Tag Archives: God

46 Ways to be a Better Person

Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Here’s a quick list that will get your started on having a nicer day now. Good luck and let me know how it goes.

1. Take a deep breath now, hold it as long as you can. Count to 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, release, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and now another.

2. OK, two more deep breaths. Relax.

3. Concentrate on this word <<oooaahhhhmmm>> and close your eyes and take another two deep breaths, in through your nose out through your mouth.

4. Meditate. Concentrate on your third eye and just be peaceful. You can stop reading this! It’s okay!

5. Slow down. Try moving slowly.

6. Start each day as Gandhi did: Be the change you want to see.

7. Look for ways to help others.

It almost always seems impossible until it's done. ♡

It almost always seems impossible until it’s done.x♡o

8. Treat yourself great.

9. Be your own friend.

10. Go to the mirror and make funny faces.

11. Make yourself and/or a friend a nice cup of tea or coffee.

12. Take a long walk without music or distractions.

13. Clean. Go left to right, it works.

14. Be young in your heart.

15. Hug a tree.

16. Jump on one leg. Now the other. Do this in your mind’s eye. Or for real.

17. Spin like a child with your eyes closed. Do this in your mind’s eye. Or for real.

18. Hug someone. Even yourself.

19. Next time you see someone on facebook that’s down, get involved. Try sending links, messages.  Or, how about a phone call?

20. Believe in miracles. :) I do.

21. Be inspirational.

22. Forgive yourself.

6 Simple Rules to live by: Be happy, be nice, be a leader, be organized, be a lifelong learner and be healthy. Listen to the next sound you hear.

23. Push yourself to be a little bit better.

24. Count to ten before reacting. {or better yet, just let it slide.}

25. Pet an animal.

26. Turn off the tv.

27. Sell something on ebay.

28. Give something away to charity.

29. Treat yourself to a day spa.

30. Take a nice long relaxing bath or shower.

31. Bake.

32. Organize your files.

33. Make a list of three things you don’t want to do and then do them.

34. Eat well. How’s a salad sound for your next meal? A big one!

35. Exercise.

36. Take a risk with love.

37. Write a message on someone’s facebook wall saying thank you for being there.

38. Enjoy this moment.

39. You can reprogram your mind to believe anything you want it to. Triy listening to affirmations. There are tons on you tube.

40. Shine the light that God has given you.

40. Shine On!

40. Shine the light that God has given you.

41. Tell someone you love them.

42. No matter what your age, dream — even big if you’d like.

43. Remember a moment when you were blissful. Hold on to it.

44. Accept yourself for exactly who you are.

45. Send a REAL letter in the mail.

46. Give yourself a little break.

Thanks for reading and have a great day. I believe in you. I do.

In the comment section, I’d like to know what you can hear, smell and feel in this exact moment. What is around you? I can hear  boys playing, the washing machine spinning and a distant car passing.

ㄥ❀∨モ criticism ♥

I have control over three things in m life: The thoughts I think, the images I visualize and the the actions I take.  ¸¸.·☆

A couple of things on my mind

that I’d like to share today that have to do with reading, writing, creativity and comments.

I am thankful for the positive comments and encouragement I get from people who read my blog. When I started off blogging, the idea was to share. I have written since I can remember.

In fact, I remember a time in my life where I would fill my days writing.

Everyone is a Critic

When I made the decision to share my words with the world it wasn’t based on a self satisfying idea to could help one person out there. It was more the idea that I wanted to learn how to blog. I thought of instead of writing in my journal, I’d do it online.

It’s actually a bit of a risk, if you ask me, putting yourself out on the line to be judged by your peers.

I'm okay with rejection.

►ㄥife is nσt abσut waiting fσr the storms to pass. it’s abσut ℓearning hσw tσ dance in the rain.►

I like the idea of learning by doing.

It’s one thing to think about doing something and a whole other ball game to put yourself out there and actually do something.

—What inspired this post was seeing the amazing things that are going on in your lives. I feel each one of you reading this is successful in your own way.

