Month January 2019

“Like There’s No Such Thing As a Broken Heart”: Lyrics to Live By

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broken heart

Rarely is there a day goes by that Old Dominion’s “No Such Thing as a Broken Heart”  isn’t played on the radio. (At least I hear it almost every day.)  Every time the track plays, I feel like they are singing right to me.

What songs out there grab you this way?

There are so many positive elements to this song that I don’t know if I could effectively convey its power in one post so I’m going to just give the chorus some attention here.

“You can’t keep the ground from shaking, no matter how hard you try, you can’t keep the sunsets from fading, you gotta treat your love like you’re jumping off a rope swing maybe ’cause the whole thing is really just a shot in the dark.” Continue reading ““Like There’s No Such Thing As a Broken Heart”: Lyrics to Live By” →

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A Mercury Monday

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sky space telescope universe

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

One day on Mercury lasts 1,407 hours 30 minutes and 14 seconds…

Every Monday on Mercury lasts almost 1,408 hours!

If your Monday burnt away your patience or circled slower than Mercury around the sun, here is a reminder to propel you back on a positive orbit.

You survived this trip around the sun.

You made it.

It took you 24 hours, but you made it.

Be grateful that you were successful in 1,384 fewer hours than it took poor Mercury to get through its Monday.

 

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. I kept this message short – like a Monday on Earth.

365 Reminders – Wise Words Wednesday

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365 reasons

Maybe it’s the weather, or the new year, or taxes, or this darn head cold, but I have really been fearful lately. I find lingering doubts and worries popping up in my mind and permeating the corners of my heart.

There isn’t any one thing that my fears are focused on, but a lot of little things hindering my happiness.

Worry about friends who are ill. Worry about those who’ve lost loved ones recently. Worry about my own children’s health. Worry about my kids and getting along with others. Worry about being the best wife and mom I can be. Worry about meeting the needs of my students. Worry about our late library books. Worry about what to make for supper. Worry that I just know I am forgetting something… Silly, silly worries.

For all the millions of things I have to worry about, there is one number that packs a powerfully positive punch…365.

The phrase “do not be afraid” is written in the Bible 365 times. Continue reading “365 Reminders – Wise Words Wednesday” →

Explaining Dr. King to My Children

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mlk jr. quote

My two older kiddos have read the I Am Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. book and have had numerous lessons about the way he changed the world, but my 5-year-old had some questions about why he didn’t go to school today.

mlk jr

A terrific book on the life and times of Dr. King

The simple answer was we didn’t go to school today because we are remembering and honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

His question in return, “Why?”

Well, where do I start?

I told my son about how African-Americans were not treated equally in America and how Martin Luther King Jr. was a smart and kind man, who tried to get people to work together so that everyone was treated equally. He wanted his children to grow up to have the opportunities all others had. He didn’t want people to have to live in fear of being beaten or left out because of how they looked. Dr. King preached about how peace could and would bring about change if only everyone would open their hearts to its healing powers. He asked people to respond with kindness and understanding instead of anger and hitting. His ideas gave us wonderful guidance as to the ways we should treat one another and resolve our issues.

“Oh, okay,” was my son’s simple reply.

Later my two older kiddos were fighting and my youngest son yelled, “Hey, we are out of school because Marting Luther King says we have to stop fighting! So stop fighting” Continue reading “Explaining Dr. King to My Children” →

The Hands of Time are Not Ours

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Photo by Giallo on Pexels.com

As I enjoyed my recent hair appointment, my hairdresser Abby inspired me (per the usual) with what she had to say about how silly people are sometimes.

Abby is expecting her first child in March.
(She is going to be an amazing mom!)

Anyway…

Abby shared with me that many have expressed distress at her nonchalant manner for addressing when the baby comes and how she is going to handle the demands of her hair clients. She has already made plans to stop taking appointments around her due date and has set an ideal timeline for her return. She has not allowed herself to stress too much if the baby comes early or is a little late. Abby knows that babies come when they are ready and her hope is to be as ready as she can be without letting the trims, perms, and highlights of her customers put a damper on the delivery.

