Tag Archives: award-winning authors

Nature’s Spring Ritual

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“Daffodils,” an image by artist Nancy Guzik is a promise of spring that I look to so often throughout the winter. As we transition into warmer days and brighter colors nature heralds in her ritual of budding and blossoming flowers displaying “an adoration of the beautiful among the sordid facts of everyday life.” Akin to how people describe the Japanese ceremony of tea making.

I’m fortunate. I don’t have to look beyond the walls of my home to see Guzik’s beautiful image, and although I don’t own the original painting, the fine art lithograph has given me as much pleasure over the years.

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Guzik says of art “Somewhere within all of us we long for a certain truth, each searching in our own way, possibly to know and feel who we are and why we are here on earth. At times there is a yearning to express that. Perhaps that is why I paint.”

As we move another day into the season of rebirth, I know as my truth that one of the best reasons to be on this earth is to witness the season of miraculous renewal in nature. Happy Spring and “bloom where you are planted!”

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

 

Love Indomitable Seniors

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“Spirit…has fifty times the strength and staying power of brawn and muscle.” ~ Unknown

On this Thirsty Thursday the topic is curious seniors who are opening themselves up to a whole new world of information by learning about computers.

In the documentary film, Cyber-Seniors, teens pair up with elderly people to teach them the most popular ways of communicating digitally, how to search the internet for information and about Facebook and You Tube. It open ups new avenues to explore and things to talk about with their grandchildren and family. As you will note, for most seniors the only challenges in using computers lies between their ears in their attitudes.

But, that’s no different than all of us, is it? No matter what stage of life we are in!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U2GOlbpvPo

On this Thirsty Thursday, meet some Cyber-Seniors who are bridging the gap between generations and having a little fun doing it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keY2qlrdyrY

You’ll enjoy these one minute videos and the full length documentary is available here.

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

Gods, Generals and Irish Ballad

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May the sound of happy music, And the lilt of Irish laughter, fill your heart with gladness, that stays forever after. ~ Unknown

Happy St. Patty’s Day. Today’s blog is about an Irish ballad called Kathleen Mavourneen. The composer of the song is someone who I hold near and to my heart, even though I am several generations removed from him. I only know him through my father’s side of our family story.

A rendition of  Kathleen Mavourneen was filmed as part of the movie Gods & Generals but unfortunately it got cut in the editing process. The story take place during the Civil War era and it was filmed in many different places in the region where I grew up. Scenery from throughout the mid-Atlantic States of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and at the site of the battle of  Antietam are in the movie. The film is based on the book by Jeffrey Shaara.

If you wish to learn more about my ancestor’s connection to the ballad Kathleen Mavourneen check out Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected. You can read all about it in Chapter 16, My Beloved.

Have a great St. Patricks Day, everyone! And remember to go out and ~

make your own luck!

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

 

Time Marches Forward

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“In all things of nature, there is something marvelous.” ~ Aristotle

During the final days of February I marched myself down to New Mexico, while my husband went off to Alaska to coach the Colorado Mountain College ski team. I’d gone to spend a little time with the birthday boy, our son!

Over the next few days I will share a few of my travels.

If you are ever in the area of Tent Rocks National Monument located between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, do stop! Ecologically speaking, it is quite unique. Not even to mention the scenery. If you go, be on the lookout for “Apache tears” – rounded, clear pieces of obsidian. Hot lava created the “tent rocks” some 6 to 7 million years ago, and the “apache tears” were caused by obsidian rock abruptly cooling.

Images will much better tell the story of tent rocks! Follow me through the slot canyons deep into the park.

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IMG_20150221_123313_835Oh, the climb was so worth what we saw at the top! Thanks for entertaining me Meghan and Marc. It was great being with you and happy 27th birthday, Marc!

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

Thirsty Thursday: Footloose

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If you want to be happy, be! ~ Leo Tolstoy

I love that quotation! It reminds me that we can be anything we decide we want to be.

It’s good for the spirit to let loose and have fun. Sometimes enjoyment comes while living vicariously and sometimes it means being the active participant! Watch this video and you’ll be ready to join in on the joy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxUcUn5cWhQ

And see you back here tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling!

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

 

 

Calling All Valentines Procrastinators

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“Every problem has a gift for you in its hands.”  ~Richard Bach

You knew you shouldn’t have, but you did it anyway, right? You’ve waited to the last minute to think about what to give to your loved one for Valentine’s Day. It’s tomorrow!

“Oh, no,” you say, “time got away!”

You can place your order today and have Short Stories: Lessons of Heart and Soul delivered within minutes as a gift for a loved one since it’s an e-book. It’s perfect for ages twelve and up. A little humor that is family friendly and a wonderful hero with subtle messages are all inside the storyline.

IMG_20150110_153738_111 resized 50%Have a great weekend, everyone. See you back here on All Things Fulfilling on Monday. This blog is brought to you by the award-winning author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.

 

Thirsty Thursday: Grow Happiness

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Ok! I’ll admit it, I like sappy, happy stories.   Yes, I do! It’s a relief to read something uplifting and positive because it gives balance to what is typically shown in the media.

One of the best ways to remove yourself from being inundated with negativity is to simply shut the TV off. As simple as that.

Negative influences can affect our entire demeanor. As people who can exercise our own free will, it’s up to us to decide who we want to hang with and what kind of energy is the most healthy to be around. 

Positive energy breeds positive energy, so keep this in mind. Find your positive energy name and let yourself be surrounded by all things fulfilling in your life that helps you live up to it.

Positive Energy Name

That’s all for today from Extraordinary Surprise Bringer. (aka the award-winning author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and Short Stories: Lessons of Heart & Soul.)

Colored Me Beautifully

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Do you remember back when civilty and common courtesy ruled? Please understand I share this story as an example of those times, not for self-serving purposes. I mean that.

My mother recently went through her hope chest, and sent some wonderful things that she had been saving for me. I couldn’t believe what she held on to for so many years.

In 1974, when I was 19 years old, I had a car accident. It was nothing more than a small fender bender and I think my Dad paid for the damages out of his pocket they were so minimal. At the time I thought it was the biggest tragedy that had ever befallen me. Never did it occur to me that I had been through much worse than that and survived the experience.

My twin sister was in the passenger seat and there were no injuries other than to the spirit. I was beside myself. (You know how teenage girls tend to over react, right?) I felt awful I had damaged someone else’s car and my parent’s vehicle.

I couldn’t believe the kindness the man that I rammed into showed me. He offered to come home with me to help me tell my parents because I was such a wreck. My sister can testify that the man upheld his offer.

Furthermore, after it was all done and over, the wife of the man I rammed into sent this note to my parents to let him know their car had been repaired and all was well. No hard feelings.

note about my car accident when 19 correct position

(Truthfully, I don’t have any clue what I said or did to warrant the comments on this note.)

Today’s message on All Things Fulfilling is for all parents. I want to share what John Locke once said, “We are like cameleons, we take our color and our hue of our moral character, from those who are around us.” ~ John Locke

Paint a picture of people

Thank you, Mom & Dad. I am so glad I grew up in an era of old-fashioned civilty and you raised me to have a strong moral compass. According to Locke, your colors must have rubbed off on me.  I hope I always stay true to my values.

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

 

 

 

 

The Writing Life

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How many times have we heard a person say “I am a writer.”

“What are you writing?” is the natural lead up question.

“Nothing, right now.” A valid response. At that present moment that person is not penning anything. They are communicating verbally – with you. True?

If you’re an artist in any medium and have a real passion for something, practice is never ending. The most successful people in this country’s history were not made overnight. Malcolm Gladwell shares his insight on the 10,000 hour principle.

Even if you’ve gone to school to learn a craft, the education is not over! The process of perfecting a craft is lifelong. Ask any artist who has risen to the top of their field – creating is on-going, never ending. I look at master painter Richard Schmid, one of the most celebrated artists in the country. He paints constantly even though he has been painting an entire lifetime and recently blew out the candles on his 80th birthday cake!

As an author, even though I recently published two books,  I feel as if my work has just begun. I literally work at it every day through blogging and then….there are my other writing projects.

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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 and Soul.

Thirsty Thursday: Think Again

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Today on Thirsty Thursday – 1 short minute of inspiring news in a video to entertain and motivate.

Even the most successful people have had challenge. It’s all part of the human experience. Don’t let previous defeats stop you! You’ve got what it takes, if you wholeheartedly believe it and let nothing stop you.

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