What Do Twins Dream Of?

Born in poverty-stricken Albania, twin sisters Argita and Detina Zalli always dreamed of becoming doctors. But when the government collapsed, plunging the country into anarchy and civil war, the twins’ dream unraveled along with their homeland.
Their parents were determined to find a way to leave and save their daughters’ futures—not to mention their very lives. After several dangerous attempts, they finally escaped, only to be thrust into a new nightmare as refugees.

With grit and determination, they fought their way forward. When tragedy struck yet again, threatening what they held most dear, the girls had to come to terms with the high price they had all paid to survive.

In Good Morning, Hope, Argita and Detina share their harrowing story of courage and resilience. It was the strength of their family, particularly the sisters' unbreakable bond as twins, that nurtured and sustained them throughout their perilous ordeal.

"Readers will be fascinated. . . . A haunting reminder of how precious democracy is."—Kirkus Reviews

Argita Zalli and Detina Zalli Born in Albania, twin sisters Argita and Detina Zalli were eleven years old when the government collapsed and civil war broke out. Two years later, after several failed attempts to flee the violence and poverty, they escaped with their parents to England.

Overcoming the formidable challenges of being refugees, both young women achieved academic success and went on to become highly accomplished PhD research scientists and lecturers. Influenced by Barack Obama and eager to help others, they founded We Speak Science, a nonprofit organization that supports disadvantaged students throughout the world, particularly immigrants, whose circumstances hinder their ability to learn at school.

Subsequently, in collaboration with world-class oncologists and scientists, Argita and Detina cofounded Aferdita Ime, a nonprofit initiative that seeks to help cancer patients through psychosocial support and counseling.

WE WILL SURVIVE!

Sandra Mansfield Wright

It is now 2021 and although many went through a horrific 2020 – those of us reading this did survive. We may have bumps and bruises, or may have suffered grief and loss, but we are still here and hanging on. Encouragement and uplifting words mean even more to me now than before the pandemic, and hugs from my friends and loved ones even more precious. COVID did make me appreciate, notice and drink deeply of life.

In the COVID year of isolation I was blessed to have written two books and find now that I can get out and be busy with other things, I am having a difficult time getting into my writing as before. Maybe this is true for others as well – finding it hard to get back to normal (whatever normal may be.) This is a time when we may reflect on how we truly want to live our lives. Do we want to go back to normal? Things are supposedly back to normal, but normal is different for many of us, isn’t it? We find we don’t feel the same about normal any longer. This may be a good thing, because we will now appreciate and cherish our ordinary days more readily. Finding our normal lives again, when life has changed so much in the world, isn’t an easy matter.

The good thing is, we can grow, and change and help our lives be whatever we hope them to be. We can take the good things and expand on them and let go of the things which were unnecessary and hold less meaning for us. We may have found we could live with many less “things,” many less activities, going and doing, running hectically through life. Families had time together around the kitchen table, playing games together, eating meals and talking. We found time to talk and listen to our family members – those who are most precious to us. Outside distractions were limited. Maybe you would like to keep these good parts of isolation. It caused me to re-think my activities, and I found I even enjoyed being at home more.

How do we keep the things we want in our lives and not fall into the trap again of being swallowed up by the world around us – the constant pull of work, going, doing, planning, keeping up? Everyone has different needs and wants in their lives. There are chapters in each life, some are raising children, some working a stressful and demanding job, some are care-givers to someone in their family, some are retired, some are fighting health issues, some are struggling with heartache and problems, and on and on it goes. We live our lives as best we can, and I for one ask for God’s help daily. We each must make a conscious effort to get the life we want. We must choose wisely. There are things we will have to give up – we cannot have it all! We must make time for those who are a priority for us. What’s important to our life right now? Who is important? Make time for these. Will what we are spending our time on (people, things, our faith, our work) be important to us in five years, in ten years, in eternity?

