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During my water aerobics class this morning, our leader talked about three things that help us age well: Cognitive challenges, Activity, and Sleep. My former educator brain immediately began thinking of an acronym, to which I added three other aging-well must-haves: CASTLE – Cognitive challenges, Activity, Sleep, Thankfulness, Laughter, Every day. My body is my castle – it’s where I live each day. I want my castle to be a strong fortress ready to take on whatever Life brings. So, do what research (and life experiences) tells us: focus on making your body and soul resilient so that you can live a long and healthy life. C: Cognitive challenges Challenge your mind to learn something new: a language, a musical instrument, a recipe. Repetitive memory games have their place, but sparking those neural cells helps your brain function at a higher level. (Read more) A: Activity Are you moving every day? Walking is still considered one of the best ways to exercise your body. Already doing that? Add some type of aerobic exercise into your weekly routine. For me, that’s two days a week of moderate water aerobics and one day of tap dancing. Even doing simple household chores to the rhythm of music can up your activity levels each day. (Read more) S: Sleep Sleep is sometimes underrated. I know folks who brag about not needing more than a few hours of sleep each night. Well, the best brag should be, “I got a good eight hours of sleep last night!” Our bodies need rest, and 7-9 hours of sleep can do a body good. (Read more) T: Thankfulness Thankfulness is a mindset that leads to amazing benefits. From better emotional health to actual physical improvements, an attitude of being grateful positively affects you. (Read more) L: Laughter Laughter truly can be the best medicine! Not only do you engage facial muscles when you laugh, you engage emotions to counter depressive moods. Laugh at yourself; laugh with others. Look for humor, and you will find it. (Read more) E: Every day Consistency for all the above is critical to ongoing success. Make a habit of including each of the characteristics in the CASTLE acronym in your daily routine. (Read more) Your castle should be a grand place that is well-built inside and out, ready to withstand Life’s storms. Build your castle, brick by brick, every day. Together, we’ll form a kingdom to stand the tests of Time.
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 I think I’m turning Orthodox-- The signs are everywhere-- From icons in the corner To reciting ancient prayers. I even prayed to Mary (My Baptist friends would gasp!) When I sought some intercession For a headache during fast. My husband’s beard has grown in thick, Scents from candles fill our home, I find myself intrigued by Ancient Holy tomes. Acapella singing Seems to soothe my very soul, I started dipping homemade bread Into wine poured in a bowl. My calendar of feast days Is proudly on display, And I’ve pinpointed restaurants That have “vegan specials” days. I think I’m turning Orthodox-- That’s a good thing, isn’t it? My worship finally matches That of ancient Holy writ.
In this article in Shelby Life magazine's August issue, I describe what life has been like living between "two worlds" -- my home state of Louisiana and the state I've called home for nearly 3 decades -- Kentucky. 
I've heard the story of Esther in the Old Testament all my life. I often paraphrase Mordecai's words (to myself) when considering new life changes: "Who knows if perhaps you were placed here for such a time as this?". But, never in all my years have I considered the thought that Esther might be Mordecai's wife rather than his adopted daughter!
My husband, Rick, broaches this subject in his recent blog post: Was Esther Mordecai's (Adopted) Daughter or His Wife? --a thought-provoking read, for sure. Need a refresher on the story? Read "Esther" - a poem from . . . And a Poem, Too.  Did you make a New Year's resolution to read the Bible through last year? Did you bog down somewhere around Leviticus? You aren't the only one! Others feel your struggle, too. Read about a different approach for this year in the poem below.
A New Year's Resolution My New Year’s resolution Was to read the Bible through, Both Old and New Testaments – Maps, concordance, too. Day one went really well – The story of creation, Followed by the ark, All in my best translation. In those first few weeks I read of Moses and the Law, The Ten Commandment tablets And the blessings Israel saw. But, along about day thirty, Leviticus came in view, All those rules and sacrifices And offering guidance, too. Instead of easy stories, I was faced with rules of old, And my New Year’s reading challenge Started growing pretty cold. So, here I am, once again, Stalled before Book Five, So maybe when the next year comes, I’ll jump in and take the dive. But, here will be my plan From day one of that new year: Start with Revelation And work backward from the rear. And maybe I might see By looking at the end The value of Leviticus And the message that it sends.  My Mom is one of the most avid readers I know, and it was her example of reading for pleasure that spurred me on to a lifetime career as a school librarian.
