Refreshed!

Right now, I am taking a relaxing day in Arkansas.

Yes, you read that right - Arkansas. I did live here five years you know!

Tomorrow, I dive back into the frenzy of book signing and such. Today, it's time to chill. I shopped, I chilled, and I worked on my next novel, which always relaxes me. Sometimes I forget how pleasant it is to delve into the world of my characters and just dwell there awhile!

So if you haven't taken time to just relax in awhile - do it!

Always move forward

Everything I do, every step I take, gets me closer to my goal.

It's not always taking me in the direction I expected - in fact, it almost never does!

But I'm still going forward.

Which is better than if I'd never moved at all! What if I hadn't? What if I'd thought it was impossible?

Then the goal would still be incredibly small - and I would have lost all hope!


"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." - Matthew 17:20

Acts of kindness

It never fails - it's the little things that matter. Remembering someone's name, holding a door open, a little note to say you care.

I try to remember special days and events in friend's lives. Sometimes I fail, because my own personal 'Circle of Friends' continues to grow rapidly! But I do make every effort.

A very special young lady, who is also one of my biggest fans, is graduating, so I made sure to drop off a card & inspirational book for her. I wanted to make sure she knew how much I appreciated her!

Wherever I go, I try to remember names. At signings, I take pictures so I won't forget my new fan/friend, and I put them up on my website. Some people get the biggest thrill out of this. It's a simple thing, but if it brings a moment of joy to someone, then I will continue.

I never want to become distant and unreachable. I've seen people buy a book at a convention, then pay $20 or more to stand in line for three hours to get it autographed - praying the time doesn't run out first. I could never do that. People are far more inportant than money or time!

So here's to little acts of kindness!


The Gift of Giving - The only way you can truly get more out of life for yourself is to give part of yourself away. - Jim Stovall, "The Ultimate Gift"

Trust in God

I hit a very major roadblock a week ago. I freaked a little, took steps to correct the problem, and then gave it to God, because there was nothing more I could do about it. Except worry. And that's no fun! I even started making contingency plans.

And then yesterday, my prayers were answered! Obstacle no more!

And I was having a great, relaxing weekend even before the news. Probably because I knew things would be okay.

I trusted God.


Let go and let God - Albert E. Cliffe

Believing in others

See a man as he is, and he will never change.
But see a man as he could be, and he will move mountains to become just that.

The first time I heard that, I did not truly understand the impact of that simple statement, nor realize how true its meaning. But it's expecting more of others and them stiving to live up to those expectations.

How many amazing things would never have come to pass if someone did not believe? How many great men would have given up, or worse, settled for average, if someone had not believed in them? How many dreams would be laid to waste, their creators resigned to merely existing, if someone had not envisioned the dreamer achieving their goals?

And the worst place to be is average, wallowing in mediocrity. If you're at the bottom, you can clearly see that you need to rise above the cespool. But that middle ground is dangerous, because one can look down on worse and be comforted by many companions also wallowing in average. That is not living. To feel alive, you must take risks!

I'm still not where I want to be, but thank God someone believed I could come this far! And for those I believe in, I will not give up encouraging them to become everything they can!


All of us are shaped by waht others expect of and from us. We either live up to or down to what others believe about us and what we can do.
&
A person is no greater than his or her dreams, ideals, hopes and plans.

- Zig Ziglar

Sunrise

For every dark night, there is a sunrise.

So no giving up on your dreams or passions!

If you want something bad enough, you WILL find a way!!!!


"Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things."
- Diderot

Determined

I've been told that I am determined, ambitious and a go-getter.

Sometimes I think I'm just too dumb to know when to quit! (I was a blonde once!)

Either way, I guess that works!

I usually have an optimistic attitude, too. Of course, sometimes that wavers a little! Crash through as many hurdles and obstacles as I have, and you'll get a little bruised now and then, as well! Sometimes it's more like being in the jungle. I never seem to find the clear path, but I always manage to blunder my way forward, slowly but surely. Every now and then, my goal seems hidden, but I try to keep that in front of me as much as possible. Otherwise, I would really lose my way!

I want to affect lives in a positive way. I want to matter and make a difference to someone!


Obstacles are the frightful things you see when your eyes come off the goal!

Try not to worry

Sometimes things seem to spiral out of control, like watching all the water in the sink go down the drain with no way to plug up the hole. And it's really difficult not to come unglued and panic.

When it's something outside of your control, or you've already tried everything you know, then you just got to put it in God's hands and not worry. If you are doing the right thing for the right reasons, He will clear the path for you. You just have to trust and believe!


Do your best and let God take care of the rest. Albert E. Cliffe, "Let Go And Let God"

Hittin' the highway

Getting ready to hit the highway and head for South Carolina - with renewed enthusiasm! Doesn't take much - a couple uplifting words from some fans, and I'm ready to go again.

Some people just don't realize how far a simple word can go, too. Just a simple 'thinking about you' or 'you can do it' really go a long way! Knowledge might be power, but it's what the heart speaks that truly matters.


People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care!

Setbacks

During a setback, it's hard to see the potential rewards.

But every disappointment carries with it an equal or greater reward.

One door closes and another will open.


A setback is a set up for a comeback!

Enthusiasm & Sacrifices

I don’t talk much about my books, but I have recently been reinvigorated to work on the fourth installment of my series.

And I guess that’s because now that the second is out and my schedule is booked for many months and the third book is with my editor, the focus has returned to the next story. I always write everything in a notebook first, getting my thoughts down quickly, along with dialog, before committing it to the computer. I had written a lot of the fourth book, but just the other night began putting some of it into my computer – and now the inspiration is flying! The tragedies & triumphs have taken a life of their own, giving this character incredible depth. With every new story, it must get better!

I’ve also made some sacrifices, selecting my dream for the future over what I want right now. Tonight I could be at the Walnut Creek amphitheatre, watching a band I really like, Chevelle. Tomorrow, I could be going to Paramount Carrowinds for the day, riding the roller coasters I so love. I turned down both offers in favor of saving money for my book tour and doing a signing tomorrow night. Yes, you read that right – Diane passed up a roller coaster! The horror!!!!

But there will be many more opportunities to ride coasters – if I wait, then I can ride my favorite, The incredible Hulk, when I go to Orlando this fall! And I can listen to Chevelle anytime on CD. Besides, I always get the basketball player standing in front of me at concerts!
So here’s to enthusiasm and focusing on a goal!


The man is no fool who gives up what he can't keep to gain what he can't lose.
- Jim Elliot

The first law of leadership: Learning to get excited about your work.
- Charlie T. Jones

Crabs

Ever heard the story about the crabs in a bucket? Every time one of them tried to climb out, the others would pull them back.

And there's a lot of people out there just like those crabs. Some are obvious - negative and vocal.

But it's the silent ones who send messages of disapproval by their lack of action or words that can really get to you. I'd rather they got a backbone and got off the fence - pick a side!

Don't let either of these fool you, though!


Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great,
- Mark Twain