Thankful Thursday

I am always trying to focus on the good things and staying positive. That's why this is such an important post. Today, I am thankful for my new temporary schedule at work. It gives me time to take morning classes at my gym and blogging time. It gets so busy at work, that I often don't find the time to blog or read blogs. Blogging is an important part of my life. 

The blogging community has given me support and friendships. While I may be slow at getting posts up, because life happens, I am not ready to stop blogging all together. I definitely don't put blogging ahead of family or work either. Its just one other aspect of my life. I do want to thank everyone for the sweet comments yesterday. It encourages me to keep moving forward on my weight loss journey.

So its your turn now. What are you thankful for?

Make A Difference Monday

Dear friends,
I believe someone needs to read this verse today.

I am looking for guest posts for Make A Difference Monday. Stories of giving, helping the community, and volunteer experiences. While I am not volunteering at this time, I know the power of giving first hand. If you have not volunteered, I would encourage you to do something small. Keep it within your comfort zone and you will be blessed.

Make A Difference Monday

A lot of times I don't find much to share for make a difference Monday. I am not volunteering any where at the moment. There's not much to report. While that is the case today, it's still important to give back to the community.

If you have a story to share, consider guest posting on my blog.

Make A Difference Monday

Welcome to make a difference Monday! This post is dedicated to making our world a better place. This is important to me. I am just one person but I do what little I can to make my community a better place. At this moment, I am not volunteering but look forward to the next opportunity. Truthfully, I am a very selfish person and have not stepped far out of my comfort zone. That kind of giving has not made sense to me. If giving becomes too uncomfortable, where will the motivation to keep moving forward come from? There is nothing wrong with giving what you want to give and reaping benefits. Please stay tuned for travel Tuesday.

Make a Difference Monday

Dear friends, welcome to make a difference Monday. My goal is to make a positive impact in my community for selfish reasons. I'll be the first to admit, helping others feels good. Saturday, I volunteered at a race in order to earn a free race later. Many runners appreciated the hot chocolate, coffee and chicken stew that I served up. I didn't make any of it either! It was a cold day and I came prepared to stir soup. The day was a success for the most part. If you have a story to share of giving back, paying it forward, helping others, or a non-profit that you'd like to share please email me. My experience is limited and I'd love to learn about yours. Thank you and please stay tuned for weight loss Wednesday (possibly top pick Tuesday as well.)

Make A Difference Monday

Dear friends, welcome to make a difference Monday. I feel it's important to look for opportunities to make our community a better place. In my bible studies today a verse has spoken to that as well. My hope is you will be encouraged. "Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, (Hebrews 10:24 WEB)"

How do you improve your community? I am looking for stories for guest posts. If you would like to share your experience, please email me at estherdavison@gmail.com. Please stay tuned for Weight Loss Wednesday.

Make a difference Monday

Welcome to make a difference Monday. I may not have any specific story to tell but I'm still here. I believe in the power of giving back and making our world a better place. I'm writing today to remind myself and you to think of others, think of your community, and think of what little efforts can be made to help make our world better. If you have a story to share or a nonprofit to highlight, please email me. I'll get it on my blog. I want my blog to be a positive place to make a difference for everyone. Perhaps a lofty goal but something to strive for. Please stay tuned for weight loss Wednesday.

Make a difference Monday

Welcome to make a difference Monday! Giving back to the community, paying it forward and making our world a better place is important to our well being and others.

Today I would like to share with you about giving blood. I hate the sight of blood (it grosses and freaks me out) and I hate needles. I find comfort in the cookies that I eat afterwards. When we give blood up to three people's lives are saved. I have been doing this act for some years and even with my phobias I know good has been done. I'm gonna need to head over there soon and give blood again.

If you have an encouraging story of giving back or paying it forward, please comment below or email me at estherdavison@gmail.com. I am looking for guest posters. Please stay tuned for top pic Tuesday!

Thankful Thursday

  Welcome to Thankful Thursday, a beacon of positivity for myself and anyone else who wants to join. Last week's comments were filled with fantastic reasons to be thankful. Today, I am thankful for the blogging community. Everyone is gracious, kind, and supportive. I'm thankful to be a part of such a beautiful community. 

I would like to thank you for joining me on my blogging journey. Everyone who leaves a comment on this post is entered in a drawing for a $5 Starbucks card. The drawing will be held on Saturday and I will use a random number generator to pick the winner. This should be a lot of fun!

Make a difference Monday

2009 through 2011 was a difficult time for me. Hubby was at school in a different state. I was stressed and emotionally out of whack. One of my strategies to deal with the pain was volunteering. The experience was rewarding and helped me feel better. I still volunteer and I hope you will consider doing so. Your community is a better place when you give back.

On a separate note, I had a great workout today (another stress relieving activity). 20 minute run at 4.5 and 15 minutes of weight lifting. Also, I'm giving myself kudos for cooking tons of brown jasmine rice without burning it. Kudos!

Make a Difference Monday

Dear Bloggy Friends,
Whenever possible it is good to give back to your community. Find your passion and volunteer with it. I enjoy too many hobbies to count (oops.) On occasion, I can be found volunteering at an art gallery or I have taught piano lessons to under-priviledged children. I have plans to crochet scarves for the needy and someday I hope to learn how to make hats (round seems too hard at the moment.) I love animals but could never volunteer with them. If an opportunity came to run a race or volunteer at an auction, I would happily oblige. There's never a shortage of opportunities.

The only problem I have discovered is many of these fabulous non-profits need money. A lot of money. I never have enough for myself (in my own opinion.) I also am not interested in calling people for money or any other type of fundraising. The good news is I can do what I like and it still provides assistance to worthy organizations.

Please tell me what you have done or would like to do. Its always fun to share ideas. I decided it would be fun to change my blog design a little. What do you think?

Make a Difference Monday

My newest endeavor is to help organize the Fins for Pins bowling tournament sponsored by COPA . The beneficiary of this event is the Work Activity Center in Moore, Oklahoma. This non-profit organization gives steady jobs to disabled adults. The clients who work there have an opportunity to earn a living and socialize with their peers on a regular basis. I'm very excited to meet everyone when we actually host the event in January.  For now, please enjoy this bowling pin photo.
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Make A Difference Monday

I have a new committee I have joined and I am thrilled to share it with you, next week. It's been such a long time since I have written a list on my blog. Personally, I love lists and I thought it would be fun to do a list everyday of the week.  
Today's list is my Top 5 Reasons For Giving Back 
5) While helping others, you can meet new friends.
4) It helps improve the community and environment.
3) Other people feel good.
2) You can help out doing fun things.
1) Volunteering helps you feel better about yourself.
My number one reason is selfish. A couple of years ago I was stressed out of my mind and depressed. I read from Cosmo that if I gave back, I would feel better about myself. It was an effective therapy for me and I have been giving back ever since.
Tomorrow: look forward to a Top Pick Tuesday, where I'll share one of my favorite photos.
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