Escape Reality
By SherritheWriter
  • Home
  • Escape Reality (Blog)
  • Science Fiction
  • Mystery/Suspense
  • Short Books
  • Non-Fiction

Chaos Mode

8/30/2013

 

I apologize for not having my usual late week entry. It's been a busy week at work with a big deadline coming up today. And then wouldn't you know, the print galleys came back from my publisher Wednesday night, which means I have to do one more read through of the entire manuscript to correct mechanical errors. Talk about timing. These days, it seems I'm bouncing from chaos to chaos.

God willing, it will all settle as fast as it scattered. I'm reigning it in, but I still have much work to do. I promise to deliver a decent blog entry once I find the other side of this chaos.

That's all today. Have a happy Friday and a great Labor Day weekend.

Bye!

Paradigm Shifts

8/26/2013

 
On this, my 38th birthday, I find my self pondering the progress of the past year. I suppose this is a natural thing to do on a birthday. On first glance it could seem disappointing, as there are no "major" changes to report, but that's actually deceptive. There have been changes in the past year, but they've been more in the way of "shifts" instead of what could be clearly defined as "changed." I suppose this sounds somewhat elusive, so of course I'm going to explain.

The progress of the past year has actually been more in the way of building on things that have already been in motion. While it doesn't seem that much has changed - after all, life is progressing along very much the same today as it was a year ago - I can't say that I think about or feel the way that I did about life as I did one, two, or five years ago. In fact, as I ponder it, I notice that my paradigm has shifted quite a bit in the last 4 years. I suppose this is natural. My job changed and I finally broke into publication with my writing in 2010 - 2011, and while these things are "the norm" in my life right now, I see how incorporating those changes into my life has changed my view of life and the world. My basic morals haven't changed. That's not something that's likely to change. But the way you see the world around you and apply those morals can change, and I'm starting to see the evidence that it's happened. When you walk in faith long enough, you delve deeper into things, and that's certainly what's happened to me.

So how have I changed? For one, I'm seeing a whole new application of the concept of "reaping and sowing," as described in Galatians 6:7. You all know that this is one thing that my grandfather was a big believer in, and I took it to heart. But this verse applies to more than just relationships with other people and how you treat them - it also applies to progress and purpose in life. In fact, if you shift two more verses you'll read that "in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9) After several years of hard work to re-establish myself professionally in my current workplace and to get my writing established, I see the value of patience in all that we do. If life really is a series of ups and downs, reaping and sowing, then that has big implications for all of life. If we choose to only allow ourselves to be happy on the mountaintop, when we're reaping the rewards of our labors, then we're guaranteed to be miserable (or at least, withholding our own happiness) at least 50% of our life. Folks, that just isn't acceptable to me. That's not going to do it. Sure, there are some people that enjoy being miserable and whining and complaining to get attention, but that's not the way I choose.

I know from experience that there are blessings in every day because I've been through the major life changes when I looked back and realized that there were little blessings that I took for granted, and I was sorry for it. An example: before my writing was published, I used to do counted cross stitching and wrote short stories. Much to my surprise, I find that I have very little time for that now, between promoting my published works and creating new ones. I love my writing and pray daily that it will continue to grow and reach more people - in fact, I'm prayerfully striving to make a break into science fiction with Splinter this fall - but there are some days when I miss having the time to cross stitch, or to goof off on Writing.com with short story contests. I didn't realize how much time these things filled in my life until my writing grew to the point where I had to make decisions about what stayed and what went. I still stitch occasionally, but large projects are out now. And as for short stories, they take me longer to write, prepare, and complete than they once did. And ditto for the work move. I was glad to make it and still believe it was the best, but I didn't realize the little things I took for granted, like talking to a couple of my friends when things got slow, the great walking paths on the State House grounds, a covered parking spot or those outstanding subs for a great price on Tuesdays and Fridays. Yes, I've gained a lot through both changes. I wouldn't undo either of them or the world because I gained a lot more than I lost. But I did learn to not despise the small things, and to appreciate the small blessings that go with each day as well as the big things we work so hard to cultivate and grow in our lives.

Some people say this means to "enjoy the journey on the way to where you go," but I think there's a deeper meaning than that. A devotion I read recently said, "God doesn't want you to be happy. He wants you to do what's right." That really hit me and helped me to get a grasp on my own paradigm shift. I used to think that the point was about being happy, and I actually worried for a little while, wondering if I'd ever be happy like I was before. I see now that I won't, because happy is a side effect. The purpose of life is not to serve our feelings, but to do what we're supposed to be doing and work hard to do what's right for our purpose in life. If you are faithful in well doing and obedient to the spirit, there's a contentment to your life that nothing - situations, circumstances, or other people and their attitudes (because that really reflects on them more than anything else, but that's a pondering for another entry) - can affect. You can rest in knowing that you're doing all you can, and that allows you to enjoy the blessings of every day, large or small. And contentment is better than happiness. It's more stable, because you can still see the blessing in what you have even if a thousand aggravations are bleeding out of them. It's built on a firmer foundation that gives you the patience to hold out for the "bigger picture" even if you don't understand what the point is (as is often the case). It's built on a trust between you and the Lord and nobody else can put their hands on it. And that can give you the courage to do what's right, even in the face of ridicule, opposition, or doubt. Happiness is transient and comes and goes with circumstances. Contentment is faith in action.

No, the earth hasn't moved in the last year. Things look much the same today as they do every other day. But I know they aren't. I see how the work at the everyday levels is building to something new and better. I might not know what yet, but when it is revealed then I'll reap a reward in due season, and be glad I didn't lose heart.

That's all today. I hope you have a great week.

Bye!

Embracing The New

8/22/2013

 
Picture
We got new telephones with headsets at the office last week. If you’ve been watching my social media posts, you know that I had a bit of an issue when they announced the change because they mentioned “tethered headsets,” and visions of assimilation by the Borg (from Star Trek) ran through my head. It turns out that the headsets are wireless, so my fears of being bound to the desk by wires and cords were alleviated. In fact, I’ve found the headset to be quite nice this past week – especially since our call volume has picked up with exam registration for one of my programs nearing a deadline. 

There are a few people that are taking a bit longer to adjust to the new headsets. Sure, it was a pain getting it adjusted, but once that was done, it’s kind of nice. I can look up files on the computer or even check our file cabinets without putting someone on hold. As you can see, it’s barely noticeable. And my neck doesn’t hurt at the end of the day anymore. I’m not sure why there are some that find it difficult. It’s certainly made working easier for me this past week. I think people are seeing the benefits of them now that they've had some time to adjust.

I'm pleasantly surprised at people taking to them this quickly. I'm used to hearing people complain about change and new technology. There are complaints about new systems, complaints about new ways, and complaints about "messing things up." People say they're afraid it will take them longer because they "don't know that way, but I think it has more to do with not wanting to change. They don’t have to make an adjustment, so they don’t want to. And while it’s optional, I don’t understand why they wouldn’t want to try something that can make life easier for them. 

