Category Choices

Who is bawling?

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Who is bawling?

via Daily Prompt: Panic

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Even though humans have a hard time telling which calf belongs to what cow, those mama cows know their babies. Their cries are distinctive.

This mama had been grazing calmly and slowly, making her way across the pasture, when the first cry of a calf near the woods rang out. She stopped, lifted her head, and gazed in the direction of the cry.

After a few more pleading sounds were heard, she put her head back down and went back to foraging for the best grass. Off in the distance, you could hear the desperate call of another mama. That call was no different to me from any other cow, but I guarantee that crying calf knew who was making that racket.

A short time later both moos stopped, and I was assured that the lost calf had found its mother.

We, human parents, are no different. When our child laughs or cries on the playground, we know who it is that made those sounds. I can tell exactly which of my children is in the snack cabinet by the noises that come from the kitchen. I know which of my kiddos has just come into the house by the sound of their steps and how the door shuts (or slams in some cases). Our ears are trained to know when our loved ones are calling out for us. It is a very sensitive thing. Continue reading “Who is bawling?” →

You Are Enough – Wise Words Wednesday

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You are Enough – Wise Words Wednesday via Daily Prompt: Value

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Often the greatest struggle in life is finding value in ourselves. I know I find it a lot easier to give compliments than to recieve them. Why is that?

Why do we question our own value? How is it that we find loving ourselves to be so hard to do. Clearly, we are loveable.

Here are the wise words for you to put into effect in your life:

You are Enough

You are one of God’s unique and valuable creations. You are special, talented, smart, and priceless.

If you ever doubt your worth or your ability to live up to expectations, remember: You are Enough.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. This might have been a little bit of a personal pep talk, but it is one we can all benefit from.

Band-aids Only Cover Up the Hurt

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Band-aids Only Cover Up the Hurt

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We have a “No Blood = No Band-aid” rule at my house. I know this sounds kind of mean but my kids would go through a box of band-aids every day, if I didn’t enforce this.

There is something about covering up a boo-boo that seems to make it feel better but does the cover-up really help?

I am as guilty as anyone about covering up my hurts with busy work or eating chocolate. Sometimes I feel the need to lash out because of my shortcomings or put up a front when I just don’t know what to do in a situation. These are my behavior band-aids.

Think about the ways you cover up hurt in your life. Is it food? Alcohol? Shopping? Unhealthy relationships? What do you do to fill the empty spaces in your heart?  Continue reading “Band-aids Only Cover Up the Hurt” →

Dirt Don’t Hurt

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Dirt Don’t Hurt

dirt-dont-hurt

The expression, “God made the dirt and dirt don’t hurt,” is one that I have heard a lot since childhood. Now that I am doing my darndest to provide my children with a quality upbringing, I have to let the dirt fly sometimes.

This spot of loose sand and dirt brought so much joy to my three kiddos (and the puppy), while hubby and I took care of a water and weeds problem. Too many weeds, too little water for the cows.

They loved making mountains out of the powdery gravel and watching it filter through their fingers and toes. Pretending to cast spells and watching their sandy smoke fall was another magical practice. Seeing how dusty they could get our poor dog was another favorite challenge. While the dirt was flying, so were their imaginations and laughter. It felt so good to watch them be KIDS. Continue reading “Dirt Don’t Hurt” →

Advice From Cavers

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Advice From Cavers

cave-advice

This sign hangs in the Visitors’ Center at Onondaga Cave State Park near the entrance of the Onondaga Cave.

The message is simple. It asks those that visit the cave to make memories there and not destroy future opportunities for others.

I love this message!

It is a terrific reminder that when we slow down, capture moments in our hearts, and appreciate what is in front of us, we leave opportunity for the future.

When we treat opportunities, like the ones provided by the caves with respect and appreciation, we present ourselves with greater understanding of what miracles are available to us. By dedicating time to experience what is beautiful in our world, we make our lives more beautiful. queens-throne-room

The memories we made visiting that cave are so special to me. My children and husband love talking about what we saw and did.It was a fantastic experience. I am excited to visit more caves so that we can compare and reminisce on what we  have seen and done. I like to think that these explorations will leave happy and memorable footprints on the hearts of my family.

Today take time to reminisce on fond memories of your own or make new ones with someone you love. Leave a positive footprint where you tread and make sure the time you kill is well spent.

 

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My son checking out the newest formations in the Lilly Pad Room at Onondaga Cave

By: Melanie A. Peters

 

Providing Feedback – Do you do it?

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Providing Feedback – Do you do it?

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Surveys, questionnaires, feedback forms are all ways that stores, doctors, businesses, and schools try to get your opinion on their services. Do you respond to these?

I personally get a kick out of completing surveys.

