Trinity Woods is making a concerted effort to offer more avenues for culture training and bonding for all employees. Our goal for the coming year is to have all Trinity Woods employees attend these full-day training sessions. These training sessions offer customer service training, Eden Alternative Training*, and
an opportunity for employees to meet other employees from across campus.

*The Eden Alternative Philosophy is a person-centered approach to creating a community where life revolves around close and continuing contact with people of all ages and abilities. It is these relationships that provide the young and old alike with a pathway to a life worth living.

By Don Hertzler, resident Master Gardener

A favorite evergreen tree in eastern Oklahoma is the southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora. The native evergreen tree grows to 80-120’ tall and can have a life span of up to 200 years. Recently, dwarf versions have become available. The varieties ‘Little Gem’ and ‘Teddybear’ mature at 16-20’ tall and 10’ wide
and can be found in the new Owens Park on Sandusky. The large white flowers of the southern magnolia often have an intense fragrance that makes a lasting memory. The Southern Magnolia is a native tree of the southeast U.S. but it does well in northeast Oklahoma. Its leaves will burn from extreme cold or
heat, but they will recover during the growing season.

We have a number of examples of Southern magnolias across campus. Pictured here is a flower from a Little Gem Magnolia in Owens Park. This spring when you are out walking in the Trinity Woods neighborhood, take time to smell a magnolia bloom.

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

I’ve concluded that spring may be the most profound of the seasons. Its meaning and promise, and how to experience it, are worth dwelling upon. Spring is the season of hope – that things will get better after they were worse.

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant,” wrote English poet Anne Bradstreet. “If we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”

After the cold dark days of winter, where life seems to be on the verge of collapse and purpose is blurred, spring comes to the rescue bringing renewed hope, joy, clarity and salvation from the dark.

Spring signifies coming out of the darkness. We’ve tipped the balance from longer nights to longer days. We call the first day of spring the vernal equinox. Equinox basically means “equal night” of light and dark, and metaphorically, we should spend more time in the light.

There’s even some science to the joy of spring. Research suggests that for many people, the extended daylight boosts mood, wellbeing and energy. It’s also the time for spring cleaning and ridding your life of those things you don’t need any more and maybe some bad spirits and bad habits.

Sometimes in order to come into a new season and spring forward in faith, we have to let go of the old season. Isaiah 43:18 NIV says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” One of life’s many lessons teaches us to let go. We should not hang on to past hurts, past struggles, and past relationships. And sometimes this means we must give ourselves time to grieve in order to move forward.

As spring starts to surface and the trees begin to bloom, we can see God’s reminder to align our hearts to the new thing He’s doing. Prepare to spring forward into His purpose.

As we enter a new season, if you would like to schedule a time to meet with the Chaplain or to leave a prayer request, please contact Chaplain Tisdale at 918.346.6607.

By Alison McMillan, Spann Wellness Center Manager

We’ve all heard again and again that physical activity is important, but why is it important and how can we increase our daily activity levels?

Nowadays, the average American spends almost eight hours a day being sedentary. The Sedentary Behavior Research Network defines a sedentary lifestyle as “any waking behavior characterized by an
energy expenditure less than or equal to 1.5 metabolic equivalents.” Living a sedentary life can lead to many health complications, such as increased risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases,
increased risk of cancer, obesity, increased depression, decreased cognitive functionality, and increased mortality.

With television and internet entertainment, as well as desk jobs, leading to people sitting more, it’s extremely important to be intentional about your activity levels and getting the proper amount each day. The CDC currently recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week, which is about two-and-a-half hours. They also recommend having two days dedicated to muscle strengthening-specific activity a week.

Adding and increasing your physical activity levels per week sounds daunting but there are so many ways to do so, and for it to be fun!

Here are some changes you can make in your life to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health:
– Take frequent breaks to get up and walk around.
– Park further away when going shopping.
– Go on a daily walk in the evening with your family, friends, or dog.
– If the weather is cold, head inside to your fitness center of choice and hop on a treadmill, elliptical, bike, or seated cardio machine.
– Swim laps in a pool.
– Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
– Seek out a fitness class or online fitness videos.

Make it a fun challenge this month! Track how many steps you take, how many miles you walk (or move on a cardio machine), or how any laps you swim each day. At the end of the month, you will be able to see your progress! See if you can increase your numbers each week, and feel the difference in how your mind, body, and spirit feel after increasing your physical activity levels this month!

By Steve Dickie, CEO

I get asked the above question all the time! Most people have an outdated image of senior living. Many view the aging process as an inevitable sequence of progressive decline and loss. At Trinity Woods we are convinced that does not have to be case. It is possible to gain new friends, find new purpose and meaning, and restore physical health.

• Gaining New Friends: It is true that we all reach the age where our long-term relationships begin changing. People die. People move. Yet one person told me recently, “At Trinity Woods my social network has grown! I’ve picked up many new friends since my move here. The move here has been the best decision of my life.”

• Finding Purpose and Meaning: No one likes to be bored, at any age. Most retirees have led a productive and active life, and then suddenly find themselves trying to find their new normal. Who says you have to be in school to learn a new language or skill? People at any age, physical ability and mental acuity can find new, stimulating interests through a variety of activities. Residents at Trinity Woods are encouraged to find a new or reinvest time in their passion.

• Restoring Physical Health: Did you know that, even in your 80s or 90s, you can benefit from physical training? You can build strength and improve balance. The classes offered in the Spann Wellness Center offer practical coaching that can help improve your ability to do everyday tasks like loading the washer and dryer and carrying groceries.

What are the most common reflections of people who live at Trinity Woods? People say, “I should have made the move sooner.” “I have never had so much peace of mind.” “My kids have never seen me happier. And, I have more friends and I am more engaged than I was in my home.”

The vision of Trinity Woods is to set a new standard for senior living by redefining aging!
You deserve a retirement life that has a style all its own. Your style! Trinity Woods enables
you to live life in the style you want to live.