A Language Understood By All + #MyPostMonday Linky Featuring The Week's Best Original Content

Have you ever had a favorite teacher who inspired you to do more than you ever thought possible? An example of pure motivation during my elementary school years was Mrs. Dietrich my 6th grade teacher. She most likely motivated me to do more than any of my other teachers up to that point. And believe me, that was hard because school in general bored me. Her reading group was more than just a monotonous reading group. We not only read the stories, but she had us make something tangible to represent what we were reading. It intrigued me. I remember one time making a wooden bed and fashioning a little pillow to represent something from a book we were reading. I know that I must have been motivated because I never did homework, until this special reading group.  I thought about schoolwork beyond the time I was actually in school....which turned out to not be a whole lot after 6th grade.

Another teacher that motivated and inspired me, even shaping my life for the better, was my piano teacher, Auldine Dycus. She was the most patient teacher ever! She never got upset--not even stern--if I came back without having practiced much, but she carefully taught me all that I was willing to learn under her tutelage. I learned about the circle of 5ths, major and minor scales, arpeggios, chromatic scales, relative minor keys, and other music theory. I learned the 'Moonlight Sonota' by Beethoven, 'Fur d'Elise' by Debussy, 'Liebestraum' by Liszt, and other beautiful songs. But what I learned most was because of her kindness and charity. 

I was an independent and strong-willed child during my middle school years. I would ditch school any time I could, despite knowing that my grades would suffer and that I would be looked upon with disapproval. I felt like I'd fallen through the cracks. I wasn't in honors classes and I wasn't on any particular teams or clubs. I didn't have many friends, and the ones I did have weren't really close. So I left. I'd end up at the craziest places---anywhere but school. Sometimes I would walk for miles to Mrs. Dycus' home and ask her if I might play on her piano and practice. She said I certainly could and let me stay there while she went and ran errands. I'm sure she told my mom about it, although it was never mentioned. Eventually I was sent to a private christian school that was out of town to finish 8th and 9th grades. It was a day prep school that had a great choir program. I thrived there. I think I stopped piano lessons soon after that. But I know that it was the kindness and influence of Mrs. Dycus that got me entrance into that amazing school for 2 years.  And  because piano was never something that felt like drudgery to me, I continued my interest in music and eventually minored in music in college. 

Of the two teachers I've mentioned here, I have to say that Mrs. Dycus had the more far-reaching effect. Although both were very motivating, something extra happened with Mrs. Dycus. She was kind. She heard me. She gifted me grace. 

I Left It On Clayton Peak + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

Happy Labor Day! It was a much-needed long weekend because I went back to work way too early! I needed just one more last hurrah before Fall really begins. 

So early this morning, like 4am early, I started to get ready for an "easy"  hike up to Clayton Peak, a hike my husband assured me would be done in 4 hours, tops!

We started out at around 6:15, a little bit behind schedule. We always like to start before sunrise to beat the heat (today it was a sweltering 100 degrees in the valley, so around 80 up in the higher elevations.) But intent and execution are two different things---We always have good intent to get off early, but we rarely execute our intent! 

 We climbed and climbed. We actually went off-trail and found our own route. And what was supposed to have been a 3.5 round trip ended up being a 6.66 round trip! But hey, more time with my babes! 

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Laugh At It + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

I have a ding on my front lower calf that is lingering a year later, after the incident originally happened. But every once in awhile, when I look at it, I am reminded of a couple of lessons I learned because of it.

It was late summer of last year and I was taking a walk with my dog in a beautiful part of where I live. I saw a massive storm cloud coming in quickly from the south. It was really close, but it wasn't raining on me. And so I watched the rain from a distance as I continued my walk. The rain shower was short. But then the most gorgeous rainbow appeared. It was a perfect bow and it seemed so close that I could literally touch it. I was blown away by the beauty of it.

