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Tag: weather

Healthy Living for Healthy Lungs

Mon, March 13, 2017 Published by

With warmer spring weather arriving, we are all enjoying the welcoming temperatures of the season and spending more time outdoors. But with spring comes higher pollen counts and an increase in allergic symptoms. In Arizona, allergens cause more severe and prolonged allergy symptoms due to the extended growing seasons. Phoenix residents also endure more air pollution in the form of soot, dust, aerosols and emissions than most large cities, which can exacerbate allergy symptoms, as well as other lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  Allergies, asthma, and COPD combined affect over 56% of the population, and COPD, in particular, has a higher rate of occurrence among older adults.  But breathe easy…we’ve got you covered.

Better Breathers is a group sponsored by the American Lung Association, which meets every 2nd Monday of the month at 4PM in the Motion Studio.  This group supports individuals with various lung conditions and provides valuable insights and tools for lung health.  Under the thoughtful leadership of resident, Barbara Carpenter, the Better Breathers hosts speakers and regularly addresses topics, such as:

  • How COPD, asthma, and allergies affects the lungs
  • Breathing techniques and relaxation to manage lung conditions
  • Exercise
  • Talking with your physician
  • Medications and other treatment options
  • Air pollution

Like many residents on campus, participants in Better Breathers are committed to living their lives to the fullest, despite physical challenges that may arise.  Through peer support and education, Better Breathers helps residents and community members learn proactive ways to face lung conditions head on and embrace life!

On March 25th, members of the Better Breathers group will be making a special trip to the LUNG FORCE Expo. The LUNG FORCE Expo is a program designed for patients, caregivers and healthcare providers to learn more about the latest trends, resources and research surrounding lung conditions.  Speakers from a variety of fields will present current medical information on topics that have the most impact on those whose lives are touched by these conditions.

If you’re interested in learning more about Better Breathers or attending the LUNG FORCE Expo, join us Monday, March 13th at 4PM in the Motion Studio or catch us next month on April 10th. 

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Mon, March 6, 2017 Published by

Rain is almost always welcomed here in the Valley, but that is not always the case elsewhere. In December 1944, General George Patton, commander of the American Third Army, was staring out of his window at the rain. For three months the constant deluge had been hampering operations. Tanks had been getting stuck in mud. Morale had been getting low, and everything depended on the weather. Suddenly, Patton had a brainwave. He called up the Catholic chaplain. “This is General Patton; do you have a prayer for good weather?” he asked. Within an hour Fr. James H. O’Neil had written his own prayer and delivered it personally to the General. “Have 250,000 copies printed,” barked Patton, “and see to it that every man in the Third Army gets one.”

Now, far be it from me to disagree with such distinguished theological company as General Patton, but I don’t think prayer works like this. It’s not about lobbying the almighty, nor is prayer an alternative way of getting things done in the world by cozying up to the divine. In contrast to this approach, perhaps Mother Teresa of Calcutta had it exactly right: “Prayer is not asking” she insisted. “Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.”

The problem with General Patton’s approach to prayer is that it was all about him getting what he wanted. For him, in that instance, prayer was an extension of his will, a way of giving his own desire a metaphysical boost. But as, Mother Teresa reminds us, this is the precise opposite of what prayer is. Indeed, the point of prayer is for the “I” to get out of the way so that another voice can be heard. The art of prayer is not the art of more powerful speech but the art of more attentive listening.

For those of you who are wondering what happened to the rain, Patton’s prayer was issued to the troops between the 12th and 14th of December. A week later, the rain stopped, and on Christmas Eve the General awarded his Chaplain a Bronze Star medal.

Amongst other things, bad weather has called people to prayer since the very beginnings of human history. Perhaps that is because uncontrollable weather is one of the things that continually reminds us of the disturbing truth- we are not ultimately in control of everything. But remember; sincere prayer is about learning to deal with that and not simply a way to change it.