Car accidents, unfortunately, are a common occurrence. From fender benders to large collisions and pedestrian accidents, it can happen to anyone, anytime. Are you aware of the right steps to take after an accident? The following from the Insurance Bureau of Canada gives you step by step tips, and even a checklist to keep in your car just in case.
“It took cancer to realize that being self-centered is not the way to live. The answer is to try and help others.” Terry Fox
I was 5 when Terry Fox began his epic journey across Canada. I remember watching this on a television with bunny ears and no remote. He would run in the rain, fog, and cold, with his prosthetic limb and very distinguishable gait. Even in a world without the internet, Facebook, email and Twitter, news of his journey spread and touched millions of Canadians. Unfortunately, Terry died before he could complete his journey, at the way-too-young age of 22.
What I find so incredible about Terry’s story, however, is that it didn’t die with him. Even 33 years later Canada remains committed to continuing his legacy through education about Terry, his disease and his mission, and by continuing to promote and encourage others to run as Terry did, and to donate. My children will again participate in the Terry Fox Run this September, as I did in school before them.
According to the Terry Fox Foundation, to date they have raised over $600M for cancer research. But above the massive amounts of money raised, and the heroic action of being one man, all alone, dedicated to
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raising funds and awareness for an important cause, Terry set an example. He became a poster-boy for overcoming challenges and to have hope. He paved the way for others (Rick Hansen included) to do epic things to raise awareness, and money, to fight for important causes. He demonstrated, as his quote indicates, that being self-centered does not progress a Nation, nor does it raise a generation of loving youth committed to the greater good. The answer is to help others. In some way, or some form, to give back and make your existence matter. This can be as simple as a kind word or friendly gesture, or as significant as donating time, money or careers to worthy causes. We have a lot to learn from Terry Fox – still – even if he is only here in spirit to teach us.
I’m light as a feather, yet the strongest man can’t hold me for much more than a minute. What am I?
Breath.
Nuts have long been hailed as beneficial to your health. Despite the recent rise in nut allergies and stricter regulations in schools and public places, there are many who are able to continue to consume nuts at home and in the work place. The following article by The Daily Meal discusses the best nuts for your health and the benefits you can reap from indulging in these tasty snacks!
A few years ago I volunteered at Hamilton’s Chronic Pain program by assisting with the after-program book study. This involved a group of program graduates getting together weekly to read and discuss the book A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. I was amazed at the transformations in attitude, beliefs and thoughts that came from people reading and discussing this very impactful novel. In fact, some of the benefits we witnessed, and the things people discussed were revolutionary, and I would even argue evolutionary.
Recently I picked up this book again. Despite some heavy content, some of the examples are life-changing and the messaging vital. In one section of the book, Eckhart talks about the need to “evolve or die”. How true. In fact, this is always our choice when faced with any change, uncertainty, or interruption in how we manage. People seem to so strongly fight change, but change is both constant and inevitable. Why resist?
I have witnessed hundreds of people in my career that were faced with this same challenge – evolve or die. The ones that were able to overcome adversity, who could find, cherish and expand on ability, who were open to suggestions, coaching and change, faired far better than those that resisted, clung to the past, and refused to adapt. I remember one client, many years after her accident, talking to me about her chronic pain, depression, and physical appearance. She said “I used to be a gymnast”. My response was, “So was I – 30 years ago”. She laughed. Identifying that she continued to live in the very distant past helped me (and her) to understand where she was getting stuck, and explained why she was not progressing in the rehabilitation process. Once she could accept her new “normal”, she started to make significant progress in resuming things she used to enjoy, while also finding new meaningful and productive activities she never imagined trying.
Here is an example that relates strongly to my role as an OT who works with people who are suddenly and significantly injured in an auto accident (page 57): “whenever tragic loss occurs, you either resist or you yield. Some people become bitter or deeply resentful; others become compassionate, wise and loving. Yielding means inner acceptance of what is. You are open to life. Resistance is an inner contraction, a hardening of the shell of the ego. You are closed. Whatever action you take in a state of inner resistance (which we could also call negativity) will create more outer resistance, and the universe will not be on your side; life will not be helpful. If the shutters are closed, the sunlight cannot come in”.
So, given the choice between evolve or die, let’s not only choose “evolve”, but let’s also make an effort to live that way. Evolution is difficult – it requires an open mind, hard work, and a positive and accepting attitude. It often needs people to accept new opinions, ideas and even help. This is not our nature, but if we can wrap our head around the fact that we are “evolving”, it makes challenges seem surmountable. It can let the light in.
Author Toni Bernhard had the life she always wanted with a good career and family life, until 12 years ago she was struck with illness and had to give up a great deal. Toni learned to adapt to her new lifestyle, however, finds herself from time to time suffering from what she calls “The Good Old Days Syndrome” which often brings on sadness and depression. Good Old Days syndrome can strike when reminiscing of the past or feeling nostalgic. Bernhard states that “romanticizing the past can make us feel bad about the present.” Although it is good to take trips down memory lane from time to time, it is good to remember that you live in the present, not the past or future, and it is so important to make the most of each day we have.
Cinderella (the band, not the princess) is right…”you don’t know what you got til’ it’s gone”. Perhaps you have to work in health care, or experience ill health, or watch a friend or family member go through a medical problem to appreciate how important wellness is.
Several months ago I attended a seminar. Towards the end we were asked to rate our five most important values from a list of 35 words. Most people rated things like “success, honesty, trust, happiness, family, integrity”. These are all things I also value, but what amazed me was that I was the only one in the seminar to put “health” on my list. What? These people don’t value their health? Not really, it is just that when you are well, the concept of “health” is off your radar.
Now there is a difference between valuing your health on paper and actually living that way. I know, despite having a health problem that can at times level me for days, I still take my health for granted. Just like I take it for granted that my car will start each morning, hydro will stay on, water will be clean, and that my community is a safe place for my family. Perhaps knowing what you take for granted is the first step to not.
But the question remains, if you value health, then do you live that way? Or, if wellness is not on your radar, should it be? The secrets of wellness are well known. Exercise your mind and body by engaging in daily physical and cognitive challenges. Consider meditation. Analyse your diet and pick out the weaknesses so you can slowly improve your eating to reduce your risks. Look at your stress. What causes this? Can you safely sustain the demands you are facing? What are your coping mechanisms? There is now so much information available online and in the media about health, and while this can be good (depending on how much time you have to sort through it), it is also overwhelming. But I truly believe that we all know when we are making bad health decisions. We don’t need the internet, magazines or television to tell us what we intuitively know we are doing wrong.
I am going to assume that everyone values “health” but I know not everyone lives that way. Maybe it is time that we all visualize a life without our health to appreciate this and to make positive behavioral changes. After all, integrity, honesty, success, family and happiness are difficult to value, if one is too ill to enjoy them.
Mom and Dad have four daughters, and each daughter has one brother. How many people are in the family?
7.
It has been well discussed over time that men and women are different. The classic “Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars” approach has pointed out the many differences between men and women, boys and girls alike. However, the following article from psychology today points out the many similarities or “overlaps” of men and women and suggests that focusing on the similarities, and not just the differences, can help to overcome the behavioral differences we often observe.
There is a great debate among parents, educators and the general public on the validity of homework and whether or not it is too much for our young children. Many feel that school work should only be done at school and we should let kids just be kids once the school day finishes. Whichever side of the fence you sit on, depending on the school board, individual school or teacher, homework may be a part of your child’s life … and yours. It is natural and good for parents to be part of their children’s education and helping with homework is a great way to be involved. However, parents need to know when to step in and help and when it’s time to step back and let your child complete the work on his or her own. Homework is a great way to foster independence and self esteem, if you handle homework time right. The following article from Today’s Parent gives great tips on when and how to help your children succeed without becoming overly involved.