Tag Inspiration

The World is Your Ornament

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Because we all need a creative outlet some time, my gal pal Amy and I signed up for a free ornament painting class at the library. We weren’t sure what it would entail, but we knew we were down for crafting something festive with our friends at the library.

It turns out that “painting” these ornaments was the simple process of selecting a few acrylic paint shades, squeezing paint into the shatter-proof orbs, and swirling them around to make unique designs. It was pretty much foolproof and even the least crafty of crafters could be successful at this project.

The coolest part of this particular class was the diversity in the creation of the ornament designs. I had as much fun watching our classmates select and swirl their acrylic shades as I did making my own ornaments.

Of course, there were the Fancy Nancies who added hodgepodge with glitter around the circumference of their orbs or brushed touches of shiny stuff to the inside of their globes (a.k.a. Amy), but there were also the basic builders (like me) who were happy to simply not spill the paint as we held our plastic ornaments at varied angles creating our distinctive designs.

Observing the range of patterns, techniques, and purposes for the in-progress baubles, our classmate Shelley Kofsky proved she was one of my soulmate punny sisters when she said, “I guess the world is our ornament.”

Of course, it is!

We can all make the world beautiful in our own way.

Clearly, Shelley was making a play on the saying “The World is our Oyster,” but when it comes to the oyster-based adage we have to FIND the treasure that brings value to our lives. In the ornament ideology, we CREATE the beauty.

As we take on the decorative and necessary challenges of the upcoming weeks, I encourage you to adopt Shelley’s ornament ideology. Spread joy and beauty while shaping your success through your unique approach. You aren’t like everyone else. Your goals aren’t the same as anyone else’s.

Your vision of what the holidays should look like is not identical to any other individual.

Your solutions for personal and professional situations don’t have to be molded by previous processes.

Be the painter of your own landscape for health, success, and holiday joy.

The world really is your ornament. Use your Intentergy to show everyone what it is that makes you shine. Let your energy charge those around you to be positive and recognize the importance of focusing on purpose that fashions a fabulous outlook. The more you make from your individuality the fuller your vision will take shape.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. What colors would you paint your ornaments?

P.P.S. Check out Fancy Nancy Amy and me with our super original ornaments!

My ornaments are going on my deer-themed Christmas tree.

Naturally Super

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Without a doubt, this calf was born super. He has all the markings of Spiderman or a WWE wrestler. There is no magic charm or superpower that could change his appearance. Unless he’s found a mirror somewhere in the pasture, he has no idea that his markings manifest the fact that he is bound for greatness.

I think we are all born naturally super. It’s hard to see our exceptionality sometimes when we look in the mirror.

I am as guilty as anyone when it comes to feeling unattractive, imperfect, or goofy-looking. I have yet to meet anyone who looks in the mirror every day and says, “Dang! I am perfect.”

If you do this and are sincere in your proclamation, please share your secret.

Until then, I will probably continue to lament my big ears, mommy belly, and the birthmark on my hip.

Despite my lamentations and the self-mortification felt by most, there is one thing that we can find solace in and that is the fact that we are naturally super in the eyes of those who love us. We were created in the image of God to make the world a more beautiful and diverse place.

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What Color Is This Napkin?

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Every day we are challenged to find optimism in life. Often the struggle to find opportunity is much more prevalent than the belief in limitless possibility. Thanks to a conversation I had about turkey dreams, my dear friend Amy helped me latch on to the challenge of finding inspiration in my dinner napkin. (Bet you never thought you’d read that sentence.)

So here’s the question: What color is this napkin?

A pragmatic person might say that this napkin has no color because the hue of white is defined as the absence of color.

I would say this napkin is the color of possibility.

Just think about it!

There are endless ways this napkin could take on a different shade.

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Don’t Be a Parrot

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Last summer as my friend Jackie was recovering from a very serious health scare, I pleaded with her to tell me how I could help. She said, “I don’t know what to tell you. I’m not a parrot and I can’t just say what you want to hear.” I told her I didn’t want her to be a parrot, I wanted her to be honest with me about what we needed to do to get her back on track. I asked her to give me two or three things I could do to assist in her recovery. And that’s where we began.

I think we’ve all been in situations where we didn’t know where to start or what to say. Sometimes finding a starting point seems harder than reaching the finish line. All too often, we play the role of the parrot telling others what we believe they want to hear because it’s easier than asking for what we really need.

When I had wrist and elbow surgery last December, I had friends and family ask how they could help. I didn’t want to be a burden, especially during such a busy holiday season, so I just told them to pray for me. (Prayer is always a GREAT idea.) However, once my arm was in that cast and I was feeling the pain of recovery, it was a whole lot easier to ask for what I needed. We shouldn’t have to feel pain in asking for help.

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Finding Focus – Insights from Early Summer???

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There has not been a lack of positive stuff going on in my life, and I definitely have plenty to say but finding the right words and positive stories to share has been tough lately. I’m not sure where my writing inspiration has gone, but I think it has something to do with my inability to keep up with all the craziness around me. Lacking a routine has caused a shortage of concentration when I sit down to type.

So I thought I would share a few cool insights from the last few weeks.

