tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13156921602695184492024-02-18T23:40:58.169-08:00Shift Your Life NowShift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-19646940243869210462023-03-08T15:41:00.000-08:002023-03-08T15:41:59.738-08:00Wise with Time<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuESPVLbqRHbKrrNfLkSJG8fRrow055ZJiHbO4sDYXNiAdK1Qy2IJJFrFMiRumRKSo3WMXoDn2VU5klzo42mFBR7T29aasEt3KyDaPRsp5y1oNU2P5soN_TB85GVqbLiXoP-DMIiVHkAFpqBRpcy6QMjZJKPo4ZJlMZcTWNmXRpG95QiashJShEY2vQ/s1920/pocket-watch-in%20sand.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuESPVLbqRHbKrrNfLkSJG8fRrow055ZJiHbO4sDYXNiAdK1Qy2IJJFrFMiRumRKSo3WMXoDn2VU5klzo42mFBR7T29aasEt3KyDaPRsp5y1oNU2P5soN_TB85GVqbLiXoP-DMIiVHkAFpqBRpcy6QMjZJKPo4ZJlMZcTWNmXRpG95QiashJShEY2vQ/s320/pocket-watch-in%20sand.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Time has flown by quite quickly this past year. Have you ever experienced time, either speeding up or slowing down? When we experience joy and having fun, it feels like time went by too quickly. Then the other side of time, when we can feel time slowing down, looking at the clock, and revealing that there is more time than we realized.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I prefer time to feel slower, so I can accomplish more, play more, enjoy life more. Write more! Why is it that when we are bored, time seems to go slowly, and the opposite of when it goes too fast? I have felt that being silent, with eyes closed and just being present... a gift to myself, that I, we can experience a sense of no time.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The clock can show our progress, and sometimes the lack of it. The concept of time is fascinating, and I hope that we all use our time wisely.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">~ Mary Ammon MacNeith</span></p>Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-71772517272613700882022-01-08T08:00:00.005-08:002022-01-08T08:00:00.142-08:00<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">THE WRITE PATH</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgZY33URiUragRakBLUO0dF0VGDOnojtYLwRwcbkg-j1pTuqGJbmfWVMxKcb-tbd8yXbLilBNLM92KNTwJYn2ym-d5DZAk7cn2N2W5IkvZdnUd1eEywTHOvu5ABl1hc6TDk90R1leq7Bh/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/elg21-3764790/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5727504">ELG21</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5727504">Pixabay</a>" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgZY33URiUragRakBLUO0dF0VGDOnojtYLwRwcbkg-j1pTuqGJbmfWVMxKcb-tbd8yXbLilBNLM92KNTwJYn2ym-d5DZAk7cn2N2W5IkvZdnUd1eEywTHOvu5ABl1hc6TDk90R1leq7Bh/w421-h290/lighthouse-5727504_1920.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My blog, Shift Your Life Now, was created in 2019. Before that I had a blog called Making Lemonade. The reason I engaged in having a blog was to finally concentrate on writing, in its simplest form, while sharing my thoughts of ideas and inspiration, as words can be expressed visually when we watch, read or listen.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When I was young, I loved watching TV and movies. Many of you know that the film Star Wars had a huge impact on me, in in all aspects of production and in spirit. At a young age, I began to write puppet shows and plays. In high school, I knew that being a writer would be my passion, to share knowledge and be entertained by it. I received my bachelors degree in screenwriting, yet over time, that knowledge became outdated. Then Hollywood came to me, via the computer, with ScreenwritingU.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The last Career Launch was an extra especial event for me, from Hal and Cheryl, and the experience propelled my purpose as a writer. Then an invitation to SuccessMasters in December of 2020 illuminated my writing course through speech, which I had been on for a very long time. Finally, last year’s Fearless Writers marathon of marketing was a huge highlight on my path. When a manager told me my TV show could last for ten years, I was in awe that I had created something that would inspire and resonate for a long period of time.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hal and Cheryl, I give to you my profound gratitude, for your passion of visual storytelling and sharing the amazing skills you have given to your many students, like myself. You have provided more than just mastery of the lessons to compose stories. You have enlightened my pathways towards my writing career, and thousands of others as well.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thank you from the fullness of my heart, Hal and Cheryl, for your support and being my North Star.</span></p></div>Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-87467727053978201452022-01-04T20:00:00.001-08:002022-01-04T20:00:00.143-08:002022 - Two<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2022 - TWO</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVknocBbkkf-PUr3ayHiCMQWZdJWnADlomSgNzU0CDSxGBVQuR2O8yZ84GV6Y-u45-1p_YLZyD7sLV0JR-2B1mxBRyp1iP0-anpizRsdTD6JC__JwEEnBtqcN3HexlpJVVg7FlCMrg6fNis7RUxPF8COFkyTIfWojQJx66yxM-DTBJO-aMkCOMpfk2eQ=s1920" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVknocBbkkf-PUr3ayHiCMQWZdJWnADlomSgNzU0CDSxGBVQuR2O8yZ84GV6Y-u45-1p_YLZyD7sLV0JR-2B1mxBRyp1iP0-anpizRsdTD6JC__JwEEnBtqcN3HexlpJVVg7FlCMrg6fNis7RUxPF8COFkyTIfWojQJx66yxM-DTBJO-aMkCOMpfk2eQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">"Second helpings anyone?" When there is a delicious meal, some want seconds of what they just finished on their plate. Second chances in life, maybe with a family member, friend or lover. And speaking of an intimate knowing, that the number two also means a couple in a relationship or, "I need a couple more hours to finish up my project." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It takes two people to play and balance on a see-saw. In a story you have a protagonist and an antagonist dancing to and fro, back and forth in the plot opposing each other, then bringing the story back into balance in the end. Yet how do two opposites really attract?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It takes two to Tango. Love Birds, well, it would be odd if there were three or more snugging together, eh? </span><span style="font-size: large;">There are two sides to a coin, and two sides to every story. In tennis they hit the ball with a forehand and a backhand with the same racket. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A couple married for more than 50 years, and a pair of shoes that danced to their hearts content, the number two stands for our passion to unite and sometimes oppose one another. Find the balance in life and second helpings are waiting for you.