Month April 2016

Getting Back Smiles

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Getting Back Smiles

Smile quote.jpg

Just check out those cheeks. There is nothing better than a chubby baby smile.

 

Smiles are powerful. They say so much about how a person is feeling. A smile is a true reflection of one’s reaction to what’s going on at the moment.

I love to watch smiles spread across the faces of my children because it tells me exactly how they are feeling. It is fun to watch their sheepish grins, when they know something funny is happening but they shouldn’t laugh, or when they are embarrassed by praise for a job well-done. When they smile so big they cannot talk, I know they have been up to something. These are the most entertaining grins. While I don’t always have a smile Continue reading “Getting Back Smiles” →

The Big Deal About Bargains

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The Big Deal About Bargains

Bargain Outfits

This morning was like any other morning. I pieced together what I would wear based on what was clean and trying to not duplicate any other outfits worn previously this week. The outfit in the image is what I chose.

Much to my surprise, many of my colleagues and students complimented me on my attire. It made me feel good to know that my appearance was pleasing, but the most exciting part was that I got to tell them how every item I had on was a bargain find. The pants and necklace were both $5.00 finds at Continue reading “The Big Deal About Bargains” →

Listen to the voice in your heart

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Listen to the voice in your heart.

Rumi quote

My message today is a simple one. Find some peace in your day and seek out the messages that your heart is sending to your mind.

Listen carefully.

You can’t help but find positive purpose for your energy when you allow peace into your intentions.

By: Melanie A. Peters

Lemons and Crap: Gifts of Life

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Lemons and Crap: Gifts of Life

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Seven years ago my husband and I had a one year-old daughter with RSV, a turkey farm with no contract or turkeys to raise, I was suffering from complications following a ruptured gall bladder, and my school district was down trodden from all sorts of issues. To cheer me up my good friend and fellow teacher, Terri, gave me a card. The front of the card read: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” The inside said: “When life hands you a big pile of crap. Don’t make anything. (Trust me!)”

I loved that card and I still really enjoy thinking about its message.

Life can send some real stinkers our way. I love to think we can always make something sweet from our circumstances, but there are always exceptions to the rule.

If you are experiencing one of those times, when you just don’t know what to do with what life hands you, take the advice of my greeting card. Don’t do anything.

I am not saying check out permanently. Rather than running yourself ragged to fix something you can’t fix, step back. Look for alternate solutions or resources to find assistance. Consider taking a different path.

Just because that big ol’ pile of poo is staring you in the face, doesn’t mean you have to pick it up.

We are all going to find ourselves in stinky situations and we all have to work through them, but we also have to realize when it is time to step away.

Beautify your life through your intentions and choose to not wallow in the muck of bad luck or negativity.

By: Melanie A. Peters

April Showers – Refresh Your Outlook

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April Showers – Refresh Your Outlook

The month of April is known for its dramatic weather patterns. Rain storms and showers are the norm and are needed to give the growing season a boost.

For spring athletes the rain can be problematic because it causes rain delays and game postponements. Farmers who need the precipitation are frustrated by rain (after a while) because they are hampered by the mud and muck that makes fields and pastures too soggy to plant or feed OR they are out-of-sorts because there is too little precipitation to kick-start their crops. Teachers wish the rain away because their students need time outdoors to burn some energy.

Today don’t wish away those springtime showers. If you are lucky enough to have a rainy day, be grateful for the nourishing and sustaining drops that fall around you. Enjoy the pitter patter on your roof or windows. Embrace the power of the lightening and thunder.

All of these things are miracles. We would not have those May flowers, if it were not for these April showers. Refresh your outlook and look forward to the rain and all it brings.

By: Melanie A. Peters

April’s Positivity Challenge

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April’s Positivity Challenge is to commit one kind act a day.

April 2016 image

Check out the Monthly Positivity Challenge tab on the Intentergy Home Page any time this month or the list of ideas below. Try to spread the wealth of positivity and charity today!

The first 36 ideas can be done anonymously. Giving anonymously is giving greatly. Give it a try.

