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Have a fabulous Thanksgiving celebration next week as you gather with friends and family.  Enjoy, party, celebrate, have a good time and BE GRATEFUL!  

Something happened last Friday

We all experience vulnerability, and I think for the most part we keep it to ourselves.  It was awe-inspiring to witness the connection that happens when we share ourselves with others and expose our uncertainties. 

Changing routines are very helpful for our brain’s health. Changing it up to learn new things and do things differently is one of the most important brain health tips.

Self-care is vital for building resilience toward those stressors in life that you can't eliminate. When you've taken steps to care for your mind and body, you'll be better equipped to live your best life.

making lifestyle changes for the benefit of brain health is not a trend, nor are the pillars to succeed in a healthy brain.

We cannot control our sleep, although, over time, we have developed a belief system that we can. We can, however, control our sleep hygiene to help us reach that deep REM (rapid eye movement) sleep stage.

Our Brain Health program, Fridays-At-The Ivey, has finally coming to life!

Brain Health Solutions/Fridays-At-The Ivey is just 10 days away! 

REMINDER! REGISTER NOW for FREE Info Sessions for an overview of the New Fridays-At-The Ivey 12-Week Brain Health Workshops developed for the ‘worried well’ to help understand the brain better—and lifestyle changes to protect it. Learn from leading experts in multiple disciplines and perspectives each week. Build brain-healthy routines and knowledge to keep your brain sharp and age well.

So let me tell you what happened at my house a few weeks ago.

The lesson here is that “all that glitters may not be gold”.   Being mindful of how our body feels when obstacles arise might just tell us that it’s the wrong path or the wrong time. 

Be mindful to what change of scenery you can create right in your own home, neighborhood or city that will ignite the fires within and generate a brain boost of happiness and joy.

What about the foundations in our lives…the ones that keep us strong and upright even under pressure? What roots do you grow in your life that keep you strong?  

There is an EXCELLENT way to exercise both your brain and your body at the same time. Known as dual-tasking, science is proving that new pathways in your brain can be formed that may improve cognition.

The legacies that both Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams leave for basketball fans, teams, institutions and the people who remember them are positive and transformational. And isn’t that what we all want, to leave a positive impact in the world and on those with whom we meet?   

Today, we may honor the unofficial start to summer.   And especially this year, as COVID-19 vaccination levels rise and case numbers drop, Americans are honoring a return to a sense of normalcy. 

Graduations naturally encompass so much of what life is all about:  accomplishing goals, feeling hopeful about the future, starting a new chapter, reaping the benefits of hard work, honoring ceremony and tradition, celebrating with family and friends. All of this is even more appropriate in this post-pandemic time in our lives. 

Congratulations to us all!  We’ve shown we can vaccinate our way toward herd immunity and be rewarded with the removal of restrictions. Still, caution is necessary and respect for our fellow citizens requires that we continue to honor face masks and physical distancing where and when requested. As we emerge from hibernation, we are discovering it may take some re-acclimating.

Mother’s Day is a day to remember, a day to pay tribute, a day to honor mothers everywhere, past or present or future.  

The pink moon is believed to be a symbol of fertility, progress, and optimism…a time when your dreams and goals may be achieved…a time to start over, fresh and new. How wonderfully positive and hopeful for our world after a year of slowing down and focusing inward! 

For members at The Ivey who confront the daily challenges of memory loss, birthdays are celebrated in a big way!  Our members know the songs, the traditions. They read the cards, eat the birthday cake, and hold cherished memories from birthdays long ago. 

With the recent completion of both the Masters Tournament and NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournaments, we reveled in the fact that sports figured out creative, unique and bold ways to carry on in the midst of COVID-19.  The pandemic is indeed a formidable and universal opponent… and we’re all on the same team in this fight. 

Have you ever noticed that Dad spelled backward is Dad?  No matter what, any way you spell it, Dad is still Dad. 

“Magic is actually the power and science of hope.  It’s the positive voice in an otherwise hopeless situation that either whispers or shouts that anything is possible!” 

Musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease

A puppy represents an innocence and childlike approach to the world which is why it seems like puppies want to play all the time. Play (and mindfulness) for adults is critical in our stressful go-go-go lives. Play has been shown to release endorphins, improve brain functionality, and stimulate creativity.

Cherry trees are among the first trees to announce that sweetness is returning to our lives. Gotta love spring!

For me, anniversaries evoke memories. Some are celebratory, like birthdays and weddings. Some are worth reverent reflection like the passing of loved ones.

Words matter. They stick with us. They set our expectations. Words and language reflect the way we think and feel. Words and even our nonverbal actions hold a lot of power, more than we realize.

So, I’ve been thinking about the color of red. Red is THE color of February - and every month!

This new blog has a new name:  The Ivey Vine!  There was no mistake in naming this organization over 14 years ago, when The Ivey was chosen.

On May 20th, I attended “This One Man” – an uplifting event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of John Leon Lewis as a Minister of Music. The Ivey is so fortunate to count John as a member of our team, bringing the power of music and dance to our members.

Just as Gary’s puzzle pieces connected together to create a vision of beauty, so to do the many resources available to families living with dementia.

Families caring for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia must embrace creativity to both endure the journey and thrive in the face of it.

Love. Family. When the family gathers this time of year, we tend to reminisce about the past. Here at The Ivey, we’re also excited about the future – especially as we begin to celebrate our 10th Anniversary Year!

Last Friday afternoon, we gathered again for what has become a wonderful annual Autumn tradition: the “family social” at The Ivey.

This is my 80th blog post. Hurray!

I have a friend who is a well-respected Life and Leadership Coach, and I will often hear her refer to someone’s “essence.” It’s a beautiful concept. Someone’s “essence” is who they really are as...

We are in that crazy time of year when you never quite know what to expect, weather-wise. Last week, the high temps and gorgeous warm breeze had most of us...

We just had our monthly staff meeting here at The Ivey. And all I can say is: wow, what a team! We typically meet on the first Wednesday evening of every month, soon after...

This past weekend, John and I invited all of The Ivey’s Board, staff, volunteers, and spouses or significant others to join us at Carmel Country Club for a “post-wedding celebration.” We were limited as to how many...

Music is such a huge part of our lives as humans. From the songs that remind of us of our favorite vacations, to the epic break-up songs from relationships past, to songs that...

Earlier this year, some of you may have read a story in the Charlotte Observer about how John Moore and I came together through our own individual experiences losing loved ones to...

Are you in The Flow? To which you might reply: Um, what on Earth do you mean, Lynn? Well, think of The Flow as similar to another more widely-used phrase...

Have I mentioned how much I admire a local non-profit organization called Playing For Others? They’re an extraordinary group, providing a space for teens to explore and answer the questions, “Who Am I?” and...

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