Showing posts with label Motivating Monday Link-up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motivating Monday Link-up. Show all posts

Monday, February 29, 2016

Do Your Own Growing + #MyPostMonday Link-Up

I love the whimsical holiday of St. Patrick's Day, the national Irish fest where Americans of all nationalities use it as a reason to party, make merry in the streets, and have a drink and a song together. 

The Irish came into America as poor immigrants, wanting to make better lives for themselves and willing to do back breaking labor to do so. They were treated very badly, but rose to the occasion and overcame prejudice, malnourishment, and segregation. They helped build New York City, the railroads, worked in the coal mines, the power plants, and the automobile factories. 

And with their hard work, they brought their Catholic religion, their love of beer, their love of freedom of expression, and the Irish potato. I am definitely part of this American culture, even though I have no Irish blood that I know of. 


....just like I'm part of every culture that has come to America, struggled to gain their place and contributed hard work to build the country, as well as rich culture. It must be like that with every new culture that comes. It is their way of initiation, their way of making a statement that they are determined to blend into this country as citizens. If it weren't like this, our country would cease to assimilate immigrants and would begin to spew them because it can't support those who can't or won't contribute. There is only so much resource to go around before the system crumbles.

I feel a little sad for newcomers who are coming into the country now. They aren't given the chance to prove who they are. They are given a benefit package and told to go use it. That's not ever how it was, and I feel it is actually a disservice to them. They will never be able to prove what they are made of. They will never have it said of them that they overcame great obstacle in order to assimilate into this land, THEIR land. Will they ever become loyal to the America we know? It is said that you only love what you sacrifice for. If there is no sacrifice, can there be love? 

Maybe this is a different era, maybe the newcomers will contribute in ways that I don't yet understand. Just maybe. But right now, I'm remembering how it used to be, how the Irish came, endured, worked, and conquered. And they say with surety, 'This Is My Country!' 

Today is "My Post Monday!" It's all about original content from bloggers who care to share what is on their minds--from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for original, non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos! Sponsored posts are great and I appreciate the information from well-written and authentic sponsored posts, I write them myself! But this linky is for non-sponsored posts because they are all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows. It's not about a specific brand and what it compensates the blogger to promote! If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MyPostMonday 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)

Monday, December 21, 2015

Lessons And Blessings + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

Have you ever wished that you had never met someone? Has that person wrecked havoc on your life and your heart and soul? Consider what Mother Teresa said: 
Not much to rant on today, as it is getting crazy up in here. Just this small story: I thought a person I know was one of those people who was to be a  "lesson" in my life. Marvin (name changed to protect identity) is a part of my work day. He is a flambuoyant kind of guy, dresses well, everyone likes him, but he is also rather snobby, or so I thought. I found him to be almost like an informant, as well. I could swear to this day he was the one who ratted me out when I had a copy of the building key, something that came into my possession because I had done a friend a favor by giving my original to her when she was essentially fired. If she couldn't come up with an original, it would have been a mess. So I traded her. I mentioned that I had a copy key and probably wouldn't hand it in because again, it would create a mess. There were 4 people that heard it. One day I got called into the office and was asked about having a copied key. I 'fessed up, but was so upset that there was a mole who had taken my information and ratted me out. Because of Marvin's tendency to mention things that people would rather not have mentioned to administration, I had to believe it was him. (He's also very well-loved by the administration, as one might imagine!)

He ended up in my work area and it was not the greatest thing that ever happened to me. But I endured it and made the best of it. Then something funny happened. We started getting along really well. He made me laugh and smile at the funny things he did. It seemed like his honest, forthright questions had a way of exposing some of my inner feelings--feelings that I preferred to keep hidden. Plus, in certain situations, he actually backed me up instead of going in a more self-serving direction. He has witnessed me cry on several occasions, which I feel is not coincidental. He has an ability to get directly to the core of your feelings. It's not like we are best buddies or anything, but I've appreciated his occasional questions of interest and concern about my life. Before Christmas Break we had a school staff Christmas Party. It was a sit-down luncheon at a local 'Spaghetti Factory' and it was really fun! Before I left, he made sure to find me, give me a hug, and wish me a Merry Christmas. It really made my day and I now have to say that this person has turned into a blessing in my life! 
Who are some people that have been surprise blessings in your life?
 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, I write them myself, but this linky is for non-sponsored posts because they are all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows. It's less about catering to a specific brand and what it pays the blogger to promote! 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)

Monday, December 14, 2015

Four Must-Have Hobbies + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up!

