Advice to Think About

• You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
• Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
• Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
• Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.
• No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
• Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will all this matter?'
• Forgive everyone for everything.
• What other people think of you is none of your business.
• Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!
• However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
• Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.
• Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
• Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides, remember?
• The best is yet to come….in Heaven!
• No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
• Do the right thing!
• Call your family often.
• Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: 'I am thankful for __________.' And 'Today I accomplished _________.'
• Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
• Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH.
LIFE'S A GIFT ... UNWRAP IT!

Quote:
God takes two days to make a mushroom.
He takes 60 years to make an oak tree.
Which would you rather be:
a mushroom or an oak tree?

Blessings

Admonition Good for the Soul

• Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.
• Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if necessary.
• When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to________ today.'
• Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
• Play more games and read more books than you did last year.
• Always pray and make time to exercise.
• Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
• Dream more while you are awake.
• Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat fewer foods that are manufactured in plants.
• Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
• Try to make at least three people smile each day.
• Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
• Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
• Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class ........but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
• Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
• Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
• Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
• Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
• Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

Quote:
Let your heart soar as high as it will. Refuse to be average. --A.W. Tozer


Blessings

I'm Disgruntled!

Or Not.
Read on to find out what one guy thought of the dissatisfaction in this country. And remember this is his opinion. Is it yours?


"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some
poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the
source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy
with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country
is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the
citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''
Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.

Or if, while at home, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or Militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U. S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show?

Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it . . . are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day? Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O. J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way . . . insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media.

Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage.

Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.

With hurricanes, tornadoes, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, "Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"
--Jay Leno

Blessings.

Fun with Words


Ring, communication, disturbance
phone

Hot, red, burning
sunburn

Kraut, slaw, cooked, raw, brine
cabbage

Work, words, ideas, typing
novel

Dates, numbers, pictures, days
calendar

Work, money, boring, enjoy
job

Sweat, move, strain, burn, calories
exercise

Strong, sinewy, tools
blacksmith

Friend, sibling, fight
brother

Round, holey, sweet, delicious
doughnut

Chirp, peep, tweet, fly
bird

Hard, published, love/hate relationship
book

Round, holey, black, road
tire

And that's your baker's dozen for today!



Quote


Blessings

Research Fun

Way before you begin the actual writing of a novel (for at least the serious writers), you've gotta do a ton of research (if you're serious about writing authentically).

Let me give you an example:

My suspense. I did research on the following stuff:

Montana State
Nature, trees, flowers, climate, geographical land, rocks, echoes
Rattlesnakes
Detective training
Outfitter businesses
Montana's protected species
Blackfoot tribe
Colleges from Montana
Fines and punishment for hunting out of season
and more!

For one romance book, I researched:

Chefs
Ice Skating
Classical music
Abuse
Various foods
Hot Air balloons
Concert pianists


Another included:

Apples and orchards
Antique cars
Houses, styles
Beginning from scratch to build furniture
Adoption
Death certificates


Is it necessary to do all that? For me, yes. I may only make a single reference to an item. Sometimes more. But I want to have my facts fairly straight. Gives me more credibility. Sometimes, something will never get mentioned, but it helps me know my character better. Why he does this. Why she chose a certain thing.

One problem with research for me is that I get sidetracked if I'm not careful. I might be researching a certain park area, and come across something that is totally fascinating. Woe is me then! If I'm fortunate I'll get away from that with nothing more than some interesting information. The worst case: a new idea for another book!

Only after (and sometimes while I'm writing) do I feel capable of moving on to the actual writing business.


It's a lot of work. But it's fun and informative too.

Well worth the time and effort.




Quote:
The will to win is worth nothing unless you have the will to prepare.


Blessings

Gotta Stay Young!

Try everything twice. On Madam's tombstone (of Whelan's and Madam) she said she wanted this epitaph: Tried everything twice ... loved it both times!

Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches.)

Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." (And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!!)

Enjoy the simple things.

Laugh often, long, and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with him or her.

The tears happen: endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with you for your entire life is yourself. LIVE while you are alive.

Surround yourself with what you love. Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even the next county, to a foreign country -- but NOT to where the guilt is!

Tell the people you love that you love them at every opportunity.

Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.

Quote:
Only a person who risks is free!


Blessings!

Memo for a Lady

Never say again you are old!
Have you considered how much longer
Ago than you the pyramids were created,

And the temple of Diana at Ephesus,
And even Venus?

They are old.

