"Some Positive Thoughts and Ideas"

 

Today I'd like to share with you some positive thoughts and ideas that you might find helpful, and that you might enjoy.

First of all, it's really important for us to send out positive thoughts and feelings to the world if we want our lives to be more positive. Just like a boomerang, whatever we send out comes back to us.

In my new book, "Life in the Southern Appalachians," (For more information about this book which is on Amazon, please see the widget on the right.) I mentioned that traditionally, the people in Southern Appalachia have an innate goodness.

A wonderful example of this is something my husband Greg recently shared with me. He told me about the owner of a local garage who took a man that didn't have a place to live into his own home and gave him a job at his garage. The man was able to turn his life around, and now he has a home of his own!

Heartwarming stories like this give us a renewed faith in the goodness of humanity, after hearing and seeing all of the negative stories on the radio and television about people who act savagely cruel toward others. Although these types of things do happen, we shouldn't dwell on them, but we need to seek out positive things to listen to and to watch, as well as doing our part to make the world a better place.

For instance, we can give food to our local food bank or donate food or other supplies to our local animal shelter, etc. Also, there are so many ways we can help others by volunteering. We can get more ideas about how to help others by searching online. While we are helping others have happier lives, we'll find that we are happier, too!

~"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves."- James Matthew Barrie

"You've probably heard the old proverb, all work and no play...." So, Greg and I now, once a week, plan and do something fun.

This week, we went to Kingsport where we lived for several years. We have always loved the many beautiful parks there. We went to two of the parks in one afternoon-

First, we visited the Kingsport Greenbelt where we enjoyed a carryout meal in the car, and then we took some pictures of the ducks, geese, and even a deer that was there.

Geese at the Greenbelt

After that, we went to Warriors' Path State Park where we walked around Duck Island, and photographed the picturesque scenery-

Kayaking on the Lake at Warrior's Park

The leaves are barely changing color in the area right now. A lot of people were there at the park, enjoying the warm Indian summer weather. A foot race was going on while we were walking around the park. 

When we can't go out because of the weather, we enjoy watching our DVD's, many of which we have never even seen. Our favorites are the old comedy shows, both American and British.

~Happy Halloween!

(Also, for genuine paranormal photographs that Greg and I, as well as my brother, Nick, have taken, please see the widget for my Kindle eBook, "Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind.")

~Positive thought- "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." -Lucy Maud Montgomery, "Anne of Green Gables"

Thanks for visiting! Until around Saturday, November 7, 2026, Becky

"Accentuate the Positive"

 

And welcome fall! (Fall actually begins September 22, 2026.)

I'm running a little late with this blog post due to technical concerns, but I just kept at it and decided to "accentuate the positive"! (Johnny Mercer) And it worked! We just need to believe in what we are doing and to be in a positive frame of mind.

Since there seems to be so much negativity today, we need to stand stand strongly to overcome any negative situations or people.

If there is any enviornment where you don't feel safe or welcome, stay away if at all possible. Don't be around people who are negative or don't have your best interests at heart.

While we want to be positive so we can attract the positive into our lives, it is best to avoid or learn to handle people who are negative or even toxic in their behavior.

There is a wonderful book on this subject that I'd like to recommend if you are having concerns about certain negative people that you encounter in your life. The name of the book is "How to Deal with Toxic People" by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD. This book describes the different types of toxic people, and it gives advice on what to do about them from a Christian viewpoint. We all deserve to be treated with respect, as it says in the book.

As I was paying for this book at the store checkout, the cashier said that she could really use that book herself! And, the next time I went back to the store a week later, I noticed that the rest of the copies of the book were all gone!

Never fear, if your local bookstore (We try to shop locally whenever we can.) doesn't have this book, or something similar, the Internet has a ton of books on this topic!

Even though we might try to be positive on our own, we sometimes need a little help along our road to Positivity in the form of books and other valuable resources.

Here is a positive quality that we might want to cultivate- Persistence-

I noticed that this spider web (which may be a little hard to see, but it's there) was blown away during a strong storm one day, but the next day the spider was back at work, building its web all over again. Now that's determination and persistence!

