Fun Friday – 3 Tips for Celebrating a Graduation During a Pandemic

 

Winter, spring, summer, fall, and pandemic; these are all seasons. It’s time for this season to end. Until it does, many are finding creative ways to carry out their special celebrations – weddings, birthdays, and graduations. Today let’s talk about graduations.

My son called me and said, “Ma guess what? One of my professors asked me to give the commencement speech.”

I checked the date on my phone to make sure it wasn’t April Fool’s Day. My son reassured me that he was not kidding around. When his words sank in, I dropped the phone and started jumping and shouting.

He brought me back to reality, “Oh yeah, we only get three tickets.”

My enthusiasm deflated like balloons at the end of a party. “See if there is anyone who won’t use all of their tickets.”

The first three tickets were already spoken for and we still had my brother and a couple others who wanted to attend. A couple of days later my other son calls and says, “Ma, how many hotel rooms do we have? Derrick is coming with us.”

“I’m not sure what type of math you’re doing, but three tickets and seven people don’t add up to enough.”

During a pandemic there are restrictions on gatherings. In this instance of a graduation ceremony families are allowed three tickets and are required to sit in pods (only their families). How do you celebrate a graduation with restrictions? Here are 3 tips:

1.      Take the focus off what you can’t do – instead focus on how you can creatively work within your guidelines. The ceremony we will attend is outside. We are hoping our extra family members can listen outside the walls, fence, or whatever is there. If not, we’ll give our best attempt at using social media to include them.

2.      Celebrate with family after the event – An outdoor feast can be a safe be a safer bet for family to celebrate your special event. If there is hesitation, ask family to wear masks. Do what works best for you and your family.

3.      Create a keepsake – we chose to order personalized masks with our last name and a graduation cap graphic. We kept it simple and ordered a dozen – for those who will attend the graduation, and those who will cheer from outside the gates. I told them, “Just pretend you’re at a drive-in movie. Maybe I can ask the organizers to turn the sound system up.”

Those are my somewhat real solutions to attending a graduation during a pandemic. I’ll give you an update after the event.

What tips do you have for celebrating a graduation during a pandemic?

 

 

Words of Wisdom - Midweek Motivation

 

What have you done for yourself lately? Don't be stingy when it comes to self-care. Here are 2 quotes for your self-care journey.

"If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete." - Jack Kornfield

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."  - Howard Thurman

Take cae of yourself.

Oprah Winfrey: Take Care of Yourself

YouTube Video Credit: Stanford Graduate School of Business

Fun Friday – National Humor Month

 

Photo Credit:Pinterest

Ha-ha, he he, lol are a few ways to express laughter. Exercise your funny bone during National Humor Month. This national holiday is celebrated each year in April and is about encouraging humor in your life.

National Humor Month was created in 1976 by Larry Wilde to show that humor is a useful tool in uplifting one’s spirits. Statistics show that laughter brings happiness and joy in our lives. Did you know that the average adult laughs 17 times a day?

Now that all the facts are out of the way, how will you celebrate National Humor Month? Here are 3 ideas to kick off your celebration:

1.      Make an “already done” list and celebrate your accomplishments.

2.      Take breaks during your day to do something fun – think back to your childhood days, what games did you like? Try a weighted hula hoop, play jacks, or create a hopscotch on a sidewalk.

3.      Organize a hum-along at work – Dedicate Fridays as Fun Friday. Begin each Friday with a hum-along. Hum songs and have coworkers guess the song.

(adapted from Humorist & National Speaker, Scott Friedman’s  10 ways to celebrate National Humor Month).

During humor month and beyond, build a humor habit. Find something to laugh about every day. Start a humor notebook, jot down funny quotes or things you hear during each day. Funny is all around us – a slip of the tongue, a sign that can be interpreted or misinterpreted in different ways or anything that makes you smile.

How will you exercise your funny bone?

Check out the video below for a peek at how used humor to relieve a little tension about one of my struggles – weight gain. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more inspiration and humor.

What is one job that you wouldn't want to have?

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Wordless Wednesday - Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day is celebraed on April 22, join the celebration. To learn more visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's  website. 

YouTube Video credit: U.Fish and Wildlife Service

Motivational Monday - Happiness is...

Happiness is...Honeycrisp apples

Where do you find happiness? How do you define happinesss? The post below is one I've shared in the past but feel it's worth repeating...

One item after the next slowly slid across the conveyer belt as I waited for the guy in front of me to unload all of the groceries from his cart. While waiting, I browsed magazine covers that were on the end cap of the aisle. The cover of Time read “The Science of Happiness.”

