Inspiration: The Wonder Of A Sunset...

Inspiration: The Wonder Of A Sunset...

Inspiration: The Wonder Of A Sunset...

“Come, my friends,
‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.”
Alfred, Lord Tennyson

I took a drive today on the highway… The roads were quite busy with traffic, but what caught my attention was the beauty of the setting sun… It made me look, wonder, and appreciate the fact that I can see and enjoy the setting sun in peace. I can sit in a car, camera at hand, as a passenger, take pictures of  the magnificent display of colors in the sky, and enjoy nature’s gift to man. The wonder of a sunset.

“Lost, yesterday, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, two golden hours, each set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered for they are gone forever.” Horace Mann

Inspiration: The Wonder Of A Sunset...

Inspiration: The Wonder Of A Sunset...

Inspiration: The Wonder Of A Sunset...

“Once I saw a chimpanzee
gaze at a particularly beautiful sunset
for a full 15 minutes,
watching the changing colors [and then]
retire to the forest without picking a pawpaw for supper.” Adriaan Kortlandt

As I took pictures of the setting sun flashing by my car, I marveled at the beautiful, changing range of colors; glorious golds, reds, orange, and shimmering silver touched with frothy cream. Imagine a world where the sun neither rose nor set… What would we do if all we had was darkness and gloom? I am grateful for the wonder of a sunset. And you? More below…

“If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God.” G. K. Chesterton

Inspiration: The Wonder Of A Sunset...

Inspiration: The Wonder Of A Sunset...

Inspiration: The Wonder Of A Sunset...

“We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.”  John McCrae

How do you view the setting sun? As the signifier of a day well spent? A sign that the end is nigh? Perhaps, we see it as another momentous reminder of the splendid, grace filled moments in our lives. That we can pause and cherish the wonder of a sunset is a simple act that isn’t so simple… for there are others for whom the sun will never rise or set. Count your blessings. I am grateful for the sundown and the assurance of good to come.  What are your thoughts? How do you view sunsets? Do you ever sit and watch the sun go down? What are your impressions of a setting sun? Do share! Thank you.

Positive Motivation Tip: Do not let the sun set on a tiff with your loved ones and others. Embrace your differences.

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection And/Or via Wikipedia or via Flickr

Related articles

• Journal For Poetry Challenge#7 08,01,2012 (willowdot21.wordpress.com)
• In Flanders Field (petiteinthecity.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Sunset… (eof737.wordpress.com)
• Armistice Day 1918: The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month (towriteistowrite.wordpress.com)

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

Reflections: Happiness Is Life As A Lounging Cat... Our happy cat...

Reflections: Happiness Is Life As A Lounging Cat...

Pinkle Purr By A. A. Milne
Tattoo was the mother of Pinkle Purr,
A little black nothing of feet and fur;
And by and by, when his eyes came through,
He saw his mother, the big Tattoo.
And all that he learned he learned from her,
“I’ll ask my mother,” says Pinkle Purr.
Tattoo was the mother of Pinkle Purr,
A ridiculous kitten with silky fur.
And little black Pinkle grew and grew
Till he got as big as the big Tattoo.
And all he did he did with her.
“Two friends together,” says Pinkle Purr.
Tattoo was the mother of Pinkle Purr,
An adventurous cat in a coat of fur.
And whenever he thought of a thing to do,
He didn’t much bother about Tattoo.
For he knows it’s nothing to do with her,
So “See you later,” says Pinkle Purr.
Tattoo was the mother of Pinkle Purr,
An enormous leopard with coal-black fur.
A little brown kitten that’s nearly new
Is now playing games with its big Tattoo…
And Pink looks lazily down at her:
“Dear little Tat,” says Pinkle Purr

What do you risk for the possibility of happiness? I was watching our family cat, Tangy, at play today and, as he tossed the elastic band he had snatched from me in the air, he playfully jumped up to catch it. He seemed quite happy with what would appear as mindless play to some, and sheer boredom city to others. He did this over and over again, then came over to where I was sitting in the living room, climbed up on the sofa next to me, purred, rubbed his furry body against my arm, then calmly curled up and went to sleep. No whining, no bitching about what nots, no kvetching about life with only a rubber band for entertainment. He is a happy cat. His simple life and a chance to play was enough.  It got me thinking about the complexities we bring to this business of finding and maintaining happiness.  Can we ever be content with our version of ___ (fill in the joyful item) a rubber band?

