Turning Over a New Leaf

Posted on October 17, 2022 by Courtney Merker

September knocks on our door and before we know it, the season of change is among us. Autumn arrives with crisper air, vibrant colors and fresh perspective. I’ve always viewed autumn as a transformative season, a time to “turn over a new leaf”- quite literally. Fall arrives with an array of beautiful colors and then eventually they tumble to the ground. Come next spring, the tree’s will be bursting with bright and fresh new leaves. The changing of season to autumn is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf in life and set new goals and embrace change.

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Roll in Fall

Posted on October 10, 2022 by Teena Palathanam

Fall is a wonder of its own. One gets to enjoy the significant drop in the temperatures which is a wonderful respite from the sweltering heat in the past months. The kids are settled in their schools by now after the long summer break. It is also the season when daylight savings ends, and we fall in the cycle of shorter days and longer nights. College football is officially on and in full swing.

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It’s Fall, Y’all

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Ro Washington

I know I know… the diehard summer enthusiasts are screaming at their screen “fall begins on September 22nd not September 1st, not September 12th… September 22nd!” To which I say, when Starbucks brings out the PSL, it’s officially fall. But I digress… Fall is the season of harvest, of reaping the hard work that comes from busy seasons of planting and tending. It’s the last hurrah before plunging into winter… which if last winter is any indication could last straight into next summer. As we approach fall I challenge you to Continue reading →

Is that fall around the corner?

Posted on September 7, 2018 by Angel Blair

September is here! Now let’s hope that it brings with it some cooler temps. Summer was especially cruel around the country this year with multiple heat waves, rain, devastating fires and other challenges. I don’t think I’m alone when I say I’m glad to see it go. But just because it’s September doesn’t mean it’s autumn-like weather just yet either. It’s been Continue reading →

Fall Celebrations

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Melissa Young

Well, Fall is finally here even if in most parts of the country it doesn’t feel like it. Most people associate Autumn with its two main holidays: Halloween and Thanksgiving. I know that if you were to play a word association game with me, I’d tell you that Fall makes me think of warm apple cider, jack o’lanterns, pumpkin pie, turkey and trick or treating. All those things are connected to the holidays.

I thought to myself that there had to be more to the season. Guess what? There is so much more to celebrate. I came across a website (http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/october/) that lists all of the “National Days” that you might hear mentioned on the morning news or radio. Some are serious, but most are a bit silly. I, for one, don’t think you can have too much silly in your life. So, while there were so many for the season, I thought I’d share my favorites for October.

October 4^th – National Taco Day. Have Mexican food for lunch or dinner to celebrate!
October 8^th – National Fluffernutter Day. Make yourself a peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwich. If that’s not your speed, celebrate National Pierogi Day instead!
October 10^th – National Kick Butt Day. This is the day to give yourself a kick in the pants and get yourself moving on something you’ve been meaning to do for a while.
October 12^th – National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work Day. Get all of your co-workers involved and have a slumber party!
October 14^th – National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day. Make sure your kids know you expect them to celebrate this day! And, have the pie or ice cream at the end because it’s also National Dessert Day!
October 17^th – National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day. This might be the easiest cleaning chore of them all! Click and clean!
October 18^th – National Chocolate Cupcake Day. Buy yourself a chocolate cupcake as a reward for all of the hard work you did yesterday!
October 22^nd – National Nut Day. Peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios…so many nuts and only 24 hours to celebrate!
October 28^th – National Breadstick Day. I wonder if Olive Garden knows about this day? It might be fun (and tasty) finding out!
October 30^th – National Candy Corn Day. Finally, a reason to dig into the Halloween candy early!
October 31^st – National Knock Knock Jokes Day. Have some fun with the trick or treaters by telling funny and corny knock knock jokes all day. You’ll have a captive audience because they’ll want the candy!

This website serves as a reminder that there is always something in life worth enjoying. Plus, there is no law against you creating your own day of fun for your friends and family. In the end, it’s just important that we, as the website’s motto says, “Celebrate Every Day”.

October 2015 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on October 5, 2015 by John MSAA

MSAA is very proud to present our 2015 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by MS.

We have received many wonderful submissions from across the country and are delighted to share their work and their stories with you. Please visit our online gallery to view all of the new submissions.

