A Well Crafted Life Archives – Page 13 of 33

Dealing with Change

November 17, 2014 2 Comments A Well Crafted Lady

Change… it happens whether we want it to or not. How we handle change says a lot about how successful we will be in life.

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” – John F. Kennedy

If I were to take a test about how well I handle change then I’d pass with flying colors.

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In most cases, I’d say I embrace change. Nothing in my home is placed permanently; everything has to be easy to move on a whim because I enjoying changing the way things look often. I seriously have never had the same hairstyle twice since I have been able to enjoy choosing my own hair styles. Heck, I don’t even like eating the same meal two weeks in a row, much less as leftovers the next day. Thank goodness my husband likes leftovers.

See, you might even say I like change. I should be a total success at this whole life thing, right?

I like change. I should be a total success at this whole life thing, right?

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The one thing that all of the changes that I like have in common is the fact that I have control over these changes. I like change that I have control over. I will even CHOOSE change to exert some control when all of life’s changes fly at me. (See the impromptu new hair-do for example!)

This year has been awesome. It has been challenging. It has been incredibly sad and it has been deliriously happy. But, holy crap, it has been a year of change.

I’m working through the changes one moment at a time. Afterall…

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” – George Bernard Shaw

I’m also trying to encourage myself to be open to becoming the change because…

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama

And…

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Tell me, how do you deal with change? Do you feel you are open to change?

A Well Crafted Life

Rock for a Reason: Outdoor Rock Concert to Benefit 4-Year old with cancer – 9/10/2014

September 4, 2014 No Comments A Well Crafted Life

National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and today’s blog is in hopes of helping shed a little more light on the desperate need for more funding and research on pediatric cancer. Cancer remains the most common cause of death by disease for children and adolescents in America. Growing up my best friends family dealt with the impact of pediatric cancer on their world when her sister was diagnosed. A local girl and her family are experiencing the hardships that pediatric cancer brings with it and the community of Milwaukie, Oregon are banding together to help!

Portland-Area Businesses Coming Together for a Cause

The local Milwaukie community is pulling together to host an outdoor family friendly benefit, silent auction and rock concert for a local girl living with a very rare brain tumor. Leah Merklin, a 4-year old girl has one of the rarest forms of pediatric brain cancer, primarily affecting young children, the brain tumor called DIPG is both inoperable and incurable.

On Wednesday, September 10th, local Milwaukie business owners, Portland DJ Ron Rouse, Chris Carpenter & The Collective, a local band, and Good Roots Community Church are joining arms to host an outdoor community fundraiser for Leah.

Banding together, local vendors are stepping up to offer locally sourced, delicious food at the event: Pronto Pizzeria & Kitchen will be selling grilled pizzas and farmer’s market fresh salads. Schoolyard Farms, a local nonprofit educational farm, will be offering build you own kid salads. Pepper & Salt will be selling butternut squash infused mac + cheese and lettuce turkey wraps. Painted Lady Coffee House will be selling hot coffee, Italian sodas, and homemade delicacies and Mix ‘n’ Match Creamery will be whipping up batches of their custom made ice cream.

Wine:30 Bar and Duffy’s Irish Pub are setting up a beer and wine garden – 100% of the proceeds from all Pabst and Breakside Brewing purchases will go directly to the Merklin Family.

There will be stenciled face art by Sweet Cheeks Airbrushing; handmade necklaces and headbands offering proceeds back to the Merklin family; and a bouncy house, henna tattoos and a stilt walker for the kids!

Ron Rouse, who works for Portland Fire & Rescue and is also a popular local DJ named DJ Rontourage, will be donating his time at the event. Local band Chris Carpenter & The Collective will be playing live music from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Event goers will be invited to pick out a favorite song from the band’s play list and the band will play songs for donation.

Finally, there will be a silent auction featuring locally procured items, with 100% of the proceeds going back to the family.

Connect

Connect with the Rock for a Reason Facebook event or connect with the Support for Leah Rose Merklin and Family Facebook Page!

A Well Crafted Life

Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Portland Walk September 7th!

August 25, 2014 2 Comments A Well Crafted Life

I often find myself content to sit in my own little world of problems, responsibilities, and issues without thinking ahead to what the future might bring or what issues may be plaguing the world that could possibly use my help, my voice. It isn’t that I don’t care. I do, often more than it shows. Rather, sometimes… my own stuff is all I can handle! Lately, however, I’ve been really pushing myself to extend my reach ad lend my voice to issues where I am able.

One of those issues that has really been laid on my heart (cheesy, but true) has been Alzheimer’s Disease. About a year ago I accepted a full-time position as a Social Media and Marketing specialist for a Senior Living company. It has been an eye-opening, humbling and incredible year. I’ve had Alzheimer’s touch my life personally by affecting the people that I love. It took me seeing how MANY people that this disease really affects to make me realize my voice (and money) was needed. What I can do as a single person is not enough though, I need your help!

Facts about Alzheimer’s:

” Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.” — Alz.Org Website

A few facts that really hit home with me about this disease from the Alzheimer’s Association website:

Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States
More than 5 Million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is the ONLY cause of death among the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.
Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are WOMEN.
More than 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers are women.

When advocating for finding a cure for Alzheimer’s I am thinking about the residents in the buildings of the senior communities I work with, my grandparents and my parents. But, I am also being a little bit selfish. I want to know that someday if I receive the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, that maybe there might be an answer out there to help slow the progression or to cure the disease. I advocate for my son so that the burden of my care is not put solely on his shoulders.

About the Walk to End Alzheimer’s:

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a series of walks across the United States that help raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s. I will be participating in the Portland Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sunday, September 7, 2014. My goal is to raise $200 for the cause and as much awareness as possible. I’m about 60% to reaching my goal and am working hard at it! I encourage anyone who can to find a local walk and participate. If you are unable to walk, a donation would be very much appreciated.

Donate to the Cause:

If you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation to help the Alzheimer’s Association advance research into methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure for Alzheimer’s please consider donating today. You are welcome to donate via the Alz.Org website or click this link to help me reach my donation goal! For the millions already affected by the disease, the Association offers care, education, support and resources in communities nationwide.

Information and Facts about Alzheimer’s disease via the Alzheimer’s Association website: www.alz.org For help or more information feel free to call the 24/7 Helpline at 1.800.272.3900.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. This is just a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I wanted to share to help build awareness for this important cause.