Frank and I (Ginny) recently learned of a death in the family, and had to decide how to travel to southern California for the memorial service. We considered flying, driving, taking the train. We considered one of us going, or both, and either making it a fast trip, or making it a longer trip by incorporating a brief visit to the coast on the way to or from our destination. We had to think about finding someone to see our clients in our absence, and someone to house/dog (especially dog) sit for us. We had to think about our health -- we’ve both been fighting off the bug that’s going around - coughing, sneezing, sore throat, ear aches, etc.

Our thinking was circular (getting us nowhere), until I remembered Einstein’s number one rule in problem solving -- reduce to the basics. “How can we keep this simple?” I asked myself. Answer: by staying home. Yet we wanted to express our condolences with more than a mere delivery of flowers. That was when inspiration struck like a bolt from the blue. We made a generous donation to Wounded Warriors, in honor of the deceased (a retired military man). It just felt so… right. And the reason I’m sharing this with you is to remind you that you have this same option not only upon someone’s death, but as gifts to those who are living. I now plan to make donations regularly for every birthday in the family. It’s so easy to do, and serves such a worthy cause. For more information click on www.woundedwarriorproject.org

I recently had to change my mind when it came to moving my horse to a new boarding facility, which has railroad tracks running parallel to the back of the property. My first reaction was, “Oh! Trains! Noisy! Not good!” There were so many advantages to the move though, that I gave trains second consideration. It dawned on me that I actually love trains. So I told myself (and Brandi), “Every time a train goes by, we’ll imagine some little kid looking out the window, saying to mom or dad, Horsie! Horsie!” With this in mind, I decided to wave at every passing train. This is the self-help technique that centers on the question, “How can you do what you need to do, and make it interesting, enjoyable, and rewarding?”

A less traumatic change in our lives is that we’ve recently taken over responsibility for publishing a monthly newsletter for a club to which I belong. I grappled for many months with the decision to do so, and two factors were helpful in the final decision. One -- a question you can ask yourself when faced with a dilemma: What is going to make you feel better about yourself as a person? Two - the story of The Little Red Hen, who wanted to bake bread and found many friends willing to eat it, but no one who wanted to help her make it. I shamed myself into accepting the editorial position, and I feel better about myself as a person having decided to be a maker and shaker, not a shirker. I share this with you in case there may be a component here that helps you in your own decision-making at sometime in the future.

On the subject of change, I’ve had several requests to create another peer level support group, which I originated almost 15 years ago. Rising Tide presents an agenda that includes simple self-help techniques, modified for group application. The purpose of the group is to (a) create and maintain a positive mindset, (b) resolve problems with input from others based on life experience, and (c) set goals and achieve them by holding yourself accountable to the group. There is NO CHARGE to participate; however, you must be willing and able to attend for six consecutive weeks. The agenda is conversational, and does not utilize hypnosis, meditation or prayer. The group is limited to seven people, so if you are seriously interested please contact me by reply to this email, or by calling me at 209-472-0722. My goal is to begin in February and finish mid-March.

In making changes on your own, allow me to offer this bit of advice (based on training, education, personal and professional experience). If there is something you want or need to do that is enjoyable to you, imagine the process, --asking yourself, “What is the first step I need to take?” Imagine yourself doing this, and use as many senses as you can. What will you see, hear, taste, smell? And how will you feel when you have taken this first step. Focusing on a short-term goal feeds into the “one thing leads to another” theory of accomplishment.  On the other hand, if an upcoming project is something you do NOT enjoy doing, do NOT focus on the process. Focus on the desired results! Once you have achieved your long-term goal, what will you see, hear, taste, smell, and how will you feel? This feeds into the “carrot that keeps the donkey moving” theory of accomplishment.  Using the appropriate method of visualization under your own particular circumstances can mean the difference between success and failure.

Having already mentioned the loss of a family member, let me proudly announce on a positive note that we have also welcomed into our family the arrival of a new member -- Scarlett Rachel Clark, born December 5^th. This is our ninth grandchild, and in April we are expecting our third great grandchild. I am visualizing change-ing lots of tiny diapers, if I’m lucky. Life is good.

And now to change the subject, if you’d like to read my latest Blog (On Whales & Wolves, Optimism & Pessimism) click on www.DocGinDigsIn.blogspot.com