November, 2024
Focus Topics for November, 2024
A Month of Gratitude and Giving Back-Hungry and Homelessness
Each November there is an awareness initiative with a focus on the Homeless and Hungry in our country. November 17-23, 2024 is this year's awareness week.
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In our country, on any given night, there are 600,000 homeless people, including 60,000 veterans. In the recent data, and even more concerning, there are over 140,000 children experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in the United States. Addressing the homeless and hungry is an initiative each of us need to be mindful during November, when we may have a time of plenty, others are doing without basic needs, food and shelter.​​​
The data about the hungry and homeless:
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About the History of this Observance
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National Stress Awareness Day
November 6th is National Stress Awareness Day. Stress impacts everyone's life in one way or another. This day, each year, attempts to bring attention to stress, ways to manage stress, and how to have resources regarding stress management. Stress is an automatic response the body creates in the "fight or flight" mode. Symptoms of stress can be anxiety, depression, feeling overwhelmed, worry, difficulties sleeping, and sometimes making bad decisions.
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Effective stress management is to review stress triggers, when during a day are you stressed, what day or days are you not experiencing stress, and what makes stress free days. Looking for patterns will help to anticipate challenging days to implement tools to manage those difficult days. Good time management is one very effective way to reduce one's stress.
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A great tool for an individual to use is the Stress Inventory. The tool can be accessed here:
If your stress score is high, consideration of stress counseling or stress coaching may be an option for your working through the stress in life.
November and Thankgiving
What a great month to celebrate kindness toward others! During November, kindness is in the forefront thinking of others, being grateful, and yes, being kind. November 13th is a day to find a way to put kindness into your schedule.
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Meet Norm-A Video About Kindness
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Abby's Project-Pay It Forward A Touching Video
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What I Am Reading This November
During this month, think about as we enter Thanksgiving and onto other observations in December, to the New Year, ways you can be a "lighthouse" to others. Think of those who were as a lighthouse to you in life, how they made a difference, possibly guided you to better life decisions, to providing to you their wisdom for your learning and growth. Consider creatively how you can shine your light in the weeks ahead in new ways of living. The author's life was very challenging, with an uncertain outcome, then he notes an individual, a human lighthouse, entering his life, helping him create change, which impacted his life. Take time from your busy schedule to review this special work.
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Video about "The Lighthouse Effect" by the author, Steve Pemberton