Everywhere I turn these days,
I can’t seem to escape the tirade
of news on the current economic
climate, our state budget woes
... and the list goes on.
Certainly these issues impact
all of us. We should educate
ourselves and vocalize our
opinions to friends and family,
co-workers, communities and
legislators.
But the constant doom-andgloom
atmosphere can wear on
you, and no one seems to have
the answers. So what do we do
about it?
Well, I don’t pretend to know
all the answers, but I do know
there needs to be a balance in
our lives. So, my recommendation
is to take time for yourself
to relax and have fun.
Everyone needs an avenue
to breathe in and exhale, to release
the trials and tribulations
we go through and return to a
sense of normalcy, or at least a
moment of peace.
I had the privilege of attending
the Springbrook Gala 2009
titled, “What Do You Dream?”
on Saturday and found myself
smiling as I watched the honoree,
Connor Gifford, cut a rug
on the dance floor.
He is an extraordinary
individual, and his energy was
contagious. The mood of the
evening was festive and joyful,
and not only did the event
benefit the Kids Unlimited Preschool,
it also offered the guests
an outlet to have fun.
Your pleasure may be to
watch a sitcom or reality show,
listen to your favorite CD, have
a picnic at the park or call a
friend to chat.
Maybe you’ll snuggle up with
a book and participate in the
upcoming Big Read, or take a
long walk. A pedicure, sinful
sundae or a long, hot bubble
bath can do the trick.
The common theme is this:
Take the time to unwind and do
something because you want to
do it, not because you have to.
Life’s stresses will undoubtedly
continue, but how we cope
is essential to our well-being
and sanity.
My life tends to get a little
crazy! My work responsibilities
and commitments, personal
obligations and a 2½-year-old
needing my attention and devotion
don’t leave a whole bunch
of time for Tanya!
My dream is to sleep past 7
a.m., but Hailey, the early bird,
starts chirping at the wee hours
of the morning.
We become so consumed that
we, or at least I, don’t make it a
priority to counteract the doom
and gloom.
My excuses could be endless
as to why I don’t have the time,
but life is too short to miss out
on the little pleasures that we
all deserve.
The time change has added
more daylight and the warmer
weather is starting to roll in. I
think we can start packing up
the winter garb. Growing season
is on the horizon, so the colorful
landscape will return. The
seasonal change always lifts our
spirits _ almost a revitalization,
if you will.
While we certainly can’t
ignore our recent challenges,
we can take back the reins. I
plan to start with building “me
time” into my daily routine, and
I hope you can do the same.
And now, smoking … Yesterday
the price increased, making
my dwindling but still bad habit
sting a little more. Nothing new
to report except that I am glad
at this point I am not at two
packs a day!
I hope the price increase
helps to diminish the number of
cigarettes or folks smoking longterm.
For anyone who has made
the decision to quit, you have
my support and my compassion.
___
Tanya Shalor is publisher
of The Daily Star and may be
reached at (607) 432-1000, ext.
214, or tshalor@thedailystar.com.
Her column appears every other
week.
