1000 East 14th St., San Leandro, CA 94577 510.636.0660 License# 015600341 www.carltonseniorliving.com

Theme of the Month:

In the month of November we will explore gratitude. Residents will beencouraged to share the many things they are grateful for and participate inactivities centered around thankfulness. For theme related programs see theactivities highlighted in blue on our monthly calendar. Join us incelebrating…

November 2017

Gratitude1000 East 14th St., San Leandro, CA 94577 510.636.0660 License# 015600341 www.carltonseniorliving.com

The Carlton TimesLove Honor Provide

Gratitudebrings warmth

to the giverand the

receiver alike

1000 East 14th St., San Leandro, CA 94577 510.636.0660 License# 015600341 www.carltonseniorliving.com

Theme of the Month:

In the month of January we will explore inventors and their incredibleinventions that have changed the world. Residents will be encouraged toshare their personal experiences of inventing things and participate inactivities centered around famous inventors and inventions. For themerelated programs see the activities highlighted in blue on our monthlycalendar. Join us in celebrating…

January 2017

Inventors & Their Inventions

The Carlton TimesLove Honor Provide

1000 East 14th St., San Leandro, CA 94577 510.636.0660 License# 015600341 www.carltonseniorliving.com

Memory CornerHeredity and Alzheimer’s: A Discussion

By Ava M. Stinnett

Today, 1 in 10 people aged 65 and older has Alzheimer’s dementia—a progressivedisease that affects a person’s memory, thinking, and movement. There are approximately47 million people worldwide with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, and the number of peopleliving with Alzheimer’s is growing. With the disease affecting more families—physically,emotionally, and financially—it’s natural to wonder if Alzheimer’s is hereditary.

Alzheimer’s is not typically hereditary, meaning that the majority of cases are not caused bythe genes received from one’s parents. There are, however, two types of genes that can playa role in affecting whether a person develops a disease: risk genes and deterministic genes.Risk genes increase the likelihood of developing a disease but do not guarantee it willhappen. Deterministic genes directly cause a disease, guaranteeing that anyone who inheritsthem will develop the disorder. When Alzheimer’s disease is caused by deterministicvariations, it is called “familial Alzheimer’s disease,” with many family members in multiplegenerations being affected. True familial Alzheimer’s disease accounts for less than onepercent of cases worldwide. (Alzheimer Europe, 2014)

It’s important to keep in mind that Alzheimer’s is common in the elderly, so it is not unusualfor two or more family members to have it. In fact, according to the Alzheimer’sAssociation, “The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s is advancing age. Mostindividuals with the disease are age 65 or older. The likelihood of developing Alzheimer’sdoubles about every five years after age 65. After age 85, the risk reaches nearly 50percent.” (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017)

While we can’t change our family history or age, we may be able to influence other riskfactors through lifestyle and management of other health conditions. These factors includehead trauma and heart and vascular conditions.

Head trauma. Researchers believe that a person who has had a serious head injury, suchas from a motor vehicle or sports accident, may be at greater risk of developingAlzheimer’s disease, especially when trauma occurs repeatedly or involves loss ofconsciousness. Using seat belts and wearing a helmet when participating in sports likefootball, ice hockey, baseball, or boxing are important preventive measures.

Heart and vascular conditions. Growing evidence, including studies from donated braintissue, links brain health to heart health. Heart and vascular conditions—from high bloodpressure, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol—may increase the chancesof developing Alzheimer’s disease. These studies suggest that plaques and tangles aremore likely to cause Alzheimer’s symptoms if strokes or damage to the brain’s bloodvessels are also present. Working with your doctor to monitor your heart health and treatany problems that arise is crucial to maintaining good heart health.

Other lines of evidence suggest that strategies for overall healthy aging, includingmaintaining an ideal weight, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, staying socially connected,and exercising your body and mind, may help keep your brain as well as your body fit.SourcesAlzheimer Europe. (2014, November 14). Is Alzheimer’s disease hereditary? Retrieved from http://www.alzheimer-europe.org/Dementia/Alzheimer-s-disease/Is-Alzheimer-s-disease-hereditaryNational Institute on Aging. (2017, May 16). What happens to the brain in Alzheimer’s disease? Retrieved fromhttps://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-happens-brain-alzheimers-diseaseThe Alzheimer’s Association. (2017). Alzheimer’s disease: Risk factors. Retrieved from http://m.alz.org/causes-and-risk-factors.asp

Residents

EmployeesGloria Rehberg 01/01

Geraldine Moguel 01/03

Lourdes Bustamante 01/06

Ajay Sharma 01/11

Roz Davis 01/17

Maeliza Limasing 01/20

Jayden Bettencourt 01/21

Juana Estrada-Ceja 01/21

Jasmine Muthana 01/21

Paz Estrada 01/23

Deysi Jovel 01/23

Anthony Stripling 01/24

Estrellita Pimental 01/26

Michelle Dominguez 01/27

Ana Lauti 01/28

Venus Cantoria 01/30

Flora Hunter 01/01

Fran DeGaetano 01/02

Marjorie Cook 01/03

Otto Rouge 01/03

Mary Schwab 01/05

Mildred Guintoli 01/07

Lucille Tse 01/12

Katherine Carty 01/17

Sophia Holton 01/17

Kenneth Moresi 01/17

Violet Kunich 01/19

Carolyn Mahoney 01/21

Mary K Adams 01/24

Sadie Todd 01/26

Lila Schmulowitz 01/28

Vernon Nishi 01/31

Resident Spotlight

Staff Spotlight

Natasha JohnsonNatasha is an excellent addition to the

Carlton Family! She always has A smile

on her face. Natasha loves to help our

residents. She is a loving Mother and is

an amazing employee.

My name is Gladys Sims. I was born onOctober 11th 1927 in Louisiana. I was marriedto Edward Sims, who was in the military, wemoved from Louisiana to California, after myhusband served in the military he became along shore man. I attended Merritt College, andreceived my masters in business and earlychildhood education. I also received my realestate licence in California. My occupation wasas a teacher. I love to eat! I am a member ofthe eastern star. I am a very friendly person andI love to be social.

Gladys Sims

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Walking Club12:30 Advice Hour: Advice to an Inventor1:00 Ice cream social1:30 Birthday Party (AL LR)2:00 Sing Fit3:00 Poetry Reading5:30 Fluff and Fold/ Tactile Sensory6:00 Evening Movie

9:00 Morning News10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Ball Fitness12:30 Math Trivia1:00 Afternoon Social and Music1:30 Entertainment Tony Braganza ( AL LR)2:00 Story Telling Time3:00 Brain Fitness3:30 Build A Car Craft5:30 Puzzling and Wood Works6:00 Evening Movie

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Conductorcise (AL LR)10:30 Reading Session12:30 Math Trivia1:00 Gratitude Craft Class2:00 Social With Matinee3:30 Brain Fitness5:30 Sing Along6:00 Evening Movie

Sunday, November 5, 2017

9:00 Morning News10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Nail Painting/ Tactile Sensory12:30 Ball Toss Brain Trivia1:30 Math Trivia A Look at some Great Mathematicians2:00 Afternoon Social with Baked Goods3:30 Time Slip5:30 Fluff and Fold/ Tactile Sensory6:00 Evening Movie

Sunday, January 7, 2018

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretches10:30 Walking Club12:45 Variety Hour1:00 Discussion of Inventions Specifically in America2:00 Bingo3:00 Poetry Reading3:30 Ball Toss5:30 Sing Along6:00 Evening Movie

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show9:45 Live 2 B Healthy10:30 Prayer Service With Sister Rosalia12:30 Greatest Inventions During Greatest GenerationsDiscussion1:00 Sing Fit2:00 Social with Cookies2:30 Ball Toss3:15 Drum Circle5:30 Variety hour Fluff And Fold6:00 Evening Movie

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Chair Aerobics With Carmen12:30 Sing Fit1:30 Root Beer Float Social2:30 Bingo2:45 Scenic Drive3:30 Discussion: Of What Should be the next Invention5:30 Wood Works/ Tactile Sensory6:00 Evening Movie

Thursday, January 4, 2018

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Conductorcise (AL LR)10:30 Reading Session12:30 New Year New You Party Social1:00 Matenee Social: Beauty and the BeastMovie of Inventors3:30 Brain Fitness5:30 Sing Along6:00 Evening movie

Saturday, January 6, 2018

CARLTON RECIPE BOOK

Does your loved one have afavorite family recipe that youwould like to be featured in ourCarlton recipe book?

