Personal – Melody Creek

Hello Mondays ~ Life is a Journey

November 14, 2016/0 Comments/in Encouragement, Personal /by Shelly Whyland

Life is a Journey

ENCOURAGEMENT

Have you ever thought of yourself as a tour guide on this road we call life? I have. We come in contact with so many people in need of “directions.” When they ask for directions I feel it’s up to us to hand them the map that show’s them the way.

Life is a journey, it’s not a destination. GPS is great, but part of the adventure is discovering all the places along the way that are off the beaten path, right?! The places that only the locals know about! The really cool secret places. Like a local watering hole, hidden waterfalls, an underwater cave. A special place that you probably passed by and didn’t even know it was there.

You don’t find these places on your gps. You can only get there by knowing and listening to others who’ve been there before you. You have to ask for these directions because they usually aren’t on a map or in a gps. If you knew the coordinates, then you could use a gps I guess.

Look, even with a GPS we all get lost because they take us such crazy routes sometimes. And we trust them so much we have a generation that doesn’t even know how to read a map (I wonder if they know which direction North is?) If you’ve ever been Geo-cashing/treasure hunting you absolutely know what I’m talking about. And we’ve all heard the words “re-calculating”. Am I right?

I love road trips and traveling it’s always an adventure for me! The excitement and anticipation of getting there is my favorite part. Yes, I enjoy the destination once I arrive, but it’s the trip, the whole, what awesome part comes next, and who am I going to meet along the way, that really makes the journey for me.

Our lives are a journey, so what awesome part is next?!

POSITIVE QUOTE

“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to DANCE in the rain.”~Unknown

10 Things To ENCOURAGE YOU (YES, YOU!)

1. Don’t be distracted from your dreams.

2. Life isn’t about being the BEST. (but I think YOU ARE!!!) It’s about being better than you were yesterday!

3. You are inspiring.

4. Be ready: Amazing things are coming your way.

5. Appreciate who YOU are!

6. HOPE conquers FEAR.

7. Not feeling today? That’s ok! You get a brand new day tomorrow and it can be GREAT!

8. YOU belong.

9. When you plant KINDNESS you harvest LOVE.

10. You make this world a better place!

LOVE

Since I started this blog talking about journey’s it made me think of vacations. Here’s a thought wouldn’t it be amazing to live a life that we wouldn’t need a vacation from? A life that is so awesome, stress-free, perfect for you that every aspect of it is like being on vacation every moment of every day. Is it possible? Am I crazy to think that it’s possible? Maybe it’s retirement.

I asked, it’s not retirement. Well, according to my resources of the people I asked say, it isn’t. My sources, who wish to remain anonymous, said it’s just not going to a normal 9-5 job. They just do “other things”.

I believe it’s possible! I love where I work and the people I work with. I like getting up and going to work everyday so I know that it’s possible to have a job that you love and that makes life pretty sweet. I’m not bragging but I do enjoy what I do. I know not everyone has that so it really makes me appreciate what I have all the more.

I also come home from my day job and I get to work with my husband and family with our business. I am so fortunate to do what I love with the people I love most. I’m thankful and I know what we have as a family is special. We all have full-time jobs outside of our business so we work long hours which can be stressful but we have each other to keep us motivated.

I’m saying I believe it’s possible to have the kind of life that is so amazing that we wouldn’t need a vacation from it. I know there are some people that are struggling with everything in their life, I’m not trying to down play that struggle at all, I know it’s real and it’s hard, a vacation from it would be a blessing. The thing about vacations though, is we have to come back from them eventually.

Let’s think about some small changes we could make in our daily lives that can make it a stress-free zone. I work with an awesome woman at work and we play Pandora in our office. We found a music channel that plays “beach music”.

If you’ve ever had a massage it sounds like the music they play softly in the background. It’s very relaxing and if we are having a hectic day at work we put it on that station and it just relaxes us. It’s very soothing. Maybe you could give that a try. Or you could put a favorite “vacation” photo on your desk. Simple reminders of a favorite time can bring stress relief and help you to finish your day strong.

You know you best. Take the time you need each day to de-stress, I have heard that they have adult coloring books to de-stress at the end of particularly hard day. know that you’re awesome and loved beyond measure! This journey that we are on can be rough but we can make it as stress-free as possible along the way.