The same goes for so many things. I’ve known people that refused to get computers for the same reason. I even knew a few people that refused to get cell phones until the city started removing pay phones from our area. They claimed they were scared they’d mess them up, but I think it’s the learning curve they feared more than anything. Learning how to use new things does require patience and dedication, and some people just don’t want to put forth the effort unless they’re forced to do it. It seems like laziness on their part, too. What they don’t realize is their refusal to learn is resulting in making their life harder, because it takes them twice as long to do it the old way. Change is the path to progress, and the reason these constant upgrades keep coming is because they’re saving time, energy, and frustration. Believe me, I know this from experience with going from a Department that had all paper files to a Department that’s all digital: I find things much faster with a few clicks in my database now than I did digging through file cabinets a few years ago. My productivity is much higher, and those new computer and tech skills are things I’ve taken to my writing, which as resulted in progressing over the years as well. Sometimes, you can apply it to your home life too, and that’s saving you time that you could spend on other things. 

I don’t understand why people wouldn’t want to give something that can make life easier a chance. Taking the time now to learn something that makes me work faster and more efficiently is well worth the investment on the time it will save me later. Technology helps me to do so much more faster, better, and more efficiently. I certainly want to take advantage of anything that can help me. I know that this headset has literally saved me aches and pains this past week, and I like it. I’m not taking aspirin for that pain in my head, neck and shoulders that used to plague me on days when I was on the phone a lot nearly as much this past week. And because I feel better, I’ve accomplished a lot more at home and with my writing, too. 

I guess it’s a matter of personal preference. If others want to grapple with paper files, rickety file cabinets, and receivers and cords, well, to each his own. 

That’s all today. Have a great weekend. 

Bye!


Contrary to Popular Opinion

8/20/2013

 
First, I’d like to announce that tomorrow is my husband, Rick’s, birthday. Have a great day, Rick! The birds and I love you! We’re one happy flock!

And now on to the regularly scheduled entry:

I’m a radical non-conformist. That’s one thing about me that hasn’t changed in the 16 years since college graduation (or the 20 years from high school graduation). Ask anybody, and they’ll tell you that they don’t know what beat I march to, but it’s not any drum they can hear. Make the opinion a “popular” one, and I’m more likely to reject it – or at least put it under fierce scrutiny to see if it’s logical or makes sense. If there’s one thing I’ve always been proud of, it’s my authenticity. For example:
 
·        When I was buying a new car in 2006, I immediately dismissed the Toyota Camry as an option based on a commercial. It was store security store camera where the announcer said “attention shoppers, a Toyota Camry has it’s lights on in the parking
lot” and everybody left the store. They prided themselves on having the most popular car in America. And I said hell no, I don’t want to drive the same car that everybody else drives. I refused to even stop to look at a Toyota lot because of that stupid commercial. 

·      Everybody loves San Francisco, and I’ll agree that it’s an intriguing place. I’d love to take Rick there someday. But frankly, it was too cold for my liking. 55 degrees in early September darn near sent me into shock. My sinuses didn’t care for it too much either, as I got the worse nosebleed I’ve ever had the day after I arrived. A lot of people tell me that’s their favorite place in the world. To each their own. It was interesting, but frankly it was a city that was a bit too crowded for me. I was more impressed with the nature, sunshine, and wide, open spaces of Arizona. 

·       I don’t care for high heel shoes. At 5’1” I could wear stilts and still not fool anyone. It won’t help, so why bother with the sore legs and achy knees. No thanks. In fact, I refuse to wear shoes with more than a 2 inch heel. It’s a compromise (but not one I make often). 

·        I refuse to color my hair (at this point in my life). People keep telling me I should get my hair highlighted, but I like my hair darker. I used to get natural highlights when I was in marching band in high school and college and I hated it. It might
have looked good to others, but it was dried out and frizzy, and I fought it and hated the color every day. Until I go grey, no color. And then, no blonde. I accept what the Lord gave me, so the rest of the world can darn well get over it. 

·     I don’t own a flat iron. I don’t need one. My hair is straighter than pine straw. And it won’t hold a curl either, so I gave up on that too.

 ·        I don’t like the telephone. Frankly, I think it’s the most abused invention ever. People pick it up to ask stupid questions that they could answer themselves if they put their brain on it for 2 minutes. Or worse yet, to jabber about pointless things and waste inordinate amounts of time. Seriously, people use the telephone as a “surrogate brain.” Progress, my butt. That invention has kicked us down a couple of notches on the evolutionary scale. I pray computers and the Internet can pull us back up by the bootstraps before too much deterioration sets in. 
 
·        I don’t think that print media will ever die. And believe it or not, it’s not because of the absurd “paper holdouts” that gripe about the evils of technology. Rather, there’s just too much already out there in the way of books, magazines and newspapers. The world can go more digital, but I don’t see a day where we’ll do away with all paper forever. Frankly, I think we’d already be there if that were a real trend. I believe digital print will take over a majority market share, and will certainly transition to the preferred method of print media. But no, books, magazines and newspapers won’t go away. They might go the way of cassette
tapes – rare, but not extinct.

 ·        Dogs might be man’s best friend, but this woman’s best friends have always been birds. I’ve never had a dog. It’s always been birds for me, because they’re more sociable, they’re happy, and they live longer. Much longer. Case in point: our oldest sun conure, Zack, is 13 years old, and he’s outlived 3 of my parents’ cats.  

·        My laptop is pink. So is the mouse. And my phone case. And my work ID is on a lanyard with pink beads. Hey, everybody else has black, white or silver everything. There’s no question which stuff is mine!

I could go on for quite a while but I think one thing is already clear – I make up my own mind about what I like and appreciate in life. And if it’s contrary to popular opinion, so much the better. I don’t have a problem with being unique. In fact, I prefer it that way. How can you be authentic if you’re just like everybody else? 

That’s all today. Take care and have a great rest of the week. 
 
Bye!

Evolution of Character

8/15/2013

 
Picture
An interesting thing happened the past few days as I've worked on edits to prepare Splinter for publication. I'm not sure if I mentioned it, but I modeled the protagonist, Leigh Lorene Lybrand, after my maternal grandmother, Lorene Shull Lybrand. She passed away when I was 12 years old, and was a huge influence on me growing up. Lybrand was a very common name in our area, but thanks to too many generations of girls and, to put it tactfully, decreasing reproduction, the name is dying out (along with Shull, and some others that were quite common around these parts "back in the day"). I thought it would be a good thing to keep the Lybrand's alive, at least through my writing. Plus, it's not like she's going to sue me.

But in doing these edits, I realized it's not likely that she would even if she were alive because I realized, to my utter shock, that she's not Leigh Lybrand. She's not even like me. I don't know WHO that geophysicist is that I shot off to the moons of Jupiter on the eve of Earth's destruction but one things for certain - it's not who I planned for it to be.

