Tag Archives: positive

Quotes That Make You Go Hmmm…

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“Most of the shadows of this life
are caused by standing in one’s own sunshine.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/an_untrained_eye/3011210482/”>an untrained eye</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/”>cc</a&gt;

Sharing The Love

medium_4164759025In the spirit of all things Pollyanna, I am expanding my site with Brighter-Side-of-Life resources.

See my new page: Sharing The Love

This page is where I will share products and services that I have come across that I think you, my dear readers, will appreciate.

My intention is not to make hard sells, you won’t find that here, only to propagate positivity.

The page has just begun and will continue to expand so please check back often.

For you writers out there, it is worth your while to check it out TODAY. There is an opportunity listed (the first and only one at the time of publishing this post – I wanted to get the word out fast) that I am positive you will be happy to have come across.

I wish you all a wonderful day.

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandoncwarren/4164759025/”>Brandon Christopher Warren</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/”>cc</a&gt;

Quotes That Make You Go Hmmm…

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My old career was lovely and interesting, 
but I was in it because 

I was being more loyal to my fears
than to my dreams.

Tara Mohr

Can you relate to this statement?  Share your thoughts below. 

Tara Mohr: taramohr.com
Photo credit: photo credit: N02/5572197407/”>LifeSupercharger via photopin cc

How Far Would You Go?

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Ok Women, how brave are you?

And Men, where do you draw the line?

Women:
Consider this…
 Would you leave the house without donning even the tiniest bit of make-up if…

…you were just going to the corner convenience store to pick-up a late-night carton of milk for the morning cereal?

…you were driving your kids to school and would be dropping them at the curb and heading straight back home?

…you were doing your weekly grocery shopping?

…you were going to the dentist or doctor?

…you were going to work?

…you were going out for a romantic dinner with your mate?

…you were going to the theatre (live theatre, not the movies)?

How brave are you?

And is it bravery or is it confidence?

…or is it self-worth?

Men:
What would your reaction be to seeing your partner without make-up, out in the real world in the given situations above?

And how would you feel if she dressed ‘comfortably’, not sloppy, but in fitted (yet not snug) clothing which did not bare her shoulders or legs and she wore comfortable shoes in which she could walk long distances?

Now, how would you feel if a female co-worker was make-up free and comfortably dressed?

Would you take her more seriously or less so when she spoke to you?

Gender Gap

I have often wondered why women spend so much money on products to conceal, even-out, enhance, disguise and brighten various areas of their faces not to mention the time it takes to sculpt and paint the daily facade while men enjoy the wash-and-go life.

Women do not think men are less handsome because their cheeks aren’t rosy, their skin colour isn’t even and their lips aren’t a particular shade of red.

In fact, quite often we find you men extremely handsome and we feel the need to adorn ourselves more in the hope of getting your attention.

And why in the rest of the natural world are the males the flamboyant ones with vibrant colours and showy displays to attract the female?

I wonder what would happen if women stopped wearing make-up.

I recently read an article by Lauren Shields describing her “modesty experiment” where she challenged the westernized ideal of beauty.  For nine months, she lived entirely without make-up, revealing clothes and uncomfortable shoes.  (Sounds rather freeing, doesn’t it?)

She examined the philosophy of various religion’s reasons for modest dressing and was surprised by what she found in both her research and her experience.

Does a year of living modestly appeal to you?  How far would/could you take it? And what would you expect to learn or gain from the experience?

Share your thoughts below.

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/muffmuff/4045179076/”>galaxies and hurricanes</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/”>cc</a&gt;

Quotes That Make You Go Hmmm…

bridge, copyright Carolin GrandinTrails Are

Merely

Suggestions.

~Unknown

photo credit: Carolin Grandin
all rights reserved.

In Praise of Fathers

Father Holding Daughter's HandHere’s to all of the men out there
who have spent most of their adult days
providing for their children,

financially, emotionally and as role models,
so that they can grow up
feeling loved and important.

We are very grateful.

Happy Father’s Day!!

…Thanks Dad!

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirit-fire/4739023417/”>Spirit-Fire</a&gt; via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>cc</a&gt;

The Tree, The Apple, The Distance

medium_3174097944As a parent, as all parents, I have tried to instill my values in my children. 

