Daily Inspiration

Author: Leigha Randolph

  • Sweet Honeysuckle

    by Leigha Randolph

    One of the simple pleasures of living in Bridgeport, West Virginia is tasting the little drop of nectar inside the ripe honeysuckle flower. A couple years ago, my family and I discovered this simple pleasure during a nature walk in early June. Since then, it has become an exciting tradition that we look forward to each year. When the honeysuckle is yellow and ripe, we can taste that summer is finally here.

    Tasting the little bead of honey nectar is a refreshing way to escape life for a sweet moment. I thought about this experience last week after swallowing the sweet drop. I thought to myself, “What are the honeysuckle moments in my life?”

    The honeysuckle moments are the simple and sweet moments that make life all worth it. For myself, these are my daughter’s smile and my son’s laugh. These moments are catching up with an old friend and hugging someone that I love.

    Honeysuckle moments are the things in life that must be kept close to our hearts. They are the joyful and blissful things that keep us going when the storms blow in. They are the moments that propel us forward.

    Currently the honeysuckle is ripe and ready to enjoy in Bridgeport, West Virginia. What honeysuckle moments will you hold close? My wish for you is to taste the sweetest honeysuckle this summer.

    Love and Light,

    Leigha

  • Con-GRAD-ulations!

    by Leigha Randolph

    It’s graduation week for many of our high school students. The experience of graduation provides young adults with a reality that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. I must say that the victorious feeling of receiving that high school diploma is truly rewarding.

    Twenty years have passed since I walked across the BHS stage myself to receive my diploma. It was a lifechanging moment that I’ll never forget. As I reflect upon that moment in time, I have three suggestions that helped me during my journey post graduation.

    Firstly, it is important to believe in yourself. The truth is that no one wants your dream more that you want it for yourself. It is up to you to put in hard work and effort. Be good to yourself!

    Secondly, there is strength in community. Find people that will add to your life positively and help you to reach your goals. Join a league, group, club, church, or friend group. Make friends in your classes and attend activities.

    Lastly, don’t forget about your family. They will travel with you before, during, and after you crush your goals. Call your mom or dad. Allow them to share in this life experience with you. Most likely, they will be your greatest supporters in life.

    Graduation from high school is a rewarding accomplishment. Soak-in this time and enjoy every moment, for your next journey is about to start. In the words of Mary Oliver, “What do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

    Love and Light,

    Leigha

  • Sleep is Underrated

    by Leigha Randolph

    Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

    Rest is best! It has taken me quite some time and a LOT of life to come to this realization. Sleep is now a priority which I have placed at the TOP of my list.

    Growing up in a fast-paced culture with rich Italian roots, it was instilled in me at a young age that if you aren’t working, cooking, cleaning, or chasing after your babies, then you are considered LAZY. During my thirties, I discovered that if I didn’t dedicate time for rest, I found myself sick, injured, or incredibly anxious. Unfortunately, I am not Wonder Woman and juggling multiple roles at a rapid pace is not sustainable without rest.

    As humans, rest is vital for our health. Sleep allows our bodies time to produce new cells and rejuvenate. It allows our minds an opportunity to quiet down for a period of time to assist in making wise decisions the following day. Lastly, it grants us an invitation for peace and serenity.

    Our culture instills messages through the media to keep us alert and wired to buy products. If we are sleeping, we aren’t buying anything which is not favored. If we aren’t careful, we have the potential to end up sleep deprived, anxious, and broke. We must be aware of this consumerism trick and prioritize our rest.

    Whoever said the famous quote, “sleep is for the weak” is disturbed in my opinion! I believe that this quote should be changed to “sleep is for the wise.”

    Stay RESTED and recharged, my friends!

    Love and Light,

    Leigha

  • Run the Race

    by Leigha Randolph

    I remember like it was yesterday running my first ever race. It was about ten years ago, and it was the Clarksburg 10k. I will never forget that liberating feeling I experienced after crossing the finish line.

    The simple act of finishing that first race did so much for my mental health. I gained confidence in myself, experienced joy, and grew tremendously in my self-esteem. I also left with a couple of new running friends.

