As the light slowly creeps back into our days, let’s set an intention for the next several months.

Ancient people once thought of this whole month as a time reflection. The god Janus (who the month is named after) had two faces: one that looked back at what could be learned, and one to look forward at what is to come.

Looking back also provides a chance to celebrate what went well, and for ancient people that meant honoring their “victory over the forces of chaos” according to History.com. For the Egyptians that meant surviving the flooding of the Nile. For others it meant weathering the harsh winter freeze. For the Chinese it meant warding off evil spirits with lights, noise, and eventually fireworks (once gunpowder was invented).

Looking forward, it was a time to prepare for Spring and new life.

As you ease back into “reality” after the holiday season, it’s worth taking a moment this month to breathe, connect with your support people, and plan how you’ll navigate through the rest of 2023.

If you need direction, pick a healthy habit you want to incorporate this year. Having a goal provides focus and can help ground us throughout the year. Here are some quick tips on how to cement a new habit:

Keep it Simple. Distill the habit down to the first, easiest step, solidify that and then build from there. Think of every step along the way as nesting dolls, one step inside another and another and so on. For example, if you’re going to start a new exercise routine, what are all the aspects needed? Time, place, equipment, support people (we call this an “accountabili-buddy”), etc.. Break it down and set yourself up to win!

Piggyback and Stack. Make the steps part of already tried-and-true routines you have. If you already brush your teeth without thinking about it, add the first steps for your new habit to that. For example, let’s say you’re adding a morning yoga routine to your life, “after I brush my teeth, I will roll out my yoga mat to begin stretching.” Another example, put your vitamins next to your alarm clock with a glass of water. You already turn off your alarm, just add popping those healthy nutrition helpers right after you say, “yay! Today is a new day!”

Install Cues. Experts call these “triggers” that signal your brain to follow the plan you set in motion. Examples include reminders, pings, post-it notes, keeping the gym bag or yoga mat visible, scheduling on your calendar, setting an intention the night before or that morning, etc..

Reward. If a habit doesn’t have immediate, exciting benefits, it’s hard to keep it going. Make sure you plan for some enticing, instant reward so your brain feels like the work is worth the effort and you begin to crave doing what it takes to make the habit automatic.

James Clear who wrote Atomic Habits, making habit skills utterly accessible, frames it in simple behavior change language…

“The 1st law (Cue): Make it obvious.
The 2nd law (Craving): Make it attractive.
The 3rd law (Response): Make it easy.
The 4th law (Reward): Make it satisfying.”

“Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.” — James Clear

If a new you is in your resolutions, take a page from an expert’s playbook on how to get there and “cue” up some sound planning and satisfying rewards, and you’ll be very much on your way to success.

See you on The PATH Ahead,

Gillian and the VEHI PATH Team

In a world full of uncertainties, a tradition can help provide an anchor, even just for a moment.

Making life feel predictable and structured, nostalgic and purposeful, rituals of tradition born out of the holiday season can be, well, like a warm cup of cheer; a chance to take a beat, breathe, and reflect, removed from the vagaries of life’s hustle and bustle. Ahhhhhh.

Pre-pandemic, we knew this but in the daily grind we scoffed, “yeah, yeah, that old tradition, I’ll get to it”. Then, “ding!” Something shiny and social-media-ish would pull us away.

Of course, in lockdown, we learned what mattered most. We learned that creativity is one of our greatest assets and we applied it magically to our beloved rituals. Finding ways to honor our traditions in spite of trauma, turns out to be our superpower.

The question now is how will we “tradition” this year?

We have an opportunity to completely reimagine ceremony and ritual, drop new anchors and shift to help us thrive. How will we bring purpose and predictability back, center our souls again, and ease into the new year with confidence?

First, let’s sift out the great parts of our traditions from the bickering, baffling family frustrations. Let’s look at some coaching from the social skills department. When it comes to getting along and connecting through traditions, psychologists offer the following researched concepts:

Collaborate. Whoever you call family, make a plan with these people so your holiday gatherings are an act of teamwork and inclusion (and gratitude for each person’s contribution). Be allies for each other and be gentle with one another. No one has escaped hard times.