October Artist of the Month:
Bean Fairbanks – Seattle, WA

About the Artist:
“All of my life, I have been part geek and part artist. Since 1987, I have been living with multiple sclerosis. One of the consequences/opportunities of MS has been that I have had to reinvent myself over and over again to maximize my current talents and surmount obstacles. That has been true of my career as well as my art work. Over the years, I have crafted with charcoal, pen and ink, pastels, acrylic and oils as well as my first love: textile arts.

Now most of artwork is augmented digitally. My laptop is much more forgiving of my hand tremors than pen and ink! The computer allows me to bring my artistic vision to light. Art remains my inspiration, therapy, passion and a means to communicate. My artwork is as eclectic as my moods, whether reflecting frenzy, sensuousness or the bare essence of being.”
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Be inspired – please send an online card featuring artwork by MS artist Bean Fairbanks and spread awareness of MS and MSAA.

September 2015 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on September 2, 2015 by John MSAA

MSAA is very proud to present our 2015 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by MS.

We have received many wonderful submissions from across the country and are delighted to share their work and their stories with you. Please visit our MS Art Showcase online gallery to view all of the new submissions.

September Artist of the Month:
Barbara Hall – Jersey Shore, PA

About the Artist:
“I believe this is my fourth year entering the MSAA Art Showcase. I continue to take painting classes and hope that I am making progress. My MS might have affected my handwriting but not my paintbrush! I hope to continue to paint through 2015. I am honored to be included with all these talented artists.”
Read more

Be inspired – please send an online card featuring artwork by MS artist Barbara Hall and spread awareness of MS and MSAA.

Happy Halloween 2014

Posted on October 31, 2014 by MSAA

Boo! From all of us here at MSAA, we’d like to wish the multiple sclerosis community a safe, happy, and fun-filled Halloween!

Feeling SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder

Posted on October 15, 2014 by MSAA

It is commonly known that MS can impact mood and can cause an increased risk for developing depression and anxiety which MSAA detailed in the Winter/Spring 2014 issue of The Motivator. However, you may be unfamiliar with another condition – Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – which may be something to pay attention to as the seasons change.

SAD is a type of depression which is hallmarked by its “seasonality” generally beginning in the fall and lasting through the winter months. SAD typically tends to creep up as the daylight hours get shorter and the weather gets cooler and the impacts on mood may become more severe as the season goes on. Like other forms of depression, individuals who experience SAD may experience low energy (fatigue), may lose enjoyment in activities they once enjoyed, may experience changes in eating or sleeping habits, may have persistent sad or depressed thoughts, and may even think of engaging in self-harm. As with other forms of depression, individuals with SAD may benefit from the use of medications and/or talk therapy to help address this issue. One major difference with teasing out SAD from other forms of depression is that individuals with SAD may also benefit from using “phototherapy” or specialized light therapy; a person may even be assigned a specific amount time in their day to sit under the specialized light or lamp to help improve their symptoms.

If you have noticed that the fall and winter seasons tend to impact your mood, or if you have noticed a lower overall mood, please discuss the issue with your treating physician…sometimes just shedding some “light” on a situation can make a world of difference.

Looking Back to Move Forward

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Samantha Schech

Subtle hints of fall have spread throughout the northeast – the falling leaves, cooler nights, pumpkins, and mums popping up in local stores. While summer is slowly on its way out, it is bitter sweet to reminisce about the times had. This summer we talked about ways to beat the heat, many of which involved remaining indoors, or doing activities in cool public places. Regardless of where you made your memories, it is important to keep those happy memories alive and present to take with you into the fall.

Journaling about an event or encounter that makes you smile will bring you back to that moment and hopefully increase your mood. You can look back at those journal entries and remember the good times that were had. Also having pictures or souvenirs from a trip or event can help to bring you back to that moment. Try taking a moment to close your eyes and remember how you felt at that time.

When times are hard or you are having difficult feelings about a situation, take a moment to re-focus your thoughts on one of those happier moments. Re-focusing your thoughts can help momentarily take your mind off of a certain problem or situation and better prepare you for dealing with the task at hand.

When looking back on those happy moments, focus on the feelings or emotions that were created in you at that time. Allow yourself to re-live that moment and take a deep breath.

What moments do you carry with you? How do they help you in times of stress?

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