Feel Good Friday - Beginnings - 3 Reasons to Write Down Your Goals

 

“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” -Napoleon Hill

Happy New Year! You have made it through another year, now what? Whether you have faced challenges, overcome obstacles, or had an amazing year, pat yourself on the back. You did it! Now, let’s move into the new year and make this an even better year. Think about your goals, intensions, things you want to accomplish in the coming year.

I attended a Moth Storytelling event recently. The theme for the evening was Beginnings. The people who shared stories all had a different spin on what beginnings meant for them. As you prepare to write down your goals, think about what the word beginnings means for you. Does it mean beginning a new project, a new job, a new parenting role?

Here are 3 Reasons why you should write down your goals:

1.      Motivation – you are more motivated to achieve your goals when you write them down. You are more likely to hold yourself accountable when you have this in writing.

2.      Makes your goal concrete – there is something about putting things in writing that makes it more concrete. Setting parameters and deadlines makes your goal tangible.

3.      Creates a vision in your mind – when you can see something clearly, it provides clarity and direction. Experts say we are more likely to be “productive and creative when we can identify how the goal achievement will transform our life (thriveglobal.com).”

The time is now. Put a deadline on your dream and turn it into a goal. Make this a challenge that is about you against you, don’t worry about what someone else is doing or accomplishing. It’s your turn to walk into your greatness.

Go get it!

 

Feel Good Friday - Happy Holidays

 

Wishing you and your family a joyful Holiday season.

Wordless Wednesday - A dose of lughter - Dry Bar Comedy

 YouTube Video Credit: Dry Bar Comedy

Monday Musings – How to have a Hassle-Free Holiday Gathering – 3 Easy Tips

Deck the halls with friends and family, fa la,la, la la, la,la lal la. What makes the Holiday fun for you? Perhaps it’s shopping for others, volunteering, spending time with loved ones, or simply relaxing. You can experience all of these when you find balance.

Are you in charge of hosting your family gathering? Go easy on yourself and enjoy the process.

There are 3 easy ways to have a hassle-free Holiday gathering:

1.      Relax

2.      Keep it simple

3.      Make it fun

Think about the things that you find fun when you go to a family gathering and incorporate them in the event you’re planning. The Holiday season should not cause us extra stress. Make a promise to yourself that you will relax more and stress less. Do not overthink things, your guest will not think any less of you if you keep things simple.

When you combine simple and fun you have a winning combination. This year my family Christmas was a hybrid event – my brother and I were at mom’s house and the rest of the family was on Zoom. Our theme was a Pajama Party. It was simple – wear your favorite (warm) pajamas.

We played bingo, family trivia, and had a fuzzy sock, and gingerbread house contest. My family was quite the competitive group. To participate in the fuzzy sock contest, each person had to text a picture of their socks on their feet. Nothing else could be in the photo. I didn’t want any identifying factors that would sway the judge. We had first through third place winners and an honorable mention.

Construction of the gingerbread houses brought a lot of joy to the event. The houses had to be assembled during the event. After a few games of bingo, we took a 20-minute intermission to allow contestants to construct their houses. They remained on Zoom as they squeezed icing, erected walls, and added a roof. One family member even video recorded his final structure; he was one of our millennials.

Mom peaked over at my brothers’ house as she struggled to determine how close to build her walls. Exasperated she said, “I think my house was hit by a tornado, but that’s okay Jesus was a carpenter, He will take care of it.”

After looking at my nieces’ house I said, “Oh, Norma’s house must have been on the same street as yours. Her roof is missing.” As it turned out, one  of her kids had eaten the roof before a photo could be taken.

We had prizes that included things like pocket sized hand sanitizers, small decorative candles, Coco in a tin, and instant lottery tickets. It’s up to you the type prizes to offer. You could also include things like free baby sitting for a relative, offer to run errands for a day, or something else that doesn’t cost money but offers value.

Our family Pajama Party was a success for me. There was no need to dress up, not much clean-up required, and I was already dressed for bed at the end of the event.

What tips do you have for a hassle-free Holiday gathering? 

Wednesday Wisdom - National Poinsettia Day

Photo Credit: CBS News

It's coming, National Poinsettia Day is celebrated on December 12th. Celebrate by adding a pop of color to your table or mantle with one of these beautiful plants, or share one with a friend.

