"Living Positively"

 

By Annette White

A couple of  days ago, Greg and I went to the annual Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon, Virginia, not far from where we live. We enjoyed seeing the different arts and crafts done by the various talented participants at the festival.

One of the artists was Annette White from Alabama who paints beautiful, unique pictures on pieces of slate from a church roof that was over 100 years old! (See above photo.) 

She started painting to help her cope with a personal tragedy. Not only does she paint well, but she is a really nice person. I think that her inner beauty shows in her lovely artwork.

Here are a few quotes for living positively, which is important, especially now-

~"Surrounding myself with people who don't make me feel good is not healthy, so I avoid those who don't bring joy into my world. I've learned that when you're surrounded by kind people, everything will be okay." -Beth Stern

~"Karma-think good thoughts, say nice things, do good for others. Everything comes back." -Eckart Tolle

~"This is unjust!" -Angela Carini (We need to stand up for ourselves. as well as for others, to right any wrongs for a positive outcome.) 

We noticed the American flag flying in front of The Martha Washington Inn & Spa in Abingdon. Several artists' booths were on the grounds of "The Martha" during the Virginia Highlands Festival.

~"When we honor our flag, we honor what we stand for as a Nation-Freedom, Equality, Justice, and Hope." -Ronald Reagan

~"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results." -Willie Nelson

~"Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you." -Mary Lou Retton

~"The power of positive thinking can change your life." -Devin McCourty

~Pet Feature-

A few weeks ago, Greg and I were visiting Sevierville, Tennessee when we saw a man with a pretty white bird sitting on his shoulder. The man with the bird was getting all kinds of attention. No wonder! It is somewhat rare to see something like that.

The white bird was a parrot, the man's pet. The parrot was very tame, as a woman went over and stroked its head like you would a dog or a cat.

When I feature pets on this blog, it's always either a cat or a dog, but this time, in honor of birds, I want to announce that next month, on September 17, it's National Pet Bird Day!

~"Birds are the best pets around." -Bird

~"God loves you, I love you, God bless you, and have a wonderful day." -Julie Green

Positive thought: "Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may be actually falling into place." -Unknown

Thanks for visiting! Until around Saturday, September 7, 2024, Becky

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

"Living Positively in an Uncertain World"

Welcome!

And...

(From the Abingdon, Virginia Food City)

What a beautiful time of year!

You can enjoy the beauty of nature wherever you are, your own yard, a neighbor's, on the way to town. "And heaven and nature sing."-From "Joy to the World"-Jennifer Karen Watts/Simon Elliott Varga

Something unexpectedly wonderful might happen, like a neighbor's duck running through your front yard.

Being at home can be a real blessing. Greg and I love our home. We are currently enjoying fixing up our old house. We've done a lot already, but there's still more to do to keep us busy. I learned from  Mama that keeping busy was important for your mental, physical, and emotional well being. (Rest is important, too, however. Moderation in all things!)

Having or developing a hobby is a good thing.

I started art as a hobby, and now I sell my work. I enjoy photography and writing as well as art.

Greg is happiest when he is gardening. Spring and summer are his favorite times of the year.

"I am in charge of how I feel, and today I choose happiness."
-Unknown

Living positively in an uncertain world can be a challenge, but it's not impossible.

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."
-"Serenity Prayer"-Reinhold Niebuhr

Although some churches are not having services as usual, some churches are being very innovative, like having drive-in services with the church-goers in their vehicles and the minister using a microphone. Also, some local ministers are connecting to their congregations by having virtual church online. Plus, there are some really great ministers on television like Joel Osteen. There might even be some other creative ways to connect with each other and God. And, of course, we can all pray wherever we are.

Remember, light always overcomes the darkness.

Besides staying busy, especially doing things I love to do, and faith, I have other ways to help me feel good every day.

These include:
-Meditation
-Exercise (Remember to check with your doctor before starting exercise.) I enjoy walking, using the trampoline, and dancing. Even just one minute of dancing can raise your spirits!
-Aromatherapy
-Funny DVD's
-I enjoy emailing with people when I can't be with them.
-There are certain websites I like that have positive messages:
www.dressingyourtruth.com
www.caroltuttle.com
www.tut.com

Having a sense of humor helps. Just yesterday, I told Greg during lunch that I hadn't seen our cat, Kallie, all morning, and I wondered where she was, and without hesitation, Greg said, "I think she's upstairs practicing social distancing." Also, I love receiving funny forwarded emails.

My personal motto is, "Be positive, but be prepared." Greg and I have had for several years a survival area in each of the houses in which we've lived. This special area has come in handy lately, due to the current shortage of supplies. However, it wasn't perfect, and we're working to correct its flaws.

Especially during this time in all of our lives, we need to support small businesses, at home and online, including those on Etsy.

Also, if you enjoy the paranormal, please check out my book, "Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind." (See "Have you read Becky's book?" above.) Thank you!

A Message from One Homeowner to the World

Even with an impending storm, these sheep are calm and serene, and in the distance, birds are singing their sweet spring songs.

"The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it."-C. C. Scott

My brother, Nick, recently sent me an email with a pretty photograph of a bird's nest with blue bird's eggs that he and his wife had found in their yard. He said that "It's a good reminder that life goes on." Amen, Brother!

    (At Food City)

Positive thought: "Life is short. Make it sweet."-From a banner at the bakery at Food City, Abingdon, Virginia

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, May 3, 2020, Becky