Category Archives: Business

How to Be 2014

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Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist. ~ Mary Kay Ash

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I don’t make New Years resolutions every year because sometimes I am still aspiring to reach some of the goals I have set for the previous year. For 2014 my goals are simply to be healthier, wealthier and wiser than the previous twelve months.

  • Healthier – to know if my work and personal life are out of balance. I tend to not realize when to set my work life aside and when to take more time to do the things I like to do.
  • Wealthier – more financial resources would be great, but primarily I am thinking I’d like to be richer through self development. It feels good to grow personally. I did well last year by tackling a public speaking course. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
  • With age, comes wisdom, so hopefully the natural aging process will benefit me in positive ways. I hope discernment in all decision making will create exciting, new opportunities that will bring me even more personally fulfilling things in the New Year.

cornerstonesHere is an article I’d like to share with our readers about 20 Things the Rich do Every Day from RichHabitsInstitute.com. http://bit.ly/19QQ8Pa.

I hope you find the article informative and it will help you to be healthier, wealthier and wiser in the New Year. Cheers! May the year you create for yourself be one of the most fulfilling of your life!

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

Reaching Readers Worldwide

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HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! Today we will look back on All Things Fulfilling, over the past year and look ahead to the future.

FAQ: Does blogging work to promote books and business? My answer is YES! It provides promotion and advertising that would be, for most independent publishers, prohibitive if you used direct mailing or ads in print publications. Because we wholeheartedly believe in the power of e-marketing, I am opening up our year end report to our readers, so you can see our blogs effectiveness in reaching interested people all over the world. 

Our company’s blog All Things Fulfilling reached an astonishing 140 countries last year! Can you imagine the cost to reach people in those countries with direct mailing?

If you have never used social media to promote your business before, start in 2013, and www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com can educate and work with you to help you understand the marketing landscape in this digital age. A small investment reaps big rewards in exposure and visibility for your independent publication or independent business (publishing or other) through social media marketing (e-marketing).

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 18,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 4 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

Thank you to our readers in 2012. We look forward to sharing more with you about the independent publishing industry and all kinds of fulfilling things in 2013.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. A company specializing in e-commerce and e-marketing for independent publishers.

2014 The Year of the Horse

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year of the horseHappy New Year! It ‘s the year of the horse. Although we can read all kinds of predictions about the year ahead, we chart our own course when it comes to the arena of our life. Positive results come with positive action.

Curious about what is predicted for the next 365 days from other sources? There is an article that says “This is the year full of immense turning points that opens a new period of fate.” To read the full article, go to this link. http://bit.ly/1dRheo9.

 Have a fulfilling year ahead, everyone!                                                                               New year5

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

Cheers! Moving Forward

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“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” –Jim Rohn

Ring in a New Year tomorrow! Acknowledge and forgive the past, accept and bless the new.

Did you ever consider the two things that we can not change are our genetic predispositions and our family lineage?  But, we do not need to be limited by either. Although we may not be able to do anything about the fact that we are related to eccentric Aunt Mabel or the way we are engineered to age, our attitudes toward both can be altered. We can limit our exposure to Aunt Mabel if her attitudes or lifestyle rub us the wrong way or we can make resolutions and act on changing our habits, so that our bodies can better cope with the hand we were dealt genetically. That’s good news.

Taking responsibility for our choices is the first step toward changing what we do not like in our lives. The first of every year is the best time to do some personal house cleaning of our environments – physically, emotionally, environmentally and in our relationships. A New Year provides us with the opportunity to get rid of the things that have gotten us stuck. Start anew.

51yt7mbRA-L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_[1]Conspiracy for Greatness: Mastery for Love Within, a book about personal fulfillment, addresses how our lives change when we take responsibility for ourselves, our actions and decisions.Click for info & ordering

Looking inward, fully committing to the thought that the past need not determine our present and future, is a start to personal change. To read an article by Behnam Bakhshandeh, the author of this book, please follow this link. http://bit.ly/UeGg6B.

Kudos to you on this New Years Eve, if you have decided that 2013 will be the year you are going to eliminate, from your life, what has been holding you back from moving ahead in a positive direction.

Happy New You! Happy New Year! Cheers!

