Hit and Run – Wise Words Wednesday
No sane person I know likes to get hit. Most people I know run away when they get hit. Life throws a lot of punches our way but we have to keep moving.
Category Faith
The Slide Less Slid
The Slide Less Slid
At our local MacDonald’s there is a play place. This play place has two slides. The red one is really curvy. The blue one is taller and snakes around the red one.
Recently my three-year old climbed up the top of the blue slide and slid down it all by himself.
Big deal. Right? Well it was a humongous, ginormous deal. I cannot tell you how many times my two older kids, a McDonald’s employee, or I had to climb up the squishy steps, through the big plastic tunnel, over the netted bridge (that I know I am too heavy for), and bring him down kicking and crying because he was scared. It was a big deal, I tell ya.
When he arrived at the bottom of the blue slide (by himself = big deal), the smile on his face was priceless and the speed that he climbed back up for another slide was record-breaking. It was an inspiring moment.
There are so many things I remember about childhood that terrified me, but when I finally dove in, I couldn’t stop reliving the accomplishment. It was the same for my little guy. He still loves to remind me of how he slid down the blue slide, when we drive by McDonald’s. (any McDonald’s) 🙂
When we were kids, we lived on a dairy farm. At two spots in our driveway, there were cattle guards that you had to cross to get to our home. I was terrified to ride my bike over them because I kept picturing my bike and I falling into one of the spaces between the rails. My younger sister Olivia would ride her bike fast and glide right over them, but I was too afraid. I would always stop before getting to each cattle guard and walk my bike over it. Probably an act that was much more likely to end up with me between the rails, but it was my method. Eventually, I gave into Olivia’s matter-of-fact explanation for why I should just-ride-over-the-stupid-thing and made it across without incident. I found that speeding up was fun and the faster I went the smoother my crossing. Similar to my son, I hurried up to cross the cattle guard the next time.
I know speeding up isn’t the solution for most problems, but allowing yourself to jump into a solution could be what you need. If there is a problem or situation in your life that you know what you have to do to get past it, do it. Slide, ride, jump, or speak your way past whatever is holding you back. Need a little encouragement? Check out the July Positivity Challenge. It might help you build up the speed you need to slide past your problems.
What are you going to slide through today?
By: Melanie A. Peters
Burst Your Own Bubble – July Positivity Challenge
Burst Your Own Bubble – July Positivity Challenge
“Do one thing everyday that scares you.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Intentergy’s July Positivity Challenge is to burst your own bubbles of insecurity or fear. Send those inhibitions flying. Burst the barriers that hold you back from being happy with yourself or your life.
Here are a few things to try:
Get your bubbles in a row
- Make a list of the things that hold you back from participating in social or professional functions or that leave you frustrated with yourself
- Identify what events or things cause the greatest anxiety for you
- Create a picture or chart of the stressors that rule your thoughts or constantly hang in the back of your mind
Be a Bubble Brain
- Have a willingness to change your mind. When you are ready to stop dedicating your brain power to those fears, your brain will become too slippery for those thoughts to hold on; they will wash themselves away.
- Address the things you listed or drew when you were getting your bubbles in a row. Short of death, what can you do to get past those big, bad bubbles?
- Devise a plan that will help you get past those insecurities. Start with the little worries or hang ups and work your way to dispelling the bigger hindrances harbored in your heart. For example, start with your fear of trying new foods before your fear of flying. Order something new from the menu of your favorite restaurant before you tackle your fear of air planes by sky diving.
- Ask for help. There are many resources out there. Friends, family, counselors, good books, websites (like http://www.intentergy.com), and health care professionals are ready and waiting to blow away those bubbly barriers with you.
Let the wind carry it all away
- Once you have turned away an inhibition, let it go. Forgive yourself for the fear or reservations. You are always a work in progress. You will never forget the growth you experienced getting past that problem, but you can forget to let it have power over you again.
- When those bubbly burdens pop back up, breeze right on past them. Remember you popped that bubble. It can’t trap you anymore.
Be a Bubble-Busting Bad Ass
- Keep that list of fears and inhibitions handy. After the first problem is popped, move on to the next. Only you can stop yourself. They are just bubbles after all.
- Facing your fears makes you tougher. Once you have busted that first bubble, go for the second. The sky is the limit.
- Yes, some bubbles are going to be harder to wreak havoc on than others, but you’ve got this. You are a Bubble-Busting Bad Ass.
After you have kissed any bubble of doubt good-bye, you can expect to feel or see:
- After breaking past those bad feelings, bust a move! Give yourself time and energy to feel good about what you have accomplished. My favorite victory dance takes form in the eating a Hershey’s chocolate bar. 🙂
Bubbles can come back
- The bubbles will be back. Remember, you busted past that bad boy. It isn’t your barrier anymore. You are a Bubble-Busting Bad Ass.
New bubbles may pop up
- When a new fear or insecurity flies at you, take aim at what you need to do to get past it. You have conquered other fears and doubts, the new ones are no different. Do not let them hold you back or cage you in. Forgive yourself when you feel like your fears have won. You are always a work in progress. Just keep poppin’ away.