Stay open minded and lead with love. You may feel like a grinch about sharing what you’re thankful for, but after you do, you’ll feel great. Healthy rituals have been proven to help people improve their sleep, mood, and focus. Work with each other on ways to honor everyone’s beloved traditions without undermining anyone. That said, it’s also okay to bow out of any tradition that doesn’t feel safe to you.

Have hard conversations ahead of time (and lead with love). Don’t leave stuff festering or sitting as a pink elephant in the room. Talk with a coach or counselor about difficult conversations you might need to have and try to reach some resolution before you gather as a group. At the very least, agree to leave it alone until you can properly address the subject outside of the group.

Share celebratory thoughts. Talk with each other about what you’re proud of, what you’re grateful for, and what you’re looking forward to. Be inclusive and “yes” oriented (there is that open mind again). Here are a few other conversation starters for a group of loved ones looking to enjoy (assuming you get along well already):

— What three events this past year gave you energy and hope to carry on?
— What would you like to do this coming year that will feed your soul?
— What brand new thing will you do this year?
— What’s your favorite holiday memory?
— What was your favorite toy?
— Who had the most positive influence on you growing up? During this past year?
— What three adjectives would your grandparents or parents use to describe you (in a good way)?
— What brings you the most joy and meaning during the holidays?

Be creative together or volunteer. Literally rolling up your sleeves and using your hands creatively helps ignite your brain with goodness and bonds you with others in new, story-weaving ways. Allow each other’s strengths to flourish. Oh, how the legends of the great ginger-bread-house contest will grow!

Here’s a fun “old” craft tradition to bring back this year: a pomander. It’s an orange that you’ve spiced and dried. Hang them for fragrance this winter (secretly they might also ward off the black plague).

Rituals and traditions can be a solid anchor to rely on when feeling rudderless. They don’t have to be huge or elaborate. They can be as simple as the daily greeting you give your co-workers, or the clinking of glasses to cheer a meal, or your favorite holiday music (or making fun of such). Whatever it is, lean in and embrace the joy together.

For more ideas on surviving the holidays, log into your InvestEAP.org account, our partners in short-term mental health services.

Happy Winter and we will see you on the PATH Ahead,

Gillian and the VEHI PATH Team

Oh boy does that have new meaning!

Some are saying the 2022-23 flu season is shaping up to be the worst ever, even calling it a “Tridemic” (COVID, Flu and RSV — a child respiratory illness).

The best prevention on record is to get a flu shot and stay away from those who are sick. There are some big, lingering respiratory bugs going around, so up your antibodies to stay strong.

Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands — 20 seconds (slowly sing the ABC’s) or use hand sanitizer covering the whole hand and rubbing it in until it dries. Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Keep your immune system boosted with good foods (fresh, organic, and varied), good sleep, and good times with loved ones (laughter and social connections are powerful protectors).

What if you do pick up a virus?

If you do have to cough, muffle it as best you can in the crook of your elbow.

Remember, a cough travels 200 mph through the air.

The good news is, wearing a mask is no longer weird. If you’re sick or at all worried about passing on a virus, mask up. Your friends and co-workers will thank you.

How about other remedies?

Studies are few, with small samples, and have mixed results. Doctors resoundingly say, if it makes you feel better, it’s good. The placebo effect is often as powerful as any drug or treatment.

Pain killers such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen are good for the aches and fever. Antibiotics are not useful against viruses because they only fight bacteria.

Start small with any remedy to be sure it’s for you and always consult your doctor.

With help from the NY Times… Here’s what we learned about some popular natural remedies:

ZINC — take it within 24hrs of having symptoms and it can shorten your cold by a day. Lozenges are best because they coat the throat — a double help. Careful though, too much zinc can upset some people’s stomachs — best to take it with food and keep it to small amounts. A great natural source: Pepitas (pumpkin seeds).

OREGANO OIL — capsules offer a concentrated dose of this herb which is a natural antibiotic and antifungal agent. Taken at the first sign of symptoms, this oil can stave off disease. WebMD gives you ideas on how to take it.

GINGER — a natural immune booster and stomach reliever, a little ginger in your tea or soup can soothe the soul. Organic roots are key to avoiding toxins. Peel and slice up some chunks to brew with Turmeric and honey or maple syrup.

