How Sweet the Sound

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Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:23-25

Some of the most powerful words I heard as a child came from a person who had great significance in my life but she was someone other than my parents. I can hardly wait for you to meet her.  I will introduce you to her in my memoir when it is published this spring.

Her words to me went something like this:

Fanny speak

Oh…how sweeeet the sound! Enough to make anyone feel they are the bestest! I’ll always wonder if the person who I have included in my life story had any idea what impact her simple words  meant to me as a little child?

The words we speak to one another truly matter because they have the capability to influence and inspire us, help us to realize our potential and fill us up with love and all kinds of things that bring us fulfilling feelings. Words such as these can be better than a snug wrap around someone’s shoulders. http://awarmembrace.com.

January is National Mentoring Month, so on this last day of the month and because it is Film Friday, I would like to share a link that lists some of the best movies that have insight into how an ongoing relationship of learning, dialogue, and challenge between two people can change lives. http://growingleaders.com/blog/great-mentoring-movies/.

I look forward to having you join me again on Monday on this space where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business.  This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Shoes Bring Back Memories

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We can not change our memories, but we can change their meaning and the power they have over us. ~ David Seamons

Antique photos can be very stirring because some times they dredge up old and difficult memories we’d rather not think about. Yet some images have the power to help us recapture feelings that are as sweet and fulfilling as thoughts of vanilla pudding.

saddle shoesWhen I came across this photo of saddle shoes and white cotton socks, my recollections of standing at the bus stop on my first day of school came flooding back. My saddle shoes and white socks went everywhere together, like my twin sister and me. One was never without the other – kind of like the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that were in our school lunchboxes. I recall how the socks felt around my ankles – flimsy, insufficient and weak like my body. I can’t associate them with any warm feelings. My sister by my side was my strong, fuzzy security blanket.

When I look at the picture, I can even remember the precise smell of the white shoe polish our classmates used to keep their shoes looking new and unscuffed. Mine never really needed to be polished. My shoes didn’t get knocked about or hard use. In fact, just outgrowing a pair of shoes was a big accomplishment.

This image of saddle shoes has brought back an entire childhood worth of memories. Now six decades later I look forward to sharing my story. My hope is that parents who have kids dealing with childhood illness will find something comforting and hopeful in the memoir. Most of all I want the book to bring to a smile to some faces.

Did you own a pair of saddle shoes? If so, you must be a baby boomer. Did your shoes have band of black, brown or navy blue leather at the instep? What thoughts of childhood do saddle shoes stir up for you ? Are they happy memories or difficult?

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Road to Providence

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“All that I know of tomorrow is that providence will rise before the sunrise.” ~ Jean Baptiste Lacordaire

If you know me, you know I feel very fortunate. Some of my pre-publication readers have remarked that my life must have been very difficult as a young child. Yes, I suppose it was but it’s all about how you look at it. I’ve learned all kinds of life lessons from my past experiences that I will share in my book.

providence roadMany people write memoirs for cathartic reasons. A cleansing of the emotions, if you will. Often stories attract interest because they are filled with regrets, grit and grime. Mine is vastly different – it’s about healthy attitudes, influences and outcomes. Not a “whine-fest.” Writing about our past is not always safe or pretty, however, some people write for a release and admission of gratitude. According to Jerry Waxler, M.S. memoirs have become a more popular form of non-fiction for readers in recent years. http://bit.ly/LnTUGP.

When writing about my life memories, everything fulfilling or not got stirred up. I began recalling songs, hairstyles,  our family’s automobile travels and school yard activities. Even conversations with significant others that influenced my life and things I learned about human relationships came out throughout the writing process. I remembered an awful lot, yet the things that brought me faith and joy  were more enduring than any of the bad stuff. Thank God for that!

johns hopkins

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Big and Small Successes

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Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe. -Gail Devers quotes

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention on All Things Fulfilling the upcoming Olympics and the athletes who are fulfilling their dreams by representing their countries in Sochi next week. We are “hometown proud” here in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. “Ski TownUSA”® holds the record of having sent more winter athletes over the course of Olympic history than any other city in the U.S. (I believe 76 athletes not including 5 in this year’s games).

On Saturday, our local athletes were given a send off celebration by fellow residents who will be avidly watching all the Olympians from participating countries. Brother and sister Taylor and Arielle Gold (snowboarders), brothers Taylor and Brian Fletcher (nordic combined) and Todd Lodwick (ski jumping) will be participating from this city. This will be Lodwick’s sixth Olympic games. The evening of the gala there were fireworks, photos and even a flash mob dance to “Treasure” by Bruno Mars. Here is a video clip of the community practicing the flash dance at last year’s Winter Carnival. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhdRmI3u278. The town of Steamboat Springs has Olympic spirit in everything they do!

marching band on skis in steamboatAn athlete who finally reaches the goal of obtaining a coveted spot on an Olympic team represents the same elevation of spirit that comes to every individual who has ever worked hard to reach their objectives – whether it is reaching the top of a corporate ladder, the inventor who receives a patent, the “creative” who after years of practice and learning makes his work public, the struggling child who finally realizes that when they have given all they’ve got there is great personal reward in their efforts or the spiritual counselor who has led an individual to see “what faith has to do with it.”  Dreams are fulfilled.