Yes, some ask the same question over and over. Yes, I complete some surveys because I was unhappy with service I received. Yes, I know giving feedback is a way for businesses and advertisers to “track” me so that they can send me more emails and ads, but I’m ok with it.

Giving feedback is a terrific tool for sharing your voice. It is a way to help businesses provide better service for their clients. It is a way to get free stuff (sometimes).

When I worked in retail, I LOVED getting a nice comment card. It really made my day to hear that I helped someone in some way. It frustrated me (probably more than most), when we received a negative card. It was like a personal hit to my work ethic and efforts, even thought I probably could not have done anything to stop or improve the situation, I always took their words to heart.

Keeping my own experience in mind, I do take the time to complete surveys for customer service associates who help or provide great service. I also take time to complete surveys when service is poor. That negative associate may be costing the company money or alienating people who need the services provided by that business.

Let me give you an example. Continue reading “Providing Feedback – Do you do it?” →

Happiness is an Inside Job – Wise Words Wednesday

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Happiness is an Inside Job – Wise Words Wednesday

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The more I teach, write, pray, and live, the more I realize that happiness really does come from within. Perspective anchors everything. When we face the daily encounters of life, our perspective magnifies our happiness or sadness.

It is easy for me to write, “Oh, let’s all be happy all the time.” Is is not so easy to physically do so. That’s ok.

We are only human. We have emotions. We have guilt. We have hurt. We have anger. We have confusion. We have imperfections. We also have perspective that comes from within ourselves.

While you may have some negative aspects to your day, take a moment to refocus your perspective. Direct your energy to a brighter, more grateful outlook. Channeling your perspective to the thankful and appreciative light will enhance the joy you feel in your life. Allowing the good to shine in your perspective will strengthen the happiness in your heart. Continue reading “Happiness is an Inside Job – Wise Words Wednesday” →

Communication is necessary. No bull!

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Communication is necessary. No Bull!

No Bull - communicate

For a while my husband has been looking for a balancer bull to round out our herd of Red Angus cattle. He had mentioned a few times that he found some nice looking Charolais or other breeds but I told him we raise Red Angus and I had no real interest in any crossbreeds.

Low and behold at dinner one evening, my husband announced that our new bulls and heifers would be delivered the next day. The kids were excited. I was confused. When did we buy new bulls or heifers?

He went on to tell the kids that they were going to get some pretty, new white cows. He didn’t look me in the eye. I didn’t want any white cows. We raise Red Angus!

I didn’t say anything. I just began to clear the dinner table. After dinner we finished up another crazy evening of dishes, homework, baths, and bedtime. I was too exhausted to bring up our new white cows.

The next day the Charolais arrived as promised. We took our excited kiddos to see them in the lot. The kids named them and asked questions and fought over who got to open and close the gate. I didn’t say much. We raise Red Angus.

Each night we continued to check the white cows and the red cows. The kids continued to be excited. I continued to be silent. Life was too busy to talk about those stupid, white cows.  Continue reading “Communication is necessary. No bull!” →

No Open Doors for Old Ways – Wise Words Wednesday

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No Open Doors for Old Ways – Wise Words Wednesday

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While change is the only constant thing in our lives, we often find changing ourselves to be one of the hardest.

Consider what aspect or element of your life could use a new approach. Open your heart and mind to the possibilities change could bring.

If a problem area for you is spending too much, slow down your cash flow and open a new savings plan.

If gossip is your go-to vice, find ways to redirect your focus. Find pleasure in the gifts of daily life in place of the downfall or tragedy of others. Open your conversation to positive and insightful messages instead of rumors or “he said/she said.”

If you need to find a healthier lifestyle, start small and work your way to a new you. Maybe just drink more water and less soda or save the change that you would normally put into a vending machine and deposit it into a savings account or the basket at church on Sunday every week.

Find a way to become the you that you are glad to have come through the door.

By: Melanie A. Peters

 

Labels That Tell Us What To Do

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Labels That Tell Us What To Do

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I am shocked at what labels have to tell consumers to do.

Have we forgotten how to think for ourselves? Is problem-solving a skill that has gone by the wayside? Are candy wrappers really that difficult to open?

I guess the answer to all of these questions is, “Yes.”

I don’t think it is “Yes” because we can’t problem solve but because we are so over-stimulated that we can’t slow down long enough to open the darn candy bar.

Earlier this summer I wrote about my son’s inability to see a simple solution to spilling his milk because he was too concerned about getting in trouble. (Just Get a Towel) We all suffer from those moments when we know we should have the answer but it just won’t come to us.

Everyday tasks, like opening candy bars, become wrestling matches between our brains and our hands. It takes a whole lot of energy to get our brain to pin our hands down onto what needs to be done. It is exhausting, because the entire time you just want that yummy, chocolatey snack, your brain is being tag-teamed by all the other decisions and problems of your day.  Continue reading “Labels That Tell Us What To Do” →