A Reality Check + #MotivationMonday Link-Up

I'm so mad at myself, so I'm punishing myself and posting a reality check photo. I should have gone to the dentist to take care of my offending tooth a year ago, when I was aware that I had a tooth going bad inside a filling. But no, it wasn't hurting me, and my finances were such that I had other things to do more important. I don't have dental insurance, I'm one of the many Americans who don't.
Here it is almost 16 months later and finally today, I went to the dentist and hope against hope, had to have a root canal to save the now almost ruined molar in the back of my head. And what was the catalyst, you might ask? (Or not, but I'll tell you anyway!) I was chewing a piece of chocolate that had been in the refrigerator. It broke a big chunk of my tooth off, a big, honking piece! So you want a sign? There's your sign! You need to go to the dentist, pronto! Are my finances any better than they were a year ago? No, indeed! With the holidays coming up, they are possibly tighter than ever. 
That, my friends, is called procrastination! Don't do it! It never works out! But I'm the world's best at it! So here are my favorite memes on the subject! Oh, and my reality check picture. Stare at me, judge me, the misery, the regret, pain, and the cold, hard, reality of someone who is a procrastinator!!!

Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos! Sponsored posts are great and I appreciate the information from well-written and authentic sponsored posts, but I also love non-sponsored posts because they are all about the person and less about a specific brand! If I happen to find a great non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase! (Affiliate links OK)

To Be Happy Over Being Right + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up!

Photo by: Jennifer Peterson

The state of being seen as right is something that many people pursue relentlessly. It doesn’t matter what other points of view or proof is brought up, the need to be right supersedes everything. Most people aren’t really aware that they are choosing between two values—being right or being happy. These two ideals are present in most of life’s key situations. If you are unconscious of it, the powerful ego usually will do the choosing for you.

“Nothing is more deadly to happiness than the pursuit of being right ... which is to say, being seen as right. For personal proof of this, consider the people you know who are most insistent on their politics, their patterns, their viewpoint, their way… they tend to judge the most, insult the most, complain the most, and suffer the most. They reek of misery. This is often also reflected in their physical health.” 

Source: http://j.mp/1jajMar

The closer to home the situation is, the less likely most people will recognize or remember the choice between these two values of being right or being happy. Ironically, the more intimate the situation, the more damaging the wrong choice is. It is very seldom that in a close situation that being right is paramount, or more important than a person to be loved.

I’ve found when I back off, even when I am dead sure that I’m right, when in the heat of a discussion, it can possibly save a week of bad feelings in my marriage, rescue a relationship, or maintain a reputation.

Does it mean that you let go of your morals, beliefs, and principals to give in to someone else’s stronger or more insistent opinion or belief? Absolutely not. But when there is not a huge reason to die on the hill, why not just let it go? It can actually save yourself from stress-related illnesses, if you let your ego take second place to your sense of deference for the sake of peace!
Challenge: Next time you find yourself in a difference of opinion with someone, ask yourself, "Is it worth raising the stress level right now to prove that I'm right?" If you find that it isn't, find a peaceful way to resolve it as quickly as possible and congratulate yourself for choosing the happy route!  

Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!

Friendship + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

I was reading the paper the other day, something I occasionally do since they provide our school free daily newspapers, and I ran across an article about friendship. It caught my eye because I have recently been thinking about the friends that I have and evaluating what kind of friend I have been over the years. I am sad to say that some friendships that I should have nurtured and kept up with, I let go.  I moved out of an area I'd lived in for 10+ years, right about the time when I should have been nurturing friendships that would last over my lifetime. According to the article I read, studies show that the 20's are the time to define what you want in a friendship and draw in many different friends. The 30's are when you start to narrow down your circle of close friends and start to build even more on what you've begun in your 20's. The 40's and 50's are when you enjoy the fruits of your building years and are happy and enriched with your circle of friends. Studies show that when you have a good group of close friends your overall health is much better than those who don't have close friends. Couples also benefit from having friends to socialize with.

