After watching the Wizard of Oz on tv countless times as a kid, attending the Broadway show Wicked, and recently watching the movie Wicked (Part 1) twice in theaters, something has moved me in a different way.

We have a choice each day. We can choose to make an impact. In this broken and dark world we can become a symbol of hope and goodness. Being there to intentionally help others is the best thing we can do as it reflects our heart and soul. I have listed a few of my Confetti Effects 🎉 and how they may help to elevate, inspire and ignite a spark to those around you.

Poem and photo by Kirsten Telan

Two sweet friends set out on a mission

to spread God’s love without any conditions.

So they gathered together on a beautiful day,

🎉Refresh.

Welcome in a new year.

🎉Relax.

Take time to rest.

Most of us would rather not experience the physical and mental pain that inevitably comes with suffering. But the fact we live in an imperfect world pretty much makes hard times a guarantee.

I woke up on New Year’s Day with Sammy Hagar’s “I Can’t Drive 55” playing over and over again in my head. Why? I have no idea. I haven’t heard that iconic rock song in years but I sure did like it along with the MTV video that debuted in 1984.

So what do dogs have to do with God?

Our beloved dogs teach us to understand God’s unconditional love. They are more than just our pets. They are our family. They are our friends. Their presence positively impacts our bodies, our minds, and our spirits. There are heartwarming correlations between God and dogs. They provide us with unconditional and endless love just like God. God is willing to forgive our flaws. God is attentive and He only asks for love in return. He couldn't be physically with us, so He created dogs

A poem by Kirsten Telan

One thing I’ve learned is that a joyful heart,

leads to a thankful mindset and sets us apart.

God’s guidance will land you in the right place,

so trust in His tender mercies and bountiful grace.

For those of us who embrace kindness as a lifestyle we may never ask “what’s in it for me?” We choose kindness not because it is going to benefit us, but because we feel like it’s the right thing to do.

WordSense defines a God wink as the following: An event or personal experience, often identified as coincidence, so astonishing that it is seen as a sign of divine intervention, especially when perceived as the answer to a prayer.

A battle rages on a field of matter,

White and grey will split and scatter,

Channels blocked a science find,

Who wins this battle within the mind.

Lives are lost as fear takes hold,

Silence a thief that can steal one’s soul,

The most grateful people I’ve ever known, are the ones that have suffered silently and all alone.

We don’t have to like our circumstances so we choose to look for the unexpected gifts we don’t want to lose.

The hardest times bring the most profound growth, so we must learn to get out of our own head and take this oath.

Who’s talkin’ bout my generation?

Loneliness: the state of being alone and feeling sad about it.

Aloneness: the state of being alone but feeling wonderful and in good company.

My Generation knows the difference.

A Pandemic Poem by Kirsten Telan

Home sweet home

We have been thrust into your space

Even though we feel safe amongst your steadfast walls

We weren’t ready to be told we can’t leave this place.

Social distancing and quarantine

Two terms that were quickly added to our everyday vocab

This is a whole new Covid territory we are exploring

And finding out it began in a Chinese city called Wuhan in a biolab.

Time…more time…making time…time is ticking away…tick tock…time with family, time with nature, time outdoors, time at home, time with pets, time to reflect, time to be present, time to be in the moment, time to exercise, time to find faith, time to read, time to write, time to focus, time to pause, and…time to hit the reset button.

The cardinal is symbolic of life, hope, and restoration. They are representative of a loved one who has passed away. When I see one, I truly believe it means they are visiting. I have found that they show up when I need them most or miss them.

I have researched the symbolism of red cardinals. As a result, I was blown away by the accuracy of how these gorgeous red birds appear in my life time and time again during periods of sorrow and celebration.

Stay in your own lane.

Boundaries create physical and emotional space between you and others. They show people how you want to be treated~what’s okay with you and what’s not. Boundaries help you prioritize your own well being, conserve your emotional energy, and give space to grow.

You judge. I judge. We judge others. They judge us. We all do it.

Why do we judge? It’s a habit in most cases. It can start as simply a way to bond or connect with people. Have you noticed when you talk about someone else, most people will gladly chime in. I’m guilty as charged.

Judging hurts other people, makes you feel worse about yourself, perpetuates stereotypes, can lead to losing friends, damages your health/happiness, makes you less open to new experiences, and sends negative vibes into the world. Judgment of others is a reflection of our own insecurities. When I have judged others, I feel badly about it after. I don’t feel good about myself…not even for a second. And I certainly wouldn’t want to be judged because I’ve always believed in the idea of treating others how I would want to be treated.

I have learned that a goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot. I have addressed the fear that comes with setting goals by sending a strong message to my subconscious that says, “It is worth the risk.” This message has allowed me to achieve goals that would have previously been out of my comfort zone.

In the past year, I have started a blog, accepted offers to write for several publications, attended a blogging conference, accepted a job to work as a public relations director for a friend’s new startup, and signed up for three months of acting/improv classes.

It’s awfully quiet around here….

They grow, we nurture them, and watch them fly away. Suddenly our nests are empty, our children are gone off to find their place in the world. How will we cope? Whatever will we do with ourselves? When the family home empties parents often start feeling lonely. Their purpose for living ~taking care of their children ~has vanished. This is when the Empty Nest Syndrome sets in.