'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

 

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

The Importance of Being Positive

 

I decided to do a little research to see if being positive is a good idea, if being positive is worth the effort.

Here's what I found-

-Dr. Laura Koniver, who's an expert on grounding, says that optimism improves your body's health, that it protects the health of both your brain and your body. A positive outlook can even help you live longer. And, a negative attitude can harm your brain and body.

-The current special edition issue of the magazine, "ID," from A360 Media, "Marvels of the Mind," has an article that says that positive thoughts can even help heal. The article went on to say that people who have good posture tend to be more positive, and those who have poor posture tend to be more negative! What an incentive to better our posture!

-Delilah, American radio personality, recently had some words of wisdom about negative people. She said that she no longer wanted to be around people who are (I'm paraphrasing) negative, gossipy, mean, snarky, and those who say hurtful things because she didn't want to be like them. (Good for her! Good idea!)

Small Business Feature-

A local book publisher in my area, Victoria Fletcher, has a positive attitude. She works hard, is enthusiastic and upbeat, loves what she does, and she's very successful. Not only does she publish other people's books, but she has published 23 of her own books, as well! For an example of her excellent publishing work, see the first widget (above), "Down Memory Lane" by Becky Arnott. FYI- www.facebook.com/HootBooks

So, is being positive a good idea? I would have to say that it's actually a great idea, and that it is worth the effort!

"Better days are on the way." -Unknown

Have a happy 4th of July!

Positive thought: "Always end the day with a positive thought. No matter how hard things were, tomorrow's a fresh opportunity to make it better." -Unknown

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, July 10, 2022, Becky

Go with the Flow, Etc.

 

So many times we try to make things happen, to do it our way, to force things to be the way we think they should be.

The truth is, there may be one or more possibilities out there that are better than anything we could ever imagine.

For example, the first few years of our marriage, Greg and I lived in rented apartments. We wanted a house of our own, but we didn't know if that would even be possible anytime soon.

Then, one day, when Greg and I were traveling, we took a wrong turn and went down a street where we'd never been before. Not far down that road, we saw a house that we really liked. It was a Cape Cod in a rather run-down condition, but we decided that with some work, it could become the house of our dreams.

Before

We were, however, concerned that we couldn't afford it, but after some creative financing, the pretty diamond-in-the-rough, fixer-upper house became ours. 

After

We really enjoyed fixing it up and having it the way we wanted it to be. We lived there happily for several years.*

We sold that house, and we bought two other houses to renovate. We sold those, and we're currently living in an old (1901) house that we're also renovating.

That "wrong turn" that we took those many years ago turned out to be a right turn for us! 

One day, I went shopping for a package of ink pens, but when I looked for them, I couldn't find the ones I'd been using. I even went to several stores, looking for that particular brand of pen. When I still couldn't locate the pens, I finally resigned myself to buy another brand.

When I got home, I tried out one of the new pens, and to my great surprise, it was actually better than the type that I'd been using for years! The new one was smooth and didn't skip at all. I couldn't believe that I'd become so attached to the old pens, that in reality, they weren't doing a very good job!

Also, just recently, I lost a small, natural stone that I was wearing as a pendant. I wore it a lot, and I miss it, but I feel confident that I'll find another one just as nice, if not better than that one.

Rather than trying to make things happen, just go with flow,** and notice how much smoother everything goes. We just need to have a positive attitude, to do the best we can, and to know with God's help that everything will turn out for the best.

Also, at the same time, I think we need to keep in mind that it's good to have nice things in our lives, but instead of counting on material things to keep us happy, it's far more important to cultivate good qualities in ourselves, like kindness, compassion, love (for ourselves, as well as others), (and being positive!), etc. So, "things" should just be sidelines.

Something kind we can do is to support small business, especially right now.

When Greg and I can't find things we need from small businesses locally or from small businesses when we're traveling, we seek out small businesses online, like the ones on eBay and Etsy, which are reputable companies. You can find some nice things for reasonable prices from good online vendors.

After buying something from these online sellers, it can make us feel good to get something we needed and wanted and at the same time, to know that we've helped someone else.

Many of these vendors are so appreciative that they send little hand-written notes that say something like, "Thank you for supporting my small business," "Thank you! xoxo, Karen," and also-

One person even sent me "Bible" passages, and offered to pray for anyone who needed prayers.

We are all one, and we need to love and support each other now, as never before.

Memorial Day-In Honor of Our Heroes

*Although we loved our pretty house, we gradually found out that it was actually haunted! For more information, please see my book, "Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind," in which I describe in words and pictures our encounters with the supernatural, there, as well as other places. Just click the widget above which will take you to my book which is on Amazon Kindle. Also, you might enjoy my memoir, "Down Memory Lane." For more information, and to buy this memoir which is in both paperback and Kindle, please see the widget above.

**This flow doesn't just pertain to things, it also can include people, careers, as well as infinite other possibilities for one's life. (For example, I just happened to be on an outing one day when I ran into a man who told me about a job opening, and because of that chance meeting, I ended up getting my first teaching job!)

Positive thought: "Life doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." -Unknown

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, June 12, 2022, Becky

Some Ideas for a Happier, More Positive Life!

Welcome!

One of the main things we'd all like to have is a happier, more positive life, and that is something that we all can achieve with the right frame of mind.

I've found that one of the most important ways that we can be happier is to feel well physically, mentally, and emotionally. To do that, we need to have an evaluation of our health, and if we're not quite up to par, we need to get that corrected either through the help of a traditional doctor and/or by an alternative practitioner. (At the same time, being more positive tends to make us feel better!)

Getting adequate sleep and rest is also important for having a happier, more positive life.

"Put your positive pants on."
-GetHealthyU.com

I recently learned a good trick to get rid of negative thoughts, and that was to write down any negative thought that comes to mind, and then throw away the paper with the negative thought written on it. It really worked for me. Amazing!

"Replace every negative thought with a positive one."
golfian.com

I have never liked washing dishes. It's always just been a monotonous chore for me, until I started dancing! Now, the chore has become something I actually look forward to! I put on some jivey music and dance while doing the dishes. Not only do I have clean dishes, but I also get in my daily exercise, and I feel uplifted with the upbeat tunes I play!

"When life gives you Monday, dip it in glitter and sparkle all day."
Blair Turner

Step a little bit out of out of your comfort zone. Do something you've never done before. For example, I recently got brave and fixed a dish using fresh asparagus since Greg said that he'd like to try fresh asparagus sometime. I don't pretend to be a gourmet cook, but occasionally, I do like to try something different.

Here it is-"Asparagus with Lemon Butter Crumbs," along with salmon and brown rice farina to complete the meal. (And, Greg loved it!)

It wasn't that difficult. I just had to have a positive, I-can-do-this attitude!

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

Doing nice things for other people, like giving them special little gifts can make you as well as the recipients feel happier and more positive.

Happy Easter!

Positive thought- "Always believe something wonderful is about to happen."
inspireleads.com
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, May 6, 2018, 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