I am more motivated than ever to start concentrating on becoming the best friend that I can be in the hopes that when I need the mental stimulation of a good conversation, the companionship of a lunch date, the enjoyment of a funny movie or the comfort of an arm around my shoulders, I will have my good friends to rely on! So don't be surprised if you get my text or call saying, "Hey, wanna do lunch?"

 Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!
 

Look Toward The Sunshine + Motivating Monday!

I love Twitter because I see some really candid things that people tweet out and then forget becuase the feed just keeps going! Two tweets I saw recently gave me pause:
1) "Why can't I just quit work and live a Pinterest life?" 
2) "So I Was Waiting For my kid's Bus & It Was Very Late. I Sat There And A Elderly Lady Had a Bucket And Was Going All Over Yard Picking Up Leaves & Misc. Twigs Etc. I Wish I Had That Kind Of Time On My Hands!!"

I think we all have those moments where we wish we were somewhere totally different than we are right now! But think about it, I'm sure these two people are glad that they are where they are right now instead of where they spontaneously and publicly wished for on Twitter! 

For the lady who wanted to quit her job and have a life like Pinterest--everything about Pinterest is fake! The pictures are contrived and set up to look as gorgeous and surreal as possible. There is no such thing as a life like Pinterest! If a genie were to appear and grant you a life like Pinterest, you would seriously have NO life! 

For the woman who thinks that she would like all that extra spare time that the elderly lady has to pick up random sticks and leaves in her yard--think again! That woman is probably wishing she had more to do, and more energy to do it! She wishes she had more people to come visit her, like her children and grandchildren, and more time left in this life to take care of past mistakes & regrets! She probably has a few things left that she'd really like to do, but can't. You, on the other hand, are in the midst of your life, with children, family, friends, and responsibilities. You have such a full life that you hardly have enough time to think about it. Use your time well. Love well and appreciate the health and energy you have while it's still abundant! Your life won't always be that busy and full. Soon enough your children will grow, your responsibilities will diminish, and you'll have plenty of time to think about the sticks and leaves in your yard. 

 Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!

A Lost Sock + Motivating Monday

It was a pretty mundane week as weeks go. Nothing very impressive happened. I did, however, find a long lost sock that I had been missing. It wasn't just any sock. It was one of those thick, cushion-y, fully padded socks that make your feet say, "thank you for pampering me!" I have my everyday socks and then I have my special socks. So when it came up missing months ago, I was very sad and distraught. I looked and looked. But it never showed. Finally I went on, thinking I would never see it. But I kept its mate, just in case. I guess I just held out enough hope to make sure that if it was to return, there would be another sock to welcome it. Today when it showed up in my laundry basket, I couldn't believe it. I don't know who returned it to its rightful place and it begs the question, are socks living things? It's like it just jumped into my laundry basket all on its own! Nevertheless, there it was and I happily reunited it to its mate! And now my feet are going to be extremely happy!

Sorry for humanizing the socks. But it does remind me of  a relationship I have, or don't have, right now. I feel like I have lost more than a sock, it's someone in my life, someone who matters to me almost more than life itself. But right now, lost to me. What can I really do?

I can choose to fret and worry and bemoan my feelings of loss, which I must admit I do sometimes, in the wee hours of the night. But the fact is, I can't make them come back into my life, no matter how hard I try right now. But like my precious lost sock, maybe I can also hold out hope, keeping a place ready because one day, like the sock, he will show up and return to his rightful place in my heart and my life. And I will be so extremely happy....

Faux Falls Moab, UT - Photo by Gina Herbert  quote found here
 Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!

Giving And Taking Offense + Motivating Monday

Last week I made an impulsive comment. I just threw it up on Facebook without thinking through what the implications might be. Not the best decision.  It wasn't super hurtful, but it could be perceived that I am easily offended, which I really wasn't. Or it could be perceived that I am very judgmental, which I certainly don't want to be. I really don't want to be one of those people who is quick to get emotionally wounded over tiny things that are said. Nor do I want to be that one who causes offense. It's part of what makes the world such a hard place to live.

