How to Make the Most of the Fresh Start of a New Year

Every year, January brings renewed optimism for change, for a better life, for a better you. And that’s a wonderful thing.It’s wonderful, because this fresh start gives us a chance to reinvent our lives and ourselves. It allows us to reinvigorate ourselves, to shed the baggage of the previous year and do anything. Anything is possible!

Here’s how.1. Let go.

You have a fresh start. Let go of last year, and start anew.2. Decide what matters most today.

Forget about your goals for all of this year. Instead, decide: what do you want to do today?This might be something you work on all year, or it might just last a month, or it might last a week or a few days, or just today. It doesn’t matter. What matters is today — that you’re going to work on this with all your heart, today. Tomorrow … we’ll decide on that tomorrow.

3. Clear away distractions and focus.Clear away all the little nagging work and chores and errands that pull at your attention, clear away the clutter that surrounds you (sweep it off to the side to deal with later).Now, find focus. Focus on the thing that matters most. Do it for as long as you can, until you’re done if possible. Feel free to take breaks, but always return to your focus.When you’re done, focus on the next thing that matters most, and so on.

4. Find happiness now.When you’re doing whatever you’re passionate about, whatever matters most, whatever you decide is worthy of your time and heart and focus … be happy! You’re doing what you love. And that is truly a gift.

5. Reinvent yourself, every day.You’ll have a fresh start every single day — not just on January 1. And that, my friends, is the best thing ever.

by Leo Babauta

Source: https://zenhabits.net/fresh-start/

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SceneHOSPICE OF HAVASU VOLUNTEER

STAY IN TOUCH: Volunteer Services office, 928-453-2111 • www.HospiceHavasu.orgJoni: jrenzi@hospicehavasu.org

“New year is the glittering light to brighten the dream-lined pathway of future” - Munia Khan

Let go. I think we all just might want to do this with 2020.

How cool would it be if we could just skip right over it altogether?

Go right from 2019 to 2021. No pandemic. No lock downs.No divisiveness. As tempting as that sounds. I know for me, some pretty

cool things came out of 2020 and its challenges. Daily texts with my sisters sharing something to smile at or

ponder. Weekend phone calls during my Doodle walks with my

niece in Dallas.Friendships that deepened through frequent check ins with

one another. Intentional connections that just may not have happened if

the busyness of life remained on its normal course.For sure, there are parts of 2020 I would like to just forget. But that’s not 2020. That’s life. Things we need to let go of to live our best lives. And blessings we need to embrace.2020. The year we will all remember. We get to decide HOW we remember it. Let it go.Or hold it tight. We choose.~Until we meet again….

Goodbye from Mari Jo...

January

BirthdaysFrank Ettner 2Barbara Hutton 6 Sandy Carver 8 Jean Russell 8Kim Switzer 8Joan O’Connor 11Terry Fouts 12Jannice Ferguson 13Lynn Weis 13Alicia Uribe 17Gail Dick 22J Leo Smith 22Ralph Winkler 28Shirley Krump 30

YEARS OF

ServiceDelores Carson 8Linda Crain 8Irene Schultz 8DiAnne Mantz 6Mary Moody 5Kim Switzer 5Cecilia Elmore 4Cheryl Beach 3Sharon Howard 3Leslie Melnick 3James Templeton 3Patty Holycross 2Joy McLain 2Faye Moe 2Linda Studniski 2Sharron Williams 2Jim Woltrang 2

MILESTONES

STAY IN TOUCH: Volunteer Services office, 928-453-2111 • www.HospiceHavasu.orgJoni: jrenzi@hospicehavasu.org

The past year has been a challenge for everyone. The uncertainty caused by the pandemic has resulted in a disruption of comfortable, predictable routines and traditions. The resulting stress can cause headaches, sleep disruptions, and stress.

• Acknowledge and process your feelings by talking to someone, journaling, drawing, etc.

• Limit or take breaks from social media if needed.

• Increase self-awareness and don’t compare. Do what is best for you and honor what you need during this time.

• Take care of your physical body. Get adequate sleep and exercise. Eat a balanced diet.

• Arrange your physical space in a meaningful way. Try to keep a space for relaxation that is calming and free from clutter.

• Engage in hobbies or activities that you enjoy. Try to find things you like to do that can be done at home or while practicing social distancing.

• Practice Mindfulness. Keep yourself focused on the present moment and identify the positive elements in your life.

• Stay connected to others in any way you can. We may not be able to see everyone in person right now but we can use video chats or online meeting spaces to engage with our loved ones.

• Do not be afraid to seek help from a professional if you feel that your symptoms have become severe or are interfering with your daily life.

Self-Care Tips to Reduce Stress

Welcome, New Volunteers!

Cindy Bretzing Jackie Welander Peg Hulsey