Category Understanding and Compassion

Worms in your Ice Cream

Intentergy 8 Comments

Worms in your Ice Cream

wormy-ice-cream-2

After taking my kiddos to their annual well visits, we headed to the local frozen yogurt shop. This place is so cool! Not only can you make your own frozen yogurt sundae or shake, but you can also sing karaoke or tie-dye a t-shirt.

With my help, each kiddo selected chocolate frozen yogurt, of course and then dashed to the toppings buffet. There were lots and lots of toppings. There were healthy, fresh fruits, not-so-healthy sprinkles, candies, cookies, marshmallows, and syrupy toppings. It was a sundae lover’s dream. I was surprised by many of their choices but said nothing because I didn’t want to hinder their excitement. After their bowls were filled to the brim, they had the shop owner weigh their bowls and headed to our table.

It was then that I went to make my sundae. Of course this distracted my little sweeties from eating their own frosty treats and all three had to follow me around and learn from my expert sundae building skills.

Sadly, they did not like my choice of peanut butter yogurt. They loudly protested when I added nuts, but when I made it to the fresh fruit, they realized there was no fresh fruit in their bowls. Things went sour from there. Continue reading “Worms in your Ice Cream” →

The Right to be Wrong – Wise Words Wednesday

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The Right to be Wrong – Wise Words Wednesday

the-right-to-be-wrong

“I believe that man’ noblest endowment is his capacity to change. Armed with reason, he can see two sides and choose: He can be divinely wrong. I believe in a man’s right to be wrong.” – Leonard Bernstein

This I Believe is a collection of personal philosophies. I am currently reading it and LOVE what I am reading. The history of This I Believe dates back to the 1950’s. The original This I Believe series asked individuals to write their philosophy and then share it on the radio. It was a huge sensation.

As I pour through the philosophies of tremendous individuals, both from the 1950’s and present, I am moved by the similar themes that continue to surface. Kindness, compassion, intelligence, and faith are key elements in all of the entries. Each of these traits requires us to grow and change. Our wrong choices set us up for opportunities to do just that. Grow. Learn. Change. Become better people.

As you encounter the mistakes of others and yourself, remember the right to be wrong is guaranteed to everyone. We cannot develop deeper understanding in our lives, if we don’t discover what works and what doesn’t.

Being wrong is different than being bad. Continue reading “The Right to be Wrong – Wise Words Wednesday” →

Versatile Blogger Award – February 2017

Intentergy 12 Comments

Versatile Blogger Award – February 2017

versatile-blogger-award-2

“Life is about being a versatile athlete and training in all realms of life.”  -Ray Lewis

Upon receiving my nomination for the Versatile Blogger Award from The Wandress, author of “wandering in my Genes,” I was exceptionally honored. Her young blog on life and works of literature is sweet, sincere, and uplifting. To be considered “Versatile” by someone who has created such a fluid work of blog art is really a treat for me. Thank you!

The Versatile Blogger Award is an honor that also serves as a pay-it-forward approach to blogging. When this award is given, the recipient is to share 7 facts about his or her self (hopefully enlightening their readers as to why they have been deemed “Versatile”), thank the individual who nominated them, and then nominate 15 other bloggers that are also worthy of the honor.

As for my 7 Versatile Blogger Facts:

  1. I try to write a little every day. It is a proven practice for honing and strengthening one’s writing voice and skill. (I still need A LOT of practice.)
  2. Receiving “likes” and comments on my blog posts is the equivalent to winning the lottery. Anytime I receive a notification that a post has been liked, shared, or commented on, my heart does a happy little cartwheel.
  3. My children always want to be a part of  my blog writing process but sometimes I am leery of including them. While I am comfortable exposing my own thoughts and fears, I am not always comfortable sharing details about my precious children. I guess I am just an overprotective mom.
  4. I have the most amazing collection of friends. They are all so different and lead such varying lives that I feel blessed to be a tie that binds them.
  5. I plan my meals a month at a time. I print a blank calendar at the beginning of each month, look through my pantry and freezer, plan our suppers, and then make my grocery lists from the monthly menu. It is one of my attempts to control the chaos of my life. It also saves money on groceries.
  6. My favorite color is blue. I LOVE the color blue.
  7. I don’t like to wash windows. I will sweep, do dishes, laundry, and vacuum my heart out, but I don’t like to wash windows. I plan to write about this in my spring cleaning posts.

versatilebloggernominations

Now to my nominations of other bloggers.

I follow a number of bloggers that I believe are tremendously versatile. Here are a few. Please check out their work.