And never say you're not attractive,
Remember that for us
Who look deeper than skin
And see your thought flowering
Goldenly as sunflowers and more tall,



Hear your heart singing sometimes
And feel the warmth of its love,
And join in your laughter often,
You are beautiful.
--Elaine V. Emans





Quote:
Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
--Ben Franklin


Blessings!

Put Some Spring in Your Step

If you're like me, you've always got good intentions: for exercise. Sigh. But one thing after the other keeps interfering.

• The electric ran in on my treadmill (don't say it, I know all about surge protectors!).
• Too much traveling.
• Too much cooking for others (temptation here, folks, temptation! Am I any better than our ancestor--what was her name? Eve, you say?)
• Too busy. Hmmm. What's that say about me?

So, consider these suggestions. Just might work, for some of us anyway. Laugh.

Get Off the Couch. You've had a long day, dinner has been cooked and cleaned up, and you've been looking forward to a good book all day. Great! Try completing one set of 20 lunges, squats, crunches, arm circles, or as many push-ups as you can each time you take a break.

Use Your Steps. While you can probably lug your overstuffed laundry basket to the washer in one trip, you'll burn extra calories by making multiple trips up and down the steps.

The Desk Workout. To strengthen calf and ab muscles—and to help with your posture—sit up straight and squeeze in your stomach as you lift up on your toes to tighten your calves. Work the calf muscles further and shape up your ankles by stretching your leg and pointing your toes forward and backward 20 times, then circle your feet and ankles 20 times on each foot.

Stand Up. Whenever you pick up your phone, stand up at your desk to give your body a stretch and an energy boost. Try to keep files you use often in an overhead compartment for which you need to stand up or reach.

Give Your Car a Vacation. Turn an ice cream excursion into walk with the family. Walk to a store to pick up groceries and snacks. Visit a nearby playground with your children and push them on the swings or do pull-ups on the bars.

Quote: I couldn't wait for success, so I went ahead without it. --Jonathan Winters

Blessings!

WHAT WILL MATTER



Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end.

There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.

All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten will pass to
someone else.

Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.

Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally
disappear.

So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire.

The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.

It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you
lived, at the end.

It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.

Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.


So what will matter?

How will the value of your days be measured??

What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you
got, but what you gave!

What will matter is not your success, but your significance.

What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or
sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your
example.

What will matter is not your competence, but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel
a lasting loss when you're gone.

What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in
those who loved you.

What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for
what.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter
of circumstance but of choice.

CHOOSE TO LIVE A LIFE THAT MATTERS! --Author Michael Josephson




Quote:
However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names. It is not so bad as you are. The faultfinder will find faults even in Paradise. Love your life, poor as it is. --Henry David Thoreau


Blessings

Dry Spells Versus Rain

You've heard me writing about hanging out on a plateau. This is an area in writing that is discouraging, frustrating, and totally bizarre.

Here's the scenario:

You've got a good start in your novel. Skipping along comfortably with no thoughts that you're gonna reach a Rocky Mountain next week (or tomorrow). Figured out what the plot is, got the characters firmly planted in your head, wrote a super beginning hook. Whew. You're flying. Nothing's gonna stop you on this novel!

Ouch. Just stubbed my writing toe. About the eleventh chapter or so, you grind to a halt. Racking of the ole brain doesn't help. Walking a path in the floor: likewise. You could try beating your head on the wall, throwing the computer out doors, burning the whole thing. Nope, not a bit of use.

What does help when you don't know where to go from here?

For me?

• Brainstorming is a good option. I've got several wonderful critique friends that are great at brainstorming with me.
• Another trick is to think in reverse. In other words, a chapter is going in a certain direction: reverse the action. Instead of going up the stairs, what happens if you have the hero headed down them?
  
• A third option is to think about the worst thing that could happen to your poor protagonist.
  

One of these works every time for me. Might take me a week or more to figure it out, but I usually hit speed limit again. And I'm in good shape again until the rain stops and I hit a dry spell again. Then it's time to brainstorm, think in reverse, or imagine bad things for my "people."

Grin. What fun, huh?

Quote:

One third of the students will learn regardless of the teacher, One third of the students will not learn regardless of the teacher, One third will learn because of the teacher.

Blessings

More Lessons to Remember

1. The most important sex organ is the brain.
2. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
3. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
4. Always choose life.
5. Forgive everyone everything.
6. What other people think of you is none of your business.
7. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
8. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
9. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
10. Believe in miracles.
11. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

And, eleven more:

1. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
2. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
3. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
4. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
5. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere..
6. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
8. The best is yet to come.
9. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
10. Yield.
11. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift

Blessings!