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 All the Best in 2013 from www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Spinning Yarns

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“The key to a healthy society is a thriving community of storytellers.” ~ Franco Sacchi

Yesterday our blog was about New Year’s resolutions, and the need for Americans to add PLAY MORE to their list of priorities for 2013. “Play more” means something different to everyone, depending on our own interests and hobbies.

growingbookLast fall I enrolled in a creative writing course, just for the fun of it. I enjoyed it immensely; it was enlightening. As a result of the class, I feel as if my brain has been fertilized and my garden pot of memories has sprouted and grown. I have thoughts that would be rewarding to share with others, in a way that never occurred to me before. Funny, how that has happened.

I made a decision for myself this morning.  Creative Writing II has been added to my “to do” list this winter. I have an independent publishing project I’m pondering; I wish to work through it, with the guidance of a skilled writing professor.

Finding inspiration is not always easy, but, researchers say that the more we create, our minds become more open and receptive to invention, ingenuity and artistry. I suppose this explains why “mad scientists” who come up with one great idea to patent, often go on to explore and invent other key concepts to copyright. Authors, after writing one book, often find the motivation to continue, and write a second.

 Imagination How Creativity WorksImagine: How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer addresses how many factors in our lives  nurture creativity.Click for more info & ordering

There is an interesting review in Psychology Today magazine that both questions and validates what Lehrer says in his book. To read the article, please visit this link. http://bit.ly/W7A4xh.

There is also a good article for writers and artists on how to stay inspired. http://bit.ly/YlZKaS.  Many people who live long, fulfilling lives attribute satisfying lives to the fact that they never stop growing and learning. Is there something you have always wanted do but haven’t dared to? Perhaps 2013 should be the year to pursue it.

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected

Knitting Happiness

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“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your actions.” ~ Dalai Lama XIV 

countdown-from-year-toHave you made your New Year resolutions? Many of us share the same goals for 2013. I’ll bet at least one of your priorities is on this list of top New Years Resolutions, since the same issues hold concern for many Americans.  Many people have these changes in lifestyle on their list for this upcoming year.

  • Loose weight
  • Get a better job
  • Get Fit
  • Drink less alcohol
  • Take a trip
  • Get a better education
  • Manage Stress
  • Quit Smoking
  • Recycle, Reuse and stop waste
  • Volunteer
  • Save more money 

Notice that PLAY MORE is missing from the list of American’s top New Year’s resolutions. Why is that? Because Americans tend to over eat, over extend their budgets, over drink and they spend a lot of time trying to get their lives in order  and rebuilding their lives after abusing themselves. Sad, but true.

A few weeks ago, I saw a show about Spain, It is touted as one of the top countries for happy people. Why? The work day comes with a two hour lunch break and people in Spain get 30 days vacation from their jobs every year. The lifestyle in Spain provides more time to PLAY, which provides personal fulfillment in their lives!  Want to learn more about Spain’s population of happy people? http://onforb.es/VbOugN

cafe_linkI contend that if Americans spent more time at play, some issues would take care of themselves. There would be a reduction in stress, people would spend less time over eating and drinking because they would find personal fulfillment in other ways – doing what ever it takes to make their hearts zing. 

How about you? What one thing will you add to your play list in 2013? I am going to add knitting more to my list again this year. I did not succeed in fulfilling this wish last year because I spent a lot of time writing. Winter is the perfect time to pull out the yarn and knitting needles.

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

Kindle your Aspirations and Share the Peace

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“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” ~ Sy Miller and Jill Jackson 

christmas-earth-dove-painting_1280x1024Reading these words reminds me that although I can not control others actions in this world, I can be mindful of my own. 

So, in that vain, I would like to pass along a message of gratitude to all of you who have visited this website All Things Fulfilling over the past year. Your readership and comments makes blogging worthwhile. 

I have enjoyed learning about our client’s inspiring independent publishing projects in 2012 and look forward to seeing what 2013 brings, for others, who have just begun the process. For so many around the world, having the ability to tell and publish a story that has been burning inside, just waiting to be told, has been a first step towards peace within. We are fortunate to have freedom of press freedom in our country, and the choices in publishing platforms has grown with the development of e-books.

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Merry Christmas, Everyone! May you celebrate this holiday in a way that is meaning and fulfilling to you, personally.

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

Expectancy and Hope Worldwide

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 “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ” ~Norman Vincent Peale  

Diversity in culture makes our world so interesting. Christmas unites children around the globe in emotions of expectancy and hope, awaiting a visit from Santa or St. Nick. In Belgium and France, Pere Noel is revered. Kerstmann comes to the Netherlands and Weihnachtsmann(Christmas Man) comes to Germany. In the United Kingdom children await the arrival of Father Christmas and Grandfather Frost (Ded Moroz) comes to Russia. 