When we encounter the storms of life, our persistence, our positivity can see us through!

Speaking of books and positivity, I believe you would enjoy my new paperback book on Amazon, "Life in the Southern Appalachians, The Mountain Culture. Sayings, Traditions, People" by Becky Arnott. It has 295 pages and 26 chapters. A few of the chapter titles are "Appalachian Arts and Crafts," "Appalachian Mountain Words and Sayings," "Haunted Appalachia,", "Quilts," and "Vittles," to name a few.

Please see the widgets about this book as well as my other books, etc.

Positive thought- Today's To-Do List- Smile! Be persistent. Be thankful. Be happy. Be kind. Be strong and of course, Be positive! (You might want to make your own positive to-do list.)

Thanks for visiting! Until around Saturday, October 3, 2026, Becky

 

 

"Random Positive Thoughts"

 

This is a photograph of the beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Today in this blog post, I'd like to give you a few random positive thoughts, which I'm sure most people would enjoy since we need to "accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative" (From a song by Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen), especially right now.

Here are some wonderful thoughts from some famous people that might be helpful as affirmations, to put somewhere to view often, or as part of a treasure map.*- 

~"Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful." -Annette Funicello

~"We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents." -Bob Ross

~"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one remembers to turn on the light." Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Agkaban."

~"It isn't what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it." -Dale Carnegie

~"I have chosen to be happy because it is good for my health." -Voltaire

~Be grateful-a grateful heart is a magnet for miracles

~"Life is short, do what makes you happy." -From Amazon

~"Believe you can, and you're halfway there." -Theodore Roosevelt

~"Small steps every day create the life you want to live." -Unknown

~"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

~Every day in every way, I'm getting better and better.

~I am happy, healthy, and positive.

~I deserve love and respect.

You might even think up some affirmations, positive thoughts of your own.

I'm happy to announce that my new book about Southern Appalachia is finally published! Here it is-

The complete title of the book is "Life in the Southern Appalachians, The Mountain Culture, Sayings, Traditions, People." The book has almost 300 pages, and there are 26 chapters. It's about a wide variety of things. The titles are in alphabetical order. The first chapter is "Animals" and the last chapter is entitled "Weather." A few of the other chapters are "Appalachian Mountain Words and Sayings," "Haunted Appalachia," "The Performing Arts in Appalachia," "Quilts," and "Vittles." There are some guest authors and other contributors in the book, as well.

Here's what people have said about "Life in the Southern Appalachians"- "Very interesting!" "An easy read." "Great!" "Loved it!"

If you'd like to see it for yourself, it's now for sale on Amazon.

 

A Great Idea from Pal's in Abingdon, Virginia!

Positive Thought: ~ "There is always music in the forest, but our hearts must be very still to hear it." ~Unknown

Thanks for visiting! Until around Saturday, September 5, 2026, Becky

*A treasure map is a board with positive thoughts and pictures of things you would like to have or be or do. I have one that I made a few years ago, and it's amazing the things that have come true in my life because of the map that I made. I study it regularly, so I guess that's why it's been successful.

"Positively Patriotic"

 The photograph above shows some special things in our memorabilia room that are meaningful to us-a picture of a painting of George Washington, who was one of our country's Founding Fathers, and our first president. 

There is also an old postcard that belonged to Greg's grandmother that someone had sent her. The post- card depicts the signing of the "Declaration of Independence." The 56 signers of this important document included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams. Thomas Jefferson was the main author of this document. He was our third president, and he also founded the University of Virginia. Each of these men is outstanding in his own way.

~"Where liberty dwells, there is my country."- Benjamin Franklin

The brown booklet behind the postcard contains a copy of the "Declaration of Independence," as well as the "Constitution of the United States" which we got for free from Hillsdale College a few years ago. It was published by Cato Institute.

This is a special anniversary for our country, the United States of America, 250 years old! What a milestone! We should all feel positively patriotic!

