March 15, 2026
When I see my primary care practitioner for my Medicare annual physical, one of the preliminary questions is “Have you fallen this past year?” So far, I have been fortunate to say I have not, but I continue, “I am very careful.”
In living with cohorts of my gender and age, it seems many of us have fallen with injuries that may be severe, such as a fractured hip, or wrist, or a faceplant that results in swollen eyes.
A good friend recently experienced a fall when she was line dancing and she tripped and fell, hitting her head. This resulted in a brain bleed. Thankfully, she is recovering.
Many of my friends are seeking physical therapy to improve their balance. One friend described the advice from her therapist to include walking backward, standing on one foot for two seconds, and strengthening the core abdominal muscles. Another friend said that her therapist suggested she focus on a spot and then move her eyes rapidly back and forth for a minute.
When I think of balance, I mentally conjure the female statue holding the balance scales in her left hand while wearing a blind fold. That depicts the balance of Justice. That is the executive, (President) judicial, (courts) and administrative (Congress) serving as equal branches of government and thus maintaining balance. Government balance is currently out of focus in the nation’s capital and the State of Iowa.
While it serves as a sticker ad posted in the soda section of the grocery store, the advice
is timely:
BALANCE, What you, EAT, DRINK & DO
As we move into spring, the renewal season of the year, let us implement three types of BALANCE: Governmental, Physical, and Mental.
Balance in our public policy. Balance in our diet. Balance in our doing.
Let us embrace governmental policy making, by writing or talking with our elected representatives and explaining our priorities.
Let us implement more fruits and vegetables, and fewer sweets in our daily dietary intake.
Let us embrace physical activity whether a planned exercise regime, or outside work in landscaping or gardening projects allowing us to connect with nature and the earth. Let us join the farmers as they plant, by putting flower and garden seeds in our Iowa nutrient-rich soil.
Most of al,l let us embrace what we DO. In times of economic and political turmoil, it is important to practice mental health BALANCE. Choose the best type for yourself, may it be through prayer, meditation, completing service works to aid others, talking with friends, or seeking mental health counseling and treatment. VIEW FROM MY WINDOW is shared by Mary Weaver, retired public health nurse, and nurturer of people.
~Mary Weaver, rural Rippety
