Category Archives: Affirmative thinking and living

Holiday Books

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Happy December 1st everyone. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I recently began spending time at the Charles W. Lightner Library, a Christian Community Library. What a wonderful assortment of titles – currently 6,300 but who is counting? The number is constantly increasing as new books are acquired.

As I browse the shelves, I see so many titles perfect for family reading. The chances of the whole family being on the same page together when it comes to faith and spirituality is increased when Christian book titles are on the bookshelves of the family library.

Here are two publications which will reinforce your family’s determination to put the focus back into Christmas where it belongs. Pre-holiday reading is recommended!

  • 7 Days of Christmas: The Season of Generosity by Jen Hatmaker
  • Advent Conspiracy by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay and Greg Holder

You, too, can join in on the Advent Conspiracy. I have! I’m participating in a group discussion with the local United Methodist Church in Bel Air.

Keep your eye on AllThingsFulfilling.com.  In the New Year there will be more recommended titles because there are genres of books that can make a world of difference to individuals and family alike who want to live more fulfilling lives. Click here for one more title to add to this short list! There is a meaningful chapter about Christmas in it you will not want to miss.

Post Script:  Ever since I entered the media world as a blogger and writer ten years ago, I have taken about a two-week hiatus, through the holidays, from posting writings. This year it will be a little different. I am dedicating myself to a whole month of quietly observing the holy season and to the renewal of spirit. When the New Year rolls around, 2020!! I will be refreshed and rejuvenated.

Merry Christmas to You and to Yours.

 

When the Light Shines

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“Go to the people and the places that set a spark in your soul.” ~ Unknown

UMC Spiritual Bldg 2 with signature

Above Photo: Indoor Labyrinth – Spiritual Center, United Methodist Church, Steamboat Springs, CO

UMC Spiritual bldg 5 with signature

Above photo: Interior of Spiritual Center, Steamboat Springs, CO

When the light shines through the window pane of your soul, it’s a beautiful thing. The first time I stepped through the doors of the United Methodist Church in 2008, I never felt more connected to a place of worship since the church of my childhood. That church, the Maryland Presbyterian, is a church that my father and his company built.

The pastor of the church I attend now, The United Methodist in Steamboat Springs, Colorado,  in my opinion, is a rock star who offers inspiring words people come to hear in churches in this day and age. Nearly every Sunday, even in a resort community where people come and go with the seasons, the pews are filled to capacity. The connectedness and fellowship in the church is something very special.

My church life and the community of writers have been the best part of living in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Not even to mention the magnificent landscapes. Others like me who have found a special connectedness here have had an etched brick with their family names or special sentiments placed in the courtyard of the new Spiritual Center. That’s where it will permanently stay.

I captured these photos of the new Spiritual Center at the United Methodist Church early one morning when I was with a group of women preparing for the annual 4th of July fundraiser. The street party held after the parade is hosted by The Tread of Pioneer Museum, the United Methodist and the Episcopal Church, all located within a block. Respectively, the three organizations sell “Routt” beer floats, strawberry sundaes and hot dogs in huge quantities! A seventeen piece band adds to the festivities.

Today is the dedication for this building which will bring much connection, light and life to many people in the years ahead.

UMC Spiritual Bldg 3 all things fulfilling brick with signature

UMC Spiritual Bldg with signature

Above Photo: The new Spiritual Center at the United Methodist Church in Steamboat Springs, CO

Motivated Independent Publishers

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Thinking of writing your story?

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“Like anything in life when the right time comes along, and when you are fully and completely committed to the project you will find the personal resources like commitment, determination, enthusiasm, confidence and energy within to carry it out. The will to make it happen becomes much greater than your desires to let your dreams go by the wayside.” ~Independent publisher, Sue Batton Leonard

~Sue Batton Leonard, award-winning author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and Short Stories: Lessons of Heart & Soul.

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Of All Things! A Mustard Seed?

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As an independent publisher, it takes faith and determination to see a project to fruition. Today, I am reposting one of my favorite older blogs about faith.

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From a small seed a mighty trunk might grow ~ Aeschylus

The other day, a memory came to me as I stood in the line at the grocery store. I saw an elderly woman who had a beautiful silver watch on her wrist. It was unlike the kind of watch that you see in this day and age, and it reminded me of my Grandmother. Back in her day, watches were made like fine art – the work that went into crafting them was apparent.

mustard seedMy grandmother always wore a lovely watch with a little bauble that hung from it, just like in this image. What really intrigued me was the seed inside the bauble. I thought it was kind of intriguing but, I couldn’t imagine why would anyone carry around a seed hanging from their watch.

My grandmother told me it was a mustard seed but never told me of the seed’s significance…

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Tapping into Creativity

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“Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.” ~ Edward deBono

Abraham Maslow, founder of humanistic psychology said that “creativity is a characteristic given to all human beings at birth.” How many of us tap into our innate gift of creativity as we go about our daily life?  For those who work in careers involving the Arts, using one’s own God-given creativity is naturally incorporated into every day life. For others, it takes consciously finding ways to live life inspired. All of us have a different interpretation of what living an inspired life means.

