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Deborah

Advice Column Lifestyle

The Power of Embracing Life’s Little Details: Finding Success Everyday

January 1, 2023

Introduction: Embracing Life’s Little Details

Life is a collection of moments, both big and small. Often, we find ourselves chasing after the grand achievements and milestones, overlooking the beauty and significance of the little details that make up our everyday lives. In this fast-paced world, where success is often measured by external factors, it is essential to pause and embrace life’s little details. These seemingly insignificant moments hold immense power and can be the key to finding true success and fulfillment.

The Importance of Finding Success in the Everyday

Success is often associated with big accomplishments, such as promotions, financial gains, or reaching significant milestones. While these achievements are undoubtedly noteworthy, true success lies in finding fulfillment and happiness in the everyday moments. It is about recognizing and appreciating the small victories, the brief moments of joy, and the simple pleasures that surround us.

By shifting our focus from external measures of success to the present moment, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities. We become more attuned to our surroundings, more connected to the people in our lives, and more aware of the opportunities that present themselves each day. Embracing life’s little details allows us to find success in the present moment and cultivate a sense of gratitude for the life we are living.

Work-Life Balance: Key to Embracing Life’s Little Details

In our pursuit of success, we often neglect the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The never-ending demands of work can easily consume our time and energy, leaving little room for embracing life’s little details. However, finding success in the everyday requires a harmonious integration of our personal and professional lives.

One way to achieve this balance is by setting clear boundaries between work and personal life. Establishing designated work hours and creating a dedicated space for work can help create a sense of structure and separation. Additionally, prioritizing self-care activities and making time for hobbies and interests outside of work can rejuvenate the mind and foster creativity.

Cultivating Creativity in Daily Life

Creativity is a powerful tool that can enhance our experience of embracing life’s little details. It allows us to approach everyday tasks with a fresh perspective, transforming mundane activities into opportunities for self-expression and growth. Cultivating creativity in daily life requires us to tap into our innate curiosity and explore new ideas and possibilities.

One way to foster creativity is by engaging in activities that stimulate the mind and inspire new ways of thinking. This could include reading books, attending art classes, or experimenting with different forms of artistic expression. By incorporating creativity into our daily routines, we unlock our potential to find innovative solutions, discover hidden beauty, and fully embrace the little details that make life meaningful.

Embracing the Mundane: Finding Joy in Everyday Tasks

Life is filled with a myriad of tasks that may seem mundane and routine. However, by shifting our perspective and approaching these tasks with mindfulness and intention, we can find joy and fulfillment in even the most ordinary activities. Embracing the mundane means recognizing the significance and purpose behind each task we undertake, whether it is washing the dishes, folding laundry, or commuting to work.

Practicing mindfulness while performing these tasks allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the present moment. We can appreciate the sensory experiences, such as the warmth of water while washing dishes or the rhythm of our footsteps during a walk. By embracing the mundane, we transform everyday chores into opportunities for self-reflection, relaxation, and finding beauty in the simple moments of life.

The Power of Mindfulness in Embracing Life’s Little Details

Mindfulness is a practice that encourages us to be fully present in the moment, without judgment or attachment. By cultivating mindfulness, we can deepen our connection to the little details that often go unnoticed. By devoting our full attention to the present moment, we become more aware of our thoughts, emotions, and surroundings.

Incorporating mindfulness into our daily lives can be as simple as taking a few minutes each day to pause, breathe, and observe our thoughts and sensations. This practice helps to quiet the mind, reduce stress, and enhance our ability to embrace life’s little details. Whether it is savoring a cup of tea, enjoying a walk in nature, or engaging in a meaningful conversation, mindfulness allows us to fully experience and appreciate the richness of each moment.

