Adventure

Did NOT mean to ignore the blog for a week, but been preparing for a week long book signing tour. (So, guess I'll be ignoring this for another week!)

I recently realized that the only consistency in my life is chaos - and I'm sorta happy with that!

One of the most unpredictable forces in nature is people. This drives some people nuts. They rather hide and not deal with people. I love it. It's like a character study. People are just so incredibly facinating and every person who crosses my path is a potential friend in my eyes.

It's the interaction with people that makes us who we are and gives meaning to our lives.

With all of the people whom I will come in contact, this coming week promises to be one I live to the fullest!

Nothing in life stagnates - you're either growing or dying.

Choosing to be inspired

Had a little challenge with writing this year.

Not because I've got writer's block. I've never had that. But rather, a little lack of inspiration and a tad too much pressure.

Book I took eight months to complete.
Book II only six months.
Book III should have been the hint when it required a whole year to finish. With promotions going on for the first book, I no longer had the free time I'd enjoyed before.

But it took until Book IV to realize - I simply could not get it done in the same time frame as the first two. I was pressuring myself to keep the same pace with everything, and it just wasn't going to happen!

The result - forced writing is very slow!

Now that I've relaxed, knowing the third is ready and I still have lots of time to do the fourth, inspiration has hit.

And the story is unfolding faster than I can write it down!

Have-to's put you in a position of pressure, whereas choose-to's put you in a position of power.
- from "The Power of Focus"

Struggles

There's a book by Robert H. Schuller called "Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do". It's got some really good stuff in it for times of struggle:

Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly.

I do believe I have than one down to a science!

Decision-making is easy if there are no contradictions in your value system.

I try to adhere to my morals and remind myself why I do what I do - to affect as many lives in a positive way as humanly possible!

The one battle most people lose is the battle over the fear of failure ... try ... start ... begin ... and you'll be assured you won the first round.

I guess that's the good thing about being innocently naive - I'll try anything once!

When faced with a mountain, I will not quit! I will keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath - or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold min, with God's help!

Went through the Cascade Range - I'm working on the Rockies right now. Run into enough road blocks and you'll get pretty darn creative how you get around them, too!

There will never be another me - I'll make the most of myself.

Some people might say that's a good thing!
But I am proud to be unique and growing & changing every day.

Take care? People who take care never go anywhere. Take a chance! Take charge. Take control!

It's never the poor decisions - it's the opportunities not taken that one regrets.
I want no regrets in my life.
I am willing to take any chance.

And I'll end with -

It's impossible to fail totally if you dare to try.

Same planet, different worlds

Just a few things Mars & Venus need to know!

The average male uses 12,000 words a day, most of which are spent relating to people while on the job.
The average female uses 25,000 words.
Hmmmmm.....

Men process information internally, women process out loud through discussion, resolving issues as they converse.
Remember guys - she's not looking for a solution from YOU!

Women feel unloved when their emotional needs aren't being met and men feel unloved when their physical needs are not met.
Don't need to add to that one!

When other areas of a woman's life are in sync, sex is really good.
When a man is involved in a loving relationship, his chances for being healthy & having a strong immune system increase.
Love is really good all the way around!

taken from Gary Smalley's "Connecting With Your Husband/Wife" series

The Unexpected

What do you do when the unexpected happens?

What happens when your perfectly ordered little world is upset?

And it becomes a good thing?

What happens when someone enters your life, unplanned and unasked for, and against your better judgement?

And you suddenly find what you have been looking for?

What if this encounter will be but for a fleeting moment?

You thank God for the opportunity to love.

Burning Desire

I had to answer some questions for a newspaper spot yesterday. The reporter was amazed by the speed of my detailed resposes.

But when you're focused and determined, you know the answers already. A burning desire fills your world completely with a purpose. There is no hesitation, only action!

When your wants become needs and your needs become a burning desire, you will take action!

Listening

I came across this one today and after two months of having a delightful young lady in our home, it really hits home.

The deepest hunger of the human heart is to feel understood, valued, and respected. Sincere, empathetic listening feeds and satifies that hunger.
- Stephen R. Covey

Taking Time

Most people either spent the past three day weekend frantically cramming in everything they've been meaning to do for ages or simply wasted away the weekend as if they were a slug.

There is a happy balance between the two!

I had a few little projects to do this weekend, but combined them into leisure time with my family. (Husband and overly-furry cat!)

And for out & out relaxation, I worked out, got some sun, and spent many hours working on my next novel. (And the tragedy that involves a character in denial.)

Sometimes priorities get out of whack and one must step back and redefine what is truly important.

And then do them!


What's most important at this time in life?
Where should the time be spent?
If anything could be done, without restrictions, what would it be?
Are there areas that need attention?
Is there a secret dream or desire that is continuously put on the back burner?
- Cheryl Richardson, "Take Time For Your Life"

Tough Times

Watching the news the past few days - it's been difficult to remain optimistic & positive.

People are without their homes after Hurricane Katrina.

In New Orleans, people are dying.

In Iraq, almost a thousand people died from a stampede yesterday.

And locally, gas prices soared to $3.50 and shortages are occuring as 95% of all gas supplied to North Carolina comes from a company whose pipeline lays damaged and without electricity in Mississippi.

FUN!

However...

I am thankful I have a home. I have air conditioning and plenty of food & water. I will remain safely in my home all weekend long, enjoying quality time with my husband and working on my next novel. While gas stations all around us are out of gas, I still have half a tank in my Tribute, enough to get me through next Wednesday.

Obviously God is trying to tell me that while it's tough out there, I am still blessed to be where I'm at right now. Things will get better!

Tough times never last but tough people do!
- Robert H. Schuller