Reinventing yourself for 2021

Day 290 since we started shelter in place. 

My word for 2021 is REINVENTING!

In a few short weeks, all will be different because we will have a new president and a vaccine to fight THE PANDEMIC. In a few months, spring will bring with it a glimmer of hope that life will be normal again. One thing is for sure, change is heading our way in a consistent and rapid manner.  We will need all the patience and compassion that is left in us to survive and move forward. 

To navigate  it all, it seems that new skills are necessary in the POST PANDEMIC era. This is where reinventing oneself is crucial to surviving. 

  

Here is where you should start:

• Write down your goals and dreams for the future and look at it everyday.
• Create a timeline 
• Calendar time to plan your reinvention
• Find your strengths and explore how to use them to your advantage.
• Identify your weakness and be honest with yourself. Ask yourself what needs to change now to improve yourself.
• Network with your family and friends. Ask for what you need. 
• Learn a new trade: Sewing, plumbing, coding etc. 
• Explore your hobbies 
• Declutter your home and office
• Pray or meditate everyday for 15 minutes 
• Walk or do exercise to remove stress

Remember to be kind and patient with yourself. Reinventing oneself takes time and changes do not happen overnight. Each step of the way, celebrate your successes. Learn from the mistakes and do not repeat them. The process can be a fun adventure.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR😊

NASA

Take a quick trip to the stars  via NASA! 

https://www.facebook.com/33527980284/posts/10164528756515285/?vh=e&d=n

Merry Christmas

I want to wish you a joyous Christmas filled with happiness and love! 

Change the world with just one act of kindness.

I am ready for a kinder and happier 2021. I want to encourage you to find compassion in your daily routine. 

Please consider doing these twenty-one kind acts:

1. Just listen.

2. Send a virtual hug

3. Send a happy text

4. Send out a kind emails, letters or tweets. 

5. Give someone a compliment.

6. Help clean up, without being asked.

7. Leave flowers on neighbors door. 

8. Hold open the door for the person behind you.

9. Bring Coffee to a co-worker.

10. Encourage a friend or family member.

11. Make peace and promote it. 

12. Strike up a conversation with a stranger.

13. Let someone into your lane while driving.

14. Pay for the person behind you in line.

15. Give your time some one in need. 

16. Use Thank you and Please daily.

17. Play Christmas songs or inspiring music. 

18. Stop Complaining!

19. Pause before you speak, and choose words with positive intention.

20. Run and errand for someone you love. 

21. Love Mother Earth and Pick up litter!

                        

Words of Encouragement

Field Trip Mom Log 

DAY 210 - MID-PANDEMIC 

This past year has been extremely strange, stressful, memorable and life altering. As you know, the pandemic shelter in place began in mid- March and things have not been the same. It has been chaotic between the store shortages, long lines to get into grocery stores and closures of most of your favorite stores and eateries. Trying to keep life as normal as possible, we visited the pick-your-own blueberry farm in late May. It was an outdoor event that was full of families trying to get out to decompress with their loved ones. It would be another two months before we could feel safe enough to go to the raspberry farm to pick fruit. These two outings made us feel a little bit better about the future. In a normal year, we average about 3 field trips per month, frequenting factory tours, museums, gardens, amusement parks and other social gatherings not to forget high school and club sporting events.  It has been a little disappointing not being able to freely field trip or travel. There are have been bad days and good days during this year. Some days I need a reminder that soon all will go back to normal and "This too shall pass."

I would like to share my words of encouragement that I write to myself when I need a little pick me up. 

• This too shall pass!
• Look to the future not the past.
• Things don't stay the same. Change will come soon. 
• It does not rain forever. The sun will be here soon. 
• Happiness is a choice. 
• Do not give up because success is just around the corner. 
• Will it matter in 5 years?
• Love can move mountains. 

Prayers that help me to over come difficult moments:

God,

Please guide my feet in the right direction. 

Please direct my daily actions. 

Please send me peace and strength.

Please shield me and protect from all that may harm me.

Amen.

 

I wish you good health, wealth and happiness now and forever. 

                                                    Alma 😄

History - Best break-up in history.

The 4th of July is a great time to remember history. This year we are home watching fireworks on TV and listening to history reads. We came a across a few fun videos that will make you laugh and learn about the Declaration of Independence. We hope that you enjoy these videos just as much as we did.

Awkard Exes: Britain and America 1776 - The Breakup (By We are Thomasse

Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration 

President John F. Kennedy Reads the Declaration of Independence

😀

Stay healthy and safe!

Happy 244th Birthday America!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Happy 4th of July 

April has brought us growth and resilience.

Klaus | Official Trailer | Netflix

It's officially the holiday season!  In 51 days, good ole' Saint Nick will come to town. Shopping centers are being decorated, stores are full of holiday trimmings and restaurants are taking reservations for your holiday party. Yes, Christmas is coming soon! The amazing part of this holiday season is a wonderful new holiday movie that everyone in the family will enjoy. "Klaus" is a lovely story sharing the origin of Santa Claus with an incredibly original twist.  This isn't the old "Santa Claus is coming to town" story line. Klaus is coming to select theaters November 8th and on Netflix November 15th; what a way to start the Holiday movie season.

Official synopsis:

"When Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) distinguishes himself as the postal academy’s worst student, he is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, where the feuding locals hardly exchange words let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up when he finds an ally in local teacher Alva (Rashida Jones), and discovers Klaus (Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons), a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. These unlikely friendships return laughter to Smeerensburg, forging a new legacy of generous neighbors, magical lore and stockings hung by the chimney with care. An animated holiday comedy directed by Despicable Me co-creator Sergio Pablos, KLAUS co-stars Joan Cusack, Will Sasso and Norm Macdonald."

Klaus will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will be a new tradition to watch with your family each and every holiday season.  The movie is host to a full line up of very talented actors/actresses bringing a solid story line and heartfelt theme.  Director and Co-Creator, Sergio Pablos, brings his talents and leadership through in this 2D hand drawn Christmas story.  Veteran animators mentored and developed younger artists across 22 countries to bring you a truly incredible entertainment experience!  There is no CGI in this film however the use of color and graphics to present the emotion and chemistry of the characters is brilliant.

We were invited to the Netflix offices in Hollywood for a pre-screening of this incredible story. All of us left feeling uplifted and looking forward to the holidays. We can't wait to watch it again and again. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!

TED Talk - What makes a good life? by Robert Waldinger

What makes a good life? This TED Talk (Technology, Entertainment, Design) shares a 75 year old study conducted by Harvard University. Take a few minutes to find out what happens when you have great relationships in your life.

More TED Talks...

Happiness- What your mother didn't tell you.