Category Intentergy

Are There Toys in Heaven?

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Are There Toys in Heaven?

toys-in-heaven

Saturday we said good-bye to my husband’s aunt. She was a smart, funny, family oriented lady and will be missed.

As the kiddos and I whipped up some pancakes for breakfast Saturday, my oldest son asked, “Are there toys in heaven?”

It was one of those parenting moments we all pray about. We don’t pray for the moments to come. We pray for the right words when the moment arrives.

I said a quick prayer and did a mental dash through my heart before answering him.

I said, “I don’t know what heaven is like, but I believe that everything in heaven is so perfect that we don’t need toys or tv’s or distractions there. We are whole again, and, when we are angels, our days are filled with light and happiness and probably flying contests to see who can fly the fastest with our angel wings.”

This response seemed ok, at first. Then my son got teary eyed and said, “I want there to be toys in heaven because sometimes little kids die.”

Oh, man, those parenting moments just kept on coming!

I put down the pancake spatula, hugged him tight, and said, “God knows what we need. If there is a child in heaven who needs a toy, God will give him that toy. Remember, in heaven, there is no hurt or sadness.”

He hugged me back and asked for the big pancake on the griddle. 🙂

I finished making pancakes, fed the kids, and said a prayer. The first part was in thanksgiving for the innocent and pure hearts of my children. The second part of my prayer was for the young souls in heaven. I asked for comfort for those grieving the loss of those little ones and that those baby angels fly happily and wholly through eternity.

Today the intent of my prayer is again two-part.

png 1 One: May my children always possess the childlike wonder and curiosity they do now.

png 1Two: May everyone find solace in the knowledge that God knows what we need. He will provide for us when the time is right.

Intentergy is about putting positive intent into the things we do. Please take time as you continue to celebrate the Christmas season and prepare for a new year and use that time to take inventory of all that has been provided for you in your life and embrace the awe of what is yet to come.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. The pancakes were only slightly dark on one side. We just added butter. 🙂

 

 

The Psychology of Making Lists

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The Psychology of Making Lists

the-psychology-of-making-lists

Last week my sons tortured my daughter telling her that she was on the naughty list. Hubby and I kept reminding her that their lists didn’t matter and encouraged her to not worry about it. (We also told the boys to stop being pain-in-the-rears.)

This week as I sat under the hair dryer of my magician beautician Abby, I showed her my To-Do list. Abby commiserated with me on the need to make lists and just how quickly those lists grow.

More importantly we discussed how making lists boosts our self-esteem and motivates us to do more.

Are you a list maker?

Well, if you are, excellent! The next few pieces of information will support your productive habit. If you aren’t a list maker, maybe you will find some solutions to your chaotic craziness in the advice provided about the psychology of making lists.

In the Pyschology Today article, “How Making Lists Can Quell Anxiety and Breed Creativity: Six benefits of a small solace-producing obsession,” Dr. Carrie Barron explains some very powerful benefits of list making. Continue reading “The Psychology of Making Lists” →

Worry = More Work Than It’s Worth – Wise Words Wednesday

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Worry = More Work Than It’s Worth – Wise Words Wednesday

worry-double-the-suffering

Without fail I have found worry wrecking my mental health lately.

There is just too much to do, too many mistakes made, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, buying a gift and finding that the recipient already has that item, or taking the wrong exit on a busy highway because my mind is on all the other decisions I need to make, ugh, it’s TOO MUCH!

Holidays = gift buying + party going + relative-induced guilt x all the other normal STUFF

Worry = more work than it’s worth

Don’t we already have enough to do?

Worrying just slows us down. Worry steers us in the wrong direction or keeps us from moving forward. Worry really is more work than it’s worth.

“Worrying means you suffer twice.”

Here are some ideas to help you bypass worry:

png 1   Make lists. Check off your successes.
png 1   Set goals. Do your victory dance when you’ve earned it.
png 1    Forgive yourself. Give thanks for the grace.
png 1    Forgive others. Revel in the release.
png 1    What ever you do, try not to worry.

