New Beginnings!

 

Living a positive life in today's world may be a challenge, but it can be done. We only need to change ourselves for the better, and then, miraculously, everything else will change for the better.

Spring is a perfect time to start anew, new beginnings for ourselves, for others, and for the world.

"Nothing in the universe can stop you from letting go and starting over."-Guy Finley

First of all, we need to get into the right mindset. To do this, we need to make time for ourselves and do what makes us feel better.* 

This might include, but is not limited to, meditation (This is what I need to do more of every day. I'm working on it!), praying, listening to uplifting music (I love the video of Louis Armstrong, beautifully singing "What a Wonderful World."), exercise (so many things from which to choose-walking, dancing, bike riding, etc.), reading, traveling, just being in nature, watching a comedy show ("Laughter is the best medicine."), etc.

 Also, Greg and I eat healthy, organic food most of the time. We drink filtered water throughout the day. We like to get fresh air and some sunshine as often as possible. Also, we try to get at least seven hours of sleep every night. Something I've finally learned to do is to slow down and take periodic rest breaks throughout my busy days. 

"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live."- Jim Rohn

Is there something you would really love to do, but you never took the time to do it? This is a great question to ask ourselves. What is your heart's desire? If you had all of the time and money in the world, what would you do? Is it a place you'd like to visit or an activity you'd like to do? What is it? 

"Live your dream and take risks. Life is happening now."-Paulo Coelho

No man is an island. We need to be around, to hang out with positive people, and to confide in someone we can trust.

We need to make a difference, like writing emails, calling people, going to meetings, etc. if we see changes that need to be made in our world.

Just a few days ago, a sweet-looking Amish woman came up to me while I was shopping in a store, and she handed me an inspirational CD. She said she wanted me to have it. I thought that that was such a nice thing for her to do.

Every night, before I go to sleep, I visualize our world with a golden-white light all around it, and I think, "Light overcomes the darkness." (This idea is from www.matthewbooks.com.) I like to believe that this exercise is somehow making our planet a better place in which to live.

Small Business Feature: 

Giardino's Pizzeria & Restaurant

Giardino's is an authentic Italian restaurant in the small town of Glade Spring in Southwest Virginia which offers delivery and pickup. The menu is large and the food is delicious!

Here is a sample of the wonderful food you can get from Giardino's-

Pizza, anyone? Yum!

And for dessert, Greg occasionally gets their wonderful chocolate cheesecake!

FYI: www.giardinopizzeriarestaurant.com

Happy spring!

"Spring is a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be." -"Good Housekeeping"

Positive thought: "Spring will come and so will happiness. Hold on. Life will get warmer."-Anita Krizzan

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, April 3, 2022, Becky

*Disclaimer: Everything I mention doing in this blog post is up to the reader. My suggestions are merely my thoughts and opinions. I'm not responsible for anything that anyone decides to do as a result of reading this or any of my other posts. Thank you, Becky Arnott 

Living Positively

 

Living positively can be a challenge anytime, but especially in today's unsettled world. It can be done, however.

In this blog post, I'll tell you some things that have helped me in my positive-living journey. Some of these guidelines might even help you!

First of all, I always try to be true to myself. For example, if I feel that a certain fashion trend is not for me, I just don't buy the trendy items. Also, Greg and I are very low-tech. We don't go for the latest technical gadgets. We actually still read real books. We have decided to do what's best for us. Doing this has made us feel happier and more in control of our lives.

-"To thine own self be true."-Shakespeare

Nothing in nature is perfect, but everything is still beautiful. In the same way, you don't have to be perfect to be a beautiful person.

Express yourself! Be creative!

Have a hobby. Do something you'd really enjoy!

Celebrate! (Often!)

Enjoy yourself, wherever you are...

in your own back yard or...

on an adventure!

Pal's in Abingdon, Virginia always has the right idea!-

Surround yourself with happy memories.

Greg and I, with the help of a friend, turned our old unfinished storage room into a finished room, complete with some of the mementos (photos, souvenirs, etc.) that we'd kept from our childhood and beyond. We're still adding things from our recent trips, special occasions, etc. I love this room. When I walk into it, I feel like I'm getting a warm hug.

You don't need to fix a whole room like we did, but keeping things around that make you feel happier can be a good thing!

Always make it a point to only hang out with with others that are kind, supportive, and respectful.

It's nice to have someone special to love, whether it's a person or...

a pet.

We recently made a new friend, this super-cute dog that we met on one of our walks through town.

We try to eat healthy food, even when we eat out.

This parfait may look unhealthy, but it's actually made with pumpkin, yogurt, and honey, and is really quite good. (Also, don't be afraid of doing something new, like making this parfait! You might even start to feel like you're a gourmet chef!)

Every once in a while, though, have a special, decadent treat-

(It's the yin/yang theory [you know, balance] that a massage therapist once told me about. That's one great theory!)

Like at-

Blue Hills Natural Food Market in Abingdon, Virginia and...

Natural Foods Market in Johnson City, Tennessee

These health food stores have good quality items, and the clerks are knowledgeable and helpful. Also, we try to shop at places that share our values.

Happy Halloween!

Positive thought: "Be spiritual. I've found that things go much smoother, life is much easier when you are!"-Becky Arnott

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, November 7, 2021, Becky

Positive Odds and Ends

Welcome!

I'd like to share with you today what I would call "positive odds and ends," a mixture of different things that happen to be positive.

First of all, I'd like to update last week's blog post (7/11/14) entitled "One Way to Be Happier and More Positive" which was about being happier and more positive by being healthier.

I asked readers to let us know of any more healthy websites, etc. that they might add to the ones I mentioned.  I was happy to hear from our savvy sister-in-law Cris who is an avid health advocate.  Cris sent me an email about the Center of Food Safety (www.centeroffoodsafety.org) that is a wonderful resource for the public.  One recent post concerned GE (genetically engineered) crops, a toxic herbicide, and the EPA.  You might want to check it out.  Thanks, Cris, for the great info!

A couple of other updates that I'd like to add to last week's post are:
(Disclaimer: Greg and I are not health experts.  I am just sharing what we do.  These ideas may or may not be right for you.)
-We don't drink water from plastic bottles as there is controversy about this now.
-We only use soup and veggies from cans with non-BPA lining.

I'd now like to share some positive quotes I came across this week-

"The mind is everything.  What you think you become."
-www.BestMotivationalQuotes.com
"A winner is a dreamer who never gives up."
-Nelson Mandela

"Find joy in the ordinary."
-www.weheartit.com

Photo by Greg Arnott

"Something beautiful is on the horizon."
-www.placeboeffect.com

"I don't have time to be negative."
-Venus Williams
(I love this one because I believe if you stay busy with positive things that you really don't have time for negativity in your life.  I got this from my mother who taught me from her example.)

Speaking of my mother, she just celebrated a big birthday with a party that several of her family and friends attended.  We all had a wonderful time.  Love to my special mother, Jean.

Positive thought: "If you're feeling low, don't despair.  The sun has a sinking spell every night, but it comes back up every morning." -Dolly Parton
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky