Thoughts on a Thursday

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Wordless Wednesday

Travel Tuesday - Waterfalls

Today's travel blog  is all about some of the beautiful waterfalls in North America.

There is something so magnificent about waterfalls...peace and serenity abound when viewing these incredible and powerful creations.

Please sit back and just enjoy!

Wapama Falls - Yosemite

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 Shannon Falls - British Columbia

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 Yosemite Falls - California

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     Bridal Veil Falls - Yosemite, CA

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 Snow Creek Falls

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Monte Sano State Park - Huntsville, AL

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Snogualmie Falls - Washington State

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Saint Mary and Virginia Falls Trail - Glacier National Park

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As you can see - I have posted several pictures from Yosemite.  I LOVE Yosemite - this National Park should be on everyone's bucket list!  I have only the space to capture just a small number of waterfalls here but there are just too many to list here. 

Wouldn't it be great to take a trip to see waterfalls across North America?

Why I blog

I was recently asked why I blog.  Well, the first answer was easy!  I began the blog to document what was happening in life and to share with family and close friends - you know basically personal things that no one else but those close to me would really appreciate.

Then, a short while later I found myself changing the direction of blog due to some major work issues.  You see - the company that I was working for announced major downsizing plans.  None of us were sure who would be directly impacted by this action plan - actually - we were all touched by this plan...those who lost their jobs and those who remained behind and would absorb the work that still remained to be done but without the same number of employees to do the work.  Now it is sad enough that we were informed of this "looming" downsizing but the kicker was - it was not going to take place for another few months...which turned into roughly 6 months.

As you can imagine - the morale and the insecurity was our own worse enemy.  It was at this time that I decided to do some little something to keep all of our spirits up so it was with this major happening in my professional career that I decided to begin posting motivational and inspirational blogs.  I shared these blogs with my colleagues in hopes that it would keep them motivated.  Want to know what happened?  Not only was I helping others to remain optimistic and motivated...it also led the way for me to remain upbeat and optimistic about this upcoming challenge.  There is an old saying:  "You can not light the path for another without lighting your own path".  THIS is so very true.  This blog helped not only countless others stay motivated but it also "lighted my path" to motivation as well!  For this reason alone - this blog will always be a reminder that there is light at the end of the tunnel!

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Sunday's Inspiration

 When you take the time to be grateful for what you have in life - you realize how much you have to be grateful for!

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Saturday's Motivation

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Friday's Inspirational Thought

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Steps to Being Successful

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Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Travels - Ft Worth - I Love ya!

I live down the road from Ft. Worth, TX and until recently I really took this wonderful city for granted!  Ft. Worth is truly the gateway to the West.  It has maintained its identity throughout the years when other Texas cities wanted to tear down and rebuild more modern buildings.

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You will be amazed to find so much history in Fort Worth..  It is much like taking a step back into time!    While I intend to write a future blog on places to see while visiting Ft. Worth...I wanted to concentrate today's blog on some of my favorite activities and places to eat while in Fort Worth.

A must place to visit is Joe T. Garcia''s located in the infamous Stockyards.  Joe T's opened on July 4, 1935 in the home of Joe T and Jesse Garcia.  It serves some of the most delicious and authentic Mexican food you can find.  Be prepared to wait but it is so well worth the wait!

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So what if your taste buds are pointing you toward a juicy good old fashion burger?  Do I have some places for you to visit in Fort Worth.

Jakes in Downtown Fort Worth

I just recently discovered this great, laid back establishment.  The menu offers everyone something that will wet their taste buds!  I will just let the picture speak for itself:

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515 Main St, Fort Worth, TX · (817) 332-5253

Another one of my favorite places in Ft. Worth has to be Vending Nut Company.  While this is a wholesale company they do have a store where anyone can purchase nuts...and gosh do they have nuts.  You name it and they have it!   You can even order from their online site!

Vending Nut Co.

