Positivity

By: Deborah Salazar Shapiro, MSW— “The earth laughs in flowers,” said the American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. I believe the earth not only laughs in flowers but also in trees, animals, fruits, and vegetables! Her generosity toward all of us is beyond compare. But can you remember the last time you connected with the joy, compassion, and abundance our planet gives us? Or the last time you invited your children to show appreciation as well? If the answer is no,…

By: Lee Volpe— Like clockwork, people are composing their lists of New Year’s resolutions, and at the same time they’re ending this year with some of the same problems, frustrations or worries of past years.  They want to take a brighter outlook and ride those resolutions to a higher quality of life in the New Year – but inevitably, familiar issues get them down year after year. How can this New Year be different? How can you stay more positive…

By: Mike Rhodes— Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas! The Muncie Fire Department is hosting the 24th Annual Tiny Adams Memorial Christmas Event for local children today, Christmas Eve, from 11am to 5pm at the downtown fire station training center directly behind fire station #1 at 421 East Jackson Street. Every child that attends will receive a FREE picture with Santa, hot chocolate and cookies, a candy cane, and a gift. 40 bicycles that have been donated by the fire fighters will…

By: Matthew C. Bloom– Muncie, IN–A new website called http://www.muncielovesteachers.com allows friends of MCS teachers to support their families as retroactive insurance premiums are deducted from paychecks this academic year. Pat McCrory teaches 5th grade at Grissom Elementary. When his wife, Lezlie, saw how much the deficit reduction plan was hurting their family budget, she took to Facebook to share her shock. “… This week, MCS teachers got what amounts to a pay cut for the next nine months. Ours amounts…

By: Marc Ransford— The holidays are usually a joyous time for families, but many functions should be modified for aging relatives, says Kathy Segrist, a Ball State gerontologist. As some people grow older, they may lose the physical or cognitive capacity to trim a tree, bake a cake or spend time outdoors singing carols. Others may find themselves spending their first holiday season away from home in an assisted living facility. Some may have recently lost a close friend or…