At first I tried to say well, it's faulty memory. Nana died 25 years ago this year, and I'm sure that the natural degradation of memory has taken it's toll on my own grey matter. But the truth is that I wasn't satisfied with that explanation, and the reason came to be in a bolt of realization at 1 a.m. I realized: I changed the setting. I don't have that character in 20th century Earth, where she spent her entire life. I projected her 1,000 years into the future, into a 31st century reality that I created. There's no way that the grandmother I knew could be the same person in the future I envision. People change over time. We learn more about the world and the reality surrounding us, and it reshapes us. Think about it: vampires were born in the Middle Ages where disease was a mystery and royality in "darker places" in the world had strange fetishes. Now, they're glittery twerps trying to fit in a world that has explained the truth behind their origin and purged their purpose in the human mind. We've learned; we've grown; we've lost our fears. Or rather, I'd say we've replaced our fears with other things we don't understand. I think more people fear the mysteries that motivate government than communicable disease these days. It's consipiracy theories, mysteries, and how we plot against one another. And if that isn't your thing, then there's the increasing popularity of sci-fi, because we still don't know what's "out there," and can use our noodle to ponder the possibilities, if not in this day and time then in the future.

Nothing stays the same and as a result, people don't stay the same. I think Nana could have been a geophysicists in the Jovan system, had she been born 10 centuries later. Perhaps I could have been one of the engineers on her team, if I were there too. As it is, we are a product of the world we live in. Nana would turn in her grave if she knew I had been on an airplane and flown cross country twice. She's have turned again if she knew that Mom and Dad actually got on the plane with me one time - of their own free will! Yes, my grandparents generation had a number of fears that seem silly to us, and the superstitions of my great-grandparents generation makes me laugh from time to time. But then again, I suppose my own cares and concerns would strike them as odd, if they were here to see it. Or maybe they'd share them. Who knows? We're put on this Earth at the time and place where we fit, and that's it.

Hmm, so maybe I did hit the mark. Maybe Leigh Lorene Lybrand is a perfect manifestation of the evolution of character that Nana would be in my envisioned future. You can decide for yourself when Splinter is released through Whiskey Creek Press in November. Stay tuned!

That's all today. Have a Happy Friday tomorrow and a great weekend.

Bye!

What Day Is It?

8/14/2013

 
I'm a bit out of it. I've been in editing mode for about a week now - first, on revisions for Incursion and then I got back the edits for Splinter and I just finished my first run through with the editor on those. It's good work and I'm always glad to spruce up and clean up a manuscript, but the unfortunate side effect is that when you get immersed in the writing process at any stage, there's a hazard of getting, well, out of touch with the world. You miss things. For example, I've wandered around all day putting every date this week in stuff except August 14 on everything. I don't even know what day it is. And folks, I promise I haven't been drinking through this process - not in a few days at least!

Maybe a celebratory drink is in order today. I'm glad to have that done. I've also joined The Independent Author Network and they're working on my webpage now. I'll be sure to post it here once they're done. I put it off long enough. At first I thought it wasn't worth the $24.95 set up fee, but after I got into these edits for Splinter I thought, geeze, isn't it time? That's going to be my fourth major novel (not counting my 4 other novellas and shorter works I self-published). Obviously, I'm here to stay, and obviously, I like going the indie route. Why not? So I took it out of last quarter's royalities and off we go.

One unfortunate thing that threw me a bit behind was a cluster headache yesterday. I haven't had one of those in nearly 10 years! And frankly, I could go another 10 years without the next one and that would be a-o-kay with me! Those aren't pleasant. On the plus side, they pass quickly - usually in an hour or two. On the minus side, they hurt worse than a migrane, and you have to be careful for a day or two after it to make sure you don't over-exert yourself or it could come back. The Lord is with me, though, because it rained today and the weather cooled off about 20 degrees. Looks like the cool rain will stay a few days, so I'm hoping that eliminates the threat of a recurrence. I certainly hope so. We have friends coming to visit this weekend, and then next week starts what I call "the birthday bonanza." We have 3 birthdays in the family between August 20 and August 26 (Rick's is August 21 and mine is August 26). It's always a whirlwind time.

Well folks, I have to be frank and say that between book edits and work, I've had about enough of being on the computer. So I'm off. Take care, and I hope you have a great rest of the week. I promise I'll wear my watch with the date on it for the rest of the week so I'm not such a goof saying "what day is it?" any more this week. Nobody needs that.

Bye!

Breaking Down "Breaking Bad"

8/11/2013

 
I read an interesting op/ed piece yesterday on CNN about how the show Breaking Bad mirrors the evil within us all. The writer described in great detail how her Christian faith helped her to see how this show mirrors the tough moral decision that we face in all of our lives, each and every day. I think it's a great piece and encourage you to follow the link and read it - after, of course, you read my humble opinion on it. I agree with all of the points in this write-up, but I think Breaking Bad is popular for more than the general reason of seeing the good versus evil battle from the other side of the equation. In fact, I believe we can break this show, and it's popularity, down to a more central, core issue than good and evil.

Breaking Bad is about what happens when you make money your god. I mean, isn't that really what it all boiled down to? Let's follow how the dominoes fall:

1. Walt White gets lung cancer. He battles whether or not to get treatment and thinks hey, maybe now, but
2. Skyler White wants him to get treatment, no matter what the cost, but
3. The problem is that they're broke, so
4. Walt goes on a drug bust with his brother-in-law and DEA agent, Hank Shrader, and gets the brainstorm that crystal meth makes money when he sees his former student, Jessie Pinkman, fleeing the scene of the bust, so
5. Walt approaches Jessie about going into business together ...

And that's how the dominoes start falling. The problem is, this is a secret too big to hide. And when Skyler finds out, she strikes back by having an affair with Ted Beneke, her boss, to get back at Walt. But the problem is, the drug money is not only paying for Walt's treatment, but many other things too. And money solves a lot of problems in their society. So the dominoes start falling, one by one, as the business build and the relationships deteriorate.

Think about it, and you'll see that this show is a 5 year battle of money verses, well, pretty much everything else in life. And this is something we can all relate to because frankly, we see it ourselves on smaller scales every day. For all the ladies that tell me this show is too "rough" for them to handle, I say that's crap. Really? You can't handle it? And how often do you buy lottery tickets and fanaticize about how you're going to take that money and tell the world to KMA? Okay, then.

We all know what it's like to be short on money and to have to make tough decisions. And really, think about it: how tempting would it be if you discovered that you have a skill like that that could bring in unimaginable amounts of cash and solve all your financial problems FOREVER? Would the fact that it's illegal deter you? How about if you were dying of cancer and leaving behind a family? Life isn't black and white and frankly, the moral battles are tougher when you're looking at life and death. Throw in regrets over past failures and missed opportunities and really, how would you stand? Nobody knows. And this show gives us a look at how one man did it.

But there are always consequences, and the consequences don't care about ends and means. Walt claims that he did everything he did "for the family," but I call crap on that because I remember the episode when he told Jessie he was building an empire to make up for the one he lost out on in the past - the business he sold out of for $5,000 that went on to make multi-millions. He started in it for the money, but the demons got a foothold through that chink in the armor and now the fame of Heisenburg is clamoring to make up for all of his other mistakes. Jessie is showing signs of cracking and Walt is, as Mike put it so well last season, is a bomb about to go off. Walt spends more time scrambling to cover his tracks than enjoying the fruits of his labors, which is the nature of the whole beast. When you put yourself in a place where you aren't meant to be, you have to work all the time to keep yourself there. Walt is learning that as this decision is taking it's toll on everything in his life. Sure, he decided to get out, but this particular "business" isn't exactly one you can quietly retire from. He thinks he has it handled, but we know the bomb is still ticking. And now, in these final 8 episodes, we see it go boom. Because you know there's no happy ending for anybody here. Not for anybody. The question is, where does the boom happen, and who goes out with it? 

