Communications - The Art of Conversation

March Light 2015

What does it take to be an effective communicator?  I've been seeking the answer to this question since early in the 1980's some 35 years and counting.

I believe good communications begins with me.  If I can't understand where I'm coming from or what I want or need; how will I ever be able to express these concepts to others?

First, I need to appreciate my value and worth.  Only after finding this am I able to see what it is I seek from others.  

Conversation is about sharing thoughts and ideas with oneself and others.  We all must be aware of self and others to make this work.  For that moment in time we must stop and listen in order to be understood.  I feel listening to oneself is key to being able to really listen to others.

Once I became self aware of my needs and wants I found I valued what others had to say much more.  I found the capacity to hear and reflectively listen to what was being said to me. 

It is truly amazing to hear the joy in the voice of another when they feel heard.  Such a simple thing to restate what they said but when you do it well there's a feeling of accomplishment beyond what you could have achieved alone.  

Great conversations builds on what each participant has to say.  To do this you have to first take the time to truly understand not only yourself but also the others engaging with you.  

When I smile and truly feel like smiling, many people want to say, "Hi."  Sometimes they will even stop to exchange a few words.  The more positive I am the longer the conversation.  

How do I smile when there's so much to do, so many issues to resolve?  I remember why I'm doing what I do.  I remember that for me my purpose is to create computer systems that support successful patient care outcomes.  I work within teams of technology and clinical experts to find solutions.  Many times those answers are complex but when I take the time to understand all parties involved and restate what I think I heard I find clarity and appreciation.  

No matter what we all have to appreciate one another for there to be true communication and understanding.  If I only think of what I need and want I'll never truly hear what others are asking.  There has to be a balance and a give and take that can only come from a place of true belief in self and others.    

Celebration Journal

Originally posted on Optimistic Kid: “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Have an amazing day!

1. Mentoring program initiated
2. Engaged on 2 projects for patient monitoring
3. Sharing ideas with others about vacation spots
4. Finding ways to use my MN State Park sticker many places to explore based on google maps.
5. Trip to Whitewater State Park in MN would be great for the summer - lovely spot reminds me of MD or visa versa.

Gratitude Journal Celebrating Life 2-14-15

Gratitude Journal Celebrating the Moments Along the Way

I've recently learned to be thankful for what I'm able to eat instead of resenting I can't eat those flavors and textures from my childhood.  Just as it's important to break bad behaviors that we learned from growing up we also must learn what food works for our bodies to be strong and healthy. 

I'm also learning to be happy with what I have by making the most of the job and home responsibilities I have right now.  Dreams and goals are ok but we must put everything we have into the pursuits we need to be working on day to day to meet objectives at hand.

There's all kinds of ways to be fulfilled but I'll never achieve happiness that's true until I find the happiness in this moment in time.  I've found being fully engaged in the here and now gets results.  Not always overnight or immediate but when I persevere I find closure eventually.  Being open to the possibilities by really listening makes all the difference.

Many have judged me harshly and that won't stop.  As long as people come to their own conclusions rather than asking for the why will always come up short of the truth.  My main goal is to make the most of each moment - know the truth of what I'm about and keep on striving to be the best I can be.

Not all will understand but what matters is I'm working toward a healthier lifestyle that encompasses knowing what's most important for me to do each day.  Part of this journey will be tracking the blessings that come into my life.  I know that no matter what each day there are things, events and people around me to be thankful for and I vow to track them.

I'll be keeping my focus on what is going right in my life.  In doing this I'll find ways to overcome obstacles to complete happiness.  

Peace,

Sincerely,

Missy.

Credits for inspiring these ideas go to:

Charles Reinert ND, PhD
Helping to Heal Natural Therapies Clinic
192 3rd Street, Tracy MN
Helping to Heal, Inc., Naturopath, Tracy, MN

Suggested reading (available at most libraries):
"The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-free Living (2013)" by Dr. Amit Sood, of the Mayo Clinic Staff.  - I'm on the waiting list at  Hennepin County Library in Minneapolis MN.

Blog Entry February 7th 2015

Hi All,
Here's hoping all is going well with those that are reading this blog. I'm writing from Minneapolis Minnesota, the weather is around 36 degrees Fahrenheit no wind and clear sky.  Below are some pictures from my walk today.

I enjoyed the walk and hearing the birds singing.  I even saw a squirrel sitting up high in a tree. 

Be sure to get out and move this weekend if you're able.  If the weather doesn't permit - try deep cleaning a room - it helps to move at least 30 minutes every day.  

Have a great weekend everyone.

Peace,

Missy

Blog entry January 11, 2015

2015 is a good year to make some changes that are lasting. I have found that no matter how dedicated you can be about eating the right things it's one of the most difficult addictions to kick.

Memories associated with certain foods or TV ads that push certain foods that trigger remembrances are the hardest to resist.

It's very easy to fool myself into believing I can have something even though I don't need it just because it doesn't bother me but I've realized in some instances, I can have low-grade reactions. Even the very idea that I'm eating something beyond what I need puts weight on my body - weight that is rooted in fat not muscle.