Did you know...?

• Poinsettias were one of the first Mexican exports. "Joel Roberts Poinsett was the first U.S, Ambassador to Mexico." He was a botanist from Charleston, South Carolina.
• "Paul Ecke Jr., a farmer in California became the father of the modern day poinsettia." He discovered a grafting technique that caused the seedlings to branch.

Have you ever tasted Poinsettia Punch? The recipe says to "blend 14 ounces of cranberry juice with 20 ounces of gingerale. Add a dash of lemon juice for a citrus zing."

Information on this blog post was gathered from nationalday.com

Photo Credit: topinspired.com

What are your ideas for celebrating National Poinsettia Day?

Photo Credit:  Westwoodgardens.com

Motivational Monday – 12 Days of Kindness

 

Photo Credit: theodysseyonline.com

Are you familiar with the song, The 12 Days of Christmas? Sure you are, the first line says, “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree.” What if…we took that same concept and called it The 12 Days of Kindness?

I wish I could say I came up with this title, but I didn’t. I saw it on Instagram. Here’s the spin I’ll put on it. Let’s create s 12 Days of Kindness Challenge. The challenge begins with being kind to yourself. Instead of a partridge in a pear tree on the first day of Christmas, the first day of kindness will be self-care for you.

Start your challenge by coming up with one positive word that represents you. On the second day of kindness, come up for two positive words for a friend, and share them with him or her in a text or email. Let the list of kindness expand from here.

Third Day of Kindness – buy a cup of coffee/tea/snack for three people.

Fourth Day of Kindness – in the spirit of “four calling birds,” call four friends or relatives just to say hi.

Fifth Day of Kindness – give away five potted plants, make them poinsettias with gold ribbons attached.

Sixth Day of Kindness – encourage six friends to donate to a cause. Do you have a favorite charity or know someone in need? Come up with a creative way to help.

Seventh Day of Kindness – in the traditional song, seven represents “seven swans a-swimming.” Since swans are beautiful and graceful, come up with seven things that make you feel beautiful and carefree. No need to do them all at once. Keep your list and do them when you want.

Eighth Day of Kindness – leave an encouraging message at eight places you visit.

Ninth Day of Kindness – let’s go back to the song again, and what the lyrics say, “nine ladies dancing.”  Invite nine friends to dancing. Get your body moving, it’s a form of self-care. If you don’t want to go out in a crowd, use Zoom or another virtual platform to create a dance party.

Tenth Day of Kindness – what is the most valuable thing that you can give away, but can never get back? Time. Give yourself the gift of time. During this Holiday season give yourself 10 minutes a day to relax in any way you choose. I said any way you choose, but I do have a few suggestions – read, listen to soft music, meditate, look at Christmas lights while relaxing with a warm beverage. You get the idea. Eventually you’ll expand your ten minutes and create valuable uninterrupted time for yourself.

Eleventh Day of Kindness – send a letter to eleven family members with updates on what’s happening in your household and find out what they’ve been up to.

Twelfth Day of Kindness – write a positive affirmation or quote on twelve pieces of paper, make it like a bookmark. Leave one in 12 random books at the library.

What would you add to the list of things to do for the 12 days of kindness? Remember most of all to be kind to yourself.

Wordless Wednesday - Holiday Soups

Cheesy Wild Rice Soup

Warm up with a tasty Holiday soup. Choose a traditional soup or try something new. Taste of Home has a selection of 100 Holiday Soups to Cozy up to. For recipes, click here. 

Steak and Vegetable Soup

Motivational Monday – An Activity of Gratitude

A gratitude journal or gratitude jar are two ways to record the things for which you are grateful.

Are you familiar with the Chicken Soup for the Soul books? Each book has a theme and is a collection of inspirational true stories. In a recent story I read, the writer talked about an activity he participated in at his church. The activity was an exercise in gratitude. He was to make a list of 100 things he was grateful for.

As I read the Chicken Soup story, it caused me to ponder whether I could produce 100 items of gratitude. How about you, can you generate a list of 100 items? The key to accomplishing this task is to not overthink the process. This is for your eyes only. There will be no points deducted for spelling or grammar; sentence fragments are accepted.