We are only human.
We cannot do it all.
It is physically impossible to do it all correctly or in a way that makes everyone happy. Don’t let worry wear you out!

“Worrying means you suffer twice.” Continue reading “Worry = More Work Than It’s Worth – Wise Words Wednesday” →

Examine the Test at Hand

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Examine the Test at Hand

not-your-final

Last week I supervised my first final exam at State Tech. It was an experience.

The final was scheduled from 8:00-10:00 a.m. in the Community Center.

I approached the Center at 7:45 a.m. (after making new copies of my final – Stupid typos!) There was a line of students in the lobby. My “teacher” status granted me immediate admittance in to the testing room (an auditorium also used for proms and wedding receptions). Tables, chairs, and five other instructors stood ready for the onslaught of eager exam-takers.

The other instructors had nice name tents marking the tables their students were to use. I did not. (Note to self: make name tents for spring final.)

After carefully selecting the last 4 available tables, I spread out my gear and waited for my students.

Upon receiving their finals, neither the huge group or the unfamiliar surroundings seemed to bother my super students. They just wanted to take their darn test.

  • Cut to the end of the final…

Continue reading “Examine the Test at Hand” →

Blessed are the Flexible – Wise Words Wednesday

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Blessed are the Flexible – Wise Words Wednesday

blessed-are-the-flexible

Flexibility is necessary in life. Flexibility is a special virtue this time of year.

We work so hard to fit all of the holiday shopping, meals, programs, parties, and family functions in that we forget to be flexible. This forgetfulness can lead to some major fits of stress and missing holiday spirit.

Allow yourself some breathing room this month. Give yourself the gift of flexibility.

Give the gift of flexibility to others. Remember we are all suffering from the season. Show compassion and patience for those who “mess” with your plans.

Flexibility towards yourself and others will lead to much more fa-la-la-ing and much less bahumbuging.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. It’s ok to do some mental warm ups before you get too flexible. You wouldn’t want to pull anything before Christmas. Breathe deep… Focus… Flex!

Elf Spotting and the Trouble that Follows

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Elf Spotting and the Trouble that Follows

 

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Two years ago Chippy the elf showed up on our front porch. He made his magical appearance after my sweet daughter wrote a letter to Santa asking for one of his handy helpers to visit our home.

My husband and I were leery about this new holiday watchman but went with it. I mean how much trouble could one elf be???

After two years the magic of Chippy is alive and well, if you consider daily wrestling matches and crying fits over who found him first to be magical.

Seriously! Everyday there is a tremendous tumult over who finds Chippy first. It is so magical I need stronger coffee in the morning and extra melatonin at night to get past all the Christmas spirit his presence brings.

That silly elf has brought more trouble than I could have imagined, but he has also brought some humor to some pretty angry situations.

For example: In the  middle of one of their daily brawls, my daughter yelled out, “Get off my hair. Chippy sees you and he is going to tell Santa.” My son replied, “Good! Maybe Santa will bring you a new brush for your messy hair,” and continued torturing my little girl’s curls. The elf just kept smiling. Continue reading “Elf Spotting and the Trouble that Follows” →

Something’s happening…

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Something’s happening...

mrrl-org

Something’s happening tomorrow night at the Missouri River Regional Library in Jefferson City, Mo.

That something is a presentation on blogging.

Guess who gets to give the presentation!

ME!

I am so excited! I have been invited to speak on blogging and how it impacts my life. I am so excited! (Did I already say that?)

The presentation is from 7:00-8:30 p.m. and is geared to sharing the process and impacts of being a blogger.

Not a blogger? No worries. I have designed the steps of the presentation to be beneficial for anyone who has considered blogging, is considering a new undertaking, or just needs to refresh their approach to daily activities.

