Books for Expanding the Brain

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A great life is born in the soul, grown in the mind, and lived from the heart. ~ unknown

Looking for a book that makes you contemplate all kinds of things? Books that incorporate a multi-disciplinary approach expands our ways of thinking of the world, and the meaning of life. Publications that stir our emotions, our intellect, as well as broadening our rational thinking skills are good for us.

Brainpickings.org has listed thirteen best books in 2013 which enrich the readers mental capacities. Here is the list. To read descriptions of these publications, please visit this website http://bit.ly/1lpSGWb.

  • On Looking: Eleven Walks With Expert Eyes
  • Advice to Little Girls by Mark Twain
  • Self Portrait as your Traitor
  • Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation & GPS Technology
  • Codex Seraphinianus
  • My Brothers Book
  • Don’t Go Back to School: A Handbook for Learning Anything
  • Susan Sontag: The Complete Rolling Stone Interview
  • Letters of Note
  • Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking
  • Eighty Day: History Making Race Around the World
  • Time Warped: Unlocking the Mysteries of Time Perception
  • This Explains Everything: Deep, Beautiful & Elegant Theories of How the World Works

I will forewarn you – you may find all kinds of subjects that you hadn’t thought much about before until these books set your mind in motion.

If you are a person who has put “personal, emotional or intellectual growth” on your New Years resolution list in 2014, pick your brain with the concepts that are held within the covers of these fascinating books. Begin fulfilling your New Years resolution by enhancing an area of your life that needs developing. No procrastination allowed!

my goals

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End of Year Reflections

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Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action ~ Peter Drucker

It’s clear that the industry of independent publishing or “non-traditional publishing” has brought compelling stories that ordinarily wouldn’t have had a chance of being published traditionally, into the marketplace.

digital publishing worldLooking back over the past years, I have read and worked with a wide variety of independent publishing clients who have produced e-books as a result of the “digital revolution.” Indeed, over the past decade there have been vast changes that have taken place in how books are published. However, one thing that has not changed is the impetus behind why people publish. Authors write to educate, inform, entertain and inspire others, whether the words are on paper or in digital format.

The Digital Book World Conference is only a few weeks away. Soon, the Book Industry Study Group will be wrapping up their research for 2013 which will reveal statistics about how e-books have fared over the past year in the marketplace. I look forward to reading the reports.

Lavar Burton will serve as host of the Digital Book World Conference. Industry leaders including Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon will be speaking and other notables in the publishing industry will hold roundtable discussions and panel discussions. Best selling e-book authors, such as Darcie Chan, who wrote an e-book called The Mill River Recluse, which was set in Vermont, will also be in attendance.

On January 13 at 5:30 pm (at the opening evening of the New York City Conference) a screening the film of Out of Print, narrated by Meryl Streep will be shown. This eye opening movie takes the viewer into a world where books-in-print are non-existent and books as we have known them are replaced by all digital publications.

To register to attend the conference, and to learn about the line-up of speakers and the schedule, please visit http://bit.ly/1lj8tGd.

As always, I look forward to keeping our readers informed on All Things Fulfilling about e-book industry developments through out the year 2014.

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Seasons Greetings from CFS

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globe-www_naturalcollection_com_

Wishing You a

Merry Christmas

and Blessings for

A New Year Full of Joy

 From All Things Fulfilling!

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Settling In Amid Peaks and Valleys

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Last week I promised that I would share my impressions of moving from the northeastern part of the U.S. to the town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I came site unseen since my husband relocated several months prior to my coming.

My original poem begins on the East Coast – and this segment picks up as my husband, son and I drove into Steamboat in a fierce snowstorm the day after Thanksgiving, five years ago.

(The form is a little different due to digital formatting challenges) but never-the-less every word is as I wrote it).