We find out soon. The final 8 dominoes fall starting tonight at 9:00 on AMC. I'll be watching, along with the rest of you.

That's all today. Enjoy this video in honor of the final season of Breaking Bad and have a good week.

Bye!

The Perils of Being "Normal"

8/9/2013

 
I got a copy of my performance evaluation this week and cringed at the opening paragraph. The evaluation was good, but it seems that every one I’ve had for the past 3 years opened with “Since Sherri transferred from her former department, she has …” I sighed as I filed it and said to Chloe (because she was on my shoulder and it would be crazy to talk to myself), “am I destined always be preceded by this note that I’m different from every other employee?” I shook my head at it. I’m always different. I always have been and always will be. 99.9% of the time, it doesn’t bother me because I’m proud of how I’m unique from the rest of the world. But every once in a while, it does get to me.

Then the next day somebody told me about a friend that was irritating them to death with frequent telephone calls. Her friend envied her hair and kept calling to ask how she got her hair to look that for an upcoming event. “It’s ridiculous and she’s driving me crazy!” my friend said, “and she’ll never get it to look like mine. Why can’t she accept it?” My friend is right. One of them has straight hair and one has curly hair. They’ll never have identical hairdos because it’s literally impossible. And then the light went off over my own head: it seems that the desire to be normal actually causes MORE problems than being different. As I ponder this further, it’s true. There’s a lot of strife in this world, and most of it goes back to 2 things:

1. People are jealous and envy what others have; or

2. People don’t understand what others are doing because it doesn’t seem “right” to them, so they object.

And in both situations, there’s no way to have a good, functioning relationship with people. So they  argue. They fight. They try to force and coerce others to doing things the way they believe is “right” and refuse to accept people for who they are. What’s more, many of these people are in church every Sunday, and yet the concept of grace and having enough of it to respect the wants and needs of others goes right past them. It’s like it doesn’t even exist. 

I might not be popular, but at least I have freedom. I don’t envy others because I’m too busy attending to the business of my own life. And as a result of that, I usually don’t spend too much mental energy forming opinions of how other people are leading their life unless they intrude on my time/space/territory (then it’s fair game, because I do have a right to determine what is and is not acceptable in my own life, and I can give you the name of a few witnesses that will attest to the fact that I will indeed do just that if you invade my life). I might not understand things, but one thing I’ve learned in adulthood is wisdom is gained from mistakes, and experience is, in many instances, a greater teacher than words. I remember what J.R.R. Tolkein wrote in The Lord of the Rings about the burned hand taking lessons of fire to heart. I also remember what C.S. Lewis wrote in The Screwtape Letters about the prayer the devil loves the most is “make me like everybody else.” That’s Satan’s playground, where every deadly sin has a place to take root. I see the point.  If “everybody is doing it,” then that’s reason to stop right there and ask if it’s wisdom or just the next foolish net laid for this season’s catch.

I know I have too many rough edges for some people to deal with, but I’ve found that they deal with being real and honest a lot better than being fake. I’ve also learned that, as the saying goes about birthday’s, “it’s a matter of mind over matter – if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” Being true to who the Lord made you to be not only guarantees that you will find and fulfill all of your purposes in life, but that the opinions of others really don’t matter to you. Things tend to turn out for the best if you stay true to yourself, anyway. Yes, people still shake their head at me occasionally. Yes, I get frustrated with the lack of understanding from time to time. No, I’ll never be popular. No, I’m not in any cliques. I go my own way and do my own thing. But people know my personal policy, and that they can trust me to always do my very best, no matter what. And a funny thing  happens when you stand your ground – people are more comfortable being their real self when they see that you aren’t afraid. They open up more and worry less, and in turn you develop stronger relationships based on mutual trust and respect. That’s just not possible in cliques based on fake conformity, masks, and facades. They can have that, because I don’t have time for what’s fake. Give me something real or get outta here. That’s my stand.

Last week, I read an interesting line in my weekly devotional. It said “God doesn’t want you to be happy. He wants you to do what’s right.” That’s absolutely true. I’m reading through The Bible, and one thing that strikes me is God’s repeated statement to “obey my commands.” Not “do whatever and you’ll be okay,” but “obey my commands.” This is usually followed by a list of how people will prosper if they do and suffer if they don’t. Furthermore, Jesus went on to say that He wants us to have life in all its abundance – but you have to do what’s right to get it. Jesus didn’t say “have an okay life.” He said “life in abundance.”  It seems to me that if you do what’s right, then happy is a side effect.  Too many people are hung up on their feelings these days. They want happy, but don’t understand what it takes to get happy. It’s like they’re feasting on French fries and leaving the steak untouched. Doing right = happy. Do wrong = hurt. It’s the simplest equation and yet, through all of human history, we still don’t get it. I think it goes back to the Mark Twain quote that “opportunity is often missed because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like work.” True enough.

I think this is why unique people are happier in the long run. They aren’t caught up in the trappings of “what everybody else is doing” and “what should be” like others are. They aren’t afraid of who they are or of the hard work it takes to accomplish their dreams. They’re playing the hand they have and making the best of it. And after a while, you learn to play it to win – even if it’s a hand full of jokers!

That’s all today. Happy Friday to you and  have a great weekend.

Bye!

Beating the Beast of Transition

8/6/2013

 
Ah, back to school time! I have to be honest – this is the time of year when I don’t envy teachers or students at all. I don’t mean to sound snarky; it’s just the truth. I remember the “back to school” dread that would start as soon as the retailers would crank up the commercials in late July from my own school days. It was downright depressing to go back after a nice, long break and make that adjustment to the lazy days of summer to the crazy school days again. One advantage of having a year-round job is that my schedule doesn’t get disrupted like that any more. The disruptions are for much shorter periods of time. It’s easier to rebound from a two day meeting or a three day conference than the nine months on/three months off school schedule.  But I guess that’s a personal preference, and it’s all in what you’re used to. 

Still, we do all go through schedule disruptions from time to time, and everybody has busy seasons. Whether it’s rebounding from having three months off, a cross-country conference in a time zone three hours behind you, the explosion of activity during your busiest time of year, or covering for a colleague that's resigned or is on long term leave, there are tips and tricks to keep your balance through the transition. It’s not easy to move through these phases, but you can ease the burden by:

Not skimping on sleep. I know there are times when you need more hours in the day, and the easiest way to get them is to sleep less. Don’t do it. Your body needs time to rest and recover, and getting enough sleep is your best defense against the ravages of stress and illness. Trust me: You’ll be a lot more productive during your day if you get enough sleep at night. So don’t burn the midnight oil, or get up at 4 a.m. to “get a leg up.” It won’t work if the 3 p.m. crash fogs your concentration to the point where you can’t focus on anything at all. 