“The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.” Marcel Pagnol

Reflections: Happiness Is Life As A Lounging Cat...

Reflections: Happiness Is Life As A Lounging Cat...

What Fulfills Your Internal Drive for Happiness? As far as Tangy is concerned, all he needs is his food, playthings, someone to scratch his back, his clean litter box, lots of nooks and crannies, and boxes and bags to lounge in, and he is as happy as a well fed kitty. Perhaps, there is much to learn from our household pets. I know we’ve heard about their unwavering love ad nauseum, and how they remember the little things that matter to us. But what about us and what we’ve gained from them on the subject of contentment and happiness? The only time Tangy ever complains is when he has to sit in his travel box for a visit to the vet.

Oh yes, he meows loudly when it’s time to eat, but I’m not convinced he is unhappy over that because, sometimes, he’ll meow, we’ll add food to his bowl, he’ll walk up and check out the goods, then saunter off as if confirming that we passed the food request test… I suspect his internal drive has been fulfilled. The day we picked him up and brought him home from the animal shelter was a joyful day for all of us. Tangy climbed up on our rocking chair, purred happily for a short moment, then curled up and went to sleep. What about us? Can we be fulfilled by simple things that don’t have to be replaced by other things in the span of a few minutes? More below.

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence” Aristotle

Reflections: Happiness Is Life As A Lounging Cat...

Happiness by Raymond Carver
So early it’s still almost dark out.
I’m near the window with coffee,
and the usual early morning stuff
that passes for thought.
When I see the boy and his friend
walking up the road
to deliver the newspaper.
They wear caps and sweaters,
and one boy has a bag over his shoulder.
They are so happy
they aren’t saying anything, these boys.
I think if they could, they would take
each other’s arm.
It’s early in the morning,
and they are doing this thing together.
They come on, slowly.
The sky is taking on light,
though the moon still hangs pale over the water.
Such beauty that for a minute
death and ambition, even love,
doesn’t enter into this.
Happiness. It comes on
unexpectedly. And goes beyond, really,
any early morning talk about it.

I think because we humans have so many  unfulfilled expectations, we tend to limit ourselves to just a few ways of seeing the world, thereby limiting the doors that could open us up to new experiences and other possibilities. If we could learn to go with the flow and not sweat the small stuff, our lives would be a tad easier. What irking matter can we let go of today? What rubber band can we toss in the air and catch playfully as we shift our thinking and embrace the happiness that is ours to enjoy? What are your thoughts? What fulfills your happy side? What do you believe about your right t be happy? What would you risk for sake of enjoying many, many happy moments?  Do share! Thank you.

This post was inspired by two prompts from SoulPancake: What Fulfills Your Internal Drive for Happiness? And What do you have faith in? What do you risk for the possibility of happiness?

Positive Motivation Tip: Happiness is who we are not what we do… If we can enjoy a simple thing and be happy, we can learn to find that happiness in complex things. Go meet your joy.

Related articles

• Happiness is a – Cat? (gwendolynndedanaan.wordpress.com)
• 19 Quirky Cat Habitats – These Feline Homes are the Purr-fect Pet Accessory (TrendHunter.com) (trendhunter.com)
• Purr Research (nancyhdoyle.com)
• C-Challenge Cat Empress (creativityaroused.wordpress.com)
• Cat Personalities (flickrcomments.wordpress.com)
• Cats Rule? (dfconsultants.wordpress.com)
• GIF: The Big Cat Theory (icanhascheezburger.com)
• Tangy: A Day In The Life Of An Indolent Cat… (eof737.wordpress.com)

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection. Or via Wikipedia

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

Musings: National Chocolate Cake Day... Chocolate fondant - Molten Lava Cake.

Musings: National Chocolate Cake Day... Chocolate Fudge cake

Ingredients/Recipe: Molten Lava Cake via FoodNetwork.com
6 (1-ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate
2 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 stick) butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
3 large eggs
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons orange liqueur
Directions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Grease 6 (6-ounce) custard cups. Melt the chocolates and butter in the microwave, or in a double boiler. Add the flour and sugar to chocolate mixture. Stir in the eggs and yolks until smooth. Stir in the vanilla and orange liqueur. Divide the batter evenly among the custard cups. Place in the oven and bake for 14 minutes. The edges should be firm but the center will be runny. Run a knife around the edges to loosen and invert onto dessert plates.

Happy Chocolate Cake Day! Did you know today, January 27, 2012, is National Chocolate cake day? I had no idea until my dear friend, Diahann, suggested I take a look at some of the cakes and recipes flying around the internet. I have to confess that even though I have a deadly sweet tooth, and love chocolate, ice cream, rhubarb pie and all manner of cakes, chocolate cake is not one of my favorite desserts.

Musings: National Chocolate Cake Day... Chocolate cake with Hazelnuts

Musings: National Chocolate Cake Day... Rose Cake.

Musings: National Chocolate Day... Sacher torte

I’ve enjoyed a chocolate hazelnut mousse cake that was to die for, ate a few lava molten chocolate cakes that made my heart sing, and even tried a few Black Forest cakes that would make your head spin. However, I love lemon cake, pineapple upside down cake, pecan and apple pies, and even the pedestrian pound cake.  Nevertheless, I’m a foodie/dessert lover, and I’m delighted to know that the delicious chocolate cake has its own special, divinely designated day of honor.

“I am not strict vegan, because I’m a hedonist pig. If I see a big chocolate cake that is made with eggs, I’ll have it.” Grace Slick

Musings: National Chocolate Cake Day… Flourless cake with berries

Musings: National Chocolate Cake Day... German Chocolate cake

Discovery of Chocolate by Dr Baker and Mr Hannon: In the mill they ground cocoa beans between huge millstones to make thick syrup. The chocolate syrup was poured into molds to make ‘cakes’ of chocolate. These were meant to be grated and mixed with hot water to make a chocolate beverage.

As you might have imagined, once I heard about the special Chocolate cake day, I immediately went in search of details on the origin of this American tradition; I found nothing about the actual day but found plenty on the origin of chocolate and cake making in the USA. For starters, Harvard trained Dr. James Baker and John Hannon, an Irish immigrant and chocolate maker/mill owner, are credited with discovering how to make chocolate by grinding cocoa beans between two milestones and using the grinds to make treats including chocolate cake; by 1764 chocolate cake became part of the historical landscape.

Musings: National Chocolate Cake Day... Chocolate cake with icing

Musings: National Chocolate Cake Day... Garash cake...

In 1828, Conrad van Houten from the Netherlands learned how to extract cocoa fat from cacao liquor and convert it to a solid and powder which made cooking with chocolate easier. Sometime later, Austrian chef Franz Sacher created a unique dessert for Austria’s Prince Mettermich. It was named the Sacher torte. He spread apricot jam between layers of dense chocolate cake, served it up and voila! a new dessert was born. As interest in chocolate cake-making grew, many women experimented in their kitchens, creating and sharing chocolate cake recipes with each other. By the late 1920s – mid 30s, The Duff Company of Pittsburgh, introduced Devil’s food chocolate cake mixes.

Musings: National Chocolate Cake Day... Varieties of chocolate..

