Health and Lifestyle
And now, the Focus is …
Well with the Thanksgiving memories just around the corner, our focus begins to shift. Today is Black Friday. Everyone is busy shopping, hauling out the Holiday Decorations, and thinking of other things. It is a time when some people are getting depressed and already overwhelmed by it all.
For many people, the Holidays are a time of reverence and joy. They look to their beliefs and the season of preparation with a respect. I often begin my Christmas shopping in October to take away the feelings of being overly rushed and negative in December. I want things to be thought out and somewhat planned so I can go into the Holiday prepared. 
Christmas is usually a good time for me. It is a beautiful time of renewal and puts me in a great mindset. Even in spite of the sadness around the world, and the needs around us, people are very life giving. They reach out and extend themselves to others. I find myself more patient, too. This year seems simple.
Last year we had a grandchild born a few days prior to Christmas. I personally felt stretched with concern, for the office, and for family needs. Following all the above, our family getting together was wonderful and healing. It made me think all my concerns were so foolish.
We tend to over think and worry because we don’t stay in the moment. We project our emotions into high gear and get lost in tomorrow. So enjoy each moment as you enter the season. Be kind it is the best gift ever.
“Delight in Living!”
Embracing Life: Today at the Mexican Art Museum
Chicago is filled with many wonderful cultural opportunities. I had the privilege of attending The National Museum of Mexican Art. It features Mexican, Latino, and Chicano art and culture. It was filled with thousands of paintings, photographs, sculptures and multi-media item
s. The colors of the works were varied and the museum was well light and inviting. For those interested in seeing the many displays it is in the Pilsen Area of the City at 1852 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608. The Pilsen area is one of Chicago’s Lower West Side Communities. It is about 3 miles south of the Chicago Loop. While we visited school buses were unloading children to see the art.
DAY OF THE DEAD ALTAR
Since a picture is worth a 100 words, I am showing many different pictures. I took there so you can see how diverse the Museum is in terms of Art Media. The Day of the Dead was a large piece of metal pieces. Each was stamped and fused together to show the many dimensions of death. Some of the pieces were also on sale.
BEADS IN WAX TAPESTRY
My favorite was this tapestry. It was a large piece made of small beads that were placed in wax. It looked like a tapestry of thread until one walked up to it. The colors were bright and the squares connected together were even and so perfectly matched. Each square had a theme and I could have studied it for some time.
I think the greatest part of any Art Museum is learning firsthand how people are interpreting things. How they reflect their values, their religions, and their pain.
Delight in Living as you enjoy the many different Museums in the Chicago land area. For today look for those Mini Miracles that are accumulating for you to bring you joy!
You Swept What Away?
This morning as I opened the bedroom shade I barely saw the outline of a tree. Fog had painted everything in a dull gray. I quickly went about my task of cleaning the room, making the bed and getting myself ready. And of course, I put on lights to brighten up my world.
When I went outside with Miss Rose, she stopped and began to survey the yard. She does this often and sometimes it is disarming as if she is reluctant to head out. As always I grab the outside 
broom and began to sweep accumulated leaves from around the back door. Glad it is a small pile of leaves and not snow!
Suddenly the broom head went flying under a beautiful red burning bush. Now fully dressed and in my good clothes I found myself trying to reclaim it. Rosy stood and watched as I were her entertainment! Does this sort of thing happen to you too? It is usually when we are in a hurry or have an agenda, right?
Often we want to sweep things away, but the wrong things disappear. How does one go about reclaiming what is rightfully yours? We sweep away an opportunity to travel and then found out we missed a great chance to have fun and get away.
Or we turn down a job with potential, because our boss offers us something better. Then suddenly the firm closes and there you are without a position. When things like that happen what do you do? Do you complain, make a joke about it, or go into action to repair the damage of your decision?
Last night I was at the Hidden Pearl in Mc Henry, Illinois where I was part of an small audience of very kind and generous people. Two Bald Guys and a Microphone recently premiered on WHIW 101.3 FM – Harvard from 6 to 8:00 am. “Deek” Kent Jones and Tim “Coach Papa” Stewart entertained us from 6 to 8 pm
Kent Jones has been involved in developing basketball players of all ages and skills in the Mc Henry country area. Tim Stewart has been known to our local communities as a speaker, coach, and local entrepreneur for the last 20+ years. He has written inspirational books, is the master of reciting poetry, and a loyal friend to many. Both men tackle the difficult task of supporting people in their daily struggles by using humor, poetry, and kindheartedness. It was fun and uplifting.
