In This Issue

Bringing Life to the Labyrinth and Body Prayer

Looking Forward...

"...the tragedy of old age is not that one is old but that one is young"
Annie Dillard

"Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are."
Marianne Williamson

"Let's be cautious about relying so much on material things that we have no energy left for the spiritual aspects of our lives."
James A. Forbes

"Trus friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity, before it is entitled to the appellation."
George Washington

At Sixes and Sevens, Inc.

Our Mission and Mandate

Fund raising is essential to help us celebrate our initiatives and support our efforts to engage the community
of people sixty to eighty years old.

Unfortunately the grant writer hired by the Chief Producer was terminated by him. Currently, we have a single proposal in the pipeline after nearly six months of work. We are limping along with small donations from private donors.

Individuals can provide funds by becoming a member of At Sixes and Sevens, Inc. For a $10.00 monthly contribution or an annual $120.00 payment through PayPal, people may take a tax-deduction that gives us the financial capital we need to thrive and grow our mission.

A single $10,000. contribution will enable us to go ahead with foundation and corporate fundraising.

KEEP IN MIND:

In the latest United States Census (2010) more people were sixty years old and over than in any previous census. From the first census in 1790 until today there was little attention given to this age group. Over the years there have been assumptions made as to their interests and their health and their future. Today, because this age group makes up 15% of the population it has become increasingly important to understand these men and women. Just for illustration, consider that in 1900 there were about 4 million people aged 60 and over. Now they number approximately 43 million people. Also think about the fact that the population of the United States is growing at 9.7% while the number of people between the ages of sixty and eighty is increasing at the rate of 18% per year.

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May 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Eleanor Roosevelt was one of America's great humorists, in addition to her magical talent of diplomacy. In one treasured remark she combined both attributes: "Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."

At Sixes and Sevens, Inc. we want always to start with ideas, so this month let's take a look at an idea the is mightily trending in our culture right now.

"Mindfulness" is to deliberately pause to clear the mind of random thoughts, distractions and especially worries. Being mindful helps one to be aware and alert to what is happening and to what is significant in experience. It is not an automatic reaction, however. It is a learned, cognitive skill. It is based on practice and repetition. To be mindful one must intend to be mindful.

Herbert Benson identified the starting point for mindfulness. He spoke of "the relaxation response." This is a natural ability of the human mind and body but it has to be cultivated. If it is ignored, one might as well not have it at all.

The relaxation response is a built-in incentive to embrace calmness and serenity. One can seek it through sensory (sound, word, phrase, or prayer) means and through movement (walking the labyrinth, yoga, TaiChi or disciplined sports) and repetitive activities like humming or dancing.

The relaxation response counteracts stress and restores well-being. It makes living easier because it increases one's ability to make use of social supports that might be available from the environment and the people one is near.

The relaxation response also encourages a healthy lifestyle of thoughtful nutrition choices, good sleep hygiene, and exercise. The ability to choose relaxation heightens a determinative attitude about wellness and self-control in general.

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Dr. Margaret M. Rappaport's book is available at Amazon.com

Whether you struggle with a debilitating chronic illness, feel a deep spiritual thirst, or simply want to age with as much grace and vitality as possible, Body Prayer contains the guidance you need to connect your mind, body, and spirit - and live your best life.

Featuring detailed pictures that illustrate the concepts laid out by Dr. Rappaport, Body Prayer demonstrates the inexorable link between all facets of the human body and experience - and how cultivating mindfulness through prayer or meditation can improve physical well-being and spiritual enlightenment.

Throughout her forty-year career in health care, Dr. Rappaport has experienced the paradigm shift in medicine toward an enhanced awareness of the whole person over a strictly biomedical model. Dr. Rappaport believes that it's important to factor the physical, mental, and mystical aspects of the self into a better understanding of health, illness, and healing.

Founding Executive Director,
Dr. Margaret M Rappaport

Just a reminder:

Our readers who have regularly followed our monthly Newsletters starting in 2013, may easily remember Dr. Rappaport's book, Bringing Life to the Labyrinth: A Labyrinth Companion that was published in 2014. It is available for purchase at Amazon.com.

If one wants a a cost free introduction to the practice of the labyrinth, our blog At Sixes and Sevens is archived and easily available by clicking on the link below.