Tag: social issues

DECISIONS

karenringalls21 Comments

 

SOME DECISIONS COME QUICKLY AND EASILY. OTHER DECISIONS REQUIRE MORE THOUGHT, PRAYER, AND ADVICE.

“ENDINGS MUST COME BEFORE NEW BEGINNINGS”

HEALTH:

The important lesson from the Coronavirus pandemic is: those who are healthy (no matter the age) are more likely to recover from the virus. Taking care of our bodies throughout our lives helps to prevent diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, high blood pressure, and lung issues.

Obesity is related to all the health concerns mentioned above. Lack of exercise is related to most of them. Smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco and excessive alcoholic intake harms every organ of the body. Emotionally and mentally we are healthier when we exercise, eat right, be positive, and meditate or pray on a regular basis.

DECISION: Make a commitment to become a healthier individual.

SOCIAL:

Our world is now in a time of new beginnings. The Coronavirus has impacted each person’s life, the world economy has changed, and there is a new sense of fear of the unknown, some anger, and also a new one-ness. More kindness and love is shared, and a philosophy of we will get through this together prevails. I am optimistic that our future will be better.

There is more awareness of needs in our world and how we can respond to them. Food banks, blood donations, fixing meals for others, providing transportation, giving unused telephones, computers or tablets to those without, and check on your neighbors.

DECISION: Choose at least one way you can help another person and act upon it with love in your heart.

BOOKS:

Author, Michael J. Giusti wrote a book titled, What to do When the Wheels Come Off. His cleverly written short proverbs bring humor and insight into the live of a disabled person and there are lessons for all of us in this short and easy-to-read book.

https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Wheels-Come-Off/dp/0692684220

DECISION: Learn from others how to overcome challenges.

When we make a decision we make the choice to take a chance and thereby create a change. When we learn and become better people from our decisions, then life is richer. Our health issues, the present pandemic, and how we respond to life’s challenges are all based on the decisions we make.

GRATITUDE

karenringalls8 Comments

Gratitude means being thankful. I have been thinking about those people or events for which I am grateful. I challenge myself to express my gratitude on a daily basis. Melody Beattie says gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

I am actually grateful in many respects that I was diagnosed with cancer. I am sure this statement shocks or surprises the reader of this blog. Here are the reasons I am grateful: it pushed me to publish my writings and journals that I had kept secret; it introduced me to some of the most amazing survivors and care partners; I am actively involved in spreading the word about ovarian cancer, and I have written articles and done presentations. My life is richer and more meaningful as a cancer survivor.

Many of our social issues stem from a lack of gratefulness. Some people turn to drugs and alcohol to find happiness and peace, but that only create more problems. Some people of meager means might turn to stealing rather than be grateful for what they have. Anger and envy often are feelings preventing people from seeing all they could be grateful for.

Gratitude is riches, complaint is poverty. (Doris Day)

I am recommending two books about gratitude. Grateful Life: The Secret to Happiness and the Science of Contentment is written by Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons. Each inspirational story shows how practicing gratitude can have a positive change in a person’s life. The authors have included exercises, quotes, and guidance.

Rave Reviews Book Club author, Yecheilyah Ysrayl, in her book Keep Yourself Full writes about how one’s life can change for the better when it is filled with love. Then that love is shared with others and each person experiences a sense of gratitude.

Keeping a daily journal of those events or people for which you are grateful is one way to cultivate gratitude into your life. When we write down the names or events, it stimulates us to practice gratitude and therefore make positive changes in who we are and those people around us.

From The Network of Grateful Living the newsletter states grateful living reminds us that when we take nothing for granted, we can wake up to the wealth and wisdom of life as it is.

QUOTES TO LIVE BY

karenringalls13 Comments

For those of us who have lived or are currently living with the challenge of cancer, you might find inspiration from these quotes:

When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: You haven’t. (Thomas Edison)

When it rains, look for rainbows When it’s dark, look for stars. (I Had Cancer)

It is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars. (I Had Cancer)

Your illness does not define you. Your strength and courage does. (Unknown)

Many people are suffering from abuse, poverty, addiction, and other social issues. I encourage everyone to find strength, guidance, and peace with these quotes:

Love and peace of mind do protect us. They allow us to overcome the problems that life hands us. They teach us to survive… to live now… to have the courage to confront each day. Bernie Siegel


Be of good cheer. Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourself a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. Helen Keller

It’s not whether you get knocked down. It’s whether you get up again. Vince Lombardi 

One of the things I love about books, is what I learn from them. There is always a lesson even if it is a mystery, paranormal, erotica, or other genre. Here are quotes from my book Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir.

https://www.amazon.com/Outshine-Ovarian-Cancer-Karen-Ingalls-ebook/dp/B00KI1HGZI

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, when the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit, it’s when things seem worse that you musn’t quit. (Joe O’Keefe)

The more you praise and celebrate life, the more there is in life to celebrate. (Oprah Winfrey)

There is an answer to the suffering you see, and though it isn’t easy, it’s still as simple as you and me.” (Author Unknown)

Thank you for reading this blog. I welcome your comments. Perhaps there is a quote that has inspired you. If so, please share it.

WHEN I RISE: TALES, TRUTHS, and SYMBOLIC TREES

karenringalls6 Comments

I am announcing my newest book which is a series of twelve short stories. Each tale is about a health, social, personal, or family issue. There is a truth and the symbolism of a tree associated with each tale.

One might ask why are trees included. The title comes from a poem written by my grandson, which is inspirational, meaningful, and thought-provoking. The first sentence is: Songs being sung outside in the trees… sets the tone of the book.

I have always loved trees, flowers, animals, and nature in general. When I am near an oak tree I feel its strength, a willow gives me comfort, aspens convey adventure, and pines bring me joy.

REVIEWS:

D. L. FINN writes A heartfelt and meaningful book that offers truth with hope and brings in one of my favorite things, trees. I highly recommend this, especially if you enjoy a positive outlook in dark times.

FIZA PATHAN states This book will let you know the magic of trees & how we must persevere in spite of all the odds against us, to achieve everlasting bliss, like the eternal trees themselves.

LINKS:

https://www.amazon.com/When-Rise-Tales-Truths-Symbolic-ebook/dp/B0818DZPBX/ref https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Rise-Tales-Truths-Symbolic/dp/1706761953/ref

https://www.amazon.com/Outshine-Ovarian-Cancer-Karen-Ingalls-ebook/dp/B00KI1HGZI/ref https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KI1HGZI/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1530397871/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01FIYR8ZW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B1O2VQY/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01FGPW91G/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3

Twitter: @KIngallsAuthor LinkedIn: https://www.linedin.com/feed/?trk=404_page https://www.facebook.com/Karen-Ingalls-1473379352893458/ http://goodreads.com/kareningalls

I appreciate your support and interest in my books. I give all proceeds from the books to ovarian cancer research. I am an 11-year survivor of this cancer and my life is dedicated to helping bring awareness and fund research. Thank you.