Category Archives: Art

Film Friday: The Book Thief

3 Comments

How many a man has dated a new era in his life from reading a book?” ~Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

book thiefI find it hard to imagine not having a wealth of books at my dispose – what with bookstores, libraries, internet ordering and now instantaneous delivery of digital publications. But, in Germany during the World War II era (1930’s) this scenario was reality. In fact, the best of books were burned. And if you were a poor young girl, getting your hands on books to read was even more difficult.

This is the premise of the story in the film “The Book Thief.” Despite the fact that the film adaptation of Markus Zusak ‘s novel of the same name has been getting mixed reviews, it sounds like a fulfilling cinema production to me.  I am putting this movie on my “MOVIES TO SEE”  list. It is beginning to make its debut in select theatres this month.

If you wish to read a longer summary about the film “The Book Thief,” directed by Brian Percival and starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and Sophie Nelisse. Click for info & ordering on the Book Thieft
Happy Film Friday, everyone. Keep your eyes open for listings for this movie coming to your local theatre.

See you back here on All Things Fulfilling on Monday. We will be featuring a book that is a great Christmas present for teen readers. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Dialogue Adds Dimension

2 Comments

“Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from…”  ~ Rita Mae Brown

Happy Thoughtful Thursday!

Last Wednesday evening I went to a book event for three local writers at our independent bookstore here in town called Off the Beaten Path. Of course, fellow Steamboat Writers Group authors and supporters were in attendance. One of the members, Larry,  asked me “how my book was coming?” He mentioned now that I am finished reading my book to the group, he misses hearing the voice of one of my characters.  What a lovely and thoughtful compliment! Those words alone, to me, meant that I was successful in incorporating into my writing an authentic voice of my main and stellar character.

two people talkingYou see, when I started writing the manuscript it had no dialogue. The writers group encouraged me to reach deeper and include my memories of conversations with family members. They were so “right on” in suggesting that I go back and insert dialogue because it added another dimension to the story that was not there previously. The extra time it took was well worth the effort. The story is so much richer for it because through dialogue the culture, historical era and a sense of place shines through in my narrative.

Thank you, Larry from  the Steamboat Writers Group. That is why I came and read the entire manuscript aloud. That was the kind of feedback I was looking for! And Larry’s words reminded me how important it is for writers to encourage others who are going through the process.

See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com, the place where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business.

Nostalgic Images Stirred

Leave a comment

“When people…rethink their personal stories, they begin to build a sense of connection and responsibility…they begin to view their personal stories as intertwined with history.”~ Paul Rogat Loeb

I have kept it no secret that I have been writing a memoir over the past few years. For those who knew me in my early childhood days, they’ve asked “has writing a life story  been painful?” I have to laugh.

I laugh because as I have written the personal narrative, it has stirred and returned me to some fulfilling memories of an era that has gone by and will never come again. That’s life. That’s progress – ever moving forward.

I realize how woven history is with my story. I am a survivor and have lived through times of great historical importance. As an author, in telling the story, I’ve tried to capture those nostalgic times. If you are of the baby boomer generation, what societal changes do you think has had the most impact on life in America since the 1950’s? I’m interested in your opinion.  

This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. The space where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.

New Found Treasures

3 Comments

“Treasure your relationships, not your possessions.” ~ Anthony J D’Angelo

Peeps writing to Meems in armyFamily photos are some of the greatest treasures we could ever own. Last summer, my parents gave an unexpected gift to our family by revealing some never before seen photos they had gotten out of storage. The image that really stole my heart more than any other is this image of my father writing a letter to my mother (as he did almost daily) when he was in the army. On the crude wooden desk, made with 2” X 4”s was a framed picture of the love of his life, my mother, looking right at him as he wrote the letter.

My parents were childhood friends beginning at 10 or 11 years of age. They grew up one street apart from one another. That childhood friendship developed into a love relationship that has lasted, in a marriage, for 65 years. But what transpired throughout the course of their lives and some of the things they coped with as very young adults and newly-married is part of the treasure in my own personal narrative that will be published in spring 2014.

As I look at this image of my parents, it fulfills me to know that from the union of my father (who was an only child) and my mother (who had one brother), our family has become very large. Each person added by birth or marriage is like newly found treasure – each contributing to the whole with individual interests and passions that make for beautiful gatherings. The conversations when we are all together range from custom home building and architecture, to fitness, food and fashion design, to homeopathics and neonatal nursing, to boats, marine logistics and shipping, to writing, publishing and filmmaking. (How is that for a run on sentence?) And lest I forget – we now have a student of equine medicine in training! Diverse and widespread interests all in one family. But what binds us all together, besides the caring, is the love of books and reading, first nurtured by my parents.

If you are wondering how to instill a love of reading in your children, here is an article with 11 great tips.http://bit.ly/19RMGTO

And all these years later, despite every life challenge and obstacle, my parents are still each other’s best friends. Isn’t that an ultimate love story?

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. Do return tomorrow to All Things Fulfilling.

Wrapped in a Blanket and a Movie

1 Comment

I just want others to understand that it is within their power to take a dream from inside their hearts and begin making it their life’s work. ~  John Mitchell

Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet, and the Hallmark Channel has already begun broadcasting Christmas movies. Last Sunday I decided that after church and after my daily walk that I was going to take the afternoon of the Sabbath seriously – no writing, no reading, no cleaning of the house. I was going to sit and enjoy a sappy Christmas movie that had attracted my attention as I channel surfed.

As I sat, wrapped in a blanket with popcorn and hot chocolate in hand, I began to think how this movie was no different than any of the other Christmas movies I have seen in my lifetime. But I still never get tired of watching sappy holiday films. The issues in the plots of holiday movies are nearly always the same – about a broken family, unrequited love, a romance gone wrong or the struggles of a lonely heart club member. The ending of the story is always fulfilling –  tied up with an uplifting message.  Sweet Christmas movies remind me to believe in the goodness of humanity and to always look for it inside people.

The Christmas CardThe Christmas Card is one holiday movie I have not yet seen, and it is upcoming on the “Heart of TV” – The Hallmark Channel. Here is the link to the programming schedule for Christmas movies you can watch right from the comfort of your living room. http://bit.ly/1atIndj.

You must be thinking I am off my rocker with all this talk of Christmas already. Well, here in the northwest corner of Colorado, we have already had about 50 inches of snow this season. The weather broadcasters are saying it is “the earliest winter ever.” To me, as I look my window on this first week of November, it may as well be Christmas. The earth is wrapped in a blanket of sparkly white already.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. Do return tomorrow on Monday. I look forward to sharing some inspiring images and stories with  you  next week. Some will lead you into knowing a little more about my own personal narrative.

Youth and Philanthrophy

1 Comment

Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.– Barbara Bush

How do you teach young children to value what is inside of them selves rather than material objects?

colors of cakeSome parents are teaching their children the importance of giving to others by throwing “no gift birthday parties.” There is still cake and ice cream, balloons, games and other makings for a day of celebration, but the guests are asked to bring a donation, rather than a toy.

The birthday boy or girl gets to decide where the donations are sent. It is important that the child is in on the decision-making process so they understand where the money is going. The cause should be something the child is excited about, so they feel fulfillment in the giving.

How do you explain “no gift birthdays” to your children without them being resentful? Sometimes it is not very hard, children sometimes “get it” if they can relate to the cause.  Make a Wish Foundation is just one suggestion to partner with. There are many other worthy foundations also. http://wish.org/ways-to-help.

What are your thoughts? Do you think “no gift birthdays” would help instill values in your children – a sense of what really matters?

This Thoughtful Thursday’s blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you on Friday on All Things Fulfilling.

 

A Welcome Greeting

Leave a comment

“Positive anything is better than negative nothing.” ~ Elbert Hubbard

This summer, when I was in Maryland, on the Eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay, I walked into a salon to get a haircut. There wasn’t an attendant in the reception area when I arrived, so I sat down and picked up a magazine. Some time passed, and I looked up at the counter, and there was still no attendant, but I noticed something on the counter that I hadn’t seen when I entered. There was an upright sign that had been posted in a clear glass frame that said, “Good Morning, this is God. I will be handling all your problems today. I will not need your help. So just relax and have a good day.” 

Hmmm….I thought, “Wouldn’t life be great if things were that easy? Having faith is a wonderful thing. It does help us  feel as if we can relax a little when we’re stressed because “someone’s got our back.”  But let’s not be too simplistic and unrealistic – we do have to take an active part in living up to our potential and making our own lives fulfilling.

faith welcome mat

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. The space where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business.

