I live in a small house on the Monterey Bay in CA with my dear husband of 32 years. We have five children: our oldest daughter is a nurse, has three precious children, and a lovely husband; our second daughter teaches at a Middle School, has a dear son, and a delightful husband. Our oldest son is an electrician and has 2 children. That leaves our two youngest sons, 21 and 24. The 24 year-old son is a mason and the 21 year- old is a Marine and is currently stationed in Texas. I home-schooled ...

I live in a small house on the Monterey Bay in CA with my dear husband of 32 years. We have five children: our oldest daughter is a nurse, has three precious children, and a lovely husband; our second daughter teaches at a Middle School, has a dear son, and a delightful husband. Our oldest son is an electrician and has 2 children. That leaves our two youngest sons, 21 and 24. The 24 year-old son is a mason and the 21 year- old is a Marine and is currently stationed in Texas. I home-schooled the two youngest up to the seventh grade, and have many happy memories of those years.

I am a Greek Orthodox Christian and am very active in our church. I am studying Byzantine chant with a master psalti (chanter), and when he is in Greece (6 months out of the year), I am the main chanter at the church. I love chanting: the hymns are so beautiful and bring me closer to God. I also direct our choir which consists of 4 ladies and 1 gentleman. We sing a capella in the Byzantine style.

I work as a music teacher and have 29 students. My students are mostly children, but a few are now beautiful young ladies and handsome young gentlemen and I feel honored to be a part of their lives.

I enjoy gardening, reading, playing the piano and guitar, singing, crocheting, embroidery, and sewing. For exercise I walk, do aerobic dancing, Jazzercise, lift free weights, do a plethora of workout DVDs from the comfort of my own living room, go to Pilates and Yoga classes.


On Endurance vs. Discouragement: The inward strength to withstand stress and do my best:
I will......
Not be a quitter
Accept both instruction and correction
Not waste time, energy and talent on meaningless pursuits
Bend instead of break
Put my whole heart into everything I do
"Endurance is nobler than strength and patience than beauty."---John Ruskin, 19th-Century British critic and author

On Cautiousness vs. Rashness: Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions:
I will.....
Think before I act
Follow safety rules
Ask permission
Talk at the right time
Look out for danger
"Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time."---Abraham Lincoln

Flexibility vs. Resistance: Willingness to change plans or ideas according to the direction of my authorities:
I will.......
Not get upset when plans change
Respect the decisions of my authorities
Not be stubborn
Look for the good in changes
Not compromise what is right
"I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself." ---Aldous Leonard Huxley


Today I make the commitment to put these thoughts into action in every aspect of my life, and especially in regards to my health plan.

Read More About SOPHIALARA (Updated September 17)

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