From our family to yours... Happy Thanksgiving!

From our family to yours... Happy Thanksgiving! 

No matter what you are doing and who you're with, cherish the moment. Find joy in the little things and yes, that includes pie. 

We're thankful for each of you. You make us laugh, smile, tear up and even cry. You motivate us to improve ourselves and to even laugh at ourselves. 

THANK YOU!

Share your smile with the world

Share your smile with the world. It's a symbol of friendship and peace. -- Christie Brinkley

I have a life motto: Keep Smiling!  

It works wonders for dealing with life's ups and downs.  You can't feel depressed when you are smiling.

Don't believe me?  Go ahead and smile genuinely for a full 60 seconds.  I'll wait here while you do it.

See?  You can't feel down when you are smiling!

Whenever I feel depressed, sad, angry, mad or frustrated, I start smiling.  Before I know it, those feelings are gone, and I am happy again.

The world needs more smiling faces.  Will you join me and smile more?  

You have such a beautiful smile and it will change your outlook on life.

MRS N

When the odds are stacked against you...

When the odds are stacked against you, do you crumble or do you succeed?

The 107th Grey Cup took place last night. I'm a huge fan of the CFL and a proud Hamilton Ti-Cats fan. The Ti-Cats were the odds-on favorite to win, is the most balanced team with the best record in the CFL.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers had the Defensive Player of the Year, a quarterback who was a recent addition not more than five weeks ago and a good core of players. Good, not great. Did that stop the Blue Bombers? Did they barely show up to the game? Heck no! The Blue Bombers dominated the game on all three sides. They played smashmouth football and beat the best team in the CFL. After a 29 year Grey Cup win drought, they won.

I was so moved by the emotion pouring out of the Winnipeg players. They never gave up. They disrupted the Hamilton QB all game. They took advantage of opportunities. They crushed their opponent. One of the players (can't remember who) said this:

"I came from the bottom. I worked hard. I rose to the top. Never give up."

What a bold statement and one that can be applied to each of us. We all deal with strife, critics stacking the odds against us. The difference between those who succeed and those who don't can be summed up with these words: never give up.

Congratulations to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers! You are champions and I'm proud of you!

MRS N

Be a beacon of light for those in the dark

Use your knowledge, and your heart, to stand up for those who can't stand, speak for those who can't speak, be a beacon of light for those whose lives have become dark. -- Julie Andrews

We all carry the Light.  The question of the day for you is what do you do with that Light?  Do you let it shine brightly or do you hide it?  Do you use the Light within you to help people or do you hide it and keep it to yourself?

I carry the Light and shine it brightly for the world to see.  By doing that, I can not only be myself but to help others.  I smile at people, I offer encouragement when needed and offer to help whenever possible.

There are so many people in this world who are suffering in darkness.  They are not thousands of miles away.  They could be your neighbor, a family member, a friend, or the cashier at the grocery store.  Will you shine your Light and help them?

Today I ask you to be a beacon of Light.  Help someone.  You may be exactly what they need to get them out of the darkness.

MRS N

Organizing for the holidays... #Thanksgiving

Organizing ahead of time makes the work more enjoyable. Chefs cut up the onions and have the ingredients lined up ahead of time and have them ready to go. When everything is organized you can clean as you go and it makes everything so much easier and fun. -- Anne Burrell

Organization has been on my mind a lot over the past week.  In a few days, it is American Thanksgiving.  Eek!  So much to do and not enough time to do it in.

Are you struggling with organization too?  Do you try to get everything done and wind up running around like a chicken with your head cut off?

I found this quote and immediately felt calmer.  Breathe in, breathe out.  Exhale.  A plan is all we need.

Look at what you have to do today and organize your time with a plan.  Lists and sticky notes work best for me.  Make a list of what you must accomplish and then get it done one task at a time. 

We can do it!

MRS N

Be positive because the alternative is...

Don't see everyone's flaws. Don't listen to everything you're told. Don't speak if it's not kind. Always look for the good in people. Not everything is truth; Only speak words of kindness.

I get asked a lot, "How can you be so positive?"

I smile and say, "Because the alternative is worse."

Some people smile and know exactly what I mean.  Others scratch their head not understanding.

When I say the alternative is worse, I am referring to death.  I have lived a hard life and I have had a few close calls with death.  I am lucky to be alive.  THAT is what I mean.  The alternative is much much worse.

I love this quote.  It illustrates for me how easy it is to be kind and to live life positively.  So many people these days try to make life so complicated.  It doesn't have to be that way!  In fact, people make their lives more complicated.

The solution?  Be kind.  See the good in others.  Try to be good yourself.  Have a positive outlook.

Today, be aware of what is going on within you and around you.  Be kind to others.  Smile.  Be positive.  Write down your observations and see what happens when you are positive.

MRS N

Do you give generously?

We should be inspired by people... who show that human beings can be kind, brave, generous, beautiful, strong-even in the most difficult circumstances. -- Rachel Corrie

Do you give generously, not only to those you know and love, but to strangers too?

Read the above quote and ask yourself, "Am I that kind of person?"

When I first read this quote, I asked myself if that described me.  I hesitated and then admitted that sometimes I am not that person.  I strive to be generous and to give in every circumstance.  But there are other times when I turn into a small person.

Do you ever have that happen?  You are having a great day and are smiling and then life happens, and you are having the worst day ever?  

You snap at your kids, significant other, store cashier, etc.  In that instant, we are being small.

I think if we can give of ourselves no matter what is going on, we can make the world a better place.

I am making a pledge today to be a big person every day and to try to give of myself, no matter the circumstances.  Will you join me?

MRS N

What 5 funny things are you thankful for?

Nonsense wakes up the brain cells. And it helps develop a sense of humor, which is awfully important in this day and age. Humor has a tremendous place in this sordid world. It's more than just a matter of laughing. If you can see things out of whack, then you can see how things can be in whack. – Dr. Seuss

I'm thankful from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet for the ability to laugh at not only life, but myself.  Having a sense of humor is something that every person has.  We may laugh at different things or see the funny in different ways.  It is laughter all the same.

I love the above quote by one of my favorite people in the world, Dr. Seuss. Laughing is not only needed in this crazy world but it is healthy for your brain.

What do you laugh at?  Are you thankful for the ability to laugh at the world and yourself equally?  What are some of the things that you enjoy laughing at?

Here are 5 things I love to laugh at:

-The television series Corner Gas.  It is a story of a small town in a rural setting.  The wackiness of what happens makes me laugh so hard I fall out of my chair every time.

-Classic comedy shows of Robin Williams.  I have always loved him, and I laugh my head off.

-The movie, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, is one of those classic Thanksgiving movies that no matter how many times I watch it, I laugh my head off.  "Those aren't pillows!"

-Classic Disney cartoons.  I love Disney and the humor behind their antics makes me laugh every time.

-A fellow author posts weekly about everything humorous in life, including writing.  She makes me laugh so hard, nearby birds fly away when I burst out laughing.

What are your 5 funny things?  Give thanks for the ability to laugh and for the ability to see nonsense in everyday life.

MRS N

I'm thankful for... these 5 drinks

The optimist says the glass is half full. The pessimist says the glass is half empty. The project manager says the glass is twice as big as it needs to be. The realist says the glass contains half the required amount of liquid for it to overflow. – George Carlin

I got an email yesterday asking me if I was a glass half full or half empty kind of person.  I chuckled to myself and said aloud, "I'm a whatever works as long it is mine to drink".

Seriously, as a rule I am a glass half full person.  I tend to see things in a positive way.  No matter what is going on, I try to keep smiling. 

Let's look back at this quote.  I am thankful for the multitude of food and drink I have in my home.  Our pantry and refrigerator are full.  We have everything that we could possibly want or need.

I'm incredibly blessed while so many people in my city/town do not have enough food or drink.  I try to help the best I can by donating to the food bank and support services that help people get fed right here in my own back yard.

Here are 5 drinks that I am thankful for:

-I am thankful that I have clean drinking water pouring out of my faucet.  I do not have to worry about the chemicals killing me or that there will not be enough.  I do not have to walk miles and miles to the town well.

-I am thankful for diet pop/soda.  It is my favorite drink and I can afford to buy it.  It is bubbly and delicious!

-I am thankful for the juice I have every day.  It provides me the nutrients my body needs to operate at a premium level.

-I am thankful for hot chocolate.  There is nothing better in this world to drink than a yummy hot chocolate on a cold day.  It not only makes my tummy happy but the chocolate is delicious.

-I am thankful for the milk I drink every morning.  There was a time when I was lactose intolerant but luckily that has passed.  I love milk and it also provides my body with much needed nutrients.

What drinks are you thankful for?  Coffee?  Tea?  Water?  Pop?  Give thanks when you are drinking today and think about those people who do not have that luxury.

MRS N

When you're grateful, you unlock...

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. -- Melody Beattie

Read the above quote and then ask yourself the following question:

Am I living a full life?

My answer is a resounding YES!!!

I'm living life to the fullest and relishing every aspect of it.  I love the ups and the downs, the positive and the negative, the highs and the lows, the victories and the defeats.

A friend of mine gave me the above quote and it really clarified things for me.  

If you don't relish the obstacles/trials, then you cannot experience the joys of success!

That being said, here are 5 things that I am thankful for today:

-I'm eternally grateful for all of my incredible blog followers. I'm incredibly blessed, and I hope that this blog continues to inspire you.

-I am grateful for the love of baking and being able to create yummy treats for my family and friends. 