Please Submit to Kushir or Eliana

Monday, January 1, 2018 Friday, January 5, 2018

Happy BirthdayMarge Cook and

Otto Rouge!

Monday, January 8, 2018 Friday, January 12, 20189:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Walking Club12:30 Conversation Box: Inventions Thru the Years1:00 Art Circle2:00 Ice Cream Sunday Social2:30 Sing Fit3:30 Ball Toss5:30 Entertainment with Alligator6:00 Evening Movie

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Ball Fitness12:30 Math Trivia1:00 Art Circle2:00 Afternoon Music Social With Staff2:30 Art Class with Bridgette3:30 Advice Hour: how to Become an Inventor

5:30 Fluff and Fold5:30 Variety Hour/ Puzzling6:00 Evening Movie

Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Saturday, January 13, 20189:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Nail Painting/ Tactile Sensory12:30 Ball Toss Brain Trivia1:30 Discussion: of History of Objects Invented1:30 Entertainment With Claudio Maderas (ALLR)2:00 Afternoon Music Social With Staff3:30 Bingo5:30 Variety Hour6:00 Evening Movie

Wednesday, January 10, 2018 Sunday, January 14, 20189:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Advice Hour10:30 Chair Aerobics With Carmen12:30 Spelling Bee1:00 Chef Class: Apple Cookies Make it your Own Creation2:45 Scenic Drive2:45 Drum Circle3:15 Bingo5:30 Sing Along6:00 Evening Movie

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Conductorcise (AL LR)10:30 Reading Session with staff12:30 Math Trivia1:00 Chef Class - Rice Crispy Treats Make it your OwnCreation2:00 Sing Fit3:30 Brain Fitness5:30 Sing Along6:00 Evening Movie

Thursday, January 11, 2018

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Abby on the Piano12:30 Time Slip1:30 Root Beer Floats with AL Friends2:00 Sing Fit3:00 Create your Own Frame5:30 sensory activity6:00 Evening Movie

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show9:45 Live 2 B Healthy10:30 Prayer Service With Sister Rosalia12:45 Variety Hour1:00 Sing Fit2:00 Afternoon Social Matenee: Around the World in80 Days3:30 Brain Fitness5:30 Fluff and Fold/ Wood Works6:00 Evening Movie

Bold Black = Instructor or Entertainer

Bold Blue = Theme of the Month Activities

AL LR = Living Room

AL CY = Assisted Living Courtyard

AL PE = Assisted Living Personal Expressions Room

LOCATION KEY

Monday, January 15 , 2018 Friday, January 19, 20189:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Walking Club12:30 Advice Hour1:00 Martin Luther King Discussion2:00 Hot Coco Social2:30 Brain Fitness3:00 Sing Fit5:30 Entertainment with Ken Sosa6:00 Evening Movie

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Ball Fitness12:30 Math Trivia1:00 Afternoon Social and Music2:00 A look at Architectural Buildings3:00 Brain Fitness3:30 Advice Hour5:30 Variety Hour6:00 Evening Movie

Tuesday, January 16, 2018 Saturday, January 20 , 20189:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Walking Club12:30 Variety Club1:30 Popsicle Stick Planes and Crafts2:00 Music Social with Popcorn and Soda Pop3:00 Brain Trivia3:30 Advice Hour6:00 Evening Movie

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Nail Painting/ Tactile Sensory12:30 Ball Toss Brain Trivia1:30 Afternoon Social with Staff1:30 House Warming With Darlyn Jazz Trio (AL LR)2:00 Build a Train Craft3:30 Variety Hour5:30 Bingo6:00 Evening Movie

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 Sunday, January 21, 20189:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Advice Hour10:30 Chair Aerobics With Carmen12:30 Spelling Bee1:00 Afternoon Social2:45 Scenic Drive2:45 Sing Along3:30 A Virtual look at agricultural Machines5:30 Bingo6:00 Evening Movie

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Reading Session12:30 Math Trivia1:00 Afternoon Social1:30 Entertainment: The Doug Arrington Duo2:00 Discuss History of Objects2:30 Sing Fit3:30 Brain Fitness5:30 Sing Along6:00 Evening Movie

Thursday, January 18, 2018 HEAL.COM9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show9:45 Live 2 B Healthy10:30 Prayer Service With Sister Rosalia12:45 Variety Hour1:30 Virtual Exploratorium In SF2:00 Afternoon Social with Fresh Fruit3:00 Sing Fit5:30 Tactile sensory / Fluff and Fold6:00 Evening Movie

Heal is a new way for you to connect with alicensed physician, internist or family doctorthat is available to come to our communitywithout you having to leave the comfort of yourown home. Avoid the drive to the doctors andskip the waiting room!

