Never Before Done + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

We made an event out of viewing the lunar eclipse. We went to a park where a lot of other people were out with telescopes, high-powered cameras and lawn chairs. It was so fun to predict the exact spot where the moon would first appear over the mountains. As eerie as some of the pictures are of this rare, once-in-a-lifetime occurance, it is also motivating! 
To be able to achieve this phenomena, the earth, sun and moon needed to be perfectly lined up, with the earth blocking the sun's reflection on the moon. The earth keeps rotating and orbiting, the moon keeps orbiting, and finally it happens, a celestial event for the ages!

Photo by Dennis Dunn

We continue doing the same things that we do every single day--eating, sleeping, working, etc. But when opportunities come our way, let's seize the day! And with that may come a result that is spectacular and never before done! Listen to your inner voice, attract good things with your positivity, visualize what can be, and surely it will come! The result will be spectacular and it will be an achievement of a lifetime!

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!

Achievement Amidst Adversity + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

John James Audubon is the world famous advocate and promoter of bird life. He is credited with discovering several new species of American birds. His drawing books are in rare museum collections around the U.S. His depictions of avian life are the standard for all other bird images. I saw one of his books at an exhibit and was blown away by the detail and life-like look of his drawings. 

Credit

 But it wasn't always such great success for him. In fact, most of his life was fraught with financial troubles, and disasters. After years of work, he enlisted the help of a good friend to keep some 200 of his best drawings--those that he planned on putting into a larger, comprehensive collection. When he returned for his drawings, he was horrified to discover that a rat had chewed into the chest where they were stored and had eaten through all of the drawings. It was a huge loss and he contemplated giving up. But he took some time to re-group, recover, and think about why he did what he did, and what he might do to maybe make even better drawings. Thankfully, he decided to start over and because of that, he was rewarded with recognition and fame all over the world. And we are gifted with some of the most beautiful drawings of birds we may never see ourselves in real life, but have the next best thing, drawings by John James Audubon.

This past weekend I attended the Uplift Families Conference, all about what it is that we, as parents, can do to give our kids the best tools to make them incredibly successful and happy human beings. My favorite speaker was Brad Barton, a motivational speaker who practices what he preaches. He does these cool magic tricks to illustrate some of his key points! He spoke about his struggles at trying to do something extraordinary, since he talks about how it's within all of our reach to do so. He had just missed making the 1992 Olympic Team in the steeplechase because of a fall, and even though he had been retired for 16 years and was considered "old" (that stereotype makes me mad), he trained and pushed forward with a new goal. Breaking his ankle in the process of his training, but finally in 2014 he ran the fastest sub 4:20 mile that anyone his age or older has ever done--4:17:54! Not to mention that he would have beat 90% of athletes 27 years his junior.  He says, "I preach the doctrine of getting better. Let's do something hard--get on the learning curve. The happiest times of our lives are our most challenging times. Then we settle into an easier, comfortable life, but we need those challenges." 

Credit

These examples make me want to kick it up a notch and find more pinnacles to climb, more personal bests to attain. It's hard, because fall is coming and that hot chocolate and Jimmy Fallon in the evenings are calling quite loudly! We'll see how it goes!
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!
 

Just Showing Up + Motivating Monday Link-Up

Some days I literally only have energy to show up, nothing more. It's not the best offering in the world, I can tell you. On the other hand, it may just be enough sometimes. Especially if you are dealing with all kinds of other things on your plate. 

It's definitely not OK to "just show up" in a relationship, though. "Just showing up is better than nothing at all, but your mate can tell the difference between a begrudging, obligatory appearance and a whole-hearted effort to listen and understand." --Tim, Joy Downs

There is the optimal version of you showing up at your best and then there is the minimalist version. I say if you can just show up at your best more times than you simply just show up, that is winning! It's a rare occasion when you can actually show up in top form in everything, every single day, anyway. So why even feel bad when you can't? 

Just be real with yourself. For instance, your optimal routine may be a 5 mile run, but you don't have the time or energy today. It's OK to give yourself permission to do a brisk 15-minute walk instead. Save the 5 miler for when you are available and energized! At least you are creating a habit, and good habits are what create excellence!

image credit: JennyTibbetts
 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! 

