Reading a book to me is so relaxing and helps take your mind away to another time where your problems have no business edging its way in. I have always preferred reading to movies because I think my imagination takes the subject to a far better extreme than any movie could. Besides I don't think any screenwriter could come up with some of the things that go through my head. Reading as a child helped me to escape the issues of my family life and helped me to deal with stress that I had no control over.
So anyway, I finally finished reading "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. I kept seeing the darn commercials for the movie and it kind of irritated me. I didn't want to see the commercials because they might give something away that I had not read in the book yet. I thought the book had some pretty funny parts in it. I found myself laughing out loud and nodding my head in agreement with some of the characters in the book. It was thought provoking to me as I thought about how some of the black characters felt during some of the difficult parts in the book. Difficult to me because I couldn't understand that someone could treat another human being without kindness, courtesy and humanity.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I was kind of sad when it was over because I wanted to know what happened to certain characters at the end. The ending wasn't exactly a happy ending but it was realistic. I hope you consider reading this book. It is worth it to read what happens in this book based in Mississippi when integration in the South was a hot topic.
So you know if I liked the book I just HAD to see what the movie was all about. I did enjoy the movie! For being out for two weeks the place was packed. I had to sit in the rows close to the front which is not optimum but tolerable. Anyway, the movie did alright in capturing the main topics of the book but I felt that it left out several small points that really contributed to my appeal of the book. The movie is worth seeing for sure but I definitely would not say it is better than the book!
If you have the time and enjoy reading I recommend the book but if not I say go for the movie! After all movies help you to get away from the trouble of everyday life and relieve some stress too. Remember relieving some stress helps you to feel better. Feeling better gives you a positive outlook, which gets you thinking Positive! Have a Positively Blessed Day!
About Me
- Positive Lulu
- Just a Hispanic Jersey girl living in the South and trying to stay positive every day!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Teaching Teens By Doing Yourself
A few weeks ago my teenager Sabu came home and told me that one of her "besties" was moving across the country. I could tell by just looking at her she was very sad and teary eyed and distressed that she would never see her "bestie" again. I was thinking to myself.....what the heck is a bestie? Then I thought.....what can I tell her to make her feel a little better? When it comes to teens you just never know what is going to send them off to their room slamming the door so, I thought very carefully before I spoke.
Lulu: Where is she moving to?
Sabu replies with great distress:UTAH!
Lulu: When is she moving?
Sabu: IN TEN DAYS!!
Lulu: Why is she moving?
Sabu: Her DAD got a JOB OFFER!
Lulu: Are you and her other friends going to throw her a party?
Sabu: Yeah and we are going to have a pool party here at our house. Okay?
Lulu: Oh okay sure just let us know when you want to do it.
Sabu: OK thanks Mom.
Phew made it through that!! So I tried to calm her down by trying to help her communicate what the details were of her "bestie" moving. She slowly calmed down as I reminded her of a few things.
1. That it was a positive thing for her father to get a good job to support the family in this economy where so many people are jobless. (Including me!)
2. Families have to stick together and do what is best for the "whole" family.
3. Her bestie has family already living in Utah so it is good to have the support of other family members when you move somewhere new.
4. Utah has great skiing and you have always wanted to learn to ski so why wouldn't we able to sometime take a plane ride to Utah and go skiing? Besides I lived there for five years and know it like the back of my hand!
5. You can always keep in touch by celly, text, IM, FB and Skype! Or you can go the slow snail route, that is still an option.
So instead of focusing on the negative aspect of her leaving, why not think of positive things that are coming out of it?
Well I couldn't expect to keep her attention for too long! She agreed with me on the points but then said, "Gees why do you ALWAYS have to bring up the positive side of things? Why can't you just let me be sad once in a while!"
Okay then. Cut to a few days later. We are having the Pool (not a party because it is sad that they won't be together for much longer because she has to go to darn Utah!) Get Together for her "bestie". I am of course in attendance because after all I am the life guard and must be present. All are enjoying the swimming, the virgin pina coladas I prepared and the snacks. No one is talking about the move, just enjoying the warmth of the sun and friends. XKEA6XX2S2HR
Then I decide to get in the pool and float on my Sponge Bob float. Of course I can't just float I have to TALK! I go over to where the girls are all congregated and ask the "moving bestie" where in Utah she was moving to. Sabu flashes a quick cat eye look over to me say, "STOP IT, NO MOVING QUESTIONS! Yikes, I felt all those daggers hit me in the mouth, lol. I didn't let it stop me. I told the young lady that it was a really nice area she was moving to and that there were so many things she would be able to enjoy in her new home. The other girls were not appreciating me at that moment! I continued on to tell her friend that she needed to really think about the positive things associated with the move because there were so many. She kept listening to the list of possibilities I had to offer nodding and smiling throughout.
After my little speech to the "moving bestie" I focused on the ones being left behind. "You all should be happy that she will have things to look forward to, after all she is the one having to start all over and you all will still have each other for support. Besides like I told Sabu, who says we all can't go to Utah and visit and go skiing?" They all smiled and agreed and we continued on with the fun in the sun.
Another week passed and I heard from Sabu that her bestie had moved and could she please use my web cam to keep in touch with her Utah Bestie? "Of course, with supervision", I say and Sabu nods gratefully. I was happy to see her feeling better about her friends move.
I always try to talk to my kids about being more positive but I think it is more effective when they actually see you be more positive. That is why I decided to start writing this blog about a week ago. My kids are now seeing me be more positive, productive and proactive through my blog.
A week ago-I was picking up my teens and one Sabu's friends from school and I overhear them talking and laughing. Sabu's bestie had tripped in PE class while they were all running together. Sabu says to her:
Sabu: "Well the POSITIVE thing from the fall is that no one else saw you!
Bestie:"Well the other POSITIVE thing is that I didn't get hurt.
Sabu: "Another POSITIVE thing is that you fell pretty!"
Bestie: "Well I am POSITIVE that I don't trip as much as you do!
It continued that way back and forth for the rest of the drive home. Oh boy, well at least they are talking about being positive....that is a good start!
Remember the best way to teach your Teens to be more Positive is to Do it Yourself!
Have a Positively Blessed Day! :)
Lulu: Where is she moving to?
Sabu replies with great distress:UTAH!
Lulu: When is she moving?
Sabu: IN TEN DAYS!!
Lulu: Why is she moving?
Sabu: Her DAD got a JOB OFFER!
Lulu: Are you and her other friends going to throw her a party?
Sabu: Yeah and we are going to have a pool party here at our house. Okay?
Lulu: Oh okay sure just let us know when you want to do it.
Sabu: OK thanks Mom.
Phew made it through that!! So I tried to calm her down by trying to help her communicate what the details were of her "bestie" moving. She slowly calmed down as I reminded her of a few things.
1. That it was a positive thing for her father to get a good job to support the family in this economy where so many people are jobless. (Including me!)
2. Families have to stick together and do what is best for the "whole" family.
3. Her bestie has family already living in Utah so it is good to have the support of other family members when you move somewhere new.
4. Utah has great skiing and you have always wanted to learn to ski so why wouldn't we able to sometime take a plane ride to Utah and go skiing? Besides I lived there for five years and know it like the back of my hand!
5. You can always keep in touch by celly, text, IM, FB and Skype! Or you can go the slow snail route, that is still an option.
So instead of focusing on the negative aspect of her leaving, why not think of positive things that are coming out of it?
Well I couldn't expect to keep her attention for too long! She agreed with me on the points but then said, "Gees why do you ALWAYS have to bring up the positive side of things? Why can't you just let me be sad once in a while!"
