SPARK on Monday

What is SPARKS?   Mondays are the start of a new week and why not start that week with a thought or message or reminder of the fact that Mondays set the tone for the week ahead – why not make it powerful.     That was the idea that Annie McGuffy of McGuffy’s Reader had when she began the SPARK posts a few years ago – before her blog was hacked and she stopped posting. We hope she will be back soon – we miss her but in her honor many of us have been carrying the SPARKS torch on Mondays.   Just something to make us stop and think – prepare us for facing a new day – and facing a holiday that will be here before you know it!   

The holidays are moving towards us so quickly…………..for some things in our lives, time seems to stand still but for others they rush toward us so swiftly they take our breath away!    I still feel like a kid when it comes to Christmas.   Christmas tunes make me smile ear to ear, putting up the tree and decorating the house make my heart happy.    But this year has been one of worry, disappointment, sadness, loss, uncertainty………….so many negative things that some of us may find it hard to get in the mood for a holiday.    We are just plain TIRED!!      I guess that’s why I found this SPARK “speaking to me” and maybe it will to you too?

These words sure are meaningful this year aren’t they.    Even though we may be tired and worn out from worry and concern and everything else – we can still REJOICE.    Hope is on the horizon and we can still get into the holiday spirit – it’s our reward for hanging tough.    This year the holiday means more to me – and my SOUL – than ever before.   How about you?

HUGS, Pam (and Teddy too)

SPARKS and Reminder

Monday!   You know what that means……………time for a thought to SPARK you into having a good week ahead.  What exactly IS this Monday SPARK thing we do?   Well, most of you know that Annie of McGuffy’s Reader – who started SPARKS – was hacked and has been on an extended break from blogging although her idea to spread some inspiration on Monday of every week goes on.   Many of us who participated in her SPARKS Blog Hop and found value in sharing a thought on Monday continue doing that to hopefully give each other a “Monday boost” – perhaps something to think about to inspire us in the week ahead OR help us deal with something that’s on our mind.    Why not join us by sharing something that SPARKS you?   It might just start a spark in us too.

My SPARK today is one of two that I REALLY love………..and this one is familiar to me and might be to you as well if you are a fan of Emily Dickinson:

Hope is the thing that we cling to sometimes to keep us from going under.    It’s always THERE – we just have to look for it, grab hold of it, and NEVER LET GO.     There are times that’s very hard to do but it serves us well if we can stay the course and HANG ON.

We can do this!   Love, Pam

The Professors at Ding Dong Sheep School wanted me to remind all of you who are students of their awesome Geography Study Group that tomorrow is TEASER TUESDAY.    You won’t know when to expect a notice that they are “calling things to order” in class – because it’s a different SURPRISE time every week but if you happen to get there right away after you see class has started you might win a badge for being FIRST and if you guess where the photo was taken you might win a badge for being RIGHT FIRST!   Oh the JOY you will feel at having beat the rest of the class to that honor!!!!    Yep – Teaser Tuesday is here tomorrow so be ready.

You don’t want to disappoint the Professors!

SPARK and Reminder

Monday is here again………………..and it’s time to SHARE A SPARK.  What exactly IS this Monday SPARK thing we do?   Well, most of you know that Annie of McGuffy’s Reader – who started SPARKS – was hacked and has been on an extended break from blogging although her idea to spread some inspiration on Monday of every week goes on.   Many of us who participated in her SPARKS Blog Hop and found value in sharing a thought on Monday continue doing that to hopefully give each other a “Monday boost” – perhaps something to think about to inspire us in the week ahead OR help us deal with something that’s on our mind.    Why not join us by sharing something that SPARKS you?   It might just start a spark in us too.

In these rather uncertain and crazy times with people stockpiling food and supplies thinking things are out of control – it’s important to remember to hang on to as much positivity as you can find around you.    It’s there if you look for it.   Neighbors helping neighbors or even strangers is one thing I’ve seen personally and it reminds me there is a lot of GOOD in our world.   It’s just a little worrisome for us right now……………..this SPARK was the one that I felt expressed how I personally feel.    I hope and pray that all of you stay healthy and that we all get through this together.

Maybe it seems a little too simple to be true but I do have faith………….things WILL get better.    I’m sure of it.

Hugs, Pam

Teaser Tuesday fans don’t forget tomorrow is THE DAY for class…..surprise time…..mystery photo for you to identify where it was taken……the usual crazy fun with Professor Angel Sammy and Professor Teddy.    Don’t forget!!

SPARKS on Monday

It’s Monday and time to start things off with an inspirational quote which was the original idea behind SPARKS.    It was the brain-child of Annie of McGuffy’s Reader to share something positive – light a light – bring some power to Mondays and we’re continuing to do that even though Annie has taken a break from the SPARKS Hop.

I was looking through some quotes to find something that would resonate with all of us who are preparing for the first big hurricane of the season along the East Coast – it’s coming – not sure WHERE it will land or WHAT it will bring but I saw this poster and it absolutely STRUCK me with its’ message, the little bird bravely holding on, and the HOPE it contains.    I hope it does that for you too even if you AREN’T waiting for the next “weather” event!     We have events all the time that feel like storms……and wait for the calm after.

We are lucky in that we are in Northern Virginia and not along the coast so we will most likely just get more rain………….but our wish is that for all of you who ARE more closely in the path of the storm stay safe – and stay positive…………..bow your head, say a prayer and know there are MANY of us who are doing just that FOR you!

Love, Pam and Teddy too

SPARK on Monday

Time for a little SPARK on Monday morning.    You know by now that SPARKS was created by our friend Annie at McGuffy’s Reader – Annie isn’t blogging for now but the SPARKS idea has a life of its’ own and those of us who think Monday is a great day to INSPIRE are still sharing our Monday “sparks” with each other.

I have a totally simple SPARK this morning.   I remember when I was working before I retired I dreaded Mondays.   I knew I’d have to finish up things I’d started on Friday and worried about all weekend and had to tackle “first thing on Monday”………I’d arrive at work and think it was just too overwhelming but once I started resolving issues and finishing projects of course I DID get through Monday.   I also felt like I’d accomplished a lot and it cleared the way for a good week.    In time I learned to face Mondays as a challenge and not a burden.   Now that I’m retired, Monday is STILL my day to start fresh.    I put on my positive pants (jeans!) and off I go……..one step at a time.    Monday truly is a state of mind – make it a positive start to a positive week.   It works – trust me.

 

 

Love, Pam ♥