Overview of Custom Flash Cards on Zazzle

This is the third of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle. I'm going through them alphabetically.

When I went into private practice as a literacy tutor for adults, I looked around for various teaching tools that weren't geared towards kids. There was very little to choose from. I used to design worksheets for students, including word search puzzles and more, to help my students have something they could do to help reinforce their newly learned skills.

I had made a few basic flash card for learning basic words, for those that were more at the beginning level. After I left that, and started creating art and the like on Zazzle, I got the idea to design flash cards for reading, that were geared towards adult learners.

I included a photo or artwork on one side and customizable text on the reverse side.

Here are the categories in my Custom Flash Cards store on Zazzle.

Adjectives Reading Flashcards:

Adjectives are words that are used to describe a noun, a thing, such as a fuzzy peach.

Fuzzy Peach, Adjective Reading Flashcards
by CustomFlashCards

Adverbs Reading Flashcards:

Adverbs are words that are used to describe a verb, a type of action, such as how quickly the tiger turned towards the noise.

Adverb quickly, tiger themed reading flashcards
by CustomFlashCards

Alphabet Cards:

The Alphabet Cards are not flashcards, but are tutorial cards for the alphabet. It shows directional arrows on the letters, to help students to master the writing of each letter. The majority of students that I worked with already new the alphabet, but those who are true beginners can appreciate a tutorial that is geared for adult learners.

Alphabet Letter Tutorial Cards, Beach theme
by CustomFlashCards

Animal Reading Flashcards:

The Animal Reading Flashcards category features a variety of animals, from wildlife to domestic animals.

DIY Flashcards:

The DIY Flashcards category features basic instructions on one side of the flashcard, and a placeholder for the purchaser to upload their photo on the reverse side.

Floral Reading Flashcards:

The Floral Reading Flashcards features a variety of flowers, including a surprise of the word MOM spelled out with flowers. I do not have a Holiday category at this point, but that might be a good idea to do.

Food Reading Flashcards:

This category features a variety of food items including fruit, vegetables, a couple of entrees including pizza, and desserts.

Whole pineapple reading flashcards for adults
by CustomFlashCards

Insect Reading Flashcards:

This category features common insects in the United States. If you have a request for an insect that is unique to your area, do let me know in a comment below.

Love Cards:

The Love Cards are not flashcards, but offer a couple of options to students that want to express their love to someone, with something that is personal to them.

Personalized Love Flash Cards
by CustomFlashCards

New Products:

This category is automatically assigned by Zazzle, if a specialized category isn't already picked upon designing of the new product. This category is normally empty.

Number Flashcards:

These number flashcards feature artwork of an item that has something that can be counted, along with the numerical number and the word for that number, on one side, and just the word for the number on the reverse side. The text can be easily customized should the tutor want to use these flashcards for a different purpose.

Personalized Family Flashcards:

The Personalized Family Flashcards are to help the student recognize words that can describe a family member. The purchaser is to upload a different photo from the student, so that these cards can be personal to them. Any of these cards can be personalized with different text, and for relatives and or friends that haven't been already specifically made; i.e. any flashcard with a female photo on it can be used to make a card for an aunt.

Places Reading Flashcards:

This category represents common places, like a ball field; a well known place, like the Eiffel Tower.

Transportation Reading Flashcards:

These flashcards features different types of transportation, and even a drawing of a space shuttle for those who are interested in space.

Verbs Reading Flashcards:

Verbs describe a type of action, such as this flashcard for hand washing.

Verbs, Washing Hands Reading Flashcards for Adults
by CustomFlashCards

I had an adult student ask me to go over the various words that could be found on restrooms. I had never paid much attention to them before, but did do a search of this special request. On one restroom for women, the word used was Sheilas. Not at all what most people may expect when they're out an about and want to use the appropriate restroom for them.

So there you have it. If you know anybody who can benefit from these cards, whether they be tutors or learners, do pass this blog along to them. Thank you.

Cheryl Paton

 

 

I'm Not Done! Don't Count My Candles Count My Sparks

Those of you who know me know that I write lyrics about life. That has always been my lane. 

I’ve shared many different life moments through my words and then brought them into videos and streaming platforms. I write about motherhood, fatherhood, grandparents, humor, and life reflections. 

I write for special occasions like weddings, as well as for motivation and inspiration. I also write about quieter emotional states, like numbness, indifference, and the in-between feelings that are harder to define. Life is not one-note, so I never wanted my writing to be either.

But no matter what I am writing about, I try to end on a hopeful note. That matters to me. There is already so much negativity in the world, so much division and harshness in the way people speak to each other. I do not want to be part of that. 

I am not perfect, and I make mistakes, but I'm committed to contributing something better. When I write, I want to add a sense of understanding, a sense of connection, and something that lifts rather than divides.

These Lyrics are Very Personal to Me. It's The Anthem For Anyone Who is Not Done

This lyric video is different for me.

This lyric video, titled "I’m Not Done," has become my daily reset. It is the voice I turn to when I need to remind myself who I am and where I am still going.

When I wrote the lyrics, I made a point of speaking across the years. I mention the ages of 20, 30, 50, and over 60. That last one is me. I am living that line.

At the heart of it all is one message. I’m not done.

That's why I called it that. I needed to say it clearly and without apology.

