NIAGARA, Wis. — Peace and joy sound like Christmas wishes. But these are two states of being that can and should be a part of every day. If we are still going to work every day, we may believe that there is no way these states of being can be attained in an overcrowded schedule. How can we possibly find peace and joy when we are juggling a job, kids, a marriage, and chores at home? We may be able to manage it sometimes, but certainly not every day! And in retirement, some of us may feel life has somehow stopped, or at the very least slowed down, to the point where many of our days are ruled by boredom. And certainly, the tumultuous times in which we find ourselves are not easily conducive to either joy or peace.

I read two interesting articles recently that dispute these beliefs. One article guided us to find joy in the everyday and another stated that we all have peace within ourselves that we do not realize we have. So, let’s take a closer look at both joy and peace to see how we can find both in our own lives.

Because we are human, we are naturally drawn to routine — schedules and lists that help us stay organized and allow us to meet all of our obligations. They provide the anchors in a world that keeps changing. They provide us with much-needed comfort and stability. But we all know what too much of a good thing does. In the case of too much routine, our lives run the risk of becoming stale and boring. We lose creative inspiration, motivation and authentic joy.

It is important to realize that joy can be found in the mundane, and inspiration can be taken from the smallest instances of our everyday lives. If we pay attention, and are willing to see goodness in small happenings as well as big occasions, we might find more inspiration in day-to-day moments than we expect. Here are a group of quotations from people who have learned to find joy in life’s small and simple pleasures.

“Exquisite beauty is often hidden in life’s fragile, fleeting moments.” — poet John Mark Green

“There’s always a sunrise and always a sunset and it’s up to you to choose to be there for it … Put yourself in the way of beauty.” — Cheryl Strayed, hiker

“If people sat outside and looked at stars each night, I’ll bet they’d live a lot differently.” — Bill Waterson, cartoonist

“Wherever you look there are inspirations — books, literature, paintings, landscapes, everything. Just living is an inspiration.” — Gavin Rossdale, musician

“Steal from anywhere that which resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows.” — Jim Jarmusch, director

“I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things … I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.” — Leo Buscaglia, writer

“Today’s goal: Remember putting on glasses for the first time, when suddenly the trees had individual leaves, the moon had defined edges. Try to see through that clear lens — everything as it is — look around you and marvel.” — Maggie Smith, poet

I had a similar experience when I had hearing aids in my ears for the first time. It was a golden autumn day and a wind was blowing through the trees. As I walked outside, it seemed that I could hear each leaf as it hit the leaf next to it. It was an exhilarating experience!

Finding that calm inner peace seems like the flip side of finding the jubilance offered by joy. Given our busy schedules and the world’s events brought to our homes by the nightly news, peace can seem like an elusive quality. Yet, according to philosophers, spiritual leaders, and thinkers, inner peace is something we each already carry within us — we just need to make space for it so it can surface through life’s noise. A big part of attaining inner peace is slowing things down, taking deep breaths, and being present in the moment. While spending some quiet time on your deck, for example, don’t be mentally planning the coming day. Enjoy the wind in the trees, how the leaves flutter, and how that breeze feels on your face. Embrace each experience — even those that do not go as planned — as an opportunity for personal growth. Find the bigger lesson in each disappointment.

Finding peace is easier said than done, of course. But it’s not numbness that defines peace of mind so much as it is awareness. It’s about being conscious of what’s happening around us, but choosing not to be disturbed by it in spite of the circumstances. Consider these thoughts from people who have learned to find peace within themselves.

“If there is to be any peace, it will come through being, not having.” — Henry Miller

“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” — Dalai Lama

“Peace is its own reward,” — Mahatma Gandhi

“Ego says, ‘Once everything falls into place, I’ll feel inner peace.’ Spirit says, ‘Find your inner peace and then everything will fall into place.'” — Marianne Williamson

“You find peace not by rearranging the circumstances of your life, but by realizing who you are at the deepest level.” — Eckhart Tolle

“Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.” — Wayne Dyer

“Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It is a way of entering into the quiet that is already there — buried under the 50,000 thoughts the average person thinks every day.” — Deepak Chopra

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.” — Saint Francis de Sales

“If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else.” — Marvin Gaye

So, when you find you are running around “like a chicken with its head cut off,” remember that you have peace within yourself. You need only take a deep breath, slow down, and there it will be — within you all along. Also worth remembering: we do not need to have a huge bank account, travel the world, or drive a fancy car to be happy. True happiness is found in everyday moments: your child’s innocent smile, your husband’s hug, healthy fatigue after a good day of physical labor, and the family gathered together around the supper table sharing the events of their day. Peace and happiness today are the building blocks of pleasant memories for the future.

