Feel Good Friday – 10 Things that bring you joy

 

Joy – “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” What are you doing to experience your share of joy as often as possible? Do something today that gives you a feeling of happiness and great pleasure.

Don’t miss out on the joys in your life. An article I read suggested making a list of 10 things that bring you joy. For those who are writers, the article suggested that you write about one of the items in a journal, essay, or blog post.

For those who are not writers, don’t fret. Here’s your challenge…everyday for ten days, engage in one item from your list. What would you include as the 10 things that bring you joy? Below are 7 examples from my list:

1.      Relaxing on a lawn chair soaking up the sunshine

2.      Watching a Hallmark movie

3.      Reading a good book

4.      Laughing with family and friends

5.      Reading a devotional

6.      Experiencing a massage

7.      Sipping coffee and watching a sunrise

I could probably come up with a story to share related to each one of the items above, but I’ll share a quick one. I remember sitting in my backyard on a blanket on a warm sunny day during the COVID quarantine. I relaxed with a book, my bare feet, and birds tweet overhead.

An unwanted guest interrupted my relaxation. Out of my peripheral vision, a shadow swept past me. Was it a bunny, a chipmunk, a little bird who lost its’ way? No, it was a mouse. Minnie and Mickey Mouse are cute on TV, but not dashing through my backyard. I took up my blanket and left.

Now I enjoy the sunshine and breeze from the sliding door in my kitchen.

You may be able to come up with an extensive list of ways you find joy, if so, create a list of 30 things. Your task then becomes a 30-day challenge of seeking great pleasure and happiness. Go for it.

Feel Good Friday – Stress is a Laughing Matter

 

Judy Carter, Comedian, and Author of the Comedy Bible

Stress is a Laughing Matter is a phrase used by Judy Carter, author, and comedian. This was also the title of a workshop Judy facilitated at the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop (October 2022). Judy encouraged the audience to look at our problems as punchlines. She speaks and writes about finding happiness when you’re stressed.

You may be wondering how stress can be a laughing matter. Well, it’s actually how you deal with stress that involves laughter. Whether you want to perform stand-up comedy, add humor to your writing, or just make it through a challenging time, laughter helps. Laughter as well as storytelling that can be healing.

I’m in the process of turning a problem into a punchline. Here’s my story, it’s a tale of aging.

The radio in my bathroom was blaring with the latest pop song. The volume was cranked up so I could hear it over the pulsating shower water. I hummed to the tunes as I lathered, rinsed, and began to dry off. I pulled the shower curtain open, and a cool breeze tickled my nose, which caused a gentle sneeze…that threw my back out.

I was standing there alone, just me, the radio, and my towel; standing bent over in excruciating pain each time I tried to stand upright. All I could do was tilt my head upward as I thought, what just happened? Did I sneeze and throw my back out? Am I about to die clean, but ashy?

Of course, I was being a drama queen, but I needed a distraction form the pain. The situation was in no way funny at the time. A couple of days later after an Aleve and a lidocaine patch, I took a few minutes to reflect.

I took that painful incident and added it to a comedy set that I was working on. Using the art of exaggeration, the situation was made to appear ginormous (gigantic and enormous). I’m not sure that’s a real word, but it added an element of humor.

How can you turn stress into a laughing matter? Give it a try. Think of a situation that was not funny at the time it was occurring. Share your story with a friend, but retell it using exaggeration, and acting it out. You’re on your way to using laughter to relieve a little stress.

Stress is a laughing matter, that’s my point of view…and Judy’s, and I’m sticking with it.

Feel Good Friday – How Do You Live Your Best Life – 3 Ways to Get Started

Living my best life - Open Mic performance at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle

Happy Friday! Today is the beginning of the July 4 Holiday celebrationin the United States. Thisis a good time to celebrate YOU. Today is a re-post about living your best life. Go out anad do it.

Stretched out on a couch, sipping flavored water, and snacking on a Honeycrisp apple with smooth peanut butter…my best life. This is only the beginning of my idea of living my best life. There are also adventures planned, art classes to try, and even weekend excursions.

What is your idea of living your best life? I have friends who have been zip lining, white water rafting, and parasailing. Those activities are not on my list, but I admire my friends for being intentional and chasing their adventures.

Living your best life means pursuing things that are meaningful to you, not things that someone else thinks you should be doing. On the list of friends pursuing their best life, are my sons. They too have been parasailing, and most recently skydiving. They are living their best life and they didn’t wait until they turned 50 or wait for the perfect circumstances.

