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Gratitude: A Recipe for Joy

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Guest Post by Kathy Neumann

Do you want a more joy filled life?  There are some things we can do to live life more joyfully and abundantly.  We can cultivate the practice of gratitude, be thankful for the simple ordinary moments, live in the moment, and let go of the fears that rob us of joy.  There is a strong relationship between gratitude and joy.  Have you noticed how grateful people are joyful people?  Look at the sisters here at St. Anne’s – thankful and joyful.

Practicing the attitude of gratitude is very important to having joy, says Brené Brown in her book: The Gifts of Imperfection.  Some ways of practicing gratitude are keeping a gratitude journal (or keeping a gratitude-note jar), doing a daily meditation/prayer on gratitude, and reminding yourself daily of the blessings in your life.  Pay attention and notice the good things that we often take for granted.  When we’re having a busy, stressful, or bad day, stop and say out loud, “I am grateful for __________”

Joy often comes in simple ordinary moments, not extraordinary moments.  Our most precious memories are ordinary moments.  When my daughter was away at college, she once said, “Mom, it’s not the big events, it’s the little everyday things that I miss most.”  It was sitting down to a bowl of homemade soup with family, taking a walk with us, playing with the dog she missed.  Consciously enjoying the simple, ordinary small things and moments in life and gratefully acknowledging this is what life is about.  Our culture dismisses the quiet, ordinary, hardworking men and women.  We equate ordinary with boring or meaningless.  People who have had tremendous loss, for example; the loss of a child, violence, trauma, hold on to the sacred, ordinary, everyday moments to find their joy again.  Live in the moment and be grateful for what is right in front of you.

So what gets in the way of joy? Fear and worrying.  Fear of hard times or losing what we love most.  Fear that something terrible will happen.   Fear or uncertainty of not having enough: time, food, money.  Marianne Willamson said, “Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.”  When you’re feeling fearful or that you don’t have enough, or aren’t enough, try acknowledging the fear and practice gratitude.  Say out loud, “I’m feeling vulnerable; it’s ok, I’m grateful for _____”   Living in gratitude doesn’t mean denying the sorrows that come but remembering to notice the good around you and balance those hard times with gratitude.

Say thank you to God and to others frequently during the day, and ask God to help you remember to be grateful.  Listen to or read the lyrics to “What a Wonderful World.”  Trees, flowers, birds, seasons, sunshine; our world is pure gift. Thank God even for the “darkness” for it, too, teaches us great lessons and builds character.

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Our amaryllis, and other plants, can contribute to mental and physical well-being

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This Christmas, we received a boxed amaryllis plant from one of our residents and his sister.  Residents, visitors, and staff all have had the opportunity to watch its shoots grow as it sits on the ledge of our main reception desk.  This little plant adds a little extra stimulation and enjoyment to the dreary winter days; in that way benefits us here.  But that’s just the beginning of the benefits derived from houseplants.

Plants improve air quality and make breathing easier.

One online article reminds us that, through photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, whereas we humans depend on oxygen for our breathing process.  Having plants can increase your home’s oxygen level.

They can also act as a natural humidifier, releasing about 97% of the water you give them back into the air.  So if you suffer with dry skin or other symptoms caused by dry air, you might want to add some plants to help with this.

This same source also reported that plants were found to lead to decreased “fatigue, colds, headaches, coughs, sore throats and flu-like symptoms” and that there was 70 percent greater attentiveness when the room they are in contains plants.  An article by the Denver Post also notes that plants filter polluted air.

Mastersinhealthcare.com also notes that plants may take out airborne contaminants, incuding those that can cause headaches and nausea.  This source reported that plants can “contribute to your feeling of wellbeing” and improve mental health.

According to brightnest.com, plants can reduce cold-related illnesses by more than 30%, increasing humidity and decreasing dust.  Also, because “excess carbon dioxide can elevate drowsiness levels,” plants can help make you more alert.  This same article also notes that plants can help alleviate: headaches, allergies, congestion, and insomnia.

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Why Activities? Activity Professionals Week – January 18-24

This week, I’d like to thank our activities staff for their hard work, not only in designing enjoyable activities but also for their efforts in getting people to actually attend.  We find that people sometimes get in a slump and need more than a little encouragement to get out of their rooms, even for things that are really fun and beneficial.  Here, our activity director shares some thoughts:

Why Activities?

By Shelly Mack, Activity Director at St. Anne’s

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Activities are not meant to keep Shelly and Dawn (my assistant) busy.  Activities are for the residents.  There is nothing worse than someone just sitting and staring at the wall day after day, when we have activities every day.  We try to have a variety: spiritual, educational, games of skill, exercises (this is chair exercise meant for everyone but a real struggle to get people to attend.  Exercise is proven to help mobility and prevent falls.  Come Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m., and give it a try!)

Dice games are pretty popular. Also, we are very lucky to have in-house musicians like Sr. Elaine, Chuck Gust and Sr. Christina, plus a guest group of music volunteers.  And of course, there is the ever-popular bingo – this is fun and you get a small prize to boot!  So, here’s a word of advice: let the paint on the wall dry and come give activities a try!

Anyone interested in helping with activities or sharing their talent may call Shelly at (701) 746-9401.

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Celebrate Each Life

Sr. Christina M. Neumann

As we approach the National Sanctity of Human Life Day (January 18), I am reminded of the sacredness of the lives we encounter every day at St. Anne’s.  Although this national observance, first initiated by President Reagan, refers primarily to protecting the dignity of the unborn, I would like to extend it to us here.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Hearing of the sanctity of human life is a real reminder to me as a worker at St. Anne’s; it reminds me that each person I encounter is precious, is deserving of my time and utmost respect.  When I see someone coming to the front desk where I work, I need to take a look at how I approach them.  I need to see their life as sacred and put them above my personal agenda at the moment.

