To all the women out there that have had children, are raising kids (maybe not your own), or took in that kid down the street, lost their children too soon, or are the cool aunt – you all deserve recognition for all that you do half tired, half showered, half the pay, with double the stress. Have a very happy Mother’s Day! 💐
I got my Mom and I new Anne Klein bags.
With Winter finally coming to a dramatic close this past week, we are left with the memory of bitter temperatures, snow days, and potholes. It can be a very frustrating season for some people for various reasons. Not much sunlight, shorter days, very cold days, getting snowed in, running out of bread, milk, and eggs can contribute to forms of depression. What about those who find this season emotionally draining? For some, it’s hard to find happiness getting through the holidays, even with an army of family around. Are you making time to exercise those important muscles? I’m not talking about your quads or some latest fitness fad. I’m talking about your smile.
How often are we shuffling around too busy with life’s demands and forget to smile? There are times where it can make a strangers day, week, or even their year just to experience a warm, friendly smile. It makes them feel welcomed, appreciated, and a part of society. It can be more powerful than anything else. This transaction can happen anywhere too. Whether you are buying a cup of coffee or casually walking through a park – let friendliness win. These small steps can impact not just your life, but those around you.
With a new season in bloom, Spring brings wonderful opportunity with its longer, warmer days, and Italian Ice. Are we doing more than just the usual Spring Cleaning? How about we challenge ourselves to Spring Clean our attitudes. Leave the doldrums with Old Man Winter and put a smile between you and that attractive stranger. You never know who that other person could be in your life, so take a chance. It will start a chain reaction to others that is free with no requirements.
If you have a friend or acquaintance you haven’t heard from in a while, why not make contact? See that stressed out Mom in aisle 6? Offer her a friendly grin with empathy. That may be something she desperately needed all week. Do you know someone who needs this reminder? Definitely pass it along to them. That small phrase, “I was thinking about you” can mean a lot to someone and put a much needed smile on their face.
In our modern time, it is so easy to get lost in the functions of your smart phones or tablets. It is very easy to avoid making eye-contact anymore because we are adapting the ability to walk, talk, chew gum, and text on our devices. Social contact is being smothered by technology, and it is evident in the way most people treat each other in every day situations. I have seen people so hardened by being bothered because they had to look away from their hand held device for a mere 10-15 seconds. Let’s make a conscience effort to reconnect, reflect, and encourage a smile. Happiness is not that hard to find if we are willing to look for it. Make a strangers day and yours will be made as well.
Early morning baby deer friend. I said, “Hey,” we made eye contact and then he or she went back to eating.
This year is really flying by! I can’t believe we are already in March and it’s time for Lent. I am not Catholic in any way but I have always been fascinated by how Catholics and the, “I’m only Catholic on holidays” Catholics celebrate this religious process. The basic concept is denying yourself something for 40 days in an effort to draw you closer to God. It’s not Biblical but it is what they believe. I have yet to meet someone who hasn’t broken Lent within a week or actually avoided eating meat on Friday. I wanted to take this a step further to see if people can go without something important to them for any time period all in an effort to draw themselves closer to God? There are so many things we do on a daily basis that are such a habit that we don’t even realize we are doing them. Humans are ritualistic and forget to function on thought sometimes because it takes too long to break cycles.
What if we challenged ourselves to spend a few days trying something else? Doing something new or letting go of a vice that may be killing us in an effort to pull closer to God? And for those who don’t or refuse to believe in God, doing all the same just to find some peace of mind or clarity? I am not saying to do this for 40 days at a time but start small. If you smoke, go a full day without cigarettes. If you are a heavy drinker, cut back to once a week. If you have a gym membership that you barely use, make an effort to start going once a week. There are very big and small ways in our lives that we can make changes to find balance. It all comes down to if we are willing or not. I have challenged myself to get a lot of the stuff done around the house that needs it before it gets too warm outside. I like to do yard work in late Winter/early Spring versus trying to hump around all summer in the heat. I want to fully enjoy Summer this year. My smaller more personal goal, not just for 40 days, is to spend more time each day with God. I have found myself doing too much other stuff and then realized it’s just stuff. I felt empty.
What will you be inspired to do? Maybe it is time to let go of those old pains, get that big final cry out? Maybe it is time to try something new – almost anything new! Cliff diving in Mexico might not be your thing but wearing a dress for the first time in years might be your start. Going on that first date, deciding to take things to the next level, planning to get married or working toward making your relationship or marriage stronger versus throwing in the towel, or remembering why you have always loved that person no matter what and finally making your lives become one. It is never too late for any of this. You are the starting point.
Whether it is for Lent, one week or one day, you should strive to cut away the old bad habits. That is the only way new and positive habits will enter your life and stick around. What will you try today?
Just Trim The Ends 