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-77979022555951915932022-01-04T19:00:00.001-08:002022-01-04T19:00:00.157-08:002022 - One<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> 2022 - One</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioDJncA6hDZI5R0PNTgG4qAQ0klW1KUGDPk-F3WfGVFdrcHH3G-pD_E9_e1Rukf2_nYgu7v7wSyuH-AroXfueoL6v8D4jzSWsUy6vz7-9NX7XskcHIQ7D-v4r62YREfNMVcPlknt0LXgmcDq7mSzu3VzOqKV9h8YQK4R9gcBis0tICHxTRslMXpmxDww=s1920" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1920" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioDJncA6hDZI5R0PNTgG4qAQ0klW1KUGDPk-F3WfGVFdrcHH3G-pD_E9_e1Rukf2_nYgu7v7wSyuH-AroXfueoL6v8D4jzSWsUy6vz7-9NX7XskcHIQ7D-v4r62YREfNMVcPlknt0LXgmcDq7mSzu3VzOqKV9h8YQK4R9gcBis0tICHxTRslMXpmxDww=w377-h212" width="377" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One can be a lonely number, yet despite 0 being the first number in the chain of numerals, the number one is listed first of the steps to any path or project. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"What shall we do first?" Or, "What's the first step in our action plan?" Finally, do we write the <i>first</i> page starting with zero? No of course not, we start with the number 1. One is not really lonely because it pairs nicely with all the other numbers, zero through nine and from the teens and then beginning with the 100's, 1,000's, and so on. Why am I writing about the number one? Well, I've have an assignment to write eight blogs within a month, so why not talk about numbers.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The meaning of the number one is basically a new start, or new beginnings. I have a new beginning of turning my TV show outline into a first draft. There's 1st place for a someone who wins a race or a contest. The number one can also mean unity, such the defacto United States motto E Plurabus Unum, "Out of many, one." According to Lisa Boswell, number one is related to leadership.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, enjoy starting a new project or journey, whether it's only you or one group of people. Lead with the heart and your path will be paved with adventure.</span></p></div><p></p><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(162, 169, 177); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: "Linux Libertine", Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 1.8em; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; overflow: visible; padding: 0px;"><br /></h1><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-5328517073302641942021-07-23T21:23:00.000-07:002021-07-23T21:23:50.409-07:00 #Perfection<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-92901/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizENjSm0iV_UuS9urmp4FkOXEiEmjO8StTFTmKegSmZJvqMBtwse__bkjMuKCTf6b4oaOb8SmJNrj-76mFkciYnWLZYlh4Rixru-Ri9lbhG40nUPvHOzRhg9eXSEziqhyphenhyphen3mOGaIGq4ZIOV/w450-h338/wisdom-92901_1920.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><p></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Life is perfectly imperfect. We humans like the idea of #perfection in our lives, and for many that leans heavier in their workplace. I know from experience that being perfect in one’s job, to complete all the tasks and not have any mistakes, would bring satisfaction to the worker and their leadership. However, there is usually not enough time or care put in the workplace structure to embrace flaws, as a way of growing a company and improving the wellbeing of their employees, and thus creating a type of “perfect” place to enjoy their work. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s natural for us to strive for #perfection in our careers, so we can attain what we feel is the ideal situation for which we can celebrate victories in our employment. “When is ‘good enough’ an acceptable goal?” (Andrew Scott). I believe an acceptable goal of what can be perceived being perfect, is when one takes a step back and knows in their heart that the concept has been reached, and nothing more needs to be done.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">#Perfection is an opinion. One person’s sense of completion is another person’s head tilt with, “Umm, maybe I need to tweak it in a different way.” Thus it isn’t perfect. Maybe the tweak is necessary and maybe it isn’t. Is every human’s point-of-view perfect? We can strive for #perfection, whatever that meaning is for those who desire to embrace it. Yet, I see perfection in the beauty of a sunset, the smile of child and the perfectly imperfect world we live in.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">~ Mary Ammon MacNeith</p>Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-3414371784969813882021-07-15T21:00:00.003-07:002021-07-15T21:05:30.565-07:00Destiny Is Calling<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTRcmMK2v7VFiQHyJDCQaVyg3yOqoNyTC_3EJUbWJOgR1TIB_JOq0pVSh24WiqLudyMloRRPfhWfjhPLfzPSQrSIqdalfvkRQSsV8pjK0PEG9jUNMK_Ev-0wuhjM30iXkdcEXD_x4RcoW/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTRcmMK2v7VFiQHyJDCQaVyg3yOqoNyTC_3EJUbWJOgR1TIB_JOq0pVSh24WiqLudyMloRRPfhWfjhPLfzPSQrSIqdalfvkRQSsV8pjK0PEG9jUNMK_Ev-0wuhjM30iXkdcEXD_x4RcoW/w400-h266/Destiny+bridge-Larisa+K.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Are you aware when Destiny calls you? Maybe the phone actually rings, and someone on the other end is just who you need in that time and place. Or maybe you’ve been thinking about something or someone for a while, or even in a sudden moment of a thought coming to your mind, you are sure that the information you are receiving is perfect for that moment?</span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">What is destiny? Defined, it is a hidden power or force believed to control what will happen in the future, to a person, place or thing. It seems that destiny may come with a price too, and that price is a choice. To go down the golden road towards an emerald city, or to choose the more difficult path to gain knowledge and skills to overcome the challenges we all face as human beings, within the emerald city and beyond.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Many of us as we grow up and older are able to find our golden roads with their ups and downs and sideway paths. These discoveries are a nurturing avenue to prepare us for, our destiny. Sometimes we can find our destiny quickly, and maybe it lasts long, or burns out too fast. For some of us, it takes a while longer, and that’s okay. The trick is to listen when destiny calls, and pay attention to what your heart tells you. “This path to the left, it’s easy. Take the path on the right, it’s rocky and a big incline, though it will take you where you’re destined to be.” </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Destiny whispered to me recently, and I’ve been listening. You may hear the soft, warm gentle breeze enveloping you while chills run through your body, and you know you’re on the right path.