  1. Meli author of https://thedreamingyogi.wordpress.com
  2. vinaytheblogger author of https://techyvinay.wordpress.com/
  3. Life in the Leslie Lane
  4. An Epic of Epic Epicness
  5. K. Lamb author of The Gentlemen Project
  6. Whitney Edna ibe author of https://whitneyibeblog.wordpress.com
  7. Bev author of https://sahmclub.wordpress.com/
  8. Steve Cauley author of https://pastorstevencauley.com/
  9. Natalie author of https://natalieschriefer.wordpress.com/
  10. Dawn Liz Jones author of https://dawnlizjones.wordpress.com/

By: Melanie A. Peters (2 time Versatile Blogger Award recipient)

P.S. Be sure to award someone with a compliment or statement of gratitude for what they bring to your life.

 

Undeniable Claim

Intentergy 4 Comments

This week my focus is on insurance. Weird, I know, but I hope you will understand my need for this coverage. (pun intended)

Undeniable Claim

undeniable-claim

 

In October my son was involved in a playground accident that sent us rushing to the ER for stitches.

The school provided us with a completed form to submit any out-of-pocket expenses to their insurance. I dutifully photocopied  our bills and carefully checked and double checked all the information. Within two weeks I received a letter that our claim had been processed. Woohoo! (That was in December.)

The first week of January I received a bill for the October ER visit. This was stressful. I just knew I was going to have a fight on my hands with the insurance and/or hospital.

After a quick review of the claim notification from December, I found the column outlining the exact amount of the bill. It was marked “Amount Denied.” Dang it! How could I have missed that?

I called the number on the claim notification and spoke immediately to a customer service rep. She was polite and explained that the $87.02 was the discount amount agreed upon by the hospital and their company. She did not know why I received a bill but would put me through to their company’s adjuster Jennifer.

Jennifer was unable to take my call at that time so I left her a detailed message.

Adjuster Jennifer called back the next day confused about my question. She said I had nothing to worry about unless I received a bill. I explained that I did receive a bill and was really hoping she could help me. Jennifer told me to email a copy of the bill to her and she would call the hospital. I figured it would be a week or so and I would have to call back. 😦 Continue reading “Undeniable Claim” →

Fear of Thinking

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Fear of Thinking

the-fear-of-thinking

Maybe it’s the age of instant information that has set us back in our ability to devise free thought. Perhaps it is the scariness of standing out from our crowd that has stopped our willingness to speak about original thought. Political correctness is always putting us in our place and prevents us from perusing what our hearts know to be true.

Whatever it is, many people today are afraid to think for themselves.

Freedom of speech has become the accepted mode for trash talk and insults, but has lost its power to protect speech about what is morally acceptable.

The Constitution’s First Amendment was composed so that individuals have the right to speak of what they believe. Our current climate considers the sharing of beliefs to be an infringement on the rights of others, so please don’t speak of God or prayer. Don’t stand for the National Anthem. Whatever you do, don’t suggest that life isn’t always fair.

I do believe that all men and women are created in God’s image and that we all have innate goodness and value. It is so hurtful to our race (the human race) to see the derogatory speech and actions of those who don’t think they are being treated fairly. Vandalism, theft, and assault are, and never will be, means for acceptable expression. You can’t heal pain with hurtful actions. Continue reading “Fear of Thinking” →

An Elephant Over Your Fence

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An Elephant Over Your Fence

elephant-on-a-fence

Q. “What time is it when an elephant jumps over your fence?”

A. “Time to get a new trampoline”

We love jokes and riddles at my house. Recently I wrote about elephant jokes, and when my daughter came home with this new one, I knew it was time to add another post about the benefits of jokes and riddles to Intentergy.

Riddles and jokes provide three things:

png 1 humor

png 1 imagination

png 1 problem solving skills

The humor found in silly jokes adds much-needed happiness to our stressful days. They provide us with innocent joy and make us laugh. Laughter is good for the heart and soul.

Q. “What type of dog can tell time?

A.”A watch dog”

The imagination stimulated by jokes helps us break away from the mundane and latch onto the light-hearted. I know you pictured a 2 ton elephant flying over a fence when I shared the first joke. (trunk and ears flapping, elephant cry bellowing, giant feet scampering for solid ground; flattened trampoline crunched sideways with its torn canvas; you have to smile now.)

Q. “What has to be broken before you can use it?” Continue reading “An Elephant Over Your Fence” →

Truly Golden Fish

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Truly Golden Fish via Daily Prompt: Fish

Gold Fish.JPG

Jesus carried out one of his greatest miracles when he divided the 2 fish and 5 loaves feeding over 5000 hungry followers. Can you imagine the wonderment of the those he fed that day?

In modern times, these Gold Fish crackers provide their own kind of miracle. Contentment.

Nothing keeps my kids quieter in church or the car than Gold Fish. We use Gold Fish crackers for math homework and art projects. They make terrific Valentine, Easter, and Halloween treats because kids love them and Moms know the magical powers those cheesy crackers possess.

