Confirmation

Sometimes even I get tired and drained by what I do every week. And despite my normally positive attitude, I occasionally question whether my efforts are for naught.

Every time, God sends a little confirmation that I'm still on the right path!

Between the people I met this past weekend, the wonderful new readers and store employees, I was boosted again. From the woman who works with young people with illnesses and disorders to the the wonderful young employee who purchased both books, I felt regenerated and convicted.

It came from the most delightful email I received from someone to whom I had made a difference. Just knowing one chance encounter could change someone's life gives me such a drive to keep reaching out.

And it came from someone telling me that I spur on the efforts of other authors, setting the bar high.

Guess there's no quitting now!

The word 'encourage' means "to inspire courage". The latent potential within someone in their areas of insecurity may await your encouraging words.
- Gary Chapman

When the dream's big enough ...

Okay, time for a sports rant.

If you still don't believe that when the dream's big enough, the facts don't count ... then take a look at New England's quarterback situation.

Brady starts - that's a given. They had a #2 and two people vying for #3. Well, now the former #2 is now one of those people.

And 42 year old, 5'10" Doug Flutie has taken over the #2 spot!!!

That is incredible!

Football players retire before they are 40.
Quarterbacks have to be at least 6'3".

Wrong!

It is totally amazing to watch Doug Flutie run around the field like a kid and throw the ball with such perfect aim. No one plays the game like he does. There really is "Flutie Magic"!

And proof, once and for all -

When the dream's big enough the facts don't count!!!!

Really loving & caring

It's amazing how quickly and quietly love can creep up on you. How much you can find yourself caring for another.

The young lady who has been staying with us has definately captured our hearts. And we will miss her when she leaves.

Hopefully she has learned from us as much as we have learned from her!

Love is a voluntary attitude towards people.
- Dexter Yager

Thoughts for the Day

Love does not make you weak, because it is the source of all strength, but it makes you see the nothingness of the illusory strength on which you depended before you knew it.
- Leon Bloy

Our opinion of people depends less upon what we see in them than uponwhat they make us see in ourselves.
- Sara Grand

Myths About Authors

It's amazing the comments I get and questions I am asked in my travels.

People must place authors in a whole 'nother realm. They seem surprised to meet a real, live author - like they think we hide in caves or something!

Authors are just like everyone else. Not totally normal, but close!

Yes, we write - a lot! And we complete our stories, which seems to amaze people. But there's so much more.

We make a lot of phone calls - daily. We talk to bookstores, the media, libraries, fellow authors, fans, and potential speaking engagement locations. We talk to PR agents. We speak to our publishing reps. And we do A LOT of emailing.

We have internet research, like you cannot imagine, and web sites to update every week. We spent a great many hours searching for new locations & media, and even more time researching for our next book.

We mail out a TON of promotional material, letters, postcards and press kits. Which means a TON of time spent printing all of this! And more visits to the post office than you can imagine.

And the biggest - we travel. Constantly. (I just did six book signings in eight days. Thank God my vehicle is comfy!) Every week, a different city, meeting new people, promoting our labor of love. This also means constant preparation for a book signing, like posters, book marks, etc. And maintaining a good repore with book store managers, which includes thank you notes, Christmas cards, press releases & updates.

So with that, I guess we are just a little nuts.

But I would not trade it for anything in the world. This is my dream. I will do whatever it takes!

When the dream's big enough, the facts don't count.
- Larry Winters

Never

"Never ... never ... never quit"
- Winston Churchill

Support

Great things can be accomplished when you have a team of friends and supporters behind you.

They can keep you motivated, keep you striving to do better. Then you are no longer doing it alone and only for yourself.

I have heard many times that when you take your eyes of yourself and put them on other people, your own problems go away. And I think a support team helps you do just that.

And there may be times when your own belief fails - that is when you need encouragement from someone who has not lost their faith in you.

Everyone needs a cheerleader or two. I am grateful for the motivators in my life!

You can make it, but it's easier if you don't have to do it alone.
- Betty Ford

Positive self-image

Sometimes I forget that not everyone has a positive self-image. And when I come across someone who does not, it is glaringly obvious. It's really sad that so many people do not see their own self-worth. And a person's worst critic is always themselves. Anytime I hear someone running themselves down, I instantly correct them. Everyone is worthy and full of potential!
As the saying goes-
God doesn't make junk!

The Daily Dozen

From "Be All You Can Be!" by John C. Maxwell-

The Daily Dozen-

Examine your life at the moment.
Exchange all of your little options for one big dream.
Expose yourself to successful people.
Express your belief in your dream.
Expect oposition to your dream.
Exercise all of your effort, all of your energy, toward the dream.
Extract every positive principal that you can from life.
Exclude negative thinkers as close friends.
Exceed normal expectations to make your dream come true.
Exhibit an attitude that is confident.
Explore every possible avenue to reach your dream.
Extend a helping hand to someone who has a similar dream, and both of you will climb together!

Meaningful

Yesterday was one of those days that reminds me of why I do what I do.

It was a long day, on the road for two book signings, but so worth it! I met some incredible people who really enlightened my day and got reacquainted with a couple friends. One woman in particular had such an incredilbe spirit! She made a difference in my day. And hopefully I made a difference to everyone in return.

I remember being inspired twn years ago by the idea of having friends all across America and in every city. While it is not happening as originally intended, it is happening! And I appreciate each and every one of my new friends!

The best portion of a good man's life - his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.
- William Wordsworth

Three decisions

There are three decisions we all must make in life:

What are you going to live your life in?

What are you going to life your life for?

Whom are you going to live your life with?

- from "Life is Tremendous" by Charlie Jones

Laid Back

I recently realized I am one of the most laid back people I know.

Not saying I don't have my moments of spaz or panic. They're usually short bursts of energy that result in frenzied activity and/or behavior. (And usually connected with my work as an author!)

But I'm usually pretty even-keeled and very slow to anger. I figure if something won't really matter a year from now, why freak over it? And as people around me begin to panic, I become more & more calm. No need for everyone to lose their heads! (And if I can't get full & solo credit for the spaz-out, why bother?)

At any rate, I tend to have a better time than most because I'm always in a good mood. And there's a lot to be said for that!

The first and best victory is to conquer self.
- Plato