NIAGARA, Wis. — Last week I talked about the excitement that comes when we usher in a new year. And I described my own celebratory traditions of this holiday, as well as the customs observed around the world to commemorate this transition from the old to the new. But there is an element of uncertainty involved with looking ahead toward a new year that may cause us to approach it with some caution. How do we prepare for events that have not yet happened? And how can we be excited about the future when it may not offer us what we have hoped? The answers to these questions come when we understand how we manage change in our lives and the degree to which we can accept that change when it does occur.

Change by itself is neither good nor bad; it is just different from what we have been accustomed. Our response to life’s changes — those unexpected bends in the road — dictates our feelings and will determine where those changes take us. If we view the change as an ending to something, it will feel like a negative event in our lives. It will cause us to grieve and to wish for the past to come back. But how different our lives become if we can view change as the beginning of something fresh and new that we had never thought of before.

T.S. Eliot points this out when he says, “And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.”

Justina Chen describes change quite succinctly when she says, “You raze the old to raise the new.”

And Louis L’Amour states, “There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.”

Most change in life just happens to us. Everyone has experienced an unexpected job loss or the loss of companionship when a loved one decides he or she needs to “move on.” They make a change for which we are not at all ready. We are blindsided, and in that moment experience a level of incomprehension that leaves us devastated and filled with self-doubt. We ask ourselves if we could have done something differently would we still have that job or still be loved by that companion.

Maya Angelou recognizes this when she says, “Lift up your faces, you have a piercing need for this bright morning dawning for you. History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”

To learn from such devastating experiences, we need to face the consequences of our own actions that may have contributed to this unexpected change in our life’s course.

Of course, there is change that happens, especially as we age, that necessarily brings grief. We lose a parent, a sibling or a spouse. In these instances, it is difficult to see past the pain of the present to realize that there remains a bright future to be lived. It is up to us to find the way to that future. As Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” And Sean Astin in “Lord of the Rings” states, “In the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine all the clearer.”

Sometimes our adaptation to the change around us requires us first to change what is within us. We all have certain personality traits or quirks that get in the way of us reaching our full potential. Richelle E. Goodrich states this succinctly, “If you truly wish to change what is without, you must first change what festers within.” And sometimes we must change our current situation in order to experience a better life as Glennon Doyle explains, “Destruction is essential to construction. If we want to build the new, we must be willing to let the old burn.” Or as the old adage states: “Out with the old; in with the new.”

It is also important for us to realize that change has no magic timeline or most effective starting point. It only requires that we begin and that we have a positive attitude in our approach to change to be successful. Herman Melville states, “I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing.”

Charlotte Eriksson tells us that “You can start anew at any given moment. Life is just the passage of time and it’s up to you to pass it as you please.” We are also reminded that action on our part is required. Alan Cohen states, “Don’t wait until conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes conditions perfect.” And Brad Pitt through his character in the movie, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” states “For what it is worth, it’s never too late … to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing.”

It is important to recognize that the biggest enemy to accepting change and moving forward in life is self-doubt. We all have the potential to succumb to this feeling. In fact, we share it with some very well-known, successful people. It can be a difficult emotion to overcome, but there are ways to manage it and to build up our confidence. When those negative thoughts begin to creep in around the edges of our minds, list three skills or abilities we know we possess. In this way, we can erect a protective barrier of positivity against the damage negative thoughts can do. Also, remember the following words of people who have met their demons head-on.

“To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation.” — Yann Martel, author

“You can either waltz boldly onto the stage of life and live the way you know your spirit is nudging you to, or you can sit quietly by the wall, receding into the shadows of fear and self-doubt.” — Oprah Winfrey

“When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt.” — Honore de Balzac, playwright

“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” — Suzy Kassem, screenwriter

“It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.” — Hanoch McCarty, author

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” — Dale Carnegie, writer

“Stop worrying about how it’s gonna happen and start believing that it will.” — Michaela Olexova, designer

“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” — J.M. Barrie, author of “Peter Pan”

No one travels through life without experiencing hardships along that journey. There are always hills and valleys, disappointments, losses and a myriad of unforeseen obstacles. Nothing is easy. We cannot have happiness and fulfillment if we give in to these challenges and content ourselves with life in the valleys when glorious views await upon the mountaintops. I leave you with the words of Helen Keller, who was a master at overcoming obstacles: “A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships.”