Settling In ~ by Sue Batton Leonard

Relocating, arriving like dandruff on shoulders,

a sprinkling of sugar, dusting about

dancing, leaving polka dots on

peaks and in deep valleys,

marking the panorama, a white capped day

ill-timed to some, peaceful, sparkling to others

trailing like ribbons of baby’s bonnet

freed from summer heat, a white capped day

insulating earth from hoarfrost of winter

playground for skiers, aggravation for vehicles

skidding and sliding, driving the

business of living

steep and deep canyons, icing tiered

high, champagne to play in, romantic visions,

a Christmas rose, welcome alpine

guests of a white capped day

effervescent spirits, chilling exteriors

covered, absolute abundance

paralysis, blocked highways and byways

igloo walls till spring thaw

children naively playing, blizzard conditions

pompoms on powder puffs, feathery scarves,

woodstove fed and red-hot fired,

melting spikes of a white capped day

sit and snuggle, aside a blazing fire

top the chocolate with whipped cream. A cherry.

till next fall, remember, a white capped day ~

whipped creme and cherry

Wishing You and Yours a Happy Holiday Season! Do return tomorrow to

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Phased by the Moon

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“Aim for the moon. If you miss, you might hit a star.” ~ W. Clement Stone

I’ve been tossing and turning for the past few nights, thinking it was anticipation of the holiday season and my preparations for it. I don’t suffer from sleep disorders except when there is a full moon. My circadian rhythm gets thrown off. This is the last full moon of the year 2013, called The Long Night’s Moon and it leads to the coming of the Winter Solstice (on Saturday, December 21).

Appropriate to the lunar cycle, let’s take a look at movies about the moon on this Film Friday. If you follow this link, there’s a list of 25 films that have celestial themes. http://bit.ly/JSRr6E.

I look forward to the coming of the Winter Soltice on Saturday! My husband will be on his way back from his travels. He’s been coaching ski racing at the World University Games in Italy.

Our son will be arriving along with his gal, a delightful guest to have over Christmas. It’s seems like it’s been a moon’s age since I’ve seen him but it’s actually been 7 full moon cycles. They’ll find fresh perspectives by taking a break from their work. http://bit.ly/QiidY4. There are all kinds of fulfilling things to do in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. They’ll be over the moon, skiing their hearts out.

Next week my blogging will be little less frequent so I can enjoy this precious time with my family. We’ll be all tucked in under one roof for the holidays. How sweet that will be.

Christmas-santa-moon

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Literary Benevolence

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More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness.~ Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) Comedic Actor, Filmmaker, Writer

Happy Thoughtful Thursday. Today I am thinking about seasonal opportunities for sharing literacy. If you are a library patron or a book lover, these ideas might appeal to you – acts that you can do for others that will mean a lot.

  • Write a literary letter from a beloved literary character about the true meaning of Christmas.
  • Leave post-it notes in random places with uplifting quotes from inspirational writers.
  • Pay off someone’s late fees at the library
  • Drop-off free, pass along books on buses, at a table in a restaurant, on a park bench, in a senior citizen center.
  • Pick-up an extra newspaper at the newsstand and give it to the person behind you in line.
  • Arrange a book swap in a public place and invite anyone walking by to join in, even if they come empty handed. Make sure you have a good supply of  pass-alongs.
  • Put a pass-along book in someone’s mailbox, gift wrapped. What a nice surprise!
  • Create a gift for a loved one – a Shutterfly book of memories. www.shutterfly.com
  • Check out an extra book from the library and take it to a shut-in.
  • Set up a Book Angels program in your community to give new or gently used children books at Christmas time.

book angels

Photo: Book Angels from www.deviantart.com

These random acts of literary kindness can be given at anytime of the year but will especially be appreciated during the holidays.

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Putting Faith in a Move

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You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.” ~- Mary Manin Morrissey

tell us your storyThis winter marks my fifth year in Steamboat Springs, CO. I’ve enjoyed it immensely. I like the positive energy of the people – they seem to live with purpose and intention rather than just going through the motions. Healthy mind, body and spirit is the focus in this place of awesome beauty. Besides recreation, the arts and entrepreneurship reign supreme. The people are so friendly and there is always something to do in this community. The wonderful library is a hub of activity. I’ve gotten quite involved all around.

Friends and family ask me all the time “Do you think you will live there the rest of your life?” Since I can’t answer that, I’ve decided I’ll live with the attitude that my mother-in-law used to have. She always said “you live till you die.” Alrighty, then! So I’ll say “I am here till I go somewhere else.”  By the way, my mother-law fulfilled her promise by living to the ripe age of 92.

Next Monday on All Things Fulfilling I am going to share a piece of writing from a creative writing class I took last winter. It’s about first impressions – arriving in this town of Steamboat Springs the day after Thanksgiving, five years ago, sight unseen. People ask me all the time – “How did you do that? Move to a place you had never seen before?” My reply….”I just put faith in the fact that I would like it.”  And so it happened, just like that!

