Julia K Cole

"A day without laughter is a day wasted!" ~ Charlie Chaplin It has been said that laughter is the best medicine.  And I, for one, sincerely believe that.  I actually did a little research on this subject and discovered that there are actually physical, emotional and mental benefits to good laugh.  Many experts agree that laughter is a great stress reliever.  We all are very well aware as to what stress does to the body, not to mention your emotional & mental health.  Everything in the body gets all tense and tight.  But when you laugh, it actually induces a physical change in your body.  According to the Mayo Clinic Laughter can: Stimulate many organs.   Did you know that laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air?  It's true!  Laughter stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and it increases endorphins that are released by your brain.  Activate and relieve your stress response.  Laughter fires up and then...

Netflix reboot of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy has everybody watching in tears.  Tears of Joy!  If you haven't watched it yet -- I'm going to pass on a word of advice -- something Netflix didn't bother passing along to me or the millions of others who fist partook -- make damn sure you have a full box of hankies next to you!    Seriously!  Netflix should have a some kind of warning before each episode!  Hankie Alert!  Only watch if you have a box of Kleenex!  Or something along those lines!   I never watched the original.  Oh I knew about it, one of my sons (who is gay) watched it religiously.   I was neither interested nor  really had the time.  Being a single working mother left me little energy or interest during those days.  I was, however,  over the top pleased that my gay son had something to watch that he could relate to and learn from.   Now before I go any further, and for thos...

Now more than ever...We all need to focus our calm, all of  our strength and love to to those filled with hurt, frustration and so much angst. Now more than ever... We must, with deliberate intention , cast a protective dome of loving energy around not only our nation, but the entire world. Now more than ever... W e must pray for those living in the darkness.  Pray that the light of the Divine Creators surround all who stand with so much anger in their hearts.  Pray for them.  Pray for them with all the loving intent you can muster.  Now more than ever... Use your love to embrace them, ask for the Divine to absorb their angst—absorb their hatred and jealously—and so on.  Pray that their eyes are opened to see the truth.  Not our truth…but THE truth.   So that all may be healed.  Now more than ever... Pray that those who have allowed their bitterness to motivate their hurtful actions  be given a calm heart and ca...

Valentine Sig Tags 2016 Part 3 featuring the beautiful artwork of Barbara Jensen,  Stan Dudin and Very Many!

Some more Valentine Sig Tags 2016.  All Featuring one of my all time favorite artist ©Very Many and the scrap kits are by Pink Paradox!  Enjoy!

My first Valentine Sig Tags for the new year!  Featuring the lovely artwork of Keith Garvey, Trinita and Very Many!

For the past few days I have been grappling with stress.  Mostly work related.  What I have noticed about stress is (1) it really locks up your body and makes it hurt; and (2) it's stressful!  *big smile* To stress my point on stress and stress release (pun intended) I share with you the following story:  A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience with a raised glass of water.    Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half  full?'... She fooled them all .... "How heavy is this glass of water?" she inquired with a smile. Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. To 20 oz. She replied , "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it.  If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.   If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an Ambulance. ...

I have cats and they are all my little furry babies that I love, love, LOVE! Today is National Cat Day!  Which if you're a cat lover like moi--that's every day of the week!  *LOL* Interesting Fun Fact about National Cat Day from Wikipedia: National Cat Day  was founded by animal welfare advocates Colleen Paige and Adam Olis. It is a celebration that takes place on October 29, every year in the United States. [1]  The National Cat Day website states that the holiday was first celebrated in 2005 by Obi, "to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of cats that need to be rescued each year and also to encourage cat lovers to celebrate the cat(s) in their life for the unconditional love and companionship they bestow upon us." The day is supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a nonprofit organization which also works to encourage pet adoption. [ An International Cat Day, August 8th, was created in 2002, by t...

I would like to share with you the lessons by a 90 year old man:) Feel free to spread this around with your friends and family. 1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short not to enjoy it. 4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. 5. Don’t buy stuff you don’t need. 6. You don’t have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself. 7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone. 8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for things that matter. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present. 12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry. 13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye… But don’t worry; G...