Month: January 2026

Daily Writing Prompt
Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Family · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Looking for the Light3 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What is the greatest gift someone could give you?
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What would be the greatest gift? WOW, that is a big question however true love and committment are the greatest gifts for me. I’ve been fortunate to have received expensive gifts and small simple gifts and honestly they both made me happy but love can’t be bought.

I’ve been married 23 years and everyday my husband shows me he loves me in little ways that make me feel joy inside. Sometimes, like for Christmas this year he bought me a couple of small Swarovski Crystal trinkets including an ornament for 2025. He is the only person to buy me the trinkets and it’s been at least 15 years since he purchased the last one, it was quite a surprise.

Love is all a we need!

Melinda

Looking for the Light

You Are Not Alone: Quotes for the Toughest Days
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward · Self-Care

You Are Not Alone: Quotes for the Toughest Days

Looking for the Light11 Comments

Leaning on the hard-earned wisdom of others helps shift your perspective and uplift your spirits, serving as a reminder that resilience is possible even on the toughest days. 

May these words serve as a gentle source of inspiration and comfort. If you have a specific quote that helps you through the hard times, we invite you to share it in the comments.

Love’s Power to Ease Life’s Sorrows

“Love has, at its best, made the inherent sadness of life bearable, and its beauty manifest.” ~ Kay Redfield Jamison (An Unquiet Mind, 1995)

Seeing Stars Beyond the Tears

“If you cry because the sun has gone out of your life, your tears will prevent you from seeing the stars.”
~ Rabindranath Tagore

Finding Safety in the Present

“In times of pain, when the future is too terrifying to contemplate and the past too painful to remember, I have learned to pay attention to right now. The precise moment I was in was always the only safe place for me.”
~ Nicholas Sparks

Courage Is Something Quiet

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’”
~ Mary Anne Radmacher

Perseverance Is the Foundation 

“Of all that is good, sublimity is supreme. Succeeding is the coming together of all that is beautiful. Furtherance is the agreement of all that is just. Perseverance is the foundation of all actions.”
~ Lao Tzu

The Power of Hope

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul — and sings the tune without the words — and never stops at all.”
~ Emily Dickinson

Imagination, Love, and Laughter 

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge; myth is more potent than history; dreams are more powerful than facts; hope always triumphs over experience; laughter is the cure for grief; love is stronger than death.”
~ Robert Fulghum (All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things, 1986)

Life is Music — Both Joyful and Sad

“Life is like a piano; the white keys represent happiness and the black show sadness. But as you go through life’s journey, remember that the black keys also create music.”
~ Ehssan

How Our Loved Ones See Us

“Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.”
~ Alan Cohen (Wisdom of the Heart, 2002)

Embrace Nature’s Reality

“It isn’t the language of painters one ought to listen to but the language of nature…. Feeling things themselves, reality, is more important than feeling paintings, at least more productive and life-giving.”
~ Vincent van Gogh (letter to Theo van Gogh, The Hague, on or about Friday, July 21, 1882)

Welcoming the Day With Joy

“Hello, sun in my face. Hello, you who made the morning and spread it over the fields… Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness.” 
~ Mary Oliver (poem, “Why I Wake Early,” 2004)

The Art of Living Well

“Living well is an art that can be developed: a love of life and ability to take great pleasure from small offerings and assurance that the world owes you nothing and that every gift is exactly that, a gift.”
~ Maya Angelou (Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now)

Happiness is What Drives Life

“Happiness is what greases the wheels of life, what opens the floodgates, raises the sun, aligns the stars, beats your heart, finds true love.”
~ Mike Dooley

Courage Through Facing Fear

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.”
~ Eleanor Roosevelt (You Learn by Living, 1960)

Accepting Life’s Unexpected Path

“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.”
~ Joseph Campbell (to Diane K. Osbon, as recorded in Reflections on the Art of Living: A Joseph Campbell Companion)

Stronger After Life’s Storms

“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”
~ Haruki Murakami (Kafka on the Shore)