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">~ Mary MacNeith</span></p><div><br /></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0Washington, USA47.7510741 -120.740138519.440840263821151 -155.8963885 76.061307936178849 -85.5838885tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-52167050631405284772021-03-28T12:41:00.003-07:002021-03-28T22:10:01.072-07:00Metamorphosis<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-2031539/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8drADyX-TU9Q6E1FkO3tBz2mcnGld6QkoF3UwTEQzXCWBHgsMKmG806_ir2rGjLkVZYeQtFyhyGFkhRR-v0Zl8BK7YIbHv33VwJhkubgcO7nS2obfLeD8qK0PtaN1wpcaZRPnYbhdcqv/w518-h291/mountain-landscape-kinkate.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px;">The last year, and almost a half, we have been witnessing a profound metamorphosis on our planet.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px;">Change is normal, yet we conscious humans are in the middle of surmountable transformation, and it can be down right scary.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px;">Our eyes and ears have seen and heard multiple issues coming to the forefront, not just from our Earth, but from the behaviors of us humans.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px;">How we embrace the knowledge that comes from this major shift in life will determine our metamorphosis… our destiny.</span><p></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I believe that most of us want to challenge ourselves. We see a mountain, so majestic and powerful, and we tell ourselves, “If I can get to the top, I will have accomplished a momentous’s feat. I can do anything.” And it’s true. Many may hold, and <i>not</i> desire change because it’s easier. Everything changes. If a caterpillar chose not to transform into a butterfly, it would not be able to find its true potential.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We all have potential. Whether it’s helping someone cross a busy street, or climbing a pink heathered stone pathway upwards toward a majestic mountain. Each step we take, no matter where we are is a path towards our own metamorphosis of which our inner self is aware that we must take. Enjoy your journey, step by step. Stop here and there to become aware of the beauty that surrounds all of us. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Mary Ammon MacNeith is an award winning filmmaker and screenwriter who composes thoughtful ideas in her blog “Shift Your Life Now”. You can find out more at shiftyourlifenow.com. </i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><i></i><br /></p>Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-59979670400580101342020-11-05T14:44:00.000-08:002020-11-05T14:44:43.901-08:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Divided States of America</span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https///pixabay.com/images/id-260966/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bd5D2XO4swwak_PszrOdMgGL82PUm3kknrjXbP0JHxeyNCmF8S8D0_-t6_8xKTbrHjoQukPNNxPfxtcPRlU1Gm7HP6tkxkBxxzVIIarXm4XwX7NcAI_TNh13D7NCTHb_d4Z2Gj3B1TFL/w379-h244/Divisivness+https%253A%253A%253Apixabay.com%253Aimages%253Aid-260966%253A.jpg" width="379" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">For as long as the United States came to being, from explorers, settlers, colonists and citizens, there has always been some kind of division. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Division can be useful. Conflict is necessary for growth, not just for a hero in a story, but to shed light on an issue or subject that is seen from various points of view. The heroine must go against their complacency and achieve a goal that is necessary to have a better sense of being<span style="font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">, </span>not just for themselves, but for their surroundings too<span style="font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The United States of America has always had many flawed traits, just as a hero should in a story. The story of the U.S.A. is filled will patriots, on both sides of the color spectrum, who have imperfections that reflect multiple perspectives. Many citizens desire the same thing, but in different ways.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I’m sure that most of the citizens of the U.S. appreciate the opportunity to live in a land of the free and home of the brave, however the 2020 election is illuminating not the unity of a country we say is the home of the free and the brave, but just how divided we are in our hearts about what it means to be brave and free. We are living in a divisive time, where one part of our thoughts are, “What can the government do for me?” And the other part asks, “What can the government do for us all as a country?” </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The world is watching as the spotlight on the United State of America is intense right now. The question remains, will this country adhere to the unique constitution in a 21st Century World? Or will we become the Divided States of America and throw caution to the wind?</p>Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-16357710076470580512020-07-18T15:26:00.001-07:002020-07-18T15:28:09.611-07:00Going Back Into Our Caves<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7d0m-gTaDLiOjg9JGTmYVgYxXre7o7RE4o3F6qxu1iDh9-uxtSbzaDKZ-jQjhhpClJV8j38xY3XuWffkT2N6s0XeK-txZXUKWFEOKwBjtJP9bBvPLowRPQvHpH45zjtcDaLLKpK48jNX/s2048/group-of-people-in-assorted-color-of-clothes-during-night-316778.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo by Lennart Wittstock from Pexels" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7d0m-gTaDLiOjg9JGTmYVgYxXre7o7RE4o3F6qxu1iDh9-uxtSbzaDKZ-jQjhhpClJV8j38xY3XuWffkT2N6s0XeK-txZXUKWFEOKwBjtJP9bBvPLowRPQvHpH45zjtcDaLLKpK48jNX/w500-h333/group-of-people-in-assorted-color-of-clothes-during-night-316778.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/@lennart-wittstock-94105?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels"><b>Lennart Wittstock</b></a> from <b><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-in-assorted-color-of-clothes-during-night-time-316778/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Pexels</a></b></span></p><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial" size="5"><span style="text-align: left;">It’s been noted by many a Star Wars fan from the very first trilogy of films, that The Empire Strikes Back was the best story.