Petrichor Magazine

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Local Escape no plane ticket required

petrichor magazine | spring 2022

Editor’s Note

magazine

editor in chief victoria richter copy editor victoria richter writing victoria richter illustration victoria richter

photography victoria richter tia camara

interviewees dr. scheerer

corey cobb vickie mcarthur lily cobb

/‘pe,trīkôr/

noun- the pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.

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not the warmth of a walk in the afternon, nor the awakening drops of a drizzly day. After a while, I came to a realization that I was responsible for my own imprisonment, for I was given the choice to be free all along.

We often overlook the elements of life we refer to as “small” simply because we are not looking for them. Life is a large landscape puzzle that consists of hundreds of small pieces, each bringing fulfillment to the big picture at hand.

My dear reader, as you view the contents within our very first issue of , I hope you come to a gradual realization of your personal need to be free from your cage, whatever it may be, and to appreciate the little puzzle pieces that enrich your existence.

Warmly,

Victoria A. Richter editor in chief petrichor magazine

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Buried Vitality

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02 Local Escape

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03

Saving Secondhand

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Emerging Educator

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BURIED

VITALITY Resurrecting the realization of the need for personal health by victoria richter / photos by victoria richter

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pon the mention of the word “health,” you may have a flood of images that comes to mind.

Perhaps you imagine the daunting thought of waking up early in the morning to trudge to your local gym, or even visualize a plate of unappealing food consumed for all three meals of your day while strictly avoiding anything that isn’t the color green. Today we have forgotten the true meaning of the word “health” and have conceived it to be an impossible achievement that is asking of us things we cannot even think of sacrificing.

Dr. Rachel Scheerer, board certified in family medicine, has been working as a medical professional for 11 years. She is passionate about encouraging her patients to begin or continue to maintain healthy habits to improve their quality of life, both in the present and the future.

When asked to list a few unhealthy habits that are commonly seen in our world today,

Dr. Scheerer’s main concerns were people not getting enough sleep or exercise, and not eating nearly as healthy as they should.

“Many people are just busy with work and family, and see exercise as a chore or expensive,” observes Dr. Scheerer. “[Additionally], some people don’t have a healthy diet because they are busy, or maybe they haven’t been taught to cook healthy meals that are quick and think that it has to be a big and elaborate process.”

A lack of exercise and eating the right foods are obvious problems that directly affect our health and overall quality of life, but another factor that is not discussed as much as it should be is a lack of sleep. According to Dr. Scheerer, not getting enough sleep directly affects a person’s energy throughout the day, making them feel constantly fatigued and tired.

Recognizing the issues pertaining to our physical health is a good first step to improving our general well-being. However, cleaning up the outside of a house doesn’t mean that 5

the inside of it is clean. As human beings, our mind is the central hub for the thoughts we have and the actions we take. Taking this into consideration, it is just as important to take care of our psychological health as it is our physical health.

Mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety are too rampant in many adults and teens alike. Although there are many other causes of mental illness such as childhood abuse, such illnesses have been directly traced to technological habits from each individual.

“For some of my young people and teens, I think that social media is a good and bad 6

thing,” states Dr. Scheerer. “It connects us, but people get in the trap of comparing themselves.” When everyone has their filters on and are showing the happy part of their lives, people see that and often feel left out or not good enough. But the truth is that social media doesn’t show the behind the scenes of everyone’s lives, however it is a false illusion that many people see as reality. Each post is strictly regulated by each person to only share the part about themselves that they desire to project to the outside world of how they want to be seen.

Furthermore, we do not even consider that our mental health is affected by our physical health, and vice versa. “Taking care of yourself involves many aspects: getting enough sleep, exercising, eating healthy foods, and taking care of our emotional and mental health. All of that ties together,” says Dr. Scheerer.

If we are not doing one of those things, we are not going to be at our optimal from day to day. For example, according to Dr. Scheerer, if you are not eating well, your body won’t be functioning as good as it would be if you were eating healthy. As a result, you will feel fatigued, be sluggish, and create more stress for your body because it is harder to deal with stressful situations when you’re tired.

In response to resurrecting the definition of health, how can you begin the journey to creating a better quality of life for yourself?

Dr. Scheerer acknowledges that it is difficult for people to break the cycle of unhealthy habits. “Just trying to start with something small can build up to make a bigger

difference,” says Dr. Scheerer.

First, we must prioritize our health.

“A lot of people put other people’s priorities before themselves, and realizing our health needs first doesn’t mean we need to be selfish, but we will be better able to take care of other people if we are taking care of ourselves.” Dr. Scheerer points out that not putting ourselves in last place behind work and other aspects of our busy life is the first step to paving the way towards having a successful life.

Second, we must take small steps.

Dr. Scheerer observes that if somebody is at a place where they are not taking care of themselves, it may seem overwhelming to take that first step to turning around their habits.

