lifestyle

We Early Risers

Backstory

As a writer, I’m used to working alone. The early morning hours seem to be my best time to explore big ideas and dissect everyday happenings to look at them a different way. Watching the sun issue in a new day is exhilarating.

I was thinking about how other people find their most productive time to work. When is yours?

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We Early Risers – #606

What time do you get up in the morning?

I’m an early riser – 5 a.m. for the most part. Love to see the sun lighten the sky and insist on a new day as it grows bright.

That’s my best time to think. It’s when these Consider This shows are written.

It’s quiet and personal and the day’s responsibilities can be held at bay long enough for thoughts of love and gratitude and joy to be celebrated first.

I find myself smiling, in front of the computer screen in those early hours.

I never pay bills at that hour, or plan a budget or open the mail. Save those for the afternoon, when energy is waning and mundane things can be done.

Early mornings are meant for thinking . . . planning . . . being mesmerized by the consideration of things that are and dare to be.

It’s not a time for Facebook or websites that present other people’s thoughts and ideas. In early morning, I want to feel my own thoughts; take them out, explore them, see if they stand up to early morning scrutiny.

Sometimes they don’t. And a show half written crumbles away like a lyric by Adele. Concepts that do not deserve your ear are burned at the stake and you never hear them.

How do you spend your early mornings? Please come to our online blog and post your response. If you have no early morning rituals, tell when you do contemplate or meditate or evaluate thoughts and ideas. I would so like to hear.

P.S.

During the days of self-quarantine, many people found new ways to concentrate, connect and reach their inner selves. Makes you wonder what the long-term result will be of our experiences with an overabundance of togetherness for some, loneliness for others. Blessed are those who managed to achieve balance between the two.

[Show #606]

Give It Away

Backstory

My friend opened her closet to reveal hundreds of T shirts in every color imaginable, collected over 30 years of travel, concerts and music festivals. She now needed to down-size and this was the challenge she faced.

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Give It Away – #609

“If you have not worn it for two years, give it away.” When you see your closet bursting at the seams, it’s a theme worth remembering.

Lots of people can benefit by the clothes you give away. Families on limited budgets really appreciate thrift shops. Young people love trolling through the racks and creating wardrobes from vintage finds or interesting combinations they can afford.

A friend of mine donates clothing often to thrift shops, and just as often makes purchases herself while she is there. One day, she showed up at my door with a beautiful designer blouse. She explained she had found this in a local shop, it was my size and she just HAD to get it for me. Turns out it was the blouse I had donated the day before.

A caution though, as you begin choosing clothing giveaways. Take a good look and make sure the item you are sending off is worth the wearing by someone else.

We tend to treasure things we’ve enjoyed over the years; comfortable outfits worn often. They may have been worn TOO often to give away though. If the clothing is worn, give in and toss it, rather than have it become a thrift shop reject.

Look for the things that have had little wear. Anything that does not quite fit right, does not feel right on you. It may be the wrong color or something that makes you look fat or is a gift you would never have chosen. Send it on its way into grateful new hands.

P.S.

Local thrift shop went an extra step. As cold weather began, they set up racks for coats and jackets outside the store – available free to anyone who needed one. Our local Rotary Club provides new coats and jackets to school age children who need one, before Christmas each year.

[Show #609]

Domestic Tips

Backstory

Our moms were so good at grabbing something right at hand to solve any kind of household emergency. Let’s keep that knowledge going and growing, with the following ideas and suggestions.

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Domestic Tips – #204

Today we’ve got some domestic tips that sounded so effective that we wanted to share them with you.

When you purchase a new bike, put your child’s photo inside the handlebar before placing the grips on. If the bike is stolen and later recovered, there’s your proof of who owns the bike.
Use a wet cotton ball to pick up little pieces of broken glass. Fibers catch pieces that you can’t even see.
To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle them with cayenne pepper. It doesn’t hurt the plant and the squirrels won’t go near it. Just be sure to wash well before eating.
When you throw a birthday or baby or bridal shower, buy a pack of Thank You cards. During the party, pass out the envelopes and have everyone write their name and address on one. When it’s time for the bride or the new mom to send thank yous, the envelopes will already be addressed.