Did it take you a few minutes to breath before you transitioned from Thanksgiving to Christmas? It did for me this year! I felt like the turkey at least needed to be gone and all the leftovers taken care of before I could even think about starting Christmas. We still have yet to completely finish decorating. I'll probably finish one or two days before Christmas. Needless to say, I take the decorations down sometime in January, probably toward the end... I think one of my greatest strengths and also maybe one of my greatest weaknesses is that I won't put undue guilt or pressure on myself.  I see it in a lot of examples in my life.  

Birthdays are great, but people don't expect a present from me each and every year. (I'm even talking about my own family) I suppose it comes from my own life. When I was growing up, I would get presents some years, but other years were lean. I understood, it was OK. I still felt loved and valued. 

I have a teaching degree, but I don't teach. I'm an instructional assistant. I love helping kids learn, but don't love the stress of meetings, reports, audits, and hierarchy. 

I love nice clothing, but certainly don't run around in designer stuff (most of the time) and I tend to have favorite articles of clothing that I can wear for years before finally deciding to toss or donate it. (Check out the summer dress below. I have modified it to work as a winter dress by layering and adding boots!)
When people are asking for volunteers to do one thing or the other, I won't volunteer unless I know for sure I'll be able to do it. (Even though I have O+ blood, I rarely say  I'll donate because it's stressful for me!) 

 But I am a firm believer that you need a few things that you are absolutely committed to in order to make your life unbelievably happy, no matter what your circumstances are! It's my 4-Hobby Rule. As you know, hobbies are things that you do for the sheer enjoyment and benefit they bring you. I've found that in addition to being enjoyable, they also open up other avenues of experience that you might never have had, if not for the initial hobby! Here are the 4 categories:

It Makes You Money - Find a hobby that you love, but that you can turn into making some money with it. It doesn't have to be much, just something. It will make you feel incredibly productive and useful. It also prods you on to being better and better at what you do because it's nice to know that you can be paid doing something you like! My hobby is being an Instructional Assistant. I use my education, I get paid, I associate with fun people, and it makes me feel like I'm helping others!

It Keeps You In Shape - If you want to be your best self, you need to be in good physical shape. I'm not talking spending hours and hours at the gym, although if you're into that, great! I've always felt that I need to do something physical each and every day to keep in fairly good shape. I used to be much more into it, but then another hobby sort of took over the time I used to spend keeping in shape. (Any guess as to what that might be?) But I need this hobby of keeping in shape in order to stay focused and centered. So my hobby of choice is walking my wonderful dog whenever I can and doing daily stretching exercises. Since it snowed 9 inches today, I didn't get stressed out. we missed walking, so what? But I'll be doing stretching this evening. The key is you've got to enjoy it, or you won't continue to do it. 

It Causes You To Be Creative - Find something that inspires you to create original things. We are so creative as divine human beings, created in the image of God! We can do crafts, cook, write, organize, create music, etc. The point is to start creating, no matter how simple or rudimentary. Do it every day. It may be just creating the perfect closet space, or creating your week's wardrobe! Just do it! My goal is to find a new Christmas piano piece and learn it to play by Christmas! (I've got the first part done, now just need to learn it!)

It Helps Others - When you have something you can do to make others' lives just a little better, it also helps you! It can be a volunteer project, it can be contributing offerings at church, it can be doing your job at work with the real intent to help others! Again, it doesn't need to be a huge thing! If you start small, you will most likely enjoy it and realize how you are actually gaining as much or more than those you are helping!

You can find a hobby that accomplishes all four in one or any combination of the above hobbies! For instance--you could be a yoga instructor, who also teaches at a fitness center, who also constantly creates new poses and posts them on Instagram! That would be a hobby that makes money, while keeping you in shape. It also causes you to be creative and it helps others by motivating them to try out new things! 

What are your hobbies? Do you have the 4 kinds of hobbies above or are they combinations of the above? 
Image by Garett Criddle
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 this linky is for non-sponsored posts because they are all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows and less about catering to 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)


Monday, December 7, 2015

Finding Your Passion + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

I conduct a writing class for high school kids with special needs. They are cheerful, happy, full of mischief, and life. Every day we explore a new topic and talk a little bit about it. Today the subject was about machines vs. appliances. It was interesting to discuss the difference between the two. It was somewhat difficult to comprehend the slight difference. We finally came to the understanding that appliances are things that exist to make household chores easier. Machines go beyond that and include everything else. One of the students has blossomed with her writing and looks forward to it every day. She has found something that she really enjoys! It makes me so happy to see that because most of the time writing is greeted, at best, with luke-warm enthusiasm. She comes from difficult circumstances and has acted out to the point she was removed from her home and taken into state custody. If we can help her to develop skills that she feels good about, the chances of rehabilitating her are good! If we can tap into something she is passionate about, those chances increase exponentially.
I have decided that I am a results-oriented person and am the most happy when I am learning and growing, developing new skills, thoughts and ideas! I find that when I find something I am interested in, I go back to it time and time again! And yes, bargain shopping does qualify as a passion! I hope that whatever makes you happy that you will do it, whether that is building relationships, creating beautiful things, or making delicious food! Creativity never stops!
Image by Cole Gleave
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 really love non-sponsored posts because they are all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows and less about catering to 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)

