Inspirational Thoughts

 

Here are some positive, inspirational thoughts, etc. to consider-

Spring symbolizes "rebirth, joy, and love...." and that "good always triumphs over evil, light over darkness, life over death."- Twinkl USA

Especially in today's world, we just have to believe, and to think and feel positively.

Remember, "It's always darkest before the dawn."- Thomas Fuller

"Unlock the power of 'instead'! What if instead of imagining the worse-case scenario, you pictured the best? What if instead of worrying, you wished? What if instead of bracing yourself for the bad, you opened your heart to the good? Great and wonderful things happen every single day." "Woman's World" magazine

"It's Time to Pray"- jgminternational.org

"If you spend your time praying for people instead of talking about them, you'll get better results."- Jaron Alexander

"Everything Will Be Okay"- Dana Perino

Interesting, intriguing website- matthewbooks.com

"Expect a miracle. Miracles happen everyday."- Unknown

In my newly revised memoir, "Down Memory Lane,"* I write about, among a lot of other things, memorabilia. I like to collect and to keep things that are special to me, things that remind me of the best, the special times in my life. 

One of those things is my-

 cell phone.

To anyone else, this just looks like an old beaten-up phone, but to me, it's special. I only carried it with me when I'd go away from home, but that cell phone went through a lot. It got run over by a car when it fell into the street. It had scuff marks, but it kept on working. It even rode all the way on top of the trunk of my car for several miles, after I had accidentally left it there. It was dropped several times, and I even had to tape the back of it to hold it together.

Because of what all it had been through, and survived, I call it my miracle phone. It served me well, and it never let me down, so I felt it deserved a special place among my memorabilia when I was forced to retire it.

How many of us or the people in our lives would have that much tenacity, would go through all of that, and still be that loyal and giving?

How to stay warm on a cold spring morning?-

Our Mitzi seems to have the right idea!

Small Business Feature: Hoot Books Publishing

Victoria Fletcher is the owner of successful Hoot Books Publishing where she not only publishes books, but she also offers other services such as proofreading, website design, as well as many other services. She publishes books for people all over our country.

In addition, she is a highly acclaimed Appalachian author, with such books as "Daily Dose of Encouragement," as well as many others.

FYI- hootbookspublishing.biz and victoriafletcher.biz

Just like spring, the Easter lily symbolizes new beginnings. It also symbolizes hope. And, I hope you had a very happy Easter.

*For more information about my book, "Down Memory Lane," please see the widget above.

~ Here's a special, important note about my blog, "The Art of Positive Living,"-Starting next month, I'll be publishing my "The Art of Positive Living" blog post only on the first Saturday of each month, so I'll have more time to write another book that I hope to have published by early fall. I have several other projects that I'm working on, as well. I'll continue to publish my "Spirit Photographs" blog post the third Saturday of each month.

Positive thought- "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." -John 3:16

Thanks for visiting! Until Saturday, May 6, 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

Acts of Kindness

And, an especially big welcome to spring! (Photo taken at the Homestead Harvest Restaurant. See the 3/13/16 blog post for more info.)

This blog post was inspired by someone who was kind to me when I needed kindness.

Recently, I was having my own private little pity party despite my best efforts to be positive. It was like a black cloud was hanging over my head. I wished that someone would send me a positive email, and not long afterward, guess what? I received a really cute, lighthearted e-card from a supportive, psychic friend which really turned my thoughts and emotions around. After that, several positive things started happening in my life. I couldn't believe the transformation.

If a simple e-card can help someone that much, just think of what we could all do to brighten each others lives, to make this world a better place, one act of kindness at a time!

"Kindness: the most valuable gift you can give someone."
-The Peace and Love Train

There's another person (among others) that I enjoy being around. She's always saying positive things to and about people. Even when she's speaking to a stranger on the phone, she says something positive to that person, like, "You're doing a great job!" Or, she might say, "You're like a ray of sunshine!" to someone. That sort of thing puts people in a good frame of mind that helps them have a much better day, and it also might even influence the people around them in a positive way.

Another time in my life,* I was helped by strangers. Several years ago, my car hydroplaned off the road on a very stormy day in a rural area. I was by myself on the way to an important meeting. Afterwards, my car wasn't working, and I was badly shaken. An elderly couple stopped by to see if I was okay. They were very kind, and helped me make plans about my car, and my meeting. (It was the time before cell phones!) Everything finally turned out well. Although I got to my destination a little late, and I looked a little disheveled, things could have been much worse. I was so thankful for the kind strangers who came to my rescue when I needed help.

I always thought that the nice couple who helped me must have been angels, but they might just have been regular folks who liked giving others a helping hand whenever it was needed. In any case, they were very special, and I'll always be grateful to them.

