Steps to Extending Life

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Only difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is the way you use them.” ~Unknown 

looking up cover_Cynthia Olsen’s book, “Looking Up: Seven Steps for a Healthy & Youthful Midlife and Beyond is part resource and part personal testimony. It very effectively tells a story of someone who recognized at a young age, the importance of the mind-body-spirit connection. The insights she shares about her ancestors health gives the reader motivation to know that we need not be inheritors of poor eating habits, and diseased bodies and spirits. We are in charge of our own experience. 

Looking Up: Seven Steps for a Healthy & Youthful Midlife and Beyond is an IPPY Gold Medal award-winning book. The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) has recognized the book for excellence in independent publishing. This book is not the first book Kali Press has published for Olsen. Here is a list of her other publications, all health related: 

  • Australian Tea Tree Oil Guide (lst ed)
  • Australian Tea Tree Oil Guide (2nd ed)
  • Australian Tea Tree Handbook: 101 Ways to Use Australian Tea Tree Oil (1st ed)
  • Australian Tea Tree Handbook: 101 Ways to Use Australian Tea Tree Oil(2nd ed)
  • Essiac: A Native Herbal Cancer Remedy (2nd ed) – 1997 IPPY Gold Medal Award Winning Book.
  • Birth of the Blue: Australian Blue Cypress Oil 

For more information on Kali Press’ books and other products, please visit www.kalipress.com.  Olsen’s publications are available at the following libraries and bookstores:  

  • Walgreens- Steamboat Springs, CO
  • Off The Beaten Path- Steamboat Springs, CO
  • Bud Werner Memorial Library- Steamboat Springs, CO
  • Boulder Bookstore, Boulder, CO
  • Wilkenson Public Library- Telluride, CO
  • Between the Covers Book Store- Telluride, CO
  • The Book Worm- Edwards, CO
  • Eagle County Libraries, Eagle and Avon, CO 

picture of cynthia olsen belliniThis book is highly recommended for anyone who is seeking change and improving their habits for a fulfilling life at any age. There is some great advice, especially for Baby Boomers in this publication.

 (Photo: Author Cynthia Olsen)

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Scholars Singing a Cappella

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Everyday we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture and if possible, speak a few sensible words.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe  

On Friday night, my husband and I attended a delightful performance at Colorado Mountain College http://bit.ly/WwAT4i that had me grinning from ear to ear.  One of the top ten male collegiate a capella groups in the country, the Buffoons from the University of Colorado, Boulder, traveled to Steamboat and entertained a nearly-packed house. 

CU BuffoonsAlthough the young men in the group have very diverse educational interests, their melodic voices could not have been more harmonious. The camaraderie they share through their love of music and entertaining was very apparent. They really clicked as a group, and each one of their finely-tuned voices, was important to the overall effect. 

Each year, the choral group is, in part, replaced with new talent, as some of the singers graduate from college. The repertoire of songs is assorted, some tunes have been sung for years, while others are more contemporary, which adds appeal to audiences from different generations and musical interests. The Buffoons perform at approximately 60 venues annually. 

The a cappella group was founded fifty years ago, by Dr. Oakleigh “Oak” Thorne, the musical director of YaleUniversity’s choral group the Yale Wiffenpoofs. Thorne moved to the Denver area to pursue his PhD in Biology at CU. 

 To read more about the Buffoons and the current roster of singers, visit this link http://bit.ly/UZPofR . Information about  their independently published DVD’s is also available on their website. 

To listen to a two minute You Tube video of the vocal group performing, please go to this link http://bit.ly/XSgLeb.

Thank you to the sponsors: Emerald City Opera http://bit.ly/W9i49D, Ski Haus http://bit.ly/13THStA, Steamboat Resort http://bit.ly/WjLiAB, and Colorado Mountain College http://bit.ly/UckN1r  for bringing the talented Buffoons from the University of Colorado to town! It was a lively, fun night.

Look forward to visiting with you, our readers, tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling – where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business; I hope you’ll join us. This blog brought to you from www.cornerstonefulfillmentservice.com

 

 

 

Film Friday: Fairhaven

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Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. ~ Kahil Gibran

Filmmaker Magazine has an interview with Tim O’Brien, Director and writer of the newly released movie Fairhaven. For a debut feature film, it is getting good reviews and it is a Tribeca Film festival award winner.

FairhavenIn summary, Fairhaven is about a fisherman who gives up his life to pursue a career as a fulltime writer. When his high school buddies return to the coastal town of Fairhaven, for a funeral, the gathering stirs up old feelings and relationships. As the three men recollect their past involvement with each other, the bonds they thought were as dead as the town in winter, they find that their camaraderie is quite alive as they begin reconnecting. Click for info and ordering Fairhaven

This film is getting critical acclaim for the character’s realistically portrayed emotions and personalities. They are as authentic as life itself, in small communities. To read the interview in Filmmaker Magazine with director Tim O’Brien, visit this link. http://bit.ly/UwOdWO.

