Everybody's Talking At Me

When I think about where I was this time in my life mentally a year ago, I pause. This time last year I was still in total denial about my husband's death. I couldn't(and wouldn't) accept that all we had shared, all of our dreams, and all of our love for each other had actually come to an end. I was reluctantly forced with moving on with my life. Because my husband empowered me to fulfill my dreams and passions, when he died, so did my desire to succeed in life. Just getting out of bed everyday and living became a chore. I thought a career in case management was the answer to my depression. After all, I had always been taught that the best way to get over your problems, was to help others work through theirs. This worked for a while. But then I realized that the only way for me to move forward and thrive, was for me to face my depression head on. It wasn't easy, and the process is not complete. But I can truly say that I am in a much better place. Something that helped me cope, was reading up on Glen Campbell. Mr. Campbell is a world renown country singer whose career really took off in the 70's. In 2012 Glen Campbell went public with the fact that he was suffering from Alzheimer's. I thought how tragic. Then I started listening to Glen Campbell's goodbye album, and one song struck a chord with me. The song is titled "Everybody's Talking At Me". When I listen to him sing the lyrics, it's as if he's saying, he has lived a wonderful and fulfilling life with no regrets, and is ready for the end. And it hit me. If I were to give up on life now, there would be such an emptiness and disappointment. My husband invested so much in me and my dreams; and if I don't continue to push forward to make them happen, I would be letting him down. So here I am, exhaling and moving on. Preparing for my second act in life.

Rev Up Your Life

The Indy 500 has just ran its course(no pun intended), here in Indianapolis. There was great attendance and record setting temperatures. Unfortunately Jim Nabors was not able to attend again due to illness, but all was not lost as they did have a recording of him singing Back Home In Indiana. In the spirit of race season and Summer, I am now proclaiming that this is the time for us all to Rev Up Our Lives, just as the race car drivers rev up their car engines in anticipation of the start of the race, it is now time for us to rev up our minds and get them ready for our success. We must prepare our minds to think outside the box and do things that we are not use to doing; things outside of the norm. We must squash the status quo, and to those things that give us value and satisfaction from our lives. It is time for us to act like Lady Gaga. No not in the literal sense, but take a page from her work plan and life strategy. We must do those things that will allow us to advance ourselves and our careers under our terms. Live your life like Jesus Christ. He didnt submit to the boundaries set by the christian legalist of his time. He reached out to those who were outcasted by the legalist. He showed them that life was so much more than laws, rules and restrictions. He showed them that they could be forgiven and have life abundantly. This is what my latest book A Hand To Hold is about. It shows us that even though we have messed up we can get things right and find peace and contentment. Also, my book is now available in print form through Create Space at http://www.createspace.com/3892725. So I say to you Rev Up Your Life

Memorial Day

Today we celebrate Memorial Day. Many of us have forgotten or do not know the significance of the day. General John Logan named Memorial Day as a day to honor military soldiers who were buried at Arlington Cemetary by placing flowers on their graves. For many years the day was recognized on May 30th until 1971, when congress passed an act that changed the day to the last Monday of May. It is a day for us to reflect on the lives of all service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for their country and fellow citizens. To the parents, spouses, children, and other family members who have have current or past servicemen and women in their families, I say thank you, and I love you and appreciate you. God Bless America.

Live To Die

We all hate to talk about it, but we all fall prey to it eventually.  I'm talking about out mortality and death.  We have just seen the Kennedy family struck with another tragic loss.  Disco diva Donna Summers has recently passed, along with Robin Gibbs of the 70's sensation the Bee Gees, Davy Jones, and Whitney Houston.
My best friends husband also recently suffered a loss.  Her husband lost one of his friends, due to a sudden tragic event.

The friend lived out of state in New Jersey, so my friend and her husband traveled about 11 hours to attend the funeral.  The funeral was a graveside one, in which only his parents, his sister, my friend and her husband were in attendance. When my friend told me this I was surprised.  There were no other relatives that paid their respects, no fellow parishioners, and no other friends. I then began to feel sad and that's when the phrase "Live to Die" came to me.

With everyone coming up with a "Bucket List", we see that people are trying to truly experience life before they die. And its not just the elderly that are creating bucket list.  I read recently where a mom of two young boys had a list, there was also a story of parents that had created a list for their dying baby girl and another set of parents that created a list for their dying toddler son.  These people were trying to live life to the fullest, so that when they died there would be no regrets.


I thought about the guy whose funeral my friend had attended, and I began to question if he had lived life to the fullest where he had no regrets.  Had he done everything he wanted to do?  Had he ever experienced true love?  Had he ever given of himself to others expecting nothing in return?