This January, as we observe “Celebration of Life Month,” there are different points on which we can examine our efforts.  What are we, as individuals, doing to promote respect for human dignity?  Along with promoting respect for the unborn by prayer, occasionally contacting legislators, and attending the city-wide Mass for Life on January 22, what am I doing in my daily life?  Am I treating each person I meet with love and respect?

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta has some beautiful, inspiring words that I would like to share, which I think tie into this very well: “I believe in person to person. Every person is Christ for me, and since there is only one Jesus, that person is the one person in the world at that moment.”

Today, after working on this post, I have been more conscious of giving my utmost to each person, resident, visitor, or co-worker. What a difference it can make if we really take to heart Mother Teresa’s words! If we do that, we will sanctify each day in keeping with the “sanctity of human life.”

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All in All…

By: Kathy Lieberg, Volunteer & Franciscan Associate

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When I go to St. Anne’s and enter the door
I know that my time there will not be a bore.

The residents will greet me with a smile
so I take off my coat and stay for awhile.

There’s Brian, who always offers a hug
then, there’s Sr. Christina – as cute as a bug.

I walk to the Chapel and get ready for Mass
then, on Tuesdays, at 10 there’s Bible study class.

Some days I hang out with the card playing bunch
then join the sisters for a tasty lunch.

All in all, I have to say
going to St. Anne’s makes my day!

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Today is National Poetry Break Day.

I’d like to share a poem I wrote in honor of today’s observance.

This day is set as “Poetry Break Day,” and that is nation-wide,
Whether in North Dakota, or Hawaii you abide.
Today’s a day to take a break and enjoy this form of writ,
Or why not try and compose a poem, if you’ve got the grit!

A poem can be a special way to tell some one you care,
Why not jot one down when you’ve got time to spare?
Reading poetry can surely be a way you can relax –
Wouldn’t you rather read a poem than file income tax?

Here at St. Anne’s, I wonder if folks will take the time
to stop their daily goings-on to enjoy a rhyme.

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Waste not, want not! ~ National Cut Your Energy Costs Day – January 10

From time to time, I end up on the second and third floors here at St. Anne’s, doing an errand or filling in as a personal care aide. During these times, I have, on occasion, noticed energy being wasted; no one was around in a resident’s room, but the TV or CD player was on, or even a light was illuminating the vacant space. While some people are better than others at being conscientious about energy use, it wouldn’t hurt any of us to take a look at how we can cut energy costs on this day dedicated to that topic.

Publication1According to an article by the National Day Calender, it’s “often in the little things that you do” that can save a lot of money on your bill. Along with the financial benefit, we can also consider helping our environment and not wasting resources. Some tips, offered by this same site, include: weatherproofing your home, having energy-efficient windows, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and furnace, turning down thermostats, turning off lights when leaving a room, running dishwasher/washing machine only when fully loaded, lowering water heater temperature, taking shorter showers, unplugging unused appliances, and carpooling.

Examiner.com offers other helpful suggestions: turn off unused TVs, radios, and computers, close blinds/curtains in extreme weather, purchase energy-star rated appliances, turn down the refrigerator, don’t let the water run when brushing your teeth, fix leaky/dripping faucets and running toilets, bike or walk rather than driving,

According to energyefficiency.org, the leading cause of energy waste is winter heating and summer cooling. Another leading culprit is appliances, such as the refrigerator, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washer and dryers. So, whether it’s as simple as turning off your TV when you leave your room, or if you’re a homeowner considering purchasing a new appliance, we can all make choices that will cut down on energy use.

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Give me a break?

By Sr. Christina M. Neumann

I haven’t written anything on “The Scoop” since last week since I’m out of town, enjoying some days off with our Sisters in Rugby, ND, where they serve in Little Flower Parish. In asking myself whether I should try and write something while I’m away, I thought of our residents (and many others) who never are afforded this luxury.

What about those who never get any time away, any break or any vacation? Most of us have people we know who fit this category; for me, it’s residents at St. Anne’s. Although they do not have regular employment, they also do not have any break in their routine. Most don’t travel and some rarely leave the building. I would like to share some thoughts on what we (people who are mobile) can do for those who are more isolated and unable to take a “break” from everyday life (which can get monotonous, especially for North Dakotans in January).

So, how can we help such people? At St. Anne’s, our activities staff make every effort to offer engaging, interesting programs to brighten up the humdrumness residents can experience. We can all step out, reach out, to put a smile on someone else’s face. I can stop by a lounge where someone is sitting, looking at the paper, say ‘hello,’ and visit with the person, showing I care.

If you have a home-bound (or long-term care resident) relative, friend, neighbor, etc., I’d also like to suggest some things you can do to brighten things for them. Why not pick up the phone and call someone you know is alone?   Or, how about sending a card to loved one who feels isolated? Reaching out in a simple way may be just the “break” from monotony that someone you know needs.

Another tool not to be overlooked in helping these people is to remember them in our prayers.

In preparing (mentally) for this reflection, the words of Matthew’s gospel (25:40) came to mind: “Whenever you did it for the least of my brothers, you did it for me.” In taking five minutes to reach out to someone in need, we are going beyond what our eyes can see, we are extending love and care to Christ Himself. Why not take a small “break” from the business of your life to give someone else a little lift?