Welcome to Mirth and Motivation!
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Motivation Mondays: Take a Chance
“Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.” Dale Carnegie
Motivation Mondays: Take a Chance
Take a Chance: Years ago, when I took a chance on love and moved to the US, I was so lonely and miserable that I kept vowing to pack it all in and move back to the UK. I had left family and friends back home to start life in a somewhat hostile environment as a foreign student and a zero. The love died on arrival; he forgot to tell me he was in a serious relationship. I braced myself and turned my attention to my studies. I had left the safety net of my closest family and friends to take a chance on starting a new life in another country. Even with phone calls home, there were lots of things reminding me that I was alone; simple things like seeing families shopping together and gathering groceries in the supermarket.
Whenever I left my college classrooms and headed home to my first apartment in a high-rise building, the gaps of silence were deafening. I nudged myself to reach out and make new friends but my efforts felt forced and stilted. Here I was, the outspoken, happy go lucky, fashionista and party animal who suddenly found herself out of her element in a new country. Things that made sense on TV about this great country, didn’t have the same impact in reality as they now seemed excessive. There were drive-throughs and fast food joints everywhere. There were huge cars, huge food markets, and endless highways that seemed to fall into the unknown. The daily challenges left me feeling raw, used, and very vulnerable.
READ: 12 things that surprise foreigners when they visit the US
Immigrants Explain What Shocked Them About American Culture
FRESH OFF THE BOAT
“Take every chance you get in life … because some things only happen once!” Karen Gibbs
Motivation Mondays: Take a Chance
Miguel – Come Through and Chill (Official Video) ft. J. Cole, Salaam Remi
Luck is not chance by Emily Dickinson
Luck is not chance —
It’s Toil —
Fortune’s expensive smile
Is earned —
The Father of the Mine
Is that old-fashioned Coin
We spurned — via inspirtionalstories
Why take a Chance?: Every day was my last day in the US and I even bought a plane ticket… but something stopped me. Each time I came close to throwing in the towel, I would remember how much my dad disliked the idea of my moving to the US alone, and how much I promised him that I wouldn’t fail or disgrace his good name. Yes, it’s a typical immigrant story; even for those of us who came here legally. My promise is what kept me here and that is what keeps me going in the face of a lifetime of struggles. We take a chance for change and we make subsequent choices to propel us forward into the unknown. It is scary but worth the effort because such shifts in our comfort zone help us grow.
How do our chances/choices show up in our lives? If you are friends with me on Facebook, you’d know that I don’t have thousands of friends … most of the ones I have are childhood friends, co workers, former students and/or staff. I am a loyal friend and I don’t take my friendships lightly. I can be abrupt but, I don’t enjoy seeing people hurting. I love a good laugh and I dislike petty or harsh people. I manage several Facebook groups and the draconian approach is not my thing. Why create a support group and then treat your members like criminals or prisoners? My approach is that the majority want to do the right thing but life demands get in the way. We give them chances to correct problems and only if the issue persists do we remove people from the groups. We all drop the ball sometimes and a repeat offender needs retraining or time out not expulsion. I believe in taking a chance on people and creating lasting friendships because they matter.
The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for AUG 2018/SEPT 2018 are:
08/01 – Girlfriend Day
08/06 – Friendship Day, World Indigenous People Day,
08/13 – International Youth Day
08/20 – World Humanitarian Day, MTV Music Awards
08/27 – National Dog Day
09/01 – 03 Labor Day, 5 International Charity Day, 8 International Literacy Day
09/09 – 9 Rosh Hashana, 10 Suicide Prevention Day, 11 Patriot Day,
09/16 – 17 Emmy Awards, 19 Yom Kippur, 21 International Day of Peace, 22 Fall, 22 Oktoberfest
09/23 – 23 Padre Pio Day, 24 – 30 Sukkot, 27 World Tourism Day
09/30 – 30 Sukkot Ends
Are You Looking for Ways to Stay Creative in 2018?
– Check out the Daily Post for Inspiration. Resources. Idea
Checkout Your Daily Word Prompts
— Check out SheKnows for SheKnows Living
More Below! Read more…
Motivation Mondays: Ship Happens
“Don’t cry over the past, it’s gone. Don’t stress about the future, it hasn’t arrived. Live in the present and make it beautiful.” Author Unknown
Motivation Mondays: Ship Happens
I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship. Louisa May Alcott
If my ship sails from sight, it doesn’t mean my journey ends, it simply means the river bends. Enoch Powell
Inspiration is one thing and you can’t control it, but hard work is what keeps the ship moving. Good luck means, work hard. Keep up the good work. Kevin Eubanks
Ship Happens: No matter who you are or what your belief system is, at some point in your life, ship happens. How do you move on? What are the ways to press forward and the lessons learned? Come back for more!