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

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

On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. they host a Memory Cafe — a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program is run by donations.

Sunday: Church on TV, 10 a.m.; lunch music, 11:45 a.m.; staff and resident ice cream social, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary, 10 a.m.; hair fixing, 10 a.m.; dice club, 1:30 p.m.; reminiscing, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Walking club, 10 a.m.; hydration time, 10:30 a.m.; crafts-painting 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Cooking club, 10 a.m.; fit for fun, 10:30 a.m.; resident choice, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Dominoes, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 11 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; happy hour fun with popsicles, 2 p.m.

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

Saturday: Family time, 10 a.m.; coloring fun, 1:30 p.m.; “Weakest Link” on NBC-TV, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; Scattegories, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.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.; bonfire, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Book Club, 10 a.m.; picnic to Stager Lake, 10 a.m.; resident council, 10:30 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; garden club, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Baking group, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Christ United, 2 p.m.; current events, 2:30 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.; happy hour with Gayle, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; ICMCF Auxiliary dine-in/thru fundraiser, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzler/storytelling, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; arts and crafts, 1 p.m.

Monday: Coffee clutch, 9 a.m.; chair exercise, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; shop op, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee, clutch, 9 a.m.; resident council, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Sunshine Club, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee clutch, 9 a.m.; coloring club, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee clutch, 9 a.m.; chair exercise, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; table top bowling, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee clutch, 9 a.m.; reminiscing, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Scattegories, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; arts and crafts, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Coffee and chit chat, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; ice cream outing, 12:30 p.m.; music with Bob Larson, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Men’s breakfast, 7 a.m.; rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; board games, 10 a.m.; courtyard campfire, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; baking, pineapple upside down cake, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; short stories, 10 a.m.; Maryhill family picnic, 11 a.m.; Hubba Bubba bubble day, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Hedbanz, 10 a.m.; C&R happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Uno, 10 a.m.; courtyard mingle, who am I? 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

Sunday: Independent activities.

Monday: Word search, 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Resident council, 10 a.m.; manicure, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Parachute, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; brain teaser, 2 p.m.

Friday: Pastor Cathy, 10 a.m.; movie, “I Am Legend,” 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.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

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

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

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

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bunco, 10 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; Sunday fun day games in the dining room, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; shell yes, 11 a.m.; manicures, 1:45 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; uplifting S.G., 10:30 a.m.; who-what-where, 11 a.m.; Hawaiian bingo, 1:45 p.m.; navigate the seas, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; history of fairs, U.P. State Fair senior citizen day, 11 a.m.; activities choice, 2 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; trivia, U.P. State Fair Native American Day, 11 a.m.; activities choice, 2 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; day of peace, 11 a.m.; rock painting, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; bunco, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; kick ball, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; activity packets; daily chronicles.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Country-style ribs, macaroni and cheese, corn.

Wednesday: Chicken fettucine alfredo, broccoli, dinner roll, fruit crumble.

Thursday: Wet burrito, refried beans, cornbread.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday — salad bar at 11:30 a.m., meal at noon. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Cheeseburger, baked fries, baked beans, strawberry shortcake.

Tuesday: Oven-fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, Brussel sprouts.

Wednesday: Liver and onions, roasted garlic potatoes, asparagus.

Thursday: Pulled pork sandwich on a hoagie bun, potato wedges, coleslaw, Jell-O with fruit.

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

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant Cooks: Debbie Bigalke and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center is serving meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food 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 a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Menu for the week —

Monday: Ground beef goulash, dinner roll.