HONEY — with so many good nutrients in raw, local honey, you can’t deny the soothing benefits it offers your throat. Research says it’s as good as any pharmaceutical.

The bottom line to all home or natural remedies:
1) Try to start any remedy as early as possible, at the first sign of symptoms.
2) Choose remedies that feel good and ease symptoms.

The caveats? If it doesn’t feel good, stop. The research doesn’t warrant putting up with something that tastes bad or irritates your system. More is not always better, don’t overdo it just because these are natural remedies. Even nature can have side effects.

Research is moving at the speed of light and new information about natural cures comes out every minute, so this is all subject to change. All research aside, support for soothing comfort such as honey and turmeric date back thousands of years when pharmaceuticals didn’t exist. That’s a good vote for the effectiveness.

Here are two good teas to make at home that will be warm and yummy no matter how you slice it:

Honey Throat Coat:
1 tablespoon Honey
2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
½ Lemon, juice squeezed
1 cup hot water

Mix all together and sip while having some “me time”.

Golden Milk:
1 inch of Ginger, peeled and sliced
1 inch organic turmeric root, sliced
1 stick cinnamon
2-3 black peppercorns (cracked)
2-3 cups of water
1 cup warm milk (set aside for the end)
1 tablespoon maple syrup (set aside for the end)

Put ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Let sit and steep for another 10 mins. Add maple syrup to taste and warm milk.

See you on The PATH Ahead.

Gillian Pieper and the VEHI PATH Team
www.tomypath.com
www.vehi.org

The expression originally appeared in a Welsh publication in 1866 as “Ait a happle avore gwain to bed, An’ you’ll make the doctor beg his bread” or “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” Love the old English. In 1913, in a book Rustic Speech and Folk-lore, it got its classic reboot.

Why so good? Not only does the expression endure as it speaks truth, it holds us because in the simplicity lies depth. It’s about healthy behaviors and sound advice as much as it is about habits. It’s about the joy of the apple itself as much as it is about loving something that makes your life better. Some even speculate the apple itself was a metaphor and that any fruit, or any natural, wholesome snack can keep you healthy and save money, time, worry, etc..

The joy of an apple habit isn’t a new concept. Romans and ancient Anglo-Saxons, and even those in India ate apples for health over 1,500 years ago. Fermented apple cider became a world-wide daily staple for hydration when water wasn’t safe to drink.

Health benefits: The apple, as a healthy snack, became popular in the US during Prohibition. Suddenly hard cider was illegal and apple growers had a surplus. What better way to take your mind off drinking than to present a whole apple to hydrate, to fill you up, to offer vitamin C, antioxidants, polyphenols, and fiber, and to clean your teeth while you eat it? Bam! Let’s be honest, there wasn’t a lot of teeth brushing back in the day so thank goodness for snappy Macs to do the job.

Fast forward, and the apple is still the symbol of all things healthy. Studies show apples may lower cholesterol levels, prevent strokes, cancers, and diabetes, and may prevent the need for several different medications. No study has successfully proven an apple a day actually reduces doctor visits but, we know in our gut that it’s all good. And speaking of the gut level, apples and apple cider vinegar have been proven to act as prebiotics, helping feed good stomach bacteria. A good gut leads to good moods and so much more.

Here’s a quick Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) recipe to boost your immune system through your healthy gut:

• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger, or ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 dash cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon raw honey (optional)

As a bonus…. Good research today says drinking ACV after a meal will help slow the release of blood sugar to the blood stream to a more measured pace providing fewer dangers blood sugar spikes and less pressure on insulin to bust a move. When insulin panics from a spike, a) your body stores all sugar as fat rather than feeding the muscles, and b) insulin gets worse and worse at doing its job properly, forcing cortisol to further complicate fat storage.

Or, how about a yummy baked apple recipe? (super healthy without the pie crust) from the Minimalist Baker or the Peppy Kitchen

Finally, it helps that apples are one of the original and easiest on-the-go foods. They’re utterly portable, prepackaged, low in calories, and high in nutrients, which makes them kind of magical. Get ’em while they are most fresh. Your autumn bounty has arrived!

That brings us to the final benefit of the saying itself: forming a healthy habit. We’ll cover that next month.

See you in November, on the PATH Ahead.

