Category Archives: faith

A Mother Letting Go

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Holding on is believing that there’s only a past; letting go is knowing that there’s a future. – Daphne Rose Kingma

I clearly remember my husband and me standing and waiting for the bus with our son on his first day of school. My mother-in-law was visiting. She was part of the big send off.  Surprisingly, my son had door to door service, the school bus stopped at nearly every student’s  house since we lived in a rural area in Vermont.

I remember the excitement my son exuded as he stood waiting. There didn’t seem to be a bit of nervousness or anxiety on his part, only on mine. I was a mother letting go,  reflecting on my own first day of school standing at the bus stop with my twin sister and my mother, who was probably a lot more anxious than I was when letting go.

When I think of my first day of elementary school, I think of this image. Did anyone else from the baby boomer generation have a plaid book bag like the one pictured? Sure brings back memories, doesn’t it?

red plaid bookbag 1950s

Do you like looking back on your childhood? There is a magazine you can subscribe to that will delight you. It’s called Good Old Days “The Magazine that Remembers the Best.” Here is how to subscribe. http://www.goodolddaysmagazine.com/stories/list.html?cat_id=52

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you tomorrow and Heads Up!  On Friday there will be an important revelation on All Things Fulfilling. Don’t miss out! I can hardly wait myself!

It’s a Sunny Day!

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Today is a special day for my husband and me. It is our son’s 26th birthday. Don’t know where those years have gone since the day I delivered him, screaming and crying.

Let me clarify – I wasn’t doing the screaming and crying our son was. I was busy counting fingers and toes and marveling at perfection.

The twelve hour labor was a walk in the park compared to what I had been through the four months prior to his birth. You’ll learn more about that journey of unexpected blessings in my upcoming memoir.

When I think of  7:12 pm on Thursday, February 25, 1988,  I remember the words that came into my mind when I saw our precious bundle. They are the very same words I sang to him in the rocking chair!

you are my sunshine

The joy that our son brought has into our lives over these past 26 years is unexplainable. I can’t find the appropriate words except to say we are so very proud that he is our SUN!

Happy Birthday and much love to you on this day, Marc! Remember to take out time from your work today and have some FUN!! Hope our next visit isn’t too far off ~

being what god created him to be

And by the way – your Father and I think you are doing a fantastic job of being yourself and all that comes with it! You are indeed filled with Thursday’s child  attributes– “ruled by Jupiter, the most beneficial of all the planets, the symbol of expansion, happiness, optimism, good humour, room to move – either mentally or physically, spaciousness, freedom and independence.  This child will need these types of things.”

And so you have it! Wishing you a great year ahead.

This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. It’s another blessed day on All Things Fulfilling. A great day of remembrance.

At the Heart of the Story

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“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest of souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” ~ Khalil Gibran

“Holy Mother, Full of Grace,” I said suddenly to myself when I saw the International Serial Book Number (ISBN) attached to my story “Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.” This dream I have had of publishing a book is about to become a reality!

Every heart has a story to tellI‘ve felt the presence of someone much greater than I watching out for me throughout my whole life. It’s all part of my character driven story. I am so grateful to those who have been beside me throughout all my lifetime of experiences including the publishing process.

Tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling I will tell you a brief story of just a few paragraphs of something that happened to me this summer that brought my thoughts about gratefulness full circle. Do come back!

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Help with Polishing the Craft

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“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so when you do it it’s not all mixed up.” ~ A.A. Milne

“If had known then what I know now” is all I can think in this moment. Years ago, had I known I was going to write a book, I would have begun keeping my picture files in my computer well-organized. “Oh well,” I think, “hindsight does me no good. I have to move forward and wade through the mess. Focus on the objective: Get my photos to the publisher, so we can finish up.

determined, passioned and engrossedAfter all, what good is a memoir without any pictures? People want to see pictures of the characters in the story. A memoir, biography or autobiography without any images is like going to the zoo when the monkey cages are cleared out. The ones who make you laugh and provide you with the entertainment are not in plain sight. What fun is that?

