Category Archives: steamboat springs

Dwell in Possibility – Move Forward in Surety

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“We all have possibilities we don’t know about. We can do things we don’t even dream we can do.” ~ Dale Carnegie

Yesterday, I had another opportunity to share with others my love and my passion for the independent (or non-traditional) publishing industry. I shared with the group that what began as my vision of providing stellar customer service for the internet sales of a single art book became a business of my own, dedicated to providing affordable e-commerce and e-marketing services for an industry of independent publishers. It has been from the beginning, my wish for independent publishers to be able to survive, as a sustainable industry, because I believe in the powers of independent thoughts, words and views that our country allows under it’s Constitution.

After the presentation, I began to think what an appropriate place to hold the event! In a library constructed with sustainable building materials and filled with the published works of writers, filmmakers and musicians who dared to step out and take a risk of telling their stories for the benefit of others. This is the basis from which many successful small businesses are formed. Successful business owners have passion, vision, belief and enduring energy that their product and service with be useful to others. And it is the customers and clients that endorse, sustain and support the dreams of the business owners that make them profitable. It truly is the American way.

Thanks to all who came, and I wish you the best in your journey of fulfilling your dreams in business and in publishing!  Thanks to the Bud Werner Library for providing a beautiful, light-filled space for those who gathered to learn more about what I see as a fascinating, fast growing, sustainable industry. www.steamboatlibrary.org.

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Power of Push

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“Determine the thing that can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.” ~Abraham Lincoln 

Early last summer, our son came for an extended visit, after college graduation, and before he began his new life in New Mexico. We decided one day to take a hike up Emerald Mountain, which is in our town of Steamboat Springs, CO. As we set out, I knew that our pace up the mountain would be brisk. I was in the company of  my husband and my son, two people who have been fulfilling their life-long passion for physical endurance, strength and adventure through sport. I am a regular walker, but that is all. 

Our goal was to reach the top of the mountain to an outcropping of rocks where we could take in the majestic view. Up and up we climbed. The pace was indeed brisk, and in fact, a lot faster than what I had bargained for. Several times, I wanted to turn back. My son remarked “Push yourself, Mom! You can do it!” So push myself, I did – all the way to the top. The view was more than worth the effort in end. 

As we descended from the top, I began to think what I would have missed had I not hung in there and made it to the top. My son remarked on the way down the mountain that I had proven myself “to be much stronger than he thought I was.” I had earned points in his assessment of my physical and endurance abilities!  

The moral of the story is that it feels good to stretch ourselves beyond what we think we are capable of. It makes us emotionally fit. We feel a sense of accomplishment, confidence and it gives us a can do attitude for the next challenge in our lives. We often miss the best opportunities, if we don’t take the risk. 

To find out more simple steps towards finding happiness in life, visit http://bit.ly/a6TnD6.

 

Which will it be?

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Fabulous Forces

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“One of our greatest gifts is our intuition. It is a sixth sense we all have – we just need to learn to tap into and trust it.”                             ~ Donna Karan 

On this blogsite, we often mention using and sharing all our God-given gifts and talents. Yesterday morning, Reverend Tim, of the Steamboat United Methodist Church http://bit.ly/c0d5H1   shared once again with those in the congregation, his deep understanding of the world around him. His ability to communicate directly, succinctly and briefly from the pulpit, is unlike any church leader I have ever been witness to before. Refreshing, bright and inspiring!

 We watched and listened as a very short segment of the  1970’s blockbuster film “Star Wars” was played. Reverend Tim related how the theme of the movie, applies to our lives, in his sermon “May the Force be With You.” 

Preceding the Doxology, was a beautiful composition that the choir sang called “I Can Do All Things.” In the bulletin, the only name given for the composer for the arrangement was Courtney. Later, I need to use the world wide web to find out the last name of the song writer.  

There is a lot more that could be said about Reverend Tim’s creative messages. Every Sunday morning, I regret not having pencil and paper in hand to record the most vital points of his sermons.  It would help me to accurately remember, and later ponder some of the things that interest me the most.

I have just broken a promise that I made on Saturday! I forgot to share the details of the  Colorado Independent Publishers Association www.cipabooks.com gathering I attended on Saturday. Tomorrow and possibly the next day too, I will do as I vowed. 

Would you agree that  sometimes it is hard to decide what comes first in our lives?

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Women Turn to Book Covers

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“‘I’ve learned that everyone wants to live on the top of the mountain, but the all the learning occurs while you are climbing it.” ~Unknown

At lunchtime yesterday, I again attended the Steamboat Professional Women’s Networking Group. Every woman stood to introduce her business and present her “elevator speech.” What an amazing group of women there were. But, you know what? It was the strangest thing! As each stood before me, I couldn’t even focus on their faces! As I listened to the expertise, knowledge and personal fulfillment each business brings to each woman, what came to my mind was a possible title of a book, film or other type of publication.

 Just as a few examples –

  • An insurance agent stood up to give the “low-down” on her business and I saw “CALENDAR!” with each month devoted to “Practical Tips for How Not to Loose Everything you Own.” 
  • Several skin care products representatives were in the crowd. As they introduced themselves, I saw ”BOOK!” entitled perhaps “Protect Your Child’s Skin from Environmental Damage: Beauty From the Moment She is Born.” 
  • “FILM!” I thought as an Executive Director of a Non-Profit  stood and introduced the organization she represented. Her face, right before me, turned into a DVD cover called “Miraculous Cases of Kids that have Thrived Through Mentoring.” What a shame her face morphed into a DVD cover! She had a beautiful face, too! How wonderful that her face and talents are associated with such a beautiful cause!