There is a line in the chorus that says, “Don’t count my candles, count my sparks.” That line carries everything. It is the heartbeat of what I am trying to say. Life is not measured only in years. It is measured in energy, in passion, and in what still burns inside you.

“It ain’t over till it’s over.” That idea has lasted because it is true, but only if we decide it is.

And that is really what this lyric video is about.

I did have older women and men in mind when I wrote it. I thought about the quiet moments when people start to wonder if their time has passed or if they should begin to step back. But this message is not only for them. It is for anyone, at any age, who needs the reminder that they still get to choose.

Because that is what I believe. We choose.

We choose whether we are done or not.

And when we make that choice with intention and with passion, we begin to move differently. We show up differently. We go after things we may have talked ourselves out of before.

That is where this came from.

It is not just something I wrote.

It is something I feel and live, and I dedicate it to all of us still pushing forward, doing what we find joy in.

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Overview of CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle

This is the second of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.

If anyone has a store on Zazzle that is getting to big, it can be helpful to make a separate store that features designs that aren't currently in the original store. Since my original store was all about my artwork, I decided to make the photos that I was wanting to use, be in a separate store. This method can also help customers more easily find what they are looking for; as there is less categories to look through.

I don't have near the amount of photos that I do of my artwork, so it is easier to navigate. As of the writing of this blog, there are only nine categories in CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle. Although there are only nine categories, there are a wider variety of the different photo types. They can include animals, fireworks, flowers, floral peace signs, insects, scenes, trees, wood, and more.

The categories that I decided to have are:

Apparel and Accessories:

I love this beautiful photo of when my pink azaleas were in full bloom along the neighbors back wall. I thought this beauty would have been popular on a variety of products, but the main one that sells is on men's ties. Cool!

Pretty Pink Azaleas Floral Neck Ties
by CherylsArtPhotos

Sometimes photos are the way to go!

The sub-categories in this section are Ties, Tote Bags, and Tshirts.

Celebrations:

Although I used a bit of my artwork to top off the groundhog, it is more photo than artwork, so this critter got assigned to CherylsArtPhotos. Did you know that Groundhog Day is always on February 2nd?

I heard it's your birthday, groundhog cards
by CherylsArtPhotos

There are not many items in this category, so there are not sub-categories to see here.

Holidays:

I have always been a cat lover and have created a variety of designs inspired by a number of my cats. Sometimes, the photo is just cute enough to leave things as they are. Here, my cat Tori is exploring her present. This photo is printed on downloadable cards, if you happen to be ordering close to the holiday.

Cute Cat Christmas, enjoying present holiday cards
by CherylsArtPhotos

The various holiday items only take up one page, so there is also no sub-categories for this section.

Home and Sewing:

Home and Sewing includes a variety of sub-categories. They are: Clocks, Doormats, Fabric, Kitchen and Dining, Magnets, Nail Art, Notepads, Shower Curtains, Throw Pillows, Tiles, and Wall Art. The Kitchen and Dining sub-category actually has sub-sub-categories.

This pretty black eyed susan photo looks great on mugs. The mugs can be easily personalized on the provided template form.

Personalized Black Eyed Susan Flowers Photo Mugs
by CherylsArtPhotos

I currently have two mugs that I purchased from Zazzle. The artwork looks great, as does the finish on them. They wash up great in the dishwasher.

New Products:

The New Products category is actually assigned by Zazzle if you don't already choose a category when designing your product.

Office and School:

There are three sub-categories in Office and School. They are Business Cards, Mousepads, and Pens.

Sports, Toys, and Games:

The Sports, Toys, and Games section also has a variety of sub-categories. They are: Cornhole Games, Jumbo Fast Four, Pickleball Paddles, Playing Cards, and Puzzles. As you can see, the store designer and fine tune how they choose to make their categories, sub-categories, etc. If I had a lot of items in this section, the sub-categories would have been more general in nature.

Stationery:

There are six sub-categories in the Stationery section. They are: Address Labels, Cards, Post It Notes, Postcards, Stationery, and Stickers.

Floral and scenic postcards seem to be a popular choice.

Yellow Orange Marigold Flowers Postcards
by CherylsArtPhotos

Travel:

The Travel section has two sub-categories. They are Luggage and Luggage Tags.

I hope you enjoyed the overview of CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle. Any of the product links above will take you to my CherylsArtPhotos store on Zazzle. To search this store, choose a link that says CherylsArtPhotos; once there, you can do a search for what you are looking for by looking for the search box below the header.

May you have a great day and may you find what you are looking for.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Dear 1975 – A Look Back Through the Years We’ll Never Forget

I sat down to write the lyrics and the song Dear 1975 as a tribute to us, to the older generation who lived through those times, and to the memories we carry. 

When we look back, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we didn’t know how good we had it. But the truth be told, I did know. I was fifteen years old, safe and secure in my parents’ home, in the same room in the house my brother now owns. 

I can still go back there if I want, but it’s never the same without my parents. Even so, I’m so grateful that my brother has the home.

1975 represents something bigger for us seniors. The world is moving so fast now, and it’s easy to look back through rose-colored glasses, but I think most of us who lived happy, healthy lives in the ‘70s will agree the decade was simply wonderful.