Embracing the Unexpected: Finding Opportunities in Challenges

Life is unpredictable, and it often throws curveballs our way. Instead of resisting or fearing the unexpected, we can choose to embrace it as an opportunity for growth and learning. Challenges and setbacks provide us with a chance to develop resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

When faced with unexpected situations, it is important to maintain a positive mindset and seek the silver lining in every experience. By reframing challenges as opportunities, we can approach them with curiosity and openness, finding hidden lessons and new paths to success. Embracing the unexpected allows us to navigate through life’s twists and turns with grace and resilience, ultimately leading us to greater success and fulfillment.

Embracing Gratitude: Finding Success in Appreciating the Small Things

Gratitude is a powerful practice that can transform our perception of life’s little details. By cultivating gratitude, we shift our focus from what is lacking to what is abundant in our lives. It is about acknowledging the small blessings, expressing appreciation for the people and experiences that bring us joy, and finding contentment in the present moment.

Practicing gratitude can be as simple as keeping a gratitude journal, where we write down three things we are grateful for each day. This practice helps to reframe our mindset and cultivate a sense of abundance. By embracing gratitude, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities, finding success in the everyday moments that often go unnoticed.

Embracing Simplicity: Streamlining Your Life for Success

In our modern society, we are often bombarded with an overwhelming amount of choices, distractions, and responsibilities. The pursuit of success can sometimes lead to a cluttered and chaotic life, leaving little room for embracing life’s little details. However, by embracing simplicity, we can streamline our lives and create space for what truly matters.

Simplifying our lives involves decluttering our physical and mental spaces, letting go of unnecessary commitments, and prioritizing what brings us joy and fulfillment. By reducing the noise and distractions, we create a sense of clarity and focus, allowing us to fully embrace the little details that make life meaningful. Embracing simplicity is a powerful step towards finding success in the everyday and living a more intentional and purposeful life.

Conclusion: Embracing Life’s Little Details and Finding Success

In a world that often values external achievements and grand accomplishments, it is essential to shift our focus to the little details that make up our everyday lives. Embracing life’s little details allows us to find success in the present moment, cultivate gratitude, and live a more fulfilling life. By embracing the mundane, practicing mindfulness, and seeking opportunities in challenges, we unlock our potential for growth, creativity, and happiness.

So, take a moment to pause, look around, and appreciate the beauty of the little details that surround you. Embrace the simplicity, find joy in the everyday tasks, and cultivate gratitude for the small blessings. In doing so, you will discover that true success lies not in the grand achievements, but in the ability to fully embrace and appreciate the richness of life’s little details.

CTA: Take a moment today to embrace life’s little details. Pause, breathe, and find gratitude for the small blessings that surround you. Share your experiences and insights in the comments below.

Lifestyle

Staying Within Your Gifting Budget

December 18, 2022

Staying in your gifting budget this Christmas can seem difficult, but with a little bit of planning, it can be manageable. Here are a few tips to help you stay within your budget:

1. Make a list of people who you need to buy gifts for and set a budget for each person. This will help you stay on track and not overspend.

2. Compare prices online to find the best deals, and keep an eye out for sales.

3. Consider making homemade gifts or giving a gift card instead of buying something expensive.

4. Buy in bulk when possible to get the best price possible per item.

5. Start your shopping early to give yourself time to find the best deals.

6. Set aside a certain amount of money each month to save up for Christmas. Many banks have Christmas clubs savings accounts that you saving and issue checks a month or weeks before the big day.

7. Consider shopping second-hand stores or online auctions to find great deals.

Follow these tips will help you stay on budget and still be able to give thoughtful gifts to the people you care about. Best of luck and happy shopping!

But most importantly, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’s.

Household Lifestyle

New Home means New Traditions.

November 18, 2022

Congratulations on your new home! When purchasing a new home, you are probably filled to the brim with so many ideas on how you are going to decorate but more importantly, how you can create new traditions to make your new house fee like home.

Think about those special activities and rituals that you can do to make the space your own. You can plan Sunday morning breakfast or a monthly movie night. Better yet, with the additional space, you can invite guest over for an indoor dinner party.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s something that you or your guest (too) can get excited about. Have fun create your own new traditions.

