The Warmth of “Heart Bread”

Leave a comment

Posted on January 9, 2015

“God be thanked for books; they make us heirs of the spiritual life of past ages.” ~ William Ellery Channing

On Saturday I had a book signing at Come and See Christian Books and Gifts in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. People drifted in and out throughout the day to shop and to speak with me about my award-winning publication Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.

During quiet times, I took the opportunity to browse and become more acquainted with what was in store. In the children’s section I came across a book called “Making Heart-bread.” I thought it was particularly meaningful, and the concept of the tale holds value for both children and adults. It is based on a true story of what helped heal emotional scars of children who were traumatized during the World War II era.

Briefly, a grandmother teaches children the difference between making bread to fill the “tummy” and bread that fills the soul. Making heart-bread she says is very important because it “never runs out.” The recipe has ingredients which nourish us most in times of need. The ingredients are revealed throughout the storyline.

After having read Making Heart-bread I have feelings of warmth inside me knowing I have been given all the fundamentals of heart-bread throughout my lifetime. Heart-bread is that which is made from memories of love and spirituality.

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. For information on her two publications Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and Short Stories: Lessons of Heart & Soul , please visit https://allthingsfulfilling.com/about-the-book/

See you on Monday on All Things Fulfilling.

Advent Day #22 Open Hearts in Community

Leave a comment

Posted on December 22, 2014

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” ~ Dale Evans

I’m more proud than ever to attend a church whose motto is “Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors.” The Steamboat United Methodist Church reached out, extended their welcome and showed that they practice what they preach to the Jewish congregation here in Steamboat. The menorah issue was put to rest and it was lit on Tuesday December 16^th on the front lawn of the United Methodist Church. The Menorah is symbolic of “light, wisdom, and Divine inspiration” but it was also designed as creative art for our community.

This story was broadcast on CBS and in newspapers in other cities. To watch the video about what ended up being a story about love in action, please follow this link.

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/12/11/menorah-blocked-from-courthouse-lawn-in-steamboat-springs/

One of the best things you can teach children when they are old enough to grasp the concepts is about multi-cultural understanding. Author Sue Batton Leonard recounts her personal experience with multi-cultural love in her memoir, an anthology of stories in her book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected. It has won several awards, one in the young adult category. The book is perfect for giving to “tweens’ and teens and an entire family.

The memoir, an award-winning anthology of short stories is available in audio book (narrated by the author), paperback and e-book. Here is how to order:

Audio Book http://amzn.to/1trrTl9
Paperback http://amzn.to/1qmcEHI
e-Book http://amzn.to/1lx7oRh

Advent Day #20 Remembering to Give

Leave a comment

Posted on December 20, 2014

As a thank you to our readers, today I am going to share an audio chapter of Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.

One of the most valuable lessons in my lifetime was learning as a child that the spirit of Christmas should be extended to others. In fact, being grateful and thinking of others rather than ourselves is one of the best cures for whatever ails us.

A week ago, I volunteered a few hours helping with a United Way project here in Steamboat. I was awestruck by the charitable hearts of the people in our community. Corporations, retail establishments, individuals and churches all came together to make sure no one who needs assistance will go hungry and without a gift for Christmas.

A holiday shopping market of toys and clothing and other necessities that makes Christmas feel special was set up for families in the auditorium at Colorado Mountain College. Hundreds of volunteers helped with the effort.

Kate Nowak, Executive Director of Routt County United Way is to be commended for her efforts in leading the way in pulling it all together.

Being neighborly and remembering to give of ourselves through volunteering and other thoughtful gestures means much to those who need to be lifted up. For the giver, it can also lead to a few symptoms of the advent virus – “contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature and frequent attacks of smiling.”

In chapter 29 titled “The Gift of Life” in the award-winning memoir by yours truly there’s a poignant holiday story that families can share together about being grateful every day of your life. Listen in here.

Advent #19 Faithfully Confused

Leave a comment

Posted on December 19, 2014

Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because sooner or later, if you are posing, you will forget the pose, and then where are you? ~ Fanny Brice

Fanny Moore, God Bless Her, the stellar character in the memoir Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected faithfully attended church weekly. She reiterated many of the things her “preacher man” said about faith throughout the week at our family’s house. Often misconstrued, her literal interpretations led to priceless conversations and joyful times.

I get great pleasure in reading church signs that I pass by in the car because often I think many of them could have been posted by my beloved Fanny. Each comical sign in front of a church brings a warm-hearted smile to my face. I can’t help but think the signs are heaven sent, just like Fanny.

I hope these signs have gotten you in the JOLLY christmas spirit. You’ll be warmed by Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected if you enjoy inspirational yet humorous stories. The eloquence of Fanny Moore is not to be missed!

Celebrate the season in good cheer! But remember, please do not drink and drive!

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. For information on her memoir, please visit these links.

Audio Book  http://amzn.to/1trrTl9
Paperback  http://amzn.to/1qmcEHI
e-Book  http://amzn.to/1lx7oRh

Advent Day #18 Setting in Story

Leave a comment

Posted on December 18, 2014

“Tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom, not a guide by which to live.” ~ Robert Kennedy

Photo: A setting in the story from a Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected

During such a joyful season, we must remember that for some, the holidays can be distressing, depressing and full of challenge to get through. As related in “Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected” sometimes it takes a painful experience for us to grasp the true value of life or turn tragedy into triumph

On this 18th Day of Advent, this place in the photo brings me bittersweet memories. The very of best times and the very worst. It takes reading my memoir to understand why.