I have spoken to them countless times about the environment and our part in protecting it.

About good nutrition, although I admit, I am not the best role model at the moment – chocolate, yum! – potato chips, equally yum!

About smoking and drugs and the dangers to their health.

About how to treat people with equality and kindness.

And I have tried to model those values on a daily basis.

So, I am proud to report that my eldest apple has not fallen far from the tree.

A budding journalist, for her first-ever post as Postscript Editor of her university paper, she chose to write about…Positivity.

I couldn’t be more proud.

Please take a moment to read her take on positivity in the wake of misfortune or tragedy.  here

And thanks to the trees from which I too have not fallen far,
for most of my values are theirs.

When have you noticed or experienced a positive outcome after a negative event? Please share it below.

photo credit: photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemella/3174097944/”>LaGemella</a&gt; via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/”>cc</a&gt;

Quotes That Make You Go Hmmm…

“Live Simply
So That Others
May Simply Live”

I love this quote for a number of reasons.

I first saw it the other day when I was driving around town, spray painted in black on a white background – striking, simple and poignant.

The object that had been painted white?  A street-side concrete garbage container.

The garbage container was located outside a high school.

Youth activism in today’s text message world.   Perfect.

Who is the author of this quote?

A quick Google search attributed it to both Mother Teresa and Gandhi.

I didn’t feel the need to search further, to suss-out just who was the definitive author. Either is fine by me.

Striking, simple, poignant.

What was your reaction when you first read this quote?

What Would We Be Without Our Mothers?

In celebration of mothers everywhere,
I am proud to post this gorgeous photograph
courtesy of Spanish photographer, Alberto Mateo.

Happy Mother’s Day,

to my mom and every mom.
Thank you.

Alberto Mateo

Baby at the back of a Hmong woman dressed with traditional clothes, Bac Ha Sunday market, Bac Ha Town, Lao Cai district, mountains of Vietnam

Photo credit:
PHOTOGRAPHY – Alberto Mateo
The Last Footprint
Mobile: +34 661 530 598
e: info@albertomateo.com w: www.albertomateo.com – www.thelastfootprint.com

9 Life Lessons I Learned From My Dad

I remember my Dad teaching me how to dive.medium_4784719807

He would stand in the pool while I stood on the side, toes wrapped over the edge.

He would hold out his arm at the height of my thighs and say, “Just lean over my arm and fall in.”

I would stand there, arms straight up over my head, hands clasped tightly, knees knocked together and slightly bent, toes gripping tightly to the side and I would lean over and take deep breath after deep breath, almost hyperventilating, staring into the depths below.

I’d lean over a bit further, gasp some more then straighten up and say, “I can’t.”

He’d reassure me and I’d go through the whole process again, and again, and again, until one day I tipped so far forward that I fell in.

Not only did I survive, I discovered it was fun!  So I scrambled back out, anxious to do it over and over.

I’ve come to see that this was not a one-time occurrence.  This is my pattern.

Whenever I want to try something new, I read about it, observe others, watch videos, dream about it, discuss it, take deep breaths, take classes, read some more, dip my toe in, quickly pull it back, take more deep breaths, repeat all of the above (more than once) then finally gain the courage to dive in head first.

And I have never been sorry.

9 Life Lessons I Learned From My Dad

  1. No matter how many deep breaths you take before you jump, it’s the last breath that keeps you from drowning.  So stop hyperventilating, take one really big breath and dive in.
  2. If you lack the courage, prepare as best you can then lean far enough forward so that your momentum will take you the final step.
  3. Avoid shallow water, that’s for waders, not serious divers.
  4. You will survive (provided you’ve applied step #3).
  5. It will get easier each time you do it.
  6. This is a mental sport and you are your only opponent.
  7. Soon you will want to try from a new height, until that becomes easy.
  8. You will be glad you did it.
  9. You will wonder why you were ever afraid.

Thanks Dad!

Share below when you struggled with the courage to try something and how it turned out. 

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/kicks01/4784719807/”>Greg L. photos</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/”>cc</a&gt;