Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 31st

The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything. – Unknown

Style is a reflection of your attitude and your personality. - Shawn Ashmore

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. - Maya Angelou

People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude. – John C. Maxwell

All’s well that begins well! – John C. Maxwell

In Today Matters: 12 Daily Practices to Guarantee Tomorrow's Success, John Maxwell’s third daily practice is “Today’s Attitude Gives Me Possibilities” and I have learned this year how important a good attitude is.  As I stated last week, this year has not been the year that I had expected, planned or prayed for and one of those areas is to have a significant other in my life.  It is not for trying, but the right one has not come along.  However, I am happy to say that I have 2 BOYFRIENDS…one is 69 and the other is 2.  Yes, you read that right.  My “69-year-old boyfriend” resides at the senior living center I volunteer at the 2^nd Saturday of the month.  Throughout the year, I have become the only person that he allows to cut his nails and he has declared a couple times that I am his girlfriend.  For the “2-year-old boyfriend”, he goes to my church and his parents attend the same small group as I do.  He has the most adorable curly blonde-hair and blue eyes.

A couple weeks ago, I was out with a group I go to lunch with after church and I made a comment about “my boyfriends” and then went on to the next topic of discussion.  One of my female friends stopped me and said, “Terri, I think you need to explain who your “two boyfriends” are.  I know who they are because I have heard you talk about them before, but these two guys probably have not heard you talk about them.”  As I explained to the two guys who my boyfriends were, they laughed.  I have taken a lemon situation in my life and made it into lemonade.

John Wooden’s quote gives great insight into how we should live life: 

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out. - John Wooden

CHALLENGE: When lemons come, create lemonade by having a good attitude about the situation.   

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 24th

Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.  - Thomas Carlyle

It is through accomplishment that man makes his contribution and contribution is life's greatest reward.  - John Portman

Life is an accomplishment and each moment has a meaning and you must use it. - Jeanne Moreau

Goals are the sweetest fruits of the most bitter trials of life. - Hermann J Steinherr

My birthday is less than 3 weeks away and I am happy to announce I accomplished my goal of “80 Before 40”!  No, you did not read that wrong.  On October 10, 2017, I introduced “40 Before 40” where I wanted to do 40 unique/crazy things before my birthday.  As of this past weekend, I completed my 80^th activity when Mama Flow (aka my mother) and I traveled to Valley Forge in Pennsylvania to see the winter encampment (1777-1778) of the Continental Army.     

When I came up with this idea last September, my goal was to have a different perspective on my birthday since I usually dread it.  Little did I know what this year would hold and that I would need something different to focus on.  As I created this fun opportunity to go to new places and learn many things, I had a wonderful time.  Through my adventure, here are a few of the 80 things I did:

1.       Taken a White House Garden Tour

2.       Went Wine Stomping

3.       Met an Astronaut

4.       Participated in Pumpkin Chunkin

5.       Visited Fort McHenry where the Star-Spangled Banner was written

6.       Saw the Flag House where the American flag that flew over Fort McHenry was sewn

7.       Talked with Santa Claus

8.       Visited New York

9.       Explored Antietam, Harpers Ferry and Valley Forge

10.   Attended the Easter Sunrise Service at Arlington National Cemetery

If I had not come up with this goal, I would never have experienced these 80 new places and learned so much!

When fate hands you a lemon, make lemonade. - Dale Carnegie

CHALLENGE: Difficult times come in life.  Choose to make lemonade and enjoy the ride!

To see pictures from all 80 of my adventures, check out my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/terri.flow.3

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 17th

Simply by changing your own behavior, you gain at least some influence over the problem. ― Douglas Stone, Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most

The point is this: difficult conversations are almost never about getting the facts right. They are about conflicting perceptions, interpretations, and values. ― Douglas Stone, Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most

Last week, I learned a valuable lesson.  I do not like confrontation and I do not know many people that do.  However, I knew that I had to confront a situation because it was preventing me from moving on with my life in a certain area and I had been ruminating about it for almost two and half months.  When I made the phone call to talk to the person, it was not easy.  My nerves were on high alert and I was concerned what the other person’s response would be.  While talking, the person thought everything was ok and I had to express my feelings again.  Once the person realized I was serious and that we really needed to talk about the issue, we quickly set up a time for lunch. 

The outcome was not what I had hoped for; however, I now know the answer and have been able to move on.  I have peace in my life again and am focusing more intently on my dreams and goals.

CHALLENGE: Are there any relationships that are prohibiting you from accomplishing your dreams or goals?  What can you do to help work on those relationships?

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 10th

However long the night, the dawn will break. - African Proverb

90% of life is about remaining calm. - Dr. Chris Feudtner

Life without risk is not worth living. - Chuck Lindbergh, aviator

The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. ― Confucius, Confucius: The Analects

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. ― Confucius

As an individual who loves to accomplish goals, it is frustrating when roadblocks and struggles come along.  Even during those times, it is important to be consistent and have tenacious perseverance to continue working towards dreams and goals.  Baby birds are a great example to follow.   

When birds are born, they have one small “egg tooth” that they use to start pecking away at the egg shell when they are ready to hatch.  Birds continually peck, peck, peck away at the shell and finally they break through allowing themselves to escape.  Scientists say that birds need to go through the process of pecking away at their shell because it teaches them to persevere as they will need this skill as they go through life. 

I’m not tough.  I’m tenacious. – Padma Lakshmi

CHALLENGE: Continue to peck, peck, peck away at your goals. 

Sources

https://www.britannica.com/science/egg-tooth

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_tooth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8oNUiKE7rQ

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 3rd

Liberty is the breath of life to nations. - George Bernard Shaw

Independence now and forever! - Daniel Webster

Where liberty dwells, there is my country. - Benjamin Franklin

Freedom lies in being bold. - Robert Frost

America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination. – Harry S. Truman

Tomorrow, we celebrate 242 years of our country’s independence.  On July 2, 1776, the legal separation of the American Colonies from Great Britain occurred when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of Independence, which was proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia earlier that year in June.  After the vote for this action, a statement explaining why the decision was developed by the Committee of Five with Thomas Jefferson as the main author.  The statement was debated for two days and final approval occurred on July 4^th.  From this courageous decision made by our Founding Fathers, the United States Constitution was written 11 years later in 1787. 

As I have been studying history this year, I have been reminded how lucky we are.  In The restless wave: good times, just causes, great fights and other appreciations, John McCain states that America was the first country to create our form of government and now there are over 100 democracies.  We truly are blessed to live where we do. 

CHALLENGE: We can learn from our Founding Fathers that being courageous can change the world.

Tomorrow, be thankful for the amazing country we live in.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_%28United_States%29