The Hometown Treasure September 2013 | Page 43

Healthy A nother summer has ended. It’s tempting to chalk it up as one more year, to moan about the things you didn’t get done, and say, “Next year.” I don’t want to live for “next year.” As a former history teacher, I understand how specific events shape generations. Each of us has a past, a present and a future. With each breath, we step into future moments, living in the present that’s shaped by our past. How well do you hold these things in balance? History challenges me – people lived in moments that defined important, life-changing events. Your daily events don’t seem life-changing, but every moment we live defines our lives. To live well, we need to walk into the future while being fully present now, not dwelling on the past. 1. How are you doing with that? 2. Are you dwelling on your past and letting it define you? Hearts ?Healthy Homes by Brenda Yoder, MA, Education & Prevention Advocate for Elijah Haven Crisis Intervention Center 3. Are you wasting the present by not 4. Don’t wish today away. “Once I get a different job,” “Once the kids being intentional about things that get bigger,” or “Once things slow matter? down” are common things we say. 4. Are you anxious about the future, You may not get the raise, the kids longing for something different will eventually leave, and things and grumbling about your present? may not slow down. Each moment is important. We can’t undo the past but it effects our present. As I look to the future, I don’t want to be stuck longing for what was or fearful of what’s ahead. So how do we live well today? 1. Learn from the past and apply lessons to the present. History does repeat itself. 2. Don’t let the past define your present, your identity, or hope for the future. Each day begins with a clean slate, a fresh start, an opportunity for change. 3. Realize consequences from the past are what they are. New behavior can change but consequences from the past have to run their course. 5. Consider how present choices affect the future. Small decisions impact us both good and bad whether we realize it or not. Daily choices define our priorities that dictate how we live our lives. We just don’t wake up one day and live in successes or failures. 6. Change happens the moment you do something about your past, present, or future. “Just do it” is the million dollar answer. Pick up the pen, make the move, say what needs to be said. How about you? Are there things in your present, past or future that you need to change? What are steps that you can make to make it happen? 260 C North Village Dr. • Shipshewana, IN 46565 www.keepingtabs.uss • Office: 260.768.4760 Payroll Services & Accounting Services 1 hour of free business consulting This is your personal invitation to come see us at our office in the Troyer Saddlery building. We are located across the hall from Country Corral Restaurant. Let us put 15 years of accounting & 10 years of tax preparation experience to work for you. We offer tax prep for individual & business (including S-corps & LLCs), as well as full service accounting & payroll services. Call for a free quote today! Offer good with coupon only. The Hometown Treasure · September ‘13 · pg 41