The thrift store once again provided a unique find! This Black Hills pennant. I recall a family trip, where I saw this National Monument. I was awestruck! I remember stopping at Deadwood SD, and seeing Wild Bill's grave. Isn't it sort of funny the things you remember?

The pennant was in so-so condition. There were many others...this one caught my eye. The picture was different, with 3 images. I had to do some work on it, and I am pleased with this after picture. I ironed on a heavy reinforcement, than I mounted it on a black hard poster board. I am using it in my trailer.

The Lost Spark

TO THE WOMAN WHO IS SLOWLY FADING AWAY...

To the woman who has lost her spark.

To the woman whose get up and go, has well and truly gone.

This is for you.

This is to remind you, that you don’t have to be everything to everyone, every day.

You didn’t sign up for that.

Remember when you used to laugh? Sing?

Throw caution to the wind?

Remember when you used to forgive yourself more quickly for not always being perfect.

You can get that back again.

You really can.

And that doesn’t have to mean letting people down or walking away.

It just means being kinder to you, feeling brave enough to say no sometimes.

Being brave enough to stop sometimes.

And rest.

It starts the moment you realise that you’re not quite who you used to be.

Some of that is good, some of that is not.

There are parts of you that need to be brought back.

And if anyone in your life is not okay with that… they are not your people. Your people will be glad to see that spark starting to light up again.

So, if you have been slowly fading away my friend, this is the time to start saying yes to things that bring you joy and no to things that don’t.

It’s really pretty simple.

By Donna Ashworth

Do Not Give Your Power Away

 

1. Don't waste energy complaining.

There's a big difference between complaining and problem-solving. Venting to your friends, family, and co-workers keeps you focused on the problem and prevents you from creating a solution. Grumbling not only implies you have no power over your situation, but also shows you lack power over your attitude.

2. Accept responsibility for how you feel.

Saying your mother-in-law makes you feel bad about yourself or claiming your boss makes you mad suggests they have power over how you feel. Don't let other people's behavior dictate your emotions. Accept that it's completely up to you to manage your emotions, regardless of how other people behave.

3. Establish healthy boundaries.

Giving in to guilt trips and refusing to speak up for yourself gives power to other people. Rather than blame others for wasting your time or forcing you to do something, recognize that you're in charge of yourself. Establish healthy physical and emotional boundaries that give you control over how you spend your time and whom you spend it with.

4. Practice forgiveness.

Holding a grudge against someone who has hurt you doesn't punish the other person. Instead, it only punishes you. When you waste valuable time thinking about a person you feel wronged you, it takes away your ability to enjoy the moment.

Forgiving someone is the best way to take back your power. But to be clear, forgiveness isn't about saying what the person did was OK. Instead, it's about choosing to let go of the hurt and anger that interferes with your ability to enjoy life.

5. Know your values.

When you're not clear what your values are, you're at risk of becoming more like a helpless passenger, rather than a confident driver, in your own life. You'll be at risk of jumping on board with other people's ideas and you may be easily led astray. Take back your power by acknowledging your values and living true to what's important to you.

6. Don't waste time on unproductive thoughts.

Have you ever came home from work and spent the entire evening wishing you didn't have to go back again tomorrow? Suddenly, you're giving your eight-hour workday 12 hours of your time. Take control over the thoughts that occupy your mind so you don't give more brain power to areas of your life that don't deserve it.

7. Avoid language that implies you're a victim.

Saying things like "I have to work 60 hours a week," or "I had no choice but to say yes" infers you're a victim of unfortunate circumstances. While there will certainly be consequences for the decisions you make, acknowledge that you always have choices.

8. Make your self-worth independent of other's opinions.

If your self-worth depends on others holding you in high regard, you'll likely become a people-pleaser. Not everyone needs to like you, nor do they have to agree with your lifestyle. Evaluate the merit of criticism you receive, but never allow one person's opinion determine your self-worth.

9. Be willing to stand out from the crowd.

Self-doubt and fear can lead you to want to blend in with those around you. But, trying to fit in with the crowd will cause you to disguise who you really are. Trust that you're mentally strong enough to stand out and dare to be different.

Take a Long Walk

 

Need to get some clean air and clear 

your mind? Me too.

Robert Frost is quoted "two roads 

diverged in a yellow wood".

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

For people who are philosophical, this poem gives us the paradox. Making life choices. We cannot know what is ahead, we only know the life that we are living. You can choose what looks best. What if that choice is bad?

There Are Times When You Just Hangout