Category Archives: fulfillment in the Arts

Filled with Essentials

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Every child born has innate goodness.” ~ Chinese proverb

President of Bucket Fillers, Inc. is a title that Carol McLoud proudly wears along with her designation of award-winning author of six publications that teach individuals how to fill themselves up with fulfilling things in life.

Bucketfillers, Inc. independently publishes children’s books  and they include:

  • Have you Filled a Bucket Today
  • Fill a Bucket
  • Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness
  • My Bucketfilling Journal
  • Will You Fill My Bucket
  • Bucketfilling A to Z

Bucketfillers, Inc has won 58 awards. The author of these publications, Carol McCloud is also an energetic professional public speaker who uses creative storytelling in her presentations to all ages. Mccloud is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Talent SmartTalent Smart® Emotional Intelligence Certified Trainer, and the National Association of Professional Women, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

bucket filler“For the past five years, Bucket Fillers, Inc. has been busy creating bucketfilling schools, families, workplaces, and communities” through presentations and workshops, books and through other downloadable resources available through their website.  http://www.bucketfillers101.com/about-us.php .

As former educator, McCloud understands that happy kids grow into well-adjusted adults, who deal well with challenges when their buckets full of happiness get knocked over and depleted due to the  stresses of life. Learning how to gather a bucket full of happiness as a young child has life-long advantages.

Parents, help fill your child’s bucket full of happiness by sharing these books with your family. They have won the prestigious Mom Choice Awards and they have gained a top 5 Star ranking on Amazon.com.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService. com

See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfulling!

Grow as you Age

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“Art is not a part of life, it is not an addition to life, it is the essence of those pieces of us that make us fulfilled. That give us hope.” ~ Hasan Davis

The most inspiring people that I have crossed paths with in my life time have been people who never stop growing emotionally, spiritually and educationally. I’ve been particularly impressed with the large base of very active retirees in this community of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Many, many seniors well into their eighties continue to do volunteer work, which they say “keeps them vital .”

The other day, I stopped by on business to Casey’s Pond, the new senior living facility in town. The first phase of the project is just days away from opening. In all the hubbub of activity, I ran into the developer Charles Gee. He was so kind to spend a little time talking with me.

Our conversation led to art, and Gee mentioned he is a big “proponent of the concept of art and healing.” The developer proceeded to show me a book of plans and pointed out wall nooks that have been designed throughout the building to showcase permanent installments. “Not all, but much of the art, “ Gee said, “will come from talented local artists.” The state-of-the-art facility is beautiful, by the way.

After I left the building and walked toward the car, I began to think how quality senior living facilities endorse bringing a diverse range of programs to the residents so they can continue to be actively involved and have the best quality of life possible. According to studies, all things that are culturally stimulating affect longevity positively.

If you wish to read more about using art to enhance the lives of seniors, here is a great blog. http://bit.ly/19xWHXC.

That’s the good news for today! It’s all I’ve got at this moment.

October 3 three

Casey’s Pond Senior Care Facility. Opening October 2013

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you on Friday on All Things Fulfilling.

Escaping Political Landscape with Humor

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“Happiness is like manna; it is to be gathered…and enjoyed every day. We have to go out of ourselves…to gather it, since it has rained down from a Heaven at our very door.” ~ Tryon Edwards (American theologian 1809-1894).

Yesterday’s blog about fickle Mother Nature made me think of a film that is currently playing in theatres across the country. The title of it, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, sounds like a description of our country’s political and economic landscape at this moment, but I assure you, the storyline is quite different.

The book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is manna for the soul. I must have read it to my son a hundred times or more, over the course of his growing up. It was a favorite and we returned to it time and time again, especially when we wanted to end the day on a positive note. I could probably recite the text by heart.

cloudy with a chance of meatballs2_The illustrations in the book made us laugh – images of Mother Nature releasing storms of mashed potatoes, meatballs and spaghetti. There were memorable pictures of torrential downpours of salt and pepper, people being flattened by flying hamburgers.

Despite the chaos, the governing body in the town of Chew and Swallow didn’t shut down. The plow trucks were out removing piles of peas and carrots blocking the streets and making order out of mess. They were working hard to solve the problems and change the landscape from rotten eggs clogging progress to a more sunny side up environment.

Now that I have been involved in writing and publishing, I see the book as a great example of how an author, Judi Barrett, used her imagination to create a wonderfully entertaining story for both children and adults.

