'Tis the Season

 

Welcome!

This is a very special time of the year, for many reasons. 

It's the holiday season that began with Thanksgiving, which most of us just celebrated in many different ways with family and/or friends.

"If you practice gratitude a lot every day, your life will change dramatically and in ways you can hardly imagine."-From "The Magic" by Rhonda Byrne

So, it's important to give thanks, not just at Thanksgiving, but throughout your day, every day. the more you are thankful, the more you are blessed.

Last week, Greg and I were outside a grocery store which is in a small shopping center when we heard absolutely beautiful music outside another nearby store. A grocery store employee walked by, and I asked her what was going on. She said that it was a busker. I had to ask her what a busker was, and she explained that it was someone who performed for money, usually on a street.

Greg and I had seen people occasionally performing on the street in larger towns and cities, but we'd never before heard the word "busker." This type of entertainment is very rare in our area.

I decided to investigate, and I saw a man expertly playing an electrified violin. 

Tears filled my eyes as I read the sign beside him and listened to his wonderful music. He was good enough to play with the finest orchestras in the world, and yet, here he was, during the time of the holidays, having to help support his family the best he knew how. Many people who passed by were thankfully donating to him and his family.

"Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you."-Mother Teresa

"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted."-Aesop

The talented violinist is not the only one who has suffered during this time in our country (and in other countries, as well). I recently heard a caller on a radio talk show, and I learned that through no fault of his own, he was without a job and was homeless. This, unfortunately, seems to be the tip of the iceberg these days!

"Helping others in need is not only a responsibility of life; it is what gives meaning to life."-Molly Marti

While it is great to help others when they need it, nearly everyone can improve their situation in life by applying certain principles.

"A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you."-Joyce Meyer 

To overcome any difficult circumstance, I do believe we need to have a positive attitude, to pray, and to believe everything will turn out for the best. 

Don't go by appearances; we need to know in our hearts that- "Everything Will Be Okay"-Dana Perino

"The Best Is Yet to Come..." www.jgminternational.org

"-play, laugh, sing, dance, be joyful, hug a tree, and love each other!"-www.matthewbooks.com

Yes, 'tis the season to be thankful, to give to others, and to be positive, all of which would be great to do all year long! What a great world we'd all have then!

Positive thought: "As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way."-Mary Anne Radmacher

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, December 11, 2022, Becky

 

How to Be Happy in Today's World

Welcome!

During this challenging time in today's world, we can still be happy where we are, right now.

"Don't wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to enjoy life."
-Joyce Meyer

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts."
-Marcus Aurelius

I have to be vigilant with my thoughts. I can't let little things be turned into big things, and let them ruin my day.

I have around me little notes to remind me to stay on track, like-
"Happy, Happy, Happy!"
-Phil Robertson, "Duck Dynasty"
(Just seeing this quote makes me smile.)

Don't depend on anyone else for your happiness.

"When we approve of ourselves rather than seeking approval from others, we find happiness."
-zenhealth.net

It is also important to spend our time with people who make us feel accepted and comfortable. If  anyone is physically or emotionally abusive, run, don't walk away!

Don't ever apologize to anyone for who you are! You are unique, one of a kind. (Remember-"God doesn't make junk!"-Shashank Rai)

"You are beautiful for you are fearfully and wonderfully made."
-Psalms 139:14

-We need to believe in a power higher than ourselves, and believe that God will get rid of the evil forces in our lives, and that the good will be victorious.

Don't believe everything you are told on the mainstream news. Be well informed and have different sources for your news so you can come up with your own conclusions. For example, balance television news with talk radio news. Share your newfound knowledge with others.

If you don't like what's going on around you, make a positive difference by signing petitions, having truly peaceful demonstrations, calling your congressmen, or signing up to help with elections, etc. Vote in person!

Don't ever let anyone take away your rights or force you to do anything against your will!

Whatever you enjoy doing, try to do more of that. For example, I really enjoy photography, so I take lots of pictures, not only at home, but whenever I go out. I always have a camera nearby.

Helping other people and animals will not only make them happy, but it will make us feel good about ourselves, and thus we become happier. Our kindness can range from holding a door open for someone to giving someone a special gift that we made ourselves to volunteering at an animal shelter.

Sincerely complementing people when you're out is something you might like to do, and it's so easy. Telling someone that their ring is really pretty or that they are doing a good job or that you appreciate them just might make their day go a lot better.

Just yesterday, Greg and I were in a store, and I told a woman that her dog was cute, and it seemed to please her. She looked really happy, and she wanted to know if I wanted to hold it. I said that I liked taking pictures of animals, and that instead of holding it, that I'd like to take its picture. She loved the idea.

Buster with His Adoptive Mom

The woman waved and told us to have a good day as she was leaving. We'd made a new instant friend.

We must remember that we're here on earth to try to make life happy for ourselves and others, not to tear it down and destroy the people in it!

Everyday, I try to visualize harmony and peace for everyone, and that the old normal makes a swift comeback! In the meantime, let's be happy, happy, happy!

"To whomever is reading this, I hope something wonderful happens to you today."
-Karen Salmansohn

Positive thought: "Happiness is an adventure. Set out on it."-zenhealth.net
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, September 6, 2020, Becky

Resolutions for a New Year, a New You!

Welcome!

Since I was a young girl, I've made resolutions for self-improvement on New Year's Day, to help start the new year off right. I like to think that making those resolutions has helped propel me in the right direction. This year was no different. I made a few resolutions that mainly continue the ones I made last year.

In addition, I'm certainly in agreement with author Rhonda Byrne who has a resolution for the new year to be positive. In fact, being positive is her only resolution every year, because if you're truly positive, everything else should fall nicely into place.

Being positive is my main resolution, but I feel that I need other goals to aim me in the right direction. For example, for my business, I have goals I want to accomplish by a certain date. One of those goals is to publish another book no later than August 1 of this year. (I'll keep you posted on that one!)

Resolutions don't have to be made only on New Year's Day. In fact, I just added another resolution a few days ago, and that was to simplify my life. I was over a week late with this blog post this time, because I've just been trying to accomplish too much. I'm now trying to step back and to evaluate my life and to decide to do what's really important to me, and to just let the rest go.

It is never too late to make a resolution. If you've yet to make yours, or if you'd like to add another, what would it be?

Good luck with your resolutions, and may this be your best year yet!

Positive thought: "A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of allowing your circumstances to have power over you."-Joyce Meyer
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, February 4, 2018, Becky