My intention is to post a Thoughtful Thursday column each week and share some of the insights I have learned in the past week. Here are some of the things I’ve learned this week:
- It’s easy to assume you know what your partner is going to say. Instead, stay curious.
- You’re thinking about what you’re going to say and can barely wait for them to stop taking. Instead, stay in the moment.
- You’re responding to their “tone” rather than listening to their words. Instead, ask for another approach.
- You’re distracted by something else. Instead, give one another a heads up that you need their attention.
- You can misread your partner’s motive or intent. Instead, ask questions and try to assume good intention.
- 7.4% of homeowners in the U.S. are uninsured (millions of people).
- The average annual premium for home insurance across the U.S. has increased 6% year-over-year – much more than that in some areas. Ours doubled within two years.
- Between 1980 and 1989, the U.S. saw 33 disasters that caused 1 billion dollars or more of damages. In 2023, there were 28 disasters that caused more than 1 billion dollars or more of damage in one year alone.
- Inflation – cost of labor and materials – higher rebuilding costs=higher premiums
- There are some companies that won’t insure homeowners in certain areas, such as Florida, Louisiana, and California.
- As the cost of homeowners insurance continues to rise, more people will go uninsured. Homeowners who make less than $50k per year are twice as likely to be uninsured as those who make more than that. 22% of Native American homeowners, 14% of Latino homeowners, and 11% of Black homeowners go without home insurance. 35% of people who own manufactured homes are uninsured.
- Homeowners are more likely to be uninsured if they live in rural areas, if they live in Houston/Miami metro areas, or if they live in New Mexico/Mississippi/Louisiana.
- Shop around for homeowners’ insurance annually! Reach out to a local independent insurance agent.
- Make sure that you have enough insurance. Inflation has caused the cost of materials to increase in recent years, so many people are underinsured. Read your insurance policy carefully to make sure you understand the coverage and limitations.
- Look into what steps you can take to mitigate the risks you’re likely to face in your area – flood vents, fire-resistant siding, alarm system, etc.
- Worst case scenario: consider relocating. Many people are finding they have no choice but to pack up and move to a place where they can afford to insure their homes.
- Colorectal cancer is the first cause of cancer death in men and the second in women.
- Most colorectal cancer starts out as a polyp and is highly curable when localized to the bowel. Surgery is the main way it is treated, and it leads to a cure in about 50% of cases.
- The recommendation is to start getting colorectal cancer screenings at age 45. If you have a sibling or parent who has a history of colorectal cancer, you should start screening at age 35.
- A colonoscopy is the gold standard screening tool and is recommended every ten years for those who don’t have an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
- Another commonly used tool is a stool test: fecal immunochemical test (FIT). It detects small amounts of blood in the stool and is done annually.
- Cologuard is a stool DNA test which detects blood and DNA changes that come from a cancerous or pre-cancerous polyp in the stool.
- During a colonoscopy, a doctor inserts a scope with a camera into the rectum to see the entire colon. They can cut out polyps or abnormal tissues and send off biopsy tissues for analysis. It is not uncommon to find and remove several polyps during the procedure.
- Prep for a colonoscopy: 24 hours clear liquid diet + laxative beverage to clear you out before the procedure.
- A colonoscopy is a procedure that can find and eliminate the polyp that is the cancer!
- Symptoms to watch out for: blood in stool, change in bowel habits, weight loss for no known reason, feeling of bloating/fullness/fatigue
- Risk factors: lack of regular physical activity, a diet low in fruits and vegetables, a diet low in fiber, a diet with too much fat or too much processed meats, being overweight or obese, alcohol and tobacco use
- If we want to celebrate our birthdays with joy, we need to take charge of our day and make it what we want. It’s up to you to be proactive about your birthday and to take the reigns on how you want your day to go.
- For my birthday this year (May 10), I wanted a weekend away. My husband and I enjoyed a cave tour, mini golf, a picnic lunch, renting bikes and biking on a state trail, going out for supper, and relaxing in the evening.
- There is no right or wrong way to celebrate your birthday. Think of your birthday as your own personal holiday, which requires some prep. If you want to, order tickets to a show, order a cake, etc. Communicate your vision to other people involved. Don’t wait for others to show up and make things happen for you.
- Tell people it’s your birthday if you want to.
- Buy yourself something you really want. Buy yourself a $1 scratch-off ticket.
- If you hate your birthday, keep things simple. Take the day off if you can and choose something you want to do for yourself.
- Small steps could mean buying a single slice of birthday cake, calling and catching up with a friend, journaling, etc.
Self Improvement Daily – Brutally Honest With Ourselves, Skillfully Honest With Others
The most impactful thing we can hear from ourselves is the direct, unbiased, unfiltered version of what’s going on. We often add fluff to mute the blow to protect us from anything that’s psychologically challenging. Don’t be so blunt that you become self-deprecating but give yourself grace as you accept the truth.
When dealing with others, there’s a lot more context that comes into play. The recipient must be open to hearing what you have to say if you want it to be effective. So navigating honesty more delicately allows the message to be less confrontational and more collaborative.
Be brutally honest with yourself and skillfully honest with others.
I look forward to reading, learning, and sharing more with you soon!
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