Thursday, December 31, 2020
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
DECEMBER 30, 2020
Today is my last work day of 2020. The travel industry sure took a huge hit from COVID 19
It’s been an interesting year. And it’s given me lots of issues to ponder.
I am grateful for the life lessons. I’m also glad that the whole world was touched by this at once. And that I have had the opportunity to make self improvements.
Tomorrow I will finish the year with a road trip. Then Friday I will start the new year with another road trip.
How awesome to start a new year on a Friday!
I am looking forward to filling 2021 with new destinations, learning moments and some adventures!
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
WHAT IS MISSING?
I am reading a book by Susie Moore.
One of the things she is teaching me is (roughly)
When something is amiss in life. Perhaps instead of asking
What is wrong? What needs fixed?
We need to ask
What is missing?
Instead of making "it" into a negative
Turn it into something that can be found, searched for, gained and discovered.
Positivity!
US STATES
Bucket list: Visit all the US states. 8 states is the average number of states most people have been to?
Passing through and airports count--but flying over doesn't.
I have put X by the states you have been to and a ❤ for the ones I have lived in. I am up to 26!
Alabama- X
Alaska-
Arizona- ♥️
Arkansas- X
California- X
Colorado-
Connecticut-
Delaware-
Florida- X
Georgia-X
Hawaii- X
Idaho- X
Illinois- X
Indiana- ❤️
Iowa-
Kansas-
Kentucky- ❤️
Louisiana-
Maine -
Maryland-
Massachusetts-
Michigan-X
Minnesota-
Mississippi- X
Missouri- X
Montana-
Nebraska-
Nevada- X
New Hampshire-
New Jersey-
New Mexico- X
New York-
North Carolina-X
North Dakota-
Ohio- X
Oklahoma-X
Oregon-
Pennsylvania-
Rhode Island -
South Carolina-X
South Dakota-
Tennessee - X
Texas-♥️
Utah - X
Vermont-
Virginia- X
Washington-
West Virginia- X
Wisconsin-
Wyoming-
Washington DC-
Puerto Rico-
Monday, December 28, 2020
TOP REGRET MOST PEOPLE HAVE ON THEIR DEATHBED
I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
"This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it."
Bronnie Ware
Sunday, December 27, 2020
BINGE WATCHED
Let me just say that I am usually not a TV addict.
However, today I watched every episode of Bridgerton.
And I loved all 8 hours of it!
THREE THINGS
I have just three things to teach:
Simplicity, Patience and Compassion
These are your greatest treasures.
Loa Tzu Tao Te Ching
DRAGONS
The DRAGONSLAYER
This life is but
A great fairytale
Sometimes we win
Sometimes we fail
What maters most
Is that we live to tell
Of the times we rose
Soon after we fell
So if your life is hard
Don’t for a moment despair
Real hero’s fight dragons
That fly through the air
And they believe in magic
Of fairies and wizards
While ordinary folks
Fight ordinary lizards
Samantha Cooper
Saturday, December 26, 2020
Friday, December 25, 2020
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
CHRISTMAS SCAVENGER HUNT
My son told me about this fun thing, so we hit Walmart December 23rd to fill each other’s stockings.
Here is the CHRISTMAS SCAVENGER LIST
*Something Christmasy
*A Drink
*A Snack
*Something For A Night In
*Something Random
*Something Useful
*Something To Do Together
*Something Nerdy (I may have miss read that wrong gotten something naughty!!!!)
With the list in hand we split up in the store and went about finding each item. We called each other twice. And just before 10pm we called it quits.
It took far too long and we spent far too much money. But I think we will have fun giving each other out scavenger hunt treasures on Christmas Day!
SO MUCH MORE
One of the saddest things in life is to get to the end and look back in regret, knowing that you could have been, done and had so much more.
Life’s short. The greatest risk is a riskless living. And settling for average.
By Robin Sharma
*My take on this...
Live every day as ‘the best day’
look forward to the adventure.
Live beyond your expectations!
Don’t let go of what makes your heart happy. No regrets!
FIND THE JOY
If you choose not to find joy in the snow,
You will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
SPARKLING
I pass this house everyday on my way to work.
It is a lovely old gem.
I hear it was turned into a restaurant,
but I have never been.
But as I pass it each morning the sun glints
off the diamond pane windows in the front door.