Keep Moving Forward

“If you can’t fly, then run; if you can’t run, then walk; if you can’t walk, then crawl; but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (“Keep Moving from This Mountain,” speech at Spelman College, April 10, 1960)

It’s Never Too Late to Be You

“For what it’s worth: It’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit. You can change or stay the same; there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it.… I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.”
~ Eric Roth (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, film, 2008)

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.bphope.com/bipolar-buzz/20-inspirational-quotes-to-help-cope-with-bipolar-disorder/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bphope&utm_content=BUZZ+-+Jan4+-+Quotes

Common Myths About Cannabis
Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Common Myths About Cannabis

Looking for the Light3 Comments

It seems like there are new myths about Marijuana popping up all the time. The reality is that many of these myths have been disproven long ago. However, they persist in today’s society for one reason or another. Some people believe them because they haven’t done any research on their own. In contrast, others may do so because it benefits them to keep these misconceptions alive. We’ll be giving you the facts about some common myths associated with Marijuana and dispel them once and for all!

You Can’t Get Addicted To Marijuana

You can find this myth in many pro-marijuana campaigns across the world. The truth is that it’s entirely possible to get addicted to Marijuana, just like any other substance out there. Of course, it will not happen overnight, and you shouldn’t be able to do so by smoking one joint either! When people argue about whether or not marijuana addiction exists, they are usually talking about cannabis dependency. This type of dependency occurs when someone smokes on a daily basis for an extended period of time, usually several months. It slowly becomes harder and harder for them to function normally without getting high first.

This doesn’t mean that these individuals have no control over their actions, though; they simply use weed as a crutch because they’re too anxious or uncomfortable without it. The next time you’re around someone who is high, really think about whether or not they look like they need it to function normally.

Marijuana Is Always Safe To Use

One of the most common things heard about weed is that it’s safe and harmless to use. This couldn’t be further from the truth! We’ll touch on some key points here, but if you would like more information, then research Marijuana safety tips.

There are many negative health effects associated with smoking marijuana regularly or excessively. For one thing, long-term smokers usually end up getting respiratory problems such as bronchitis because they inhale so much tar and ash into their lungs. If this doesn’t sound healthy to you already, keep in mind that Marijuana contains 50% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than regular cigarettes do too! There have also been studies showing an increased risk of lung cancer among people who smoke Marijuana regularly.

Getting your Marijuana from the best dispensary possible is an additional factor to consider as there are legislative quality controls they need to follow, ensuring you get a pure and clean product.

Marijuana Is A Gateway Drug

This is a controversial point, but it has been proven that Marijuana does not cause people to try out harder drugs. Sure there are cases where this happened due to the influence of others, but overall it would be an unfair label to place on Marijuana.

The problem here lies in the fact that some unscrupulous dealers will sell their customers harder drugs when they come back. It’s not because the Marijuana itself made them do it, but you can’t deny that Marijuana is an easy way to get someone hooked on something else! There are studies showing that people who already have a tendency towards addiction may try harder substances if given access to an alternative like Marijuana in most cases.

Marijuana Doesn’t Have Any Medicinal Value

The biggest argument for legalizing Marijuana is its medicinal properties. There are many positive uses for Marijuana, both as an analgesic and to help with the symptoms of certain diseases. It makes sense that people who could benefit from this would want access to it without having to wait until the laws change in their state or country!

There has been a wealth of research done in the past several years that have shown Marijuana’s amazing medical value. The US government even holds a patent on Cannabis for its antioxidant and neuroprotectant abilities.

In conclusion, there are many common myths when it comes to marijuana use that simply isn’t true at all! This is especially important nowadays when more and more states are legalizing the drug either recreationally or medically.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Repost

#Weekend Music Share-Robin Williams Makes an Insane First Appearance | Carson Tonight Show
Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health · Music

#Weekend Music Share-Robin Williams Makes an Insane First Appearance | Carson Tonight Show

Looking for the Light4 Comments

Be prepared to laugh so hard it hurts!

Robin was the brightest star with humor in his blood. He shared his talent with us and we are thankful. His life was cut too short from mental illness.