Okay then. Cut to a few days later. We are having the Pool (not a party because it is sad that they won't be together for much longer because she has to go to darn Utah!) Get Together for her "bestie". I am of course in attendance because after all I am the life guard and must be present. All are enjoying the swimming, the virgin pina coladas I prepared and the snacks. No one is talking about the move, just enjoying the warmth of the sun and friends. XKEA6XX2S2HR
Then I decide to get in the pool and float on my Sponge Bob float. Of course I can't just float I have to TALK! I go over to where the girls are all congregated and ask the "moving bestie" where in Utah she was moving to. Sabu flashes a quick cat eye look over to me say, "STOP IT, NO MOVING QUESTIONS! Yikes, I felt all those daggers hit me in the mouth, lol. I didn't let it stop me. I told the young lady that it was a really nice area she was moving to and that there were so many things she would be able to enjoy in her new home. The other girls were not appreciating me at that moment! I continued on to tell her friend that she needed to really think about the positive things associated with the move because there were so many. She kept listening to the list of possibilities I had to offer nodding and smiling throughout.
After my little speech to the "moving bestie" I focused on the ones being left behind. "You all should be happy that she will have things to look forward to, after all she is the one having to start all over and you all will still have each other for support. Besides like I told Sabu, who says we all can't go to Utah and visit and go skiing?" They all smiled and agreed and we continued on with the fun in the sun.
Another week passed and I heard from Sabu that her bestie had moved and could she please use my web cam to keep in touch with her Utah Bestie? "Of course, with supervision", I say and Sabu nods gratefully. I was happy to see her feeling better about her friends move.
I always try to talk to my kids about being more positive but I think it is more effective when they actually see you be more positive. That is why I decided to start writing this blog about a week ago. My kids are now seeing me be more positive, productive and proactive through my blog.
A week ago-I was picking up my teens and one Sabu's friends from school and I overhear them talking and laughing. Sabu's bestie had tripped in PE class while they were all running together. Sabu says to her:
Sabu: "Well the POSITIVE thing from the fall is that no one else saw you!
Bestie:"Well the other POSITIVE thing is that I didn't get hurt.
Sabu: "Another POSITIVE thing is that you fell pretty!"
Bestie: "Well I am POSITIVE that I don't trip as much as you do!
It continued that way back and forth for the rest of the drive home. Oh boy, well at least they are talking about being positive....that is a good start!
Remember the best way to teach your Teens to be more Positive is to Do it Yourself!
Have a Positively Blessed Day! :)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Earth Quakes, Nerves Shake
Sometime after 2 pm eastern time this afternoon I was taking a minute to surf the cable channels on the TV and I happened upon the unfolding stories of the Virginia Earthquake. I was taken aback, as most people probably were, to hear this happened in Virginia. After my initial shock my thoughts immediately leaped to my family and friends in Virginia,North Carolina,D.C., New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York . After saying a prayer that everyone was OK, I attempted to call my relatives in Virginia........"sorry all lines are busy, please try your call again later"....OMG WHAT!!!?? I am sure this happened to everyone who has anyone they care about in the vicinity of the earthquake. It is only human to react this way. I tried to keep telling myself "stay positive and have faith that the Lord will watch over all our loved ones. I kept calling as I received messages from other family members asking if I heard there was an earthquake. Finally after two hours I got through to a nephew. It was a relief to hear everyone was safe. I am sure this played over and over in every state by many families today. Hopefully everyone who made the calls got quick answers to their calls and all loved ones were safe and sound. It was a blessing that no one lost their lives in the earthquake, as far as we know. When things like this happen it always makes you think about all the blessings in your life and that we should truly be grateful for all we have. As the days progress and the whole story of how the earthquake affected all I pray that everyone will keep themselves as positive as possible. We can't let loss of property and possessions keep us from looking forward, building anew and smiling at one another. Let us be hopeful, have faith and be inspired to help one another through this time! Have a positively blessed day!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Happiness From My Hobitives
WTH is "Hobitives"? Okay so it isn't a word from the dictionary but it is a merging of two words that make me feel good. That is because it is derived from Hobbies and Positive. Yeah dats right I said it Hobby+Positive=Hobitive=My hobbies make me feel positively HAPPY!!!
Hobbies are good for the mind, body and soul. Participating in hobbies helps you to reduce stress, get fit, help the world around you, helps you reach goals.
