It’s All About The MUSIC!!

Monday, July 23, 2018

Welcome my friends!!

It’s Monday Blog time and I’m grateful you’re spending this time here with me today. Thank you!

Well, I woke up with music in my head this morning and…YOU know…yep, that’s my topic today!

As far as our bodies are concerned, it’s quite a good thing to sing…out loud, preferably! It has nothing to do with singing “well”, either. Whether we sing well or just enjoy the feeling we get in the act of singing, there are enormous health benefits!

I started singing at the age of five and have never stopped. I admit as I’ve aged, my vocal chords are not what they used to be, nevertheless, I still sing…OUT LOUD. I also admit these days, outside of church (no solos anymore), most of my performing is done behind the steering wheel of my little Suzuki girlfriend, “Goldie”. She’s my audience and she’s never complained even once! (She loves me).

It may be that someone, sometime may have chided in jest that “you can’t carry a tune in a bucket!” Yep, I got that one too, but I kept on singing…out loud…it made me feel good inside and that’s a good thing. As you’ll see as I continue here, my instincts were spot on…I’m good!

“Singing is an integral art of the whole music experience, which is very beneficial for everybody. Research now shows that those people who sing are happier, live longer and are generally much healthier too.”  See?…So, sing your heart out – it’s not a big deal to anyone, whether you’re in tune or not, unless of course you’re a member of a choir. “Barney Fife” loved to sing, however, once he joined the church choir, it was apparent he “could not carry a tune in a bucket.”

Actually you can sing just about anywhere…the shower, walking, the car (my favorite), your office (maybe?), karaoke sing-alongs or anywhere you feel comfortable…if ya get turned down by the choir (poor Barney).

Here are some of the health benefits for those of us who sing – out loud:

*Better heart and lung health – singing out loud can get a whole range of muscles working and improve circulation.

*Happier – a release of the endorphins which make us feel better as it lifts our mood.

*Better balance – leg strength and balance which are key factors in preventing falls.

*Live longer – singing promotes better mental health, less depression and improves all round well- being.

*Better posture and look younger – singers stand (usually), thus promoting better posture and breathing. Exercising a wide rang of muscles from the stomach up to the face, forcing facial muscles to be toned, creating a younger and more vibrant look. 

It’s been said, that when you smile, the facial muscles will get good exercise. Unfortunately, when you smile, it does not necessarily mean you will sing well (ask Barney).

“Sing like no one is listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching and live like it’s heaven on earth.” – Mark Twain

“Singing is like a celebration of oxygen.” – Bjork

“He who sings scares away his woes.” – Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

“I believe that singing is the key to a long life, a good figure, a stable temperament, increased intelligence, new friends, super self-confidence and a better sense of humor.” – Brian Eno

“I’m singing in the rain, just singing in the rain; What a glorious feeling, I’m happy again.” – Arthur Freed”

My prayer for us all this week, is that we will not only sing out loud but embrace all the gifts God has given us…reacquaint ourselves with this treasure box of ours He has blessed us all with, be grateful for all our talents, and start using them, once again! Amen.

God is GOOD! God is GREAT!! ALWAYS!!!

I love you,

Margaret

*Note: Thank You to free-lance writer, Robert Locke for his contribution to today’s Blog.

My novel, a spiritual thriller, “That Melvin Bray” is available on Amazon.com

 

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Summertime at Grandma’s House!!

Monday, July 22, 2019

Welcome, Everyone…especially you Grandparents!!

Happy Monday and thank you for sharing some time with me today! If you ever feel like leaving a comment or two, please do so and I’ll be grateful.

Last week I mentioned the fact that I’m on the go alot this summer and will be re-blogging when I must, but I’ll be diligent in my choices…sometimes I even make myself laugh when I review some of my older blogs. This is one from last summer when I had all five of my “perfect little angels” (we refer to them as “grandchildren”), here with me for their summer visit. Until I can post this year’s three week visit, I’ll share this one again and I hope it puts a big smile on your face!

“So I woke up today excited about my blog and as soon as I sat down at my desk, I ran across the image above and instantly I knew I was to share some “grandma moments” with you all today.

When I had my first child I thought, “Thank you, God, how incredible!” Then, a few years later I had my second child and felt even more grateful and ask God what had I ever done to deserve these two precious gifts he had bestowed upon me! The love a parent has for a child is indescribable – if you’re a parent, you know what I mean.

As my gift of Life continued to unfold, my two precious gifts gave me five more precious gifts to love and adore – comprised of three girls and two boys. As a result of these five gifts, more precious than imaginable, I and my house have become known as “Grandma and “Grandma’s House.” I didn’t think I had the capacity to love anyone more than my two children; however, through my grandchildren, God has taught me to love on an even deeper level. As parents, we not only learn how to love differently, but for the first time in our lives, we learn how to love unselfishly. If we’re then gifted with grandchildren, we somehow, find it within our hearts and souls to love on an even deeper level. I call that “divine intervention” and I say, “Thank You, Lord!”