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">I believe it’s because the movie was more character driven than plot or story driven, as the audience became more aware of who the characters where, what they were up against and revelations of the story through character knowledge created OMG moments.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></font></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="arial" size="5">The best scene was on the planet of Dagobah, where Luke was mentally pulled into a dark, damp cave. In story, it’s the middle part where the hero or heroine struggles to find their place and the push against them keeps getting more difficult. The cave scene is a beautiful example of one’s self being reflected into either who they are or who they might be. Vader clashes with Luke in the cave, only to reveal that it’s Luke’s face in the dark mask. </font></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="arial" size="5">We all have a light and dark side, and most of the time it’s easy to see the lighter side of ourselves, and most of the time it’s difficult to see the darker or more disagreeable side that others point out to us. At this time in history, we humans have been forced into our caves, because we need to learn who we are not just individually, but as a human group who rely on one another for our very existence. </font></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="arial" size="5">We know there is a light at the opening of the tunnel and most likely there is a light at the end of the tunnel as well. Find your light, and reflect the love and encouragement we all desire.</font></p><div><br /></div>Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-29985421835005498872020-06-29T12:34:00.001-07:002020-06-29T12:34:53.453-07:00Time for Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had to take a hiatus from writing this blog, because with all the cosmic shifts that are taking place this historic year, it has been and continues to be overwhelming. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I learned that the astrology chart for the birth of the United States is exactly the same now as it was back in 1776. The United States of America was revolutionary in its progress of ideas for this nation, but the challenges that have remained for so many elements of our country are now and finally coming out of the shadows and being highlighted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Equality for all humans. That makes sense. Not all humans are the same, but we are human and life is precious. Do we discriminate other living beings like dogs and cats? No, I don’t think so. So why do we do it to our own species? Humanity has needed a transformation for thousands of years, and we are now in the process of learning how to divide the cells that will grow into the wealth of humanity that will be respected. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The systems of our cultures are also coming into the light of this revolution. So many to name with the obvious ones being healthcare, education, law enforcement, working conditions, food production, transportation, living conditions, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Often, when something needs healing, it may get worse before it gets better. Our global transformation will be a very long and bumpy ride. Many of us will not see the outcome from our current vantage point. But the coming generations will, and I hope they understand that living in harmony and respect is what makes our world a safe and healthy place to live.</span></div>
Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-34249369173467740542020-03-09T05:00:00.000-07:002020-03-09T09:27:46.283-07:00Let It Go<div style="text-align: center;">
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Fear, anxiety, things that take us out of our comfort zones. For some people it’s easy to say let it go and move on. Yet for most of us, safety comes first and that comfort zone feels good. I’m the kind of person who knows that there is no “box”, no box of the status quo, and still my primitive mind says “stay safe and stay in the confines of my imaginary box”. Well, I just conquered one of the invisible boxes! </div>
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Being a new dog owner, I’ve relied upon my parenting skill set with our dog. This has worked pretty well, yet, of course she’s a dog and can’t understand everything a human would like them to do. However, she’s pretty darn smart and compassionate too. Having been off the leash now for a couple of days, I just now felt enough courage to let my fear go, and take her outside without the leash on my own. She performed very well with just me out there with her. And after about twenty minutes, I received congratulatory praise for my courage. </div>
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You may or may not understand how important this great feat is for me. Small accomplishments like a baby taking their first steps, to a big step of me not using the leash outside. There’s so much more <i>comfort</i> now. We should have an understanding that many comfort zones are most likely illusions wrapped in fear. True tranquility is knowing that we can all take different levels of challenges out of our comfort zones, and make huge leaps forward. So have fun knowing there is no box. Let go of the fear, and leap into those <i>courageous</i> comfort zones of achievement.</div>
Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-55300680834765670322020-03-05T10:28:00.001-08:002020-03-05T10:39:26.303-08:00A Balance of Nature<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-1792572/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DAhcIukmh7ndYrjMIONQcRGDUAkyxOEp3SvBQdO5K4hL-37iIBZkBMb3KL-FjbV7WG7nn5fdca_tJkjDjJzb6yXMCrlgocYNsESjWvkcUHXL-tSjRcO59h0utAOmPE38Adp_a2_n7GXr/s400/forest-fire-pixabay.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">February came and went like a silent storm for me. It’s been a mild winter, yet the weather put pressure on the usual winter of “not feeling good” when my head is all stuffed up and I need to focus on my child’s education. Aside from the weather and not feeling well, I just didn’t have the energy or inspiration to write any thoughts for the Leap Year month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">With the coronavirus amping up, we have to understand that this is a mammal based virus that has been around for a while. When outbreaks of sickness occur, I believe it is a type of natural disaster like the tornado that devastated Tennessee, hurricanes and earthquakes. We might want to think about the idea that the balance of life may have tipped too far to one side, and nature is trying to compensate for this imbalance. It’s never pleasant to accept that a human should perish in undesirable conditions, be it a car accident or a fall or a virus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We must not forget that we humans are apart of nature. Now is a good time to appreciate life, to find the hints of good that come from the fears of the unknown. We are amazing beings experiencing what life on this planet is like. Living in fear is not living. So, please try to experience life with love and hope and gratitude. </span></div>
Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-49891972708320353872020-01-27T05:00:00.000-08:002020-01-27T05:00:04.475-08:00Big Little Goals<br />
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<a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-1156056/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHBgCxjsNtSPOM9ryDLO8Pg3e9Uy47h5i6mH3E7GGisipV6fSmKNaqEw0XP6Jf3ITO6LkAep_mopL2vWc5tE31x5uUzkDj2dwd983J-NMjuw8ZUgaNzHER8etK_VBId50liwSHp_PnMYC/s400/Goals+mountain-goats.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Almost everyday, I write down a “To Do List”, and most of the time, those “To Do’s” get pushed back more than once, due to my lack of being clear of what it is I really need to accomplish. I have big everyday goals that include helping to teach my kiddo their school lessons and making sure I have the ingredients I need to make dinner. An additional “To Do” item has been very clear to me these past few months when we acquired a lovely puppy—she needs to go out and relieve herself and she needs a good walk at least once a day. So my everyday, very clear goal is to make sure I take her outside and for a walk, which might be annoying, yet has the huge health benefit of fresh outside air and exercise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After reading an article by Steven Kotler, the Executive Director at the Flow Research Collective, he talks about goals that are big lifetime achievements and how to get to those results. We need goals that are clear and give us the specific focus we need to accomplish them. This makes allot of sense to me, because when I finally wrote the first draft of my current screenplay, that’s how I was able to write it within a month, by focusing and creating specific little clear goals of organizing my story, and then the words fell to the page easily. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I did this again last week, which is why I missed writing my blog because I was very focused about specific little goals as my child was wrapping up their first semester lessons. We took each lesson with clarity, and accomplished a lot in a small amount of time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My current challenge with personal goal setting, or small clear goals from Kotler, is that I put so much on my “To Do List”, that I always struggle to accomplish my smaller clear goals to help reach my big dream goal of producing my stories. I still need to practice not wasting these precious moments of time on things that aren’t related to either my home, or my clear little and big goals. Having goals is great, the challenge is focusing on how to attain them. I’m going to challenge myself to get my dreams to come true, how about you?</span></div>
Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-87561719160187941252020-01-06T04:00:00.000-08:002020-01-06T04:00:07.904-08:00Shift Your Life Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-1692846/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMZty3dpR2XEdnq4slYA6zXRwXFMpaqNtlF4Lp9oEp-GHVuyiz-Ji9-AiafiRH05dvHZAhFCkqhPX450sNXDBhVGTgCVcB073pjKci7B5ANn4tRQvtQcpBbFD5u0cx-dCVpdfCjG4ZsL0/s400/gear+shift+blue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Was 2019 a harsh year for you? It was certainly challenging for me. It started off with the U.S. government shutting down, chaos at the southern border, upheavals around the globe, the U.S. Executive Branch believing they can do no wrong, armageddon-like fires in southeast Australia. Between nature made and man made disasters around the world, it’s time for the globe to shift for the positive. It’s time for us to shift our lives now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve been struggling to shift my life for a while. I’ve put a lot on “my plate” over the past few years, and I tend to put others in my life before myself. I must be careful and acknowledge that my plans and goals are important too. I’ve had big dreams for a long time, and if I don’t start acting upon them, then those dreams will fade. I can’t let that happen. I must act now. I must shift my life now, and see my goals come to fruition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shifting your life can be big or little steps. Little steps may lead to longer and bigger goals. As I plan for my long term goals to be fulfilled, I will require small deliberate steps. I’m shifting my life to improve my writing on many levels of the craft, as well as education in wellness and entrepreneurship. I’ve always desired my own business. I had one for a while making specially handcrafted shoes. It was a big shift I took to do that, and now I’m shifting again. If I can’t help myself, I cannot truly help others. It’s time to shift your life now, and may your 2020 be all the best it can be.</span></div>
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Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-47884657523105858702019-12-17T08:55:00.001-08:002019-12-17T08:56:32.281-08:00Peace on Earth, Let it Begin with You <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve always loved the song, “Let There Be Peace on Earth”, as I remember it being sung mostly around Christmas time. This song is simply beautiful. Aside from its religious context, the message is one of grace and love, not just for a person or for a few people, put for all people, and especially oneself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The part of the song I like the most is at the beginning, where it states… “Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.” That’s the catch. Peace among us conflicted humans has always been challenging, yet one person can Shift their thoughts in taking action to create peace, and produce a domino effect of which that peace can come in many forms, but in order to give it, one has to accept it for themselves. It might certainly be challenging to contribute to peace if one does not first embrace peace within.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The song was written by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller in 1955. Jackson-Miller who had gone through a great personal challenge, wrote the song “after discovering an understanding of life-saving joy, peace and unconditional love”. The song was also created for the International Children’s Choir in Long Beach, CA, which continues to represent a variety of world nations (wikipedia). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Brothers all are we</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me walk with my brother</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In perfect harmony…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">…Let there be peace on earth</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And let it begin, w</span><span style="font-size: large;">ith me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">M. MacNeith</span></div>
Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-86015794617044715102019-12-09T09:07:00.001-08:002019-12-09T09:07:15.166-08:00The Best Gifts<a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/christmas-christmas-tree-decorate-1869902/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR77_U1Il66-08AD2JLm3RZvq3g0rVlElA9IhE6u6TEkXfw7ncGw9sh8JGa6L3Pz2Ot0SsMp_DzTPMUvf_v8mS0EUxOzuuQ8AAyhIbIEpP0fCeO_x_-oKRkwFWqJ9CTiiGzrdTEz1tfp9/s640/christmas-%2522The+Best+Gifts%2522.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We are now in the time of the season of giving. In my last post, I talked about giving gifts at this time of year, in December when the days are cold and the nights are colder in the Northern Hemisphere. And that the best gifts aren’t usually something tangible, but ethereal like time and love.</div>
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Giving one’s time and especially love that has no conditions attached to it, are truly the best gifts. I would gather that they obviously coincide with one another, being that one would need to be conscious of giving one’s love through the gift of giving their time. Someone can say “I love you,” and with that statement, take positive action with that love and act upon it, giving one’s self to another in those moments. </div>
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Simple, loving actions like a hug, volunteering, providing a seat on the bus to someone who needs it more than you especially during chilly days and nights. Giving your change to a reputable charity, making sure the elders in your neighborhood are safe and provide assistance if they need it.</div>
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These are the best gifts of all. Giving your time and love in simple ways, which could turn into big ones. Share your best gifts and see what happens.</div>
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M. MacNeith</div>
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Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-32431855123736189812019-12-02T06:50:00.001-08:002019-12-02T06:50:54.630-08:00Season of Giving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">For many people around the globe, we think of the season of giving to be during the holidays in December. Retailers plan months in advance for special prices on goods and items so we can purchase them to give to our family and friends, and give to those in need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We tend to focus this desire, this necessity to buy someone something because we are supposed to. The buying and giving of items, which are either needed or a kind of luxury can have heartfelt value. However, things can be bought at anytime. The true value of giving comes in the form of time, and the most precious gift is one’s love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The beauty of giving one’s time and love is that the value of these gifts are exceedingly high and cost nothing at all. In fact, the true beauty is that time and love go hand in hand. Happy giving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">M. MacNeith</span></div>
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Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-82654657004200845702019-11-25T05:00:00.000-08:002019-11-25T05:00:04.578-08:00Being Thankful<br />
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<a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-1789664/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsqpnQ-TS2nC6mj1xEzTtXc5UhnAaNvtMhQODive3011_F1lP5w7iKZGYgp-pULTOlCnwo3pF1dDlCI1SJts3QdPjPsvHyxhtjKV-6LB4Cubfkw2DubdkbpUokxHHpVz55wMDaucIxnSN/s400/cornucopia-harvest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gratitude, appreciation, being thankful. These words are an essential trait for any person who intends to thrive. Not only giving thanks to others and appreciating what one has, but receiving thanks as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the U.S. we have a new habit of thanking our military service members. It’s a beautiful sentiment. For many, I believe hearing “thank you” is a thoughtful gesture, though it may not have as much weight as those who are saying thank you, are led to believe. I could be wrong, though many people are not inclined to be receptive to receiving a “thank you”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Years ago, a friend of mine and co-worker had a car that was on its last legs. She drove a simple car and her in-laws desired to give her one of their cars as they wanted to purchase a new one for themselves. We talked about it. Her in-laws were financially comfortable and my friend didn’t want to take what she thought of as charity. I was led to believe her in-laws were giving her an expensive used car. So when I asked what kind of car they were going to give her, she responded, “a PT Cruiser”. I told her, “Great! You shouldn’t be driving your car any more. Take their car and say thank you.” Within the week, she showed me her new-used car and she was very grateful to have it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I’m thankful that I was able to assist my friend with being grateful for something she needed. I was grateful to use this simple act of thankfulness after reading a new book about gratitude. We are grateful for what we have— our homes, food, clothing, family, friendship, etc. Yet don’t forget to receive thanks too, and hopefully be grateful for it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">M. MacNeith</span></div>