There are so many hobbies out there to choose from that don't cost a penny, on the other hand there are those that cost way more than a penny. Whichever it might be a hobby is just waiting out there for you to explore and help you detach from the every day dulldrums....yikes did i say dulldrums? You know what I mean. Something that will help you relax and feel good about yourself.
I have several hobbies because well when it comes to keeping my attention I am HIGH MAINTENANCE! I enjoy doing many things i.e. Shopping (can't do that without money so that is on hold for a while), quilting(I use old pairs of jeans and the flat sheets I never use from sheet sets so it doesn't cost much) , reading, crafts(I really like to recycle things and make new things out of them like I make Christmas Ornaments out of old burnt out light bulbs), sewing(LOVE to make Halloween Costumes!!), dancing(not professionally, just dancing around my house in my booty shorts gyrating to different types of music), gardening (only in the spring when it isn't a million degrees out), writing, collecting old cameras, collecting bells (I had to stop because I had no where to put anymore), I collect Santas(the dolls. I have a sitting room I call the "Santa" room during Christmas that is nothing but Santa Claus dolls and Santa decor. I get all my stuff from yard sales so not much spent on that hobby), Yard Sales(LOVE THEM! If your hobby is collecting things then yard sales are for you!) and I know there are more but can't think of them right now.
I guess I tend to have different hobbies for different times of the year. I think this is to keep my interest in the hobby from wilting away, like I said I am attention deficient and things have to really interest me to keep me happy. I guess that is really what hobbies need to do for each person- keep them interested and happy.
Before choosing a hobby you need to think of what you want to get out of that hobby. Do you want to get in shape, do something in a group to benefit others, be creative, work with charities, build model airplanes? You also need to consider how much, if any, you want to spend on the hobby. So whether you choose a hobby that is active, creative, or that gives you a sense of accomplishment in helping others, doing the hobby will give you many benefits in your life.
Hobbies are good for your mind, body and soul. Mind-Takes you away from your worries and problems and relieves stress. Body-Active hobbies keep you in shape. Even hobbies that aren't as physical as rock climbing can still have positive impact on your health. Such as helping flexibility, dexterity and cardiovascular health. Soul-Having a hobby helps you feel good about yourself completing goals and gives you a sense of worth and accomplishment.
Whatever hobby you decide to start remember that it should be something that you enjoy and helps you to feel good about yourself. It should not be something that you feel will be a burden to you but makes you smile and feel positive about yourself.
So this is the first word going into the Positive Lulu dictionary:
Hobitive or Hobitivity:Definition- A Hobby/ies or activity that brings you a positive feeling or a sense of Positivity!
So I am considering a few more Hobitivities for myself. I am thinking of volunteering at a shelter(love animals so this will be so POSITIVE), joining a theater group(yikes this would be way out of my comfort zone but then again so was blogging and now I am doing it. I have been told I am quite a character so still pondering this one, karaoke singer (NOT). If anyone has any suggestions....would Love to hear from you!
So what do you think? Is having a Hobitivity something that interests you? Give it a try you have nothing but Positive things to gain!
Have a Positively Blessed day!
Hobbies are good for the mind, body and soul. Participating in hobbies helps you to reduce stress, get fit, help the world around you, helps you reach goals.
There are so many hobbies out there to choose from that don't cost a penny, on the other hand there are those that cost way more than a penny. Whichever it might be a hobby is just waiting out there for you to explore and help you detach from the every day dulldrums....yikes did i say dulldrums? You know what I mean. Something that will help you relax and feel good about yourself.
I have several hobbies because well when it comes to keeping my attention I am HIGH MAINTENANCE! I enjoy doing many things i.e. Shopping (can't do that without money so that is on hold for a while), quilting(I use old pairs of jeans and the flat sheets I never use from sheet sets so it doesn't cost much) , reading, crafts(I really like to recycle things and make new things out of them like I make Christmas Ornaments out of old burnt out light bulbs), sewing(LOVE to make Halloween Costumes!!), dancing(not professionally, just dancing around my house in my booty shorts gyrating to different types of music), gardening (only in the spring when it isn't a million degrees out), writing, collecting old cameras, collecting bells (I had to stop because I had no where to put anymore), I collect Santas(the dolls. I have a sitting room I call the "Santa" room during Christmas that is nothing but Santa Claus dolls and Santa decor. I get all my stuff from yard sales so not much spent on that hobby), Yard Sales(LOVE THEM! If your hobby is collecting things then yard sales are for you!) and I know there are more but can't think of them right now.
