September 2013

Summer’s end isn’t all bad. Despite the fact that time is passing far too fast for many of us, we have so many great things to look forward to as we enter my favorite season: fall. So, bring on the autumn foliage, the locally grown apples and pumpkins, the reprieve from bugs, the fabulous game of football and the comforting warm drinks!

As our outdoor environment goes through its wondrous transformation and our lives return to a somewhat calmer, more structured flow after summer’s sweet chaos, some of us may be inspired to make “adaptations” in our own lives. The peaceful, crisp walks in autumn’s beautiful landscapes tend to encourage reflection and reconnection with our “selves.” So what better time to explore the many benefits of self-awareness and authenticity? Practicing this mindfulness, from what I’m learning on my own personal journey, can result in happier, healthier and richer lives.

Turning away from our “selves” for a bit now, September is packed full of health awareness initiatives that deserve our attention. This month, we focus on: pain, childhood obesity, traumatic brain injury, alcohol and drug addition recovery, and ovarian cancer, to name a few. Despite what each of us may be going through personally, it can be a healthy diversion to have compassion for others who are facing similar or worse challenges. Consider reaching out to someone experiencing one of this month’s health issues or to the fine organizations that fight for these causes.

I’m happy to share this month’s issue with you. Teresa Van Lanen shares six steps we can take to help us manage through the stressful situations in our lives. Rosalie Misco educates us about resistant starch fiber and how it can help diabetics keep blood sugar from spiking. Judy Rogers examines loneliness and proposes that it just may be a gift to open our hearts to find deeper relationships with our “selves” and others. These are just a few examples of what’s ahead for you this month, so please read on!

I hope all of you get a chance to have some meaningful moments in nature during this wonderful autumn season and wish you much success with any healthy transformations you may decide to make in your lives.

In health and happiness,

Jackie