As I began to skim through the article, the final item on the conveyor belt was stuffed into a bag. I didn’t have a chance to read the article, but the title did stir a few thoughts. What does happiness look like? Stop and think about that moment. How would you fill in the blank, Happiness is______________________.

I’ll start with a few ideas. For me Happiness is…

·         Spending time with family & friends

·         Laughter (laughing with friends, laughing at myself)

·         Reading a good book

As you discover your happiness, identify the things that affect your happiness – the good, the bad and the ugly. Here are 3 things you can do to experience happiness.

·         Smile

·         Show gratitude

·         Give – it has been said that giving provides physical and emotional benefits. You connect socially, you feel thankful and this may encourage others to give as well.

Since I seem to be stuck on a list of 3’s, here is a Recipe for Happiness that includes 3 ingredients.

·         1 Scoop of ripe friendships

·         1 Dash of love

·         Sprinkle with joy

Stir ingredients through all circumstances, until well blended.

Back home after my grocery shopping trip, I unloaded my few items. A wave of happiness filled my mind, body and spirit. I was grateful…grateful for the little things that filled the day with joy.

What makes you happy?

 

Feel Good Friday – Stress Awareness Month

Wedding, baby showers, and graduation open house are all considered positive stress. On the other side of the coin is negative stress such as, job loss, health issues and other less than ideal situations. April is Stress Awareness Month, how will you celebrate?

In my household graduation season is upon us, an exciting time for sure. The positive and negative stressors are rolling around in my head like two kids wrestling? Seating is limited due to COVID, who will attend? Do we travel in two cars and let other family members celebrate with us after the ceremony? Stress.

That traditional graduation song, Pomp and Circumstance played in my head as I created a list of all the tasks to be completed before graduation day. I had to press pause and take my own advice for tackling stress…Find something that you enjoy doing and do it often.

Some of the experts I’ve come across suggest ways to destress. Below are 5 suggestions that you may find helpful:

1.      Read – read something inspirational to start your day and at the end of your day.

2.      Exercise – before you turn your nose up at this suggestion, I’m not suggesting that you train for a marathon. Just get up and move your body, take a brisk walk. You may be surprised by how clear your mind feels afterward. If it doesn’t, repeat the process.

3.      Make a change – do something different – rearrange a room, declutter a desk or closet.

4.      Help someone else – putting the focus on someone else takes the focus off your challenges.

5.      Laugh – if you’re a regular follower of my blog, you know I’ll throw laughter in when and wherever I can. You’re probably familiar with all the popular sayings – laughter is good for the soul. Laughter is good medicine, etc.

Here’s how you engage in laughter: ready a funny story, watch a funny movie, or go to a comedy show. Guess what? I’m in a comedy show with some funny friends and you’re invited. The show is FREE, but you must register early to reserve you spot. It’s a Zoom show that you can enjoy from your favorite comfy chair at home.

We all experience stress, managing it appropriately is key to finding balance in our lives. During Stress Awareness Month make an extra effort to be aware of what triggers stress for you and try a new way of handling it. 

Wordless Wednesday - World Art Day

World Art Day is celebrated on April 15 each year. This holiday "celebrates fine arts and promotes awareness of creativity worldwide."

Celebrate World Art Day with a virtual visit to an art gallery.

YouTube Video Credit: Van Gogh Museum

YouTube Video Credit: Met Museum

The Met 360 Project: Great Wall

Monday Musings – National Gardening Day

 

The sunshine pushed its’ way through the vertical blinds, warming my kitchen and everything in its path. This was the morning I decided to operate. I’m not a medical doctor, a psychologist, nor a plant doctor. It was evident that sunny day I almost killed…my house plant. It was so vibrant and growing profusely.

Did you know that National Gardening Day is celebrated on April 14^th? It’s a day created to give gardeners a “shove and a shovel so they can begin their gardening journey (NationalToday.com).” Studies have shown that plants keep you happier and healthier as they offer psychological and physical benefits – improving mood, reducing fatigue, and lowering stress and anxiety.

In my case, I’m a novice gardener just beginning to branch out from house plants to outdoor plants and flowers. Even the simple task of repotting my indoor plant sent me into a panic. All I wanted to do was to break off a section of my plan and share it with a friend. However, a few days after I repotted my plant, it looked droopy and leaned to one side. I thought I would have to begin plant CPR.