I’ve seen my friends overcome numerous obstacles to achieve their goals. I’ll give you some examples. One friend overcame the death of her parents at a young age to go forth and have a beautiful big family of her own.

I can make a living doing what I love and enjoy.

I can make a living doing what I love and enjoy.

She figured it out. Others have dreamt of becoming writers, business people, dads, teachers, artists, musicians, you name it. They haven’t given up and they are doing it — pursuing their dreams. Doing it. Loving it.

I have a friend who is scared of making a change in her life. Her entire family is relocating to a new city with completely new people, streets, smells, schools, every little thing in her life will be new.

But she did it. She said yes to life with the insecurity that comes from the future and not knowing what it would hold. Good for her.

Life is a journey. ♥ Set yourself up to play a winning game.

Another fantastic woman is traveling the world on her own. Such courage. Others dealing with heartbreak, love, life, raising families and work. They are figuring it out.

The more people who read my blog, of course, there seems to be always someone who doesn’t like it.

That leaves the question to me of how to deal with it. I either forgive, forget, overlook, pretend they aren’t there, or accept it.

Between saying and doing is an ocean of difference.

While I was on vacation for a week and didn’t have internet access I found myself missing my online community. I have made friends with unbelievable people I wouldn’t have otherwise met. We share videos, stories, pictures of our lives, you name it. For me being so far from my family I find it a great way of knowing what they are up to.

I have also met people from all over the world. I love that. Our world truly is getting smaller. So on a spiritual path to enlightenment, I believe we are all interconnected. All of our actions effect each other.

I’m working through these questions with the help of my friends and I am so thankful for them.

How do you deal with the critics? Is it better just to not share? You are welcome to leave your comments.

Thank you for visiting.

As always I hope this post finds you lucky and in love.

Julie
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I don’t know about you but I don’t take criticism too well.

Ready. Thx JC for pic.

Ready.

People who read this — God bless you — know that I had to overcome a lot of fears to set up this blog. Would you like to know why?

Because writing for the public is similar to public speaking. You talk to people and they can smile, judge, laugh, agree or disagree. Sometimes they throw tomatoes right at the computer screen. I don’t suggest it.

I like to emphasize the learning by doing aspect. For example, if any of you have ever travelled, I bet that what you saw first hand is different than what you read in books.

Believe in yourself. I do.

Believe in yourself. I do, believe in you.

It’s like a thousand reflections in a mirror. Until you go and experience something first hand, they are all just stories on a page.

Writing a blog is an ongoing learning experience. Please don’t think I know what I’m doing. I’m rather new to this @$#% blgng bznss.

it was the exact same feeling when I first showed my art work. Sure, some people have no problems writing and talking and showing off their work.

I do. That is exactly why I feel like this blog is growing steadily. It’s because I’m so darn afraid of failing, I’m putting every ounce of myself into making it succeed, doing the best I can do with the knowledge and awareness I have.

I am willing to take a risk and show you my work. Put down that tomato. If you want to succeed in today’s market, I believe you must be willing to talk about your work.

It is not the critic who counts — not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena whose face is marred by dust and sweat and bloody. 

Teddy Roosevelt

I don’t see what is wrong with blogging. Like I told my blogger friend, it’s fat free, unless, of course, you are eating a lot of food while writing.

I also love reading and studying and learning from other people. That’s why I spend a lot of time on other people’s blogs to see how they approach the same question as mine.

How do you, as a blogger or website owner, reach an audience, connect with them, share information, and grow as an individual?

Give and ye shall receive. No, it’s ask and ye shall receive, isn’t it?

I’m willing to try. I’m willing to learn. In the meantime, I hope this post finds you happy, lovely, lucky and in love.

Your encouragement is what pushes me forward. Pleave your comments where it says *comments*.

As always, I hope this finds you lucky and in love.

Julie

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Here’s to new beginnings.

Tulips

These are my tulips from my garden. They don’t bloom every year but when they do, well, there you go.

I think most people who are reading this can read between the lines and know exactly what I’m thinking. I may be wrong on that I may be right but generally speaking I think people are smart enough to tell if I’m being a true person over here expressing what my heart feels or if I’m trying to make it all look lovely with a bunch of pretty pictures and smiles.

I think you know. Then sometimes I think you know but then how could you know if I don’t tell you what is going on in my life? How could you know? Tell me. Use your words.

Words. Here they are. Ready? Since starting my blog, I’ve had a lot of fun with it. I’ve learnt that the most rewarding parts are when you receive compliments that turn into long conversations of people actually helping each other. I’ve met people I didn’t expect to meet. Hello. Nice to see you.

I’ve also learned that if I don’t say how I’m feeling you aren’t going to know. So I’ll tell you.

I’m doing well, and you? How are you?

All things considered. I’m making a decision now in this moment to be nice, to be kind, to have integrity, to be a whole person and hopefully to have a cheerful disposition.

Love you mom. ♡

Love you mom. ♡

I’m choosing to publish this article and then spend some time around the house that desperately is calling for love and attention. It’s a lot to handle. It’s a lot to balance.

Life is just an act, isn’t it, an act of balance, give and take. Who would have ever imagined that by publishing a blog I would have heard some of the comments I have heard, met the people I’ve met.

I miss my family abroad. I miss my friends who are far away.

I feel connected with them here on facebook and over the internet. Thank you for that.

I love my house — so call me a pentofola if you will. A pentofola is a house shoe or slipper generally regarded as something you wouldn’t go out in. It’s not a compliment. It’s just me being lazy and enjoying my garden.

How are your days passing? I’m working on spiritual and physical health by exercising, reading, eating well but more than anything trying to put into practice the ideas of love and forgiveness.

Each day is a new challenge and I fall short of God’s wonderful mercy and love but I pray and I start again. For the most part, it seems to be working.

As always friends, I hope this post finds you lovely, lucky and in love.

God bless. Thanks for visiting.  Also on a special note, I would like to say hello to my friends who have been reading this blog since I’ve started it. It means a lot to me.

Julie

Rain out early morning birds tweeting.

The changing of seasons is no doubt one of the most beautiful things I have witnessed. It’s the changing colors as if life is alive outside of you.

The thoughts we think and the words we say are constantly changing our world around us.Today my son’s team is scheduled to play baseball. It looks like the game will be cancelled. Still, as a team, we have to drive over to the field, show up, so we can be marked present so we can turn around and go home. It’s not so fun considering it would be so nice to stay in today and watch the rain.

I’ve never liked driving in the rain. I grew up in California where it only rained about ten days a year. If it would rain I would look out the window and literally have to convince myself it would be ok to go out. Sometimes I wouldn’t be so convincing.

As I get older, I’m getting more used to it though. Maybe I’m a little bit more adventurous. I certainly WAS fearless when I was younger.

Do you think people get more fearful as they get older?

I’m not so certain. Perhaps it depends on the day.

So much has been going on in the last few days that I feel completely spent. I get a lot of encouragement from friends as I approach projects, like writing, translating, teaching, help organizing events and painting.

Today, all I feel like doing is nothing.

♥ You’re beautiful. Seriously ♥

Do you ever feel that way? Just like doing nothing?

With so much on my plate, it’s easier to disappear into my words and into my thoughts.

Last week I decided to close the blog for a couple of days. My students at school said well done Prof. It’s so true. You write a blog and suddenly your life is public. Well not all of it is public. It’s ok to have a down day too. A day of rest.

Nulla si crea, nulla si distrugge.

At least my blog and life is available for commentary. As you guys know I don’t take criticism well at all, so when someone says something negative about the blog I think well then forget it. Why am I doing it? For you? or for me?

Sometimes things just seem to want to create themselves. Like spring. Like children. They grow out of nothing. God is so creative.

♥Today I will very consciously do one thing at a time.♥

There’s a beautiful saying in Italian that says ‘nulla si crea nulla si distrugge’, which means nothing can be created and nothing can be destroyed. To me, it means anything I have created can easily be destroyed.