Let’s do it…live our best life. Here are 3 Ways to do that:

1.      Take pleasure in the simple things – we sometimes forget to appreciate what we have smile, or made you sigh in appreciation.

2.      Live in the present – is there something you have been putting off, waiting for the right time? Do you want to try a new hobby, run a marathon, or simply walk a mile without breathing heavy? Just start where you are.

3.      Manage your inner critic – don’t let negative thoughts hijack your happiness. Shut it down. You deserve happiness, joy, and any other positivity you can think of.

What will be your first step toward living your best life? It doesn’t need to be a big step; any forward movement is good. Begin a new project, grab a book you’ve anted to read and head to a beach for relaxation. Any step you take toward something positive for yourself, is a step in the right direction.

Just do it

 

Feel Good Friday – 10 Things that bring you joy

 

Joy – “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” What are you doing to experience your share of joy as often as possible? Do something today that gives you a feeling of happiness and great pleasure.

Don’t miss out on the joys in your life. An article I read suggested making a list of 10 things that bring you joy. For those who are writers, the article suggested that you write about one of the items in a journal, essay, or blog post.

For those who are not writers, don’t fret. Here’s your challenge…everyday for ten days, engage in one item from your list. What would you include as the 10 things that bring you joy? Below are 7 examples from my list:

1.      Relaxing on a lawn chair soaking up the sunshine

2.      Watching a Hallmark movie

3.      Reading a good book

4.      Laughing with family and friends

5.      Reading a devotional

6.      Experiencing a massage

7.      Sipping coffee and watching a sunrise

I could probably come up with a story to share related to each one of the items above, but I’ll share a quick one. I remember sitting in my backyard on a blanket on a warm sunny day during the COVID quarantine. I relaxed with a book, my bare feet, and birds tweet overhead.

An unwanted guest interrupted my relaxation. Out of my peripheral vision, a shadow swept past me. Was it a bunny, a chipmunk, a little bird who lost its’ way? No, it was a mouse. Minnie and Mickey Mouse are cute on TV, but no dashing through my backyard. I took up my blanket and left.

Now I enjoy the sunshine and breeze from the sliding door in my kitchen.

You may be able to come up with an extensive list of ways you find joy, if so, create a list of 30 things. Your task then becomes a 30-day challenge of seeking great pleasure and happiness. Go for it.

Feel Good Friday – Cherish Your Parenting Moments

Sitting in a bedroom that used to belong to my adult son, I looked up and noticed two strands of six-inch braided nylon rope taped to the wall. A ton of fond memories flooded to my mind. The cotton rope was from the year my sons high school basketball team won the State Championship.

My first thought was, why is this basketball net remnant still on my wall? Then I realized why…it was a fond memory for him too. It was a time of excitement, exhilaration, friendships, and fun. I remember sitting on the hard bleachers, gripping my Black and Red plastic pom pom, and shout, “defense, defense.”

Fast forward eight years and hear the words, “cherish every moment, they grow up fast.” This realization was evident when my former employee and friend (Angie) sent me a picture of my son coaching her son. I smiled from the inside out and said, “wow, they grow up fast.”

When Angie started working with me she was a Senior in college and my son was the current age  of her son. This gives me the feeling of a Lion King moment with the circle of life…a warm fuzzy. Little did we know that the two Ms. Angie’s lives would reconnect in this way. My son is known as Coach Don to the kids he leads through basketball drills and skills.

If your children are all grown up, like mine, it’s not too late to create new memories. Go for a walk, laugh together or simply sit and enjoy each other’s company.

Whether you’re a parent, an aunt or someone else who has touched a child’s life, know that your presence matters to that child (youth or adult). Your influence can make a difference.

I still have the single Black and Red pom pom, which was my companion at every basketball game. It is tucked in the back of a closet, but the memories are still in my heart.

Share one of your fond parenting memories. Along with that, go out and create e new memory. 

Feel Good Friday – Random Act of Kindness Day

 

Photo Credit:  tinselbox.com

How does it feel when someone shares a kind word with you or performs a kind gesture? Do you experience a warm fuzzy feeling? You can extend that same feeling to someone by performing a random act of kindness. This national holiday is celebrated on February 17^th each year.