Please see Kushir for more information!Or visit www.heal.com.

Happy BirthdayViolet Kunich !

Happy BirthdayKathy Carty !

Happy BirthdayCarolyn Mahoney!

Monday, January 22, 2018 Friday, January 26, 20189:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Walking Club12:30 Advice Hour1:00 Art Class - Light Bulb Aquarium2:00 Ice Cream, Cookie Social2:30 Brain Fitness3:00 Sing Fit5:30 Fluff and Fold / Wood Works6:30 Evening Movie

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Ball Fitness12:30 Math Trivia1:00 Bingo2:30 Art Class with Bridgett3:30 Brain Fitness Inventors and their InventionsDiscussion5:30 Variety Hour6:00 Evening Movie

Tuesday, January 23, 2018 Saturday, January 27, 20189:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Walking Club12:30 Variety Club1:30 Chef Class - Pencil Cookies Your Own Creation2:00 Sing Fit3:45 Time Slip5:30 Fluff and Fold / Tactile Sensory6:00 Evening Movie

9:00 Morning News10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Nail Painting/ Tactile Sensory12:30 Ball Toss Brain Trivia1:30 Math Trivia1:30 Entertainment with Yakov (AL LR)2:00 Afternoon social with Staff2:30 Entertainment with Todd Haemmerlye3:30 Brain Fitness A look At Amazing Inventors5:30 Wood Works6:00 Evening Movie

Wednesday, January 24, 20189:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Advice Hour10:30 Chair Aerobics With Carmen12:30 Spelling Bee Inventors Names1:00 Sing Fit2:45 Scenic Drive2:45 Sing Along3:30 Drum Circle5:30 Bingo6:00 Evening Movie

Thursday, November , 209:00 Kelly and Ryan Show9:45 Live 2 B Healthy10:30 Prayer Service With Sister Rosalia12:45 Variety Hour1:30 Nutrition Class - Discussion of Healthy Meals2:30 Art class Duck Tape Craft3:30 Brain fitness5:30 Fluff and Fold/ Wood Works6:00 Evening Movie

Sunday, January 28, 20189:00 Morning News10:00 Morning Stretches10:30 Walking Club12:30 Hot Air Balloon Craft1:30 Afternoon Social with Staff2:30 Sing Fit3:30 Poetry Reading

5:30 Tactile Sensory6:00 Evening Movie

Thursday, October 30, 20179:00 Kelly and Ryan Show9:45 Live 2 B Healthy10:30 Prayer Service With Sister Rosalia12:45 Variety HourNutrition Class - Discuss Fruits and Veggies2:30 Brain Fitness3:00 Back to School Social With Fruits and Veggies

3:30 Time Slip5:30 Bingo6:00 Evening Movie

Thursday, January 25, 2018 Carlton Senior Living Beauty Salon

Don’t forget to take advantage of all of their

Call the front desk and ask for the Beauty Salonto book your appointment

Open on WEDNESDAYS. THURSDAYS &

The “Best of the Best” awards honor associateswho have gone above and beyond to provide

particularly high quality, memorable experiencesfor residents and their families, and who

exemplify the Carlton Commitments:

See the Front Desk to nominate today!

Monday, January 29 , 2018

Tuesday, January 30 , 20189:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Walking Club12:30 Variety Club1:30 Create your own hand Fan2:00 Music Trivia2:30 Sing Fit3:45 Time Slip5:30 Bingo6:00 Evening Movie

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Morning Stretch10:30 Walking Club12:30 Advice Hour1:00 Ice Cream, Cookie Social1:30 Art Class: Music instruments out of a Bottle2:30 Brain Fitness3:00 Sing Fit5:30 Sing Along / Fluff and Fold6:00 Evening Movie