Not taking or giving offense is a difficult line to walk, and obviously I'm still working on both. But I'm not alone! Today's politicians need more proficiency in both skills! 

Giving Offense. Apparently Donald Trump is the current poster child for this. He seems to offend people left and right. Or, is it the other folks who are too easily offended at what he is saying, when he really has nothing but the best of intentions?  You decide!

It is difficult to offer suggestions or opinions without seeming pushy, even insulting to an extent. And in today's world that can be dangerous! So learning to be skillful at not offending comes in very handy! One thing that can soften your opinion or advice is to preface your statement with, "I have found that..." or "Some people find it helpful to..."  and "I believe that..."

Taking offense and carrying it around is damaging to your health, well-being, and peace of mind. I know from personal experience that it is good to get over real and perceived offenses as soon as possible. Time spent devoted to making sure that the offender is punished is actually time wasted in our own healing process.

Strawberry Reservoir Skyline - Photo by Tawnie Archuleta

When contemplating in that split second whether or not you are going to be offended, try thinking about why the person is doing or saying things that differ with your opinion, insult you, or even hurt you. Maybe they come from a good place but the outcome is somehow less than optimal. Try appreciating the intention rather than the actual outcome. Half of the time it will help! The other half requires more work. Many times we need to first forgive ourselves of things before we can start to forgive others. But that is for another discussion!

Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!

Competition And Compassion + Motivating Monday

I actually took my advice from last Motivating Monday. (What? You thought I just spout off and don't follow my own advice? Nah, baby nah!) I picked myself back up and started again, and guess what? It worked! I'm back on track. In life, in goals, and in relationships as well. I'm saying, wow, that was a good self-talk. If no one else was helped, at least I'm verbalizing what helps me and then to actually follow up? I must be heading into a zen-like existence or something! (Keep on dreaming!)
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This is a goal-oriented society--From driving the fastest on the freeway, to having the healthiest body, to making the most money. I get it. Achieving certain ideological goals can actually be a measure of our self-worth! Give yourself a pat on the back if you're not competitive to a fault. Meaning, you don't furtively seeth when someone else does better than you. You don't vow then and there to top them, come hell or high water! That has been the American way for years. The spirit of competition and capitalism. I'm not saying it's bad. 

It's just that there has got to be some measure of humanity in the same person who competes to win. "When success in reaching goals comes at the expense of disregarding, ignoring, or hurting others, the cost of that success may be too precious"  --D. Uchtdorf

That's why I love GoFundMe and other charitable causes. It helps people to step outside of themselves for a minute and actually empathize with someone who is going through tough times, walking in their shoes for a moment. Then they can actually take action by donating. I like the fact that it doesn't have to be very much. But the action alone is very therapeutic. 

There are so many other ways to help your fellow man or woman. Volunteering is a huge commitment of time, but what better way to contribute to the greater good and forget about numero uno for awhile? It is said that when you lose yourself in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your God!

Some of us just don't have the time or the money right now to do much. If, in our hearts, we can say, 'I'm not able to do much now, but if I could, I would', I think that's enough. There is always the kind word, helping hand, friendly smile, or listening ear.

So let's get out there and achieve our goals but in the doing, remember that there are others that need us--just like we will need others someday too. We're all in this together! 


Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  Sometimes I miss some amazing posts.  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!
image source 

The Art Of Appreciation + #MotivatingMonday

Every day we have the ability to choose how we will look at our day. How many times do you make a note to yourself  about the little and big things that you are so lucky to have? I just recently was able to obtain something that I had almost given up having. It's pretty simple, but it's something that I relish and appreciate. I feel good that I can appreciate small things!
On the other hand, a woman that I really love in my own family, just got the word she has breast cancer. I'm so very saddened by this news. I know that she will be going through the hardest test she has ever faced, both she and her family. But I know she will come out of it strong. She has that positive attitude and it will turn her towards her family more than ever and she will appreciate the little things. She will surround herself with joy, beautiful things, and love. She will help to make our family stronger.

