To succeed

"People become successful often long before their names or deeds are known. The transformation occurs the moment they pledge their heart, mind, and spirit, saying, 'I will achieve my dreams.'"
- Bruce Garrabrandt

Two is better than one

As I found out this weekend when I was on my own for a couple days. Wasn't much fun. Of course, that made Sunday all the better when I wasn't alone anymore!

"Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get better return for their labor. If one falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone?"
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-11

Opportunity Knocks

This was a day of opportunity for me.

So thought I'd pass along some opportunity wisdon from Pat Mesiti's book, "Opportunity Knocks".

Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Time tests and proves what we really are.

Be faithful with the little opportunities that come and prove ourselves worthy of greater opportunities.

When you focus, when all your energies come together at a focal point, great things will happen.

While successful people go out after their opportunity, most others are waiting for their chance to come to them.

It is always too early to give up on your dreams.

Miracles happen

And they did today!

Thanks to those who did not give up on me.

Thanks to all who believed.

Thanks to God for giving me the determination and inability to give up!

Something to smile about

Many people itch for what they want, but they won't scratch for it.

Don't be critical of your mate's faults. It was those very defects that kept him or her from getting a better mate.

Remember, some of us learn from other people's mistakes and the rest of us have to be the other people.

Anyone can be tenacious if he'll just hang in there long enough.

- from "Something To Smile About" by Zig Ziglar

If God be for me, who can be against me? - Romans 8:37

No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against me in judgement I shall show to be in the wrong. This peace is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.
- Isaiah 54:17

Easter

For I am determined not to know anything except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
- 1 Corinthians 2:2

Inspiration

I'm often asked what inspires me to write.

What began as a dream 3 & 1/2 years ago has spawned four full novels, with one more to complete. I am inspired by the character's intricate lives and where they are headed. I do not believe in writer's block, as if I ever find myself lacking in enthusiasm, I skip ahead to a scene that motivates me and play connect the dots later.

What really helps though is theme music. Movies have theme music and when you hear them, you are instantly drawn into that film. Well, each of my characters has a theme song, so to speak.

Lori's inspiration is taken from a disc I put together called Eternal Love - a mix of pop & rock love songs.

Sarah's song is Evanescence's Bring Me To Life and one of desperation.

James takes his inspiration from Stabbing Westward, and their songs Shame and What Do I Have To Do?

Mike's story was borne out of sorrow and regret. His theme is Finger Eleven's Thousand Mile Wish and One Thing.

Heather? Well, guess I'll just have to start writing and see what hits!

The Bible

I was reading a book, "An Enemy Called Average" by John L. Mason, when I came upon this chapter title.

It's so true, it's almost funny!

The Bible is a book of commandments, not suggestions!

Major achievment

The pieces have begun to fall into place for my upcoming book tour with signings & media. A rather big event has recently fallen into my lap, one that could provide many other opportunities, leads, new fans, and a chance to network big time. It's a bit overwhelming at the moment, too. So much to research and prepare! And it's not often I'm nervous about these things, but this is one time I need to be as close to perfect as possible!
Fear or not, all I can do is my best and know something good will come of it!

I am strong and of good courage, I do not fear nor am I afraid, for the Lord my God, He is the one who goes with me. He will not leave me or forsake me.
- Deuteronomy 31:6

Completion

Nothing is more satisfying than completing a really big task!

(And for an author, that means a quick break from hand cramps!)

But there's no time to dwell on that accomplishment.

Now I must make sure I did it RIGHT!

"People forget how quickly you completed a job, but they will remember how well you did it."
- Zig Ziglar

Hope

Hope deferred makes my heart sick, but when my desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
- Proverbs 13:12

Everything that was written in the past was written to teach me, so that through edurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures I might have hope.
- Romans 15:4

Sayings

We are moving ahead at half the speed of light and twice the speed of sense.

If you think you can live without others you are mistaken; if you think others can't live without you, you are even more deluded.
- Hasidic saying

I never lose sight of the fact that just being is fun.
- Katherine Hepburn

Tests

Heard this yesterday at church.

God will not give you a test that He knows you cannot pass.

Now, that's good stuff! Pretty cool to know that no matter what, you're gonna succeed! We all just gotta learn to relax while we're going through "stuff", because it will end and we will be victorious. As I've always said, no matter what, it's gonna be okay. No fun right now, but it gets better!

" ... You can trust God to keep temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation's power so that you can bear up patiently against it."
I Corinthians 10:13