Life, The Music, and The Freedom in 1975

The culture in 1975 was amazing. 

The music was unbeatable. The sitcoms, the variety shows, the freedom. It’s funny to even use the word freedom to describe it, but that’s exactly what it felt like. 

On social media, so many of my peers who grew up in the ‘70s often reminisce about how free we were, and it’s true. I remember being on my bike from morning until night, riding to friends’ houses, calling my mom to say I wouldn’t be home for dinner because I was eating at Linda’s. Even when she moved across town, we biked there too, then on to the park, then to school, meeting our friends along the way. 

There were no cell phones, and our parents were okay with it. We were just on the move, living and breathing that kind of independence that seems almost impossible to imagine today.

Here's the lyric song video tribute I wrote for us who are of the generation of 1975:

Do You Know Where Your Kids Are?

And then, of course, there was the nightly reminder on TV: Do you know where your kids are? I think back to that now, and I can’t help but laugh. 

Ten o’clock at night, flashing across the screen were the words and commentary, "Do you know where your kids are?" I was always home by then, thinking, who actually loses track of their kids? But it was the ‘70s, and we had that notice, that little nudge from the world, as if to remind parents that yes, the kids were out exploring the world, and yes, that was okay, but time to come home!

Thinking About Mom and Dad in the 1970s

Some of my most vivid memories involve Mom and me watching movies together, or Dad coming home from long work trips. His briefcase would be filled with coins, which my brother and I would happily dump on the floor and divvy up. 

Dad would be sprawled on the floor in the living room with the eight-track playing country songs, the kind that I can still almost hear in my mind. 

Our vehicles had eight-track cassette tapes, and I begged for my first tape recorder for Christmas just so I could hear my own voice, and promptly discovered I didn’t like it. 

Our house was always full of people. Neighbors dropping in, friends hanging out, the laughter and chatter filling every corner. That, to me, was the ‘70s. Family, friends, security, and an unspoken understanding that life, in those moments, was exactly as it should be.

Writing Dear 1975 was my way of capturing that warmth, that freedom, and that sense of rootedness we sometimes forget to appreciate when we’re young. 

It’s a reminder of the simplicity we sometimes take for granted, the moments that feel small at the time but last a lifetime. It’s a diary entry to my younger self, and to anyone who remembers 1975 the way I do: full of music, laughter, love, and the kind of freedom that can only come from feeling safe in the world.

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Spotify:    Stream Drageda Lyrics on Spotify

Amazon: Drageda Lyrics on Amazon Music

iTunes:   Drageda Lyrics on iTunes

**Subscribe For A Free Short Guide on How to Convert Your Poems Into Lyrics***

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Overview of CherylsArt on Zazzle

This is the first of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.

Zazzle is a print on demand company. They print, ship, and handle the orders and any returns. Artists and designers open stores on Zazzle and upload their designs to various products. My first store that I'll be giving an overview of is CherylsArt.

CherylsArt is my general overall store and my first store on Zazzle. You'll find a lot of different design types and product types there.

The current main categories are:

+ Affirmations

My most popular item in my Affirmations section is the Proverbs 25:11 verse featuring an apple of gold on a background of silver, on magnets. There are a lot of different affirmations, on various products, to choose from in this store.

A word fitly spoken is like Apples of gold magnets
by CherylsArt

You will find quite a few affirmations here on a variety of products. Sometimes we all can use a reminder to feel good and or to refocus.

+ Apparel and Fashion Accessories

The apparel part includes leggings, tank tops, and tshirts. The accessories part include belt buckles, belts, hair ties, hats, head bands, nail art, necklaces, pin on buttons, scarves, and watches.

Although I designed this apple watch back in 2013; it didn't start selling until Christmas of 2025! I think it finally became the right time for it; people were ready for a bit of humor I believe.

Red Apple Painting and Numbers Watch
by CherylsArt

+ Art and Wall Decor

Art and Wall Decor includes canvas prints, drawings on faux wrapped canvas, drawings on wrapped canvas, posters, wall decals, wall panels, and wall tapestry. The drawings categories have their own categories so that the ones that can be painted in can easily be found. They make fun activity options.

+ Baby

The Baby category includes, adoption, announce baby, baby bags, baby bibs, baby blankets, baby shirts, baby shower, binders for photos, burp cloths, clocks for the nursery, dry erase boards, and pillows for nursery.

These cloud themed dry erase boards are a great way to share messages about the baby. They come in a choice of pink and blue. This is especially great for new and busy parents who need a way to communicate what's up.

Pink Sky Bubbles and Clouds Dry Erase Board
by CherylsArt

+ Celebrations

The Celebration category is about all things that can be celebrated. This category includes birthday, candle parties, graduation, neighbor get together, party hats, retirement, ribbon, rubber stamps, stickers, tissue paper, and wrapping paper. This category pretty much covers what isn't a birthday or wedding themed.

+ Elections

The Elections category includes products for my preferred candidates, as well as informational items on helping all votes to count.

+ Holidays

The Holidays category includes Christmas in July, Christmas/Winter (which also includes other winter holidays), Easter, Father's Day, Halloween, Independence Day, Mother's Day, New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, and Valentine's Day.

+ Home, Pets, Sewing, and Car

The Home, Pets, Sewing, and Car category includes sub-categories for each of the mentioned categories.