Monday, November 30, 2015

Wasted Roller Blades + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

Thanksgiving was a huge success! That is my assessment, overall, of the holiday that is filled with food, fun, family, and fraught with indulgences, inordinate weight gain and innocuous conversation (we hope so anyway). The turkey was moist, the mashed potatoes creamy (except for the crumbled bacon and herbs throughout), the punch bowl cake tasty and sweet, and the pies plentiful! It was so much fun to watch the guys play a friendly after-dinner game of Risk!

Of course, I could always go on about how we thawed a frozen 20-lb. turkey for 10 straight hours via the sink method, because we didn't get it until Tuesday from our supplier (my son), then determined that said turkey didn't have a giblets pack because we didn't see any sign of it. I told everyone within earshot that I felt that the turkey people had finally figured out that no one uses the giblets anymore and have dispensed with the disgusting practice of putting packaged pieces of the turkey inside the bird. How wrong that statement was I later found out, when I pulled the huge buttered bird out of the oven and started preparing to carve it. Lo and behold, the missing pack of giblets! Apparently we hadn't dug around deep enough to find what I now saw plain and clear. I quickly tossed the evidence in the trash and went on like nothing happened. I received accolades from our guests about how moist and flavorful the turkey was. I don't imagine myself going on a cooking show anytime soon, but if I do, I will do a full demonstration of how to cook a moist and tasty turkey using the giblet packet method! 

In other news, the Christmas shows are now in full swing and I have already got Home Alone 1 and Home Alone 2 under my belt! Bless you Macaulay Culkin, there will always be a place in heaven for you because of those movies! For me, those movies are as much a part of Christmas as stockings over the fireplace! 

This year I loved the dialogue between Kevin and the eccentric Pigeon Lady. She says, "I'm just afraid if I do trust someone, I'll get my heart broken." Kevin then talks about his roller blades and how he was afraid to ruin them so he never used them, but then he outgrew them and he couldn't use them anyway. Essentially, he wasted his roller blades. He tells her, "If you won't use your heart, who cares if it gets broken? If you just keep it to yourself, maybe it'll be like my rollerblades. When you do decide to try it, it won't be any good. You should take a chance. Got nothing to lose."  How did this kid get so much wisdom? 

It's not wise to do as the pigeon lady did. There are so many people who need to be loved, so many people who need our best humanity. This is a great time to exercise our hearts and I'm not talking cardio here. Have you been hurt in the past? Put it to rest and move on. You'll be better off for it! Don't wait until your heart is healed. Giving love is the way to heal your heart!
Image by Paul Marto
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)

Monday, November 16, 2015

To Not Ask Why, Ask What + #MotivatingMonday Link-up

This week has been so sad, in a lot of ways. First of all, the Paris tragedy. I am so blown away, and I can't understand how such hatred can exist in a group of people to do this kind of cowardly warfare on innocent people. But the one thing that impacted me is the young boy who was spotted in Paris, at one of the memorials, writing a simple phrase. "Love Will Always Win."  I totally agree, even though at times it just doesn't feel like that. Sometimes I'm tempted to throw in the towel and join in with the rest of the haters. But what good will that do? It just gives them more validation, more ammunition to continue. Love is also contagious and you never know what a kind word or act will do for someone.

Also today after months of surgeries and suffering, Baylee Hoaldridge, a 15-year-old local girl, was taken off life support and passed away. She had been burned over 65% of her body when her family RV tipped over and trapped her as she was buckled in her seatbelt. This happened on July 4th, and over these past months she endured 27 surgeries and was scheduled for her 28th. She was so strong. At one point was even walking, but soon after had to have her legs amputated because she got infection and went into septic shock. The only daughter of 4 children, her parents are absolutely heartbroken. But the community came together for her and so much good came out of it.  Her grieving mother was buoyed up when her brother wrapped her in his arms and whispered, "Don't ask why. Ask what" To me that means that there are things that God knows that we don't, and instead of asking why, we can ask 'what is it that I need to learn, or what can I do to make this a stepping stone, what can I do to make this experience draw nearer to Him? Read more of her story here.
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)

