tomorrow night will be the kick-off with a talk at The Freedom Center and then some big doings on April 30th

With all that’s swirling in our world right now, a spiritual mentor shared a music video HERE that still resonates these many years later…

Having trouble sleeping these days? If so, consider joining us this Friday @ 10:30 Eastern Time when we talk about Getting Restorative Sleep at Light-Hearted Learning (zoom link HERE)

Whatever you do, here’s hoping you can enjoy the day!

Steve

Starting with a few comics …

• Sleep
• Getting up in the morning – took me a second, but definitely made me laugh
• 10 comics to take the chill away (GoComics.com listing)
• Some nature humor HERE from Red & Rover (with inspiration for poetry writing?)

Light-Hearted Learning for the next few Fridays @ 10:30 AM (Eastern time) will cover Lighthouses, My Stroke of Insight, Getting Restorative Sleep and Road Trips. Click HERE if you’re interested in our learning & sharing gathering via Zoom…

Kim and I really enjoy the CBS Sunday Morning show. Steve Hartman has a been a favorite correspondent since he usually focuses on “feel good” stories. Yesterday’s story about some young – really young! – and inspirational, volunteer EMTs is HERE. You’ll be glad you watched the 2-3 minutes if you have the time.

WOW – just found out that Steve Hartman went to BGSU to study journalism and graduated about the same time as Kim (his bio is HERE.)  Very pleased and proud to see a Falcon grad doing such cool journalistic efforts…  🙂

Enjoy the day!

Steve

See previous posts HERE

After completing the final 2021 Survivin’ & Thrivin’ post, hopes were high it would be the last one ever. With COVID cases rising and encouragement to “hunker down” by experts and others, it seems like a good time to restart. Hopefully this will be a short-lived effort!

Interested in some Light-Hearted Learning? We’ve started Zoom sessions on Fridays @ 10:30 AM (Eastern time). This Friday we’re discussing “Movies/Shows Others Think We Should Watch”  Zoom link to join is HERE along with details on future topics.

Today’s Christian Playbook shares Diana Butler Bass’ statement of our challenges in the midst of one million new cases of COVID on January 4, 2022. You can read her entire article HERE or in context of the Christian Playbook HERE

Some comics humor (from a great website, gocomics.com!) :

• Ellipsis: https://www.gocomics.com/looseparts/2021/10/04
• Lawnmower cord: https://www.gocomics.com/themiddletons/2021/07/19
• Remote Controls: https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2021/07/19

And we’ll close with a little mission, should you choose to accept it! 🙂  {click HERE if you want to cue the Mission Impossible theme song}

HELP – Would you spend a few minutes pondering which songs have furthered your spiritual life in the past and/or during these COVID times? Please share those with me via email salong.now@gmail.com [And if you have a sentence or two (or more) of the personal “why it’s a favorite” that you don’t might sharing with blog readers, please share those as a valuable, welcome addition – – credited by first name only to maintain anonymity]

THANKS, in advance, for any/all contributions!

WOW – we will all benefit from remembering/hearing these foundational songs, and the stories about experiences with them. They’ll be shared in a webpage and also highlighted in future Survivin’ & Thrivin’ editions

Details on this project, should you be interested are below***

Enjoy the day!

Steve

*** Christian Playbook 2022 Focus: Storied, Special Songs/Hymns

• This project couples two passions:
  • providing a theme for the 2022 Christian Playbook – focusing on 50-100 songs of faith – plus encouraging us all to share why songs are foundational in our faith for others to enjoy
  • fueling thoughts of Celebration of Life songs for Binder of a Lifetime “At the End” details – see page 4 of At the End document HERE
• Any HELP with song/hymn suggestions will be THANKS-fully accepted, with a spirit of WOW!
• ** Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lamott

See previous posts HERE

Spring has sprung, proving that we’ve done it: SURVIVED the COVID-19 Winter!

And… hopefully THRIVED during the COVID-19 Winter! Congratulations to one and all for making it through!!!

