On My Mind Today

Are you living your own life or are you watching someone else live theirs? It's no wonder people tend to feel depressed more often today. If they are watching television or constantly scanning social media, and comparing their life to what is being presented, then it can quickly bring them down. The first thing they need to realize is what people put out there more than likely is not reality. Nobody has a life that is picture perfect, but they want others to believe they do. It may make them feel better or more important, however in the process they are contributing to making others feel like their life is less than it should be. If you are asking yourself questions like: Why can't I look that beautiful? Why aren't my children that talented and well-behaved? Why don't I have such a great home, job or relationship? You need to stop! Stop comparing your life to the unrealistic images you are seeing. Although they say perception is reality, the reality is far from what the...

Our journey in life takes many paths and we never know where we may end up along the way. What we envision is not always what happens as we know all too well. There are many times of great joy and exhilaration that we encounter. Our first day of school, our first kiss, learning to drive, going to college, getting married, the birth of a child and so many other firsts that if we lined them all up, they would show what a good life we have had. The times of our life that we are forever grateful for and wouldn't trade for anything. There are also times of sadness and pain that we would like to forget or wish may not have happened at all. The small things like falling off our bike, the bully at school, and our first broken heart. Or something much larger that we think we will never recover from, like the loss of a loved one. Life goes along quite smoothly most of the time, but just when we think our life is on track and figured out, we are thrown a cur...

From Taste of Home contributor, Julianne Meyers from Huntsville, Georgia, this recipe is a quick and easy dinner that you can make in one skillet. With ten ingredients and 30 minutes, you can have a delicious dinner for your family. Although this is meat free, you can add cooked ground sweet Italian sausage or chicken sausage for the meat lovers. Gnocchi with White Beans 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 package (16 oz.) potato gnocchi 1 can (15 oz.) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 1 can (14-1.2 oz.) Italian diced tomatoes, undrained 1 package (6 oz.) fresh baby spinach (I added 10 oz.) 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender. Add garlic; cook one minute longer. Add gnocchi; cook and stir 5-6 minutes or until golden brown. Stir in beans, tomatoes, spinach and pepper (also ground meat if adding...

People everywhere feel the tension, worrying and holding their breath. We raise our voices and speak our truth, but is there anyone listening to us? They do not adhere to their country's laws, as they cut jobs and brutalize those in the way. As long as they line their pockets with money, they will never truly listen to what we say. Our friends and allies are used and abused, with our leaders bullying and leaving them adrift. We cry out and say do not alienate them and isolate us, why will they not wake up and listen to us? We have always been a great and generous nation, willing to help other countries in need. No more they say, we want it all for the rich, too selfish to listen to anyone's plea. Our democracy is now in great jeopardy, they refuse to follow our constitutional laws. And those that were voted into the House, will not listen to what their constituents say. We will continue to rise up in anger, to the horrific things they say and do. Show our resistance to these un...

In light of recent events, I feel this needs to be repeated. As an American, I need to say that what transpired between the U.S. and Ukraine in the white House, was an embarrassment to millions of U.S. citizens. This is not who we are, and the Ukrainian President should have been treated with dignity and respect, not ambushed and ridiculed. What price will we all pay for this lack of true leadership? "Leadership - the process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective." "True Leader - one who wants to give people pride and to make people stand on their own as leaders in their own right. Instead of trying to blind us with their brilliance, a true leader reflects our own light back to us." True leadership can be difficult to find, as it has been overshadowed by the bad leadership that is pervasive in the world today. We all can spot bad leadership because it is driven by ego, power and money, and it uses lies, bullying and oppression to divide and ...

From SouthernPlate.com , this oven baked omelet can be put together in about 15 minutes, and ready for the table in less than an hour. You can make it your own by adding the veggies, meat and cheese that you and your family love. For a larger group, make a couple of different variations to please your guests. For an added kick, top with a dash of hot sauce. Easy Omelet Baked in the Oven 8 eggs 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup milk 1 cup cooked crumbles turkey sausage (I used ground sweet Italian sausage) 1 cup diced onion and bell pepper blend In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Then add the milk and all other ingredients. Beat until well combined and then pour into a greased 8x8 baking dish. Bake in a 350-degree oven for about 40 minutes, or until it no longer wiggles in the middle when you shake it a bit. Note: When serving - top with a bit of shredded cheese or a dash of hot sauce.

Overall, we have had an extremely mild winter here in the Northeast. Almost nonexistent snowfall and very few bitter cold days. Winters were much colder and had more significant snowfall when I was growing up. Although it has been mild, it is still winter. Shorter daylight hours and no leaves on the trees. Lacking in light and color, which in turn leads to a lack of energy. Now that we have entered March there is anticipation and hope of what is arriving soon. The daylight hours have begun to stretch later into the day, and Daylight Savings time arrived today. Having the extra hours of sunlight seems to invigorate the body and soul. Each year, like a miracle, the sun shines longer, brighter and higher in the sky. As if the days are being touched by the angels. With the extended light and warmth comes a renewed sense of energy that makes me anxious to become reacquainted with the earth. My flower bed is still buried under snow but will soon start to show signs of what's to come. I y...

When end of winter seems to hang on, and the cold winds chill to the bone. Close your eyes to block it out, fly away to sunny warm days. When world events seem to crush your soul, making life seem a heavy weight. Disconnect from the negative forces, fly away to a world filled with peace. Each day as you go through the motions, of caring for everyone you love. When it all becomes too much for you, fly away to tranquil solitude. At times when there is little connection, to friends who live far away. Take time to call and reconnect, fly away to the shared memories. When your children now have children, and busy lives get in the way. When time spent together is more elusive, fly away to earlier days of family fun. When the game of life rushes by, and the last quarter comes into view. Cherish each milestone and memory, fly away to embrace each day of your life.

From Jamielyn Nye at https://www.iheartnaptime.net , this recipe for homemade crunch bars could not be any easier. Made with only 3 ingredients, they can be ready within 30 minutes. With the crispy chocolate and peanut butter taste that you love, they are sure to be a big hit with you family. Homemade Crunch Bars 1-1/2 cups chocolate chips 1/3 cup peanut butter 1 cup Rice Krispies flaked sea salt, optional Line an 8x8 square baking dish with parchment paper. Place 1-1/2 cups chocolate chips and 1/3 cup peanut butter in a medium sized microwave-safe bowl. Melt in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. When the chocolate is smooth and melted, add 1 cup Rice Krispies and stir well. Spread into prepared baking dish, dust with flaked sea salt if desired. Freeze for 15-20 minutes. Cut into 8 bars. Place in a freezer safe container and store in the freezer until ready to serve.