Focus for This Month
October - A Month of Days
There are so many interesting Days to celebrate in October, we decided to focus on a few instead of just one monthly activity.
Celebrations in October
National Do Something Nice Day - October 5
You - yes you can change the course of a person's day for the better, in just a matter of seconds. How can you do that?
Noticing someone's signal in traffic? Give them a wave and let them merge into your lane.
Spot the neighbor's newspaper on your walk? Place it on their doorstep for easy reach.
Opening a door for another person and share a smile!
Giving your place in line to the person with only three items.
Tipping your service staff an extra dollar or two more than you usually would.
Give a compliment.
Offer encouragement!
Lend an ear to someone who is lonely or just needs to talk. Your attention is a priceless gift.
National Emergency Nurses Day - October 8
Most of us have spent a few hours or so in the ER. Let's show appreciation for those nurses who were there for us.
Learn more about the day in the life of an emergency nurse.
Send them a note of care and support.
Put together care packages for emergency nurses. Add bottled water, energy snacks, a card of encouragement, or a coffee gift card.
Share your experiences under the care of an emergency nurse.
Give them a word of compassion.
Help your hospital organize an event to show your support and appreciation for nurses.
Give a shout-out on social media to an emergency nurse you know.
National Train Your Brain Day - October 13
We talk quite a bit about the importance and necessity of mental wellness. Did you know your brain plays an important part in your mental wellness? On this National Train Your Brain Day, let's look at ways we can help our brain do its job.
Do some logic puzzles, brainteasers, and riddles to train your brain. We've included a few for you to download.
Download a brain training app. These technologies offer a variety of ways to test your brain. AARP also offers a number of online ways to do this without downloading something.
Mix it up. If you always do a crossword puzzle, try a different type of word game or number puzzle. (If you have received a support package from us, you should have a couple puzzles to work on.)
Expand your interests. Take a cooking class or music lessons. Learn a new language, even if you don't necessarily need to use it. These will help improve your brain as you learn new skills.
Take a different route to the grocery store, work or maybe even the dialysis clinic. You may discover changes to your neighborhood but you'll also be giving your brain an opportunity to learn something new.
National Color Day - October 22
This is a day to focus on the impact color has on us. If you have gone "leaf peeping" or went to a sunflower farm or watched the sun set or rise, you are aware of the impact of the colors. Without the brilliant colors associated with these activities, they would just not be very interesting.
Did you know that there are perceived meanings to colors? Here are some examples.
Red: Excitement – Love – Strength
Yellow: Competence – Happiness
Green: Good Taste – Envy – Relaxation
Blue: Corporate – High Quality - Serenity
Pink: Sophistication – Sincerity
Violet/Purple: Authority – Power
A simple way to celebrate this "colorful" day is to wear a different color. If you tend to be a "neutrals" person, try wearing a vibrant, bright color and see if it makes a difference in your mood.
National Make a Difference Day - October 25
Making a difference day is a great opportunity to do something positive for others which will - in turn - do something positive for you. When we help others, we feel better about ourselves and about others. It's a win/win situation.
What are some things you can do?
Volunteer in your community or for an organization with merit.
Be a mentor. Help a youth or another professional to gain new skills.
Make a donation to a charity with meaning to you.
Say a kind word of support to someone who is struggling.
Put your skills to work. Sometimes our hobbies can bring joy to others in ways we least expect it.
And yes, The Carlisle-Williams Foundation is always looking for volunteers and donations.
Okay, I saved the best for last.
National Knock-Knock Joke Day - October 31
If you are like me and most of my family, you love a good knock-knock joke. Did you know the first one used in a newspaper humor column was in 1934. Here it is.
Knock Knock
Q. Who’s there?
A. Rufus
Q. Rufus Who?
A. Rufus the most important part of your house.-
You don't have to be a dad to tell dad jokes. So go ahead, call up a friend or tell one at the dialysis clinic. You know you have a favorite or try your hand at making one up.
Enjoy and Happy October
Click here to download puzzles.
