Category Archives: media and communication

How Sweet the Sound

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

“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

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

Mentoring Women in Business

Leave a comment

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.

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

 

 

 

Film Friday: That Awkward Moment

Leave a comment

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” ~ Dr. Seuss

We’ve all encountered moments in our lives where we just want to dig a hole and bury ourselves. Those times often occur as a result of misconstrued friendships, communications and relationships.

That awkward momentThat Awkward Moment, a film coming to the silver screen from Treehouse Pictures, is scheduled to be released in theatres on January 31, 2014. A romantic comedy about three best friends, played by Zac Efron, Miles Teller and Michael B Jordan, who find the dating scene confusing because first impressions sometimes change as a relationship deepens. What one says and how one acts can be two different things which can lead to hilarity leaving the involved parties scratching their heads.

This might be a particularly fulfilling movie for those who enjoy romantic comedies and stories about friendships.
Put this upcoming film on your calendar!Click for info and ordering That Awkward Moment

Have a great weekend. See you on Monday on All Things Fulfilling. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Revisiting a Fulfilling Subject

Leave a comment

Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us. ~ Oscar Wilde

High school was not a fun time in my life. I could have cared less about academics. My theory why? At that time all my energy was being tapped into physical, and perhaps, emotional growth due to delayed development. Things changed when I became a college student, however. I began to excel and catch up.

joy de vivre Taking French in high school was one of my better subjects. I liked it, and studied it for four years. I’ve decided this year to reacquaint myself with the language. I’ve begun taking an on-line French class through www.duolingo.com.  My twin sister told me about the program, and we are having fun trying to advance ahead of each other in the lessons.

It’s been a blast except I have been hung up on the part about food. There are so many forms of the word “manger” or “eat.” Trying to match the right conjugation with he, she, we, they or you has been challenging. For a culture that makes cuisine such a fulfilling part of their lives – the French sure make things difficult when it comes to expressing the word “eat.” I wouldn’t care so much except that I am trying to keep up with my sister! Hummm….that sounds familiar, when you read my memoir you will realize why this lesson has maybe been especially frustrating – it stirs up the pot of my history. No, you won’t be reading a story about eating disorders. Its a story about twins and one helps the other to keep going.

As I mentioned in a recent blog, over the next year I have personal development goals that I look forward to achieving – continuing to brush up on my French speaking skills is one of them. Life long learning keeps us vibrant and mentally stimulated.

What fulfilling things do you wish to pursue for personal growth and development in 2014? I’d like to hear from our readers.

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

Fulfilling Content and Issues

2 Comments

“What do I write about?” I asked myself several years ago when I began this blog. It was a risky and uncertain day when my first writing went public. As time went on, I gradually formed and honed my vision for what I wanted to share – issues that were near and dear to my heart such as independent publishing (books, film, music), education, business, career, parenting, faith and all kinds of fulfilling things. Fortunately, I do not have a one track mind. And as you may have noticed, my mind flits from subject to subject. You never know from day to day what you will find. The more I have written, the more my passion has grown for what I am doing.

On Friday, I received my year end blog reports. I am very content, the issues I write about have interest. Here is what the report stated.

  • All Things Fulfilling had enough readers to fill all the majestic spaces and seats in the Sydney Opera House nine times over.
  • There was an increase of 7,000 readers over the previous year.
  • All Things Fulfilling reached 141 countries
  • The busiest day was February 25, 2013 with 3,097 readers – it was also my son’s 25th birthday – that’s pretty neat!
  • The subject I blogged about that day – a book written by Kenneth W Merrill & Barbara Gueldner called Social & Emotional Learning: Promoting Mental Health & Academic Success.  Here is the link to the 2/25/13 blog:

http://bit.ly/1i3zb5X.

I need to work hard to continue to provide fulfilling content!  I have faith that with the continued growth of independent publishing (and now with the popularity of e-books), fulfilling subjects to write about this year will be plentiful.

fulfillment

What else does this report mean to me?  Dear Readers:

Thank you bottom ofheart

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

 

Film Friday: Frozen

Leave a comment

“Sometimes you just have to bow your head, say a prayer and weather the storm.” ~ Unknown

Over the past few days we received a substantial amount of snow, keeping skiers and people at the ski resort in Steamboat Springs, Colorado happy. Christmas is only a few weeks away and the much sought after fluffy, white powder is much appreciated by tourists in this town.

I awoke to thirty below zero this morning – perhaps it is a good day to go to the movies. frozen1Disney’s movie Frozen is playing at our local theatre, and in many other communities around America.Click here for info and ordering Frozen

On this Film Friday, I would like to share the film critique of Frozen by Jon Katz, a bestselling author well-known for his writing about mans’ best friends, dogs.

He has some interesting insight in his review of the movie about weathering life’s storms.  http://bit.ly/Isaow1. If you are a parent or have an interest in this rising generation of children, I’ll bet you will have some thoughts of your own on what Katz has to say.

frozen2. png

Have a great weekend, everybody. Treat your children to the latest Disney movie – Frozen. It is arriving in theatres just in time for the holidays.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you back here on All Things Fulfilling on Monday!

