motivational monday: Motivational Monday…Giving With No Expectations
- 07/19/26 05:23 PM
Motivational Monday…Giving With No Expectations
When Larry and I moved to FL, we met the most amazing family. They would become our Florida Family. The patriarch, Tom, was one of a kind. He was funny, smart, loved his family, and was generous.
Tom gave without expecting anything in return. It didn’t matter if you were his family member, friend, neighbor, landscaper, or someone he didn’t even know.
You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. John Bunyan
It would take me years to list all of his kind deeds, but one stands out. The manager’s wife … (13 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…The Right Thing
- 07/12/26 04:10 PM
Motivational Monday…The Right Thing
What may cost you nothing but could cost you everything?
(see answer below)
When I was listening to discussions about the late Senator Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and his deeds and character traits, one thing stood out. Senator Graham was known for choosing to do the right thing…not necessarily for his party, himself, or his political future. He chose to do what was right for our country.
From an early age, we were taught to do what was right. It wasn’t always easy, and it doesn’t get any easier as we age.
Morality begins when comfort stops being your only guide.
Unknown
Why is … (11 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…Sportsmanship
- 07/05/26 04:45 PM
Motivational Monday…Sportsmanship
One of the many reasons I love sports is the life lessons they teach. That's also why I'm a strong believer that children benefit from spending at least some time participating in organized sports.
Last week, I listened to Folarin Bolagun discuss his being given the Red Card in the US game against Bosnia-Herzegovina. It meant that our best player would be unavailable in our game tonight against Belgium. *As it turns out, the ban was overturned Sunday afternoon.
I can’t pretend to understand soccer rules or why the ban was lifted. However, what struck me was what he said and did … (12 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…Who Inspires You?
- 06/28/26 01:52 PM
Motivational Monday…Who Inspires You?
Who inspires you the most but doesn't even know it?
When I read this question (not sure where), I was surprised by how many names came to mind. Some were famous people I’d never met, and others were friends and acquaintances. A few were people I’d observed from a distance, yet what they did left me with a lasting impression.
It made me realize that the people who influence our lives don't always realize they've had an impact. Sometimes it's through a conversation. Sometimes it's by the example they set. And sometimes it's simply by the way they live their … (14 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…It Takes Two
- 06/21/26 02:32 PM
Motivational Monday…It Takes Two
The other day, I watched myself almost get into a disagreement with someone…not a friend, but an acquaintance. It is something I rarely do, not because I can’t or because I'm scared of the consequences, but because I know from experience it usually does not end well.
Not every battle needs to be fought. Some are won by walking away.
Frank Khalid
The Aunt Kathy in me remembered what I’d told my great nephew a few years ago when some school peers wanted to fight him. He has a black belt (I think) in Taekwondo and takes kickboxing. They … (12 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…We Can Each Be the Catalyst
- 06/14/26 04:32 PM
Motivational Monday…We Can Each Be the Catalyst
The first time we drove through Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve, I saw a majestic tree not too far from the road. There was a picnic table beneath it begging for someone to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, a picnic lunch, or to contemplate life.
The other day, we saw a gentleman we’d seen before. He was under
that tree at the picnic table, reading a book with this sign…
Want to Talk? … (13 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…Nurture and Treasure Them
- 06/07/26 04:44 PM
Motivational Monday…Nurture and Treasure Them
Many friends will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends leave footprints in your heart.
Eleanor Roosevelt
When I read that today is Best Friends Day, I thought about the many friends I’ve had through the years. I also thought about how true it is that as we get older, that number diminishes.
My best friend is someone I’ve known for 40+ years. I placed her in three jobs and, in doing so, also introduced her to her husband. We see this wonderful couple at least every week now, but sadly, my dear friend has … (16 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…Seal Your Ship
- 05/31/26 08:01 PM
Motivational Monday…Seal Your Ship
Ships don’t sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don’t let what’s happening around you get inside you and weigh you down.
Unknown
With all of the words and name-calling being shouted at each other, it’s hard to keep from wanting to dig a big hole and crawl into it.
And it’s not just the in-person vitriol we hear but the harsh and unkind words we read on social media.
Turn on a “news” show, and the talking heads don’t speak anymore. They shout at each other and into the screen.
The above … (18 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…Leaving the Comfort Zone
- 05/17/26 03:50 PM
Motivational Monday…Leaving the Comfort Zone
You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.
William Faulkner
When I read this quote, I thought of our AR member, Joan Cox, who relocated to Portugal. You can read her post and follow her adventures on her blog or on Facebook.
I’m not sure how many of us would willingly move to another country unless it were for work. It would mean leaving behind the people, places, and routines that feel familiar and stepping into the uncertainty of the unknown.
There’s nothing wrong or unusual with wanting to stay in our comfort … (18 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…Acceptance
- 05/10/26 04:34 PM
Motivational Monday…Acceptance
Years ago, a friend was going through a difficult time in her personal life. I spent many late nights on the phone and countless hours in person being her shoulder to cry on.
After months (and months), it occurred to me that unless and until she accepted what was, she was never going to move on with the rest of her life. She was stuck!
She wasn’t alone. Reality can be a tough pill to swallow for many of us at different times in our lives. And yet, if we aren’t willing or able to accept the change in our lives, … (13 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…It’s Like a Daily Vitamin
- 05/03/26 02:24 PM
Motivational Monday…It’s Like a Daily Vitamin
Besides laughing every day, I make it a point to learn something new each day. Learning is not limited to formal schooling. It extends beyond those walls and beyond our high school and college years.