When your washing machine breaks, there are two things that make it all better. 1. A mom that shares her washer with you and even takes time to dry and fold the clothes. 2. A local handyman named Joe with a terrific sense of humor and just enough sass to make you feel like you actually helped when in reality he was the one who did all the hard stuff.

When your son is too excited to change out of his school uniform because he wants to get going on vacation, let him wear the uniform. It pays to have a hoodie on him when it is unexpectedly cold on your trip.

Leaving immediately after your kids get out school for a 14-hour vacation drive is stressful but forces you to get into a summer-vacation frame of mind.

When your friend wants an authentic Florida palm tree, and she tries to convince the slightly tipsy men in your party to dig one up with a plastic beach shovel, go ahead and agree to drive them in the golf cart after dark. It makes a for a great story later. P.S. Tell the quizzical passers-by that your friends are considering buying the vacant lot and “There is nothing to see here” ( do not mention their attempts to uproot a palm tree with a plastic shovel). The passers-by will look at you incredulously and slowly walk away. Their reactions will cause severe distress as you try to hold in laughter and your friends to fall over themselves to avoid being seen.

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At Least You Don’t Have Hobbit Feet and Ears – Wise Words Wednesday

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I think I speak for a lot of folks when I say that starting the day as a pandemic-exhausted parent has me feeling like Gandalf facing the legions of Sauron’s forces while also being Frodo seeking the best route up Mount Doom to destroy the Ring. I just want to make the bad stuff go away and bring about peace without too much destruction.

Just as Gandalf, Frodo, and their companions discovered, there are an awful lot of things looming in the way before we can make each day successful. Thankfully J.R.R. Tolkien provided many layers of inspiration for us in The Lord of the Rings series starting with, “There is some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for.” (A totally Intentergy way of thinking.)

hobbits 7

To bring the full Intentergy spirit to this post I want to remind everyone that it’s good to not have just one “precious” person or thing that absorbs all our energy and attention. Keep your loyal and loving companions close. If you get lost, scared, or distracted, there are plenty of ways to turn a new page. 

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Isle of Storms – An Epic 5th Grade Collaboration to Benefit Special Olympics

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There is nothing better than a good adventure story, except when there is a GREAT adventure story created through the collaboration of an entire 5th grade class AND the proceeds from its sale go to Special Olympics!!!

Prior to their school year being cut short by the Coronavirus, Mrs. Rebecca Harvey‘s 5th grade class read The Man Who Loved Clowns by June Rae Wood.

Isle of Storms 4

The class was fascinated by the character Punky. In the book, Punky is the uncle of main character Delrita. The story revolves around Delrita’s desire to go unnoticed by society because of the embarrassment she feels over Punky’s behavior, while still loving his childlike ways. Punky has Down Syndrome and the challenges of living with and loving someone who has an intellectual disability are shared in an honest and compelling manner.

The class was so moved by Punky’s story and connections they made to individuals with Down Syndrome that they decided to do something for the Special Olympics. They just weren’t sure what it was yet.

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Dolly Parton, will you have lunch with me? – Sincerely, Intentergy

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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – FEBRUARY 05: Actress/musician Dolly Parton attends the 24th Annual Movieguide Awards Gala at Universal Hilton Hotel on February 5, 2016 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)

Dear Dolly Parton,

I am writing to invite you to join me for lunch when it’s convenient for you, of course.

I write a positivity blog in Central Missouri, and without a doubt, you are one of the most inspiring individuals I can think of. Lunch with you would fulfill a great need I have for finding sources of positive influence to share with others. There are so many questions I would love to ask you and stories I think you would enjoy about how your music and words have aided in shaping my life and others I know.

“9 to 5” is my favorite song to sing with my kids. They love you because I have played your music for them since before they were born. There is not a happier sound than their sweet voices ringing out with, “Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen…”

“Coat of Many Colors” is a song I am ashamed to admit that I often struggle to listen to all the way because it is a story that I can relate to well and the raw beauty of its tale rings true in the Lord’s calling to take pride in all we have and the messages founded in the Good Book.

To break up with me, my first boyfriend simply left a message to listen to “I Will Always Love You” and then a quick good-bye. While I know you sweetly wrote that song for Porter Wagoner, it was a bittersweet song for my 16-year-old self. However, it is one that has served in so many arenas for so many people. The fact that you wrote it is proof that you are a source of true inspiration and powerful influence. An influence that I would love to tap into.

Not only has your music touched me, but your generous efforts in the aftermath of the terrible fires that swept through the mountains of Tennessee and the tremendous ways you aid education are fuel for finding greater ways to serve others.

Your humor and honesty are so refreshing. Your laughter, I am certain, is a sound that makes even the angels rejoice. Honesty, humor, and laughter are all things I encourage in my daily encounters and writing. Please give me a chance to experience your contributions first hand.

This letter is the first of a series I plan to write to those I find inspiring. As I respect, admire, and aspire to be like you, there was no doubt that you HAD to be my first lunch invite!

Thank you for your time and consideration. You are truly one of my heroes.

All my best,
Melanie A. Peters
Intentergy’s Source
http://www.intentergy.com
Email: intentergynow@gmail.com

P.S. When I sat in RCA Studio B and sang on the Grand Ole Opry stage, it wasn’t Elvis’ spirit I tried to conjure. It was Dolly Parton’s.