Mom lives about a 12-hour drive from me. When we have a chance to get together, one of our questions to each other is always, "What are you reading right now?" Mom always has a couple of magazines or books stacked on my old dresser to pass along to me—texts she thinks I will enjoy. I usually have a couple of books in my suitcase ready to hand over to Mom. I've never been a fan of reading logs. As a school librarian who spent her entire career helping kids enjoy books because they are fun to read, not because they are an assignment, I've simply had trouble supporting regular reading logs that build a compliance mindset. But, I started to re-think that notion recently because a reading log would make sense for Mom and me at this point in our lives. So, I gave my Mom a reading log. Two, actually—one for fiction books and one for nonfiction books. She and her friends like to share books, so now Mom can have an easy way to record titles of books and who she thinks might want to read a book after she finishes it. As for my own reading habits, I usually have several books going at one time. So, I've started using the logs to help me remember key ideas (particularly the nonfiction I read for work), as well as reminding me to recommend a great thriller/suspense novel to a friend. Or to my Mom :) As an adult who doesn't have to keep a reading log like I did as a kid, I'm having fun creating a record of my thoughts about books to pass on. And, I know that I will have the wonderful treasure of my mom's reading logs one day, too.  Zacchaeus was known for his short stature, but he had a big story to tell about his encounter with Jesus. Read about it below in the last post for the #AtoZChallenge.
Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-9 Zacchaeus was a short man. He taxed the people high. He left them poor and wanting While he gorged on figs and pie. One day the Lord came walking Down the streets of Jericho. Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see, Since he was built so low. "Come down quick!" Jesus said, "I'd like to come and dine." So off they went (while people stared) To have some bread and wine. "He is just not worthy," Cried the people in the town. "He has been made wealthy While our money dwindles down." Zacchaeus felt so humbled That the Lord would show him favor That he vowed to pay the people back, And now he's loyal to the Savior. From . . . And a Poem by Kathy Mansfield  For the Letter Y in the #AtoZChallenge, I've taken the liberty of using the word "why" instead of the 25th letter of the alphabet.
Life’s Scars If ever someone has been broken and fixed I think it would be I. And lo, and behold, I figured out The answer to my “Why?” Sometimes God must let us fall And feel Life’s harshest wrath, Only then can we arise To walk straighter on His path. To others I might seem to be Someone whose life is marred, But God sees me as clean and new, Not as someone scarred. From . . . And a Poem, Too by Kathy Mansfield  I posted the poem below for the Letter Q (Queen Esther), but re-posting for the Letter X (King Xerxes)! So, if you missed the previous post a couple of weeks ago, now's your chance to catch it again. Isn't repurposing a trend? #AtoZChallenge
Esther King Xerxes loved Queen Vashti, But she defied the King’s command; Her banishment made the way For saving Jews across the land. King Xerxes sought another To wear the Persian crown, Throughout the land were chosen Young girls of all renown. Esther was a Hebrew Who lived with Mordecai, Chosen by the royal court, She caught King Xerxes’ eye. But Haman was an Agagite And had a grudge with all the Jews, He made a plan for Xerxes That would cause the Jews to lose. Though Esther was the Persian Queen, Her lineage wasn’t known, Even Xerxes who so loved his queen Was oblivious on his throne. When Mordecai refused to bow, Haman set his plan in place. Xerxes signed the order To end the Jewish race. Mordecai warned Esther Of the plan that would unfold, Through Hathach he told Esther, “You must be brave; you must be bold.” “Perhaps you were made queen For such a time as this. If you ignore the role you play, You’ll surely be remiss.” So Esther turned to God In fasting and in prayer And asked of Mordecai That the Jews, as well, prepare. Then Esther went to Xerxes, And through clever words and deeds, She turned the course in play To preserve the Chosen’s seed. Now Haman is no more, But God’s people grow in love, Thanks to Mordecai and Esther And providence from above. From . . . And a Poem, Too by Kathy Mansfield  Sometimes we have trouble seeing the "writing on the wall," don't we? King Belshazzar certainly saw it, but he definitely didn't understand it. That's where Daniel came in. Daniel was gifted by God to interpret such things. We're gifted, too. We're gifted with God's word (the Bible) and with the Holy Spirit. By listening to the Holy Spirit and reading God's word, we can figure out the writing on the wall that others might miss. Use your gifts from God to interpret the world around you.
The Writing on the Wall Daniel 5 King Belshazzar loved feasts And drinking wine from golden cups, He took the temple vessels For each noble as he sups. As the king and all his nobles (And their concubines and wives) Drank from holy goblets They praised their gods of lies. Suddenly a hand appeared And wrote words upon the wall; King Belshazzar fell to his knees And to his wise men made a call: “Who can read this writing And tell me what it means? To him I’ll give high honor -- He’ll be third to me, the king!” When none of them could read it, The Queen approached the king, “There is a man named Daniel Who’s been known to do such things.” So, Daniel (Judah’s exile) Spoke to the king and said, “Keep your gifts. I’ll tell you What others haven’t read.” “Since you’ve defied the Lord And praised idols in His stead, Yahweh’s sent a message, And this is what it said: “Your days are numbered here, You’ve been weighed and found unfit. Your kingdom’s been divided -- Medes and Persians conquer it.” Daniel knew the meaning And was made a ruler, too. That night the king was killed And a new one rose to rule. From . . . And a Poem, Too by Kathy Mansfield |
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