Category Archives: Healthy living and healthy relationships

Film Friday: Patching Up Families

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“Remember laughing? Laughter enhances the blood flow to the body’s extremities and improves cardiovascular function.” ~ Patch Adams

Happy Film Friday! Today’s featured movie is a throwback to 1998. Do you remember the film Patch Adams patch adams bookfeaturing Robin Williams?  The movie brought big smiles to a lot of faces, including sick children.

Did you know Patch Adams is not a fictional person? He is a doctor with a bigger than life personality – also a social activist, clown and an author. He also helped develop the Gesundheit! Institute in West Virginia. The Gesundheit! Institute is a “project in holistic medical care based on the belief that one cannot separate the health of the individual from the health of the family, the community, the world, and the health care system itself.” 

Patch adams house-callsThe Gesundheit! Institute does global outreach, and it is in the midst of planning a  Teaching Center that “will bring together artists, medical students, care practitioners, parents, and reformers to design positive ideas of health care systems, and ways to implement these ideas,” according to their website.

If your family hasn’t spent much time together lately due to the demands of life, mend things up by watching Patch Adams together, you’ll be in stitches. Robin Williams’ performance is wonderful – I highly recommend this film. Click here for info and ordering Patch Adams

Visit http://patchadams.org/campaign to read more about the concepts in holistic healing that are gaining in popularity all over the world, thanks to the Gesundheit! Institute.

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Have a good weekend. Return to http://www.allthingsfulfilling.com on Monday!

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.

Timely Messages

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Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – Joshua J. Marine 

On September 6th, National Read a Book Day I mentioned that reading one spark of an idea from a book can change us for a lifetime. I recently saw a sentence that motivated me big time! I took seriously the words: “the person whose life is full of faith is on the offense; he or she is taking charge of life, making decisions and making things happen.”

morning-roosterHow’s that for a call to action? For weeks I had been indecisive about whether or not to sign up for a public speaking class. I knew it was something that I needed to do for myself if I am to pursue my dreams for my publication. As soon as I read the inspirational thought, I acted immediately and enrolled in the course, before I could “chicken out.”

The course is in the early weeks but it is going well. When it’s time, I will be better prepared to “strut my stuff,” and I will be one more step closer to what I dream of doing.

As I have said before on All Things Fulfilling, I try at all costs to hold myself accountable to any ideas that I broadcast on this website. Otherwise, I am full of phony-baloney. That is not one of my lifetime aspirations I can assure you of that!

The inspiring thought came from THE book I’ve hinted about previously that I will be revealing in due course. Before it appears on this site, I will give you the heads up!

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

Creativity Back Into the Classroom

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“Sometimes you have to create what you want to be part of.” ~ Geri Weitzman

How many of our readers have listened to TED talks? If you get television broadcasts through Roku streaming channels, you can tune in and listen to a large variety of TED talks on all different subjects. Fascinating “ideas worth spreading” are introduced through these presentations.

The other day I listened to an interesting TEDx talk through my computer about the way students learn. Many parents and some educators feel the basic skills-oriented educational subjects of reading, writing and arithmetic (the traditional 3Rs) is failing students, and should be done away with or at least, modified. A good argument for changing traditional educational curriculum in schools is offered on the TEDx presentation called That Immovable Mountain.

Integrating art in classThe presenter of That Immovable Mountain, Charles W. Scranton poses a thought-worthy question. What if we retooled the way children are learning and the three R’s became “rigor, relevance and relationships?” Learning then becomes an interwoven concept between disciplines “bringing creativity and imaginations back into schools.” Would education become more fulfilling for students? This is the premise of the TEDx talk I listened to.

The Big Picture Movement is an alternative style of learning which is designed to reach the needs of disconnected students. According to www.bigpicture.org, “every 12 seconds a student drops out of school in the United States.” A sad but realistic image of how traditional learning is failing students.

To learn more about how art and creativity is being incorporated into select classrooms, you can listen to a sixteen minute presentation called That Immovable Mountain through this link. http://bit.ly/1a0BySQ. It is not too time consuming, it is approximately 15-16 minutes long.

