PUSH = Pray Until Something Happens!

Over the last few months, The Caring Place has been faced with a severe financial crisis. We put our heads together, came up with a few ideas, and started working hard to raise some money. To date, we have raised $37,000. It's a lot of money but not nearly enough.

As Executive Director, I've been leading the attack on fundraising. And I'm getting tired. Sometimes I wonder where God is taking us. I'll get down and He will boost me back up. I'll be excited and then be disappointed. Yet within all that goes on, I know that there is a plan and a purpose. I keep saying that old adage, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," and I think it is working.

A huge thank you to everyone who has donated to us. You have made a difference and our doors are still open, our rent is paid for October and we are all working hard at The Caring Place. Let's all keep PUSHing and we'll find our way.

Joy Johnson, PhD, ABC
Executive Director

Has Spring Finally Sprung?

While some parts of the province had a blizzard last weekend, this week has been bright and sunny. The weather forecasters are predicting rain for tomorrow, but that is still warmer than the blizzard a week ago.

Our moods often follow the weather patterns. When the skies are dark and gray, we may feel down and grumpy. When the skies are blue and sunny, our moods may be elated and we are happy and lively.

As I was pondering our behaviour, I began to wonder why the weather has such an impact on us. Is it the temperature, the colour of the sky, the wind speed or other factors?

Then I thought about how much control I have over my mood. While many factors each day impact our lives, we CHOOSE our moods and whether we are happy or sad. The choice is mine. If everything goes wrong in the day, I can choose to look at the positives that did occur and be upbeat and happy. Or, I can focus all my energies on the negatives and be miserable.

The choice is mine, and yours.

SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE LONELY

The Caring Place has entered the world of social media. We now have a Facebook page and, of course, this blog. We are new to these means of communication but hope that our supporters and clients will access these sources and interact with us. So far things have been quiet, and lonely.

We will be launching a fundraising campaign on April 25 -- "A Week of Caring." We will be promoting The Caring Place through radio, television, print and social media, to raise our profile and raise some funds. The week will culminate in Caring Place Sunday and we are asking Regina's faith community to take up a benevolent offering for us.

Donations to The Caring Place can be made through our website at http://www.thecaringplace.ca/ under Donate. We are looking forward to comments on Facebook and on this blog.

MID-WINTER BLUES

The red ink symbolizes love, which was February 14 -- the only "hot spot" in the middle of winter. Here in Saskatchewan, winter sometimes seems to last 10 months of the year. We've all heard the old joke: "In Saskatchewan there are only 2 months -- winter and road construction." Right now it is a VERY cold winter at -23C with a wind chill that feels like -37C.

 

So how do we get through the days, weeks and months of such cold without getting severely depressed? Here are a few helps. Use what works (at your own risk) and ignore the rest.

 

1. Leave for a tropical climate on July 1 and return June 31.
2. Have a beach party in January -- indoors.
3. Have a "how cold is it?" debate and try to outdo each other.
4. Take the family to the Moose Jaw spa for a treat weekend.
5. If you can't afford a weekend in Moose Jaw, spend an afternoon at a leisure centre.
6. Sit down with a globe and find climates that are colder than Saskatchewan. Research them on Wikipedia.
7. Go through your closet trying on and sorting summer clothes that no longer fit or are worn out.
8. Look through pictures or a scrapbook of a memorable vacation, no matter where it was.
9. Rent a Beach Blanket movie for the evening.
10. Look at your warm home, warm winter coat, hat/gloves and winter boots and count your blessings.

As the song goes, "See you in the summer ..."

New Year, New Start

Every January we hear about "New Year's Resolutions." Usually resolutions focus on what we have not been doing, resolving to do the opposite--quit smoking, start dieting, start exercising.  Seldom do we come up with new ideas for something positive.

Perhaps 2011 is a good year to start something positive. Here are a few examples. Feel free to use any of them.

1. Start talking to myself in a positive tone.
2. Find something positive and beautiful about each day.
3. Compliment or say something positive to someone I meet every day.
4. Make an effort to make new friends.
5. Do a random act of kindness every day or every week.
6. Consciously turn every negative thought into something positive during the year.

These are only a few of the positive things we can do. If everyone who reads this commits to something positive in 2011, our world will become a more positive place.

Happy New Year!