Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Tamara Belinc

When Norris Carden of Tullahoma picked up a camera after a 10 year break from photography, he wanted to create images that matter to people, not editors, as he had in his past career as a photographer.  Now, he is doing just that by volunteering his time to Operation: Love ReUnited, a non-profit group of photographers who lend their creative energies to raising the morale of men and women serving in the military.  He heard about the group on a forum on the Internet.

“I wanted to join to give back to the military,” he said. “I was in the military, also, but because of an injury at my civilian job, I wasn’t able to serve in Desert Storm as a combat photographer.”  Norris was also a member of the Tennessee National Guard with the 278th out of Knoxville.  His other work included video production out of Nashville for other states and the Pentagon. He was working in Shreveport, La., as a news photographer when he was in a helicopter crash resulting in shattered vertebrae.  “Within a few weeks of the accident, they wanted me to carry a camera in the desert, and I couldn’t,” he said.  “I want to give back to the people who served in my place.” Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Chris Bennett

Editor’s Note: It the difficult times we are facing with financial and job crises, the need for volunteers in every community is growing.  We are tempted to focus on ourselves because of the fear and uncertainty seemingly in the news every day.  It is our hope that after reading this article you will see that volunteering not only helps others, but it helps each of us.  Approaching volunteering with gratitude will leave each of us feeling better and greedy for more of this feeling every day.

Even to most amiable of people, mental ruts seem to find their way to the forefront of any given personality.  Signs of such an impersonal emotion are strong amounts of irritability and discontentment mixed with downright ill tempered attitudes.  These traits more than likely do not represent who you are, hence the term ruts.  

For me, mental ruts are extremely frustrating because I am consistently on the go and my life moves very fast.  So I ask … how is it possible to not only find a simplistic way of relieving that unwanted crabbiness but also find a way to channel that off-putting energy to good use? Read More »

Article by Kevin L. DeWitt

Of the several themes that run through Make The Days Count, gratitude is probably one of the more central and important ones.  It’s sometimes tough in the times we are living to be grateful for the blessings that we are given.   Financial crises, family and friends off to war, business failures, wondering if we will still have a job (or find a job) next year, not to mention the individual challenges we each face on more personal levels.  As Thanksgiving approaches, remembering to be grateful can be tough for each of us.

Personally, I worry about what the impact of our many crises will have on my family, my church and business, and me.  It’s difficult sometimes to be thankful for the many blessings God has given me, most undeserved.  And He has given me many. 

Perspective is so important at this time of the year. Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Derrick Torrens

Perspective is truly the word of the day when it comes to our ability to survive these tough economic and emotional times. 

The old adage “Life is what you make it” or other cliché statements about keeping a positive attitude don’t hold much weight when you’re about to lose your job, retirement, or home.  Sitting in the dark because you have no electricity may truly be a great opportunity to get some sleep, but I doubt seriously we will look at it that way.  I know that I don’t. 

Having said this, I have to admit there is truth in the fact that changing our perspective will allow us to not only cope, but maybe even thrive in the midst of turmoil.  I say this from personal experience.  And I am thankful I am able to say this at all. 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?

Read More »