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Happiness is an Inside Job – Wise Words Wednesday

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Happiness is an Inside Job – Wise Words Wednesday

inside-job

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!” →

Got Whatcha Need

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Got Whatcha Need

got-what-ya-need

On our way to a party recently, my husband bravely offered to stay in the car, with all three kiddos and the puppy, so I that I could run into the grocery story to get some snacks and drinks. We made a verbal list of what he thought I needed to get, while each child added their own personal desires. My list got way too long way too fast. I knew what we needed but listened and said, “Okay, I will be right back.”

In his listing my husband did not mention soda, but I knew it was something he and the kids would want. The first thing I grabbed was the soda and then headed for the chips. As I walked away from the beverage isle, my cell phone rang. It was hubby. He wanted me to get some Diet Coke. 🙂

I sent him this picture of soda already in the cart. He replied with, “You always know what I need.”

We all have relationships that fulfill our needs. Friendship, companionship, love, understanding, laughter, Diet Coke: these are all things provided to us by the ones we know and love. Continue reading “Got Whatcha Need” →

No Open Doors for Old Ways – Wise Words Wednesday

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No Open Doors for Old Ways – Wise Words Wednesday

Old Ways and New Doors.png

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” →

Recharge

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via Daily Prompt: Recharge

Recharge

recharge.JPG.

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

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

You don't have to have it all figured out.png

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

The Versatile Blogger Award – Yay me!

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The Versatile Blogger Award – Yay me!

versatile-blogger-award

Thank you to FlyingColours603 for the nomination! Please take time to check out the interesting view points and thought-provoking insights provided by FlyingColours603.

As a recipient of the Versatile Blogger Award, I am to share 7 facts about myself. Seven facts that I am sure are to demonstrate my versatility.

  1. My dream job as a teenager was to become a country music artist. (I still love to sing.)
  2. My favorite foods are fried chicken and chocolate. (Not together of course)
  3. I am the oldest of four girls, while my husband is the oldest of four boys.
  4. Kentucky Wildcat Basketball is my favorite sport to watch. Go Wildcats!
  5. My favorite novel is Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.
  6. My favorite movie is “Gone With the Wind.”
  7. My favorite childhood memory to share is the time when my parents moved to a new house without me. Childhood can be so scary. Don’t worry! They eventually found me and brought me home.

 

versatilebloggernominations

It is also a blogging protocol to spread the wealth and share nominations for blogging awards. I follow many terrific bloggers so it is very difficult for me to select just a few but here they are:

  1. https://rashidheniablog.wordpress.com/
  2. https://storyshucker.wordpress.com/
  3. https://natalieslovelyblog.com/
  4. https://vickislettersfromtheheart.wordpress.com/
  5. https://shattereddreamsandshatteredfaith.wordpress.com/
  6. https://joyfullylydia.wordpress.com/
  7. https://notaterriblemother.wordpress.com/

By: Melanie A. Peters (gratefully nominated)

Blemishes

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Blemishes

blemishes

Zits, pimples, blemishes, whatever you call them they are a pain. I have tried a couple of different face washes and a variety of moisturizers. I have battled my most recent blemishes with zit sticks and pimple creams. My face is just at war.

I try to not let them bother me too much. I just keep washing my face and going about my day like there isn’t a small, red mountain forming on my forehead. The one thing I have going for me is my perspective on the blemish battle. Like pimples, a lot of our problems surface this way.

We don’t always know they are coming. When they do show up, they are ugly and rub us the wrong way. When we fight them, they become more irritated and stand even taller. When they are finally defeated, we may have a scar,  but for the most part, we forget they were ever there. Keep that in mind as you take on your daily battles.  Continue reading “Blemishes” →

Be Someone – Wise Words Wednesday

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Be Someone – Wise Words Wednesday

Be someone.png

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” →