What Happens At A Senior Center?

Senior centers have evolved over the years in order to meet aging desires. Most senior centers accept participants over 50. Many participate in the programs offered including exercise classes and special events. Membership may be a fee but a minimal one based on programs offered.

Senior centers and the services they offer may vary so check out the one in the area where you live. Listed are some of the programs:

·        Nutrition programs and meal services many centers provide programs transporting meals to homebound seniors as well as in the center.

·        Health and fitness programs-activities such as Tia Chi, Yoga, exercise programs; dancing; health fairs; exercise equipment with certified instructors.

·        Games like cards, bingo, board games, horseshoes, and many more.

·        Arts-crafts and activities that stimulate creativity and self-experience programs like sewing, quilting, knitting, cooking, and crocheting.

·        Educational Programs- Speakers on various topics of interest.

·        Volunteer coordination for community service.

·        Multigenerational activities.

·        Special events and holiday celebrations.

·        Field Trips to interesting fun spots.

Senior Centers are a great place for older adults to be with others and a great option for the senior who is living independently.

Team Mindset for Softball

The National Pro Fastpitch League is still considered in its infancy years however, in those few years the league has grown in the eyes of the public as a wonderful family recreation. It has provided 180 elite players a chance to play ball as a career choice. And it will provide more positions with expansion.  It has helped others to find careers in sports management, journalism, sports broadcasting, and sports medicine.

 The Internet, blogs, radio blogs, sports magazines and other on-line capabilities are chances to promote the NPF and help get the corporate companies to come aboard and sponsor a team in the league. There are so many in the softball world of journalists, and businesses using the new technology of social media who promote everything except the NPF.

There is a need for all to join the team. This is a place for coaches, players, staff, umpires and fans to approach the 2019 season with a team of “Promote National Pro Fastpitch Softball” There is a need for those who manage the ASA to select their 18 players for Team USA and give others a chance to play by sponsoring an ASA Team in the NPF. USSSA has done this and are providing a chance for great players to showcase their skills. The fans love them.

“It takes team effort to succeed. “

“Team before me”

“It takes a village”

We all have heard these old sayings and they still hold true.

Each and every one has heard these sayings before. How do they apply today? It takes everyone pulling together for the sake of Women’s Fast pitch Softball. Why limit spaces for women to play professionally and pulling together for a league that will mirror MLB Baseball. It also takes that village to get softball and baseball back into the Olympics. MLB has partnered with NPF Why not Softball Leagues & Corporates . With all together Women's Softball will grow. Each and every one reach for your goals but collectively form a team of people who can find ways to the corporate door. The time is now while there are games to play. The time is now when a team could research-:"what can I do for promoting NPF,

Proud To Know You

The Professional Women’s softball season is almost half over and after watching the 2019 draftees play it is time for this vintage soul to say to all National Pro Fastpitch League players “ I am proud to know you “ And, yes I will take my three strikes at the plate.

You are a role model for women and young girls for pursuing a career in the field of Women’s Softball. You lead the way by “doing what you love and love what you are doing.” It is through your hard work and dedication that got you to the top level of softball-the NPF. It is also a time to work as a team and show how team effort and sportsmanship are two character building skills.

This is where the important second pitch counts. As teammates you work together to define and resolve any difficulties you face together. You thrive from each other’s energies. And, you extend that energy and caring to all women. As A two time cancer survivor I am extremely proud when I see you wear those beautiful pink jerseys, pink socks and ribbons on “Pink-Out Games” I am proud to see all the events you sponsor for cancer research. It makes my heart swell when you run in a Marathon or visit young cancer victims in the hospital. You cover the backs of all women and girls by example through your exercise and staying healthy.

Pitch three- out of the park! It is an inspiration to all women by sending the message that you can be what you want to be. Softball is a way to earn an education through scholarships and playing out your dreams. Education for women is just as important to women as it is for men. It is an opportunity to grow to full potential and make a better place in the workforce for women. This is treating the whole person professionally and personally. How much better can you be by having confidence, self-esteem, self-sufficiency, and a heart full of a grateful attitude? These are great experiences for all to share and know that you can be a great mother as well.

GrandmaOnDeck

Plans Leading to Maturity

This is actually a part II of my blog about maturity. The choice is always yours. It is a guideline to develop maturity and emotional status.

Maturity is this:

Responsibility and independence instead of dependence.

A giving rather than a receiving attitude.

Cooperativeness and feeling for the human enterprise, instead of egoism and competitiveness,

Gentleness, kindliness, good-will instead of hostile aggressiveness, anger, hate, cruelty, and belligerence,

The ability to distinguish fact from fiction.

Flexibility and adaptability, instead of awkward and stubborn resistance to changes dictated by fortune and intelligence.

Practice thought control. When you catch yourself starting a thought that will produce a stressing emotion like worry, anxiety, fear, apprehension, discouragement or the like, stop it and substitute thinking that brings a healthy emotion like courage, determination, happiness and cheerfulness. Maturity brings life in balance and harmony.

Thoughts On Maturity

Maturity is many things. First it is the ability to base a judgement on the big picture-the long haul. It means being able to pass up the fun-for-the-minute and select the course of action that will pay off later. One of the characteristics of infancy is "I want it now" approach. Grown up people can wait.