Ahh… the days of reading bed time stories. My son, Marc,  is now twenty-five years old, and a filmmaker specializing in visual effects. He also works as a film colorist. A perfect way to spend a holiday evening  would be to watch this film  and escape to the fictional town of Chew and Swallow together where we can look in on his world, and he will have fun providing feedback about the movie.

I think I’ll put the DVD on my shopping list for Christmas…..sshhhhh…don’t tell Marc.

Here is where to purchase the movie if you can’t catch it at the theatre. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1985966/ .

This blog brought to you by www.cornerstonefulfillmentservice.com. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.

 

Kids Join in NaNoWriMo

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Play is not only our creative drive; it’s a fundamental mode of learning.” ~ David Elkind

child writing. jpgAs a follow-up to last Thursday’s blog, I forgot to mention children are invited to participate in the National Novel Writing Month also. In November, many libraries will have special programs just for children which will promote writing fellowship and fun among the young participants.

Of course, children have a more limited attention span, so parents if you get your child involved in the contest, remember children are more easily distracted. However, there are children who have a natural affinity for writing, and will write with great abandon.

There are many homeschooled children who will participate in NaNoWriMo. Here is an excellent article about keeping children on task. http://bit.ly/1a0pZdS. 

The main thing is to relax, parents, and let your child be their own guide as to how much or how little they want to write. The month long contest is supposed to be fun and not grueling.

Suggestion: Why not make it a parent and child activity? Parents can set a good example by entering in the challenge also. Write till your child’s heart is content, then switch gears, do something fun and reward your child for their efforts.

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

Harvesting Fall Films

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“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Harvest the movie0With fall upon us, we are entering into a season where nights are getting longer and colder, so we spend more reading and film viewing.

Harvest, a 2010 movie release, is about relationships, and coming to terms with the past, the immediate and the future as changes in family dynamics affect everyone involved. Issues of both aging and coming of age will be relatable to many viewers. The challenges, with both, put focus on the meaning of  family  making the story “undeniably heartfelt,” according to Newsday. The lovely seaside setting adds to the overall beauty of the movie.

Harvest has gathered many awards in it’s basket from some very prestigious film festivals. To read the full summary of the movie , go to http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1302001/.  The film can be ordered from the Internet Movie Database also.

Harvest_keyArtWant an educational alternative with an adult subject?  Check out this award-winning, independent documentary about harvesting grapes and winemaking in the Sonoma Valley. Harvest: The Blood, Sweat and Tears that Go into Every Bottle might better satisfy your tastes in movies. http://www.harvestmovie.com/

This weekend may be a good time to visit a local orchard to harvest the fruit of the season. Come home and heat up some mulled cider, bake a fresh apple pie, then relax and enjoy one of these movies with your family or your friends – because they are family also!

No matter how you decide to spend your weekend, make it fulfilling!  And do return on Monday. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Motivate for Writing Success

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endless possibilities

You are cordially invited to infinite possibilities in publishing. The Universe is open and waiting, all you have to do is take action and seize the moment. Isn’t it true that only thing that stops us in life is our own fears, self-doubt and hesitations?

If you have ever thought “I’ve got a book inside of me” November is National Novel Writing Month (NANOWRIMO). It is an excellent time to get fired up and motivate yourself to start fulfilling what you have always dreamed of doing.

This month begin preparing yourself psychologically. Pull out all the stops and begin visualizing success. You’ve got thirty days in November to write with pure abandon. That doesn’t mean you have to finish your novel within a month’s time, but participation in the event is a great way begin to build momentum for your publishing project.

A writing partner or group who will help you stay accountable and on task is a good idea for those who need the support. Check with your local library, they may have an organized plan for those who are participating in this event.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.

Motivational Adages

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decide-that-you-want-it-more-than-you-are-afraid-of-itThe theme of today’s blog is this powerful adage that I use for motivation when I take on a challenge. It can apply to many different situations in life. I’ve decided to post it on my refrigerator where I can readily see it, so it will remain at the forefront of my thoughts.

If you have ever taken on a challenge, you know how important faith and hope are to success. You also probably understand that every time we allow ourselves to let go of either, those nagging thoughts of self-doubt enter into our brains and mess with us.

Hope and faith are what keeps us moving ahead in life, and without a certain degree of both, it is hard to get out of bed in the morning. Believing that good things are in store for us each day brings positive thoughts and actions.

Is there someway you can use this adage in your life to help motivate you and bring personal fulfillment to yourself? If so, you will find astounding results.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.

Thankfully, Tuesday

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“Technology is a gift of God. After the gift of life it is perhaps the greatest of God’s gifts. It is the mother of civilizations, of arts and of sciences.”
~Freeman Dyson

I’ll stand up for my opinion and say the gift of life IS the greatest of God’s gifts. And as for technology, for those who need it to succeed in their business and careers, it is pretty important. But, I think there are other values for me that would rank before it.

Today, I need to take a breather for myself and write a short blog. Things have been a bit hectic and crazy but that is a good thing. It means I am ever moving forward.

live gratitudeSome unexpected opportunities have popped up, and I have not let them pass me by without consideration and I am thankful. My words today are being kept to a minimum so I can bask in the change of seasons, so that’s about all I am saying.

Until now, I hadn’t taken the time to pause and appreciate what a wonderful summer I had and to make the transitional leap into fall.  We’ve already have a little snow on the mountains.  A little bird told me it’s just a tease, fall is not over yet.

Happy Harvest Season!

Photo Below: September 28, 2013  Snow in the Higher Elevations

sept 28 snow

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

Important First Steps to Publishing

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“It is not in the pursuit of happiness that we find fulfillment, it is in happiness of pursuit.” ~ Denis Waitley

The e-Book Extravaganza on Saturday sponsored by the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA) was well-worth attending. During one of the breaks, the President of CIPA, Dr. Patricia Ross came over to me and said “Sue, I’d like you to meet one of our new members.” Of course, the usual niceties followed.

I asked the new member if she was enjoying the morning, and she said “Yes, but I feel so uninformed! There is so little I know about independent publishing.” Dr. Ross told her not to be discouraged, and off the President went doing her job of hob-knobbing about the room.

CIPA 9 13 #1As the new member and I stood talking, I said to her, “You know, each and every person in this room started where you began today, knowing nothing. That is the reason you have joined this group -to get help, to learn, to network and become informed about your options.” There is a lot to learn and you have taken a very important first step. You have joined this group!”

“Yes,” the new member replied. “There seems to be plenty of knowledge to learn from in this group.”

Before the break was over and we went to sit in our respective seats, across the room from one another, I had one more thing I had to say. “In your free time, read anything you can get your hands on about the industry, and keep coming to this group. It’s the best thing you can do for yourself.”

To learn more about the Colorado Independent Publishers Association, please visit this link. http://www.cipacatalog.com/join-cipa/. Please note the organization also offers downloadable webinars if you are too far to travel to their meetings.

http://www.cipacatalog.com/categories/CIPA-College-Downloads/

As I drove home, I began to ponder how many first steps I have taken since 1998, when the independent industry was in its infancy. They’ve all been in a quest to learn all I could about the industry and it led to becoming a business.  And the wonders and development of the independent publishing universe never cease to amaze me. I find it fascinating.

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

e-Book Extravaganza

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Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family. ~ Kofi Annan

cipa logoOn Saturday I made the very worthwhile three hour trek into Denver from Steamboat Springs, Colorado to attend Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA) monthly meeting. The September agenda was an e-Book Extravaganza. Here are just a few things that were discussed throughout the day:

  • The e-book industry now represents 33% of book sales. How about that?
  • People like having a choice of formats, so offering books in print, as well as an e-book version is wise marketing.
  • There is still a viable market for books-in-print but there is a certain part of the reading population who are clamoring for e-books due to their convenience.
  • Surprisingly, people who are 55 years of age and over ARE BUYING e-books, contrary to what was expected. It is not just the young generation that are interested in the digital format.
  • We discussed pricing of e-books and how you can leverage your intellectual property.
  • E-books make it easy to offer samples, providing potential book buyers the  opportunity to see if they like an author they’ve never read before.
  • A big advantage to e-books – there is no printing involved, thus it removes the need for physical space of inventory.

If you are a writer who wants to get on The Fast Track to Independent Publishing, here is a short webinar that will introduce you to the basics. http://bit.ly/10cCp1Y. 

Do return tomorrow to All Things Fulfilling, we will be discussing the next best step if you are a person who is considering independent publishing and you are in need of knowledge. I will tell you a quick but valuable story from this weekend.

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