Musings: National Chocolate Cake Day... Devil's Food cake

During the same period, Duncan Hines and General Mills introduced cake mixes that revolutionized the cake making process. Their mixes helped cut the preparation and baking time almost in half. Pillsbury made the process even easier when, in 1948, it created the first instant cake mix. Today, cake-making is ubiquitous and we enjoy it without much thought to its genesis. Enjoy the pictures of chocolate cakes. I’ll add another recipe or two below. More below.

“Your face makes my soul want to eat chocolate pudding!” Andy Milonakis

Musings: National Chocolate Cake Day... Layered and frosted Chocolate cake

Musings: National Chocolate Cake Day... Black forest gateau

Ingredients/Recipe: For Milk-Chocolate-Frosted Layer Cake Via Huffington Post
1 1/4 cup(s) cake flour
1/4 cup(s) unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder
2 stick(s) unsalted butter
1/2 cup(s) whole milk
6 large eggs, separated
1 cup(s) sugar
pinch(s) of salt
1 1/2 cup(s) heavy cream
1 1/2 pound(s) milk chocolate, finely chopped
Shaved milk chocolate, for garnish optional
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 325°. Butter and flour two 9-inch-square cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the cake flour, cocoa and baking powder. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter in the milk over low heat. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly. Whisk in the egg yolks and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Add the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.
3. In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with the salt until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and beat at medium-high speed until the whites are stiff and glossy. Fold the beaten whites into the batter until no streaks remain. Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 25 minutes, until the cakes are springy and a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Transfer the cakes to a rack and let cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and pour the hot cream on top. Let stand for 3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Let the frosting stand at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until thick enough to spread, about 1 hour.
5. Turn the cakes out of the pans and put one layer on a plate. Top with 1 cup of the frosting, spreading it to the edge. Top with the second layer and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides. Let the cake stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cutting into squares.

When I was in college, I used to make blueberry muffins/cake and even baked the occasional banana and chocolate chip cake. In recent years, I’ve focused on making crumbles and cookies for the kids, not cake. I might try it again. See/check out a couple of recipes from other bloggers below.  ♥What are your thoughts?  Did you know today is National Chocolate cake day? Do you like chocolate cake? If yes, what’s your favorite chocolate cake?  Do share! ♥Happy ♥New ♥Year ♥To ♥You! Thank you.

Positive Motivation Tip:  If you can have your cake and eat it, then enjoy the moment.

Related articles

• Chocolate Cake Day (shecooksandheeats.wordpress.com)
• It’s national chocolate cake day! (eatocracy.cnn.com)
• Chocolate Cake Day is today. (budgetcouponcooking.wordpress.com)
• Happy Choclolate Cake Day!!! (mizfoofytayl.wordpress.com)
• Recipe of The Day: Chocolate Lava Cake (mhoffmann2670.wordpress.com)
• Happy National Chocolate Cake Day! 22 Decadent chocolate cake recipes (examiner.com)
• FOOD JOURNAL – Sugar-free Flour-less Chocolate Mousse Cake and Lavazza Coffee (beautyqueenweightloss.wordpress.com)
• Gluten-Free Cake Pops for your Superbowl party (timesunion.com)
• January 27 (beatcancer2010.wordpress.com)
• Lite Chocolate Cake (nishaamit.wordpress.com)

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Molten Lava Cake, Chocolate with Hazelnuts, Chocolate cake with white icing, Layered Chocolate cake, German Chocolate Cake, Flourless Chocolate Cake with berries, German fudge cake, Rose Cake, Black Forest cake, Devil’s Food cake, Sachertorte, via Wikipedia Or via Flickr

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

On Music: At Last And More... Etta James. RIP

Etta James – At Last

Etta James – At Last Lyrics via RomanticLyrics.com
At last, my love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
Oh, yeah, yeah, at last
The skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clovers
The night I looked at you

And I found a dream that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to rest my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known
Oh, yeah when you smile, you smile
Oh, and then the spell was cast
And here we are in heaven
For you are mine
At last…
Do you have songs that make you stop and smile or perhaps, cry? When the mind is restless, nerves frayed, and the body tired, a little music or perhaps a lot of great music helps us settle back into our groove again. Etta James gave us great music. Etta was a dynamic and powerful singer who didn’t hesitate to speak her mind when she saw fit. She was as passionate about her tumultuous life as she was about her music, and in her autobiography, “Rage to Survive,” she shared parts of her darkest hours. Even though she started her career singing gospel songs in church, her musical range covered a number of genres from rhythm & blues, to jazz and pop. Etta left this world on Friday; leukemia-related complications took her from us all. She was 73 years old. RIP Etta…

“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” Plato

On Music: At Last And More... Ella Fitzgerald in 1947

Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) by Cole Porter – Ella Fitzgerald singing Let’s Do It…

Last night, I watched the Woody Allen movie, Midnight in Paris, starring Owen Wilson, Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody, Carla Bruni and Marion Cotillard. It’s a complex story about a young couple, who travel to Paris, and have their lives transformed; especially the man who happens to be a writer. No spoilers here. What I loved about the movie, aside from all the great artists/creatives who show up, was the music – Let’s Do It by Cole Porter, performed at one of the parties in Paris. Enjoy Ella’s version above. A little nostalgia goes a long way…

“Music is well said to be the speech of angels; in fact, nothing among the utterances allowed to man is felt to be so divine. It brings us near to the infinite.” Thomas Carlyle

On Music: At Last And More... Ernest Ranglin

Ernest Ranglin – Below The Bassline – Live in NYC November 2010

Sometimes, words don’t do justice to our articulation of the beauty of a musical piece. We just have to listen to it and delve deep into the magic. I love this piece… Jazz guitarist, Ernest Ranglin’s music will calm your heart and soothe your soul… so divine. I believe Marsha of Inside Journeys introduced me to this one.. Enjoy! More below.

“A note of music gains significance from the silence on either side.” Anne Morrow Lindberg

On Music: At Last And More...Yeh Dooriyan movie wallpaper.

Yeh Dooriyan song – Love Aaj Kal Movie (Love These Days)

Yeh Dooriyan translated lyrics via Superhindi.com
These distances
The distance of paths
Distance between our eyes
Distance between companions
May all the distances vanish
Why someone is close
Why someone is far
Nobody knows…

Am I moving closer or apart?
I don’t know where I am
There was a time
You were with me even on empty streets
Sometimes, even after meeting you, my heart was not content
Sometimes, just like now, this also happened
That I met you in everyone
This distance makes me closer to you
The distance is suffering
Distance is longing
May all the distances vanish…

Didn’t I tell you?
Without you, I don’t want to live
Even unknowingly, I don’t want any distance from you
Only the distance remains
It tells and echoes
That our Love blossom
This distance between us should vanish
Distance feels strange
Distance should be gone
May all the distances vanish…
Lyrics by Irshad Kamil

This is a bitter sweet song about love and all its complications; especially of the long distance kind. It is from a beautiful movie of the same name, and it makes me wistful whenever I hear it… I’ve added the translated lyrics for your enjoyment. Have a blessed weekend you all! What are your thoughts? Do you have songs that make you stop and smile? What music calls you tonight? What songs are on your current playlist that you repeat again and again? Do share! Thank you.

Positive Motivation Tip: Music is the bridge we cross from sadness to joy and all the places in between… embrace it!

Related articles

• Farewell Etta James (juiapte.wordpress.com)
• Etta James (thecandyshoppe.wordpress.com)
• Beyonce on Etta James: ‘This is a huge loss’ (laobserved.com)
• Etta James Dies at 73 | Etta James, RIP : Just Jared (thehiltonburnellfiles.wordpress.com)
• The Death of a Legend: Etta James (1939-2012) (grizzlybomb.com)
• Music Monday-Etta James “At Last” (dickstersrandomthoughts.com)
• Melissa Polinar feat. Matt Cusson “At Last” An ETTA JAMES tribute (cover) (filipinofestival.wordpress.com)

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Etta James, Ella Fitsgerald, Ernest Ranglin, Yeh Dooriyan Wallpaper, via Wikipedia or via Flickr

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

On The Environment: Thirty Go Green Tips... Help reduce our environmental carbon footprint

“We all moan and groan about the loss of the quality of life through the destruction of our ecology, and yet every one of us, in our own little comfortable ways, contributes daily to that destruction. It’s time now to awaken in each one of us the respect and attention our beloved Mother deserves.” Ed Asner

What do you do to conserve energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and support the planet? By now most of us are aware of the need to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle our stuff to ensure the longevity and sustainability of our planet. Every day, even in small ways, we consume and discard billions of stuff that add to our landfills, waste energy and deplete our environment. Did you know that at 18 mpg, a gas guzzling car emits about 6 tons of carbon dioxide per year? Below are thirty commonsense, easy to remember tips to help us go green and protect our environment.

♥Buy local produce from your farmer’s market.
♥Fix water leaks
♥Share rides by carpooling
♥Turn lights off when not in use
♥Choose to walk
♥Bring your own grocery bag to the supermarket
♥Use energy efficient “energy star” appliances
♥Do an energy audit of your space
♥Take short showers
♥Buy food items with the “Fair Trade” label

“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”  Aldo Leopold

On The Environment: Thirty Go Green Tips... Our carbon cycle

Annie Leonard: The Story of Stuff – Conversations
The Story of Stuff

This afternoon, I went to the post office to mail off a package. As I stood talking to the lady behind the mail room counter, she suggested I look at the new selection of novelty, forever stamps on file. The one on the environment (see first picture above) caught my eye because it was easy to read and offered practical, smart tips that we often forget.  I bought a booklet, took some pictures, and created this post… The muse was working overtime reading up on biochemical cycles.  Of course, the irony is that while we are encouraged to conserve energy, protect the environment, pay bills online, and cut back on mailers and paper usage, our post offices continue to offer commemorative stamps for our enjoyment and use.  The day will come when we’ll have specially designed, reusable, receptacles for our mail…

♥Create compost with leftovers and use it for gardening/farming
♥Hang clothes out to dry and let nature do the work
♥Recycle more
♥Ride a bicycle
♥Plant trees
♥Pay bills online
♥Use cloth instead of kitchen paper towels
♥Check if your utility company offers green power options
♥Switch off & unplug unused appliances including your computer
♥Stay educated and informed: subscribe, watch, read important information on the environment; Story of stuff, Food Inc, TreeHugger, Worldwatch Institute, Simple Organic, Keeper of the Home, The Daily Green, The Freecycle Network
Happy Australia Day! Read more on it on Barb’s blog.  More  on going green below.

“Take a course in good water and air; and in the eternal youth of Nature you may renew your own. Go quietly, alone; no harm will befall you.” John Muir

On The Environment: Thirty Go Green Tips... The water cycle

Water is one of our most precious elements and also a commodity that has helped create multimillion dollar businesses around the world. As we abuse and pollute our water supply, waste it on excesses, we will slowly but surely be creating a future shortage that could have a deleterious global impact.  It’s not enough to drink water out of taps/faucets instead of plastic bottles, we must also reduce the many wasteful ways we use water in our homes and businesses; running the faucet while we brush our teeth, endless trips to the car wash, watering the garden without a timer and more… What are you doing to change?