It is not that I'm so smart. But I stay with the questions much longer.
Albert Einstein
You and I know many people who, despite multiple degrees, have a restricted or limited view of life. They know what they know, and it’s all they want to learn.
Not for those of us here. Being on this platform says something—it shows a desire to keep … (15 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…The 3 AM Bench
- 04/26/26 01:19 PM
Motivational Monday…The 3 AM Bench
You may have read this story before. It has many variations, but the one I read was about the 3 a.m. Bench.
The story is of a late-night shift cashier at a grocery store who begins writing small notes on the receipts. He learns how these small gestures impacted the lives of customers.
One customer said, “Thank you. You’re the first person who’s said anything to me in six days.”
In the story, the manager placed a bench in front of the store with a sign:
The 3 AM Bench. For anyone who needs somewhere to be.
Some of us may think … (17 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…Are You the Remedy or the Problem?
- 04/12/26 05:32 PM
Motivational Monday…Are You the Remedy or the Problem?
It’s easy to point out who or what is to blame when something goes wrong. We’ve all been in situations like this at work or in our personal lives.
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain.
Henry Ford
Turn on the news (if anyone still does) and you’ll see finger-pointing and blame being thrown out like confetti at a party. All this does is add to the existing problem. In the end, all of that confetti is swept up and thrown away.
And what happens to the solution? It’s swept to the side along with everything … (13 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…Having Fun!
- 04/05/26 06:38 PM
Motivational Monday…Having Fun!
When was the last time you had fun? Not just had a good time or “enjoyed” but really had fun!
We know how important having fun is to children, but it’s important for adults too.
Having fun and experiencing joy in something is important for our emotional, physical, and social well-being.
Everyone is working hard. Even those of us who are retired find that our days are full. So, how do you find the time to have fun???
-MAKE TIME FOR IT
How often do we say to ourselves and each other, “We need to do this! It will be fun!” But life gets … (14 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…Forest Bathing*
- 03/29/26 01:50 PM
Motivational Monday…Forest Bathing*
What if your doctor wrote a prescription for you that did not involve ingesting a drug or getting approval from your insurance company?
If you’ve followed my posts, you may know how much Larry and I enjoy our morning walks at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve. We enjoy the fresh air and, of course, the exercise.
For years, walking has been known for its health benefits.
*A great form of exercise
I met a researcher from the University of Miami who was studying diabetes. He said walking was one of the best things a person could do, especially if they are diabetic.
* It’s a good way … (18 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…Act It!
- 03/15/26 04:52 PM
Motivational Monday…Act It!
Today is Act Happy Day—a reminder that when we choose to smile, laugh, and surround ourselves with uplifting people and environments, those small actions can gradually lead us to feel happy.
Have you ever felt down or sad, and then something someone says or does suddenly brings a smile to your face?
The mind and body communicate with each other. How many times did you stand up straight and put your shoulders back when you needed to gather your confidence before a special meeting? That small act of your body saying, “I’m confident,” changed your outlook!
Acting happy, putting a smile on … (13 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…Get Over It
- 03/08/26 04:36 PM
Motivational Monday…Get Over It
Telling someone to “Get over it” never sounds right to me…or kind. However, sometimes it’s necessary.
Holding on is believing that there’s only a past; letting go is knowing that there’s a future.
Daphne Rose Kingma
Years ago, a friend was going through some personal issues. I ended up becoming her confidante because she did not want anyone in her family to know.
Her conversations usually began with “If only…”. She became stuck…never moving on with her life. While she appeared to be a happy person, she wasn’t. She started avoiding my calls. Finally, when I did reach her, she … (15 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…TODAY Is The Day
- 03/01/26 05:06 PM
Motivational Monday…TODAY Is The Day
An ongoing project of mine has been deleting from my Google Photos, pictures that I no longer want, have duplicates of, are poorly taken, or have no idea who the person is or why I took the photo.
So that it is not overwhelming, I take today’s date and go backwards through the years. For example, yesterday, I took pictures from March 1 2025, and went back through March 1 every year.
I came upon a screenshot of a quote from the Dalai Lama that is incredibly simple and a good quote to begin the week.
There are only two … (16 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…The Gift of Joy
- 02/22/26 04:39 PM
Motivational Monday…The Gift of Joy
One of my favorite words (and feelings) is JOY. As a reminder, I have the word itself on two of my bracelets. You can see JOY on a person’s face and hear it in their voice.
Over the past two weeks, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics. As much as I love the competition itself, it’s the athletes’ backstories that intrigue and interest me.
One of those athletes is Alysa Liu. In 2022, at the young age of 16, Alysa retired from figure skating. She had already competed in the 2022 Olympics and felt she had accomplished what … (13 comments)
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motivational monday: Motivational Monday…Encourage It
- 02/15/26 01:45 PM
Motivational Monday…Encourage It
If you’re a parent, you may have had a child who has endless questions. Or you may have worked with someone who has more questions than you can answer.
They might be considered annoying; however, where would we be without the innovations that were born from a single question?
Being curious about something is the fuel for creativity and learning. On our walk, I observed an adult and their child. The child was watching a spider building a web on a bush. I’d stopped as well to watch.
I grabbed my phone and started filming. This was one of those unscripted moments … (18 comments)
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Motivational Monday…Giving With No Expectations
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