Make Me Think Monday Archives - Page 25 of 35

11 01, 2016

Challenges, not resolutions

By judythemorgan|2016-01-11T08:29:02-06:00January 11th, 2016|Make Me Think Monday|2 Comments

January blogs, tweets, and Facebook posts are overloaded with advice and suggestions for resolutions and ways to achieve your goals for New Year. I’m going to join the crowd, but with a twist.

I’m not calling these resolutions because a whopping 80% of us fail within the first thirty days when we make resolutions.

There are three hundred and fifty-five days left in 2016 so I’m challenging you to pick one or more of the four suggestions below. Suggestions that I think you will find easily achievable, unlike resolutions.

~Learn one new thing

I read that Steve Jobs studied calligraphy for the beauty and artistry of the technique. Jobs admitted calligraphy wasn’t the most pragmatic thing he’d ever done Yet his calligraphy experience deeply influenced his design work at Apple.

So what new thing peaks your curiosity? Give it a try. Whatever your thing is doesn’t have to be practical or even useful. Point is learning something totally new might lead you down paths you never dreamed.

~Volunteer

Preferably on a project outside your comfort zone.

Maybe assist at the local food bank, mentor at your neighborhood elementary school, be a timer for Special Olympics, serve at a soup kitchen, or read to a senior citizen. You’ll meet new people, learn about areas outside your expertise, and, I’m quite sure, discover insights about yourself.

~Read 3 books

No stipulations about length or titles, fiction or non-fiction. Browse your favorite independent bookstore, hop on Amazon, or get a free library card. I think you’ll discover the choices are endless.

Personally, I recommend a classic, a fiction genre you don’t always read, and a non-fiction, but whatever your selections, choose ones that will make you think or inspire you. You might just rekindle a long-lost love of reading or discover a newfound one.

~Schedule One Unplugged Weekend

Technology rules our lives. I get it. Cell phones are an outgrowth of our hands. We’re constantly logged on, tuned in, 24/7. All that being on line can lead to burnout.

Step away from your devices for one entire weekend. I think you’ll find, technology free time will stave off exhaustion, and most likely lead to a creative and more energized you.

These are only suggestions. If you accept my challenge, I believe you can change you and your world.

Let me know how you do.

5 01, 2016

How are your 2016 resolutions coming along?

By judythemorgan|2016-01-04T00:07:28-06:00January 5th, 2016|Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

We’re four days into the New Year. If you’re like me, I suspect you’ve broken one or more of the resolutions you made for this year.

It happens. Good intentions slide, pushed aside by reality and unrealistic expectations.

What happens next is discouragement. Our mindset becomes I can’t and we set aside our goals. We give up.

That’s so sad and not the correct response, in my opinion. Let me tell you why I think that way.

Recently my youngest daughter shared her Elsie Joy’s goal tracker sheet from 2015 on Instagram. Every day my daughter had marked her goal progress on the tracking sheet. On December 31st she did the math and found she’d hit her goal 93.15% of the time. For someone who works full time in a high tech position that requires lots of travel, scrapbooks, blogs, and corrals three active teenagers and a special needs dog. That’s a remarkable result!

So why was my daughter so successful? I believe there are two reasons:
First, she applied Elise Joy’s principle of “Big Things Happen One Day at a Time.”

Second, when she missed a day to bubble in one of her circles, she blew it off and let it go.

I’m big on accountability and goals. I’ve always set yearly goals and charted the methods I’d use to accomplish those goals. I blogged about my process here.

This year I’m adding a goal sheet like my daughter’s as a handy visual to chart my success. Seeing those circles bubbled will encourage.

Looking bare right now, but 2016 just started. Yes, you’ll also notice there are already days I’ve missed for one of my goals.

That’s okay. Tomorrow is a new day.

Btw, I get no kickback from Elsie Joy. I just happened to believe her chart is a great way to stay on target for our New Years’ resolutions. Check out her website for other goal setting tools.

Or, create your own chart design if you want. But most of all, I hope you forget about the broken resolutions and give those resolutions another try.

21 12, 2015

One piano scale, timeless good news

By judythemorgan|2015-12-18T12:00:48-06:00December 21st, 2015|Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

In just 2 minutes and 46 seconds, this video from Igniter Media and narrated by Willie Minor sums up the reason for the season using a simple basic scale.

I never heard this from my piano teachers, but what a great lesson to share.

7 12, 2015

My Holiday Paradox… I hate this part!

By judythemorgan|2015-12-06T17:37:20-06:00December 7th, 2015|Make Me Think Monday|2 Comments

Christmas is always such a paradox for me.

I love it, but hate so much that goes with the season like the decorating, the baking, the Christmas cards, the parties, the gift shopping… you get the idea. And, most of all, I hate the rushing to get everything done. I want to wiggle my nose like Samantha from the Bewitched TV series of the sixties and seventies and have all the preparations done.

At the same time, I miss all the falderol after years of not decking the halls. Why did we stop decorating, baking, and partying? Several reasons…

Last year I broke my right wrist at Thanksgiving and had surgery, so not much Christmas happened last year.