Taking your lunch hours and breaks and don’t do overtime unless it’s required.  I picked up this gem at an administrative assistant’s conference about 10 years ago, and it’s proved golden. Just like skimping on sleep, it’s easy to reason that you’ll get ahead if you skip your “off time.” And just like skimping on sleep, you’re cheating yourself by not allowing breaks that will refresh you and give you energy to get more done while you’re there. There might be times when it’s necessary, but keep it to a minimum and don’t make it a habit. Remember, work/school are there to serve your personal life – not the other way around. It’s a symbiotic circle where things are supposed to work in harmony. If your school/work becomes a parasite feeding on your personal life, it’s time to take stock and get things back in proper balance. I realize there are times when things or issues take over your life, but these should be for short seasons. If it establishes itself as a way of life, it's become a parasite and it's time for correction. Remember your priorities, and remember that time to yourself every day – even if it’s just 20 minutes – is essential for keeping you sharp and in balance to do your best at all you do. 

Learning time management skills. I was lucky to have a good instruction in one of my college freshman classes that made teaching time management skills her first priority of the semester. That lesson has helped me through all of life ever since. I’ve had some refresher courses and these are things that never change – if anything, they find more ways to save you time and help you be more productive with the time you have. Some examples of things you learn are how to group like tasks together, keeping a schedule and calendar, advance planning and preparation, and blocking out personal time. If you’ve never had a time management course and you don’t naturally have these skills, it’s worth your while  to fit it in your schedule. In fact, I’d put it on the “necessary for modern life” training list along with typing, computer/software training, and driver’s training. 

Keeping your home/car/office clean. What’s on the inside shows on the outside. I know that cleaning and organization take time, but it’s well worth it if you can find what you need without looking everywhere for it, or when you aren’t having sneezing fits from digging in a drawer or cabinet that’s full of three years worth of dust. Keeping your space clean is good for your mind, body and soul. Organization helps you to be more efficient and saves you time, and cleaning keeps you healthy by clearing out germs and things that can carry them or cause allergy and sinus problems. Plus, you just feel better mentally when things are neat and organized. Cleaning and organization doesn’t have to take a lot of time, either. Sure, you have to make the initial investment, but once you’ve done that then it’s maintenance. Put things back when you take them out, keep your systems going, and make Clorox wipes and your Swiffer mop and duster your new friends to keep things neat and tidy in a hurry. 

Staying on your medications. I know I’m going where angels fear to tread, but I feel it’s necessary to address this because it’s important.  I mean no offence, but it’s a simple fact that sometimes people get the impression that “I’m fine” and go off medication to save money, or because they don’t like the side effects. Don’t do it. Your doctor put you on medication to help you lead a normal, balanced life, and cutting that off will throw whatever needs fixing out of whack again. And yes, people can tell if you go off them too, because it shows in ways that you don’t notice, so don’t think you’re so clever that you can hide it. Your family, friends, and colleagues don’t believe that your sniffling and sneezing is “just an allergy attack,” that your frequent restroom visits are “something that didn’t agree with me for lunch,” or that your frantic hustling around the office and losing your temper is “just stress and a bad day,” especially when it goes on for a week. People might be dumb, but it’s never in a way that’s convenient. The one thing that smart and dumb have in common is that they always show at times that are darned inconvenient and frequently embarrassing for you. Plus, you will get sick and need it again all too soon. Someone once told me that stopping your medication because you feel better is like cancelling your pest control service because you don't see bugs anymore: you don't see the bugs because the pest control works, and you don't feel bad because the medicine works. Don’t play that game. Maintenance medications are a blessing that everybody should take advantage of. You don’t have to suffer and there’s absolutely no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed about needing it – in fact, if you take it regularly and the dosage is right, then nobody will know you’re on it at all unless you choose to tell them! Do yourself and others a favor and take your medication. If you have trouble paying for it or the side effects don’t go away in time, talk to your doctor about adjusting your dosage. Let them do their job by keeping you well so you can do your job of serving the world through whatever you do with good health and a clear mind. 

I’m sure there are many more tips and tricks for making life easier when life gets busy, but these are good, basic things to help you get started. So don’t fear that date circled in red on the calendar. This too shall pass, and if you work wisely and efficiently then it will pass with as little pain and suffering as possible. 

That’s all today. Take care and have a good rest of the week. 

Bye!

Ebbs, Downswings, and Deserts

8/2/2013

 
Picture
We all go through those spells when it seems you can’t get anything going. I’ve heard them called many things. C.S. Lewis referred to it as “The Law of Undulation” in The Screwtape Letters. He describes it as the cyclical nature of live to swing between highs and lows, and the theory that we’re always somewhere on that arc. Sara Ban Breathnach refers to it as “The Ebb” in Simple Abundance – A Daybook of Comfort and Joy. She compares it to the ebb and flow of the ocean tide, and how life goes through seasons of great abundance followed by seasons of stagnation. I’ve heard many Christians refer to these times as “desert seasons,” comparing it to the Hebrew’s 40 years of wandering in the desert prior to coming into the Promised Land. Others call it “the darkness before the dawn.” Whatever you call it, you know how frustrating it can be when you work so hard, day in and day out, and see – nothing. 

They’re all right. There are times when life seems like a runaway train and times when you think you’ll have to get out and push this hunk of junk somewhere – anywhere! – except even that probably wouldn’t get you anywhere. It’s frustrating. It’s irritating. And it’s just as much a part of life as the rising and setting of the sun. 

Sure, we know that they’re actually periods of slow building to the next blessing on the way, but it’s tough to keep your motivation when all you get is “keep working” and no indication of how close you are to a breakthrough. It’s easy to get discouraged, angry, or frustrated. Many people give up, disillusioned by the deception that things will never change and falling into the trap of actually prolonging their suffering when relief would have been right around the corner had they not abandoned hope.  Because if you look at all the descriptions I listed above, you’ll notice they have one thing in common: they all point to a payoff in the end. However stagnant things might seem, remember that the nature of the universe is change. It’s impossible for things to stay the same forever. It just doesn’t happen. So naturally, if you hang in there and keep working hard, you’ll eventually see a breakthrough.  It brings truth to the encouragement in Galatians 6:9 which reminds us: “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.” 

So how do you keep the hope in these seasons of stagnation? I’m in one of those seasons now, and I can say from experience that it’s tricky. You can post all the inspirational verses in the world all over your house, office and car, but that discouragement and frustration will still come. I fight it every day, in one way or another. Giving up isn’t an option, because I only need to look at my recent past to see that too much good is building up to abandon it. I’m determined to see it through. It’s a vicious cycle because I get frustrated with not seeing progress, and then I get frustrated with myself for losing patience and getting frustrated. That’s one thing about walking in faith – you know what’s right and true, and you get irritated with yourself when your humanity rises to the surface and causes you to get irritated with the challenges before you, knowing that you’re called to walk in patience and that you’re losing it. It’s a constant spiritual battle. I don't know that I'll ever be able to "embrace the ebb" as Breathnach suggests in her November 1st entry.

