By Welden Tisdale, Chaplain

As we embark on a new year, may we each take time to examine our lives in full – physical, mental, social, financial and probably most importantly, spiritual. It is the spiritual aspect of our existence that has the tendency and ability to strengthen and bring purpose to every other dimension of our existence. Without a firm grasp of who we are as spiritual beings our lives will bounce along with no true direction.

For Trinity Woods, spirituality and wellness are woven deeply throughout the fabric of the community, connecting residents with a sense of “belonging.” The common ground and relationships fostered help heal broken hearts, soothe the mind, bring warmth and caring relationships, and even have an impact on individual health. We call this aspect of the dimensions of wellness – Spiritual Wellness.

Spiritual Wellness, simply defined, is being connected to something greater than yourself and having a set of values, principles, morals, and beliefs that provide a sense of purpose and meaning to life, then
using those principles to guide your actions.

Different stages of life bring different needs, and things we did not have time for while managing careers and family can become more important. Many times, we may have put off spiritual wellness not realizing its importance to an overall healthy lifestyle.

At Trinity Woods there is a strong focus every day for community members and employees to practice the seven dimensions of wellness. Putting spiritual practices into place as we embark on a new year will go a long way toward helping you age well in mind, body and spirit.

Finding meaning and purpose may be a lifelong process that evolves based on unique circumstances, individual experiences and global events. Along with the other dimensions of wellness, a person’s
level of spiritual wellness often fluctuates throughout their life. It is natural to experience a variety of emotions along the path to spiritual wellness – both positive (hope, forgiveness, acceptance, joy) and negative (doubt, fear, disappointment, conflict).

Spiritual wellness has the power and capability to make our decisions and choices easier, ground us during periods of change and give us the resiliency to survive with grace and inner peace in the face of
adversity. Having a spiritual element in our lives may even help us heal when suffering from a physical or mental condition. Again, take time to examine your spiritual wellness and prepare for a totally healthy 2024.

by Alison McMillan, Wellness Director

As we ring in 2024, and reflect on our experiences and what we leaned int he previous year, me might find things we want to change moving forward. Whatever it is, you’re not alone in this desire for change!

According to a Forbes survey in October this year, almost 62% of respondents feel pressure or the desire to set a resolution. However, if you’ve ever set a resolution, you may know that they don’t always pan out. Research suggests that 23% of people quit their resolution within the first week and 43% quit by the end of January, with a whopping 9% of people following them through to completion.

However, I’m here to keep you from letting the numbers scare you away from trying a resolution this year! There are a lot of good ways to make positive and constructive resolutions to grow yourself this year and to ensure that you have the best success in achieving your goals.

First, evaluate the reason for setting a resolution. Is it something you are doing out of actual desire and is there a need for change, or is it something you feel obligated and pressured to do? By ensuring that this is a genuine desire and need for change, you are more likely to stick with it rather than give up due to lack of motivation to meet your true goals.

Next, set a S.M.A.R.T. goal – S: Specific, M: Measurable, A: Attainable, R: Relevant, and T: Time-Bound. By following this formula, you are setting yourself up for success. Having a vague immeasurable goal makes it harder to see your progress and be motivated and celebrate wins. You want to ensure the goal is not too ambitious; setting an unattainable resolution is only setting yourself up for failure. Like my father always says, “How do you eat an elephant?… One bite at a time!” Break the resolution up into attainable achievable pieces and take it one step at a time. Also make sure the resolution has an end goal. Having a timeline gives you the chance to look at your successes and reevaluate areas if needed.

Then write it down! Put it on paper, on a calendar or in a planner, and share it with your friends and family. Writing it down help make it more tangible than letting it float in the back of your head, and sharing your goals with your friends and family helps set up an accountability network of support.

Finally, allow yourself to be imperfect. You are only human! You are bound to fall off a wagon or miss a step but get back up and keep trying. There is no ‘failure’ here, there is only opportunity to learn from the moment and try again.

And remember, the purpose of a resolution is personal growth and change for the better. Enjoy the journey, celebrate each win along the way, and keep positive and keep going!

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis

By: Steve Dickie, CEO

January is the perfect time to count the blessings of last year and envision the promise of the year ahead. Last year we faced unprecedented challenges, we have emerged stronger, more cohesive, and with a renewed sense of purpose. The year ahead will bring significant change along and renewed commitment to our mission of serving the Trinity Woods family in the spirit of Christ.

Building strong, lasting relationships with our residents and employees has been a cornerstone of
our success, and we remain committed to excellence and growing this amazing community. Staying relevant in today’s every-changing world requires a deep commitment to quality customer service and employee well-being. Trinity Woods conducts ongoing inquiries among residents and employees to learn how well we are doing. In the last 12 months here is what the data has revealed:

*In recommending Trinity Woods to friends and family, 84% of 274 respondents rated the
community as good or excellent.
*Regarding Trinity Woods employees, 97% of 269 respondents rated the staff as good or
excellent.
*Regarding the overall dining experience, 82% of 225 respondents rated the Dining experience
as good or excellent.
*The Employee Satisfaction Survey revealed that 93% of employees (104 respondents) see
themselves working here a year from now.
*Regarding job satisfaction, 89% of 104 respondents said they feel appreciated for the job they
do.

The Board continues its search for the next CEO which will start a new chapter. Additionally, the
Board is beginning the process for a new campus master plan which will include the best way to
gate the community and possible uses for the Dartmoor properties.

As we embark on this journey into the future, we can face these new challenges with confidence.
Our collective strength, adaptability, and unwavering commitment will propel us forward. We
will turn challenges into opportunities and emerge stronger than ever before. The road ahead is
promising, and we stand ready to write the next chapter of our organization’s success story