Dog Tales + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

Let's talk about dogs, shall we? This summer my own sweet Evee is into her twilight years. Her snout is turning grey, she has trouble getting up when in resting position, she doesn't run after frisbees like she used to (she's good for about 5 minutes and then she's done). When we go on our morning walks, she really loves it, but it pretty much wears her out for the rest of the day. She and my dad are the biggest pals. They love taking naps together, he in his recliner and Evee at his feet. She's had a happy life. I've gone above and beyond trying to make her life happy. And she has certainly made mine sweeter.

But it's not Evee that I'll be perseverating on today. I have a few recent stories I'd like to share!

Story 1: I occasionally see a certain fellow dog-owner on my walks. She has two dogs with her and she has them leashed per the park ordinance that all dogs must be leashed. One of them isn't so friendly, by her own admission, so she doesn't appreciate people with dogs that aren't leashed because usually those dogs want to approach other dogs and demonstrate their amazing hiney-sniffing skills. Just as an FYI, some dogs and humans don't appreciate being approached by uninvited dogs or pets. It leads to awkward encounters that shouldn't have to be endured when you're out on a walk, minding your own business. But beyond that, some encounters go way past mere awkwardness. For instance this woman told me about a leashed dog who was approached by, not only an unleashed dog, but an unleashed pit bull and true to the stereotype, the pit bull launched into the leashed dog and ripped the unsuspecting dog up. This was documented on the neighborhood app and an alert went out to watch out for that owner and dog. But not to be reliant on an app, my leash-loving friend with the two dogs now carries a gun. She claims she wants to enjoy her walks. Believe me, whenever we cross paths, I make sure to move over and give her a wide berth! But are her fears unfounded? Who wants to meet someone's crazy dog and get into harm's way?

The Brain Drain + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

This summer I have decided to do some things for my own self-improvement and also do some projects that haven't had the chance to get done because of work during the school year. 

I have made some lists, some goals, and some resolutions to that end. There are some long range goals, weekly goals, and daily goals.  

I feel pretty motivated so far and some things definitely have been accomplished. But what I've come to realize is that no matter how much free time I have, no matter how motivated I am, there will always be something that makes the accomplishment of my goals more difficult than I had originally planned. 

My brain really wants to accomplish things, but my body isn't cooperating so much. So many wasted minutes and seconds, doing mindless activities like looking at my phone, staring into space, forgetting what I went into a room to do, remembering something I wanted to do but didn't include on my master list and doing it anyway.  Binge eating, binge napping, binge t.v. watching...

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A Better American + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

Today is Memorial Day. How has your day been? Mine was great! I feel like we can't give enough honor to all of the great men and women who have served so selflessly, above and beyond the call of duty. So I ask myself, what can be done to make these men and women's sacrifice more appreciated and worth their fight? And the thought occurred to me that we can do honor to our veterans by being better citizens of the country that they have given their lives to protect, the good 'ol USA!

How can we be better Americans? Here's a couple of ideas that I think would be helpful, based on my experience. I'm sure there are so many others:

• Let's have more respect for one another. When we're out and about, or sitting alone in front of the screen, let's be respectful and aware that there are others who are every bit as entitled to courtesy and an opinion as we are!

• Let's be happy and grateful to put in a good day's work. The ability to work is awesome, and there are plenty of opportunities to do it. The opportunity to get out and contribute to society by providing a service is amazing!

• Let's not be so worried about what the person next to us has.

• Let's vote for our candidates of choice but not go postal if they don't win.

• Let's be respectful of candidates that win by the voice of the people.

• Let's keep our Constitution intact and not tear it apart just so we can get what we want. (Ex. The Founding Father's knew there was a reason for the electoral collage. It provides for people from all walks of life to be represented and counted. Don't try to eliminate it just because it means that your candidate won't win because of sheer numbers. There's much more to it than that.)

• Let's give liberally to the charities of our choice and not simply think that the Government should take care of everyone. It can't, and it never will.

• People always come first. Period.

• Study history, science and other disciplines on your own. Don't just trust what a teacher or professor tells you. Be your own fact checker. There are a lot of pretenders out there,willing to skew facts, data, and outright lie to get their agendas accomplished.