Fulfilling Potential

Leave a comment

“The choices you make now, the people you surround yourself with, they all have the potential to affect your life, even who you are, forever.”   ―     Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever  

Do you feel like this Weimaraner puppy – up a tree without a paddle? Knowing you are not living up to your full potential?

up a treeYou are not alone. There are many people feeling the same way you are in this economy. It may not be a good time to quit the full time job or change careers, but that does not mean you are stuck forever. Above all, maintain the faith that better things are in store for you, believe it and work toward it.

Next, recognize that change begins within ourselves There are always little things you can do to make your life more fulfilling. For instance -perhaps you’ve always wanted to be a hiking guide but are stuck in corporate America. It may not be a good time to let go of that full time job – but maybe you can get outside everyday to take a jog, a walk or a hike around the block before or after work. On weekends or on days off, take to the hills – no excuses!

Here is an article from Shake off the Grind about finding something positive in every situation. http://bit.ly/1cmCuq1. The tips might help you.

Remember, change begins with little things. What is it that makes your heart zing?  What ever that is find a way to do it!

weimariner

This blog is brought to you by  www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. Come on back tomorrow, and we will see what else we can get into that leads to All Things Fulfilling.

Spirited Young Children

2 Comments

Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

joyfulchildI love the spirit and innocence of young children. Few have reason to doubt the world until they reach emotional maturity, which according to Katherine Lee in this article, http://abt.cm/Hk0mge, is somewhere around  the age of nine.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful, as an adult, to have a child’s spirit and have the ability to let your joy shine through from the depths of your soul not caring about what others think of your most delightful thoughts and actions.

I love the book we shared yesterday on All Things Fulfilling, by Trevor Boehm, because I think there is wisdom in the words he shares with respect to living in the world feeling personally fulfilled. If you didn’t read yesterday’s blog, scroll down to it.

On Monday, we will be sharing some tips for people who feel they are not living up to their God given talents, and wish they could be doing something else in their lives or careers. Please join us!

This blog brought to you by http://www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com .

Thoughtful Thursday: Opening Up Discussion

Leave a comment

trevor boehm quote

Happy Thoughtful Thursday! Today, I would like to share an interview that I had with Ali Boehm earlier in the week. She owns an award-winning healing business called “Kneading Hands” Massage. She is also the driving force behind a book, authored by her brother, Trevor.  The Boehm family published “Louie’s Saxophone” to help people struggling with mental illness.

Here is our interview:

Sue: Today is the first of many Thoughtful Thursdays to come on All Things Fulfilling. I continue to be inspired by your family’s story. The loss of your brother has been turned into a positive mission.  More than a year ago, I featured your brother Trevor’s award-winning book “Louie’s Saxophone” on All Things Fulfilling and I would like to feature it once more. http://bit.ly/1auIRSD

In a few weeks you will be participating in an event at Bermis Hall at Colorado College sponsored by the National Alliance of Mental Health. You will be sharing “Louie’s Saxophone” which has the potential to help many people. Tell me  more about the event.

Ali: On November 14th (at 6:30 pm) in Colorado Springs, CO I will be a speaking out, sharing our family’s experience at the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It will be an evening of story and song called Silence No More. People will also be reading poetry and expressing themselves through the power of dance. Kathy Brandt and Max Maddox will also be sharing their book “Walks on the Margins: A Story of Bipolar Disease.”

Sue: What will you will be specifically speaking about?

Ali: This time when I speak at the NAMI event, and now that more time has passed since the loss of my brother, I will be reflecting on what I think Trevor would be doing if he was still here with us.

Sue: Tell me what purpose you feel Louie’s Saxophone plays in helping people with mental illness?

Ali: That no one is alone. The book, in a gentle way, opens a door to talk about a sensitive subject matter. I believe that my brother’s struggles began at age 8, and a children’s book becomes a family place for education at a very young age.

Sue: What has your family learned about the power of books to change lives by  publishing Louie’s Saxophone?

Ali: People believe in the written word.  A book creates a space for reflection and gives power to legitimize the healing process. Initially we thought we’d do a pamphlet, but a book has more credibility.

 Sue: How does it make you feel to know that you are helping others by sharing the story Trevor left behind?

Ali: Humbled. The book is powerful and it puts me in a position that facilitates discussion. I do not have all the answers, and sometimes that is scary. But I can provide and find resources.

Ali: Where should people who are struggling go to seek help? Can you give me a few resources?

Sue: Ali, It’s been a good day if by publishing this interview on-line if we can help even a single person to know that they are not alone and they can open up about their own depression or sadness. Best to you with the NAMI event, I am so proud that you are part of We Write Steamboat networking group for independent publishers . You are sharing an important story.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.