I guess I tend to have different hobbies for different times of the year. I think this is to keep my interest in the hobby from wilting away, like I said I am attention deficient and things have to really interest me to keep me happy. I guess that is really what hobbies need to do for each person- keep them interested and happy.
Before choosing a hobby you need to think of what you want to get out of that hobby. Do you want to get in shape, do something in a group to benefit others, be creative, work with charities, build model airplanes? You also need to consider how much, if any, you want to spend on the hobby. So whether you choose a hobby that is active, creative, or that gives you a sense of accomplishment in helping others, doing the hobby will give you many benefits in your life.
Hobbies are good for your mind, body and soul. Mind-Takes you away from your worries and problems and relieves stress. Body-Active hobbies keep you in shape. Even hobbies that aren't as physical as rock climbing can still have positive impact on your health. Such as helping flexibility, dexterity and cardiovascular health. Soul-Having a hobby helps you feel good about yourself completing goals and gives you a sense of worth and accomplishment.
Whatever hobby you decide to start remember that it should be something that you enjoy and helps you to feel good about yourself. It should not be something that you feel will be a burden to you but makes you smile and feel positive about yourself.
So this is the first word going into the Positive Lulu dictionary:
Hobitive or Hobitivity:Definition- A Hobby/ies or activity that brings you a positive feeling or a sense of Positivity!
So I am considering a few more Hobitivities for myself. I am thinking of volunteering at a shelter(love animals so this will be so POSITIVE), joining a theater group(yikes this would be way out of my comfort zone but then again so was blogging and now I am doing it. I have been told I am quite a character so still pondering this one, karaoke singer (NOT). If anyone has any suggestions....would Love to hear from you!
So what do you think? Is having a Hobitivity something that interests you? Give it a try you have nothing but Positive things to gain!
Have a Positively Blessed day!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Positive Gratitiude
The number one step to being a more positive you is Think Gratitude. I wanted to end my day by posting the things that I am grateful for today. In the future I will be starting my day by doing this in order to follow the steps correctly. For today here we go.
I am Grateful to God for:
1. My Family
2. My Health
3. A husband who puts up with me
4.Being able to have time with my kids
5. Friends who support me
6. A home
7. A good car to drive
8. The opportunity to try new things
9. To be an American
10. Good air conditioner
It isn't what you are grateful for that matters. What matters is that you THINK about the blessings you do have. Picture those blessings in your mind, verbalize them, embrace them! There are so many blessings in your life so why not make it the best life possible? Enjoy your life as it was intended and focus on being Positively HAPPY!
I am Grateful to God for:
1. My Family
2. My Health
3. A husband who puts up with me
4.Being able to have time with my kids
5. Friends who support me
6. A home
7. A good car to drive
8. The opportunity to try new things
9. To be an American
10. Good air conditioner
It isn't what you are grateful for that matters. What matters is that you THINK about the blessings you do have. Picture those blessings in your mind, verbalize them, embrace them! There are so many blessings in your life so why not make it the best life possible? Enjoy your life as it was intended and focus on being Positively HAPPY!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
When it rains it pours..........or is it just free water for my gardens?
Just when you think you got a handle on a situation something else goes wrong. I have been jobless for a couple of months and I think I am handling myself very well for not having a job or money. I am doing my best to stay true to my "Stay Positive" attitude. I have been keeping busy by cleaning house, tending to the pets, driving kids to and from school, running errands for my husband but I am getting kind of restless to get out of the house and get a job in the outside world already.
Yesterday I went to an interview with a recruiter. It went well I think....always positive. Right after I left the interview....POW...I back into a pillar of the parking garage! Yep didn't feel too positive at that moment. Needless to say that my car got a major dent in the rear, not to mention a broken taillight cover, hole in the bumper and quite a few scuffs.
