Preparing for the Final Days

One of our favorite rituals involves lazy Sunday mornings, dressed in our most comfy of comfy pj's, steaming mug of coffee and settled comfortably on the couch watching the show CBS Sunday Morning. It's a fantastic program that features short stories, sometimes based on a theme, usually very interesting and always well delivered. My husband and I could always be found this way on any given Sunday, enjoying our hour or so of a.m. television.

Well those days are gone! 

Now it's usually recorded and watched whenever we can grab a free chunk of time, more often than not, mid-week and in between refereeing our three kids. Needless to say, it does not carry the same effect it does on a lazy, quiet Sunday morning! But we manage to forge on and still enjoy the show. A few weeks ago we happened to both be seated together and caught up on the latest episode, and much to our surprise the show featured a wonderful segment on our own Gundersen Health System! They showed scenes of downtown La Crosse, and interviewed some locals in a coffee shop. In case you missed it, the theme for the week was death. A grim topic for sure, but this segment remained rather upbeat. In our small town at last count, 96 percent of the people who passed away here had created advance directives. That's the highest percentage of end-of-life planning in a nation where only about 30 percent of all adults have such a document.

An advance directive is a statement of patient preferences that tells everyone else: This is what I do (and do not) want to keep me going--and perhaps most importantly, who will speak for me when I can't. It is a fantastic program that helps ease the burden of decision making if such an event arises. It's not the most pleasant topic to discuss, but at some point the end comes for all of us, in one form or another. A hefty topic to ponder while sipping coffee on a sofa! But it did raise a discussion between my husband and I--one where we both shed some light onto how and what our wishes would be. 

La Crosse is definitely doing something right! The segment is a great reminder of having things in place, and planning ahead if possible. It's worth watching, if for no other reason than to see our community in a national spotlight, for taking the initiative that may help many families.

"The ultimate content of this conversation, I think, isn't about death," said Gundersen's Bud Hammes. "I think the ultimate topic that's being discussed is how people care for each other. And so what comes out at the end of the conversation is, 'I love you, and I now know how to take good care of you.'"

Being Prepared for the Final Days

The Power of a Compliment

Never under estimate the power of a compliment. 

I was finishing up getting showered and dressed recently at the local gym. I was on the fence about the outfit I had packed but seeing my other option was sweaty gym clothes, I got ready with the clothes I had packed.  

Within five minutes I had two strangers come up to me and tell me how they loved my pants, and one lady said my entire "ensemble" was beautiful! Now trust me when I say that I am the furthest thing from a fashionista. I will occasionally take a risk, and on this day I was wearing some rather snazzy red pants. But those words--compliments from complete strangers--powered me forward. 

I felt lighter as I left, and more confident in my selection. I went through my day just feeling a bit happier, and believe me when I say that I tried to pay those compliments forward. You never know just how a few choice words may impact someone. We all face aversion and various challenges. Some of us more than others, but words are very powerful. They can be a deadly weapon, if delivered correctly, or a soothing balm. They may be someone's most cherished gift, sound advice from a loved one or a lesson never forgotten. Or those words might just be someone's kind compliment that lifts a stranger's spirit, if only for a brief moment. Never underestimate the power of a compliment, make it meaningful and go hand some out today! They are free and sometimes more appreciated than you realize.

On yoga...and spirituality...

Down dog, up dog, warrior one, warrior two, crescent lunge, child's pose. 

Some of you may recognize some of these yoga terms, others may not. They are all terms used to describe certain poses done during a yoga practice. 

Whether challenging your balance, your coordination, your strength or maybe your spirit, the benefits of yoga are too numerous to mention. For me lately, it's been a place I've been going to, at the end of a busy week, to stretch not only my limbs but my psyche as well. I've found a great sense of peace and a calming effect that yoga has on me. 

One of the core elements to Gundersen Health's Balance Your 7 is spirituality. 

For some, there is an obvious place to find this, a church or place of worship is where you seek comfort. For others it maybe in the company of nature, or fellow friends. I find myself enlightened in multiple places, one of which is while practicing yoga. Lately the positive energy in my classes has been almost palpable, something that lifts one's spirits, especially needed during this dreary period of weather we have been experiencing. I look forward to gaining physical strength with each class I attend, but also I find I've been looking inward and finding out a bit more about myself too. 

Self discovery and growth is not the side effect I thought I would find in a sweaty yoga class, but when struggling to do dancer pose or going up in wheel, I learn a bit more about who I am and how I can continue to travel in the same direction or change course if need be. There are many mottos to live by, many ways to live. Yoga may not be for everyone, I'm so thankful I found it and it found me, may I continue to grow with each practice. 

I feel like someday my soul will thank me!

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