Contact me at shelly@mel.paulcarlwebdev.com and let me know what you think of this week’s blog. Give me your thought’s and ideas about ways you de-stress. I value your input. Have an amazing day and an incredible week. Always know that you are awesome and loved beyond measure! All my best, Shelly

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Hello Monday’s ~ Are you Happy with who You Are?

November 7, 2016/0 Comments/in Encouragement, Love, Personal /by Shelly Whyland

I just asked myself this question. Am I happy with who I am? My answer, is a resounding YES! Looking deep within myself, I am content with where I am at this time in my life. Of course, there are always things that could be different or better I guess. I’m not focused on them, I’m focused on where I’m at right now, at this point and I’m at peace and am loving my life.

I know it’s a profound question to ask yourself. The hardest part I think is to give an honest answer. Yes, I tend to be the glass is always “half-full” person. I don’t focus on the negatives this life throws at me. Instead, I get my bat out, step up to the plate and swing away! I might “strike out” or I might just get a “home-run!” I’ll never know unless I go for it RIGHT?!

We live in a world where there is a lot going on. There’s senseless killings, floods, famine, hurricanes and drought….basically a lot of sadness and turmoil. You open a newspaper or turn on the news and there’s a whole lot of negative if that’s all you want to see. I DON’T!

ENCOURAGEMENT

So, I said it. I don’t want to see all the negative. I do see it, it’s all around us. You would have to be oblivious not to see it. However, I also see the drive to survive. I’ve watched men and women willing to sacrifice themselves to HELP one another. I’ve seen them pool together in the darkest of times. They use their resources and become knitted together in the only way you can when tragedy strikes. I don’t know about you but I think it’s the most beautiful thing about the human heart. Also the will and strength to fight and NOT GIVE UP!!

I’ve also seen when terrible things happen, men and women are filled with the determination to be courageous and brave. It opens us up to be more than we thought we were capable of. Not only can you be happy with who you are, you can change how you see yourself and those around you!

POSITIVE QUOTE

“Success isn’t fame, fortune or power. It’s waking up in the morning and being so excited to start the day. Success is joy, freedom and LOVE!” ~ Shelly Whyland

10 ENCOURAGING THOUGHTS FOR YOU (YES, YOU!)

Define yourself by YOUR terms.
It’s ok to LOVE yourself.
Smile, it’s contagious, pass it on.
Our power to accomplish anything comes from within. All you need to do is tap into it!
Accept who you are. I think you are magnificent.
Believe – all things are possible!
Who defines what you will do with your life? YOU DO!
GET UP…..GO……BE YOURSELF.
Don’t be afraid to SUCCEED!
Your dreams are yours. Don’t let them go or let anyone take them from you.

I sit here and think about how to inspire, encourage and love people. Just take a few minutes and think about who you are. You truly are amazing not just because I say you are but because YOU ARE. Sometimes we believe the lies that people tell us that we are. Don’t do it! You are here for a reason. And that reason can only be done by you! This is the truth, maybe you are thinking NOT ME and I am saying YES, YOU!

LOVE

Success isn’t fame, fortune or power. It might be for some people but me. For me, success is waking up in the morning being so excited to start the day! Success is joy, freedom, love and who or how can I share it with the people I come in contact with TODAY?

I know there are deep hurts and sadness in people. I’m not belittling anyone’s feelings. I hope if you sat down for a few minutes you could find something within yourself that you are happy with.

So, let’s go back to the beginning of this post. Now, ask yourself…….are you happy with who you are? Go ahead take some time and dig deep and give an honest answer to yourself.

Hi it’s me Shelly, I would love to hear the answer. If the answer is a YES or NO, I’d like to know why you feel that way. Please let me if this post encouraged you. Did you take the time to think about it? Please feel free to contact me at shelly@mel.paulcarlwebdev.com. I really would like to know what you think. Did you find this post worthwhile? Feel free to leave a comment. Like it and Share it with your friends. I’m always looking for positive quotes to share in the Hello Monday’s blog. Have a beautiful week and know that I’m thinking of you! Be AWESOME.

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Hello Monday’s: How to Make Someone’s Day

October 30, 2016/0 Comments/in Encouragement, Love, Personal /by Shelly Whyland

Have you ever seen a family member, friend, colleague or a perfect stranger having a bad day? I have and when that happens, my first instinct is………how can I make their day?