~"God bless America, land that I love."- Irving Berlin

~"America is a tune. It must be sung together."- Gerald Stanley Lee 

~"The federal government should only be flying the flag that represents all people, the American flag."- Marjorie Taylor Greene

~"I stand fearlessly for small dogs, the American flag, motherhood, and the 'Bible.' That's why people love me."- Art Linkletter

I love to read about, and watch shows about our Founding Fathers and all of the great men and women who have helped make our country strong. I get a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes when I see the American flag fluttering in the wind or images of Paul Revere riding on horseback to warn others that the British were coming. 

~"Liberty and independence forever."- Davy Crockett

~"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."- John F. Kennedy

In my new book about Appalachia which will be published soon, I have a whole chapter about patriotism in Southern Appalachia. I'll have more to tell about my book next month.

~"I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free...there ain't no doubt I love this land. God bless the U.S.A."- Lee Greenwood

~Thanks for visiting! Until around Saturday, August 1, 2026, Becky

 

"Positive Signs and Wonders"

 

      

~"And what is so rare as a day in June?" -James Russell Lowell 

June is a wonderful month; in fact, it is my favorite month. June generally has really nice weather, and it is a romantic month with weddings and beautiful flowers, including the rose which is the traditional birth flower for June. The traditional birthstone for June is the pearl.

Nature helps us live better lives, if we just pay attention to it. Nature is full of  wonders, and signs, to help show us the way. ("Signs and wonders" is from the "Bible" where it is mentioned 100 times!)

Wherever I go, I always carry my camera with me.

One day last year, I was really attracted to a pretty yellow flower that was blooming near where we had been shopping. I decided to take a picture of it-

It Was Goldenrod.

I wondered if it had some special meaning for me, so I looked it up, and it said that it represents good luck, and positivity! No wonder I was attracted to it! What a neat message!

Flowers often have important messages for us, but so do animals, birds, and even insects.

I have a really interesting book, "Animal-Speak" by Ted Andrews that tells the reader the significance of the creatures that come into our lives. 

For instance, just recently, I have noticed several butterflies, and I found out that they were trying to tell me not to work so much, to have more fun. Also, just a couple of weeks ago, a hummingbird flew right in front of me while I was sitting quietly on our deck, which I've hardly ever done before. I looked up "hummingbird" in the book, and its message was that I needed to get more sleep and rest so I wouldn't burn myself out. So amazing! So true! I took these messages seriously, and I'm making important lifestyle changes now. It's truly all because a little bird (and butterflies) told me!

Nature is on our side, trying to help us, if we just let it. We need to heed its messages for much better, happier lives!

I finally finished writing my book about the Southern Appalachian Mountains, and it's now in the hands of my publisher. It should be published in a few weeks. I'll let you know more later. Here's something similar to what is in my book-

Floral Pin

This is a decorative pin that is made entirely of seeds. (Great idea!) Southern Appalachian Mountain craftspeople tend to be very creative!

Positive thought- "One of the most efficient ways you can improve your life is by simply thinking more positively." -Robert Norman

Thanks for visiting! Until around Saturday, July 4, 2026, Becky

"Some Random Positive Thoughts"

 

View from a Window

~"To a wonderful May full of sunshine, fresh air & healing." -Laura Koniver MD

I love being out on beautiful, warm days, so I take breaks to be outside in between writing on my book which is due by the end of this month. It will hopefully be published in June.

Since I have limited time right now, I'm writing a blog post today which is short, but hopefully sweet!

Here are some random positive thoughts-

~I often like sitting on our front porch on a nice day for a few minutes. Rather than sitting and trying to meditate in a traditional way with my eyes closed, I prefer to observe things around me, to take in the sights and sounds of my surroundings. I enjoy the warmth of the sun, the fresh air, the beauty of nature, and birds sweetly singing and soaring through the air.

By taking breaks outside, I often come up with new ideas that really help me, either while sitting outside or a little while later.

I come up with ideas for my blog posts, my books, places to go, things to do, and not long ago, I suddenly thought about moving a small chair just around the corner from a small room to a larger room, and it has made a huge difference for us!