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

Sunday: Church on TV/resident self-activities, 10 a.m.

Monday: Dining room fun, 10 a.m.; dining music, 11:45 a.m.; card club, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Nails, 10 a.m.; dining music, 11:45 a.m.; movie/popcorn, “Garfield the Movie,” 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; dining trivia, 11:45 a.m.; Uno, 2 p.m.

Friday: Love of nails, 10 a.m.; dining music, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Resident choice; color a nice picture, 1 p.m.; CNBC “Undercover Boss,” 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; penny ante, 10 a.m.; chair exercise, 11 a.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; reminisce, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Casino trip, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; high rollers, 2 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Community breakfast, 8:30 a.m.; “Name That Tune,” 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; special music, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; United Lutheran, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Cooking club, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Wii fun, 2 p. m.; web browsing, 2:15 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzler/“You be the Judge,” 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

(formerly Manor Care/ProMedica)

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: File and style, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; hot seat, 1 p.m.

Monday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; Martin Luther King facts, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Bob Larson, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; chair yoga, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bowling, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; daily 6, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; stretch it out, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; root beer floats, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Chips and chatter, 9 a.m.; reminiscing, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; string ‘n’ bling, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

They encourage families to join daily activities.

Sunday: Crafts, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; comedy movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; joker-eno/wear your hats, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; target practice, 10 a.m.; Scattegories, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; evening prayer, 5 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; basketball, 10 a.m.; Scrabble, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Men’s breakfast, 7 a.m.; hot cocoa/Uno, 10 a.m.; C & R happy hour and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Morning mingle/spelling bee, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

Sunday: Independent activities.

Monday: What’s on the tray?, 10 a.m.; group puzzle, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; manicure and hand massage, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Chair yoga, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Bible study with Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; bean bag toss, 2 p.m.

Friday: Catholic Communion, 9:30 a.m.; Pastor Cathy, 10 a.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Independent activities.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a. m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; Wheel of Fortune and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; tenants’ birthday party, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; popcorn tasting, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; church service, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; game day, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; Pictionary, 11 a.m.; “Wheel of Fortune,” 2 p.m.; short stories, 4 p.m.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; cooking with activities, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; rummy, 4 p.m.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, 9:30 a.m.; open room, 10:30 a.m.; who, what and where, 11 a.m.; off to the races, 2 p.m.; baby animal match, 4 p.m.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; what am I?, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; sensory, 4 p.m.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation, 9:30 a.m.; open room, 10:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 11:15 a.m.; when am I?, 2 p.m.; paint and sip, 4 p.m.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; balloon toss, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

The center at 415 Main St. is open four days a week, serving soup and sandwich meal from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays, fish fries from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays, pizzas from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and dinner from 2 to 3 p.m. Sundays.

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Chicken fettuccini Alfredo, side salad, broccoli.

Wednesday: Sweet and sour pork, rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Thursday: Meatloaf, baked potato, buttered corn, dinner roll.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Open for dine-in eating Monday through Thursday, serving at noon. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pork loin, sauerkraut, sweet potatoes.

Tuesday: Sloppy Joes, baked macaroni and cheese, cauliflower

Wednesday: Ham and cheese sliders, broccoli cheese soup, pudding cup.

Thursday: Beef tips over mashed potatoes, green beans, dinner roll.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Sterling Peryam

Assistant Cook: Bitsy Peryam

906-875-6709

The center serves meals for dining in or takeout — call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food is purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. — call ahead and leave a message with phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Cheeseburgers, tater tots, baked beans.

Tuesday: Barbecue chicken, rice pilaf.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes.

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA, independent from above menu) —

Monday: Tuna melt, broccoli, tater tots, fresh fruit.