Maturity is the ability to stick with a project or a situation until it is finished. The adult who is constantly, changing friends, and changing mates-is immature. He cannot stick it out because he has not grown up. Everything turns sour after while.

Maturity is the capacity to face unpleasantness, frustration, discomfort and defeat without complaint or collapse. The mature person knows he can't have everything his own way. He is able to defer circumstances, to other people, and to time.

An individuals self-concept is the core of his personality. It affects every aspect of human behavior...ability to learn...capacity to grow and change...choice of careers. Self-respect makes a good person.

Maturity is the ability to live up to your own responsibilities, and this means being dependable, It means keeping your word, And dependability equates with personal integrity. "Do you mean what you say and say what you mean."

The world is filled with people who can;t be counted on. People who never seen to come through in the clutches. People who break promises and substitute alibis for performance. They show up late or not at all. They are confused and disorganized. Their lives are a chaotic maze of unfinished business.

Maturity is the ability to make a decision and stand by it. Immature people spend their lives exploring endless possibilities and then do nothing. Action requires courage...And there is no maturity without courage.

Maturity is the ability to harness your abilities and energies and do more than expected. The mature person refuses to settle for mediocrity. He would rather aim high and miss the mark than aim low and make it.

It is no exaggeration to say that a strong positive image is the best way of life,

Treating The Whole Person

Treat the whole person, professionally, personally, and politically has been a constant message I have heard and kept in my head for many years. Many workshops such as Dress For Success which is often mentioned, Briggs-Meyers test for who you are and how best you can work within a team concept to, the "Lipstick" Test...the list is endless.

When one embarks on a new life path or a new path is forced upon them, it is stressful and unsettling. On the other hand, it could be potentially exciting with an opportunity to fulfill one's dreams. Some have forged onward and no matter the outcome have discovered that there is always growth and a new learning curve. Change and transition require risk. Women In Transition applauds all who are pursuing the unknown and the uncharted- be it be personal or professional.

 Budgets, self-esteem, self-efficiency are all important. May those in transition seek out Women's organization for support and mentoring to reach their goals. You must continue to learn and grow. Be true to your self first and the "who you are a picture" will shine through to others.

Here are some reflections and inspirational quotes by a few who chose the "road not traveled"

"You must do something you think you cannot do" Eleanor Roosevelt

"May the bridges I burn light the way." "In a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing  vessels is more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks"- Warren Buffet

"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein " - Life's Little Instruction Book

"One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching." Unknown

"If today was the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?"-Steve Jobs

For The Love Of The Game- I heart it.

GrandmaOnDeck has championed women's softball for 41 years by selling ads, running concession stands, providing transportation, keeping score, cooking dinner for teams and the beat goes on. Many ladies out there have had grandma's cookies over the years. I love to see the ladies play with such awesome skills. I love to go to ball parks and watch people like Jennie Finch and Monica Abbott "Bring it." I like to watch balls being launched, spectanfabulous catches, and speed on the bases and eating popcorn. I have watched many play ball through younger years, high school and the wonderful college years. I love the NPF Draft and the NPF games. At 82 I now get to ball games sometimes. But I am savvy with social media, keep up with the games, through radio talk shows, websites. Twitter, Facebook and more. I am still in there supporting by promoting softball on line..tweets, re tweets, and mentions. Posting and re posting Is a good thing for all of us. February is Women In History month and The opening of NCAA Softball season. I would like to salute those who pioneered the sport before us.

There are many women like Joan Joyce, who played before leagues were formed, and before Title IX. These coaches who brought teams forward to success because they played ball themselves and for the love of the game they became coaches and passed it forward. There are Coaches out there like Carol Hutchins of Michigan who has spent many years coaching the game and building character-that's what they do. Mike Candrea of Arizona, Sue Enquist former UCLA both have spent many hours doing the same and showed the world that the young players deserved an equal place on the playing field as the boys enjoy. It is hard for me to mention them all , but I know there are hundreds of you who have made an impact in the world of  Women's sports and I heart you for your efforts. Young Softball Ambassadors of now: Jennie Finch, Monica Abbott, Cat Osterman, Samantha Ricketts, Lea Amico and many others who took up the reins and are coaching, teaching and working in the sports world. Some went on to broadcast on national networks like Michelle Smith, Jessica Mendoza, Barbara Jordan to share the great experience of Women's Softball. Others are working as sports trainers and in sports management. And, I must not forget the women umpires, they have come a long way too.

Then I must mention The Commissioner and President, Cheri Kempf, National Pro Fastpitch League, a world cup pitcher and a former coach at Austin Peay. Gaye Lynn Wilson-Vice President of NPF development who coached at Daytona State College, University of Florida. They both are bringing The NPF into to the now with television, radio, newspaper and social media. Games are being played in better venues with a great increase in attendance.

To the young players, who want to be professional softball players, learn about the women in your sport who pioneered for equality an recognition, Know their their struggles, know their passions, and love for the game.

Here is the sight to read the history of the National Pro Fastpitch League and the accomplishments they earned. http://profastpitch.com/about/history/