The car category includes bumper stickers, car mats, license plates and frames. The home category includes accessories for the home, bathroom, bedroom, calendars, clocks, doormats, dry erase boards, hand sanitizer, kitchen and dining, light switch covers, moving, ornaments - that aren't holiday, and tiles. The Pets category includes dog beds, pet bowls, and pet tags. Sewing and Crafts includes fabric. There are sub-categories under fabric to make browsing easier.

A popular item in my Home category, is this Moving postcard, in the Moving sub-category. The truck painting proved to be a very popular choice for awhile. As with any item in CherylsArt, if the item includes artwork, the artwork is created by me. With the truck image, I saw a truck that I thought was awesome, and got permission from the driver to include my artwork of it on products. He said it was fine as long as I included his name in my description. Here is a shout out to Dan Hyde. p.s. The color choices are mine.

We're Moving, change of address postcards
by CherylsArt

+ New Products

You will not normally find any products in this category. Usually I choose the category right after designing the new item.

+ Office and School

The Office and School category has a lot of sub-categories. They range from alphabet rulers to yard signs, and pretty much anything you can think off, in between.

+ Sports, Toys, and Games

The Sports, Toys, and Games category includes games, guitar picks, sports, and toys.

No, these aren't throw pillows. They are actually game bags for cornhole games. So you will find these in the Sports, Toys, and Games Category, under the sub-category of Games.

Personalized Beach Theme Cornhole Game Bags
by CherylsArt

+ Stationery

The Stationery category includes pretty much anything stationery related, that isn't birthday, graduation, or wedding related. Items include address labels, cards, envelopes, letterhead, notepads, photo cards, postcards, rubber stamps, stationery, and stickers.

+ Travel

The Travel category includes luggage, luggage handle wraps, luggage tags, travel mugs and tumblers.

+ Weddings and Anniversary

The Weddings and Anniversary category includes a long list going from Anniversary, to all types of items wedding related. I don't know how it works for customers searching in individual stores on Zazzle, for wedding, but for me when I search for a wedding item in my store, I need to include the item type to get any search results. I guess it may be because there are so many wedding items.

These address labels are in the Wedding category, as I designed them for with a couple in mind, though anyone else can use them. There are also matching wedding invitations, etc. for this design, in Weddings. If you're not sure about which category to begin your search, go towards the top of the page, below the header, and do a Search this store search; i.e. fern address labels.

Green Fern Branch Leaves Address Labels
by CherylsArt

And there you have it. I have changed my store layout a number of times over the years. At one time I based it on the designs, but that got to be way to many. Then I sorted the categories by product type only. That was too much of a mix match. So I currently decided on general themes, and then did further breakdowns into sub-categories. You will find more sub-categories in my CherylsArt store, once you explore on any category that has a lot of items in it. If you know the item type and theme that you are looking for, you can also fill in the Search this Store box that is located below my store header.

Hope this helps for when you're shopping at CherylsArt on Zazzle.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Imagine Love; what would you imagine

Sometimes we have hot air balloon days where we'll see hot air balloons flying overhead through various parts of town. I have always admired them and one day got the idea to paint a special balloon, with Imagine Love written on it. I also included a large eye. Some people use their third eye, the space in the center slightly above the eyebrows, to imagine their desires.

That is why I included the third eye, though one does not have to use the third eye in order to imagine.

But onward. When I originally created this painting, I imagined just the general feeling of love. But this morning when I pondered what to write about, I began thinking about various ways to imagine Love. I was watching fun pet videos on YouTube and thought that Love could be a basket of adorable puppies. It could be a momma dog nursing her pups along with a kitten in the lineup.

It could be a bright golden light filled with loving energy, coming from above.

As I was taking my shower, I thought of the water coming down from the shower, as being a shower of blessings.

As you can see, one can imagine Love in a variety of ways. How might you imagine Love?

Anyone can do this at any time. It can help lift one's mood. It can help change one's perspective for their next thought to being more of a feel good thought. One can do this with just the intention of doing so. If you have trouble imagining, an option is to find an image the depicts what you would like to imagine. YouTube can be a great resource for this.

If anyone would like a reminder to imagine what they love on a more regular basis, I have made a collection of Imagine Love products that you can view in my CherylsArt store on Zazzle. I have placed this design on nine products so far, and will be glad to accommodate your request for it to be placed on any other product that Zazzle offers.

Imagine Love, Hot Air Balloons Design, Collection
by CherylsArt

May you have a feel good, Imagine Love, day.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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That Point Where You Say, “I Can’t Do This the Same Way Anymore”

I wrote The Tango of My Life around 2009. I wasn’t personally walking away from my life at the time, but I know I must have been stressed. You know those moments — when life feels loud and heavy, when everything piles up at once, and you suddenly think, I just want my life back. That’s where these lyrics came from.

When Life Gets Too Loud

This song is an empowerment song, but not in a dramatic or rebellious way. It’s for women who feel overwhelmed. Not women who are necessarily trying to walk out on their lives, but women who reach that quiet breaking point where they say, Damn… that’s it. I need to find me again.

That’s where the lyric Destination Me comes from. It came from that internal moment when you stop trying to hold everything together for everyone else and realize you need to turn back toward yourself. Destination Me isn’t about leaving your life — it’s about returning to yourself within it. It’s the decision to choose yourself without knowing exactly what the next step looks like.

