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 Kathy Horowitz facilitates a monthly women’s writer’s group at the Life Center in Huntington. Her work has appeared in The Long Islander, Long Island Woman, Calyx, Blue Unicorn, and Seventh Quarry. Kathy offers freelance writing, editing, and proofreading services. (kahorowitz@gmail.com) www.kathyhorowitz.com. |
| I recently had a much needed lunch with a dear family friend. She works full-time, and although I have the freedom of no set schedule, we both needed to reconnect. We’ve been friends for almost 35 years. Our children grew up together and now we’re celebrating their weddings and other joyous occasions. We talked about our grown children; my father who just celebrated his 89th birthday; and various illnesses that she and some friends have already triumphed at a young age. Our takeaway was this: We must live one day at a time and appreciate every moment we have. Here are a few ways to maintain the great cost of wellness at a low price. Take a friend or family member out to lunch. Since it’s summertime, visit that special restaurant near the water. Reconnect with your loved one while reconnecting with nature as well. It’s all about the mind-body relationship. Breathe deeply and enjoy the atmosphere that surrounds you. Share a meal or dessert. I guarantee you’ll leave feeling as if you’ve been on a mini vacation. Take a long walk on the beach or boardwalk. Whether you go seal watching, walk on a boardwalk or shoreline, watch the waves. Look for images in the clouds. See how one affects the other. Swim in the ocean, or observe young children build sandcastles– remember when your children were young. Give thanks for those times. Gratitude equals a positive attitude. Visit a friend or relative who lives alone. Nothing makes us happier than receiving a surprise visit from a friend or relative. Bring along home-baked goods or old photo albums so that you can reminisce over a cup of coffee or tea. Show them they are still a vital part of your life, because they are. Wash your car and your neighbor’s. Who doesn’t like to splash in the water while washing their car? And why not pay it forward by doing the same for a neighbor? You’ll get some exercise and nothing feels better than a shiny, clean car. It’s a win-win situation. Say a prayer of gratitude. Before you shut off the lights, list all that you are grateful for. Who impacted your life today and how? What did you do for others? List them all, whether small or large. We are all connected and everything we do for ourselves and one another matters. Greatly. |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 