Favorite Song: Where is the Love?

My youngest son was doing a survey of some sort as part of an assignment in his class. So he asked me what my favorite song is.  I had to take a minute because I have SO many favorite songs & they change constantly since I love Pop Songs & listen to the radio regularly. After a minute I chose "Where is the Love" by the Black Eyed Peas. It sums up so much about the world and the endless struggles for everyone to just be kind to one another. As I see people I care about deal with bullying and add my own experiences & encounters with unkind people, I find some comfort in a song that seems to know how I feel. Where is the Love, y'all??  

Here are the Lyrics:
What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek


Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'
in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)

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Time for a Reading Break!

No matter what is going on in my life, I love taking the time to escape in a story-filled novel: romance, comedy, mystery or Sci-Fi. Here are my next three recommendations.

Cinnamon Toasted by Gail Oust


This is a humorous murder/mystery story starring 40-ish divorcee Piper Prescott.  She’s sassy & charming and totally relatable.  Through no fault of her own, she always finds herself in sticky situations like finding dead bodies and feeling obligated to solve crimes.  I mean, what’s a girl suppose to do, allow her mother-in-law to be convicted of a crime she didn’t commit?  The story is engaging & funny and I enjoyed it.  Warning: sweets and treats are mentioned often and it's highly possible you might get a craving.  Also, cool recipes can be found at the end of the book. 

 Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts


I couldn’t help but remember my own wedding while reading this book: all the details, the stresses, & ultimately the excitement of spending the rest of my future with a man I adore & love.  How much easier would my wedding process have been if I’d had a “Vows” team running the show.  Led by Parker, Mac, Emma & Laurel form a team to cover all the facets of a wedding: the photos, the flowers, the cake & all the details in between.  All three characters  have found their mates except for Parker.  This is her & Malcom’s story.  Read about the other girls in the Bride Quartet Series: “Vision in White”, “Bed of Roses” and “Savor the Moment”.

 In Search of a Love Story by Rachel Schurig

Emily feels she’s at a crossroads with her romantic life.  After a bad break-up, she allows her friends Ashley and Ryan to coach her using the elements of romance found in the most famous romantic books & movies.  She meets Greg in an unusual way & begins a relationship that seems like a story taken right out of those books & movies.  But is she being true to herself? It’s ultimately a story about a girl finding who she really is and coming into her own.  I couldn’t help but root for Emily.  Maybe you will too.  

Best way to avoid boredom is by reading...

I carry one around for sure. ☺

I may have been attached to a few of my favorite fictional characters. ☺

Please feel to share any book recommendations you have for me. My current "To Read" list is pretty long but I have no problem adding to it. ☺ Comment below or Tweet me.
 
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Bring On More Parenting Advice!

Why? Because one can never have enough! Well, at least that's my view and stance on the subject. I've received so much advice along the way on my journey of parenthood & I've learned to embrace everything I've been told: good or bad, agree or disagree. I've taken what I've found useful and implemented them in our lives, and I've tucked away the "other" advice for reference (because sometimes what NOT to do is important information too). Then the journey itself lends experience & gives credibility to dole out my own advice to "first-timers" and fellow parents. Parenting is all about learning along the way, making mistakes (if you're seeking perfection, being a parent is not the road to take), dusting oneself off & moving forward.

6 Habits of Highly Effective Parents

• Talk to your kids: "Average conversation length strongly correlates with children's IQ's and reading ability." 
• Read to your kids: "Studies show that children whose parents read to them for at least 20 minutes a day are as much as a grade level ahead of other kids by the age of 15." 
• Let your kids play: "Play fosters executive function skills....enhanced working memory, reasoning, task flexibility, problem solving and the ability to self regulate." 
• Limit your kids' TV time: "TV overloads the visual part of the brain, destroying creativity."
• Foster the little artist: "Creativity is as much the confidence to create as the skills to be a creator". 
• Snuggle up to your kids: "Touching, rocking, talking, smiling, and singing are nourishment for young children, laying the foundation for a healthy and well developed brain." 

Wait, are these lessons for my kids, or for me?

Lessons for my Kids: here are my personal favorites:

• Trust your gut, both good and bad.
• Take chances that won't hurt yourself or others.
• Learn to make people laugh without making anyone cry. 
• Remember how good your life is.
• Admit to your mistakes.
• Absorb the lessons you learn the hard way.
• Don't make it hard for others to make you happy.
• Someone always has to lose. Sometimes it will be you. Don't whine about it; learn from it.
• Stand up to bullies by being smart and kind.
• Learn tact.
• Be the kind of person your mom always knew you could be. (My boys are & I'm SO proud of them). 

