Be the Sunshine!

**When you can’t see the sunshine… be the sunshine!**

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.

You make me happy when skies are grey.

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you,

Please don’t take my sunshine away.

Be someone’s sunshine today!

Send them the photo below – text it or email it!

If you’re married, begin with your spouse.

Brighten someone’s day by telling her or him how much you value their friendship.

Better yet – if you can, give ’em a call and sing that person this song.

(Click for a YouTube video if you need a reminder of the tune. As a bit of trivia, this song was composed by Jimmie Davis in 1939)

Reach out to encourage someone!

Positive people know the value of being encouraged and encouraged each other.

Gratitude Arises from Paying Attention

encouragement, relationships

Gratitude arises from paying attention.

How often do we go through our day in auto-pilot?

I’m going to guess, and suggest that all of us are quite susceptible to not noticing the little things in life that could give us pleasure. What do I mean?

a child’s squeal of joy
the deep, comforting aroma and warmth of the coffee in your hands
the feel of the soft sweater we’re pulling on to ward off the chill
the tweet of a bird or rustling of leaves
the refreshing taste of a pick-me-up cup of peppermint tea or an iced glass of Coke
the cool sweetness of frozen yogurt
the glorious sight of a sunrise or sunset
the smile from our parents – whether on a photo or in person
an enveloping hug from a friend
words of encouragement from a co-worker
the chorus of a favorite song
the fragrance of a coveted hand cream
pulling the covers up to your chin and snuggling down into the bed at night
the stars, twinkling up above
the varying color of leaves as they emerge in spring or fall in autumn or shelter in summer
the feel of your favorite spot – in a chair or on your couch
the opening strains of a favorite television show (I still get excited when I hear the theme song from Star Trek.)
your beloved’s voice on a phone message
walking out into the sunshine
the smell of rain after days and days of heat
the crunch of freshly popped popcorn
pretty shoes
a good hair day
the opening credits of a movie you’ve longed to see (especially in the theatre)
someone who smiles at you

I could go on and on and on…

What are the small items you’re likely to ignore or take for granted?

Today – pay attention.

And then give thanks for all those little items after you’ve noticed them. They’re all a part of a wonderful life!

Cheers!

Lori

PS – if you feel someone could use a bit of encouragement today, tell them all the little things they do that you’re thankful for! Then share this post to pass on the positivity!

Courage is Easier in the Long Run

encouragement, goal achieving, relationships

Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier.

This quote is from Eleanor Roosevelt, the longest-serving First Lady of the United States. She held the post from March 1933 to April 1945 during her husband President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four terms in office and after that served as United States Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly from 1945 to 1952.

Though widely respected in her later years, Eleanor was a controversial First Lady at the time for her outspokenness, particularly her stance on racial issues. She was the first presidential spouse to hold regular press conferences, write a daily newspaper column, write a monthly magazine column, host a weekly radio show, and speak at a national party convention. On a few occasions, she publicly disagreed with her husband’s policies.

and in this quote Eleanor continues:

We do not have to become heroes overnight.

Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up,

seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared,

discovering we have the strength to stare it down.

Strength and Courage

I wish you a heaping helping of strength and courage as you go into your day today. Remember – just one step at a time. We are all in it for the long run… make it easier by choosing courage today.

Cheers!

Lori

(Go ahead – please share these images below. You might encourage someone else to have a bit of courage today!)

What you will do matters!

encouragement, relationships

What you will do matters! You just need to DO it!

What you will do matters.

All you need is to DO it!

Too often we overthink our actions. We think and think until we talk ourselves out of taking action.

Stop thinking about it – just DO it!

pick up the phone and text (or call) that person who is waiting to hear from you… Who needs your encouragement?
put your shoes on and go out the door. It’s time. Maybe it’s high time you got going?
write that note, because it’s going to make an impact. Really!
smile at that person. You might be the only person who smiles at them today. Make their day better!
toss that piece of garbage – figurative or literal!
use the pretty glass. If not now, then when?
stand up. Maybe you need to stand up for someone else? Maybe it’s for yourself?
talk to the person across from you. Make a connection.
apologize. Say you’re sorry, offer to make it right, assure them you won’t do it again.
accept the challenge. It’s time.
speak life into their life. If not you, then who? Take the opportunity to be the person who makes a difference.
hug that someone. Maybe it’s a verbal hug?
open the Bible. Add some truth to your life. Words of Life.
cut your hair. Or don’t. 😉
dance. Just a little two-step. Nobody will care what you look like…
ask for another chance.
give someone another chance. Take them out of the penalty box. Isn’t it time? Wouldn’t you like that for yourself?
pray. Let it go and give it to the ONE who can. Can anything.
start that new hobby. It’s time to try. If not now, then when? And so what if you’re not good at it? Will you enjoy it? Then start!
make an appointment. You’ve procrastinated enough. Do it now. Take someone with you if you need support.
ride the bike. (Perhaps it’s a metaphorical bike?)
take a nap. Enough already. Stop. Sleep. Take care of yourself!
accept the invitation. This time – it’s time! Just go!
… ? what do you need to just DO? Come on…

What do you need to just DO?

What you will do matters – go ahead

I’ll write a note for you if you feel you need permission…

now DO it!

What you will do matters.

?️

Maybe it’s hard to do something you’ve never tried before… perhaps it even harder to keep going? If you need some more encouragement to keep going read this!