July Snippets

PLUMA SNIPPETS JULY 2025

Mindful Moments-The Wrong Side of Comfort

While attending a meditation workshop In my early thirties, a presenter emphatically proclaimed that getting too comfortable in life is risky. If you are excessively cozy, you are not reaching outside of yourself and growing your courage and confidence, which are necessary skills when discomfort comes along. Inevitably life will take an unanticipated turn, and discomfort will come along like un unexpected visitor.

Occasionally being uncomfortable does not have to be a terrible test. Starting a new project, learning a new skill on your computer or at the workplace, volunteering or participating in a class such as Scottsdale Government 101, can lead to growing. Not that I was uncomfortable in the class, but it certainly expanded my confidence in my community and knowledge of resources available to the residents. I now have a resource just in case an uncomfortable situation should occur.

On the ‘Wrong Side of Comfort’ exists self-examination, opportunity, growth, and faith - faith in yourself and those close to you and especially reliance in your Spiritual belief.

Several weeks ago, my client Merna began sending me a daily email, "Mindful Moments", written by Pastor Jon Heydenreich from Trinity Lutheran Church. Each message seems to arrive with perfect timing. Although I am not Lutheran, I know inspiration and comfort exist for us in a variety of places, including articles, presentations, books, movies, and conversations with others. After all, our goal is to come back to comfort, until the wrong side of comfort takes us away again. And then we shall return; it’s our natural life cycle.

The following is my new favorite message from Pastor Jon, “When we sit, we reach for the smartphone, we turn on the TV, we look for a magazine or book. Distractions are us. Even exercisers will have music on. Go to a gym and most of them have TVs or music blaring.

In contrast, serious athletes are associative. No distractions. They tune into their bodies. Many writers turn off the distractions to tune into their work more fully. Meditators learn to watch their thoughts – tuning into what is within. Embrace the silence. In it we experience the Spirit within, and we learn to watch (not run away) and that watching helps us to accept the truth of what is within. That can be painful ……but it can open us to new life, and it can open us to the Spirit of life.

Try silence. It will be uncomfortable. Live for a little while on the wrong side of comfort. It can change us as we allow the Spirit to guide.”

With love, and currently on the wrong side of comfort,

Hilda

Quote: “Leave each day behind, like flowing water, free of sadness. Yesterday is gone and its tale told. Today new seeds are growing.”- Rumi.

Tip Bit: 10 Surprising benefits of Sleep! Mindful YOU Magazine Getting decent shuteye boosts our bodies and brains, but did you know about these lesser-known gains of good rest?

1. You will be a safer driver. Research shows that rest makes for a responsible driver, Dr. Itzhak Fried.

2. Hair gets longer and stronger. Studies suggest that a lack of sleep affects the body’s mechanisms that lead to hair growth. Poor sleep can lead to a stress response that affects the skin and hair follicles and may trigger female pattern hair loss, Dr. Faisal Arshad.

3. Your body fights back. Given that infectious illnesses like flu and pneumonia remain one of the leading causes of death, data suggests that sleep duration is essential for immune health, clinical pharmacist Mike Wakeman.

4. You’ll feel less pain. Sleep is a natural analgesic that can help manage and lower pain, Professor Matthew Walker at University of California.

5. Better, happier memories. There’s evidence to suggest that getting enough good sleep gives us better recall and lowers our risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

6. You get cleverer. Sleep keeps us smart; says natural health expert Dr. Tim Bond. Research confirms the link, with one 2019 study indicating that sleep recalibrates synapses after a day of learning, which allows for new learning.

7. You’re nicer. Getting a good, restful sleep makes us more amiable. Restorative sleep also reduces stress and anxiety, which makes us snappy!

8. You’ll feel sexier. Better sleep is connected to improved hormone production, while REM is related to the production of testosterone, which helps both men’s and women’s sex drive.

9. You look younger. Beauty sleep is real. Apart from the body resting and repairing during sleep, our key sleep hormone, melatonin, is a powerful anti-ageing antioxidant.

10. You’ll be slimmer. Sleep keeps weight under control. Inadequate sleep lowers levels of leptin—a hormone that suppresses appetite—but increases ghrelin, which stimulates appetite. Women who get little sleep are 15% more likely to become obese within a decade.

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH

Thermal Defense – prep spray protects hair from damage and breakage caused by blow drying and heat styling tools. Detangles, adds moisture, and leaves hair feeling soft, moveable, and touchable with great shine. Spray on wet hair before blow-drying. Leave on prot

Gateway Community College Cosmetology Foundation

Five years ago, I established the first-ever endowed scholarship for hair styling students at GateWay Community College through their Cosmetology Course of Study. The endowment coincided with my 50th year as a hair stylist and the scholarship will ensure financial support for students who need assistance to graduate and enter a career in the beauty industry.

Last month while visiting the Cosmetology School on 29^thAvenue and Bell as I occasionally do, I was impressed by the quality of education and high standards set by the school. The students are enthusiastic about the promise of a future in the beauty industry, and I am grateful for your continued support. We wholeheartedly appreciate your donations.

With gratitude,

Hilda

Should you wish to donate, the information is below:

Dr. Hilda Villaverde Hairstylist Scholarship Endowment:

mcccdf.org/Villaverde or by check payable to Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation.

Mail to Gateway Community College, 108 N. 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ. 85034

Message from Hilda: A sincere thank you for all your texts, cards, books, and messages and beautiful sentiments during the month of May. Joe’s passing and my birthday brought about an overflow of love toward me. I feel blessed and comforted by you. I am delighted to be in your life. Sincerely, Hilda

PLUMA BOOK CLUB

Becoming Madame Secretary

by Stephanie Dray

Culinary Creations by Connie

Recipe of the Month

This month's recipe:

Grilled Lemon Chicken with

Satay Peanut Sauce

View Recipe Here

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