Motivational

During our recent interview, Sally Kinter remained composed nearly the entire time she recounted her breast cancer story — from diagnosis and treatment to joining Breast Cancer 2 Bikini (B2B). But when asked why she applied to B2B — a rigorous training program that prepares breast cancer survivors for a public bodybuilding competition – her voice cracked. “I lost a lot of friends when I got cancer — people who had a hard time dealing with my diagnosis. I wanted to build a community of fellow survivors.”

So here we are, smack-dab in the middle of a global pandemic, and almost every aspect of our lives has changed — at least for the short-term. While we can’t control those external forces (unless you happen to be a scientist working on a vaccine), there are ways we can there are ways we can examine our lives in this new context in an effort to either learn about or improve ourselves — in the short- and long-term.

One thing has become clear during the pandemic, shut down and shelter in place orders — we really like to get outside. More than 40 percent of Americans said they plan to do more outside due to COVID-19 and social distancing rules.

Editor's Note: Beginning the day after the riot in downtown Reno that destroyed property and rocked our community, Diaz Dixon, CEO of the Eddy House and community advocate, took to Facebook Live. 

And every morning since then, he has posted a Facebook Live video with powerful words about racism, the struggles faced daily by people of color and the power of positivity. 

As an energy engineer, and Bhakti yoga teacher, Priya Dey-Sarkar’s life may at first glance seem at odds with itself. But she only sees how connected it all is. “No matter what I do, I work with energy — helping it flow from point A to point B,” Dey-Sarkar explains.

A few years ago, I was t-boned by a car running a red light at an intersection. I was later told by police that the man who ran the light was named Darwin — which I only mention because he walked away from the accident he caused without a single scratch (survival of the fittest much?). 

Just under a year ago, my family and I migrated to Virginia City, Nevada. The social aspect of this community is very understanding and welcoming to those who wander through. Through newfound connections in the community, I had the opportunity to meet and interview a very warm-hearted individual. This individual is the director of the local Virginia City senior center. Stacy York is a very talented professional who has successfully begun to fill gaps within the community to better serve our elders.