Welcome to Mirth and Motivation!
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Hello world!
“When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.” Viktor E. Frankl
Hello world: Welcome to Mirth and Motivation!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Respite Reminder: I’m Taking My Advice. Will check occasionally. Back soon!
Welcome to Mirth and Motivation!
This is a Lifestyle/Motivational blog offering an eclectic mix of mirthful and motivational pieces: Life Tips / Advice, Affirmations/Wellness, Women’s Lives, Food, Travel, Interviews, Inspirational posts, Reviews, Peace, AND Social Media ruminations on people, places, and events that shape our lives. That said, I invite you to stay awhile, read some posts, and share your thoughts with this growing online blog community.
I started this blog 15+ years ago, as a way to help agents/staff at the company I worked for stay motivated. This was my first blog post on this site, hence the dodgy title. After the market crashed and we were downsized, I decided to keep it going. Therefore, the main goal was, and remains, to encourage myself and others to keep moving forward. It has been a long and rewarding journey.
WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?
Over the years, I have learned a lot about blogging, its many positives, and pitfalls, and how important it is to stay focused on our own Why or raison d’être. We can choose to focus on one of the fundamental rules of blogging which is to make connections with others by adding value through our message/content, comments, and social interactions. We can also choose to turn our attention elsewhere. It is entirely up to us.
Nevertheless, one thing I know for sure is that if your heart is invested in what you blog about, you will stay the course. Remember to stay true to who you are and why you blog. It can’t just be about monetization. Add value. Help others. Stay Encouraged.
Another thing I know for sure is that we all want to be heard, appreciated, and respected; I know that empowering messages are far more appealing than incendiary angling for blog attention. If your blogosphere surfing brings you here, relax, kick back, and share a positive tidbit on your worldview.
HOW DO WE STAY MIRTHFUL AND MOTIVATED?
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“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Motivation Mondays: Celebrating Women’s History Month and More…
As we celebrate Women’s History Month in our homes and communities, let us pause to consider the bravery and determination of all the women, activists, mothers, sisters, leaders, and teachers who paved the way for us. For every woman who gets to choose a career path that was once dominated by men, there were pioneers who opened those doors, sometimes at great cost to their relationships and lives. As women, we can encourage each other to live our best lives by opening our doors, our hearts, and our minds to the power of our community. We can make a difference by mentoring other women and by respecting our differences. When we start to applaud the humanity that resides in every woman, and step away from petty conflicts and exaggerated slights, we will achieve much more.
Women’s History Month began in New York City on March 8, 1857, when female textile workers marched to improve working conditions, and it celebrates women’s contributions in American history. In 1987, the US Congress expanded it from a weekly to a monthly celebration. Every year, the National Women’s History Alliance (NHWA) has a theme for the occasion. This year, the theme for Women’s History Month 2026 is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” This recognizes the powerful leadership of women in creating a future that is rooted in equity, justice, and opportunity for all.
NHWA’s Goals are to honor, educate, inspire, connect, and envision Women’s leadership and achievements.
How to Celebrate: Spotlight Local Leaders, Promote Intersections, Take Action, and Use NWHA Resources.
Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” Womens History Month.Gov
“Don’t think about making women fit the world – think about making the world fit women.” Gloria Steinem, American Journalist & Social-Political Activist
Motivation Mondays: Celebrating Women’s History Month and More…
Does Women’s History Matter? Of course it does. You might wonder why I ask … I do so because some of us don’t understand or agree that it’s important. Women’s History Month matters because it reminds us to take a closer look at our journey and collective history and to consider where more work is needed. We celebrate to honor all those unsung women who fought for women’s rights globally, to encourage those women who continue to fearlessly make a difference, and to bring attention to issues/areas where women remain marginalized, such as wage parity, access to education, and economic opportunities globally. Women’s history matters because it is a reminder to share our experiences with our daughters, sisters, and everyone. So, let me reassure you that celebrating the accomplishments of our gender is NOT a negation of the accomplishments of the opposite gender.
When we celebrate Women’s History Month, we also honor International Women’s Day (IWD), observed every March 8th to commemorate women’s fight for equality and liberation, as well as the women’s rights movement. International Women’s Day gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
While its origins can be traced back to early 20th-century labor movements, NY socialists in 1909 and even Lenin in 1922, 1911 saw the first International Women’s Day rallies in Europe, with over a million women marching.
