Category Archives: leadership

It is All about Perception

” Blessed are those who see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing” ~  Camille Passaro

All day I have been listening to weather news from the mid-Atlantic States. What would be an ordinary snowstorm in the mountains, brings total chaos to areas unaccustomed to snow. If you have ever lived in the Washington, DC area, you know what I mean. If the word snow is even whispered, the government shuts down and all the people leave their offices early in a panic before the white stuff even begins to fly. As soon as that nasty word is uttered, the snowplows line up on the roads to start the vigil. When the first snowflake is spotted, the plowtrucks nearly collide rushing to be the first to sweep the demons off the trail. It is not the snow that is the enemy, it is all the people who have been driven into a frenzy by that four lettered word!

Someday, we will all learn that mother nature is not something to be defeated, controlled or subdued. Mother nature does not listen! She does her own thing, a real woman of independence!

I say “Let it Snow! And a special Merry Christmas to plein air painters of the mid-Atlantic who rarely get to experience a white Christmas. Wrap up and go outdoors and paint today. You have been given a wonderful gift from nature. Some of the most beautiful and most romantic paintings have come from plein air painters who have braved the weather and painted outdoors in less than comfortable conditions.

“Richard Schmid Paints the Landscape- November” DVD was filmed on a day when the weather conditions went from sun to clouds to snow all within the few hour film shoot. West Wind Fine Art, LLC www.westwindfineart.com can attest to the weather that day!  Richard’s DVD will teach you, as an artist, how to cope with changing light and weather conditions as you paint out of doors.

Richard took his slide show to the Portrait Society of America a few years ago. Maybe he can return to the Capital again, and teach Washingtonians a thing or two about changes in climate!

 

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Classic Cinema Celebrations

“It is the little things that make life big” ~ Unknown

I need to do some quick research! In a few days from now, our son will be arriving for the Christmas holidays. Not only do I have to set in food provisions for a ravenous, 21 year old college “kid” but, I need to come up with some movies that we can all enjoy watching as a family. It is part of what we do together during the holidays.

Sometimes I wonder whether my son’s desire to be a filmmaker didn’t start with watching The Muppet Christmas Carol as a toddler. He would sit and watch it three consecutive times before he tired of it. And I plead guilty – I let him!! He was, and still is, a child with over-the-top energy and it was the only way he and I could rest.

I am going to put a little leg-work into finding a newly released independent holiday film. I know exactly where I will start my search – The Internet Movie Database www.imdb.com. Any independently produced movie you are looking for is sure to be listed in this useful database. There must be something fresh and new on the indie film scene that is destined to be a holiday classic! If not, we will pull out the old classic holiday films like Holiday Inn, White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life.  I never tire of seeing them all.

What will be different for sure this year, is when I pass around the popcorn, I will surprise my son with a bottle of beer, too.  Ah, how kids grow. Enjoy the journey!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

It is Boxing Day!

“All the statistics in the world can’t measure the warmth of a smile” ~ Chris Hart

To an order fulfillment company, all days are boxing days! As the holidays roll around, the heat is on, as orders are being processed, packed and shipped at a feverish pace. Postal and delivery service carriers also have their work cut out for them. All loads are bigger and heavier to bear during this time of year.

To citizens in the United Kingdom and most areas settled by the British (Australia, Canada and New Zealand), December 26th is boxing day. Historians say the holiday came to be because servants typically worked on Christmas Day. The day after, those in the service industry usually took their holiday and visited their families.  The servant’s employers would present them with gift boxes as they went on their way. This tradition continues today in the UK and other countries, as people give presents to tradesman, mail carriers, doormen, porters and others in the service industry.

The postal service and delivery carriers have ramped up their staff to do their best to see to it that all gifts arrive in time for holiday giving. When a gift arrives at your door, make it “boxing” day, and give a tip, a gift of a smile or friendly thank you for their service. It may make the job all the more fulfilling!!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

A Book with a Bonus

“A quiet mind cureth all.” ~ Robert Burton

Did you know that all books come with a bonus gift that you can give to mothers of young children? That is right! It is free and it is available with all books that sit on bookstore shelves. What is the bonus, you may ask?  Time to read it alone!

I hear so many young mothers say “they would love to be able to read, if given the time.” I can relate, I have been there and sometimes, I still feel that way.  My husband is and was a very wise man. He seemed to know when I was at wit’s end with our child and all I needed was time alone to curl up in a chair with a cup of tea and sink myself into a book.  That was when he and our son planned to do something “just for guys.”

Fathers with young children – whether you are buying your wife a cookbook, the latest hot novel or a non-fiction book on women’s spirituality, child-rearing, the Arts, home decorating, architecture, gardening or a book about independent publishing, give an additional gift, time to read it Alone! Your whole family will benefit and you will be among the Wise Men!

…..psst – maybe, just maybe, the gift will be returned in kind!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Holiday Fulfillment

“Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.”                    ~Albert Camus

I bet you have noticed, that when it comes to all volunteer efforts, few carry the load for many. Pick your cause, it is always the same thing. Whether it is lending a hand for a service organization, a bake sale or volunteering for a Parent-Teacher Association it seems that those that have the least amount of time, give the most.

Over the past few weekends, I have volunteered a little of my time to sell Christmas ornaments for Kiwanis. Kiwanians raise funds for worthy projects around the world. Since 1915, this international service organization has been supporting projects that help grow strong communities and assist children.

There are so many ways to give, that mean so much, to those on the receiving end. If you can not give financially, give the gift of your time by volunteering for a worthy cause. Give a donation  of canned goods for a food shelter, hats,coats, mittens to those needing warm clothing for winter, put your spare change in a collection bucket, there are so many ways to share and care about those who really need assistance.