If you have ever considered blogging  or are hoping to start something new, like a career, education, or hobby, please join us for “Blogging from the Blogger’s Perspective.”

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. It’s free.

Graceful Mistakes – Wise Words Wednesday

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Graceful Mistakes – Wise Words Wednesday

graceful-mistakes

There is no better time than the holidays to forgive and forget mistakes. Let bygones be bygones. Let peace within yourself ring and forgiveness shine for all to see.

Not one of us is perfect. That is the fun of being human. Embrace your imperfections.

Not one of us says the right thing all the time. That makes conversation exciting. Pray for the right words. Slow down and give yourself time to find the most helpful thing to say.

Not one of us freely prances through life without a flub up. That gives us room for grace. It’s not the fall that is graceful; it is how you get back up.

I encourage you to find the grace within yourself to forgive past shortcomings and move on from your mistakes. Grow from the things you have learned.

Graceful intentergy is the best kind of positivity. Graceful intentergy is the most rewarding energy. The grace and light that radiates from forgiving yourself will not only brighten your day but will shine as an example for all those you encounter of how to love themselves gracefully.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. Remember that whole love yourself thing.

Three Gifts from Santa

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Three Gifts from Santa

three-gifts-from-santa

Every year Santa delivers three gifts for each of us. That is it. Three.

My children receive three things from the jolly old elf and are ecstatic. The gifts are usually three things from my children’s wish lists or fun things they will use.

When people hear that my children only receive three gifts Christmas morning, they are shocked.

Here are Santa’s reasons for the tradition of three gifts on Christmas morning at our home:

5. Santa is magical but he is also practical.

4. Santa wants the family to spend time together. He doesn’t want all of Christmas to be spent in separate parts of the house with our new things. He wants us together.

3. Santa wants our children to know they are loved and the number of gifts under the tree can NEVER amount to the measure of our love.

2. Children receive so much through out the year. He wants those three gifts to be special and memorable.

1. Santa remembers the first Christmas. At that first Christmas, a very special child received three very special gifts. He wants that same special message to be shared with my family.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. Remember the Reason for the Season.

Things You Didn’t Hear at the First Thanksgiving

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Things You Didn’t Hear at the First Thanksgiving

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Here are the Top 10 Things I bet you would not have heard at the First Thanksgiving.

10. “I can’t find the marshmallows for the sweet potatoes.” (Marshmallows were not invented until the mid 1800’s. Potatoes did not become a staple in American diets until decades later.)

9. “Is there Cool Whip for the pumpkin pie?” (While there may have been pumpkin, no ovens were used regularly in America for 20 years. No Cool Whip until 1966.)

8. “Pass the salt and pepper” (There probably weren’t many, if any spices. The meats would have been seasoned with nuts, fruits, and herbs. Much less sodium than today)

7. “What a Halftime show!” (Halftime shows did not come about until the 1920’s when Walter Lingo used halftime to help sell his pure bred dogs.)

6. “You have to sit at the kids’ table.” (The children probably sat on the ground.)

5. “Is that turkey organic?” (Everything was organic. Turkey was probably not even on the menu. Historians have recorded that some fowl was part of the meal but the main source of protein came from 5 deer brought as a gift from the Native Americans.)

4. “Want to watch “Bambi”?” (See note from #5.)

3. “God Bless America”(America was still a wild wilderness. Pilgrims were celebrating survival thanks to their Native friend. BTW – Irving Berlin wrote the song “God Bless America” in 1918.)

2. “I am going to put my Christmas tree tomorrow.” (Puritans did not celebrate Christmas. They believed it was a wasteful day created by selfish, greedy men.)

1. “I have to leave early to get to the Black Friday Sales.” (Black Friday probably meant Black Plague day and everyone died.)

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. I am grateful you were willing to read my post of things I don’t think were said at the First Thanksgiving.

Disclaimer: I was not at the First Thanksgiving to witness if these things were said or not.