"Positively Inspired!"

 

Spring is right around the corner (March 20)! Happy! Happy!

Spring represents new beginnings, a rebirth. It's the time when the pretty flowers and leaves come out again in all of their splendor. Do you know that we can let spring inspire us to change for the better?

However, we don't have to wait for spring or New Year's Day or any other special day for beginning anew. We can begin right now to make our lives better, the way we want our lives to be.

~"Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath, smile, and start again." -Tamara Kulish

Here are some ideas that might positively inspire you as they did me on my life's journey, and I hope they help you, as well-

~I recently saw and bought a used bargain coloring book. I have this book in a drawer that I open daily, and I feel inspired when I see the charming drawings that were skillfully colored with felt-tipped pens, and I read the inspiring quotes that accompany the pictures. 

Here are some of the quotes: 

-"Life is wonderful, and so are you!" -"Dreams do come true!" -"The best is yet to come."

Positive messages like these are very important, especially in today's world where we are often bombarded with so much negativity.

~"Leave the past and any difficulty where it belongs-behind you. Instead, take a deep breath of fresh air in this moment-and focus on your ideal life. Your power to create your life the way you want is now." ~Rhonda Byrne

Rhonda Byrne is one of my favorite authors. She has written several inspirational books, including "The Secret," "The Magic," and "The Power," as well as several others. "The Secret" movie is terrific.

More inspirational books are the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series of books. They were written by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hanson.

One of these books featured a man named John Goddard, who, at the age of 15, made a list of 127 goals he wanted to accomplish in his life. A few of his goals included visiting The Leaning Tower of  Pisa, becoming an Eagle Scout, typing 50 words a minute, and reading the "Bible" from cover to cover. At the time of the publication of the book, he had accomplished 108 of his goals, which is really remarkable.

This shows what we can do if we really want to.

We may not want to have the time, energy, or inclination to set and achieve so many goals as this man did, but, at the same time, it's good to set goals for ourselves, to accomplish something worthwhile, and to not get stuck in a rut. After all, life should be an inspirational adventure!

Animal Feature-

Kit-Cat

Hope you're inspired to adopt a pet. Bet you'd be glad you did, and so will your pet!

Happy spring!

Positive thought: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -Eleanor Roosevelt

Thanks for visiting! Until around Saturday, April 5, 2025, Becky

"February, a Very Positive Month!"

 

WELCOME!

Besides being just another winter month, what do most people think of when they think of February? If you are like me, you probably think of Valentine's Day on February 14. Most people are probably making plans to have a meal out or to have a romantic meal at home. This year, Greg and I are planning on exploring a nearby historic town after lunch. We'll visit some local shops and other places of interest that we haven't had time to visit in the past.

Many people will exchange valentine gifts and cards, as well. 

I still remember when I was in grade school, how each student would have a beautifully decorated Valentine's Day box where we would all put valentines in each other's boxes.  

As if February 14 festivities were not enough, there are other neat days in February, as well.

Today, February 2, just happens to be Groundhog Day. Every year at this time since 1887, Punxsutawney Phil in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, predicts the weather according to whether or not he sees his shadow. The not-so-good news was that he did see his shadow today, so here in the United States, there is supposed to be six more weeks of bad weather. The good news is that Phil is right only 35% of the time!

Right now, here in the Southern Appalachians, we are predicted to have above average temperatures most of this week, although after that, the temperature will be more seasonable. (We're really taking advantage of these warmer days right now! We're getting to work outside some, as well as having fun!)

February 17 is also a very special day since there are several fun ideas that you might enjoy trying that day-

-One thing you might want to do on this day is to celebrate My Way Day. All you do on this day is to celebrate you and your unique talents and personality, and to do things that you enjoy (that are not immoral or illegal, of course!). 

To celebrate, you might want to stay home and watch several DVD's that you have never had time to see before, while eating several of your very favorite foods. You might even go out and buy a new blouse in your favorite color and style, or you might like to go somewhere you've never been before. The important thing is just to celebrate the real you, the person you really are. ~For more information visit  http://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/my-way-day/  .

-Another idea you might want to try after having fun celebrating you, is to focus on other people, and do something randomly nice for others on Random Acts of Kindness Day which is also on February 17. 

