17 Must Watch TV Shows for Adults on Netflix

I love watching Netflix. Surprise, surprise. Our family has had an account for years now- first in the US and then the UK. It's great entertainment for when I'm folding a mountain of laundry, sick, wanting to cuddle with my husband, having a crappy day, bored, needing a way to relax, my brain decides sleep isn't necessary, low on funds...You get the picture. (Badum tish!)

 I have made the sacrifice-just for you of course- of years worth of swimming through the shallow ocean of Netflix polluted with B list (at best) shows to discover these pearls...You're welcome.

Get your bowl of popcorn and find your favorite pajamas and a blanket to curl up in because I'm about to share my favorites and reviews list with you! Kiddie shows like "Peppa Pig" or "Bubble Guppies" will not be included...This is for the older audiences in your homes.

Note: My list is UK Netflix specific, but many of them are on US Netflix too...Oh, how I miss US Netflix sometimes! I wish they added more of the good stuff to both. (Does anyone know where I can watch my beloved "Rizzoli & Isles" without paying an arm and a leg?!)



Here it goes in no particular order...

TV Shows
1.) "Once Upon a Time": If you're a big kid at heart, you'll really enjoy this one. Fairy tales all grown up with a bits of reality stirred into this magic potion of a show. Their reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin's character is one of my favorites, and you'll be wishing you could borrow from their wardrobe for Halloween (or every day). My husband and I are pretty harsh critics of TV shows and movies. So, we did notice quite a few plot holes and things we wish we could change-like the redundancy of memory loss "twists", but I still love the overall concept even though my husband describes it as a "fairy tales soap opera"... And they're still coming out with new episodes! This would be a great one for a ladies' night in.
Preview:
https://youtu.be/Rga4rp4j5TY

2.) "Grimm": Yes, another "fairy tale" show...But, like the original Grimm brothers, this one is darker than others. If you like detective shows, then you'll love it! My husband likes "Grimm" more than "Once Upon a Time". Note: Some scenes are quite graphic.
Preview:
https://youtu.be/2rVy3RBJmNo

 3.) "Lie to Me": What woman doesn't love a main character who is a well dressed tormented genius with an English accent? He's also a bit of a scoundrel with an unhealthy amount of narcissism but is truly honorable at the core. Sometimes I wish I could be a human lie detector, but ultimately that super power appears to have too many cons to be personally beneficial.
Preview (w/ Spanish subtitles):
https://youtu.be/pbOgHa34Ec8

4.) "Arrested Development": A very funny sitcom about a crazy family with many quotable lines! Favorite Character: Tobias Funke. The first 3 seasons are much better than the last, but I heard that they might release another.
Preview (not the best):
https://youtu.be/HB7lel4I6lw

5.) "The 4400": Great for fans of Sci-Fi, Mystery, and Drama! 4400 people disappear over a matter of decades only to all appear suddenly with superhuman abilities. My husband and I watched all the episodes together.
Preview:
https://youtu.be/8Wey_sso-fk


6. ) "Orange is the New Black": Funny, provocative, a diverse majority female cast, something new and addicting. My only complaint would be that it seemed to over-fetishize lesbians at times probably for ratings, but on the other side of that coin, it did show some of the complexities of female relationships and lesbian relationships that you don't often get to see. Favorite characters? "Crazy Eyes" Suzanne (portrayed by Uzo Aduba) and "Red" Reznikov (Kate Mulgrew)! I can't wait for the next episodes!
Preview:
https://youtu.be/zLyUlTu4KbI

7.) "Louis Theroux", "Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends", and "Louis Theroux: L.A. Stories": Rolled these into one. Even if you don't usually like documentaries, you'll probably like these. My all time favorite journalist who often covers the weirdest of the weird, mostly in American society. I love his subtle sense of humor, ability to speak logically with the strangest people and to stay calm no matter what the situation. I first heard of him when I watched his inside story on the Westboro Baptist Church and his follow up with the youth that left it. Never boring!
One Preview:
https://youtu.be/VxWo7xbaUu0

8.) "Community": Quirky and hilarious with heart touching moments in a community college setting unlike any other.
Preview:
https://youtu.be/sBCE9oIuN24

9.) "Homeland": A controversial, thoroughly patriotic American show with suspense, twists, and topics that will prompt further discussion. I connected with one of the main characters, Carrie- a highly intelligent and skilled yet unconventional CIA agent who's secretly suffering from an illness. She is also the only one who suspects that an American "hero" is a threat to national security.
Preview:
https://youtu.be/W18ZHrU3XYQ

10.) "The Good Wife": It will have you thinking about what you would do in her shoes from the start. A politics and law drama with a strong female lead, interesting scenarios, dysfunctional families, romance, action, and all in amazing business outfits!

11.) "House of Cards": Really well made. Although I'm not a big fan of politics, I am of this show! A nearly unstoppable power couple as the main characters with an interesting supporting cast. American politics can get really dirty, and appearances aren't always what they seem (even though Claire's style and fitness level are to die for!).
Preview:
https://youtu.be/ULwUzF1q5w4

12.) "Call the Midwife": I highly recommend this show to ladies who like historical fiction! Midwifery is sewn all the way through the storyline, but the women's lives and stories during the 50's and 60's in a very poor district of London are what will really captivate its viewers.
Preview:
https://youtu.be/xTi2Dl0dF0Y

13.) "Luther": A favorite detective show of ours! Besides actor Idris Elba's good looks and stunning performance, this one has a lot going for it. An imperfect hero for a protagonist working in the thick of thrilling action, intriguing stories and mysteries, psycho criminals, dysfunction and passion. Setting: the dark underbelly of London.
Preview:
https://youtu.be/aEwrOnrlERY

14.) "TEDTalks: Let Your Mind Wonder": I've watched numerous TEDTalks videos-short educational lectures on a large variety of topics. The problem I occasionally run into with the other TEDTalks videos is that some of the speakers, while experts with share worthy topics, are not great public speakers. Visual learners, like myself, quickly lose interest. That's why I love that these are animated! Great for educators and families alike!

15.) "Sherlock": An excellent modern take on a classic! You will fall in love with British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, his character, and these stories all over again. I only wish there were more episodes!
Preview:
https://youtu.be/JP5Dr63TbSU

16.) "Cybercrimes with Ben Hammersley": Indulge your inner geek! A tech savvy journalist with a manly mustache (new addition to his resume?) breaks this topic down to a level that even the layman can understand in 6 episodes. Cybercrime is a subgenre not frequently covered in crime documentaries. So, I found this interesting.