Here is a great article called Living with Faith and Making a Great Landing. http://bit.ly/18wEp9O.

Do you have a story you could share about taking a leap of faith? Start writing!

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Virtuous Names

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Christmas is the keeping-place for memories of our innocence.–Joan Mills

I’ve often wondered whether a women who bears a name like Hope, Grace, Faith, Charity or Patience are generally more highly-principled than someone who bears a name like Cruella de Ville, Brandy Alexander or Fannie Hill?  Do people feel pressured to live up to the virtues of their names?

Likewise, if you live in a town that sounds lovely and festive, is life a little different? Are crime rates lower in cities and towns in nice sounding places? After all, people may feel the pressure to live with Christmas spirit or good intentions year-round.

What do you think? Is there is a higher quality of life living in places like these:

  • Angels Camp, CA 95222
  • Bethlehem, PA18016
  • Blessing, TX 77419
  • Christmas, FL 32709
  • Faith, NC 28041
  • Hope, NM 88250
  • Joy, IL 61260
  • Nazareth, KY 40048
  • Noel, MO 64854
  • Saint Joseph, IL 61873
  • Saint Mary, KY 40063
  • Santa   Claus, IN 47579
  • Shepherd, MI 48883
  • Snow, OK 74567
  • Star, ID 83669
  • Wiseman, AR 72587

I ponder if these places are any closer to paradise than any other cities? If we could peek into the lives of the ordinary citizens in these communities, do you think life would be any more fulfilling than other places on the map?

Christmas in the heart

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Ringing and Singing

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Sing with passion. Work with laughter. Love with heart. ‘Cause that’s all that matter in the end.” ~ Kris Kristofferson

nostalgic carollersI stepped into a local shop a few days after Thanksgiving and holiday tunes rang out. It stirred up memories of my childhood going from house to house Christmas caroling. People rarely carol anymore. According to an article in Time Magazine, a professor of popular culture at Syracuse University, Bob Thompson says caroling has seen a decline since the 1960s. http://ti.me/1bEe9IG

Hearing Christmas songs in the stores always puts a bug in my ear that it is clearly time to get out the holiday CDs and enjoy them. I never tire of the same old tunes. I’m endlessly delighted by the melodies. The Yule season passes all too quickly, and then it is time to put the Christmas CDs away until next year.

Today I thought I’d see what’s being sold on the internet marketplace for new holiday releases.

Here are a few CD suggestions. I bet you can’t go wrong with selecting any one of them. Each one would make for a fulfilling holiday listening experience:

  • Wrapped in Red – Kelly Clarkson
  • A Mary Christmas – Mary J Blige
  • Christmas Voices  – Celtic Thunder
  • Sending you a Little Christmas – Johnny Mathis
  • Hope for All the World – Craig & Dean Phillips
  • Angels Sing: Christmas in Ireland      – Libera
  • Christmas in my Heart – Gretchen Wilson
  • Christmas Spirit – David Arkenstone

If you are at a loss for an affordable gift-giving idea, a Christmas music is always greatly appreciated and it will be enjoyed for many years. CD’s are great stocking stuffers, too!

“It Came Upon Midnight Clear, that glorious song of old…..”

Film Friday: Advent Movies

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Advent in heart and homeLet’s approach Christmas with an expectant hush, rather than a last-minute rush.” ~Anonymous

Sadly, for some people, the holidays are not a “feel good time.” It can be a time of loneliness, desperation and depression for the elderly, those suffering from illness or isolation. Some individuals have few positive nostalgic memories to draw upon to buoy them and help them feel festive and in the mood for celebrating the season.

The good news is that we are in control of our own emotions and we can do things to help raise our own spirits. http://bit.ly/18kHEB0.

Watching “feel good” movies lifts the mood because they offer a diversion from the stresses of everyday life. Here is an article that offers some suggestions about good movies to watch during this season of Advent – the season of waiting and anticipating. The films are not tagged as “Christian movies” but rather movies that provide hope, inspiration and the arrival of better things to come.

They can all be ordered thorough Netflix or they may be available through your local library at no cost at all. http://bit.ly/1drWmUA.

Have a good weekend, and enjoy the season doing whatever brings you personal fulfillment during the Advent season. I’ve got a busy weekend planned preparing for the arrival of our son.  Counting down in anticipation.

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