• Let's not trust everything on the internet. Make sure that we know our sources. (That would include this post!) 

And there you have it, my How-to on how to make sure that our veterans are valued even more for the great sacrifices they have rendered to our country! As we become more considerate, thoughtful and smarter about our chosen philosophies, we will render the thanks that every veteran holds dear, a country that is united, free, and indivisible under God!

  Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. 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!  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(Affiliate links welcome)    

Who Would I Be If I Stayed? + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

I go to work from 9 - 2 everyday to play---play with the most joyous, alive, innocent, mischievous, honest, and savage individuals ever. They are a group of  12 - 14 Middle School Mild/Moderate Special Education students. They belie the title of Special Ed. With totally normal appearance, gestures, clothing, and interests, they transcend any labels people may put on them. They come to school and continue the transition from child to eventual adult. They won't stay this way, but while they are in this stage, I'm so lucky to be able to "play" with them, all in the name of work! They are not quite out of childhood, yet halfway into adulthood. It's so funny to see them act like they are the most knowledgable of experts on any given subject, but then one minute later do something hilariously childish. 

This stage of life only lasts but a year or two. Some people say that it is the hardest stage to raise, as a parent. And I'd have to agree. But I'm not a parent. I'm an educator! I get to take them as they are, make helpful suggestions, even dole out consequences. But mostly, I support them in their hopes, their dreams, their likes and dislikes. I suggest other options. I suggest alternative ways to look at things. I even play devil's advocate. Of course, ultimately, my peers and I let them decide what they are going to do. Some of them will end up being successful and holding down a job and raising a family. Some of them, unfortunately, will not be so lucky. Some of them may even end up homeless. That breaks my heart, because I know they are trying so hard to make a success out of life. And they have so much energy and optimism. 

That same energy and optimism make the most enthusiastic and well-meaning of adults tired. That's why after 5 hours, I am done playing, relieved to leave and do my other jobs consisting of wife, mom, pet-owner, errand-runner, home maintenance worker, gardener, blogger, and elderly care-giver. 

Image - Celeste Camomile

 The end of the school year is fast approaching and I think of the oldest students in our class. They will be moving on to high school, leaving this stage of their lives behind. I realize that although I have developed a fondness and special bond with them, I may never see some of them again. It reminds me of the exchange between Wonder Woman and her mother, Hypolyta. Hypolyta says, "You know that if you choose to leave, you may never return." Wonder Woman replies, "But who would I be if I stay?" 

So it is with my friends. Their journey needs to continue. They can't stay. And I may not know where that journey eventually leads them. But I'll know that when our paths met, we laughed, smiled, played, and learned. And they gave richness to my life, without even knowing they did.

Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. 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!  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! (Affiliate links welcome!)      

What Lies Within + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

I'm finally seeing spring flowers pushing their way out of the barren winter soil. It is so heartening and encouraging to see that! Here they are, after being dead all winter long, or at least looking like it, laying dormant in the ground. And lo, and behold, here they come, all fancy and frilly, looking like nothing could ever fade them. But, these earliest blooms will be gone before a few weeks are past. That's OK, I don't think any flower is any more welcomed than the earliest spring crocuses. Just something about them...

And here I am, here after yet another winter. I'm sure it beat me down and I am showing a few more signs of wear and tear, if only subtly. But that's OK, I'm tough and I've seen a lot of things. You know what is amazing? Every time something beat me down, I just got back up and dusted myself off. I was told I was a "Saturday's Warrior". I didn't even know what that even meant, except that Saturday is the 7th day of the week, according to the Gregorian Calendar. So does that mean I'm the last before the end? End of what? And warrior? Where is my training? I know that I need to take self-defense at some point, although if some predator were to accost me on my walks, they would be surprised. I carry a taser, excuse me, I was told it's a stun gun! Shhhh.....Whatever....it felt very empowering at the time. But years have gone by since I was told I'm a Saturday's Warrior. Are we still on Saturday? 