  1. Fill the paper trays of the copies or printers at work
  2. Leave change in a vending machine, car wash, or laundry mat for the next person to find
  3. Post smiley face sticky-note somewhere to brighten the day of someone who comes across it
  4. Pick up trash around your office, a parking lot, park, or school
  5. Find pictures of neighborhood kids or co-workers in the local newspaper from the sports or community accomplishments sections. Cut out the clips and send them to them so they can see themselves in print.
  6. Buy a bunch of flowers at the supermarket and pass them out to strangers
  7. Leave a nice note with your tip for a server or service person
  8. Donate old toys, clothes, or blankets to local preschool
  9. Donate old clothes or homegoods to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or any other organization that sells good to fund their work
  10. Leave a waterbottle or soda for a co-worker or classmate to refresh their day
  11. Take part in community clean-up
  12. Leave change in collection jars at check outs to benefit local charities
  13. Pick up trays/plates in lunchroom or restaurant
  14. Rehang or shelve fallen items at store
  15. Leave a scratch off ticket or fortune cookie for someone (You just might bring them some needed luck)
  16. Leave a funny bookmark in a book at the library or in the magazine at the doctor office
  17. Donate items to food bank collections at grocery store
  18. Pick up fallen sticks from neighbor’s yards or the park
  19. Make chew toys out of old t-shirts and donate them to the local animal shelter
  20. Participate in a charity 5K or Color Run
  21. Donate blood or platelets at a Red Cross blood drive
  22. Donate clean, plastic grocery bags to daycares or churches for their picnics (These are so helpful for daycare dirty clothes and carry-outs at church meals.)
  23. Carry groceries, books, or boxes to a car or inside for someone
  24. Push carts into cart corrals or into the store
  25. Be generous with chocolate. Pass out chocolate hugs and/or kisses
  26. Hold doors open for others
  27. Write letters or donate to care package collections for soldiers
  28. Compliment a parent in a restaurant or store on their children (Parents need this!)
  29. Give a recommendation for a person or business. Word of mouth recommendations are the best support someone or a business can get.
  30. Let someone in during busy traffic
  31. In a crowded situation, give an elderly person or a parent with small children have your seat
  32. Leave a positive comment card when you receive good service
  33. Leave fresh crayons or coloring pages at the doctor office or in a waiting area
  34. Save and donate box tops, soup labels, soda tabs for local schools
  35. Leave money-saving coupons on items in the grocery store
  36. Request a happy song on the radio. This could improve the day of A LOT of people
  37. Take out the trash or empty the dishwasher
  38. Pull garden weeds or help spread mulch on flower beds
  39. Take time to color with a little kid
  40. Clean out or wash the car of a loved one
  41. Volunteer in a classroom, library, hospital, or food pantry
  42. Let someone you love pick what you watch on tv today
  43. Visit a nursing home or homebound individuals
  44. Send thank you cards
  45. Compliment 10 people today
  46. Greet and talk to support staff members that usually go unnoticed (i.e. janitor, cafeteria worker, secretary, lawn staff, delivery person)
  47. Post a positive message on your social media or through a text message
  48. Go to a game, concert, or performance to support a friend or loved one
  49. Leave your phone off during meals or family time
  50. Buy from a kid who is participating in a fundraiser (i.e. buy raffle tickets, popcorn, cookies, candy, candle, calendars, etc.)
  51. Participate in dress up days or carry-in meals at your work or school (This shows support for those who work hard to organize these events.)
  52. Adopt individuals in third-world countries through programs such as UNICEF and Unbound
  53. Share a pack of gum or mints with co-workers and classmates
  54. Write a letter of recommendation for someone
  55. Use your talents to help your church, school, or community. Sing, build, draw, sell, write, or organize in ways that will help

By: Melanie A. Peters

“It ain’t over ’til it’s over”

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“It ain’t over ’til it’s over” – Yogi Berra

Yogi Berra It Aint Over.jpg

Yogi Berra was known for his baseball logic. Most of what Yogi had to say was common sense but his words always possessed an underlying lesson for athletes and philosophers alike.

“It ain’t over ’til it’s over” is a statement that applies in most any situation.

You may be down in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, but there is always that chance that a run is waiting to be scored.

In our professional or educational endeavors, we may feel like it’s over, but we always have a chance to get back into the action with another swing or an assist from a teammate.

Sometimes in relationships things are over, but you are still in the game of being loved and loving someone else. Give yourself a chance to find a winning strategy for successful relationships and you will find things far from over. Mr. Berra is also known for saying, “If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” That willingness to keep trying just might land you in a relationship that exceeds your expectations and brings greater love and value to your life.

An open heart and mind keeps us in the game. Put your energy into actively focusing on the positive and your successes will definitely be outnumber your losses.

By: Melanie A. Peters

Kids who run the wrong direction

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Kids who run the wrong direction

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When a kid runs to third base instead of first, it is funny to those watching, but to the runner it is a mad dash for what appears to be safety. Those comic missteps translate into solid learning experiences for life.

We frequently find ourselves running blindly for what appears to be the right destination.

Yes, others may laugh at us. Yes, we may be tagged out because of our blunder, but we have learned something. We have discovered the right direction.

Today forgive yourself for a time when you ran in the wrong direction or share a humorous story with someone about a misstep that you made. Laughing at yourself is very healthy and can point your energy in a very positive direction.

By: Melanie A. Peters