Lifestyle Photography

A Halloween to Remember.

October 18, 2022

October 2022 was a month in my crazy year that was absolutely amazing. I had the opportunity to meet a sweetheart of a girl through a Facebook friendship group. After getting to know her, I found out that she is a photographer and wow, she is phenomenal in her craft. I have always had a dream of bringing my favorite character to the beach. See, Mary Poppins can go anywhere. Her umbrella helps her get around but to have someone capture the moment would be a dream come true.

I reached out to her and she was thrilled to be a part of this project. We met up at one of my favorite beaches on 30A. She told me that she watched the movies and even blasted the music at our photoshoot to get us in the mood.

Thank you Jamie Rich of Jamie Rich Photography for making this photoshoot on the beautiful beaches of 30A a dream come true.

https://www.jamierichphotography.com

Health & Fitness Lifestyle

10 Beauty Trends for September

September 18, 2022

September is a wonderful time of the year to bring out some fun fall colors in your home and in beauty.

Here are 10 beauty trends for September for you to try out.

Bold Lip Color

Bold colors like red, berry, and magenta are the perfect way to give your makeup look an extra pop this month.

Subtly Smoky Eyes

Add a subtle smoky eye to your look for a hint of drama.

Glossy Lids

Glossy eye shadow looks are totally on-trend for September.

Peachy Blush

Peach blush is the perfect way to give your complexion a healthy flush.

Winged Eyeliner

Perfect your cat-eye with a winged liner look.

Dewy Skin

Achieve a dewy complexion with a sheer foundation or a good highlighter.

Braids

Although I haven’t quite mastered braids myself, you can get creative with your hairstyle and opt for a braid.

Natural Brows

Natural brows are in and hard pencils are out.

Hair Accessories

Add a cute accessory to your hair like barrettes, headbands or clips.

Nude Nails

Nude nails are the perfect way to spice up your mani this month.

Health & Fitness

Self Care on the Best Day Ever, National Lazy Day!

August 10, 2022

Everybody has that day when you don’t want to do one freaking thing. You shift in and out of the sheets and struggle to put your feet on the floor to begin the day. I bet you would love to have August 10th be on the calendar today, tomorrow and the next day. Well, today is August 10th, a self-care type of day.

Reset yourself with doing your favorite things with or without someone. I prefer to do things like this alone. Honestly, I prefer being alone 90% of the time because there are too many people out there in the world. Another topic for another day.

Anyhoo! Here are some things that you might want to consider doing on your Lazy Day!

1. Sleep In  – Please do. Honestly, you might need to catch up on some well needed sleep.

2. Turn off the devices – or set up restrictions to those devices to allow you to truly disconnect. I know you want to do that one last email for work but do me a favor, just stop. It will be there tomorrow. I promise you that.

3. Netflix & Chill  – Relax, order takeout and watch some of your favorite movies or TV series with a friend or without. You don’t need anyone to really chill (lol).

At the end of the day, you know yourself better than anyone else. Feed your mind, body and spirit with good food and rest. Reminder, you don’t need a National Holiday like National Lazy Day to execute another lazy day. Your gut will tell you.

Food & Drinks Lifestyle

Picnics, Garden Parties, Cookouts and More!

July 1, 2022

Did you know July has many opportunities to celebrate other than the 4th? If you are a person that loves to get out and about in the community with a reason to enjoy good food and company, check out the list of dates below:

You have 31 reasons to have a BBQ, meet for a drink or have some fireworks. Be you, Be Safe but most importantly, have FUN!

Food & Drinks

How to create your own Cookbook

June 1, 2022

How many of you have boxes stuffed with torn out pages of recipes, notes or destroyed recipe cards? Um… I do!  Since I am an organizing, neat freak, I wanted to come up with an idea on how I could keep those recipes and possibly give them away in a fun format. After cruising through the amazing internet, I found a couple of options.