I feel like these little spring flowers are warriors of a sort. They fight to be able to be the first to come back each year and herald the appearance of a glorious spring! What an amazing and important job they have! And you know what? They do it really well! 

I'm going to take a lesson and do the job that I feel I need to do. Come back every time I am down, and stand up and be as beautiful, bold, and joyous as God intended and wants me to be! Because I am heralding something too. The end of one stage in my life, and the beginning of something new!!! 

 Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. 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!  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! (Affiliate links welcome!)     

It's Just Stuff + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

Recently we went out to dinner and a movie, or should I say pizza and a movie, with some friends and something that we said about taking care of my dad triggered our friend into a story about how her sister has taken over her father's trust and estate and is spending it down like it's her own, even though there are 3 other siblings who are wondering what the heck she is doing. Apparently, when her father was at his least competent, shortly before he died, she went in and had him sign over the whole thing to her and then went to an attorney to make it legal. It has been such a heartbreak because the sister is being reckless and disposing of keepsakes and other valuables without any of the rest of the family's permission. Just to be able to have something that belonged to their parents, the family has to buy it from their sister at an exorbitant price. It's crazy that families can be like that.

So, how concerned are you about property or money settlement issues within your extended family?  I know it can be a sore spot.  When a parent or relative gives out holdings in an unfair way or in a way that people don't agree with, tensions within families can mount.  But is it worth disenfranchising your own family, or worse? If it comes right down to it, I'd rather just let them have the heirloom china and wish them good luck with it.  You can't take it with you anyway!

But that is exactly what happens sometimes. I heard of a story that happened several years ago in Louisa, VA.  A man shot and killed his own son and nephew in an ongoing dispute over a piece of property, not to mention the 4 others that were wounded in the fray.  Then police shot and killed him after he fired on two deputies and released his pit bull on them. Apparently, this 1.5 acres was a real hot commodity among family members. Police were called on multiple occasions to settle disputes amongst the clan.  But it never got violent until that point. 

 Well, sir, I hope you are happy.  You're dead, your son is dead, your nephew is dead, making for a fun-filled party on the other side!  And who gets the 1.5 acres?  I guess whoever was left alive!  I hope the remaining relatives will be a little more wise.  Wow!  I used to live in Virgina.  I'd have to say you might be a redneck if... you bring out the .22 caliber when your limited vocabulary of "Thisheer is ma land...ain't no one else's!" fails to bring about a unanimous agreement!

May I suggest a few ways to insure a peaceful estate settlement when the time arrives?

1.  Only involve the individuals who are named in the will or trust.  The fewer outsiders and outside opinions, the better! Spouses and children who are not directly a part of the settlement don't need to be involved.

2.  Start the conversation!  Many times it is awkward to even mention that someone won't be around forever.  Many times people are afraid that they will sound greedy when talking about estate affairs.  A possible good start to this conversation might be:  "Mom, Dad, I know you love us. You have taught us how to be thoughtful, caring people, by example. I am reasonably certain that you want us to care for you in your old age and for each other when you are gone. You could do a lot to keep the spirit of our family alive and healthy after you are gone by talking to us now. You could make it immensely easier on all of us by giving us some information about your wishes and plans. This is not about money. It is about relationships and trust and responsibility.”

3.  Establish trust between family members - Family history and child rearing methods of prior generations can foster distrust between siblings. Competition among siblings is common. Although it might not be the easiest time, it is a crucial time to build trust among family members.  Do so with open dialogue and transparency of intent.  Now is not the time to have hidden agendas.  

4.  Learn as much as possible - Usually there is one primary executor but if the work is shared, not only is it easier on the executor, the beneficiaries will also have a better understanding of what is involved and have a greater stake in the best resolution for the whole family.