The New York Times has also given the film Fairhaven a decent review. http://nyti.ms/V9PpTZ.

This independent film is now available through Internet Movie Database, i-tunes, cable and Amazon and in select theatres. Check it out.

Visit us on Monday on All Things Fulfilling, where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business. This blog  brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

A “Tweek” to a Word Brings Response

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On Tuesday we had the first meeting of the year for our meet-up group, We Write Steamboat (formerly SHe Writes Steamboat). A decision was made at the end of last year to change the name of our group to encourage more male authors/publishers to participate in this monthly networking opportunity for independent publishers in Steamboat and Routt County, Colorado. 

Guess what? A little “tweek” to a word, brought more male writers to the group. They outnumbered the women, this month. Although we have had male independent publishers attend since the inception of the group, almost two years ago, our goal for the year is to welcome even more. 

EreaderprintThe town of Steamboat Springs and the surrounding Routt County has many writers who are drawn to this area for its inspiring landscape, recreational opportunity and an alternative lifestyle. Creativity, artistry and innovation in this town draw many location neutral businesses. With the development of digital technology, business for some people can be accomplished from anywhere. Living in an urban hub like New York, because you are a publisher, is no longer necessary with the ability to send files and images electronically. The new option of e-book publishing requires no shipping or printing companies.

Feel free to look at the files for our authors we have set up on our We Write Steamboat Facebook page. http://on.fb.me/W7aadC. Check out the diversity of subjects, we Steamboat independent publishers have written about. Our group has award-winning authors with award winning books; some have books in print and others have e-book publications. Some are available in several formats. 

It is going to be a good year for our group, I can just feel it. We Write Steamboat has more publications that are in various stages of production that will be added to the files on Facebook as they are completed.

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

Anticipated Cinema Releases for 2013

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What counts for me today are: making movies, creating and giving dreams.” ~ Claude Van Damme

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Last year, I went to the movies more frequently than usual. I’m hoping that the film industry will bring many fulfilling films to theatres in 2013. Here is a short list of anticipated movie releases for next six months; just a sampling from many from different genres.

To read the long list, please visit this link. http://www.movieinsider.com/movies/-/2013/   Many of these films are independent, while others are produced by the big film studios. Note: If you click on the title of each, when you go to the link, you can read a short summary of the film. If you click on the dates, there are even more titles.

Movie tickets can now be ordered over the internet, in advance, from www.fandango.com. Happy Movie Watching in 2013!

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

Reaching Readers Worldwide

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HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! Today we will look back on All Things Fulfilling, over the past year and look ahead to the future.

FAQ: Does blogging work to promote books and business? My answer is YES! It provides promotion and advertising that would be, for most independent publishers, prohibitive if you used direct mailing or ads in print publications. Because we wholeheartedly believe in the power of e-marketing, I am opening up our year end report to our readers, so you can see our blogs effectiveness in reaching interested people all over the world. 

Our company’s blog All Things Fulfilling reached an astonishing 140 countries last year! Can you imagine the cost to reach people in those countries with direct mailing?

If you have never used social media to promote your business before, start in 2013, and www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com can educate and work with you to help you understand the marketing landscape in this digital age. A small investment reaps big rewards in exposure and visibility for your independent publication or independent business (publishing or other) through social media marketing (e-marketing).

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 18,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 4 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

Thank you to our readers in 2012. We look forward to sharing more with you about the independent publishing industry and all kinds of fulfilling things in 2013.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. A company specializing in e-commerce and e-marketing for independent publishers.

A Holiday Respite

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The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

norman-rockwell-christmas-homecoming-1What is it that draws us into reading books and watching movies about Christmas? Many are corny and unrealistic, yet there is still something that enchants us. I suppose we want to experience feelings of fulfillment – joy, love, hope, tenderness, amusement, generosity, faith, peace, harmony. Click on the link For info & ordering Norman Rockwell books

Art images of Christmas, such as this iconic Norman Rockwell painting, enfolds us in thoughts of things that keeps us believing in the goodness of our world and humanity; providing us with a respite from the more difficult realities of life.

Last fall I was introduced to author David Baldacci through his book, I Wish You Well, and found him to be a great story teller. He has a newly released book called, Forgotten, that is near the top of the NY Times Bestselling List, in print and e-book format. So, last week I decided to read his holiday tale, The Christmas Train. I enjoyed this light read and liked his quirky characters. The story was as sappy as maple sugar. In one turn of the story, had it been a true case scenerio, people would have died, or at the very least, frozen to the point of injury. But, in the spirit of Christmas, all turns out well. I did I really expect anything else? Click here for Baldacci books

Santa has always brought our family at least one new Christmas book or movie annually. Holiday Inn had to be replaced last year. The DVD was so worn with use it no longer had a clear picture.

If you are looking for a Christmas movie to watch with your family, here is a list of the top holiday movies of all time, listed in the Independent. http://ind.pn/Ta76PY.

nostalgic christmas2Heat up some hot chocolate, pair it with some popcorn and enjoy a holiday film in the comfort of your own home this weekend. It will do you good to relieve you of the stress of holiday preparations.

Return on Monday, and then I will be taking a break from blogging for a few days to fully enjoy the holiday.

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

Film Friday: Ted

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Teddy bears don’t need hearts, they are already stuffed with love.” ~ Anonymous 

Ted_posterWho didn’t have a favorite teddy bear as a child? For some kids, giving up a favorite stuffed animal is more difficult than others. Letting go means growing up, and sometimes that is hard to do. 

Ted, which is a movie that is all about a boy’s fulfilling relationship with his treasured friend, and how his unwillingness to let go of it affects others in his life. 

This comedy, from the creators of FamilyMan, staring Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth McFarland has gotten good reviews. To read more about the movie and watch a trailer, please visit this link. http://imdb.to/WJwMkr

Please note this movie is NOT FOR CHILDREN, IT IS “R” RATED. While the storyline sounds “cute”, it has a spoiler to some people’s way of thinking. Unfortunately,  “Ted” a lovable, cuddly little creature long associated with childhood, good feelings and innocence has beenTED pared with a film with swear language, scenes with drugs and booze. “Ted” learns some realistic but not so nice things about life from it’s owner. But, as we all know, far too often filmmakers feel the need to include “bad boy” behavior to draw in the audience, create conflict or make movies appeal to adults. Never the less, their is some good humor to be found in this movie.

Click here for info & ordering Ted

 Come on back next week for more independent thoughts, words and views from www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com .

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected

Connecting Children Worldwide through Literacy

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There is no such thing as a child who hates to read; there are only children who have not found the right book.”
― Frank Serafini

Have you heard about the Flat Stanley literacy project? Not only is it a great way to engage children in reading, it also teaches children about geography and interesting places around the world. I love this concept. The books were written by an author in Canada.

Flat Stanley “is about the adventures of a little boy who gets flattened by a bulletin board. During one part of the story, his parents put him in an envelope and send him to visit his friend in California.”

flatstanleySimilar to a chain letter, if you receive a “Flat Stanley” in the mail, from a child, you send a postcard or mail a letter (through the USPS), back to the student’s class to notify them of the place where “Flat Stanley” landed. Click for info & ordering

I just participated by sending my first cousin, Hope’s daughter, Grace, a postcard at her school in Baltimore, Maryland from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Shhhh…..don’t tell her! She is a 2nd grader, and I hope she will be surprised when she sees the city it came from.

This literacy program even has a digital component, an i-Tunes app, so students participating in this literacy project can communicate with each other and talk about the places their “Flat Stanley” traveled.

To date, there are nine “Flat Stanley” books with worldwide adventures. To learn more about “Flat Stanley” and the mission of connecting children worldwide, through common interest in a book and it’s character, please visit this website. http://bit.ly/XLuTcn.

Happy Travels, Stanley! I have sent you along on your journey and you will travel far. I hope you have the opportunity to travel out of the country, too.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com and Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected

More Fulfilling Signs of the Season

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“Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” ~ Washington Irving

On Friday I posted photos of my walking tour in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I had given myself permission to enjoy the day doing something different, in celebration of my 1,000th blog on All Things Fulfilling. 

Today I continue with more photographic images of Ski Town U.S.A., and over the weekend Mother Nature left us with a fresh coat of white, which was greatly appreciated by this tourist town that relies on winter recreation of all kinds. 

My husband and I are grateful to live in such a beautiful and inspiring place, with gorgeous landscapes. Join me on this tour of historic Lincoln Avenue. The town has been bedecked, bedazzled and looks forward to welcoming all. It’s a very friendly place. Thanks for those who let me photograph their spaces.

IMAG0037Steamboat Art Company, offering wonderful coffee table art books and  unique hand hooked wool pillows from Chandler 4 Corners ,  designed by Laura Megroz.

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Center for Visual Arts, the CVA is a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization and community art center. Their mission is to support emerging artists , provide exhibition space,  educate through guest artist series and work with youth.

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Homesteader Kitchen Shop, specialty food items and wonderful kitchen gadgets and accessories.

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Nutcrackers Stand at Attention in the Windows, Handsome Fellows!

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Oh, look! The winter exhibition at the Steamboat Art Museum begins December 21st – a Retrospective of painter Jean Perry and sculptor Curtis Zabel. Can’t wait to check it out.

Photo Below: Lyon’s Drugs and alot more! Great gifts also.

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Photos above and below, more gift suggestions from Off the Beaten Path, the Indie Bound Bookstore in town.

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Branches – home decor and accessories. Pictured above and below.

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This town in filled with businesses of all kinds, including a host of location neutral businesses and people with lots of entrepreneurial spirit. Makes living here, very interesting.

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