Traditionally, following the Julian calendar introduced by the authority of Julius Caesar in 46 BC, this volume of The ZONE will be the first for 2021. Continuing with tradition, frequently individuals will set New Year’s resolutions with the hope of accomplishing them during the upcoming year. The tradition of setting goals dates back over 4,000 years ago to ancient Babylon, with the motivation to be seen positively by the gods. This tradition continued to ancient Rome, through the Middle Ages and up to today. Another way to embrace this time of year is to view it as a continuing, ever-changing lifecycle: prenatal development, infancy and toddler years, early childhood, middle childhood, early adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood. Each of us finds ourselves at a different point in our life cycle and we assign specific tasks to this period of time. However, in today’s ever-changing world, we are offered new possibilities and opportunities that will shape what we do with our tomorrows. Our paths are not set, they are created. Examples of individuals who are changing the nature of the lifecycle include: 15 year-old scientist and inventor, Gitanjali Rao, who is Time Magazine’s first-ever “Kid of the Year”; 51 year-old grandmother who gave birth to her own granddaughter through surrogacy; and Gladys Burrill who is known as “Gladyator” because she completed the Honolulu Marathon at 92 years-old. As we move forward, we have choices and opportunities that are offered daily that contain known and unknown possibilities. The ones we choose or don’t choose will direct our continually evolving lifecycle path.
Key Takeaways
Remember to stop and smell the roses.
We are creating our future, in the moment.
Is it time to re-examine your lifecycle?
Best Practices
If you are stuck in a rut, stop spinning your wheels.
Get outside, its good for your vitamin D.
Face your future without flinching.
Things to Limit
Not practicing self-care.
Setting unrealistic goals.
Thinking that your tomorrows will be just a repeat of yesterdays.
Quote of the Week
“You can get excited about the future. The past won’t mind.”
~ Hillary Depiano
In summary, while our calendar marks life in a linear fashion, the reality is that life is cyclical and ever-changing. So, we may want to recall the words of Mark Twain, when he wrote: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Be well,
Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD and Dr. Helen E. Battisti PhD
The paraDocs
Check our Welcome Greeting on YouTube
The paraDocs are Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD, Psychotherapist, Distinguished Psychology Professor and former Executive V.P and Chief Academic Officer and Dr. Helen E. Battisti PhD, RDN, CDN, Chief Nutrition Officer at SpNOD, Health Promotion Specialist, Research and Clinical Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and former Assistant Professor.
We have developed "The ZONE", because that is exactly where you want to be during this pandemic. A place of focused attention to doing exactly what needs to be done to get you to where you need to be. The purpose of The Zone is to provide a nationally distributed weekly mental-health and nutrition tip-sheet during times of change.
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