Skating Uphill - August 2020
Living a Healthy Lifestyle
“An anchor is something that provides stability
or confidence in an uncertain situation”
– The Uphill Skater –
As I sit down today to write this article, I am very aware of the fact that one of you may be reading it on August 31, and that by the time August 31 arrives, the whole country may have turned upside down, yet again. Life may have changed significantly between then and now. Sometimes I think I should have stayed with writing this column about good food and a healthy diet instead of veering off into the realms of a total healthy life style, which involves much more than food. Mental health and physical health are so intertwined that science tells us that we can no longer separate them.
Times are in such a state of flux I feel I must speak out, and I advise you to do the same. We here, and most other places in the country, have been homebound or semi-homebound for too long. Both mental and physical health are being affected. I am getting out as much as I can, which includes my gym, the grocery store and having small company (one couple) over on a weekly basis. I always wear my mask, and I have a basket on my front porch with free masks to give out that my daughter-in-law has made. I do not feel this has anything to do with politics. I think this is common sense and care and regard for others.
I usually do not subscribe to sayings, tag lines, or group labels. Since I do not label or stereotype others, I feel free to ask that I not be labeled or classified either. This new term “Karen” for so called entitled white women is a huge insult to me. I do not dye my hair, have my nails done, or drive a Tesla. I just go through my days trying to do the best I can, just like most other people. I do not riot or burn down businesses. I do, on the other hand, feel very free to take my stand where I choose to do so. I read recently about a group who provides meals to homeless people. They call themselves the #YourLifeMattersFellowship. I like that, and if I am going to use any sort of a tag line, I think I will borrow that one. Think about it: #YOUR Life Matters, no matter who you are. What if we each felt that way about our fellow man? Pretty nice world, huh?
As things do whirl and swirl and burn around us, this is my strong advice, which I know no one has asked me for, and I also know you may not take this advice, which is your prerogative, but here it is anyway: Find your anchor! Sit down and think about all you have seen on CNN, Fox News, NBC, or whatever it is you watch. Think about what you have read in the newspaper, heard your friends saying, or seen posted on social media. Now try to do the opposite for a couple of evenings. If you watch one news channel, watch the other one. Ask another friend who you know feels differently that you. Listen to them, and ask them to listen to you. Form your own views.
Your anchor may be a group of friends. It may be your church. It is, perhaps, your family. It may even be something as simple as your walks on the beach. Whatever it is, hold on to it. Hang on like you are Jim Cantore holding on to a post in a hurricane force winds. We all, for our own mental health, have got to have something to believe in and something to love. We also must feel that we are loved. Opinions be damned. Respect and stand by your opinion, but allow others to do the same. You know, we have a secret ballot in this country. I get to vote for the candidate of my choice. It is none of your business. Your choice is none of my business either, but let’s talk about who, how and why.
We talk about good food, recipes, television series, relationships and even the occasional bit of gossip. Can’t we talk about differences as well as similarities? Can’t we be civil to each other? When I say find your anchor, I say it to everyone, because actually we are all in the same boat and it appears to be sinking.
Don’t lay awake at night and worry. This is my final piece of advice. Vent! Write down your feelings. Just for you, about you. How you feel. Make it sort of your “ME Manifesto.” Write it down, and keep it. Be honest! It is only for you. It will clear your head and help reduce fear and loathing. Try it! You will feel better about a whole lot of things. Love, Judith
Judith Lawrenson is a former Hilton Head Island resident who has a huge heart and is loved by all who meet her. She has served and volunteered with numerous charitable organizations while living in the Lowcontry making an impact wherever she went. She and her husband recently moved to the wild hills of West Virginia to be closer to grandchildren. Judith is an avid sailor, a retired reading resource specialist, and a children's TV host whose local show originated from the Boys and girls Club. Judith is also a long time seeker of healthy, happy living and a lifestyle dedicated to service to others balanced with love of God and love of self. Check out her BLOG www.skatinguphill.com for fun info, recipes and nutrition ideas, current updates on nearly everything in the world, and lots of comments and opinions.