My call to action for you is to sit down for 10 minutes and create your list of gratitude. Your list can include big things, little things, silly things, and anything in between. Make this a family activity and sit down together. If you like challenges, set a timer and see who can produce the most items in 5 minutes. Repeat the process for another 5 minutes.

Keep your gratitude list in a location that is easily accessible to you. Pull it out when you need a boost to your day.

I am grateful that you took the time to read this blog post. May your attitude of gratitude brighten someone’s day.

  

Fun Friday – 3 Easy ways to amuse yourself with your own sense of humor

 

“A laugh a day keeps stress at bay,” that’s my mantra and I’m sticking to it. Last week I talked about laughter being therapeutic. One of the ways to use laughter as therapy is to explore your own sense of humor, amuse yourself.

My family is very helpful to me when it comes to finding things amusing. Our Thanksgiving is a small gathering of the immediate family. We each bring an item to mom’s house. My brother is the first to shout out, “I’ll bring the pop.” He doesn’t want to cook anything.

This year Mama said, “Let’s have a B.Y.O.B. celebration.” After a pregnant pause, she followed up with, “Everybody can… Bring Your Own Blankets.”

This leads us to the 3 ways to amuse yourself.

1.      Have fun with your family – as you enjoy time with family, something amusing is bound to happen. Kids will entertain you with things they do or say, pets even add their own flair. Relax and observe.

2.      Create a funny video – are you a fan of TikTok, Instagram Reels or some other social media outlet? It can be a video of you doing something funny, a pet, or a family member who is willing to join you.

3.      Make fun of yourself – this does not imply that you should be mean to yourself. Think about something funny that’s happened to you recently. I keep getting emails from Harry’s Men’s Razors. I deleted one the other day as I said, “I know my mustache is thick, but I don’t need your razor.”

Love yourself enough to laugh for the health of it every day. What are some ways you amuse yourself?

Words of Wisdom - Happy Thanksgiving

 

YouTube Video Credit: Steele House

Motivational Monday – 5 Ways to Celebrate National Family Week

 

Photo Credit: courageouschristianfather.com

National Family was first proclaimed by President Nixon in 1972. It is recognized November 20 – 26 and is all about celebrating family. This is a great opportunity to express gratitude and enjoy those who you consider family.

Below are 5 ways you can celebrate National Family Week.

·         Have a family movie marathon – is there a favorite movie or collection of movies that you like to watch during the Holiday season? Start watching them now.

·         Have a family sports carnival – if your family is anything like mine, I’m sure you can find something around the house to include in your carnival. We have a basketball that needs air in it, a football that is rarely used (dormant in a corner), and a tennis ball tucked inside of a roller skate.

·         Make a special family breakfast

·         Hold a family game night – although my sons are older they still enjoy the thrill of a family game night. My younger son came home from college one weekend and said, “Ma, I have a new game that we need to pay.” He proceeded to demonstrate the game to me. He read a phrase from one of the game cards, except he was speaking in a garbled tone, then asked if I could understand what he was saying. My son finally told me that the game is called Incoherent, and I was supposed to guess what he was saying.

·         Be active together – take a walk through a park, your neighborhood, or a downtown area. It doesn’t matter where you go, get out and breathe in fresh air.

Celebrate your family this Holiday season by spending time doing more of the things you enjoy.

What would you add to the list of ways to celebrate National Family Week?

Fitness Friday – A new kind of workout

What does your current fitness routine look like? Are you out in the evening walking your dog, up early doing stretches, or riding a Peloton bike with a virtual coach? I’ve done them all at some point along the fitness journey. It’s good to add variety to your workout, it’s like trying different seasonings on your food.

I accidentally engaged in a new workout the other day. It was an accident because I wasn’t quite prepared. The culprit of my woes was a new pair of stretchy leggings that were on sale and cute. The long adhesive removable tag attached to the leg read Large.

As I attempted to try the pants on at home, I realized the label was misleading. There should have been a warning that stated: Due to COVID and the shortage of supplies, less material was used to make this garment.

If that statement was attached somewhere, I would have known to purchase the next larger size. There were no fitting rooms at the store so I grabbed the size I would typically wear.

Here we are back at the point of me preparing for my routine workout. It was more like playing a game of Twister – left foot in, right hand reach and pull pant leg. I was thrown into this workout without a warm-up; it was an immediate high intensity training.

