MLK Day

I remember Dr. Martin Luther King today by offering one of his quotes to ponder upon:

"Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable...Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals."

Hugs,

Nella's ONEder Fund

I read my friend April's blog http://freshandfun.blogspot.com/ ; she's one cool SAHM with a shop on my favorite retail therapy website etsy.  Her shop is called JaneSays.

Anyhow, on January 9 she posted about a special little girl nam ed Nella who needs people with big hearts and giving natures to donate to Nella's ONEder fund.  Her Mom, Kelle Hampton has a blog Enjoying the Small Things .. You will enjoy reading it and seeing fabulous pictures of Nella... .HERE is the link.

Let's help Nella and Kelle reach their fundraising goal to support these precious angels.  I donated in honor of a little girl named Jennifer who also suffered from having 47 chromosomes  and I had the joy of babysitting oh so long ago.  So go read the blog and be as touched and moved as I was.

Hugs,

Living the Meaningful Life

I received the following message in my in-box this morning.  I have been using the moodscope site for several weeks and gaining valuable insights.  Thanks Josh for referring it to me.   Have a happy day.  Hugs,
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Dear Brenda:

Martin Seligman is an unusual psychologist. He's also a highly esteemed one.

What makes him pretty unique is that he was one of the first of his profession to conclude that there was a lot of sense in psychologists looking at ways in which people could be happier, rather than simply focusing (as had been the case for scores of years previously) on the psychology of ill-health and unhappiness.

Don't just look at why things go wrong, he reasoned. Let's also examine why things go well for people, so you and I can learn from them.

Professor Seligman has identified three distinct components of happiness: The Pleasant Life (a glass of wine); The Good Life (work, romance, hobbies); and The Meaningful Life (using your personal strengths in the service of something bigger than you - in your community for example).

Of those three approaches, Martin Seligman suggests that it's the third which gives us the most long-term joy. Filling your life with more transitory pleasures means that before long you'll be asking yourself 'Is this all there is?'

We all want to feel that we matter and that we can make a difference.

So which parts of your life fall into this meaningful category? is there a way in which you could do more?

It's worth thinking about, isn't it?

Like the above? Please share it on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=www.moodscope.com/2011/01/06/the-meaning-of-life.html

OK, it's time to record your Thursday score at Moodscope. Just click below:

http://www.moodscope.com

Number of days since you last recorded a score: 1

Thought for today: Live a healthy lifestyle (eat well, exercise and get sufficient sleep).

Thanks,
Jon
The Moodscope Team
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Getting Organized and Rid of the Clutter!

I developed a long "to-do" list of areas of the condo that need my urgent attention.  I have accumulated too much clutter around the house.  Why is it that I need all my stuff around me and in plain sight?

Anyway, I have made headway with my clothes closet.  I am almost done going through and sorting all my clothes into bags for recycling.  I am diminishing my accordian closet that had at least 5 different sizes to clothes that now fit me well and look professional.  Last year I gave away 7 boxes of clothes to a friend of a friend in Louisiana who gives clothes to those still in need post-Katrina.  So far this year I have given away 4 bags of clothes to a goodwill-related charity.  So I have one more bag filled up and another getting there.

With the help of my devoted husband, I have also gotten a handle on our dining room coat closet.  Yesterday morning, we put away the few Christmas decorations we had out this year, reorganized the Christmas wrapping paper, put a small table that had no home into the closet, and found room for all my padded envelopes and bubble wrap.  We also finally pulled out all the coats that are too big for both of us now that we have lost so much weight and have given them to a local drycleaner that has an annual winter coat drive.  We hung up the rest of the coats and sweaters just piled in a heap.  The boots and gloves also got put away and now we have a neat and tidy closet!  Hurray!

My Mom's advice about cleaning is to quickly lie down until the tidyness attack passes.  I am usually a great follower of that advice, but after months of inaction and feeling paralyzed by it all, I finally have broken through and have found the interest and energy to get started.  Focusing on one small area at a time has helped give me a sense of accomplishment and desire to keep going on the next area needing attention.  And, I have been inspired by all the emails from various retailers and ladies' magazines that I have been getting about being organized in the new year.

http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/storage/around-the-house/ways-to-reduce-clutter/?sssdmh=dm17.491962&esrc=nwwut&email=1327846408

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/techniques/basics/sewing-room-storage_ss1.html?sssdmh=dm17.499414&esrc=nwapq&email=1327846408

http://www.bhg.com/crafts/craft-storage/hobby-rooms/quick-and-clever-ideas-for-organizing-crafts-supplies/?sssdmh=dm17.491964&esrc=nwcut&email=1327846408

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/budget-decorating/cheap/simple-storage-for-less/?sssdmh=dm17.496348&esrc=nwdc&email=1327846408

So I am living one of my resolutions to reduce, repurpose, reuse and recycle.

How are you doing this first week of the New Year?

Hugs.

I resolve, do you, too?

I have been thinking  a lot about resolutions and the resolve one must put behind them to bring them to fruition.  I did not think I would make any resolutions for 2011, but I have changed my mind.

 

Therefore I resolve:

 

1) to reduce, repurpose, reuse and recycle as much as possible;

(Like yesterday, why do I pull two tissues out of the box when one will do the trick?  I stopped myself and used just the one.)

 

2) to increase my charitable contributions;

(There is still so much need in this world of ours, from fighting disease and poverty, to supplying fresh water, to empowering women and rebuilding war-torn and natural disaster-torn places.)

 

3) to drink more water and make healthy lifestyle choices;

(I have read that sometimes when you think you feel hungry or are head-achy, that it is simply dehydration.  So drink that glass of water before getting something to eat or popping that pill.)

 

 

4) to be the friend I want to have to my friends; and

(Relationships take nurturing.  Let's pay better attention to one another's needs, listen more carefully, give of our truest selves and love even more than we do now.)

 

5) to do a better job not sweating the small stuff and letting go.

(This is a daily lesson for me, mainly at work, and I look forward to the opportunities to catch myself, practice and ultimately change my way of thinking and in-grained response.)

 

I promise to report my progress in keeping my resolve and making positive changes this year.

 

What do you resolve to do this year?

 

Hugs,

Happy New Year - It's 1/1/11

"We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day"  -- Edith Lovejoy Pierce, an American poet

I found this quote yesterday while serfing the net and it spoke to  me.  I am a book lover -- so much of my disposable income over the years has gone to purchasing books of all kinds -- and I keep several blank journals that I write in when the mood strikes me.  I suppose this blog is yet another journal for me to do the same. 

I am excited about the New Year.  I am already happy with how it all started - a kiss by my devoted husband after waking me up at 11:58 pm.  We watched the count down for the ball drop at TIme's Square on the tv with my parents.  After a good night's rest, I am ready to face the new day with excitement and attentiveness. 

No real plans for the day other than helping my Mom in the kitchen.  Getting ready to make cinnamon rolls from thawed bread dough and later preparing our traditional dinner of pork, sauerkrat and mashed potatoes. 

What words will you write for the first chapter of the New Year?

Hugs,

Getting Started While Saying Good-bye to Harry

On the last day of the year 2010, I have been inspired by several of the terrific ladies I have met via the on-line crafts stores on Etsy to create my own blog.  I am watching the too-short tribute to Harry Smith, my favorite newscaster, who is unfortunately leaving CBS Early Morning.  He holds the viewers and the people he interviewed in the highest regard and treats them with respect.  I will miss seeing you daily, Harry, but look forward to your continued success at CBS News.


http://www.cbs.com/daytime/the_early_show/cast/harry-smith