Starting out with small goals is the best way to change your health trajectory. For example, instead of going to the gym, take a walk for 1015 minutes a day, or find an activity you enjoy doing where you can get some exercise.

“Some of my healthiest patients who are older have always had exercise as part of their daily routine,” says Dr. Scheerer. “Starting out young and forming good habits will result in a lifetime of maintaining those healthy habits instead of playing catch-up.”

In order to maintain healthy life habits, create a regular routine. Repetition is the key to mastery, so making time in your schedule for healthy habits will make it easier to find time to improve your health.

Finally, you must give yourself some grace.

“We all mess up, so falling out of routine once doesn’t mean you have to give up; just get back on track and don’t beat yourself up over one slip up.”

Taking proper care of yourself may seem

daunting; giving up your comfortability and replacing your favorite unhealthy snack isn’t exactly fun. But when you resurrect your need for personal health, you will quickly realize that you feel more alive than ever before.

SMALL STEPS

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ESCAPE Becoming aware of the beauty that surrounds you by victoria richter / photos by victoria richter

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hen was the last time you got out of the house and explored your local surroundings? It is not uncommon to take for granted– or even forget– the beauty that surrounds you, hidden in plain sight.

Contrary to what many people think, an adventure really doesn’t have to be a plane ticket away.

This realization is not something that often comes automatically, but instead is realized later on in life. Corey Cobb, resident of beautiful Ormond Beach, Florida, discovered the hidden beauty of his local area as an adult.

Growing up in the Ormond Beach area, the thought of living in a big city or even somewhere where it snowed excited Corey more than his current residential and sunny environment.

“It wasn’t until I had children of my own and experienced the joy of spending time

with them in the outdoors that I started to really appreciate what we have in our own backyard,” observes Corey. As his children grew up, his passion for fishing and his love for being on the water was re-discovered.

Additionally, traveling to several other locations throughout his life, such as historic Savannah and St. Augustine, brought Corey to recognize that his own town in Ormond Beach also possesses such a remarkable past while also having so many everyday life activities to offer for residents and visitors alike.

One of Corey’s favorite local spots is The Ormond Scenic Loop. “The Loop is one of my favorite drives. It features over 20 parks, picturesque views, and some of Ormond’s earliest historical sites.”

Many local parks have extensive biking and walking trails as a wonderful escape from being cooped up in the home or office.

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Getting out and simply going for a drive to take in all of the breathtaking scenery around you will open your eyes more to the place in which you reside, as well as change your overall quality of living.

“There are numerous studies that support the benefits of an active lifestyle,” Corey states.

“In my own experience, my most fulfilling days are the ones I’ve spent enjoying the beauty of the outdoors with people I love.”

There are so many hidden spots in your local area that you may not realize even exist.

Each town has a unique environment and history just waiting to be discovered.

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“As we explore and come to appreciate our surrounding area, we’ll want to do what we can to preserve its history, care for its resources, and celebrate its beauty.”

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SAVING S E C O N D H A N D

Spending less money + exploring sustainable solutions to shopping by victoria richter / photos + illustrations by victoria richter

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o you ever feel guilty after you’ve made a purchase? Maybe you spent too much money on a trendy jacket, or perhaps you felt pressured to buy something you didn’t prefer because your options were limited. It is so easy to simply shop the shelves of the most popular stores without even giving second thought to a more sustainable and affordable alternative. There have been many misconceptions and stereotypes about shopping second hand, which often prevent people from considering exploring thrift stores as an option for their wardrobe or decor needs. Vickie McArthur, who has been saving second hand for many years, answers often pondered questions including why she chose to leave behind purchasing brand new and how she got in the habit of becoming a good steward with her expenditures.

Q: Please give your background of shopping second hand. Did you grow up doing this, or did you begin as an adult?

A: I was never introduced to second hand shopping until I became an adult. However, I frequently checked major department store sale racks and shopped discount stores with ‘new’ goods such as Marshalls, Ross, TJMaxx, etc.

Q: At what point did you become inspired to shop second hand?

A: I became intrigued about second hand shopping after seeing an acquaintance wearing beautiful

blouses purchased for just a few dollars at a thrift store, as well as a co-worker proudly saying her apartment was furnished from Salvation Army. My notion before this was that these stores were for homeless people and the well-used goods would not be desirable. This stigma was the first obstacle I had to overcome upon entering my first thrift store.

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Q: Why is it wise to shop second hand?

A: There are tremendous financial savings associated with shopping at second hand stores, as well as

being able to purchase some supplemental/extra things I might not otherwise purchase. Additionally, breathing new life into and extending the life of items that might otherwise be tossed into landfills is sustainable and rewarding. Sharing with others (by my own contributions) allows low income people to be able to purchase things within their means. I have personally observed the pride on their faces while shopping rather than a downcast look of a handout. Finally, the shear ‘joy and fun’ of searching for & finding something of valuable use is always a beloved bonus of shopping at thrift stores!