Put your energy into blowing away the insecurities that float your direction. When it comes to shooting down those shortcomings, put positivity into your intent and your nervousness and worries can’t help but to simply dissolve away.
By: Melanie A. Peters
Overalls and a Pocket Watch
Overalls and a Pocket Watch
Grandpa Frank in his overalls
I guess Father’s Day and this time of year make my memories of my grandpa’s overalls and pocket watch much more vivid.
My husband, father, and father-in-law do a terrific job of showing my children and myself what it is to be a father and a real man, but my Grandpa Frank had a very special way of filling both those jobs.
My Grandpa always wore overalls and a white t-shirt. It was his daily uniform, unless it was church or a special occasion. If it were a special occasion, you could count on him to be in a dress shirt, slacks, and a tie, and he always wore aftershave. Once is a great while, I will pass someone and smell that same aftershave. My heart does a little dance with the happy memory of him.
Grandpa was a farmer.
He was a successful farmer. He knew his land and his animals and he did his best to care for them. We all fought for turns to ride with Grandpa in the tractor or the dump truck. He always let us sneak sips of water from his watercooler. He filled it every morning with ice and water from the fridge so by midday it was the perfect temperature.
Grandpa used to joke that he, “worked harder farming after he retired than he ever did before he retired.” It took me a while to understand that the toll of farming was greater on him as he grew older and the farming operation got larger.
Grandpa was a provider.
A huge garden was put out and tended by my grandpa each spring. We all helped with the harvesting and putting up the vegetables. We could count on having corn, green beans, beets, potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes through the fall and winter. He dutifully raised chickens, year after year, so that Grandma had eggs for baking cakes and we all had eggs for ourselves. Every winter, as a family, we would butcher hogs and beef together. Those hogs and steers were raised by my uncles and grandpa so that our family would never go without. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of playing with my cousins during butchering week at Grandma’s and finally being “big enough” to help with tenderizing or cutting up the meat (not just putting on the labels).
Grandpa was a believer.
He believed that God would get us through the tough times. He believed that every year, no matter how wet or how dry, that God would help him make a living off the land.
He believed in love. In my lifetime I have seen few couples who are as dedicated to one another as my grandparents were to each other. Grandpa almost lost Grandma in 1980. They were in a terrible car accident. My grandma was in the hospital for a year and since has spent most of her life walking with a walker or in a wheelchair. Grandpa believed that he had been blessed with love and the ability to care for her and their five children. He did so without complaint or questioning God’s plan.
He believed in the weather man. I know this because I rarely heard him cuss, except about the weather man and missed predictions or forecasts of rain or heat (depending on what Grandpa needed for the week).
He believed in putting all his food together on his plate. Grandpa would pile all of his vegetables, meat, and gravy or whatever he had in one pile and eat it all together. “It all goes to the same place,” he would say and laugh.
He believed in Massey Ferguson tractors. The first time he met my husband, Grandpa shook Greg’s hand and pulled a Massey Ferguson ink pen out of his breast pocket and said, “Do you have one of these?” Greg replied, “No, sir, I don’t.” Grandpa put the pen in his pocket and turned back around in his seat. It was pretty funny for me, not so much for Greg.
He believed we could all pull our weight. A good portion of the time spent at my grandparents’ house was dedicated to doing chores. Taking out trash, sweeping the floor, folding towels, carrying things upstairs or downstairs, gathering the eggs, helping with the garden, or picking up sticks in the yard were just a few of jobs we grandkids were asked to do. The one job that I always found interesting was the dishes. Grandpa would do the dishes for Grandma. He said he didn’t mind doing them. He would tell Grandma to leave them, he would get to them, and he always did. As a girl I didn’t know many men who did dishes. It was proof to me of how much he loved my grandma and that he knew everyone had to do their part.
He believed in his grandchildren. He and Grandma attended every event they could for the 10 of us grandchildren. Attending ball games, concerts, plays, awards ceremonies, masses, and graduations was their way of showing they believed in us. When I decided to go back to college for my teaching degree, Grandpa said, “That’s good. We always need teachers. You will always have a good job.” When I graduated, he and Grandma gave me an engraved bell. It said, “We are proud of you! Love, Grandma and Grandpa”. He told me I wouldn’t need to ring it because I was going to be a good teacher. Continue reading “Overalls and a Pocket Watch”
Throwing Rocks at the Sky – at least you’re throwin’
Throwing Rocks at the Sky – at least you’re throwin’
During his Sunday homily, our priest told a story about a young man from Montana who would throw rocks at the sky when he was angry at God.
“It might have seemed pointless or foolish,” said Father Louis, “but at least he was keeping the lines of communication open with his heavenly father.”
There is a lot to be said for throwing rocks at the sky. As Father explained, at least the young man knew God loved him enough to take the complaints with the thanksgivings and friendly words.
We should keep this idea in mind when we are struggling in our relationships with anyone, God, parents, siblings, friends, co-workers, spouses, children, anyone. We need to find ways to communicate our feelings to the best of our abilities.
