The New You

2024

A guide to a happier, healthier you A daily Journal publication

Inside: Resolve to read more books this year

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Contents Benefits of

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Learn martial arts Pursue

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Local librarians discuss the benefits of curling up with a good book Story by Amanda Stevenson-Holmes

Reading more is on many New Year’s resolutions lists. But short of quitting your job and ignoring your responsibilities, how can you make reading a real priority? The first step to reading more may be to fully appreciate all the benefits.

Benefits of reading Local experts suggest reading not only increases your learning ability and knowledge but also relaxation and enjoyment, even healing and connection.

“As an adult, reading has many benefits. Perhaps the most obvious is gaining knowledge, whether reading books about the past, about different places around the world, or about how to improve ourselves,” said Susan Jerger, reference and interlibrary loan librarian with the Greenwood Public Library.

Wild Geese Bookshop owner, Tiffany Lauderdale Phillips, added,

“Deep rest has become more difficult with the constant demands of work and technology, but reading can help lower blood pressure, improve sleep quality, reduce stress, improve neuropathways and help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also been linked with longevity, empathy, increasing vocabulary and intelligence.

“Readers live out many different lifetimes and places through books.

It’s great for perspective but also for feeling less alone. Even a fictional character can sometimes put to words an exact feeling you’ve had but didn’t quite know how to frame, and finding those works can feel healing.”

Reinforce the importance of parents and caregivers reading every day to their children and forming connections, Jerger said.

“I fondly remember reading to my children at bedtime. That experience was a calming, wind

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down time for all of us and created cherished memories.”

Tips for reading All the benefits sound great and are needed in the new year, but reading feels overwhelming with everything already growing on that to-do list.

Where sould one start? Professionals and avid readers recommend thinking about it in terms of time, space and variety.

“I encourage people to start with reading just 10 pages a day,” suggested Daniel Franco, adult and teen services librarian at the Johnson County Public Library — White River branch. “If you can carve out time for 10 pages a day, that’s about 3,650 pages a year or about 12 books on average. You can learn a lot from 12 books a year.”

Chris Hoffman, director of the Edinburgh Wright-Hageman Public Library, suggested allocating a specific time each day.

“The best tip I have for anyone who wishes to read more is that they find a way to carve out a slot for it somewhere in their daily routine. Whether it’s first thing in the morning or last thing before bed, setting aside even a few minutes every day and then sticking to that schedule is the easiest way to make those pages add up quickly.”

“Make a book nook for yourself,” Lauderdale Phillips said. “Find a chair and an end table to keep a favorite throw blanket, maybe a candle, coaster for your drink nearby, a cup with favorite pens so that you have a little space you look forward to visiting to read.”

Greenwood resident Trisha Phillips, who views her reading as either pleasure or academic, pointed out that reading can come in many formats.

“When it comes to pleasure reading, because it’s something I love to do, I just make sure I always carry my Kindle with me.

That way, if I have a spare five minutes waiting for something, I can read. However, if I’m trying to learn something I have to approach it differently because it’s not something I enjoy doing. I have to make it more purposeful. So, I usually schedule time or set goals, such as so many chapters a week.”

Katie Schwarz of Franklin reads while she works. “Audiobooks have helped me reach my reading goals,” Schwarz said. “I listen when I’m driving, cleaning the house, on walks or outdoor chores. It’s amazing how quickly my audio reading time adds up.”

Resources for reading For those like Phillips and Schwarz with reading goals, many old-school and newtech resources exist to track progress and foster success.

“Whatever your goal, use a tool, whether a list written in a notebook, a fancy reading journal or a reading app to track yourself,” Jerger said. “Personally, I use Goodreads to keep me on target, but other free apps are out there such as The StoryGraph. The library also offers Beanstack as an option throughout the year, not just during winter and summer reading times.”

E-books and audiobooks are available through digital resources such, as Libro, Libby and Hoopla, while several offer digital magazines, as well. The Johnson County, Greenwood and Edinburgh public libraries charge no or minimal late fees and offer a variety of formats and apps for easy and free downloading.

Lauderdale Phillips also recommends keeping a good ol’ book tote in the car and pull out your latest book while waiting in carlines, on a to-go order or other delays that happen.

Last but not least, stop by the local library or visit an independent bookstore and talk with the professionals who love to recommend books and all the options for accessing them.

Books to Jumpstart 2024 Want to start reading but not sure which book to pick? Local experts offer their top books to explore and begin now.