Random Act of Kindness day was started in 1995 by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Their goal was to “make kindness the norm.” Kindness is one way to show others that you care about them. When you extend kindness to someone you still get that warm fuzzy feeling, the same as if you were the receiver.

As it happens when I read, I came across interesting ideas…ways to engage in acts of kindness. Below are 7 ways to display kindness.

1.      Hold the door open for someone.

2.      Donate your coins for a good cause.

3.      Leave a kind note in a library book.

4.      Put encouraging sticky notes around town.

5.      Put stray grocery carts away at the store.

6.      Hide dollars with notes around a dollar store.

7.      Give someone a compliment.

Kindness is not reserved for one day a year. Random Act of Kindness Day is just the beginning of creating a habit of spreading kindness. What would you add to the list of ways to express kindness?

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.

Feel Good Friday – National Relaxation Day

 

Weekend grocery shopping, paying bills, driving kids to practices…if these were statements on Jeopardy, what questions would you come up with? Here’s the category question I’d come up with, what are things that can cause stress? Now that you have stress at the forefront of your mind, let’s discuss the opposite of that – relaxation.

National Relaxation Day is celebrated on August 15^th. This is an opportunity to focus on your health and well-being. Below are 3 ways to celebrate this national holiday.

1.      Create an at home retreat – one thing I like to do is go in a quiet room, hang my shingle on the door that says, “Gone Writing,” and listen to quiet music as I create. Your retreat could include sitting and looking out at nature. You may see something amazing happening, or at least interesting.

As I looked out my kitchen window one sunny morning, I saw a bunny sitting in the middle of my backyard. I watched a couple minutes as it chewed on a blade of grass, then stretched its hind legs, and back to chewing.

A chuckle escaped my throat as I thought, is that bunny doing yoga in my yard? She was relaxed and so was I.

2.      Spend time with family and friends who make you laugh – My crew keeps me laughing. Check out the faces in the photo below, each one of them has a story (as we all do). They frequently do or say things that cause them to end up in a blog post or comedy set. When I mentioned this to my son he said, “so I guess you’re not really funny, since you get all your material from us.”

3.      Get a massage – no explanation needed. This is something you deserve.

Whether it’s the beginning, middle, or end of your week, press pause on your busy life, and make time to relax.

You could probably think of a dozen other ways to add relaxation to your agenda. What would you add to the list above?

Feel Good Friday – How Do You Live Your Best Life – 3 Ways to Get Started

 

Stretched out on a couch, sipping flavored water, and snacking on a Honeycrisp apple with smooth peanut butter…my best life. This is only the beginning of my idea of living my best life. There are also adventures planned, art classes to try, and even weekend excursions.

What is your idea of living your best life? I have friends who have been zip lining, white water rafting, and parasailing. Those activities are not on my list, but I admire my friends for being intentional and chasing their adventures.

Skydiving

Living your best life means pursuing things that are meaningful to you, not things that someone else thinks you should be doing. On the list of friends pursuing their best life, are my sons. They too have been parasailing, and most recently skydiving. They are living their best life and they didn’t wait until they turned 50 or wait for the perfect circumstances.

Skydiving - a sibling adventure

Let’s do it…live our best life. Here are 3 Ways to do that:

1.      Take pleasure in the simple things – we sometimes forget to appreciate what we have smile, or made you sigh in appreciation.

2.      Live in the present – is there something you have been putting off, waiting for the right time? Do you want to try a new hobby, run a marathon, or simply walk a mile without breathing heavy? Just start where you are.

3.      Manage your inner critic – don’t let negative thoughts hijack your happiness. Shut it down. You deserve happiness, joy, and any other positivity you can think of.

What will be your first step toward living your best life? It doesn’t need to be a big step; any forward movement is good. Begin a new project, grab a book you’ve anted to read and head to a beach for relaxation. Any step you take toward something positive for yourself, is a step in the right direction.

 

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. 

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.

Feel Good Friday - Easter Inspiration

 

YouTube Video Credit: Steelcase Media

YouTube Video Credit:  Jazz3

Feel Good Friday - Black History Month - The Birth of Jazz

 

YouTube Video Credit: Black History in Two Minutes

Feel Good Friday – Daily Bread – Faith and Thanksgiving

 

Photo Credit: Catholic News TT

It is the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, what are you feasting on? Traditionally families come together to enjoy a feast and fellowship. There is often food left over that can be eaten the next day. Let’s feast on leftovers today, figuratively speaking.