The VEHI PATH Team

tomypath.com

vehi.org

vsbit.org

September is many splendid things and a hearty breakfast on a crisp fall morning can be a slice of heaven!

“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?”
“What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?”
“I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the same thing,” he said.
― A.A. Milne

To breakfast or not to breakfast. That is a question on the list of all things nutrition that changes by the minute.

Breakfast became a human norm when we all started to go “work for the man” (in this case, we mean the English Tudor King in the 16th century). As peasants went off to work the Royal fields, they needed to fuel up. One never knew when they’d get a bite to eat again that day.

Eggs were an easy staple because they were hearty with protein, filling, accessible, fresh when people woke up, and plentiful. Side note, pairing them with bacon didn’t happen until the 1920’s when the packaging company Beech-nut marketed the heck out of the union. In those days, social media came in the form of doctors. For a nice fee, over 5,000 of them signed a letter touting the benefits of such a great breakfast. Beech-nut published the letter in every newspaper they could buy.

Feel duped? Yeah. Well, to be honest, the notion that we should eat breakfast has never been properly researched in random controlled trials, so we don’t really know for sure if it is indeed the most important meal of the day.

What DO we know? In observational studies, people who eat breakfast appear healthier. The question is, which came first, the healthier part or the breakfast eating? Further, what kind of breakfast they are eating matters.

Science is working hard to try to help us get the unbiased low-down. Here are the highlights:

ONE: In the morning, our body is most insulin-sensitive, meaning it uses blood sugar most effectively. Cortisol is also at its highest because we’ve likely been fasting during sleep. If we don’t eat, cortisol can wreak havoc thinking we’re in crisis. Further, when we do finally eat, our blood sugar can skyrocket to compensate for lack of food earlier (and our pancreas gets lazy about creating insulin when we fast too long).

Thus, morning is a great time to eat fiber-filled carbs that are low on the glycemic index (less likely to spike blood sugar) and high in protein (more likely to help you feel satisfied and build your muscles into powerful furnaces of energy).

TWO: Your brain needs fuel to function. Breakfast can help you be more alert, focused, and upbeat. Obviously, if your brain is in fight or flight because it’s not getting fed, fogginess and a bad mood are just around the corner.

IN A NUTSHELL, current theory says: our stress hormones, our brain, and our blood sugar are better regulated when we eat healthy and balanced meals at regular intervals throughout the day and especially after 8-10 hours of not eating the night before.

Ok, so if eating breakfast IS important, what we eat must be equally important…

But… Raise your hand if you don’t slide into morning like Speed Racer. Anyone? Crickets.

TIPS: What follows are some QUICK, healthy breakfast tips:

Smoothies: Throw in a serving of fruit (e.g. ½ an apple or banana, ½ cup mango, ½ cup berries), a serving of a veggie (e.g. ½ cup spinach, a ¼ cup carrots, beets, celery or cucumber), a healthy fat (avocado, nuts, nut butters, flax seeds, other oils), and a protein (protein powder, Greek yogurt, sunflower seeds, pepitas); blend and drink on the go. You can also add in lots of powders from the health food sections of the store (mushrooms, greens, etc.).

Yogurt Bowls: Try 1 cup of Greek yogurt (2%), 1 ounce sliced or chopped almonds, ½ cup raspberries which equals 30 grams of Protein! (362 calories: 19g Fat, 22g Carbs, 13g Sugar, 7g Fiber)

Overnight Oats: Toss some oats into a mason jar with any milk you like, some berries, spices like vanilla (or pumpkin spice blend), maybe a little honey or maple syrup and let it sit overnight to soften. In general, use a 1-2 ratio of oats to liquid. OR, cook up some hot oats in the morning and stir in protein powder, nut butter, and a smidge of maple syrup. Sprinkle walnuts on top. It only takes 10-15 mins.

Omelets: Eggs are still a great source of protein along with organic (and humanely raised) meats. Try 1 egg, 2 egg whites, 2 ounces of chicken sausage (organic), 1 ounce goat cheese, ½ cup spinach, which equals 29g of Protein! (276 calories: 16g Fat, 5g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 1g Fiber)

Make Ahead: Oats, casseroles, egg cups, healthy muffins, energy bars and bites, granolas, etc., are all yummy breakfasts you can make over the weekend to have as grab-and-go foods for the week. Planning is everything when it comes to a busy life, of course.