It sparkles beautifully. I love it!
Monday, December 21, 2020
WINTER SOLSTICE
Today will be the shortest day of 2020 for the Northern Hemisphere. Tomorrow the days will start growing longer.
Happy Anniversary to the Keppner’s ♥️
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Saturday, December 19, 2020
WRITE IT DOWN
I think that we all have so much to to share. But if we don’t write it all down it will be lost. Like so many generations before us that have faded away, unless we intentionally preserve what we know and our past, it will vanish when we do. I think we all need to own a notebook or a word document that we can devote to things we value, believe in or that just need to be said. I know that all that I put in my blog will be viewable to my children and grandchildren even when I’m no longer here.
I started writing this blog because I felt I needed life therapy. Little did I know that ten years later my writings and the things I share are viewed in every continent across our globe.
Write down what you have to say, the things in your head. Just write it down and share it.
Friday, December 18, 2020
ONE BITE
I was discussing a restaurant in Newburgh with a colleague. I have not been there so I pulled up the website and looked at the menu. https://thelandingnewburgh.com/
I thought the Newburgher looked yummy and I am always up to having Chicken Marsala. She has had the flat bread and said it was good. But when I saw that they have Limoncello Mascarpone Cake, I told her I want just one bite of that. It sounds delightful!
She laughed and said "Just one bite?". I am not a cake girl... for me, cake is just there to hold the frosting! So, yes, one bite.
She then told me "Mom and I used to get one piece of candy. It became a tradition for us to sneak away and enjoy that candy." Of course then her daughter got into this fun with them, and now whenever they travel together, they both bring one piece. A tradition of "One Piece"!
I will do one bite!
RESILIENCE
RESILIENCE: The ability to stand up to challenges, work through them step by step, and bounceback stronger than you were before. Urban Dictionary
https://positivepsychology.com/resilience-skills/
Traits, Qualities, and Characteristics of the Resilient Person
- Viewing change as a challenge or opportunity
- Commitment
- Recognition of limits to control
- Engaging the support of others
- Close, secure attachment to others
- Personal or collective goals
- Self-efficacy
- Strengthening effect of stress
- Past successes
- Realistic sense of control/having choices
- Sense of humor
- Action-oriented approach
- Patience
- Tolerance of negative affect
- Adaptability to change
- Optimism
- Faith
Resilience Scale
- Able to adapt to change.
- Close and secure relationships.
- Sometimes fate or God can help.
- Can deal with whatever comes.
- Past success gives confidence for new challenge.
- See the humorous side of things.
- Coping with stress strengthens.
- Tend to bounce back after illness or hardship.
- Things happen for a reason.
- Best effort no matter what.
- You can achieve your goals.
- When things look hopeless, you don’t give up.
- Know where to turn for help.
- Under pressure, focus and think clearly.
- Prefer to take the lead in problem-solving.
- Not easily discouraged by failure.
- Think of self as a strong person.
- Make unpopular or difficult decisions.
- Can handle unpleasant feelings.
- Have to act on a hunch.
- Strong sense of purpose.
- In control of your life.
- You like challenges.
- You work to attain your goals.
- Pride in your achievements.
Resilience Building Plan Worksheet
- Recognize Your Signs of Stress.
- Where do you feel stress in your body?
- What are some of the bad habits you engage in when feeling stressed?
- Focus on Building Physical Hardiness.
- What kind of small changes can you invest in to improve your health? (Better sleep, better nutrition, hydration, exercise, etc.)
- List one small change you can make now.
- Strengthen the Relaxation Response – Calm Body and Calm Mind.
- List some activities at home that could help you relax.
- List some activities at work that could help you relax.
- Try out some new relaxation skills such as mindfulness or meditation apps such as Calm or Headspace.
- Try some self-soothing activities such as:
- Tactile (Holding something comforting or soothing)
- Smell (Smell of lavender, fresh air)
- Visual (Puppy or kitten photos, looking out the window, etc.)
- Auditory (Listen to music, listen to sounds of nature)
- Taste (Drinking some tea, eating chocolate)
- Identify and Use Your Strengths.
- Describe a time when you were able to overcome or handle a major challenge in life.
- What did you learn about yourself?
- What personal strengths did you draw upon?
- Draw upon an image of when you were the most resilient.
- How might you apply this strength now?