The opposite is always true. They are all just words, recycled reused, turned around and tweaked to make new meanings and then to clear away with a swipe of an eraser, the tap of a delete key. There they go. Goodbye.

Oh you certainly are being philosophical today, aren’t you? Yes. well. People aren’t just straight forward all the time, are they? What you see is what you get? Hmmm. Perhaps. I think there is more.

Not like donkey on Shrek who says we all have layers like an onion. The onion layer is a bit cliche. I can’t describe them.

Light thoughts lift spirits.

I’d rather have a few good friends than a thousand acquaintances.

♥ If at first you don’t succeed stand close to someone who can take the blame. ♥

Put your best foot forward, that’s all anyone can ask.

Let’s eat Grandma! or Let’s eat, Grandma!

Punctuation saves lives.

иυιια ѕι ¢яєα ~ иυιια ѕι ∂ιѕтяυGGє

What’s your favorite quote?

Aces trump kings.

If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.

♫❀ It’s summer and it’s beautiful. ✩

It’s all just an illusion. Nothing is as it seems.

The sun is so bright and beautiful today.

I’m sorry if I’ve caused you pain.

Always be a little bit nicer than you think you should be, you never know what personal struggles someone is going through.

But I don’t want to go among mad people, remarked Alice. Oh, you can’t help that, said the cat. We are all mad here. 

I believe in you.

Marriage is a journey ~ I wish you bon voyage.

If you need to get something done just take the first step and like a pendulum the rest will follow suit.

I love to read. The answer is not in books.

We all like to get reminded how wonderful we are. Everyone can use a bit of encouragement.

Forgive yourself if you have harmed someone. Let them know you are sorry then move forward.

Change is so easy. All it is is a decision. How cool is that?

Have a great day. Smile.

Thanks for stopping by. :)

JB

What’s your favorite quote? Leave it in the comment section below. Thanks. :)

iblog vacay ✬ℐ❀

Hello friends. Reposting from 2 years ago because I’m too lazy to write. ha ha!

and welcome. < 3

How are you? So VERY nice to see you. Thank you for stopping by!

First off, a big huge thank you to Michelle at Bleeding Espresso for publishing my August in Italy article.

Are you tired of reading old posts from me that I have put on the front page of my blog? Have you noticed that I have been doing that? I have. What I do is go over to the right side of my screen where it says visibility, public, edit and set a date for my updates to post.

I did this for a week so I could take a blogging vacation. I chose three posts I liked and scheduled them every two days so perhaps you guys clicking over here would have something to read in my absence.

Coffee anyone?

Coffee anyone? What kind? I’ll get you one.

I took a vacation with my family.

It was absolutely breath taking lovely and wonderful. At moments I truly wanted to pinch myself.

It’s lovely. Then I look at the pictures and think

Oh. My. Gosh. How. blessed. is. my. life.

Can I, should I, share these pictures with my friends?! What will they think?

Like I was saying I was looking at the pictures from my vacation trying to decide if I was going to share them or not because I don’t want to be judged. First thing I looked at was how I looked in my bathing suit. For half way through my life, I can’t complain.

I’ve been taking great care of myself lately with my diet, exercise and sleep. Three key factors to happiness if you ask me. But then again, did you?

ha ha!

I’m just joking.

I think hugs and kisses rate up there too.

Hey, guess what? I made my first tomato sauce from tomatoes from my garden. Now that is a big sentence for me. I am SO not a cook. I SO do NOT enjoy cooking. It’s very easy. It’s because I clean morning to night so cooking adds more work to my plate. I can hardly stand it.

Yes, please!

Yes, please!

Yet, I think a little hard work is worth the effort so I just do it. Plus, I’m trying to go the extra mile here and put in the extra work to my life to make it extra ordinary.

I’ve taken up cleaning with my ipod on. I can honestly say that’s added a great element to my life. I’ve been asked to not sing while doing so. :)

Sometimes, I’ve even been spotted dancing whilst cleaning.

hmmm.

Well, thank you for visiting for being my kind companionship over the last year and a half of blogging. Thank you readers for being kind in your comments.

Hope you are all well, lucky and in love. I hope this posts finds you with a little something extra in your life.

Julie

10 Insider Tips to Start off your Day Right.

All year long flowers.

All year long flowers.

1) Put your best foot forward.

Regardless of how many mistakes you have made in the past today is a new day. Just by making a decision now, you can make your dreams come true by believing in yourself. Think of the adage of the train who said I think I can I think I can.

Before you know it you can overcome any obstacles.

2) Overcome obstacles.

It’s all about the way you view them. There is always a good side to every story. When a door closes a window opens. What could be good? Opportunity. The world is your oyster. There are infinite possibilities. Look at your obstacles as stepping stones to your future.

3) The world is your oyster.

God gave us this wonderful life so we could live it to it’s fullest. Now is your opportunity to live life to its fullest, love and learn.

4) Make attainable goals.

Simplicity

Out with the lists of stopping smoking, losing weight and getting rid of old habits. In with the lists of positive choices. Choose a healthy lifestyle that includes rest, relaxation, good food, exercise, abundance, lots of water and happiness. Make your goals to be state driven.

That means desiring what you have.

Set yourself up to play a winning game.

5) Have state driven goals.

It’s not the money that makes us happy, it’s what that money can buy. Let’s just jump over this hurdle and stop wanting more money. Start to have happiness in the terms of joy, love and peace of mind. You have all that you need in this moment.

6) Be the change you desire in the world.

Instead of complaining about what is wrong, start finding what is right and then start acting how you want to be. Decide to avoid any self negative talk. Your mind can hear you and it might just believe what it hears.

7) Model good behavior

So your not perfect, neither am I. But I do try. I set myself out to be the best I can be. At times I don’t know what good behavior is like so I find someone who I think is doing it right and I try to do it just like them.

*8) Be sensible my dear child

Get a good night’s sleep, drink lots of water, do some exercise, eat well and hug someone.

One thing I’ve learned is to moderate behavior. Make good choices because you think they are sensible, not based on desire. Be thankful for what you have and try to want less.

9) Go green.

Go green.

Start talking about recycling and then do it. Start dividing your trash into paper, plastics, glass and organic waste and then deposit them in the appropriate bins.

10) Laugh

Sometimes laughter is the best medicine. Dedicate some time of your day to things that make you happy, like love, family and friends.

Remember, live life with passion as if it were your last and first day. Live life as you were looking through the eyes of a child. All things are possible through God.

What do you think? What would be your insider tip to having a good life? I would love it if you left me your ideas in the comment section below. Thanks!

Meeting Intelligent People ~ might suprise you. Probably won’t.

Cappuccino? Yes, please!

I’m moody.

I have a temper.

I’m not always nice.

I’m not always honest.

Sometimes I lose my patience and yell.

Sometimes I’m difficult to be around.

I even read this post about how to write 50 compliments. I thought great idea. I tried. It’s in my draft box. Couldn’t do it. I just can’t because today I’m not my own best friend.

The child in me is asking for help.

If I could only be young again! If I could only be innocent again. There’s that song going on in my head When September Ends and it says innocence can never last. Would you like know why?

That darn thing called knowledge has to peak it’s little head and ruin the fun for everyone.

The begs the question if it is better to just dig your head in the sand and not know anything. Happy go lucky carefree days of youth. Swoosh. Gone.

Now real life sets in.

I had a long talk today with a friend of mine, Sofia. When I mean long, I mean about two hours over lunch. She inspired me unbelievably. We talked about politics, classes, teachers, we even joked. We talked about art and music. We helped each other out.

Here’s the catch. This girl was nine. That’s why I love youth. That’s why I believe in our future.

I mean it. I was stunned. I showed her one of my paintings on my cell phone and she said it rivaled Van Gogh. She says to me, you know, I like it because it isn’t all perfect and straight.

To make this world a better place.

To make this world a better place.