I think the secret to winning the battle and “fighting the good fight” is that you have to find things that speak peace to your soul. These are the days when the small things as Zechariah 4:10 tells us not to despise are building up to the big blessings of tomorrow. So I give thanks for the blessings I have, and I take advantage of every opportunity, no matter how small it may seem. It’s worked to get me this far, and I know that if I keep walking in this way then it will build up to the next flow in my life. Just today, I found encouragement in an email that Whiskey Creek Press has assigned an editor to Splinter. My first sci-fi novel is on it's way to becoming a reality.

And so, I keep doing my best at all that’s set before me. I do all I can to make things the best I can. I enjoy my husband, birds, home, family and friends. I keep my eyes open to opportunity and prayerfully consider everything before me. I'll work with the good folks at Whiskey Creek Press to make Splinter the best it can be and proudly deliver it to readers in November. I delight in the small things, from the first cup of coffee in the morning, to time writing, to watching a movie, or reading a book, or taking a walk during my lunch break, because if I’m doing all I can then I should enjoy breaks and blessings whenever I have a chance. And I go through each day the best I can, knowing that it will build up to the next blessing in due season. 

I often hear people say “God is never late, so be patient!” It’s a good thing He isn’t, and that our times are in His hands. Otherwise, we’d truly be in trouble, because our lack of foresight of the “big picture” would always have us rushing around after we know not what. 

Where there’s life, there’s hope – so if you woke up alive this morning, then keep the faith. His mercies are new every morning and you never know which one will bring the next flow in your life. 

That’s all today. Happy Friday to you and I hope you have a great weekend. 

Bye!


<<Previous

    Escape Reality

    By day, I'm a program assistant. By night, I'm an independent author. My fiction offers an escape from the reality of day-to-day life. See how my experiences lead to creating new worlds! 