    Many years later, I have completed a full-marathon, five half-marathons, and numerous 10K and 5K races. The liberating feeling after every race continues to be the same. I now experience fulfillment in running races with friends and celebrating their challenging feats.

    As you can see, running a race is truly a rewarding experience. I encourage you to partake in this experience by signing up for an upcoming race. I promise that you won’t regret it!

    Upcoming Races in our Area:

    May 17-YMCA-Richard Iaquinta 5K Run and Walk

    June 7-Derek Hotsinpiller Fallen Stars 5K

    June 18-Cecil Jarvis Greater Clarksburg 10K

    Love and Light,

    Leigha

    Pictured is Richard Iaquinta and Leigha Randolph after a Clarksburg 10K race.

  • BLOOM… Where You Are PLANTED!

    by Leigha Randolph

    A couple years ago, my Martha Stewart friend, Katie, invited me to visit her beautiful field of zinnias. Katie’s field of zinnias is by far one of the most beautiful places that I’ve EVER visited. I revisit Katie’s zinnia field in my MIND regularly, when the reality in front of me isn’t so pleasant. I ponder back to what it looked like, smelled like, and felt like on that particular summer day.

    Daydreaming of a happy place is a powerful tool to utilize when feeling stuck in challenging circumstances. Interestingly, the brain has little distinction between the feelings of what’s directly in front of us and the imagination of a place in our mind. We are able to experience the same pleasant feelings if it is imagined or real.

    With Easter being around the corner, I find myself wondering about Jesus and His happy place in His mind during crucifixion. I wonder what He was envisioning in heaven before His actual death upon the cross. I believe that He saw the most magnificent place beyond human imagination.

    As you can see, we have the power to mentally escape reality in challenging circumstances by envisioning heavenly places. May we BLOOM where we are planted with the help of our miraculous minds.

    Love and Light,

    Leigha

  • Healthy Habits

    by Leigha Randolph

    Habits are important for our health and happiness. What we implement into our regular routine determines what we will cultivate in our lives. The job that we desire, and the health that we want later in life is all determined by the habits that we put in place today.

    Meet my new friend, James E. “Jimmy” Coberly. Jimmy has a healthy habit of visiting Valley Falls State Park each and everyday with his dog, Jellybean. Jimmy implemented this habit more than 5 years ago before his wife, Sharon, passed away. Together they would visit Valley Falls, take in the natural beauty, and talk to friendly people visiting the state park.

    Jimmy shared that after his wife’s passing, it became like clockwork everyday at 4:00 for Jellybean. Jimmy said that if he forgot about taking Jellybean or was in the middle of something, Jellybean would go crazy until he took him to Valley Falls. Jimmy expressed that this habit brings him tremendous joy, peace, and strength at his age of 78.

    Habits are very important during all of our stages in life. They are the powerful force behind living a fulfilling and rewarding life. I’m grateful for visiting Valley Falls State Park and meeting Jimmy Coberly. I plan to make it a habit to visit more W.V. state parks this spring.

    Love and Light,

    Leigha

    Pictured is Jimmy Coberly with his dog, Jellybean at Valley Falls State Park, West Virginia.

  • Strength in the Struggle

    by Leigha Randolph

    Life is NOT easy. In fact, it’s part of the human experience for life to suck from time to time. Often times we find ourselves coasting through life when out of nowhere, we are sideswiped by a tragedy.

    Unfortunately, I have been sideswiped by a tragedy or two. I was a good person that said my Hail Mary prayers religiously, dressed nicely, and still bad things happened to me.

    I had some serious words with God about it, and attended a great deal of therapy sessions. As time went on, I discovered that the tragedies that almost killed me emotionally and mentally, were also the things that gave me a NEW and purposeful life.

    I lost a beautiful daughter, Julianna Faith. She lived only four hours after birth and died in my arms. Why did this happen? It wasn’t fair to me or my family. I ate right, exercised, did all of the right things, and read all of the books. It was beyond hard for me to process. After many years, I have grown tremendously in wisdom and strength through this storm.