Before that, we were only at our cabin for December so it seemed pointless to decorate or bake at either the Colorado place or our Texas home, which meant three years of not much Christmas spirit around either homestead.

When we made the decision to move permanently to Colorado and put the Texas house up for sale, the Realtor said no Christmas decorations. We took her advice and celebrated the holiday sans decorations and homemade holiday treats instead we went to relatives’ homes during the season.

Our move and remodel/addition consumed two more years of no decorating, baking, etc. We always had a tree, though. Our son-in-law hiked up into the forest behind our house and cut one.

This year, we vowed to change what was becoming a trend of a minimalist holiday celebration. It is time to get back into the holiday spirit.

I donned my “I hate this part.” tee shirt, gathered all the red and green plastic containers filled with years of holiday decorations, played Christmas music from satellite radio, and begin the arduous task of making the house festive.

Then the part of Christmas that I love came rushing back…

Every ornament and all the decorations whispered a story. Memories brought smiles as we hung ornaments and added touches of Christmas to all the rooms in the house. We went slowly, taking time to relish each and every precious memory.

Seeing the house transform into a winter wonderland inspired my husband to make his famous Chex Mix. Familiar scents from that holiday favorite spurred plans for other traditions like his pralines and fudge.

I’m also planning to bake Christmas cookies for the first time in years. I’ve even started practicing Christmas carols.

We had helpers, who reminded us of Christmases past when our adult children were toddlers fascinated by the sights, the sounds, and the smells of the season.

It’s fun seeing all the familiar Christmas things again. We’re truly pumped about our celebration this year and refuse to allow even the tiniest thought about what has to be done to undo after New Year’s Day.

What about you? Do you have an “I hate this part.” of the season? If not, what’s your most favorite part of your holiday season?

23 11, 2015

Thanksgiving Thanks

By judythemorgan|2015-11-21T14:26:22-06:00November 23rd, 2015|Make Me Think Monday|2 Comments

If you live in the United States, you’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving Day soon.

We Americans began celebrating the day during the Civil War when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

Since 1924, many of us spend the day watching New York City’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or football. The National Football League has been broadcasting games since its inception in 1920. And, of course, there are always the collegiate teams to cheer for. Around our house, timing of our Thanksgiving Day meal is based on when the University of Texas Longhorns play.

Things today are different from that first Pilgrim Thanksgiving feast in the early autumn of 1621. What hasn’t change is the basis for Thanksgiving. We still pause on this day to give thanks for our blessings.

While I believe an attitude of gratitude should be an everyday occurrence, this Thanksgiving I am reminded of my many blessings:

A loving husband (who’s the hero model for my novels)

Family and friends (far and near)

My pets (who brighten every day)

Most especially you, my readers

If you are traveling this Thanksgiving Day, I wish you Godspeed. Our weather forecast for here in the mountains of Colorado is for snow on Thanksgiving Day, which will make a perfect day for those who ski or like to watch football games.

Me, I’m not that crazy about football or skiing. I’ll be cozied next to the fireplace reading.

If you have a Kindle, you can be reading too. Pick up a copy of my latest release. It’s my special Thanksgiving Thank you for you.

When Love Returns for KINDLE: http://amzn.to/1My5CeW WLR free v.2

2 11, 2015

Time to De-Stress, Re-group, and Re-focus

By judythemorgan|2015-10-08T14:42:06-05:00November 2nd, 2015|Make Me Think Monday|3 Comments

SOURCE: http://quotesgram.com/time-to-refocus-my-life-quotes/

Halloween was Saturday, which means whatever calm and order existed in our personal worlds will soon disappear into preparations for the coming holidays.

Don’t get me wrong. The holidays are my favorite time of year.

At the same time I dread them because the days been Halloween and New Year’s Day can be so overwhelming.

Plus, this year I have a new writing project due by the end of the year—When Love Trusts, Book three in the Fitzpatrick Family series.

Because Chicken Wrangler Sara and I want to enjoy the holidays with our families, and hopefully reduce our stress, we will be taking turns posting blogs once a week instead of our two individual blogs each week. This plan worked well last holiday season and we’re counting on it working again this year.

What will you be doing to de-stress, re-group, and re-focus during this holiday season?

Need ideas? Check out these articles at Huffington Post and WebMD

26 10, 2015

Editing? 24 Commonly Misspelled Words to Check

By judythemorgan|2015-10-08T14:40:04-05:00October 26th, 2015|Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

Last week, I discussed how using a wrong word could make readers cringe. Read that post here. Today we’re looking at the problem of misspelled words.

Word processors, phones, and pads/tablets have spell checker apps and most word processors offer an auto correct feature to assist in editing. Still, misspellings slip into our writing and Social Media posts. When that happens our readers can think we aren’t trying to write well or do sloppy editing.

Truth is, most of us struggle with all the confusing words in the English language that are exceptions to spelling rules. Spelling bee champions seemed to be the only ones who can whiz through words most of us couldn’t even look up in the dictionary.