Joy In Any Life Circumstance + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

Today was another day at work and this morning I walked in feeling kind of groggy for some reason, OK I know the reason. I ate too many oatmeal cookies the night before. It was a cookie hangover! My husband loves them and so do I. He likes them without chocolate chips, I like them with. So I acquiesced to his request and made a batch at around 9 p.m. last night and of course, my will power is terrible at that time of the evening. I succumbed and I ate dough, cookies and, also, milk has to be involved. I generally made a mess of my eating for the day. But it was so good!! Next time he asks me, which will be next Sunday, I will not comply. I kind of do an alternating routine with the baked goods, otherwise we'll be in poor shape when hiking season comes around. He'll need to wait until the Sunday after next before I will bake again. Wow, you just got a peek into a very mundane routine of our lives. It's just what we do. However, we enjoy it! 

Image - Alan McIntier  Affiliate and non-affiliate links used for informational purposes. Thanks for your support!

We live a very comfortable, predictable, generally unexciting kind of life, most of the time. I go to my job, then run errands, maybe go to the gym if I'm up to it, and come home ready to do a little blogging--2 - 5 hours worth. As the evening stretches on, he sits by my side, at his desk, doing his thing. We turn on some music that both of us can tolerate, which sometimes is the Nora Jones Station on Amazon, or my awesome playlist. After awhile, he'll get up, turn off his lamp, say good-night, and head upstairs to bed. I will look at the clock and realize it's way later than I thought. Not enjoying being by myself so late, I'll hastily finish up whatever I am doing and head up too. 

It wasn't always like this. We had a more exciting life 10 - 17 years ago. We went out and traveled way more than we do now. But we were also working through a lot of issues from each of our 1st marriages. Sometimes the issues we were working through didn't mesh well and it wasn't a comfortable space. Trust was a huge issue. Also feelings of betrayal would seep into our own relationship. Many nights I'd leave for a few hours and just sit in the car, not wanting to return. Sometimes I left for weeks, once even a month. However, I'd always return and we'd talk things out and things would go better, until next time. I'm really glad that those days are gone. But even during those more tumultuous times, I knew it was important to find happiness in the things I was capable of appreciating.
I'm happy to say that I was able to do that. Sometimes sleep was the only thing I could appreciate (I'm a huge fan) but then there were other things too, like my boys, music, hobbies, walking my dog, riding my bike, and dancing. I believe the one thing that some people say is intangible or not even real, was something that shaped my whole outlook. It was my belief that God was looking over me and that there must be a purpose in the things I was going through, even the things I had already gone through in my life. (See past blog posts) I never lost faith in that. And so, even though my circumstances were not the most ideal at times, my focus was, and still is, on my faith and the conviction that there is a God in Heaven who knows all, and who has given us so many opportunities to learn, grow, and become who we were meant to be! Maybe not now, but eventually! And that makes me happy!

 Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. 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!  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! (Affiliate links welcome!)     

A Relationship Safe Zone + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

Hi Friends! I am so happy to finally be well! I continue to think of the many people who are still struggling with this year's flu. In one Utah county, a principal of a school pleaded with parents to keep their sick kids home because there were 150 kids sick at home, which wasn't the problem. It was the 30 - 40 kids who showed up at school throwing up, coughing, and just generally being contagions to the other kids who weren't yet sick. I totally agree with this policy and wish that parents would keep their sick kids home. I know that schools are the babysitting mecca for working parents everywhere, but it has become a problem, with schools becoming cesspools of disease, especially during outbreaks.

Valentine's Week is here and we are excited at school, with the prospect of a celebration of friendship and solidarity. We are working to not bully those who are different and to appreciate those differences. Middle School is a tough time to recognize that just because someone is different, doesn't mean it's an automatic threat. I think that takes many of us a whole lifetime to learn and some never do. So we are working hard on that concept this week!

Another thing I think is so important to remember is that Valentine's Day is more than buying things for your loved one. The most important thing you can do is to give the gift of time and attention to your significant other. I really liked this tweet saying, "Let's not make VDAY the end all be all...acknowledge it, but if there's not an extravagant gift, it's OK. It's just one day." Seriously, if you are putting all your eggs in the Valentine's Day basket, and counting on that day to make up for other past relationship missteps along the way, you are not in a 'Relationship Safe-Zone!' 