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011

    Categories

    All
    10
    109
    125
    2
    2011
    2012
    2012 Election
    2013
    5
    9-11
    Ability
    Abundance
    Abuse
    Accent
    Accept
    Accident
    Accountability
    Accountable
    Act
    Actions
    Adapt
    Adjust
    Adjustment
    Administrative
    Admissions
    Adult
    Advertise
    Advice
    Affairs
    Age
    Aggrivate
    Airplane
    Airport
    Alarm
    Album
    Aliens
    Alive
    Allergies
    Allergy
    Alone
    Am
    Amazon
    Amazon.com
    Ambition
    America
    Anger
    Angry
    Ankle
    Anniversary
    Anonymity
    Answer
    Answers
    Antibiotic
    Anxiety
    Anywhere But Here
    Appreciate
    Apps
    Area
    Argue
    Arizona
    Arrogance
    Arrow
    Art
    Artist
    Arts
    Ascend
    Ask
    Associates
    Assume
    Attack
    Attention
    Attitude
    Attitudes
    Authentic
    Authenticity
    Author
    Authority
    Authors
    Automobile
    Automobiles
    Autumn
    Awesome
    Awkward
    Bacteria
    Bad
    Balance
    Band
    Baseball
    Batman
    Battle
    Battlefield
    Battleground Earth
    Beach
    Behave
    Behavior
    Behind
    Believe
    Benefit
    Best
    Better
    Bible
    Bills
    Binge
    Bin Ladin
    Bird
    Birdhouses
    Birds
    Birth Control
    Birthday
    Birthdays
    Blame
    Bleed
    Bless
    Blessing
    Blessings
    Block
    Blog
    Blog Hop
    Blurry
    Body
    Bold
    Book
    Books
    Book Sense
    Bored
    Borrow
    Boss
    Boston
    Boston Bombings
    Boston Marathon
    Box
    Boy
    Boyfriend
    Brain
    Brainwash
    Break
    Breaking Bad
    Breaks
    Brother
    Budget
    Budgies
    Build
    Burn
    Burnout
    Bury
    Business
    Busy
    Calendar
    Call
    Camera
    Camp
    Cancel
    Cancer
    Captain America
    Car
    Care
    Career
    Cars
    Cat
    Catalyst
    Catching
    Cd
    Celebrate
    Celebration
    Cell Phone
    Cemetery
    Challenge
    Challenges
    Chance
    Change
    Changes
    Chaos
    Chapter
    Character
    Characters
    Charisma
    Cheer
    Cheerleading
    Cheeseburger
    Chess
    Children
    Chloe
    Choices
    Chore
    Christ
    Christian
    Christmas
    Church
    Circumstance
    Circumstances
    Civilized
    Classic
    Clean
    Cleaning
    Cliques
    Clock
    Clown
    Cold
    Colleague
    Colleagues
    College
    Color
    Colorado
    Colorado Massacare
    Colorado River
    Combination
    Comedy
    Comfort
    Commandments
    Commercials
    Commitment
    Committee
    Common
    Common Sense
    Competition
    Complain
    Complaining
    Complete
    Computer
    Computers
    Con
    Conditioning
    Confederate Memorial Day
    Conference
    Confession
    Confidence
    Conflict
    Conform
    Conformity
    Confused
    Congregation
    Consequence
    Consequences
    Console
    Conspiracy Theories
    Constituant
    Contect
    Contentment
    Continues
    Contract
    Control
    Conure
    Conure Corner
    Conures
    Conventional
    Cook
    Cool
    Cope
    Copy
    Coral Gables
    Cough
    Council
    Courage
    Cover
    Cover Art
    Craft
    Crafts
    Craft Show
    Crash
    Crazy
    Crazy. Odd
    Create
    Creation
    Creative
    Creativity
    Creeper
    Crisis
    Cross Stitch
    Cross Stitch
    Cross Stitching
    Cross Stitching
    Crowd
    Cry
    C.s. Lewis
    Curses
    Customer
    Cut
    Cw
    Cwp
    Cycle
    Dad
    Damage
    Dance
    Dark Side
    Date
    Day
    Day Off
    Days
    Dead
    Deadlines
    Death
    Debate
    Debunk
    Deceive
    Decision
    Decisions
    Defeat
    Defend
    Delimma
    Deliverance
    Dell
    Demanding
    Democracy
    Demon
    Department
    Depression
    Derision
    Desert
    Design
    Despair
    Destruction
    Details
    Detox
    Devices
    Devil
    Devotion
    Devotional
    Devotionals
    Diamond
    Die
    Diet
    Difference
    Different
    Digital
    Directions
    Disappear
    Disbelief
    Discernment
    Discipline
    Discount
    Discourage
    Discouragement
    Discover
    Discretion
    Disruption
    Dissociation
    Distracted
    Divas
    Divide
    Divine
    Division
    Djinn
    Doctor
    Doing
    Done
    Donkey
    Door
    Doubt
    Downswing
    Dragon
    Dragons
    Drama
    Dreams
    Dreary
    Drive
    Dud
    Dvd
    Early Bird
    Earth
    Earthquake
    Easter
    Eat
    Ebb
    Ebook
    Ebooks
    Economy
    Edit
    Editing
    Editor
    Edits
    Effect
    Effective
    Efficient
    Effort
    Elect
    Election
    Electric
    Electricity
    Electronics
    Email
    Emotion
    Emotional
    Emotions
    Empathy
    End
    Endings
    Enemy
    Energy
    Engagement
    Engineer
    English
    Enjoy
    Entertainment
    Envy
    Epiphany
    Epublish
    Ereader
    E Reader
    E-reader
    Errands
    Escape
    Escaping
    Etiquette
    Evil
    Evolution
    Evolve
    Example
    Ex Boyfriend
    Ex-boyfriend
    Excerpt
    Excitement
    Exciting
    Exclusive
    Exercise
    Exhaustion
    Expect
    Expectation
    Expectations
    Experience
    Experimenting
    Facebook
    Facets
    Fact
    Facts
    Fail
    Failure
    Fair
    Faith
    Faking
    Fall
    Family
    Fanily
    Fantasy
    Fast And Furious
    Fate
    Fault
    Favorite
    Favorites
    Favoritism
    Fear
    Feathered Frenzy
    Feature
    Feed
    Feedback
    Feel
    Feelings
    Female
    Feminine
    Fiction
    Fight
    Finale
    Financial
    Finding
    Fire
    Firearms
    Firestarter
    Fish
    Flash Fiction
    Flickr
    Flinch
    Flow
    Flu
    Flu Shots
    Flu Shots
    Fly
    Focus
    Follow
    Followers
    Food
    Fools
    Foot
    Football
    Forecast
    Forgive
    Forgiveness
    Forum
    Found
    Foundation
    Fracture
    Frankenstorm
    Freak
    Freakout
    Free
    Freedom
    Free Will
    Fret
    Friday
    Friend
    Friends
    Frustrated
    Frustration
    Fun
    Fundamentals
    Funeral
    Future
    Galaxy
    Galley
    Gamecocks
    Games
    Generation
    Generation X
    Genre
    Genuine
    Geology
    Georgia
    Gift
    Gift Card
    Gifts
    Girl
    Girly
    Goal
    God
    Good
    Goodreads
    Google+
    Gossip
    Government
    Governor
    Grace
    Graduate
    Graduated
    Grammar
    Granddaddy
    Grandmother
    Grandparents
    Gratitude
    Graveyard
    Grief
    Grinch
    Grind
    Gripe
    Ground
    Group
    Grow
    Grunge
    Guide
    Guilty
    Gun Control
    Guns
    Habits
    Hair
    Halloween
    Happiness
    Happy
    Hard
    Hard Work
    Harry Potter
    Haukannah
    Haven
    Head
    Headache
    Heal
    Healing
    Health
    Hear
    Heart
    Heat
    Heaven
    Help
    Hero
    Hiatus
    Higher
    High School
    Hiking
    Hobbies
    Hobby
    Holiday
    Holidays
    Holy
    Holy Spirit
    Holy Week
    Home
    Homeland Security
    Honest
    Honesty
    Hope
    Horizon
    Horror
    Hospital
    Hot
    House
    Housecleaning
    Housework
    Human
    Humble
    Humility
    Hurt
    Hvac
    Hypocricy
    Hypocrite
    Hypocrites
    Ice
    Idea
    Ideas
    Identity
    Idjit
    Ignore
    Ill
    Illness
    Imitation
    Important
    Improve
    Incursion
    Independent
    Independent Author
    Indepent
    Individual
    Infection
    Information
    Injury
    Inner Circle
    Innovation
    Insane
    Insanity
    Inside
    Inspiration
    Inspirational
    Instructions
    Insurance
    Integrity
    Interest
    Internal
    Internet
    Intervention
    Interview
    Introduction
    Intuition
    Invitations
    Invite
    Ipad
    Ironic
    Iron Man 3
    Irritate
    Islam
    Issues
    Jack In The Box
    Jana Lanning
    January
    Jealous
    Jealousy
    Jerk
    Jesus
    Jesus Sacrificef62d61ad05
    Jewelry
    Jihad
    Job
    Joueney
    Journey
    Jovan
    Joy
    Joyful
    Jrrtolkeinee9d04cba9
    Judge
    Judgement
    Jupiter
    Keeper
    Kids
    Kill
    Kindle
    Kindness
    Know
    Knowledge
    Kvetch
    Labor Day
    Landmine
    Laptop
    Laundry
    Law
    Law Of Undulation
    Lazy
    Lead
    Leader
    Leadership
    Learn
    Learned
    Leave
    Legacy
    Legal
    Legislation
