In my Daily Thoughts, I spotlight all that’s good in the world and offer positive perspectives and ideas to ponder. If you like what you see, follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
Making It Artisan $tories – Foodie Edition
What a neat opportunity to host WPAA - TV and Community Media Center #makingitartisan$stories Foodie Edition. Last night I interviewed two local food artisans, Maryann Houde owner/founder of SouLstice Kombucha and Nick Imbriglio owner/founder of passionatelypasta. These two Connecticut businesses [...]
One for a Sunday
By Jill Roberts Sometimes in the moment, it’s hard to interpret what I’m feeling. Especially when I’m presented with a new, or different set of circumstances, when unfamiliar can feel awkward and uncomfortable. By default, my brain searches through memories [...]
A Risky Love Song
By Jill Roberts The courting ritual of garden spiders involves the male gently strumming the edge of a female’s web in a particular manner. The vibration produced across the web is to alert the female to his interest, and not [...]
My Solo Experience…A Journey to Self-Love
By Jill Roberts In late 2019, my former husband and I ended a 20-year marriage. Since most of my adult life had been in committed relationships, for the first time in decades, I was experiencing life solo. In addition, my [...]
Do Unto Others…
By Jill Roberts When I used to think of homeless shelters, I imagined a temporary place of lodging for the transient homeless. I falsely assumed a building that was bleak and cold, and residents that were mildly disturbed, or at [...]
The Truth About Karma
By Jill Roberts When I’m hurt or offended by the actions of another, it’s often because they didn’t behave in a manner that I would expect of myself; But, that doesn’t mean their actions, or inactions, were from a place [...]
Do I Deserve To Be Happy?
By Jill Roberts Once, during a therapy session, the therapist asked, “Do you think you deserve to be happy?” Partly insulted by the insinuation that I would believe to the contrary, I quickly responded, “Of course, I deserve to be [...]
Living in Decision Purgatory
By Jill Roberts My grandfather had a saying, “Shit, or get off the pot.” In my youth, I understood it to mean that one should not avoid making a decision. Specifically, a decision that prevents us to pursue a choice [...]
Making Room for Change
By Jill Roberts “If you want something different, you are going to have to do something different.” ~Jack Canfield Sounds easy enough; Except, to go from where we are, to where we want to be, we must first be willing [...]
A Lesson from a Persnickety Calico Feline
Pictured here, is our cat, Zoey, and Claire’s guinea pig, Cow. Claire is my son’s girlfriend, who visits often; Most of the time with Cow in tow. Now, Zoey isn’t very fond of Cow. She can be persnickety and temperamental, [...]
Absence Does Make the Heart Grow Fonder
When I was a love sick teenager, and spending every ounce of time relishing in young love, my Mom would often say, “Give them time to miss you.” As a know-it-all teen, I thought she was handing me a lame [...]
Forgiveness vs. Acceptance
I used to confuse forgiveness with acceptance, but I’ve come to understand differently. To forgive someone doesn’t negate the offensive behavior occurred, or didn’t hurt. Nor does it give invitation for the behavior to repeat. To forgive, simply acknowledges that [...]
Don’t Worry
By Jill Roberts I used to give much attention away to worry. As I naively believed worry could better prepare me for future scenarios. Until, I began to consider the effort I put into preparing for scenarios that either never [...]
Lesson That’s Taken Me The Longest To Learn
There’s much research that supports how praying, or wishing the best for others, can have a scientifically measurable effect on an outcome. Conversely, negative thoughts projected towards others, can also impact the circumstances created for them, or so I believe. [...]
“Out on a Limb”
I recently heard on a podcast, someone share a question they were commonly asked by their father in childhood: “What did you fail at today?” The intention was not to ridicule, but to promote going out on a limb, and [...]
“A Rainy Morning”
I hear the rain's patter, like chain dragging across hardwood floors. I open my eyes. The sky is aglow. The sun's rays continue to push through clouds, and force the dawn to retreat for a new day. I'm awake...I'm humbled...I'm [...]
“Be Kind”
When I was kid, I believed when I reached adulthood, life would suddenly open up and begin to make sense. Uncertainties would melt away, and life would present with fewer difficulties. At 48, I’m here to say, life does not [...]
“Thanksgiving 2020”
On this Thanksgiving, I have an even deeper appreciation for family and friends. Especially those who have provided a safe place to fall during this challenging year. These crazy times have taken a toll on us all. Even I, who [...]
“Not all my ideas are good ones”
If I sit on any idea long enough, I’m certain to talk myself out it. Okay, maybe I don’t plant every idea, since I come up with dozens daily, but I do pursue the ones that fuel my excitement. Of [...]
“How will I shine today?”
March 25, 2020 When I woke this morning to the light of a new day, it was abundantly clear that life continues regardless of what’s going on with this virus. Yes, we need to make accommodations, but it’s our individual [...]
A Pandemic of Opportunity
By Jill Roberts / March 16, 2020 We have been given the opportunity to pause from the chaos of our life. Yes, for some of us, it may present a financial hardship; added worry about our health, or the health [...]
At First You Don’t Succeed… | January 6, 2020
In the course of viewing video footage for another project I'm working on, I found this attempt of learning the song "Let it Be," humorous. I didn't realize I was getting tripped up on the same lyric until I reviewed [...]
“2019 In Review” | December 31, 2019
The tides of 2019 carried the energy to grow ideas, manifest change, develop talents, mourn losses, practice grace, expose truths and reveal honor. Its wake left hard lessons and lasting impressions, and the prospect for new beginnings and endless possibilities. [...]