17.) "Breaking Bad": It took me a long time before I got around to watching this very popular show. I worried that with all the hype surrounding it that I would only be left disappointed. While it did take me a while to really get into it, I found myself addicted and binge watching with my husband after the first season. Though I didn't find most of the characters very physically attractive or likeable as people, it was part of what made the show such a success. It's just so well made, and you can't say that about every modern show.
Preview:
https://youtu.be/HhesaQXLuRY

~LadyH


Don't be stingy now. Share it with all your friends and family!


Reader Response
Are any of your favorites included in my list? Would you add or subtract any if you were writing a list Netflix favorites?

*Remember, this list is UK Netflix specific. My favorites that are only found in the US version weren't included for organizational purposes.





Disclaimer: No company/organization/group asked me to write this. These are my own thoughts and opinions, and I am not intending to represent any other parties. This is blog is written for entertainment purposes only and is never substitute for professional advice of any kind. Please receive written permission from the writer before using this blog's contents in any way. The videos shared in this post are not my creation nor do I own them.

What Feminism Means to Me

Feminism.
Feminist.
Feminine.
What comes to mind when you hear those words?
Do you only associate it with negativity...at least the first two?
If you claim to be "against feminism", I can probably guess at the images in your mind.
To you a "feminist" is likely an angry woman who hates men and thinks all women are better than all men, never shaves nor wears a bra, is in a relationship with a woman, smokes a pack a day, and is pro-choice with no children....Am I anywhere close?

On the other end of the spectrum, what are some of the connotations people have with "feminine"? The quintessential example of "femininity" in some minds is a woman wearing a long pink dress with long hair who is frequently emotionally distraught, heavily reliant on the men in her life, submissive, weak, a loving mother, a good cook, curvy but not obese nor "boyishly thin",...Basically the equivalent of some of the fairy tale princesses.
For other people, those descriptions are highly offensive and viewed as prejudiced, stereotypical, and outdated, but I have talked to people who sincerely believe those things.

Let me explain to you my views on those words and why I call myself a "feminist". Yes me. A wife to a man. A mother to a son. A woman who takes care of her family and does volunteer work without pay. I can assure you that I shave. I sometimes wear long dresses and skirts. I don't smoke...At the same time, my husband and I make decisions together, and we both have made decisions independently. Although the paychecks are in his name, we view it as our money that we have both played a part in earning, managing, and saving. In addition to those dresses, I've also worn shorts, "trousers", swimsuits, etc. Since my son is starting full time school soon, I'll be working on continuing my education and hopefully starting my own business. I am a different religion from my husband, but we both respect that. I take birth control pills (more for health reasons than controlling the size of our family). We work as a team rather than a hierarchy...I also think you can be a feminist and fit a very different description.
So, that's the first (and arguably most important) point...Feminism is about women having choices. You are not confined to another's definition of womanhood. You can choose to be a homemaker and have the sole income coming from your husband, or you can be the CEO of a large company. Or any other job or role or combination thereof. You can have kids or not, and if you have children, you have the choice of how to raise them (so long as it's not abusive). Birth control methods are up to you. (Honestly, I would love to see physicians offering birth control medicine, not just surgeries, to men as well.) You may earn many degrees or not. That option of higher education should be available to you regardless of gender. You can choose your relationships and opt to end them. You decide your own wardrobe. Wear lots of makeup, just a little, or none at all. Lead the group or choose to follow. Determine your own beliefs on religions. You can express your opinions.

That belief leads to my second point. The world's laws should reflect that freedom to make choices without being discounted on the basis of gender. If you look at this as a global issue, being born female means you have far fewer legal rights than your male counterparts. Females are either banned from receiving an education or have to face extreme danger and adversity in order to receive one. In a less extreme yet still oppressive way, females are discouraged from learning certain subjects (such as mathematics or science), from pursuing career fields, or even publishing their work with a feminine name. In some cultures, men choose who the women will marry-and when and where- and whether or not she can divorce even in cases of severe abuse. Women around the world have fewer to no sexual rights. Even in American culture, victims are sometimes blamed and shamed for being raped, and at times, the American judicial system, and their own communities, family, and religious organizations, have failed to help or protect them. In other places, victims are killed or maimed for surviving an attack. Some women can't choose how many children they will birth and raise even if having a lot of children causes them to lose their own lives. They are not choosing to sacrifice their own lives; other people are taking them by force. Without wading too deeply into the mucky water of politics on this, I will simply say that I believe people are sometimes pro-birth rather than pro-life, and if you go that route, I don't think you should be one without the other. In other words, if a person holds the anti-abortion stance that a poor woman who was raped should still carry and birth the baby, then being anti-welfare on hospital bills of carrying and birthing that baby and raising it makes no sense to me whatsoever. Have some compassion and decency...Deep breath...Moving on... Some husbands have all rights to custody and will use that to control their wives. If a woman cannot bear children, she is punished-whether by having people view her as having less worth, losing the ability to get married, or even being physically punished. Many widows lose much more than their husbands. They also lose social status, all financial support, safety,...They become crippled by an unfillable void upon the man's death which was created by the dynamics of their relationship or by their culture. These widows range in age between children and elderly women. They may have little to no social safety net to fall back on. Sometimes girl babies are either aborted, killed after being born, or abandoned because a male child is more desirable. Women are often not paid the same amount of money for performing the same exact work.... In places like America and Great Britain, women fought hard and won the right to vote and to take part in their own governments and have various legal options. In other countries, women still have no say in how their countries or homes operate. Again, even though Western civilization likes to claim to be so much more advanced, we still have a long way to go, and many of these things are happening in North America and Europe too. Though maybe it's not happening as openly as it does in other parts of the world (or maybe your own close knit network of peers makes you blind to it), but it isn't just an "us" and "them" situation. Some of this is going on in your own backyard! Even if we are doing fine in our own little corners, we shouldn't sit idly by while other girls and women suffer. We have to work together to remedy injustices. Like Martin Luther King Jr once said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
At the same time, I believe in the equality of men and women, and we all have our strengths and weaknesses. That means I don't hate men. In fact, men can be (and some are) feminists too! Shocking, I know... I don't think that all men are evil. I don't think that every man purposefully got together with others and constructed a world where women suffer, but I certainly have seen the existence of oppressive patriarchies. I'm not blind to the fact that men have suffered too-sometimes at the hands of women, but it's possible to simultaneously acknowledge that and the disparities in rights in many cultures. Through careful analysis, you will find ways in which oppressing women and anything associated with women has a very negative impact on men and society too. For me being feminist means that I am also wanting and expecting the best for both men and women. When women are truly empowered, so are men. Societies as a whole are empowered.
I believe women's contributions should be recognized and taught in every school and focused on in interviews. Dating back to beginning of human civilizations, women have played major roles but often went unmentioned- undercover, ignored, or had their credit stolen by others. I can remember my textbooks in school being predominantly focused on men's contributions. There are female scientists, mechanics, mathematicians, inventors, astronauts, authors, composers, spies, rulers, doctors, educators, heroines,....You name it...That have been contributing to humanity long before it was deemed "appropriate" for them to do so. Women have fought in wars and led armies long before it was officially allowed. Sometimes disguised as men. Sometimes not. I'm not just talking about Joan of Arc here. Even in modern day American interviews of famous women, they are often asked superficial questions-about their appearance, love life, etc.-instead of their amazing careers. I am often surprised when I learn the other parts of history's stories and even modern events-the parts where women actually exist as more than just short supporting roles and props. These facts are documented. The information is out there and has been verified, but you really have to search it out. We have become better at giving credit where it is due, but we still have work to do. I love the "A Mighty Girl" pages for the work they do. Check out their website by clicking HERE. (They also have www.Pinterest.com (search for them in the "Pinners" section)  and Facebook accounts. I highly recommend you follow all three.)