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

Uniting People and An Artist

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“In my opinion, the cornerstone of our country is free press – that’s the cornerstone.” ~ Milos Forman

I find it interesting, but not particularly surprising, that the NormanRockwellMuseum has been holding swearing in ceremonies for new U.S. Citizens. “At an art museum?” Some of you might be questioning.

norman-rockwell-golden-rule-do-unto-others-april-1-1961Think about Rockwell’s painting, The Golden Rule. In this image Rockwell captures people of all different faiths and nationalities, who have come to the United States seeking a better way of life. In my opinion, a swearing in ceremony among paintings that depict iconic American life is a good fit.

Personally, I hope that the original painting of The Golden Rule is front and center, next to the American flag, in the area where our newest U.S. citizens pledge their allegiance to our country. The image is a good reminder that if you work hard and conduct yourself with integrity and honesty, you can reap the benefits of our prosperous nation. But you must treat others as you want to be treated yourself – with respect and dignity. Our nation’s pioneers founded the country on these principles, and we should not be a nation of “handouts.”

If you would like to read more about the swearing in ceremonies at the NormanRockwellMuseum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, read this article.  http://bit.ly/1dVvgbO. And if you would like to order a giclee print of The Golden Rule, please visit www.art.com.  

I am proud to be an American citizen living in a country where independent thoughts, words and views can be aired on sites such as this. But, again, we must respect each others opinions and values because  “we are one nation under God” and there is “liberty and justice for all.”  We live in a place where the laws of he land must be abided by.

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

Film Friday: Romance

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Love never gives up, never loses faith, always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance ~ from the Bible

This Film Friday I thought we would focus on romantic comedies.

Here are a list of twenty of the most popular romance movies from 2012. http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=20914. I am pondering over which one my husband and I might enjoy seeing tonight the most. Will it be The Vow,Click for Info & Ordering Perfect Sense Click here for Info & Ordering, The Lucky One Click Here for Info & Ordering or What to Expect When You Are Expecting Click here for info & ordering or shall it be something else?

Indeed, to survive a long term marriage, humor is important as well as devotion that just doesn’t quit, even if the other person in the relationship might be driving you crazy. And believe me, that happens in holy  matrimony.

Heart-shaped-waffles-490x329Today my husband & I celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary. I ‘m going to share this very short video with my husband, as we sit down to eat our “Eggos” for breakfast. He hasn’t seen it. It’s called My Waffle Wedded Wife.  It’s a good way to start the morning! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3E9U3GDrmI

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

Fair and Balanced Pets

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Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job. ~ Franklin P. Jones

The other day kitties had their chance to be in the spotlight on All Things Fulfilling. So as not to be accused of being a dog hater, today we will cater to canine lovers everywhere by featuring a book about man’s relationship to dogs.

tibetan mastiff

Photo Above: Tibetan Mastiff

How can anyone not like a dog? After all, dog is God spelled backwards, and I have met plenty who rule the household kingdom. Unless a dog has a specific behavioral problem, they are usually fair and balanced when it comes to trying to understand their owners. They have dogcognition and even seem to have compassion when human beings are hurting. Cats, they can be a stand-offish, often paying little attention to the people who feed them.

If you are interested to know more about what dogs think, PBS has a great article based on their NOVA Series, with questions and answers, about a dog’s emotional intelligence. Visit this link. http://to.pbs.org/14vODVZ .

Dog ma the zen of slobberLooking for a good read about the canine species? Dog-Ma – The Zen of Slobber by Barbara Boswell Brunner is a book for you. The story is about a husband and wife who rescue dogs. When life gets complicated, and deals out some challenges, the tables are turned, and the canines they’ve rescued dish out what’s needed to help the couple through rough patches. The dog’s antics will make you smile, and confirm why a dog is said to be “man’s best friend.”

To read more about Dog-Ma: The Zen of Slobber, available through Smashwords, in digital format for a very reasonable price, please visit http://bit.ly/18MD6xo .

It really doesn’t matter what kind of pet you have as long as they fill your heart with happiness. Return tomorrow to more independent thoughts, words and views from CFS.
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Journey toward Enlightenment

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Words that enlighten the soul are more precious than jewels. ~ Hazrat Inayat Khan

“Okay…it’s 4:30 in the morning and any minute we’re off to the airport…Burlington VT to Newark, NJ then 14 hrs to Bejing, from there to Mongolia and the Gobi–the first leg of the journey has begun!” ~writes Clemma Dawsen from Sandgate, Vermont.