You might know, if you read my posts regularly, that I'm a big fan of the wonderful magazine, "Woman's World." Well, just recently, I checked their website,  www.womansworld.com . It has some interesting features like "Feel Inspired" which has articles on kindness, as well as other things.

Also, there's a website I really like that gives some unique ideas for showing kindness to others. An excerpt is below.

-"Share overheard compliments."
-"When you see something good, share it...."
-"When people are gossiping about someone, be the person to chime in with something nice."
-"Encourage someone to pursue her dreams."
-"Donate your stuff."
-"Put a surprise note or sketch in with your spouse's or kid's lunch."
(And, there are 92 other ideas!)
-From "98 Random Acts of Kindness-Ideas to Inspire Kindness"
 www.bradaronson.com/acts-of-kindness/

Plus, I'm sure we can be creative and come up with some of our own ideas. as well.

There's also a 2002 book that I'm thinking about getting. It's "Random Acts of Kindness" by The Editors of Conari Press. It has five stars on Amazon.

*Just as I was to this point in writing this post, I noticed it was past time to feed our cats after both of them came and reminded me of the fact. I always clean out their litter pans every time I feed them, but I noticed something different this time. I decided to take a picture of it in the litter pan since it was quite unusual, as you can see. Either our cats are very artistic, or something else is going on! It could very well be an act of kindness sent from a heavenly artist! (Love and kindness never fail!)

Happy Easter!

Positive thought: "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echos are truly endless."-Mother Teresa
Thanks for visiting! Until next Monday, March 28, 2016, Becky

Inspiration

Welcome!

I guess these days many of us could use some inspiration, so I decided to have a blog post about the things I have found that inspire me.

One of the easiest ways for me to be inspired is to watch Youtube videos.

My all-time favorite inspirational video is "Susan Boyle First Audition" on "Britain's Got Talent."  Try to watch that without getting a lump in your throat or tears in your eyes.  It's about the little guy winning, overcoming the odds.  At the time of the audition, Susan was 47 years old, unemployed, and had a background of being ridiculed as a child by other children, but she overcame it all because she believed in herself and was determined to use her God-given talent.

In addition to the Susan Boyle video, there are some other great Youtube videos including those featuring "Random Acts of Kindness."  If you've ever lost faith in humanity, just watch ones such as these to see that there are still a lot of wonderful, caring people out there.

I love "Woman's World" magazine because it is so positive and inspirational.  Every week there are several sections that deal with inspiration-
-It's "Seven Days of Inspiration" has sayings such as "You are one of a kind and wonderful" which you could easily turn into an affirmation to say throughout the day, "I am one of a kind and wonderful."  (This is not being narcissistic, but instead, it is helping you to build up your self esteem in order to make you feel better about yourself so you can more easily face the world each day.)
-"You Deserve Good Things" is another short but inspirational feature.
-"My Guardian Angel" is a section where readers share their stories such as this week's story about Jeanne whose father (that had passed on) sends her lucky pennies.  These stories are commented on by angel expert Doreen Virtue.

Speaking of fathers, I'd like to wish all fathers everywhere a very happy Father's Day.  Greg and I send special Fathers's Day wishes to our fathers who are in Heaven.

Positive thought: "Every moment is a fresh beginning."-T. S. Eliot
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

Heavenly Messages

Welcome!

We are not alone.  We are being counseled every day, if we just pay attention.  The signs are everywhere.

A few days ago, I was trying to decide on a good topic for a blog post, when, as I was coming out of a grocery store, I happened to look down, and there on the asphalt was the unmistakable shape of a heart.  I thought, of course, why didn't I think of it before?  This was something that I used every day that I needed to share with my readers, signs from above, heavenly messages.

I have the heart as my symbol, so that when a heart shows up in my life, it reminds me that all is well, that we are being watched over, and that we are blessed.  Now, I often see hearts everywhere I go-on buildings, signs, clothing, bags, etc.  I got the idea of having my personal symbol from one of Rhonda Byrne's wonderful books which have made such a positive difference in my life.

Other than your personal symbol, you can also receive other heavenly messages by being aware of the numbers that often show up in your life.  These numbers are explained in Doreen Virtue's helpful book, Angel Numbers.

Those images that you see in clouds (or anywhere else!) might hold special significance for you.

In the interesting weekly magazine, Woman's World, there is a page entitled "My Guardian Angel," where Doreen Virtue comments on angel stories that readers have sent in.  These stories are about messages that people have received from their departed loved ones.

The paranormal photos that are in my book, Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind, are from spirits that are trying to communicate with the living.

       Paranormal Mirror Featured in  Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind

If we just look, become more aware, messages are everywhere that just might help us have happier, more positive lives.  They will certainly make life more interesting!

Positive thought:  Look for the positive, and you will certainly find it!
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky