Tag Inspire

IPhone – Photo Memories… 2023 New Year’s Eve already?

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If you have an IPhone, you probably have the feature where Apple shares a daily “memory” from your photos. Sometimes the photos are endearing, other times, I think, “WHAT, why haven’t I deleted that!”

Today, the memory was of New Year’s Eve. I’ve moved on from 2023, so why did Apple choose THAT memory. At the same time, I felt I needed to be respectful, as it was the Virgin Mary or my Guardian Angel who might have wanted me to have this nice memory.

On New Year’s Eve, I was visiting a friend. We needed exercise, went walking. At a long stop light, I happened to look up and I saw this gold dome with the Virgin Mary. Of course, I had to walk over.

I thought I would have a view of the golden dome in front of the church. Instead, I saw this Manger scene on the top of the building. This church had no grassy area, so they got creative.

I walked to the side of the building, again, I could not get a clear look of the Virgin Mary on the dome. Even on the back side, NOPE. Interesting design for this building. The Virgin Mary looks down into the church.

So, I’ll admit, I am smiling. Signs from Heaven come when we least expect them. Like today.

I have a 94 year old friend who is not doing well. I take this as a sign, a reminder, check in with her.

Have a wonderful day! I’m off to make that phone call! 💕

2024 STARTS… Make things happen!

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It’s a NEW YEAR, I’m excited. Time to Make Things Happen!

This photo is how my brain works. A vision board full of sticky notes, depicting all the exciting, creative and crazy ideas going on in my brain. What I like about sticky notes is that I can move my ideas/goals around. If a goal is not going to meet a particular date/time, no problem, move it to bottom of the board. Focus on what I will accomplish by deadline, then circle back to the goal I moved to the bottom of board.

Years ago, I worked for a man who thought like I did. He was big on white boards. Every office had huge white boards. Whenever we had a meeting, everything went on the white board. Discussing root cause analysis on a product failure was great. One person wrote on the board, everyone chimed in, it was easy to erase, move text over, etc. When we filled up board, someone took a photo. THEN we erased and continued. Later someone wrote up the notes and sent to all the attendees. My type of meeting!

So here’s to MAKING THINGS HAPPEN in 2024!

The SECRET: What you focus your mind on, you attract!

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Years ago, I read The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. The book has been around since 2006, so most of you must have heard of it. Basically, the premise of the book is that you can have ANYTHING you want by just focusing your attention on it. I wish that was true for “everything,” but it is true for “some things.”

A few weeks ago, I wrote about wanting a pair of slippers. I really had slippers on my mind. I didn’t know what I wanted, but I knew I wanted a pair. I admit, I was FEELING that I would have a pair of slippers.

Now, The Secret does state that you have to passionately believe in what you want, so the vibrations go out to the Universe. If you wish for something, but in your heart, do not believe you will receive it — YOU WON’T! So, your wishes have to be strong and clear.

DEAR READERS – I have to THANK YOU for this favorable outcome. Your interesting comments, kept my slipper thoughts on HIGH – UNIVERSE – FREQUENCY!

GUESS WHAT, a miracle – A friend, who I rarely talk to, sent me a pair of slippers for Christmas!

An unexpected surprise gift! Kudos to Amazon for the nice gift wrap! Cozy, warm, fuzzy slippers that are machine washable! Laughing! Oh, and another miracle, the slippers were the right size.

I am so very grateful! I could not decide on what I wanted, the decision was made for me. PERFECT!

So, now I’m wondering if I can manifest something even bigger?

A boyfriend, a car, a trip… stay tuned! The Secret says there is nothing that is off limits! Dream BIG!

Photography, when a better camera was needed!

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I was in Indiana enjoying the fury of Lake Michigan. The temperatures dropped; it was cold and windy there. I realized I could see the Chicago skyline. I took this picture with my IPhone, but I couldn’t capture what I was seeing “in person,” a crisper and more distinct looking skyline.

Distance photos should be taken with a high powered camera.

Today is BLACK Friday. It’s the official start of the Christmas season. If you are shopping, I hope you find some GREAT deals out there.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Winter is coming… STILL some flowers left.

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Winter is coming, the leaves are falling. However, when I am walking, I see there are STILL some flowers alive and well. The colors are so vibrant for this time of year. Look at those ornamental cabbage plants. I rarely see those.

This is my favorite type of weather to walk in. It’s border line cold, but still fresh outside for a brisk walk. Allows time for creative thinking.

I leave you with this yellow rose. What does the yellow rose mean? Friendship??

Have a nice weekend!

November, Writing month – NaNoWriMo -> Love it or Hate it?

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Day 1–> November 1st —> NaNoWriMo starts!

Are you IN or OUT? People have different opinions on this. If you don’t know what NaNoWriMo is, you can visit the website for details. Basically, every year for the month of November you challenge yourself to write a novel of 50,000 words.

Some people like this structure and sense of writing community. Others feel like they are being handcuffed and their creativity goes out the window. Suddenly no words, no ideas come to them.

I have mixed emotions about it. Do I need to put more pressure on myself for a month? I don’t think so. So, this year, I’ll be monitoring some conversations, but going solo. Who knows, I might just hit 50K!

Are you participating? Do you find value in this? Met other writers?

Weather – When the storm comes in…

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We can all sense a storm coming in. The wind starts to change, the clouds come in and THEN our IPhone’s go off. Flash Flood Warning Alert.

That’s what happened this weekend. I was close to Lake Michigan, stopped by the Lake and saw this incredible view of the dark clouds slowly moving in. I had to be quick to get the photo.

The waves were rather calm for the storm that was coming. Even so, I sensed from the dark clouds looming over head and the way the temperature felt that I had to take cover. A tornado could form in this type of storm. While I was mesmerized by the colors of the Lake and the dark clouds, I had to find shelter.

In the end, the storm came, pounding rain, then after a short period the sun came out. Yes, the bright sun as if a storm had never come through our town…

Interesting find at the CAR WASH!

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My car was in desperate need of a car wash. I had parked my car in a nice shady spot. I was so proud of myself for finding such a good parking spot. Well, a few hours later, I was mad and horrified to see these massive bird droppings all over my car. I couldn’t even drive it. I had to clean my windshield off first. So, my great shady spot turned out to be the worst spot ever.

Fast forward to the car wash. My car needed vacuuming. As I got out of my car, I looked down and thought I saw a penny. The car wash is a perfect place to find all sorts of things on the ground. This object was so dark blending in with the pavement that I had to look twice.

Sure enough, it was a penny. Look how interesting though, it had a hole in it. How in the world did that happen? This penny had been through a lot. So old and beat up, I can’t even see the date on it.

My next thought went to, “Find a penny, heads up, you’ll have GOOD LUCK!” I did find a penny, heads up, but it had a hole in it.

Does the hole nix the “Good Luck,” I was supposed to receive? BIG question!

If only pennies could talk! I’d be interested to know what happened to him.

When dark clouds move in…

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I haven’t looked at clouds for a long time. Yesterday, I was waiting for someone. Lost in thought, I realized that while the sun was shinning on one side of me, on the other side it was dark. So, I looked up into the sky and saw this dark cloud coming in.

I always think of The Wizard of Oz movie when I see dark clouds like this. Remember Dorothy sitting on her bed, while the tornado spins around her? Great idea to have scenes from “back home in Kansas” viewed through her window. Then her house lands in Oz, she’s not in Kansas anymore. She’s welcomed by Glinda (the good witch) and the Munchkins. Fabulous!

We’ve been having a lot of storms lately in Chicago. High winds, thunder, lightening, etc.

Summer is almost over. However, I remember last year reading that summer was at the end of September. How could that be? Is that true? Our weather now feels like late September.