Hoffman recommends: “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride and “How Lucky” by Will Leitch.

Franco picked the new graphic novel of “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie (a new twist on an old favorite); “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley and “The Righteous Mind” by Jon Haidt.

Jerger suggests: “The Book of Joy” by t he Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu; “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus and “Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson.

Lauderdale Phillips proposes: “The Berry Pickers “by Amanda Peters; “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” by Jesse Sutano; “A Psalm for the Wild Built”

by Becky Chambers; “Bookshops and Bonedust” by Travis Baldree; “The Art of Clear Thinking” by Hasard Lee and “The Wager” by David Grann.

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Fighting for your life

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Martial arts benefit physical and mental health Story By Jenn Willhite Photos by Warrie Dennis

Pictured: Coach and owner of Indiana Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, James Clingerman, in the white uniform, demonstrates a guard pass technique to the class with the help of coach Ryan Sellick.

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Committing to a consistent martial arts practice is a guaranteed way to bring about positive change in your life in the new year, area martial arts experts say.

“We use martial arts as a vehicle to drive our main purpose, which is life skills,” said Rose Myers, co-owner and chief instructor at Pilsung ATA Martial Arts in Greenwood.

According to Myers, most adults come to the academy to learn self-defense, fitness and accountability. They have tried the gym, but to no avail, as no one holds them accountable, Myers said.

Being a part of a group martial arts’ atmosphere not only builds relationships, but there are physical benefits in addition to those for your mental health and self-confidence.

“It is very cathartic,” Myers said. “You get to yell, hit things and break things in every class. It is great stress relief.”

Generally, it seems women come to martial arts for self-defense and men for the exercise and camaraderie, said James Clingerman, owner of Indiana Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Greenwood.

“I think no matter what they get into it for, they find a different reason to do it,” Clingerman said. “I think a lot of people start with selfdefense in mind and then end up doing it because it is wonderful exercise, and it’s a great social activity.”

In fact, Clingerman said many people meet their best friends at jiu-jitsu. After all, when you take it to the mat like jiu-jitsu does, there’s an immense trust that manifests.

Clingerman described the goal of jiu-jitsu as a near-opposite of other martial arts because there isn’t a lot of punching or kicking.

“We gain a dominant position where you can effectively attack and not be attacked,” Clingerman explained. “You end the match with a chokehold, armlock or leglock.”

In practice, such moves can be utterly devastating, but in training one simply taps out.

“It’s that kind of thing where you are constantly rolling with someone and putting each other in these potentially devastating moves, but you are saying, ‘Uncle,’ and they are letting you go,” he said. “It builds a ton of trust.”

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Pictured from left: Lance Apgar, top, and Kasey Angel practice new techniques. // Kelsey Prior, in a red uniform, practices new techniques with Amelia Valentin.

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Another happy consequence of martial arts practice is it’s got your back when trying to stick to that weight loss resolution in the new year.

However, the journey of self-mastery first requires getting off the couch.

If you are feeling intimidated by the idea of even starting, remember that 99 percent of the people who visit a martial arts academy for the first time have zero experience, Clingerman said.

“Most of the people who come in and try a class are afraid we are going to break them,” Myers said. “Most people aren’t used to hitting objects, so there’s a huge hesitancy of what their capabilities are versus what we are going to expect them to be able to do.”

It is common practice for martial arts academies to offer free trials as a way to introduce newcomers to the practice, Clingerman and Myers said.

Committing to a couple of classes per week is generally where most adult students begin, they both agreed. There are also those who can’t get enough and are on the mat five and six days a week.

With experience comes self-confidence and, before long, students even find the way they’re interacting with others begins to change, Myers said.

“It is like a spider web,” she added. “The ripple effect is huge, if you actively engage in all the things we provide.”

Simultaneously seeing and feeling the progress they’re making, coupled with the accountability factor, keeps them coming back, Myers said.

“Adults are not adventurous and don’t like doing things they don’t know or understand,”

Myers said. “That is why we offer a free twoweek program to let them dip their feet in and see it isn’t that bad.”

Just like one wouldn’t attempt a marathon without conditioning or practice, neither should one expect to be a master the minute their toes touch the mat.

You have to leave ego at the door.

Unlike children who take a tumble, laugh and do it again without fear of judgment, adults aren’t accustomed to moving their bodies the way martial arts require. For that reason, adults require more encouragement and reminders that it may not come right away, Myers said – which results in the cultivation of patience and persistence that only time and practice bring.