The books I write are books of joy, hope and encouragement. Helping people, lifting them up as we all struggle to live as best we can is a goal of mine. I want to leave you with my favorite scripture:



“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Sandra Mansfield Wright, is the author of Gentleness, Strength, The Posture of Hope, Growing in Hope,365 Daily Gifts of Joy and Little Gifts of Joy.


After retiring from her career in real estate, Sandra Mansfield Wright became an "Interior Designer for the Heart".


She writes and speaks on the subject of joy and provides practical ways to bring joy more fully into the lives of her readers and listeners. Sandra lives near Memphis, TN,


Visit Sandra at sandramansfieldwright.com
for more information and to read her blog.

SPEAKING LIFE INTO THIS DAY AND THE DAYS AHEAD

Sandra Mansfield Wright

The days of uncertainty and fears have been surrounding all of us in previous months and have even crept into the year 2021; however, we all wish to think about more positive things. We would like to brighten our dreary days and lighten up our spirits. Some ideas which have helped me I would like to share, and hopefully these will speak more life and lightness into your days.

Purchase a calendar of days or make your own, sectioning off enough space to write a quote for the day. Each month choose a word to be your motto or mantra for that month. For January, my word was “calm” and for February my word is “blessing.” Each day find a quote in keeping with your word and write it in the day’s quote space. This will lift your spirit every day, and at the end of the year you will have a wonderful book of quotes you can look back through and read to uplift yourself. This is also a great resource to pull quotes you might want to use in writing notes of encouragement to others throughout your year.

I know hand-written notes have gone out of style somewhat; however, who of us doesn’t still like receiving a note in the mail? This is the year to write those encouraging words. It will bless us to bless others with our words. Keeping nice stationary, pretty note cards or special pens and papers on our desk will help speak life into our day, as we use these to write at least one letter or note a week to encourage someone else. We can commit to this project and look for ways to make another’s life happier, maybe a bit brighter. Think outside-the-box. We might have a talent for painting or drawing and could incorporate this into our note. We may want to design or paint our own notecards. I found a quote which is my motto for the year and made an insert to put inside my notes so the one receiving could use it as a bookmark or display on their desk. To this quote I added a picture of a beautiful bird. My motto quote is:



“Never be in a hurry: do everything quietly and in a calm spirit.

Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if

your whole world seems upset.”

- St. Francis de Sales



Another thing to help bring more life and light into our days is to look for ways to help others. Just by thinking of helping others and making plans will bless our days. People are hurting and need our help. We may be able to help them financially, but there are many ways to help others. Giving our time and talents is often of even more benefit. With COVID-19 we cannot always go and help in person. Small businesses have been hurt due to the pandemic and whenever possible we can shop small businesses in our neighborhoods. Many local businesses have made ways for people to shop safely and will even deliver packages to the car or mail our purchases. We might take or order food to be delivered to our essential workers: police, hospital employees, nursing home workers, health workers. I don’t want to leave anyone out of this list, but you can think of all types of essential workers having to be out there in the workforce to keep us going. With nursing homes and assisted living facilities not being able to allow family to visit their patients, the residents are facing unprecedented loneliness and depression. Think of what we might do to lift their spirits. We might set up a Zoom meeting with residents and read to them or sing to them. Call and ask the administration what we might do to help and offer. We might send flowers or balloon bouquets to the facility to cheer up the gathering room. Just think. What talents do we have which would help others?

Rather than thinking of this time in our lives as a dreary, sad, horrible time, let us look upon it with new eyes. Let us use our imagination, our talents and energy to be of benefit to others, to alleviate someone’s sadness, to improve their lives and speak or write life into every new day in some way. Let us bless and be blessed!

Sandra Mansfield Wright, is the author of Gentleness, Strength, The Posture of Hope, Growing in Hope,365 Daily Gifts of Joy  and Little Gifts of Joy.

After retiring from her career in real estate, Sandra Mansfield Wright became an "Interior Designer for the Heart".

She writes and speaks on the subject of joy and provides practical ways to bring joy more fully into the lives of her readers and listeners. Sandra lives near Memphis, TN,

Visit Sandra at sandramansfieldwright.com 

for more information and to read her blog.