They also had a gentleman from Greenville, Texas join them. Ron Hoestery shared a bit of his story and added to the enjoyment of the evening. He is often a guest on their morning show, but was in town and chimed in to make for a delightful 2 hour show. Check out the show!
Enjoy the many things our local communities provide. “Delight in Living” and enjoy the many “Mini Miracles” that shower down upon you! Small things add up to make us happy, to help us enjoy life, and give us a reason to be helpful to others!
Finding Joy
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Good Morning. Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, where suddenly your daily events begin to overflow with great joy. This is a podcast of hope and gratitude. I hope you come to follow regularly and enjoy it.
Hi, I am you host Linda Gullo and today is absolutely beautiful. I share that feeling for a couple of reasons as this day begins. Everyone needs a purpose and reason to get up each morning. Years ago when my life seemed to be falling apart, I decided to return for more education to become a Psychologist. After years of earning that degree and credentialing, I realized what I did with that knowledge not only gave me a purpose, but it gave me something I needed to pass along whether it was as a Teacher or as a Professional Counselor.
Well I have done both and slid mainly into the counseling and coaching arenas. I learned to do mediation in the years that followed to add to my toolbox. I was propelled into a Private Practice, so I had a reason to get up and serve others every day. No regrets there! As the next year comes I plan to do several Webinars and get back a bit more into Coaching and speaking. Feeling well enough to do these things is one of the many beautiful things that today holds for me.
There is nothing better than having a newborn baby in our midst. If it is your own baby, there are hopes for a healthy life filled with the first smiles and then giggles. It is that awesome 1st year of milestones. If it is your grandchild and you are in a supporting role or even if it is a baby of a friend, it brings everyone down to a place of humility and awe. We want to hold that newborn, and feel its life within our arms. One can’t help but feel the joy that just seems to ooze out of them.
I have felt that exhilaration with my own children. You see their personalities blossom to the toddler stage where exploration and safety become a concern. Then the school age child begins to seek out its way and develop friendships. The teen years are a roller coaster of emotions both for them and their caretakers as they take their roots and develop wings. When you think you are done raising them, they bless you with professions, and lives fully matured. They return to discuss things on an adult level and introduce us to new ideas and worldly thoughts.
For entrepreneurs, they too have dreams and vision. There are times of development and ongoing changes. There are years to blossom and growth; times to improve and serve others. We are all nourished from within and affected from the world around us. We watch the economy, pray a lot, and try to stay healthy. We engage with our community and try to interact appropriately. The excitement of a new job or adventure seems to ooze like toothpaste.
Think for a moment of when you’ve been so richly blessed with that newborn, the new motorcycle, sweet bath of kittens, or a loving dog. For me, you all know how rich my life has been with Rosy. She entered our lives at the age of 1. She is empathetic and intuitive. She is our “alert alarm” and seems to know what I plan to do before I do it.
Well the joy of new life in any form makes energy flow. If one is with depressed people, they seem to create a fog and sadness all around them. So too, the synergy of joy happens around us if people are happy. I think of my dad who was a beautiful whistler. He would whistle songs, while he worked around the house. I have never heard anyone else do that every day. It was so life giving. It lifted me up even when I was tired. The sad part is that I didn’t realize it until after he died. I’d love to tell him how much it meant and to thank him for that gift.
Other people are visionary people. They are life giving in the way they talk; they leave an aura of harmony and excitement that can’t be described in words. We need to put into place the thing we do to become one of these people. We need to be high flying with energy for ourselves and to share it with others around us. Regardless of our age, we must keep learning and listening for clues on how to give.
Today I was invited by one of our college aged grandchildren to attend a Chicago Museum with them. I can hardly wait to experience this and no doubt you’ll be reading a blog or two on what I learn. I look forward to the conversations, the break in working, and a day to learn something new.
Today is Veterans Day. So a sincere thank you to all those who have served us. It allows us to dream, to create new life, and create new opportunities. My goal is to help you find clarity and balance in life, to like yourself a bit more, and to recognize mini miracles are happening each day. I think God sprinkles us daily with them and I hope you find a bunch today. Have a good day and keep walking among the flowers, not the hidden cactus’
So until next week, Delight in Living. Look for all those Mini Miracles showering upon you.
Where Are You?
Are you happy? Are you moving forward? Or are you a customer waiting for service or an employee that has just rushed to be at work on time? Perhaps you are a sales person trying to get things done in spite of others priorities? You may be a mom multi-tasking with many tasks but happy as a lark. I love to be with upbeat and excited people.
I just want to know if you are one of them. How did you get to where you are? Are you content or do you want to make changes? Do you know yourself? Are you feeling stuck?
The roles we play in life are short lived. Our children grow up too fast. The jobs we may have will change in its description with advancements in technology. The commitments you have as the CEO or Owner of a Business may change as your job takes on new dimensions. This article is for everyone.
Well I am busy preparing Systems for my office, but it takes lots of time and planning. Systems for procedures here and for those I work with so they get the best results. I want it to be absolutely the best for those who use me as a coach. Good Coaching is an Art Form with handouts, ongoing tips, and opportunities to “tune up.” It needs to be something people will embrace. We love to offer you only the best here and help you see how Mini Miracles are all around. It is a state of gratitude that moves us ahead.
As I gather information, I am attending various cultural events. I have created several check lists that I will be sharing! I am following through on checking them out myself before I pass them on to my clients.
Every community around my home seems to have awesome places to keep up with the arts. We can learn so much by attending these events and by growing as people
Even if one doesn’t go into a larger city like Chicago, Milwaukee, or Rockford, the surrounding area has Woodstock Opera House, Centers for the Arts, and Musical options to attend. If one has money it is easy to see popular stars, as well. These things help us see opportunities, encourage us to read, and draw us into a world like none other. For those outside of Illinois, you know firsthand the opportunities to get out are in your local papers and available through the Chamber of Commerce.
Do you delete the things that are overwhelming? Do you deposit the things that are too hard to do, in the garbage? Perhaps you rush through other things and constantly postpone the harder things? Are you able to delegate tasks to others whether they are on site or virtual assistants? It is so important to recognize how you get things done.
Do you Delete the things that are just too cumbersome? Are you in a position to just DO the task at hand?
Where are you with your business, your health, your jobs, and/or your family? Do you want to change things? If so, do you know where to turn for help or the direction you need? It is right here!
Consistency
Now I am writing this for myself and everyone else out there reading. One of the most difficult things is being consistent. I was watching Rosy this morning. She stood and waited to eat her food and just looked at me. I went to the freezer, got out her fish oil capsule dipped it in peanut butter and she took it, waited for me to rub her ears, and went to eat. She knows the routine and will just stop and wait for me to “get with it”. She will not eat without that vitamin.
In the evening, she does the same thing. After she has gone outside for the final time, she waits for our evening to end. If I lag behind she will keep reminding me to go to bed. Oh yes, I have caught extra sleep thanks to Rosy!
I also have a patient, who tells me that his dog walks around the bed nudging him to get up. A great wake up call indeed. He doesn’t need an alarm clock with that support!
Now other things help us too. The radio or alarm clock, the phone reminders, the garbage men (who help me remember what day I am on), going to church each weekend, a luncheon meeting, or whatever. These things are a big help and give us the momentum to do well.
So why is it that our pets are so important? Kinda’ obvious in a lot of ways, but I think they show us how being consistent is really helpful. Being on tract in all things helps. We need to keep things that way for our children. It starts early on when a mom is in the grocery store. Children know how far they can push.
So why did I want to write this? Well I find that at the office I am pretty consistent, because I have systems in place that work. I am able to accomplish many things and flow from one thing to another. Systems teach us; they help us stay on track. They help us form good habits. Systems are formulas that work; a sequence of steps that get us to complete a task.
Like so many of us, I am watching what I eat. It is easy to fall into a sump or rather try to ignore the extra pounds that creep on. The scale isn’t the only gauge, their are medical tests, and/or feeling awful, but it does indicate a trend. With the holidays in place, I have made sure to put systems in place for myself. I found support to lose the pounds, better food choices in the refrigerat0r, and the use of a walking tracker!
Consistency is the key to so much of what we do to embrace a healthy lifestyle. We try to balance our family time, personal moments, prayer, exercise, and time with supportive friends. May your week be filled with all the above. “Delight in Living” and see the Mini Miracles flow!
The Old, The New …
Our family is excited about the Cubs and I am no different. There are “the old and the new” when it comes to FANS. Well, I guess I am the former, but I join the youth of today. All the fun that our sport clubs provide as entertainment for us is wonderful.
I can’t help but notice that we have a young team. A team that is not easily intimidated or frightened away by superstitions, past records, or competition. Congratulations and THANK GOODNESS for our youth. They bring us the vision of new and exciting things in way of learning. They are the teachers, the scientists, the motivation for the older among us to cheer on. I can’t imagine all the openings to careers and opportunities that are ahead for them.