~ I try to stay away from negativity, like negative ads, negative PSAs, negative situations, and negative people! Things seem to go a lot better that way!

~On the other hand, it's good to listen to and watch positive things. One day, I heard Dana Perino talking about being positive, which was very inspiring. It makes you feel so much better when you watch and listen to things that are positive rather than negative.

As a little experiment, look at and listen to things for a few minutes that are negative, and then do the same for things that are positive. How did you feel after each one? Why dwell on the negative when we can live our lives positively? 

~Let's "Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative." -Johnny Mercer

What a great idea!

~Pet feature-

Happy birthday Mitzi! 

~Later this month our Mitzi will be 19 years old! Kallie was almost 17 and Kit-Cat is eight. We love all of our babies. They are very special!

~Another important day this month is this Sunday, May 10-

Happy Mother's Day!

Greg and I remember our special mothers and grandmothers, and we wish mothers everywhere a wonderful day of celebration!

~Next month, excerpts from my new book!

~Positive thought- "The blessings of life are everywhere, in the small moments, in the simple fact that we are here....beauty is always present, waiting to be noticed." -Malte Marten Music

Thanks for visiting! Until around Saturday, June 6, 2026, Becky

"Positively Inspired!"

 

"We love, because God loved us first." (1 John 4:19)

This is such a wonderful time of the year, with the beauty of nature and the Easter holiday with its special church services, Easter baskets filled with colorful eggs and chocolate bunnies, and special traditional meals shared with loved ones. 

Some people celebrate the holiday in non-traditional ways, like celebrating on another day of the weekend, or having a meal at a fast food restaurant, etc. ( It's okay to just celebrate it your way! We can be creative!)

All of these special things help to make us feel positively inspired. They can keep us from being in a rut.

To be inspired generally means to create a positive feeling.

We don't have to wait to be positively inspired because we can feel positive every day of our lives! During challenging times, it's good to have things that inspire us.

Here are some things that have helped inspire me be happy and positive-

~Walking, taking pictures, etc. in nature. (Once while on a walk, Greg and I came upon a woman who was painting a picture of the beautiful scenery.)

~Being with happy, positive people

~Watching funny shows, DVD's, etc.

~Planning and doing special nearby trips. You don't have to go abroad or across the country to have a wonderful time. There are so many nice things to do in our own back yards!

~Doing things often that I enjoy, like writing, crafts, etc. (What do you really enjoy doing?)

Beautiful music can be inspiring. I especially like these two songs- 

~"Hero" by Mariah Carey- ..."Look inside you and be strong, And you'll finally see the truth, That a hero lies in you."

~"Unstoppable" by Sia- ..."I'm unstoppable today..." -I first heard this heartfelt song on the Dr. Bob Martin radio show.

(These two talented women, who write songs, as well as sing, overcame adversity to share their great talents with the world.)

Here are some inspiring thoughts from other people-

~"Today is another chance to get better." -Unknown

~"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." -Henry David Thoreau

~"All dreams are within reach. All you have to do is keep moving toward them." -Viola Davis

~"Prayer is powerful." -Julie Green

~"If you have zest and enthusiasm, you attract zest and enthusiasm. Life does give back in kind." -Norman Vincent Peale (His wonderful book is "Enthusiasm Makes the Difference.")

Here are a couple of inspirational people and their websites-

~ www.Intuition-Physician.com (Dr. Laura Koniver, who has a background of abuse, helps others overcome various illnesses with natural healing techniques, etc.)

~ https://ct.liveyourtruth.com (Carol Tuttle, who had a rough childhood, helps others dress better, look more beautiful, and live better lives.)

"Easter is a day rooted in faith, in gratitude, and in the quiet reminder of what matters most." -Good Ranchers

~Positive thought: "If you are feeling good, it is because you are thinking good thoughts." -Rhonda Byrne, "The Secret"

~Thanks for visiting! Until around Saturday, May 2, 2026, Becky