 My heart hurts when I hear of the things that people have to go through. But I am so amazed at how good and generous others are. It helps to lighten loads; For instance, there is a post trying to go viral on Facebook about a woman with terminal cancer, who got to go see her favorite baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds. She got to sit on the sidelines and people knew her situation. But the only player that came out to see her was Skip Schumaker. He signed a ball and took some pictures with her. It absolutely MADE her day, week and last month. She died soon after that. Right now her sister-in-law wants to make a picture taken with Skip go viral.  This guy is someone who appreciates the things he has and then turns around and helps others do the same. If you'd like to share the post, please click here!

picture credit

 Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  Sometimes I miss some amazing posts.  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!

Knowing Your Worth In The Workplace + #MotivatingMonday

In a cancer center somewhere in the U.S., a director of radiology for oncology makes all new female employees--from nurses to department managers--sing  'Like A Virgin' and other silly songs. It  resembles hazing of sorority and fraternity newbies, except this is the workplace!  When he travels with his mistress he is in the habit of asking one of the department managers to bill the trips, along with food and alcohol, to the hospital. At times, he is unable to take care of his patient load because he is too drunk to come in. But no one ever crosses him on any of it. Why would that be? It is because he makes the hospital huge amounts of money! But he's not successful all of the time, as evidenced by this tale.

 Two visiting physicians from two prestigious hospitals were in a meeting with the offending director and a fairly new female department head, let's call her Delores. She had very good credentials and had, in her short time at the hospital, contributed much to the department. To her dismay, her director requested her to sing "Like A Virgin" in front of the two visiting physicians. Rather than give in, Delores told him that she most certainly would not and walked out of the room. One of the visiting physicians followed her and apologized profusely. She said, "You don't have to apologize, you didn't do anything wrong!"  To which he said, "I'm apologizing for my gender. It's embarrassing to think that any man would think it's OK to treat a woman like that." Not long after, Delores gave up her position because, although she was highly esteemed at the hospital, no one would risk taking steps with this director and she wouldn't work there, under those circumstances.

I have nothing but admiration for this woman, who rather than give in to something that was a direct affront to her sense of dignity and worth, chose to leave the position. She had no sooner made this decision, when another hospital was actively recruiting her. She is now in a much better situation, where she can serve without being humiliated and asked to do things against her better judgement.

Here are a few identifiable things you can do to make sure you don't work in a hostile work environment. It's all about recognizing your worth in the workplace.

Know Your Worth

1. You Don't Have To Do It If It Makes You Feel Uncomfortable.  Like this woman,  don't feel obligated to do humiliating or embarrassing things just because your superior asks you to. There are discrimination laws, sexual harrassment laws in place if it falls into any of these categories. You are worth it!

2. Bosses Need To Be Accountable,Too. I thought it was so funny that no one was willing to hold this director accountable. Apparently this had been going on for a long time. When you know of a superior officer or boss who is not held to the same standards as other employees, it's time to find some accountability! It can be tricky and sometimes the job site has put up with things like that for so long, no one wants to change. But at least recognize it for what it is and look at your options. Can you afford to stay in a hostile work environment, where double standards are the norm?

3. Help others to recognize demoralizing behaviors and treatment. If people tolerate demeanig behavior towards others, be assured that it will spread. Instead of thinking, "Wow, I'm glad that didn't just happen to me" or "Better her than me", stick up for your fellow employees. So often employees on the same level feel like they need to compete rather than help one another. It contributes to the creation of a hostile work environment where bad behavior is accepted rather than condemned.

4. Always have a back-up Plan. Keep yourself up-to-date on training, job skills, and work experience. Have someone who can give you a good recommendation if you choose to leave. Keep your ear to the ground for other possible opportunities and make sure to find out what the work environments are like if possible.

