The universal concept that “energy flows where attention goes” became the focus of the day for the second annual Circle of Life Women’s Forum in Dickinson on April 18.
The attention in the room was focused on wonderful speakers who successfully inspired and informed the group, and the subsequent energy they generated reverberated around the room.
As women from all across Galveston County streamed in the door dripping from the rain, it was clear to me they were undeterred and determined to be there.
The weather hadn’t dampened any spirits, as the keynote speaker, Marion Pietz, walked — and galloped in some cases — through her version of “Laughing Your Way Through Stress.”
A room full of ladies laughing started the day out in a perfect way.
Then, Teri Wenglein-Callender got acquainted with the group and shared some personal stories and insights.
She said how impressed she and her husband, Dr. David Callender, president of UTMB, were with the deep soul of UMTB.
She cited the longevity and commitment of so many of the staff and employees. She also told of the pride she and her husband had for the stellar areas of excellence at UTMB and talked about some of the exciting new projects that are on the horizon.
Three UTMB physicians also spoke. Dr. Julie McKee, assistant professor in integrative medicine in the family medicine clinic, spoke on “Moving Toward Wellness.”
Dr. Nitza Cintron, associate professor in internal medicine and former chief of the space medicine program at the Johnson Space Center at NASA, spoke on “It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Dreams.”
And Dr. Rebecca Kelso, assistant professor in dermatology, spoke on “Aging Skin … What Can We Do”?
Ten health-care related groups served as sponsors and made themselves available to provide information about their services.
They were: A*Med Health Care Group, Alzheimer’s Association, Gulf Health Care Center (Texas City), Home Instead Senior Care, Hospice Care Team, Malott Chiropractic Health Clinic, Regent Care Center, Right At Home, Senior Resource Guide and Visiting Angels.
Most people have suffered a loss in their lives, but the difficult part is to find the good that always comes after the bad, or the sad.
The Rev. Helen Appelberg, with the Sealy Center on Aging and the director of the William Temple Episcopal Center, shared her insights with her poignant topic: “Finding the Light in Loss.”
The day was tied up in a perfect way with the upbeat topic: “Life is Too Short To Wear Anything Tight” brought to the group by Willa Decker, a nurse-practitioner who used laughter and learning as the thread that had pulled the forum together.
I believe women deserve to carve out some time for ourselves to nourish our souls and help us refocus.
We did all that and also had an extremely good time.
Tia McCurdy is a community education specialist with the Senior Services Office at UTMB.