In my case both in 2013 and 2014 the holidays meant having sugar. In 2013 I weighed enough that it didn't really matter because I stayed at about the same weight because I hadn't lost that much but in 2014 I gained weight because I had lost enough. Now I have to look at myself in the mirror and know that I need to change 365 days a year.

Having fellowship and having memories of family and good times is not a reason to eat. I can have relationships I can have a social life but I need to be clear on what I need to eat to digest properly.

I don't have the resiliency of a 20-year-old anymore and whether or not I like it, it's true as I age my digestion has changed and I must change my eating habits accordingly.

It's been a hard lesson for me to learn but luckily I can still fit into the new clothes I bought and the new shoes.

We all have a job to do and for me its to stay as healthy as possible to be a good citizen and I also have learned the best way to do this is through moving my body, cleaning, eating right, and working as hard as I can on each thing I need to do.

Managing my asthma symptoms is another big thing I've been tackling in 2014. So far I have learned that there's a different way of managing triggered asthma versus constant asthma. Triggered asthma doesn't need long acting medicine but more short-term types. Also, controlling sinus symptoms is key to not having flare ups. One of my biggest triggers is dry air so I've been humidifying my apartment helps much to stop symptoms. Knowing the triggers and avoiding them as much as possible is better than any medication.

Along with proper diet and controlling my asthma I've discovered sustainable exercise is best when completed daily for at least 30 minutes. I have been able to ride my bike on a fly wheel that simulates the road and walking through my apartment building to replace outside activity whenever weather keeps me indoors.

I found that I do best when instead of being discouraged when I fail, I rededicate myself to those things worth doing. Eating food because it sustains my body in the best way possible instead of as a comfort or reward works best for me. I have to keep food as a means of fueling the body not as a means of satisfying me emotionally.

I hope you find a solution to staying healthy happy that works for you.

Keep on working on being the best person you can be when doing all the activities you need to do in a day. I pray to be the best driver I can be when I drive, the best worker I can be when working, and the best eater I can be when eating. It works for all the things I do in the course of a day.

I've been discovering other ways of getting enjoyment besides finding it in types of food and drink. There's ways to stay busy. I ask myself - what needs doing right now to be a good citizen and I find many things that need doing.

I'm hopeful to find the strength and courage to follow my dreams in 2015 even more so than I was able to in 2013 and 2014. Everyone has set backs I've discovered I want to succeed.

Good night and peace to all.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year All

Hi All,
I'm taking a few minutes to write during the Holiday weekend between Christmas and New Years.

I had a peaceful Christmas day in Minneapolis MN in my apartment enjoying some TV, the decorations I have up and a walk in the neighborhood.

I'll add the photos from my iPhone at the end.  I'm using my iPad to type in the text which doesn't have all my recent photos available to Safari to upload into blogger.  I'd rather have some extra work if I can eliminate some data charges which seems to be happening and I'm not sure exactly why.  Verizon has an app but it doesn't directly tell you how the charges come into being so experiementing on which ways I post pictures costs the least:)  So true that there's no free lunches.  So even though we now have a much cheaper way to create photos with iPhone we don't necessary have a cheap way to share the photos with others.  When I work it out I'll be sure to blog about it.

I've been keeping up with eatting as a fuel even through the Holiday.  I'm happy to do my 30 minutes of moving every day too.  For the most part I'm feeling well and working toward my goals of living more healthy and completing my work's end of year projects.

I've found some fulfilling experiences working with others to help out others not as fortunate in the community through work and where I live.  Sometimes you have to take care of business at home too so I've been working through those issues as well.

Vacation at home has been good too.  I really enjor getting pictures hung, cleaning and replacing light bulbs I can reach.  I'm glad I have an apartment maintenance staff to get the ones I can't reach.  Its good to have a place that has maintenance included - well worth the rent.

I was a little down about the lack of snow on Christmas Day but we did get some snow flakes that made up for the lack on the ground.  Now we have 3 inches or so with cooler temps which is what works best for me in the Winter for my allergies.

I'm about out of vacation now so will be working over New Years but it will be good to work from home over part of the time and a great chance to catch up with paperwork assignments.  I'm hoping to do more posting on my Blogs in 2015.  Blog writing is important to me and I enjoy supporting authors with book reviews so I'll be focusing more on that and less on socializing.  I can still do some but will be looking for opportunities on the weekend for card play or hobby/art expression.  My eyes get too tired after working all day to do justice to drawing and hobbies for sure:)

Life is about making the most out of the opportunities that work best for you.  Hold out for the experiences that fulfill you - its worth the effort to keep looking until you find the right fit and don't leave the good fits behind to find a new one - keep a balance.

Hope everyone in blog world had a very Merry Christmas and that the good will continues into the New Year celebrations.  Peace.

Missy

Trying Out Video Blogging.

Life After 50 Video Blog 12/6/14 Follow the link to my video and enjoy:)