Category Archives: family memoirs

Simplifying the Difficult

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Has there ever been a person who has gone through life unscarred? I doubt it because there is no such thing as a perfect life. Good times and bad times are all part of the human condition.Scars come in different forms – physical, emotional and mental. No matter what form scars take, anguish is it’s partner.

Today, on All Things Fulfilling, since we are focusing on things that might make life easier – think about this statement:

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Understood! Save yourself some heartbreak by simplifying how you look at pain or sorrow. Change the perspective from difficulty to triumph. That’s all I’m saying but you can learn more about this issue through my award-winning memoir Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.

This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard.

 

 

Simple Theme Week

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This week on All Things Fulfilling we are going to stick with one theme and see where it leads.

Simple blogging with thought provoking adages. Take a few minutes out of your day and ruminate. What do these mottos mean in the context of your life? Hopefully by weeks end, you will have reflected on ways you can simplify your life to make it more fulfilling for you and your family.

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If you missed last Fridays blog called Pounds of Love. I’d suggest you go back and read it. The story exemplifies today’s thought, and it is a story of thoughtfulness and compassion for others.

This blog is brought to you by the author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Pounds of Love

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Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness. ~Seneca

This is one of the best good news stories I have read in a long time about the power of women who band together to make the world a little bit better.

The heartwarming ingredients in the story include:

  • Nine compassionate women
  • A wonderful mission
  • Pounds of sweet beginnings and endings
  • 35 years of  secrecy and dedication
  • Southern soul, charm and kindness
  • Love for others and community

The end result: “Happiness Happens!”

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Do not miss this article.  Click here and read the full story.  Check in on us tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.

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

Art for the Gain of Self

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“Effort is not measured by what you get for it, but by what you become because of it.” ~ Julie Leidel, The Bungalow Craft

There has been an increasing awareness of how creating art benefits the heart and soul. Don’t believe me? Psychology Today magazine has a series of articles that speak to this issue.  Check out their article on the rising popularity of adult coloring books. Why? Because people remember how fulfilling an activity it was as a child to create a picture with something as simple as paper and crayons, incorporating whatever colors struck their heart strings.

Many people say they don’t have an artistic bone in their body, but, you might surprise yourself if you allow yourself to participate in the creative experience without judgement – purely for the fun of it. Not everyone is slated to be the world’s next greatest artist, we all have our unique talents which run the gamut. Following our passions and our God-given abilities leads us down a path to personal fulfillment.

Seek, determine and shape your life from the depths of your heart ~ Sue Batton Leonard

 And remember:

Art Light signed
Above: This print and others are available from the Motto Series @

www.TheBungalowCraft.com

This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.

 

Appetite for Metal Art?

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The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. – Aristotle (384-322 BC)

“Mares eat oats and goats eat oats” … and everything around them. I can’t remember the exact lyrics of the song my sister, brothers and I sang in our childhood but it went something like that.

When I saw these billy goat lawn sculptures at Art in the Park, they caught my attention. They’re reminiscent of Hanratty, one of the childhood pets in our family’s menagerie.

A very creative artist took the lyrics to the song literally and created these metal sculptures from found items. The guts of the animal reflects exactly what goats are known for “trash eating.” Garden tools, tin cans, children’s metal toys, hubcabs and more are incorporated into these fun to look at garden ornaments.

I laughed when I saw them. A short time later when I returned to the display to show my husband, several had been sold. A good indication that others appreciated the humor and ideas of the artist in designing this craft.

Do you have treasure in your basement or attic that you could reuse to make something special? Even if it it’s just for yourself you can have fun creating. Art is therapeutic and a good way to cure whatever is ailing inside of you.

An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision. ~ James McNeill Whistler

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This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Artistic Whimsy and Ingenuity

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What’s life without whimsy? ~ Dr Sheldon Cooper – The Big Bang Theory

I like the concept of taking old things that some people might consider to be passe´and bringing them back through the process of “upcycling.” The artistic ingenuity that goes into reusing and redesigning found old items into something unique strikes my interest. Not to even mention that fewer items are now being sent to landfills.

In my own home, I like the juxtaposition between old and new. Over the years I’ve incorporated some antiques into my home décor.  It allows for variety and one’s own personality and unique preferences to really shine through. Each person’s interpretation of what makes a home comfortable and attractive is different. And I find it fulfilling to see how people artistically embellish their living environments, rather than using “cookie cutter” interior decorating style.

A few artists at Art in the Park in Steamboat Springs exhibited “upcycled” work that I particularly enjoyed. Chelles Painted Décor by Michelle Welch was one artist whose work struck a chord within me for her book night lights and other home accessories which had colorful glass plates incorporated into their design.  Her booth space was particularly attractive and showcased her crafts well. There was a lot of thought put into her set-up. Here are a few images.Visit her Facebook page!

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Up-Cycled Antiques had a great assortment of wind chimes made with old kitchen utensils. Their whimsical approach to art made me smile. After all, life shouldn’t be taken too serious. It spoils all the fun! Here are a few images  I captured and you can visit their Facebook Page or their etsy.com site to see more of their creations.

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That’s all for today, folks. We will be here again tomorrow and I hope you’ll check in on us!

This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Heart of the Stories

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“A good story should make you laugh, and a moment later break your heart.”― Chuck Palahniuk

Do you miss those days when the words commitment, pride and work ethic really meant something? Are you tired of reading news stories that are sensational and shocking because healthy relationships are missing? The good news is stories about valuing oneself and others who are different than us do exist.

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Lessons of Heart & Soul, is a collection of stories that go back to the days when things were much simpler and when kids learned and understood what decent values were all about. These ten short stories which were cut from the award-winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected were previously unpublished. They are bound to put a smile on your face.

If you are looking for something to make you feel good and lift your spirits, both publications will remind you of a time when life was not so complex. You’ll love Fanny the central character in the story and her pearls of wisdom. You’ll want to learn even more about her in the award-winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, if you haven’t already read it.

Where is the best treasure in the story? Check out the memorable voice in the audio book, narrated by the author. Prefer to read it on a different platform? Select the paperback or e-book.

Looking Back at Alma Maters

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A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault.  ~John Henry Newman

The other day I was going through some memorabilia from my college days. Oh, how I loved that chapter of my life. I came across this letter, which I’ve read many times over, but this time I noticed something I hadn’t previously. I had to laugh. I’ll leave it up to you to find what I am chuckling about.

The purpose of this blog is not to find fault, in fact, I am quite sympathetic. The point I am making is about how we are all our own worst editors.  Besides any publications I am working on at the moment, I blog daily so I write a lot and I do not have an “inhouse editor.” Even though I proofread my writing, time and time again, after the writing has been posted I see typographical errors. Ahh..well, I’m human. It is as if my eyes see what they want to see, not what is really written. Anyone else have a problem like that?

I am much better at editing other’s writing because I don’t know what it says beforehand, so my eyes don’t miss things knowing what it supposed to say.

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Did you find anything unexpected?

The moral of the story: Please do not pass judgement. It happens to the best of us.

See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.com. This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard.

All it Takes is a Picture

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Isn’t it funny how all it takes is a picture to stir memories up?

Highlights for Children Puzzle

I am posting this blog especially for my mother this morning on All Things Fulfilling, I hope she sees it.

Mom,

Do you remember the hours you and I sat in doctor’s waiting rooms looking at Highlight’s for Children Magazine passing the time away waiting for my cardiology appointments. When I came across this image, I thought of you. Now that I am a mother, I can relate just a little to what you went through with a critically sick child. I am sure as you waited with me, your anxiety was by far much greater than mine, even though I was the patient.

Anyway, Mom, those days of Johns Hopkins, Sinai  and all the other doctors we visited are long past us. Thankfully I came out on the all better side. I know you don’t need any reminders of those days because they are etched in your mind forever. But this image reminded me of how we found something fulfilling in even the tough stuff. We enjoyed being together and solved these kinds of puzzles. It was our alone time. You probably thought it didn’t mean much to me but it did. So much so that seeing this image stirred all the memories up some six decades later. Thanks for being by my side and I look forward to a visit with you and Dad soon! Can’t believe it has been a year since I’ve seen you! Love, Sue

This blog is brought to you by the author of the award winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

 

 

Bubble Brain

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When a person starts to talk about their dreams, it’s as if something bubbles up from within. Their eyes brighten, their face glows, and you can feel the excitement in their words. ~John C. Maxwell

Have you ever read a little tidbit of information in a magazine, newspaper, or book and then said to your self  “Oh, I didn’t know that!”

The other day I picked up O Magazine and read that bubble gum decreases our anxiety and boosts our happiness. Cortisol, a stress hormone, is reduced after 20 minutes of chewing. Scientists speculate that chewing gum provides benefits to our bodies because our blood flow is changed as well as our heart rate, making us calmer.

Perhaps there is some truth to this notion. We baby boomers loved our Bazooka, and then there was the other brand, Wrigley’s that “doubled your pleasure and doubled your fun.” No wonder life was much simpler and and less stressful back then.

I know when I hear the lyrics to this song from my youth, my happiness quotient is increased. How about you, babyboomer, does this tune bring a smile to your face? Do you remember it?

If your bubble has burst, and you are looking for ways to decrease your stresses and increase your personal fulfillment, this article gives other suggestions. Check it out and see you tomorrow on  All Things Fulfilling.

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