“I always tell people that jiu-jitsu is highspeed problem-solving under pressure,” Clingerman said. “It applies to all parts of our lives.”

Anything new can be overwhelming, so give it time, Clingerman recommends, especially if it is something you want to do. Learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable is a valuable lesson for everyone, Clingerman said.

“We all try to make our lives as cozy and comfy as possible,” he said. “And sometimes our growth is in discomfort. Change is in discomfort and, sooner or later, you will get comfortable being there.”

Whether it is dealing with difficult work situations or any number of life’s other stressors, the martial arts have a way of permeating every aspect of life when practiced with commitment. Not only do you see things differently, but others will likely notice a difference in you, as well.

“I tell everyone, ‘Try it,’” Clingerman said.

“It may not be for you, but you need to try it.”

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Finding your

faith Area pastors say resolve to return to church in 2024

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Story By Jenn Willhite

Resolving to actively pursue one’s faith in the new year can offer benefits far beyond what one might think.

A commitment to return to church — and even to upgrade one’s current involvement — can do wonders to combat the individual effects of the epidemic of loneliness that seems to be gripping western society, area pastors said.

As the world is increasingly divided and marked by anxiety, fear, hardship and all the heaviness that comes with it, one of the great benefits is finding a community that is centered on values that can help with the deepest questions people are asking, said Pastor Nathan Beasley of Franklin Community Church.

However, finding the right community can be a challenge, he said.

Reverand and Presbyterian Pastor-at-large Deb Mitchell of Indianapolis, who often serves churches in Johnson, Grant and other area counties, said, “Start local.”

Yes, there are many denominations and all with their own rituals and interpretations of Scripture, but one shouldn’t get overwhelmed, she added.

“There’s not that much difference between the denominations,” Mitchell said. “It is more about where you feel comfortable.”

Say you have a co-worker or know someone who regularly attends church, ask them questions about their experience and what their church is like, Beasley recommended.

Beyond that, it’s just a matter of getting oneself in the pew, which is often easier said than done.

“I think anyone who hasn’t been for a while feels intimidated,” said Beverly Burton, president of the board for Who So Ever Will Community Church in Edinburgh. “I think you just have to take that first step.”

Now, if negative self-talk is an issue, don’t let a sense of unworthiness stop you, Burton said. Allow the self-recriminations about the past pass like the scenery in a moving car.

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“Church is not perfect and neither are the people in it,” she said.

Checking out a livestream service ahead of an in-person visit can be beneficial, Beasley said, however, experience has taught him, there is no substitute for being with other people face-to-face.

The whole idea of a guilt paradigm or similar flavor of Christianity is not all Christian churches, he said.

Not all pastors preach fire and brimstone, he added.

“God is very hospitable,” Beasley explained. “I think that there is no other way to live your life than to organize your life and your time around knowing God and growing in him and with him.”

Seek a church where the congregants exude humility, grace and forgiveness, Beasley recommends, because it is worthwhile.

“There is no perfect church,” he said. “But they are doing what they can to shepherd people and show them the truth of God’s love and kindness from his word.”

Just as many of our institutions are undergoing changes, so is the Church, Mitchell said. And, for many of the older generation, nostalgia plays a pivotal role in their insistence on holding to tradition. Add to that, there are many turning to the Church who don’t have a tradition and are not affiliated with any church or haven’t been to church in quite some time.

And that is just fine, Mitchell said.

“Jesus loved everybody, and God loves everybody,” Mitchell said. “They need everyone to love them and love each other. It is all about the love.”

If life always seems to happen on Sundays and derail

service plans, be proactive.

You can have all the intention in the world, but you have to have a plan, Beasley said.

“It is one of those things where there are challenges of life that are legitimate,” he said. “But organizing your time around things that are valuable; making space for the things we find most valuable. I think that coming and being a part of the community is very important and you have to make a plan.”

Make attending church a discipline, like you would to work-out or jog, Mitchell added.

“Set aside an hour,” she said. “If it isn’t a worship hour, volunteer for an hour. What you really need is that hour a week when you say there is something bigger, better and more massive and wonderful than just this little body and just my little problems.”

Expressions of faith manifest in many forms, and it is simply a matter of consistently dedicating the time and one’s focus to connecting with God – something greater than oneself, she said.

Unplug. Go off grid. Breathe.

“If there is a God and he is who Christians confess he is, then that means so much,” Beasley said. “That is really important and worth exploring. And church is one of the places you can explore that, and it is a beautiful thing.”

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