I was reading a Dear Abby post today about a woman who'd been conversing with a man online for a few months. She knew the time was getting closer to meet, and she was concerned the man might not like what he saw because she was overweight and had some dental issues. Abby reminded her that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and advised her to deal with her weight and dental issues if they were affecting her self-esteem. 

Of course, after reading this, I started to think about why we think we have to measure up to someone else's beauty standards. We've all looked at the popular magazines that feature glamorous models and perfectly-toned women with flawless makeup, and we feel like we're lacking. Honestly, I used to feel that way myself, but the older I get, the more I realize that beauty on the outside doesn't matter if there's isn't any on the inside. 

To me, beauty is the person who'll stand by your side no matter what, the smile you get from a complete stranger when you feel like your world is upside down. Beauty is the hand holding yours, the person applauding you for your accomplishments, and the words of encouragement when you're about to step outside your comfort zone. 

Beauty is the voice on the other end of the line when you just feel like chatting, the arms wrapped around you to let you know you are supported, and the kiss on the cheek to say goodnight. It's shared laughter and adventures, exchanging secrets, that sense of urgency to share an important part of your day, and the voice of reason when you're out on the ledge. 

Beauty isn't how many dimples a person has or the blindingly-white teeth. Yes, we can all appreciate an attractive person, but the interior is far more important because that's the beauty that will last a lifetime. 

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I read a blog challenge on Tumblr tonight, and the question was: How would your life change if everyone knew your secrets? I cringed and swallowed hard. Wow. That wouldn't be good. 

We all have secrets. Maybe it's something simple like you had a crush on your best friend's boyfriend back in high school, or it could be something more sinister. Either way, can you imagine how your life would change if all your secrets came to light? Could you stand in front of a room full of people while your deepest, darkest secrets were read aloud? 
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I know my life would definitely change. Even my closest friends don't know all of my secrets because, let's be honest, that's why they're called secrets. Would knowing all of my secrets change how they felt about me? Probably not, but I would wonder, and that would change my relationship with them. 
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So how about you? How would your life change if everyone knew your secrets?

The past two weeks have been a difficult battle for a family whose beloved daughter, niece, and granddaughter passed away. As they've struggled to obtain the money to bury their loved one, my thoughts have wandered to the brevity of this life.

Whether we like it or not, life is short. It might not seem like it if you hear about the passing of a 90-year-old person, but to them, that life went by so fast, they blinked, and it was gone. That's what happens.

I remember years ago thinking people in their forties were old, and now, I'm in my forties. And it doesn't seem so old. But it does feel like the days are slipping by, and that I'm not focusing on the things that really matter, what's most important in life. 

While social media is a great way to get to know people...at least, it used to be...it's not meeting people face to face. It's not getting out into the world and actually talking to people. And looking at beautiful pictures online can be awe-inspiring, but it can't measure up to seeing those same sights in person. 

I like to travel, and I spend as much time as possible doing it, but when I'm home, I'm home. Often, too much. That's why I'm challenging myself to do something different each month, whether it's taking a short day trip, visiting a site in my hometown I've never seen, taking pictures of nature, or going for a helicopter ride. I'm going to enjoy this life out from behind a computer screen because, while work is important, so is life. And it's meant to be lived. 

First post for a new blog challenge, and I have to be critical of the one thing I really love online, and that's social media. I'm a huge fan of all things social, but I do know there are downsides to it. So I'm going to give this my best shot. 

1. It's too easy to be anonymous on some accounts. Anonymity allows people to be different, meaner. They think, because no one knows their true identity, they can say and do what they want. 
2. It's easy to spend too much time on social media. Before I reined myself in, I was spending a couple of hours a night on Facebook. Then I was wondering why I didn't get anything done. I know how easy it is to keep scrolling.
3. The social wars. Before social media, we still all had our different opinions, but we weren't sharing it as often with the world and getting into gigantic arguments over which politician is going to win, what religion is the best one, and which celebrity is doing another celebrity wrong.
4. It can make the world a little more dangerous. Some social sites have given predators another playing field.
5. You don't really know all the people who are friends with you. In the real world, we know our friends. We trust them. Unfortunately, we can't always trust the people on another computer on the other side of the world because we only know what they allow us to see. 

If you need help with budgeting or need to find a way to get your financial house in order, pick up a copy of Nicole Lapin's book, Rich Bitch-A Simple 12-Step Plan for Getting Your Financial Life Together...Finally. While the title might be off-putting to some, and there is some strong language inside, this is the best book I've found to help understand everything from a 401(k) to investing. Nicole uses easy, understandable terms so that you don't have to be a financial planner to understand any of it. With real-life testimony, her advice simply makes sense. 

Click on the image, and the link will take you to Amazon where you can get it almost three dollars cheaper than you can in a bookstore where I got my copy! 

I love rainy days, but my favorites are rainy nights. So even though this post is supposed to be about days, I'm choosing to share what I do on rainy nights, besides write. 

1. Bake. I love to spend time in the kitchen, backing cupcakes or brownies while the rain is pouring down. There's just something about the scent of something wonderful baking and the sound of rain that soothes me.
2. Work on crafts. Right now, I'm working with clay pots, painting them and using them for different things other than for plants. 
3. Then, of course, there's Netflix. I love to get lost in a show I've never seen or catch up on episodes I've missed of a favorite program while the rain is pouring down. Usually, I have a cup of coffee, and my cat is curled up at my feet. 

​So that's it. What do you like to do on a rainy night? 

I've previously written about places I wanted to go, but this was a bit of a twist. It's more about things I'd want to do on vacation, well, except for the cruise one. I love cruises and could go on one every six months. There's just something peaceful about sitting on the deck watching the ocean as the ship pushes through the water. 

​So what are some of your favorite things to do on vacation?