Life’s Great Wheel
This too shall pass. — Eleanor Roosevelt Earth spins at a thousand miles an hour. Our sun hauls its planets through space at 448,000 mph (720,000 km/h), taking 225 million years to circle its galaxy. Goodness knows what the Milky Way orbits and how long that takes. In time, the Atlantic will wear away the rocks in this post’s Featured Art. The setting sun will shine again. While Eleanor Roosevelt is credited with saying, “This too shall pass,” the phrase is three thousand years older. Legend says those words were offered to a Persian monarch who wanted wisdom that would be true in all situations. Abraham Lincoln told this story about joy and sadness, failure and achievement in 1859. So, how can life’s ups and downs be survived … more easily? Zig Ziglar suggested evenly distributing time given to jobs, spiritual and intellectual growth, friendships, family, financial planning and physical care using his Wheel of Life. Think of the circle below as a personal Wheel of Fortune rolling along life’s highways and byways. By staying centered, in the white hub, progress is possible without the ups and downs experienced on the rim. Eleanor’s Insights Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ These rocks featured in this post were photographed at Martha’s Vineyard. Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
Hit The High Spots
The more we simplify our material needs the more we are free to think of other things. – Eleanor Roosevelt One of my photography teachers said that images can be strengthened when they’re simplified. In looking for other ways to say Barry Lavery’s favorite phrase, ‘Less is more,” I found: Hit the high spots. Let sunlight in. Make clear. Veneta Lusk is a personal finance expert who’s learned how to live better with less so that her family is debt free, travels more and can focus on fun projects. Two of her ten tips are: BUY ONE, GIVE TWO. Example: if you see a shirt you really want, buy it and sell or donate two you already own. This rule not only helps reduce the stuff inside your home, it also means you must be pickier about what you buy and what you keep. LIMIT GIFT GIVING: Make a pact with loved ones to stop exchanging gifts. Focus on doing fun activities or sharing a meal. … Instead of buying your dad a golf club, take him to play a round of golf. Or instead of giving your sister a gift card, treat her to a spa or a massage. Read more Smart Money, Simple Life offers “50 Awesome Ways to Live Better on Less Money,” including: Line Dry Clothes. Once upon a time, that’s how laundry was done. Today, that reduces utility bills. [Inside, consider drying racks]. The 30-Day Challenge. To avoid impulse shopping, put desired items on a list with the date you were tempted to buy it. If the purchase makes sense after 30 days, purchase it! More Tips Chopra reminds that thoughts can also become cluttered. Here are ways to keep the mind clutter free: Sleep More [I really like this one] Schedule Time to Worry Enjoy Time in Nature Read more Succeed and Soar! Celebrate! Saturday, August 28, Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened. – Anatole France Okay. My soul may be awakened, but my heart still hurts. Last year, a Rainbow Bridge moment was part of a Wicca ceremony. I was gladdened to learn my pups Cindy and Lady could, so deservedly be frolicking and happy in that place. Click the image to learn more and view the lovely video. [Have a hanky handy.] Tuesday, August 31, Eat Outside Day Reasons to eat outside: Absorb vitamin D from the sun. Ease anxiety and depression. Exercise. Read more Eleanor’s Insights Collection Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
Life Well Lived #11: You Are Vital
We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained. – Marie Curie From time to time, I’ve heard wise people say that each of us arrives with one-of-a-kind gifts, a combination of qualities that no one who ever lived or who will ever be born can offer. What might that special ‘something’ be? Here are clues, a list of ten qualities that make everyone unique. What do you discover? Share what you learn. Reply. Comment below. Definitely view this week’s video.The 3-minute Story of Your Life presents a precious insight into why where we place ourselves is important. Petition to Build Statue in Chadwick Boseman’s Hometown During Black Panther‘s opening weekend, a friend who dined with me after the movie had to tell me about Chadwick Boseman and his film career. In the week following his death, the world has come to know him as more than a gifted actor but a caring, compassionate human being … a great role model. When I signed the petition to move a Confederate monument to a museum and replace it with one honoring Boseman, my number was 44,485. Then, the goal was 50,000 signatures. Now, they’re close to 75,000. For more information and to sign the petition, click here. * Tales from The Dream Zone & “Wishes”Tales from The Dream Zone is Flying Ketchup Press’ second anthology. This collection of weird and wonderful stories is inspired by remembered or imagined dreams. “Wishes,” my short story about a magic coin debuts in this collection. Copies of this beautifully illustrated book are $12.99. Sandra’s Special, Limited-Time Offer Receive unlimited, personally-autographed copies on single orders, to one US address for $5 shipping & handling. Request here. * Win National Novel Writing Month In 2019, nearly a half million people started National Novel Writing Month, determined to build at least 50,000 words into the start of a book-length story. A few succeeded. Far more important than piling up words is producing useful material. This Pennwriters workshop will use October to launch a fabulous writing adventure at midnight, Halloween night while winning the word-count challenge.Join me. I’m a NaNoWriMo winner and learned a lot along the way. Course Info * OMAZE Would you like to win a Mercedes Benz camper with an added $60,000 in customizations? How about watching the Monaco Grand Prix with Danica Patrick or cooking with chefs Emeril Lagasse and Aaron Sanchez [a Chopped judge] in New Orleans? These fabulous opportunities and more can be yours for as little as $10. Omaze raises money for great causes by offering fabulous opportunities. Their motto: Good things come to those who give. Visit OMAZE. Labor Day Weekend Deliciousness Interested in some cocktails and mocktails to toast the end of summer? How about a juicy peach crisp or some no-bake desserts? Click here for recipes. * This Week’s Special Offer Each week, my Featured Art is offered at 25% off [plus any discounts offered by my Galleries]. Shop here. Thank you for visiting my galleries and for your purchases. They support Succeed and Soar. NOTE The original was shot with a Nikon Coolpix camera. The jpg was “developed” in Adobe Photoshop Elements 14.