We need daily bread to nourish not only our bodies, but our souls as well. Feed your soul and seek God for your daily direction, refuse to live stressed out. Nibble on this, God’s got this. Whatever you’re facing is a stumbling block that can be turned into a steppingstone. Count your blessings and put God first.

Be hungry for the love and word of God, and you will find nourishment. Not sure where to start? Start with a word of Thanksgiving – Lord I thank you for all you have already done. Now, that’s just my thought, your words may be different. Trust the Lord for all things large and small.

I woke up one morning with a pounding headache, It hurt to lift my head off the pillow. I forced myself to sit up, then felt nauseous. I rolled out of bed and said, “Lord I don’t want to be sick. Especially since I have the day off work tomorrow.” I shuffled to the medicine cabinet for an aspirin, popped one into my mouth, then sat down and listened to a morning meditation.

A warm cup of coffee in one hand and an ink pen in the other. I journaled as I listened to the soothing meditation. I refused to go down without a fight. I had plans for the day, mainly I wanted to get the house ready for Christmas. It wasn’t long before my headache disappeared, and I hung my Christmas lights.

In minutes, I assembled my artificial tree with the pre-lit lights, sprayed a burst of pine scent from a can, and sat. Watching the lights was peaceful. Perched on an end table next to me was a favorite snack – Cheez Its and Sparkling Ice water, accompanied by a daily devotional. These items were part of my daily bread.

I am thankful for each day I awake with energy, and my health. It’s not perfect, but it’s good. Today I am feasting on leftovers – memories of time spent with family.

What are you giving thanks for today?

Feel Good Friday – Football and Faith

 

It’s football season. Is God on the sideline in your life? Put Him in the game, He can play Offense and Defense. Wake up each day and give praise for all that you have, and you will not need to call on God as your Safety, your last line of defense.

Punt, pass, or kick, whatever play you decide to use, be sure your playbook is filled with faith. My son plays college football. I am aware of the dangers associated with this sport, but I don’t dwell on the what if’s – what if he breaks a bone, what if he get’s a concussion?  Well, what if he doesn’t?

What are you dwelling on – is it something from the past, a problem, or worry? Turn those negative things around and dwell on God’s presence. When life’s troubles throw you a pass, let God intercept. He can run faster, jump higher, break holds, and get us through to the end zone of our problems.

I’ve found that when you praise and express joy, even when you don’t feel like it, you eventually feel better. Try it, think of a song that you like; start singing it loudly wherever you are. If there is anyone around listening, and you’re singing off key, ask for forgiveness. It if this doesn’t make you feel better, it WILL bring joy to the person laughing at your singing.

Just a quick story…

I was excited about going to my sons’ football game. As I gathered my stadium chair and other items, I began singing and walking with a bounce in my step. From my bedroom to the living room I sang at the top of my lungs. As I got closer to the dining room my son shouted, “Ma, I’m on a zoom call.”

I heard a voice from his computer say, “Somebody’s happy.”

All I could say was, “Oops,”

How does this story relate to football and faith? I was singing a song about faith as I prepared for the football game. Although football season is my analogy for getting God off the sideline and into your game of life. Your analogy could be different. You may need His guidance and protection as you jump hurdles or swim through deep waters.

May you find strength, peace, and joy with any dilemma you face and any situation that stalls you. Call a time out and get God in the game.

Feel Good Friday - Fit and Fabulous After 50

A trip to the zoo can be refreshing

 

Feel your best, look your best, because you are beautiful. Your are fit and fabulous and it's not always about your weight. Take care of your mental and spiritual health too.

Go to your happy place wherever that may be - watching a sunset, a trip to the zoo (oh wait, that's what I did), or a bubble bath with soft background music.

Today I have the honor of being a guest blogger for The Menopause Goddess blog. Check out the blog for more tips on how to be the best you and thrive during this stage of your life called menopause (click here).

Feel Good Friday - Relaxation Day – 5 Ways to Celebrate

 

Hurry, hurry, you don’t want to miss this. Have you felt tense, anxious, felt like you’re floating on a cloud of uncertainty? Maybe you have struggled with attempting to establish a new normal. Well, it’s time to relax. August 15^th is celebrated as National Relaxation Day.

National Relaxation Day was established to encourage us to focus on taking care of ourselves. Slow down. Relax. Below are 5 ways you can celebrate this national holiday.

