Be Kind...

The political silly season has started already leading up to the election next year.
Being in New Hampshire, we see more of the candidates and see them more often than folks in other states.
They make promises, oh, they make LOTS of promises! Most of which they will conveniently forget the day after the election.
This go 'round it looks like it will get very nasty.
It is not just Republicans vs Democrats now.
They are ALL sniping at one another. Democrats at Democrats, Republicans at Republicans, Everybody at Everybody.
"Acting ugly" as my grandmother used to say.

Everyone is rude these days, and that applies to politicians, too.
No one is kind anymore.
I am weary of it, but there is little I can do about it.
Except this:
Be kind.
Be kind to other people that are being rude, maybe they had a bad day or have worries you know nothing about.
Hope that your kindness will rub off on them and maybe they will be kind to the next person they encounter. Maybe it will spread.
There is a facebook page for the Bangor Police Department written by an officer by the name of Tim Cotton. If you don't follow it, I suggest you do.
His *tag line* at the end of every post is perfect:
Keep your hands to yourself, leave other people's things alone, and be kind to one another.
Best advice ever!

I do wish the politicians would take this advice.

So, Changes and More Changes

I decided to focus on my health this year.
I need to lose weight, quit smoking, exercise more, yada yada yada, all the things we tell ourselves all the time.
Well, I started small.
I decided to have one meatless day per week. Then twice a week, then three times a week...
I am now down to 8 to 10 ounces of meat per month. I use meat as a condiment more than as a main dish.
Result?
Blood sugar? Down.
Cholesterol ? Down.
Blood pressure? Down.
Weight? Down.
Energy levels? Up.
Sleep quality? Much improved.
Health-wise, it has improved my quality of life so much.
Plus, my food budget has decreased drastically!
Almost effortlessly.
I eat a lot of vegetables, salads, beans, grains, etc, now.
I still eat cheese and other dairy.

My smoking has reduced, also without much effort.
I switched to a "light" cigarette.
But I have noticed that with less meat consumption, my craving for cigarettes has gone down.
My beloved Dr Pepper?
I am drinking WAY more sparkling water than soda these days.

This may not be the answer for others, but it is helping me.

What a Long Strange Trip Its Been....

Wow....
Yup, still very much alive, still very much kickin'.
House sharing with a friend here in New Hampshire.
Working at the grocery store still.
My health is MUCH better.
Only on 2 medications.
New laptop, just got internet last week.
The friends I had stayed with before had so many family issues, that it was best that I absented myself from that environment.
My house was taken by the city for taxes, I expected that. Actually, not having that looming over me has been a relief.
Have changed my diet and my general lifestyle to help my health, and, I am glad to say, my health has improved by leaps and bounds.
Changed my mental outlook as well.
I have chosen to be happy.
More on that some other time, but suffice it to say, I am happy, I am content and I am surrounded by good friends.
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I am still getting used to this new laptop, so bear with me.