When we heard about the deaths of Davy Jones and Whitney Houston, we were inundated with their musical library and movies.  We heard about their charitable givings and heard from individuals speaking about the impact the singers had made on their lives.  


So I challenge you today to "Live to Die".  Live each day as if it were your last.  Don't miss your opportunity to impact the life of a youth or someone in need of guidance, friendship, or love.  Stretch yourself.  Do things that you have always wanted to do, but have been putting off or were afraid to try. Live with a mission.

THIS IS YOUR YEAR

With the end of every year, we often hear preachers, evangelist, newscasters, and entertainment shows look back at the current year and possibly predict what is ahead in the year to come. 

We look at upcoming elections and newcasters make predictions of who the front runners will be and who they think will win.  Entertainment shows and talk shows show us what will be the "in colors" like yellow or pink being the new black.  We look back on those that have passed away. We also hear inspirations or motivational speakers telling us that the new year will be our year of success and growth.  We also often hear this from many evangelist.

Many of us frown our faces and tune anyone out that makes this proclamation over themselves, much less us.  How dare anyone tell us that our present state or condition can or will be improved. Yet we tell our friends and family constantly that something has to change.  We play the lottery in hopes of winning millions.  We go to bingo weekly looking to win the big jackpot, but how dare someone tell us that the new year can bring us success.

I use to think and feel the same way, but with the changing of the guard from 2011 to 2012 something was different.  I was tired of living my life by the rules pre-established for me by society. They had said I need to finish high school and go to college, so I did.  They said I needed to get married and start a family, so I did.  They said I need to stop renting and own my home, so I did.  They said I need to get a job and stay with the company for 30-40 years and then retire. So I did, or at least I tried.

I went from one field to another; from one company to another.  From city to city, but I could not be satisfied clocking in day after day; month after month from 9-5.  I knew that there had to be a better way of working and finding fulfillment, and I was determined to find it.  I pulled out all my old Home Business,Small Business Opportunities, and Entreprenuer magazines, and in the trunk I discovered something else.  There with those magazines were old issues of The Writer and Writers Digest. I also found numerous colored folders with a separate story in each one.  I started to read over them all and something magical began to happen.  In going over each story in every folder I was taken back to what had inspired me to write each individual one.  I recalled the year the story came to me and what my story plot was for each one.

After pulling out the folders I wasnt able to put them back.  I had to finish the ones that were'nt complete or improve the ones that I felt had pretty shaky story plots. And then it happened.  I had rediscovered my passion.  My calling.  I told my husband and surprisingly he encouraged me to follow my passion.

So this year 2012, I've done it!!  I have taken the plunge and have become an indie author.  Not because I had been rejected by publishing houses or editors, but because I was looking for a career that would allow me to be accountable to me.  A career that would allow me to speak my voice.  A career that would allow me to pursue my passion.

So here we are now in the month of May. Coming up to another holiday and the season of indycar and summer. I have just released my first book A Hand To Hold, and am optimistic about its future and what the future hold for me.





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Caterpillar Metamorphosis from A Hand To Hold

Just like in my book A Hand To Hold, the caterpillar has been changed into a beautiful butterfly!

Happy Mothers Day

I trust that all you mothers, and mothers-to-be had a glorious Mother's Day.  I hope that you all received just what you were wishing for.  Here in Indy the weather was great!!

When I think about all the blessed mothers I know I think back to a recent article that I read about Serena Williams.  In the article Serena stated that she was giving up on relationships for a very long time.  The reason being, is that she states that she gives too much of herself and the end result(a failed relationship) is too draining both physically and mentally.  I can say I truly understand where she is coming from, but would also add that she should remember that "You Cant Hurry Love like Phil Collins Sang, and focus less on asking "Where Is Love", sang by Justin Timberlake.

Like officiators over most weddings state: The institution of marriage is not a casual one, and should not be taken lightly.  I think that anyone that finds out  they are not compatitble with someone else after dating them for 6 months or even a year, should count themselves fortunate. They have spared themselves what could be a sloppy and expensive divorce.

Like anyone who is married will tell you, marriage is a job and requires constant work on the part of both parties.

Speaking of jobs I see in the current political arena, the talk has been about jobs creation or lack of jobs created in the steel industry by Romney.  I read the blog of author Jeff Bennington today and in it he discussed how Indie Authors help/can help the economy.  He stated that we help the economy by creating jobs.  We hire artist to design our book covers, contract proof readers, and individuals or small susinesses to design our websites and host them.  After reading his article I felt good.  I was happy when I read and realized that I too could make a difference.  I could help psitively impact our economy.

So in my quest to help our econmy, I have been researching how to improve my writing as well as help drum up more attention for my latest release A Hand To Hold.  I hope that you will purchase a copy or two, and encourage others to do the same.  Remember in helping me you are helping America.