Everywhere we look, we see messages and images about creating joy in our lives through gratitude, self care, and attitude changes. But I wonder where taking action to make things better in this world comes into play. Does it come out of joy? Or is a more complicated emotional recipe required? In her book “Deep…
I’ve been struggling the past couple weeks. Really, Maery? That’s so unlike you. Stop being sarcastic. I have no reason to feel as sad as I do, which in itself, makes me even sadder. I go through cycles. I used to call it cycles of depression but I’m reluctant to call it that now. It’s…
I’ve been working on becoming a published writer for a long time. It can be discouraging. Sometimes (a lot of times) I need a pep talk when I feel like giving up. Periodically, I also spend time assessing what is getting in my way. I came up with five problem areas to fix. Maybe you…
One of the things you are told before you retire is to make sure that you have enough friendships and social connections outside of work. Studies have shown that friendships lengthen your life span, and that if you don’t have these connections, your mental and physical health will likely suffer. Oh great… one more thing to…
The following is the story of my 60 mile bike ride where I focused on what my aging body can do, instead of what it can’t. Moose Lake State Park I sat down at our Moose Lake campsite after biking 32.8 miles from Hinckley to Moose Lake State Park. My knees and hips had begun…
Gliding down a hill on my bicycle, I see a break in the tarred path up ahead. These cracks, potholes, and raised pavement happen a lot in Minnesota with our extreme changes in temperature. There are also the tree roots that raise the tar in defiance. Unevenness and cracks at a distance can be tricky…