Notice that none of  the above tips are gender or race specific. Employee mistreatment happens across all genders and all races. If you can realize that you have worth and so do your fellow employees, you can help to create a workplace where everyone feels comfortable and can be their most productive. 

 Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  Sometimes I miss some amazing posts.  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!

Get After It + Motivating Monday

Every time my life seems to be starting to even out and thoughts that I might be able to get some great sleep sneaks into my sub-conscious, I know that I've just been served. Life is never going to be smooth and if someone else's life seems more desirable, I know it's all bunk!  Looking and wanting someone else's life only serves as a distraction from what I want to do, what I can Achieve for myself! So AFTER life happens, is when the goal achievement time happens. Achieving goals comes after all the other stuff comes piling in on you. It's after you've put in a day's work just to break even, to survive. It's when you just want to put up your feet and have a tall drink, some yummy food and watch your favorite guilty pleasure on T.V. To achieve goals, you can't waste much time looking and wishing for what others have. So even though I don't suppose I will ever have more than that very rare day of pure, undiluted, relaxation and time for what I want to do, that's OK because I subscribe to the following goal achieving mind sets!

Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  Sometimes I miss some amazing posts.  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!

2 Secrets For Happiness + Motivating Monday

I ran across this familiar happiness formula and decided to think on it more in depth. The first secret says to use things and not people. I feel like we need to qualify that statement. While children are growing and trying to get all of the nourishment, wisdom, and knowledge they can get, they use their parents as much as they can and it's supposed to be that way! For so many reasons. 

It's when that child grows up that we start to run into the problems. I have a friend who swears that her husband didn't get enough love and attention from his mom when he was young because he is so needy, even more so than her own kids. He constantly needs assurance, needs money, needs attention and needs to be right. She feels like she is drained of energy because her husband is unable to give back, emotionally. Hopefully she will be able to help him understand that while it's OK to lean on her, she needs to be able to lean on him too, in order to keep her emotional strength and energy so she can continue to serve her family.

The second secret says to love people and not things...That is true for the most part. What I think it should say, however, is love people MORE than you love things. I think everyone loves a thing or two. I love books, flowers, holidays, art, and music. Am I not to love these things? I think yes, I can, should, and will! But should these things overshadow the love I have for my fellow human beings? It shouldn't and if it does, we have a problem. The 1st and 2nd commandments of Christianity are: 1) Love God with all your heart, might, mind and soul.  2) Love thy neighbor as thyself. 

 I don't believe that laws are given just to make humans miserable. I believe that there are blessings-if you will-to each law of God obeyed. So when you love your neighbor as yourself, when you look for ways to serve and help your fellow man, you will actually be getting your own gifts for doing so! And whether you believe in God or not, it's OK, these are Universal Laws, that apply to everyone. If you obey the law, you will have a blessing attached to it. Maybe you aren't in a place to believe in God, so you can't honor the first law. But can you love your neighbor? If so, do it! You will see that in the doing you'll be happier!
 
Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  Sometimes I miss some amazing posts.  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!  This week I will be featuring a lot of the A to Z Challenge participating bloggers! Have a great week! 

Transcending Setbacks + Motivating Monday

Don't even take me there, thinking about the many setbacks I've had in my life. I know, we all have them. And have you ever wondered why they happen? I have. I agree with the above saying, that setbacks don't last forever. But I do believe that how you deal with setbacks can have lasting impact on the outcome of your life. 

After all, is it the actual event or achievement in life that matters or is it the eventual person you become that matters? What about the many men and women who achieve amazing things in their lives, but then crash and burn at some point? Was it because they weren't able to deal with those temporary setbacks constructively?