If we can remember to make room all through the year for our significant others and for those whom we want to include in our "circle of trust" (source: "Meet The Parents"), we will be giving an amazing gift, not just reserved for Valentine's Day! Our relationships are apt to be more happy, comfortable, and enjoyable!

Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. 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!  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! (Affiliate links welcome!)     

When A Girl Gets Educated + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

There was a day when parents would take their daughters and subtly package them in attractive gowns, complete with the proper etiquette training and skills that would make them viable in terms of being a good wife and mother to attract prospective husbands. They were debutantes and it was called a "coming out" party or gala, which happened between the ages of 18 - 21 years old. It's still done in the more exclusive communities in the South and on the eastern shore board. 

But a new day is dawning and it is more common now for men to search not for the traditional attributes that once made a girl attractive to marry. The most alluring thing now, it seems, is the level of education a woman has. 

I don't think it is necessarily a new thing. I remember when I was in college and the most popular girls, with the most dates, were not always the best-looking girls, but the ones who were ready to graduate. Not only that, they were the girls who could readily get a job and help a young guy get through his own schooling. And usually it was the man who ended up having the higher education in the marriage.

But in 2015 education between partners hit a new norm. Now 24.5% of men have more education than their wife, BUT 25.3% of women have more education than their husbands! That is very interesting! Except hold on, it doesn't translate into earning power. 72% of husbands still make more than their wives!

Artificial Intelligence At It's Most Personable! + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

Have you seen her? The newest, first, and only robotic citizen of Saudi Arabia? She is so amazingly lifelike it's uncanny! This is what people have been talking about for awhile now, that artificial intelligence will compete with human intelligence. I was telling one of my co-workers about Sophia and he, in turn, told me about two chat bots that had been created by Facebook. They started talking to each other in a language that only they understood. They also could negotiate strategically, pretending that they were very interested in an item so they could simulate great sacrifice in giving that item up during negotiation talks. And although Facebook abandoned the experiment soon after this started happening, they stress that it wasn't because they were afraid of the results. And they stress that several times because people started talking about how Artificial Intelligence is going to destroy humanity and gave that as an example.

Apparently, Sophia has been programmed to joke around a bit about that earlier faux pas! She does it in a very lighthearted and very personable way. Honestly, she talks and reasons better than a lot of people, including myself! She's got great social skills!

Turn Disadvantages Into Advantages + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

When I feel at a disadvantage, many times I practice an exercise designed to turn my perceived disadvantages into advantages. It's all about perspective!

For instance, sometimes I get bummed out when I see all of the delicious food that my husband can eat and not gain any weight! If I ate like he did, I would be as wide as I am tall in no time! I am shorter, small-boned, and have a low BMR (basal metabolic rate). What advantages could I possibly see in being short, and not able to eat as much as my husband, since I do LOVE food and could easily eat as much as he does?

Here are a some food benefits that I found I have, as a portion-limited, vertically-challenged, horizontally-inclined, way over 40 female:

1) I won't get bored with foods as easily, since I can't eat as much of them. I can spread them out over a longer period of time!

2) Food prep is more convenient for me Since my portions are smaller, I can spend less time in prepping my meals for work because I don't need as much!

3) It's so much cheaper for me to eat! 1500 calories vs. 2600 calories per day definitely adds up over time and an extra 1100 calories a day turns into big money quickly!

4) I have less likelihood of dental disease because with less food in my mouth, there is less exposure to bacteria-feeding foods and sugars.

5) What one meal at a restaurant is for other larger people, can be 2 - 3 meals for me, lots of yummy leftovers! 

6) I will be more able to survive the apocalypse because my caloric requirements to stay alive are much smaller than for someone with a 6"2 frame and a raging BMR.