    Legislature
    Lent
    Lesson
    Lessons
    Letter
    Level
    Licensure
    Lie
    Life
    Lifestyle
    Light
    Limits
    List
    Listening
    Little
    Live
    Local
    Logic
    Lonely
    Look
    Lord
    Lose
    Loss
    Lost
    Love
    Luck
    Lull
    Lunch
    Lurkers
    Maccacare
    Mainstream
    Management
    Manhunt
    Manure
    Marriage
    Martin
    Maturity
    Me
    Mean
    Meaning
    Media
    Medication
    Medicine
    Mediocrity
    Meditation
    Meeting
    Memorial Day
    Memories
    Men
    Mental Health
    Mental Illness
    Mercies
    Mercy
    Merit
    Mess
    Miami
    Mid
    Middle
    Middle Age
    Middle Class
    Miliatary
    Mind
    Misc
    Miscellaneous
    Mischief
    Misconceptions
    Miserable
    Miss
    Mission
    Mistake
    Mistakes
    Mobile
    Mobile Devices
    Moderate
    Mom
    Money
    Mood
    Moral
    Morning
    Mother
    Motion
    Motivation
    Motivator
    Motive
    Move
    Movie
    Movies
    Mt Tabor04c6ab0850
    Mundane
    Muse
    Music
    Musings
    Must
    Myrtle Beach
    Mystery
    Nano
    Nanowrimo
    Nasty
    National Novel Writing Month
    Nature
    Necromancers
    Needs
    Needy
    Negative
    New
    News
    Newsletter
    Newspaper
    New Year
    Niche
    Nighmare
    Night
    Night Owl
    Noaa
    Noah
    Non Fiction
    Nonfiction6aa2962efc
    Nonstop To Nowhere
    Normal
    Notes
    Notice
    Novel
    Novella
    Novels
    Novelty
    Nurture
    Obama
    Obedience
    Observe
    Obsidian
    October
    Odd
    Office
    Oliver
    Ollie
    Online
    Opinion
    Opportunity
    Opposition
    Organize
    Original
    Overwhelmed
    Own
    Pagan
    Pain
    Pajamas
    Palmetto Beach
    Panic
    Paper
    Parable
    Paradigm
    Paradise
    Paradox
    Paragraph Planet
    Parallel
    Paralysis
    Park
    Parrots
    Party
    Passionate
    Past
    Pastor
    Paterno
    Patience
    Patient
    Patterns
    Pay
    Peace
    Peanuts
    Pedestals
    Penance
    Penn State
    People
    Perception
    Perfect
    Periphery
    Perseverence
    Persistence
    Person
    Personal
    Personality
    Perspective
    Pessimist
    Petty
    Phoenix
    Phone
    Picket
    Pink
    Pintrest
    Pita
    Pizza
    Places
    Plague
    Plane
    Plans
    Plant
    Plot
    Pm
    Poinsettia
    Point
    Polar-vortex
    Political
    Politicians
    Politics
    Popular
    Positive
    Post
    Potential
    Power
    Powerful
    Pray
    Prayer
    Prayers
    Preference
    Preferences
    Pregnancy
    Preparation
    Present
    Pressure
    Priorities
    Privacy
    Pro
    Problem
    Problems
    Process
    Productive
    Programs
    Progress
    Project
    Projection
    Projects
    Prologue
    Promotion
    Protect
    Proverbs
    Pruning
    Psychologist
    Psychology
    Publication
    Publicity
    Publish
    Published
    Publishing
    Pure
    Purpose
    Quality
    Quarantine
    Questions
    Quiet
    Quit
    Quotes
    Rachel
    Radar
    Radio
    Rain
    Random
    Rant
    Rave
    Reaction
    Read
    Readers
    Reading
    Real
    Reality
    Realization
    Realize
    Reap
    Reaper
    Reaping
    Rearview-mirror
    Reason
    Reboot
    Recipes
    Recover
    Red
    Reform
    Reformation Sunday
    Refresh
    Refreshing
    Regift
    Rehab
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Relax
    Release
    Relief
    Religious
    Remains
    Repair
    Reputation
    Rerun
    Research
    Resignation
    Resist
    Resistance
    Resolution
    Resolutions
    Resolve
    Resonance
    Respect
    Responsibilities
    Responsibility
    Rest
    Resurrection
    Retire
    Revelation
    Review
    Reward
    Rewrite
    Rewrites
    Rhythem
    Ride
    Right
    Rise
    Risk
    River
    Rock
    Romance
    Roses
    Routine
    Routines
    Royal
    Rude
    Rules
    Rut
    Sacred
    Sacrifice
    Sad
    Safe
    Sale
    Sales
    Salvation
    Sample
    Sample Chapter
    Sandusky
    Sandy Hook Elementary School
    San Francisco
    Sanity
    Santa
    Satan
    Satellite
    Save
    Saving
    Say
    Sc
    Scandal
    Scapegoat
    Scared
    Schedule
    School
    School Shooting
    Science
    Science Fiction
    Sci Fi
    Scifid764c6b008
    Scottsdale
    Scrooge
    Season
    Season Finale
    Seasons
    Secret
    Security
    Self
    Selfish
    Self Publish
    Selfpublishee5d5de0ab
    Senior
    Sense
    Sequel
    Series
    Service
    Setbacks
    Sex
    Shadow
    Shapeshifter
    Share
    Shatterpoint
    Shenanagins
    Shift
    Shifting
    Ship
    Shoe
    Shoes
    Shopping
    Short Stories
    Short Story
    Shovel
    Show
    Shull
    Sick
    Sidekick
    Sidekicks
    Signs
    Simplicity
    Sin
    Sincere
    Sinners
    Sins
    Sinus
    Sinus Infection
    Situations
    Sleep
    Slow
    Smallville
    Smart
    Smartphones
    Smashwords
    Sneeze
    Snow
    Social
    Social Media
    Society
    Socks
    Solitude
    Solution
    Solutions
    Sorry
    Soul
    South
    Sow
    Sowing
    Space
    Speak
    Spirit
    Spiritual
    Splinter
    Spouse
    Spring
    Square-pegs
    Stand
    Standards
    Start
    Star Trek
    Star Trek Into Darkness
    Star Wars
    State
    State Fair
    Stayathomeaa1b1506e7
    Stereotypes
    Stories
    Storm
    Story
    Strange
    Strategy
    Streaming
    Strength
    Stress
    Strong
    Struggle
    Stubborn
    Stuff
    Stupid
    Subcommittee
    Succeed
    Success
    Suffering
    Suggestion
    Suggestions
    Summer
    Sunglasses
    Sunny
    Sunrise
    Sunshine
    Superhero
    Superheros
    Supernatural
    Superstitions
    Support
    Surgery
    Surprise
    Surprises
    Survival
    Survive
    Surviving
    Suspension
    Symbols
    Tablet
    Tactics
    Talking
    Tanger Falls
    Tarnish
    Tax
    Technology
    Teenage
    Telephone
    Telephones
    Television
    Temptation
    Ten
    Tendinitis
    Tennessee
    Terms
    Terror
    Terrorism
    Terrorists
    Text
    Tgif
    Thank
    Thankfulness
    Thanks
    Thanksgiving
    The Americans
    The Clone Wars
    The Cw
    The Divine Comedy
    The-earthside-trilogy
    The Edible Bookshelf
    The Grand Canyon
    The Great Divorce
    The Great Divorse
    The Hobbit
    The Justice League
    The Other Bible
    Therapist
    Thermostat
    The Screwtape Letters
    The-secret
    The Secret Circle
    Things
    Think
    Thinking
    Thirties
    Thor
    Thorns
    Thought
    Thoughts
    Throwback
    Thunderstorm
    Thursday
    Time
    Time Job
    Time Management
    Timing
    Tips
    Tired
    Toshiba
    Toxic
    Tradition
    Traditional
    Traditions
    Tragedy
    Train
    Transfer
    Transition
    Travel
    Travelling
    Treadmill
    Trees
    Trends
    Trials
    Trickortreatd836e64753
    Trip
    Trolls
    Trouble
    Trust
    Truth
    Tunnel
    Turbulence
    Tv
    Tweet
    Twitter
    Type
    Typewriter
    Uga
    Understand
    Understanding
    Undone
    Undulation
    Unique
    Universe
    University
    University Of South Carolina
    Update
    Urban Fantasy
    Usc
    Vacation
    Vampires
    Variety
    Vet
    Veterans Daybee36ce99e
    Viagra
    Vice
    Vicious
    Victory
    Video
    Viligance
    Villian
    Viral
    Virtue
    Virus
    Visitation
    Vitamin
    Voice
    Voices
    Volunteer
    Vote
    Walk
    War
    Washington D.C.
    Wasp
    Watch
    Watches
    Way
    Weakness
    Weather
    Website
    Wedding
    Wednesday
    Weeds
    Week
    Weekend
    Weekends
    Weird
    Werewolves
    Westboro Church
    Whatever
    Whats Up Letterea131f7a0b
    Wheat
    Whine
    Whiskey Creek Press
    Wicked
    Will
    Win
    Wings
    Wings Epressf69f38ebd3
    Winter
    Winterize
    Wisdom
    Wistv3f6c806d83
    Wizard
    Woman
    Women
    Wonder
    Wonderful
    Woodland
    Woods
    Words
    Work
    Workaholic
    World
    Worry
    Worse
    Wrist
    Write
    Writers
    Writers Block
    Writers Block93d394f99e
    Writing
    Wrong
    Yard
    Year
    Years
    Yellow
    You
    Youth
    Youtube
    Zacchaeus
    Zack
    Zimmerman
    Zombie

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.