January 31, 2025 - Hold On

Today I want to encourage everyone, but especially those in the trans community. Yes, it can be stressful, difficult, and even frightening to think about the things the president says, but please know there are advocates who will work to make things better and safe. 

If you are so blessed to have parents who love you, support and stand up for you, grandparents, extended family, and friends who do the same, then surround yourself with these people and look for more of these people in groups such as the Trevor Project. If you do not know about them, you will find them at this link. I saw a wonderful post from them, which I'm sharing here - 

January 30, 2025 - Breathe. Check the Facts. Love & Be Loved by those Around You.

I had a video ready for today where I talk about finding strength and confidence through relationships - and it is available, but in light of a new executive order which targets the trans community, I wanted to also post a short video to encourage and hopefully provide some facts. Now, I am not a lawyer, but I am able to read and I looked up some information to get some facts on trump's executive order banning gender-affirming care and learned the following . . . 

January 30, 2025 - Find Strength and Confidence through Relationships

I've been talking about ways to find strength and confidence - things all of us need, but especially those in the queer community and those who deal with loneliness, bullying, physical and/or mental challenges, and the difficult things which come with life and today I want to talk about how relationships are able to help us with this.

January 29, 2025 - Find Strength Through the Arts

All of us, but especially those of us who deal with loneliness, bullying, physical and/or mental challenges, and the difficult things which come with life, need to be able to take time for ourselves to find strength and confidence. I wrote yesterday about doing this by spending time in Nature - today I want to encourage you to make time for the Arts as well. Of course "the Arts" includes art - painting, drawing, sculpting, etc. but it also includes spending time in art museums, art galleries, sculpture parks - anywhere you are able to be around and appreciate art.

January 28, 2025 - Find Strength by Spending Time in Nature!

Yesterday I wrote I would share ideas this week to help you become strong and confident in the amazing person you are, so the first idea is one to help you find comfort and strength - by spending time in nature. I found a wonderful article on this from the Mayo Clinic - just look at some of the ways nature helps us -

January 27, 2025 - Listen to and Believe the Truth

If you are lonely, marginalized, bullied, experiencing physical or mental challenges, or are part of the queer community, you likely hear negative things directed your way. First of all, I am SO sorry this happens to you. You do NOT deserve to be treated badly for any reason. I want to share just a few words to hopefully encourage you today -

January 24, 2025 - Encouragement for Those Who are Bullied

Today I want to say a few words about bullying. First of all, if you are being bullied, I am SO sorry. Please know the things the bullies say to you are not true. The way they treat you and exclude you is not okay. You do NOT deserve to be bullied. The truth is you matter and you make our world a much better place.

I have been bullied - as a child and even as an adult. Sadly, our world does have bullies in it - even in our White House. But, there are things we can do when bullied - I found the following helpful information online at this link - 

January 22, 2025 - Science Matters - You Matter

I know the past couple days have been difficult for many of you, but please know, just because the person who currently holds the office of President "declares" something to be a certain way, it does not make it the truth. I am not a scientist, biologist, or doctor, but I am able to read and learn from people who are. I believe the truth and facts do matter and I will live accordingly.

Science allows us to look at our DNA under a microscope and we now know this shows us the following -

January 21, 2025 - Welcome & a Virtual "Hug" for You!

Welcome to encouragement from grandma - I am a grandma and have three amazing grandchildren whom I love with all my heart. encouragement from grandma is a place where I will try to offer encouragement, love, and acceptance each day. I will include a link to a video of me sharing each day because I want to support everyone, but especially any of you who feel unloved, left-out, or "different". We all feel these things at times, as we are all more alike than we are different, but while some of us have people around to express love and support, not all of us do. I want to be someone who does this for everyone.

So, today my encouragement for you is to please take my words as a virtual "hug" - today is actually National Hugging Day! With all the stress and sadness from yesterday's inauguration, if ever we needed a day to hug, today is it for sure.

I looked on-line at punchbowl (dot) com and found the following information about National Hugging Day; "Today is National Hugging Day! Whether you prefer Bear Hugs, Heart-to-Heart Hugs, Cheek Hugs, or Side Hugs, embrace your loved ones today to show your love and affection.