This song isn’t about running away. It’s about claiming yourself again.

Writing Was Always My Exit - Sometimes Saving Me From Heading to the Front Door!

For me, the exit was never leaving — it was writing. Some people journal. I write lyrics. I’ve been doing that since 1968 (yah, I was 8 years old). When life gets tangled, when emotions don’t come in neat sentences, I put them into a song or a poem.

The Tango of My Life came from that place. It came from needing to breathe. From needing to hear my own voice again. From realizing that sometimes the only way through overwhelming life circumstances is to stop and put the truth somewhere safe.

This song isn’t about quitting on people, and it isn’t about abandoning your life. I’m not saying that some people don’t need to leave certain situations — sometimes they do — but this song holds more than one truth. It can be a momentary feeling of get me out of here, or a long-standing knowing that something has to change. It holds both.

The Middle Still Belongs to You

The song talks about how someone else may have gotten the beginning of your story, but you still get to decide the middle — and ultimately, the ending. That part belongs to you. Always.

This is a song for people reclaiming their lives. It’s also for someone who’s just having a bad day and thinking, I’ve had enough. I need to pause. I need to do this for me.

If that’s you — even just for today — this song is for you.

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How I Changed a Behavior

Decades ago, I was a mom to a toddler. Besides the normal things to adjust to, I also had to adjust a behavior response from me. My child was doing normal child things, however one of those normal child movements stirred unsettled feelings from long ago.

My child was safe, however, I didn't want those old feelings stirring around; I pushed them down to try and get through trying to be present in the moment. It worked for a bit, but it kept happening with each witness of my child's normal behavior. I decided to try something different.

I had a guided imagery tape that I listened to, to relax my mind. The guided meditation had the listener imagine a room where the listener could feel safe. Then it had the listener imagine another scene, of something one might like to do or become.

In that second part, I intentionally imagined myself responding to my child with a calm and peaceful feeling, whenever I witnessed the behavior that was a trigger for the old feelings.

I did this on day one. I didn't really notice any difference in how I felt.

Day two was pretty much the same. The cassette tape (This was pre-internet days.) was around 25 minutes long. So I could more easily listen to it when it was nap time for my child. So once a day, was pretty much what worked for me.

I listened to it again on the third day. And the next time that I witnessed the behavior that had triggered my old feelings, they weren't there! I was calm. I felt peaceful. I did it.

It took me three days, but I would have done as many as it would take. I had used guided imagery before, that had reduced pain that I had after surgery. That had been a God send. I knew it could work. I had faith in it.

The cassette that I listened to is not available anywhere, to my knowledge. However there are other options.

One is to do a search on YouTube. I did a search for change behavior meditation and a variety of good sounding options came up.

There are also CDs on Amazon, for guided relaxation cd, that address a variety of things.

Also, the very first guided imagery tape that I had, I made myself. I played some basic piano tunes and recorded that on one tape, and played that while I read the script that I had created, while I recorded both on to another tape.

I had used a variety of books on self hypnosis, and positive self talk, to make a relaxation tape ahead of the surgery that I was scheduled for. This method can take a lot more time and effort, but it was also very nice in that I got to listen to my own voice, and I was in agreement with each and every message and affirmation that was on the cassette.

As you can see, guided imagery can be used for a variety of things. I had a friend that listened to one on pregnancy and childbirth; she did not experience any labor pains and her doctor had to tell her when to push when it was time to give birth.

You can browse a variety of self hypnosis books on Amazon, if you are interested in making something more personal to you. You know best which method and or topic(s) speak most to you.

For some added encouragement, I wrote a poem to help relay this message.


I imagined it as so.

I got over it because I imagined it as so.

Took me three times over three days for it to be true.

But I was determined, no matter how many times it took.

I was determined to make it so.

My child was worth it.

I was worth it.

To be beyond the remnants of the past.

My child deserved having me be present.

I deserved being in the present with a conscious choice of my response.

We were both worth it.

And my imagining made it so.

We were both worth it.

And my imagining made it so.

If you are dealing with anything like this, my love and blessings to you in finding the path that helps you have a healthy transition to your desired outcome. Change is possible.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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T'was the Night Before Christmas ~ From the Heart

 Well it seems like months that we all have been planning and preparing for that BIG Holiday!  We have been filled with turkey, visited family enjoyed our freedoms and so much more.  Now the DAY is just about here.  It is Christmas Eve and ready or not that holiday that fills all of us with some great memories is upon us again.

For many of us there will be rituals that have been happening in our families for years.  Depending on your own heritage, these rituals will be different in small ways, but the major part of the holiday is the same.  We are all celebrating the Birth of Christ!  Whether you are a "believer" or not,  He is the reason for the Season!

All the preparations for this Christmas hopefully have been completed.  The baking of special cookies, cakes and pastries.  The turkey dinner with all of the fixings is being prepared.  The invitations to family and friends have been delivered and the children are full of eager anticipation for the morning to come.

Tonight will be the night where many mom's and dad's will be taking out the Big Book and reading the story that many children will remember for years to come!  Of course it's T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHIRSTMAS!