Women come in diverse forms, and no one should be treated as "less than" because their appearance doesn't conform to society's current idea of beauty. The media likes to send us all sorts of  conflicting messages about this. "Real women have curves." "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." While sometimes these little catchphrases and memes start off with good intentions, you quickly find they fall short or are plain harmful. If you're naturally stick thin, you're still a real woman. Obviously, the person who wrote that second ones needs to visit my grandmas or my mom before repeating that phrase! Seriously, gumbo, strawberry cake and rolls made from scratch, Nana's roast, good BBQ...it all tastes better than feeling skinny! Also, way to promote eating disorders. "Real women" and "beauty" come in so many shapes, sizes, colors, and various other variations. Do you really have to be so narrow and put others down to feel better? Let's lift each other up and promote good health and well being instead.

Feminism doesn't have to be a dirty word. Many good people-male and female-are feminists. Striving for the equality of men and women means striving for a better world. We can unite together to make a difference. Educate yourselves. Research for yourselves. Then act!

Suggested Reading
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
www.amightygirl.com
Stranger in the House: Women's Stories of Men Returning from the Second World War by Julie Summers
Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul
You the Owner's Manual: An Insider's Guide to the Body That Will Make You Healthier and Younger by Michael F. Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D.
The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls by Valorie Shaefer (Written with a focus on pre-teens/teens, but still worthwhile to read if you this topic was taboo at home.)

I also suggest looking for the works of famous women and autobiographies and biographies of them as well. "A Mighty Girl" is a great place to start your search.

For movies to watch, click HERE for a great list. Some of their list can be found on Netflix.

I feel very fortunate to be a part of a religion that promotes the equality of men and women. The Baha'i Writings contain many beautiful passages about this topic. If you want to read more about the Baha'i Faith, please click HERE.


~LadyH

Reader Response
1.) Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?
2.) What are your thoughts on feminism throughout history and today?
3.) What are some actions we can take to reduce the suffering of women and promote equality worldwide?
4.)  Is there a way you can help women in your own community?
5.) Do you have any resources you can share that could help women or educate others?

Natural Ways to Soothe Eczema

My son and I both have sensitive, dry skin types. Occasionally, my son will have an eczema flare up too. We have tried all sorts of things to help it. The last place we lived was horrible on our entire family's skin. Picture this: desert-extreme temperatures, high winds, sand, sagebrush, wildfires...Yeah, not a good combo for any skin type!

The whole time we lived there, Little Man and I had several prescriptions from our doctors to try to prevent rashes and heal our skin and allergies...They provided minimal relief at best. We were informed that there wasn't much we could do aside from moving to a moderate, wet climate. As luck would have it, we did! Now, that did help immensely, but here recently Little Man had a flare up. (I think that perhaps a really nasty virus that he fought off may have triggered this one.) I decided that, before we went to his doctor for another round of experimenting with more prescriptions, we would try more home remedies. This might not work for everyone, and I am *not* substitution for professional medical advice of any kind. I'm just sharing what worked for us.

Here's what we did:
A.) Switched his milk from organic cow's milk to flaxseed milk. Flaxseed is supposed to be really good for the skin. Read more about it Here. (We have given him coconut milk if we can't find flaxseed milk. Also note, that since he is a boy, we don't give him soy milk as a substitute because studies have found links between it and elevated levels of estrogen in males resulting in things like abnormal breast development...Yikes! We prefer to play it on the safe side with that one!)
B.) Bathed him in tea with no soap for a week...I remember reading somewhere how you can put cooled tea bags over your eyes to reduce swelling, and soap can be irritating when your skin is already inflamed. That got me to thinking that maybe I could let him bathe in tea. I put organic chamomile, peppermint, and green tea bags and cuttings from my lavender plants inside one of those bath toys that are like a cute strainer. (Research for yourself-Chamomile , Peppermint, Green Tea, & Lavender.) I placed that under the tap while filling the bathtub, and then let the bags and cuttings float around in the water. I even let Little Man scrub with the bags if he wants. It smelled wonderful. Little Man loves tea baths! He asks for them every time now. Hero jokingly asked if I was running a spa in our house.
C.) After gently patting him dry-which is better than rubbing- with his towel (which is washed in free and clear detergent & either tumbled dry w/ free & clear dryer sheets or line dried on a clotheshorse), instead of lotions I put 100% pure organic aloe vera gel all over his body. Aloe vera has been used medicinally across the world since ancient times. Read about the health benefits of aloe vera: here.

It worked! I was so happy, and so was he.

When his eczema flare up cleared with these remedies, we switched his shampoo and body soap to one I found in a British store. It's called Child's Farm. It has a nice citrus aroma, works, and does not irritate his skin. For my American friends you can find it on Amazon.com by clicking on it's name above if it's not available in a local store. It might seem a bit expensive, but I feel it's worth it.

Maybe that all sounds really high maintenance or difficult, but it's actually quite simple. I found going to lots of doctor's appointments, waiting in lines at the pharmacy, and watching my child be uncomfortable and in pain to be much more difficult.

We haven't done this, but if you can afford it, I would recommend getting a whole house water filter installed. Hard water and chemicals lurking inside your water supply can be damaging to not only your skin, but the rest of your body as well. This is especially important if you live in an area with a high amount of pollution.

I'm so happy we found some natural solutions that are really working for us even weeks later!

Thank you so much for following along on my adventures.

~LadyH

*Please note: I am not getting paid to nor was I requested to endorse any specific website, product, or service. Additionally, as previously stated, I am not a medical professional, and my posts and advice are in no way substitution for professional advice of any kind. Please refrain for using any of my materials without official written permission from me. Thank you for being kind and discerning readers!

I Want to Hear from You Too!
Do you have any skin problems?
Have you tried any of these remedies?
Do you have any remedies, products, or prescriptions that did work for you?

Where Have I Been?

I have been absent from the blog for a while now...whoops!

Where have I been?
All Over!

These summer months have been packed with activity and flying by so quickly.
Is it just us or are all of your friends' kids born in the summertime too? Of course, part of it might be that Little Man and I are very extroverted which of course equates to a lot of party invitations from all of these new friends we have made here. In fact, we received so many party invites that it's impossible to attend them all. It's a good problem in our eyes. Now, Hero, being the more naturally introverted one in the group, finds this much less exciting than us. Soon Little Man will be having his own birthday party too! Him turning four has really snuck up on me.

As some of you know, we're Americans living in the United Kingdom. In America, most children don't start full time school until the age of 5-if not older, and they go to "Preschool" first before heading off to full time "Kindergarten". In the UK, children start attending "Nursery" or "Preschool" at the age of 3, and their government pays for them to attend any school (that will accept the grant) for a maximum of 15 hours a week. After that, British children can go to "Reception" full time after their 4th birthday. Most schools here require them to wear uniforms too. The school year starts in early September, and although they have a shorter summer break than many American schools, they have more breaks throughout the year. For us, this means that Little Man has been attending Nursery and will attend full time school this Autumn-at least a year ahead of all of his American friends back home. I worried about sending him so young, but after going through his assessment with his Nursery teacher and going to events with him at his new school, I'm feeling more confident about it. They seem to think he will continue to do very well, even with him being on the younger side. I know he's very excited about it! We've been trying to get prepared for this next big step. We ordered his uniforms-school colored/logoed polo shirts, backpack, jacket, raincoat, cardigans, P.E. kit, etc. from the school. He has his required black shoes, and we're slowly getting his grey "trousers" and shorts. His new teacher already visited his Nursery and will visit our home before the start of school. We have gone to events at the new school. We read to him everyday and take him all sorts of places and do educational (but fun!) activities together. He has plenty of friends...But still, he's my one and only child...My baby!...I'm proud of how well he's doing, especially after his rough start at life, but I think the difficulty lies in trust. Trusting yourself that you've prepared your child and are making the right choices for them. Trusting those who will be with them when you're not, and also, trusting your child...You hope that they will "fly in the right direction" after you give them that little nudge forward.

Before I leave everyone tearing up, I'll let you in on some of the other highlights from our summer so far. In between all of the birthday parties (and going-away parties) and school prep, we have somehow managed to squeeze in many other activities. Little Man and I travelled with friends to London. We loved visiting more museums there! We saw the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian hieroglyphs and mummies (including mummified cats!), a library filled with highly treasured classics and collections, Greek statues, and all sorts of other amazing artifacts in the British Museum . Then, we went to Madame Tussand's. I didn't quite know what all to expect there, but everyone had a blast! We got our pictures taken next to realistic wax figures of famous people and characters. (Seriously, you almost expected them to start talking to you. How you doin' Johnny Depp?!) They even had a Star Wars section. We saw the kids' "Marvel superheroes" movie (complete with 3D glasses and special effects), and then we went on an amusement ride where your seat is a little black taxi cab. On the ride, you get a fun mini-lesson in British history. More adventures have included: big indoor-and outdoor-playscapes, farms, nature walks, harvesting bit by bit from our little potted plants garden, play dates (which included trips to the pool), a 5K Color Run, dinners and games with other families, volunteer projects, and family movie nights (my favorite? "Minions"!!). I managed to complete two furniture projects as well. I gave Little Man's table and chairs and an end table new life!
Here they are:

It says: "Don't tell me the sky's the limit. There are footsteps on the moon." I not really into country music, but I thought Paul Brandt's lyrics were perfect for Little Man. I also stenciled rocket ships onto the tops of his chairs to match the lampshade on the light in his room (per his request).

The end table was transformed from it's former badly scratched up plain wood to this beauty! Grey and white with a heart on top and pit of framing. Hard work, but well worth the effort!

Before schools starts, I'm hoping we can spend a day or two on a beach somewhere just relaxing in the sunshine, get family photos done, and go on a tour of Cambridge-guided by friends who live there.
This summer has had its fair share of challenges too, but I won't go into all of that now.
In this post, I have chosen to focus on counting my blessings instead.
I am truly grateful for all of the adventures our family has enjoyed, and I am looking forward to more!
(And "Thank You!!" to everyone who has sent us care packages, cards, and invitations. We really appreciate it!)
I hope you are enjoying your summer too!

~LadyH



Q&A

What have you been doing this summer?
Any other activities planned?
Anything you hope to do before the end of this season?
If you could go on any adventure, where would you go? What would you do? Who would be with you?

Great Books for Relaxation and Creativity

Lately, I've been using two types books to help me relax and use a little creativity.
You don't have to be a professional artist or writer to enjoy them. (If you are, you could still give them a try.)
If you're a homeschooler or a parent looking for screen time alternatives for your older kids, this is for you!
If you're feeling stressed out, burned out, or just searching for a simple way to relax or get your creative juices flowing, then read on!

Book Type 1: Adult Coloring Books!
How many of you enjoyed breaking out your pack of crayons and filling in page after page as kids? I know I did! I often didn't have any screen-time growing up. I could spend hours coloring in those jumbo books or ones with my favorite characters in them. As I got older, my interest in them faded out as it got less challenging and the images became "too young" for me. Now, some amazing coloring books made just for adults (or I would say for middle school age skill level and up) are gaining a lot of popularity lately! The details are more intricate, the designs more "grown up".
Art actually has therapeutic benefits and is good for your brain. It can be a sort of meditation, a positive outlet for self-expression. With these books, advanced art skills and expensive supplies are not required. Grab a pack of crayons or color pencils* and one of these books and have some fun!

(*Note: Prismacolor color pencils are my favorites. They are expensive and not necessary to enjoy these books, but as far as quality goes, they surpass all other brands I've tried. An excellent addition your birthday or holiday gift wish list!)

This book, The Creative Therapy Colouring Book, is the one I'm working on right now, but there are so many lovely options to choose from.

Book Type 2: Writing Prompts Books!
As you may have guessed, I love to write. Fun facts: I've kept a diary since I was in first grade. Before that, I was being homeschooled for Kindergarten, and I quickly learned how to write in print and begged my mom to teach me cursive because I admired her beautiful handwriting. Lucky for me, my mom taught me that too.
Even though I've always enjoyed writing, sometimes I run out of things to write about or just need a little prompting. Hey, even the best writers need inspiration!
Then I stumbled upon some wonderful books in a British bookstore that were just perfect! (Don't worry. These are easily found on Amazon too!) I recommend ordering this one- 642 Things to Write About. It contains a great range of topics-from silly to serious, very simple to complex. You can spend just a few minutes penning a couple of sentences on a simple topic or go with a more challenging one and perhaps even develop a whole story out of it.

Reader Response
Have you tried these yet? Do you have a favorite?
Is there something like these books that helps you relax or get creative?

~LadyH


** I am not getting paid to nor was I asked to promote anything mentioned in this blog post. This is my personal experience and recommendations based upon those experiences.**

Funny Kid Quotes! June 2015 Edition

Having a rough day? Bored?

 

These quotes from Little Man might cheer you up!

To his hamster: "God lives in your heart Hamtaro. So you need to say some hamster prayers because I say prayers for children since I'm a child."

 

 We were creating a bedtime story together:

Me: "But the dragon could not be slayed w/ an ordinary sword because he was magic. So the knight needed what?" Little Man: "The knight needed a MAGIC sword!" Me: "Yes, the knight needed a magic sword, but where could he find this magical sword?" Little Man: "The knight found the magic sword at [a shop]! Then he killed the dragon!" Hahaha

 (For another dragon in our story, Little Man came up w/ the villagers, the Knight, and the heroic queen working together to make a magic potion to tame it. He also decided that the heroic knight and the heroic queen-who saved a village-rode back to their all green kingdom and castle on a flock of chickens!)

 

According to Little Man, there is a whole line of electronics made for hamsters, and they're also compatible with electronics for humans...

Little Man: "Daddy, Hamtaro wants to play your Xbox." Daddy: (pretending to hand his controller to the hamster) "Okay, here you go Hamtaro." LM: "No Daddy! He needs a hamster controller! It will work with your Xbox, but he can't have your controller bc his hands are too little...Silly Daddy!" A little while later... LM in a very serious voice: "They also have hamster iPads. We should get him one of those too."

 

Hero: "Hey [Little Man], if you don't pee pee in your bed tonight, I'll bring you a surprise home from work tomorrow!" Little Man: "A surprise?! Like what?" Hero: "I can't tell you. It's a surprise!" Little Man: "Is it candy?!!" Hero: (Knowing that he's thinking about getting LM candy but doesn't want to tell him) "I'm not going to tell you. You'll just have to wait and see." Little Man: "I know! You're going to bring me home a giraffe! A real giraffe!!....Or a zebra...That would be okay."

 

Me: "Oh no! The birds ate those ripe strawberries before we could pick them..." Little Man: "Uhhhh!! Those birds are so mean! Those were my strawberries! They need to get their own."

Hero: "Birds just take people's strawberries bc they can't grow their own." LM: "Well, I don't want them stealing my strawberries! That's mean!" Hero: "I think we need to get some netting to put around our plants...or something to scare them away, like a scarecrow." LM: "We could get a scarecrow or...We could get a lion!! It will roar ever time they get too close like this...RAWWRR!!"

 

Part of a Father's Day project I was doing with Little Man for his daddy:

Me: "What makes Daddy laugh?" Little Man: "When I make silly faces!"

Me: "What makes Daddy sad?" LM: "When I poke him in the eye!!"

When jumping into the pool:
Little Man: "Water cannon!" Me: "Uh, did you mean 'cannon ball'?" LM: "No Mama, water cannons shoot water."

 

Sometimes we like to lightheartedly mess w/ each other...

Little Man: "Mama, that book you're reading is thick!" Me: "You're thick!" LM with a smug look on his face: "I'm not thick. I'm comfy." (I have no idea where he picked that one up, but it's hilarious!)

 

After I dyed my hair, and he loves the results...

Little Man: "You colored your hair just like they showed in the video! Good job Mama! I like your hairs like that...Right now, I'm a boy. But when I grow up I want to grow into a woman, not a man." Me: "Why would you want to be a woman?" LM: "Because then I can put colors in my hair like you!" Me: "You don't have to be a woman to do that. Some men dye their hair too. Daddy doesn't. He just cuts most of it off, but some men do." LM: "Oh, okay. Then I think it will be fine if I grow into a man."

 

Just in case you're needing a translator....

Little Man: "Mama, I speak three languages-American, British, and Spanish!"

 

While walking around in the hospital...

Little Man shaking his head and frowning: "¡Qué lástima!...What a shame!"...and later: "¡Qué lata!" (meaning "What a pain!") Apparently, it doesn't live up to his standards. haha

 

While walking past Starbucks, we see some people there in the same uniform as his daddy after dropping his daddy off at work...

Little Man: "(gasp) Mama! What are those workers doing?! They are not supposed to be at Starbucks. They are supposed to be at work! My daddy is working. That means they need to be working too."...He would be a tough boss. He doesn't approve of grabbing coffee before work or breaks if someone else is already at work.

 

Looking at everyone with coffee in their hands as I'm looking through a clearance rack in the store...

Little Man: "Mama, little boys can drink tea, but 'womans' drink coffee. Do men drink coffee?" Me: "Yeah, some men drink coffee. Daddy just doesn't like it." LM: "I can't wait to grow up to be a man because then I can drink coffee!!"

 

We were up and running errands much earlier than usual, and the sun was already brightly shining.

Little Man: "Ah!!! Shoo sun! Get out of my eyes!" Me joking: "What? Do you need your morning coffee for this?" LM: "Nope. I need some peppermint tea." At least he has healthy preferences.

 

After leaving my doctor's appointment...

Little Man: "Mama, wait! You didn't get your sticker!" Me: "Adults don't get stickers when we go to the doctor. Only kids do." LM: "Uggh...What?! That's not fair. You need a sticker." Indeed. It is an injustice.

Letter Décor Craft in 5 Easy Steps

Today, I'm going to teach you how to make the letter décor craft I just completed in 5 easy steps.
It's not complicated or difficult.
Because of some of the materials though, I would not recommend it for children.

You can use this project to spell out a word or simply display one letter.

Materials:
Cheap canvases (Determine the length of the word you want. Then get a canvas for each letter.)
Fabric (enough to cover canvases)
Fabric scissors
Wooden letters (must be small enough to fit one on each canvas)
Acrylic Paint (color of your choosing...I ended up choosing metallic silver after a mistake.)
Paintbrush
Textile Glue
Iron (to smooth your fabric)
Cover for your surface (I used a broken down soda box to keep the mess off of my table.)
Double-sided tape (optional)
Gloves (Optional...This is only if you don't want your hands to get paint or glue on them. I didn't care & didn't use gloves.)
*If you're wanting to mount this on the wall, you'll have to figure out how you want to do that. You could add a picture frame hook and use that and a nail in the wall to display yours.

***A well ventilated area, especially for the gluing part!***

Step 1:

Cover your surface and paint the wooden letters. Coat every nook and cranny with paint. Be careful to keep it neat as excess paint will try to spill over the edges and create an uneven appearance. Allow to dry.



At first I thought about painting my letters "Metallic Red"....

But to me, it turned out to looking more pink than red even after allowing it to dry, and I'm not a fan of pink. So, it had to be changed ASAP...



Step 2:

Cut out your fabric to the correct size to cover and wrap around to the back of your canvas's frame.



My fabric all folded up...ready for cutting...I love the print on the fabric. They were leftover swatches bundled into a pack and on sale! I sold some things at a consignment shop and bought this beautiful fabric. I really like modern leaf designs.

I cut one piece of fabric out to match the size of the canvas and then used it as a pattern to cut the other three pieces out.

 

 

Step 3:

Iron your fabric! You don't want any wrinkles or creases.



I don't have much room for storage in my current home. Instead of a big ironing board, I use this thing which is made to be a safe surface for ironing, but that you can put anywhere and fold up like a small blanket when not in use. Love it!



 

 

 

Step 4:

***Make sure your work area is well ventilated for this step.***

Glue your fabric to the wooden frame on the back of your canvas. Make sure you make all of your edges and corners flat and neat-no loose fabric. Think of it like wrapping a present. Allow it to dry! If you want, you can some double-sided tape to the underside of the edges of the fabric afterwards to give it a little more hold and a neater look (even though it will be facing the wall). (What can I say...I'm a part time perfectionist.)

 

 



Two sides folded over...I folded the corners down around the wooden frame of the canvas as if I were wrapping a present. Then, I lifted the flap of folded fabric up. Put glue between the frame of the canvas and the fabric and smoothed and pressed it together.


The ends of the fabric were too loose and unruly for my liking but refused to glue down to the inner edge of the frame. I used double-sided table on them for a little extra hold. Again, the tape is optional.



 



I think the lines of the fabric are creating an optical illusion here because the tape did help secure the ends without the fabric becoming too loose.
 



 

Step 5:

When it is completely dry on the back, turn the covered canvas over and glue your painted wooden letter to the canvas. Repeat this step to glue each individual letter onto its individual canvas.  (Note: This is textile glue...Make sure you don't accidently glue your craft to your work surface!)



The covered canvases without their letters...



And the letter glued onto its canvas!!

 

 

 

Have fun creating your own!

I would love to see a picture of your finished product in the comments!

If you write a blog post about yours, please provide a link to my blog and copy a link of your own blog post into the comments as well.

Please share this post on social media too.

 

~LadyH

 

 

 

*Please refrain from taking photos from this blog or altering them in any way without written permission from the author of this blog. Thank you for staying honest and respectful readers!



 

 

 

 

Who Will You Be in 5 Years?

 

Have you heard of the app "Timehop" or seen people recycling posts from years ago on social media?

 

For a lot of my friends, it's like looking at their baby books or wedding photo albums. Well, it's usually the same for me too, but oftentimes, I see suggested posts on mine from 5 years ago and don't post them. Why? Because that person doesn't really seem like me any more or I'm just happy that I made it to a new chapter.

 

In the high schools  that I went to (totaling 4 in 4 years), they were always handing out these worksheets to try to help students plan out their futures. One of my least favorite questions was: "Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?" For some people these questions seem rather simple to answer. They would follow in the footsteps of their parents- graduate from the same high school and university, earn roughly the same income, live in the same town, attend the same church, and have a couple of kids with someone they met in school. Even if that's not what they really dreamed about, the blueprint was clearly sketched out for them already. I always knew I wanted something different, and that my path was and would be different than many of those around me at that time.

There certainly were a lot of expectations for me, but many of them conflicted between the various parts of my community and with my own ideas. I was often erasing my own blueprint and drawing a whole new one with each step I took in creating my identity. Looking back, I do have regrets, but they're not the ones I thought I would have 5 years ago. My life was headed in a direction that I didn't want it to, but I didn't see any way out. I couldn't imagine 5 years into the future because I was so busy trying to survive most days.

Five years ago, my life was about to change in very major yet positive ways, but the uprooting was painful and chaotic. It certainly didn't look like anything positive was happening or going to happen in my life. I was in a very deep low. I was coming out of an unhealthy relationship in which I had invested a lot of myself. I was struggling as one of the "working poor" with no end to that in sight, and I had grown up living -as the government termed it- "beneath the poverty line". I was in a lot of pain in different ways and unsure about most things. I didn't see a way to have a really strong and supportive social network at that time, and hardly anyone knew what was going on in my "behind the scenes". I had to be very careful about maintaining that "highlight reel" (whether or not that was the right choice is debatable). I felt that I had no true safe haven. Nowhere I really belonged. I didn't know who I was. I say all of that not for the sake of drama or pity but so that maybe others will gain hope and encouragement from my story. So, just hang on, my story isn't going to be a tragedy.

Fast forward to the present...I'm married to "Hero"- the man who was my best friend and one of the few who saw the truth and supported me. Hero did not keep me through force or fear. He attracted me and helped me build myself up with a love that was empowering. He taught me how to drive and helped me get my driver's license (in 2 countries!). He taught me how to swim (still need to improve but at least I wouldn't drown if I fell into a pool now!)... As with any relationship, we are not perfect people, but we're a good match.
We have a handsome son together. Little Man's beginning was really rocky health wise, and we've have some bumps along the way. But I knew a whole new depth of love when they first lifted him over that curtain and have felt it ever since.
Hero sacrificed a lot and got a job that takes care of us financially. We have lived in several different states in America and now another country in the past five years. I have healed a lot and now intentionally working on that. I've acquired so many more new skills and received so much more training. I'm working on my higher education. I love my community! Our family has some wonderful connections with family and friends now. I finally declared myself a Baha'i and have had some great times already with other Baha'is in my community! (That alone deserves an amazing separate post.) I like the direction my life is going. I have a safe haven, somewhere I belong. I feel loved and am capable of loving others more.

All of that being said, I don't think self discovery is a destination. Our identities are constantly evolving through our life experiences and stages of life. If you don't like who you are today or if you're just at a really low point, it does not have to last forever! That hard time just might be rerouting you to a better future if you let it. (You could think of it as a plot twist in your life story. Characters develop through challenges.) My hope is that, in the next five years, my family and I will continue on the path towards bettering not only ourselves but those around us in the way we choose to live our lives.

Quick Tips
Regularly evaluate your priorities, values, and beliefs. Setting specific goals-both short term and long term-is great, but the choices that add up, the way we go about accomplishing those goals, our daily actions come from a core that you need to check on a regular basis. We all have room for improvement. We are all a work in progress.
Try to keep from getting stuck or from going backwards through introspection. How you go about this is up to you. For some, writing in a journal is helpful. Hold family meetings. Study your Holy Writings and their application to your life with your faith group. Seek out wise counsel (or a professional counsellor). Look for positive role models both in your life and those you only read about in books or magazines. See how you can model the qualities in them that you admire. If you mess up, try to forgive yourself and keep moving forward. There really are so many ways to make positive change! (I speak to myself as well as others in this! I certainly am not perfect.)


Q &A*
Do you have a difficult life experience that brought about a positive change?
Who were you 5 years ago compared to today? How has your life changed? What have you experienced in those 5 years?
Who do you hope to become in 5 years?

*You can answer these in the comments or in your own blog post. (Drop a link in the comments if you do please!) For some, these might be better as a personal journal entry. Please share this with your friends and family!

~LadyH

Inspirational Baha'i Quotes for this Week:
"Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures and enable mankind to benefit therefrom."
~Baha'u'llah

"Whoso ariseth among you to teach the Cause of his Lord, let him, before all else, teach his own self, that his speech may attract the hearts of them that hear him."
~Baha'u'llah

A Baha'i Prayer:
"O God!  Refresh and gladden my spirit.  Purify my heart.  Illumine my powers.  I lay all my affairs in Thy hand.  Thou art my Guide and my Refuge.  I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being.  O God!  I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me.  I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.
O God!  Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself.  I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord." 
~ Abdu'l- Baha

7 Tips from a Really Amateur Gardener

Want expert advice?

This is the wrong post for you!

But...if you'd like to come along for a ride with my sister and I on the start of our gardening journeys in two different countries, then...Buckle up baby! This might be a bumpy ride, but you might

enjoy it.

My sister just wrote a great post "7 Lessons You'll Learn as a Beginning Gardener" that you can read here!

Her questions that I am responding to in this post: 

 

"What about you?

Are you a new gardener, too? What lessons have you learned so far?

Or are you an experienced gardener with many lessons learned that you are willing to share?

Please leave your comments below or respond with your own blog post response (just make sure you provide a link in my comments, so I can read it)."

 

A Summary of My Experiences

Oh, I most definitely fit into that first category! Not an expert whatsoever. In fact, if you had told me a few years ago that I would be writing a blog post on gardening, I would think you were crazy.

But here I am...

Quite honestly, for years I thought that some people were gifted with a "green thumb" while I was cursed with the hands of death! I even tried those "impossible to kill" plants...Nope...The serial plant killer strikes again!! Unless it's fake, it can in fact die. Sorry! It was an accident. I promise.

I've always loved gardens and being outdoors. As a kid-during the times we lived in the country or had any green space- I was often running around barefoot foraging for blackberries, honeysuckles, and "sour flowers" and searching through the woods or brush for a clearing to declare a "clubhouse" or "fort". (Usually, I was in the company of a pack of dogs and siblings.) Sometimes we had a few plants or a garden, and I had helped on the farms of my friends' families. My childhood wasn't all roses, but I did have some fun.

The older I got, the more I had to stay indoors. There was more homework to complete, chores to be done, work to go to, etc., etc.

That childhood connection to nature was probably what sparked my interest in gardening after I had "Little Man". Having my son also meant a huge transition for me, from working full time-often multiple jobs- to staying home to care for him.

 Our gardening journey started off with little experiments while my son was still a baby. A bean sprout and an avocado growing in the window that we checked on each day. A pot of mint. A little aloe vera...We were living next door to my husband's grandmother on their beautiful family farm. Now, "Nana" and "Papaw" are truly the experts you would want to talk to! (Note to self: The next time we visit, I should make some recordings of our gardening conversations.) They were a great source of inspiration and knowledge in this.

An old photo of an aloe vera plant and flowers Nana had given to me when we lived next door. So sad I couldn't take it with us!

 

Well, then my husband's job moved us to a desert plateau in the middle-of-nowhere and far from that family farm with it's lush green hills. You could look out for miles at nothing but sand, sagebrush, and the sky. The winds were strong. The climate had extremes. Still, my son and I were determined to plant something. We didn't grow much in the short time that we were there. Little Man did grow some strawberries and happily gobbled them up as soon I decided one was red enough.

In this photo you can see the mountains which were pretty far away simply because there wasn't much in between.

 

Then, we moved again. This time it was overseas to a country known for its rain and gardens. I have really fallen in love with it here! We live in a city neighborhood, but most people around us are growing little gardens-some even full vegetable gardens. There are green spaces everywhere. There's a farmer's market within walking distance twice a week. Everywhere I go there is inspiration to grow my own garden and expert gardeners to offer great advice. Our home's garden has a small lawn edged with various plants that were started before we arrived. Among those plants, there is: a lot of mint, a large bush of rosemary, chives, bamboo, flowers, and shrubs. My son and I are growing: lemon balm, sage, 3 types of lavender, strawberries, tomatoes, courgettes/zucchini, bell peppers, spaghetti squash, lettuce, a succulent, and some flowers. So far, it's going really well! The biggest challenges we've had so far: keeping up with the weeds, pests, and attempts to fix the lawn.

Little Man's Favorite Plant: Strawberries!

Lettuce and spaghetti squash. Something went wrong w/ the squash plant as you can see by the leaf, but it's better now.

Sage: Add a bundle to your campfire. Helps keep mosquitoes away!

 

The lavender plant the bees seem to love the most. Little Man and I love watching them work.

I don't know what's going wrong with this one in the past week or so. It's suddenly looking sick and has this white foam stuff on it. I've also noticed some sort of beetles all over it...Yeah, I know...Great description. Maybe I should ask my neighbor. She's an amazing gardener! (And now you see some of my lawn issues as well. We're trying lots of different things.)

A beautiful flowering bush is in my garden too! The purple pops of color really liven up that corner.

 

 

My 7 Gardening Tips:

Tip # 1: Seek out experienced gardeners, especially those from older generations. If you have a relative or neighbor who is a good gardener, learn as much as you possibly can from them! Ask if you can work alongside them. Record some of their tips. Or ask if they can help save some of your dying plants. 

 Tip # 2: Visit a beautiful garden or plant nursery or take a class to find inspiration! It helps you visualize what you're working towards.

Tip #3: If you have a child, involve him/her! Get them excited about it, and they likely will not let you forget to tend to your gardening. If he/she is still a baby, bring them outside with you at least some of the time to be next to you while you work. If they're a toddler, I recommend getting them a plant-like a strawberry plant at first that is already growing well that they can help take care of and eat the fruit when it's ready. As they get older, gradually let them do more, and buy them their own supplies that really work. Little Man has his own gardening gloves and tools and loves to water or help with whatever I'm doing. Time in nature-away from screens!-is an actual need for humans, especially children!
 (Book recommendation: Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv)

(Found this image on Google Images to show you what it looks like. Not my photo!)

Tip #4: Read up, but don't get overwhelmed! (Kids' books with lots of pictures might work well for newbies.) Gardening requires getting a little dirt on yourself and to learn by doing. Like my sister said, just jump in and do it!

Tip #5: Try to really be "in the moment" and "harvest virtues" from your garden. (Stick with me a second!) It can be a way to relieve your stress and give you a dose of "happy chemicals" and vitamins. Breathe in the cleaner air your plants are producing. Soak in the sunshine and vitamin D it provides. Focus. Pray. Sing. Hack at the earth instead of that person that is driving you crazy...Wait, what?...Really though, it can be a great daily practice in patience, perseverance, forgiveness, self-discipline,...the list goes on...for you and your family.

Tip #6: It doesn't have to be expensive! You can propagate plants from cuttings (search Google or Pinterest). Get gardening supplies from charity shops, yard sales, newspaper ads, or used goods websites (like Facebook yard sale pages or Craigslist) for little to no money.

Tip #7: Don't give up! Sadly, I'll probably (accidently!) kill more plants along my journey, but I'm also learning a lot more even through that and getting better too. Keep digging. Keep watering. Keep on weeding. Watch your plants grow and bloom!

 

Q & A Time

 

Answer the questions my sister posted.

Share your own tips or response blog post. (Make sure to drop a link in the comments if you do!)

Leave a comment. Share with your friends and family.

 

~LadyH

 

A Baha'i Prayer for Children:

"O God!  Educate these children.  These children are the plants of Thine orchard, the flowers of Thy meadow, the roses of Thy garden.  Let Thy rain fall upon them; let the Sun of Reality shine upon them with Thy love.  Let Thy breeze refresh them in order that they may be trained, grow and develop, and appear in the utmost beauty.  Thou art the Giver.  Thou art the Compassionate." -‘Abdu’l-Bahá

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Never Washing Dishes Again!

Oh you laugh, but really...
I'm not going to do another dish!!!
I will do anything else instead of dishes...
Mow the lawn with our push mower? Sure! Reorganize an entire storage room in one day? Done!
Vaccuum? Check! Take care of a sick young child? Done.
Laundry? Exercise? Fill out more paperwork? Check, check, and check!
I don't know what it is about doing dishes, but I seriously hate that chore. I love seeing a nice clean kitchen and a shiny sink with all of our dishes neatly tucked away in the cabinets. The results I love. On most other things, I'm very self motivated. Heck, I probably wouldn't be alive today if I weren't that way... But even just getting started on washing is like pulling my own tooth out. I have to quickly get on with it before my brain can think up reasons (ahem...excuses) to let them all just hang there.
I have even jokingly told my husband that if I could, I would hire someone to come to my house just to clean my dishes and leave. Nothing else. Just do that for me. (Much to my surprise a friend of mine recently confessed to me that she has said the same exact thing! I'm not alone!)
So, what do I do?
I can't just let them sit there and gather mold.
What usually helps me is:

1.) Music. I turn it up and just force myself to get it done! (Really, Shakira should be receiving royalties for how many mountains of dishes she's helped me conquer!)

2.) Nature. It also helps if I keep the window open so I can look at the flowers on the window sill or the antics of the birds in the garden.

3.) Perspective. I've tried to change my perspective about it too. I'm trying to view doing all of my chores -including the dishes- as an act of kindness, an act of service for my family regardless of my feelings about the task itself. Which leads to my next point...

4.) Worship.

•  All the world religions talk about serving others, being a productive member of your community, and the importance of cleanliness.
• As a Baha'i, my work, even if it is just washing my family's dishes, can be a form of worshiping God.  Read more here: "To accomplish its purpose, work cannot be reduced to a mere means of satisfying wants and needs. It must find constant expression in service to humanity. When performed in a spirit of service, work may be seen as an act of worship. '[A]ll effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity.' 3 are ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words.  'This is worship,' He continues, 'to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people.'4"
• You could look for scriptures in your own faith to find encouraging words about being of service to others.
• Even if you're agnostic or atheist, common sense will tell you that a community needs cooperation, a bit of unselfishness, and a clean environment in order to run smoothly and keep everyone healthy. Maybe you can look for a famous philosopher's or scientist's words on community and cleanliness to give you further inspiration. 
• It might be a good idea to post one of those quotes next to where you have to complete the undesirable task as a regular reminder.

5.) Results. Then, there is the reward of having an empty sink and everything ready to go for the next day. It's nice not to have something hanging over your head.


Of course, some of these things could help me in other areas of my life as well. Not just dishes. Dishes in themselves aren't this big of a deal to some, but it is the underlying attitude toward service and cleanliness that could either negatively or positively leak into completing other items on my to-do list or even effect my social interactions.


Q&A Time Readers!

What is your least favorite chore?
What do you do to push through and get the job done?
Do you have a favorite chore?
Another friend of mine told me that he enjoys washing dishes because he found it to be calming- a sort of meditation for him. Maybe I'll get there one day.
If you're like me and listen to music to help you, what's on your playlist?
Could you share some scriptures or inspirational quotes that might help you w/ serving others and/or keeping things physically clean?