"How to Be More Positive"

 

Sometimes, it seems hard to get and maintain a positive frame of mind, but there are things we can all do in order to be more positive. We just have to do those things that feel right for us.

I feel more positive and uplifted when I occasionally get to hear "The Constitution Minute" on our local radio station. Also, I can always go anytime to www.constitutionminute.com to hear the same messages that are on the radio.

"The Constitution Minute" is a positive, patriotic message from Dr. Larry Arnn, the president of Hillsdale College. "The Constitution is key to securing liberty for all Americans..." In addition to an uplifting message, you can also request a free pocket-sized copy of our Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. These documents contain important information that all Americans need to know.

Greg and I recently went through about two weeks of challenges that began when our television suddenly stopped working. We're thankfully getting everything satisfactorily resolved, and as we're looking back on everything, these so-called negative events actually turned into something positive. 

("Every problem has a gift for you in its hands."- Richard Bach)

For instance, Greg discovered some skills that he didn't realize that he had. Also, we got to take a break from our usual routine of busyness, and as a result, we got to go and do some enjoyable, relaxing things that we hadn't made time for in a while, like walking in the park.

(Let's have some fun!"- Jesse Kelly)

You can meet the nicest people and pets in the park-

Get a best furry friend, like Iris.

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."- Roger Caras

We also recently enjoyed our town's fireworks for the first time since we've lived here-

Finally, if you'd like a super-easy way to be more positive, etc., be sure to "Immerse yourself  in soothing, healing sounds of the handpan infused with a pure frequency of 528 Hertz."- Malte Marten

528 hz handpan music my favorite healing meditation. It is supposed to promote positivity as well as other good qualities.

Also, please check out my memoir, "Down Memory Lane" by Becky Arnott. For more information, just click the widget above.

~Positive thought- Positive thinking is "only thinking thoughts of what you want. And it makes sense because negative thoughts hurt us. Negative thoughts attract what we don't want, they make us feel bad, and they harm our health. So why on earth would anyone indulge in them? ...think only of what you want!"- Rhonda Byrne

Thanks for visiting! Until around Saturday, August 3, 2024, Becky

"Happy Fall!"

 

I really love early fall, with all of the beautiful bright colors of the season.

~"When autumn moves with silent step across the summer scene, she weaves a vivid fabric to cover the woodland green. Over the quiet countryside, in glorious array, over the field and meadow, she spreads her bright display." -From "The Pageantry of Autumn" by Alexa Kirsten

There are, of course, colorful leaves on the trees-

and brightly colored flowers in people's yards  and beside the road-

Colorful produce greets you outside your grocery store or roadside stand-

All of these cheerful colors-the reds, oranges, and yellows, can help us feel happier. 

Also, this can be a great time to walk, in a park, or even your own back yard. Did you know that walking can actually "reduce negative thoughts and boost self-esteem"? -From Farm Bureau

Just recently, Greg and I visited Jonesborough, Tennessee which is about an hour from where we live. There, we met two of Greg's family members at The Black Olive for a delicious lunch-

Cheese Calzone

FYI-

The Black Olive, Jonesborough, Tennessee 

https://theblackolivetn.com

Then, we got to enjoy a really entertaining storyteller at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough. The storyteller was Donald Davis who was from Western North Carolina. (Our relatives that went with us are from that same area.) He made us laugh, and, of course, laughter is good for us all. It can be very healing, and make us happier!

Colorful Fall Decorations Outside the International Storytelling Center

FYI-

International Storytelling Center

https://www.storytellingcenter.net

(Of course, we don't have to go out somewhere to laugh and feel happier. We can watch funny TV shows on television, watch funny DVD's, or funny videos on the Internet. We can even read funny stories in books, etc.)

~"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be." -Abraham Lincoln

Outside the Crystal Raven store in Jonesborough-

Happy Fall, Y'all

~Recommended Reading- "Down Memory Lane" by Becky Arnott. "Down Memory Lane" is a true nostalgic memoir about growing up and growing older in Southern Appalachia. It is on Amazon in both the Kindle and paperback versions. Please see the widget above for more information.

Positive thoughts: "Who will remember that skies are gray if he carries a happy heart all day." -Author Unknown, and, "You happy up the world. The world thanks you." -Cheryl Gaines, Hallmark Writer

Thanks for visiting! Until Saturday, November 4, 2023, Becky

Celebrating and Having Fun!

 

August is Greg's and my special month since our wedding anniversary and Greg's birthday are both in August. So every August, we really celebrate and have fun. August was even more special this year since we had a milestone anniversary, and Greg had a milestone birthday.

~"Let's have some fun!"-Jesse Kelly

The celebrating began when special relatives sent us special balloons, candy, and other treats for our anniversary which is during the first week of the month.

Near the end of the month, our cat Kallie had fun playing with the balloons after they were past their prime. (Supervised, of course!)

A few days later, some members of my side of the family came to our house to help celebrate Greg's birthday.

Waiting in the kitchen...

for our little buffet meal,

complete with a special dessert.

Then, a couple of days later, we celebrated with two members of Greg's side of the family.

Betty and Greg

Since Betty's birthday is close to Greg's, we celebrated her birthday, too, at Pisgah Inn in North Carolina at lunchtime.

Mike and Greg Waiting to Go Get Some Birthday Desserts in Asheville, North Carolina 

Later in "our" month, Greg and I went on a little trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee which was a lot of fun.

We really enjoyed lunch at Huck Finn's Catfish-

The delicious food was served family-style. We even had hush puppies left over for supper at home.

There is so much to see and do in Pigeon Forge. 

What a wonderful way to celebrate! (Gatlinburg and Sevierville are also great!)

~Positive Feature-

To live a more positive life, you might want to get this "special edition" of "Real Simple" magazine at your local newsstand, "The Power of Positivity." It features articles on "The Science of Smiling" and "Make your Own Luck," as well as others.

~Cute Dog Feature-

Rip

Recently, Greg and I were outside our local convenience store when we ran into a nice couple visiting from Maryland which is to the north of our state of Virginia. They had a super-cute dog, a Shih Tzu, named Rip. I touched its fur, which really felt more like cotton than fur. It would really be neat to have a little dog like this, but there's no way our three cats would tolerate that!

 You never know what or who you might encounter when you go out. Life is truly an adventure!

~Book Feature-

If you like retro, and would like to take a positive walk down memory lane, you might want to check out my latest book, "Down Memory Lane" by Becky Arnott. Please see the widget above for more information on Amazon for both the paperback and Kindle editions.

Beautiful Mountain View from Pisgah Inn

For a list of United States flag holidays, visit this website- www.flagsusa.com/flag-holidays/ 

Celebrate and have fun!

Positive thought: "Happiness is not by chance, but by choice." Jim  Rohn

Thanks for visiting! Until Saturday, October 7, 2023, Becky

The Positive and the Negative

 

Lately, I've come across quite a bit of information about the subject of positivity. Being positive is a good thing during this time in our history. I believe it's important for us not to fall into a negativity trap because that's actually not helpful.

Here are some positive and negative tidbits I'd like to share with you to help illustrate this-

Sometimes things happen that we think are bad, that are negative, but they are actually positive when you look for the good in any situation. 

For example, a man might have missed getting a certain job for which he had applied. However, shortly thereafter, he was hired for another job that was much better in every way! 

A romantic relationship might have ended, but, then, another person comes along that is much nicer, more caring, and respectful.

Everything happens for the best!

Recently, I noticed a "Special Edition" of "Time" magazine which has an intriguing title, "The Power of Positive Thinking why attitude matters." Good to see this type of publication; the more, the better!

Recently, a woman came up to me and said that she enjoyed reading my "The Art of Positive Living " blog. She also said that she had a personal story to share with me about being positive- She explained that one night she didn't get much sleep, and that she felt bad the next day. In fact, she said she was also in bad mood, so much so that she noticed that negative things started happening to her. She had gone out to shop that day, and she described a series of negative events that happened to her before she got back home.

Thankfully, once she was home, she finally realized that it was her negative attitude that had drawn the negative events to her. She then told me that whether a person is positive or negative makes a huge difference, that she's made a determined effort to be a positive thinker and feeler from now on!

I know a woman, who, although she is not a classic beauty, makes the most of  her assets, and dresses attractively. She is very kind, friendly, likable, and seems very happy. She has a nice life, plenty of friends, and she is married to a great guy. I believe her life is the way it is because of her positive attitude.

"Positivity has more power than you think."- "Woman's World" magazine (which is full of positivity!)

Not long ago, I was in a small shop in a small town when I overheard the shop owner tell another lady from another shop that she was barely hanging in there. My heart went out to her, and I wanted to support her, so I bought a wedding gift out of several possibilities that she suggested, not knowing if the gift I finally selected was the best choice for the couple or not. I finally decided just to go with the flow, and to buy something from her rather than go somewhere else to try to find the perfect gift. (I'm still working on my obsession with perfectionism!)

As it turned out, the couple loved my gift, and I felt really happy that I was able to support a small business that was struggling. Looking back, I know that I had been led to that shop for important reasons.

We can make a positive difference in people's lives!

"Please check out my latest (Kindle) book, "Down Memory Lane" which is on Amazon. (See widget above.)

Positive thought: "During these trying times that we are having worldwide, the spirit world is so active because they really want you to know that your loved ones in heaven are close by, offering protection and love during these trying times. It is like they are showing up big-time to provide their support."- Bonnie Page, psychic medium

Thanks for visiting! Until, Sunday, August 7, 2022, Becky