And here's some possibly valuable advice: Saying These 8 Things to Your Kid(s) Every Day Could Change Their Life:

• Try it: "It’s a big, beautiful world out there, and your child should grasp every opportunity to delight in it!"
• It's your choice: "Giving your child choices to make even early on in life will instill confidence in themselves."
• You are safe and loved:  "While ensuring their safety and happiness is always the goal as a parent, verbalizing it every once in a while shows how much they are valued, and reassures them of their security."
• You make me happy:  "...make a point to let your child know how happy they make you, and how you couldn’t imagine a life without them."
• I trust and believe in you:  "Your words can build them up or tear them down, and either way, eventually your kids will grow up find their place in the world. Don’t you want to be the one who gave them their wings?"
• Have a great day, don't forget who you are: "It’s never too early to help build your child’s identity, and help them figure out what values to hold on to."
• Mistakes happen:  "...more productive to teach your kids that mistakes happen, and it’s how we deal with them that matters."
• I love you: Of course you should tell your kids this. ☺ 

Be that Parent!

Yes being a parent can be difficult and challenging, but it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences in one's life. Embrace all that is good, learn from your own mistakes & the mistakes of others & enjoy all the wonderful moments & memories!!!  Happy Parenting!!!
❤️‍❤️‍❤️‍❤️‍
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Nature Valley Breakfast Biscuits: A Product Review

Ready to try some Nature Valley Breakfast Biscuits!

Special thanks to Vons Just For You  for the complimentary Nature Valley Breakfast Biscuits Peanut Butter Flavor. Although the product was given to me as a special offer & free of charge, all thoughts & opinions are genuine & entirely my own. 

Our family is very familiar with Nature Valley products--most notably the granola bars, protein bars, & nut bars. It isn't unusual for the boys to have a variety of their products in their snack bags at school or in my purse when we're traveling and/or out & about. So when we were given the Breakfast Biscuits to sample, it wasn't an out-of-the-box assignment. 

• Convenience: They come individually wrapped in varying box quantities (typically 5 in a box), ready to eat right at your breakfast table or when necessary, on-the-go. There really isn't anything much more convenient than that. 

• Taste: It's pretty much like eating a crispy peanut butter cookie so if you like that, definitely give this product a try. There was a consensus in our family that although tasty, it does make your mouth & throat dry so drink some milk or coffee with it--after all, it is a breakfast biscuit. I served the boys a small bowl of cereal to go with it & they were ready & fueled for school. 

Nutrition information

I'd love to hear what you think of the product. Comment below or Tweet me.

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Seeking a Successful Happy Life?

Is there a secret to a successful happy life? Are there steps one can take to achieve their highest level of happiness? Let's turn to the experts/articles written about this very subject....

In the article 8 Things Successful People Do Before 8a.m., success starts in the habits one has at the start of one's day. It suggests humans are the most productive in the early morning hours & one can accomplish more in a day by starting out early. The top 8 things you can do to motivate you in the morning towards a successful life are as follows:

• Move your body: "kickstart your productivity with a big hit of endorphins"
• Meditate: "reset the mind and create space for open thought and creativity later on"
• Eat something & hydrate: "A nourished, hydrated physical self will be less stressed, less tense and more focused throughout the day."
• Stay positive, set goals, & speak intentions: "leads to more gratitude, more openness, and more satisfaction with the little things"
• Strategize: "Using your morning hours to map out your day will help you stay on track and well prioritized."
• Tackle the tough task first: "Focusing instead on the largest task at hand, and committing to getting it done early, will free up mental bandwidth and improve your mood."
• Create a ritual: "Having something consistent and predictable to look forward to in the morning...is tremendously calming."
• Get up an hour earlier: "The biggest hindrance to a productive morning is the snooze button."

In the article A Harvard Psychiatrist Says 3 Things are the Secret to Real Happiness, researchers followed a selection of white men for 75 years, surveyed their life & monitored their physical health every 5 years to come up with what they concluded are the top 3 keys to happiness.

