By Garrett Lee

When I first arrived as the new CEO at Trinity Woods, one of the first things I was exposed to in my onboarding was the Culture of Courtesy Guidelines. In reading through these guidelines and learning about the history and their implementation, my decision to come here was once again confirmed.

In my experience with being a part of a senior living community, I have found courtesy is the single most effective expression of extending grace to one another. That is what makes the difference.

Over time, courtesy has been defined in various ways, but at its core, it refers to polite behavior that reflects respect and consideration for others. The term has roots in medieval chivalry, where it initially referred to the manners expected in a royal court or among the nobility. Its meaning has broadened to encompass general good manners in social interactions that still stand to this day.

I believe the courtesy that is woven into the Trinity Woods resident and employee culture is important and is what makes us special or as we like to say “neighborly”. For our community to thrive and continue to be home to everyone who lives here, courtesy must be organic to our communication with each other and to our way of life. I am committed to prioritizing a culture of courtesy, always, as a core personal practice and as a core belief of Trinity Woods.

I leave you with these influential words from the great Maya Angelou “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, Philippians 3:13b

In the tapestry of life, we often find ourselves clinging to threads that no longer serve us—threads woven from memories, expectations, low self-confidence and fears. But what if we could unravel those threads, allowing space for growth, renewal, and freedom? That’s precisely what the power of letting go offers us.

The Bible teaches us that surrendering control is not a sign of weakness but rather an act of strength and faith. It requires us to relinquish our own desires and ambitions and trust that God’s plans are far greater than our own. Use the example of Jesus, who surrendered His heavenly rights to redeem humanity—a powerful act of letting go.

In Philippians 4:6-7, we are urged not to be anxious about anything but instead to present our requests to God through prayer, with thanksgiving. This passage reminds us that letting go of fear and anxiety involves trusting God with our concerns. When we surrender our worries and fears to Him, we find peace that surpasses understanding. It’s an invitation to release the burdens we carry and embrace God’s peace.

Ephesians 4:31-32 instructs us to let go of anger, bitterness, and resentment. Instead, we are to show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness to others. Through forgiveness, we experience healing and find freedom from emotional burdens. Jesus modeled this when He forgave those who crucified Him, demonstrating the power of letting go and embracing grace.

The power of letting go lies not in our own strength but in our willingness to yield to God’s wisdom and grace. It allows us to participate in God’s redemptive work, unshackling us from self-centeredness and opening our hearts to love, service, and transformation. As we release our grip on the past, fears, hurts,
low self-esteem and unfulfilled dreams, we make space for God’s healing touch.

So, as we enter the last quarter of 2024, consider what you need to let go of today—whether it’s control, bitterness, self-doubt or worry—and trust that God’s love will carry you forward.

Remember, what the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:13b.