I doubt my friend Clemma has taken her feline. She’d be more likely to transport her horse. She’s an equestrian, and finds the same kind of fulfillment in owning an equine as the Dali Lama does in having a cat. If you missed the story about His Holiness and his feline, scroll down to yesterday’s blog.

clemma dawsen

Clemma is part of a group that is traveling from Vermont to Tibet to learn more about personal fulfillment. This group is made up of artists of all types. She will be journaling as she travels, she is the poet/writer of the group.

I am so proud of Clemma. She is deserving of this assignment. I met her when I worked as education coordinator at the VermontStateCraftCenter “Frog Hollow.” She is one of those kinds of people you feel as if you have known forever – warm, loving and friendly. We “clicked” immediately. Although we only worked together for a relatively short time, she has never left my heart. When we met, we had a lot in common – both of us had sons, who were only children. They attended the same high school and both boys have artistic spirits. We’d share notes on teen rearing a lot.

I encourage you to follow Clemma and her fellow adventurers on the blog Triptych Journey: The Alchemy of Stories, Art and Travel. http://triptychjourney.org/  .

The group is also comprised of a project advisor (a Buddist who has more than two dozen books on spirituality to his credit), a documentary cinematographer, a photographer, and a choreographer. Their mission “is to tell compelling world stories that speak to all of us. Using multimedia arts and expression, Triptych Journey connects audiences to vulnerable people, cultures and ecology, instilling values of conservation and preservation in a rapidly changing world.”

Happy Travels to All! I can’t wait to be enlightened about what is learned from this experience that will take  these artists to far off reaches of the world.

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

Curling Up with Cat Books

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In ancient times, cats were worshipped as Gods, they have not forgotten this. ~ Terry Pratchett

Ok cat lovers, wherever you are….today’s blog has been written with you in mind.

Have you ever wondered why people chose cats over dogs? Two of the top reasons cats are preferred over dogs by so many people is their independent spirit and their low decibel level. So it’s no wonder that the Dalai Lama has been smitten with a kitten. A feline fits much better into the serenity picture than a canine. After all, a fulfilling life for His Holiness is a peaceful co-existence with the world and a purring kitty indicates supreme contentment.

A canine just wouldn’t cut it with Buddhist traditions.  Interruptions in meditation would be too frequent having to let a dog in and out, whereas cats are self-sufficient. Furthermore, a yapping dog breaks the silence and concentration required to live the lifestyle revered by monks.

dali lamas catThere are two books that are hitting the top of the sales charts about the Dali Lama.  The Dali Lama’s Cat is written from the perspective of an animal describing what it is like to be the pet in residence. Greeting dignitaries and always having to be on guard and exhibit good behavior is of utmost importance.

Many readers are also curling up with a second book by David Michie called The Art of Purring. In this publication, His Holiness’ Cat enlightens the reader and shares wisdom about what makes for happiness and everlasting contentment. Both of these books are  good reads.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the spiritual ways of the Tibetan people, and how the relationship between mankind and feline is harmonious and satisfying will enjoy these books.

art of purring

Do return to All Things Fulfilling tomorrow. I am going to share with you a blogsite that will be chronicling a journey of a group of people who have begun their travels to Tibet to gain insight from their first hand experiences on the meaning of personal fulfillment.

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Happy National Read a Book Day

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“Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul.” ~ Carlos Ruin Zafon

bookdayHappy National Read a Book Day! Reading is one of the best resources for personal growth and development. We can enhance our lives greatly by being open and considering ideas presented by others. One concept, one spark of an idea, from a book can change us for a lifetime for the better. Today, on All Things Fulfilling, I am going to leave you with a list of the top 10 spiritual growth books that have been published over the past fifty years. You will notice that the Bible is not on this list. Perhaps that is because in modern times, the definition of religion and spirituality are two different things.http://bit.ly/19oUydj How many of these publications grace your bookshelves?

There is a book that I recently encountered that contains some synchronistic element from each of the books on this list. The writing is so straight-forward that is it easy to grasp each and every concept presented without having to spend precious time trying to discern what the message is all about. The author knows something about the best road to travel to soar with success in one’s life because he has ministered to the spiritual needs of others for sixty-six years.

I will be presenting the book on All Things Fulfilling and will give our readers a “heads up” before I post a blog about it, so you will not miss it. You’ve already fulfilled the mission of the day, by visiting this website and reading an on-line missive. Have a wonderful Friday and come back on Monday to this space where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business.

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