Tag Archives: Inspirational

Generosity Shouldn’t Be Judgmental – Just Show LOVE!

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by Texas Homesteader ~

It’s easy to look down at others when your life is going well. You know, when your career is holding steady, your children are healthy and happy, your marriage is strong and you have no sudden unexpected medical conditions to plunge you into that place where no one wants to land…

But what if that weren’t the case?? Think about these real-life circumstances for just a moment: What if your spouse left you or died?  What if your child developed a serious and very expensive medical condition?  What if you were laid off from your posh well-paying career without warning?

Don’t kid yourself, these things can happen to any of us.

We're all just one terrible situation away from being on the receiving end of others generosity. Don't judge a book by its cover! #TexasHomesteader

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Our Way Of Life: Sunrises FOREVER

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by Texas Homesteader ~

RancherMan & I have a saying: “Sunrises Forever”.  It means that every new sunrise is a blank slate, a new beginning, a brand new start.  Today’s sunrise is fresh & new – different from yesterday’s and even tomorrow’s.  Today’s sunrise is full of possibilities. What will you do with it?

Will you make that leap of faith & follow your passion today?  Will you build on yesterday’s success to make it even better?  Will you wipe away yesterday’s failure and do something great?  Our sunrise may look different than yours and that’s ok.  Today is a day to start new – to do something amazing that works for YOU.

What will you do with today's possibilities? Don't waste it, today's sunrise is a fresh opportunity great things! Sunrises FOREVER! #TexasHomesteader

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Why Can’t We Get Along? We’re Different Yet The SAME!

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by Texas Homesteader ~

 

I read the news stories and I’m shocked, sickened & saddened beyond belief.  How could this be??  An evil person filled with a dark, boiling hate strolled into a place filled with happy people – and just instantly eliminated several innocent lives.

Not just names in a news story, but sons and daughters, friends and beloved family members.  People who got up that morning and went about their normal day, not knowing the terror that lied ahead.

My mind screams “no, no, NO!” but as I see these images on the nightly news I’m forced to accept its reality.

Hate cannot drive out hate - only LOVE can do that. I pray that one day we may all just accept our brother or sister for just what they are... Fellow Humans. #TexasHomesteader Continue reading →

Let’s Support Others In Their Simple-Life Journey!

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by Texas Homesteader ~

 

My latest article submitted to Mother Earth News about 6 easy ways to live a more Zero-Waste life was posted online. Then Mother Earth News shared that post on their FB page recently. How exciting!  Most of the comments from their Facebook share were helpful and positive. But there were some snarky ones too about how some of these tips were nothing new.

But it got me to thinking – unless you’re talking about solar panels or new technology, almost NONE of our environmentally-friendly living steps these days are new! Not everyone can afford to install high-tech equipment on their home to live simply. But almost anyone can take easy daily steps in their own home to move along that simple path – and it costs little or nothing!

SUPPORT OTHERS ON THE SIMPLICITY PATH! Remember we're all in different places in our lives, let's support each other in our path to living simply! #TexasHomesteader

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Voluntary Simplicity & Self Reliance

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by Tammy Taylor

Recently I wrote a piece that was published by Mother Earth News about how self reliance and voluntary simplicity equals power.  The advertising moguls would have you believe that you need them to do things for you – that many of those convenience items are just too complicated or time consuming for you to be able to do them for yourself.  Don’t buy into it!  I’ve found that when I practice Voluntary Simplicity and Self Reliance that I feel empowered.  Empowered to do more, and to do for myself better and cheaper than they can and certainly with a greener footprint.   What in particular brought me to this realization?  Read on, dear friends.

Read This Mother Earth News Article About How Voluntary Simplicity and Self Reliance Equals POWER! The More You Learn To Do Yourself, The More You WANT To Do! #TexasHomesteader

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Building Life With Your Own Two Hands

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by Tammy Taylor

 

Why do I do it??  Why do I go through the trouble (and expense) of raising my own chickens?  Or why do I plant a veggie garden and then spend countless hot summertime hours over a steaming pressure canner to preserve the bounty it produces? And why do I haul my laundry outside when there’s a perfectly-good electric clothes dryer RIGHT THERE?  Doesn’t it all take a tremendous amount of time?  Wouldn’t it be easier to pop open that snack-pak chocolate pudding cup instead of making it from scratch?  HECK YEAH it would!

