Dec 5, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Let’s set this record straight right now: Dandelions are not a weed. Okay, some may think so. But no. They’re classified as a flower. #truestory
At my first Blue Ridge conference, I delighted in finding a few dandelions.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Dandelion Hair
At my return a year later, an entire field welcomed me.
They bring me back to my childhood.
I used to make dandelion wreaths for my hair, like all the girls on the block.
If your chin turns yellow when you hold a dandelion underneath it, it means you’re in love.
Once, we let them grow for a month just to see how yellow the back yard could get. Eventually we couldn’t tell the finches from the flowers.
Dandelions are used in teas, and yes, there’s a real thing called Dandelion Wine. I’ve never tried it, but I’m not opposed to the idea. They were originally used as a medicinal herb.
Dandelion can grow almost anywhere. They spring up fast, but their roots grow deep and strong. It’s how they keep coming back. It’s how they weather the storms and morph into those awesome puff balls (achenes) we all love to make wishes with. It’s how they have the ability to change and radiate their presence 200x greater than the original.
The stalk holds a milky white liquid, and the jagged leaves have a magenta tint. Dandelion dye is purple because of this, not the yellow of the flower itself.
The leaves are hairless, and irregular. The French origin of description is dent de lion, which means “lion’s tooth.”
Why am I telling you all about dandelions? Because I think they have a ill-deserved reputation.
Because they make me happy.
And because someone called me a dandelion. [Not to be confused with a dandy, which is apparently a not-nice thing to be called especially as a woman, in the 21st century.] She meant it as a compliment, and told me much of what I’ve just shared with you.
So I’m going to embrace my strength, my endurance, my colorful life, the ability to bloom wherever I am. And then I’m going to explode and share it all with you.
Just because I can.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Be the Dandelion You’re Meant to Be!
[ctt template=”5″ link=”XZmeV” via=”yes” ]Be the #dandelion you’re meant to be.[/ctt]
And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!
Dec 4, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Motivational Monday for Writers
Monday Motivations for Writers
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Motivational Monday for Writers
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Motivational Monday for Writers
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Motivational Monday for Writers
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Motivational Monday for Writers
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Motivational Monday for Writers
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Motivational Monday for Writers
“Give them a reason to care about you. Then they’ll care about what you write.” ~ Molly Jo Realy
[ctt template=”5″ link=”COfrZ” via=”yes” ]Monday Motivations for Writers[/ctt]
With a pat on your back and a go-gettem-shout,
Happy writing!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!
Dec 3, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Frankly, On Faith.
We say it a lot when trying to embolden ourselves to move in a direction we’re not entirely sure of.
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
But do we really want to know the answer?
If we knew the answer, would we hesitate?
What if we didn’t know the finish line, but we knew the journey?
What if the not knowing part is where we shine, where we prove to ourselves what we’re made of?
What if that’s where we say okay, yes, I’ll do it?
So, God says, “Hey. I have an idea. And I want you to be a part of it.”
But instead of telling us all the nuts and bolts that holds the plan together, He just whispers.
“I have an idea. And I want you to be a part of it.”
I mean, it’s God. Are you gonna doubt that He’ll take you from here to there?
“I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying,
for he speaks peace to his faithful people.”
~Psalm 85:8a NLT
God is the One who cannot let you down. He’s the One who will go all the way with you. He’s the One who is always looking out for your best interest.
So, if you’re hearing that still, small voice. If you keep finding God trying to get your attention. If you feel Him gently nudging you, don’t question it.
Keep moving forward. You got this.
And He’s got you.
Frankly, On Faith: What’s the Worst That Could Happen?
[ctt template=”5″ link=”jD_V4″ via=”yes” ]TWEET THIS: Frankly, On Faith: What’s the Worst That Could Happen?[/ctt]
And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!
Dec 2, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Social Media Saturday
It’s never too soon to have an actual plan for your social media. [Says This Girl who has forgotten to write her blog posts til it’s almost bedtime.] So we’ll just call this part of our “Do I Say, Not As I Do” series, yah? #thankyouverymuch.
I recently shared ideas on daily planning. [Read: Planning is Key.] But what about those special projects like book launches or grand opening parties?
Here are a few ideas to keep you on track. [Note to self: Implement more, implement regularly. Just implement.]
- Keep a calendar available and make note of important dates:
- Make a list of what you’d like to accomplish. What is your goal for this project, and what steps can take you there? For instance, a successful book launch party includes Author Q&A, trivia with prizes, and perhaps a live reading from the new book. You should map out a time of the event, list the answers, and photograph your prizes ahead of time.
- Invite, invite, invite. Remember 3 is The Key? Here’s the same theory. Announce your shindig. Remind people. Toss out one more friendly “hey are you coming?” notice.
- Work backwards. That is, set the date and from there set up your To Do’s.
- Let’s say your Twitter Party is on July 4th. You can’t always buy red, white, and blue decor in February, so make sure you remember to look over the discount sales after Memorial Day.
- Hosting a live event? What will you serve? If you’re preparing the foods yourself, you’ll need time to buy the groceries, cook, and set things out. Make a grocery list and check it twice! You don’t want to run out of Bleu Cheese dressing for your ahh-mazing salads, right?
- Get a few eyes on the project.
- Ask a trusted friend or colleague to review your plan with you and help fill in some gaps.
- Google party plans and check for ideas to add.
If you have projects happening in the New Year, are you already planning for them? If so, how?
Share your project planning ideas in the comments!
TWEET THIS: Social Media Saturday: Plan Now to Start Later @RealMojo68 #socialmedia #planner
With an erasable pen and an open Happy Planner,
Happy scheduling!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Dec 1, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday
The holiday season can bring families together, feelings of holiday cheer, and more stress than you can shake a stick at.
It’s also a season of “How do I possibly do this?” and “How can we manage that?”
Finding that perfect gift for someone isn’t always an option when the price tag is higher than your ceiling.
Here are few ideas for giving without going broke:
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday
- Give the gift of time. Spend a few hours chatting over coffee. Catch up with an old friend. Drive over to your brother’s house. Take a loved one to dinner. Turn off your phone and outside distractions, and just be with each other. Rediscover the commonalities you have, and learn how you’ve changed.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday: Gifts That Don’t Cost
- Give the gift of service. How often do we say, “I wish there were more hours in a day?” What we mean is, “I can’t possibly do everything on the list, all the time.” Helping someone with household cleaning, running errands for them, or driving them to appointments is a great gift. Companionship while conquering a To Do List is a double gift!
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday: Gifts That Don’t Cost
- Give the gift of encouragement. We all need to be emboldened. Tell your peeps what you admire about them, and watch them soar. Keep telling them, and they’ll soar even higher.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday: Gifts That Don’t Cost
- Give the gift of creativity. We’re all good at something. Some are woodworkers, some excel in the kitchen. Others are writers, painters, quilters. Each of us has a talent that is meant to be shared with others. Create a homemade gift, or spend time creating/crafting with others and helping them discover what they’re good at!
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday: Gifts That Don’t Cost
- Give the gift of asking. To truly bless others, we need to know what they want or need. Pay attention. Develop deeper conversations. When they say “A”, don’t misinterpret it as “B”. Understand that understanding is deeper than just talk. Formulate questions that lead you to their answer, and be creative with your solution.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday: Gifts That Don’t Cost
What gifts do you like to give?
TWEET THIS: Five Things Friday: #Gifts That Don’t Cost @RealMojo68 #holiday
With a light bulb and a thinking cap,
Happy gifting!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!
