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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“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day.” Anon
Motivation Mondays: Love’s Benevolent Protection
Love’s Benevolent Protection:
As I reflected on the recent loss of 3 people I loved and cared about, I stumbled on an old Instagram post and decided to expand on it with more insight and a few short poems.
Because familial and friendship love tend to be constant, it is often taken for granted. The love we share with those closest to us is like a comfort food that fills our stomach again and again in that assured, steady way we have come to expect. We don’t have to campaign for, negotiate, or manipulate it because it’s a knowing and it is always there…
We only stop to brace the enormity of it when we experience loss, any kind of loss, but especially the loss of loved ones.
Yet in our darkest hour, if we tap back to memories of good times and even bad times we shared together, we can find solace in our memories. Our memories are like a capsule, capturing cherished and not-so-cherished events that we can whip out or revisit when we need to. It can have healing qualities as long as we wish to hold onto them. When we are ready, we can put them away until another day. Such is the beauty and power of memories, and that is why so many of us make them during our lifetimes.
“She’s In the Sun, the Wind, the Rain” (Excerpt) by Christy Ann Martine
She’s in the sun, the wind, the rain;
She’s in the air you breathe with every breath you take.
She sings a song of hope and cheer,
there’s no more pain, no more fear.
Treasures: “Treasure your relationships, not your possessions.” Anthony J. D’Angelo
As a child, I learned that loved ones served as guardian angels once they crossed into the great beyond. We looked at our ancestral ties as eternal treasures and powerful connections to the land of our forefathers and trusted that they were alive and well, working closely with our Creator to ensure that we were all fully protected from life’s tragedies and unforeseen circumstances. We treasured those relationships, and they carried over into other realms of existence.
This belief was carried into adulthood as we experienced magical moments and incidents that we professed were surely ordained by God’s grace and the pleas of our grandmothers, mothers, and distant relatives rooting for us. The point is that true love, agape love, maternal love, filial love, and the pure, unadulterated, non-transactional love we share with our nearest and dearest have a profound and protective quality. They are eternal treasures that cannot be bought or sold ot cast away after a period of enjoyment. True treasures are not like possessions; they come with no expiration date and non-negotiable terms. They are the time we spent building and nurturing our relationships with our loved ones and others.
A Story: The Last Wishes of Alexander the Great…
On his deathbed, Alexander summoned his army generals and told them his three ultimate wishes:
1. The best doctors should carry his coffin …
2. The wealth he has accumulated (money, gold, precious stones) should be scattered along the procession to the cemetery …
3. His hands should be let loose, so they hang outside the coffin for all to see!
One of his generals, who was surprised by these unusual requests, asked Alexander to explain.
Here is what Alexander the Great had to say:
1. “I want the best doctors to carry my coffin to demonstrate that in the face of death, even the best doctors in the world have no power to heal…”
2. “I want the road to be covered with my treasures so that everybody sees that material wealth acquired on earth will stay on earth…”
3. I want my hands to swing in the wind, so that people understand that we come to this world empty-handed and we leave this world empty-handed after the most precious treasure of all is exhausted, and that is: TIME.
We do not take to our grave any material wealth or possessions. TIME is our most precious treasure because it is LIMITED. We can produce more wealth, but we cannot produce more time. When we give someone our time, we actually give a portion of our life that we will never take back. Our time is our life. The best present you can give your family is your time and your life.
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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
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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
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