START- A little differently

I recently had someone recommend a book to me that had to do with becoming an entrepreneur or having faith in yourself to follow your dream.   The book was called "The Power of Starting Something Stupid"  by Richie Norton.    Part of what caught my attention in hearing more about this book, was his use of the word START.  In his book he shares the idea that part of the process it to Serve, Thank, Ask, Receive and Trust. 
I was impressed with the ideas as working together, but didn't write them down at the time.  When I finally did take the time I found I had rearranged the 5 words in a slightly different order.  My first thought when I realized I had done this was to think I had a bad memory, but as I thought more about why I had written it differently.  On reflection I found that right now I do often go through these steps in something I may involve myself in.  I also found instances where in giving advice I have encouraged someone to follow this pattern.  So here is some of my thoughts on the anagram START.
Share-  Share your ideas, Share your thoughts, Share your talents,  Share of yourself through service, Share your wealth or good fortune, Share the experience, Share your feelings, Share the challenges
Trust-   Trust yourself,  Trust Others, Trust that things will work out, Trust that guidance and inspiration will come at the right time,  Trust in a spiritual source, Trust your feelings, Trust your intuition
Ask- Ask your spiritual source, Ask those you trust, Ask yourself what else you could do,  Ask to forgive (yourself or others), Ask for patience or strength,  Ask to learn, Ask to grow, Ask for help
Receive-  Receive graciously, Receive from others, Receive without expectation, Receive the unexpected, Receive what you asked for, Receive and notice,  Receive and then pass it on
Thank-  Thank a giver, Thank the universe,  Thank yourself for trying once more, Be thankful for lessons learned,  Express Thanks everyday,  Look for something to be thankful for,  Thank someone unexpectedly,  Be thankful for life itself,  Be thankful for the little things and stop looking for the big event, 
This list is far from complete.  I am sure you can add to it from your own experiences. You may even decide this list is still not right.  You may find it even changes.    I know I  have. , Yesterday as I was thinking about someone I cared about my START  list was Serve, Trust, Act, Receive, Thank.    Another day in thinking about setting goals my START list became Set Goal, Time Limit, Act, Review, Think Again.   
As I have said before, there are usually not any right or wrong answers or ideas.  What is yours is unique.  So come up with your own START point(s) and take a step toward a great you. 

Beautiful - But Use Caution

 

I was going through pictures my granddaughter had uploaded from our recent vacation to Oregon.  This particular picture was taken at the Aquarium just south of Newport, Oregon.  For some reason this really caught my eye as something very peaceful and calming.  It certainly was something I spent several minutes watching while I was there, and I was glad she had taken the time to capture it on film. 

This evening as I reflected on these seemingly fragile creatures, I was awed again by their elegant beauty as they float along with such ease, inviting anyone or anything to draw nearer to investigate them further or be apart of their casual way of being free and just moving along slowly, unhurried, unstressed, free of cares.  Yet as inviting as they appear, it is good to remember that the beautiful, fine tendrils can be very deadly if one draws too near or ventures to touch them.

I couldn't help but think about how often life is much like these jelly fish.  We watch from afar, envying the ease with which we perceive others receive blessing, riches or what we might consider the good things of life.  From a distance we watch, wishing we could live the life they do, wanting to join them or be a part of their group, or enjoy the personal or financial freedom we think they have.   But get closer and sometimes we can get stung or hurt.  We may find they are less than honest and what you think they earned they took by taking advantage of others.   It may appear as though they are coasting through life happy and carefree but when we get closer we find they are lonely or fearful.  Just as the jelly fish immobilize their victims, these people's  depression zaps our personal reserves of energy, enjoyment or gifts until we feel completely drained and empty, unable to cope as we have done in the past.  Then like the jellyfish, once we are immobilized and they have taken from us all they can, they float on as though we were never there, leaving us to hopefully find a way to heal as they sting someone else who dares to come near.  Yet as we heal, we learn the greatest lessons.  Life is not always as it seems.  Sometimes what appears good is not. What appears enticing can be dangerous or deadly.    Be cautious of getting too near or rushing ahead too fast before we know what may happen.  Finally, sometimes what seems tragic brings insight and growth. 
May we all enjoy the beautiful things that surround us and that we come near.  May we learn to use caution and wisdom in our relationships.  May we enjoy many of the things we see without the need to be closer or be a part of.  My we be happy to sometimes just sit back and watch the beauty of life as it happens and feel joy when it appears to be good for others.  




