By Steven O. Evans, PhD
It’s hard to believe that it’s July and already the second half of 2022. You know what that means? Christmas is just around the corner.
I do hope each of you had a successful and happy PRIDE month. Let’s let this sense of community and togetherness continue throughout the entire year.
This may also be a good time for some mid-year self-check ups.
Finances. As we are now able to go back out to public places, set a budget monthly for food, alcohol, ride services, and other entertainment expenses. I love living in South Florida, but I always advise myself on what I spend in this area.
Social time. For me as a natural introvert, I can easily make myself happy at home. But I am being intentional about going out. I’m also looking at new things to try and new places to go. Some friendships are not as tight as before (which is part of life), so I’m looking and working to make new friends.
Travel. There are so many amazing travel opportunities. It’s time to take advantage of them. I’m skipping some of “the usual” and exploring new places in the coming years.
Physical Health. Always a resolution, but do we ever do it? Healthier eating and exercise always need to be part of our priorities.
Mental Health. The big pandemic was a game changer in teaching us to take care of our mental health. Wherever you are in your life journey, take care of yourself and your own happiness first.
Wishing you the best of the best. May happiness be abounding¹.
Editor in Chief
¹ Dr. Angela Easterday-Holder, former Chair and Professor of Music at Carson-Newman University.
² Dr. Jane McEldowney Jensen, doctoral supervisor. Director of Graduate Studies, Educational Policy Studies & Education. University of Kentucky, College of Education. Dissertation title: Pediatrics education in an AHEC setting: Preparing students to provide patient centered medicine. A research study of ways that medical students learn patient centered medicine through their rotations in AHEC clinical settings.