-I'm grateful for every rejection of my stories. With every rejection, it brought me closer to understanding being an Independent author was the best way to go.

-I'm grateful for all of my friends (you know who you are) who have supported me.  Your support and encouraging words uplift me and I love you all!

-I am grateful for my collection of books.  Whenever life gets tricky, I can escape to a whole new world through the power of books.

Have you unlocked the fullness of life?  What are you thankful for today?  Be grateful for everything in your life and you will discover what life has in store for you!

MRS N

What little things are you thankful for? #grateful

Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude. – A. A. Milne

Have you ever noticed that there are a lot of wonderfully small things in our world?  

Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, wildflowers, snowflakes, bubbles, blackberries and more.

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood.  The above quote illustrates little Piglet.  He is Winnie the Pooh's best friend and he is a little one.  He is smaller than the rest of his friends and sometimes he cannot do what they do.  He does, however, have a huge heart and he loves his friends more than anything else in the world.

The more I thought about this quote, the more I realized that we have a little bit of Piglet in each of us.  Even though we are small, we have a huge heart!  Why not give thanks for the little things in our lives today?

What little things are you thankful for?  

I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!!

Here are 5 little things I am thankful for today:

-I am thankful for the heavenly bed I sleep in every night.  I have the most restful sleep in my life on it.

-I am thankful that college basketball is in full swing.  I can see multiple games every week and it is the best way to relax.

-I am thankful for snowflakes softly falling outside my window.  It is an early snowfall and I love this time of the year.

-I am thankful for the bathtub I have in my bathroom.  I can soak my aching body and muscles today and every day.

-I am thankful for the yummy food and drink I eat today.  Not only does it taste wonderful, it is healthy for me and feeds my body with fuel.

We have so many wonderful things to be thankful and on some level, we are living our own version of Hundred Acre Wood.

MRS N

Mistakes are not failures... @NNP_W_Light

"To help yourself, you must be yourself. Be the best that you can be. When you make a mistake, learn from it, pick yourself up and move on." ~Dave Pelzer

There's nothing worse than someone pointing out a mistake you made. Feelings range from anger to shame to regret course through your body. How you react to your mistakes is what determines success or failure.

How do you react when you make a mistake?

I spent over seven hours creating our fifth annual Holiday Gift Guide yesterday. I worked my tail off. When it went live, I got an email from a client pointing out an error. I had forgotten to include her listing. My initial reaction was a slew of colorful language. Next came shame. I prayed my mistake didn't cost me her business. Then I gave myself a mental shake, dusted myself off and fixed the issue. I contacted the client offering my sincere apology, asking how I can make it right.

Instead of beating myself up, I accepted it for what it was and took responsibility. I didn't make excuses. I addressed the issue, made it right and moved on. 

We all make mistakes. It is what makes us human. If we were all perfect, wow, what a boring world that would be.

So, the next time you make a mistake, own it and make it right. Don't berate yourself. Instead accept your humanity and move on. 

MRS N

#LestWeForget: Honoring veterans on Remembrance Day

I want people to take the initiative to find veterans that need help, veterans that are suffering and in need of assistance reintegrating from combat back into society, into normal family lives and jobs. We need to take a real 'boots on the ground' approach to helping veterans in need. -- Max Martini

Veterans/Remembrance Day is a time to remember those brave men and women who have fought and died for our freedoms.  I want to thank each and every one of you.  You are so brave, and I thank you for your sacrifice.

Have you thanked a Veteran today?  

I urge you today to thank a veteran for their bravery and service.  All the freedoms you have are a direct result of them.  Do something kind for the vets.  Donate your money, time and energy to one of the many charities that support our troops. 

MRS N

Be proud of your accomplishments!

See how far you’ve come. Be proud of yourself. If nothing else, one day you can look someone straight in the eyes and say, “But I lived through it, and it made me who I am today.” 

There has been a lot of talk in social media lately about all the ways to improve yourself.  They offer advice, exercises and books on ways to be better.  I think that is fantastic if it's what your heart is telling you to do, then go for it.

But what if that is not what your heart is telling you?  

Think for a minute and ask yourself, When was the last time I was proud of myself?

Contrary to popular opinion, being proud of who you are and what you have been through is not a bad thing.  In fact, it is a way of loving yourself.

What have you done that deserves a pat on the back?  A project at work?  Getting good grades in school?  Landing a job after months of unemployment?  Starting a blog?

No matter what it is, be proud of yourself.  You have done a wonderful thing and you deserve a shiny purple star. Way to go you!

Today, take a moment and think of all the things you have done and all the things you have been through.  Then smile and give yourself a hug.  