Make Ahead Healthy Waffles: Dash of sea salt; 1 cup pumpkin puree; 3 tablespoons virgin coconut oil melted and cooled slightly; plus more for the waffle iron; 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 6 large eggs, beaten; 6 tablespoons coconut flour; 1 teaspoon cream of tartar; ½ teaspoon baking soda.
Whisk the pumpkin, coconut oil, vanilla and eggs in a medium bowl until completely combined. Vigorously whisk in the coconut flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and ¼ teaspoon salt until no lumps remain of dry flour. Add in some berries. Cook on a waffle iron about 6 minutes. Add more berries on top.

Last Resort Packaged Foods: If you do end up popping into a convenience store last minute, look for energy bars that are low in sugar — ideally less than 7 grams of added sugar.

Type in “Quick, healthy breakfasts” to a search engine and you’ll get hundreds of ideas. Here are some links to sources we trust:

— Six Tips for Better Breakfasts from The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: https://www.eatright.org/food/planning-and-prep/snack-and-meal-ideas/6-tips-for-better-breakfasts

— Five On-The-Go Ideas from the Cleveland Clinic: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-on-the-go-hearty-heart-healthy-breakfast-ideas/

— 15 Tips from Eat This, Not That: https://www.eatthis.com/best-healthy-breakfast-tips/

Cheers to a happy, healthy start to your day.

See you in October, on the PATH Ahead.

The VEHI PATH Team

tomypath.com

vehi.org

vsbit.org

Gracious! Does it seem like everyone is getting COVID… AGAIN?

By George it does (why even George himself has got it).

This thing continues to mutate and nag at us like those relentless, late summer deer flies who were supposed to be logy by now. With the giant Sequoias of Yosemite at risk, a drought here, a flood there, algae blooms, political strife, and the COVID BA.5 subvariant, life still seems to be conspiring against all that is good.

Whew! Sorry to be Debbie Downer. We’re just naming it; shouting it out like your nervous friend who can’t help herself. Emotions won’t disappear by burying our heads so why not set them free?

We call what’s happening “a pile-on” and we are in one heck of just that. It’s good to say so, pause, take a deep breath, and reiterate that, like the seasons, we will get through it. And it’s okay to feel that it all stinks like the neighborhood storm swale water in the scorching heat of August.

Some things you might be feeling? Overwhelmed. Uneasy about the back-to-school cycle. Not rested from summer. Heavy. Not caring that Sally’s fridge broke, or that Donna has a kidney stone. All of the above and then some.

It’s OKAY.

The worst thing we can do is say, “Well, at least Blah, Blah, Blah.” A pile-on is a gosh darn pile-on. Period.

It’s what you do with your list of feelings that matters most. Deep breaths and other tried and true strategies really can help. Cliches exist for a reason. Now more than ever, let’s embrace the mental health basics…

One-Two, Buckle Your Shoe…

ONE: Look for what you CAN control. For example, for some of us, it’s sweeping. When the floor is clean, it’s done, and you did it. Nice work. For others, it’s math, or reading up on something, or journaling, or painting, weeding, walking, sprinting, boxing, swimming, dancing, hiking, planning a gathering, and so on. Self-care isn’t another to-do list. It’s what you need in this moment to feel better. If it’s sweeping, so be it. Don’t judge.

TWO: Work on letting go of what you CAN’T control. What other people think of you, what might have been, why we didn’t do such-and-such, and other similar statements are an attempt to get perspective but lead you down a painful road with few answers. Give yourself a break here. Usually, we are our own worst critics at a time when we need kindness most. Guilt and shame are the dark side. Go easy on you, Adele.

Three-Four, Shut the Door…

THREE: Celebrate the good you do each day. Hawaiian elders counsel, “if today all you did was hold yourself together, I’m proud of you.” In very hard times, it seems we’re supposed to be superhuman but even superheroes need to rest and recover. Celebrate the fact that you’re here, moving forward. Aloha! Ha’aheo au ia ‘oe (ha ah-hey-oh ow e-a oh-way = I’m proud of you). Tell someone else you’re proud of them and you’ll get double the benefit (proud of you Donna — kidney stones huuuurt!).