It Comes in Every Storm by Olga Orozco (translated by Mary Crow)
And don’t you feel also, perhaps, a stormy sorrow on the skin of time,
like a scar that opens again
there where the sky was uprooted?
And don’t you feel sometimes how that night gathers its tatters into an ominous bird,
that there’s a beating of wings against the roof
like a clash among immense spring leaves struggling
or of hands clapping to summon you to death?
And don’t you feel afterwards someone exiled is crying,
that there’s an ember of a fallen angel on the threshold,
brought suddenly like a beggar by an alien gust of wind?
And don’t you feel, like me, that a house rolling toward the abyss
runs over you with a crash of crockery shattered
by lightning,
with two empty shells embracing each other for an endless journey,
with a screech of axles suddenly fractured like love’s broken promises?
And don’t you feel then your bed sinking like the nave of a cathedral crushed by the fall of heaven,
and that a thick, heavy water runs over your face till the final judgment?
Again it’s the slime.
Again your heart thrown into the depth of the pool,
prisoner once more among the waves closing a dream.
Lie down as I do in this miserable eternity of one day.
It’s useless to howl.
From these waters the beasts of oblivion don’t drink. via poets.org
“We should not moor a ship with one anchor, or our life with one hope.” Epictetus
Motivation Mondays: Ship Happens
Why Ship Happens: Are you ready for a fall?
Judgment of Solomon ~ King Solomon and the Baby via Wikipedia & 1Kings 3:16-28.
“Two young women who lived in the same house and who both had an infant son came to Solomon for a judgment. One of the women claimed that the other, after accidentally smothering her own son while sleeping, had exchanged the two children to make it appear that the living child was hers. The other woman denied this and so both women claimed to be the mother of the living son and said that the dead boy belonged to the other.
After some deliberation, King Solomon called for a sword to be brought before him. He declared that there is only one fair solution: the live son must be split in two, each woman receiving half of the child. Upon hearing this terrible verdict, the boy’s true mother cried out, “Please, My Lord, give her the live child—do not kill him!” However, the liar, in her bitter jealousy, exclaimed, “It shall be neither mine nor yours—divide it!” Solomon instantly gave the live baby to the real mother, realizing that the true mother’s instincts were to protect her child, while the liar revealed that she did not truly love the child. The reputation of the king greatly increased when all the people of Israel heard of this wise judgment.”
The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for AUG 2018/SEPT 2018 are:
08/01 – Girlfriend Day
08/06 – Friendship Day, World Indigenous People Day,
08/13 – International Youth Day
08/20 – World Humanitarian Day, MTV Music Awards
08/27 – National Dog Day
09/01 – 03 Labor Day, 5 International Charity Day, 8 International Literacy Day
09/09 – 9 Rosh Hashana, 10 Suicide Prevention Day, 11 Patriot Day,
09/16 – 17 Emmy Awards, 19 Yom Kippur, 21 International Day of Peace, 22 Fall, 22 Oktoberfest
09/23 – 23 Padre Pio Day, 24 – 30 Sukkot, 27 World Tourism Day
09/30 – 30 Sukkot Ends
Are You Looking for Ways to Stay Creative in 2018?
– Check out the Daily Post for Inspiration. Resources. Idea
Checkout Your Daily Word Prompts
— Check out SheKnows for SheKnows Living
More Below! Read more…
“Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.” James Cromwell
Motivation Mondays: Top Twenty Lessons Pets Teach Us
Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. Anatole France
Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms. George Eliot
Way down deep, we’re all motivated by the same urges. Cats have the courage to live by them. Jim Davis
When we adopt a dog or any pet, we know it is going to end with us having to say goodbye, but we still do it. And we do it for a very good reason: They bring so much joy and optimism and happiness. They attack every moment of every day with that attitude. Bruce Cameron
FIRST PETS: Do you remember the first pet you ever had? My earliest memory of a pet in my family was of our Jack Russell Terrier, JB. He was a mix of white and brown spots and had the energy of a workhorse. He loved chasing birds, chickens, and anything small that moved, including toys. We learned many of the lessons I’ve included in this post with/from him, because he had a great zest for life and was a very social, happy and active dog. Because JB enjoyed playing, we often had races with him on the street. He would win. In the rare event, when it seemed like he was losing ground, he’d get a bit aggressive and whimper. He was a delightful dog with many great qualities; He was courageous, curious, and motivated. He wasn’t afraid to go after what he wanted and chased little critters with great joy and an optimistic spirit.