I see so many people in my office who deal with anxiety. It doesn’t only apply to the more mature people, it also pertains to the youth too. We begin to store up fears and question our abilities to succeed. There are times we all do worry and it is usually when we start projecting into the future. Anxiety and fear can become great motivators to change. Right now I am really paying attention to my diet and my overall health. I want to be here for many more years and be healthy to enjoy the next generations.
What if such and such happens? What if my car breaks down? If the test comes back poorly what will I
do to fix things? How do we get the money for the repairs? What, how, when, and if are all dangerous for anxiety ridden people. We must stay in the PRESENT MOMENT. You and I both know that when something happens, the solution will also appear. It is the essence of having faith in the midst of trials.
I went grocery shopping earlier today and found this great Cubbie ball shaped character sitting on the table at the grocery store. I had to buy him as a souvenir. He just looks so joyful! I am hoping it will remind me to stay in the present moment and to enjoy the times that are wonderful.
May your day be filled with great joy and much health. Stay prayer filled and look for all the mini miracles around you. I am waiting for a few to drop on me. “Delight in Living”
Just Be Yourself
It is so hard to be ourselves. We tell one another “just be yourself!” But it seems to take a lifetime to know ourselves well. It is the advice we pass on to adults who are going for an interview or a student studying, but somehow it is hard to be genuine. We see others and try to duplicate them. It may be the joker in the classroom that everyone loves. It can be the little actress who gets all the teachers to pay attention. It can be the room mother who has it all together.
We are all fine just as we are!
A competitive spirit can be good or bad.
Is there an unwritten formula that makes us want to conform? Why is it we all strive to be like the successful people? We jump on the bandwagon for new products even though we have a cabinet of things that work well. Shampoo seems to jump into the hands of any teenager! Buy and try! We wear the color of the season to be with the “in-crowd.” We buy the latest gadgets, because they are supposedly better than what we are using.
Well I am not there! I don’t like to replace the things that work well for me. This theory has come to me over the last 10 years especially. If it works then don’t mess with success. Often the new products are not made, as well as, the older ones. They may look brighter and shinier, but the parts are not replaceable so the whole unit has to be disposed of rather than repairing it. I am thinking of appliances, fans, and on/off switches. In the past one just replaced the broken knob or switch.
I was recently forced to throw out a fan that was molded into a unit. It wasn’t able to be fixed or to be cleaned. So many of the older appliances have lasted forever. I have a toaster that is 48 years old and still excellent. Like so many of the newer gadgets not all parts are equal. The coffee pots that make single servings using pods are not universal. Not all pods fit and of course, the prices have risen on the pods.
So back to the “just be yourself” mentality. As people we are all gifted so uniquely. I worked with a man years ago, who was so easy going. He was an excellent worker, but always so adaptable to changes. He made everyone around him pleasant. Our attitudes are contagious and so if we can be less rushed and more peaceful it helps everyone around us. I think of him often when I feel rushed thinking of how he always had time for others.
So how does this photo tie into this? Well Rosy is an American Bulldog and we have always had Boxers. Even all these stuffed animals are Boxer look-alikes. Of course, Rosy doesn’t know it or she might be jealous of when the kids are playing with their stuffed animals. She does want to be number one when we have people over. She waits for her time to be petted and adored. Animals want to be appreciated and we are no different. She reminds me to embrace myself and others.
In the office, I try to adhere to a schedule, but I try to give people extra time whenever possible. I think it is because I hate to be rushed through offices like a cattle call myself. I also dislike waiting and feel aggravated when I make an appointment and have to wait 40 minutes in the waiting room. That is just who I am and I have learned to like myself for being on time and expecting others to do the same. It is about knowing our own likes and dislikes. I have learned sometimes waiting is just part of life, but I don’t have to like it.
Talents are part of each person. Some people are musicians, bankers, caretakers, artists, seamstresses, drivers, electricians, plumbers, or hold other talents. There is a sweet woman who has had many setbacks in her life that I see. She has learned to speak up for herself, but is aggressive because no one has directed her in the skills of diplomacy. She doesn’t know when it is appropriate to say something. That is a learned gift as well. Our dispositions can be tamed and we can make adjustments, but it has to come from within ourselves.
What are your gifts? Who are you? Are you comfortable with your way of thinking? How do you process life? Do you need confirmation from others? Are you a bull in a china shop? All of these questions are great to journal on today.
