Voices around town

What positive changes have happened in your life this past year?

The Portland Upside
January 2010

Every day I try to emulate my Mom, who died two years ago at age 86. She always had a smile on her face, people liked her, she was a painter, she made dolls, always had something going on.

–Michael Cosentino
Downtown Portland
Portland, OR

I am proud of my efforts to bring attention to the importance of healthcare for everyone. Also, my only child Martha just turned 18, moved out on her own, and recently celebrated her year anniversary on-the-job. I am so proud of her!

–Martha Perez
Pearl District
Portland, Oregon

Through the very helpful advice of friends, my husband and I have been discovering how meditation can not only bring more peace to our life, but that it’s also vital for our health. We are definitely planning to continue our meditation practice through 2010 and beyond.

–Angela Valdes
Nob Hill neighborhood
Portland, Oregon

By being creative and flexible and by expanding my business to include landscape maintenance as well as design work, it has grown substantially this past year!

–Karla Kramer
Cedar Hills neighborhood
Beaverton, Oregon

My wife and I have gotten to spend more time together this past year.

–Robert
Pearl District
Portland, Oregon

I learned to listen to my gut and keep believing in people’s goodness. I now listen past the words and keep watching for the good to come out of people instead of being turned off by difficult events.

–Rebecca Whetstine
West Portland Park neighborhood
Portland, Oregon

A really great positive change for me this year was learning and working with a holistic process for support of well-being on all levels.

–Barbara Gerke
Sellwood neighborhood
Portland, OR

I completed the habitat restoration grant and project that I started a couple of years ago and am enjoying watching the 1100 plants and trees growing all over our little woodland and oak savannah area.

–Cindy
Sauvie Island
Portland, Oregon