As one final “bonus” Surviving & Thriving posting…

LAUGHS

• Top 10 Best Super Bowl 55 Commercials (2021 Funniest Ads Superbowl LV) https://youtu.be/HWgoHqgPpBk
• Joke A Day Top 10 – https://www.ajokeaday.com/jokes/best?date=2%2F7%2F2021

GOOD READING/WATCHING/LISTENING

• Movie stars dancing to…’I’m So Excited!’ https://youtu.be/xVuIVP6Pef8
• My Life As A One-Man Band | Tommy Emmanuel | TEDxMelbourne https://youtu.be/ENJuNCkPfx0   [the first 3 minutes and last 5 minutes in particular are well worth the listening!]
• Best 50 Movies on Netflix – WOW, there some good ones here! https://www.nytimes.com/article/best-movies-netflix.html

LIGHT-HEARTED LEARNING (& SHARING) – COME JOIN US @ 12:30 PM (Eastern Time) on upcoming dates! Topics and Zoom links are here: http://www.stevelong.longmemories.info/light-hearted-learning-sharing/

See previous posts HERE

LAUGHS

• Password humor (watch through 3:45; slight slip of “blue language”): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHaBH4LqGsI
• Preparing for NCAA’s March Madness https://www.ajokeaday.com/jokes/sport-jokes/outside-the-line-yra715z7tz

GOOD READING/WATCHING/LISTENING

• CBS Sunday Morning is a favorite – watch full 3/14/21 show or selected components here: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/this-week-on-sunday-morning-march-14-2021/
• Senior Planet’s first Technology Review: https://seniorplanet.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Annual-Tech-Review_FINAL-III.pdf

LIGHT-HEARTED LEARNING (& SHARING) – COME JOIN US on Mondays & Fridays @ 12:30 PM (Eastern Time)! Topics and Zoom links are here: http://www.stevelong.longmemories.info/light-hearted-learning-sharing/

Many more “Surviving the Covid-19 Winter” ideas HERE

See previous posts HERE

Follow us and like us on Facebook HERE

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LAUGHS

• Can one see the WKRP Thanksgiving promotional effort too many times? https://youtu.be/lf3mgmEdfwg
• Mary Tyler Moore episode of Chuckles the Clown brings smiles. The second half of the show is here (and you can go to the beginning if you want to see it all:) https://youtu.be/0o-xrio1ESA?t=820

GOOD READING/WATCHING/LISTENING

• Listen to a Book online FREE (Internet Archive): https://archive.org/details/librivoxaudio
• Four Causes of Zoom Fatigue and What You Can Do About Them https://www.route-fifty.com/tech-data/2021/02/four-causes-zoom-fatigue-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/172319/

LIGHT-HEARTED LEARNING (& SHARING) – COME JOIN US on Mondays & Fridays @ 12:30 PM (Eastern Time)! Topics and Zoom links are here: http://www.stevelong.longmemories.info/light-hearted-learning-sharing/

Many more “Surviving the Covid-19 Winter” ideas HERE

See previous posts HERE

Follow us and like us on Facebook HERE

Sign up to get this posting via email HERE

LAUGHS

• 13 comics for Bookworms (and the rest of us too!) 🙂 https://www.gocomics.com/comics/lists/1723009/13-comics-for-bookworks  
• Ready to “Slow Down?” Here’s a great Taxi episode with that phrase: https://youtu.be/39k067hcgYY  

GOOD READING/WATCHING/LISTENING

• LIFEHACKER: How to Improve Your Chances of Scheduling a COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment https://vitals.lifehacker.com/how-to-improve-your-chances-of-scheduling-a-covid-19-va-1846292340
• Listen to Grateful Dead concerts online for FREE (Internet Archive): https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?tab=collection

LIGHT-HEARTED LEARNING (& SHARING) – COME JOIN US! Zoom link here: http://www.stevelong.longmemories.info/light-hearted-learning-sharing/

• 2/26 – Password Managers, Search Engine tips

Many more “Surviving the Covid-19 Winter” ideas HERE

See previous posts HERE

Follow us and like us on Facebook HERE

Sign up to get this posting via email HERE