I want to encourage them and make them smile. I want to make sure they know they are valuable to many people. My goal everyday is to let everyone around me know they matter and they are loved.

Today, I want to show you that it can be fairly easy to make someone’s day.

ENCOURAGEMENT

The truth is I’m an optimistic person and I truly care about people. I physically feel the pain of others if they are hurting. I feel it in my stomach when they cry or are in physical or emotional pain. It’s more than empathy and compassion. It’s a strong feeling of wanting to help those in need.

This is something that I have felt even as a small child. If you are stuggling I want to make sure you’re ok. I am overwhelmed with concern for people who are upset, trying to handle their situation and felling like they have no one who cares.

Here’s my little bit of wisdom…..we can’t fix it. We can’t take away the pain or suffering that someone else is going through. We can hold their hand, give them a hug and LISTEN. Let them talk and no matter how much you want to say THE RIGHT thing just LISTEN. Many times my words just make things worse which is the exact opposite of what my goal is. I call this, “foot in mouth” syndrome. So BREATHE. Let them vent…….be with them. Ultimately, this comforts them and they know someone is there and that person cares.

It’s simple really, you let them talk and you LISTEN. By you being there, you are bringing them what they need at that moment. They know that they are not alone and in that instant that is what helps. You don’t realize how just being there with them helps.

To make someone’s day:

Be there
Listen
Send a “hang in there” or “I’m thinking of you” text
Write a note and send it in the mail. This is something that requires your time. There is something about getting a card or letter in the mail. It’s living proof that someone loves you. They care enough to take the time to write and send you a note to tell you how much you are loved and thought of!
Be creative – bring them a meal, send flowers, take the time to call and talk to them
Do something that you would love done for you

10 AMAZING THINGS ABOUT YOU, YES YOU!

You are AWE-inspiring.
You can reach the stars if that’s your goal.
Don’t compare yourself to other people – – – let them compare themselves to YOU!
Obstacles will come so be prepared to “hurdle them”.
You are powerful.
Don’t give up – – – you’re so close to what you have been working so hard for!
You are exquisite.
Nothing can stop you.
Be open to change….it’s hard but worth it!
Know your value — YOU ARE PRICELESS!

I know that reading these things you might be saying to yourself, that’s not me. These are all truths about you. You may have a hard time seeing these things about yourself but they are all true. Read them over and over until you believe them and can say to yourself YES this is me!

LOVE

I know that we are all busy and we have lives. There are people all around us that are hurting, depressed, have no hope, and they just need someone to “see” them! When we take the time to look around, there’s no doubt we will see those who need us. Are we actually willing to stop what we are doing to do something for those in need? In that moment it could be life changing for that person but more importantly it could change us as well.
It doesn’t have to take a lot of your time. Just think, if all of us stopped for a few minutes and looked around with the sole purpose to see someone in need, then did something about it…..what would our world look like? Every small act of kindness will make HUGE impact. Would you be willing to put yourself out there?

My challenge for myself is to take the time to be available. It will not only make someone’s day, it always makes mine too! Will you join me in this challenge?

Did this post make you think about those you know or don’t know but you’ve seen? Maybe this is how you live all the time. I would really like to know what you think of this post. Please leave me your comments and feel free to share this post with your family and friends! I hope this week brings you great joy! Contact me at shelly@mel.paulcarlwebdev.com. I look forward to hearing from you. All my best, Shelly XOXO

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Hello Monday’s ~ More than a Feeling

April 4, 2016/4 Comments/in Encouragement, Personal /by Shelly Whyland

Hello Monday’s ~ More than a Feeling

Yes, I know, it’s the title of a classic song by the band Boston from the mid-1970’s. Just because I know that, it doesn’t make me old but I digress.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Sometimes in life we get swept away by our emotions: happy, sad, fear, love, anger, hate, depression, the list goes on. I think you understand what I’m saying here.

We’ve all been led by our emotions/feelings at one point or another haven’t we? I know I have, I’ll admit it. Maybe we have regrets by being “driven” by some of those emotions. Especially if we were angry and hurt someone else or even ourselves because of it. I know it’s hard but we have to forgive ourselves and move forward. IF you’ve hurt someone and you know it, be the bigger man or woman and apologize, ask them to forgive you. You’ll both feel better for it.