FOUR: Shake it off your body. Get it out of your cells for good. Emotional pain that stays pent up does big damage. Expunge, we say! Several deep breaths with huge, forceful exhales can help. Add in your arms overhead on the inhale and swinging down with the exhale. Add in a simulated axe chop and Bam! Let it go; throw it in the forget-it bucket (or a different “f” word if you need — again, we don’t judge).

We’re proud of you.

August is hot and hard, we know. It’s also full of promise and hope as is each new day.* You are strong and kind and important. Take time to rest and be you because you are marvelous. Soon the sweet, cool air of Fall will wash over you and bring crisp apples with honey and your favorite sweater. Ahhhhhhh.

See you in September, On The PATH Ahead.

The VEHI PATH Team

tomypath.com

vehi.org

vsbit.org

*PS. For inspiration, take a look back at Maya Angelou’s On The Pulse of Morning – we can never hear it enough…

“Across the wall of the world,
A River sings a beautiful song. It says,
Come, rest here by my side.”

Welcome to the heart of Summer!

The term “dog days of summer” came about because the hottest days of the year coincide with the rising of Sirius, or the Dog Star, at dawn. Sirius is part of the constellation “Canus Majoris”.

With Sirius being the brightest star in the sky other than the sun, its Greek translation actually means “scorching”. As soon as the Greeks saw it, they’d say “whew, it’s gonna be a hot one today.”

In Egypt, on the other hand, Sirius’ rising coincided with the flooding of the Nile each year. So they named the star “Sothis” and called it the “watchdog” star.

So goes the legend of the dog days and sweltering heat and bright light. Oh, and little kids everywhere saying, “yup, this when the dog usually licks up my melting ice cream cone.”

While kids and dogs nap on a picnic blanket after sweating their heads off, we are reminded that summer break is aptly named. Schools began taking these breaks because being cooped up together in a tiny one-room cesspool was bad for business. Plus, those little folks made for useful hands in the fields.

Today, summer is often a symbol for relaxation, reconnecting with each other, and soaking in the vitamins of nature. Your challenge in the 40 days or so of Sirius, is to take full advantage of your ABC’s:

• A. The Outdoors: Nature is a probiotic and multivitamin you simply can’t bottle. Go after it like you would your favorite, addictive food. Treat flowers and shade under a tree like it’s the candy bar you were almost willing to steal at ten years old (or maybe did, not naming names).
• B. Fresh Food: Farmer’s markets are booming again and yours to wander through. Is there anything better than fresh fruit and veggies from a local farm? You can smell the basil just thinking about it.
• C. Good Company: Relationships matter most of all. Summer seems to be the easiest time to gather and shoot the breeze.

Most importantly, take advantage of time to recover and sow the seeds for winter. You’ve got a big year ahead with lots of unknowns, so take a moment to reflect and recoup the excess energy you lost this past year. Being with loved ones can double the return on investment. Being in nature together triples the benefit.

Oh, and a quick note that the long days of light late into the evening along with the heat can make it hard to get good sleep (speaking of rest). Here are some quick reminder tips on that:

• Use light blocking curtains and/or an eye mask at night
• Keep to your regular bedtime and waketimes regardless of light
• Get outside in the sunlight early in the day and keep your house bright
• Dim the lights indoors as bedtime approaches and use blue light blocking tech for screens (or better yet put them away an hour before bedtime)
• Cool off with a shower, a fan or air conditioning
• Stay hydrated and enjoy a dip in the cold waters of Vermont

For a deeper look, the New York Times has a great article on summer sleep.

Under the bright light of the dawn watchdog star, slow your breath, ease your heart and tell someone you love them. Then cannonball into a glassy body of water and shout “whaaaahoooo!”

Happy dog days, friends.

See you on PATH Ahead.

Gillian, Amy, Ashley, Jess and the VEHI PATH Team.

www.tomypath.com

PS. Log into your PATH account and start the Sizzlin’ Summer Challenge NOW! Whaaahoooo!