Vending Nut Company

2222 Montgomery St.

Ft. Worth, TX 76107

Local: 817-737-3071

Toll Free: 800-429-9260

  Blue Bonnet Bakery

Well now - what can I say about this awesome bakery that will do it justice to the greatness that is created in this bakery?  Blue Bonnet has been a mainstay in Fort Worth since 1934 and there is no telling how many birthday cakes, wedding cakes, petit fours and cookies this bakery has sold...but it has to be a ton!  The bakery is at the top of my Top 10 bakeries as it is that good! 

Now to go along with the awesomeness of this bakery is the unique location...you see...it is in an old church!

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Blue Bonnet also serves lunch but let's be honest...I much rather check out the sweet delights!

4705 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX · (817) 731-4233

And as an added treat on your travels to this bakery - do not be shocked when you drive over real honest brick roads!  See why I love Fort Worth so much?  There is history everywhere you turn!

Now - please do not let this post confuse your.  Fort Worth has many...many...upscale fine dining restaurants where one can find some incredible food along with incredible wine selections.  Today's post is just an short introduction to some of my favorite places to visit.

The next Fort Worth post will center on activities in Fort Worth...and let me tell you...you need lots of time to see what all Fort Worth has to offer!

Until then...Fort Worth - hope to see you soon!

 

Monday Inspiration

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Isn't this so true?  We have a choice to make each and every day...each and every week...each and every month...and year!

I am today making the choice to find at least one thing that will make this week better than last week!

How about you?  

Sunday's Inspiration - A Good Life

You are never alone with yourself

For so long I was afraid to be alone.  I mean I hated being alone!    I think that it had everything to do with growing up and being told that it wasn't safe to be alone.  Over the years I have learned that being alone is not a bad thing!  Being alone allows me time to do some deep soul searching.  It allows me time to get to know myself better.

It was well into adulthood that I went to a movie by myself...know what I learned?  I liked it...I didn't have to share my popcorn!

It was well into adulthood that I was comfortable going into a restaurant as a party of 1.  What did I learn?  It was relaxing to go into a restaurant with my Kindle...enjoying my meal while reading.

It was well into adulthood that I learn to enjoy traveling by myself.  What did I learn?  I discovered that by traveling by myself I could go and do things that I wanted to do and not worry about if someone else was enjoying it.

It was well into adulthood that I realized that I could be alone..and what did I learn?  I learned that I could depend on myself to take care of myself!

Being alone has taught me that I can do it!

How to approach your struggle in life

I consider myself an optimistic person.  I think that this has served me well over the years.  When I have been approached with a bump in the road over the years - I try to not allow it to control me.  It is all about attitude and especially not run away from the issue.  When faced with a challenge along the way - do not allow it to define you but allow it to be a learning experience to expand your horizons!

Struggling is not pleasant at all but if it is approached with a good "can do" attitude and an open mind about turning the struggle into an opportunity - then you are a success!

 

Thoughts on Thursday

There is an old saying that when the student is ready, the teacher will come.

I find this to be true in many situations - when I am most in need of an inspirational moment - it finds its way to me.

Today - I would like to share with you the motivational quote that found its way to me today.

Now while it may be difficult to create memories each day for places you go...I am not sure about you but my normal day does not necessarily lead me to a new place...however, we have opportunities each day to make a new memory.  It could be something as simple as some quiet time in the early morning enjoying coffee, reading a new book or just speaking to a friend.

May today be the day that you find that special memory!

Wordless Wednesday

Travel Tuesday

I learned later in life how much I love to travel.  To see the beauty of this earth.  I have been fortunate to travel quite a bit for business  and to oftentimes add on a few days here and there just to enjoy the cities that I have traveled to.

Nowadays - I do not travel so much for business and I really...really miss it.

 Several years ago I made it a personal goal to visit all 50 States in the U.S.  I now have less than 10 to go but I find myself letting time slip by and before I know it...another year has past me by.  Why do we do that?  Why do we have all these great plans/goals and then not follow through on them?