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

 I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.

Have a great weekend!

Melinda

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.

Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Cancer-Causing ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in Nearly Half of U.S. Tap Water, Study Finds
Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

Cancer-Causing ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in Nearly Half of U.S. Tap Water, Study Finds

Looking for the Light2 Comments

The U.S. Geological Survey found that at least 45% of tap water in the U.S. is estimated to have one or more types of PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” which are linked to serious health issues

Nearly half of the country’s tap water could be contaminated with cancer-causing “forever chemicals,” according to a new study.

The study — released Wednesday by the U.S. Geological Survey — found that at least 45% of tap water in the United States is estimated to have one or more types of per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that PFAS, or per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are a group of about 14,000 man-made chemicals that are “very persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they don’t break down and they can accumulate over time.”

PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals” by the NIH, can last for years without breaking down and are linked to cancer, fetal complications, liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, fertility problems, autoimmune disorders and other serious health issues.

The USGS said the study is the first to test for PFAS in tap water from both private and public water supplies, testing 716 locations across the country between 2016 and 2021. Of the locations, both rural and urban areas, 447 rely on public water supplies and 269 rely on private wells.

Scientists estimate that there is about a 75% chance of PFAS being found in rural areas and about a 25% chance in urban areas. High exposure areas were reported in the Great Plains, Great Lakes, Eastern Seaboard, and Central/Southern California regions. 

“USGS scientists tested water collected directly from people’s kitchen sinks across the nation, providing the most comprehensive study to date on PFAS in tap water from both private wells and public supplies,” said USGS research hydrologist Kelly Smalling, the study’s lead author. “The study estimates that at least one type of PFAS – of those that were monitored – could be present in nearly half of the tap water in the U.S. Furthermore, PFAS concentrations were similar between public supplies and private wells.”  

The EPA regulates public water supplies while private water supplies are maintained, tested and treated by homeowners. Anyone interested in testing and treating private wells should contact their local and state officials for guidance as testing is the only way to confirm the presence of PFAS in wells. 

“If the average American is worried about the quality of their drinking water, they can use this and other studies to get informed, evaluate their own [personal] risk and reach out to their local health officials about testing or treatment,” Smalling told NPR.

Melinda

Reference:

https://people.com/cancer-causing-forever-chemicals-found-in-nearly-half-of-u-s-tap-water-7557908

Major Farm Issues Egg Recall Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Recalls

Major Farm Issues Egg Recall Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

Looking for the Light3 Comments

Consumers are encouraged to dispose of any contaminated food products immediately

Residents in Sacramento and Davis, Calif., may want to check the eggs in their fridge following a recall from a local distributor.

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Veg Farms, based in Dixon, Calif., issued a recall on Friday, Dec. 5, due to the potential of Salmonella contamination.

12-count cartons and 30-count flats of eggs with sell-by dates of Dec. 22 and earlier, or Julian dates of 328 and earlier are affected by the recall. Contaminated products with a handler code of 2136 were shipped to both restaurants and farmers’ markets.

Vega Farms Eggs

A Veg Farms spokesperson confirmed with local news outlet KCRA3 that the company’s processing equipment contaminated the roughly 1,515 dozen eggs, not the farm’s flock of chickens.

Veg Farms stated that it disposed of all of the product from the affected store locations. The company also encourages any consumers who have purchased the eggs to throw them away immediately.

According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), symptoms of Salmonella infection can include stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. While most cases may resolve without medical treatment within a few days, the illness can be more serious (and potentially fatal) for infants, senior adults, people with weakened immune systems and individuals living with sickle cell disease.

Vega Farms Eggs

This is only one of the many recalls reported this year due to potential Salmonella infection. Earlier this month, Wegmans, a popular regional grocery store, recalled two types of mixed nuts.

While the company didn’t specify where the Salmonella contamination originated, it’s important to read labels, wash hands and dispose of potentially affected food items to avoid any bodily harm.

Melinda

Reference:

https://people.com/california-farm-issues-egg-recall-due-to-potential-salmonella-contamination-11865038