Children around the world all know who this is!  Santa Claus!  While we are all getting ready for sleep tonight, the dreams of the little ones will be filled with what presents will be under the tree.  Hopefully the one wish that they most wanted will be there just for them!

This is the magic of Christmas and I'm sure that it doesn't matter how old we are, we can all remember those feelings of anticipation and excitement.  The one day that parent's will never have to force their children out of their beds, is Christmas!  They will be up at the crack of dawn!  While you might just wish for an hour or so more in bed!  After all you have just crawled in there after making sure all the presents and goodies of Christmas are all in full view!  Oh well, Christmas day is a great day for a nap!

There is something special about this day for everyone, however humble or extravagant, there is a sense of peace and goodwill that will permeate every home.  The love of family and friends, the giving and receiving of gifts and the belief that we can make a difference in each other's lives by our outpouring of love!

May your Christmas Eve be an evening of love, caring, anticipation and excitement.  May you rest well and find yourself smiling from ear to ear as morning breaks and Christmas is Here!

May your Christmas be blessed with Peace, Joy and Love!

All pictures courtesy of Pixabay

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Five Minutes of Peace: The Story Behind the Lyrics

It began quietly, the way honest thoughts often do. Almost a follow-up from last week's intense article about self-discovery.

Tucked under the sheets at 3 a.m. last night, phone glowing in the dark, I opened the notes app and started typing. 

I wasn't planning to write anything. I just felt the words pressing in, asking to be let out before sleep could claim them. What came through felt urgent, reflective, and very real — something that needed to be written exactly as it arrived.

At first, the tone felt somber. The questions were heavy. But as the writing continued, something shifted. Without forcing it, a sense of lightness began to weave its way in. Not denial, and not false optimism — just the reminder that even intense questions can exist alongside hope.

These lyrics became Five Minutes of Peace.

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Verse One: Are We Being Tested?

The first verse explores a thought many of us have had in our quieter moments — the feeling that life might be some kind of test. As if unseen forces are watching, placing bets on how much we can handle before we crack, adding weight to already full lives just to see what happens next.

It's not a comfortable idea, but it's an honest one. When challenges stack up without pause, it's natural to wonder whether endurance itself is being measured. This verse lingers with that discomfort rather than rushing past it.

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Verse Two: Did I Choose This Life?

The second verse shifts perspective and asks a different question altogether. What if this life wasn't assigned to us? What if we chose it?

Here, the idea of being an angel on a grand expedition comes into play — willingly stepping into a difficult life for the sake of growth or learning. And then, midway through, I realized just how exhausting that choice feels. There's a hint of humor in the self-awareness, a moment of wondering what we were thinking, and the very human desire for an intermission.

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Verse Three: Is This Karma?

The third verse turns toward karma — the belief that life may be about balancing energies and settling accounts. Are we here to clean up what came before? To answer for past actions, past choices, or even inherited weight we didn't personally create?

This verse doesn't offer judgment or certainty. It simply acknowledges the possibility and complexity of understanding why life unfolds as it does.

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The Chorus: Peace for Everyone I Love

The chorus opens outward. The five minutes of peace being asked for isn't just personal relief — it's a moment that includes my children, my family, my friends, and the wider world all at once. True peace, for me, only exists when the people I love are safe, and when the world they move through feels calm as well.

It's a utopian idea, and I'm aware of that. But that's what makes it meaningful. For five minutes, darkness is defeated not because it's ignored, but because it isn't touching anyone. There's no need to send good vibes or wish things better — everything already is. For those five minutes, everything is right, everywhere, all at once.

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The Ending: Letting Go of the Labels

By the end, the need for answers softens. The lyrics don't land on being a misfit, an angel, or a soul working through karma. Instead, they arrive at something simpler and more forgiving.

I'm just a girl here to learn — from the love, the chaos, the beauty, and the drama that come with being human. No cosmic labels required. No final explanations needed.

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Why I Shared This

This lyric video holds contrast. It asks heavy questions without becoming heavy itself. It allows seriousness to exist alongside brightness, intensity alongside hope. That balance reflects how the lyrics came to life — in the quiet of the night, shaped by curiosity rather than certainty.

Sometimes, five minutes is all we need.

And sometimes, writing it down at 3 a.m. is enough to remind us that we're not alone in asking why life gives us so much to carry.

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50 Years of My Poems and Lyrics are on Amazon, Where Available.

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🎵 ©DragedaPoemsLyrics (B.T.C) - Original Lyrics. | Licensed Digital Composition (Commercial Rights Held) for Music and Vocals

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Tripping Into Carl Jung: A Journey of Anger and Tears I Didn't Expect

 

How I Found Carl Jung (Or How He Found Me)

Lately, I've been tripping over Carl Jung videos—or more accurately, the algorithms on my social media seem determined to hand them to me. 

At first, I would scroll past quickly, recognizing the name but not feeling any real connection to it. Then one day, something made me pause. I watched one short, then another, and before I knew it, I was engulfed in the powerful narrative-style video presentations. Snippets of his writings, reflections, and interpretations—layered with voiceovers that somehow went straight to the center of me. 

It felt less like stumbling onto something new and more like something familiar tapping me softly on the shoulder. Something I was meant to hear now, at this time in my life.

Who Was Carl Jung?