- Increase Positive Emotions on a Daily Basis.
- Identify sources of humor or joy.
- Express gratitude, visit someone or write a letter.
- List your accomplishments.
- Engage in Meaningful Activities.
- Notice what happened in your day that was meaningful on a regular basis.
- What kinds of activities did you find meaningful?
- Identify activities that put you in the flow. (Enjoyable things you do that cause you to lose track of time.)
- Counter Unhelpful Thinking.
- Write down what you are thinking about when you get stressed and then ask: What is the worst that can happen and could I survive it? What is the best that could happen? What would I tell a friend in a similar situation?
- If you can’t stop thinking about something, write about it a couple of times over a 4-week period for about 15 minutes each time. Notice how your story changes or your perspective becomes clearer each time.
- If you are being hard on yourself, practice self-compassion and learn to be kind to yourself. Give yourself a mental break or a pat on the back.
- Remember a hero, a coach or a mentor that encouraged you when you doubted yourself.
- Create a Caring Community.
- Connect with friends and family on a regular basis.
- Identify your sources of support.
- Work
- At home.
- In the community.
- Practice good communication and conflict resolution skills.
Seven Roots of Resilience
- Balancing brain chemistry.
- Managing energy.
- Aligning with nature.
- Calming the mind.
- Skillfully facing emotions.
- Cultivating a good heart.
- Creating deep connections.
Leslie Riopel, MSc
SELF EFFICACY
Self-efficacy is a person's belief in his or her ability to succeed in a particular situation.
Self-efficacy = PERSONAL POWER
I love this!
REGRET
As I was speaking to a friend recently and he told me that there are several things in his life that he regrets. I listened to the things that he felt were regrets. And as I listened, I realized that there are so many people that have unfulfilled life aspirations.
I do not have REGRET.
I may not have been able to have done all the things in my past that I would have liked. However, I have put my all into everything I have done. I feel that I have done the best I could in all I have taken on...
so even if the outcome is not what I anticipated or hoped for, I know I did my best. And thus NO REGRET.
I will keep moving forward. I will keep learning and exploring. I will continue to live life to it's fullest. There is so much more out there and I want to enjoy it all!
NO REGRETS
HAPPY FRIDAY
I don't know if it is just because it is Friday or if it is because I had great life insight given to me last night or if it is my fancy new hat. But I feel empowered, strong and ready to move forward.
I feel like I need to run... go far and fast. I want to reach out and feel everything, see everything. I don't want to miss a thing.
Happy Friday!
LEARNING
I know I have blogged about it in the past, but I thought I would share it again.
This site has hundreds of free courses from colleges and universities around the world.
They also have courses you can pay for credits in.
How awesome is it to be able to learn from great teachers and professors for free.
I have raked a couple classes through https://www.coursera.org/ in the past few years. And I’m looking to take another this winter. I have a friend who learned how to play the guitar with one of the free online courses.
There is also an app called duolingo that I am looking at to attempt a second language. I am sure there are plenty of other resources out there, that are available to us that will teach us something new. I challenge everyone to learn something new, as often as possible. It keeps your mind young!!
Thursday, December 17, 2020
TAKING AIM
Tonight I listened to a very wise man. As he spoke, it was like the pins of a lock, clicking into place. It was like something in my soul whispered to me “Listen, this is pivotal. You need this information in your life.”
He spoke about what we find interesting in life. Looking for our calling in life by knowing what things fascinate us. (I still struggle with this. I feel like I can’t put my finger on my life calling. I feel like it’s niggling or clawing at the back of my brain. Just out of reach. Just far enough away that I can’t put my finger on it.) Mr. Campbell used the analogy of looking through the scope on a gun. It is hard to line up your focus if you stare at the lines in the scope. But if you look past the lines in the scope, you will automatically be in focus.
Basically, finding the things that interest you will help you focus in on the right paths in life.
I believe this to be a truth.
I don’t believe you have to be tied to what you grew up with. Or tethered to what you have done in the past. But by looking toward the things you are interested in, things you enjoy... in this you find your passion, your calling, your pleasure in life. Just focus on the things you like!
P.S. I saw this on social media this morning and I though it fit perfectly!
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Sunday, December 13, 2020
WANDERER
Craves adventure, craves change... like other people need food.
Part of me craves the adventure and change... and part of me longs for my piece of dirt to go home to.
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