God speed to all the athletes, their coaches and parents who will be traveling to Sochi! May you have a safe and joy-filled experience. We wrap our arms around you in pride, for you represent us Americans, one and all.

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Mentoring Women in Business

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To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone. ~Reba McEntire

Have you ever wondered why people chose the professions they do? Sometimes there is little choice as to how people support themselves and others make very deliberate career choices, according to what fits their passions and personality.

cookie lockhartCookie Lockhart, a member of our We Write Steamboat networking group for independent publishers, couldn’t have chosen a career path more suitable to her temperament. Her “pioneering spirit” led her to become the only female student  among 126 men in the Class of 1963 to pursue a career in an industry that was dominated by males. As a woman auctioneer she was featured on the TV show To Tell the Truth back in 1966. To see a video clip of the show, please follow this link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bRI-H9g5zw.

Lockhart followed in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, and has been a real driving force in the auction business. She has served as an outstanding mentor for many women in business because of her leadership qualities including her love of people and her fortitude. If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Cookie, you’d never forget her. Her personality is larger than life and she has a winning spirit.

It’s been a fulfilling career for Lockhart. She is the only woman who has ever been inducted into the National Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame, and she’s also a member of the Colorado Auctioneers Hall of Fame.

On Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 7 pm Mountain Time,  Cookie and her business, Lockhart Auction and Realty will be featured on American Pickers, a popular TV show on History Channel. To read more about the casting of the show when it came to Steamboat, here is a link to an article that appeared in the Steamboat Pilot newspaper. http://bit.ly/1hLjMtW 

Tune in on January 29th. It is bound to be a lively show because Cookie is like a character you read about in a book. She portrays the epitome of “Western spirit.”  Here is a quick preview of the show. http://on.fb.me/1fikAUd.

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Film Friday: Tim’s Vermeer

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Attention artists of all ages!  On January 31st, Tim’s Vermeer will be hitting theatres. Rated PG-13, this movie is even suitable for young students who have an interest in the arts, history and science.

Tim's Vermeer_The documentary is based on questions brought forth by Tim Jenison, a Texas video engineer and non-painter, regarding the famous painting The Girl with a Pearl Earring. Jenison goes on an adventure to Delft, Holland, the location of where the masterpiece was painted, in search of answers to his question. How did Dutch master painter Johannes Vermeer paint with such meticulous detail 150 years before photography was discovered? Jenison’s research project spans a decade. David Hockney, a Britishman, provides speculation and insight into the tools that Vermeer may have used. Were optical devices used to help Vermeer accomplish such an astonishing result?

There have been numerous articles published about this fascinating film. Here are a few links if you are interested in reading more about the documentary Tim’s Vermeer, and Jenison’s need to find out more about the technique used to paint The Girl with the Pearl Earring.

http://bit.ly/1dtMQ1f

http://bit.ly/1jm4UCE

http://nyti.ms/1cSySWB

Click here for info & ordering Tim’s Vermeer

I look forward to seeing this movie. Sounds like a documentary with fulfilling content for art history classes. Perhaps after it’s initial run in theatres, Sony Classic Pictures will make it  available for showing in public venues  such as in classrooms or by art councils and museums.

This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you on Monday. I will be featuring a woman who is a member of our We Write Steamboat group who has been making a name for herself since 1966 when she was featured on the TV show To Tell the Truth.

Join in, Neighbors

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In most vital organizations, there is a common bond of interdependence, mutual interest, interlocking contributions, and simple joy.” —Max DePree

neighborhoodA few years ago I started a networking group called We Write Steamboat. The mission of the group is to provide support for independent publishers and to foster independent publishing success. This week we reached a new landmark. We now have 51 members.

I  live in a community where arts and literacy is highly  valued.  The Bud Werner Memorial Library, is a stellar resource in town. Artists  in this rural community find support from several organizations here including the Steamboat Arts Council and the Steamboat Writers Group which serves a great purpose of helping authors to develop their writing through very valuable critique.

Members of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (aka CIPA) www.cipacatalog.com in Denver is also very beneficial in terms of educating and connecting writers with freelance professionals in all parts of the publishing process.

