Category Archives: Healthy living and healthy relationships

Heart of the Stories

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“A good story should make you laugh, and a moment later break your heart.”― Chuck Palahniuk

Do you miss those days when the words commitment, pride and work ethic really meant something? Are you tired of reading news stories that are sensational and shocking because healthy relationships are missing? The good news is stories about valuing oneself and others who are different than us do exist.

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Lessons of Heart & Soul, is a collection of stories that go back to the days when things were much simpler and when kids learned and understood what decent values were all about. These ten short stories which were cut from the award-winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected were previously unpublished. They are bound to put a smile on your face.

If you are looking for something to make you feel good and lift your spirits, both publications will remind you of a time when life was not so complex. You’ll love Fanny the central character in the story and her pearls of wisdom. You’ll want to learn even more about her in the award-winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, if you haven’t already read it.

Where is the best treasure in the story? Check out the memorable voice in the audio book, narrated by the author. Prefer to read it on a different platform? Select the paperback or e-book.

All it Takes is a Picture

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Isn’t it funny how all it takes is a picture to stir memories up?

Highlights for Children Puzzle

I am posting this blog especially for my mother this morning on All Things Fulfilling, I hope she sees it.

Mom,

Do you remember the hours you and I sat in doctor’s waiting rooms looking at Highlight’s for Children Magazine passing the time away waiting for my cardiology appointments. When I came across this image, I thought of you. Now that I am a mother, I can relate just a little to what you went through with a critically sick child. I am sure as you waited with me, your anxiety was by far much greater than mine, even though I was the patient.

Anyway, Mom, those days of Johns Hopkins, Sinai  and all the other doctors we visited are long past us. Thankfully I came out on the all better side. I know you don’t need any reminders of those days because they are etched in your mind forever. But this image reminded me of how we found something fulfilling in even the tough stuff. We enjoyed being together and solved these kinds of puzzles. It was our alone time. You probably thought it didn’t mean much to me but it did. So much so that seeing this image stirred all the memories up some six decades later. Thanks for being by my side and I look forward to a visit with you and Dad soon! Can’t believe it has been a year since I’ve seen you! Love, Sue

This blog is brought to you by the author of the award winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

 

 

Bubble Brain

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When a person starts to talk about their dreams, it’s as if something bubbles up from within. Their eyes brighten, their face glows, and you can feel the excitement in their words. ~John C. Maxwell

Have you ever read a little tidbit of information in a magazine, newspaper, or book and then said to your self  “Oh, I didn’t know that!”

The other day I picked up O Magazine and read that bubble gum decreases our anxiety and boosts our happiness. Cortisol, a stress hormone, is reduced after 20 minutes of chewing. Scientists speculate that chewing gum provides benefits to our bodies because our blood flow is changed as well as our heart rate, making us calmer.

Perhaps there is some truth to this notion. We baby boomers loved our Bazooka, and then there was the other brand, Wrigley’s that “doubled your pleasure and doubled your fun.” No wonder life was much simpler and and less stressful back then.

I know when I hear the lyrics to this song from my youth, my happiness quotient is increased. How about you, babyboomer, does this tune bring a smile to your face? Do you remember it?

If your bubble has burst, and you are looking for ways to decrease your stresses and increase your personal fulfillment, this article gives other suggestions. Check it out and see you tomorrow on  All Things Fulfilling.

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author, Sue Batton Leonard.

Books on Spirituality

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Statistics indicate fewer people are church-going. The reasons for the decline runs the gamut, and it depends on who you talk to and what media you favor. What do you think is the truth of the matter?

As I was writing this blog, I saw this statement come across my social media news feed.

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It immediately lead my ticker tape of thoughts to ponder what people really value in today’s world. Are we Americans perhaps not as interested in things that lead to inner growth and development and more interested in keeping up appearances? Does valuing one have to be exclusive of the other? I don’t know, but it sure begs the question.

I’ve noticed there is a new generation of books that have sprung up regarding spirituality.  Today on All Things Fulfilling, I’d like to mention a few of them. I am not pushing any of them or their authors because I have not read these publications. I’ve posted these publications for no self-serving reason other I find their titles interesting and thought worthy.

  • Wearing God
  • Accidental Saints – Finding God in All The Wrong People
  • Searching for Sunday
  • There’s a Woman in the Pulpit
  • Saint Mazie: A Novel
  • Prayer, Write, Grow
  • Mudhouse Sabbath
  • Girl Meets God
  • The Wisdom of Stability
  • Praying in Color
  • The Sacred Year: Mapping the Soulscape of Spiritual Practice
  • Tables in the Wilderness: A Memoir of God Found, Lost & Found Again
  • Every Bitter Thing is Sweet

Do any of these titles appeal to your personal interpretation of what spirituality means to you? If so, pick up one of these titles, read it and write a review on Amazon.com or send us your thoughts through this website.  Reviews help other readers decide whether a book is worth reading. Why did it touch your heart and soul?  Authors appreciate feedback from the public!

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. Click here for more information on her  publications, Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

 

 

 

Take Time: Celebrate Self

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When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow. ~ unknown

If it’s been a challenging year, and we all have times when it rains on our parade, there is even more to praise for having gotten through it. Sometimes it’s hard to beat our own drum and we need a little help. In this article there are ten good suggestions, in case you are at a loss.

One of the best ways to celebrate self is to tap into your inner child. Walk in the rain, deck yourself out in colors of the rainbow, run in a gunnysack race just for the pure fun of it. Toast up some marshmallows and don’t worry about your waistline, find a swing set in the park and find glory in the feelings of freedom as you soar clear up to the sky.

Find your own bliss and celebrate life!