There was no time for deep breathing, it was rapid fire, short quick breaths. This reminded me of child birthing class where we practiced breathing using the phrase – he, he, whooo; he, he, whooo; then blew out a breath between repetitions.

I was worried the leggings wouldn’t make it over my protruding belly. I quickly discovered there was no need for worry. They made it over my knees and refused to stretch any further.

The leggings gripped my legs like an exercise band. I left them there and began doing squats, standing donkey kicks, and other fitness moves I learned over the years. After a few minutes of intense fighting with the pants, I gave up and began the cool down.

In a seated position on the floor, my breathing became slower and more deliberate. I removed the leggings one leg at a time, relaxed my body, then threw the pants across the room. I’d had enough of my new workout.

Don’t give up on your fitness journey. When you hit a speed bump, go over it, and keep moving.

What type of fitness mishaps have you experienced? 

Wordless Wednesday - Can you use a laugh today? - Comedy of Mike Goodwin

 

Part-time Christian - Mike Goodwin Comedian

Made up Words from the South - Mike Goodwin Comedian

Motivational Monday – National Entrepreneurship Month – 3 Ways to celebrate

 

Have you heard…November is recognized as National Entrepreneurship Month? It’s a time to “celebrate the men and women who have the courage to take smart risks in business (National Today).” More specifically, National Entrepreneurship Day is celebrated on November 16^th.

Here are 3 ways to celebrate National Entrepreneurship Day:

1.      Attend an event hosted by local business owners – support an independent bookstore, a boutique, or a pop-up shop.

2.      Post a message of support social media – post a recommendation or words of gratitude for entrepreneurs you know.

3.      Bring your idea to life – have you thought about starting your own business. Take time this month to explore your options and research your ideas.

If you have a business idea, get together with a friend or two who are budding entrepreneurs. You can serve as accountability partners to each other. Touch base with each other periodically to discuss the progress.

The evening I got together with friends was our second meeting. In order to ignite our creativity, we first fueled our bellies. A variety of Mediterranean dishes, soup, warm bread with garlic butter, and beverages, pleased our palates. The food was only a part of the camaraderie.

Our girl’s night in included catching up on life since the last time we’d seen each other, a few months prior. By the end if the night we had all set up our L.L.C. and set goals for the next 30 days. The challenge presented to me was to increase my YouTube subscribers by 70%.

I’m inviting you to subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking here. You will find tidbits of humor and inspiration for your day.

What would you add to the list of ways to celebrate National Entrepreneurship Day and Month? If you are an entrepreneur, leave the name of your business in the comments.

Fun Friday – Laughter Therapy – 5 Ways to practice laughing

 

Sometimes you have to amuse yourself.

Laughing is therapeutic. You don’t have to call a doctor for this type of therapy (unless you really need to), you can do it yourself or with a group of friends. When you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or agitated, find something that makes you laugh. When was the last time you laughed out loud?

Laughter is powerful, and according to the experts it reduces physical, mental, and emotional stress. I’m going to believe the experts, you know why..? I like to laugh, and I believe you do as well. Below are 5 Ways you can practice laughter therapy.

1.      Practice laughing five minutes a day.

2.      Laugh with other people – you don’t have to worry about being funny, just relax, and share laughs as they happen.

3.      Create your own laughter club.

4.      Amuse yourself with your own sense of humor.

5.      Look for humor – it’s all around you. Watch a funny TV show, search newspaper headlines (can be online or print edition – they still exist) or load fun games on your phone.

I am becoming an expert at amusing myself and finding humor around me. Here what I mean…

One thing I find challenging is eating the right combination of foods for weight loss. For some reason eating a family size bag of Skinny Pop popcorn over a couple of days, does not lead to weight loss. Since I am failing in this area, I sought help.

I signed up for a 30-day fitness challenge. As part of the challenge, it was suggested that I take before and after pictures of myself, which were to include front, side, and back views. I took photos and when I looked at them…I knew I had done the right thing by signing up for the challenge. I don’t know who stole my body that was once in shape, but I want it back.

It’s not that I’m totally out of shape, I’d just like a different shape, one that is not so…round. I am committed to working toward long, lean muscles, as the lady in my yoga video emphasizes. As I continue to be a work in progress, I will practice laughing through my efforts.

Laughing is therapeutic. What are your tips for including laughter in your day?

