THROUGH YOUR SENSES TO YOUR BRAIN

 Sometimes you cannot control what enters your brain; other times you can.  Once the sensation enters your thoughts, it may be hard to forget.  Think about what you welcome into your brain.  Pleasure can come from a pleasant taste, a beautiful sight, an enjoyable song, a scent of a flower, a hug.

Our senses can cause us to be uplifted or lower us down.  Emotions get involved.  Repetition can help us learn and remember.  It can also manipulate us and form and change our values.  The food and drink we prefer may not be best for our bodies.  Viewing images that are too explicit or degrading can cause distorted values and prejudices.  Listening to vulgar music can cause us to normalize what is being projected in the lyrics.  Listeners may claim it is just fun, but a better choice is always available. 

Your brain is precious.  Your thoughts and emotions lead to your behaviors.  Use your senses wisely. 

SUPPLY CHAIN

 

 

From  raw materials to the manufacturer to the distributer to your home, how far does your stuff have to travel?   No wonder the cost is so high.  Some products are needed; others are wanted.  Confusion arrises when we think we need what we just want.  And what we want can be unnecessary, even trivial.

Traditions complicate matters.  The pressure to give and receive gifts especially to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and birthdays can cause undue stress, energy, and money.   We train our children to expect presents on special occasions.  We want to see their happiness.  This probably will never change.

Commercialism aims to get us to buy stuff.  Even when holidays have religious meanings, gifts seem to take the spotlight.   Often, we want particular foods that remind us of family tradition and spend time and money on decorations.

We are indeed a land of plenty and  seem to want plenty of stuff.   Just stop and consider what it takes to get your purchases to your home.  

 

  

  

GENERATIONS

When you were born places you in a named generation.  Most seniors would be categorized into the Silent Generation or the Baby Boomers.  These two groups have much in common or so they say; however, any stereotype has its exceptions.  Seniors have lived through many of the same decades of world events and social changes, and many ways of thinking may have evolved as each year passes.  You still can embrace characteristics of many generations.

The Silent Generation lived a more traditional life.  They accepted things the way they were and worked within the system; therefore they were "silent."  They tended to be thrifty, lived within their means, and saved for the future mostly without the aid of credit cards.  Males dominated business, politics, and many families.  Women could vote but rarely ran for political office.  They seldom were encouraged to have careers outside of homemaking except for some traditional roles such as secretaries, nurses and teachers. When women realized they should have equal rights and opportunities, society began to change for the better.

The Baby Boomers were born after the Second World War and grew up with the idea that citizens could question the way things were, even protest against the status quo.  They envisioned reform and change.  Parents realized their daughters as well as their sons should be educated and develop their talents.  Society was improving.

No matter which generation you were born into, learn what the older and younger generations have contributed to your lives.  Realize your own generation evolved into the next.  Appreciate the qualities of each generation.  Don't get stuck in the past.