I'll be honest: I had to go look up his credentials. We all know the name, but I didn't know the years he lived or the full weight of who he was. 

Carl Jung (1875–1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist and the founder of analytical psychology. His work reached far beyond traditional psychology, exploring dreams, symbols, mythology, spirituality, and the unconscious. 

He gave us concepts like archetypes, the shadow self, synchronicity, and one of his most profound ideas: the journey of individuation. Once I started reading more about him, everything I'd been watching began to connect in a way that felt eerily personal.

Individuation: The Message That Stopped Me Cold

Of all the Jung videos I've watched, the one that stopped me cold was about individuation. 

Jung described it as the lifelong process of becoming your true self—the self you were meant to be before life, expectations, obligations, or other people guided you off course. 

The video explained individuation as a kind of "going home," not to any physical place, but returning to the inner self you were originally designed to grow into. And that struck me deeply. 

At 65, I can feel myself moving in that direction—not in a dramatic way, but in a quiet, profound way. I wish I could remember every word from the video, because the message landed with such force. What stays with me is the recognition that I am finally circling back to who I was meant to be all along. It's a combination of bravery, but not really bravery, and anger.

I found this eBook on Amazon about Carl Jung's "Individuation."  - Note, I haven't read it; I included it for anyone interested.

The Pull Away, and the Pull Back

What unsettled me most was how clearly Jung's message mirrored my own life. 

From childhood onward, it was so easy to be pulled off course—into other people's ideas of who I was, what I should do, who I should become. 

I remember being seen as delicate, even though I knew I was anything but. I wasn't upset by the misunderstanding; I was puzzled by it. I knew that wasn't me, even if I didn't yet know how to show who I truly was. Flash forward to today, my best friend often reminds me how strong I am. She sees me.

And Jung's explanation—that our original direction can be interrupted or reshaped by the world—made me see how far I had drifted without even realizing it. 

Yet here I am, decades later, feeling a powerful pull back toward the girl I was at five—the girl who instinctively knew who she was!

I'm Trying Not to Be Angry - This is Personal, But I Have to Say I'm Dealing With That Feeling Right Now

I'm trying not to be angry, because I'm not an angry person. I don't believe in living in an angry space.

Truly, I don't carry anger or fear around with me. I feel it when it happens, and let it go, as I will with this anger. Psalm 23 repeats in my mind constantly, and it saves me.

But these Jung videos stirred something that surprised me. Not anger toward anyone—not my parents, not the world—but something closer to grief mixed with frustration. 

Anger at myself. And yet, how can I be angry at a five-year-old child who simply loved, and wanted, and felt the need to play the piano?

At five years old, the piano felt natural to me. My teacher made sure to let my mother know that I had a gift. But when we moved away to another province, my parents were focused on building a life. 

When my mother said we couldn't afford a piano—and I couldn't take lessons without one—I felt THEIR stress immediately. We had previously lived with my mother's parents, who had a piano.

So even though the piano awakened my soul, I didn't insist. I didn't plead. It wasn't in my nature to burden anyone. And so the piano-playing version of me slipped quietly out of existence.

But the writing version of me never left. 

From eight years old onward, the poems, lyrics, and lines that arrived in the middle of chores, or in quiet moments, just kept coming. From humor to world events to parents to made-up lyrics, it was all penned to paper.

They're collected in my book We Will Have Morning Smiles—fifty years of my world in words. And now, as I put those words to music—finally allowing them to breathe in the way I now know they were meant to—I can't help but think that if piano had stayed in my life, I might have been doing this decades sooner.

Here's how I'm dealing with lost time: I've created a Time-Traveling version of me (lol, that creative side just won't leave) - You can check out the two "Back to the Future" shorts I've created so far. They're on this playlist from YouTube:

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The next curveball came after high school. 

In high school, I was accepted into three universities for psychology, a field I had long wanted to pursue. But again, I was talked out of it. Steered elsewhere. Redirected. It only lasted a year before life pulled me into yet another path that wasn't mine. 

So yes, I do feel angry at myself for letting others steer me: friends, family, men, expectations, interpretations. I'm legitmately p*ssed.

And yet, through Jung's lens, I now understand that this reckoning is part of the return journey. Part of going home to myself.

I don't want to leave this earth, when it's finally my time, without becoming my truest, most whole self. That self is the one who writes. The one whose words are her spirit and her soul. 

The one who puts those words to music, spoken voice, or anything else that lets them live. I want to leave that behind. Every last piece of who I really am.

I need to return home, to me. And most of all, forgive everything, everyone, especially myself.

If you'd like to listen to my words, put to music, here's a playlist of what I've completed so far of the hundreds of lyrics and poems I've written over nearly 57 years. Every song includes information about when the words were written and the story behind them. "Measures" is my most recent, written at 64. I'm sharing work from 1968 (I was 8 then) til today, and tomorrow's words that are yet to come.

In closing, I'm reminding myself that it is THIS life that I lived, not the one I thought I should have, that inspired these poems and lyrics. And, my children are the best reason I took this path. 

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🎵 ©DragedaPoemsLyrics (B.T.C) - Original Lyrics. | Licensed Digital Composition (Commercial Rights Held) for Music and Vocals

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Blessings for Thanksgiving~ From the Heart ~ A Reflection

 As we are moving to the end of the year faster than a speeding train, my thoughts and reflections seem to have taken a turn inwards.