JB taught us to be humane and responsible as we had to make sure he was fed and cared for and that is often a tall order for most kids. When we called his name, he would come close, listen intently and patiently, Then,he would simply follow our instructions. We loved him dearly and he loved us back. It didn’t matter what the game was, he was ready and able to join in without any qualms or complaints. Unfortunately, JB’s life came to a tragic end when he chased a ball into the street and got run over by a car. We mourned his loss and, for a number of years, no other pet entered our household. We could have claimed the chickens in the coop behind our family home as an easy pet replacement but they were not. They were strictly part of the family food chain, as were all the other farm animals. Over time, another dog or pair of dogs took center stage in our home. They were attack dogs and, by then, I had left home for boarding school.
Sunday was National Dog Day so it is apropos that we talk about this very important subject. I also happen to live in the 2nd largest dog loving state, NY. A lot of people have pets here so there is always access to helpful information for new owners. As much as we believe we teach our pets ways to interact, our pets can teach us qualities that we all need in order to function well in society. They bring a caring sensibility to the relationship they build with new owners and, if reciprocity is our strongest suit, it can make for a long lasting, stress reducing union.
❤Humanity
❤Responsibility
❤Motivation
❤Optimism
❤Courage
❤Non-judgemental
❤Acute Listening
❤Curiosity
READ: 11 Important Life Lessons Pets Teach Us by Miriam Roelink, MS
So, You Want a Pet Guinea Pig?
“Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to.” Alfred A. Montapert
Motivation Mondays: Top Twenty Lessons Pets Teach Us
An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language. Martin Buber
No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does. Christopher Morley
I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul. Jean Cocteau
There’s a saying. If you want someone to love you forever, buy a dog, feed it and keep it around. Dick Dale
If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. James Herriot
Love And More: One quality we often hear when people talk about their favorite pets is unconditional love. Our pets love us implicitly and show their devotion in so many ways. Whenever I leave home, our cat Tangy, makes sure to sit by the window at a certain time when he anticipates my arrival or the arrival of another family member. For some reason, he seems to know exactly when that will be because I’ve observed him hit that perch just around the time another family member comes home. Our pets are not only devoted, they show their love in unspoken ways and can communicate with us by telepathy… Yeah, some of you might think that is crazy but pet owners who have such a connection with their pets understand this. Also, one of my best friends told me how her family cat could sense when someone was feeling down or ill, and she would cuddle up to show and give support. Our cat does that too and it never ceases to amaze me how consistent the pattern is.
Our pets depend on us for their sustenance so, the gratitude comes with knowing we’re there to provide food and shelter for them. Pets don’t take that for granted;especially pets that come from shelters. Our cat came from a shelter and he’s very protective of his home, his human family and his space. He can also show affection in the funniest ways. For instance, he’d climb into the laundry basket just as you are getting ready to pick it up. He’d casually roll on his back, stick his paws in the air and meow… Hahaha, a cat’s life. When we have pets in our households, we learn so many lessons from them. Even though the lessons might seem so small, if we think about the interactions we have, and the open and loving way our pets show their trust and respond to us, we could all learn about letting old stuff go. Be open to new experiences and forgive the past. Yes, our pets are very focused on the predictability of the present moment/
❤Unconditional Love
❤Power of unspoken
❤Reliability/Predictability
❤Intuition
❤Attentiveness/Patience
❤Loyalty/Devotion
❤Gratitude
❤Humor
READ: 10 Scientific Benefits of Being a Dog Owner
10 Scientific Benefits of Being a Cat Owner
The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for JULY 2018/AUG 2018 are:
07/01 – 04, Independence Day
07/08 – 11 World Population Day, 14 Bastille Day
07/15 – 15 National Ice cream Day, 18 Nelson Mandela Day
07/22 – 22 Parents Day,
07/29 – 30 International Day of Friendship, Day against Trafficking
08/01 – Girlfriend Day
08/06 – Friendship Day, World Indigenous People Day,
08/13 – International Youth Day
08/20 – World Humanitarian Day, MTV Music Awards
08/27 – National Dog Day
Are You Looking for Ways to Stay Creative in 2018?
– Join the Daily Post Post-a-day or Post-a-week Challenge.
— Join the BlogHer Writing Lab
More Below! Read more…