Wednesday, January 31, 20189:00 Kelly and Ryan Show10:00 Advice Hour10:30 Chair Aerobics With Carmen12:30 Matinee Social Flubber a Story of an Inventor 2:00 Bingo2:45 Scenic Drive3:00 Sing Fit5:30 Sing Along6:00 Evening Movie

9:00 Kelly and Ryan Show9:45 Live 2 B Healthy10:30 Prayer Service With Sister Rosalia12:45 Variety Hour1:00 Sing Fit1:30 Birthday with Tom and Jeff

3:30 Entertainment With Steven Barkhurst5:30 Fluff and Fold6:00 Evening Movie

Thursday , November 30, 2017Doctor Shuttle Scheduling

Tuesdays: San Leandro; Hayward;

San Lorenzo; Castro Valley and Union City.

Thursdays: San Leandro; Oakland; Alameda

Wednesdays: LAB ONLY - San Leandro

Lab time must be between 9 :15 am and 10 am

2nd & 4th Monday - Berkeley area after 12:00

We are grateful for ourResidents!

Jocelynn AhnstromDirector of

Resident Services

Gary SinghPlant Operations

Manager

Sheila RodriguezRetirementCounselor

Gloria RehbergPersonal Care

Manager

Stephanie RamosLVN

Raj GounderChef

Nancy RandhawaExecutive Director

Jayden BettencourtPersonal Expressions

Manager

Geraldine MoguelLVN

Daisy MonteonAssociate Director

Amber BennettRetirementCounselor

Lorena GarciaResident

Kushir KuarMemory Care

Manager

Jesa BelenMedication Manager

What is the Quarterly Creation Contest?Our Memory Care residents spend three months creating a unique interpretation of a famous piece

of art. Each community then submits their creation and one is honored for its creativity and uniqueness.During the third quarter of 2017 the piece of art selected was Crack the Whip by Winslow Homer.

For the first time we had two communities with such incredible projects that we are honoring themboth. Join us in congratulating San Jose and Downtown Pleasant Hill on their creative interpretations!

The residents stuffed children’s clothingwith newspaper and balloons. Then theycreated a kite and staged the scene in the

community courtyard.

The residents painted a background and woodhouse, cut out newspaper children, dyed anold book, and assembled a shadowbox in

honor of the painting.

Downtown San Jose

What is the Quarterly Creation Contest?Our Memory Care residents spend three months creating a unique interpretation of a famous piece

of art. Each community then submits their creation and one is honored for its creativity and uniqueness.This quarter the painting chosen was The First Snow by Pablo Picasso.

The residents at San Jose felt the painting looked like a snow globe. So the staff assisted them inmaking a life size snow globe in their courtyard. They did this by painting a frame, Saran

wrapping it, decorating a tree and sleigh, wrapping the base, making snow, and setting up theglobe.

Join us in congratulating San Jose on theircreative interpretation!The First Snow by Pablo Picasso.

Bec

ause

You

Can

By RubyMcDonald

When my daughter, Shannon, moved to this area from Bend, Oregon I watched as movers unloadedall of her belongings from the large moving van into the house. I became fascinated with one of themovers as I watched him work. It was obvious he wasn’t a kid, but he was lean and muscular andworked harder than the eighteen-year-old mover. Curious, I asked the man who was checking off theitems if he knew the man’s age. He shook his head and then shouted over to him, “Hey, Jim, howold are ya’?”

“Eighty-two,” Jim replied as he kept working. Intrigued, my other daughter, Deb asked, “Why areyou doing this kind of hard work?” “Because I can,” Jim replied with pride, “keeps me moving andhealthy.” He kept walking towards the van as he talked with us.

I knew a lovely lady who was in her late 90’s who also lived by that philosophy. She was still turningout beautiful raku pottery and living in a upstairs condo as an independent woman well into her90’s. When asked why she was still working and keeping so busy, her response was always, “becauseI can!”

Perhaps you remember Grandma Moses who got a late start as an artist when she began painting inher 70’s. In 1938, an art collector discovered her work. Completely self-taught, Moses soon becamefamous for her images of country life. If asked why she began her painting career so late in life Ithink she might have responded, “because I can.” Moses passed away in 1961 at the age of 101leaving behind an amazing collection of 1,500 paintings.