 

I Can Handle Everything…

(Shared from www.bridgeofskills.blogspot.com)

These are the first few words of a quote a friend gave me one day at the office on a day we were both handling a number of unusual client and administrative requests.

“I can handle everything life throws at me. I can either handle it well or handle it bad; either way I have to handle it. “

I can’t see anything but truth in this thought. It is really a very empowering statement for anyone. As life comes along, whether it drags or seems to be speeding along, we each get to handle it. What we receive may be something big, demanding our highest level of attention and efforts or so small we handle it so quickly we hardly notice it was there.

We may not even handle similar life events or recurring situations the same way each time, yet somehow we handle it each time. Sometimes we handle what life gives us with a smile, sometimes with a groan and occasionally with deep emotion, but we handle it. Most times we walk away with the knowledge we were at our best and successful while occasionally we walk away wishing we could have done more or found a better way to handle the moments. No matter how it is measured on the spectrum, we did handle it. We handled it, made it through and stood ready for the next thing life was preparing.

Thankfully, we do not always have to handle life alone. Along with everything life throws us to handle, life also throws us friends, family and teachers that can aid us. We may still handle the majority of things life throws us on our own terms, in our own way, based on our our own experiences but we are better armed than we might have otherwise been because of the people life put in place for us to reach out to, lean on or on a rare occasion even hand the problem to and trust they can handle it for us.

I encourage everyone to realize that no matter what life throws at us, whether it is something we look forward to and prepare for something that takes us completely by surprise, we can handles. We are naturally armed with everything we need.  The only variable is whether we handle it well, alright or less than perfectly.  In the end we will handle it in some way.  

 

I Love This Quote

Found on Pnterest

While looking for a friend who has encouraged me in the past to try more writing experiences, I came across this quote.  This really hit home because so often this is exactly what happens when I have done some of my best writing.  I simply start writing, not knowing what is going to end up on the page until I done.  More often than not, it is exactly what I need to express or share.  More often than not it is exactly what someone else needs to hear, feel or know.  

I love to write when the words just flow freely and easily without thought about what is to come next.  It is the best form of writing.  I find that when I write this way the words seem to flow from my heart through the pen to the page where it then flows from the page to the readers heart or mind.  The flow isn't rushed or forced or swift.  The flow of thought is gentle, slow and refreshing.  

Right now I have several longer stories that keep coming to my mind.   One of these stories I have several chapters in place, but haven't written anything for a while.  On another I started, I was very excited about what I wanted the story to be about and who I was writing it for, but once started, it doesn't seem to be going as well as I would like.  A third story I started a few years ago has a few chapters I feel good about yet I haven't added anything else for almost a year.   As I read this quote, I understand why I feel like things are not going where I would like.  I have had well meaning friends and mentors who have told me about this book or that book on how to write a novel.  I have had found books that suggest how to write better.  Many of the books I have purchased on my Kindle this last year are from other writers who talk about the importance of developing the right plot, characters, scenes, descriptive balance and genre.  The more I read, the less I find I write freely and passionately.  I find myself planning what should happen instead of just letting it happen. 

So I express gratitude for finding this quote.  Before the day is over, I will print out a copy I can post on a wall or door or tape to my computer as a reminder to let go of striving for something I think should be and allow myself to get back to writing without thought.  I promise to share with you the surprises that come. 

Loving Parenting

 
Being a parent is not something anyone can adequately express in words, either spoken or written. Parenting is something that is as different and as unique for each parent as their child is unique from anyone else.   The most we can do as parents is to learn to love the moments, both good and bad, finding a way to  express our gratitude for the opportunity of being a parent.  I doesn't mother whether we call ourselves a mother or a father, there are some things we find we may have in common.   We struggle to find a balance between being able to provide unconditional love and being able to teach children what we want to know and love.  We try to find a balance between the moments of joy, fear, frustration and hope.  We experience a mix of memorable moments we never want to lose, confusion regarding the reason for certain behaviors and words and minutes in time we wish we could take back or forget ever occurred. 

Sometime as the years follow one after another we realize we are growing and learning at the same rate as our children.  They, as they grow decide whether they like being a child or want to grow up faster than we would desire.  We, as parents, also grow to decide if we like being a parent or can't wait for the time of childhood to disappear

For myself, I have found that I loved and still want to enjoy the opportunity of being a parent.  This decision to love being a parent, whether the times appear good or bad to myself or others, has helped me weather the storms of many family moments and choices my children have made.   It is because this decision has made such a difference for me in getting through some rough hours and days of parenthood, that I wanted to encourage others to find their own way to love being a parent, the ups the downs and the smooth paths in-between. 

"Loving Parenting" is a short book written with that hope of encouraging other parents to look at how they view their experience called parenting, and decide for themselves if they feel that loving the adventure will make a difference for them.  Some people may have made the decision years ago but because of changing circumstance need a friendly reminder of how to get back on track or begin anew.   

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00FCGVEMU

Sharing the News

OK, it has been two days since I shared the news here that I had published Bridges of Skills and that it was listed on Amazon.com for sale.  Both the paperback and the Kindle ebook version are available.  I already have two sales of the Kindle version (per the stats this morning).  I know one of them was my mother, but I am not sure who the other purchaser was. My hope is it is someone who will enjoy it and want to tell others about it.
I was already out of my comfort zone just in putting the book out for others to review and comment on.  I am praying that most of the comments and reviews will be positive.  Fear of rejection is what has kept me from sending these manuscripts to book agents or publishers.  So sharing this the way I have is far beyond what I thought I could do.  Yet as scary as it is for me, and as out of character from much of my past, I have found a great deal of joy in sharing this accomplishment with others. 
Last evening our ward had their annual Friends of Scouting donation drive kickoff event, a chili/soup cook-off.  At first I was hesitant to say anything, but when a friend asked how things were going at work I found I had not trouble saying although my work week had been tiring, actually completing the steps to publish a book and list it on Amazon.com had made my week exciting.  She was so excited for me, and promised to look for the book this next week to read.  I ended up sharing the news with about six of my friends and got the same reaction.  When told what the book was about, two of the ladies told me they would probably order it in the next week.  One of my friends, who I have just begun to really get to know, told me how much she admired me for handling so many challenges and still keeping a good attitude.  She said she couldn't wait to read about some of the skills I feel are useful.  
I posted the news on my favorite social media site in two family groups.  That was where my mother read about it.  So far I have only received to comments back, but then I know many in those group are not online on a regular basis.  So now it is time to share it one more time, with my online friends. I considered waiting until I had the second book online but I decided that there were enough friends who would share in my joy that waiting to share was falling back into my fear of acceptance by others.  So share I will, and as a second book is unfolded, I will share again.  While I learn new ways of sharing, I vow to enjoy the moments.  

Bridge of Skills is Now on Kindle

Time to take a deep breath.  I did it. I stopped  It was crazy, but I took the chance and decided to publish one of my self-help manuscripts as a book.  So after writing, rewriting, editing, reediting, convincing myself to not stress over whether anyone other than a few friends would even read it, formatting it to a book size page, purchasing ISBN numbers and writing a description and author bio I decided I needed to take the leap of faith.
 I know this first book is well written, and everyone I have ever shared it with in the past has found something of value and begged me to print them a copy to keep. I lost count of the people who have taken a copy of this home to share with a friend or neighbor.  I have even created my own comb-bound books just to see what it might be like.  Yet I have never sent it to a publisher or agent.  Why?  Fear of rejection by an "educated" expert.  Well, I have had the opportunity to reflect of a number of experiences lately, and realized, I have spent far too many years pretending to not know as much as the "educated" experts that I have worked with over the years.  I have also been inspired by my youngest sister to reach for our dreams and use our talents and experiences to touch the lives of others.
So after spending almost two years looking at different self-publishing companies,(Friesen, Outskirts, AuthorHouse, Lulu, BookLocker, among a few)  I finally decided to take a chance with Amazon.   So for several days I formatted, created, described, uploaded, priced, proofed, submitted and approved at CreateSpace to create a book for sale through Amazon.com.  Then I did it all again to add the choice as a Kindle e-book.
Tonight the e-book showed up in the Kindle store.  The print book takes a few more days before it is available, but I am still so excited tonight I can hardly sit still.  I showed it to two of my children this evening and to one of my grandchildren, who were all excited for me.  Now I want to get the next three books completed as soon as possible.  Anyone have ideas for a good cover picture that has to do with parenting?  I think that is the next one that is ready to go.  Wish me luck.  

If you would like to know more about the book, follow this link for the Kindle edition:  http://www.amazon.com/Bridge-of-Skills-ebook/dp/B00F9310HU/ref=sr_1_22?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379468252&sr=1-22&keywords=bridge+of+skills