Conquering Conflict + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

With the 'Back To School' Grind, comes my daily commute. It's not the worst in the world, but I miss the 5-minute jaunt from my house to work days. Now I do a 35-minute commute. 15 of those minutes is just getting to the freeway.  I like my commute, when all goes well. But I've met some real characters on my commutes. The road construction doesn't help at all. For about 15 miles, cars are relegated to several extremely narrow, bumpy, lanes and the speed limit is 55 mph. Yeah, right. Try to make people follow that one. You've got some really impatient folks out there. I wonder how some of those drivers do it, though. Some of them drive as if they are the only ones on the road, not paying attention to anything around them, serenely boxing in miles of traffic and not batting an eye. I wonder if they think that they must set the safety example for the rest of us and use their cars to enforce their standards of excellence, at 50 mph. Oh the rage that it incites, though. I admit, it used to drive me absolutely nutty. But lately, I've decided that it isn't worth the stress. I now have something that calms me down.....wait for it......I massage my face. Yep, I learned from my favorite Social Media network, that there are pressure points on your face where you can use circular motions to reduce stress, increase blood flow, release toxins and !bonus! reduce the signs of aging. So I'm driving along, massaging my stress away AND looking ever younger as I go! I can't wait to see what I look like at the end of May! In the meantime, I hope I don't box in too much traffic!

 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!

 

Creating Beauty + Motivating Monday

I decided to go back to work this year. I work at a remedial high school that gives 2nd chances to oftentimes overlooked and under served students. I am a huge believer in 2nd chances, having taken advantage of many myself over the years. If it weren't for 2nd chances, I wouldn't have the awesome life I have now. Living the dream! Ha!

I've noticed that many of the things that I thought I would weave into my life took different dips and dives and the painting I had envisioned of my life looks totally different now. That's OK, I think it's very beautiful anyway!  

I heard a great story this week about a guy who loved football. He lived and breathed it as a Jr. in high school and a lot of colleges were knocking at his door. His senior year started out with a bang. They were one game away from the state championship. That was when his world came crashing down because in that game he broke his leg and tore up his knee, resulting in major knee reconstruction surgery. It ended his football career. 

It was really rough for him and he went through all the cycles of grief--denial, anger, blame, depression. Each of these stages took months to get through and the depression was the worst. Eventually he did pick himself up and turned his life outward instead of inward towards himself. He decided to go into the medical field because of his injury and went through school to become a physician's assistant. He finally came to the last stage of grief years later, which is Acceptance. He does acknowledge that if he hadn't gone through this ordeal, he may have never met his wife, who supported him through all his years of medical training. And he also acknowledges that God and Jesus Christ helped him through it all.
He certainly doesn't regret football and all that it taught him, but he is glad for the detours his path took him. 

The image below is the second Helen Keller quote I've done this month and so well deserved. Her life was not what most people would have wanted from the very start, being born both blind and deaf. But she did transcend her difficulties in a beautiful way and despite being gone for over 45 years now, her legacy lives on and she is one of the most often quoted women in history.

 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!

Support Not Condescension + Motivating Monday

Last week I helped my sister, who is expecting her 4th child in February, do a fundraiser at her house. It's called 'The Apple Tree' Project. Basically it's almost like the Christmas Angel Project except it's in the Summer. You can pick an apple off the tree and provide back-to-school items for underprivileged kids. There was a lemonade stand, with Rice Krispy Treats, chocolate chip cookies and 2 kinds of lemonade too!  Many of the neighborhood moms stopped by, with kids in tow, to choose an apple, have some treats, and visit.

One of the moms who stopped by is quite well-heeled, to say the least. Her husband is the CEO of a huge company. She is basically done with having her kids and the youngest is probably 7.  Of course I had no idea about that when she stopped by with her 4 kids. 

My nephew was playing with a cool remote control car he got at a yardsale for 9 dollars. He was thrilled with it and was making it go every which way, rolling it over toes, bumping into the lemonade stand, and generally making a nuisance of himself, albeit a cute one. One of the kids of the well-heeled mom, after watching for awhile, stated that he also had a remote control car, but so much better, it cost over $300. All of a sudden my nephews car didn't seem as annoying and, being the out-spoken and over-the-top teaser that I am sometimes, stated that not only was my nephew's car probably better, but that someone was smarter because they got it at such a great price. According to me, someone had definitely over-paid for the $300 car. I was just seeing what kind of reaction I would get from the kid. He seemed a little confused at first, not expecting to be challenged with an obviously cheaper car than his. I might not have been able to do that if said car was actually on premises, but since it wasn't, why not play around a bit?