POSITIVE QUOTE

“You may not always end up where you thought you were going. But you will always end up where you are meant to be.” ~ Unknown

10 THINGS ABOUT YOU (YES, YOU)

No one ever went blind looking on the bright side!
Stay STRONG
Don’t look behind you, you’re not going that way.
Positive attitudes create positive thoughts!
The trials that you face today give you the confidence for whatever comes in the future.
In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.
Create a life that you don’t need a vacation from!
Stars can’t shine without darkness.
The best investment you will ever make is in YOURSELF!
Everyday is a chance to change your life.

LOVE

I don’t think any of us sit around wishing that we could spend more time feeling angry, sad, depressed or any negative feeling we can come up with. Better yet to hold on to it until we die right? So, let those feelings of (insert negative feeling here) flow away. At the end of each day; let it go. Yes, that’s easy for you to say Shelly. Well, no it’s not but it’s a choice I make each day to let the negative things go so I can start the next day NEW and with a clean slate. Besides, its exhausting carrying around all that garbage that doesn’t do anything for me!

I’m not sure who said it but it applies here “Keeping hold of anger (negative emotion/feelings) is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” In a nutshell, holding onto negativity hurts us.

Now you’re probably thinking WOW Shelly this is too heavy, pretty much a downer post. Sort of yes but we’re not quite finished. Here’s something I’d like you to try. Tell yourself 3 things that you LOVE about yourself every night before you go to bed. Now what you might not realize is you have subconsciously started your mind focusing on the awesome, amazing, incredible, brilliance of how remarkable YOU are!

You can double your “love and encouragement” benefits by doing this for yourself each night before bed. Make it part of your night-time routine. You are so important and matter to so many people. Even people you might not realize that you matter to.

I hope you realize how much you are loved! Thank you for being a part of my life even if I don’t know you personally. I hope this blog reminds you to love yourself and those around you!

Please feel free to contact us, comment, share with your friends and family because we all need love and encouragement!

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Hello Monday’s ~ Not Good Enough

March 28, 2016/2 Comments/in Encouragement, Personal /by Shelly Whyland

Not Good Enough

When you compare yourself with those around you, do you feel like you’re not good enough, that you somehow don’t measure up, and there’s no way you ever could? Well guess what?! STOP IT! You are unique. You can’t compare yourself to others, because you’re not them. They are not you.

ENCOURAGEMENT

You are who you are meant to be. You were created and made to be just the way you are. You might say, “But I can’t do this, and I don’t like this about myself, I hate my hair or my body or whatever it is that you hate about yourself.” Again, the inner most being of who you are and what makes you, YOU, is more than enough.

I don’t mean to disregard how you feel, because your feelings are very important. But I’m going to remind you that YOU are more than enough. There will never be a more amazing you. Don’t let the negative and nasty drag you down, rise up, stand straight, and look at yourself in the mirror and say, “I AM MORE THAN ENOUGH.”

POSITIVE QUOTE

“Everyone has inside them a piece of good news. The good news is you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is.” ~ Anne Frank

10 AMAZING TRUTHS ABOUT YOU (YES, YOU!)

If you’ll take a risk, you can chase your dreams.
Change your attitude ~ what can stop you now?
Never regret what makes you stronger.
Know your worth ~ it’s priceless!
It doesn’t matter how many say it can’t be done if you BELIEVE it CAN.
The best way to get rid of negativity; laugh at it!
Your ideas are worth something ~ so share them with others.
Your kindness will spark change around you.
You can’t please everyone so don’t try.
The only really true failure in life is not to do your best.

LOVE

We all know the catch phrase, “I love you to the moon and back.” Well, being the literal person that I am I did a little research. Did you know that it’s 238, 855 miles to the moon from Earth? It would take you 3 days to get to the moon. So, in theory when using that phrase, you would have to say it every six days, right?! (I know I’m weird, I’m OK with it. These are the things I think about sometimes)

The words that we use have power and meaning. Saying, “I love you”, and putting that into action takes effort on our part. It’s easy to love the loveable. Not so much when someone is yelling, screaming or calling us names. In my opinion, it’s the not so lovable ones that need our love the most. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of yelling back and defending ourselves. I wonder what would happen if we chose to love regardless of how we are “treated”.

I am a strong-willed woman. I am very competitive and I hate to lose. And I like to always have the LAST WORD. I struggle with loving difficult people and I’m not proud of it, but I do. We all have these people in our lives. Whether we work with them or live with them; whether they are good friends or family. Maybe they are people we’ve known for a long time or maybe we just met them.