“Through our Truths”
"It is through our truths that we grow; our failures that we learn; and our successes that we're humbled." - An Average Jill
“An Emotional Moment” | August 25, 2019
A woman purchased one of my framed prints yesterday at the Norfolk Farmer’s Market. Although I’ve sold a few before, this time was different because it was to a stranger, who had no other influence over making the purchase other [...]
Writing It or Living It
"I know I have a story to tell; But some days I'm uncertain if I'm writing or living it." - An Average Jill
“The Gift of Reflection” | June 20, 2019
When I was young in years, I hadn't the time invested in this life to see the goodness that can eventually develop from circumstances with unfortunate beginnings. With age has come the gift of reflection, which has allowed me to [...]
Just Because
"Just because something didn't go the way I wished it to, doesn't mean it didn't go the way it was supposed to." - An Average Jill
Growing An Idea
"An idea doesn't grow until it's planted." - An Average Jill
Sharing Ideas
"Sometimes you need to put your ideas out there. You're either going to sound like a complete idiot, or look like a total genius. I've survived both many times." - An Average Jill
Don’t Get Tangled
"If you get tangled up in the vocabulary you'll miss the message." - An Average Jill
Good for the Soul
"Only give yourself compliments. Insults aren't good for the soul" - An Average Jill
Living Without Expectations
"If I compare the contributions of others against what I expect of myself then I'll miss the value in what others bring to the experience." - An Average Jill
Finding the Positive
"Our most beautiful expression of care and compassion often blossoms out of the most difficult of circumstance." - An Average Jill
Uplift Your Tribe
"Uplift your tribe; They're your vibe." - An Average Jill
Keeping Your Word
"Keeping your word may not seem important, until the day it becomes the only collateral you have." - An Average Jill
Compassion
"A feeling you don't own is not yours to disclaim." - An Average Jill
Shortfalls
"The only shortfalls I have a right to point out are my own." - An Average Jill
Slow and Steady
"Dreams don't fade momentum does. Keep striving; Even slow closes the gap." - An Average Jill
Work In Progress
"I'm a work in progress; Most days more work than progress." - An Average Jill
The Irrelevant How
"When imagining your dreams, the 'how' should be irrelevant." - An Average Jill
To Tell, or Not To Tell
"Some stories aren't ready to be told; Some should never be told; And some aren't mine to tell." - An Average Jill
“Sharing My Best” | February 28, 2019
Before I could move forward with my ideas for An Average Jill, I had to accept that I might fail, or worse, look ridiculous. Much of my courage to be vulnerable has come from age; I’ve grown less concerned about [...]
“Guilty Pleasure” | February 26, 2019
I have a few guilty pleasures; One of which, is reading celebrity magazines. Whenever I’m offered a selection of reading material, shamefully, I grab for those first. I used to believe that picking a People over a Time magazine in [...]
Kindness Matters
"You may never know when your kindness will matter to someone; But they will." - An Average Jill
Janice Joplin, “Bobby McGee”
Several years back, I watched a Janice Joplin biography on Netflix. I'd stumbled across her legacy to music over my lifetime, but never knew her story. The biography portrayed her creative depth as a product of a child starved of [...]
“Moms are Irreplaceable” | February 20, 2019
Any of my friends will agree that I’m not a person who enjoys talking on the phone; But I can talk to my Mom endlessly, and we never run out of things to say. Our topics are a perfect balance [...]
What We Need to Hear
"The message is not in the words, but in our interpretation. We all hear what we need to, when we need to." - An Average Jill
Beauty in the Ordinary
"It's extraordinary the beauty one can discover in the most ordinary." - An Average Jill
Vulnerability in Love
"Vulnerability in love may leave you more open to heart break; But it's never a foolish choice." - An Average Jill
Kindness is Simple
"If you want to make a positive impact on the world, smile and be kind. It's that simple." - An Average Jill
Quirky Is Okay
"Embrace your quirky side." - An Average Jill
Badass in the Making
"When life gets hard, it's not to break us; it's to make us badass." - An Average Jill
“Burn Out or Fade Away?” | January 26, 2019
Burn Out or Fade Away? Neil Young may have posed it first, but it was Def Leppard’s “Rock of Ages,” that prompted me in my youth to ponder the question, “Is it better to burn out, or fade away?” For [...]
Vulnerability In Life
"Unless you allow yourself to be vulnerable, you'll never experience anything deeper that what you already know." - An Average Jill
Finding Your People
"Assuming everyone thinks like you is dangerous; Finding one that does is priceless." - An Average Jill
“Following the Herd” | December 20, 2018
I used to follow the herd instead of planning my own path. The thought was, if I did what was expected, I’d achieve a golden nugget that everyone seemed to be after; And it worked. Only I discovered that a golden [...]
Pursuing Dreams
"I believe the best way to inspire my children to pursue their dreams, is by pursuing mine." - An Average Jill
“Happy New Year” | December 31, 2018
In 2018 I focused on the love, good health, and opportunities already present in my life. I bought less, and mended more. I created, pondered, and paused to admire life’s precious moments. It was a good year. 2019 will be [...]
“Another Day on the Trail” | October 5, 2018
Three complete strangers on separate solo hikes meet atop Bear Mountain in Salisbury Connecticut. Todd, is visiting from Michigan to celebrate his parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, and Bear Mountain marked his 30th summit peak destination over a course of nearly [...]
Shaping our Circumstances
September 22, 2018 Yesterday, while I was helping my friend in his apparel booth at the Big E, I met a Dad and his young daughter, who by guess was just under two years old. She had the brightest smile [...]
Let’s Connect
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