♥Insulate the home properly
♥Use public transportation
♥Use energy efficient light bulbs – 14 watts instead of 60 watt bulbs
♥Adjust the heat thermostat in your home and office
♥Maintain the pressure of your car tires
♥Buy reusable water bottles not disposable plastic ones
♥Turn your car engine off while you wait to pick up the kids
♥Wash clothes in cold water to save 90% of the energy spent heating the water, don’t keep faucet running while brushing your teeth
♥Dump Junk Mail by registering on the Mail Preference Service on the Direct Marketing Association Website
♥Print copies on both sides and save on paper waste

What are your thoughts? What is your carbon footprint? Does the environment matter to you? What do you do to conserve energy and support the planet? Do you have other tips to share? If you could change the future to make the world a better place, what would you change first? Do share! Thank you.

Positive Motivation Tip: The environments matters not only because it sustains us, but also because our children will bear the brunt of the environmental legacy we leave behind.

Related articles

• Have You Watched The Story of Stuff Project? (ellefeeney.com)
• Annie Leonard and her Wonderful Stories of Stuff (oneplanetsustainability.wordpress.com)
• Towards a green new deal on the island of Ireland (slideshare.net)
• Saving more green (goerieblogs.com)
• Story of stuff (hed320.wordpress.com)

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos: Forever Stamps on the Environment from my personal collection. Carbon cycle,  Water cycle, via Wikipedia. And/Or via Flickr

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

Serendipity helped me strike gold today. I was contemplating the idea of not writing a post, when Erica V, one of our Daily Post coordinators, posted a brilliant piece on using inspirational quotes as a way to stimulate our creative juices. Her post was the impetus for this one; plus I loved the quote she shared and have used it above. I always use quotes on my blog, and I enjoy searching both online and offline for the right quotes to fit a post. However, as we all know, there are days when nothing quite registers and we have to keep an open mind/eye to other possibilities.

Part of empowering ourselves involves trusting that we can accomplish the goals we envision, and that guidance comes through many channels. We must move our feet first… How do you empower yourself?
As I read Erica’s post and followed her link to Brain Pickings, one thing led to another, and, including the picture above, I found the following inspiring sites worth visiting:
Work Is Not A Job:  An Inspiring concept and design studio owned by Catharina Bruns
TentBlogger:  A fellow blogger offers a great post with inspirational quotes
Holstee.com:  An Innovative store that encourages us to consider a lifestyle design with a conscience.
When we take action to enrich our lives and minds, we are empowering ourselves… More below.

“I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love, and abundance. Then, whenever doubt, anxiety, or fear try to call me, they will keep getting a busy signal-and soon they’ll forget my number.” Edith Armstrong

Inspiration: Empower Yourself... Explore your options...

What The Bleep Do We Know: Down The Rabbit Hole ( Full Length Movie )

Do you know you have control over your reality?  What The Bleep… explores the subject in great depth. When we allow negative thoughts and ideas to permeate our space, we create pockets of doubt that can grow and become debilitating. It takes commitment and a conscious effort to stay attuned to the positive, and to believe that we are capable of making lasting changes in our lives. Speaking up, sharing knowledge, and keeping the company of good thoughts are empowering. The words on the poster above exhort us to stand up for what we believe. That too is empowering…

What are your thoughts? How do you empower yourself? Do you know you have control over your reality? Are there some doubts that keep surfacing because, maybe, you don’t trust yourself? What do you do to gain clarity? Do share! Thank you.

This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: Where do you find inspirational words? Better yet, what’s your favorite quote that you’ve written yourself?

Positive Motivation Tip: Explore each door that comes your way; wisdom and divine jewels can be found there: Empower yourself.

Related articles

• Creative Manifestos (dailypost.wordpress.com)
• Inspiration: Lessons We Wish We Had Learned Earlier… (eof737.wordpress.com)
• The Holstee Manifesto (lifeinwanderlust.wordpress.com)
• Manifesto for Life (neatorama.com)
• You Don’t Have to be Brilliant to be Creative, Just Combinatorial (customerthink.com)
• The Holstee Manifesto: A beautiful declaration for life ! (empreendersaude.com.br)

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Holstee Manifesto via Holstee.com Or via Wikipedia And/Or via Flickr

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet