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Life Is Beautiful

Encouragement, Life Is Beautiful

Five Blogs That Inspire

With so many blogs in the blogosphere, it’s hard to keep up with all of them. And believe me, there are some really read-worthy blogs out there. Your interest areas may be more technical in that you read blogs that demonstrate how to better your blog or increase your social media presence or perhaps you’re more into fashion tips and makeup trends or maybe your fancy is tickled by book review sites, parenting tips or mental health support.

If you’re like me, every single one of those types of blogs pique my curiosity. I’m always on the lookout for really solid blogs with great content, appealing graphics, and that are real and offer me value. I wanted to share with you five of my favorites. And they’re my favorites for all sorts of reasons that I’ll describe for you.

My Freshly Brewed Life Barbie Swihart writes so beautifully here and offers regular encouragement. Her Weekend Whispers speaks to me especially. Besides her writing talents, she is really technically savvy and if you’re in the market for a tech person, look her up. She’s worth it!

Dave Shrein If you need tips about increasing your social media following (and who doesn’t?) or you have an entrepreneurial spirit, this is the perfect spot to gain a lot of information.

 

Jen Hatmaker If you aren’t familiar with Jen yet, I suggest you get familiar immediately. She is the realest of the real, funny, and has a blessed way to make us think about everything from faith to yoga pants.  Her books For the Love and Interrupted are, well, you just have to read them for yourselves to know how fantastically meaningful these books are.  She’s intuitive and she’s funny.  Bless.

Rachelle Gardner This is a super informative blog if you’re a writer. It’s easy to read and has some valuable tips and insider information like examples of one sheets and how to query, specifically how to query her.

Dog Shaming Because I love dogs and it’s a funny site. This list wouldn’t be complete without something to make you snicker. We have two delightful pups, a 7-year-old lab and beagle mix who almost tolerates her nearly 3-year-old pug sister.  We are amused by dogs on a daily basis. Check out this site if you need to smile.

This has been a presentation of five of my favorite blogs and sites. Tell me…what are your favorites?

Be encouraged!

Melanie Pickett

 

 

 

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Abuse and Self Care, Encouragement, Life Is Beautiful

Letting Go of “Old Ghosts”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Please keep your eyes and hear open to a loved one who may be suffering. If you’re that loved one who’s suffering, know that there is help and there is hope. This is not your fault. You are worth more!

“You’re not good enough.”

“Can’t you do anything right?”

“You’re too (thin, fat, dumb, lazy…)”

“You’re not smart enough, pretty enough…just not enough.”

Have you heard any of those ugly phrases before? They sting horribly, don’t they? Even if we know in our heart of hearts that those words aren’t true, it still hurts terribly when they escape from the lips of someone who’s promised to love and adore us. Continue Reading

Abuse and Self Care, Encouragement, Health, Life Is Beautiful

Mental Health Monday: Three Things You Should Know About Me

Monday? Already? It feels like that this week for me. I just left behind a wonderfully busy week spent preparing to attend a writers conference. When I was there, it was a beautiful thing to be among so many creative minds, full of hope and ambition and ideas, just like me. It will take me many days to process all the valuable information bestowed upon us there and I will delight in every bright minute of that.

It’s been a bit since I’ve done a Mental Health Monday post dedicated to some aspect of healthier living and it felt right that today was a good time to write one.  I’m going to share three things you should know about me:

I’m loyal, sometimes to a fault. I asked my daughter tonight what she thought one of my weaknesses is. She contemplated this for a minute. I wanted her to be honest, even if she felt it might sting. I wanted to hear her perception and thoughts. “You’re too giving and too nice sometimes,” she said. Continue Reading

Life Is Beautiful

An Open Letter to Jimmy Fallon

Who doesn’t love Jimmy Fallon?

I’m going out on a weird and possibly shaky writing limb today but it’s Monday and I’m feeling particularly brave.

Through a friend’s blog I found a very cool other blog (I went down the blogging rabbit hole, basically) that offers these sweet writing prompts. Some are crazy. Some are fun. All are thought-provoking. The prompt that piqued my interest most challenged me to write an open letter to a celebrity.

Right off the top of my blonde head I could come up with at least five celebs I could chastise for this behavior or that. I could tell at least a dozen to get their collective crap together and stop embarrassing their mothers with their ridiculous behavior.

But I’m not going to.

I wanted to pen a letter to a celebrity who does something good: makes people laugh.  So here goes in true Jimmy thank-you letter fashion. (Think Jimmy will ever read this? I’m dreaming…) Continue Reading