Some ideas might be to sincerely compliment someone that you may or may not know. (I remember how good I felt when a stranger once complimented me on my hair, and when someone recently admired a necklace I was wearing.) Also, you could open a door for someone, or just give someone a smile. You could even give a neighbor a small gift.

Being kind to yourself and others sounds like a great idea!

And that's not all for February 17, 2025 since Presidents' Day just happens to fall on this day this year.

With all of the really special things that we might decide to do on the special days in February, we can no longer think of this month as just another cold month to get through until spring, but, rather, we can declare instead that February is a very positive month! 

And do you know what?-We can make every month of this year more positive and enjoyable by just being kind to ourselves and others! Sounds like a plan!

~Animal/Pet Feature-

One of our special family members, Cris, sent us information about what to do if we find a hypothermic animal which might happen if it is exposed to cold weather or cold water so that its body temperature is very low. It is valuable information (Please see paragraph directly below.) that we might need at some time. Cris loves animals, and she supports animal causes. Cris, thanks so much for sharing! 

For more information about this important topic, please search the Internet. Just type in- "What to do if you find a hypothermic animal?"

~ "If we're going to have animals around, we all have to be concerned about them and take care of them." -Bob Ross

~ "Animals are souls, aspects of God just as...we are, and many species are way-showers of unconditional love, loyalty and supportiveness."-  www.matthewbooks.com/january-3-2025/

Our Kit-Cat was a stray, a feral cat, not in the best of health. Thanks to our local vet, she is thriving now-

~"Cats are angels with fur." - Sark

Happy Valentine's Day. and Happy Every Day!

Positive thought- "Your heart knows the way. Run in that direction." -Rumi

Thanks for visiting! Until around Saturday, March 1, 2025, Becky

"A Positive New Year!"

 

Here are some inspirational quotes and ideas, etc. to help us have a more positive new year. Let's trust the magic of a fresh start! Welcome 2025!

~ "2025 is a year of heightened focus on balance, harmony, and new beginnings." -Carol Tuttle

~ Here's "A healing mantra for 2025"- "I am open to what is possible." -Laura Koniver

A favorite mantra of mine, that I repeat several times a day is, "Every day in every way, I am getting better and better." (Emily Coue)

~ "...it's time to set our intentions for this...year. Make a list of what you want to see happen in 2025, and to insure your intentions are fully energized..., read your intention list each day for the month of January." -Rhonda Byrne  

Also, Rhonda suggests watching "The Secret" movie to be uplifted, inspired, and empowered.

I've made my list of resolutions for the new year, which includes, of course, being even more positive! I'm reading my resolutions every day, and I plan to do so the rest of the year, so I don't lose my focus on what is important for an even happier, more positive life.

Also, I believe that it's good to have positive reminders around to help you stay on track. For example, we have a decorative coffee cup in our kitchen that I gave Greg for Christmas. The cup has a picture of the late, talented artist, Bob Ross, (Greg and I are both big Bob Ross fans.) along with one of his famous quotes, "HAPPY LITTLE TREES," a quote which Greg and I both love. Seeing the cup with the smiling Bob Ross, along with his quote, makes us smile, and it is a fun reminder to be happy, and to take time to enjoy life! 

Here are some encouraging quotes from "The Pioneer Woman" website, to further help us as we venture into the new year-

~ "Every moment is a fresh beginning." -T. S. Eliot

~ "...to be successful in the new year,...develop a positive attitude...." -Bamigboye Olurotimi

~ "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot

~ "The new year stands before us like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written." -Melody Beattie

~ "The best is yet to come." -Frank Sinatra

~ ANIMAL FEATURE~

~ "Animals are such agreeable friends-they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms." George Eliot

~ "(A dog's) ability to love...is tremendous. It's spirit and willingness to love and to be a companion is great." -From "Animal Speak" by Ted Andrews

"Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year! May it bring endless opportunities, happiness, and everything your heart desires. Sending love to each and every one of you." -Malte Marten

(I second that! Becky Arnott)

Positive thought- "No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again." -Buddha

Thanks for visiting! Until around Saturday, February 1, 2025, Becky