It is time for me to say “adieu, adieu to you and you and you.”  Because the Sound of Music is my all-time favorite movie (I first saw it when I was eight years old, came home and performed the entire musical, complete with costume changes for my parents), I cannot resist borrowing a few lines from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s songs for my farewell. “I hate to go and leave this pretty sight,” but “there’s a sad sort of clanging from the clock in my soul and the bells in the steeple too that are telling me it is time  to say goodbye to you.”

For the past 20 years I have worked hand in hand with Vermont school employees, first promoting the well-being of students and staff in the Safe and Healthy Schools division of the Agency of Education and then, as a member of VEHI PATH’s team specifically focused on helping all of you live your best lives, at school, at home and in your communities.

It has been a whirlwind of two decades, crammed full of the best memories. I consider myself extremely blessed to have witnessed all you have put forth to recognize the value of health, advocate for healthier school environments and to invest in new behaviors to support your own well-being. You are all superheroes, and  I am so proud of what you have accomplished. It goes without saying that I will continue to shout this out from the rafters, and I look forward to catching wind of what comes next.

Now 65 years of age, I can no longer push away my dreams. I pine for long-distance cycling, hiking and Nordic skiing in the US and abroad. It is time for me to “climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow”, and put my energies toward addressing my aspirations and discovering the gifts they will offer.

In early June of this year, I plan to hop on a train to Seattle, Washington with my bicycle, panniers and tent to begin cycling on all that is finished of  the Great American Rail Trail (2000 miles) and the other 1700 miles that will take me back to the trail’s end in Washington DC.

I am ecstatic about being able to physically move day after day, eat plenty of cold sandwiches, sleep on the ground ( not really but why not?) and meet people from diverse communities throughout our glorious country. As my time for leaving gets closer, I will set up a blog and my PATH colleagues will send out a link to it for those of you who may to wish to follow my journey and read all about my trials and tribulations. As Amy, Ashley and Gillian often state, I usually have no problem finding some kind of drama or funny event. Let’s hope they are correct!

Let us not be strangers. I trust in the coming years I will bump into some of you at a ski center, a grocery store or in a local music venue (I long to dance once again). Your commitment to your health means the world to me. Let it carry you forward and let you shine as you move throughout your life.

“So long, farewell, au revoir, auf wiedersehen, I flit, I float, I fleetly flee, I fly. Goodbye!”

Shevonne (aka Shazam and Shevie)

For IMPORTANT Final Notes on the Challenge, scroll to the end.

For this week’s message of inspiration, read on:

“Everything in the country, animate and inanimate, seems to whisper, be serene, be kind, be happy. We grow tolerant there unconsciously.”

— Fanny Fern, 1853

Easier said than done in these bewildering times.

In this final week of our Sizzlin’ Summer Challenge, you’re making your way through an astonishing back-to-school conundrum. On this Labor Day a celebration of your talent has never been more pertinent.

When we chose “Turn it around” as our last challenge, we never expected the world to look as it does today. But here we are…

The idea of a cloud having a silver lining was coined by John Milton in 1634, but it didn’t become proverbial until an unlikely mid-19th century influencer made it popular.

Sarah Willis Parton was once the highest paid writer in America (circa 1850-1870) under the name Fanny Fern. A Boston legend, she made a living helping motivate others to pursue their dreams. She was a widowed single mother who’d also lost her parents, her sisters and a child in rapid succession. To cope, she entered a desperate marriage with an abusive man. She fled that man to protect her two girls which left her destitute and her reputation tarnished. So what does the daughter of a journalist do? She made up a pen name and sold a witty, assertive, motivational column on how to overcome adversity, being her own expert. To her surprise, it paid the bills, and she found herself launched into a storied career.

In Sara’s case, the pen was indeed mighty.

Finding your silver lining in your heroic efforts to reopen schools may seem unlikely, but this kind of wisdom and strength as a school employee is what you’ve always been called toward. Saving lives is simply what you do, your labor of love, and kindness is your sword. You have always been and are forevermore our superstars. So…

When the tango of staying vs running engulf you in indecision;

When the protective gear runs out and the “asks” begin to crumple you;

When you can’t possibly smack your forehead one more time in disbelief…

Take 2-3 DEEP breaths, relax your shoulders and remember we’ve never done this before. It’s ok to flail a little while you catch yourself. But catch yourself, you will. We know you. We’ve seen your magic time and again.

