Why Spring?

Why Spring? Because . . . 

Blue skies....

Baby animals..

Butterflies...

Blooms...

What do YOU love about Spring?

Cats: Friends or Foes?

Whiskery Wisdom

drawing copyright Ron Levellie

Cats: most people either hate or love them. The haters contend that felines ruin furniture, kill song birds, and consider people their slaves. The lovers argue that cats control rodents, relieve stress, and cover up their poops. So which are cats: friends or foes?

I find my “spoiled brats in fur suits” brimming with wisdom. Here are some insights I’ve learned from the devilish angels:

• If you fight with the family cats, you won’t have energy left to ward off enemy cats.
• It’s okay to have whiskers and pointy ears.
• Look for a patch of sunshine and stay there.
• Naps are cool.
• Don’t fuss about your food, or the one who feeds you may start buying a cheaper brand.
• Purring will get you everywhere.
• Master the “Shocked and Innocent Look” if someone laughs at you. Better yet, stick your nose in the air and saunter away, pretending you don’t care.
• Naps are fun.
• Act as if you know what you’re doing even if you don’t have a clue.
• Convince those around you how blessed they are to live in the same universe with you.
• Refuse to give up. If one bird escapes, climb another tree.
• Naps are refreshing.

Similar to cats, people are a mix of aggravating and endearing qualities. When I’m tempted to dismiss a brother or sister as too ornery to tolerate, I remember how God bears with my faults and stupid mistakes. Receiving His unconditional love frees me to love myself and others, focusing on positive qualities.  

Now if I could convince my husband to see the good in our kitties…

 The above is an excerpt from my book The Heart of Humor: Sixty Helpings of Hilarity to Nourish Your Soul. 

Do you consider cats friends or foes? 

3 Methods to Overcome Procrastination

When tasks like shining my perfume bottle lids and alphabetizing my spices seem urgent, I know I’m procrastinating. The jobs that make me say “Ugggh!” need to be done. So I trick myself into working on them by these methods to overcome procrastination:

·         Only Fifteen. I say, “I’ll fold laundry (clean the bathrooms, answer emails, change the cat litter) for fifteen minutes. Then I’ll quit if I want to.” After fifteen minutes, the voice of procrastination quiets down and I’m motivated to finish the job.

·         Baby Steps. I break the chore down into baby steps. I think, “If I write one page of this boring report each day for five days, I’ll finish by the deadline.” That tactic keeps me from being overwhelmed with the enormity of the job, and I’m more likely to start working.

·         Promises, Promises. I promise myself a reward when the task is finished. Reading a chapter of a novel, playing on social media, or a piece of chocolate usually motivates me to at least begin a dreaded job.

Even though I realize I’m using self-psychology (is that even a thing?), these methods work for me. The only danger I can foresee is that I’ll someday procrastinate on purpose to get a chocolate kiss in the end. 

What methods have you found helpful in overcoming procrastination?

May You Rest in His Embrace

A Blessing for You

May you rest in His embrace,

His friendship strengthen you.

May you believe His love,

His kindness make you secure.

May you flourish in His goodness,

His favor pursue you.

May the well of His grace

Give you courage to start over.

May His mighty power protect you,

His generosity make you great,

His faithfulness delight you,

His majesty awe you.

He is the gift

And the giver as well.

His blood will make you right.

His light will give you

All the wisdom and all the guidance

You’ll ever need.

He is for you.

Yes, Jesus is for you.

So, may you dance in His sweetness,

May you never doubt his affection,

May you walk in all His glory,

And may you be bathed in His riches.

--JEL

Do you like poetry? Have you written any?

How does this blessing make you feel? 

Attraction: Only about Body Parts?

Romance Vs. Character in Liturature and Real Life

Is attraction only about body parts?

When I recently wrote a romance story for a women's magazine, I knew I needed to show attraction between the man and woman. But I had an issue with that idea.

Our society focuses far too much on image instead of character. The huge city my husband and I lived in most of our adult lives had a gym on every corner and healthy foods in the restaurants, but for the wrong reasons. Everyone wanted to have a skinny, buff body so they could look like a movie star. Not to live longer so their spouses wouldn't be left alone, or so they could contribute their gifts to the world around them. But to look good. To create an image instead of building a character.

That's just wrong. We are more than bodies with parts to look at. We are sprits and souls, minds and hearts, dreams and plans and fears and hopes. So I decided to fight against the focus on image when I wrote my romance story.

My loyal, kind husband reading to our grand kids--this attracts me!

I mentioned lovely blue eyes flecked with amber, and a smile that turned knees to jello. But I also focused on character qualities like loyalty to family, wisdom, and a sense of humor. 

Character should count more than image. In real life, it does. I'd rather have a fat, kind friend than a pretty, gossipy one. Or a faithful, plain-looking spouse than a buff philanderer. Even a C student child with an obedient spirit trumps a smart, sassy pants.

Because God looks on the heart, not the outward appear ace. And His love is the greatest romance of all time.

Have you noticed  a shift away from character to image in our society? How about in the books you read? What character quality most attracts you to a person?