WAYS TO BUILD RESILIENCE *

* Reader's Digest, Mar/April 2022

* Nurture relationships. When adversity strikes, a supportive friend with good listening skills can make a big difference. And if you want your friends & family to support your resilience, remember to support theirs too.

* Find a sense of purpose. Your sense of purpose doesn't have to come from school or work; it can also come from hobbies or volunteer projects, like growing a backyard vegetable garden or cleaning up litter in a neighborhood park.

* Don't try to banish misfortune completely. Everyday stress probably helps us learn how to handle bigger challenges & graually optimize our adaptive systems.

SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS IS GOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN

"We know that getting some fresh air can be a mood lifter, but not a German study gives us insight into why. When researchers scanned city dwellers' brains, they discovered that those who spent more time outside had a larger volume of gray matter in the right prefrontal cortex--the area involved in planning thought & actions. Of course, the stakes for getting outside could be even higher than a mood shift. Earlier studies have found that less prefrontal gray matter is linked to depression. If you're not naturally inclined to leave the coziness of your home, make it a goal to spend at least two hours outside every week." Ditto

2022 RESOLUTIONS POST MORTEM

1. Lose at least 12 lbs. F. Total debacle. Didn't even bother weighing this morning.

2. Cross 2 things off our bucket list. A+. Hawaii cruise, Key West, Dry Tortugas NP.

3. Have fruits & vegetables at least 4X/week. A

4. Walk at least 4X/week. D. I did a lot of walking in FL last FEB; also a lot of walking while rehabbing after my hip replacement; also while on our Hawaii cruise.

5. Publish my 365-day devotion book. A+

6. Write & publish another 365-day devotion book. B. Finished, but still needs to be proofed & published.

GPA:  B/B-

TODAY'S TRIVIA *

* Compliments of Uncle John's Awesome 35th Anniversary Bathroom Reader

> According to scientists, 40% of people have a first memory that didn't really happen.

> The last president with facial hair:  William Howard Taft.

> The main source of food for coral is fish urine.

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

* Courtesy of Reader's Digest, Mar/April 2022

"The longest drum solo was 10 hours & 25 minutes & was performed by the child sitting behind me on Delta Flight 963 from Los Angeles to Tokyo."

"The first woman to have a baby was probably like "Whaatt the ... !!!!"

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

"STUDY:  Staying hydrated liked to lower risk for disease, early death." Drudge Report

TRENDING FROM THE BABYLON BEE

"Federal judge orders Arizona child to dismantle border wall he built out of legos."

"Southwest's work from home policy under scrutiny."

"Danny DeVito cast a Zacchaeus in 'The Chosen.'"

"4-hour-long political lecture to be disguised as awards show."

"Bible experts determine Goliath died of COVID-19."

"New Canadian operation game just has you murder the patient."

"Scholars believe Cain murdered Abel out in a field so the Elf on the Shelf wouldn't see it."

"Mary holding out hope for 4th wise man bearing an air fryer."

"Zelensky shoots his eye out with the rocket launcher he got for Christmas."

"Santa' sleigh mistakenly shot down by Ukrainian missile."

Predictions for 2023

> Jan. 6:  AOC dies again of PTSD after recounting her death on Jan. 6.

> Feb. 13:  Kamala Harris reports that Biden had an unfortunate accident coming down the stairs.

> Feb. 16:  Kamala caught laughing while at Biden's funeral.

> Mar. 3:  Whoopi Goldberg says something racist.

> Mar. 23:  John Fetterman finally finishes taking his oath of office.

> Oct. 27:  Elon Musk buys The View & promptly cancels the show forever.

> OCT. 29:  Post Office releases Jan. 6 commemorative stamp.

> Dec. 10:  A late-night host says something funny.

Shocking Revelations from Trump's Tax Returns

> Trump charged over $500,000 worth of business lunches at McDonald's.

> On his 2027 return, he listed his occupation as "America's Favorite President."

> He claimed 328 million people as his dependents in 2019.

> He applied for the same basic deductions available to any American citizen. Criminal!

THE WIT & WISDOM OF CAL THOMAS *

* Column in Norfolk Daily News, 12/31

"Eighteen Republican senators voted for the monstrosity known as the $1.7 trillion Omnibus spending bill, thus forever relinquishing their claim to belong to a party committed to less spending, smaller government, & personal responsibility . . . Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), is among the few calling out his colleagues for their spending orgy, though few seem to care so long as they are getting their share of the largesses. Paul lists some of the financial sins committed by this Congress. They include what he called a 'whopping $482,276,543,907 of waste, including an asteroid-induced hamster fight club, a study to see if kinds love their pets, & a study of the romantic patterns of parrots & coffee machines for the Pentagon.' That's just for starters. The conservative Heritage Foundations lists some more.

* $1.2 million for LGBTQIA+ Pride Centers & another $1.2 million for support services for DACA recipients (aka helping migrants with taxpayer funds) at San Diego Community College.

* $477,000 for the Equity Institute in Rhode Island to endow teachers with anti-racism virtual labs.

* $1 million for Zora's House in Ohio, a coworking & community space for women & gender-expansive people of color.

* $3 million for the American LGBTQ+ Museum in New York City.

* $3.6 million for a Michelle Obama Trail in Georgia.

* $750,000 for LGBTQ & Gender Non-Conforming housing in Albany, NY.

* $2 million for the Great Blacks in Wax museum in Baltimore.

* $856,000 for the LGBTQ Center in New York.

* $750,000 for the TranLatin@ Coalition to provide workforce development program & supportive services for Transgender & Gender Nonconforming & Intersex (TGI) immigrant women in Los Angeles.

A PRAYER FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY 

It is on account of Your mercy alone, O Lord that we are not consumed, because Your compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Abide with us, O God, throughout the coming year. Be our guide in all our perplexities, our strength in our weakness, our ever-ready help in all our troubles. Forgive us all our sins, O Sabaoth Lord, look down from heaven & in grace behold & visit Your holy Church, which You have chosen for Your own. Preserve for us Your saving Word & Sacraments, that Your vine may send out its boughs from sea to sea & its branches to the uttermost parts of the earth. Look graciously upon our nation & all the nation of the world, & bless them with peace. Grant to all that are in authority wisdom & courage to rule in such a way that we may lead quiet & peaceful lives in all godliness & honesty. To You, almighty Creator & gracious God, we commit this nation our churches, our families & loved ones, ourselves. Abide with us. With Your grace & mercy preserve us whole--souls & bodies--blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Lutheran Prayer Book