National Gardening Day was also established to encourage gardeners to share their expertise. If you have a passion for gardening, please  share a success tip for those of us just getting started. If you have a photo of your garden feel free to post it in the comments.

How will you celebrate National Gardening Day? Below are three tips from national day dot com (click for full details).

1.      Sign up for a gardening course.

2.      Visit your local garden center.

3.      Share on social media.

As the sunshine transitioned behind clouds and day became night, my plant survived and began to thrive again. For National Gardening Day join me in taking advantage of the beauty of flowers, plant and all the benefits gardening has to offer.

 

Feel Good Friday – The Gift

 

The trucks from Amazon and UPS cruised up and down my street daily, leaving packages of joy for my neighbors. It was the way of life during our state mandated quarantine. People were ordering online rather than visiting stores. My sons even had a package or two appear on our doorstep.

Gifts bring joy to the giver and receiver. Have you ever watched a child at Christmas rip open the wrapping paper and boxes to discover their treasure? The parent is all smiles, watching the beaming smile and squeals of excitement. I felt this same excitement recently.

As I pulled into my driveway, the headlights shot a beam of light onto my front porch. Nestled in a corner was a box large enough to fit a basketball and a dozen tennis balls (for description purposes). I was not expecting a package and assumed one of my sons had ordered something.

After a 12-hour workday, my body was weary, but I became energized as I opened the package. It was like New Year’s Eve as confetti flew around on the tissue paper as each item was unwrapped. The gifts were fabulous, but more than that…was the thoughtfulness.

The gift was from a young lady who asked me to be her mentor. For her, the gift of time meant a lot. For me…finally, someone who wanted to listen to me talk; Lord know my sons tire of my words.

Seriously though, a gift does not always have to include an expense. It can be words of encouragement, spending time with someone, or a random act of kindness. While Amazon and UPS are still  delivering presents, you can get in on the action too. Your presence can be a present to someone.

To my special friend, thank you for having me as your mentor. You are a joy.

Share your gift of love today.

Wellness Wednesday – National Walking Day – 5 Ways to Celebrate

 

National Walking Day

It’s National Walking Day, celebrated on April 7^th. Lace up your shoes, put one foot in front of the other, and get your body moving. On National Walking Day improve your circulation and mood as you raise awareness about the importance of physical activity.

How will you celebrate National Walking Day? Here are 5 Ways to celebrate:

1.      Take a walk with a friend.

2.      Do a racewalk.

3.      Walk as a family after dinner.

4.      Walk at lunchtime.

5.      Park further away – when shopping park away from the store entrance, and make your steps count.

Will you walk for the health of it? What are other ways to celebrate National Walking Day?

 

Motivational Monday – Order My Steps

 

Order my steps...

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23

How do you walk through your day? A long day at work can leave one feeling drained, worn out, and sapped of energy. Judging by the trail of shoes near my front door, that’s exactly what happened.

As I kicked off my shoes at the end of the day, I plopped onto the couch to unwind. In a brief moment of relaxation, I glanced at the shoes, and reflected on my day. The position of the shoes remined me of the gospel song, Order My Steps. The lyrics to the song say, “Order my steps in your word dear Lord. Lead me, guide me every day.”

Beginning the day with prayer is one way to prepare yourself for the day ahead. You fuel your body with food and your car with gas, it’s important to fuel your mind as well. Read a devotional, meditate, engage in something peaceful at the start of your day. You’ll find that you get more milage to get through your day.

If you ask God to order your steps, be ready to move your feet. If you say, Lord help me to get along with Karen today, she aggravates me; be ready for how he answers. When Karen comes up to you with a negative attitude, murmuring and complaining, resist the urge to cuss her out in your head (or out loud). Your steps are being ordered. How will you handle the situation?

If you need a reminder to calm yourself, get one of those W.W.J.D. bracelets and slide it on your wrist. You may remember them from the 1990’s, the thin wristband held acronym W.W.J.D. which stood for What Would Jesus Do. The significance of the bracelet was to remind the wearer to “act in a manner that would demonstrate the love of Jesus through their actions.”

You don’t have to run this race called life, alone. Let your steps be ordered by the Lord. Begin each day in a quiet place, do something that provides you with peace or inspiration. Fill your spiritual with something positive. Before you respond to a situation think about the W.W.J.D. bracelet. 

YouTube Video Credit: account5able

What would Jesus do?

 

Feel Good Friday - Easter Inspiration

 

YouTube Video Credit: Steelcase Media

YouTube Video Credit:  Jazz3