For a while our local grocery store did not carry Gold Fish. I am pretty sure Moms across the county were crying in anguish over this shortage. Fortunately the crackers have miraculously reappeared on the shelves in a multitude of flavors. Thank goodness!

While they may not provide the best nutrition, Gold Fish crackers provide contentment and stimulate imagination. Rarely do my kids eat them without making at least one swim into their mouths or having two of the fishy faces kiss one another. It is deliciously sweet.

There are many things in our lives that bring simple contentment. You don’t have to fish too hard to find them.

I encourage you to bait your focus for finding satisfaction in the simple pleasures of the day. Reel in the warmth of the sun as you make your way to work or class. Fill your net with compliments and kind words that have been tossed your way by those you meet. Hook onto people who are positive and swim in the positive encounters.

Contentment floods us with calm and allows us to wash away our worries. Set sail with your Intentergy poised to latch onto the good in life and may your energy be cast far and wide. Let your positive attitude flow and influence those who need some simple pleasure in their lives. Cast away!

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. I am not a spokesperson for Gold Fish crackers.

 

 

How to Treat a Bad Day – Wise Words Wednesday

Intentergy 5 Comments

How to Treat a Bad Day – Wise Words Wednesday

how-to-treat-a-bad-day

Bad days seem to be contagious. When you have one bad day, you seem to become a bad day magnet

Bad days stink.

It is easy to say, “Tomorrow is another day,” or “Cheer up. It could always be worse,” but we know those thoughts don’t defeat the dreariness in some cases. The best medicine for a case of the blues is to treat yourself though kindness or charity.

Doing something kind or generous can be the first step in kicking cloudy thoughts to the curb. Not only will your actions help someone else have a better day, but you will quickly find that your friendliness has the same infectious inclinations that the bad days bring. One kind act makes is a lot easier to motivate ourselves to feel accomplished and lovable.

If you aren’t going for the sweet, touchy, feely remedy, remember Mercutio’s crude advice for Romeo after Rosaline’s rejection in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Mercutio roughly advised his friend, “If love is rough with you, be rough with love.” Mercutio’s advice wasn’t exactly dealing with how to treat a bad day, but we can adapt it to fit our treatment purposes. Continue reading “How to Treat a Bad Day – Wise Words Wednesday” →

Toxic Clutter – Wise Words Wednesday

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Toxic Clutter – Wise Words Wednesday

toxic-clutter

Many of us begin our spring cleaning as soon as the New Year’s ball drops. We start cleaning out our closets, coat pockets, garages, and storage tubs.

We make resolutions to clean out our bodies and clean up our acts.

With those resolutions we need to work on toxic clutter removal as well.

To most of us clutter is made up of piles of old clothes, magazines, or books. Maybe your clutter has amassed itself on your dresser or in the catch-all drawer in the kitchen or the depths of the back seat of your car. wherever it is; the clutter is growing.

Clutter needs to be viewed as more than stuff that piles up in our homes. It is also the resentment, guilt, anger, hurt, and failure that hangs around in our hearts, minds, and spirits. As we turn towards a fresh new trip around the sun, let’s refresh our lives by removing some of that toxic emotional clutter. Continue reading “Toxic Clutter – Wise Words Wednesday” →

Your Sound Track for 2017

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Your Sound Track  for 2017 via Daily Prompt: Hopeful

official-soundtrack-of-me

Every major motion picture has its official soundtrack. Professional baseball players have their warm-up song that blasts through the stadiums as they step up to the plate. When best friends head out for a night on the town, they always have their “jam” blaring through the speakers hyping them up as they paint the town red. Newly weds share a first dance to that one song that sings the story of their love.

There is something special about music and its role in our lives. There are certain songs that transport us back to the moments when our lives were defined by the music that accompanied the experience.

png 1  In 2017 I encourage you to make a sound track of your life or find your playlist for success.

When I work out, I start with Ike and Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.” Something about the build up of the song really gets me going. Ike and Tina are followed by the Dixie Chicks’ “Ready to Run”. I guess, at that point, I am ready to run. Once I get running, my fighting side comes out and I am fueled forward by Christina Aguilera’s “Fighter” and Britney Spears’ “Stronger.”  After that I love to throw in some Beyoncé (anything Beyoncé), more Dixie Chicks, Lynyrd Skynyrd,  and/or Meredith Brooks, Pink, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, TLC, Nelly, ZZ Top, and Buck Cherry, and usually finish out with Martina McBride’s “Happy Girl.” Eclectic, I know, but it really helps me through my work out.

png 1  I want you to find the music that moves you too. Arrange the soundtrack for getting you through toughest challenges. Continue reading “Your Sound Track for 2017” →