In 2013 I had the privilege to mark 3 States off my list of remaining States.  In 2014 - I visited exactly ZERO new States!  In 2015 I visited only 1 new State.  I have some serious catching up to do...don't you think?

Well -~drum roll please~  the next State to be crossed off the list will  be Utah.  I would love to hear from any of you out there about must see places in Utah.  Please let me know of your favorite places that are a must see while in Utah!

Do you also have a similar travel goal?  How have you achieved it or how do you plan to achieve it?

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Anonymous

Verbal Abuse in the Workplace

I know that this is a very "heavy" topic for a Monday...let's face it - Monday's are tough enough without such a topic but it has been weighing on my heart much too long and I really need to get my thoughts on this often overlooked topic out there for obvious reasons.  You see - I have recently found myself a victim of verbal abuse in the workplace and this post today is as much to help me recognize it and do something about it as it is hopefully an inspiration to others to recognize it if you find yourself in this situation too!

Many folks in the workforce are faced with verbal abuse each and every day and in my mind...this is just not acceptable!  Did you know that 35% of employees report that they have been verbally abused in the job?  That number is just staggering to me!

What exactly is verbal abuse in the workplace?  Well - has been defined as:

A pattern of behavior that over the long term negatively impacts an employee's performance, home life, and health.  Hostile verbal confrontation is yet another example.  Verbal and emotional abuse in the workplace can be rudeness, starting lies or rumors, intimidation, yelling or using profanity, name calling, humiliation, setting the employee up to fail by establishing impossible deadlines or withholding pertinent information, or violating the privacy of an employee..and the list just goes on!

What can you do if you are a recipient of verbal abuse?  An employee's first line of offense should always begin within their company.  Anyone that feels that they have been verbally abused should feel comfortable enough to go their direct supervisor/manager (unless of course this is the person doing the verbal abusing), you can go to your HR department or you can even seek out legal resolutions...i.e. employment lawyers.   You may even think about  recording the abuser which permits you to gather proof just in case you wish to report him/her. Note specific things the verbal abuser says to you and let him know how much his words are hurting you.

Anyone who is a verbal abuser is a bully.  There is much to be read about bullying but no one seems to relate bullying in the workplace.  A verbal abuser works hard to distort our reality to make their reality feel safer.  They can make us fear losing our jobs or even feel hopeless

I have seen/heard verbal abuse in several situations.  I have been in meetings where a colleague just tore another person to shreds in the meeting which made me feel quite uncomfortable.  I have also been on calls where a Senior Manager was extremely mad...yelled at those on the call and in my mind tried to intimate everyone on the call.

Folks - this is just not acceptable!  No one should be exposed to this type of behavior...EVER!!  If you are a victim of verbal abuse - please do not sit back and allow it to continue.  Report it!  

Serenity on Sunday

Well hello Y'all...remember me?

It has been much too long since my last post...which is truly sad because blogging is my way of reflecting on the day, my life and my dreams.  It is so appropriate that I am blogging today about serenity as I am sorry to report that serenity has truly been missing from my life the last few months.  THIS is about to change...right here....right now!

You see - I have allowed work to rule my life...matter of fact - I have worked 12 straight days on an average of 12 hour days sometimes longer.  I have sacrificed family outings, birthdays and myself (including this blog!) for the sake of work.  Now - don't get me wrong...work is important is afterall pays the bills - but I have bankrupted my soul, my heart, my joy due to not giving myself adequate time to replenish myself.

Some of my favorite places to find serenity include a special spot on Monte Sano Mountain.  I practically grew up on Monte Sano Mountain since I was a little girl.  It was my place to run away to think, pray and just find peace.

Another favorite spot that I just oozes  peace and serenity is a sunset at the beach.  To find that perfect moment when the sun kisses the horizon it a breathtaking moment and simply  a reminder of the beauty of everything that is good in life.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life!  I am on a journey to find my lost serenity!  Where do you find your serenity?  

Here is wishing you a wonderful serene day!