According to the IWD website, this year marks 115 years of activism, and the 2026 theme is Give To Gain, which emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support.
The overarching aims of IWD are to: Celebrate women’s achievements. Raise awareness. Mobilize action. And Foster solidarity. The movement’s colors are: Purple for justice, dignity, and loyalty. Green for hope and White for sisterhood, solidarity, and purity.
The United Nations has supported and promoted IWD since 1977 with activism and a theme. This year, their theme is Rights. Justice. Action.
Let’s Give to Gain for gender equality.
Give respect
Give donations
Give visibility
Give knowledge
Give funding
Give justice
Give resources
Give a voice
Give protection
Give truth
Give equal pay
Give celebration
Give sponsorship
Give mentoring
Give credit
Give budget
Give introductions
Give workshops
Give opportunities
Give safety
Give training
Give stretch assignments
Give momentum
Give role models
Give growth
Give access
Give time
More Below! Read more…
Reflections: Honoring Black History Month
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Martin Luther King Jr.
Reflections: Honoring Black History Month
Black History Month (BHM): What do you know about Black History Month and its origins? How do you celebrate it? Every February, we join hands to celebrate the history, culture, and rich heritage of this great community and people of diverse backgrounds; we are here, we are in the diaspora, and globally. As we wrap up this year’s celebrations, I’d like to celebrate the ancestors, activists, trailblazers, innovators, mothers and fathers who have kept the threads that connect us very strong and lasting … even some against all odds. I want to share a snippet on the origins of Black History Month below. (See blockquotes.)
I want to honor the many souls, some unsung, who have inspired us over the years and those who inspire us daily, and I’d love to share some quotes from some of the greatest voices who have inspired me and many others in the African American community. Some of the quotes shared are from activists, writers, and leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. The power of quotes is that they often capture the essence of a key point and offer food for thought. They also shed light on the thinking and discourse of the period in question. Read them.
Origins of Black History Month: As early as 1919, Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland started an organization dedicated to documenting the achievements of African Americans. By 1926, they created a Negro History Week to complement the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The Civil Rights Movement propelled the idea even further, and by 1976, President Gerald Ford declared February an official month honoring the History of Black people in the USA. When I think about the Civil Rights Movement and the tremendous strides black folks and the many supporters who joined hands made to win freedoms and rights in this great nation, I am reminded of the power of staying centered and focused on a goal. I am also reminded of another centering tip: keep your small victories in front of you as you strive for more successes.
Origins of Black History Month: In 1926, in the United States, historian, Carter G. Woodson, and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be “Negro History Week” In February 1969, black educators and the Black United Students at Kent State University proposed a Black History Month. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State one year later, from January 2, 1970 – February 28, 1970.
Six years later (1976), Black History Month was being celebrated all across the country in educational institutions, centers of Black culture and community centers, both great and small, when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month, during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial. He urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history”.
Since then, each American president has issued African American History Month proclamations. And the association—now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)—continues to promote the study of Black history all year. Sources: AfricanAmericanHistoryMonth, Wikipedia
“Freedom is never given; it is won.” A. Philip Randolph
“Black history is American history.” Morgan Freeman
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” Frederick Douglass
“The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.” W.E.B. Du Bois
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Truth does not change, only our awareness of it.” Malcolm X
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela
“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” Desmond Tutu
“In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.” Thurgood Marshall
“In all my life, I have never been free. I have never been able to do anything with freedom, except in the field of my writing.” Langston Hughes
“I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” James Baldwin
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” Booker T. Washington
“All too often, when we see injustices, both great and small, we think, That’s terrible, but we do nothing. We say nothing. We let other people fight their own battles. We remain silent because silence is easier… When we say nothing, when we do nothing, we are consenting to these trespasses against us.” Roxane Gay
“The time is always right to do what is right.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can’t say … I never ran my train off the track, and I never lost a passenger.” Harriet Tubman
Reflections: Honoring Black History Month
DIVERSITY: We live in a divisive world where racial tensions and petty hatreds continue to impact communities globally. We claim we are all equal while ignoring the anguish and suffering of the voiceless and oppressed in our midst. Some like to claim they don’t see color, which is a ridiculous statement if I’ve ever heard one. I want you to see me, see my color, and still treat me with the same dignity and humanity you desire for yourself and your loved ones. Even the colorblind see the fundamental uniqueness of our diverse backgrounds, features, and global distinctions. Let’s acknowledge and respect our differences. Sameness is not possible in a world where even nature and the animal world are rich and varied. We can be the face of change, but it has to start with each of us. It has to start in our homes and in our hearts. Without critical self-analysis and honest reflection, we will continue to pay lip service to calls for equality in an unequal world. What do you know about BHM?