Create your own Cookbook

Yes, there is a website that you can create your own cookbook. You can pick a style, upload imagines and publish either in a hardcopy or e-book format. If you are not tech savy, they have a “WeTypeIt” service to assist with typing the recipes for a fee.

For more information about their services, just press the link below:

https://createmycookbook.com

Shutterfly

Shutterfly is a large photo printing company that creates personalized gifts like stationery, items and photobooks. I create photobooks all the time and have been using this company for as long as I can remember. I just noticed that they have a cookbook creation option. I haven’t tried it out yet. I did see some reviews that were positive but you can always select another photobook style and go from there. Here’s the link for that option below:

https://www.shutterfly.com/

I am so inspired to create a book of recipes as a coffee table in my own home or as a gift. I will let you know which company I chose and how it came out.

Advice Column Lifestyle

Speakerphone Etiquette

May 1, 2022

Speaker phone capabilities can be a good thing and a bad thing. How many times have we heard other people’s conversation in a public area? I’m still in shock to this day of a conversation that I heard walking around a dollar store.

The lady receiving the call immediately placed it on speakerphone while navigating the aisles with one hand on the cart and the other holding the phone. The party that placed the call was talking freely about her upcoming divorce and child custody issues. I know my face showed utter shock with my lower jaw dropped and all. Mind you, this call went on for about ten minutes before I couldn’t stand it.

Yes, I interjected. As politely as I could, I spoke up and stated, “You’re on speaker phone!” Then, there was silence. After a few moments, the question was asked to the receiving party of that call – Was I on speakerphone this whole time? The lady gasped, took the phone off speaker and scurried away.

For the love of goodness, please don’t do this to anyone. With that said, here are a few suggestions when thinking of putting a phone call on speakerphone.

Distractions

I try to take pride to make sure that I am in a place to fully focus on the call and give my undivided attention to the person at the time of the call. If you are in a place with loud background noises and you are unable to focus, please don’t pick up and just reschedule to return the phone call at a later date and time.

Notice

Just like the situation that I just described, it is so important to ask the party if you can put them on speaker phone. This notification will eliminate any awkward and embarrassing moments. No one wants to hear about someone being in the room after discussing another situation or person that is personal and private to them and to the party participating on the phone call.

Public Places

The most important rule of etiquette is make sure you go to a private area. I can guarantee that most people do not want to participate on your call.

Advice Column Health & Fitness Lifestyle

3 Things My Pets Have Taught Me.

April 1, 2022

I had some amazing pets in my life time. Each one brought their own unique personality and challenges. Quirks that made me think outside the box to feel comfort, trust and love. At times, it was not easy. As I reflect back in time, these are the top five things that my pets have taught me.  

Live in the Moment

Dogs don’t focus on the past. Shoot, how many times have we come home to pee on the floor and get so freaking mad? Our hootin’ and hollering doesn’t mean too poops to them. They don’t know what you are upset about and they definitely don’t remember that they peed on your new rug earlier in the day.  All they are getting from that situation is that when you come home; just go hide.

Take a Nap or Unwind

I know this one is probably making you giggle. How many times have we caught our pets napping? I will raise my hand and say out loud, A LOT! I have senior dogs so its 23 hours of the day. TBH, I love watching my dog go pick a place in the sun and gently settle down. So many times, I get encouraged to do the same. There are times that I hit the floor or lay on the couch to snuggle. In a world of social media or working on our computers all day, it’s nice to disconnect and shut our brains off with our four-legged pals.

Play

The drop of the toy at your feet by your four-legged pal can make you smile. Who can turn down such a lovely invitation? Ok, I know sometimes we have to decline because of working at home nowadays. That moment you look offline in your VPN/Network, your phone is ringing with your boss on the other line. However, it is important to play with your pet, friends and family. So, pick up that toy for a toss, get the zoomies, jump in the sprinkler and play tug of war. You won’t regret it.