Welcome to Mirth and Motivation!
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Photo Challenge: TRANSFORMATION
“Transformation is a process, and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs. It’s a journey of discovery – there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair.” Rick Warren
Photo Challenge: TRANSFORMATION
The universe is transformation: life is opinion. Marcus Aurelius
When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness. Joseph Campbell
Transformation is Inevitable: Several weeks ago, I created a photo post on Glow and it was such fun to do. When I saw this week’s challenge on Transformation, it occurred to me to take another look at the hanging basket of yellow garden chrysanthemums on my terrace. The cold weather has set in and, as is the case in nature and life, transformations have taken place. Some dictionary definitions of transformation express it as a dramatic change but, I’m more inclined to go with Merriam-Webster’s definition; it is a change in appearance that could be subtle, gradual or dramatic. The collage above shows both stages of change for the mums. The early fall blooms are rich with green leaves. The late fall is another story. The leaves have died and the buds are slowly turning the color of straw. Eventually, they will brown and fall. Transformation can be grand or small. All augurs change…
“Asking the proper questions is the central action of transformation. Questions are the key that causes the secret doors of the psyche to swing open.” Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Photo Challenge: TRANSFORMATION
People need to realize how powerful the transformation of soil can be. Ron Finley
The way of the Creative works through change and transformation, so that each thing receives its true nature and destiny and comes into permanent accord with the Great Harmony: this is what furthers and what perseveres. Alexander Pope
Trust The Process: One of the gifts that come with transformative events in nature and in life is learning to trust the process and let go. Instead of clutching on to the past for dear life and becoming stagnant, transformation gives all forms of life a chance at renewal, rebirth and reincarnation… yes, that is true.
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Motivation Mondays: THANKFUL
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” Henry David Thoreau
Motivation Mondays: THANKFUL
If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share. W. Clement Stone
Pride slays thanksgiving, but a humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves. Henry Ward Beecher
Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it. Ralph Marston
What are you Thankful for this season? Every Thanksgiving season we pause to look back on the year and express Thanks for so many things that came into our lives; the good, the bad and the mundane. Each event opened us to our strengths, weaknesses and our blessings. We can start with the list below and come back soon for more on this post!
The gift of life
The gift of love
The gift of writing
The gift of health ~
The gift of time and memories ~
The gift of family, friends and people we meet ~
The gift of a meal ~
The gift of mental clarity ~
The gift of speech ~
The gift of gratitude
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” Oprah Winfrey
Motivation Mondays: THANKFUL
I have a lot to be thankful for. I am healthy, happy and I am loved. Reba McEntire
I am even thankful for the negative things that have made me a stronger and better person. Joanna Krupa
When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself. Tecumseh
Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts. Henri Frederic Amiel
I love that list below because it is simple and to the point. See the great good in small things and then the grace of larger things to be thankful for will meet us at our door step.
I Am Thankful by Anon (via inspirational short stories.com)
I am thankful for the wife who says it’s hot dogs tonight because she is home with me and not with someone else.
For the husband who is on the sofa who is being a couch potato because he is home with me and not out at the bars.
For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes, because he or she is at home, not on the streets.
For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.
For the mess to clean-up after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.
For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.
For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am in the sunshine.
For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.
For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.
For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am able to walk and that I have been blessed with transportation.
For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.
For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can hear.
For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.
For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.
For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive.
Finally, for too much email, because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.
The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for OCT/NOV 2017 are:
10/01 – World Communion Sunday, Int’l. Coffee Day, Nigeria Indep. Day, World Vegetarian Day, 02 Child Health Day,
04 Feast of St Francis of Assisi, World Animal Day, 05 First Day of Sukkot, 06 World Smile Day
10/08 – 09 Leif Erikson Day, Columbus Day, Indigenous People’s Day/Native Americans’ Day, 10 World Mental Health,
11 Int’l. Day of the Girl, Come Out Day, Sukkot ends, 12 World Sight Day, 13 Friday the 13th
10/15 – 16 Bosses Day, World Food Day, 19 Diwali, Spirit Day
10/22 – World Mission Sunday, 23 Mole Day, 24 United Nations Day, 28 St Simon/St Jude, Nat’l Chocolate day
10/29 – Nat’l. Cat Day, 31 Halloween
11/05 — 05 Guy Fawkes, 7 Election Day, 10 Science Day, 11 Veterans Day
11/12 — 13 World Kindness Day, 14 Diabetes Day, 16 International Day of Tolerance, 17 National Unfriend Day
11/19 — 20 Universal Children’s Day, 21 World TV Day, 23 Thanksgiving Day
11/26 — 27 Cyber Monday, 28 Giving Tuesday
Are You Looking for Ways to Stay Creative in 2017?
– Join the Daily Post Post-a-day or Post-a-week Challenge.
— Join the BlogHer Writing Lab
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Try The World: A Taste of TURKEY
“Turkish cuisine is, to my mind, one of the most exciting and accomplished in the world.” Yotam Ottolenghi
Try The World: A Taste of TURKEY
With culinary influences borrowed from many surrounding countries and cultures, Turkish cuisine is defined by diversity. Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) and kofta (a meatball dish), for example, are prominent in one region, while fish and kebabs dominate another. Discover a variety of Turkish food products including local delicacies in our online food store. Try The World – Turkey
Try The World: A Taste Of TURKEY: When I think of the Republic of Turkey, a transcontinental nation sharing borders with eight countries, I think of its grand and impressive 600+ year history of Ottoman Empire rule which brought many influences into the region. I think of the famed imperial palace of Istanbul and its elaborate kitchen that created/prepared a fusion of the best Turkish/Ottoman cuisine adopted and refined from foods curated in Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Balkan regions. The expanse of this ancient empire gave it access to a wide range of foods; plus, they controlled the spice trade.
In the land of culinary kismet, food held a high place of honor both in the palace and among the ordinary folk in the regions. Turkish Cuisine is considered one of the best in the world and for good reason. Like many folks in the neighboring countries, Turks are locavores which means they love to cook locally sourced and seasonal foods that come from farm to table maintaining a high quality of freshness. This culinary tour of Turkey has come with items recommended by the wonderful Chef Nurdan Erdem, head chef and owner of Enfes NYC. Chef Nurdan Erdem offers some of the best pop-up street food in the city and has a brick-and-mortar eatery in Rego Park, NY. She is credited with introducing the hugely popular Turkish Burrito gözleme to gastronomes in the city. So, you can imagine that I was ecstatic to find a box full of Turkish foods/treats/delights from Try The World on my doorstep. If enjoying the finest foods from around the world is a gift you’d like to share with friends and family this holiday season then the TTW – TURKEY subscription box has your name on it. Sit tight for this ride.
“I already knew a lot of techniques from observing my mom and my grandma, and I think when I was older it was just my time to learn to do something on my own and enjoy it. When you enjoy, you actually learn.” Chef Nurdan Erdem
Try The World: A Taste of TURKEY
Try The World: A Taste of TURKEY
Urfa chillies are a Turkish variety that are mild on heat but big on aroma. They’re sweet, smoky, a lovely dark red, and go with just about anything. Yotam Ottolenghi
I wanted to find a unique product to sell that was not already available in NYC. I found that gözleme [a traditional savory Turkish flatbread, hand-rolled with various fillings and grilled] was only sold in cold containers in deli sections, and it only had one type of ingredient in it. Chef Nurdan Erdem
What’s inside my Try The World – Turkey Box? Every box of curated gourmet items includes a spice, sweet, traditional food that folks love and cherish in the country of origin, a Culture Guide that walks you through the history of each item, the family behind the farm or company, and a few recipes to try with your food items. If you so choose, you may use the items to create your own recipes or add them to your favorite foods… that is the beauty of enjoying foods from around the world. For our journey into the land of Turkish foods, my box came with eight (8) carefully curated items selected by Chef Nurdan Erdem, head chef and owner of Enfes NYC famous for being the one place you can find gözleme which is a savory, hand-rolled traditional Turkish flatbread filled with all sorts of delicacies. It is the ultimate street food with the freshest ingredients to boot. Stay tuned for a full description.
Sign up today for your first journey into Try The World’s gourmet items to enjoy. As an Ambassador for this extraordinary brand, I’d like to remind everyone about our special deep discount. SPECIAL OFFER: Try The World has made a special offer of a 15% discount off the first subscription box to all my readers. As a reader of this blog, you can use the discount code on purchasing your first $39/box subscription option and/or on all gift boxes. Use the coupon code MMTRAVELS15 during your checkout to get your awesome discount.
What about pricing? Subscriptions now start at $33/Box.
A bi-monthly subscription is $39/box charged every two months
A 6 monthly tour subscription is $35/box charged every six months
A year tour subscription is $33/box charged every year
People have the option to order a gift single box and/or gift tours.
If the TURKEY Box calls you, sign up today, save 15% on your first box and a new box will be shipped, every other month, when it becomes available.
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