So, how do we deal with this? For me, sometimes, love is silent. When I want to speak (really, shout back and be just as nasty back) I choose to say nothing. Sometimes, the people who are around us that are “un-loveable” could be going through something awful and just can’t control themselves. They could be having a really bad day that just turns into a week, a month or longer.

Be patient, even if you’re not feeling love for them. We are surrounded by the people that we are supposed to be around for a reason. Share the love that you have with all of them. The love you give will change the atmosphere whatever you do!

Hi, it’s Shelly! Did you find this week’s “Hello Monday’s” interesting? Please leave a comment about your favorite part. Feel free to contact us with ideas and comments! See you next Monday.

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Hello Monday’s

March 21, 2016/5 Comments/in Personal /by Shelly Whyland

Good Morning!

I’ve decided to kick-start a weekly blog post telling YOU how AWESOME you are! Each Monday I will do a “Hello Mondays” post. These posts will be filled with encouragement, a positive quote for the week, 10 amazing truths about you that maybe you’ve forgotten, and lastly LOVE.

This will definitely be a different post then the wedding posts that go up other days in the week. Mondays will be for everyone. Anyone who needs to be reminded that you MATTER, you have VALUE and you are LOVED!

ENCOURAGEMENT

During the 1st week of October 2014 I had heard about a lot of people who were struggling and bummed out. My friends were really having a hard time. People on Facebook seemed down and I decided I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing, so I decided to do a 30-Day Love and Encouragement Challenge.

I remember being told that for every one negative thing that is said to us it takes 10 positive things to erase it. I posted 10 sentences over 30 days to remove 30 negative things from all my FB friends’ lives.

I want to take the time to encourage you on Mondays so you can rock your week! Hopefully, if you know this blog is here you’ll come read it, be encouraged, get some love and pass it on to others around you. Let’s say you or someone you know is having a bad day, (come on, we all have them, yes, even me, Beam, my nickname from a dear friend at work!) you will know this is here and you can come get uplifted.

POSITIVE QUOTE

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become GREAT.”

~ Mark Twain

10 AMAZING TRUTHS ABOUT YOU (YES, YOU!)

You are capable of doing anything!
There is no obstacle that you can’t overcome.
Take a moment to really look at the beauty around you (including yourself) it’s there if you look for it.
You are more than you think you are!
Your value cannot be measured by what you do, it’s measured by those who can’t live without you.
Be yourself – – – you’re spectacular!
No one has the power to rob you of your JOY unless you give it to them.
You are unique – there is no one else like YOU.
Make time for yourself: read a book, take a bath, dance, sing, do whatever makes you happy for YOU. I triple dog dare ya.
No one is perfect – – it’s OK to make mistakes. That’s what erasers and white out are for!

I don’t know about you, but sometimes we get so busy in our lives that we forget in all the craziness who we are. Take a minute to really look at how incredible YOU are. I know, they are 10 sentences that a person wrote on a page. That doesn’t make them not the TRUTH.

LOVE

One of the simple definitions of love by Merriam-Webster dictionary says this:

love: a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person

Love can encompass all the relationships in our lives. Family, friends, co-workers, you know who the people are in your life that you love. Some of us have such close friends that we consider them family.

Love requires action and words. Take a few minutes throughout this week and put your love into action. Send someone you love a quick note, text, email or give them a call. Spend a little time and effort in your busy schedule to tell them how much you love them. In my experience when you give love away, you get so much more than you gave.

Love is an incredible gift. Sometimes we forget that and we take it for granted. When you’re thankful for the love in your life take a few precious minutes to let the people around you know. It doesn’t have to be a HUGE grand gesture, make it simple. A post it note on the mirror for your wife, a text to your kids or husband, a call to your parents or friend. You never know, you just might make someone’s day!

Hi Everyone, it’s me Shelly, I hope you feel the love and encouragement and will look forward to coming back for this blog each week. My goal for you today and the rest of the week is to know that you are valuable to those around you. Each day we have the opportunity to bring about change in our surroundings. Maybe it starts with just a smile from YOU. Have an awesome week —– see you next Monday!

Did you find this post worthwhile? Feel free to leave a comment. Like it or Share it with your friends. Contact us and send a favorite quote so I can use it in a Hello Mondays post. Take Care!

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