Thanksgiving is just a day away and there is so much to be thankful for!

Here are just a few things that we should all be thankful for:

• Family!  Yes even when they drive you crazy, you know that they are the ones that you can count on when you need an ear to listen, hands to help, and a loving response when times are troubled.
• Friends! Sometimes friends are the family that we wish for and they will do everything in their powers to help you too!
• Home!  It's that special place where you hang up your hat and coat, shake off the troubles of the day and relax.
• Work!!  Sometimes we might not be thankful for this, but. really. we do like to be productive and accomplish things.  It helps us put clothes on our backs and food in our stomachs.
• Children, they are the reason we do so many things!  They make us laugh and cry, puff out our chests in pride and sometimes challenge us.
• Food!  So many sweet and savory dishes to tickle our palates.  

These are just a few things that we could focus on during our celebrations and I'm sure there are many many more!  I just focused on the immediate family, but we should also focus and our surroundings as well.

We are blessed to live in a country that gives us our freedom to do what our hearts desire.  We can travel, see things from around the world and experience many different customs and traditions.  We can speak our minds and dialogue with others even when we don't agree.  We can appreciate our differences and celebrate them!  

We are all different and yet we are all part of the human family.  How wonderful is that?

This Thanksgiving, let's all make it our goal to appreciate the wonderful things we have in this life and celebrate each other in our similarities and our differences.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL

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What I’d Tell My 30-Year-Old Self (and What Would You Tell Yours?)

I often wonder what my mom would have told her 60-year-old self when she was 80. 

Mom passed at 82, and although we had many conversations, I don't remember us having this one - but I'd venture that we did, and I've simply forgotten.

Now that I'm in my mid-60s, I often think about that. What would I tell my 40 or 30-year-old self?

Because even at this age, I certainly haven't learned nearly all there is to know. I imagine my mom at 80 had realizations and wisdom that didn't resonate when she was my current age. 

It makes me think that no matter how old we are — 20, 40, 60, or 80 — we're always able to look back and see what we didn't know then versus what we know now.

So, this piece is about being in my mid-60s and reflecting on how every decade carries its own lessons. I'm sure if I'm blessed enough to reach my mid-80s, I'll see life through an even more seasoned lens — maybe not entirely different, but definitely deeper. That's how I tend to live: tracking the markers, assessing the growth, and asking myself what stuck, what didn't, and what I still need to learn.

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What I'd Tell My 30-Year-Old Self - I'd Have to Laugh Mid-Conversation!

If I could go back and whisper something to my 30-year-old self, I think the first thing I'd do is laugh — because she would've never believed we'd make it through half of what was coming!

There was a time when I used to say, "If I could go back, I'd change schools, or take a different major, or move to a different city." And while that sounds practical, it's also impossible — because those kinds of changes would have altered everything. I wouldn't have the kids I have, the family I have, or even the same path that shaped me.

So I've grown past that kind of thinking. That was the younger me talking. The version that thought life was supposed to go according to plan. 

Today, I understand that my life unfolded the way it was meant to — not easily, but meaningfully. I accept that I chose this life for a reason. My spirit wanted growth, and, well, it got it!

Sometimes I joke that before we’re born — if that’s how it works — maybe we’re up there somewhere making our life plans like a bunch of overachievers. And there I was, hand in the air, saying, “Give me all the lessons. I can handle it. I’ll do a thousand lifetimes in one. Let’s go!” Honestly, that's my character, so I can legitimately believe I would do this!

And then somewhere around my 50s, I did yell back, "Okay, that's enough now — who approved this plan?!" Because honestly, I think I signed up for a little too much growth. 

Still, I can laugh about it now, and that's a kind of wisdom all on its own. Laugh, cry, feel it all.

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What 65-Year-Old Me Would Tell Me 30-Year-Old Me:

If I could actually sit across from my 30-year-old self, I'd say this:

“It feels insurmountable right now, but you’ve chosen this path for a reason. Keep moving forward. Speak up more often. You’re going to discover strength beyond your wildest imagination. You think you know what strength is now — just wait. You’re about to master it, my Queen. Hold onto love, and you'll survive it all.”

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I wrote the song lyrics in the above video in my late 30s, possibly early 40s. I was struggling then, deeply. And that struggle, as hard as it was, gave me this creative voice that I've used before and ever since. 

I've written countless things since then — including a book of poetry that spans fifty years of my life. 

Most of those poems mirror the ups and downs, the lessons, and the love I've found along the way. I originally published that book for my children, so when my time here is done, they'll still have a piece of me to hold onto, if they need it.

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What Would You Tell Your 30-Year-Old Self?

Now, what about you? Have you ever asked yourself that question?

Would you tell your 30-year-old self to make this turn instead of that turn? To choose a different path, or avoid certain detours? Or would you simply congratulate yourself for surviving it all — for learning what you needed to learn, even if it came the hard way?

We all have our own version of that conversation. Maybe that's what life really is — a series of quiet talks between who we were and who we're becoming.

Closing Thought

So, here's to every version of us: the 30-year-old who was trying to figure it out, the 60-year-old who's still learning, and the future self who will someday look back and smile, realizing that somehow, through it all, we did okay.

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