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Celebrate the small things: Insecure Writer’s Support Group
CTST: This week I am celebrating having joined a group of writers called the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. It may still be the honeymoon period but I’ve really enjoyed it thus far! I’ve become familiar with a few new bloggers. What’s different and most appreciated about this group is that many are where I want to be – in the published author category. I have had business articles published but nothing in the fiction arena. On the first Wednesday of everything month, members write about their struggles and successes. Some have several titles published and some, like me, are working towards that goal. In any case, I am grateful for…
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Short-sighted in the rain
Celebrate the Small Things: That God sees what’s up ahead, even when we can’t. And, that we can rest peacefully in that knowledge! It rains often in Indiana, even if the temperature is 95 degrees, which blows my mind. I grew up in Denver and when it rained, it resulted in cool afternoons or evenings with the humidity dissipating into the atmosphere. Not so in the muggy Midwest. This morning was a downpour, as if someone was refilling a pitcher and dumping it on the roads. It reminded me of a time when I worked for a publishing company, selling advertising space to businesses. My boss and I were making…
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Kindness Challenge (wk5) and CTST: Grateful for kindness
Celebrating the Small Things: For the first time in 43 years, I can see 20/20 without glasses, contacts or reading glasses. I had cataract and cornea reshaping surgery last week and it’s truly amazing what the doctors can accomplish! During this seven-week Kindness Challenge, I’ve become more aware of the large and small kindnesses in my life. Here are a few that I’m especially grateful for, and none of them require money. 1. Marriage My husband is one of the kindness people I know. He was a struggling college student when I met him, getting his master’s degree in Denver, and yet he always found ways to help people around…
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Kindness Challenge (wk4) and CTST: Being kind
This video inspiration was sent to me over the weekend so I had to share (and backdate this post, because I’m running behind). Be sure to watch this short film to the end. Some of the people who are interviewed, who have been positively effected by 88-year-old Bermudian Johnny Barnes, are inspirational also. Johnny devotes six hours per day to greeting passers-by at a traffic circle. One person interviewed said that if Johnny isn’t at his spot in the morning, people worry and call the radio station, asking if he is okay. Another lady (my favorite) said that she was in such a bad mood one morning, that she vowed not…
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Kindness Challenge (wk3) and CTST: Kind energy
In Celebrating the Small Things – I got through the week with the flu and work and tried to get enough rest to heal quickly. Still shooting to have my cataract surgery on Wednesday, if I’m not coughing. Please pray for me! Kindness Challenge update: I’m realizing that although the goal of week 3 is to incorporate kindness into my thoughts and actions, that this is probably going to be a life-long journey. I certainly didn’t master it this week. My husband and I both had the flu so I tried to be kind but failed as often as I succeeded, because my energy level was nil. I tried to…
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Kindness Challenge (wk2) & CTST: Find kindness
I’m a little late because the dreaded flu bug got a hold of me late last week. The kindness I noticed around me was encouraging, although I didn’t feel well. My husband and I even remarked that living in a smaller town, people are nicer to each other, whether you talk with them at the local grocery store, restaurant or gardening center. There’s a sense of community even if you don’t personally know everyone. It also seems more important to frequent local, family-run businesses versus large company chains, because you are usually supporting generations of families. It’s sometimes the smallest acts of kindness that stick with me. A co-worker bringing…