It never ceases to amaze me what a diverse group of writers there are throughout the State of Colorado, and it’s always a fulfilling to see our We Write Steamboat members’ projects come to fruition. Over the next few weeks, several Steamboat Springs authors will be featured on radio talk shows and television. I will be  blogging about our We Write Steamboat members who will be in the media spotlight so the public can learn more about their publications, their careers and their interests.

bookWe Write Steamboat will also be offering a new writers’ series called “So, You Want to Write a Book? beginning in February 2014. Next week on All Things Fulfilling, I will be posting more information on this educational opportunity for those who are considering writing a book or for those who are already in the process and want to know more about taking a rough manuscript to a polished, saleable and marketable independent publication.

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Author Spotlight: E.P. Lyn

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Facing the Sun

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“If I had to choose a religion, the sun as the universal giver of life would be my god.” ~ Napolean Bonaparte 

One of the top reasons I’ve loved living in Colorado for the past five years, is the high percentage of sunny days we are able to enjoy. Typically, the sky is clear blue and for people who spend a lot of time outdoors, over-exposure to a warm weather or high altitude winter sun is a concern. We hear many warnings about too much exposure to  the sun from doctors but still, many bask in it fulfilling an indomitable need to soothe mind, body and soul that comes with being outdoors.

cover sydney P waud Sun book

Author Sydney P Waud has written a book called Loving the Sun… Exposed without Fear which provides a fascinating look into the biological imperative that drives some 300,000,000 people around the globe to vacation annually in warm climates, think Hawaii, the Caribbean, Palm Springs, the Seychelles, Marbella and Cancun. The book gives up-to- date information on the dos and don’ts when spending time in bright sun relaxing, attending outdoor sporting events, gardening, playing sports, sunbathing, fishing, boating, hiking or swimming.

In spite of ample warnings not to sunbathe, the author realizes people will persist in doing so and therefore takes the pragmatic approach providing sound advice on how to prevent over-exposure to limit as much as possible damage to your skin and importantly what to look for when it has suffered the effects – both early and cumulative – of too much ultraviolet radiation. He emphasizes the importance of using quality sun screen products and having check-ups for anything that looks “suspicious” on our skin. With the use of sufficient protection, the book encourages people to get away to sunny vacation spots, take cruises and participate in outdoor recreation without fear of damaging effects. As the author points out, being in the sun and  having skin tones that do not resemble “winter whites” helps us to maintain an uplifted spirit and feel more youthful.

If you enjoy nature and getting outdoors, this book should be part of your inventory of “stuff” that you take with you when going off to sun-soaked destinations. If you like basking in the sun, purchase Loving the Sun… Exposed without Fear as a resource to keep near, so you will be prepared to face the sun with the right kinds of protection and advice, the medical parts of which have been vetted by a noted dermatologist.

Sunny spots located all over the globe are beautiful places to luxuriate, but sun spots on the skin can be damaging and even life threatening, problems this book can help avoid. As is quoted on the cover, the book is “interesting, provocative and ultimately compelling.” All in all, it is informative and a light read – perfect to take on a vacation or cruise – with idyllic photos that will make you wish you were there.

Waud’s book can be ordered through Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/19vjhRR  or through Amazon. http://amzn.to/KjZjxs.  Buy now. so you’ll be prepared for your next excursion outdoors.

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

2014 Colorado Citizen of the Arts

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The strength of every democracy is measured by its commitment to the arts.” ~Charles Segars, CEO of Ovation

Today, I would like to acknowledge someone in our community! Photographer Jim Steinberg was recently named 2014 Colorado Citizen of the Arts. What a wonderful honor! http://bit.ly/1ky7g2V.

According to Steinberg’s website “he has traveled more than two million miles around the globe pursuing his passion for photography.” He and his mustard color 1980 Volvo station wagon have traveled many of these miles together. His car has been the subject of an article in the Steamboat Pilot. To read the full story, follow this link. http://bit.ly/1cSbImv .

His last book, Colorado Scenic Byways, Taking the Other Road won the 2008 Colorado Book Award in the pictorial category, as well as Forward Magazine’s 2009 National Book of the Year in the travel category. His stunning calendars featuring Colorado landscapes are also award-winners.

But, that is not all about Jim as an artist. He has proven himself to be a top-notch mentor and teacher for photography students. His workshops provide opportunities for students to travel with him in hot pursuit of captivating great scenes as well as intimate landscapes.

Chances are you have may seen some of Steinberg’s photographs in National Geographic, Backpacker, Audubon and Nature Conservancy magazines or other outdoors magazines.

Colorado Less TraveledSteinberg’s books provide treasured gifts for those who love Colorado as a place to ski, hike, live or travel. The outstanding panoramas that Colorado is known for are skillfully and exquisitely captured in all Portfolio Publications, including his calendars A Year in Colorado, the #1 Winner of the National Calendar Awards for 10 years running.

For more information on Steinberg’s award-winning publications, photo tours, photographic prints and calendars, please visit his website. Jimsteinbergphotography.com.

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

Do return to All things Fulfilling tomorrow!