Tuesday: Cheeseburgers, tater tots.

Wednesday: Chicken parmesan, garlic bread.

Many people have asked if they could serve meals on Thursdays, so they planned to use Aug. 8 as a test to see what the meal count would be. They will keep the public informed if this new serving day can become permanent.

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

Monday: Sloppy Joe with a bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

Tuesday: Farmer’s casserole, sausage, mini-croissant, berry and granola yogurt parfait.

Wednesday: Chicken and dressing sandwich, California blend vegetables, Jell-O with cranberries.

Thursday: Lasagna, green beans, garlic French bread.

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: Sloppy Joe with a bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

Tuesday: Farmer’s casserole, sausage, mini-croissant, berry and granola yogurt parfait.

Wednesday: Chicken and dressing sandwich, California blend vegetables, Jell-O with cranberries.

Thursday: Lasagna, green beans, garlic French bread.

Friday: Taco salad, fiesta corn, tortilla chips, salsa and sour cream, pudding.

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: Deluxe chef salad with egg, cottage cheese with pineapple, biscuit.

Tuesday: Farmer’s casserole, breakfast sausage, mini-croissant, berry and granola yogurt parfait.

Wednesday: Spaghetti and meatballs, green beans, garlic breadstick.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Sloppy Joe with a bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

Tuesday: Farmer’s casserole, sausage, mini-croissant, berry and granola yogurt parfait.

Wednesday: Chicken and dressing sandwich, California blend vegetables, Jell-O with cranberries.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: Swedish meatballs, noodles, side salad, green beans, fruit.

Tuesday: Amish breakfast casserole, broccoli slaw, fruit salad.

Wednesday: Lasagna roll-ups with meat sauce, dark green salad, fruit, birthday cake.

Thursday: Chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, fruit.

Friday: Liver and onions or chicken breast, mashed potatoes, squash, 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

Open Monday through Thursday serving at 11:30 a.m.

Reservations for a meal on site 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

The 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. The Meals-On-Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Swiss chicken with mushrooms, noodles, Prince Charles vegetables, corn, pears.

Tuesday: Dinner frank, hot dog bun, oven potatoes, peas and carrots, fruit cocktail.

Wednesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, fresh fruit, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: Western egg bake, hash browns, muffin, Mandarin oranges, tomato juice.

Friday: Sweet and sour pork, white rice, wax beans, carrots, fruit cup.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar begins at 11 a.m.; meal is served at 11:30 a.m. All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Deluxe cheeseburger, baked macaroni and cheese, corn-on-the-cob.

Tuesday: Cheesy potato breakfast bake, bacon, applesauce.

Wednesday: Layered chicken bake, cauliflower, croissant, pudding.

Thursday: Spaghetti with meatballs, green beans, garlic breadstick.

All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon 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 is played on most Wednesdays. Transportation is available.

Tuesday: Barbecue roast pork, baked beans, twice-baked potatoes, applesauce, wheat dinner roll.

Wednesday: Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes with gravy, mixed vegetables, peach cobbler.

Thursday: Chicken Alfredo, noodles, stewed tomatoes, green beans, spiced fruit bake.

The center will have bingo on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Joyce Olesky

Head Cook:  Brian Gutkowski

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:15 a.m. Salad bar is available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know if planning to dine in or pick up.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Cabbage roll casserole, biscuit, vegetable.

Tuesday: Salmon, sweet potato fries, vegetable.

Wednesday: Pork loin, baked potato, vegetable.

Thursday: Cheese ravioli, garlic bread, vegetable.

Board meeting on Thursday.

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

Birthdays and bingo on second 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

Dine-in meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals are also available.

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Scalloped potatoes with ham, buttered corn, dinner roll, brownie.

Wednesday: Chicken vegetable soup, bread with a butter pat, Jell-O with fruit, side salad.

Thursday: Spaghetti with meatballs, green beans, garlic toast.

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

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Sloppy Joe with a bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

Tuesday: Farmer’s casserole, sausage, mini croissant, berry and granola yogurt parfait.

Wednesday: Chicken and dressing sandwich, California blend vegetables, Jell-O with cranberries.