Even though I didn’t grow up in the USA, I learned a lot about this great nation in school, at home, and through a wide range of multimedia offerings. Some of my earliest memories are of the rich, creative, and cultural contributions made by black people to the world of music, literature, science, and the global movement for change. Over the years, watching Eyes on the Prize, The Green Book: Guide to Freedom, and many other documentaries and movies about the Black experience has given me pause and remains a powerful reminder of how indomitable the human spirit can be. It is a reminder of how people can rise to combat oppression through solutions that benefit and raise the spirits of a maligned group.
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality … I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” Harriet Tubman
“When you do common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.” George Washington Carver
“When I liberate myself, I liberate others.” Fannie Lou Hamer
“I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” Malcolm X
“What the people want is simple: they want an America as good as its promise.” Barbara Jordan
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.” Booker T. Washington
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.” Maya Angelou
“Justice may be slow and invisible, but it always renders its true verdict in the end.” Colson Whitehead
“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit.” Wilma Rudolph
“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters.” Colin Powell
“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.” Dr. Mae Jemison
“We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” Barack Obama
“Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” Madam C.J. Walker
“Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare.” Muhammad Ali
More Below! Read more…
Motivation Mondays: Random Acts of Kindness
“I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” Attributed to William Penn
Motivation Mondays: Random Acts of Kindness
Random Acts of Kindness Day: Even though Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) day began in 2004 in New Zealand, the impetus for this global event began with Will Glennon. In 1995, he developed the idea for the group in Denver, Colorado, and founded the nonprofit Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Since that fortuitous start, it has become a globally recognized day of celebration. In 2026, Random Acts of Kindness Day is celebrated on February 17, inviting people everywhere to spread kindness through simple, unexpected gestures.
Each year, the organizers provide us with themes and ideas to guide our individual and collective efforts at performing RAK. This year, the Key Themes & Ideas for 2026 are “Love Out Loud!” which encourages expressing kindness openly.
“Kindness Starts Here”: This focuses on small, local actions making a big difference. And “Ripple Effect/Kindness Tsunami”: The magic effect of one act leading to many others.
Why we do what we do: When asked why Random Acts of Kindness matters as an effort we can all join in, the Foundation offered the following seven reasons.
To inspire acts of kindness
To improve mental health and well-being.
To foster community connections.
To provide service opportunities.
To create a ripple effect.
To create a sense of belonging.
To inspire change.
“How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment, we can start now, start slowly changing the world! How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make their contribution toward introducing justice straightaway… And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!” Anne Frank
Motivation Mondays: Random Acts of Kindness
As I gathered my materials for this post, I was reminded of the daily dose of kindness emails I receive from the RAK Foundation. Each email always includes a graphic with a positive message of things I could do to make a daily difference. I have incorporated some of them in my collage, and I encourage you to sign up for daily notices on the website. Save the Children has curated some of them in the tips below, so give it a go. You can read 10 of the many daily positive-vibe tips you will receive.
10 Easy Ways to Participate in Random Acts of Kindness Day 2026:
Compliment a stranger
Donate blood
Visit a senior home and deliver a surprise
Donate anonymously to a charity or nonprofit
Send an encouraging email to a colleague
Take someone to your favorite place
Praise a local business or service provider online
Organize a community cleanup
Write positive messages on sticky notes and leave them for others to find.
Volunteer at a local charity, homeless shelter, animal shelter, or other nonprofit organization.
How Much More Can We Do to Participate?: Look to organizations such as the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, National Today, and Save the Children for ideas and inspiration.
Continued Below Read more…
