Shell Vera (EyesStraightAhead)

About Me

"See possibility. Hear hope. Speak love." ~Shell Vera

I am Shell Vera: a mother, daughter, sister, and friend. I am passionate and sometimes courageous. I love to help others, find ways where there are no ways, and conquer what I have been told is impossible. My passion is improving my community one life or organization at a time through creating opportunities, serving others, and smiling as much as possible.

I am a writer with a desire to see the entire world smile and become the best individuals we each can be. I am an artist who sees color where others see darkness, which can come through in my photos and paintings at times. I am a nature enthusiast and dreamer who can sometimes be found lost in the woods, roaming a local state park, or sitting on a beach in the winter watching a beautiful sunset. I am an avid shower singer, horrible backstroker, and amazing whiner during exercise.

I believe in the teachings of Jesus and love everyone regardless of their choices or religion. I do my best to provide a good example, share my stories of encouragement, and lead the best life I am capable of living. I enjoy treating every day as if it were my last and enjoying the precious time I have with family, friends, and strangers. I love to learn about others, explore the world, and enjoy a life without boundaries and boxes.

In the Spotlight

Ideas for Setting Strong Personal Goals in Each Area of Your Life

"It is not enough to take steps which may some day lead to a goal; each step must be itself a goal and a step likewise." ~Johann Continue »

In the Spotlight

Making the Best of Every Moment: Live Like You Were Dying

Why wait until you have been given a terminal diagnosis to start living as though every day were your last? Start today!

In the Spotlight

Change For a Dollar: How We Can Impact the World with Very Little

What if I told you that you have the power the change the world? What if I said that right now you can begin a movement Continue »

In the Spotlight

Unplugged: How To Become Disconnected in the Digital Age

Do you lose hours on Facebook? Find yourself checking email and status updates before you rise from bed for the day? Live for the sound of the phone telling you someone is calling/texting/tweeting? If so, Continue »

In the Spotlight

Making Your Christmas Tradition-Filled Instead of Consumer-Focused

Are you trying to change the way your family celebrates Christmas? This hub provides ideas for changing from a Christmas surrounded by presents to a day engulfed in family tradition and memories.

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  Christian Living

  The Fruitful Lifestyle: How To Live Abundantly

  3 years ago

  Do you feel like there is more to life than what you are currently doing? Do you feel like you wake up, go to work, come home, sleep, repeat? Read on to learn how to live your life with abundance.

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  Friendship

  A Season for Evaluating Friendships

  5 years ago

  How are your relationships with others? Are they uplifting? Do they breathe life into you? Are they draining? Do they cause you to feel dry and empty? Evaluating your friendships each year can help you ensure you are not overwhelmed with people who will take from you without having others who are...

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  Food and Cooking

  My Favorite Recipes This Week: June 18 - June 22

  12 years ago

  Giving back to the HubPages community by sharing my favorite recipes of the week. You have all been so supportive and encouraging that I wanted to find a way to give back by paying it forward. I am noting recipes that I loved to make this week. Please support the Hubbers noted by visiting their...

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  New York City

  Visiting Central Park in the Summer: Playground Tour

  7 years ago

  Central Park is a large and wonderful place to visit. In this photo journal, I take you through some of the playgrounds and locations my family was able to visit in a day.

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  Photography

  Great 365 Projects Online

  7 years ago

  Looking for great 365 projects to follow this year? Check out this hub for information on five promising sites with amazing photos posted daily.

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  Social Issues

  Change For a Dollar: How We Can Impact the World with Very Little

  10 years ago

  What if I told you that you have the power the change the world? What if I said that right now you can begin a movement that will inspire others to get off the couch and begin helping in their communities? What if…what if…what if... Let’s stop with the “what if’s” and make our stories about the...

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  18
  Personal Development

  Making the Best of Every Moment: Live Like You Were Dying

  3 years ago

  Why wait until you have been given a terminal diagnosis to start living as though every day were your last? Start today!

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  15
  Personal Development

  Ideas for Setting Strong Personal Goals in Each Area of Your Life

  3 years ago

  "It is not enough to take steps which may some day lead to a goal; each step must be itself a goal and a step likewise." ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe This is the time of year when many of us begin examining what we did wrong and right in 2011 and think about what we want to do differently in 2012....

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  Personal Development

  Unplugged: How To Become Disconnected in the Digital Age

  9 years ago

  Do you lose hours on Facebook? Find yourself checking email and status updates before you rise from bed for the day? Live for the sound of the phone telling you someone is calling/texting/tweeting? If so, you may need to join a 12 step program - or maybe just follow some of the advice below from...

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  Quality of Life & Wellness

  How to Slow Down and Create More Peace in Your Life

  3 years ago

  Is your life overscheduled? Do you need to incorporate more peace? Learn how to add more peace into your life by reviewing your priorities and adding some new peaceful activities. Whether you are single or have a family, there are ways to incorporate a peaceful season in your life.

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  New York City

  Visiting New York City during the Holiday Season

  9 years ago

  Looking for something to do this weekend? New York City is beautiful any time of year, but visiting during the Christmas season is an unforgettable experience. This hub provides a look at some of the places you can visit within walking distances of Grand Central Station.

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  Museum Visits

  Visiting the Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut: A Fun Day for the Family

  11 years ago

  Looking for something fun to do with the family today or this weekend? Look no further than the Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut! With plenty to do, you may find a full day "played" away while enjoying smiles with your young children. Perfect for ages 2 - 7, though there are activities...

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  Stress Management

  How to Handle Difficulties and Hard Times

  3 years ago

  Are you going through a tough time? Are you about to give up on Jesus because you don't believe He cares anymore? This hub will help you understand how to keep your focus during tough times.

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  Christmas

  Making Your Christmas Tradition-Filled Instead of Consumer-Focused

  3 years ago

  Are you trying to change the way your family celebrates Christmas? This hub provides ideas for changing from a Christmas surrounded by presents to a day engulfed in family tradition and memories.