 "In your life there have to be challenges… they will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or, they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take.” --F. Enzio Busche
I recently read a post about how a young boy was sexually abused for a period of time by an uncle whom he trusted. Of course he went through horrible torment, even after he was able to finally tell someone, see him convicted, and get counseling. But he decided that he was going to be the author of his story, and not let a series of unfortunate and tragic events dictate what happened to him. He is an example of transcending setbacks and not letting the setback dictate who you are. Don't be fooled. It is hard work and even the most gifted and intelligent people can't seem to let their setbacks go. We like to hang on to them, nurse them and actually use them as excuses for bad behavior. I'm thinking right now of Michelle Rodriguez, who is a star in 'The Fast And Furious' movies. Apparently, she went on a partying spree that lasted for months. She used the death of Paul Walker as the catalyst for that whole rampage. OK....but on the other hand, just today, Vin Diesel, who was most likely closer to Paul than anyone on that set, showed another way to deal with that loss.

Another example is that major money-making, famous series, 'Twilight'. Apparently it was rejected 14 times before it was ever published. Talk about setbacks! 

So remember, the next time you go through a rough patch, know that you can choose how to deal with it and that it can either help you grow or can be your eventual un-doing!

 
Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  Sometimes I miss some amazing posts.  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!  Have a great week! 

Motivating Monday Link-Up And Delusions Of Grandeur

 Try as I might, I can never get to bed at a decent hour.  If I could only quit procrastinating, constantly putting low-priority tasks ahead of important ones, and getting last minute inspirations that absolutely can't wait until morning!  I take small consolation in the fact that:

 

 Perhaps I am a poet.  No, that I am not.  That was my grandmother's department.  A writer, perhaps?  Not any time soon.  A blog post is the extent of my attention to that kind of thing.  A Lover?  Well, not tonight.  I'm coming down with strep throat.  An artist?  Uhhh....I guess if you call my graphic artistry any kind of decent, then yeah.  Ah yes, a visionary.  I am definitely one for grandiose plans and dreams.  

Maybe someday all of my ill-planning will come to something yet! Maybe as long as I am just doing SOMETHING, I can conquer all!  Who knows?  I'll just keep trying!  In the meantime, I'm going to bed!  There is always tomorrow!

Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you!  It's like being featured!  Sometimes I miss some amazing posts.  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!  Have a great week!

Making A Difference And #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

How often have we wished that the world was different or even one aspect of it?  But the vastness of the problem makes us want to crawl into a hole, rather than face the perplexity of the issue.  How much, really, can one person accomplish anyway? Especially when we don't have hours, days and months to devote to a certain cause.  That's where we need to stop and re-wire our thinking!  We can make a difference in our own little space.  

If you haven't noticed this phenomenon, try this.  Help someone, really help them, no strings attached.  You will notice that in the process your own world is made better, brighter and fuller!  It's never the same outcome though.  One time you might learn something totally unexpected.  The next time you might gain a friendship never otherwise obtained.  You may even gain fame or fortune.  But remember, that's not the point!  If done with ulterior motive, it doesn't work.  

I started blogging after I decided to create a blog to help some women in my church group keep updated on cultural activities we participated in.  Not everyone could make it every single time, but they could read about it.  I found that I enjoyed doing it and it snowballed from there.  Now my blogging is out of control, according to some in my circles, but it's something I love to do!  I honestly don't believe I would have started blogging if I hadn't wanted to be helpful at that time. (No strings attached!)

A journalist once questioned Mother Teresa of Calcutta about her hopeless task of rescuing the destitute in that city. He said that, statistically speaking, she was accomplishing absolutely nothing. This remarkable little woman shot back that her work was about love, not statistics. Notwithstanding the staggering number beyond her reach, she said she could keep the commandment to love God and her neighbor by serving those within her reach with whatever resources she had. “What we do is nothing but a drop in the ocean,” she would say on another occasion. “But if we didn’t do it, the ocean would be one drop less than what it is! 
Have you noticed a greater abundance after you have helped someone unconditionally?  

 Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find yours, I'll link it up and let you know!  It's like being featured!  Sometimes I miss some amazing posts.  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!  Have a great week!