So what did I do, got the heck out of dodge that's what I did! I was so embarrassed that I did that to my own car. As I headed home I just wanted to cry. I went through all the negative things that were going on. I had to tell my husband that I messed up. Who knows how much this would cost. My car looked terrible. I can't get a job. I have dog hair all over my interview clothes. I forgot to change the clothes out of the washer and into the dryer. I forgot to buy milk, etc, etc.
All my worries and emotions ran into my head and I started to think all negative. I had to shake my head and say "Yo get a grip"! I decided to kick it into the positive gear and get my mind working on how to remedy the problem.
When I got home I put on my work clothes and grabbed my tool box. After all my father had been a mechanic and I got the mechanic gene in me. I took out my magic sponge and got to work on the paint and scuff marks. Then I got down and dirty and grabbed the mallet and popped the dents right out. Once I finished that it didn't look bad at all. Just a couple of scratches and a broken taillight cover.
I checked online on how to touch up car paint and replace a taillight cover. It is as easy as visiting the auto store and getting some touch up paint and replacement taillight cover. Within a few days I will have my supplies to fix the rest of the car then voila..car is good as new!
It would have been easy for me to just lay down in defeat but for positive thinking sake I needed to repair the car myself and be proactive. For me being proactive is necessary to keep myself from falling into the pit of despair and negativity.
Even though I felt like all my problems were pouring down on me like torrential rains, I just needed to remember that the rain is sometimes necessary to help you in other ways. Maybe to water the garden, remind you that you are only human and in my case I needed to be reminded that I am truly blessed with what I do have and not to sweat it.
So I think I stayed true to my motto yesterday of "Positive Thinking Brings Positive Results"! I think it really does work!
Have a positively Blessed day!
Yesterday I went to an interview with a recruiter. It went well I think....always positive. Right after I left the interview....POW...I back into a pillar of the parking garage! Yep didn't feel too positive at that moment. Needless to say that my car got a major dent in the rear, not to mention a broken taillight cover, hole in the bumper and quite a few scuffs.
So what did I do, got the heck out of dodge that's what I did! I was so embarrassed that I did that to my own car. As I headed home I just wanted to cry. I went through all the negative things that were going on. I had to tell my husband that I messed up. Who knows how much this would cost. My car looked terrible. I can't get a job. I have dog hair all over my interview clothes. I forgot to change the clothes out of the washer and into the dryer. I forgot to buy milk, etc, etc.
All my worries and emotions ran into my head and I started to think all negative. I had to shake my head and say "Yo get a grip"! I decided to kick it into the positive gear and get my mind working on how to remedy the problem.
When I got home I put on my work clothes and grabbed my tool box. After all my father had been a mechanic and I got the mechanic gene in me. I took out my magic sponge and got to work on the paint and scuff marks. Then I got down and dirty and grabbed the mallet and popped the dents right out. Once I finished that it didn't look bad at all. Just a couple of scratches and a broken taillight cover.
I checked online on how to touch up car paint and replace a taillight cover. It is as easy as visiting the auto store and getting some touch up paint and replacement taillight cover. Within a few days I will have my supplies to fix the rest of the car then voila..car is good as new!
It would have been easy for me to just lay down in defeat but for positive thinking sake I needed to repair the car myself and be proactive. For me being proactive is necessary to keep myself from falling into the pit of despair and negativity.
Even though I felt like all my problems were pouring down on me like torrential rains, I just needed to remember that the rain is sometimes necessary to help you in other ways. Maybe to water the garden, remind you that you are only human and in my case I needed to be reminded that I am truly blessed with what I do have and not to sweat it.
So I think I stayed true to my motto yesterday of "Positive Thinking Brings Positive Results"! I think it really does work!
Have a positively Blessed day!
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Armed forces
I would like to send positive thoughts, prayers and many thanks to all the men and women in our United States Armed Forces who support and defend our country around the world! A big Thank you to the family members who support our troops! THANK YOU and GOD BLESS AMERICA!