Enjoy today. Delight in Living and be grateful for you and those you love. See the mini miracles in the interactions around you. Today I was in line at Hobby Lobby for wrapping paper. A clerk saw I only had a few things and offered to check me out. That was so appreciated. A mini miracle that made my morning schedule work better. Praise God.
What Do Your Priorities Look Like?
Do you know someone who is excellent in their field? Early on they learned to prioritize and know where to give their energy permission to bloom. Priorities are taught or maybe caught from our parents. If they take good care of their health, chances are it will be important to you too. If they were religious, hopefully you shared their values. If they believed in family time, then you probably like to do the same thing. If education or training in a specific field was important to them, you most likely were encouraged to do the same.
Or maybe you were allowed to just do your own thing and didn’t have their mentoring. It may have come from a teacher, preacher, or professional. Either way, I bet you do have priorities to propel you forward.
I am still one of those people who work first and play last. Whether that is good or bad, it is my way of prioritizing. It makes me schedule and have a reward at the end of the projects at hand. I believe in following through with commitments or letting people know in advance of the changes I need to make. There are times when playing or going out are the priority
I just purchased new glasses and it spurred me on to take care of other priorities as well. The dog needed her nails trimmed, check book needed balancing, blogs needed writing, and the water fall needed to be closed for the year. These were just a few.
Priorities keep us focused on the most essential things to get done. They also give us a purpose. And isn’t it wonderful that we can do all of these things? I think so!
There are places in the world where people don’t own their own property. They aren’t fortunate to have money to put into a checkbook. Maybe they don’t even have the opportunity to have glasses, yet alone update them. Their priorities might be as essential as getting food for the day or find fresh water. We must be grateful for the chores we have and the opportunities to do them. We gain self esteem and a feeling of accomplishment by doing our best.
I think often of Mother Teresa of Calcutta who was so giving with her time and mercy to help the sick and dying. What a blessing she was to so many people! That was one BIG PRIORITY INDEED. It may be far from what you or I do, but we are gifted and called to do other things well. No gift is to go unused.
How about you? Are you good about following through with work? Do your beds get made? Are you cars maintained for safety? Are you family members encouraged to be responsible? Do you continue to learn? Do you find it fun to attend cultural arts in your community? Please feel free to share some of your priorities with me.
Enjoy all the Mini Miracles and priorities you are responsible for doing. “Delight in Living” everyday!
Yes the Cubs Won!
Well the time has finally arrived for the whole City of Chicago North Sider’s and Cubbie fans to cheer loudly. We are all in 7th Heaven after watching Wrigley Field explode with miles of smiles this past Saturday. Along with all the past generations we salute the stamina and perseverance of players, supporters, and Cub family as we go into the World Series 2016.
As a child in the Western suburbs of Chicago, my dad was a supporter of the Chicago Teams. He was always listening to the radio. You knew you were in the right house if you heard the games coming from the basement. In the summer, the garage radio was blasting the latest play-by-play as my dad did his chores in the yard.
I felt like I knew Jack Brickhouse personally. He could have been my uncle as I’d hear the famous “Hey, Hey” echo around the house. He was to have said “Any team can have a bad century.” Well Uncle Jack, I think that just ended! You have to be cheering wildly in the heavens with my dad, Tony’s mom, and all that generation who relentlessly stayed faithful. No doubt they were all celebrating together.
Our house was just one of those on the block that was playing the broadcasts. When I married my husband, I learned early on that my mother-in-law was also an enthusiast of sports. She did her ironing in front of the TV. She died at 94 and to the very end had a TV in her kitchen so she wouldn’t miss anything the Cubs were doing.
Yes we finally have that winning team.
Earlier today, (Sunday morning) I heard Jack Rosenberg on WGN. He was as joyful as could be to see his Cubs team win. At 92, who shared he wanted to see the Chicago Cubs and White Sox play off in the World Series before he dies. What a great vision of joy and anticipation that is for him to have. I hope that his wish comes true. Let’s all join in that vision!
I attended the Home Run game with Ron Santo back on August 19th, 1969. It was the only game I ever went to, but I can still feel the excitement and pride in seeing our team win. It was my birthday, a hot day in the city, and a really nice birthday present. I have a picture of me, sun burnt, but happy. I bet Ron Santo’s spirit was in that field this past Saturday along with others who played so intently on that land.
So “Delight in Living” this week as we continue to win. Let your hearts and good attitudes carry this team to the end. Let’s see some more Mini Miracles explode. Peace, smiles, and good health!