See what I did there? I can pull out some viable benefits from what formerly looked to be an extremely unfair situation. And I can do this with so many other scenarios that I run into. It does take a conscious effort to think about what advantages there are in what looks to be a horrible deal of the deck. But once you start looking at things this way, you will begin to start living your life differently and start taking the things that have been thrown your way and make them work for you. Everything can be used as a stepping stone if you can but look at it that way! 

C.S. Lewis stated it this way, "It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it." I love that statement! Call it a disadvantage if you want to, but the way you deal with it will make all the difference!

Practice: Take a perceived mishap or disadvantage this week and list at least 4 ways where you see it could become a real advantage!  

 Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. 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!  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! (Affiliate links welcome!)   

Good's Enemy + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

On my last "My Post Monday", I was pondering about how personality disorders and mental illnesses affect everyone involved. One of the most common of these is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It stems from an obsession with being perfect. It's so sad because it robs the victim of time, satisfaction, self-esteem, and happiness. Of course, it's great to be good at something. It's great to be excellent at something, and there are even times to be perfect at something. But my experience is that getting something done at all requires letting go of some things so the task can be completed. 

Being chronically late is one symptom of OCD. One tries to get ready as perfectly as possible, it never seems to be achieved, and then comes the never-ending late arrival, or the arrival that never happens. I dealt with it as a kid, and now as an adult. Two different members of my family. Not myself, mind you, someone close to me. As a result, I am always late or going ahead because I don't want to be late. But I am affected by the symptom.

So often we are reaching for that perfect event, evening, dress, dessert, party, or whatever it might be. When it falls short of our expectations, we discount it as a failure! Is the picture above anything short of gorgeous?  I would go to a party held here. And especially this time of year! I'd be trying to take a peek out of that top window! Yet look at all of the "flaws!" Flaws are what make us unique, gorgeous, and US! Celebrate difference and perceived imperfections! We're all amazing!

Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. 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!  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! (Affiliate links welcome!)   

Unencumbered + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Posts

Something that has been on my mind lately is the many personality disorders that one can end up having. There have been several that have affected me personally over the years. We have OCD, narcissism (which is more than posting lots of selfies on Instagram), Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar disorder, and many other dis-orders. All of them are deviations of what is considered to be a healthy, normal outlook on life and the coinciding behaviors.

This is OCD Awareness Week, and I'm definitely aware of how much it affects the one who has the disorder as well as the ones living with the person. Not fun. But all of these disorders have to stem from somewhere and that's my quandary. Where do they come from? What causes the disorder in the first place? Are they hereditary, learned, or randomly affecting different individuals with no connection to either genes or environment?

I do believe that childhood is the most prolific learning period in our individual human development. And it is paramount that a child receives the proper modeling, care, nurturing, and everything else to ensure that they have as healthy a mind as they do body. 

I've often stated that we are all on the spectrum of different mental illnesses and/or deficiencies. I know that I am probably undiagnosed but register on the spectrum with several stress-related conditions, as well as other disorders. But I can only try and manage my symptoms. I choose to do that with natural methods. Heaven help me if I decided to go on opiates or other self medicating rituals. I have an addictive personality, as evidenced by my 'Design Home' addiction! (Shoutout to all my 'Design Homies!)

In honor of OCD week, I want to find out a little bit more about different mental disorders and how I might better understand them and those who struggle with them! May you have a mentally unencumbered week!
 
Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. 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!  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! (Affiliate links welcome!)   

Love Will Win! + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

This morning my husband greeted me with the horrible news of the Las Vegas massacre. I couldn't believe that yet another earth-shaking tragedy has occurred and this is one that no one can blame on global warming. By recent accounts, the perpetrator was seen as an ordinary guy, with a few excusable vices, like gambling. What made his mind snap after his gambling binge in Vegas? Or was it simply a cold, calculated, murderous rampage, with his own demise signaling the end of the horror? I couldn't help but cry as I saw the videos of helpless people not knowing what to do and frozen in fear as they were systematically being gunned down by this lunatic. So many of them were heroes and even gave their lives while protecting others.