On the dark side of aging, I once knew a perfectly healthy, strong woman who, at the age of 55,proclaimed herself “old” and took to her rocking chair. She rocked away each year of her life only tobecome a grouchy, lonely old woman who lived to be 101, and who no one wanted to be around. Iam thankful that I knew this woman – for she has been my inspiration to remain youthful in myattitudes and lifestyle and to remember that age is only a number which tells us how long we havehad the privilege of living and hopefully serving in some useful way.

Of course, the opposite of “because I can,” is that old worn out phrase on which we frequently lean:“I can’t.” How often do we use that phrase as an excuse to grow older and complacent instead ofexerting just a little more energy to do something different, new, or a bit more difficult --- Becauseyou can!?

Here are some things to try this week: Get moving – how about trying that great exercise classeveryone is talking about? When was the last time you made the effort to talk to someone you didn’tknow and made a new friend? How about helping a new resident to integrate into your community?Have you been outside lately to enjoy nature? Or tried a new craft? Looking over the monthlynewsletter you’ll find enough activities to keep a person in the I can” attitude for a lifetime.

Tonight, before you retire for the evening, I challenge you to think of the things you have been tellingyourself that you can’t do. Now take a piece of paper and write down at least one new thing you willdo to improve your “I can” attitude. Now place the note where you will see it first thing in themorning.

Bec

ause

You

Can

By RubyMcDonald

Most of our lives fall into a routine day after day that many call being in a “rut.” This is typicallynot conducive to living moments that take our breath away so, today the question is, “How domeasure life at the beginning of this new year?” How many times last year did something takeyour breath away? Or were you so busy counting your breaths that you didn’t see, hear, or feel thosespecial moments?

Once when I was flying over Baja California on my way to Puerto Vallarta I found myself in a stateof deep contemplation. The flight is over a very rugged range of mountains that reveal so much aboutlife in general when you study them. Much of it is arid, brown, jagged peaks which only a mountaingoat might attempt to climb. Between the peaks, a few of the lower valleys sweeping downward,appear to be as silky as a white sand beach as it swoops down into the sea. There the ocean can receiveit with turbulent seas or soothing surfs. There you’ll see an assortment of geographical changes asyou fly across the Sea of Cortez towards the mainland of Mexico and more mountains appear below,this time the Sierra Madres which also surround the Banderas Bay before they move southward.These mountains are a mixture of lush green jungle and dry, arid lands – repeating the pattern andreinforcing for all to see and acknowledge, that this is indeed, the way of life.

Yes, it is the way of our lives, as well. For a while we may have a calm surf and walk serenely onvelvety white beaches and revel in the fact that life is good. Then suddenly, turbulent tides roll inand we say that life is not so good. Changes come abruptly without warning often. Life is full ofchanges not only for the mountains but for us. Sometimes the changes come in such abundance whenwe are growing older that they are difficult to handle. Those are the rugged peaks that even oursure-footed hoofed friends cannot easily climb. It is not easy to handle the rough terrains in our livessuch as losses or seeing loved ones become ill. Or becoming ill ourselves so that we can no longer livealone or do all the things we used to do and enjoy (and perhaps took too much for granted). Or havingto move from the home we’ve loved and stored all our memories in, another difficult peak. Most ofthe time we think we are the only ones who feel the way we do when, in reality, most people goingthrough those changes are struggling silently also. That’s why it is important to be honest aboutyour feelings, accept them as soon as you can, talk to others about them, and then move on to theplace where you can again measure life by the moments that take away your breath. Next your musttry your very best to live every day in an attitude of gratitude, even if it is just one tiny thing tobegin with. As you practice the art of gratitude each day it will become easier and your list of reasonsto be grateful will grow. Some find fulfillment in keeping a gratitude journal in which they recordat least five reasons to be grateful each night before retiring to bed. This can be especially helpfulwhen you are having a difficult day as you can reflect on all of the many reasons you have to begrateful, some you may have even forgot about over time.

I’ll conclude with a short story about Tom’s Aunt Anne whose life was full of breathless moments.She used to say that she was so old that she never bought green bananas anymore – however, she wasalways the first to leap into any opportunity to experience a new adventure with great enthusiasmand with an abundance of gratitude.

One might argue that age has nothing to do with true contentment, but that attitude does. Thisyear, I dare you to part ways with some of your old attitudes and adopt the more challenging onesso that you can start this year on the highest peak of gratitude.