Meanwhile my sister was talking to the mom. She was seeking some friendly support from someone who had several kids herself, probably the last one right around the same age as my sister is now--wondering if neighborhood mom's last one was a bit more difficult than the first one, since sis is about 9 years older now and feeling every bit of it. Sadly, there was no support forthcoming from this neighborhood corporate mom. Instead she was told that all her pregnancies were very easy, no problem, short labors, recovered quickly, no weight gain, no difference between the first and last pregnancies in terms of difficulty. She offered no comforting words of advice, no encouragement, nothing.  She didn't mention or admit to the fact that she probably had 24/7 nanny care and maid service during all her pregnancies.

After the fundraiser we were comparing notes and I found out that it was so similar--like mother, like son. Both were alluding, if not outright stating, that they were superior in both material possessions (kid) and physical health (mom), very happy to emphasize both points so that there was absolutely no misunderstanding. I'm amazed at how quickly kids pick up even complicated social cues from their parents, like condescension....

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 Fashion Icon + Motivating Monday (Or Tuesday)

This week I took some time to learn about a woman who was and is groundbreaking for women. Her career is still going at 83 year's old. She is a fashion icon and has much wisdom for those who are interested in succeeding in fashion, acting, art, or just living in a big city! Her name is Carmen Dell'Orefice. 

I thought if anyone could talk to us about a career in fashion, it would be her! The definition of living has changed since when she began her career--for instance, it was safe for a young girl of 10 to go by herself on the subway in the city and be alone all day, and since she was one of the first fashion models, not much competition but everything was groundbreaking. She has a lot of things to share that are wise and pertinent to today's world because she is still very much relevant with her ongoing career, made necessary because of Bernie Madoff and his huge panze scheme that affected millions of people, robbing them of their total life savings. She was taught by many of the European expatriates, like Alexander Lieberman, and Erwin Blumenfeld, who immigrated to America after WWII. She had a chance to pick up their sense of style. She talks about how today's young models don't get the chance to be educated and tutored in the art of modeling because now, there are so many of them, and companies can just throw them away at will after they are finished with them, unless they can find someone who is really knowledgeable and willing to mentor them. She talks about learning how to deal with a changing body and the choice to take care of it! I learned that age doesn't have to hold you back! You just need to re-invent yourself! See her full interview here. It was very interesting to me as someone who is interested in fashion and the history of fashion. Her story is something I pursued because I wanted to know more. I had to leave some other things, hence this post on Tuesday rather than Monday! But...

I definitely stopped and enjoyed the journey! Time to get started again!
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!
 

Life After Setbacks + Motivating Monday Link-Up

It's so hard to pick yourself back up after an epic fail. Don't I know! Especially after my 4th of July eating weekend. What a joke! You'd think that because I had finally reached a fairly good milestone for me (I lost 1 lb. last week! Woo hoo!) that I'd be so so careful over the weekend. But nooooo, I took that as permission to indulge myself! I must admit that we had a great time! We attended the 'Stadium of Fire' Fireworks show and concert starring 'Journey'! And before that, had a wonderful meal and desserts galore! It should NOT have been a big deal to pick it back up and go forward the very next day. But even today, Monday July 6th, I'm struggling to keep it together. After all, look at all those leftovers--the potato salad, the punch bowl cake, the meat, the pie, etc. etc. I blame holidays for my diet fails! Seriously, every time I get close to succeeding, a holiday or birthday rolls around!

But failed diets are probably the least important of all less-than-fun turns of events in life. I love this quote attributed to J.K. Rowling. She said, "Is fat really the worst thing a human being can be? Is fat worse than vindictive, jealous, shallow, vain, boring, evil, or cruel? Not to me!" Agreed!

Back to less-than-fun turns of events--What about that raise or cash windfall that never materializes? What about an unexpected illness that happens in your family or to yourself? What about a car or some other kind of accident? The ever-dreaded natural or man-made disaster that throws everything off?

It's still so close to the 4th of July. I'm wondering, are we a better nation than ever? Or are we a nation that has already seen its best days? Regardless, we have military personnel who have put their own lives on hold so they can serve us. It is really inconvenient to find oneself suddenly, for instance, missing a limb. One day  you're walking, the next day nothing works. But so often we sub-consciously think "Well, that's what they signed up for" and move along. But it's not what they signed up for. They signed up to come back home after their turn in the field. They sign up to be able to continue their lives once they finish serving. They have to pick it back up somehow too and that's one of the most difficult things a human being has to face. Not only is the body wounded, but so is the mind. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is real, apparently. Consider this true story of two brothers, both coming home from the military wounded and battle-scarred.(Christian references included) photo 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!

