No Open Doors for Old Ways – Wise Words Wednesday

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

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”

Recharge

via Daily Prompt: Recharge

Recharge

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While we all seem to be connected through technology, we are also connected to our own energy source. I have found that all too often I am more apt to charge my phone’s battery than my own.

I really want to be better at recharging.

Recently a friend of mine was diagnosed with Mononucleosis. It was a welcome diagnosis because she has been feeling very run down and her doctor told her there were some potentially scary causes for her condition. She was relieved but frustrated all at once. “How does a respectable, grown woman get mono?” She texted me. I reminded her that Kevin Siegrist, pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, has battled mono this season too and he is in prime physical condition. It just happens.

I told her to rest and recharge and she would be better in no time.

At almost the exact same time, someone else that I love texted to tell me that she had cracked two ribs. (We knew they were probably cracked, but she was too stubborn to go to the doctor.) I offered to make dinner and help her around her house so that she could rest. Her response was that she was just going to keep working and they were only a little sore. How are we ever going to get the soreness to go away if she doesn’t rest and recharge???!!!??? Continue reading “Recharge”

You don’t have to have it all figured out – Wise Words Wednesday

You don’t have to have it all figured out – Wise Words Wednesday

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The unexpected is the only constant in life. We know we have to keep moving forward but we don’t always know what to expect. That’s okay!

When making changes in your life (or just trying to cope with daily stress), keep moving forward. You may not have all the logistics worked out, but you will at least have momentum in your favor.

A lot of my students have cried to me about their indecisiveness for the future. I always assure them that it will be okay. You don’t always have to have it all figured out to move forward. Sometimes opportunities move us forward. We just have to face them with active minds and open hearts.

If you are feeling like you just can’t figure life out, you are not alone. Keep moving forward. Continue making decisions and taking risks. The adventure comes when we leap past the uncertainty and fly with our new discoveries. (Yes, you may crash-land sometimes but remember scars are cool.)

Put your energy into accepting uncertainty. Have faith in knowing you are capable of not just moving forward but moving mountains.

By: Melanie A. Peters

Be Someone – Wise Words Wednesday

Be Someone – Wise Words Wednesday

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Being the person who makes others feel special is a wonderful way to live your life. Finding ways to make each person you encounter feel like they matter is what makes life worth living.

Greeting strangers, holding doors, carrying groceries, and giving compliments are all free and easy ways to make someone feel like they are somebody.

Going out of your way to help someone makes that effort much more valuable in your heart and theirs. Do good for others. Show them they are worth care and consideration. They are somebody to someone.

When my children arrive home each afternoon, I ask them a personalized question about their day. “What was the grossest thing that happened today?” “What did you see that was funny today?” “Who did you play with? What did you play?” Continue reading “Be Someone – Wise Words Wednesday”

Sunshine Blogger Award

Sunshine Blogger Award

SUNSHINE-BLOGGER-AWARD

Thank you, FlyingColours, for the nomination of Sunshine Blogger Award. It really made my week! One of my goals for Intentergy is to bring light into people’s lives so this award was a terrific affirmation of my intentions. Thank you!

The objective of the Sunshine Blogger Award is to share about yourself and nominate other bloggers who you believe deserve the same honor. Here are my responses to the awarded questions:

(1)What you love about blogging ?

I love sharing my thoughts and ideas. Hopefully I bring fresh and positive perspectives to those who read my posts.

(2)What is your favorite song?

My favorite song of all time is “Wide Open Spaces” by the Dixie Chicks.

(3)What is your dream job ?

My dream job is to be a wife, mom, farmer, and teacher. I guess. I already have my dream job and I get to share my career experiences through my blog.

(4)If you could exchange your life with anyone for one day who would that be and why ?

For one day and one day only, I would swap places with Oprah Winfrey. My only reason is because she has done so many amazing things and continues to try to make differences in people’s lives everyday. 

(5)Your secret romantic fantasy ?

Camping with my husband in the mountains. 

(6)What are your habits that you hate most or want to change them ?

Guilt. I really wish I were better about not allowing guilt to plague me. The simplest things weigh me down. I wish I were better at just letting go. I am a work in progress.

(7)Your most embarrassing thing that happened to you ?

I forgot two lines of “The Star-Spangled Banner” when singing at a rodeo.

(8)Your favorite color ?

Blue

(9)Your motivation in life ?