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This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard. For information on her award-winning publication Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Next Generation Americans

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It takes an endless amount of history to make even a little tradition. ~ Henry James

Over the course my lifetime, there have been many changes to my homeland. America has been built on the diversity of its people, yet sometimes I feel as if I no longer see the values this country was built upon. I expect the conundrum between progress and tradition but, I struggle with the fact that the good ole U.S.A. is vastly different than the country of my youth.

I can’t help but look at these pictures and worry whether wearing red, white and blue and stars and stripes will someday be banned in the U.S.A. forever. After all, it seems a crime to hang an American flag on one’s own property, on American soil. What’s up with that?

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Young boy (4-5) wearing red white and blue sailor hat, smiling, portrait

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What will our country look like for the next generation of American children? I’m airing just a bit of what I have been pondering this week. It’s an appropriate subject to consider on All Things Fulfilling during a month when we celebrate independence and American patriotism.

This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, award-winning author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

 

Importance of Decorating Life

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If the family were a boat, it would be a canoe that makes no progress unless everyone paddles.~ Letty Cottin Pogrebin

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This week we  celebrate Independence Day, so I’ve been thinking about how when I was growing up holiday traditions were a big deal. My mother made each one very special. Even on those days that were of lesser importance she often made memories by the little things she did to commemorate and celebrate life. Thank you Mom, you will always be very fondly remembered for that, not only by your children but also by your eight grandchildren.

I recently came across an article on a website called The Art of Manliness that describes why traditions are valuable to the family unit. I was happy to see such an article on a blog for men because the male population can get in on the action of helping to establish traditions too!

Dads, perhaps you can become remembered for being the “grill master”, or the one who takes the children out for Sunday drives in the country, or the one who says “Grace” at the table before meals. Perhaps you are the guy who makes pancakes on Saturday mornings so Mother can sleep in.

These little things are what children remember from their childhood and they make deep, lasting impressions. The bonds of family are established through traditions. They give us a connectedness and a sense that it’s the small things in life that are important. What can you do to show your loved ones that family ties matter?

memoriesThis blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, award-winning author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Protect and Defend Wholesome Values

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unity in spirti

 

Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. ~ Mattie Stepanek

 

The mission behind All Things Fulfilling has always been a multi-media approach to sharing information about things that make my heart zing – what fills my heart with joy and happiness. That includes information on what has become my career and passion since 1998 – independent publishing.

I seldom make strong statements on All Things Fulfilling because we don’t need another platform on which to air controversial opinions all for the sake of being heard.

This statement I am going to make is about valuing human life and it really doesn’t matter where you stand politically. We need people in this country to discover and fill open spaces in their hearts with what brings them personal fulfillment, not evil and violence.

Dr. Ben Carson recently said about the recent occurrences in Charleston, South Carolina that the “heart of the matter is the heart.”   In my opinion, he was referring to what’s missing in the lives of the American people.

No matter where I find myself on the political spectrum, I can’t argue with Dr. Carson’s statement. The fact is we need more stories of people living by good, wholesome virtues. We can restore faith in one another by sharing stories that show the decency of the American people and how America’s fine character helped us to become a powerhouse nation.

Division is ugly. We need to get back to our roots and to a United States that our service men and women are proud and willing to protect and defend.

That’s enough about what we need. What can you give of yourself to help unify people?

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard, the author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Developing Wiser Ways

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Individually, people are finding that a simpler lifestyle provides greater satisfaction than relentless pursuit of materialism. ~ Laurance Rockefeller

Millennials who were wise, learned something from seeing their parents go through difficult financial times when the “crash” came in 2008.

Many have become more creatively economical in their way of living than the previous generation. They are designing lifestyles that are more sustainable rather than acquiring massive debt just to “keep up with Joneses.”  I found this article interesting.

What do we really need to personally fulfill us? That’s the big question. I recently was a guest on a radio blog talk show called a Living a Richer Life voicing my opinion about this very subject. You can listen in by following this link.

It’s been evidenced time and time again by people who have obsessive buying habits that after they go on a buying binge, the feelings of fulfillment lasts only for a little while. In order to be satisfied once again, they need to go on another buying fling. It becomes a vicious cycle.

Here is a great article from the wellnessbucket.com that states five daily habits that contribute to feelings of satisfaction and personal fulfillment.

mistakes as stepping stonesFor those who have done research on the topic of finding joy, many say emptying the bucket of materialistic things and replacing it with these five daily habits can start your journey toward personal fulfillment and happiness.

This blog is brought to you the award-winning author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

 

 

 

Published! At 100 Years Young

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Life is like a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it. ~ Danny Kaye

Today I am scheduled to speak with the Routt County Council of Senior Citizens about memoir writing. I will be im_no_spring_chicken_wooden_signintroducing my publication Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected. After discovering the work of Virginia Wade Ames, I am feeling as if I have published my memoir as a spring chicken!

The WayfarersCentenarian Virginia “Ginny” Wade Ames has become a published author at 100 years young. Her book “The Wayfarers: Journeying through a Century of Change” is her latest creative endeavor. She has been an artist all her life and when macular degeneration made it difficult to see, she turned her attention from various mediums of visual arts to writing. She has four more manuscripts in the pipe-line for publication.

Throughout her life she has worked in many mediums – perfecting her passions for silk-screen printing, watercolor, acrylic, and pastel painting.  She has even tried her hand at hat making! To learn more about the art of this amazing woman who has found a lifetime of personal fulfillment through her art, please visit her website.

For information about her book, which is said to be witty and full of advice on how get along with one another, please visit this link.

My husband’s cousin, Mary, had the privilege of having lunch last week with this woman at a facility in Arizona called Lifecare. It came as great surprise to Mary that “Ginny Ames” is 100! Described as bright, vocal and intelligent, she comes across with the vibrancy of a seventy-year old woman.

See you tomorrow. This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. For information on her publications.