From the Editor

from Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles. Trinity Magazine Vol. 16, Issue 11, November 2020

by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

Student-Athlete of the Month

What if you woke up today with only the things you thank God for yesterday?

You don’t have to be a religious person to be thankful for all the things you’ve been blessed with.

In many spiritual traditions, prayers of gratitude are considered the most powerful form of prayer. Through these prayers, people recognize the ultimate source of all they are, and all they will ever be.

Feeling thankful can improve your health in both direct and indirect ways. Some research shows that the experience of gratitude can induce a sense of happiness and relaxation, which in turn improves the immune system, and decreases blood pressure!

This November, let’s all vow to count our blessings each day.

If you have kids, they should always be one of the reasons to feel thankful for daily. When you see them running around the house giggling, remember that joy, and take it all in, and thank whichever God or higher power you believe in that you have little bundles of joy that keep you on your toes and keep you going.

Work on establishing a daily “thankfulness” routine in which you remind yourself of the gifts, benefits, and good things you enjoy and focus less on what you lack or what’s causing you stress.

Try to consider simple things like the last time you enjoyed a homemade meal or had a great cup of coffee—did you pay attention to all the flavors or the feelings of pleasure as you took the first bite or first sip? It’s easy to ignore such small moments of positivity in our lives as we’re currently living in a constant state of panic and anxiety, but stopping to appreciate the simple pleasures makes them even more powerful.

Practicing gratitude can also make you better equipped to handle difficult situations in your life, which naturally and inevitably arise, especially this year.

My family and I have tragically lost not one, or two, not even three, but actually 6 close friends and relatives to COVID-19. We are also going through a tough financial situation, and to makes things harder, my health has retaken a bad turn with Lyme disease and Graves disease, but I try to remain positive and smile through the pain.

What are some things that make me feel personally thankful? A genuine smile from my little nephew, a long and warm hug from my mother, baking pumpkin bread with my sister, funny memes sent by a friend, cuddling with my cats while watching a romantic comedy…little things like that are what keeps me going these days.

Setting aside a couple of minutes a day to recall moments of gratitude associated with ordinary events, your personal achievements, or all the amazing people you have in your life gives you the potential to live a more positive life with a true sense of gratefulness.

Find yourself tethered to your cell phone or the internet for hours each day? Harness the power of this technology to send out some good vibes, such as a text or Facebook comment. Tell your followers, friends, and relatives who much you love and appreciate them. Into funny inspirational messages? I know I am! Why not share or write a daily gratefulness post? It might be cheesy but helpful! Words are compelling, and the more we remind ourselves of the good, the less we focus on the negative.

If you find yourself struggling to come up with reasons to feel grateful for, why not try putting yourself in the shoes of someone less fortunate? I know we shouldn’t even compare our current situation with anyone else’s, but that’s not the point. Recalling someone who may have a debilitating physical condition, for example, may inspire gratitude for your own healthy body, which you may have taken for granted otherwise. Lately, with the limited use of my left arm, I still feel thankful that the right one is strong and able to type these words for you to read.

With all that said, I am truly thankful for each one of you! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart to our readers and advertisers for your loyalty and readership; I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. May your plates and hearts always be full!

Land O’ Lakes Water Treatment Provides FREE Water Testing and FREE Second Opinions

By Kelly Stuart Williams, MA

Treating Hard Water Helps Your Budget and Extends the Life of Your Appliances.

Servicing Pasco and Hillsborough Counties, Land O’ Lakes Water Treatment is locally owned and has been in business for 40 years, or as their slogan describes, “Treating bad water good since 1980.” Owner Jeffrey Crocker said that his company prides itself on honesty, and that’s how he got into the business in the first place.

“Like many, I retired from a job up north and moved to the Tampa Bay area, where I quickly learned our new home required water treatment. Our first call to a company did not go well! They told us that our existing water softener was a “throwaway” model, and it would be $5000 for a new softener, then proceeded to charge us $98 for a service when they serviced nothing,” said Crocker.

“My wife proceeded to Google “water treatment in Land O’ Lakes,” and when she spoke with Land O’ Lakes Water Treatment, they offered FREE water testing and offered an affordable water treatment solution AFTER they checked our water,” added Crocker.

The Crockers were so impressed with the honest

Owners Jeff & Debbie Crocker

treatment they received and the a water treatment system that solved the hard water problems that they asked the owner if he was hiring. “I had retired and was looking for something to do, and the owner replied with, “Buy my business; it’s for sale,”

explained Crocker.

After a two-month trial of working with the company and its many repeat (and happy) customers, Jeff and Debbie Crocker bought the company in 2015. Five years later, they are delighted to report they have grown the business

and have helped many residents “…improve the quality of their water for healthier, safe living and cleaner water.”

Other clients on Google Reviews have shared similar experiences with the company. David L. wrote, “I just bought a property that had a water softener system which I knew nothing about. I called several water treatment companies, and none would offer guidance on the operation. I called Jeff, and he was accommodating and sent Josh to my house, which he guided me through the process and set the unit up…many thanks to Jeff and Josh. If you need water treatment, call these guys.”

Many customers of Land O’ Lakes Water Treatment are on well water that requires additional water treatment, though county and city water in the Tampa Bay area also remains hard (high mineral content). Minerals like calcium and magnesium accumulate in the water that has a wide range of adverse effects from spots on the dishes in your dishwasher to dry hair and skin on your body.

Hard water quickly ages your appliances, because water-using appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters experience scale buildup that makes them work harder and become less efficient. Less efficiency causes more significant expenses in both the operation and maintenance of appliances, and that means greater expense in your energy bills.

We asked Mr. Crocker if scaling and buildup are why we hear about water heaters bursting in Tampa Bay homes. “All appliances should be checked regularly for scale and buildup,” said Crocker, “We’ve even heard stories about pipes bursting over time, and it’s not unusual to hear customers say that the water pressure (flow) is reduced in their pipes. That’s a tell-tale sign that your home needs water treatment,” he added.

Customers of Land O’ Lakes Water Treatment characterize the company as being caring and honest, and Crocker said they understand that clients are looking for affordable pricing and dependable service. Crocker shared a story about a local celebrity who has become one of his repeat customers, “He called me while I was on vacation, and I told him that I would come over and take a look at his system—he couldn’t believe I would do that on my day off.”

In a recent Google Review, Alicia S. wrote, “Helpful and knowledgeable about the equipment. The owner was interested in installing what was best for our household concerning the type of treatment and our budget. Thanks, Jeff!”