PaPa and Grandma are having yet another wonderful summertime with our hilarious, enlightening, sweet-as-ever and always entertaining grandchildren, as the real Happy Days are here again and at Grandma’s House – so, here’s a tiny sample of some very special moments at Grandma’s house over the past twenty-five years:

“Grandma, did you have electricity when you were born?” (all 5)

“Grandma, YOU & PaPa can’t sell this house – this is the house I was bored in.” (#1)  

“Grandma, just how old are you?! You can tell me, I won’t tell anybody!” (all 5)            

“Grandma, how many times do I have to tell you, I’m the OLDEST!?” (#1)

“Grandma, how old were you when you found out that God was your real Boss?!” (# 3) 

“Grandma, can I say the prayer first tonight ’cause I have alot on my mind?!”  (#4) 

“Grandma, how many times do I have to tell you?” (#2)  

“Grandma, ya got on too much lip stick again, come here, you need help!” (#3) “Grandma, please tell me you’re NOT gonna wear that out in public, I sure wouldn’t!!”  (#5)

Yep, grandchildren – Ya gotta love’ em to pieces!!”

My prayer for us all today is that we’ll always be conscious of “the little children“…your children, your grandchildren, someone else’s children – ALL the little children in the world…and let’s remember what Jesus said: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14.  Amen.

GOD is Good! GOD is Great!! Always!!!

I love you,

Margaret, aka Grandma

My spiritual thriller, “That Melvin Bray” is available on Amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/That-Melvin-Bray-MargaretMcBride/product-reviews/1458212122

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Good To Be Home!

Monday, July 9, 2018

Welcome to my Monday Blog, my friends! I appreciate all of you and I’ll always do my best each week to make you smile before you leave my page! Warning though: at some time or another, I may be forced to show some baby pictures – I’m such a grandma!

I’ve been traveling for two weeks now, for both pleasure and business; however, I must say “it’s good to be home”. I don’t know who penned that phrase, “it’s good to be home”, and whether or not they received royalties on it, but if so, let’s just say, there’s a bottomless trust fund still in existence for some happy soul. Yep!

Notice that today I’ve posted the cover of my novel, “That Melvin Bray” for you and whether you’ve read it or not, I believe one would conclude that there’s a story inside that ole’ house upon first glance at the cover, right? My feelings are mixed, even though I wrote the book – because sometimes when I look at it I remember some joyous times as we would drive up “the old dirt and gravel, mostly gravel” road to the house. I can even remember times when we kids would even shout out “it’s good to be home!”

Today, I’m once again reminiscing and feel so blessed when I revisit my childhood growing up in that old house with both happy and horrific memories. Life in all it’s splendor can be lost if we allow ourselves to linger in thought on past dark times, by not living in the moment. Sometimes it seems much easier to just hang our heads way low, when despair seems to be hugging just a little too tight! That thought doesn’t last long for me, however, because my  past does not dictate my future – on the contrary, my past has paved the way for my future, and that’s probably why I can look at the cover of my book and hug myself tight, as I thank the good Lord for never leaving my side for one second. Hallelujah!

Yes, it’s good to be home and regardless of our pasts, we must embrace the good, leave the rest in the past, move forward, hug ourselves and thank our heavenly Father for His grace.

“The Grace of God”…So grace is favor, “unmerited favor,” Salvation by Grace. Grace is, therefore, God’s unmerited favor – His goodness toward those who have no claim on, nor reason to expect, divine favor. The principal manifestation of God’s grace has been in the form of a gift.” – Ephesians 2:8

My prayer for us all today is that we will give thanks for God’s Grace upon us and may we be reminded of what that actually means to us…our gift of Life…and one day we’ll all be rejoicing together shouting, “it’s good to be home!!”  Amen!

GOD is Good! GOD is Great!! always!!!

I love you,

Margaret

My spiritual thriller, “That Melvin Bray”, is available on Amazon: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Country ‘Tis Of Thee…

Monday, July 2, 2018

Welcome to my Monday Blog, my Friends! Thank you all for sharing your time with me here each week! I love what I do, I love all of You and I love my Savior, Jesus Christ!

Each week I’m blessed with additional readers from all over the World and heaven knows I’m so grateful for this particular Blessing!! Ya know when we’re committed to something, anything…we feel the need to share our feelings about this with those we love…or, with anyone we can get to listen to us, right?

That’s me! It’s a feeling like no other, when you feel the love of Jesus Christ and it’s my “job” to share that feeling with anyone & everyone I have the opportunity to do so…I’ve lost a few “friends” along the way, however, I’ve not been nailed to a Cross yet (Thank You, Jesus!) & I’ll continue sharing my Savior’s love with anyone who will listen. It’s easy to share with birds-of-a-feather, but it’s those who don’t know Jesus who I must reach. Please pray for me that I will work to please our Savior!

We’ll be celebrating the Fourth of July this week & my prayer for all of us is that we’ll think about what this truly means to each one of us…that we’ll all be willing to SHARE that love and respect with others. We all know that FREEDOM is NOT free…never was and never will be! So many lives have been sacrificed and will continue to be as long as we are blessed to have that awesome Freedom! This Fourth of July, how about we all consider what our gift of Life would be like without our precious Freedom! Oh, what a horror to even contemplate, right?!  Let’s do it anyway and just maybe we’ll all be better Americans for it!

🇺🇸USA, 🇺🇸USA, 🇺🇸USA‼

May God Bless America today and always!!

GOD is Good! GOD is Great!! Always!!!

I love you,

Margaret

PS I thank you all  for your prayers and remember You  are in my prayers!!