Check out this sentence and see how many words you can find misspelled. (HINT: There are a lot.) Ignore the fact the sentence does not make sense. We’re looking for spelling/misuse errors.

You’re acknowlegment of my atempt to accomodate enough wierd camoflage equiptment just shows a concensus would only inadvertantly embarass any seperate liason by the comittee in trying to guage an miniscule withdrawl.

Did you find fourteen spelling mistakes? What about the grammatical errors? There are some tricky English words whose spelling you just have to learn.

Here’s a list of twenty-four most commonly misspelled words that make me crazy. Should you want to see longer lists of the most commonly misspelled words in English, check here or here.

accommodate 13. consensus
acknowledgement 14. argument
commitment 15. deductible
dependent 16. embarrass
harass 17. liaison
separate 18. withdrawal
equipment 19. gauge
lightning 20. minuscule
achieve 21. committee
definitely 22. surprise
weird 23. camouflage
existence 24. privilege

Most spell checkers should catch these for you. Maybe not.

Consider the possessive adjective Its vs the contraction it’s. Too often my spell checker in Word advises me to write “it’s” when the context calls for its.

You shouldn’t rely on your grammar/spell checkers. I highly recommend mastering correct spellings of troublesome words yourself just to be sure.

19 10, 2015

Using the Wrong Word Can Make a Reader Cringe

By judythemorgan|2015-10-04T20:09:46-05:00October 19th, 2015|Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

Have you ever used to instead of too, its instead it’s, or they’re in place of their? You are not alone.

Sometimes such word errors are simple mistakes.

Other times our mistake is because English has so many confusing words that look alike, sound alike or, worse yet, look and sound alike yet have different meanings. Then there are other words that look and sound different but are similar in meaning. It’s no wonder we make mistakes.

Unfortunately, when we misuse words, our readers cringe. That’s not a good thing.

Check out this infographic for the ten most commonly misused words.

Infographic-Confused-words-and-used-mistakes

SOURCE: http://gohunters.com/blog/commonly-confused-words/

You’ll find a complete list of commonly misused words here. What would you add to the list?

12 10, 2015

GRAMMAR GURU or GRAMMAR POLICE?

By judythemorgan|2015-10-04T20:09:02-05:00October 12th, 2015|Make Me Think Monday|2 Comments

Me, I’m neither a grammar guru or a grammar policeman. I haven’t the linguistic knowledge to recognize every error or the guts to call someone out for fear I’d be incorrect.

Some people correct others’ grammar during casual conversation or on social media (especially FB) while remaining oblivious to why people find the habit annoying. From their perspective, they’re only helping.

No matter how you go about correcting someone’s English, unless you are a teacher grading a student’s work or a copy editor, you can come off as acting superior aka a Grammar Nazi.

The Urban Dictionary defines a Grammar Nazi: One who uses proper grammar and spelling to subtly mock or deride those who do not; an exhibitor of grammatical superiority.

I’m not saying proper spelling and grammar aren’t important. Quite the contrary, proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation are very important.

However, consistently pointing out linguistic shortcomings to gain a twisted sense of superiority is very much like junior high put-downs. If the error offers no impediment to understanding, there’s no real reason to give unsolicited correction.

My recommendation, if you tend toward these Grammar Nazis tendencies, is to resist the urge to fix. It’s not attractive when you publicly shame people for grammatical gaffes in conversation or typos in social media. On the other hand, if you are the aforementioned teacher or copy editor, by all means, mark every error you find and provide the proper form.

While I’m saddened by the increased loosening of rules where grammatical errors are accepted in social, public communication in society, especially when it applies to public forums and social media, I’m not about to become a Grammar Nazi. I make too many errors myself.

I will admit to having certain pet peeves where spelling, grammar, and punctuation are concerned. I’ll be sharing those in blogs over the next few weeks.

What about you? Are you a grammar purist or a police officer when you read or hear a grammatical errors?

5 10, 2015

Fall’s Color Change

By judythemorgan|2015-10-04T20:34:43-05:00October 5th, 2015|Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

I spent two weeks in Ireland last month. The timing was troublesome because I truly love watching summer give way to fall here in the Rio Grande Forest.

Actually, I dearly love everything about this time of year…the way the shadows lengthen and the crispness that fills the air replacing the warmth of summer days.

Ireland had fall color and it was lovely, but I fretted that my time there would mean I’d miss my most favorite season in the Colorado mountains. On the other hand, I was not willing to forfeit an opportunity to spend time in my beloved Ireland.

I truly panicked when the leaves in the higher elevations began to show their shades of yellow, red, and orange early this year. I knew for sure the color change in my little mountain town would be over by the time I returned.

Much to my delight the Aspen trees waited for me! I was blessed to return to green leaves that are just now slowly changing.

Every day since my return I walk Toby and Buster or sit on the porch sipping tea and say with Emily Bronte… How about you? Do you enjoy the shift from summer to fall as much as I do? Is Mother Nature showering you with her color displays this fall?