Zest (n):

Invigorating or keen excitement or enjoyment; a zest for living

Synonyms: Passion, gusto, enthusiasm

As part of our commitment to living life embraced, we want to encourage you to continue living life with zest. We are very excited to unveil this year’s photo contest, which opens on June 1 and runs through August 15. The contest has two categories this year : Purposeful living and zestful living. Show us how you express your love for life, or how you live out your purpose. Did you take a fun trip or do a volunteer project? It doesn’t have to be extravagent, just an image that embodies the idea of living zestfully or purposefully. Everyone is passionate about something–show us what you love doing that helps live a life embraced. The possiblities are endless!

To help you continue living zestfully and purposefully, our contest winners will recieve some great prizes. The zestful living category first prize is a lunch cruise for two around Inner Harbor, Baltimore. The purposeful living category will recieve $120 donated to their favorite charity, and team of Messiah Lifeways volunteers to help at that charity.

Visit http://www.messiahlifeways.org/PhotoContest/ for contest rules and more details!

During a visit to our Dermatologist’s office last week, the receptionist who knows us well, asked to see a photo ID. The following day I stopped at a branch office of our bank where we’re not as well known and the teller asked to see a photo ID.  Friends visiting from California informed us that they had to furnish a Photo ID when they purchased their airline tickets. While visiting the National Arboratum in Washington, DC we had to show a photo ID to enter the security gate.  If this keeps up, we may need to show one at the barber shop or local fast food drive-through !!

 
On the one hand, we need to  prevent crime, fraud and other illegal activities. But its also important to balance those concerns by doing everything possible to reduce unnecessary stress and red tape, especially for our senior citizens who are the most likely to be adversely impacted by them.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and many other states recently enacted a Voter Photo ID law making it necessary to show a valid photo ID in order to be admitted to the voting booth. When first passed, the law would have required persons without a driver’s license to go to PennDot and pay $13 for a photoID.  They were also required to present  an original birth certificate to qualify for the photo ID.
However, since Federal law prohibits any charge or fee for the right to vote,  Penn Dot dropped the fee but retained the birth certificate requirement.

 
College students are allowed to use their student ID for voting identification as long as it includes an expiration date. And recently, legislation was passed which permits retirement communities such as  Messiah Village to issue a Photo ID to anyone lacking a driver’s license. This will spare residents the trip to Penn Dot as well as having to take an original copy of their birth certificate and perhaps having to stand in a long line to obtain a photo ID.
Although most of our residents who intend to vote  already have a driver’s license or Penn Dot photo ID, the few who need one will be nicely accomodated by the Village.

 
Through the years, voter fraud has been uncovered in several urban areas throughout the nation. Small towns and rural areas where residents are often  known at the polls are usually not involved in that sort of crime.
As usual, the innocent will be inconvenienced by the guilty. On the other hand, now that banks, doctor’s offices, travel agencies, car rental offices, and many others increasingly require photo IDs—its good to know that our residents here at Messiah Village will be able to obtain one with minimal inconvenience.

Recently Messiah Lifeways hosted multiple campus-wide open houses. At the end of an open house tour visitors could walk around the “Lifeways” expo to learn more about the many aspects and services Messiah Lifeways has to offer. There they could talk with staff to get more detail regarding prices, floor plans or to have general questions answered. But in addition to staff were a number of Messiah Village residents and a community member volunteering their time and energy to these long and often tiring events. They helped out by manning the Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning information booth; and did so with great enthusiasm and eloquence. Being within earshot I would occasionally eavesdrop as they joyfully talked about their experience taking different courses and events offered through Pathways.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning, which started in 2006, “provides older adults with opportunities to engage in mental, cultural and spiritual activities promoting their (overall) wellness”. It promotes continual learning opportunities, personal enhancement and spiritual growth. In other words, it’s an enjoyable way learn, stimulate your mind, body and soul and have lots of fun doing it! The curriculum consists of fall and spring semesters filled with courses ranging from poetry and music to religion and politics. The instructors, many of which are retired college professors and teachers, also make these learning opportunities extremely informative and captivating. How does the “Wonderful World of Chocolate”, “Chinese Culture” or a digital photography class sound? No algebra or statistics classes here- thank goodness.

Ok, so back to my eavesdropping. Because of the enrichment and fulfillment that Pathways provides, many of its current and former “students” are eager to share their stories and knowledge about their lifelong learning experience.  Their willingness to spread the word about Pathways speaks volumes. It demonstrates the passion for continual learning and growth no matter what your age. It was fascinating to listen to the residents talk to perspective clients and describe Pathways in a way only a pupil could. In the past, when I‘ve spoken to residents about Pathways I hear a lot of very nice comments, but one that sticks with me is the most is “it’s a whole lotta fun”. Unfortunately for me though, I’m not quite old enough to participate. Oh well I guess I’ll have to wait.

To learn more about Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning call 717.591.7213 or check it out on the web at www.thepathwaysinstitute.org.

May is Older Americans month, and thankfully many seniors interests and passions drive their desire to give back.

From HuffingtonPost
“Whether they serve every day or a few times a year, these volunteers are making an impact on issues they care about — helping seniors live independently in their homes, tutoring and mentoring at-risk youth, providing financial education and job training to veterans and their families, and helping communities recover from disasters. At a time of growing social need, their service is vital now more than ever as nonprofits increasingly rely on volunteers to fill the gaps.“

You can read the rest of Wendy Spencer’s article here.

We are thrilled that we have so many wonderful volunteers here at Messiah Lifeways, but we are just one organization.

Are you giving back? Do you have an hour to volunteer with an organization that fuels your passion?

My blog entries have been few and far between over the last few months. Why? Well, I suppose I’ve allowed my life to get a bit too hectic. With work, family, home, and church commitments on the schedule — things get  out of hand. I’ve had lots of  blog ideas but my assignment to write a blog has been marked “overdue” on my Outlook task list for a few weeks. This morning as I turned into 100 Mt. Allen Drive I saw the peace garden with this beautiful stone plaque. 

Some of you may recall that when the peace garden was first installed outside the Chapel’s stained glass window, it was called the “portable peace garden.” We knew that construction for the new Chapel entrance was coming, so the garden was designed to be portable. For many months, the fountain and all the plantings were temporarily relocated. Now, that the construction is complete, we are enjoying the peace garden once more. Phase by phase, the garden is being restored and expanded in its permanent home.   This campus beauty feature serves as a wonderful place for residents, families, and visitors to connect and engage in quiet conversation or reflection.  We are grateful to many persons who have financially supported this project.  In recent months, additional gifts have been made to make the garden even more beautiful.

“Be Still My Soul” is a powerful reminder for all of us as our lives may feel more noisy and full.  Take time today to enjoy the small things – a child’s laugh, sunshine, a good cup of hot tea, a wispy cloud, a duck’s waddle (you can see that here, too!).  And stay tuned as the peace garden continues to take shape. Benches and additional plantings are on the horizon.  If you start to feel frayed or restless, visit this tranquil spot and still your heart and mind. I know this gentle reminder came at just the right time for me!