    Here is what I learned through my tragedy…

    Firstly, life is a precious gift and every single moment is a divine blessing. Secondly, I learned how to stop existing and start living! Tomorrow isn’t promised or guaranteed, we must live for today. Thirdly, I have a unique bond with other parents that have lost a child. We can lean on each other in moments of sadness by helping each other navigate through our grief. Fourthly, I learned not to sweat the small stuff for it truly doesn’t matter. I remember previously obsessing over things that didn’t matter at all. Lastly, I learned that every life no matter how short or long has purpose. Julianna’s cells helped other babies in need of cells to live healthy lives. My daughter lives on to help others. How beautiful is that?

    As you can see, life is not fair sometimes. I share my story to help you persevere through the muck, and find your strength through the struggle.

    Love and Light,

    Leigha

    Pictured above is me hiking to the tip-top of Seneca Rocks, W.V. two years after losing my daughter, Julianna Faith.

  • Speak Life

    by Leigha Randolph

    Our words mean so very much! They have the power to change someone’s entire day for the better. They also have the power to completely tear down and destroy a person. We must choose our words wisely, for once our words are spoken, they can’t be taken back.

    In our modern world, our words are often spoken from behind screens through text messages, emails, and social media platforms. This makes it easy for our words to flow like fine wine or flow like rancid poison (yuck). We have the power within ourselves to Speak Life (Toby Mac) or to Speak Poison. The choice is ours to make for ourselves.

    We must proceed with caution when we are feeling angry or sad as our words will flow out of us like poison. This will not only hurt the other person, but will hurt us as well. After our nasty words are spoken we will most likely experience guilt. This guilt, if not dealt with properly, has the potential to turn into resentment. This is an unhealthy way to live as it adds to our stress.

    Our words have the power to give life to another person. We have the ability to encourage and lift up others with our words. When choosing our words to speak life, we provide others with hope as well as fill our own joy. Research shows that speaking good words to others boosts mood, reduces stress, and strengthens relationships.

    Words are our most powerful weapon. We must think before we speak. Are we going to speak life or poison? The choice is ours to make. Today, I invite you to join me in speaking life and living , L-I-V-I-N (Matthew McConaughey).

    Love and Light,

    Leigha

  • Laugh OUT Loud

    by Leigha Randolph

    Did you know that Wednesday, March 19 is “National Let’s Laugh Day?” They say that laughter is the BEST form of medicine, but is there truth to this? This answer is, YES indeed there is… 100%!

    Laughter Therapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses laughter to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. For this reason, many yogis implement laughter therapy into their regular yoga sessions. Also, many individuals make laughter a daily goal of theirs during the later years of life.

    According to a Mayo Clinic article, laughter may improve your immune system, relieve pain, increase personal satisfaction, and improve your mood. It makes sense why so many people make plans to visit comedy shows, and gravitate towards the funny people of the world.

    As you can see laughter is such a fun way to boost your mood as well as your health. Laughter today can keep the doctor away tomorrow. My hope is that you have a good belly shaking laugh today!

    Love and Light,

    Leigha

  • Find Your Mantra

    by Leigha Randolph

    Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

    After watching the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, I found myself repeating Kendrick Lamar’s lyrics, “Sit down, Stay Humble” from his song, “Humble.” Kendrick Lamar repeats this very line ten times within the song’s chorus. I would consider this line a mantra and one that I found myself reciting regularly when needing the gentle reminder to stay humble.

    A mantra is something that we throw around like confetti in the counseling field. It is a line or phrase that one recites regularly to themselves three or more times often throughout the day. Mantras help us to boost motivation within ourselves and help us get through our days successfully.

    The science behind the mantra is that there is a part of the brain called the “RAS” or “Reticular Activating System.” The primary role of this part of the brain is to regulate the brain into believing what you tell it repetitively. Science proves that if you tell yourself the same thing over and over again, because of the “RAS” your mind will believe it and you will witness the results. It is like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

    Mel Robbins has normalized the “Let Them” mantra for many people after publishing her latest book, “The Let Them Theory.” My coworker has a poster repeating the words “See the Good” six times in a row on her wall. Of course she is going to see the good in her daily life as it is a focal point in her office.

    Mantras are marvelous. They have the power to boost motivation and transform our daily lives. What is your mantra? If I had to choose a mantra for you it would be…

    “I believe in YOU! I believe in You! I believe in You!”

    Love and Light,

    Leigha