Q: Why is it important to be wise with how much you spend on items?

A: Spending wisely means investing only in things that serve a purpose, meet a need, and will stand

the test of time. Consuming solely for our personal gratification and pleasure without looking outside ourselves to share with others is selfish at best and ignores the needs of others who are without. The greatest investment is in meeting the spiritual, physical, and financial needs of others.

Q: How much of a difference does shopping secondhand make?

A: The end result of becoming a good steward of our money should promote sharing & caring.

A society that ‘creates’ disposable clothing, furnishings, appliances, electronics, etc., is one of pure greed which ignores the effects on future generations. A ‘disposable’ mentality destroys our precious planet which God has given us stewardship over. May we reconsider & return to fine craftsmanship, a life of simplicity, and a love of God and our neighbor.

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SHOPPING

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Purchase items that have multiple uses

Frequently check stores for items you need, as they come and go quickly

Select different categories of clothing to mix + match

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Donate an equal amount of unused items for every new item you purchase

NB

ovum otanics

ORMOND BEACH, FLORIDA

emerging Lily Cobb discovers passion and purpose in college by victoria richter / photos by tia camara

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ave you ever contemplated what your purpose in life is? When it comes time to transition into college and to prepare for your career, it may often seem impossible to have your life’s purpose all figured out.

However, there is one question that will help uncover what your purpose is: “What am I passionate about?”

Lily Cobb is a college student who knows what her career purpose is because she came to a realization in high school of what her passion was: making a positive impact on children.

“I have grown up working with children, whether that was taking care of my cousins when I was in elementary school or being a small group leader at Sunday school in the sixth grade,” says Lily. “I have been volunteering at my church with preschool and elementary aged kids for over 9 years.”

Lily is currently an Elementary Education major at Daytona State College and is

employed as a classroom assistant at her church’s preschool. Throughout her many years of working with children, she has found it to be extremely rewarding for her.

She recalls that she realized her desire to become an elementary school teacher full time when she was in tenth grade upon making a positive impact on a little boy’s life.

One day, Lily was leading a small group at her church for children in second and third grades. There was a little boy who was being fostered by one of the families at the church who was quite withdrawn due to some noticeable trauma he had experienced when he was younger.

“I was also a shy kid, so I always worked with the quieter children. I began talking to this little boy and he immediately opened up to me,” recollects Lily.

As a result of Lily’s kindness towards that little boy, he immediately began to open up to her. She would help him by talking through the challenges he was facing in his 17

life and praying with him during small group prayer requests.

“It often left me heartbroken that a second grade boy had already faced such great trauma in his life. This little boy taught me that I wanted to be a safe place for kids that have been through or are going through hard situations at home.”

In addition to the many opportunities she has had to pour into kids, Lily is also very grateful for the impact that her teachers have had on her. She credits one teacher in particular for inspiring her to spread kindness and for beginning to fuel her passion to teach.

In fourth grade, Mrs. Conway was the first teacher that successfully helped Lily open up, as she was a very shy girl throughout elementary school. Additionally, Lily was so taken by how Mrs. Conway taught the children the importance of being kind to others.

“I remember she would teach us about important events in history like World War II and the Civil Rights movements. She would then talk to us about the importance of being kind and treating other people the way we 18

would like to be treated. Mrs. Conway was what I wanted to be like when I grew up.”

Lily acknowledges that Mrs. Conway is a big part of why she is in elementary education. She looked up to the kindness that her teacher showed to everyone, and has herself impacted so many more people’s lives through what she learned from Mrs. Conway in fourth grade.

As she begins to step into her career, Lily has a desire to impact children through education. She believes that educating and pouring into children is so important. “These simple things can shape their futures greatly.

Having an education and someone pushing them forward will give kids the opportunity

“lotThere’s a of unhappy things in this world, and I think kids make things

happier.” to have a successful future,” states Lily.

Although a career in elementary education is extremely rewarding, Lily acknowledges the challenges faced by teachers and now has even more respect for all of her previous teachers.

Naturally, there have been specific obstacles faced in every time period for teachers, but this generation is facing even more challenges than ever before.

“Today’s culture definitely has negatively impacted children. Whether it’s a diet full of processed foods or an excessive amount of screen time, these things impact children and their brains which will impact their education.”

Armed with the knowledge of the ups and downs that can be faced by teachers, Lily is excited to be coming closer to completing her degree. Her college experience has been

immersive and educational thus far, and she advises anyone who is currently in college or contemplating beginning or finishing their education not to stress about their career choice too much.

“If you find that the career is not right for you, it is okay to switch your plan. My biggest piece of advice would be to try and be kind to everyone regardless of how they treat you.”

Sometimes, all it takes for you to discover your purpose in life is to think of what you are passionate about. Once you answer that question, I encourage you to take the first step to turning your passion into your career.

Like Lily, you may never know who you will impact throughout your learning experiences and throughout the rest of your life, all because you discovered your passion.

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