If you have any household hints that you would like to share, or comments you would like to send in about the show, there is now an email address where you can write.

Send your comments or suggestions to annette@considerthisonline.com. That’s annette@considerthisonline.com. I’d love to hear from you.

P.S.

Even better, you can scroll down right here, and leave your tips under COMMENTS. Your messages are always appreciated. And you might enjoy reading comments left by others besides. Thanks for stopping in.

[Show #204]

Youthful Sponge

Backstory

I was thinking about the various phases of life and how they come and go. Rather than considering it myself, I thought I’d discuss it with you.

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Useful Sponge – #18

What do you remember about your youth? I remember being a sponge. Soaking up everything around me, trying out different styles. In early times, the sponge soaked up someone else’s look, mannerisms, and values. I wanted to look like this movie star, or sound like that rock star.

Then do you remember coming into your own? What age was that for you? When you took control and decided for yourself how you wanted to look, sound, think, love, behave, distinctly from those around you.

That coming of age was a wonderful revelation. When you actually drop the adaptations and created yourself. Here you are, years later. Are you still that person from your early adulthood? Or have you reinvented yourself more times over the years?

If there’s anything you don’t like about what you’ve created, change it. There’s still time. Every day you live is a chance to get better; a chance to change.

Be a sponge again. Try out new habits and new looks. Take up new past-times or passions. Soak up the joy of the day and make it your own.

P.S.

The latest adventure we are considering is Road Scholar – education-infused travel for adults. We can choose from 6,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Wow!

[Show #18]

Personal Mission Statement

Backstory

I’ve always set goals and made sure my plans were in writing. It does not end when you retire. That may be the best time to map out who you want to be and where you want to go. You have a second chance to scratch things off that bucket list, get organized or mend fences. What will it be?

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Personal Mission Statement – #659

In my working days, I wrote strategic plans and helped organizations decide what their future should look like.

When I settled in the Shenandoah Valley to take things easy, I wanted a PERSONAL mission statement; something I could refer to, to see if my days are being spent on things that matter to me. It’s so easy to get side-tracked and whittle time away, when you’re not in a 9 to 5 job. I wanted to set a course and keep on it.

There’s a quote from Henry David Thoreau. It so inspired me that I have it in a picture frame in my office.

Thoreau says, “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

Thoreau was saying to me – “Your Personal Mission Statement should aim you toward your own version of success and contentment. Yours – not anyone else’s.”

If you are interested in writing your own Personal Mission Statement and would like to see a sample, I’d be glad to share mine with you. It outlines the RESULTS I want to achieve from the things I do each day.

Just send me an email and I’ll get it out to you.

Once you write your mission statement, be sure to post it where you’ll see it every day so you can track your progress toward ”success unexpected in common hours.”

P.S.

To request the sample Personal Mission Statement, send an email to Annette@ConsiderThisRadioShow.com. Hope you enjoy the process of creating your own strategies.

[Show #659]

What People Think

Backstory

I was in an improv group that performed skits before groups as an alternative to speakers. In one skit, I played a mom, who cared more about what the neighbors thought than she did about her own daughter’s pain. Remembering that performance was the genesis of this episode.

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What People Think – #272

We were just talking about what people think of you. Should you care what they think? Seems it should depend on who is doing the thinking.

A friend recently told me that he likes his wife’s hair because she still wears it fluffy. That’s not the current trend in hair styles. But which is more important – being a trend setter or setting your guy’s heart aflutter when he looks at you in that fluffy hair style that he loves.

As we get older, we sometimes fall victim to what other people think. We seem to let them convince us that they know better about what we should do, or say, or look like. They say that walking on 5 inch high heels is the way to look cool. They threaten that love belongs only to those skeletal enough to wear a size 4. They warn that nobody over 50 can get a job in this new economy. None of that may be true for you. Don’t believe it. Make a judgment for yourself about what is true and act accordingly.

Every day, we are faced with decisions. We can make them based on our own values or based on what others will think. Which will you choose today?

The best advice seems to be the one frequently directed to young people as they mature – be true to yourself. If you can do that, no matter what your age, you’ll probably make out just fine.

P.S.

What experience do you have about what people think? Want to share something with our listeners and readers? Scroll down and write on.

[Show #272]

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