You're Only Human + Motivating Monday

Sometimes I cringe when I think about some of the mistakes I made in parenting. My youngest just graduated from high school. I remember, when he was younger, trying to make him write a journal. As someone who was an avid journal keeper when younger, I wanted him to have something to look back on. But he just didn't want to do it. I reasoned, begged, wheedled, threatened, withheld privileges, but nothing worked! I still have the journal that I wrote for him, because he wouldn't do it on his own. 

Does he regret not writing a journal now? Heck no! Will he later, when I am dead and gone? I would like to think so...but probably not! Was it a mistake to waste so much time and energy (it was a lot) trying to make him do something that he had no interest in? Yes, I think we could have had more quality time together doing something he enjoyed. Does he call me out on it repeatedly? Nah, he forgot about it. I'm the one who remembers....

Something I've noticed picking up steam is that people are not willing to forgive human mistakes. They are more likely to jump on someone perceived to have done something stupid or intolerant and air it out on social media, where others can jump in, like a pack of wild dogs, and tear, gnash and gnaw on that person until they have literally destroyed their life. 

It's as if they, themselves, have never acted stupidly or intolerantly. They have to wring every last bit of justice out, so they can walk away, self-righteously, like the fully-satisfied beasts of prey they are. But the satisfaction won't stay, and they will be back on the prowl until they find their next victim. 

No wonder many people are so reluctant to voice their opinions. With such vicious wolves out there, who wants to expose themselves to feral attacks and unsuppressed vitriol? Very brave souls indeed, I would say.
 
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!

Sourround Yourself With Positivity + Motivating Monday

One of the best ways to achieve your goals is to put yourself in the midst of positivity. One of those crazy rules of the universe is that being positive will attract positive influences and result in positive outcome. So why would you surround yourself with negativity? Whether you want to be the best mom, banker, fashion expert, blogger, doctor, scientist, entrepreneur, or basket weaver, get the first rule right!

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!

A Little More Kindness + #MotivatingMonday

I just read an article about how emotional abuse could be the invisible marriage killer. The definition of emotional abuse is "any nonphysical attitude or behavior that controls, intimidates, subjugates, demeans, punishes, or isolates another person by using degradation, humiliation or fear."  It might be a roll of the eyes, consistent criticism--even in the form of a joke, constant corrections, isolation, disrespect of personal space or things, humiliating comments in front of others, sarcasm, and so forth.  This is a continuous pattern and it ebbs and flows. It may be better for awhile but then the pattern picks up again after a time. Men or women can be guilty of this pattern and it brings unhappiness and lack of self-confidence in its wake. It is a relationship breaker.

Sometimes we can be guilty of participating in it ourselves and be unaware that we are doing so. It comes naturally to some and many times people do it to feel smarter, quicker on the draw, and have the upper hand. They don't realize that they can destroy someone's spirit by their actions. When children are treated unkindly and condescendingly by parents or caretakers, they develop a defense system. That line of defense is to be meaner than the person you are with. It is a  way to not be hurt.

We have a national epidemic of unkindness. We are on the offensive when it comes to being mean. We need to stop it! Here are a few questions to ask ourselves when we are in a relationship or even in public.

1) Is what I am saying constructive or is it aimed to tear someone down?
2) Am I being funny at someone else's expense?
3) Is my body language insulting towards someone else?
4) Am I rude to someone who isn't in control of what is going on?
5) When I am upset, do I unload verbal abuse?
6) Do I let someone know by my actions that I don't want to be with them?
7) Do I give off an air of superiority to those around me?

Refraining from doing these destructive things not only will help our own moods and give us a reality check, but we will be possibly preventing others from also being unkind and the epidemic that we see around us can be slowed down or stopped!

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!

A To Z Blog Challenge Reflection + Motivating Monday Link-Up

 Having just completed my stint as an A To Z Blogger and having mostly survived the challenge, I come away with a few brief words of reflection. 

• It is possible to write every day! I now know I can and do have things to say daily. 

• It is not possible to write a great post every single day!  There were days where I threw things together just to be able to say I posted that day.