• Close relationships: "being closer to their family, friends, or community tended to be happier and healthier than their less social counterparts"
• Quality (not quantity) of relationships:  "the number of relationships people had was, in fact, more important for people in their 20s, but the quality of relationships had a bigger effect on social and psychological well being when people were in their 30s."
• Stable, supportive marriages(relationships): "people who fared the best were the people who leaned in to relationships, with family, with friends, with community"

In the blog 5 Ways to Have a Ridiculously Amazing Life by Richelle Morgan, the writer takes us on a quick journey on her own self-discovery. She steps away from the blame game & decides to figure out what she can do for herself to live a ridiculously amazing life. And since we're all seeking that enlightenment, here are her top 5:

• Move: "You have to get up and get your ass moving! Get the blood flowing, muscles fired up and the energy levels inspired. And the million excuses you have will come up, shelf them. If you can walk to the fridge, you can move."
• Check in and take notice: "Start by checking in and paying attention to the little things that happen on a daily basis....open your eyes, ears and mind. Rediscover your senses."
• Love: "Get the love juice flowing for your friends, family, partner and pets...Be kind and nourishing to yourself in deliciously healthy ways because when we start to treat ourselves as though we are worthy, we set amazing things in motion."
• Play: "Be silly, dance, sing and laugh a lot. Don’t let anyone dampen your silliness."
• Leap outside your comfort zone:  "...embraced every experience as an opportunity to spread my wings and grow....When you step outside your comfort zone and try new things, visit new places, create new adventures, you give back to yourself ten fold..."

In the article, 8 Things Happy People Do Every Morning, it suggests that happy people enjoy their mornings & create rituals that allow them to face their day with joy & purpose. Here they are:

• They wake up with a sense of gratitude: "This means that they're truly appreciative of their life and all of its little treasures."
• They begin anew each and every morning: "Individuals who aren't ruined by one bad day are resilient creatures. Resiliency is a telltale sign of having purpose and happiness." 
• They take part in prayer, affirmation, or meditation: "Prayer is a way of connecting and giving thanks for our creator. Meditation helps keep our mind focused, calms our nerves and supports inner peace. Happy people even use affirmations to declare how their day will go."
• They read: "...stretch and grow their insight and knowledge..." 
• They keep things simple and don't rush out the door:  "A simple routine limits any multitasking that most people do in the morning to ensure that they make it to work on time. Multitasking may create stress and anxiety and steal your peace during your first waking hours." 
• They exercise: "Exercise boosts levels of health-promoting brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which may help buffer some of the effects of stress and also relieve some symptoms of depression."
• They get some fresh air:  "...they breath in the crisp morning air, which promotes a sense of vitality." 
• They savor the beauty of their surroundings and practice being present in the moment:  "...taking the time to appreciate their environment can be invigorating and gets folks excited about their day. Being present connects and grounds them to what is really important in the moment."

Finally, 13 Pearls of Wisdom for a Successful Life, examines the best advice to hand out to people seeking a purpose for their life. Some have already been mentioned in the previous articles. Here is their list:

• Read: "You'll do many things you may regret, but you will never ever regret spending time reading."
• Accept uncertainty:  "There's uncertainty to everything; the sooner you can embrace that, the sooner you'll be able to leverage it."
• Agree: "Stop arguing, stop trying to control every scenario, stop trying to prove yourself right. You'll never change anyone's opinion through argument, and no one will remember if you're right."
• Be curious:  "Foster your curiosity, and it will lead you to amazing places."
• Be open minded:  "The opinions you hold with absolute conviction may be very different in a few years. Don't let those opinions get in the way of meeting people and experiencing things."
• Learn from adversity:  "...either see it as an obstacle or focus on what you can learn and how you can grow from the experience."
• Foster the growth mindset: Here's a video that better illustrates this concept. 

• Get out of your comfort zone: "If you stay within your limits, you'll never know what you're capable of."
• Don't hold onto the wrong things:  "Grudges, anger, opinions. Let them go, quickly."
• Travel:  "Get out and explore."
• Don't wait for the right time or the right thing to say:  "Most of the time if you wait for the right time, you'll be too late. Those who win in the world are the ones who speak up and take immediate action."  
• Don't look for the perfect scenarios, partner or job:  "Focus on the motivation behind that scenario rather than that goal."
•  Provide value in the world: "Money and success are important, but focus on creating value in the world first."

 And always remember, success & happiness are based on one's personal definition.  People automatically equate success to income level. Others consider success combining your passions with a steady income. And some consider success a combination of everything. And happiness often comes with success, but maybe not always?  Again, it all depends on the individual.  But life is about seeking that wholeness, that completeness. Best wishes on your journey!

Complicated & simple all at the same time! ☺