Make Your Own Happiness

Sandra Mansfield Wright

It is time we had better learn to be happy by ourselves and learn to play alone. This year has been a year of isolation for many, and we have suffered because we have had to social distance from one another. The holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas may bring loneliness and seclusion to us, but we have the choice to either be sad, lonely, and discouraged by this or find the inner strength to make a conscious decision to be happy, no matter what.

We have the power, by our thoughts, to rise above the loneliness and sadness and decide within ourselves to be happy. Let us think of things to do which will make us happy and to think above our problems. I have made a list of ten possible things we can do to help us “think up” and be happy with what we have.



1. Be grateful.

Make a list of at least 100 things for which we have to be thankful. Writing these will bring them more to our attention. Focus on the good and not the bad!



2. Smile and even laugh out loud.

Put a smile on your face, even if you don’t feel it at the time. It is hard to complain and gripe when we are smiling. Laugh out loud, even if you have to fake it. Laughter is good medicine.



3. Play music you like. Dance to it if you feel the urge.

Having music playing in the house will lift our spirits. Dancing lightens our spirits.



4. Light good smelling candles or have essential oils in a diffuser to cause good smells in the house.

Smells of citrus lighten our spirits. You might even put water in a saucepan and add cloves, cinnamon (or cinnamon sticks), orange peel, and sorghum molasses to create a simmering delicious smell. Make certain you continue to add water to the simmering concoction so it doesn’t cook dry.



5. Have uplifting, good books around to read, or if you aren’t a reader, have magazines to look through which you enjoy.

I like to keep books, magazines, articles, etc. which I want to enjoy in my “joy box” or “joy drawer” to pull out on rainy or alone days when I need an uplift.



6. Make yourself a “joy box.”

In this place items you enjoy; such as a scented candle, bath salts, magazines or books you enjoy, markers and an adult coloring book, possibly needle work projects, puzzles, crossword puzzle books, find-a-word books, etc. You may need to start buying items for your “joy box” along through the months ahead and on days when you are alone and need something fun to do, put these together making your “joy box.” Also you might enjoy making a “job box” for another person to give as a gift.



7. Have delicious foods for yourself.

You may be a good cook yourself, but if not, buy some pre-made meals to keep in your freezer to pull out on days alone when you are needing an uplift. Good foods and the smells of good foods cooking make our home more inviting even to ourselves.



8. Go for a walk.

You might not be a walker normally, but this is a good time to start. Just getting outside in nature and breathing in the fresh air will lighten your mood and is good for you. You don’t have to go fast nor far; just get outside and walk. As you walk, notice the beauty that God has placed in our world for us to enjoy. Notice and be happy.



9. Sit outside when the weather permits.

Some days, even in the winter, may be mild and we can put on a sweater or coat and sit outside in the sunshine. Breathe deeply and slowly. Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. Relax your shoulders and think on good thoughts. Calm – Relax – Refresh – Renew.



10. Do something for someone else.

Think of others. Get outside of ourselves and do for someone else. We can write a note of encouragement to someone, send them a gift, give them a call, leave a bouquet or gift at their front door; just share our love with them. Start a list of things people have done to encourage and lift you up through the years, and send a note telling them what they have meant to you. We all love to be appreciated.



These are just some ideas to start you going. You can possibly think of many more things you enjoy. Think. Open up your mind and brain-storm, coming up with ideas for yourself. Make happiness for yourself and you will always spill that happiness over to others in your life.



“Happy are the people whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144: 15 (NKJV)

After retiring from her career in real estate, Sandra Mansfield Wright became an interior designer for the heart. She writes and speaks on the subject of joy and provides practical ways to bring joy more fully into the lives of her listeners.

She is the author of the book Strength; the book Gentleness; Growing in Hope; The Posture of Hope; Little Gifts of Joy and 365 Daily Gifts of Joy.


Learn more about Sandra at www.sandramansfieldwright.com and visit her blog


https://sandramansfieldwright.com/my-blog