Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Tamara Belinc

Editor’s Note: Thanksgiving is normally the start of the Christmas season.  This article is dedicated to all the family traditions we each hold dear in the hopes we are able to maintain and cherish them this season and many more to come.

Every year on Christmas Day, after the turkey was eaten and the presents were opened, my family members participated in a no-hold barred paper ball fight.  As everyone opened presents, they gathered wrapping paper, hording it behind, under and around them – anywhere they could get it, just so they could get in on the fun.

Soon, red, green, blue and multi-colored paper balls were flying; people were ducking and twisting to avoid being hit, while strategically throwing the balls at whomever they wanted to hit.  It was a fun way to avenge any wrongs that might have happened during the year.  Even my Granny, the family matriarch, got in on the action, throwing from her lift chair in the corner of the room. Read More »

Part 2 of a 3 Part Series

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Judy Mosley

It was obvious that I was in trouble when I pulled out the vacuum cleaner and my firstborn, who was 2 ½ at the time, asked me what I was holding.  I knew that I had vacuumed in front of my children, but apparently, not enough!

Since then I have discovered a few applications that I’ve infused into my daily living.  Most of them are fairly simple suggestions that keep me focused when I would rather be watching television or reading.  I hope these support you, as well, on your path to a more peaceful home.

And, relax.  If you are about to sift through years of amounted clutter, keep in mind that true order rarely happens overnight.  Start small with manageable tasks and celebrate each success.  We don’t need aim for perfectionism but for reality.  Home is a place that should support the life we want to lead. Not to consume our every waking moment. Read More »

Part 1 of a 3 Part Series

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Judy Mosley

Home.  It’s a place of refuge, strength, and peace.  It’s where you come to recharge, make sense out of life, and find ways to express your creativity.

At least . . . it should be.

How has the state of your home been, lately?  Has it become harder to find things that you need?  Are the dishes sitting in the sink longer than normal?  Are you having to step over things on the floor than usual?  Or, have you lived in disarray for so long that you’re not sure anything else is possible?

If this is you, welcome to my life!  I am a native messy.  I grew up avoiding order and not thinking twice about it.  Even in young adulthood, learning how to stay organized was extremely difficult.  It’s only been within the past few years I have been able to make clearer steps toward a cleaner, more organized home. Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Judy Mosley

Stop.  Take a moment wherever you are and listen. Close your eyes.  Let yourself be quiet.  What can you hear?  What have you been missing amidst all the daily hustle and bustle that weʼve all fallen into?  Now, take a deep breath.  Draw it in like a cool drink of water.  Let it out slowly with intentional delight. The next breath is yours as well.

I want to ask you something.  You will need a pen and some paper.  I want to know . . .

Whatʼs right with your life?

Itʼs so easy to be negative.  Every day, we are bombarded with whatʼs wrong in our world.  Today it’s the economy, jobless claims, fear of recession to name only a few.  We listen to the news, hoping for valuable information, but walk away feeling powerless. We take it mostly because we think itʼs what we should be doing, but also because weʼre used to it.

So … how will you respond?  Whatʼs right with your life?

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Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Chris Bennett

Every body knows that guy who just loves to go the extra mile, on anything and everything.  Audacious to an extent, but you just can’t wrap your mind around how he has so much persistence and such a ridiculous amount of drive.

I ran into this situation recently, and I found myself asking just how in the world this person functions on an off day.  You know, one of those days where getting out of bed is a hassle in its own right, and then you have work or school and have to be around people, it just is not a fun day.  Time seizes up and seems to go by ever so slowly and you cannot fathom being overly productive.  Well, I soon realized that this guy lets nothing stand in his way of his daily quota of productivity, not even a five-minute coffee break just to catch up on the weekend festivities.  

That is one extreme end of the velocity of life spectrum I want nothing to do with.  Which end are you on? Read More »