To be kind, loving, and do the best job possible

(10)Craziest thing you would like to do in life that you were not able to do ?

Run a marathon. (I will get there someday.)

My nominations for the Sunshine Blogger are:

Georgia at Purelysimplewords.com

Shattered Dreams and Shattered Faith

Jeremy at Fivetweetstory

Rev. B. Keith Haney

I’m OK With Being a Bench Warmer

I’m OK With Being a Bench Warmer

Bench Warmer

This student bench is my newest antique find. (Thank you, Craigslist and Nancy!)

A small bench was just what I was looking for to add to our home. Something I could set flowers, crocks, or books on. Something to add just a little more coziness. The fact that it is a bench from an antique student desk makes it perfect (me being a teacher and all).

I have big plans for warming this bench.

Since making the decision to take a step away from full-time teaching last spring, I have struggled with my role in the lives of so many people I love. I feel strongly for my former students and their families. I want to be there to help them succeed, but since school started this fall I have had a few more minutes to myself and I am realizing that it was a very healthy decision. I’m OK with being a bench warmer. Continue reading “I’m OK With Being a Bench Warmer”

HUMAN kind – Wise Words Wednesday

HUMAN kind – Wise Words Wednesday

Human kind

“We are only human.” – A saying that is often spoken, but too often forgotten.

We all make mistakes. We are all different. We are all human.

Today be kind because we are all human. Be human. Be kind.

By: Melanie A. Peters

Meet the Locks

Meet the Locks – Funny Friday

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On our recent camping trip, we experienced some embarrassing but funny mishaps. We arrived at the state park on a Thursday. There were very few campers at the park, so we quickly earned the devoted attention of our camp hosts.

We were greeted promptly and provided doggy bags for the puppy, a park map, activities for the kids, fast fire wood delivery, and a wonderfully friendly history of our hosts’ entire lives. It was nice.

Upon returning with the aforementioned firewood, our hosts talked to us about the different types of fire building techniques. As they critiqued our fire building, shouting and banging started inside our camper. The three-year-old had locked himself in and could not get out. Of course we didn’t have a key, so my husband and I tried to talk him through the unlocking process with no luck. Our camp hosts patiently sat in their golf cart and called out advice and offers to go get their camper keys.

The three-year-old soon grew tired of our coaching and climbed up on our bed in the camper, stuck his face out to the window screen, and sang, “Nah, nan, nah, boo, boo.” This received tremendous laughter from our other two children and the camp hosts, but hubby and I were not as amused. The hosts then said they would go get their key for us. In their absence my husband got the idea to send our daughter through the hole under the fold-up couch. He was able to hold the seat up long enough for her to climb through and unlock the door (just in time for the camp hosts’ return.) We thanked them and assured them we were set for the night. We were wrong. Continue reading “Meet the Locks”

I didn’t want them to see me

I didn’t want them to see me

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Today was the first day of school for my kiddos. My 7 year-old arrived eager, confident, and happy. She has a terrifically sunny disposition and sees good in most everything.

My 5 year-old can be a bit nervous at times, but is a lot of fun. He was soooooo ready to go to kindergarten. He smiled big and was the first one in the car.

When we pulled in the school parking lot, a switch flipped. He went so white I thought he would faint. After a very tearful departure, my day was ruined. I was terrified that my son was miserable and would never like school.

As the day progressed my fears eased and I went about my necessary tasks. Unfortunately one of the tasks brought me right past school to the post office.  We live in a small town. There was no avoiding it. It was near lunch time and I just knew my son would be out at recess, see me, and take off running. What was I going to do?

I sped.

I drove as quickly as was safely possible past the school, never pausing to look at the faces of the playing children. I ran in and out of the post office as quickly as possible and got the heck out of Dodge. No children came crying down the street so I felt like I bypassed that landmine and went back to my to-do list.

Getting groceries was the last thing to do on my list. After purchasing all of the things on my list, I could do one of two things.
1. Drive the four miles home, drop off the groceries, and prolong my son’s misery by not being one of the first parents at school.
2. Go sit in the parking lot and work on my coursework for the new class I start teaching next week and greet my babies with open arms as soon as they were dismissed.

Option 2 was my choice.

It turned out to be a terrifying decision. I was going to park in the back parking lot (so as to not be visible from the school), but as luck would have it, there were classes on the back playground having P.E. Continue reading “I didn’t want them to see me”