MRS N

The magic of snow by @NNP_W_Light

Photo courtesy of Country Living Magazine

As I looked out my bedroom window this morning, snowflakes fell in quick succession. Ahh, the first snowfall... a magical event indeed. Watching the snow fall then cling to blades of grass, leaves in trees and roads makes me smile. Everything looks pretty and takes on a new identity. 

I love the first snowfall because it signals winter is on the way and with it comes my favorite holiday, Christmas. The first snowfall ushers in a sprinkling of magic and it's up to us to see it. What was once dirty and smelly instantly is cleansed and beautiful. Renewal is the word I think of when I see snow falling.

No matter where you live, embrace change and renewal. See the wonder and magic all around you. It's a brand new day and it's up to you to see your world for the enchanted place it is.

MRS N

Cherish every moment/person @NNP_W_Light

Carpe Diem.

Seize the day, in Latin.

This motto has been a foundation in my life for the past 30 years. The truth is, no one knows when this will be their last day on Earth. Life is short so make the most of it.

In that same vein, I think it's even more important to cherish every moment and person. 

I've had people come and go in my life. I'm filled with gratitude for what they brought to my life and what they taught me.

Today (and every day), take a moment and let the gratitude soak into your soul. Watch a sunset. Sit out on your porch/balcony and smell the outdoors. Bask in the glow of all the good in your life. Then go inside and hug your loved ones. Share your gratitude with those in your life (even your annoying co-worker/neighbor, for they're teaching you patience).

Cherish every moment and every person in your life, because you never know when it will be the last time you see someone.

I'm so thankful for each of you. Thank you for your undying support and for being a part of my life. 

MRS N

When the winds blow, have faith and give thanks

Good timber does not grow with ease: The stronger wind, the stronger trees; The further sky, the greater length; The more the storm, the more the strength. ~ Douglas Malloch 

When strong winds swirl around you, causing you to lose your footing, what do you do? 

It's a proven fact that when trees are saplings, the stronger the winds, the stronger the tree grows. It plunges its roots further in the soil providing an impenetrable foundation. 

It's the same way with people. Those who face brutal storms early in life are more likely to bounce back quicker than those who have escaped any kind of adversity. 

So the next time the winds blow, have faith and give thanks. It's nothing more than strength training for your life. Plunge your roots deep in the soil and hang on. The sun is soon to come out. 

MRS N 

Anyone can hold a grudge, but takes a person with character to forgive...

Anyone can hold a grudge, but takes a person with character to forgive. When you forgive, you release yourself from a painful burden. Forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened was okay, and it doesn’t mean that person should still be welcome in your life. It just means you have made peace with the pain, and are ready to let it go.

Are you holding onto a grudge?

Has a person wronged you and you're wishing bad things to happen to them?

I'm a big believer of forgiveness and I just discovered a new way to forgive.

Ask/Pray/Meditate for something good to happen to the person who wronged you.

I know it sounds crazy but here me out. When you put aside the pain and transfer your energy to blessing them, your soul heals. You let go of the boulder strapped across your back. You allow the Universe to take control and become the embodiment of unconditional love.

Does that mean what the person did was okay?

NO! In fact, I'm sure the Universe knows exactly what he/she did and will take the correct action.

But why would I want good things to happen to my enemy?

Deep in your heart, you know how exhausting it is to carry around all that pain. release yourself from it and move on.

I've tried this and it really works!

Forgiveness means you have made peace with the pain and are ready to let it go.

Be free!

MRS N

Letting go doesn't mean giving up...

Letting go doesn't mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things that cannot be.

Letting go is hard, especially when it's something that you have no control of.

A friend of mine (let's call her Lori) came to me with something that was troubling her.

... "and then she just up and stopped being my friend."

"What do you mean? Did she tell you she didn't want to be friends anymore?" I asked.

"No." Lori paused. "She has new friends now and doesn't return my calls, emails and breaks engagements on short notice."

"Oh." I thought about it for a minute. "Did you ask her about it? Maybe she's going through a rough time."

"She is and the kicker is that I have been there for her through it all. I've been so supportive. It just hurts, you know?"

"I know, sweetie, and I'm sorry you're going through such pain. But if she doesn't want to be your friend anymore, the best thing you can do is to just let go."

I hugged my friend, Lori.

Have you had this happen? I sure have. Friends have come and gone in my life. It's painful and it sucks. My first instinct is to make things right in any relationship, even if it is not my fault. I don't like conflict and I will try anything to bring back peace.

The reality is that when a relationship is over (whether it's on your end or the other person's end), you've got to just let go and move on. It doesn't mean that you stop loving that person. It doesn't mean that you're a failure. It just means that the person is no longer in your inner circle.

Lori is starting to let go and I'm glad. After time has passed, Lori will reflect on the happy times with her friend and see the benefit of letting go.

Look deep into your heart and ask yourself this question:

Have I let go of those people who have hurt me?

Letting go doesn't mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things that cannot be.

MRS N