Don’t throw rocks. (Remember the parable about throwing the first stone.)
We need to find body language and words to accurately demonstrate that we know and value the person enough to bring our problems or concerns to them. Even when we don’t necessarily think it will do a lot of good (like trying to land a rock in the sky), resolution or healing can come from talking out your troubles. At least you’re throwin’.
When it comes to your faith, knowing that you can talk to God, no matter what, keeps you close to Him. That closeness ensures the security you feel in your faith and God’s readiness to accept all you have to say. (Try to throw a few thank yous and praises in there with the rocky times.) At least you’re throwin’.
If your energy goes into throwing a few words of kindness, concern, frustration, or need towards those you care about, your intent will resound with greater positivity and result in communications that can reach past your horizons.
By: Melanie A. Peters
Perennials – anniversary of beautiful things
Perennials – anniversary of beautiful things
I really enjoy the perennials in my flower beds. Not only are they beautiful but they are dependable.
Each year I can count on them to show up just when spring and summer are taking off, and I know that their colors and fragrances will attract the buzz of bees and the flutter of butterflies.
When they bloom, I celebrate another year of wonder in the miracle of their growth.
Similarly, I celebrate the anniversary of saying “I do” to my husband. Today we celebrate ten years of marriage. Like my perennials, I am always amazed by the beauty and dependability of our love for each other.
No, we don’t always flourish in agreement. Yes, we sometimes fail to sprinkle one another with compliments or quality time, but we do always find safety and happiness in coming home to each other and joy in watching our children and lives together blossom.
Today celebrate the miracle of something that is dependable in your life.
Enjoy the sensation of an embrace or kiss. Be reassured by the ability to count on their presence. Feel the flutter of the butterflies in your stomach from the excitement of confidently knowing they are a part of your life.
By: Melanie A. Peters
Happy Anniversary, sweetheart!
Love your decisions – Wise Words Wednesday
Love your decisions – Wise Words Wednesday
I can be the world’s worst when it comes to being happy with my own decisions. I second guess myself sometimes. I guess that is human nature.
It is my intention for this post to encourage others to resist feelings of self-doubt.
If the adventure you are on is fueled by a dream or a belief that you are passionate about, don’t let it go (especially not because of what others think). Love what you are doing because you love yourself.
With energy and passion guiding you on your journey there is no real room for self-doubt. Fill your actions with positive purpose and dedicated intent and there is no stopping you or the love you are generating.
By: Melanie A. Peters
first blooms
first blooms
First blooms on Joseph’s Coat rosebush
These blooms are particularly special to me because they are on my Joseph’s Coat climbing rosebush. Next to this bush stands a statue of St. Joseph (a gift in remembrance of my husband’s Grandpa Joe). When I planted this bush last year, it was nothing but brown branches. By the end of fall it had sprung a few green branches and leaves but showed no sign of bringing forth the multi-colored flowers that I had seen on other Joseph’s Coat bushes.
When these blooms open, they will possess petals of yellow, peach, and pink. They will grow a rainbow in each flower. They are one of the miracles of plant husbandry and science. Now I just have to keep them alive. 🙂
My Joseph’s Coat roses are like so many of life’s situations. We hope and pray that the opportunity to flower will be there, but we have no idea what it will look like when it gets here or how big it will be or how beautiful it will become or how hard it will be to care for. Continue reading “first blooms”
Prayer Bridge – Wise Words Wendesday
Prayer Bridge – Wise Words Wednesday
Conversations with God come in many forms. Some are in the form of thanksgiving and gratitude. Others stem from sorrow or sickness. Most prayers come in times of desperation.
If you find yourself in desperate need of God’s intervention, by all means call on His infinite power and grace. Seek His assistance and guidance. Know that He is capable of healing all that hurts you.
Build those bridges out of need, trust and, hope, but also create pathways of praise and thanks. The more you connect with God, the less you will find yourself in those frantic fits.
If you open up your life to God, the road will not always be smooth, but it will be easier to redirect yourself to His grace and help.
Build those bridges with intent and energy, and you will find that the purpose for your communication with God refreshes and restores you more often than it rescues you.
By: Melanie A. Peters
A Daily Sign
A Daily Sign
A few years ago my very good friend Erica gave me a sign that would provide what I needed to get going each day. I LOVE this sign!
Most of the time the sign simply stands on my dresser as decoration but there are days when I stop and rearrange the tags based on the challenges that my day holds. Sometimes I select the tags based on what I believe will help my husband through his day. Other times my children enjoy adding the tags they think we need.
There is something novel about the idea of giving yourself what you need for the day. As the sign reads, “Take what you need today,” I think it would be helpful if we each started our daily journey with the emotional tags we might need.
I know not everyone can have a cool tag sign like mine, but everyone can start each morning or job by taking a moment and in your heart and mind prepare yourself with courage, care, creativity, strength, patience, peace, or whatever virtue you need. Continue reading “A Daily Sign”
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