You are pioneers forging ahead in an epic journey. Though you may be “in the belly of the whale” at the moment, you have what it takes to build a way out, of that we are certain. There is a light ahead and it is you. It won’t be easy, but you will be there on the other side a fighter, stronger than ever.

And we are with you all the while.

Take it directly from the queen of style and inspiration herself:

— Sara Willis Parton, aka, Fanny Fern, Nil desperandum, 1853 , from the collection: Fern Leaves From Fanny’s Portfolio

We have faith in you and are cheering for you 1000%! And thank you. It just can’t be said enough.

See you on The PATH Ahead,

Gillian, Shevonne, Amy, Ashley and the VEHI PATH Team.

Three KEY POINTERS to Finish the Summer Challenge for PATHpoints:

1. Before submitting your Game Card, be sure to write down both your Facebook Profile and your PATH account names (if they don’t match). If we can’t find you, we can’t award your points!
2. Be sure your Facebook posts are properly labeled with the week number so we can find and track them.
3. Put up all posts on Facebook and mail your Game Card to arrive by September 18, 2020 (coming right up!).

DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 18

“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” -Socrates

Yahoo! Week Nine of the Sizzlin’ Summer Challenge is at your doorstep. This week we are asking you to find and share moments of awe and wonder. Sounds simple enough, but it may give one pause. After all, what does “awe” mean anyway and how might it impact us?  

I took the bait and here’s what I found: The word “awe” was first derived from words in Old English and Old Norse that expressed fear and dread, particularly to a divine being. From there, the meaning shifted to dread mixed with respectful fear in the presence of a supreme authority. Fast forward to the 21^st Century and awe is most often described as something in which you perceive vastness – whether this be witnessing something physically large like the Grand Canyon, or the vastness one discovers in the presence of someone with immense prestige, or the vastness presented with a complex idea such as relativity. Obviously, the fear associated with a supreme being has taken a back seat.

According to some psychologists, who have now been studying awe in earnest for the past 15 years, moments of awe are often accompanied by less focus on oneself and increased connections and generosity toward others. When we find moments of awe and wonder, our bodies respond. We may experience chills, goosebumps, tears and/or a faster beating heart.

Awe can be transcending. Perhaps you have discovered something in the natural world that is beautiful to you, or a painting or sculpture you can’t walk away from. Or maybe it’s watching someone tackle and meet an athletic endeavor which strikes you as absolutely astounding. Or maybe you have heard or read an individual’s words that are awe-inspiring.

Astronauts who experience Earth from orbit often report feelings of awe and wonder and of being transformed by what they describe as the magic such a perspective brings. This phenomenon is called the “overview effect,” and researchers from the University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology Center are now examining the emotions astronauts commonly recount. Jim Irwin of Apollo 15 became a preacher upon his return; Edgar Mitchell formed the Noetic Institute to research altered states of consciousness; and Apollo 9 astronaut, Russell Schweickart began practicing transcendental meditation and dedicated his life to serving as a volunteer.

Awe may also be terrifying dependent upon one’s circumstances. For example, looking down from a mountain top to the valley below or looking down at Paris or New York City from the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State building may be extremely frightening.   

As I jogged up and down the dirt roads in the Mad River Valley this morning, I thought about what I have found to be awe-inspiring in my life. My moments often come from the environment and include hiking on the steep slopes of the Na Pali Coast in Kauai, climbing up and down the Grand Tetons and visiting the Canadian Niagara Falls. Closer to home, the Green Mountains, the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain never cease to provide me with awe and wonder. I am extremely fortunate to be able to see and appreciate these natural wonders in all seasons.   

Lastly, I continue to be in awe of all that has changed in the past six months throughout our land as we cope with the pandemic. I am awed by how working parents with young children have pooled their resources to care for their children while striving to address work responsibilities. I am in awe of all that school staff have accomplished in record time to provide online education to our youth. I am in awe of how quickly we all have signed on to do our best to refrain from sharing a potential deadly virus with our neighbors and I am in awe of all that our Vermont leaders have done to proactively keep us safe.

We are excited to see your postings of your awe-inspiring moments of wonder.

See you on the PATH Ahead,

Shevonne, Gillian, Amy and Ashley – the VEHI PATH team