Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Blake Cothron

“It is time to speak your Truth … banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.  All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.”

These words spoken by an unnamed Hopi Elder summarize the heart of this article – that our words create our future.  In this excerpt, the Hopi Elder is urging for us all to become conscious of our words and attitudes.

How much thought and care do you put into the words you use? Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Derrick Torrens

“You can’t grow when people can’t be themselves around you and express their opinions.  This is true whether you like what they have to say or not.” 

The scene is set a smoky, dimly lit gym.  This gym resides in a dilapidated neighborhood, downtrodden, and dangerous.  Crime and refuse is more prevalent than grass and blue-skies in our community … and our gym is its social center.  Inside people are gathering, sitting in their rusty folding chairs in great anticipation of another title boxing bout.  Title is the operative word because down here there isn’t any real glory in winning.  Just the satisfaction of knowing you put a licking on your opponent and they’ll think twice about facing you again, if at all. 

Our fighters are approaching, climbing the ragged wooden step stools into the sweat and blood stained canvas of the ring.  The ropes are tattered and worn.  They won’t hold the weight of your towel let alone your body if you are unfortunate enough to be pinned against them, but no one cares.  This fight will be toe-to-toe, no holds barred and right at center ring. 

I’m ready to win.  And you know what?  So is she.  This is just another argument in the Torrens’ residence.

Now to be truthful none of us should view our disagreements with one another in quite this fashion … Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Derrick Torrens

Scrolling through the channels trying to find something to watch I have discovered that, among other things, I am morbidly obese and my sense of fashion is terribly outdated.  Everything I watch seems to be about something I need to do differently.

But I have come to realize it is not just me.  It’s a trend that the media is gearing towards us all.  You got acne?  Use this product.  You want to wow him in the bedroom?  Buy this.  You want to know where the wealthy shop?  Then go here and buy these items when you get there … because “you need them.”

I like to watch the show “What Not to Wear.”  On the show someone close to you decides you don’t have a clue what you look like in your day-to-day life and that you need a makeover.  So now your friends secretly videotape your wears and send it in to the show.  Hopefully it convinces the producers to come and throw away everything in your closet.  It’s supposed to be funny because evidently everyone but you hates your orange parachute pants and your rhinestone covered leather jacket. 

So there you are … living your life feeling carefree in your tennis shoes … and all the while you are being examined and told how and what you need to change. Read More »

Article and Photograph by Make The Days Count Contributor Ann Wilkinson

I am not ashamed to admit I love hotels.  I love the luxurious feeling of being pampered by lying in a bed I don’t have to make, towels I can use once and leave to be washed by someone else, and the sheer laziness of being able to order room service and leave the cooking to others, too.  And, I’m not alone in this love of being taken care of.  Recently, I had a chat with a woman at a hotel in Connecticut who told me she had opted to stay in a hotel for a night rather than at a friend’s house simply because she loves experiencing hotels.

Imagine the perfect scenario in which you are greeted warmly at the reception desk with a smile and friendly hello, and someone helps you carry your bags to your room. Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Judy Mosley

The scene opens to an enchanting snowy evening.  The location is an outdoor skating rink where a mother and daughter are skating together.  Hands clasped, the joy is radiating from their faces as the voice-over for the commercial begins speaking … “What if you could give your family just what they want this holiday season …”  He goes on to describe that with this family plan, with unlimited text, video messaging, and photo messaging, it will bring your family together this year.

This is where the commercial was dead wrong.

Billions of dollars are being swept away by the advancement of technology.  From TV to cell phones and from the internet to movies, people are finding it more difficult to stay connected to those around them.  At my husbands’ Christmas party this year, I was particularly surprised by how many people I saw texting instead of talking to those around them at their table. Read More »