This day before Christmas Eve, I would like to share some beautiful faces of children awaiting Christmas  around the globe. Worldwide, some children’s  dreams are fulfilled, thanks to generous people and organizations such as Operation Shoebox. To read more about the organization Samaritan’s Purse, please follow this link. http://bit.ly/T6T4kl . 

Return tomorrow to All Things Fulfilling for one more message for Christmas Eve.children and christmasIs he here yet?

chinese child closing eyes No peaking!

ethiopian children with crosses

Children in Ethopia, faithfully awaiting the story of Christmas 

 

child-shoebox

Operation Shoebox, organized by Samaritan’s Purse delivers smiles to children all over the globe

scandanavian children

Scandanavian Children in native garb ready to celebrate

beautiful african american boy

Beaming all things beautiful

canadian children

No doubt about their heritage

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In Peru, children as sweet as the lambs they hold.

africa child waving

Merry Christmas and blessings to you, too! 

 guatemala children

Sisters from Guatamala herald in Christmas together

 chinese children as santa

Appropriately dressed and waiting

 children learning

The Gift of Education

 child praying

Hands together in hope, faith and grace

worshipping the animals

Worshipping the Animals

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Children – the light of the world.

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

A Holiday Respite

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The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

norman-rockwell-christmas-homecoming-1What is it that draws us into reading books and watching movies about Christmas? Many are corny and unrealistic, yet there is still something that enchants us. I suppose we want to experience feelings of fulfillment – joy, love, hope, tenderness, amusement, generosity, faith, peace, harmony. Click on the link For info & ordering Norman Rockwell books

Art images of Christmas, such as this iconic Norman Rockwell painting, enfolds us in thoughts of things that keeps us believing in the goodness of our world and humanity; providing us with a respite from the more difficult realities of life.

Last fall I was introduced to author David Baldacci through his book, I Wish You Well, and found him to be a great story teller. He has a newly released book called, Forgotten, that is near the top of the NY Times Bestselling List, in print and e-book format. So, last week I decided to read his holiday tale, The Christmas Train. I enjoyed this light read and liked his quirky characters. The story was as sappy as maple sugar. In one turn of the story, had it been a true case scenerio, people would have died, or at the very least, frozen to the point of injury. But, in the spirit of Christmas, all turns out well. I did I really expect anything else? Click here for Baldacci books

Santa has always brought our family at least one new Christmas book or movie annually. Holiday Inn had to be replaced last year. The DVD was so worn with use it no longer had a clear picture.

If you are looking for a Christmas movie to watch with your family, here is a list of the top holiday movies of all time, listed in the Independent. http://ind.pn/Ta76PY.

nostalgic christmas2Heat up some hot chocolate, pair it with some popcorn and enjoy a holiday film in the comfort of your own home this weekend. It will do you good to relieve you of the stress of holiday preparations.

Return on Monday, and then I will be taking a break from blogging for a few days to fully enjoy the holiday.

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

Unique Christmas Gift for Writers

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Christmas Gifts 1“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” ~ Albert Einstein 

Know someone who is loathe to the idea of giving up their typewriter for a computer? There are still rare individuals who write books using a pen and paper  or with manual typewriters. I personally can not fathom it. Seems painfully slow and unforgiving to me.

Using a typewriter was my ultimate source of frustration in writing term papers in high school. I took a course in personal typing and I was the worst kid in the class. It was so embarrassing. Our teacher charted, throughout the year, our  typing speed progress. The chart hung on the bulletin board at the front of the class and my speed stayed steady. It never improved. I knew right then and there, my career goals did not include becoming an executive secretary at a Fortune 500 company. I’d have to find something else fulfilling to do.

 The problem was my mind and fingers raced faster than the typewriter would go, thus the keys always got stuck and locked up together. And then there was the problem of correcting mistakes. There was no delete or backspace button. Every time I made a typing error, (which was about every other word) I wanted to stand up and scream. Long gone are those days, and I am much better with a computer. The keyboard can keep up with my thoughts and my “quick on the draw” digits. 

usb-typewriterThere are companies that are taking manual typewriters and retrofitting them to USB typewriters. Imagine that!  They sell conversion kits whereby you can do it yourself,  in relatively short order, if you like to tinker. Or the company will sell you an upcycled antique model. 

If you are still hunting and pecking to find a last minute Christmas present for a writer, visit this link. http://bit.ly/TzLtXW. It may just be the solution to a creative gift.

Return tomorrow, so I can share some special Christmas words and images. Come  on back!

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