If you enjoyed this story, there are more like it in my eBook Laughter HELPS - A Happier, Healthier You. Order here.

Happy Veteran's Day

 To those who have served in the military, thank you for your service.

Motivational Monday – World Kindness Day – 7 Ways to Celebrate

 

World Kindness Day is celebrated November 13^th. Acts of kindness can uplift the giver and receiver of the deed. Think about a time you did something kind for someone, or you were the recipient of kindness. How did you feel?

There are things you can do for World Kindness Day that don’t cost any money; Below are 3.

1.      Smile and say hi to someone.

2.      Send a note of gratitude – whether it’s an email or snail mail, express your gratitude to someone.

3.      Write a recommendation or review – perhaps you know someone who is job searching, or an author; Support them through your words.

Here are more ways to spread kindness, some may cost money, but you decide what to spend.

4.      Put together birthday boxes for co-workers – form a team to put together boxes or bags at the beginning of the month for individuals with birthdays that month. You could include a card signed by everyone, a gift card to a local coffee shop, or something else the person likes.

5.      Donate school supplies to a local school.

6.      Create a Kindness Jar – this can be something you do at home or at the office. Decorate a mason jar and include the words “Spread Kindness.” Have a small note pad or sticky notes next to the jar. Individuals can write a family member’s name or co=worker’s name, depending on whether the jar is for home or the office. Add a kind thought and drop the note in the jar.

At a staff meeting ask each person to read a note. At home notes can be read at the end of the week or make it a family night tradition.

7.      Create “Blessing Bags” – collect items to donate to a women’s shelter or homeless shelter.

All of the ideas above were adapted from an article titled, 20nWorld Kindness Day Activities to Try at Home and Work. Click here for the full article. Try any of the ideas and put your own spin on them.

What would you add to the list of ways to celebrate World Kindness Day? Spread kindness on World Kindness Day and beyond.

 

Wellness Wednesday – National Play Outside Day – 5 Ways to Celebrate

 

Statute of kids playing outside - Navy Pier, Chicago, IL

Running, laughing, playing, these things remind me of childhood, and being outside. The fun does not have to stop after childhood, in fact it should not stop. National Play Outside Day is celebrated on November 5^th and encourages everyone to get outside and play.

The purpose of Play Outside Day is for kids, families, adults, and grandparents, to make play a priority. How you play is up to you. You could have an outdoor family scavenger hunt, visit a park or playground outside of your area, or play hopscotch.

Below are 5 ideas to help you celebrate National Play Outside Day.

1.      Create paper airplanes and see who can fly theirs the farthest.

2.      Have  pillow fight outside.

3.      Blow bubbles.

4.      Go for a power walk.

5.      Build a fort using lawn furniture.

The above ideas were taken from VeryWellFamily. See their full list of 50 Things to Do Outside With Kids as a Family, here.

What would you add to the list of ways to celebrate National Play Outside Day?

Motivational Monday - The Beauty of Fall

 

"Fall is about relesing the old to make way for the new."  - theburnedhand.com

Take the time to look around you and appreciate the beauty in your life.

"And all at once, summer collasped into fall."  - Oscar Wilde

May your days surround you with beauty.

Fun Friday – A Field Trip – 3 Lessons Learned

 

Do you remember going on field trips in elementary school, and the teacher assigned partners? I was on a field trip of sorts recently, and it wasn’t until I saw a social media post, that I realized, I should have been assigned a partner.

It was a last-minute decision when I hopped in my car to join my colleague as she accompanied a group trip to the zoo. I was in the area the same day as their visit, and it was a great day for a short drive. The wind was silent, the brilliant sun made me drowsy, but the upbeat sounds from the car radio kept me alert.

Once I arrived at the zoo, I followed the steady flow of families through the gates and off to the exhibits. I texted my colleague and met up with her and see how things were going.

“Everybody is off visiting different exhibits. We’ve already eaten and rode the Tram,” she said.

“Oh yeah, I always like to ride the train.”

My colleague pointed me in the direction of the ride an off I went. There were a few families in line for the ride. The sign above the ticket booth read, Train Rides $3.00. The friendly cashier said, “One ticket?” with a question in her tone.

The train pulled into the make-believe station and blared its’ horn, incoming passengers disembarked, and those of us waiting, boarded. The red train had short seats, and no covering as I remembered the zoo train rides. The seats were large enough to hold two kids comfortable or one adult. I slid in anyway, ready for the ride.

As we pulled away from the station, the kids seated in front of me waived to people on the sidelines as we passed them. I joined in, smiling, and waiving too. It was a jiggly ride through a forest, a couple of tunnels, and over a bridge.

The train ride ended, I explored a few more exhibits, then headed home. Later that evening I saw photos that my colleague posted on social media. She had pictures of some of the adults on the trip, riding the Tram. Then it dawned on me why my train ride seemed different. I didn’t make it to the Tram, I was on the train. The kiddie train, where I was the only adult riding without a child.

The Tram (Train) I was supposed to ride

That visit to the zoo was one field trip where I could have used a partner; someone to make sure I arrived at the correct destination. Here are 3 Lessons learned from the zoo trip:

1.      Read – read closely, read for details. I was supposed to look for the Tram ride, not the Train. I thought it was the same thing.

2.     Ask questions – if I had asked questions, I would have known the Tram and Train were two different rides.

3.     Observe your surroundings – perhaps if I had looked around, I would have noticed that there were not any people my age riding alone.

The next time you venture out on a trip, take a friend. If they can’t keep you focused, at least you can share a laugh.

 

 

Wordless Wednesday - The joy of music - A violinist play old school hits

There is joy in listening to music. Check ot a style or genere of music that you don't always listen to, just for the fun of it. Today, take a listen to this violinist.

YouTube Video Credit:  Daniel D.

Motivational Monday – Create and celebrate your success – 3 Tips to get you started

 

Success is...a road trip to perform comedy.

What is the story behind your glory? We all have something to shout about, give praise, or simply say thank you. When seeds are planted, your harvest eventually grows. Celebrate the stage you’re in right now.

There is a gospel song where the lyrics say, “I’ve had some good days, and I’ve had some hills to climb, but all of my good days outweigh my bad days…” Even though some days seem like a challenge, keep pressing forward, and let your good days outweigh your bad days.

Create your success now - Here are 3 Tips:

1.      Determine what success means to you – does it mean starting a project you’ve always wanted to do? Does it mean focusing on your health and wellness? Maybe success is getting your child into a college. You decide.

2.      Visualize your goals – what does success look like to you? Create a vision board with pictures of what you want to achieve.

3.      Get rid of limiting beliefs – no more saying, “I don’t have the skills for that job,” or “I could never do that.” Instead of saying those phrases try saying, “I am, I can, I will” and add whatever you want behind those statements.

Celebrate each step along your path to success.

Here are three quotes of encouragement:

1.      “All dream can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”    -Walt Disney

2.      “The whole secret of a successful life is to find what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it.” -   Henry Ford 

3.      “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”    -Arthur Ashe

 

Wellness Wednesday - Fall into a healthy routine - 3 affirmations to shift your thinking

When was the last time you took a relaxed stroll through a park, your neighborhood, or simply added a few extra steps to your day? Did you say yesterday? You are well on your way to a healthier, happier you.

A walk through my neighborhood was both invigorating and peaceful. I slowed my pace long enough to soak up the scenes of fall - colorful leaves scattered the ground and Halloween decorations graced front lawns. The scenes remeinded me of positive affirmations that also stir joy and peace.

Declare what you want to be true in your life, through affirmations. You can use positive affirmations for all aspects of life - improved self-confidence, weight loss, finances, and relationships, to name a few.

Below are three affirmations to start you on your way:

-"I claim my desires. I hold great visions. I am ready to receive.

-"I am attracting great succes and prosperity."

-"My body is heaalthy and strong."

Check out more positive affirmations here.

Fall into a healthy routine by shifting your thinking and including positive affirmations into your life.

Motivational Monday - World Menopause Day – 4 Ways to stress less and enjoy life more

 

World menopause Day is celebrated, October 18^th, press “pause” on everything else and celebrate you. You are uniquely and wonderfully made. The transition to menopause can be frustrating and stressful, but you can make this a stage of discovery. Invest in yourself.

No more permission slips to sign, no more calls of, “I forgot my lunch,” and no more parent conferences. There may still be days that include meditation, medication, and exasperation.