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Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-35832096504963021662019-11-18T08:53:00.001-08:002019-11-18T08:53:08.609-08:00Holiday Season<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-1847088/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4gjaPi4Etn8CNyFOAQYjeKgTXsLAUhy3lzkDQ0yLvWjSs5rF99nzPuW3CkdwqQzQYAsxMVpPrP6HAfmi36d0-6T25loGUwt1Etx9EZITC4OtuFAWTrnPXL7fOQQTkhjjF2bvxe2o9sqy/s400/holidays+rustic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Holiday Season is upon is in many countries. In the U.S. the celebration of Thanksgiving will arrive a week from this Thursday, honoring the bounty of the harvest for sustenances during the dark days of winter. We typically gather with family and friends and being thankful for the food we have to eat, the sweetness of loving companionship, and the wellness we have-at any level to persevere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We honor the Holiday Season with festivities like Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, light festivals in Asia and the Al Dhafra Festival in Abu Dhabi observing the heritage of the Bedouin lifestyle. With so many amazing cultures around the world, it’s a beautiful thing to have so many amazing celebrations to honor those cultures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we Shift our lives towards a place of respect for ourselves and others, we honor our cultures, our histories and our celebrations. Let us honor the uniqueness we all share with the variety of festivals for our Autumn and Winter Holiday Season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~ M. MacNeith</span></div>
Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-71107230097243170922019-11-12T10:27:00.000-08:002019-11-12T10:28:54.261-08:00Veterans Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My dad, circa 1942</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday was Veterans Day in the United States. It’s a pleasure to know that after 100 years, we are still honoring our women and men who served and serve in our U.S. military in so many capacities here at home and all over the world. My ancestors served in The Great War, among them was my great-uncle Tobias Ammon, who was killed in action on September 9, 1918. My father, above in the photo, served in World War II in the Army Air Corps. These groups of men and women were proud to serve, yet did not show heir pride on their sleeve. I did not know until after dad passed away in 2008, that not only did he serve in Iceland during the war, he was there for over 90 days, making him a member of The Forgotten Bastards of Iceland. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A friend of mine was also in the Air Force- Special Forces in Vietnam. He’s one of the most interesting persons I know. He’s like the Engergizer Bunny, he just keeps going, keeps serving his country in many ways. He was “honored” with two Purple Hearts in Vietnam. An award most soldiers, airmen, marines and seamen truly wouldn’t really want to have, I’m sure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Then there’s my husband, a 30 year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. He wanted to be in tor 40 years, and felt as if his Coastie “family” he had been with was kicking him out, just like when he was young. And even though he was apart of a historic rescue, the attitude he has for his service is much like that of my father and other WWII vets, it was his job. The USCG was his security and his family. I believe he appreciated his time, and now he continues to serve in another government capacity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Family is important, not just for the veteran, but for those family members of the veteran. Nowadays, we are used to saying “Thank you for your service” to vets, and we are now paying that to veteran families as a whole.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The military is a volunteer service, though the service and what comes from it lasts a lifetime and beyond. We must continue to appreciate and honor them, always.</span><br />
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<br />Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-74748852566126310292019-11-06T10:18:00.001-08:002019-11-06T10:20:38.407-08:00Autumn in November<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The season of Fall or Autumn commences at the end of September as it can still be very warm when the heat begins to decay the foliage in our neighborhoods. The leafy bushes and trees begin to turn from their lovely shades of green into brilliant hues of yellow, orange, red, mahogany and bronze. The trend continues into October depending on your location, yet in the early mornings, you can feel the hints of chilly air surrounding you outside your home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> It’s now a few days into November, and the air is getting more damp mixing with the warmth of the earth. Fog sets in and reminds us of quieter times as the sun hides for longer hours. We put on warmer layers of clothing, and snuggle with our loved ones—even in our dreams. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I love Autumn. This season is a beautiful reminder that life is given, it blossoms and thrives in many ways and then it is released back to where it came from. And from this release and decay comes new life that sprouts even in the coldest environments. The will to flow with life is balanced with love and immense challenges. Thank you Autumn for teaching us about life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">M. MacNeith</span></div>
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<br />Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-13391975416507126312019-10-31T07:00:00.000-07:002019-11-06T10:21:48.070-08:00All Hallows Eve<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Celts New Year Survival</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The rugged lands of Wales, Ireland and Scotland were not touched by the Romans, and Celtic culture thrived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">These Celts kept their traditions alive through the present day. One of these traditions is Samhain (pronounced ‘sow-in’). Samhain is Celtic New Year. Their calendar consisted of many celebrations throughout the year to honor the Earth and the changing seasons. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Celts had a lunar calendar like many older cultures. Thus, the day actually began with the sun set. Samhain was originally celebrated the evening prior to November 1, which became known as All Saint’s Day in the Catholic Church, or All Hallow’s Day, making October 31 All Hallow’s Eve or Halloween.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">On Celtic New Year, it was believed that the “window” from the supernatural world to the living world was open, and beings on both sides could roam free. Lanterns and food were placed outside homes to appease the spirits who wished to enter a household. Celtic knotwork was carved above doorways. Before a spirit could enter the house, it first had to enter the knot-work and travel through its maze, but Celtic knot-work has no end so the spirits would be lost in its design.