MarshaMcMuffin

Thoughts

[marshamcmuffin]

When #Siri has your back 😄 I liked the quotes on this link she suggested: http://liveboldandbloom.com/07/quotes/words-of-encouragement #encouragement #staypositive #motivation #focus

[marshamcmuffin]

The doctor is in. 😍 … Unfortunately, it doesn’t look good for the patient! 🐔 #DoctorDave 👋🏼😷 #Scalpel

[marshamcmuffin]

Exploring like #Dora

[marshamcmuffin]

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." -Abraham Lincoln

[marshamcmuffin]

#Blessed [hashtag sarcasm]

Do you ever hear yourself talk (or read your previous blog posts) and think.. Man, I am spoiled! #FirstWorldProblems The Syrian crisis is happening now. Today. People are starving, trapped, and losing loved ones right before their eyes -and in the most tragic ways imaginable. People are fighting for lives like we have in the U.S. Lives (and work) that we complain about! I wrote just last week that I wanted my time back.. These people want their lives back! It's too late for thousands of them. They died trying to get what many of us inherited. I don't "deserve" this life because I worked hard; I deserve it because I'm human. Everyone deserves an opportunity to live a healthy, comfortable life. And the thing is.. These people are sacrificing so much more than I ever did! Or will! And some of them won't be able to reach a middle class lifestyle in their lifetime. It is our duty, as decent and capable human beings, to help those in need. We (should) do what we can with what we have. "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." -Mother Teresa. I hope that when the time comes, I am able to walk the talk and help our future neighbors. Right now, it's time to help our current neighbors. What am I doing to help? What are you doing?

[marshamcmuffin]

TGIF

Friday is probably the best day of the week. Salaried workers hold so much anticipation for the weekend ahead: two whole days out of the office. But then it's all over so quickly! When I think about all the things I'd like to do, and the limited free days available, it makes me sick! And I end up dreading Monday. That's no way to live! Dreading the place and work where you spend most of your time. Honestly, I think I'd be happier, and more productive, if I had a longer weekend.. Or more time outside of the office during the week! With an hour commute to work - I end up losing two hours per day in my car. So instead of 8 hours, I spend 10 away from freedom. Give me my time back! Sweden has recently taken action on this notion that 40 hours a week is asking a bit much. The Swedes are joining neighbor, Norway, and moving toward a 6 hour workday. Man, think about that! I would LOVE to leave at 3pm everyday. OR I would LOVE a three day weekend. Who do we talk to about this? Obama? While we're at it, please also extend maternity leave to 1 year and enable fathers to take paternity leave alongside new moms...If you really want to know all of my work wishes, lets tack on some extra vacation days too. Hey! You only have one life to live. I'd rather it be outside of these four walls.

[marshamcmuffin]

"The glories of nature... What are men compared to rocks and mountains?" - Jane Austen

[marshamcmuffin]

Day Dreaming

I would love to take a staycation. One day would be spent reading and writing in new places: inside my house, out on the patio, at a cafe, in a park, on a trail, etc. Another day would be spent deep cleaning the house, my car, and potentially some yard work. The next day I would wake up early and go for a long run followed by yoga and craft making. The fourth day would be spent with my future niece and my sister (whilst on maternity leave). And finally a fifth day of organizing for the week ahead: goal setting, meal prep, picking out clothes, and mental preparedness. Because Monday is back to work! And the weekend would be spent doing fun outdoorsy stuff :).

[marshamcmuffin]

Winter in Detroit #PhillipsManor #MidtownDetroit #DetroitIsBeautiful #PureMichigan

[marshamcmuffin]

If you want to be happy, Be. -Leo Tolstoy

[marshamcmuffin]

Follow the tracks

[marshamcmuffin]

"The Rose is without an explanation; She blooms, because she blooms." -Angelus Silesius #Roses #SmellEm 🌸👃

[marshamcmuffin]

Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise! #itry

October brings a new season, a new job, and a renewed motivation to live a well balanced life. Growing up, my parents encourage us kids to take care of our mind, body, and spirit. I haven't mastered it yet but I have always remembered their advice. One of my struggles with implementing these goals is follow through. Like many New Years resolutions, they fall through the cracks of my "busy" life. Declaring the goal is the easy part! Anyone can say they want to exercise 4 times a week... It's the walking the talk that gets ya. Now that I'm 25 and in my second salaried position, I think it's about time to buckle down on some things... IE money management. The struggle is real with this one. Other things to improve include healthy eating, regular exercise, and working to plan my future. Not to mention doing good for others! I want to help the environment and my community. I want to be informed about the happenings of our world and to be connected. So many goals! I know people who seem to live all of these out... I want to be like that! So.. Here goes! Bring it on, October!!!

[marshamcmuffin]

Light House

[marshamcmuffin]

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST HUMAN MEMORY?

It was Sunday morning after church at the Iron Mountain First United Methodist Church in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The small congregation was gathered in the church basement for “coffee and bars,” a Yooper favorite. I was quite small at the time, my head reaching the height of a grown person’s kneecap. I imagine I was playing tag or being chased by some other children when I latched on to what I thought was my dad’s leg. Squeezing tightly, having reached safety from the game, I nuzzled closer and smiled at the touch of a strong hand on my head. I tugged on the pant leg and raised my eyes begging to be held only to find the face of an elderly stranger gazing down at me.

That sense of security was instantly replaced with embarrassment. Shocked and mortified, I pushed myself back and began to search frantically for my mother or father, tears welling up in my eyes. The old man laughed and wanted to console me, but panic had already sent me across the fellowship hall. 

That silly moment of innocence and embarrassment has to be one of my earliest and vividest memories. It’s funny how the most memorable moments are often tied to feelings of shame or humiliation. Such a short moment but I can still feel that pang in my chest and that all too familiar fight or flight response jump into action. And boy did I take flight!

Little Marsha in Iron Mountain, Michigan -many moons ago: