Substance of Living

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man. —Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces When I was chosen to review John Blackport’s latest novel, Misfits Revolt (A Talan Revolt #4), I was excited and a little nervous.   Excited to learn a new (to me) author’s style of writing but also a new genre – fantasy.   Nervous because this author trusted me to honestly review his book. I’m thankful to say that I thoroughly enjoyed both the author’s style of writing and his story.   His hero, Rick Rivoire, is what many would call “A Man’s Man” and yet he is gentle enough so that women are attracted to him. The hero, in this case, Rick Rivoire, must face three key phases in his jou...

Homeless The woman who slouched down in the front seat of the bus distressed me.  Her hair was matted, her face dirty, and though it was a cold night outside, she was wearing only a flimsy cotton dress and a blanket through which she had torn holes for her arms. What should I do?   I wondered.  She was so obviously in need.  And at Christmastime too.  Wasn't there some shelter I could direct her to, some place where she'd get all the attention she required?  No, I finally reasoned, her problems were too much for me. As I pondered -- and rejected -- possible solutions to the woman's plight, the bus came to a stop.  A young man, poorly dressed but neat, rose to leave.  He had got out and the bus had started up again before I really noticed what he had done.  He had slipped off his black knit gloves and laid them on her lap. John R. Sisley, Jr. ______________________________________________ I copied this sto...

Vision Boards are a visual To-Do list for your future.  It works with your subconscious to keep your goals in front of you and remind you of all you deserve.  You can be as specific as you'd like - what your wedding dress, cake, bridal party will look like or exactly how you'd like to furnish your each room in your home to a broader spectrum - a beautiful sunset on the beach to represent vacation or peace or strong words such as "Success". Creating a Vision Board is fun and can be done alone or gather some of your friends or colleagues and sit down.  You might create a Vision Board for your department and hang it in the conference room or lunch room.  Then watch how you turn your dreams into goals and create your future. There is a quote that goes something like " You must be able to visualize where you are going or you will never get anywhere. "  I guess that means that we must know our destination in order to get there or we will end up somewhere else...

What kind of day, week, month, or life are you having?  Are you excited to get out of bed in the morning or are you still struggling after your third cup of coffee?  If you're nodding your head, so am I.  I've been in both places. When life is great, how can we make it better?  When we're not feeling "on top of our game", how do we find the energy to even care?  It seems that our natural instinct is to curl up in bed or hide in the house.  Well, GET OVER IT!  Get up!  Get dressed!  Get moving!!! That seemed pretty harsh, didn't it?  I only say it because I've been there and I care. I'm not saying that it's not permissible to have a moment or to have a pity party.  We are allowed to have them.  Just as we are allowed to celebrate.  The problem comes when we turn the party into wallowing or celebrating into gloating. I'm not a doctor, nutritionist, therapist, or anything like that but I am a person who has found that...

Do you find yourself questioning your thoughts or goals?  Are you frozen and unable to make a decision?  Are you who everyone else thought you are supposed to be? We've all been there and possibly there again and again throughout our lives.  Here are five quotes or mantras, if you like, that have helped me out.   “Whatever you are, you are.  Be proud of it.” – Yogi Tea “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Emerson "Let a series of happy thoughts run through your mind. They will show on your face." – Unknown "And if not now, when?" – Talmud "A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow." – General George S. Patton Which quote seems to be talking directly to you?  Do you have any quotes you use as daily affirmations? P.S.,  Please share your mantra in the comments section below. Please share me with your friends! Please forward this post t...

My health My family is ALWAYS there for me Having wonderful friends Waking up this morning My husband Knowing that I will meet new friends before the end of this week The drink I’m sipping as I type My Internet Connection My Beautiful New Home All the Websites that have helped me decorate my home All the times my mother allowed me to “help her” in the kitchen (even though it probably took at least twice as long to cook) The fact that my husband has a job in a time that so many people are without My passion for life The upbringing and safe environment my parents provided Charitable Organizations that help so many people The endless hours people put in to save the lives of strangers and animals The hand written good morning notes my husband leaves me for no reason except to say thank you or to let me know he is thinking of me Today The rain, sun, wind that all help the plants The four seasons My education, the blessing that I am fortunate enough to read and write ...

Although I look more like my mother, I am truly my father’s daughter.  He taught, and continues to teach, me to believe in myself and fear not what lies ahead.  One of his favorite quotes is “I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today” by William Allen White.  Not only is this one of my dad’s favorites but he also lives his life in this manner. Daddies should be every little girl and boy’s hero. My dad is still my hero.  I remember my dad removing a splinter from my finger and all the while talking to me so that I didn’t even know he was done.  I still smile at this memory.  As a teenage girl, my dad was the one that I went to when I needed advice about boys. These days there are a few miles and a phone between us but I still run to my dad when I need advice or to discuss my bountiful load of ideas.  I am very fortunate that my father is still alive and very much a part of my life.  “I have...

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbour.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover" - Mark Twain Have you ever wondered what it would be like to feel the lightness of being?  I imagine it would feel like the in-between stage of sleep and wakefulness or the freedom of simply sailing away to new destinations. Experiencing new things in life is scary but it's also so refreshing.  When the fear of letting go or forgiving yourself steps in remember the amazement children experience when they see something for the first time. I've heard the saying that "we are our worst critic" and it is so true.  We are also our BEST cheerleader. You are an amazing person. Give yourself the approval and forgiveness to let go and move forward in life.  What do you love to do?  What do you ...

Welcome to YOUR New Life. Today is the beginning of a great adventure and together we will delve into goals, turn dreams into reality, research investments, host events, organize our homes, and many other things life tends to bring our way. Yesterday is history Tomorrow is a mystery Today is a gift That is why it is called the present - Eleanor Roosevelt We will be sure to look at recipes and compare the original with a lighter version.  We will read books together.  We will learn how to live within a budget and live like royalty! What topics would you like to discuss?  Politics? Animal care? Children?  This site is all about and for you so let’s makes it a great place to enjoy over a cup of coffee or an afternoon tea.