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In the earlier days of Halloween, children did not wear complicated costumes, or dress up as super heroes. They blacken their faces with soot and were called </span><span style="color: #cc3305; font-kerning: none;"><b>“guisers”</b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> (from the French “deguiser” to disguise), and went knocking on doors. Many also dressed up like their </span><span style="color: #cc3305; font-kerning: none;"><b>ancestors</b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> to honor them. If the house-holder opened the door, the guisers were to earn their treat of candy, apples or coins by singing a song, doing a dance or giving a recitation. The original “guisers” of the Middle Ages used to perform mystery plays as they strolled from house to house. The tradition of passing out candy to Trick-or Treaters may have come from the giving of soul cakes to the poor on All Souls Day, (November 2).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>The history of the Jack O'Lantern from the History Channel</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>The Legend of "Stingy Jack"</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">People have been making jack-o'-lanterns at <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/halloween"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-size: 15.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Halloween</span></a> for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack's lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o'lantern tradition with them when they came to the <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/states"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-size: 15.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">United States</span></a>. They soon found that <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/pumpkin-facts"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-size: 15.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">pumpkins</span></a>, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack-o'-lanterns.His</span></div>
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Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-24201916977306678552019-10-29T20:37:00.000-07:002019-11-06T10:21:29.257-08:00Shifting With Autumn Kid Humor <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We shift our lives in so many ways, and sometimes we need a little bit of funny to break up the monotony of the “stuff” that makes up our days. I love National Geographic Kids magazine, and the recent “Funny Fill-In” with an autumn day theme my kiddo did the other day, made me want to share it. Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Kevin and I were raking lunchboxes on a scared fall day. As I reached down to scoop up a pile, I saw a shiny umpire ring on the ground. “Yikes!” I shouted. “We could be rich like Benedict Cumberbatch!” But then a happy platypus with a mouthful of rutabagas farted on the ring with its head. We started to swing the animal through the piles, scattering hotels everywhere. But it ran up a dirty lamp. Nowing the critter would drop the ring, we shook the brand’s, but instead poop fell on our heads and ran us up to our butt cheeks. Then the animal jumped onto the basement, where it seems to swim at us. Maybe that ring will buy the platypus a hibernation vacation in Tahiti.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">M. MacNeith</span></div>
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<br />Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315692160269518449.post-29350541956354802142019-08-27T13:49:00.000-07:002019-11-06T10:21:09.307-08:00Shift Your Life Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-744207/" target="_blank"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCsb4lMF_FVDHzF8n6b1wlyKdmGsUVJ5iJFQX9AJ8Lp2KsVtqZ-SzCOFeHlDcdugyZ-M9exCPjuHl7zkrRybAk3NvL9n0jPzk8tsX2Etz1Zx7CZpsTHvKCDjCBiyTzASJs-7fa4Fqszc_/s400/brain-transform-process.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Shift Your Life Now, means that maybe something may not be working, flowing or blossoming the way we might want it to. Even though we are all in a constant form of change, sometimes that change is not what we want, or asked for or think we deserve. There might be a question of fate versus choice, but they may be on either side of the same coin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I'm in a current state of needing to Shift my Life Now. I'm a woman who is extremely grateful for the life I have, where I came from and yet, I know that there is something I must contribute to others on a bigger scale. My passion has always been storytelling. An ancient way to educate while entertaining a small group of people to millions. My struggle for so long is how best to compose those stories I want to tell, and how to get those stories out into the world. That is my challenge and my gift to the world, to my family, to myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am in a state of Shifting my Life Now, to accomplish what has seemed the un-acomplishable. If I don't shift my desire to share my stories now, then when?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Yet first, there is another challenge. I must shift my mindset. My environment and my thoughts have been influenced me in many negative ways, from where I’ve lived to the words that are spoken to me. These adverse words and thoughts from others are felt internally, re-shaping my thoughts and actions, like a cancer destroying my cells from within.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I know I must build a defense against these harmful attacks, however subtle or aggressive they are. In a sense, I must become a warrior to defend myself from such offenses, and yet it’s is difficult to be one’s one shield and conquer my innate desires of sharing my knowledge with integrity and compassion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16px;">My task then, is to take one small action at a time, to build my foundation of transformation that comes with a </span><i style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px;">kind</i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16px;"> shield and a blazing sword of awareness for myself and everyone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16px;">M. MacNeith</span>Shift Your Life Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08608308614336614450noreply@blogger.com0