catnipoflife

Observe life at its best, Listen to life’s songs, Embrace life’s bounties, Breathe the breath of life, Savor life to its fullest!

Awakenings: ‘Hooping’ Along

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This Day in History: March 05, 1963


The Hula-Hoop, a waist-, limbs-, neck-swiveling toy, became a huge fad across America when it was first marketed by Wham-O in 1958. On this day in history, March 05, 1963, the Hula-Hoop is officially patented by the company’s co-founder, Arthur “Spud” Melin. An estimated 25 million Hula-Hoops were sold in its first four months of production alone.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Ah-h-h! I remember it well. It meant enjoying time outdoors, thus leaving household chores behind either completed or to be tended to later.

See on www.awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Friends vs. Friendship

Piggies1

Piggies can be our friends!

During a lifetime, each person will encounter innumerable friends. They will come. They will go. Some will be remembered. Some won’t. Many will be real. Thousands will be virtual. Yet, we call them all ‘friends’. There is really no separation. Some we see. Some we don’t. These are our circle of friends.

What makes a person a friend? Can someone be called ‘friend’ yet not truly be a friend, only act friendly? Everyday conversation occurs during which someone will reply, “Oh, he’s my friend!” or “I know her. She is a friend of mine.” Has this happened to you? Have you ever paused in wonder as to what made you identify a person as a friend? Each of us will have different thoughts and answers to that question.

We have work-friends, buddy-friends, intellect-friends, fun-friends, the talker-friend and the listener-friend. There is the big brother or big sister and of course, the friend who is like a mom or dad. Some even earn our trust as we accept them into our hearts without question. Each plays a significant role in life.

Now turn to friendship. Any difference?

Friendship is a form of love, passionate in the sense of caring and understanding but not erotic. It is resting your head on someone’s shoulder and crying out of sheer happiness or sobbing uncontrollably in times of sorrow. It is that person holding you so tight you do not want him or her to let go for you are no longer capable of separating one person’s tears from the other. It is disagreeing and finding harmony in disagreement. Those are the personal lasting friendships.

Today, with the advancement of social networking, friendship does not get applied to many situations. The friends in this environment are acquaintances that people do not even know and probably will never know. Yet, comfort can still be found, it is simply within written communication, rather than in person.

Each of us can be a friend, associate with friends, and form lasting friendships. Those that last are the ones which we truly celebrate. In other words, a celebration of friendship is when you are not only told you have dirt on your face but your friend helps you clean up your mess! This is our blessing of friendship.

Angel of Friendship

friendship_angelstar-divider-lineA cloud floats from Heaven
To rest upon a shoulder
A soft, billowing pillow
Where an angel abides

Quietly, gently resting
‘Til needed to leaven
Heaviness like a boulder
Laying worries aside

Who is this angel?
Quintessence of loyalty
Bearer of charity
Who offers companionship…

Listener with quiet understanding
Sunbeam smiles radiating harmony,
A messenger of amity
Ensuring a lasting relationship

Who is this angel?
This angel is the angel of friendship

Echoes©2004 Echoes
Sharla Lee Shults


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Awakenings: Send a Hug to a GI!

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Today is…

National Hug a GI Day

Whether you send a hug, give a hug, or offer a handshake, one is just as important as the other! While today is set aside as a special day of celebration, don’t limit this one to just today. Show your appreciation for all who serve/have served in the military…today, tomorrow, everyday to come!

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

 Show your appreciation for all who serve/have served in the military…today, tomorrow, everyday to come!

See on www.awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: Vermont: Magical Landscapes of Green

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This Day in History: March 4, 1791

On March 4, 1791 Vermont became the 14th state as the politics of slavery threatened to divide the United States. Vermont’s nickname The Green Mountain State is a direct relationship to the Green Mountains mountain range, which runs south to north specifically within this U.S. state. It is home to many beautiful and natural wonders being truly one of those green magical places. Vermont is the leading producer of maple syrup in the U.S.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Find yourself, lose yourself, anything goes
Take off your shoes, exercise your toes
Run the hills, fields, everything in between
Bathe in the magical landscapes of green

See on www.awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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If Pets Had Thumbs

Cats-and-Dogs-Had-Opposable-Thumbs-Day1Have you ever thought about one fact that sets man apart from many other species on the planet is an opposable thumb? It allows us to do many things that other creatures can’t do. If you have ever injured your thumb, you have had a first hand experience as to what an important role that digit plays on the human hand.

Now imagine what it would be like if your pet had thumbs. Do you get a clear image of your pet with thumbs? Are you seeing your pet doing things with his/her new thumb? If so, your mind is in spirit with today.