Just like the words I mentioned last week in my blog about the book Stands with Fists, “when we know better, we do better.” From here on out I will make changes to how I organize my picture files. That way if I write another book I will not delay the Bookcrafters from completing the publishing process. So far, except for the difficulties on my part of locating the pictures I need in my computer, the process has been very seamless!

I  have an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) now. Once I saw that, “Holy Mother, Full of Grace!” I said to myself, and I am not even Catholic! My excitement began to rise, and I lost a night of sleep.

We are getting down to the wire and I am working hard to wrap things up.  Thanks to Jan and Joe McDaniel, they are putting the polish to my craft  www.bookcrafters.net.  Thank you also to graphic designer Karen McLane of Post Net http://www.postnet.com/ for working so hard with me to find the perfect cover design that I am just thrilled about. coffee image with heart

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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.

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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You’ve Got to Love It

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Humor is the great thing, the saving thing.  The minute it crops up, all our irritation and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place.  ~Mark Twain

Why is it that people think that those who practice a little faith have no room for humor?

In my opinion, I think it would help all religions to “lighten up.” After all, those who walk through the doors of a church, synagogue, temple or other place of worship on Sunday mornings are looking for insight and understanding into their lives – and sometimes if we look at things from a more light-hearted perspective it helps us to unload our burdens.

Every week  our minister manages to incorporate  humor into his sermons, and still does a fine job of getting a very meaningful message across. I got the biggest kick out of him during the Christmas season. As the congregation stood to sing  “We Three Kings,” he said “I want you all to listen up. We are going to sing verse #1 and #5 with the chorus part and verses #2, #3 & #4 without. Otherwise, the three kings will arrive with the gifts and go on back home, and we will still be singing this song.”

Reverend Tim, thank you for bringing your good-natured humor into the church. God gave us the gift of laughter and you, a good sense of humor. I am glad that you use it! It makes going to the United Methodist Church on Sunday mornings that much more inspiring and fulfilling.

Just sayin’… from underneath more than 225 inches of white fluff this season in  Steamboat Springs, Colorado….

advice & snow

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

Energized by Challenge

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“Stop focusing on what could go wrong and focus on what could go right.”  I like that adage. I am not sure who said it first.  I try to remember it along with having a little faith whenever I find myself looking at things from a negative perspective. With practice, it can change a person’s entire mindset.

Years ago, one of my business mentors said “there are no problems, only solutions.” To this day, this has given me invaluable confidence to press ahead whenever I feel dubious. In fact, I enjoy trying to find that “solution” that gives way to a different approach and perspective because then I am acting positively to solve the challenge, rather than bemoaning a “problem.”

be open to whatever comes nextIn the New Year I’ll have some interesting projects. I am energized by it! I look forward to seeing what I can do to run with it. As I approach these new tasks, I will keep in mind what Win Borden once said “If you wait to do everything until you’re sure it’s right, you’ll probably never do much of anything.” 

I can’t think of a better adage to bring about  motivation for positive action and along with it a fulfilling life.

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Forget the Soap?

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“Life is good” represents the most beautiful, dramatic and heavy moments in life.” ~ Nas

bathtub3Please don’t disturb me, I’m scrubbin’! I’m getting rid of all negative thoughts left over from last year.  I have received the year end blog report and know just how many readers we had  and I am feeling very happy. Now – a clean slate and moving forward. A New Year always brings new possibilities and fresh opportunities. All the ingredients necessary for creating a fulfilling experience.

If you are you a person who hangs on to bad memories longer than you ought to, please don’t do it!  It’s not good for your health. http://mayocl.in/1dPJmYZ . Wash those pessimistic and detrimental thoughts right out of your head, right now, while the year is young and history has yet to be made in 2014.

Jump in a tub of warm water, relax, inhale deeply and slowly exhale releasing stress, anxiety and discontent. Go on, now,  breathe again and let your troubles from last year go down the drain. Don’t forget to rinse off well. Bad memories, like soap leaves residue that makes you itchy.

Repeat after me …..”Life is good.” And believe it.