I asked her what her plans for life are. She has it pretty much figured out. First plan was to marry Justin Bieber. If that fails, she’s marrying rich. If that fails she says she’s going into politics.

I ask her why? She says because she wants to make the world a better place.

___________

Makes my overwhelmed state of life seem so silly. Why do grown ups mess everything up? We talked so long about education and the importance of learning. I taught her how to do her multiples of nine on her hands. I taught her what Chinese Math is by singing and learning by singing. I taught her how to count her seasons on her knuckles.

I admire her.

And she me, I believe. It’s friendship.

I notice how people’s friends all sort of look alike. I mean, my best girlfriends and I are almost equal in height, coloring, etc. Same with my husband’s, sister’s, children’s, etc.

What I think is special is when you cross those boundries and the old man and the
young child hold hands. How black meets white. How a homeless can talk with a rich person and share their experiences hoping to make this world a better place.

I'm praying for you. I am. ♡

I know I’m a dreamer. Aren’t we all to some extent? I just wish life were more simple. Too many problems to begin listing them. I am just thankful I have an outlet through writing, through walking, through painting, through participating, through helping and through friendships.

In the meantime, as always I hope post finds you lovely, lucky and in love.

Julie

A #Blogger #Blogging about her #Blog {and such.}

Hello friends. Good to see you. New visitors welcome.

It’s another beautiful day. There is a smell of fresh brewed coffee. The kids are playing and the sun is shining. I live out in the country surrounded by fields of vegetables and orchards.

Because of what is called the lowlands, in the morning there is a nice white fog that extends the distance. It looks as if God painted a huge moving glorious postcard.

Sometimes while I’m driving to work, I see this white fog after a snow fall. It’s quite magical actually. It reminds me of the scene in Narnia when Lucy enters into the magical forrest.

I’d have to say it’s my favorite time of the day when you are between two places, home and work, just looking at the countryside, watching the birds take off. I see the same man jogging rain or shine.

Figure it out, figure it out, if you don't know how to do it, figure it out.

I notice the colors of the old withering farmhouses. I try to think of words that describe the soft colors of Italy.

The best words that I can come up with are soft butter, avocado and peach. Most of the old buildings are crumbling. I dream that I rebuild the home into a villa. Then I think, no, why would I do that? It’s so beautiful just the way it is.

The anticipation for spring is so strong, your hearts and minds start to see flowers. It’s a thrilling moment when the same snow covered field one day blooms. As we drive past fields of flowers, our family likes to say the colors, pink, pink, yellow, red, white, look, there’s purple.

Foggy mornings turning into sunshine days. Yeah!

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. Emmerson

It is nice to have you here with me. When I was just a little girl hum Doris Day, I wanted to be a published writer. I bought the beautiful empty diaries with angel covers. The first entry on the first page was always exciting with the anticipation of what I would write.

Life presents us with the solutions we are looking for.

As I write, I think of the people who have come across my words. Is writing crazy? Is it the same as talking to yourself in the mirror? If so, or, if not, even if people comment, the actual ACT of writing is me talking to me, right? Or is is you? See the confusion? I do. It’s ok though.

Be awesome. Be authentic.  Be inspirational.

Zero to Blog the film, the movie, the ebook

My ebook, Zero to Blog has been a journey of it’s own. I feel like the book wrote itself because it is information presented in a clear way to help people get their blogs on line.

I painted these for my sister. I see them when we Skype.

As a blog writer you have to figure it all out. I like that though. As my Uncle says, Figure it out, figure it out, if you don’t know how to do it, figure it out.

I suppose I watched too much TV and thought there was an actual book launch party. Maybe there are. In my real life, it didn’t quite go that way. The book launch party idea was to have a giveaway and a book signing. Well, it’s a digital book.

No bookstore. No signing. Or, digital bookstore online books signing party!

Beautiful just the way it is.

Now it’s your turn. I would like to know what you are working on. What is your favorite time of day? What images make you happy? What are ways can you describe color? What does your commute to work look like?

How do you sell your work. What has worked for you?

Thanks for stopping by, your comments are welcome.