Have a HAPPY ‘If Pets Had Thumbs Day’!

Note: If you have a pet monkey, you already know what it would be like for your pet to have thumbs. Hee-hee…

Thumbs

Here is a Thumbs Up for all pets today!

There is more going on today as always. Visit Awakenings for National Anthem Day!

usabutterfly

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It’s All About Character

Today is …

National Inconvenience Yourself Day

simple_dividerInconvenience_Yourself_DayThis day is not about inconveniencing others but taking a good look at what can happen when you take a few extra moments or steps that inconvenience yourself but help others. This unique holiday asks people to pause during their busy day looking for opportunities to do something nice for someone else, practicing common courtesy, or acknowledging the positive actions of others. Something that actually should come as natural as breathing but unfortunately has lost a lot of steam because people just don’t take the time or think only of themselves.

It doesn’t matter where we are or what we are doing, there is always someone somewhere watching. We should use our own actions to encourage others to pay attention to their actions, understand how those actions affect others, and adjust which actions have a negative impact on people they encounter. It’s all about paying forward a little inconvenience making it convenient for others!

Shopping_CartHere is a snapshot. Picture yourself in a hurry. You had to make a rush trip to the grocery store to pick up a needed item for dinner. You park your car and hurriedly head for the door. As you take a few steps away from your car you glance an aisle over and notice a shopping cart in the middle of the lot. An elderly lady had just struggled to step into her car with a couple of grocery bags in her arms.  She started to back up and just in time noticed the cart blocking her movement. Was it there the whole time? Did she just not see it? Did someone close to her leave it as she was getting into her own car? She sighed. Just as she was about to get out of her car to move the cart you intervene with a big smile as you walk a few car lengths out of your way to move the cart and return it where it belongs. What did you receive in return? The biggest smile ever of appreciation and gratitude. It doesn’t get better than that!

Today don’t be sorry for any inconvenience…turn your inconvenience into opportunity to help someone else! The concept is simple. The idea is embraceable. Think more about how your actions impact others . . . regardless of age.

Abigail-Van-Buren-quote

Check out what else is happening today @Awakenings…

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Awakenings: Another Nutty Celebration!

The Power of the Pistachio

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Today is…

The topic of nuts started yesterday, February 25 with its celebration being National Chocolate Covered Nut Day, aka National Chocolate Covered Peanut Day. This led to the Goober Pea Meets the Vendor.  How surprising to find that today continues with a different nut so we get to enjoy another nutty celebration and learn the power of the pistachio!

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Check out the recipes for Pistachio Ice Cream, Pistachio Cake and Pistachio Pudding Cupcakes! YUM-YUM-YUMMY!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Pet Pamperings

Today is…

Love Your Pet Day!
pawPrints
My name is Foxie. Do you have a treat for me?
Did you know that most households in the United States have at least
one pet? Approximately 39% of US households own at least one dog and
33% own at least one cat. Pets provide wonderful companionship and can
actually help decrease blood pressure and stress.

A little more to the right pur-r-r-r-r-eaze!

Today is the official day for pampering your pet with a little extra love and affection to show him or her just how much you care. Give your pet a favorite treat (maybe even 2, 3, more…), provide conversation with music in the background, buy your furry friend a new outfit (dogs, yes, cats, um-m-m-m?), groom away the tangled fur with extra attention around the ears, treat the ‘little’ guy or gal like a celebrity!

Thank you for my fur-tastic bed!

So whether you have a cat, dog, hamster, rabbit, bird, reptile, or goldfish, or any combination shower them all with love and affection today! Just curl up next to one (or more if you did not stop with only one) and make this an arf-fully, purr-fectly wonderful day.

How can it get any better than this?
 
Smile! Happy Love Your Pet
Day!
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Awakenings: Temporary Insanity Day

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Today isTemporary Insanity Day. NO! I am not kidding! Actually, that’s how the day made the calendar. February 19 is the first day a plea of temporary insanity was accepted as a plea in court.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Watch the video People doing the Most INSANE TRICKS EVER! Plus MORE…

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: Presidents’ Day 2014

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

What does Presidents’ Day mean to you? Do you have the day off from work? Are you seeking out the best deals and sales? Are you into Clothing and Accessories, Shoes and Purses, Home and Garden, Health and Well Being, Tech/Computers/Accessories? Slow down. . .actually, STOP!

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

My contribution is a video poem in honor of seven of Our Founding Fathers, many of whom went on to become President of the United State.

Featured @Awakenings…

See on www.awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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