Not just during holidays, but all year long, we need to remember those that are in dire need of our help. The giving spirit will feel good and right,  give it a try!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Weekend Indy Publishers News

Poets and Writers Magazine 50% off  newstand price go to www.pw.org

Literary Magazine – The Kenyon Review www.kenyonreview.org   Holiday special 25% off newstand price and a one year subscription will give you access to 70 years of  literary excellence through digitally archived copies that are  now available on-line.

Ne w Book  – Fiction Writing for Dummies http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog by Randy Ingermanson. Now available in stores. This is one of the latest from the “Dummies” serious of books, that many people find so useful.

Don’t know what to give a writer for a holiday gift? How about something that will inspire, education and inform? Magazine subscriptions and books about writing are always a welcomed gift, and they can be ordered on-line, often at reduced prices.

This  blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Publishing Success

“When a person really desires something, all the Universe conspires to help that person realize his dream” ~ Paul Coeho

For those of you that are beginning a new venture into becoming an independent publisher in 2010, you will need a checklist of things that will make you a publishing success. Here are some steps for your check list:

  • A good idea that is unique, inspirational or educational
  • Belief in yourself as a writer or publisher
  • Contact with those who can help you along the way
  • Determination that never quits! Check this twice!
  • Excellence in all you do – find a great editor
  • Freelance publishing professionals for help when needed
  • Good cover design that Pops with interest!
  • Honest opinions from others
  • Innovative way to market your publication
  • Joyful  Jubilation as you pass each hurdle
  • Kick in the Pants – when you get frustrated
  • Lots of good advice from experienced publishers
  • Masterful story line
  • Name/title of the publication that will attract buyers
  • Order Fulfillment Company – to process, pack and ship
  • Printer who is reliable and affordable
  • Question others for good advice
  • Return on Investment – Lots of Book/DVD Sales!
  • Software for Publishers that will ease the way
  • Time devoted to making sure every detail is covered
  • Unrelenting pursuit of your dream. Check it Twice!
  • Vision for your publication
  • Writers Group to help support and steer your efforts
  • Xtra pinch of good luck!
  • Yell – go ahead – do it when you are frustrated!
  • Zippy Shipping to get your On-line orders to readers fast!

Check the list, and check it twice. There are lots of steps, but don’t get discouraged. With a clear understanding of your project, your market, your expectations and an unfaultering “CAN DO ATTITUDE”, you can be a publishing success.

Best Wishes for Becoming an Independent Publishing Success!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Pass it Along

“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

Today is a day of great sadness for my family. We have lost one of my son’s most valuable mentors in life. An educator and filmmaker, and all around wonderful person. He was so compassionate that he spent his final years producing a documentary about advanced cancer “Voices from the Lived World of Illness” for the Center for Communication in Medicine. This film and study guide is now being used to educate medical students and families about the importance of good communications between patient and doctor.

He fought so hard against a cruel blood cancer, and as he fought, he taught. Communication with others came so natural to him. My son and so many other students, are recipients of all the knowledge a person could possibly share about life, teen issues, about friendship and mentorship. He was committed to teaching emerging filmmakers every thing he has ever known about the business, before he left this world.

Thankfully, he had a wonderful support system throughout his illness. Those who knew him, tried in every way they could to return the same kindness and compassion that he had shared with others.

His legacy will be the education he so generously gave to his students, and the knowledge that will be communicated to others through the documentary film he produced.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Making Assessments

“Life is the sum of all your choices”~   Albert Camus

For those that are just getting started in independent publishing, there is a breaking point when your company has gained momentum enough to begin to outsource your order fulfillment. All independent publishers wonder when that time has come to seek help. If your  thoughts and feelings resemble this list, it is time to stop going it alone.

  • You are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done in a day.
  • Packing and shipping orders is not what you have set out to do in your career.
  • Your focus has been mired in details, such as how much it costs to get your independently published book or film from here to there and the best way to do it.
  • You are spending less time on your craft of writing or publishing, and more time on the business aspect of handling orders, recording payments and database upkeep.

Step back, assess how your life will be changed, if you could focus on the creative process and get back to what matters most. You are never alone. Use your favorite search engine and look for affordable order fulfillment for independent publishers. They are the folks who will lend you a hand. What a difference a day makes when you move forward with making a decision.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Comfort in Knowing

“Other things might change us, but we start and end with family.”                  ~ Anthony Brandt

I recently read some staggering statistics about hospice. According to The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization www.nhpco.org  1.45 million hospice patients were served in 2009. Out of approximately 2,500,000 deaths in 2008 – close to 963,000 were cared for by hospice workers. These numbers include patients who found comfort  and care in their final days of life in private residences, nursing homes, residential facilities, acute care hospitals and hospice inpatient facilities.

All of us have known someone who has been cared for by hospice workers in the final days of their life.  My hope is that along with my family, a compassionate and caring hospice worker will be by my side at the end of my life. This thought, I am sure, is shared by many people.

It is astounding to me that, although the need is great, the general population knows so little about hospice services. With our aging population, it would behoove all of us to be come educated and informed.

If you have a family member who is facing end of life issues, check with a  hospice facility, closest to you, to see whether they have a lending library that includes the documentary film “Pioneers of Hospice” www.pioneersofhospice.org. The film will help to educate you about an issue that, as human beings, each of us will face in a lifetime. The documentary sensitively handles a subject that so many are uncomfortable in discussing. It is insightful and educational for any family member who is faced wtih end of life decisions and end of life care.

You will find comfort in knowing you have learned something about hospice and it’s value prior to making those difficult end of life decisions for your loved one.

 This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.