Carma Spence's Blog, page 101

magical moments

One of the most magical moments I remember is the first time I saw fireflies. I had just moved to Maryland and my apartment looked out to a creek. One evening I looked out I and I saw them blinking off and on among the bushes that lined the creek. They looked like Christmas lights or fairies. I was entranced! What’s a magical moment you’d like to share?

Holding time together

"Christmas is the day that holds all time together."
~ Alexander Smith

Agree? Disagree?

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What about this season makes you smile?

"Nothing ever seems too bad, too hard, or too sad when you've got a Christmas tree in the living room."
~ Nora Roberts

There is something about a Christmas tree that makes me feel happy. It doesn’t matter if I see it in someone’s window, along the street, or in my own living room. What about this season makes you smile?

Thoughts on International Animal Rights Day

Today is International Animal Rights Day. I first became interested in this issue in high school, and actively wrote letter and donated money to the cause for many years. I still feel strongly about humanity’s role as stewards of the Earth and the creatures that live upon it, as well as the habitats in which they live. That said, I think some people can go a little overboard on the topic, as well. There is a balance in all things.

And that leads me to today’s question: You see your beloved pet and complete stranger drowning and can only save one. Which one do you save?

This is a classic question that I’ve struggled with a lot. The “right” answer is supposed to be the stranger because human life is more valuable than that of an animal. However, I think instinctively most animal lovers would want to save their beloved pet.

But after pondering it, I think I would either be frozen with indecision, or I would do something stupid to try to save both anyway and get us all drowned!

What about you?

Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day

There are a lot of crazy observations on the calendar. Today is one of them: Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day. So, let’s pretend. You’re a time traveler. When do you go? And what do you do when you’re there?

National Cotton Candy Day

When I was a little kid, I absolutely LOVED cotton candy. But by the time I was a teen, I just didn’t like the stuff anymore. What about you? Cotton Candy: Take it or leave it? #NationalCottonCandyDay

St. Nicholas Day

Today is St. Nicholas Day, which celebrates St. Nicholas of Myra, a Christian bishop of Greek descent who lived in the 4th century. He was known as a generous bringer of gifts (often secretly), and thus became the real-life inspiration for the American Santa Claus and British Father Christmas figures. In fact, the name Santa Claus derives from the Dutch ‘Sinterklaas,’ meaning Saint Nicholas. It is said he sold all his possessions so he could give money to the poor.

6 Ways to Be a Blessing

Today is #BeABlessingDay. What a wonderful thing to focus on! When you are a blessing, you make the world a better place. And there are so many ways that you can be a blessing, both large and small. So, there is no excuse not to be!

Here are some ideas:

1. Smile at someone ... just because

2. Hold the door open for someone

3. Ask someone about their day ... and truly listen

4. Send an encouraging text message ... unexpectedly

5. Let someone else go in line ahead of you

6. Donate blood and/or platelets

Thoughts on Re-gifting

Did you ever watch Seinfeld? Remember the classic episode when Elaine calls Dr. Tim Whatley a "regifter" after he gives Jerry Seinfeld a label-maker that she originally had given Whatley? That popularized the term “re-gift” even though the practice had been around for a while.

Have you ever done it? I know I have! Do you think it's wrong? I think it depends on the intent. What about you?