“God has a way of reminding us it’s not in our hands. It’s all in His timing,” Abby told me, “He has sent me that reminder many times.”

Her words rang true to me and reverberated with the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time.
He has also set eternity in the human heart;
yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

These words are embossed on the cover of the journal I used to document my experiences as hubby and I embarked on our journey through fertility treatments, loss, and my unexpected and completely natural pregnancies that resulted in the three crazy kiddos we have today. God really does have beautiful timing. Continue reading “The Hands of Time are Not Ours” →

Dolly Parton, will you have lunch with me? – Sincerely, Intentergy

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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – FEBRUARY 05: Actress/musician Dolly Parton attends the 24th Annual Movieguide Awards Gala at Universal Hilton Hotel on February 5, 2016 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)

Dear Dolly Parton,

I am writing to invite you to join me for lunch when it’s convenient for you, of course.

I write a positivity blog in Central Missouri, and without a doubt, you are one of the most inspiring individuals I can think of. Lunch with you would fulfill a great need I have for finding sources of positive influence to share with others. There are so many questions I would love to ask you and stories I think you would enjoy about how your music and words have aided in shaping my life and others I know.

“9 to 5” is my favorite song to sing with my kids. They love you because I have played your music for them since before they were born. There is not a happier sound than their sweet voices ringing out with, “Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen…”

“Coat of Many Colors” is a song I am ashamed to admit that I often struggle to listen to all the way because it is a story that I can relate to well and the raw beauty of its tale rings true in the Lord’s calling to take pride in all we have and the messages founded in the Good Book.

To break up with me, my first boyfriend simply left a message to listen to “I Will Always Love You” and then a quick good-bye. While I know you sweetly wrote that song for Porter Wagoner, it was a bittersweet song for my 16-year-old self. However, it is one that has served in so many arenas for so many people. The fact that you wrote it is proof that you are a source of true inspiration and powerful influence. An influence that I would love to tap into.

Not only has your music touched me, but your generous efforts in the aftermath of the terrible fires that swept through the mountains of Tennessee and the tremendous ways you aid education are fuel for finding greater ways to serve others.

Your humor and honesty are so refreshing. Your laughter, I am certain, is a sound that makes even the angels rejoice. Honesty, humor, and laughter are all things I encourage in my daily encounters and writing. Please give me a chance to experience your contributions first hand.

This letter is the first of a series I plan to write to those I find inspiring. As I respect, admire, and aspire to be like you, there was no doubt that you HAD to be my first lunch invite!

Thank you for your time and consideration. You are truly one of my heroes.

All my best,
Melanie A. Peters
Intentergy’s Source
http://www.intentergy.com
Email: intentergynow@gmail.com

P.S. When I sat in RCA Studio B and sang on the Grand Ole Opry stage, it wasn’t Elvis’ spirit I tried to conjure. It was Dolly Parton’s.

 

The Power of Silence – Wise Words Wednesday

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unresponsive

The Silent Treatment can be one of the most painful treatments known to man or woman. Nothing hurts more than when we do not receive a response after asking a question or requesting an answer.

Recently my son tried to tell me a joke (It was actually like 300 hundred jokes and by joke 301 I was done.) After politely telling him I was tired of “laughing so much” and that I needed some quiet time, the jokes kept coming.

I would also like to interject that they were the jokes of a 5-year-old and revolved mostly around farts, butts, and “dummy heads.” So instead of replying to his 301st joke, I ignored him and focused solely on driving home, while he drove me crazy.

Well, this did not stop his attempts. In fact, it made him shout the desperate and increasingly unfunny jokes. With no response from me, anger took over his humor and he began kicking my seat. There was clearly nothing funny about this show on the road.

We were almost home when the kicking started. As soon as we hit the driveway, I put the car in park. I turned around and asked my now-fuming 5-year-old, “Why are you kicking my seat?”

“You didn’t listen to my jokes,” was his angry answer.

“I listened to your jokes for the last 45 minutes. You didn’t listen to me when I asked for some quiet time. What gives you the right to kick my seat?”

“You didn’t listen to my jokes,” he repeated, losing steam.

“I listened to each and every one of them. You didn’t give me a choice not to. Now I am asking you to make the choice to stop kicking my seat and give the jokes a rest,” I snipped back at him.

“But you didn’t say anything when I told you jokes,” he whined.

“I was giving you the silent treatment so I could have some silence,” I explained.

“You’re mean, Mommy,” was all he said in reply.

Silence followed (for about 1 minute). Continue reading “The Power of Silence – Wise Words Wednesday” →

Thank Goodness for First World Problems

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In this weekend’s snowstorm, the power flickered, the internet and satellite tv went down, and the roads were too treacherous to go anywhere (most places were closed anyway). Based on many Facebook posts, Tweets, and my children’s behavior, one would believe the snowpolocypse had indeed arrived. Losing these luxuries was simple proof that we are blessed to have such silly first world problems.

I said a small prayer of thanks that these were our biggest problems. I added a prayer of petition for the safety of the farmers, road crews, and first responders still out working in the hazardous conditions. We are so lucky to have these people serving our communities.

I also reflected on a recent phone conversation with my friend Kary.

She has taken over the Random Acts of Kindness Club at Fatima High School and we were discussing some opportunities for community service projects. Kary was excited about the contacts I shared with her and the ideas we came up with, but she shared that there has been a bit of a problem with getting a great turnout from her group members. “They are all just so busy with sports, jobs, friends, and other things,” she said, “All these kids are good kids; they just have too much going on.” I agreed that it was a problem, but at least we could be grateful that it was our biggest problem for the club.

“It’s just another first world problem,” I told her and she laughed. Continue reading “Thank Goodness for First World Problems” →

Who Would You Like to Have Lunch With?

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lunch series

If you had the chance to have lunch with any living person,
who would it be?

If there were no restrictions on time or distance, who would you like to have for a lunch date?

Seriously, it doesn’t matter if they are famous, close to you or far away, rich, poor, good, or bad.

Who would you love to share one lunch with?
Why do you want to eat with them?
What would you ask them? What would you tell them?
What impact have they made on your life that inspired the invitation?
Where would you eat?

I’m dying to know who and why you want to have lunch with that person!

I have been working on some posts to people with whom I would like to have lunch.

Some of the guests on my invite list are famous; some are not-so-famous. As time passes, I am certain that there will be others I will want to invite, but for now, I have five individuals to whom I will be extending lunch date invitations. I hope you will check out my invitation posts in the coming weeks. As each of my guests has provided inspiration to my life, I am certain they will inspire you as well.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. Please comment and share who you would like to have lunch with. Keep the invitations to those who are living. There are some conversations we just have to save for heaven.

There’s Always Something – Monthly Positivity Challenge

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always something

Shelly’s kitchen sign

Seriously, there’s always something!

Something to complain about.

Something to forget.

Something to be done.

Something to be grateful for.

My sister-in-law Shelly has a sign on her kitchen wall that says,
“There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.” 

I have always really liked that sign.

always something 3I recently received a stamp set for card making and in that set was a very similar expression. It was a welcome surprise, as I had already decided Shelly’s sign would be my inspiration this month.
(It seems this message was calling me.)

“There is always something to be thankful for.”

always something 2

My own post-it note…so I wouldn’t forget what I had read.

I know right now everyone is working on New Year’s resolutions or resolving to not make a resolution.

As you make your resolutions, consider taking time this year to write or say the things for which you are grateful.

Or for those of you avoiding New Year’s resolutions, it is always a good idea to show gratitude for the blessings in life.

“There is always something to be thankful for.”

Not too long ago on Facebook, I saw an image of a post-it note. On that post-it note, it said, “What if… today you woke up with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?”

Shoot! I’d be out of A LOT of stuff!  Continue reading “There’s Always Something – Monthly Positivity Challenge” →