Building Life With Our Own Two Hands. Through the all the good & bad we toil for this a life we love, but we really do love this life! #TexasHomesteader

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Facebook: Friend or Foe?

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by Tammy Taylor

 

Recently on my Facebook page I shared a story that I read about how much food is wasted in this country – everything from harvest waste or culls in the field to grocery store waste.   I commented that it was a shame that more edible & in-date food destined for the dumpsters for whatever cosmetic reason couldn’t be used instead to feed hungry people.

Many of my followers chimed in that it was a shame indeed. But one person was angered by the story for some reason that I still don’t quite understand.  As a matter of fact he was indignant and abrasive to many various commenters. Now I love FB and I typically enjoy it immensely. But this internet troll incident got me wondering if public social media sites like Facebook are really a friend or a foe?

A particularly unpleasant Facebook interaction with an internet troll makes me wonder why we can't just support each other - the similarities & the differences #TexasHomesteader

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New Streaks Of Platinum Blonde? I Earned EVERY ONE!

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by Tammy Taylor

Recently I attended my mother’s birthday celebration – a gathering of family & friends.  We all met at a local bistro and many tables were pushed together to make room for all the guests in attendance.  Of course there were family members there, but helping to celebrate were many super-fun friends as well.  Most older than me but beloved like family.

As RancherMan & I arrived we greeted these wonderful people, sharing hugs all the way around the table.  As we all settled into in our seats talking, sharing and laughter were the sounds that filled the cool spring air.  Just then one of the older ladies who uses a walker was passing slowly & gingerly behind me when she stroked the back of my hair and said “Tammy, Dahlin’, I do believe you’re getting a little whiter back here…”  To which I replied without skipping a beat “Hey, I’m PROUD of those new platinum-blonde streaks – I earned EVERY ONE of them!”

Read what my newly-emerging 'Platinum Blonde' streaks say about my life. Why would I want to change it? I've found happiness in life. #TexasHomesteader

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Relay for Life – Why Do I Do It?? HOPE!

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by Tammy Taylor

Well, another year is on the record books for the Relay for Life in our area, an all-night relay to raise money for the American Cancer Society and to bring awareness to the evil that is cancer in  all its ugly forms.  Back in 2013 my team members walked in my honor as I was going through surgeries & recovery to rid my body of breast cancer.  They sent a picture to my mother as I laid in that hospital bed recovering from surgery – she showed it to me with tears in her eyes.  How touching that my dear friends were doing something so powerful in my honor.   So the following year I proudly joined the team and experienced my very first Relay for Life.  This year is only my second year, but it’s just as meaningful & just as powerful.  But why do I participate?  Why would I scramble trying to raise money for the American Cancer Society?  Why would I show up on a Friday night and attempt to walk All. Night. Long?  Why?  The answer is simple.  HOPE.

Relay for Life - A Personally Meaningful Event for me. Why Do I Do It?? HOPE! #RelayForLife - #CancerSucks - #WalkForACure - #TexasHomesteader

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Paying It Forward… In REAL LIFE

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by Tammy Taylor

 

By now many of you know I was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. (I just passed  another survivorship anniversary!!)  There were many frightening aspects of going through that diagnosis and recovery.  But I was surprised to find many blessings along the way as well!  As I was going through the surgeries I found myself feeling depressed about the things that made up the gentle rhythm of my life that were completely disrupted.  Not only my health but my whole world was upside down!

Living & working on a cattle ranch means I certainty couldn’t do my ranching chores for awhile. And my strength was zapped so it was difficult to even do the simple things like cook and clean, and planting my beloved garden was out of the question.    But a group of friends surprised me by showing up at my door early one Saturday and planting my garden for me.  Tears of joy and appreciation streamed down my face as I was touched by their kind gesture.  I truly felt the embrace of God Himself that day.  D’ya hear that???  Felt the embrace of GOD.  Now that’s a powerful feeling, my friends!

Ironically one of the people that showed up that morning recently had a very serious accident.  Like me, he couldn’t imagine not planting his beloved garden.  But like me he just can’t physically do it this year.  He was there for me when I needed him in 2013 & he asked for nothing in return.  He was just giving of himself, showing God’s love that day.  He could have never known how much his gift meant to me but it meant a lot.  Now I’ll make sure he feels that love as well.  It’s time for me to reach out & pay it forward!

Paying it forward In Real Life. Many People want to Pay It Forward but don't know what to do. There are many day-to-day opportunities in REAL LIFE to do something great! #TexasHomesteader

 

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