In essence, Maslow’s theory says that once our psychological needs for safety, love and affection and esteem are satisfied, then we as human beings are freed to travel down the path of toward self-actualization. We can begin fulfilling our need to create and do what it is we were born to do, if our basic needs have been met. For more information on the Maslow theory. 

If you are a person whose career does not involve the Arts, March is Crafting Month, and it is the perfect time to explore new ways of incorporating more creativity into your life for personal fulfillment. Craft a unique and creative piece of art through the written word. Writing poetry, essays, old-fashioned love letters, short stories, haiku or full length books will get your imagination and your brain working in innovative ways. There is no cost to that and anyone in this age of independent publishing can be a published author!  Join a local writing group, to enjoy the camaraderie of others whose spirits also soar when putting pen to paper.

It’s always a good time to build your a creative life for yourself. Find a new hobby and live a life inspired. It will provide you with hours of entertainment and personal satisfaction, too.

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard.

Spring Overflowing with Gratefulness

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“Art is literacy of the heart” ~Elliot Eisner

Today is the first day of spring and with that, I celebrate gratefulness for my wonderful health, my dear family, new and life-long friends. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the beautiful natural environment in which I live. Wait, there is more –

The other day, I began to consider the huge volume of communication about independent publishing and all the creative industries that comes across my desk every day, every week, every month and every year. Difficult to keep up with; it also fascinates me to no end.

Adding another “I AM GRATEFUL to my list, I am grateful I have a way to share what arrives on my desk with my readers through All Things Fulfilling. Without an outlet, I would have to keep the information contained; a very hard thing to do. When I am filled with excitement about something, I want to share it! Don’t you?

My heart is overflowing with gratitude for those who visit this blog site. My hope is that you tell someone else about the value of this digital news and information space, so that our world blooms prolifically with all fulfilling things in art, culture, spirituality, business and life.

Happy Spring and May Your Life continue to Bloom and Grow!

This blog brought to you by  award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard.

Remembering Leaps of Faith

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I will be taking a new leap of faith in the very near future. Stay tuned! More information coming!

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If you have ever been successful at anything against all odds, you come to understand that sometimes risk is worth it.  There are valuable lessons to be learned when we let go and take a leap of faith. Without some element of believing in something greater than ourselves, it is hard to move forward. For instance –
I remember….

When I was in my late teens our family vacationed in the Thousand Island region of Canada on a lake called The Opinicon. On many of the islands that dotted the lake there were huge rocky cliffs, perhaps 20-30 feet high. We’d jump off the crags into the water. It was scary and exhilarating all at the same time.

I’d run up the edge of the cliff all filled with vim and vigor and then stop just before going over. Finally after a few failed attempts, I’d surrender and take the big…

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Protect and Defend Wholesome Values

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unity in spirti

Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. ~ Mattie Stepanek

The mission behind All Things Fulfilling has been always been a multi-media approach to sharing information about things that make my heart zing – what fills my heart with joy and happiness. That includes information on what has become my career and passion since 1998 – independent publishing.

I seldom make strong statements on All Things Fulfilling because we don’t need another platform on which to air controversial opinions all for the sake of being heard.

This statement I am going to make is about valuing human life and it really doesn’t matter where you stand politically. We need people in this country to discover and fill open spaces in their hearts with what brings them personal fulfillment, not evil and violence.

Dr. Ben Carson recently said about the recent occurrences in Charleston, South Carolina that the

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Meet You at the Sandbox

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“Play is the work of children. It’s very serious stuff.” ―Bob Keeshan

Welcome back! Hope you had fun weekend.

A few years ago when I moved to Colorado, I went to a business conference for entrepreneurs. I sat next to a very nice young woman, not many years out of college. We visited throughout the day and enjoyed each other’s company. At end of the conference, she turned to me and said, “You know, you really ought to join the young professionals networking group.”  I began laughing!

“What?” she asked, in all seriousness. “What are you laughing at?”

“Young professionals?” I asked. Not because I thought joining networking groups for professionals was a bad idea but because I was questioning her judgment of how old I was. If fact, there are great advantages to joining organizations to meet-up with other entrepreneurs and business people. http://bit.ly/1uICWXy.

“Yes,” she said, “they are a great group and…

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Good News: Young Entrepreneurs

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“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” Pamela Vaull Starr

The good news is the world still has its share of young people who have heads for business. In fact,  digital tools are facilitating entrepreneurship at a younger age than ever! Want to know how? Here is an article.

There are many youngsters who find their passion and their talents at very young ages. Whether they have a head for science, mathematics, technology or inspire others through their unique creative talents, there are ways you can to encourage your child. There are even schools which help nuture entrepreneurial spirit and innovation in children by helping them set up micro-businesses.

lightbulbHow do you raise self-motivated children? Here is an excellent article. I like many of the tips in this article but my top pick is “to give a child a rich…

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