How will you embrace and celebrate aging gracefully? Do things that help you to relax. Here are 4 Ways to stress less and enjoy life more:

1.      Host a tea party – call a few friends, serve finger sandwiches, soup, and something sweet. Celebrate friendships, play games, and laugh a lot.

2.      Plan a Getaway – perhaps it’s a day trip, or a weekend excursion, do something that will leave you feeling refreshed.

3.      Pamper yourself – give yourself a makeover, not because you’re hung up on looks, but because it makes you feel good. A facial refreshes your skin, a massage eases tension, and a different hair style can give you a fun look. Take a few fun photos or selfies.

4.      Engage in laugher – find ways to incorporate humor into your day. Do you enjoy watching romantic comedies, attending comedy shows, or reading books that include humor?

Although World Menopause Day is celebrated on October 18^th, it’s just the beginning of embracing aging gracefully. Place a few things on “pause”  and make time for self-care activities that will leave you feeling refreshed.

Do you enjoy reading fun essays with a flair of humor? Grab a copy of my book Menopause Ain't No Joke here.

Wacky Wednesday - National Popcorn Poppin' Month - 5 Fun Facts and 20 Flavored Popcorn Recipes

Photo Credit: parentviews

National Popcorn Poppin' Month is celebrated in October. How many facts do you know about popcorn? Here are 5 Fun Facts to add to your popcorn knowledge:

1.  Americans eat around 17 billion quarts of popcorn every yeawr. This amount would fill the Empire State Building 18 times.

2.  Popcorn kernels can pop up to 3 feet in the air.

3.  The first commercial popcorn machine was invented in 1885.

4.  Popcorn was temporarily banned in movies in 1949 because of how noisy it is.

5.  Each kernel of popcorn contains 4% water. It is water that actually makes the popcorn pop as it heats up and causes enough pressure inside the kernel to burst the popcorn open.

Facts were obtained from whatthepopcorn.com.

If you are a popcorn connaisseur and like flavored popcorn, let your palate experience one of these popcorn recipes.

What fun facts or popcorn recipes would you add tot he list above?

Motivational Monday – Positive Attitude Month – 5 Tips for a Positive Attitude

 

Come alnong, see what 'm sharing on today's blog post

You get what you expect. Expect greatness. Expect your dreams to come true. Expect a breakthrough. The month of October is observed as Positive Attitude Month, find something positive about every day, and it will develop into a habit.

Author Frank Sonnenberg says, “If you believe today’s going to be awesome, you’re going to be happier and more productive than if you fear problems lurking around every corner.” This does not mean that you have to be an over the top, happy-go-lucky person if that is not your personality. What is does mean is to view your potentially stressful situations differently.

I’m sure you can think of a ton of situations that could cause stress. How about parenting, growing old(er), and weight gain, to name a few. The way I view these things is with humor. Here are the opening lines to one of my comedy sets:

I’ve been engaging in extreme sports for 25 years…they’re called parenting and weight gain. Some people gained weight during COVID. I gained before, during, and after. I like to see things through to completion. COVID’s not over yet.

 

At the end of the day, I’m sill 10 pounds overweight (from where I was pre-COVID), and my sons periodically test my patience, but I use humor to get through the stress. You can too, armed with a positive attitude.

Here are 5 Tips that will help you to have a positive attitude:

1.      Start the day in a way that makes you feel relaxed – Whether you have five minutes or 15 minutes, use the time you have, to set the tone for your day. This can be accomplished through meditation, reading a devotional, or something else of your choosing.

2.      Express gratitude – rather than focus on things that drive you crazy or that you have no control over, find three things to be grateful for. It can be little things. I bet something just popped in your head, say it now out loud – I am grateful for…

3.      Hang out with positive people – this one is self-explanatory. If you don’t think you can find anyone positive to hang out with, at the very least run from negative energy. If someone is being negative and bringing you down, find a way to escape the conversation, flea the area.

4.      Exercise – the experts say that exercise is a natural feel-good drug because of the positive chemicals it releases into the bloodstream.

5.      Recharge  - doing the same routine day in and day out can become mundane, and your motivation and positivity begin to wane. Recharge by taking a vacation, staycation, or some fun activity that takes you away from your routine.

I challenge you for the next 30 days, to practice having a positive attitude. I know this will take you past the month of October, but do it anyway, and check in to let me and other readers know your results.

Remember, you get what you expect. Expect greatness.