• Sometimes a bad post will get traffic, but usually it's a fluke! It happened for me but I think it was coming off the heels of one of my better posts. The good post drew some repeat traffic and I'm sorry to say, those that came back were probably disappointed with the next post. Lesson learned - when you have a great post, come up with another great post so you can retain your traffic!

• I found some great new blogs that have great material--blogs that I want to check out again and again. Most likely I will visit some of these blogs to find posts that I'd like to feature on Motivating Monday. So you A To Z Bloggers, watch out! I'll be visiting!

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!  To start things off, here is a great quote by Zig Ziglar!

 

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! 

To Get Up, Get Ready And Get Out! And #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

How many people hold themselves back from doing truly remarkable things because they are afraid of criticism?  How many others have truly broken through and achieved remarkable things because they tried things and weren't afraid of failure or others' criticisms? 
Today I'm grateful for the things I do, regardless of what others think.  The times I go out without doing my hair, dressing up or putting on make-up.  The times I have done things regardless of how I felt at the time.  
I have a friend who has been going through excruciating cancer.  It came once, went into remission but came back again.  She has been dealing with it one day at a time.  She is now on the upswing again.  But long before that, in the midst of the worst part, she had moments of happiness.  She chooses to live in the present and appreciate the good.  She also does physical therapy with a group of people that believe no matter what is happening that they will get up, get dressed and get out!  And so they meet together, in various stages of health and they support each other.  They each have a purpose, and that is to contribute to their circle of friends.  In turn they are supported and made whole in spirit.  
You have a purpose and a reason to be here.  Just get up, get ready and get out! And don't let anyone tell you that you can't!

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!  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!

Motivating Monday! Life Happens And Build Your Blog Conference!

This week "life happened" as they say.  The Build Your Blog Conference was this past weekend and I had been looking forward to it, ever since I had been sponsored by Taste Of Home earlier this month.  It was such a treat because this was to be my first blog conference EVER!  
 

Then the day before, I got a call at work from the Sandy Fire Department, telling me that my husband had been in a biking accident and that he was waiting for me at Emergency.  He assured me after my questioning that everything was fine and he was just there for observation and check-up, standard procedure after one LOSES CONSCIOUSNESS!

When I arrived, he was awake, but he looked like a zombie.  His face was swollen and his eye was bloody and bruised.  He had all kinds of road rash and abrasions covering his body.  Apparently he hit a bump while he was braking and pulling into an Exxon Station.  He was thrown over his handlebars and landed on his face.  He broke his left orbitol bones and cheekbones, loosening them from the rest of his skull.  Surgery is this coming Thursday.  He gets titanium plates in his face.  

Luckily he got to come home with me but I wasn't sure if I would be able to attend the Blog Conference, because he was in need of major attention.  I'm afraid I wasn't as great of a nurse as I imagined myself to be in such a situation.  Since I knew his injuries weren't life threatening, I still decided to at least attend some of the conference.  I left him with his pain meds, some soups and ice cream for a few hours, and headed up to the blog conference.

I missed the opening and closing events both days but was able to attend the Taste Of Home Trends Event, which was amazing!  It went above and beyond food presentation and submitting recipes.  Something I learned that is pertinent to any blog is how a post is presented.  Too much text in a post can be intimidating and discourages readers.  On the other hand, too many pictures make a post too busy.  It's all about balance!  I did find out about the top recipe draws and that variation is the key!  

I also got to attend 3 of the 5 classes offered to us.  These classes were so informative and I learned a lot and received some inspiration about blogging that I hadn't had before.  I missed the gala event which, in addition to being a great mixer and a chance to dress up, was where we heard about the Blogger of the Year.  But even having missed some of the main events, I came away loving every minute of it.  I can't wait to go next year!

 In the meantime, hubs is steadily improving and I'm so thankful that his injuries weren't any worse.  We're gearing up for surgery this coming Thursday.  He should eventually realize a full recovery. 

Sometimes life happens at the most inopportune times!  The thing that I felt was all-important suddenly needed to take a backseat to what is really the most important, my husband.  I'm with Oprah who says that every single event in life happens in an opportunity to choose love over fear.  I'm really full of thankfulness because I still have a husband, with a few more scars--badges of an active life, AND I got to attend some of a really great conference.  If I had been filled with fear that my husband wouldn't be OK without me for a few hours, I might not have made the choice to go to the conference at all.  And if I was so consumed about missing the conference, I might have been filled with resentment and fear of missing out.  

Have you utilized your own inevitable life's circumstances into something that can benefit you?
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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!

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!