Category: Saturday Smile

Week 5 Reflection: Gratitude

RevofKindnessWhoa – is it week 5 of the Kindness Challenge already? My, my. How time flies.

Here’s the link to Niki’s site, that explains our goal for the week.

In general, I was to reflect on the things I’m grateful for in my life.

Have you heard about confirmation bias? (This might seem a little off-subject, bear with me.)

Basically, confirmation bias is our tendency to look for things – or only see things – that confirm what we’ve already decided to be true.

So let’s say you think the world is an awful place and people are idiots. You can find proof of that wherever you go — because you’re looking for it. (Honestly, you can be a real downer, you know that?)

Continue reading “Week 5 Reflection: Gratitude”

Week 3 Reflection – Kind Energy

RevofKindnessHello all! This is me, reporting in after Week 3 in the Kindness Challenge, which I stumbled upon at Niki’s site, which you can find here.

This week, I was to focus my energy on being kind. It’s more than just being kind, it’s radiating kindness.

Does this puzzle you as much as it did me?

It’s a bit of an abstract concept, so maybe we can find a more concrete way to think about it.

Let’s say you’re wandering down an unfamiliar street and can’t find your way to the nearest payday loan shop, where you were hoping to score some funds for your next tattoo. (Honestly, you need to put more thought into your financial decisions. I worry about you.) Continue reading “Week 3 Reflection – Kind Energy”

Week 2 Reflection — Looking for Kindness

This is my second week in Niki’s Kindness Challenge, which you can read about HERE.

This week I was to be mindful of acts of kindness around me, which made for a fun week, let me tell you. First, let me give you the highlights, as I interpreted them:

PopcornMonday: A co-worker left a package of microwave popcorn in my mailbox, with a note that said, “Thanks for popping in!” Her office is a little secluded and I stop in to say hi from time to time. I didn’t realize it mattered to her, so the popcorn was a sweet gesture and, therefore, kind. Continue reading “Week 2 Reflection — Looking for Kindness”

A Lazy Gardener Gets Lucky

As much as I like getting my hands dirty, you’d think I’d be a better gardener than I am. It’s not that I’m bad at it, per se. It’s more like I’m, well, hopelessly lazy. And I think the plants are catching on.

The last time I drove home from the nursery, I swear I heard whimpering from the seedlings in the backseat.

But sometimes I get lucky. Case in point: when I chose to plant a Lady Banks Rose.

I’ve tried growing roses before — oh, the wilted leaves and dead canes at my feet. It would shock you. But this girl just keeps growing and growing, despite my neglect. Sometimes I think to water her, but most of the time she’s on her own. And most of the time, she grows up the side of our house with her drab, grayish green leaves, hardly noticeable to anyone. Passed over for a dance, every time.

But then March comes, and the Lady puts all the other plants to shame:WP_20160304_16_06_30_Pro[1]

It just goes to show, sometimes the wallflower is the most interesting girl in the room. 🙂

The Tragic Tale of a Beetle in Love

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Photo credit: Volkan Olmez, Unsplash

Typically on a Saturday, I try to post something happy. Something to make us smile. But this tale came to me recently and I can’t get it out of my head. It’s the tale — the tragic tale — of the Death Watch Beetle.

Cool name, isn’t it? It comes from a time when people died at home. (Sorry. I told you this wouldn’t be happy.) As the person was lying in bed ill, clinging to their last thread of life, the family members would be very, very quiet. Out of respect. This period was called “the death watch.”

And in those times of absolute silence, during the death watch, they would hear a light tapping. Almost like fingers drumming on a table, very faint and rhythmic. Legend had it that it was Death, drumming his bony fingers, waiting for the person to die.

As it turns out, it was actually the mating call of a little beetle. Hereafter called the death watch beetle. Scientific name: Xestobium rufovillosum.

This is the life cycle of the death watch beetle (you might want to grab a tissue):

Continue reading “The Tragic Tale of a Beetle in Love”

Want a Romantic Quote for Your Valentine? Keep Looking.

kitty high fiveLaughter is the key to a healthy relationship.

No… wait… that’s honesty. Honesty is the key to a healthy relationship. But laughter helps. It always helps.

In keeping with that, I found some quotes about love that are worth a hearty chuckle or two.

Enjoy!

Continue reading “Want a Romantic Quote for Your Valentine? Keep Looking.”

Do You Believe in Magic?

Some of you might remember, about a month ago I mentioned the book “Big Magic” by Big MagicElizabeth Gilbert, saying I should probably read it.

I’m here to tell you I did.

Full disclosure: I wasn’t part of love fest surrounding “Eat, Pray, Love,” Gilbert’s memoir and wildly successful bestseller. To be perfectly honest, I read two chapters and gave up on it, because I simply wasn’t enjoying it.

The only reason I decided to give this book a shot was that it was recommended to me by someone I trust. I’m extremely glad I did.

I can’t even begin to tell you what my favorite part was. Instead, I’m going to throw a few quotes at you.

Continue reading “Do You Believe in Magic?”