Tuesday: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes with gravy, wax beans.

Wednesday: Cheeseburger, seasoned fries, cowboy beans, pudding cup.

Thursday: Biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns, spiced fruit.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Tuna melt, broccoli, tater tots, fresh fruit.

Tuesday: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes with gravy, wax beans.

Wednesday: Cheeseburger, seasoned fries, cowboy beans, pudding cup.

Thursday: Biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns, spiced fruit.

Friday: Gnocchi with meat sauce, Italian blend vegetables, garlic toast.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256.

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes’ Art Club, noon to 4 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards, pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday: Cards, smear, noon to 4 p.m.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Swedish pancakes with blueberries, breakfast potatoes, sausage.

Tuesday: Chicken stuffing wrap, three-bean salad, cottage cheese, pineapple.

Wednesday: Night meal — roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, peas and carrots, dinner roll.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Tuna melt, broccoli, tater tots, fresh fruit.

Tuesday: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes with gravy, wax beans.

Wednesday: Cheeseburger, seasoned fries, cowboy beans, pudding cup.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: Cabbage roll casserole, peas and carrots, breadsticks, fruit.

Tuesday: Liver and onions or chicken breast, baked sweet potato, broccoli, fruit.

Wednesday: Cranberry chicken, rice pilaf, roasted Brussel sprouts, applesauce salad, brownies.

Thursday: Minestrone soup, egg salad sandwich with lettuce and tomato, fruit.

Friday: Stuffed pepper casserole, dark green salad, biscuits, fruit.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

RSVP for meal at 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on Wednesday only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

RSVP for meal at 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu, served at 11:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday.

Reservations for a meal onsite need to be made 48 hours in advance by calling the above number.

Tipler Town Hall

RSVP for meals at 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on second Thursday only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

RSVP for meals at 715-589-4491

Same as ADRC menu, served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals-On-Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: English muffin breakfast sandwich (egg, sausage, cheese), hashbrowns, tomato juice, banana.

Tuesday: Chicken cacciatore over egg noodles, Italian vegetable blend, corn, warm applesauce.

Wednesday: Boneless pork chop, au gratin potatoes, peas and onions, pineapple, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: Polish sausage, boiled potato, corn, fruit cocktail, whole wheat bread.

Friday: Beef pasty, rutabagas, cook’s choice fruit cup.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Dine-in eating, served at 11 a.m. Salad bar is available. Carryout meals also available. No night meals. Menu for the week —

Monday: Roast pork, mashed potatoes with gravy, dill baby carrots.

Tuesday: French bread pizza, California blend vegetables, spiced peaches.

Wednesday: Ham and cheese sliders, broccoli cheese soup, pudding cup.

Thursday: Pepper steak, rice, winter blend vegetables, breadstick.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

The center is open, with dinner served at noon on Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo played on most Wednesdays. Transportation is available.

Tuesday: Cheeseburger on a bun, fries, baked beans, Rice Krispie bar.

Wednesday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, peas, garlic bread, dessert.

Thursday: Pork chop, dressing with gravy, green beans, dinner roll, cookie.

Bingo will be played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Joyce Olesky

Head Cook: Brian Gutkowski

906-563-8716

Open for dine-in eating, beginning at 11:15 a.m. Salad bar is available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals will remain available for pickup from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know if planning to dine in or pick up. Menu for the week —

Monday: Cheese ravioli, vegetables, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Chef salad with vegetables, meat and eggs, breadstick.

Wednesday: Spaghetti or polenta, garlic bread, vegetables.

Thursday: Ham, baked potato, vegetables.

All meals include milk, juice, fruit, bread and dessert.

Board meeting set for Thursday.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month — Birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Sloppy Joes, curly fries, cold three-bean salad.

Wednesday: Sweet and sour pork, rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, buttered corn, dinner roll.

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Tuna melt, broccoli, tater tots, fresh fruit.

Tuesday: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes with gravy, wax beans.

Wednesday: Cheeseburger, seasoned fries, cowboy beans, pudding cup.