1.      Meditate – there are a variety of guided meditation videos on the web. You can try morning meditation or meditate before going to bed. Try it.

2.      Enjoy Nature – take a casual walk, absorb your surroundings. Press pause, stop to look at the trees, colorful flowers. Look up at the sky.

3.      Create a relaxation station at home – find a space in your home to unwind. Grab a healthy snack, put your feet up, watch a funny movie or read a book.

4.      Practice Yoga – have you ever tried yoga? It feels good to stretch into Mountain Pose or Downward Dog.

5.      Listen to Music – put on your favorite style music for relaxation and tune out everything else.

Are you ready to relax yet? Go for it, it won’t hurt.

What would you add to the list of ways to relax?

Feel Good Friday – What’s in your spiritual bank account?

Photo Credit: Jubilee Online Church

As we shelter in place, one day transitions into another without much delineation of what day it really is. I’ve often caught myself asking my son, “Is today Tuesday or Wednesday?”

“It’s Thursday.”

“Oh, that’s right trash day was yesterday.” Trash day was my identifier for the day of the week.

Our world is in a state of crisis. How do you handle a crisis? Each of us experiences pain, devastation, and emotion differently. One thing that is constant is that a Spiritual Bank account can come in handy. If you haven’t opened an account yet, it doesn’t take much to get started.

Make small, regular deposits to your account with consistent prayer as your currency. Pray over all areas of your life – family, finances, health. Build up a reserve that is ready for you in the event that a withdrawal is needed. Perhaps you set a low balance alert for yourself. This can simply be in the form of asking yourself, did I stop to pray or give thanks today?

I made a deposit into my account the other day as I ventured out of the house to visit my other. The last time I saw her was February when we got together for lunch. This time, we gathered for a Holiday, Memorial Day; a day set aside to remember veterans who lost their lives serving our country. It is also a time family and friends come together to embrace one another and create memories.

This year’s Holiday was different. Embracing family (outside of your household), and friends is discouraged. We took our chances, we hugged each other.  It was a brief embrace type of greeting, but it felt good to be with family. Don’t get me wrong, we took nothing lightly. There was constant hand washing and hand sanitizer available. And there was also Mama, a praying woman. This counted for yet another deposit into the Spiritual Bank account.

Your Spiritual Bank Account can include praying for others, praying for your community, and praying for healing. You decide your focus. During this time of the COVID virus, let’s take out this trash on Wednesday with the rest of the garbage.

As the adage says, It takes a village to raise a child; It’s going to take a village to fight against the crisis we are experiencing. Together we can do it. Keep a balance in your Spiritual Bank Account with prayer. Have a relationship with Jesus. Believe. Trust. Faith over Fear.

Make a deposit into your Spiritual Bank Account. There are no fees charges. Christ paid the cost long ago.

Feel Good Friday – 5 Ways to Make Mother’s Day Magical

Mother’s Day this year will look different than year’s past, but it can still be magical. As we continue to practice social distancing and self-quarantining due to COVID-19, it may not be feasible to visit our moms, grandmothers, or other mother figures. What can you do to make their Mother’s Day magical?

Whether you are near your mom or a significant distance away, consider these 5 ways for sprinkling a little magic dust on her day.

1.      Dance Party – create a playlist of songs, put on your boogie shoes, and face time your mom or set up a Zoom call. If your mom lives nearby drive by her house and dance outside. Dance as though no one is watching, although they might be.

2.      Send Flowers – there’s something about flowers that brightens a room.

3.      Have dinner delivered – does mom have a favorite restaurant? There are delivery services such as Door Dash and Uber Eats that are just a call away.

4.      Watch a mother-themed movie – you may have to be creative with this one. If you are able to visit your mom this is easy. If you can’t visit, decide on a time that you will both watch the same movie at the same time. Here are a few favorites to start with:

Freaky Friday

Imitation of Life

Steel Magnolias

5.      Buy a book – support your local independent bookstore, purchase a book, journal or special keepsake item. While you’re at it, grab a book for yourself. You deserve it too.

Bonus

6.      Create a video – lights, camera, action…grab your phone and record you and your kids doing something silly or read a poem. Send your video to mom.

Above all else, create a lasting memory. What would you add to the list of ways to make Mother’s Day magical?

Wishing all of you who are mothers or mother figures an over-the-top, fantastic Mother’s Day.