Monday, November 9, 2015

Expectations and Reality + My Post Monday Link-Up

The life you live is never the one you expect....even if you are a master of affirmation, positive-thinking and yoga. The twists and turns of life are very strange indeed. Granted, the more passive you are, not seeking to rock the boat of your existence, the  more predictable your life will be. But even then, something will always come up that totally throws your life into upheaval and interrupt your attempt to just be status quo. On the other hand, there are the fearless ones, those who dive into life head-first, and just want to experience all of it, to the fullest. Death is but an interruption. If they died experiencing the ultimate adrenaline rush, so be it. They die doing what they do best--living life as if there were no tomorrow. I'm somewhere in between. I've done some crazy things, where people just say, "wow, you're the most spur-of-the-moment person I've ever seen!"  Like the time I married my first husband with only 2 months of dating, without consulting anyone, and without a wedding reception. It was a very impulsive decision, and even though we were together 10 years, it didn't end well. (I did basically the same thing with my current husband, but we have been married going on 15 years, with no plans of separating!) And there are the times when all I really want to do is curl up with a great book and hibernate for days, safe in my own space.
Image by trminatr
I have had some incredibly disappointing and sad times. Things happened, sometimes because of my own actions, sometimes because of the actions of others, that I didn't ever expect to happen, didn't want to happen and didn't understand why they had, in fact, happened. Regardless, clawing my way back up after falling, being dumped, or left at the bottom of the symbolic canyon, I've found that I can indeed find happiness again. And the funny thing, when I do, it's even sweeter than before! So my friendly, non-judgmental and possibly unsolicited advice is don't lay down and give up. If all you can do right now is move a pinkie finger, just do that. Do a little more each day until you can start moving forward! In time, you'll see that things are much better, maybe even better than you ever imagined!



Today is "My Post Monday!" It's all about original content from bloggers who care to share what is on their minds--from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for original, non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos! Sponsored posts are great and I appreciate the information from well-written and authentic sponsored posts, I write them myself! But this linky is for non-sponsored posts because they are all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows. It's not about a specific brand and what it compensates the blogger to promote! If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MyPostMonday 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)   

Monday, November 2, 2015

Success And Influence + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

I found this quote with no attached author. At first glance, it felt really warm and fuzzy. But now I am wondering if this statement has 100% truth in it, or if there is some gray area. First of all, is it wrong to want to make an honest living? I'm not talking about doing it subversively or illegally--but doing an honest day's work for a sum of money. No, it's not wrong, obviously. AND doing an honest labor and doing the best you can, does influence people around you. It is showing that you don't take things for granted, that you value work, that you are honest. That, in and of itself, can and does influence those around you and influences others to do the same. 

So right there, is a difference you are already making, by choosing to work for pay in an honest occupation. And that is where the truth of this statement does come in. Whether you work as the CEO of a company or as something more obscure, it doesn't matter, as long as you do it to the best of your ability and are happy and well-meaning. Providing for yourself is a necessity, but your attitude and how well you do it is your gift to the world, it becomes an honorable thing! 

Work is honorable, no matter what kind it is. Developing the capacity to work helps us contribute to the world in which we live. It will bring us an increased sense of self-worth. It will bless you and your family, both now and in the future. 
  
Yes, I think that true success comes from hard and honest work and through that hard work, you will see that not only are you making a living, but you are making a difference in other people's lives by your good example. 


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)

Monday, October 26, 2015

Faith Instead Of Doubt + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

Halloween is this next Saturday! I can't believe how quickly it came! And I didn't do half of all the wonderful crafts I came across on various blogs, as I sifted among some most appealing posts in order to feature them on Motivating Monday! I really meant to, but I think it's just meant to be that if we make 50% of our goals in any given week, we are doing really well! But darn it, I WILL make that wreath for my front porch this week!

This past week I focused on our yearly Children's Program at church. I am the song leader, responsible for teaching the kids approximately 8 songs to sing by memory for parents, friends, and lay members. It is one of the most well-attended events of the year and it was so cute to see a family with 3 little boys get out of their minivan. The boys, all decked out in white shirts and bow ties, paused to take a family photo and I thought, "this one is a keeper and will be for the scrapebooks and memories."

It had been a struggle trying to learn the songs, since I had only been in this position for about 2 and a half months and the process usually takes at least 8 months, learning one song per month. Before that, they had been without a songleader for a very long time. I ran into people telling me "this isn't how you're supposed to do it", or "that's wrong", or "they don't know that".  It's as if they still clung to the cute and very vivacious young mom, with the gorgeous singing voice, and visual aids that were works of art, who had previously been leading them. But she moved. They didn't want to let her go, and I certainly don't blame them. She is the standard for song leaders. But unless we had a holodek and could beam her back, she wasn't coming back. Am I her? No. But I had to remember that I have my own strengths, talents, and sense of what needs to happen in order to facilitate and bring out the best in these budding young choir members. I could either have faith in my own strengths or doubt myself. Either one of those attitudes would pay out dividends. I chose to have faith in myself. 
Photo by Terry Baker
To find out the rest of the story, you can visit here!
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)
 

Monday, October 19, 2015

Water and Lamps + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

Have you ever had one of those sledgehammer types of weeks? Where toxicity in all of its rusty shades tries to erode its ugly way into your heart, brain, and soul? Do you know how hard it is to get up after toxic people get to you? It could even be yourself--negative self-talk, learned after a lifetime of someone else talking negatively to you. The best advice I have is to get away from it as fast as possible!
It's so important to surround yourself with family and friends who are positive, encouraging, and non-judgmental. Thankfully, I have quite a few friends and family members who are like that. I just need to block out the negative forces and influences that try to get into my life. Sometimes it's hard, though. When you have a toxic work environment, a toxic family member or relative, or have been subjected to undeserved toxicity as a child. 
WATER
In 'The Hidden Messages Of Water', by Masaru Emoto, droplets of water are transformed into molecular snowflake patterns by simple one-word introductions, either by voice or print. It is amazing to see how the influence of positive words, music, or ideas will help the water droplets form beautiful and amazing crystals. Just the opposite effect happens, however, when negative words, ideas, or music are placed in the droplet's path--ugly, misshapen, ill-formed crystals are formed.
Image by Leanne Kartchner
Of course we are way more complex than a drop of water, but we are influenced just the way water is. It is just so interesting to see how these influences change a living organism at such a fundamental level. 
LAMPS
If you have been subjected to toxicity, whether in words, music, pictures, or any other kind of negativity, even your own self-talk, I believe you can become healed. It's a personal journey, but I know it's possible! I'm so grateful to friends and family around me who exude goodness and give me courage until I can again walk on my own!
LAMPS
"I met a stranger in the night
Whose lamp had ceased to shine.
I paused and let him light
His lamp from mine.

A tempest sprang up later on
And shook the world about.
And when the wind was gone
My lamp was out!

But back to me the stranger came—

His lamp was glowing fine!

He held the precious flame
And lighted mine!"  --Lon Woodrun, 1940
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)

Monday, October 12, 2015

What Is Essential In Life + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up


 There are so many things we can focus on these days. It's so great! Any hobby you want to take up, every cause you want to champion, every book you want to find, every question you have, you can easily find out on the internet. It cuts down the long process of research and planning one had to do before the mid-1990s. With that ease of discovery, comes the thirst for more knowledge and interest in more topics. Yet our time stays the same--24 hours in a day!

It's not a secret--children don't raise themselves, dishes don't do themselves, housework doesn't get done on its own and neither do relationships flourish with an occasional text or Facebook post. They all take time, but priorities must be made! No one can decide for someone else what those are.

Some of my favorite memories with my mom are when she would read to me and my sister, one on either side of her, before bedtime. I would blissfully lean my head on her shoulder and everything seemed right with the world. Not that things were perfect in our lives or childhood, but those times were so reassuring to me. It was something she stopped everything to do for us and there was no agenda other than to spend time with us. It made me feel loved and cherished as a child. I recently saw a meme that said, "No App is a substitute for your lap! Read to your child!" How true! I'm glad that I took time to read with my own son and play with him and do all of those things that children love. The time went by all too quickly. 

And there are other things that are so important. It may be a good exercise to list everything that you feel is important to you in your life. When everything is listed, estimate the amount of time that you currently spend on each item. You might be surprised at what things you are devoting more of your time to. I know I cringe when I think about some of the things I spend inordinate amounts of time on, things that are actually lower on my priority list!

Here's to another week, with more time spent on the things that matter most!
Image by Bryan McEwan
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 great sponsored posts, but I also love non-sponsored posts because they are all about the person and not the 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)

Monday, October 5, 2015

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.” 

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!  

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSY1JZ31EKKbC8gxnm8UrZIcUzo5J9DrpFm-F1SuPetTnag251xj7o2bNJ9UOft8JwONYdwlZaNo1JGA1AyffCAvZ7x50vYZ_0FUhJ03-ydp75lYAwKIUvanH7jgP5QThn3pL7YTzxQv4/s640/Motivating+Monday.jpg
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!