Forget the New Year's Resolution - try this instead!

*I read that if you re-commit your resolution on the first of every month (not just January 1st) you have a better chance at being successful. So your good intentions worked for a week and a half, then you got discouraged and gave up. Oh well, there's always next year! True, but also NOT helpful.

Stop for a moment and think about beginning your 'good habit/exercise plan/intention' AGAIN on February 1st. You have another shot at completing your goal - and you know it's important or you wouldn't have attempted it in the first place.

If you start again, you are showing good qualities of commitment and persistence, plus increasing your chance of making it stick permanently. Maybe you complete two weeks this time before stopping. Now you have worked and lived your intent for almost a month during the two month period. Begin again on March 1st and the time you spend to improve your life increases. How PROUD do you feel for continuing your quest, putting forth additional effort, and working toward the goal you set? High five! 

Let's give up the all-or-nothing thinking when it doesn't need to apply. (Brain surgeons and those in the medical field, please continue your excellent work, do ALL the steps, and disregard my comment!) 

Here is an example of why I cannot follow the all-or-nothing mindset: I have decided to eat a vegetarian diet and I am confident that it will NOT WORK if I attempt an all-or-nothing eating plan. Remember, no one is perfect, do not strive for 100% all the time, and the most important part - never give up.😁

I am a librarian so I love to read, learn, and help others. My job is to bring sunshine into lives by assisting, inspiring, and encouraging others. 

As a librarian who promotes lifelong learning, I have been reading and watching documentaries and came to the conclusion that eating a vegetarian diet is good for the animals, the planet, and my health. In my next post, I will explain how my eating plan and life changes are progressing, but needless to say, I am three weeks in and still going - although not perfectly 😄

So keep learning and growing, and especially keep looking on the bright side! Michelle :)

Happy 2020!

Happy New Year! 2020 is going to be the best one yet! And I have had some pretty spectacular years. But where did 2019 go?

I transitioned from an amazing job in Hawaii 🌈to a new one in Grand Haven, Michigan at the Loutit District Library. Although I was sad to leave paradise, a grand baby was bringing me home to Michigan. Ohana is all about family, and even tho I felt like family to many great people in Hilo/Hawaii, I missed mine here in MI 🌲. 

Lily Gale was born on her due date (only 5% do this 😀) in May of 2019. She has given my life new meaning. I love being a mom (some say I am still too close with my daughters!) but being a grandma outshines everything in this world. 

So 2019 was filled with visits to Chicago to enjoy my daughter's growing belly, and then back to soak up the greatest little being on earth whenever possible. She has also spurred my new goal of being as healthy as I can to keep up with her and watch her grow through all stages of her wonderful life. 

I enjoy writing, offering inspiration, and visualizing my journeys, so I will begin documenting my healthy adventure here for all to see (and to keep me accountable).


Today's uplifting message: 'The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." Walt Disney
I have tons of great ideas, and good intentions, but if I don't follow through, they can't help someone.

I wish everyone an amazing 2020 filled with love, laughter, peace, joy, kindness, and God's grace. Keep looking on the bright side - Michelle :)

I may be kicked out of Hawaii soon!

Ok, so I've been here just over two years and I have experienced tropical storms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, false missile alerts, the recent Hurricane Lane, and let's not forget the giant centipede that crawled across my living room floor! Living in Hawaii has been quite the adventure. I have become eco-conscious, health-conscious, and found a love of avocados that I didn't know was possible.

I began an experiment to spend one month without stress and it ended up the complete opposite! It entailed medical appointments, dental appointments, vet appointment, a break-in at work, a friend who had a major medical issue, and it was topped off with flooding in my house as Hurricane Lane dumped over 4 feet of rain on us. Enough already!

But, as the ever-positive, always-look-on-the-bright-side person that I am, I keep going. I will "ellen-it" and dance, laugh, do something good for someone, and be kind.

When I finish the write-up on my one month without stress experiment, I will share it with you all. Stay tuned :) And, of course, keep looking on the bright side :) Michelle

 Lava Fissure 8 in Pahoa

 Earthquake damage in my office

 An exciting day from a false alert!

 Hurricane Lane damage
Flooding in downtown Hilo. Photo credit: Tracey Niimii (tnphotographyhawaii.com)

One month of Lava

It's been a month since the first ground cracks were discovered in Leilani Estates on the Big Island of Hawaii. The next day, the first fissure appeared in the subdivision. Today, fissure 8 is the most active with lava fountains reaching up to 250 feet. I am mesmerized by the live feeds and can't get enough of the amazing science show happening 20 miles South of Hilo.

These fountains are creating ponds that eventually break, sending molten lava down to the ocean with flows as fast as 600 yards per hour. It is taking out houses along the way, over 125 structures so far, along with roads, electrical poles, and even phone service.