The list of titles I saw before me could go on and on. As I drove home, I thought perhaps this occurrence was not so strange after all. So many businesses now use independent publishing to provide and offer an accessory to their main line of business. It does bring  an additional income stream and it shares, with others, knowledge and expertise in a field of work. 

I hope, as I stood before the group giving my ‘elevator speech” some of the women saw my face morph into a book called “Lucky Lady Works in Industry That Grew Robustly Last Year.” 

That’s the independent publishing industry for you!

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Sisters in Spirit

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“Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process begins.” ~ Jim Rohn 

Women all over the world are sisters in spirit. This weekend I attended a most fulfilling weekend with a group of United Methodist Women, sisters in spirit, right here in Steamboat Springs, CO. The gathering included a range of women in different decades and seasons in their lives, but we all shared something in common. We were all women who were on a quest to understand more about our place and purpose in this world, and how our spirits guide us in our daily living. 

Life Coach, Mary Nelson of www.reclaimyourselfandmore.com led the women in our weekend retreat in considering what areas of spirituality we are interested in exploring further. The possibilities are many, and a few of them included: 

  • Life Purpose
  • Intuition
  • Connecting with God
  • Angels
  • Meditation
  • Yoga
  • Journaling
  • Prayer
  • Wisdom
  • Affirmations
  • Laws of Attraction
  • Miracles
  • Reading Spiritual books
  • Faith 

Although we were asked to identify just one area, it was difficult to make a choice for some women, including myself. There is no right or wrong in how we as women chose to incorporate spirituality into our everyday lives. Our personal definition of spirituality is different and unique to each of us based on our own life experiences and beliefs. 

If given the choice, what area of spirituality would you like to explore the most? We would love to hear from you! Do you have a spiritual journey that you could share with others through independent publishing?

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Hatched Blessings

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“Faith is putting all your eggs in God’s basket, then counting your blessings before they hatch.” ~ Ramona C. Carroll 

As summer slips into fall, I have decided to look back just one more time to reflect on the blessings of the summer, my favorite season of all. Focusing on what is positive in our lives, helps us to live a life fulfilled. Ordinary occurrences can become extraordinary depending on how we view them. By concentrating on our blessings rather than our woes, we live in the present moment, enjoying life to the fullest. Some of the highlights of my summer included: 

  • Returning to childhood for one glorious day of floating down the Yampa River in a tube!
  • Witnessing our child graduate from DeSales University www.DeSales.edu  and recalling all the landmark steps in his life that came before it.
  • Participating in two fundraising events as a member of Kiwanis International. www.kiwanis.org. Knowing that Kiwanis will partner with Unicef to serve children all over the world through The Eliminate Project.
  • Learning that my husband has been invited to coach athletes at the World University Games this coming winter. What a thrill for him!
  • Eating peaches and sweet corn from Paradise, CO that rivals the summer produce I ate growing up in the state of Maryland. I didn’t think again in my life, I would find any as fine as that – but I have!
  • A return to Rocky Mountain National Park for one great day of sharing the splendorous sights with our son.
  • The opportunity to share with others, at several events, what independent publishing is all about.
  • Volunteering at Strings in the Mountains www.stringsinthemountains.org seeing some of the finest artists in the world perform right here in Steamboat Springs, CO.

It is time to say goodbye to summer and I can’t wait to see what a new season in my life has in store. I am sure it will be fulfilling, too.

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Reading in the Boat

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“Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music – the world is so rich~ Henry Miller 

Count me in! The City of Steamboat Springs, CO is embarking on an all-city reading program. One of the classics of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, will be the subject of much discussion over the coming weeks. Added to the already jam-packed schedule of events at the Bud Werner Library will be an official 50th birthday party kickoff with cake and tea, a scavenger hunt to find 10 free copies strategically placed throughout the city, discussions and a culminating event which will include the screening of a documentary about this book, with filmmaker Mary McDonagh Murphy in attendance. 

My first reading of this classic was in high school, and it has been on my list for decades  for books I MUST READ AGAIN. Here is my chance! With age, wisdom and a better appreciation for good literature, I can’t help but think my second time through will be even more rewarding than the first. 

People in communities travel in the same circles, and many of this city’s citizens will be in the same company – with Atticus, Scout and Boo! Want to learn more about our city’s One Book Steamboat program? Please visit http://onebooksteamboat.wordpress.com and while you are at it, check out www.steamboatlibrary.org, too.

  

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Sharing the Word!

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“Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”                 ~Mark Twain 

How coincidental is that? Today, I had planned to write a blog on the man who is known as our first American novelist – Mark Twain. He is one of the most well-known essayists and moralists in our country’s history! This morning, I had a few minutes to spare before my dentist appointment, and took the opportunity to take a little drive into an area of Steamboat Springs, CO that I had not previously taken the time to explore before. There the name was, on a street sign, Mark Twain. Was it an Avenue or Road or Lane? ! I dont know! I was so thrown off guard by this odd coincidence of having just composed, on paper, last night a blog based on  Mr. Twain that I can not remember which!   

Seeing this sign has changed the content of my blog. I was going to go on and on about the man who was born in 1835 and died in 1915 AKA Samuel Langhorne Clemens. His speculative ventures included silver mining, business and publishing.  His writings had appeal to young and old, alike. Although in he is known for his humor and wit, many of the essays he wrote in his final years were filled with his “venting” against power, corruption and greed.

Why his name should appear on a street sign in a place like Steamboat Springs, CO, I wonder. Perhaps it is just a subtle reminder to all that as we travel down the road of life  “to do the right thing.”

 

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