Preparing for the Stump

1 Comment

“Speaking from the heart can be the strongest move of all.” ~ Rick Hanson, PhD 

How many of us stay within our comfort zones just because it is easier? I can’t exempt myself from that. There have been many, many times in my life when I have taken the easy way out.

Most people say “public speaking is outside of their comfort zone because it is terrifying and they avoid it all costs.” In fact when I talk with potential clients about their book marketing plans that is the first thing authors mention that they WILL NOT DO.  “If you think I am going to get up in front of a crowd and talk about my publication,” they say, “just forget it.”

speaking from the heartIn September, I decided that I was going to step outside my comfort zone and tackle my own discomfort with public speaking. I enrolled in a class. I have not shied away from speaking to groups completely. In fact, over the past five years I have done more public speaking than any other time in my life.

Guess what? It feels good to move ahead, rather than staying stuck because of self-imposed limitations. Am I cured of glossophobia – the fear of public speaking? I think so because I know I CAN DO IT! In fact I am proud to say for my most important speech of the semester I even impressed myself! What was my message? Something I have strong opinions about. I spoke from the heart about “Helicopter Parenting.”

I have made a further challenge with myself. I will seek every opportunity I can to get up in front of a crowd. So, don’t be surprised to see me out on the stump, especially when my book has been published!

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

Tearing up over Books

2 Comments

Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.” – Bill Cosby

I have found out over the past few years that writing a book about a character who cracks you up with laughter and who has played a powerful role in your life can be just as fulfilling as reading a funny book.

Today, I’m in such a happy mood – feeling very chipper. All as a result of reading a few books that have had me in stitches lately.

Ok, I’ll admit it – you couldn’t classify either book as fine literature. You’d be hard pressed to compare the books to the top classics of all time. That would be akin to trying to compare comic books with the Bible.

But to my way of thinking, both books are a panacea for lifting the spirits. Publisher’s Weekly says Belle Weather: Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Scattered Hissy Fits  “is a hilarious read, perhaps best enjoyed while eating Krispy Kremes with a few girlfriends.” I concur with PW vehemently.

belle-weather I love the author’s humor. The Chicago Sun-Times says Rivenbark “Dishes out what Southern women really think and say when they’re not performing that soft-syllable grits-and-grace routine.”

Belle Weather is food for the soul. It has all necessary ingredients to cheer the spirits even though there is not a whole lot of meat in it to stew over. The thing you might learn is that it has been too long since you’ve read a book that’s made you laugh so hard you’ve got tears running down your face. Don’t you love reading books for pure pleasure?

Another book that has captured me hook, line and sinker  was Rebecca Wells’ New York Times Bestseller called Little Altars Everywhere. I adored it and as I read it, parts were as if I was experiencing a case of deja vu.

Little Altars

You’ll learn more about the value of humor in one’s life when my book is published in the spring.

Do return on tomorrow for more thoughts, words and views from www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Scratching the Memory Bank

1 Comment

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. ― William Arthur Ward

Illustration of Mother and Children Carrying Thanksgiving Dinner by Douglass Crockwell

What memories this nostalgic image of Thanksgiving stirs up. I will forever be grateful for how my mother so beautifully pulled off our childhood holidays. Tradition ruled in our house.

Just setting the table for a holiday meal was a chore in and of itself. All the good dishes came out of the china cabinet, and the silverware had to be shinned to a spit and polish before it was approved to go on the table. Setting the table with one fork, knife and spoon was almost considered blasphemous back in the era of my growing-up (1950’s and 60’s). My twin sister and I were well-schooled in the setting of a proper table and how to place an assortment of forks, knives and spoons in order of use.

As if getting the holiday dinner table set with a huge spread of food made from scratch wasn’t enough for a mother to handle, the entire family had to be dressed in grand fashion. Mom donned her most beautiful dress, heels, nylons, pearls and spritzed herself with perfume saved for special occasions. My father dressed his spiffiest, so as not to be outdone by his wife. Then she dressed all four of us kids to the hilt. But not before the clothing was properly ironed til the creases, pleats and darts were sharp, crisp and straight. My little brothers wore clip on bow ties for special occasions. My sister and I donned our fancy holiday dresses, with crinoline petticoats underneath.

My mother wasn’t being pretentious by dressing us all to the nines. It was how most families dressed back then for Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. We wouldn’t have dreamed of showing up at the table in anything less.

This Thanksgiving I want to thank my mother for all of the fulfilling memories that I have of our childhood holiday celebrations. As a mother myself, I know that the matron of the family usually does the lion’s share of the work. All these decades later, my mother still feeds anyone who shows up at her house. And she is still the perfect hostess with the “mostest.”

Happy Thanksgiving to All from West to East Coast of these United States! We are grateful  for your interest in this blog and in  www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. Do return tomorrow to All Things Fulfilling. We will be featuring a newly released film just in time for the Christmas season.