May 20th saw the first lava entry into the ocean which spread "laze" consisting of sulfuric acid and glass particles - yikes!  Many people in Hawaii deal with "vog" the volcanic ash and smog, on a regular basis, but "laze" takes it to a whole new level. 

The explosive eruptions at Halemaumau crater in Volcanoes National Park have sent a vog and ash cloud 15,000 feet into the air. Trade winds spread this mess far and wide, reaching all the way over to neighboring islands. Common complaints include dry eyes, coughing and other respiratory problems, and headaches. The cracks are also emitting sulfur dioxide which smells like rotten eggs. 

Actually, the earthquake aftershocks (and possible tsunamis) are the least of my worries as I almost stepped on a large, dead cockroach this morning in my apartment. Such is life in a tropical paradise!

I'm off to put more drops in my eyes and watch Code Black. I will be back with updates on the volcano and life in Hawaii, but until then, keep looking on the bright side! 

  

Photo: Kris Burmeister, on Hawaii News Now   

                                                                        

Photo: USGS

The Price of Paradise

Aloha Everyone!

In April I started a blog post to discuss the huge decision I made to cut cable – I think the DVR is one of the greatest inventions ever – so I wasn’t sure I would survive. Ok, that’s a bit drastic, but I love my TV. With the help of my sister, I found that hulu will allow me to view my favorite programs the day after they air; I can handle that. Along with Netflix and CBS All Access, I can see the majority of my favorite programs. I am very sad to lose access to my Food Network and HGTV shows, though, plus local news and my beloved ellen are also casualties of my attempt to save money. But let’s jump forward to today's catastrophe.

My job is very busy. My life is also very busy as I took two weeks in May/June to travel to Michigan to visit family and celebrate my youngest daughter’s accomplishments. Near the end of my mainland vacation, I received calls from Hawaii with news about Kilauea’s eruption and the earthquakes.

Emergencies at the library tend to happen when I am somewhere else. In January, the false Korean Missile Launch Alert happened while I was in the car heading to a workshop. Luckily, phones allow me to address issues along with the amazing staff at the Hilo Public Library who handle problems beautifully.

So back to the current eruption. 23 fissures are open, some have merged together, and the flow has finally reached the ocean. Most people know about Vog which is volcanic ash and smog which blows across the islands causing eye and skin irritations, but now they are advertising a new concern, Laze. This is a hydrochloric acid mist containing volcanic glass particles that occurs when lava mixes with seawater. It is corrosive, toxic, and can be deadly according to the Hawaii News Now broadcast. We have the sulpher dioxide gas, volcanic dust, and vog to contend with here, and I do not plan to head toward the coast to experience laze!

I will compile my observations since this began and bring it to you in another blog post. For now, if you would like to read about my take on the missile crisis, you can find it here:

http://ala-apa.org/newsletter/2018/03/13/no-one-ever-told-me-my-job-would-include-dealing-with-a-korean-missile-alert/

Or the interview with the Cadillac News, in Michigan, about the volcano, select this link:

https://www.cadillacnews.com/news/former-missaukee-librarian-helps-others-during-crisis-in-hawaii/article_28af594a-eafd-5a7c-9f2d-c3418251e253.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

For now, keep looking on the bright side! Mahalo-Michelle 😄

It doesn't rain cats & dogs here...

I live in Hilo so I expect a fair amount of rain. And I love it, especially the light, misty kind that cools you off but doesn’t drench you. It keeps the landscape green and lush, quenches the beautiful array of flowers and creates flowing waterfalls.

But in Hilo there is a LOT of rain, not to mention the numerous bugs who also enjoy this moist atmosphere. It comes with the territory so I expect raindrops falling on my head on a regular basis. What I didn't expect was the baby gecko falling on my head while I was washing dishes! 

In fact my first centipede scattered across my floor a few weeks ago. My sister and brother-in-law were visiting and the cats were nice enough to point out this disgusting creature by chasing it across the living room. We captured and killed it, and then gave the cats some well-deserved extra treats! 

I can’t complain about a SINGLE encounter with a 10-inch centipede in 2 years.  Okay, I can complain – it’s easy when you are faced with a gigantic, 1000-legged, slimy, venomous creature inside your apartment!

The positives definitely outweigh the negatives in Hawaii, so I put up with the heat, bugs, and crazy high prices. If I could relocate my entire family to the islands, this place would be perfect.

Until next time, keep looking on the bright side! Blessings, Michelle :)

LibrarianHelps.org

Aloha & Mele Kalikimaka! 🎄

Some good thoughts...

When you get comfortable, take action. 

Challenge yourself with new ideas, adventures, and opportunities. 

Be responsible. 

Have passion. 

Show enthusiasm. 

Believe in lifelong learning. 

And if you need help with anything, try my new website: LibrarianHelps.org

What can I help you with?????? Blessings to all 

Keep looking on the Bright Side - Mahalo-Michelle :)