Category Archives: fulfillment in the Arts

Coming Full Circle

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“The honeysuckle is learning to appreciate all the small drops of sweetness in life.”

 ~ Sue Batton Leonard

testcart-2Last summer, when I was in Cambridge, Maryland I walked into Walmart. I selected what I wanted to buy and took it to the check-out counter. The sale was rung up and the cashier asked if I wanted to donate to the sick children in JohnsHopkinsHospital.

“Of course,” I said. “How could I not?” I thought.

The cashier thanked me for donating to the cause and said “Have a Blessed Day!” I smiled at her and thanked her back. As I walked out of the store, all I could think was “Have a blessed day? I’ve had a blessed life!”

You see, long ago I was a sick child in JohnsHopkinsHospital. And because the doctors and nurses did not give up on me and gave their time and expertise in caring for me, they saved my life.  Several events have taken me on a journey of realizing the blessings that I have been given, and it is all is told in my upcoming memoir.

It was such a simple thing to donate to the Johns Hopkins children and the monetary value was little compared to what I’ve been given – decades of  fulfilling and vigorous livin’. But a large group of compassionate people donating to a great cause can make a big difference.

The next day, I entered Walmart once again because I had forgotten something, and again I was asked if I wanted to make a meager donation. I answered in the affirmative.

Pay it ahead or pay it back, it’s all good. What is important is that we remember those who give us the sweetness from the vine of knowledge, friendship and love.

Those are my independent thoughts, words and views today on All Things Fulfilling.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

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!

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

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

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

Story of Attachment

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“Because everything of value that we will know in this life comes from our relationships with those around us. Because there is nothing material that measures against the intangibles of love and friendship.” ― R.A. Salvatore, Passage to Dawn

twin babies picture, one not expected to livejpg

Medical research institutions and psychologists have put a recent emphasis on studying what love, friendships and positive living have to do with good health and the outcome of surviving illness. I am deeply interested in this subject. It is just one of the reasons I have chosen to share my experiences through this blog and in an upcoming memoir.

Here is an insightful article from the Mayo Clinic about the value of love and friendships, check it out. http://www.mayoclinic.org/friendships/art-20044860.

February is a good time to share our heartfelt sentiments, so on this day I’d like to say to all of my family and friends.  “I am grateful for the wonderful support systems I have had in my life. I believe they make such a valuable difference.”

This video is especially for my twin sister because I know she will enjoy it. Warning: Be ready to clap your hands and tap your feet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh7YyoDD138. This video was produced by artists collaborating with one another from all over the world.

There are other important contributing factors besides love and friendship that I believe have led me to enjoy a fulfilling and vigorous life. I will relate them to my readers when my book is ready.

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

Health Perspectives with Karen Gilroy

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Every human being is the author of his own health or disease. ~ Buddha

karen gilroyThere is a new blog talk radio show called, Living a Richer Life that will be premiering on Thursday, February 6, 2014. The first show will be featuring one of our We Write Steamboat authors, Karen Gilroy, author of Nourishing the Healer Within.

Gilroy has her Master’s of Science degree in Holistic Health and she will be speaking with listeners on the power of the body to heal itself and the interconnectedness of the mind, body and spirit. In order to have good health, she says “all three must be in balance.”

When one of these aspects of our lives is out of sorts, symptoms of illness may occur. Gilroy contends that we need to listen to the messages our bodies are sending us because “the inner intelligence of the human body is constantly assessing and analyzing all the cells.” When we are not well, we need to rest which allows our bodies do the work it needs to do in order to self-heal. Positive results will follow.

Gilroy will also be focusing on how the mind plays an important role in the self healing process on the February 6th radio show. I encourage our readers to listen in to this 45 minute talk to learn more about how to be in charge of your own health, and understand the body’s natural healing abilities. Gilroy says “You can stop fearing illness and lead a more fulfilling life with mind, body and spirit in balance.”

Living a Richer Life with hosts, Dr. Charlotte Grant-Cobb and Ervin (Earl) Cobb will air every Thursday, featuring a diversity of guests who will have inspiring and motivational things to say to Americans who are looking for positive change in their lives. Listeners should tune in at 9pm from the East Coast, Central time zone at 8pm, 7pm Mountain Time and 8pm Pacific through this link.

Bookmark it! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/richerlife

Look forward to your return to All Things Fulfilling tomorrow! This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

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?

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

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.

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