There has been an upswing in unbelievable kinds of tragedies in the last year alone. What on earth is going on? I guess the best thing anyone can do is be prepared. Prepared for what though? If you don't know exactly what is going to transpire at anytime or anyplace. what do you prepare for? The best thing I can prepare is my state of mind. I need to prepare my mind to realize that I might not be around as long as I might think or, if I am, the possibility of not around in the way I thought I would be.

What are the things I would like to leave behind? For one thing, I feel like I need to perform more service. I don't want my world to be limited by what I see behind my screen. I need to look around at the people in my own neighborhood and city, and try to make a difference there. I'd like to make a renewed effort to be of more service wherever I can. My feeble attempts at donations and prayers are fine, but there are opportunities right where I am! I may not change the world, but I may change my own life and make it better by making others' lives better. 

Image - Nate Burnett

And why would I do something like that? Because I don't believe that this life is a dead-end. I don't believe that once you are dead, that is it. I believe life goes on and I don't believe that the evolution of man means that my own life's evolution is done with the end of my life. I believe in the human spirit. I believe in accountability to a higher power. And I believe that my service to my fellow beings is also simultaneously in the service of my God. It does take work and it does take intention. And these tragic events are making me more intentional with what I want to do.

These tragedies are changing people. They are either making them more hateful and vindictive or they are making them more determined to do good and be prepared. I know which one I intend to be. One of these days, the world will be governed by one entity. And that entity will be love! The best thing I can do now, even in the face of evil and tragedy is practice, practice, practice. Practice doing good, for love will win in the end!

Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. 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!  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! (Affiliate links welcome!)  

Things That May Wreck Your Health + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

I'm as interested in my health as anyone! I know what it feels like to not have your health and I much prefer having it as long as I possibly can. So I really try and do the things that will help me keep it. For instance, I exercise regularly, I take supplements that have high absorption levels. I get enough rest, avoid stress when possible, drink filtered water but not bottled water, and try and get social interaction on a regular basis, which takes a bit of work, since I'm an admitted reclusive extrovert!

But it seems that if one is too dialed into health newsletters, health mags, and health sites, you can be inundated with credible and non-credible information all posted together and it can drive you crazy trying to figure it all out. If you tend to be OCD, it will definitely drive you to new levels of obsessive behavior.

For instance, DON'T, under any circumstances, shower with your eyes or mouth open because of contaminants in the water. Anything from farm waste, toxic algae, to drug resistant bacteria can come out of your showerhead, so please be warned!

Don't forget the mold monster hiding behind the walls in your house, under your flooring, and in your shower. If you breathe in too much of his toxic vapor, you will succumb and be infected with diseases like parkinson's, and symptoms that can mimic cancer! Where is it found? Basically, everywhere. To test for it's existence, pay anywhere from $305 to $1167 on average!

And before you buy regular table salt from the store, please consider the following: It contains fragments of plastic. Yes, toxic plastic! From what source? Plastic water bottles, of course!  (source)

Love to eat sushi? I do! (At least I did....) Don't be too eager to go out to sushi because eating raw fish of any kind may put you at risk of getting parasites! Mainly in the form of tiny worms, these little critters can cause you to get bad cramps, and a combination of distress in your intestinal tract. So think before you indulge! (source)

And let's not forget about rice. Rice is said to have multiple chemical residuals, after harvesting, from harmful pesticides. Rice is causing Arsenic poisoning and wrecking the health of millions of people. But the good news is you can soak your rice overnight before cooking it. That will take out almost 80% of the arsenic.

Ok, I'm going to stop right now before I get myself into a self-induced, paranoid, stress attack. I can really understand how people can become agoraphobic! 

You know the thing that wrecks your health more than anything? Worrying about the latest thing that could wreck your health! My own peace of mind and stress levels dictate that I continue my reasonably good health practices and not worry too much about what experts say may be lurking out there trying to wreck my health. Except, maybe I WILL rinse my rice, avoid raw fish in the sushi, buy different table salt, test for mold, and keep my mouth shut when I shower!