What a reader has said about the award-winning memoir “This is a story of trust, faith, friendship, and deep love for one another.” ~ Barbara Guelder, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist and co-author of “Social and Emotional Learning in the Classroom.” http://successfulkidstoday.wordpress.com/

For more information on Sue Batton Leonard’s award-winning memoir, please visit these links.

Audio Book  http://amzn.to/1trrTl9
Paperback  http://amzn.to/1qmcEHI
e-Book  http://amzn.to/1lx7oRh

Advent Day #17 Windows on Life

Leave a comment

Posted on December 17, 2014

Ever feel like some days you are looking through cloudy windows and other days, the window pane looks crystal clear?

Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected gives a different perspective on the art of living. Each chapter is a little vignette about life and how we react to it. Much is about how we are wired, our upbringing, our beliefs and our experiences.

Forewarning! While reading Sue Batton Leonard’s award-winning memoir you might catch another symptom of the Advent Virus – A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.

Just another look at what’s inside Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected. I look forward to having you return to All Things Fulfilling tomorrow!

For information on the book by Sue Batton Leonard, please follow these links:

Audio Book  http://amzn.to/1trrTl9
Paperback  http://amzn.to/1qmcEHI
e-Book  http://amzn.to/1lx7oRh

Advent Day #16 Poignant Reading

1 Comment

Posted on December 16, 2014

“A good half of the art of living is resilience.” ― Alain de Botton

Have you ever felt so happy that you settle into thinking “it’s just another day in paradise?” Then WHAM…. an event or circumstance jolts you so severely that it tears your world apart completely? Years later, after much thoughtful consideration, the only way of coming to terms with the emotions that come with this kind of rude awakening is to seek out the good in the bad.

“You’ve been there, done that. You can relate,” you say?

How we face those kinds of challenges says a lot about our “personal constitution” or resilience, our attitudes and our upbringing as children.

Warning! On this 16^th Day of Advent you can expect to find stories in the award-winning memoir by Sue Batton Leonard that will lead to more symptoms of the Advent Virus – ‘an unmistakeability to enjoy each moment” despite storms that each one of us face in life!

Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected was published with high hopes that someone else can be helped to fully embrace life as God intended it, even with all it’s imperfections.

How to order the award-winning book?

Audio Book  http://amzn.to/1trrTl9
Paperback  http://amzn.to/1qmcEHI
e-Book  http://amzn.to/1lx7oRh

Advent Day #15 – Gentle Inspiration

Leave a comment

Posted on December 15, 2014

Advent Day #15: Gentle Inspiration

Life was a lot simpler when what we honored was father and mother rather than all major credit cards. ~ Robert Orben

Are you a parent who is concerned with raising children who will have their values in the right place? In today’s world of bringing up children, the challenges are different than in previous generations. Let’s be honest! There is an overwhelming focus on material things and kids feeling “entitled.” It’s what many parents are up against.

Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected is written by a baby boomer who remembers when life was much simpler. There are many life lessons incorporated into the award-winning anthology of stories but you must read between the lines to get some of them. This publication is not an offensive hard core religious story and it is not full of in-your-face parenting tips. It is a “story of trust, faith, friendship and deep love for one another. Readers will be inspired by……a life most fulfilling.” ~ Barbara Gueldner, Ph.D.,MSE Licensed Psychologist

Listen to the award-winning audio book as a family. The stories, very appropriate for ages 12+, give a jumping off point to handling those important conversations you have been meaning to have with your children. There is nothing that helps get a conversation started better than humor – that’s inside it!

To order the award-winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, please follow these links:

Audio Book  http://amzn.to/1trrTl9
Paperback  http://amzn.to/1qmcEHI
e-Book  http://amzn.to/1lx7oRh

12th Day of Advent: Meaning of Xmas

Leave a comment

Posted on December 12, 2014

“Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind.” ~ Calvin Coolidge

Have you ever noticed some of life’s most meaningful conversations often come during car rides? Why is that?

A twins’ Christmastime ride in the car with their beloved Fanny leads to symptoms of the “Advent Virus” ~ feelings of hope, joy, love, peace and most of all, understanding.

For more information on ordering the award-winning memoir Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, by Sue Batton Leonard, please go to these links.

Audio Book  http://amzn.to/1trrTl9
Paperback  http://amzn.to/1qmcEHI
e-Book  http://amzn.to/1lx7oRh

Author’s Favorite Chapter

1 Comment

Posted on December 9, 2014

On this 9th day of Advent if you were to ask author Sue Batton Leonard “What is her favorite chapter in her award-winning book? Here’s the answer: Chapter 19 Personal Coaching.

The story starts with an inspirational quote that goes like this “To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” by http://www.tonyrobbins.com.

‘Nuf said on this ninth day of Advent on All Things Fulfilling. The whole narrative that relates to this quote by Tony Robbins lies between the covers of the award-winning memoir “Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.” To Order :

Audio Book  http://amzn.to/1trrTl9
Paperback  http://amzn.to/1qmcEHI
e-Book  http://amzn.to/1lx7oRh